"I do not believe this!" shouted the Emperor, eyes blazing with fury. "The unmitigated gall of them! Perhaps I should have Farviewed the execution of the conspiracy leader to the lot of them! Perhaps that would convince them of the strength of my convictions!"

Q'yros cast a momentary gaze towards the spot where the Farview audience had just concluded moments before, the very one that had caused the Emperor's mood to go from supreme satisfaction to red-faced anger. He sighed and turned to his sovereign. "As it is, my Emperor, you will need to perform your convincing in person."

Z'haas stared at the Mage for a few moments, as if challenging him to rethink what he had just said. When Q'yros met the Emperor's gaze with a steely one of his own, it was obvious that he would not be so easily intimidated. The Emperor took a deep breath and drew himself upright. "I should not need to do any such thing. I should summon that insufferable buffoon on the Farview now and tell him to stay in his own palace for the duration."

Q'yros paused as he weighed the Emperor's words to determine if the man were serious or simply engaging in a bit of hyperbole. He decided on the latter for the time being. "As it is, they have called for their right as dictated in the Charter. The right of Caucus before the Emperor."

"I do not need you to quote me the law," Z'haas said coldly. "And I'll remind you that I am the law."

"The Nobility does not see it that way."

"To the hells with them."

Q'yros forced himself to remain patient. He was beginning to understand now that Z'haas simply needed to work through his anger. Until he did that, he was going to offer foolish suggestions. It was up to the Mage to deflect them and make sure the Emperor did not attempt to dwell on one long enough to actually implement it.

"If I wanted someone to quote back the law to me, Q'yros, I would not have had the traitor Gondas executed."

"I must admit, my Emperor, I was a bit ... surprised to have heard this morning that you had done that."

The reality was that Q'yros had not been surprised. Shocked, but ultimately not surprised. He did not think this boded well for the Imperium in the long run.

Not that he thought the coup should have succeeded. On the contrary, the more he learned about the Portal technology that was being employed, the more he could believe Z'haas' ramblings about a powerful enemy. There was the assumption that the Portals were from this same enemy, but it was a good assumption. The evidence was largely circumstantial in its favor, but there was an awful lot of it.

Not to mention that Q'yros had a strong gut feeling. A Mage's intuition was not that of a normal person. It was influenced by the weave of magical forces that permeated the land. It had subtle effects on the mind, giving the more powerful Mages a very faint, latent prognostication ability. Some Mages tried to cultivate this power, but few had anything more than limited success. Still, its passive form served a Mage well.

The Emperor managed to calm down enough to return to his throne, but there was still a hard edge to his voice when he spoke. "What would court proceedings have bought us, Q'yros?"

Legitimacy, perhaps? Q'yros thought acidly. A sign to the population that you're not trying to become a brutal dictator? "Surely there was a mountain of evidence in favor of a conviction ..."

"I was well within my rights to do what I did. It falls under the emergency powers clause of the Charter."

"I thought such powers were granted only in wartime, my Emperor."

"And you do not see this as such? Enemy agents infiltrate our land and open Portals near known rebellious elements in our own nation. Conspiracies to usurp the throne have nearly borne fruit."

Q'yros' eyebrows rose slightly on the Emperor's last statement. That was the the first time Z'haas had come close to admitting he had been concerned about losing power. That was not necessarily a good thing. It meant that he might start making decisions out of fear rather than rationality.

Once he had heard about the execution of Gondas, Q'yros did a little digging. He eventually discovered that all the members of the conspiracy, every last one that had been in that house, had been slaughtered by the Imperial Guard. It was one thing to kill the ringleader outright, and then perhaps token trials for the others, but to execute all of them ...!

"Tell me how any of what I have just told you is not an act of war?" the Emperor demanded.

Q'yros paused and shook his head. "I cannot."

"I will make this very clear to the Lords when I meet with them. Their words will not divert me from my course."

The Mage was relieved to hear that the Emperor had tacitly agreed to entertain the Caucus. "The words of Lord Uras did not suggest they will seek to convince you to change course. The impression I had was that they wish justification for your actions and nothing more."

Z'haas bristled at this. "And my word to them should be good enough! It is I to whom the safety of the realm is entrusted, not them!"

"Then make them understand that, my Emperor!" Q'yros declared, trying to keep his temper in control. He felt Z'haas was extremely dense, almost beyond the powers of his patience. "Tell them some of what we have discussed. Stop keeping everything a secret. Show them the danger, and they will likely rally behind you!"

