"He did WHAT?!"

The Imperial Guard was trained for bravery and courage in the face of danger to protect the Emperor from all threats. Yet even they cringed slightly at the bellow from the ancient Mage that now cast two burning eyes at them from his lined and wizened face.

"My apologies, Mage Q'yros," said one of the guards, bowing in respect. "I only know what my orders are from the Emperor."

"I do not have time for this!" Q'yros thundered, his voice booming despite his aged frame. His gnarled fingers gripped the shaft of his staff hard enough to make his hands tremble. "I need to return to the Guild Hall by this afternoon. You will power the Emperor's Portal for me!"

"I am sorry, I cannot," the Guard replied, his voice increasingly nervous. "I have my orders from the Emperor, you ..."

"Shut up."

The guard immediately fell silent, even though technically only the Emperor could order him to do anything. Yet he knew it was only a fool that argued with a Mage as angry and as powerful as Q'yros.

Q'yros paused and took a deep breath to calm himself. He thumped the staff once. The crack it made against the stone floor seemed to reverberate through the room. It activated the spell on the door of his quarters, which opened as he approached it. He reached it before it had fully opened. In his anger, he whacked it with the top of his staff, sending it careening backwards on its hinges and smashing loudly against the stone wall. When it swung back towards the anxious guards after Q'yros had left, the thick wood had been splintered badly in several places.

The passages noticeably emptied as he stomped through them on his way to the Emperor's audience chamber. Before he turned the corner and headed down the passage to the chamber itself, he paused to compose himself.

It was best not to approach the Emperor in an obviously agitated state. The guards that directly protected the Emperor were far more experienced and brave than the ones that had been sent to Q'yros' quarters. While he doubted they could seriously injure him, it was best not to give them reason to react negatively to him. It would not bode well for his dealings with the Emperor.

After sufficiently toning down his fury to acceptable levels, Q'yros approached the large double-doors to the Emperor's chambers. As he had hoped, the guards opened the doors for him immediately, meaning that Z'haas was in attendance and available.

In fact, the man himself was already walking towards the opening doors just as Q'yros stepped inside. In his agitation, Q'yros was unable to wait for the Emperor to give him leave to speak, causing the guards in the room to unobtrusively lay their hands upon the hilts of their swords.

"My Emperor, I need to discuss an important matter with you," Q'yros said, letting the end of his staff thump lightly against the floor. His voice quavered in his barely contained infuriation. "In fact, I hope that a grave error has been committed."

Emperor Fenric Z'haas of Oceanus merely glanced at the Mage, hands clasped behind his back, holding his head regally erect. Torches along the periphery of the chamber reflected slightly from his balding pate. "Of course. I can have you moved to larger quarters much more befitting your title."

Q'yros paused to let that sink in. Great gods, he DID do it, the Mage thought with a mixture of shock and indignation. "My Emperor," Q'yros said, taking a deep breath before continuing. "Is this wise?"

The Emperor raised his head slightly, making his nose look even more hawk-like and his overall demeanor more like that of a predator. "If you do not wish the more spacious accommodations, Q'yros, I can ..."

"That is not what I mean!" Q'yros blurted. He paused and forced his voice lower. "My Emperor ... is it wise to keep me away from the Guild Hall like this?"

"Most men would consider a position on the Imperial staff an honor," Z'haas said carefully. "Is this not the case?"

"Yes, my Emperor. I am indeed honored you have bestowed the title -- nay, dual titles -- of the Emperor's Personal Mage and Adviser Prime upon me." His grip on his staff tightened as he forced the words out. "But would not ..."

"This is so much simpler. You no longer have to make the trek back and forth from the Guild Hall in order for me to consult with you."

"Be that as it may, my Emperor, I have been involved in the study of these odd Portal energies we have seen coming into your realm. That is more properly conducted by me at the Guild Hall."

"Surely your peers are capable of continuing this research without you there every moment. When I first voiced a concern that you were not spending enough time there, your own words to me were 'they need no babysitting from me.'"

Q'yros quietly fumed. Damn the man and his selective hearing! The Emperor had no understanding of the politics at the Mage Guild Hall.

Q'yros had his eye on the Guild Master position. It was a post he had already held some years ago before voluntarily stepping down to devote more time to the pursuit of magical research. Since then, however, he had grown disenchanted with the policies of the current Guild Master, and wished to reclaim the post for himself.

But he would not get it unless he were fully immersed in the politics of the Hall. The longer he was gone was more opportunity for the opposition to spread their influence. Already Q'yros had discovered that he was losing ground. If anything, he desired to spend more time at the Guild Hall, not less.

"My Emperor, why did you confer this honor upon me?" Q'yros asked in a tone of forced calm.

