Roquan arrived in the Healer's office shortly after sunrise. He was greeted with a welcome sight: Amanda was on her own two feet and looking as if nothing had happened to her, save for one slash of faint pinkish-red on the side of one calf. Amanda actually smiled when she saw the Overlord approach.

To even his own surprise, Roquan smiled back.

Healer Vanlo, however, was not at all shy about his good humor. For the first time in a long while, he could say he had a good night's sleep. He was feeling far more chipper and well than he had for awhile. His good spirits managed to keep the remaining fuzziness in his head at bay for the time being. "Ah, your Lordship. Amanda is about ready to be released."

"You have again done a wonderful job, Vanlo," Roquan said. In a very pointed tone of voice he added, "It would have been terrible had not someone with your years of experience been here to assist when we needed him the most."

Vanlo's face crinkled as his smile broadened. "But you flatter me with your praise. Perhaps we will need to talk shortly about it."

Roquan caught the implication of that and simply nodded, though inside a sense of relief flooded through him, almost as much as finding out that Amanda was going to live had the day before.

"Master, may I ask a question?" Amanda asked.

"You certainly may, Amanda."

"How will the Conclave go after what happened?"

"You are concerned about it?"

Amanda nodded. "Yes. Especially if it really was the Emperor behind what almost happened to you." She paused and glanced down at her leg. A shiver went through her and she swallowed. Only now had the initial shock worn off enough to make her realize how close she had come to losing her life.

"And what happened to me," she added in a softer voice.

"He is indeed. There's little doubt of that now. I believe the Conclave will see it that way as well." He paused, then reached forward and placed a hand on Amanda's arm, squeezing it gently. "You have done very well. I am very proud of you. And I thank you for what you did."

Vanlo raised an eyebrow at this, but nodded in approval, even though the Overlord did not see it.

Amanda stared at him in surprise at first, then managed a small smile.

She still could not comprehend what she had done. She could barely remember everything that had happened after she had decided to try and pull down the shade. The shock of her injury had driven much of the finer details from her mind already.

The true implications of her actions, for herself and for Roquan, would have to wait. She simply could not deal with it this soon. "I'm just glad it's over, master," she said softly.

Roquan was about to correct her but stopped himself. It was far from over. This was only the beginning. But there was no need to alarm her. For what the Overlord knew, Amanda's role in events was finally at an end. From this point in time, it would be the Overlords that would handle matters, as was proper.

As for Amanda, she would have to go back to her slave training. But she had shown herself to be much more than a slave. He could no longer think of her in quite the same terms as he had before.

But most striking was the fact that Amanda had saved his life. Roquan was not at all sure how to deal with this yet.

However, there was one thing he could do for her. He could keep his promise to her, once he freed her from Freya's control. Or rather, once Freya freed her.

"So, is she ready, finally?"

Amanda's heart sank when she heard the voice. Roquan turned, stepping to one side. Once Amanda had a clear view and her eyes fell upon the female Overlord, she could not repress a shudder, the smile disappearing from her face.

Freya stood at the entrance from the reception area. She had opted for her more revealing red dress and lacy panties again. She leaned with one hip tilted upwards, and from one hand leather restraining cuffs and a chain dangled.

Amanda sighed to herself. She had hoped that Roquan was about to tell her that he had managed to find a way to release her from Freya's control. Even now she looked at Roquan with a pleading gaze.

"If she is," Freya said, strolling inside, letting her hips swing. "Then I wish her back now. She is, after all, my property."

Amanda felt another little shiver go through her. Roquan turned his head towards her, meeting her pleading eyes with his own steady, unyielding ones.

Then, to Amanda's surprise, Roquan offered her a very small smile. She was so nonplussed she did not know what to think or how to react.

Roquan assumed a more businesslike look and turned smoothly back to Freya. He grasped Amanda's upper arm lightly and walked her over to the other Overlord. Freya looked on with a slight degree of wonder and no small amount of suspicion. "Of course, Freya. You are correct. At the moment, she is your property."