Q'yros was not at all sure of that. The fact that Lord Uras had called upon the Emperor barely a day after the destruction of the conspiracy meant that he had likely heard what had happened. As tight as the Emperor wished to make his security, no known Magic -- or force of Imperial will, for that matter -- could stop a Farview.

Thus it was likely that the Overlords knew of the failure of the coup by now, and were plotting their next move. This reminded Q'yros of the next concern he wished to voice, assuming that Z'haas did not simply retort with yet another variation of "I'm the Emperor and they should just do as they are told."

"There are certain things I am not ready to divulge," Z'haas said flatly. "Specifically so it will not tip off the enemy as to how much I know."

"I am aware of this. And I still wish you would share more with me."

There was a long pause. "I may be forced to."

Now Q'yros was definitely surprised.

The Emperor lifted his head imperiously. "Mage Q'yros. You are the only one I trust. That is not an exaggeration. I trust no one else. Were you not needed as an adviser and as a liaison to the Mage Guild to research these Portals, I would have you as my personal bodyguard."

Q'yros realized that to the Emperor's ears, this sounded like a grand compliment. Instead, it was all that the Mage could do not to visibly bristle at this. As it was, his hands gripped the end of the staff tightly enough that the ancient wood made a faint cracking sound.

Z'haas continued, "Your loyalty to me is paramount in all things. I must have your support in whatever transpires."

"There should be no question of that, my Emperor," said Q'yros, trying to keep the acid edge from his voice.

"Oceanus will march on Colos. Nothing must be allowed to stop it."

Q'yros hesitated a moment, but then nodded solemnly in agreement. He no longer wished to change the Emperor's mind on this score. While he was not entirely comfortable with it yet, he felt that a military excursion might be justified in the end.

News from the Mage Guild grew more ominous with each passing day. Previously, this was due to the growing list of things they did not know about this new Portal Magic. Now they had finally forced it to reveal some of its secrets, and things grew still more alarming.

Yet much of it was supposition. They still had yet to crack the structure of the energy flow itself that created and maintained a Portal. The problem was that a pinpoint-accurate Portal required the use of the focusing spell upon a blue pearl. Thus there were two energy flows: the smaller one from the pearl to the Portal and the larger one from the Portal itself. The two were intimately intertwined with one another, creating the complex energy pattern that opened the Portal.

The Guild Mages had no trouble finding the larger energy stream. What they could not find was the smaller stream, and that was vitally needed. It was like the key to an encrypted message. Without the key, there was nowhere to go.

"I will take what you have told me under advisement, Q'yros," said the Emperor, his fingers tightening on the ends of the arm rests of his throne.

That was far more of a concession than the Mage had ever received from the Emperor. "Very well, my Emperor. I only wish your plans to go as smoothly as possible. Placating the Nobility will go a long way towards that."

"And what of the Overlords? Or will they continue to plague me?"

"I fail to see how they can be much trouble to you any further. I have the impression that Gondas was their last chance. He was a member of the Yassa Clan. They owe a sizable debt to the Joran Clan. We can surmise that this was the Overlords' best contact they could muster."

The Emperor did not look at all mollified by this, but said nothing in comment.

Q'yros considered for a moment. "Speaking of the Overlords ... have you given thought to the disposition of Gronnus?"

"You mean because his information proved worthwhile?"

"With all due respect, my Emperor, his information was invaluable. You saw for yourself from your agent's report how far along they were in their plans. Much further than you had given them credit for."

"Do you truly think that I would have fallen, Q'yros?" Z'haas said in a scoffing tone of voice. "Do you really think they might have breached the inner sanctum?"

The Mage did indeed believe it. Z'haas' men were loyal to him, but to a point. Bennis had been the wild card. He was wily enough to pull it off. He has a great deal of charisma and many personal contacts in the Imperium, probably many more than Z'haas will ever know.

Correction: had been wily enough. Or perhaps not quite enough after all. He was as dead now as the rest of them. And despite the Emperor's dismissal of their chances, Q'yros could sense the undertone of anxiety in the Emperor's voice. Z'haas understood how close he had come to being usurped.

"Either way, Q'yros, it was a distraction I did not need. Yes, I am aware that Gronnus' information was useful."

The disdain in the Emperor's voice was obvious, though Q'yros ignored this. "If he has proven himself, he could be a valuable insight into the Overlords' plans, since you appear to be worried about them."