Z'haas turned away, his cloak billowing behind him as he walked. Q'yros was forced to fall into step alongside him and follow his Emperor on a slow walk around the periphery of the chamber. "That should be obvious, Q'yros. I am needing your council more and more, and to be honest, your protection as well."

Q'yros raised an eyebrow. "Protection? Surely that is what the Imperial Guard is for."

"Yes, but now we have Overlords actively planning to usurp the throne."

"You already saw to that. You have already quite thoroughly purged the Imperial court." Q'yros tried to hide the contempt in his voice. He thought Z'haas had gone too far. It was one thing to imprison those that he suspected of harboring sympathies towards the Overlords, or who simply wanted a regime change for reasons of their own, but Z'haas had many summarily executed without following proper Imperial judicial procedure.

"Yes, I have, and that should be enough," Z'haas said with an increasing edge in his voice, his eyes blazing. "But then, Roquan should not have been able to come back from his severe disadvantage at the Conclave, and yet he managed it!"

Q'yros could hear the bitterness in the Emperor's voice. It seemed to be the only emotion Z'haas was capable of these days. "Nevertheless, you had a perfectly competent Mage. I had recommended him myself to you some time ago."

"Yes, he is perfectly competent, but not nearly as powerful as you. And I still require an adviser."

"And you seriously believe there will be a threat to you requiring my Magicks to stop?"

Z'haas came to a sudden stop and whirled around to face the Mage, having detected even the slight bit of sarcasm in Q'yros' voice. "You underestimate our foes to our terrible peril, Q'yros."

Q'yros was very tempted to respond that perhaps that meant he was not competent enough himself to be the Emperor's personal Mage, but he doubted that would get him very far. The last thing he wanted was the Emperor to be angry with him, given how easily Z'haas could order people to their deaths.

"Really, Q'yros, you cannot give me a single reason why you should not be retained as my Mage and Adviser," said Z'haas in a very offhand manner.

Q'yros' fingers again tightened reflexively around his staff. He did not like the idea of being "retained" like a common lackey. Nor did he like the Emperor taking this liberty without at least consulting him first. Again, Z'haas had disregarded protocol. It was considered proper to request one to serve in a particular role rather than simple bestow the title upon him.

Q'yros knew that Z'haas would scoff at his concerns over being away from the political games at the Guild Hall. He would claim that the Mage's duty to his Emperor trumped all other concerns. While Q'yros still very much supported Z'haas as the Emperor, even he was starting to chafe under the man's heavy-handedness.

"If there is nothing more to discuss on the matter of your appointment," Z'haas said stiffly, and then proceeded without waiting for so much as an acknowledgment. "On to more important matters. I wish to move against Colos. Soon."

Q'yros rested his hands on the end of his staff, one draped over the other in a very casual stance, which belied his true feelings on the matter. "You are to put out the call to arms, then, to the provinces?"

"No."

One of the Mage's eyebrows arched.

"I will be using the Imperial Guard."

Q'yros frowned. "Begging your pardon, my Emperor, but are their numbers sufficient to move against Colos? Yes, I know they do not have a large army as it is, but surely since you severed relations with them they are re-arming ..."

"I will be fielding more men for the Guard very soon. I will be putting out a call, yes, but not to the general realm."

Q'yros looked quite askance at this. "You will be fielding your own army instead of requesting the Nobility to provide the necessary men at arms?"

"Yes. Loyalty to the throne will be paramount." Z'haas glanced at his Mage. "You disapprove."

"No, my Emperor," Q'yros lied. "But realize that the Nobility will not care for this move." And it is against the Charter, you idiot! Q'yros added in his own mind.

"That will not be of consequence."

"Begging your pardon, my Emperor ..."

Z'haas sighed theatrically. "Yes?"

"If you wish to go to war with another nation, is it not prudent to secure the support of the Nobility in your endeavor? Not to put too fine a point on it, but you are already worried about a move from the Overlords. Do you wish to push the Nobility into their camp as well?"

"The Nobles will be reminded that I am the Emperor and they are beholden to me, not the other way around," Z'haas said in irritation.

"You don't intend to threaten them into submission ..."

"Do not take me for a fool, Q'yros. I will communicate my intentions with each of the major Noble Lords via Farview, starting today. I will then remind them that I am in charge here."

Q'yros considered this and nodded thoughtfully. "They may appreciate you contacting them directly like that and seeking sanction."

"I am seeking nothing from them except their continued loyalty," Z'haas declared, his eyes set hard. "This is not a matter that will be open to debate. If they see it that way, perhaps I will happen to let slip what the Overlords are planning and see how they like that."

