Gronnus stepped away from the gazebo. He had to pause a moment halfway down the path to catch his breath and stop his heart from hammering in his chest.

He glanced over towards the west. The afternoon sun had disappeared behind a storm blowing in from the ocean. The breeze had stirred, bringing with it a promise of rain. Until it delivered, the air was still muggy and oppressive. He turned again down the path, Overlord Freya far ahead of him. She disappeared into her quarters just as Gronnus got to the bottom of the path.

He felt a little sorry for Amanda. He, too, knew of Freya's propensities, perhaps better than any other Overlord, having visited her Manor on so many occasions when he had been courting her vote.

At this point, he was glad to be rid of her. The alliance, such that it was, had likely been ill-fated from the beginning. Having her as an ally now would have made matters worse. She would likely see Roquan's assassination as a means for herself to gain.

Just as Gronnus passed by Freya's quarters, the female Overlord burst out, yanking the door shut behind her. She stood in Gronnus' way.

"All right. Just what in hellfire was that all about?"

Gronnus blinked in surprise at the anger in Freya's eyes. "I am sure I don't know what you're talking about, Freya," he said with forced patience. "Now if you will excuse me, I ..."

Gronnus tried to sidestep her. She blocked his way again.

"You accused me of playing games once," said Freya. "Now who's playing games?"

Gronnus sighed. "I do not have time for this ..."

"Make the time. I want to know what's going on in your head, scary as that is."

"And just why is this important to you?"

"Why? Simple. I have what I want. I want to get out of here with it."

Gronnus sneered. "What are you afraid of? That Roquan will find out how you're treating the poor girl?"

"Don't get sanctimonious on me!" Freya spat. "I could care less what he finds out."

"Why do I have trouble believing that?"

"Then believe what you wish. The fact of the matter is, Gronnus, that I want out of this infernal Manor as quickly as possible. Why do you think I gave Roquan my vote?"

Gronnus gaped at her. "What?? You gave ... you gave Roquan your vote just to end the Conclave faster?! Then why didn't you ..."

"Side with you?" she asked with a smirk. "Because you would have been evenly matched. The debate would gave gone on and on, and I didn't want to deal with that."

"You astound me ... no, wait, that's not correct. You do not astound me anymore. You disgust me."

"Well, then we're even. So what is it with ..."

Gronnus glowered at her. "I am under no obligation to discuss the matter with the likes of you."

Freya stepped up to him. "I'm warning you, Gronnus. Don't cross me. You have no idea how dangerous I can be. Don't push me. I'll push back. Hard."

Gronnus swallowed. He wished he would not feel so intimidated around this woman! It was not natural! He finally sighed in resignation. "I cannot tell you what is happening, Freya. But it will last no more than a day. I fully intend to resolve this with Roquan tomorrow morning."

Freya paused for a moment, then nodded slowly. "So are you trying to copy what I did? Sorry, but you're not Roquan's type."

Gronnus blanched at this, which delighted Freya. He simply glowered at her again and hastened off towards his quarters.

"Roquan, I don't like this!" Doran bellowed. "Gronnus is up to something, I can feel it!"

"What could he possibly do?" Rennis said in a pleading voice. Doran had been ranting the whole walk back to Roquan's quarters. "You said yourself he hardly has any support at all anymore, and Roquan managed to top his deals, so what does that leave him with?"

Doran remained mercifully silent for a moment, the first time he had since leaving the bluff. He was red-faced, partially from his anger and bluster, and partially from the heat and humidity. In the far distance there was a low, rumbling wave of thunder.

"I can understand where Doran is coming from," Roquan said in a soft voice as he procured some cold water for them from the large jug in the sanitary. He handed goblets to Doran and Rennis before obtaining one last one for himself. "I do not understand his motivation either for bringing up such a trivial point."

"Well, in a way, it's not trivial," Rennis commented carefully. "He's questioning the integrity of a witness to a crime, essentially."

"Oh, now don't you start!" said Doran. "That would be well and good were this a trial in an Imperial court. But this is an Overlord Conclave. The rules are different here."

"And the other Overlords thought it trivial, Rennis," Roquan pointed out. "At least from the reactions I saw in their faces. They are as confused about this as we are."

"I can only see it as an attempt to delay the Conclave! Nothing more! It's as you said, he's buying time!"

"But for what?" Rennis asked. "He can't make any more deals. He certainly is not going to sway anyone after nearly making a fool out of himself ..."

"Nearly?" Doran snorted. "By that way, that reminds me, Roquan, you handled yourself superbly at the Conclave! You did exactly what you should have done, you turned around his arguments right back at him."

"A lot of good it did though. We're still stuck with the Point of Order."

"As I said, Gronnus is up to something. And you'll likely find out tomorrow morning what that is. This was just an ill-conceived plan to make some sort of deal with you."

