Clans as an alternate societal structure to the feudal Kingdoms of old had existed for nearly a millennium before the formal founding of Oceanus, but did not truly gain prominence until Oceanus rose in power and prestige during the first few decades of its existence. Within a century from its founding, Oceanus had managed to export its brand of Clan structure to nearly all of Narlass.

A Clan can be best defined as a group of people with a common heritage. Note that "heritage" is used loosely. Rarely are more than a quarter of the members of a Clan actually blood kin. Many have come into the Clan through marriage, as intermarriage with other Clans as a means of securing alliances is common throughout Narlass, not just Oceanus.

A member of a Clan takes the title of his Clan as part of his surname. The surname is then given a short one- or two-letter prefix according to his chosen career or profession. For example, a member of the Rodas Clan that chooses to become a Healer will have the surname G'rodas. If that person became a Mage, it would be Q'rodas. If he were Nobility, it would be K'rodas. Note that the "Q" prefix is pronounced with a very slight "w" sound following it to better distinguish it from the "K" prefix in speech.

This method of surname designation was the major contribution of Oceanus to Clan structure, and reflected the fact that Oceanus wished to relax the old "rule" that all members of a Clan had to continue along the same career path. While it is true that there are some Clan careers that tend to encourage this old rule to continue (the Nobility being a prime example), for the most part there is no stigma attached to seeking a career path that is different from the majority of a person's Clan.

But where Oceanus' influence simplified things in some areas, it made them more complex in others.

Forms of address tend to vary according to situation. Nobility tend to prefer the surname used in formal conversation, or in the opening of a negotiation and then change to the given name once initial greeting protocol is satisfied. Overlords tend to prefer their given name used in all circumstances as means of downplaying their influence in Oceanus society and to make it clear they do not elevate themselves to the same level as the Nobility. Yet it is considered proper to use the surname at all times for the Emperor and for Mages in high standing.

Many variations of this are used to imply specific negative feelings towards the one addressed . For example, when ...

Amanda heard a soft noise at the entrance to her room. She looked up, the chain attached to her collar tinkling softly.

Sirinna stood at the threshold, having swept the curtain aside with one hand. She smiled softly at Amanda. "You have been requested this evening."

Amanda managed not to sigh. She rolled up the scroll she had been reading and carefully put it away under the bed. She sat up just as Sirinna came over to her. "Hopefully he will not make me quite as sore this time," Amanda said in a resigned voice.

"It is not Master Lanno that wishes you this evening." Sirinna stepped over to the post in the center of the room. She touched her fingers to the lock holding the other end of the chain in place. The spell upon it recognized her and opened. She took the end of the chain in her hands and gestured for Amanda to rise.

Amanda tilted her head slightly and stood. Her eyes widened a touch in anticipation. "Master Jollis?"

Sirinna twirled a finger. Amanda dutifully turned and crossed her wrists behind her back.

"Master Roquan has requested you this evening, Amanda." There was a hint of eagerness in Sirinna's voice as she secured the leather cuffs to Amanda's wrists. She snapped the chain lightly once. As Amanda turned around, she smiled. "He also mentioned he wished to speak with you about something."

Amanda was a little disappointed that Jollis had not requested her. He had stopped requesting her since the last time. Yet Roquan wanting her was certainly better than Lanno wanting her. She was grateful to the Overlord for that. But now she had an uneasy feeling about what Roquan had to say to her.

Sirinna sensed Amanda's nervousness. "It is common for Master Roquan to summon a Trainee for an evening, and spend some time afterward discussing his own observations as to how her Training is coming along. He has had nothing bad to say about you, Amanda, so I don't think you really need to be worried."

Amanda nodded slightly and remained silent. Still, she could not completely shrug off the sense of dread that had come over her. She was sure that the Overlord was going to punish her for something. Perhaps Lanno had discovered that she had not had the Draught and had complained to Roquan about it. Now she was going to be called to task for not doing enough to protect the secret.

Sirinna raised a hand and lay it lightly against Amanda's cheek. Amanda looked up into her eyes. "It's okay, Amanda. Really, he has no reason to be upset with you. You have been doing very well in your training. You are further along than most Trainees I've ever had."

Amanda managed a ghost of a smile. "Thank you. I hope he sees it that way as well."

Sirinna reached down and gave Amanda a light kiss on her lips. Amanda felt a tingle pass through her sex. She wished she could stay and spend the evening with Sirinna, just the two of them sharing their own pleasure as lovers rather than Trainer and Trainee.

Sirinna gestured and gave the chain another snap. Amanda started out ahead of her Mistress.

Amanda let the notion of being with Sirinna play through her head. It made the tingle turn to a slow heat, so she would be ready for the Overlord by the time she got there. Yet it was not until images of being with Jollis also rose up unbidden that she felt her heat turn to a burn.