An eyebrow arched. "At the moment?"

"Please take her. In fact ... I would recommend bringing her to the Full Conclave this afternoon."

Now even Amanda looked askance at Roquan.

"The what?" Freya asked in confusion.

"Surely you agree that recent events call for a Full Conclave?"

"That's not what I mean! Why do you want me to bring her?"

"Do you not wish to show off your acquisition before the others?"

Freya paused a long moment, studying Roquan's eyes. Yet this time there was nothing to read in them. It was like trying to look through a stone wall.

Her lips thinned and she gestured to Amanda, giving her an imperious look. Amanda turned and crossed her wrists behind her back, trying not to despair. Something must be up with Roquan. He must have something planned. She had to hang on to that thought.

She closed her eyes briefly as Freya pulled the cuffs rather tightly around her wrists. She heard the click of the lock, and then the chain went back on her collar. She winced slightly when Freya gave it a hard snap.

Amanda turned back around and met Freya's icy gaze. "Come along, Amanda. And do not think that because you were injured that I will tolerate any misbehavior from you."

"Yes, mistress," Amanda said dutifully.

Freya snapped the chain again and thrust her hand towards the door. Amanda fell into step before the Overlord, favoring her uninjured leg slightly, as they both marched out of the Healer's office.

Roquan allowed himself a small sigh. He truly hoped that his idea was going to work. If not, there was little else he could do.

"Your Lordship," Vanlo said. "If you have a moment?"

Roquan turned, clasping his hands behind his back. "I do, if this is about your 'retirement'."

"Indeed it is."

One corner of Roquan's mouth rose. "I trust you will return to your duties at once, then?"

Vanlo paused. "Not quite."

Roquan hesitated a moment, but then nodded for the Healer to continue.

"What I said to you before still stands. I still consider myself not up to par. And before you say anything, your Lordship, realize that these standards are my own. I realize those are the toughest ones to abide by, but that is what I have always done and will always continue to do."

"Yes, I understand this," Roquan said softly. He was the same way. The Manor was run in the way it was because he drove himself to that level of meticulous efficiency.

"That said ... I perhaps was somewhat hasty in what I assumed was the limit of my abilities," Vanlo said in a softer voice. He sounded vaguely embarrassed, and Roquan refrained from comment, letting the man speak at his own pace. "I still feel I am limited to some degree. Perhaps ... perhaps if I had an assistant to take some of the burden from me."

"You wish another slave to assist you in healing duties?"

Vanlo shook his head. "No, I am not up to teaching another. Instead, I wish to call for a journeyman from the Guild Hall. If that is amenable to you, your Lordship. I do not wish to presume you are willing to pay for ..."

"How soon can the Guild send someone?"

Vanlo paused.

"But make no mistake, Vanlo," Roquan said in a serious tone of voice. "Whoever they send, this person is to report directly to you. You are to make sure his work is up to snuff."

Vanlo slowly smiled. "I will endeavor to do so, your Lordship."

Roquan nodded. His expression softened. He reached out and clasped Vanlo on the shoulder. "And it is good to hear that you will stay. I doubt I could ever replace you."

Vanlo was again moved by the Overlord's words and did not respond for a moment. When he did, his voice was softer and quavered slightly. "I am simply glad to be of service to the Manor ... And I am happy that Amanda is all right."

"As am I, Healer."

"A speech?? Are you mad?!"

Roquan paused and looked at Doran as he took a sip of his wine. "It amazes me how many times I have heard myself described as 'mad' over this past moon."

Rennis looked up from the table where he was still finishing off the last of his midday meal. "Doran, don't try to understand Roquan anymore. I gave up a long time ago."

"Ah, thank you for that ringing endorsement as always, Rennis," quipped Roquan. Despite the seriousness of his tone when he said it, there was amusement in his eyes.

"Anything to be of help, you know that," said Rennis, grinning.