The Emperor's eyes narrowed. "I would be more concerned if the Overlords were working with the Nobility. That is what we must watch for, Q'yros. That cannot be allowed to happen, and that is where Gronnus will prove himself. But make no mistake about it. We witnessed a Portal opening in his Manor. I will never trust the man completely. The moment he crosses me, he will share the same fate as the conspirator Gondas did. And the would-be usurper Bennis!"

Q'yros admitted to being mystified as to the Portal. Yet there was no denying that Gronnus had passed his "test." He could not believe the man smart enough to arrange for a ruse of this magnitude simply to gain trust, not one where so much was sacrificed when it would have been easier to let the coup attempt proceed.

Z'haas took a deep breath and let it go as a slow sigh. "In either case, I will not allow them to have the time to put any plans of conspiracy to work."

The Mage looked askance at this. "My Emperor, are you suggesting the Nobility would stoop to ..."

"I make no assumptions, Q'yros! I will suspect them of as much duplicity as the Overlords! That is why I intend to make the Caucus as short as possible."

"If they will allow it. They are worse than Overlords when it comes to political minutiae."

"It is of no concern. Lord Uras informs me it will take at least half a moon to bring together all the Lords, another quarter moon to get them here. The Imperial Army will be ready to march in one moon."

Q'yros gave the Emperor a shocked look. "What? One moon?? How can you possibly train and equip ..."

"I have arranged for some assistance. As per treaty."

"Treaty? What treaty?"

"A treaty I have recently signed with the Urisi Nation."

It took a moment for the meaning to become clear to Q'yros. When it did, he gave the Emperor a horrified look.

"What is it?" Z'haas demanded. "Speak your mind, Mage."

Q'yros gripped his staff so tightly that his hands shook. "My Emperor ... please tell me you are not using Urisi nationals in your army ..."

"Only to fill out the foot regiments. To bulk up the main ground force so that strength of numbers will be on our side at all times." The Emperor paused and raised an eyebrow. "Is this a problem?"

Q'yros gave the Emperor a level look. "With all due respect, my Emperor, you will be lucky if the Nobility do not call for your public execution in the Imperial Square if they learn of this. Then the Overlords will be the least of your worries!"

Z'haas narrowed his eyes. "You disapprove?"

"Argh! Blast what I think! That doesn't matter! I'm telling you what the Nobility will think! You know how they feel about foreign influence at the Imperium."

"This is not the same thing. They will have no say in the command structure. Their field commanders will be subservient to ours. And to me."

Q'yros was exasperated. He could not get the Emperor to understand that it was the appearance of influence that mattered more than the actual thing. Appearances mattered a very great deal to the Nobles, more so than the Overlords.

But there was nothing that could be done about it now. The damage was done. Now Q'yros had to practice damage control. "My Emperor, you must make sure you never allow the Nobility to hear of this ... arrangement. Or of the treaty."

The Emperor frowned deeply. "I am not stupid, Q'yros. Stop treating me as such. Why do you think I kept the treaty secret instead of circulating it for their approval?"

"More of your emergency powers, I take it?"

Q'yros had not bothered to hide the sarcasm from his voice. It apparently had pushed the Emperor to his limit. "Leave me, Q'yros. I have important matters to think over."

"As you wish."

Q'yros turned and swiftly left the chamber.

By now the Mage knew of the Emperor's main fault. It was not impulsiveness, or carelessness, or rashness. It was arrogance. The Emperor believed himself to be infallible. Or inasmuch that whatever faults he did have were to be ignored. This was the reason why he was almost taken from power, because he was too arrogant to consider the possibility that someone could move against him.

Or perhaps he did consider it, and that frightened him. The perceived arrogance was a cover for his true feelings.

Whatever the reason, Q'yros could only hope that the matter would end soon. Perhaps it was well and good that the army would march in a moon's time. It would bring an end quickly to this sordid chapter of Oceanus' history.

In the back of his mind, however, the Mage harbored the worry that this was only the start of a very long and dark era for Narlass.

The silence was thick and palpable in the confined space of the outer chamber of Roquan's quarters. Roquan cast his steely gaze between the other two assembled Overlords as they awaited his response.

Roquan took a deep breath and let it go. "No."

Doran threw up his hands, his face red with anger and frustration. He rounded on Rennis. "You see? You see?? This is the same bull-headed stubbornness I have had to put up with for the past half moon!"