By the time she had walked the distance along the side road of the Manor and turned down the one that led past Roquan's quarters, her folds were damp and her nipples had hardened. Now thoughts of both Sirinna and Jollis played through her mind. She was confused and worried as to why the both of them could conjure such strong reactions from her.

If nothing else, it at least had her most thoroughly aroused by the time they stepped into Roquan's quarters.

Moments after stepping towards the center of the outer chamber, Roquan emerged from his bedchamber. Amanda's gaze shifted to his form, lingering on the broad shoulders and the bit of powerful chest exposed between the folds of the satin robe that clung to his muscular frame.

Roquan lingered just inside the entrance, his eyes flicking over Amanda's body, undisguised desire in his dark eyes. Amanda caught the glance, drawing in a deep breath and letting it go slowly through her nose. She felt her arousal spike, as it always did when someone showed obvious appreciation for her in this manner.

Sirinna undid the cuffs and detached the chain. Amanda set aside her worries for the moment. Roquan wanted a proper slave for the evening, and she was determined to satisfy that. And now she had her own need as well.

She kept her own smoldering eyes upon Roquan for a few moments longer as she dropped slowly to her knees. It was as if she were delaying for as long as possible the moment when she needed to shift into a totally submissive role. It was not until she had placed her hands palm-up on her thighs that she finally lowered her head and remained still.

"She is yours for the evening, Master Roquan," Sirinna said, a hint of pride in her voice as always whenever she gave Amanda to her Overlord. "Please treat her well, and may she bring you great pleasure."

Roquan nodded once. Sirinna smiled and quickly left.

The Overlord cast his eyes down upon the still form of Amanda, and for a few moments was as motionless as his slave.

It was something that he would never, ever admit. He was only beginning to realize it himself. He was developing some feelings towards the girl, something he had vowed never to do again once he had realized that he had done the same with Sirinna before that.

Not that it affected what he wanted of her. He wanted Amanda to become a proper slave, no matter what. If he had thought the scrolls she had requested would be too much of a distraction from this goal, he would have refused her request. It was only that he believed Amanda to be capable of handling both that he had acquiesced.

Even that night was proof of how she held a special place for him. The manner in which he planned to speak with Amanda after their tryst went beyond what he had ever done with his slaves. Especially one that was still a Trainee. Normally he would simply inform the Trainer directly and leave it to her to inform her Trainee.

Roquan listened. He could hear Amanda's breathing. It was just enough off from normal to tell him that she was already rather sexually aroused. This was a very promising start if she were to please Duric properly.

At the same time, Roquan wished to be sure.

"Stand."

Amanda swiftly rose to her feet, and raised her sultry eyes to Roquan's.

"Feet apart."

Her feet slid apart. Moisture glistened in her slit. Roquan heard her breathing turn to a light pant, as if in anticipation.

Roquan stepped to one side of Amanda. He lifted a strong hand to one of her breasts, cupping it lightly and giving it a firm squeeze. Amanda let her breath go as a ragged sigh, her eyes half-lidded. He played with her breast for a few moments, rubbing and tweaking her nipple lightly. He was rewarded with a low moan.

His hand left her breast and slipped over her mound. Amanda's panting elevated. He let a finger stray into her folds and tease her womanhood. Amanda shivered in pleasure.

Roquan paused a moment, one finger still on her nub. He considered, then lay a hand on her rear. He felt Amanda tremble and heard her utter a very tiny gasp. Her body seemed to tense in anticipation. His finger probed her a little further and found more slippery wetness.

"You're excited just in anticipation of it," Roquan stated. There was a slight amount of amusement to his voice.

Amanda said nothing in return. She had not been directly addressed with a question. It was not her place to say anything at the moment.

Roquan drew back his hand and began to lightly spank Amanda's behind. Amanda uttered a small yelp with the first blow but held her tongue through the others. By the time Roquan had stopped at ten slaps of his hand, she was panting heavily. His finger sunk more deeply into her, eliciting a long, low moan from her.

Amanda swallowed, her body quivering. She still had no idea why such a thing excited her.

Roquan removed his hands from her and stepped in front of her. Amanda opened her eyes fully. Her gaze flicked down briefly, and she felt a new wave of heat spread over her skin. His robe was rather loosely sashed, and his quite obvious erection was poking out between the folds.

"Look at me, Amanda," said Roquan.

Amanda's gaze met his. Her eyes were dark and desirous now, her own lust having been kindled by the sight of the Overlord's manhood. Roquan realized this himself, and was quite pleased by it.

He took her hand. "I wish you to pleasure me at the same time I pleasure you. You will hold yourself back from orgasm until I tell you."

"Yes, Master," Amanda said, a husky edge to her voice. So was that it? A test of what she had learned in the latest part of her training? She relaxed a little. This was something he had done before.

And yet, something still bothered her. Something about the look in his eyes ...