"You do not need to make a speech!" Doran declared loudly. "You are already set to be the first Overlord in history to receive a unanimous vote for his cause at a Conclave! Don't make someone change their vote just to spite you or shut you up."

"Oh, come now, Doran, you exaggerate."

"I just don't see what this will buy you. The Overlords need no more convincing. Why, just earlier I overheard Trennan -- Trennan of all people! -- already talking about possible successors to groom for the throne. They need no encouragement."

"Perhaps it is simply for my own satisfaction," Roquan said levelly. "I have endured much. Perhaps I wish a little time to express my feelings."

"Overlords do not deal in feelings."

"Tell that to the ones that witnessed Amanda being taken to the Healer's office."

Doran paused, then simply huffed and turned away, shaking his head in exasperation.

Rennis paused a moment and said in a more sober tone of voice, "Perhaps it is good, then, Roquan, that there is not a Mage in residence here."

"Oh?"

"You can still see where Amanda's injured leg trailed blood in the sand. Even Freya looked a little shaken by it when she returned with Amanda."

"Well. Perhaps if she looked the same way towards the plight of her own slaves, they would better off," said Roquan loftily.

"Speaking of her ... what is this plan of yours to get Amanda back?"

"You will see," Roquan said, taking a long drink of his wine.

"And still you persist in that folly!" Doran cried, throwing his hands up.

"It is not folly to get Amanda back from an abusive Overlord."

"We've discussed this before! You simply do not openly accuse ..."

"No, do not try to pacify me," Roquan said, his eyes blazing. "I may be forced to socialize with the other Overlords, but I will not treat with her ever again after this. I will risk whatever that may bring upon me."

"And Gronnus?"

Roquan paused. "I will still deal with him."

Doran rolled his eyes. "So you will work with an Overlord that nearly had you killed, but you will not work with one that merely treats slaves in an unsatisfactory manner?"

"For Gronnus, it is a practical matter."

Rennis cut in. "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer?"

Roquan nodded to him. "Indeed. Do not think for a moment I trust the man. But he is best kept close at hand, where he can be watched."

"And Freya?" Doran insisted.

"She cares only about herself. She is not a threat in that manner. Let her wallow in self-indulgence for all I care. But she shall not do it with my slaves."

"Is it too much to ask, dear Roquan, that your speech be short?" Doran asked with exaggerated politeness.

"Most likely, yes. That is too much to ask."

Doran shook his head and sank into his seat. "You are impossible."

Rennis smirked. "You're only figuring that out now?"

The tone at the Conclave was quiet and solemn. Every Overlord showed up on time. In fact, it was as if they were competing for the privilege, to show the others that they were the most proper and dignified. Yes, even now, the competition among them did not end.

Freya had Amanda in tow, as Roquan had hoped. Amanda was looking slightly nonplussed. Freya had done little with her that morning. She had not activated the thing on Amanda's pussy even once. She did have Amanda service her, but briefly, and Freya did not express either enjoyment or disappointment over it.

Now she sat fixing a cold stare on Roquan, quietly indignant, gripping the end of Amanda's chain tightly. She played with it a bit, as if hoping this would get some sort of rise out of him. When it did nothing of the kind, she sighed in frustration and folded her arms tightly.

Gronnus was the last to arrive. He slunk in quietly with his head bowed, and took a seat far in the back. He avoided the eyes of the other Overlords. While none had been told of Gronnus' part in this -- and he already had seen Vanlo about the shiner that Roquan had bestowed -- he still felt as if the weight of their gaze were upon him, as if they were silently accusing him.

Roquan stood up. Immediately, all attention was riveted on him.

"Thank you for attending this Full Conclave," he said, his voice more steady and sure than it had been in some time. "As you are aware, this will conclude with a formal vote on the issue at hand. I understand that it is likely by this time that your minds are already decided on the matter."

Many of the Overlords nodded their heads.