"Stubborn? If you wish to see evidence of that, Doran, try looking in a mirror!" Roquan snapped, his eyes icy. "I ask you for more ideas on how we can better penetrate the Imperium, and you continued to harp on ..."

Doran whirled around. "I have no other ideas! There are none to be had!"

"If you cannot come up with one, I will surely ask the other Overlords ..."

Doran stomped over to Roquan's desk and yanked a drawer open. Rennis backed up a step in surprise, and Roquan looked as if about to surge forward and stop the other Overlord. Doran reached in and pulled out the velvet-lined box containing Roquan's collection of Farviewing pearls. He slammed it on the top of the desk, causing some of the pearls to be unseated and roll about in the box.

"Then summon them!" Doran bellowed, gesturing wildly. "I will gladly wait as you interrogate them one by one and have them tell you the same thing that I will! We have nothing more to give!"

Roquan stared hard at Doran for a long moment. His hands clenched into fists. Rennis saw this and took a wary step forward, as if believing he was going to be needed to break up a fight. He saw the rising fury in his old friend's eyes, and knew enough about the man to sense when he was reaching the limits of his patience.

Finally Roquan's hands unclenched, though his expression remained hard. "I want another option."

Doran raised a hand in anger. Rennis caught it and placed his other hand on Doran's shoulder. "Leave off," he said in an almost pleading voice. "Please. This isn't getting us anywhere."

"I thank you for being the voice of reason as always, Rennis," said Roquan.

Rennis' gaze snapped over to Roquan. There was little in the way of friendliness or support to it. "Then if I am the voice of reason, maybe you'll listen to it. Doran has a point. We don't have any more options left."

"Rennis, he wants me to take a course of action that can only lead to widespread death and misery ..."

"Blast it all, Roquan!" Doran exclaimed. "People have already died! People are already miserable!"

"I am well aware of that!" Roquan thundered. "Do you wish me to compound it with more death?"

"Nothing says it will come to that," Rennis cut in before Doran could continue the shouting match. "We are only asking that you speak with the Nobility and seek their counsel."

Roquan raised an eyebrow. "We?"

"Yes, we, Roquan. I'm on Doran's side in this. We don't have any more leverage. Gondas was our last chance."

Doran pointed a finger at Roquan. "By your own words, Roquan, Z'haas is a madman! We should have realized he would resort to this if he uncovered the plot."

"And just how did he discover it?"

"That's unimportant now, Roquan, as all of our options from within the Imperium are gone. Knowing how it happened will not help. But we have an opportunity now if only you will seize it!"

Doran had clenched his hands before him on the last words to emphasize his point.

"You are speaking of the Caucus?" Roquan said flatly.

Rennis raised an eyebrow. "So Lord Uras finally went ahead with it?"

"He was waiting to see how our hand played out, no doubt!" declared Doran with clear disdain in his voice. "Hmph. The man would not show up at his own funeral if he could figure out a way to do it."

"You suppose they're just as shocked as we are as to Z'haas' reaction to the coup attempt?"

"If they had an ounce of sense they would be!" Doran narrowed his eyes and shook a finger at Rennis. "But mark my words, Rennis, they do not have any more leverage over this monster that sits upon the throne than we do! I half-expect the Emperor to bar the doors to the Imperial Palace and not let them set foot inside when they arrive!"

"He could not possibly ..." Roquan began, but did not finish the thought.

Doran and Rennis turned to look at him, and it was clear that their mutual friend and finally caught on to a very essential truth.

Roquan nodded slowly in understanding. "He no longer cares. Protocol. Tradition. Common sense. None of it. He is beyond that. He knows only the power he wields."

In a surprisingly calm voice, Doran responded, "Is this not what I have been trying to tell you? And you were the one implying he was insane moons ago, and I would not believe you. I should not have to be the one convincing you now."

"Do you not understand what acceptance of that fact means? It means accepting a military option. It means accepting that control of Oceanus can be taken from Z'haas only by force of arms!"

There was silence in the wake of Roquan's remarks. The pain was evident in the Overlord's voice, even as much as he had tried to suppress it. Neither Rennis nor Doran thought it appropriate to openly acknowledge they had seen it. Instead, they waited for Roquan to make the next move.

Roquan took a deep breath and straightened, lifting his head imperiously as he always did when attempting to recover from a moment of weakness. He opened his mouth to speak, but paused when he felt the gentle pressure on his mind yet again. He gritted his teeth and muttered, "Damn the insolent whelp!"

Rennis looked askance at Roquan. Doran furrowed his brow in confusion.