Q'yros looked shocked at this and lifted a finger in admonishment, not caring if it got him into trouble. "Take great care with that, my Emperor," he said carefully, though there was no mistaking the warning tone in his voice. "The Nobility are very loyal to the Overlords. Yes, they will gripe, grumble, and complain about Overlord influence. They will protest the Overlords' attempts to initiate a change in regime, just as they have done in the past. But they will do nothing to stop it. Again, just as they have done in the past."

Z'haas stepped up to Q'yros, eyes burning. Q'yros did not look the least bit perturbed and held his ground, raising his own level gaze to that of his Emperor. "Do not presume that just because you now have an official title at the Imperial Palace that you may talk to your Emperor in that manner! Your loyalty is as important as it is from everyone else in Oceanus."

"You confuse debate with disloyalty, my Emperor," Q'yros said calmly.

Z'haas fumed. "And I will have no debate either." He turned and walked away from the Mage. Q'yros made no attempt to follow. "You are here to advise and not to question my authority or my decisions."

Or your rationality, Q'yros added in his thoughts. "Far be it from me to do so," he called out. The Emperor finally stopped and turned when he realized that Q'yros had not followed him. "But to advise you I must confide my opinions in you. I apologize if they are not to your liking."

"I find it rather interesting that you never offered any 'opinions' to me when you so readily colluded with me against the Overlords a season ago. You never questioned me then."

Q'yros sighed. Yes, Q'yros had assisted the Emperor in a plot against the Overlords, specifically against Roquan D'ronstaq. The idea was to infiltrate the Manor with an Imperial Agent disguised as a slave and transport his best Trainer -- Sirinna -- to the Imperial Palace, where she could train more agents to act as proper slaves.

"I am merely concerned with attempting to abide by the Oceanus Charter," Q'yros said placidly. "The little excursion against the Overlords falls outside that venue. The Charter mentions little about them and does not lay down any guidelines in dealing with them. And you will recall that I agreed with your assessment that the Overlords wielded too much power."

"Perhaps now the same could be said of the Nobility," Z'haas declared.

The Mage said nothing in reply to this and remained silent.

"Leave me, Q'yros," Z'haas declared as he turned and headed towards the passage to his personal chambers. "I will summon you when I wish to speak with you again."

Q'yros waited until the Emperor had disappeared down the passage. His face then grew stony. He lifted the staff in his hand and cracked it hard against the floor in his frustration, the sound echoing through the chamber. In its wake was the sound of metal sliding from a scabbard.

The Mage turned and placidly looked at the two guards, standing now with swords drawn. Q'yros sighed and waved a hand of dismissal at them. "Put your weapons away. Had I wished to actually do anything with Magic, you would not have stopped me by now."

The guards exchanged a look and then slowly sheathed their weapons.

Q'yros shook his head and sighed again. He exited the chamber, the guards that moments ago looked as if they wished to run him through now dutifully opening the doors for him as he passed.

Q'yros was not at all happy with the current state of affairs in the Imperium. He thought Z'haas' planned military venture into Colos to the west was ill-conceived and a disaster waiting to happen. Not a military disaster; even in in the best of times, Colos did not have a large army. Sprawling across what on an Earth map would be from the American Midwest to the California coast, they were land-locked from the ocean on the east, thus Oceanus was the only threat. Until recently, Oceanus had been at peace with Colos for over two centuries.

The breaking of relations had come as a shock to them. They had no way to defend themselves against an Oceanus attack. In fact, Q'yros suspected that they still did not expect an attack. Instead, they most likely expected a diplomatic overture to explain what Oceanus' true grievance was with them.

No, this was a political disaster. The Emperor liked to think that only one Overlord was inconvenienced by the severing of a westward trade route. The Mage could guarantee that the Nobility were already grumbling about it. It would be about now that any stockpiles of luxuries they had imported from the west would be running out, and if that supply was not reestablished, they would be calling Z'haas to task on it.

Q'yros paused at the end of the corridor to the audience chamber and looked back. He shook his head sadly.

You are a fool, Z'haas, he thought acidly. If you continue to rule this realm with blinders on.

The mental nudge of a Farview audience summoning was a gentle one. It manifested as something between a stray thought and an urge. How much it compelled the person to respond to it truly depended on the disposition of the individual. Some found the summons a great annoyance and did everything they could to answer it quickly. Others had learned to mentally put it aside temporarily and respond to it at their leisure. Many of the higher Nobility fell into the latter category, and the man who was still enjoying his morning bath was no exception.

Lord Duric K'garon, Royal Governor of the Keyas Province of Oceanus, uttered a soft sigh that combined the contentment of the gentle treatment at the hands of his slave with the annoyance of the timing of the summons.

"He will simply have to wait," Duric said.

"Master?"