"Protocol would call for a simple statement and then the vote. I beg your indulgence for a little longer as I depart from this."

He paused a moment to see their reaction. He saw nothing negative in any of their faces. Even Freya looked mildly interested.

"You all know what happened yesterday. Many of you are likely basing your decision today on this. However, I wish to remind you of a more critical issue than simply the life of one Overlord."

This caused a small stir. There was some soft murmuring and exchanged looks, but no less curiosity from them. Even Doran looked interested as well.

"The issue -- the one upon which you should truly base your vote -- concerns the matter of the Emperor and his slaves.

"The very idea that Z'haas would train his own slaves alone should be met not simply with disdain, but with fear as well. Why do I say this? It is very simple. No slave of the Emperor would have ever had -- or would be capable of having -- the Draught."

Doran's eyebrows flew up. Rennis looked shocked as well.

Among the other Overlords, Freya furrowed her brow and leaned forward, fixing Roquan with an intense gaze. As for the others, another spate of murmuring arose from them, some of it alarmed. Mentioning the Draught in such a venue was unprecedented. Yet no one raised an objection, and eventually everyone turned their attention back to Roquan, their curiosity now piqued.

Amanda simply stared. She had not yet figured out what Roquan was attempting to do.

Roquan leveled his gaze, first at Amanda, then at Freya as he said the next words. "Because we all know, the very idea of attempting to train a slave that has not had the Draught is utterly, utterly foolish. And there is a simple reason for this. Loyalty. Or ... lack thereof."

Amanda took a breath. His words were triggering a feeling of indignation inside her. Roquan of all people should know that Amanda was loyal to him, regardless of the Draught! If what she had done for him against the assassin did not convince him, nothing would! Yet there must be something else to his words she was not gleaning. She forced herself to remain calm.

"Overlords, all of you are used to trusting your slaves implicitly," Roquan declared. "It is not something you think of, it is not something you even question. It is a given. You think nothing of letting visiting Overlords have access to them, or of bringing them with you when you travel. You think nothing of leaving them unattended if you are away from your Manor. You know they will commit no impropriety in any of these cases. You cannot assume any such thing with a slave that is Draughtless."

This time, his pause was met with complete silence and almost rapturous attention. Some of the Overlords looked a little nervous as well.

Freya's gaze was one of cold fire.

And in Amanda's, one of dawning realization.

"Imagine having a Draughtless slave. No matter how you discipline her, or by what means, or how often, you cannot guarantee her loyalty. The things that the Draught brings that allow the slave to be tractable are not there. Can you safely leave her with other Overlords, rivals who are eager to learn your techniques in slave training? Can you safely take her with you to other Manors and trust she will not whisper your secrets? Can you safely leave her behind and trust she will not sow discontent among the other slaves? Can you safely assume she is not spying on you?"

Rennis was astounded. And then he was in awe. It was brilliant. He looked over to Doran. Doran was shaking his head slowly in disbelief. Not only had he made a convincing argument for releasing Amanda, it took the very thing that Freya might have used to expose him and turned it around. With as high esteem as the other Overlords now held Roquan for the moment, anything Freya could say would sound deranged.

And as he looked over to Freya, he could see that she understood it as well.

No, she could never trust the girl. As important as it was for Freya to keep quiet how she truly treated her slaves, she could not risk the chance of any word getting out. When knowledge of her actions were simple rumor, the Overlords could remain complacent and ignore it. But with actual proof, they could be moved to hold a tribunal. And she could be sure that Roquan would be the one to rally the other Overlords again, just as he did now.

In her eagerness to get this "trophy" from Roquan, she had never stopped to think about this.

More to the point: any slave that would abet in her own escape as she did with Gronnus could not be trusted to not do it again were she to have the chance. And from the look that Roquan now gave Freya, it was clear that Roquan was mad enough to assist in any future attempt.

The speech had the desired effect on the other Overlords. Many of them had not thought about this either. And now that they had, they realized that the implications were staggering.