Roquan frowned. "Deal? Does he seriously think I will throw the Conclave in his favor for some deal?"

"Well, it's all I can think of!"

"Then he has wasted his time. I shall not deal away the Conclave."

"And I don't expect you to! The idea is preposterous."

"Unless he feels he has something he can hold over you," Rennis said darkly.

Roquan met Rennis' gaze sharply, then softened when he saw that Rennis only had concern in his eyes. "We will simply hope that it does not come down to that," he said quietly.

Doran glanced between the two of them. He was more certain than ever that there was a shared secret between them, but it was not his place to ask. "He has nothing," he declared, downing the rest of his water in one go. "Nothing at all. Perhaps he wants some small trinket for giving his vote to you and removing his further opposition. It is the only thing that makes sense now."

"A face-saving gesture?" Rennis asked.

Doran nodded. "Yes. In which case, Roquan should be gracious and accept it."

"I do not need to give him anything," Roquan said stonily.

Doran rolled his eyes and sighed. "Roquan, you will have to deal with him again. With all the Overlords. You do not want to burn your bridges just as you have built them!"

Roquan sighed in exasperation. "Fine. I will deal with him in that regard. Graciously."

"Good." Doran wiped his forehead. "Great gods, does it ever cool off here?"

Another long rumble sounded, louder this time, causing the poles to vibrate. "A storm is arriving," Roquan said. "It generally cools off behind that."

"You and me both, Doran," Rennis said with a small grin. "Here, let's head back to our respective quarters. We should be getting a good breeze from the ocean by now."

This time, Jollis waited until the Portal had closed completely before emerging from behind the unused slave quarters. In one hand, a blue pearl lay balanced in his palm. He closed this hand and tucked away the pearl on his person. In his other was a large, corked jug. A faintly pinkish fluid sloshed inside of it.

He believed he knew what was about to happen. From what he knew of Herdon, and what he had seen between him and Gronnus, and what he knew of the Oceanus Emperor, he was sure he was right. His master had concurred, and had provided him the tools that he now needed to deal with it.

Or rather, to help others to deal with it, for his hand would not interfere directly.

As he emerged from behind the buildings, the ground shook with a long peal of thunder. Overhead, gray-black clouds rolled over the island. In the distance towards the sea, flickers of lightning danced under the approaching storm.

The air was tinged with electricity, and the first faint droplets began to patter down, hurrying Jollis' gait. By the time he had reached his destination, the ground was damp, and to the west, a dark wall of heavy rain was fast approaching.

Jollis knocked lightly on the door frame. There was a long pause, and then a muffled "Enter!" in a strained voice.

The merchant allowed himself in, and bowed. "I humbly beg your pardon for this intrusion, Overlord," he said. He lifted the jug and held it out from him with both hands, the typical gesture for offering a gift. "But I felt compelled to help."

Gronnus raised his head and blinked wearily at the merchant. The Overlord was not looking well. The combination of the stifling heat and his anxiety over what was to come made him look pale. "Help? Help with what?" he said a bit crossly.

"You mentioned yesterday to me that the heat was affecting you. I bring something that will help."

Gronnus looked at him oddly. "Just who are you?"

"I am the merchant you met the day before, near Roquan's quarters."

"Huh? Oh! Uh, yes. I don't think I caught your name ...?"

"Jollis, your Lordship."

"Your Clan?"

"None, Overlord. I am just Jollis."

There was a loud crack of thunder that jolted Gronnus in his seat. He glanced nervously towards the window and quickly gestured for Jollis to enter.

The merchant smiled pleasantly and closed the door behind him. He quickly fetched a goblet and uncorked the jug. A slightly sweet, citrus scent filled the room. "This is a fruit juice blend from my native lands," said Jollis as he poured out the concoction. "Many of my people that live in the hotter climes drink this every day. Please." He handed the Overlord the goblet.

Gronnus stared into the goblet for a moment, then tentatively gave it a sip. He raised an eyebrow as he found it to his liking and took a larger drink. He looked up at the merchant. "And what do I owe you for this, Jollis?"

"Ah, but did I not make the correct gesture as I entered that this was a gift?" Jollis said with no recrimination whatsoever in his voice.

"Yes, you did. My apologies, I ... my mind is elsewhere at the moment."

"Understandable. I am sure there are important decisions to make with regards to the Conclave."

Gronnus consumed about half of what was in the goblet before he looked up again. His gaze was a sobering one. "You have no idea," he said in a low, despondent voice.

"But perhaps I do."

Gronnus lowered the cup and stared.

"I have been faced recently with the need to perform a most distasteful act, your Lordship. So I know how such things can weigh heavily on the mind."

The Overlord paused a long moment. "And is this what you assume I am up to?"

Jollis bowed his head briefly. "I am but a humble merchant, your Lordship. I presume nothing. I simply wish to express sympathy for you in what decisions you must deal with."