Duric craned his head at the almond-eyed naked beauty tending to his bath, her sponge still sliding down his back even as she pondered her Master's statement.

He smiled gently at her. "Someone wishes a Farview with me. Nothing to concern yourself with, Tanyee."

As any person would be, Tanyee was curious about who would be Farviewing her Master so early in the morning. But like a good slave, she knew how to obey. Her Master had said it was nothing to concern herself with, so she did not. Nevertheless, it was a slave's place to insure that her Master was spared any inconvenience. "I can speed up your bath if you wish it, Master."

Duric grinned like a child. In a way this was not too far from the truth, at least by Narlassi standards. At 25, he was considered very young to be holding such a high position. "Now don't you dare do any such thing, Tanyee," he said in a tone of mock-indignation. "In fact ... I have another duty you will need to fulfill quite shortly, and I will insist you take your time with it as well."

Tanyee smiled. She had already seen her Master's arousal even through the surface of the soapy water. She looked forward to it eagerly, her nether regions already tingling with the idea of pleasing him.

Tanyee was quite happy these days, more so than she had ever been. It was a far cry from the days not too long ago when Duric had sent her back to the D'ronstaq Manor in anger for her disobedience, a crime that ultimately had not been her fault. She had been overjoyed when she heard that her former Master wanted her back.

If she had any regret at all, it was that she could not tell her friend Amanda how happy she was. The girl had seemed so worried over whether or not Tanyee were indeed happy being a slave.

Duric lingered in his bath a bit, having Tanyee work his arms and his legs again. Especially his legs. While his manhood was already quite hard in anticipation of Tanyee's attentions, he liked the way her touch continued to arouse him, and the look in her eyes when she glanced at it eagerly. In a way he was teasing her as much as letting her tease him.

It would serve you right, Z'haas, if I answered the summons with my nubile slave between my legs, Duric thought in smug satisfaction. While he was grateful to the Imperium for this appointment, he did not feel that it meant he had to be at the Emperor's beck and call. Especially not with some of the things he had heard going on recently.

Duric was young and inexperienced, but not stupid. He knew the Emperor likely appointed him as someone that could be easily influenced. It did not take long for him to prove the Emperor wrong on that score.

By the time Duric signaled to Tanyee to stop, it was apparent that the slave girl was quite excited herself, just from the look in her dark eyes. He truly loved that look. He rose from the marble pool and carefully stepped out. In seconds Tanyee was there with a large towel, draping it over his shoulders, the other end trailing almost to the floor.

Duric turned and faced Tanyee, cupping his hand under her chin. "Dry yourself off, then join me in my bedchamber."

"Yes, Master."

He let his eyes linger on her, his gaze sliding down over her full, round breasts and the triangle of her sex, already damp with something other than water from the bath. Finally he turned and left the room, reentering his spacious bedchamber.

Duric felt the summons again as he slowly dried himself off. He ignored it again for the time being. It was easy to do when one already had a distraction, and one far more pleasant. "Really, Z'haas, where are your manners?" he asked of no one in particular with a somewhat smarmy smile.

As he finished drying himself off, he wandered to his desk, where several parchments lay. Duric liked to keep a clean desk, in that he wished nothing on it. He expected underlings to take care of day-to-day matters of running his province. The fact that there was so much that constantly needed his attention was not good. It was even worse when most it of had to do with the Imperium.

Duric draped his towel over the top of the chair and picked up one of the parchments. He smirked as he skimmed it. Another merchant clan delayed from arriving at the palace because of interception by Imperial Guardsmen looking for black market contraband. "You're up to something, Z'haas," he commented. "And I'll bet that summons has something to do with it."

"Master?"

Duric put down the parchment and turned. Tanyee stood at the entrance to his bedchamber, her hands folded demurely before her.

He smiled at her. He did not have to say a word to her. He simply sat on the edge of his bed and his slave knew his desires immediately. Despite her eagerness, Tanyee carried herself properly. She did not rush or act with anything but care and grace. She came to him slowly and knelt before him. She slid her knees apart, letting one hand slip between her thighs, fingers sliding gently over her slick folds. At the same time, her other hand reached up, fingers curling around his cock, caressing it lovingly at first rather than outright stroking it.

Duric smiled and placed a hand lightly on Tanyee's head, letting it slide down one side, fingers combing her long fall of straight, black hair. He heard a very soft sigh of pleasure from his slave as she let her fingers sink into her now fully aroused pussy. She gripped him more tightly as her lips brushed the engorged head of his cock.

Tanyee remained like that until Duric held the back of her head and nudged her forward lightly. Her lips parted as she let him into her mouth, his manhood slowly sliding over her tongue, her breath drawing inward excitedly as his taste and scent tantalized her senses.