"And in this," Roquan said, lowering his voice. "I will leave you for a short time to consider, and then we will hold the vote. I thank you for your patience."

Roquan bowed to the other Overlords and quietly made his exit.

Later, Roquan sat in his quarters, quietly thoughtful as he peered over his goblet of wine at the map of Narlass in his outer chamber.

A unanimous vote. The first one in history.

Now the Overlord traced his gaze over the outlines of Oceanus. He wondered now what the vote would bring. He wondered if he would be looking at a very different map years hence. Surely he hoped it would not come to this. Yet there was the possibility. He would be a fool to deny it.

Shortly, there was a knock at his door. "Enter."

He did not bother to turn in his chair. His back remained to his visitors. He knew exactly who they would be, even before he heard the chain.

"Yes?"

"You are a bastard."

Roquan took a sip of his wine. Again, he did not dignify his visitor by facing her. "I have been called worse."

The end of a chain was thrown down to the floor near his chair. He glanced over to it almost idly.

"Take her," Freya snarled. "For all the good she will do you."

"Have you removed that contraband from her?"

"Yes. Though I should have left it."

"Oh?"

"It is the only discipline that works on her."

"That must be why she escaped from your quarters, so she might convey your brilliant methods to others."

It was too much for Amanda. She uttered a single amused snort before she could stop herself. Freya sneered at her, hands curling into fists.

"Amanda," Roquan said sharply.

"Sorry, master," Amanda said, though there was still obvious mirth in her voice.

"You may go, Freya," said Roquan.

"At least punish her for her insolence just now!"

Roquan sighed. He put down the goblet. He still did not turn around in his chair to face the other Overlord. He picked up the end of the chain and gave it a lazy snap. Amanda quickly advanced and faced Roquan. She tried desperately not to smile. "Yes, master?"

"Turn around."

Amanda turned.

Roquan gave the girl a single light swat on her ass. "Do not make me punish you again."

"No, master," Amanda said, her voice straining from the effort not to giggle.

"At least turn around and face me!" Freya screamed.

"To face you, Freya, would be to imply respect. As such, I have none for you."

"I gave you my vote ..."

"As you should have, for it was the right thing to do. I am grateful for that. However, my obligation to you ends at that point. Now ..." He picked up his goblet and took a moment to finish the last of it. When he spoke again, it was in a low, deadly voice. "Get the blazing hells out of my Manor."

Freya's eyes widened, utterly shocked to be spoken to in such a manner. However, anything she might have said she kept to herself, and instead stormed out of Roquan's quarters.

Amanda could no longer contain herself. She burst out laughing.

Roquan allowed to her to continue for a short while, then held up a hand in silent warning, though his own lips had curled as well. "That will be enough, Amanda," he said softly.

"Yes, master. I am sorry."

"It is understandable. But now that you have returned, you are my slave again."

Amanda nodded. It was a relief just to be with Sirinna again. "Yes, master, I understand."

Roquan stood. "I will take you to Sirinna now. She is likely very anxious to ... return to your training."

He gave her a gentle smile.

Amanda smiled as well. "Master? May I ask something?"

"Yes?"

"Do you remember the promise you made to me? When you asked me to ..."

"Yes, I do remember." He swept his hand towards the desk, where several parchments lay. "Letters to the various Guilds responsible for historic documents. I have many here, but I need them for reference. You shall have your own copies in a half-moon's time."

Amanda's smile broadened. "Thank you!"

Roquan gave the chain a simple snap. Amanda eagerly fell into step before her Overlord as they proceeded outside under the late afternoon skies.

Evening brought light showers over the Manor. Roquan walked quickly through it as he returned from the bluff, having shared a final evening meal with the entirety of the Conclave, traditional for the day of the final vote. His hair was damp and glossy by the time he turned down the path to his quarters.

When he entered, he was brought up short when he found he had a visitor.