Gronnus sighed and leaned back in his chair, downing much of what was left in his goblet. He was not feeling quite as ill as he had. "Sometimes, Jollis, decisions are taken out of our hands," he declared somberly. He looked into his goblet, swirling around what little of the juice remained.

"The rest is yours, Overlord," Jollis said, lifting the jug into view again briefly before laying it at Gronnus' feet. "And if I may be so bold, I would like to leave you with this: whenever I see that a decision has been taken from me, it often means I am not looking at the problem from the right perspective."

Gronnus had picked up the jug and was about to refill his goblet when he paused and looked back up at the merchant, a small frown on his face. "And what would you know of this? What would you know of what that decision was? Or the circumstances around it?"

Jollis knew a great deal indeed. Far too much to reveal to the Overlord. For one thing, he knew that Herdon was at this moment keeping watch over Roquan's quarters. Then there had been the threatening confrontation between Herdon and the Overlord the day before, when it appeared that Gronnus was on his way to see Roquan. From this, Jollis could assume that Herdon wished to keep Gronnus from contacting Roquan.

He also knew of the Point of Order by this time, and that Gronnus and Roquan were to meet privately. Thus, Jollis had concluded, Herdon was manipulating events to get them together at a specific time and place. The only real question was Herdon's background. Jollis' master had not been able to provide anything more than what was already known, that he had been trained as a soldier in the Emperor's guard. Yet where the Emperor was about to strike, this meant that Herdon could very well be serving as the Emperor's hand.

"You are, perhaps, correct in this," Jollis said carefully. "Yet, it is in my nature to help."

Gronnus nodded slowly. "It is not unappreciated," the Overlord said simply as he drank the second goblet-full of juice.

Jollis smiled. "Ah, but this is good to hear. May I be so bold again as to offer one more bit of advice?"

Gronnus paused, then nodded wordlessly.

"Sometimes what prevents us from seeing the solution to a problem is that we are ... locked ... into thinking that we have to provide it."

Gronnus gave the merchant a nonplussed look.

"I wish to leave you with a second gift." Jollis reached into his tunic and extracted the blue pearl.

The Overlord peered at it with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. When it was offered to him, he hesitated before tentatively taking it from the merchant. "But what does this ...?"

A soft, diffuse noise from all around them grew steadily louder as the rains began to pour down outside.

"Perhaps you should approach your problem as a puzzle. Sometimes all it takes is the one hint to unlock the secret of the solution." Jollis smiled. "Or ... it may be your key to finding someone who can."

Jollis turned away from the perplexed Overlord and opened the door. Ran came down in sheets, splattering water on his legs. He turned to the Overlord and gave a respectful bow of his head. "Good day to you, Overlord Gronnus."

Without waiting for a reply, he stepped out into the drenching rains and was gone.

The rains continued off-and-on into the evening.

Amanda tried to focus her attention on it. The sound was always soothing to her back in Sirinna's quarters. It helped lull her to sleep on nights she was too nervous about one thing or another. Now she wanted it simply as a distraction.

It was hard. Her pussy strained and ached very badly. Her hips writhed despite her attempts to stop, as if acting on their own in some vain hope it would make her crest. She could not stop trembling.

Yet she managed it. It distracted her from her sensual torture enough to minister to her mistress. Amanda gently suckled at one of Freya's nipples while lightly stroking Freya's very wet pussy with her fingers.

"Mmm, that's it ..." Freya cooed softly. "Slowly ... I wish to enjoy this ... I wish to enjoy your squirming ..."

Amanda simply let her mind be carried further way by the patter of the rain. It had taken less than a day for her to realize that the worst of this nightmare was not the prison on her sex, or the lack of dignity, but the taunts. At least when the other slaves did it to her, she knew it was part of the training, that it was more a game to them than anything else. From this Overlord, it was simply hurtful.

Freya lifted a hand to Amanda's side, sliding down slowly to the girl's hip. She could feel the girl quivering, and the hips swaying back and forth uncontrollably. "You came close to speaking out of turn earlier, Amanda."

Amanda did not pause. Until Freya ordered her otherwise, she kept doing what she was last told to do. She pressed her lips to the areola and sucked the nipple between her lips. Her fingers teasingly probed Freya's tunnel.

Freya briefly closed her eyes and let a small breathy moan escape her parted lips. "Mmm ... perhaps I should keep you like this a little longer ... do you think you could sleep with your pussy being stroked all the time?"

A shudder passed through Amanda, but she stopped herself from reacting any further.

Freya chuckled. "I won't do that. But shall you get a reward tonight or not?"

Amanda squeezed Freya's breast in her fingers and took the nipple deeper into her mouth.

Freya tilted her head back, panting lightly. "Not bad ... not bad at all ..." she breathed. "Now my pussy ... deeper ... mmm, yes ..."