Roquan sighed. "It is nothing. I am simply being summoned -- yet again -- to a Farview audience I have no time for right now."

Doran frowned. "Farview? From which Overlord?"

"None. It is Lord K'garon."

"He is the governor of the Keyas Province," Rennis said at Doran's questioning look.

Doran paused a moment in thought. Suddenly his eyebrows shot up. "Not Duric K'garon?"

"Yes, Duric," Roquan said acidly. "He has been trying to reach me since this morning. I have politely refused but he does not seem to ..."

"Great gods, Roquan! He is probably Farviewing you about the very thing we are talking about!"

Roquan gave Doran an odd look. "And how to you come to this incredible conclusion?"

"You may refer to the man as an insufferable whelp, Roquan, but the man is ambitious!"

"All young Lords are, Doran, surely that does not mean ..."

"And he knows how to get things done. I have heard he has pulled off some amazing feats of politics. Considering the disadvantage of his age in the eyes of his own Clan, that is an achievement."

"Do not make him out to be more than he is. His age cannot compensate for lack of experience. If you are suggesting that he has influence ..."

"He does not have to have influence! He only needs to have good ideas and the means to bring them to fruition!"

Rennis cut in before Roquan could speak again, one corner of his mouth rising as he spoke. "Like an Overlord once did facing an entire Conclave with little more than his words and making them all swing to his side?"

Doran blinked and then smiled. "Ah, yes, yes, I seem to recall something like that happening, hmm ... fairly recently I might add ..."

"I wonder who that could have been?"

"Surely not anyone we would know! Hmph!"

"That is quite enough," said Roquan. "Did it not occur to you that he may be Farviewing me simply to discuss a matter of business?"

"He already has Tanyee, one of your better slaves," said Rennis.

"Perhaps he wishes another."

Doran shook his head. "I am telling you, Roquan, I would place money on it that he wishes to speak to you of recent events at the Imperium. The man has his ear to the ground."

"Be that as it may, would he not wait for someone to approach him instead?"

"Not Duric. If he wants something to happen, he will make it happen and not wait for someone else to initiate it."

"That is not the way the Nobility does business. They do not grandstand."

Rennis gave Roquan a smirk.

Roquan sighed. "What?"

"Isn't this is the same man that sent poor Tanyee home unceremoniously without any forewarning when she disobeyed him instead of Farviewing you about it as most clients do?"

Roquan pressed his lips tightly together and did not respond immediately.

Doran gave both Overlords a mildly surprised look. "Did he really do that? Surely that was a mistake, knowing Roquan's slaves ..."

Roquan took this as a great compliment, and it helped improve his disposition somewhat. "She was a victim of the Imperial Agent. The one that poisoned the Kaylaxxa. Once she was free of the influence of that, she was sent back to him and he has been very satisfied with her ever since."

"Ah, I see. In any case, Roquan, take the man's Farview and find out what he wants. If it turns out it is just business, fine."

Roquan gave Doran a narrow-eyed look. "But you wish me to bring up what we were discussing if he does not."

"It would be nice, yes," Doran said with a bit of a sour edge to his voice.

Roquan considered for a moment. "I cannot promise you that."

"The fact that you're no longer rejecting it outright is a good sign," said Rennis with a lopsided grin.

There was another pause, and then Roquan made a wide sweeping gesture with his arm. "I respectfully request that you both leave me. I take my audiences with my clients alone so they may speak freely to me."

Rennis nodded and immediately headed for the door. Doran was not as easily mollified.

"Roquan, do not pass up the opportunity! If he offers the Overlords assistance, take it!"

"I am still doubtful of that, Doran. I simply do not see what he could offer us. The Nobility are not about to become the allies of the Overlords."

Doran gave Roquan a dark look and stepped up to him. "You're going to hear something that you should never hear coming from my mouth. I think we have moved beyond politics. Beyond tradition."

Roquan could not suppress the look of surprise on his face to hear this revelation from Doran. It had been Doran that had helped coach Roquan in the proper application of politics at the Conclave. It had allowed Roquan to stay in the running until the weight of evidence and facts were in his favor.

Roquan had been slow to learn, but once he had, he could apply them to his dealings afterward with a will that was amazing to behold. Perhaps now he played the game a little too well.

"You're throwing my own words back at me. Again."

Doran smiled. "They're good words. It would be terrible for them to go to waste. Hang on to them until the next time you can throw them back at me."