"Ah, but my humble pardon, your Lordship," said Jollis as he bowed deeply. "I was unaware you would be out for supper."

"It is not a problem," Roquan said, waving a hand of dismissal. "I can imagine why you are here."

Jollis smiled. "It is the wise man that says: subtlety is an art; knowing when to abandon it and be obvious is a science."

Roquan actually smiled at this. "I must say, Jollis, you have come highly recommended."

"Is this so, Overlord?"

"Clan Leader Uridon recommended you as I soon as I mentioned your name."

"Did he? Ah, but I must remember to thank him. He is more generous than he needs to be."

"This may be because of his loss."

Jollis sighed sadly. "Most terrible. Most ... distasteful."

Roquan raised an eyebrow. He thought this an interesting word to use, but he refrained from commenting on it.

Jollis smiled again. "However, I am most happy to see you are safe. And it is my understanding that you have achieved what you wished with the Conclave."

"News travels fast, apparently."

"Merchant instinct, your Lordship. Information is ultimately priceless." He paused. "On that note ... I have some information for you that you will find interesting."

"Oh? About?"

"Myself."

Roquan paused, then nodded silently for him to continue.

"I regret that I have kept a fact from you. My reasons for doing so were quite selfish, and for that I beg forgiveness."

Roquan nodded again, more quickly.

Jollis sensed the Overlord's impatience and got to the point immediately. "There is a reason, your Lordship, why my Far West contacts are so good. You see, I am from the Far West. Specifically, from the nation of Innonus."

Roquan had been about to pick up a goblet to fill with some wine when he stopped and jerked back around. "I beg your pardon?"

"Innonus, your Lordship. The same nation that ..."

Roquan advanced on him. "That I traded Liri to before my trade route was severed!"

"And I can assure you, that the delightful young slave woman Liri is safe and well."

"Why did you not tell me this before?" Roquan demanded. "Had I known you were Innoni, I ..."

Jollis smiled humorlessly. "If you knew, Overlord, it was possible for others to know. And if others knew ..."

Roquan took a moment to make the connection, letting his breath out slowly through his nose. "Then the Emperor would know."

"And you are, of course, aware of the Emperor's attitude towards the Far West at the moment."

"Indeed. He is as foolish as he is brash."

Jollis simply nodded once. "Until the Emperor's agent revealed himself, I was forced to be cautious."

"No, that is perfectly understandable, Jollis. And it is a pleasure to make personal contact with the Innoni after all this time."

"And now that I have come forward, Overlord, I can better offer you far more than I have to this point. The resources of the Far West will be at your disposal in your cause."

Roquan stared at Jollis. "That ... that is most generous of you. It is far more than I expected to receive."

"It will be mutually beneficial. The Innoni do not wish to see trade broken in such a manner. It is not good for either of our nations. And it is the least I can do as your tradesman."

"Agreed. And I accept. You have yourself a job." Roquan paused. "I am curious as to how you will be able to move supplies from the other side of the world without a clear trade corridor, however."

"Ah, but these details will work themselves out," Jollis said with a grin. "You will find that the Innoni are an ... innovative people."

The Mage Q'yros had no further patience. He did not wait to be summoned.

He found the Emperor in his audience chamber, silent upon the throne. His eyes were dark and intense. His elbows rested on either side of him, his fingers steepled before him. The Mage paused just inside the entrance, the guards turning their heads towards him warily but making no move to stop him when he continued inside.

Halfway to the throne came the single word that conveyed both its stated intent, and the implied one that he was to come no further. "Speak."

The Mage halted immediately. "Well?"

"Well ... what?"

There was a dangerous edge to the Emperor's voice. It already did not bode well.

"What of your assassin, my Emperor?" Q'yros said, trying to keep the impatience out of his voice and failing.

"Ah. What of him indeed." Z'haas rose from his throne. He stepped from the dais, withdrawing a blue pearl as he did so.

Q'yros peered, and then his eyes widened. He could see the crack in it even from across the chamber.