Amanda slipped her fingers into Freya, the Overlord's cunt squeezing tightly as they penetrated. Slowly she sank them deeper into Freya, pressing her thumb against Freya's nub, massaging it with firm, slow circular strokes.

Freya closed her eyes again, her pleasure mounting. Her hand caressed Amanda's hip, then one of her ass cheeks before motioning up Amanda's back and playing with her hair. She lay her hand against the back of Amanda's head and pressed the girl's face more firmly into her breast.

Amanda felt her face fill with soft flesh. She had to tilt her head slightly to be able to breathe. She sucked harder, bringing a small gasp and then a deep moan from her mistress. She thrust her fingers in more deeply into Freya's depths and then began to slide them in and out. She tilted them forward, making sure to properly stroke Freya's womanhood each time.

Freya's breath grew short. Outside, the rain was letting up. Amanda let out a small whimper as it got harder to ignore the sensations from her pussy. She tried not to let it affect her actions. As anxious as she was to finish off Freya in the vain hope that the Overlord would see her way clear to granting Amanda relief, she did not want to take the chance of displeasing her.

Dutifully, Amanda drove the Overlord higher and higher, steadily but not too quickly. Finally, Freya arched her back and her cunt convulsed around Amanda's fingers. The Overlord moaned loudly, her body shuddering as she throbbed. Carefully, Amanda drew out the orgasm, easing off slowly, keeping it pleasurable but backing off before it became too much. By the time Freya's body relaxed, one final "Mmmmm ..." uttered from her as the last of her climax faded, Amanda had lifted her mouth and and fingers from the Overlord's body.

Freya looked up and smiled. "You have some skills after all."

"Thank you, mistress," Amanda said, her voice strained and breathless. She was panting. The strain in her pussy was incredible. She could not ignore it anymore, and her body shook with the desperate need for release.

"Do you want to cum, Amanda?" Freya asked sweetly.

"It's whatever you wish of me, mistress," she said breathlessly.

"You learn fast. I suppose that is a plus. You will remain where you are."

"Y-yes, mistress."

Amanda remained on all fours as Freya slipped out from under her. Amanda hung her head, breathing hard. A few moments later she felt a hand between her thighs from behind and then a touch to her pussy.

At first, she thought Freya was just going to turn it off again and leave her frustrated once more. She was sure she would cry if that happened. In fact, the tears had already begun to fill her eyes when she felt the fingers press harder into her.

She soared and crested. The throbbing was intense, so much so that she made not a sound, her hips jerking violently. Finally she found her voice and moaned, her orgasm wracking her body. The thing over her mound drew it out, almost to the excruciating proportions of that phallic-shaped device that had been used on her days before. Finally the climax did abate, and it left Amanda shaking.

However, she did not dare collapse. She remained on all fours, even as badly as her limbs trembled, until she was told otherwise.

"Is that all better now, slave?" Freya said in a mocking tone of voice.

"Yes, mistress," Amanda breathed. "Thank you, mistress."

Freya chuckled. She caressed one of Amanda's thighs, and for a frightening moment Amanda thought that the Overlord was going to activate it again. Instead, she slapped Amanda lightly on the ass and withdrew her hand. She picked up the end of the chain and gave it a snap.

"Stand up."

Amanda could not resist uttering a small groan as she struggled to her feet. Her legs trembled but held. There was a residual ache in her pussy from the force of her orgasm. She stood before her mistress and lowered her eyes, folding her hands before her.

Freya considered her young slave for a moment. She placed her fingers under Amanda's chin and lifted the girl's gaze to hers. "Hmm ... better. Not yet there, but better. Hopefully it will not be long before I have you back in my Manor and I can train you properly."

Amanda just looked at Freya, trying not to outwardly react to this. Leaving the Manor was the worst thing that could happen to her. Now she was actually grateful for what that other Overlord had done. If it had delayed the Conclave by at least another day, it was another chance for Roquan to find a way to get her back.

At the same time, a little knowledge was a dangerous thing. She now knew enough about the system to realize that the hope she had for this was faint at best.

"You may rest now, Amanda," Freya said, gesturing towards the furs in the corner of the room. "I will likely have no further use for you tonight."

"Yes, mistress."

Amanda curled up on the furs, a small sigh coming from her as Freya secured the other end to one of the bedposts. She tried very hard not to let despair and depression overwhelm her.

She suddenly wished she had contact with Jollis again. For some reason, she felt like he would know what to do.

The rain had slackened by the time Jollis made his way from the merchant camp back into the Manor. Only a very light rain fell around him now, the air misty and moist and finally cool. Towards the west, some breaks in the clouds appeared, allowing hints of the deep purple of fading dusk to appear.

He made very sure to head straight for Sirinna's quarters, and to appear unconcerned with anything else. He avoided going near Roquan's quarters. He knew that Herdon was standing vigil over it, hidden somewhere in the trees off to the side between it and the path that wound down towards the outlying building where the Overlord's Portal lay.