Duric closed his eyes and removed his hand from her. His action of pushing her onto his manhood was symbolic more than anything else. Tanyee knew how to best please him and needed no further guidance.

She let him slide deeply into her mouth, tightening her lips around his shaft before drawing back. She tilted her head upwards slightly, letting the underside of his shaft stroke deeply against her tongue. At the same time, her fingertips twirled about her womanhood, increasing her own pleasure and thus her enthusiasm.

As Tanyee worked her mouth back and forth in a slow, steady rhythm, Duric grinned. He thought back to how it had been a failure in this very activity that had forced him to send her back to the Manor. Well, forced in a relative sense. Surely he had to bring it to the Overlord's attention. Most Lords simply Farviewed the Overlord about the issue. Instead, he had shipped the teary-eyed Tanyee back to the Manor with a strongly worded letter.

Duric had known it had not been proper protocol. But he had wanted to test Roquan by purposely stirring up trouble. And the Overlord had passed with flying colors.

In fact, the Keyas Governor had learned a great deal more about Roquan since then.

Duric brought his attention back to his slave as he felt her fingers tug gently at his testicles. At the same time, her strokes increased, raising his pleasure without sending him over the edge too quickly. His breathing became a little shorter, his hand stroking her soft hair. Tanyee would have smiled if she could at the show of simple affection for her.

Tanyee's pleasure rose as well, her own breath becoming a soft pant through her nose. She was careful not to let herself cum. That would happen only by her Master's orders. She tightened the muscles in her pussy to make sure she stayed back from that point. Her body trembled slightly in both her mounting pleasure and the sense that his was rising as well.

The Farview summons came again. Again, Duric ignored it. It was much easier than ever to do it this time.

He leaned back, propping himself up with his hands behind him. Tanyee's strokes grew bolder, her head bobbing back and forth faster. She did not take his cock as deeply into her mouth as she had before, concentrating now more on driving him upwards. It was now that Duric would gently press his hand to her head if he wanted her to slow down and draw it out more. When she felt nothing, she took this to mean she was free to make him cum.

Her fingers released his balls. They curled around the base of his cock and stroked it at the same time her lips and tongue did the same to the rest. Duric's breath grew short as he drew closer to the edge. His head tilted back, his body shuddering once as he uttered a deep groan.

Tanyee moaned softly as his cock throbbed in her mouth. She savored the taste of his seed as it pooled warmly on her tongue. With expert skill, she milked him with her mouth, extending his orgasm and easing it downward. Only once his climax has abated did she draw back, slowly, careful not to let a single drop of his seed spill from her lips.

Her lips closed as he slipped out from between them. She tilted her head back and swallowed. She smiled and licked her lips, then delicately licked at his flagging manhood until he no longer oozed any remaining seed. Only then did she draw back completely from him, one hand still over her sex, fingers sunk into her folds. Her breathing was labored as she hung close to her own climax, held from retreating from that point by the pressure and slight movement of her fingers.

Duric smiled affectionately at her and stroked her cheek lightly with a brush of his fingers as he stood up. "Give yourself pleasure," he told her. "Slowly. Do not cum until I have finished dressing."

"Yes, Master," Tanyee said in a breathless voice. Remaining where she was, still kneeling on the floor beside his bed, she let her fingers slide over her still needful flesh. Despite straining for release, she did not hurry. Her fingers moved methodically as she voiced soft moans and deep, breathy sighs. Her thighs quivered the more the pressure grew, the tension on her muscles the only thing preventing her from bursting into orgasm.

Duric smiled and took his time, watching Tanyee closely. He was incredibly pleased with her. Roquan had sent him back a slave that was more eager to be good than ever before. Even as the sounds she made became more desperate the harder it became to hold herself back, she never let up or begged for relief.

Duric finally returned to Tanyee's side, now resplendent in the deep reds and purples of his position as Lord of Keyas. He looked down at her and lingered for a few moments longer before saying, "You may cum."

Tanyee uttered a loud cry and shook as she throbbed hard, her breath a ragged gasp as she came. She pressed her fingers into her womanhood, stroking it with just the right pressure to enhance her pleasure and prolong it, since she knew her Master loved watching her in the throes of a strong orgasm.

After it had finally faded, she looked up and smiled at him. "Thank you, Master," she said in a breathless voice.

Duric smiled back, even as the Farview summons came again. "Come with me. I have a matter to attend to, but hopefully it will not take long."

"Yes, Master."