A Farviewing spell upon a blue pearl had an additional property. It was obvious that a blue pearl would stop functioning upon the death of the one to whom it was tied. However, if the person additionally came upon his death by violent means, the pearl became discolored or damaged.

The Emperor paused, then in a fit of rage hurtled the pearl to the other side of the chamber. It struck a pillar and exploded with a snap and a shower of bright blue sparks.

"Perhaps he took Roquan down with him," Q'yros suggested.

Z'haas fixed a cold stare on the Mage. Q'yros sighed. No, even he realized it was unlikely that they were that lucky.

"Roquan still lives," the Emperor declared. "As does Gronnus."

"Ah, then perhaps ..."

"Perhaps? Perhaps what?!" Z'haas thundered. "He is useless! He is beyond useless at this point!"

The Mage considered. "Or is he?"

Z'haas glowered at him.

"If he is a coward as you have said," Q'yros began. He wanted to add, as you have ranted time and time and time again. but wisely refrained. "Then perhaps he could give you insight into what the Overlords will plan next?"

Z'haas drew in a deep breath. "We will see. It will depend on how I feel."

"How you feel?"

"When he arrives. I have given orders to have him intercepted when he returns to his Manor and brought here. I will use him. If I can refrain from killing him first."

Z'haas turned on his heel and swept out of the chamber, his cloak billowing behind him.

Q'yros watched the Emperor depart, leaving the Mage alone with his thoughts. This was unfortunate, for they were not pleasant thoughts. Or reassuring ones.

He knew he must tell the Emperor this, but not in the sovereign's current state of mind. His Guild had made no progress in determining what possible weapon of war the Far West might be bringing into Oceanus. However, they had made significant progress with regards to the Portal, and what they had discovered was very disturbing.

It was nothing less than a new Portal technology. So far, all they knew was that it could be opened without the need for a lengthy period of energizing the anchor point. Whereas the best Portal the Oceanus Mages could build could cycle in half a day, these could cycle six times in that same time span.

So far, this was all they had gleaned about it. But it was more than enough to be very alarming indeed. Whatever the Far West was planning, they could execute it quickly when it came to fruition. All the Guild's resources were now dedicated to discovering what was being planned.

Q'yros' hands tightened on his staff as he turned and walked out of the chamber, a cloud seeming to hang over him.

Dusk faded, disappearing under the velvet blanket of night as it swept across the skies, taking the rain with it. The skies opened up, and the stars sparkled.

Jollis made his way silently through the Manor. At the door to Sirinna's quarters, he paused and listened.

At first, he heard only the gentle breaking of the waves against the shores. Slowly, he discerned other sounds, just as soft, but rich with deeper meaning. He heard sighs of joy and moans of pleasure; whispered desires and tender affection; cries of love fulfilled and lust quenched.

Jollis smiled and turned away from the door. He would leave them be. His own desires for Amanda could be curbed. Theirs for each other could not.

He wandered along the path that led along the low cliff that rose above the water. It was here that Amanda had once spoken with Yanna, the agent's attempt to gain the girl's trust. Now the merchant stood and looked out across the dark waters.

It had begun. Unfortunately, not just his task, but whatever the Emperor chose to do to counter it. He wondered if there would be time. Keeping the Portal technology a secret from Roquan would be difficult enough, even with his Healer's ability silenced. He was not actively looking for it.

But the Emperor. That was a different story.

There was but one chance to avoid a protracted war. It was up to Jollis to provide it. He had an enormous responsibility ahead of him. He hoped he was up to the task. Perhaps if things went right, the truly bad things ... the most distasteful things ... could be avoided.

He would be amused had he known of Roquan's thoughts earlier, the ones that suggested Amanda's role was at an end. In fact, it had only just begun.

Jollis took a deep breath of the cool, moist air and turned away from the sea.

He indulged himself one last time, and took a pleasant walk through the Manor gardens under the stars.

END

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