Jollis' mind was heavy with concern. He wished he could have given the Overlord greater direction. There was even the small chance that Jollis had accessed the situation wrong, and what he had given the Overlord would not help at all. Or he overestimated the Overlord's intelligence. The truly perplexed look on Gronnus' face when Jollis had left was worrisome.

Yet he could not have been direct about it. As the Emperor did not want the deed tied back to him, Jollis did not want to be directly associated with thwarting it.

Jollis found Sirinna in no better spirits than the night before, but at least she was no longer crying. She met the merchant with a pleasant smile, but there was still a great deal of pain in her eyes. Yet if things worked out, it would not be for much longer.

"Do you wish anything of me tonight, master?"

Jollis smiled gently and took her hand, kissing it and holding it against his cheek for a moment. Sirinna's smile became less forced. "I am quite tired this evening, I am afraid, and wish only quiet in which to sleep."

Sirinna nodded. "I can give you that, master. Please let me know if you change your mind."

"I will indeed."

There was a look of relief in Sirinna's eyes. It was a first for her. Never before had she actually been glad not to service someone. At the same time, it did make her feel a twinge of guilt as she watched the curtain fall back into place behind the retreating merchant.

Jollis readied himself as if to go to bed, and even slid under the furs. However, he would not sleep. He wished to know if things would play out as he had hoped. For that, he needed to remain awake and alert.

He settled back into bed and folded his hands under his head. He stared up into the peaceful silence and waited.

By the time Gronnus stepped out of his quarters, the clouds had completely broken up over the Manor, and the starry heavens lay open above him. He glanced up briefly at the velvet expanse, taking a deep breath of the finally cool and now drier air. He was amazed at how calm he felt despite what he was about to do.

Perhaps it was because he realized he had nothing else to lose.

One of his hands was closed tightly into a fist. Doubt came over him. He was not sure he had guessed correctly the spell that the pearl held.

Gronnus carefully maneuvered his way down the path. Despite the spells that had been laid down by the craftsmen that built this area in order to make the sands dry quickly from a rain, there had been a lot of rain. It was still damp in places, and he did not care to walk through the mud. It would have made noise, and he was trying to be as quiet as possible.

He came to the door of Freya's quarters and stopped. Could he open the door without disturbing her? He sincerely doubted he could.

The Overlord sighed in exasperation and stepped off to the side. He looked around, as if hoping for some inspiration. He found it when his gaze fell on the window.

Freya had left her shades up. Gronnus crept up to it and cautiously peered inside. Directly beneath it, Freya lay in her bed, the furs draped partially over her still, nude body. He looked past her and in the dimness saw a form curled up in the far corner of the room.

Gronnus opened his hand and looked down at the pearl, then looked back inside. He tried to judge the distance right, though it was difficult. His heart thumping, he took one final look, paused, and then let the pearl fly.

Gronnus watched, barely able to see the pearl in the low light. He very faintly heard it hit something and then land somewhere soft. Gronnus gritted his teeth and uttered a vile curse silently in his head.

Yet he need not have, for what he had heard the pearl impact upon was Amanda's jawline, which had the effect of waking her up.

Amanda raised her head in confusion, rubbing at the stinging sensation on her face. She glanced about and was about to settle back down when her gaze drifted up towards the window. Her eyes snapped open wide and she gasped in surprise and fear.

Gronnus waved his hands desperately and then placed a finger to his lips.

Amanda blinked a few times. She was still groggy from the half-sleep into which she had fallen. Finally she grasped what the man wanted. She glanced at Freya's still sleeping form and nodded, repeating the gesture back to him to show him that she understood.

Gronnus appeared relieved. But now he had to have Amanda look for the pearl that fell near her. He jabbed his finger towards her in a pointing gesture and mouthed the words "blue pearl".

Amanda frowned at this. She pointed to herself and gave him a questioning gaze. He shook his head in exasperation. He jabbed his finger again, hooking as if trying to point over something.

By this time, Amanda had recognized the man. It was the Overlord that had called the Point of Order at the Conclave. She didn't understand what this was all about. Yet if he were trying to be stealthy, it was clear he was no friend of Freya's, and for the time being that was enough to trust him.

Gronnus repeated the gesture to her. Amanda looked behind her briefly, then back, shrugging.

Gronnus sighed and paused. He mouthed words again a few times. He then pointed his finger down and turned it in a circle. He mouthed "around you".

Of all that, Amanda managed to catch "round". She put two and two together and believed he wanted her to look around her. She rubbed absently at her cheek. By now she realized he had thrown something at her, and it had bounced somewhere near her.

Whatever it was, however, it must be small. She tried to reason where something would have gone had it come from the window and bounced off her. Finally she spotted something small and round at the edge of her furs. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she held it up, and now she knew he had been mouthing the words "blue pearl" at her.