Tanyee dutifully rose to her feet, a pleasant ache in her pussy from her climax. She followed along beside him as he led her out of his bedchamber, through his spacious and opulent private dining area, and into his audience chamber. Unlike the Emperor's which was rather large, sparse, and dark, Duric's was almost cozy. Magical torches burned brightly, the walls festooned with gold-edged tapestries of cheery landscape scenes done in vibrant hues. While the Emperor's chamber contained but a single place to sit for himself only, forcing all others to stand, Duric made sure there were plenty of plush chairs for his guests.

It was to one of these chairs that Duric gestured. "Pleasure yourself gently, Tanyee."

"Yes, Master," Tanyee said. She sat in the chair, drawing her legs up under her and exposing her pussy between her stretched thighs. She reached down and stroked her womanhood, using slow, circular movements with her fingertips.

Duric watched her for a few moments before standing with his back to his throne and saying to the air, "I answer the summons."

The regal but dour form of Emperor Z'haas shimmered into existence before him. Duric bowed slowly and graciously and said in an unfailingly polite voice, "Your presence graces my palace and my province, my Emperor." He rose erect. "What may I do for you?"

Tanyee's eyes widened. She was used to her Master taking Farview with her in attendance, but never before had she seen him speak with the Emperor himself. This was the first time that she had ever seen him. She allowed herself a little curiosity, staring in wonder at the Emperor's form even as her fingers moved against her sex.

"You may cease to keep your Emperor waiting, that is what you may do!" Z'haas snapped.

Duric mentally ticked off a point for himself. He had kept the Emperor waiting long enough that the man was flustered while Duric was still cool and collected. That gave him the advantage if any negotiating was to be done that morning.

Duric seated himself upon his throne. "My humble apologies, but I was unavoidably detained. There has been much to distract me of late."

Z'haas' eyes narrowed and shifted back and forth, as if specifically looking for someone else in the room with Duric. Tanyee noticed this as well but did not flinch. She had no modesty to preserve before anyone, even someone as important as Emperor Z'haas. She found it more fascinating than anything else.

"No matter," Z'haas said crisply, squaring his shoulders back. "This will not take long. I need only to inform you of a decision I have made."

One corner of Duric's mouth turned upwards very slightly. "Indeed? I am honored."

"Do not be. This is something I am telling all my Lords."

"May I at least take pleasure in the fact that I am one of the first?"

This appeared to give the Emperor pause, if for no other reason that perhaps he had not expected Duric to be so forward with him. "And this is not something to be taken lightly, either," Z'haas said crossly.

Duric wore a mask of concern on his face and gave the Emperor a studious look. "This sounds serious. Is there some crisis that I may be of assistance in helping you solve?"

The Emperor paused, taking a slow, deep breath. Duric realized at once that he had managed to irritate the Emperor. This had not been his intent at all, which meant that something serious was indeed afoot. "I will not be needing assistance. All I will require is assurances from you and all the other Lords that I shall see no interference to my plans."

Duric realized that the Emperor had chosen his words rather carefully. He had not asked for support from the Nobility, but simply non-interference. That did not bode well. And he was sure that it had something to do with Colos.

"You know I will support the Imperium as much as I possibly can," said Duric, choosing his own words just as carefully.

"That remains to be seen."

Duric realized he should have taken great offense at that. However, he was not quite as mired in the minutiae of protocol yet as his older peers were, and he could let it slide. He wondered if Z'haas were gambling on such a thing or if he were simply acting abrasive in general. If he is intending to approach the other Noble Lords with that attitude, he's not going to get very far, he thought to himself.

Tanyee continued pleasuring herself through the meeting as she had been instructed. Yet even as she quivered and panted with her rising pleasure, she kept her eyes on the Emperor. Like many of Roquan's slaves that had been at the Manor at the time, she remembered the night that Sirinna had almost died. She remembered hearing something to the effect that the Emperor had been behind it.

"I assume you are aware of the difficulties of late with Colos," Z'haas said tonelessly.

"You chose to sever relations with them is what I recall," Duric said flatly. "And yes, having no trade with Colos is indeed a difficulty."

"Do not spar with me, Lord K'garon. I will not have any of it."

"May I at least inquire as to your reasons behind severing ties? I do not recall them making any hostile moves towards us."

"As your Emperor, it is my duty to protect Oceanus from all threats. I am privy to information that the Nobility and the Overlords are not."

Duric thought that rather interesting, that the Emperor should mention the Overlords. He had learned that they had concluded a Conclave recently, but had not ascertained why they had convened in the first place, let alone what was decided.

"And as such, I have determined that matters with Colos require sterner measures. I will be conducting a limited campaign against them."

Duric's eyebrows shot up. "I beg your pardon? A military campaign?"

"Yes."

Duric considered for a long moment. "I am not sure I currently have the resources to send you enough men-at-arms for ..."