The Overlord clapped Roquan on the shoulder firmly, a gesture that was unusual for him, and left with Rennis.

Roquan watched the other two Overlords leave. He lifted his head high and took a slow, deep breath, and let himself fall back into his normal, calm and confident demeanor. He had no intention of facing the man on anything less than an even keel. He would not show weakness of any sort.

Roquan turned towards the fireplace and stated crisply, "I accept the audience."

There was a short delay. Since Roquan had not accepted the last summons when it was made, Duric had gone to do something else. Roquan's patience was soon rewarded as Lord Duric K'garon's form shimmered into view on the hearth.

"Good day to you, Duric," said Roquan.

Duric smiled. The Overlord was using his given name immediately. That was a sign in Narlassi culture that he wanted to get right down to business. But then again, Duric was not always one to pay strict attention to tradition. "And good day to you, Roquan. It has been far too long since we talked, do you not agree?"

Roquan paused to take a breath before responding. The irony over the fact that he, the one who bucked tradition himself rather radically, was miffed at Duric for violating protocol, was lost on him. "Yes, it has. But I sincerely doubt this Farview is for social reasons only."

"Really, Roquan, must you be so stiff all the time? Even in the middle of serious business there is time for a little joviality."

"That depends on your outlook, I would surmise," said Roquan, forcing himself to keep the edge out of his voice.

"Ah, true. I can only assume that your outlook is a bit bleak these days."

Roquan inwardly bristled. It was obvious that Duric's intelligence was superb. He already knew of the misfortune that had befallen the Overlords. The only thing that mollified the Overlord was the fact that Duric did not sound the least bit amused.

Roquan folded his arms tightly across his chest. "And your outlook?"

Duric smiled again. "Now that's better. Outside of this particular tragedy, I would say reasonably well. Certainly I have no complaints whatsoever about Tanyee. As excellent a slave as any could be."

"Your words are kind and I thank you for them," said Roquan formally, bowing his head once in respect.

"In fact ... I just may avail myself of another from you."

Roquan's eyebrows rose slightly. "So ... this is indeed a business audience ..."

Duric chuckled. "Now, are not all meetings between Overlords and Nobility about business when it comes down to it? No matter what the other over-arching reasons are?"

The Overlord considered these words carefully. It told him two things. First, Duric did indeed have another reason for calling. Second, he may be looking to do business as part of it.

"With all due respect, I must ask for an end to the pleasantries," declared Roquan. "Can I assume that you know as much about what has happened recently at the Imperium as I do?"

"Normally I do not like to reveal just how much I know. It can be bad for a potential business deal."

One of Roquan's eyebrows arched. He had not expected so honest an admission from the man. He simply nodded for the man to continue.

"But these are not normal times, now are they?" said Duric.

"By no stretch of the imagination."

"Indeed. Yes, I am quite aware of the failed coup attempt and its bloody aftermath. It will not be long before the other Lords are appraised of this."

"By you?"

Duric grinned. "Now, that would not be sporting, would it? Or increase my influence with them were they to find out that I knew before they did? Surely I don't need to tell an Overlord how to play the political game."

Roquan was not sure whether to take that as a veiled insult. It would indeed be one if Duric had any inkling of what had really gone on during the Conclave, specifically how Roquan had to be taught how to play politics properly with the others.

Nothing would be gained by being confrontational, so Roquan gave Duric the benefit of the doubt. "Be that as it may ... the fact remains that you know of what transpired. Surely you can see the implications of this?"

"Implications? Well, it is always hard to see the future even in the best of times, Roquan."

"Yes, but in this case, it is clear that Emperor Z'haas ..."

"... is quite insane, yes."

Roquan stopped and stared at the Lord. "I beg your pardon?"

"Insane," Duric repeated, his smile fading. "The Emperor is not making rational decisions. He ceased making them the moment he decided to rattle his saber at Colos."

"And the Nobility had nothing to say on this?"

Duric laughed humorlessly. "Oh, we had plenty to say! We always do. Now ... whether that gets translated into action, well ..."

"You'd prefer the Overlords took care of the problem for you," Roquan said with a cool edge to his voice.

"No, we don't actually. We don't want the Overlords meddling in affairs of state."

The neutral tone by which Duric delivered that statement told Roquan that he was merely repeating a policy rather than expressing his own opinion on the matter. "Nevertheless, you did not act until after the coup attempt failed."