She turned her head and looked at Gronnus with eyes wide, her heart thumping in excitement.

Gronnus pantomimed holding the pearl to his neck, then made a gesture as if yanking on something.

Amanda understood, or hoped she did. She looked at Freya again for a long moment, then twisted her collar around and held the pearl against the lock. A few heart-stopping seconds later, there was a faint click as the unlocking spell activated.

Her hands trembling, she detached the chain from her collar. She winced as it clinked no matter how slowly she tried to set it down. She looked back up to Gronnus, but he was telling her what she figured he would. He was pointing off to the side, in the direction of the door.

Amanda swallowed and looked again towards Freya. Her body lay perfectly still, but she was turned towards Amanda and the door. Very cautiously she crept towards the door, taking each step slowly. Any time one of the timbers started to creak, she lifted her foot and tried again. Finally she reached the door and took one last look back before opening it and slipping outside.

Amanda shivered a bit as the cool air hit her, but no sooner had she stepped away from the door when Gronnus descended upon her, throwing an arm around her shoulders and steering her away from Freya's quarters.

Confused, Amanda tried to speak. "Master, what ... what is this ...?"

"Amanda, hush ..." Gronnus lifted his head, looking about nervously. "... and listen to me very carefully. I need you to do something for me, something very important. I need you to contact Roquan and give him a message for me."

Amanda's eyes widened. "Contact Master Roquan? I don't understand."

"Please, Amanda, do as I tell you. You need to tell him that his life is in danger. The Emperor has sent an assassin to kill him."

"What?!"

"Shhh!"

Amanda swallowed hard. Her heart had leapt into her throat.

"Please! Be quiet!" Gronnus hissed. "Just listen! Tell him that the assassin intends to strike when Roquan comes for the meeting with me tomorrow morning. Tell him it is a merchant named Herdon that is to do it. If he knows that, maybe he can stop it, or get Uridon to stop it. Do you have all that?"

Amanda nodded quickly. "But there's something I don't understand, master. Why can't you tell him this yourself?"

"Herdon is watching Roquan's quarters. He'll ... kill me if he sees me try to warn him. Or any other Overlord that comes near. "

"But master, I ... I can't go to his quarters by myself. If this man is watching, he'll know something is wrong. I think he already knows I'm a Trainee."

Gronnus frowned deeply. He had not thought of that. "Wait ... What about your Trainer?"

"Sirinna, master?"

"Yes, her. Go to her. Get her to escort you there. That will make sense."

"At this late an hour, though? And if he knows I was given to Freya ..."

"We have no choice, Amanda. We'll have to take the chance that he won't think enough of it to get suspicious. Unless you want Roquan to die."

As much as Amanda had hated Roquan for doing this in the first place, she did not want to see him die. She wanted to go back to him. At least she might have a future she could tolerate under him.

Amanda shook her head quickly.

"Then go, now!"

Amanda turned and hurried away down the path that would take her past the bluff and onto the path along the western edge of the Manor.

Gronnus straightened and breathed a sigh of relief. The next moment, however, he heard a noise. He turned and gave a start when he saw Freya standing in the doorway of her quarters, a satin robe loosely wrapped around her body.

The initial fear that Gronnus felt faded quickly when he saw the look of complete shock on Freya's face. "Yes?" he said imperiously.

Freya glanced at Amanda's receding back just as she disappeared over the bluff. "So you know, I was awake when you started this little ruse. I wanted to see what you were up to."

"How much did you hear of my conversation with Amanda?"

"Enough." She folded her arms and leaned against the door frame. "If that story is nothing more than an invention of your feeble mind, Gronnus, I ..."

"I wish to the gods it were, Freya. But it is not. If Amanda does not relay a warning to Roquan, he will die in the morning. And by the Emperor's hand."

Freya said nothing in reply.

"Silence is unusual for you, Freya. Contemplating the deal you may make in light of this?"

"To the blazing hells with you, Gronnus! Do not make me out to be one that would condone such a thing. Or take advantage of it for that matter. This had better be a paranoid delusion of yours, Gronnus, or ..."

"Or what?"

Freya gave Gronnus a very sober look. In a lower voice she said, "Or Roquan was right all along. The Emperor is indeed going too far."

"Then I have your blessing to send Amanda on this little errand?"

"Do not get snide with me. Like you intended to ask for my blessing in the first place. Yes, I will allow it, and I will not punish her for it, before you ask. But she is still mine, Gronnus, make no mistake of that."

She turned in a huff and reentered her quarters.

"Would that I could change that as well ..." Gronnus muttered before turning away.

As urgent as her task was, Amanda realized quickly that it would have to wait a few moments longer.