"I am not asking for such. I will be gathering the necessary forces myself. You need not concern yourself with the matter, not you or the other Nobles. I will be asking for none of your resources or men."

Duric considered his options carefully.

Technically, the Emperor was well within his rights to raise his own army, but only in special circumstances. Even so, tradition stated that the Emperor be more open about it with the Nobility, and tradition was nearly as strong a force among the Nobility as it was with the Overlords. People in power had a natural distrust of other people in power in Oceanus. By denying the Emperor a standing army, forcing him to consult the Nobles for the needed troops and supplies, it helped prevent the Emperor from abusing his position.

What was more disturbing than this was the fact that the Emperor was doing it in complete secrecy. When an Emperor was forced to raise an army on his own in the past, it was always in times of dire need for the realm and thus a speedy reaction to the threat was considered more important than protocol.

Even then, the Noble Lords were at least notified of the situation before preparations began. It was clear that Z'haas already had plans in motion before the Nobility knew of them.

By this time, Tanyee had finally turned her attention from the Emperor. Her pleasure had mounted high enough that it was hard to think of anything other than it and how it would please her Master once he was done. She did not truly understand much of what was being spoken between her Master and the Emperor anyway. If her Master wanted her to know anything about it, he would tell her later.

"My Emperor, with all due respect, if there is as grave a threat to Oceanus as your actions appear to suggest ..."

" ... then is it my responsibility to deal with it. That is the oath I swore when I took the throne, and I shall fulfill that oath. I shall see myself dead before I willingly relinquish such a critical duty to anyone else. I intend to preserve the realm, no matter what. All I wish is no interference from the Nobles or the Overlords."

Now that's twice that he's mentioned the Overlords, Duric mused. Why is he concerning himself with them? One thing was very clear to him, however: Z'haas was not going to be swayed by anything that he said. More likely than not, his continued inquiries would simply make the Emperor angry.

Duric needed to buy some time. And there was only one way to do that.

Duric stood and bowed deeply. "You are correct, my Emperor," he said respectfully. "It is you who are charged with the safety of the realm and I shall not question that further." For now, he added in his head as he straightened up. "You were wise to remind me of that fact. I wish you good luck and good fortune in dealing with whatever threat we face."

Z'haas nodded slowly. His voice held a slightly wary tone when he next spoke. "Rest assured I have that matter in hand or I would not be communicating with you as I am. I intend to deal with the matter swiftly so that I may put things back in proper order soon."

"Then it is hoped you will see your way clear to forgiving my transgression. I must trust that you know what is best for Oceanus."

"I am pleased that you see things my way, Lord K'garon," Z'haas said in a more assured tone of voice. "It has been a breath of fresh air. I shall convey word of your stance to the other Lords with whom I will speak today in hopes that they will learn from your wisdom."

Duric smiled at this. "I am honored, my Emperor."

He was also quite pleased. If there was anything that would galvanize the other Nobles against Z'haas' actions, it was hearing that the youngest of their lot appeared in favor of them. It worked out to Duric's advantage nicely. He would get the other Nobles to try to put a stop to the Emperor's foolishness without him having to canvas them himself.

And he was most careful in what words he spoke to the Emperor. Not once did Duric ever decidedly state that he supported these actions. This could give him some leeway later.

"Is there anything else I may do for you, my Emperor?" asked Duric.

"No, I believe that is all."

"Are you quite sure?" Duric paused a moment as an idea came to him. As casually as he could, he added, "I could speak with the Overlords for you if you wish."

Z'haas' eyes narrowed. "And why would you offer to do such a thing? Speak to them about what?" he demanded.

"Apologies for being presumptuous, my Emperor. You mentioned you did not want interference from the Overlords. The Nobles have some measure of influence over them. Or in my case, one in particular, Roquan D'ronstaq ..."

The Emperor visibly bristled. "That is quite enough. I have no use for the Overlords in any capacity, and I would advise you to refrain from mentioning anything to them whatsoever. Is that clear, Lord K'garon?"

Before Duric could reply, the Emperor waved a hand over something before him and his image abruptly faded from sight.

Duric stroked his chin thoughtfully. He had noticed Z'haas' reaction when he had mentioned Roquan's name. Coincidence? Or was there something else to it?

Without the distraction of the Emperor, Tanyee's gentle moans and the soft wet sounds of her fingers in her intimate folds came to him again. He smiled and stepped over to her.

His slave looked up and smiled, her eyes half-lidded as her body quivered with sexual delight once more. She spread her legs wider for him and slid her hips forward, giving him a better view of her pussy as she continued to stroke herself.