Duric spread his hands. "And why should we? Had you succeeded, we would not be having this discussion, and we'd have someone new on the throne. Everything would be returning to business as usual. Now, we can spend a good deal of the day discussing the merits and demerits of political intercourse, or we could deal with the problem at hand."

"You seek to assist in removing Z'haas?"

"I see no other choice," said Duric carefully.

"Are you speaking to me on behalf of the other Nobles or only yourself?"

Duric tilted his head and smiled slightly. "Clever, Roquan. Very clever. Someone once told me some time ago that you had no idea how to play the game. Obviously that person was quite misinformed. I speak for myself at the moment."

Roquan felt a knot of tension form in his stomach, which was a first for him. It was as if he could already see where the discussion was headed, and it was going precisely in the one direction he did not wish to go. "You are not of the opinion that the Caucus will be effective?"

"Are you?"

Roquan shook his head slowly. "The Emperor is beyond such things."

"Agreed. So that means we need another option."

Roquan did not reply. His eyes appeared clouded.

Duric spoke in a somber voice. "Timing will be everything. When he moves his army to attack Colos, the Imperium will be weak. The other Lords' representatives must have withdrawn by then. A quick strike, penetrate the inner sanctum, and remove Z'haas from the throne."

Another long silence.

Duric sighed. "It's the only option, Roquan."

"A military action," Roquan said hollowly.

"Do you have an alternate plan? I would like to hear it if you do."

Another pause. A single slow shake of the Overlord's head.

"And I can't imagine that the other Overlords have not already forwarded such an idea."

"Yes, they have, and I do not like hearing it from them any more than from you," Roquan declared.

"But you have no other choice. Not anymore."

"No. And I despise making a decision simply because it is the only option."

"As do I. One might say that is what drove me to call upon you."

Roquan raised an eyebrow.

"You cannot do this on your own, Roquan," explained Duric. "You cannot organize a military campaign yourself, even with the other Overlords' help."

Now Roquan did visibly bristle. "And you are saying we would be completely lost without the Nobility?"

Duric gave him a genuine smile. "Not at all, Roquan! All right ... I am forced to reveal my hand again. I know a few things about you. Things that tell me you are someone that can do anything you put your mind to. And that includes raising and fielding an army. Hellfire, you must have, what, at least a hundred able-bodied men working the lands around your Manor, providing basic food and clothing needs for your slaves. Same for all the other Manors."

Roquan did not consider a bunch of peasants to be comparable to trained men-at-arms, save for the ones that he hired as guards occasionally, but he held his tongue. Instead, he went with this line of reasoning to see where the Noble was going with it. "If that is the case, then, we should do well executing that course of action."

"Perhaps. Except for one thing. The Nobility would never let you."

Roquan narrowed his gaze. "Is this so?"

"Oh, yes, very much. They would field an army to stop you and let Z'haas take Oceanus into hellfire rather than let the Overlords execute a military overthrow."

Roquan frowned. "Are you serious? They would start a civil war rather than ..."

"Overlords cannot be allowed the reigns of power, it is that simple."

"But you would 'let' us plan a clandestine coup!"

"Power by proxy only. Far more acceptable. We know perfectly well that unless the Overlords are directly involved at the Imperium, they will not wish to conduct the minutiae of ruling Oceanus. You would be forced to have someone serve in your place, someone far enough removed from the constant influence of the Overlords that he would feel no serious obligation to cater to them merely because they helped put him into power in the first place."

"And having an army under your banner would be more acceptable to them?"

Duric laughed. "Oh, they'll take exception to that. Quite vociferously. But it would still keep the power in our hands. We'd provide the next leader."

Roquan's lips drew to a thin line. "And this is preferable to someone the Overlords forward?"

Roquan actually did not want the Overlords selecting the next ruler of Oceanus. But he felt the need to defend the honor of his ilk.

Duric gave Roquan a sly smile. "Do I really need to answer that? Come now. Your own little coup attempt had a member of the Nobility as their interim Emperor. Bennis J'riis, I believe. The Riss Clan is quite the powerful Noble family, I seem to recall."

"Fine," Roquan snapped. "Then you wish to assist us? You wish to provide the men-at-arms and the military logistics?"

"While you provide the cause to rally around. Yes, that is what I am offering."

Roquan nodded. "Very well. I accept."

"And what will you offer in return?"

Roquan gave him a stunned look. "In return?"

"Did I not say earlier that all meetings between Nobility and Overlords come down to business at some point?"