She had no chance to speak when she first walked in. She had barely opened her mouth when Sirinna leapt from the bed and embraced Amanda fiercely. At first, Amanda struggled, but stopped as soon as she felt Sirinna's warm tears splashing onto her shoulder. Then Amanda knew she had to wait. She hugged Sirinna back, and soon she was silently crying as well.

Finally Sirinna realized how incongruous the situation was and broke off the embrace. "Amanda, love, what are you doing here? Did Roquan get you back? Why didn't he escort you? What ...?"

"Sirinna, please, stop, let me talk to you!" Amanda said urgently. "I don't know how much time I have. I have to get a message to Master Roquan and you need to bring me there!"

"I don't understand, what ...?"

Amanda told her. Sirinna's mouth slowly dropped open and her eyes went wide.

"Oh great gods ..." Sirinna breathed. "Yes, Amanda! Yes! I'll get you there at once. Here ..."

She had started to push Amanda towards the door. "No, Sirinna, wait! We have to do it properly!"

Sirinna stopped, looking nonplussed for a moment, then sighed. "Yes, you're right. I'm sorry, I'm not thinking. I've been so worried about you, Amanda, I can hardly do anything else!"

Amanda blinked and broke into a slow smile. "You were?"

"Of course I was! How could I not be? You were with that ... that cruel ..." She stopped herself, looking momentarily horrified at what she had been thinking about another Overlord, let alone what she almost said. For the first time, however, she got over it, and true, guiltless anger burned in her eyes. She glanced down to the thing over Amanda's pussy. "She ... she doesn't deserve to own you."

Amanda stared at Sirinna in shock. If there had been any remaining doubt in Amanda's mind about the depth of Sirinna's feelings for her, they were dispelled right there. Amanda ran up to Sirinna and gave her another hug.

Sirinna accepted it, but now it was her turn to take charge. "All right, Amanda, we need to get you to Master Roquan's quarters right away."

She turned from Amanda and fetched the cuffs and the chain. Amanda had already turned around and positioned her wrists behind her. Sirinna paused when she noticed faint lines in Amanda's skin, the telltale sign of cuffs that were put on too tightly for an extended period of time. She made a disgusted noise.

"And I'm sure she's been on the chain too heavily as well," Sirinna said loftily as she attached the same to Amanda's collar. "She may be an Overlord, but she knows nothing about properly training slaves."

Amanda could not help but smile to herself at Freya's expense. Sirinna was finally giving true vent to what she was sure was much pent-up anger and frustration, and Amanda was enjoying it.

"All right, there. Now, let's get you to Master Roquan. And you have to act the proper slave, Amanda, I won't excuse you from that. Make sure you behave yourself."

Amanda turned. Sirinna had a huge smile on her face.

Amanda returned it. "Yes, mistress," she said eagerly.

The two of them made a quick but dignified exit.

After a few moments, the curtain to Jollis' bedchamber stirred. The merchant ducked his head out. There was a smile on his face as well.

In the darkness of the foliage, something stirred.

Herdon smoothly brought the spyglass to his eye. At first he wondered why two slaves would be out at this time of the night and headed to Roquan's quarters. But as he looked, he saw that they were a Trainer and Trainee. He even recognized them.

Yet still the question came to his mind. Why this time of night?

He dropped the spyglass briefly so that he could have a wider view. Perhaps they were a diversion? Yet he saw only them. He brought the spyglass back to his eye again in time to see the two head down the path and disappear into the building.

Herdon lowered the instrument, his eyes narrowing. Clearly there was something to this, but what? Perhaps he should go closer to the building and investigate, perhaps close enough to listen in on ...

No. Perhaps it was a diversion after all. Something to get him to come out of his hiding place. Perhaps Gronnus was out there with the crossbow, waiting for him to emerge. Or that infernal Jollis had taken it upon himself to interfere.

Herdon settled back down. The best course of action was to wait. His purpose was to keep Gronnus or any other Overlord away from Roquan. No one else mattered.

Roquan regarded the two of them with a grave look for a long moment. His face was, for the moment, unreadable. When he finally spoke, it was in carefully measured tones. "Amanda, how do we know we can trust Gronnus' story?"

"I don't know, master, I only know what he told me to tell you," Amanda said levelly.

"Master, why would he do such a thing if it were not true?" Sirinna asked. "I don't see any other purpose for taking her from Freya in this manner."

"And he used an unlocking spell," Amanda said. "Like what Yanna had. It was the same thing that she used to escape Hiatha that night. That's supposed to be forbidden, isn't it?"

"Indeed it is," said Roquan neutrally. "Did he say where he got it from?"

"He didn't talk to me about that, master, just about what I had told you."

"And did you think he was telling the truth?"

Amanda paused. "Me? I wouldn't know."

"Then let me put it this way: did he seem sincere to you?"

Amanda paused again, then nodded slowly. "I know he was very anxious, master. And it's like Mistress Sirinna said, why would he go to all this trouble if there were not some truth to it?"