Duric gestured for her to rise. She did as she was bid, but did not stop pleasuring herself until he told her. She spread her feet apart, her fingers still pressed deeply into her sex. Her body writhed as she stood, her hips swaying slowly from side to side. Duric reached up and cupped one of her breasts, squeezing it gently. Tanyee moaned and leaned into the touch. She trembled with pleasure as his fingers stroked her nipple.

"You are such a good slave, Tanyee," Duric said. "The best I've ever seen."

Tanyee blushed and smiled. "Thank you, Master ..." she moaned softly.

Duric let go of her breast and slid his hand down her back and over her rear. He lightly squeezed one of her ass cheeks. Tanyee uttered a sultry sigh, her eyes sliding closed as she shifted her hips back. Her fingers dipped into her tunnel, her lips parting and letting loose a small whimper as she climbed steadily higher.

It was said that any woman could pleasure herself before another; a slave knew how to put on a good show as well.

"You may cum," said Duric.

Tanyee panted harder as her fingers moved steadily faster, audibly squishing against wet flesh. When she crested, her eyes flew open and she uttered a single, long gasp that dissolved into tiny moans as she throbbed. Her feet slid further apart as she pressed her fingers to her womanhood, using the pressure and the tension on her muscles to prolong her climax as long as she could.

Duric had held a keen interest in Roquan since taking the position as Governor of Keyas. Besides being the best slaver in Oceanus, there was something different about him from the other Overlords. Now he had an even greater fascination for the man.

What is it about Roquan that has the Emperor in such a tizzy? he mused.

He intended to find out.

Duric stroked Tanyee's hair. "Come along with me. You will be keeping me company while I go meet with the royal advisers. And afterward I am sure some of them will wish your attentions."

Tanyee smiled. "Of course, Master."

A tiny, windowless room lay dark in the depths of the Imperial Palace.

The blackness was abruptly pushed back when the door opened, light flooding in from the corridor. Yet as soon as a cloaked figure stepped inside, the door shut behind him and the darkness was absolute again.

The figure remained unmoving for a time, only the soft sounds of breathing an indication that anyone was even still in the room. Where many would fear the blackness and the sounds would quicken, this one appeared to take solace in it, and his breathing slowed and grew calm.

"Light," came the soft command.

Two candles at either end of a small but elegant wood table flickered into flame. Between them sat a velvet pillow. Nestled in the center was what appeared to be a thick, glass orb. Embedded in its depths was a fractured and slightly charred blue pearl. Barely visible before the table was a simple chair.

The figure stepped forward, revealing the tired face of Emperor Z'haas. His cheeks had a ruddy glow from the light and from his own fatigue. He had just finished speaking with all the Nobles that would answer his summons. His eyes were very dark in the subdued light, but they betrayed a hint of desperation among flashes of anger and exasperation.

Z'haas grabbed the back of the chair and slid it noisily across a bare stone floor. He sank heavily into it, the wood creaking. The Emperor stared morosely at the glass-entombed remains of the pearl for a long moment before finally passing his hand over it.

The blue pearl glowed feebly. Light and pattern swam and wavered until it finally resolved into the visage of a man that looked rather much like the Emperor himself. The image faded in and out, and the sound that issued forth was tinny and strained.

The Emperor stared, as he had so many countless times, as the scene he had already indelibly burned into his mind played out once more before him. He did not flinch at the arrival of the other, or of the violence that ensued, or of the fall of his twin. The only reaction was when the murderer looked down upon his victim. Here the Emperor's eyes narrowed and every muscle in his body seemed to tense.

This part of the recording was the best preserved. He had made sure of that. He had wanted to make sure he would know this person if he ever had the misfortune of encountering the man. For everything Z'haas had done, and everything he was going to do, revolved around this. It had horribly crystallized so many suspicions he had long held.

The Emperor made no move when the recording came to an end, and the glow in the pearl died. He continued staring as if the scene were still playing out, or if he were playing out his own vision in his mind's eye.

He was, in a way. He remembered what a trusted adviser had said to him soon after the trial and execution of the man's wife. "At least justice has been properly dispensed where it was due, my Emperor," were the words that Z'haas remembered.

A hand slowly clenched into a fist. No, justice had not been dispensed. Not yet. That had only been a start. True justice had yet to be dispensed. Yet before he could take that step, he had to defend the realm. He had to stop it. He would not let Oceanus fall.

The Emperor closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths. He stood up and opened his eyes. They were filled with renewed purpose.

"You have gone too far." That was the mantra repeated by some of the older Nobility, the ones that had no qualms over being disrespectful to the Emperor over Farview. The Emperor now realized that it was not true. Quite the opposite. He had yet to go far enough.

The Emperor turned and headed to the door. Just as he was about to open it, he called out, "Dark."

The candle flames died. Z'haas left the room as it was.

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