Roquan's eyes blazed. "We have a madman on the throne of Oceanus, one that will use cold-blooded murder to achieve his aims if it suits him, one that will ignore all protocol and sensibility, one that will bring Oceanus to ruin! And you wish me to purchase your support in deposing him?"

"Certainly! I will be taking a great risk, Roquan, both against the Nobility and the Emperor. I face problems whether we are successful against the Emperor or not. I most certainly do wish compensation for it."

Roquan's jaw tightened. "You wish another slave."

"Yes. At no cost. And I already know who I want. I want your second best."

The Overlord looked askance at Duric. "Second best?"

"Well, your best will always be Sirinna, and I would not ask you to part with her. I am not that greedy or cruel. But you have another that I have heard of, one that intrigues me, one that is your best after Sirinna." He slowly smiled. "Or perhaps a better way to describe her is that she has the potential to be one of your best."

Roquan's eyes narrowed. "You must enlighten me at some point, Duric, on how you are able to know so much about what goes on inside my own Manor."

Duric grinned. "So you know already who I am speaking of?"

"Yes. And I must refuse. You must pick another."

Duric shook his head. "It is Amanda or no one. And no assistance."

"You are mad."

Duric paused. Yes, this fit with the profile he had created on the Overlord. He would be unfailingly polite and adhere to protocol rigidly. Until something happened that was not to his liking, and then it broke down spectacularly. Instead of calling Roquan out on this, he remained quiet and let the man reconsider his words.

Roquan forced himself to soften his expression. "I meant in the sense that perhaps you are unaware of her status right now."

"I know she is only a Trainee."

"Thus she is not available for a contract."

"It is not unusual to send a promising slave to a client for a short period of time in preparation for her graduation."

Roquan was growing increasingly exasperated and it was showing as a strain in his voice. "Amanda is nowhere near that point. She has a great deal to learn ..."

Duric waved a hand in dismissal, which only upset Roquan more. "I am aware of that, and I will treat her accordingly. I will not expect her to be as well-versed in the sexual arts as Tanyee."

"Why do you wish her, Duric? You can at least tell me that."

Duric considered for a moment. "Suffice it to say that she intrigues me. I've heard some interesting things about her, things that tell me she is most unusual as slaves go. I very much like the unusual and exotic. And she is quite young. Younger than even Tanyee. I very much like them young."

Roquan said nothing, one of his hands clenching into a fist.

"Give her to me for the duration of this crisis, Roquan. Then when it is over, I will see if I wish to pursue a formal contract for her. Mind you, if I am satisfied with her, I will be willing to pay very well for her. I daresay nearly as much as Tanyee."

Roquan considered. The offer was tempting. Financially, Roquan was doing better, but still hurting for funds. To be able to contract someone out for almost the same amount of platinum as Tanyee would go a long way towards filling his Manor's coffers again. He would need that in the wake of the crisis, if he wished things to return to normal.

And Amanda was indeed very good when she put her mind to it. The Overlords at the Conclave had been pleased with her. Several had commented on that to him directly after the Conclave had concluded. One had even made an offer to trade several of his slaves for her.

Yet the fear was the same as it had been then. That the secret would be revealed.

And now there was a new wrinkle. He knew of the bond between Amanda and Sirinna. He did not approve of it, but that was irrelevant now. He knew this would cause a problem. Again, he felt like he was forced to make a decision simply because it was his only option.

"You will accept nothing else?" Roquan asked in a low voice.

"Nothing else. You have heard the price for my assistance. What say you?"

"Will you give me time to consider?"

"I wish I could, Roquan, and had the circumstances been any different, I would accommodate you. As it is, we have very little time. We must begin preparations immediately, but I cannot do so unless I know we have a deal."

Roquan cast a level gaze at Duric. "How soon would you want her sent to you?"

"I will be fair. I will give you a quarter moon to get her to me. That will give you a few days to prepare her, if you feel the need to do so."

Roquan frowned. "What you are asking me to do is highly unorthodox."

Duric laughed out loud. "And moving militarily against the Emperor is not? One unorthodox turn deserves another, Roquan. Nothing will be normal in Oceanus until that monster is off the throne."

This at least gave Roquan some hope that this was not simply a lucrative business contract. Even Duric could state the truth about the Emperor without flinching.

"We have a deal," said Roquan in a flat voice.

Duric smiled. "Excellent. In that case, I will begin what preparations I can. Good day to you, Roquan. I will speak with you again soon."

"Good day to you, Lord K'garon."

Duric's image faded from sight.

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