Sirinna tried to cut in, looking anxious. "Master, even if it's only possible that it's true, you could be in danger, and ..."

"Sirinna," Roquan said gently.

Sirinna quieted, but it was obvious that it was reluctantly done.

Roquan looked thoughtful for a moment. "Amanda, you said this merchant's name was Herdon?"

"Yes, master."

"You realize that this is the son of Uridon, the Clan Leader?"

"No, I didn't. But it would explain why Master Gronnus suggested that he may be able to put a stop to it."

"Yet according to Gronnus, Herdon is watching my quarters at this moment." Roquan sighed through his nose. "It would appear, then, that my options at the moment are limited."

"Could you not call in the other Overlords, master?" Sirinna suggested.

"Master Gronnus said that he would stop him or other Overlords from approaching, so I don't think that would work."

"Gronnus was obviously gambling that Herdon would not suspect a slave being brought to the Overlord by her Trainer. The fact that both of you are safe indicates so." There was irritation in Roquan's voice. Gronnus had taken a large risk indeed. They could have been hurt or killed if Herdon had suspected anything. "I must accept that Gronnus is telling the truth, or at least as he believes it. Certainly it would explain the ridiculousness of his Point of Order if it were merely a ruse to begin with."

A short silence followed, Roquan looking thoughtful. Amanda could not take the quiet. "Master, what are you going to do about this? There has to be a way to stop this."

Sirinna could not contain herself, either. "Master, if the merchant is Master Uridon's son, couldn't he ...?"

"Enough," Roquan said, though not very loudly. "As I said before, my options are limited. If Herdon is watching me now, he will surely attempt to stop me contacting anyone. It is unlikely I will have time in the morning sufficient to speak with my allies."

"Can you simply not go, master?" Sirinna asked, her voice becoming increasingly anxious.

"If I refuse to debate Gronnus, this acts as a forfeiture of the Point of Order. That could jeopardize the Conclave."

"But, master, your life is more important than ...!"

"Sirinna! I said enough. And you are wrong. The Conclave is more important than my life."

Amanda shuddered, both at the conviction with which he stated this and the brief flicker of fear in his eyes as he did.

"I cannot back out of this. I must meet with Gronnus as planned."

"Is there a weapon you can bring, master?" Amanda asked. "Something to defend yourself with?"

"I have nothing I can procure without arousing suspicion before the meeting. As I said, Herdon had this well-planned."

"Are you sure you cannot bring someone along, master?" Sirinna pleaded.

Roquan was about to snap at her again, but relented when he saw the tears shimmering in her eyes. "No, I cannot," he said softly.

A thought entered Amanda's head. It was one that made her stomach clench and her heart pound. She would have rather had any thought than this, and she would have gladly forgotten it if she could, but it was impossible. So she gave voice to it instead.

"Yes, you can bring someone, master. Me."

Sirinna gasped and stared at Amanda, her fingers reflexively tightening on the end of the chain until the knuckles were white.

Roquan gazed levelly at Amanda. "Do not be a fool, Amanda."

Amanda felt that old streak of defiance rising up within her again. Instead of quelling it, she let herself feel it, and let it reflect very clearly in her eyes and her stance. "I am not a fool, master. But you are if you let an opportunity slip by."

Roquan blinked in surprise. Had this been any other context, he would have punished her on the spot for such insolence towards him. Instead, all he did was fold his hands behind his back. "Care to explain your reasoning?"

"Simple. I'm the only one you can take in there and not arouse suspicion. Or at least not much. Surely if Herdon knows this much about you, he knows you have been taking me to other Overlords to help secure deals. Wouldn't this be the same thing? Taking me to Master Gronnus as a 'gift' to help resolve the Point of Order?"

Sirinna looked stricken but said nothing. Roquan's eyes flicked from her back to Amanda. "And what do you propose to do to help stop this assassination attempt from happening?"

"I honestly don't know. But having someone there is better than having no one. It'll throw him off. He'll have to deal with another person in the room."

As Sirinna silently mulled over this, she realized that Amanda had a point. She felt a surge of pride for Amanda and her cleverness.

"You're taking a big risk," Roquan said in a softer voice. "You could be hurt. Or killed."

Amanda met Roquan's gaze squarely. "It would better than being Mistress Freya's slave, master."

Roquan's face fell. "Is she treating you that badly?"

"Yes, master, she is. And from what she has told me, it will only get worse if I leave the Manor with her."

Sirinna stepped up from behind Amanda and placed a hand on the girl's shoulder, squeezing gently. She sobbed once.

Roquan's eyes darted down to Amanda's sex and looked at the thing covering it for the first time. He bristled. "All right, Amanda. I will take you."

"You will have to get me away from Mistress Freya, master. I have to go back to her tonight."

"Do not worry about it. I will have Freya lend me to you for that morning." His eyes narrowed. "I will not take 'no' for an answer."

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