Roquan was indeed slightly troubled. He was not at all sure how Amanda would react to being told she had been contracted to a client. He was not sure why it should matter to him, for she was a slave and thus not expected to have a say in the matter.

Yet he was not at all sure that Duric would truly enjoy having Amanda as a slave. That troubled him most of all.

Roquan took her hand and led her into the bedchamber. Amanda's heart began to pound. She always felt a little nervous in his presence, even as much as she wanted to have this encounter with him. Roquan knew how to pleasure her well, and she felt she did a fair job in return.

Roquan opened his robe and slipped it from his shoulders, letting it fall to the floor. Amanda's breath caught as her eyes beheld his sculpted nude form. Whatever she may feel about him personally, she felt very attracted to him physically when it came down to this. Once she had gotten over her initial fears of him at the deflowering, it had become easier for her to desire him.

Most of all, she was never worried about him hurting her.

Roquan lay down on the bed, his cock fully erect and pulsing lightly as he positioned himself upon the furs. He summoned Amanda to her with a single gesture of his hand.

Amanda climbed on the bed and turned herself around, quickly positioning herself over him. A little too quickly.

"Easy, Amanda," Roquan said firmly. "Always take your time unless you are told otherwise."

"Yes, Master," Amanda said a little sheepishly, the breathlessness in her voice betraying her increasing need.

Amanda settled over Roquan. She shivered as she felt his hands slide along the insides of her spread thighs and then over her hips. She took his cock in her fingers, curling them around the shaft and lightly squeezing it. She sensed the Overlord waiting for her, his hands still resting unmoving on her hips.

She dipped her head down and pressed her lips against the crown of his manhood, giving it a light kiss and a few furtive licks before letting it penetrate her mouth. She closed her eyes as he slid past her lips, a slightly musky scent filling her nose. She cupped his balls in her free hand, massaging them gently.

Amanda heard a very faint sigh of pleasure from Roquan just before his hand pulled her hips downward. She let her knees spread a little further apart as she descended. A ripple passed through her body as his tongue began to tease her folds.

Amanda tensed her muscles as she had been trained to do. She was nowhere near finished with this phase of her training, but she was going to do her absolute best. Roquan would expect nothing less of her.

She returned her attention to Roquan's cock. Performing the act in this position required a different technique, one that she had not had a lot of chance to practice before Roquan no longer had any male slaves.

Amanda's head bobbed slowly up and down, each time taking Roquan's manhood into her mouth as far as she could, lips sealed firmly around his girth. Her fingers gently curled around the base of his balls. She quickened her pace for a few moments, stroking him more deeply.

Roquan stroked her womanhood with broad sweeps of the flat of his tongue. Amanda's breath quickened, her body shuddering as her pleasure rose. This was the first time she had to keep track of so many things at once while keeping her muscles properly tensed. She was trying not to over-think it.

Amanda lifted her head up and let Roquan's cock slip from her mouth. She drew his cock back, exposing the underside to her tongue. Slowly she licked the length of his shaft, keeping her tongue firmly pressed to his hard flesh.

She felt a finger slip into her tunnel, then a second one. Amanda moaned softly, her eyes closing as she licked at the sensitive spot below the head. She felt a tremor from his body as her tongue swirled about sensitive flesh. His fingers moved back and forth, penetrating her tight wetness as the tip of his tongue lashed quickly at her womanhood.

Amanda panted as she managed to maintain the tension on her pussy and not let herself rise too quickly. She took him back inside, pumping her mouth faster on his cock. Her fingers wrapped around him and stroked the bottom half of his cock at the same time. The fingers of her other hand tightened a bit as she felt the tension on his balls increase.

Roquan was panting as well, his breath hot against her sensitive folds. His own pleasure rose steadily now, though slowly. He had never told her, but Amanda was the best out of all his slaves in this regard. While all slaves were taught the techniques to prolong the rise to a male's orgasm, for some reason Amanda had mastered it better than the others.

In fact, there were other areas that Amanda's skills seemed to surpass or were about to surpass those of the others. Sometime he wondered if that had anything to do with the fact that she never had the Draught.

And it seemed her mastery of muscle control was to follow the same route.

Roquan eased a third finger into her and began pumping them in and out of her at an increasingly faster rate. He replaced his tongue with the fingertips of his other hand, flicking back and forth as fast as he could on her womanhood.

Amanda shuddered. She panted hard as her pleasure rose precipitously. It took a great deal of willpower to remain focused on keeping the tension in her muscles. For a moment she thought she had lost the battle when she felt as if she were about to crest over into orgasm.

She managed to stop it and pull herself back, yet Roquan's fingers continued working her pussy without mercy. Breathing hard, she bobbed her head up and down faster on his cock, trying to keep the pace steady despite her need.

She was rewarded with a slight faltering of Roquan's rhythm as he became distracted at his own intense pleasure, hovering near the point of no return, only Amanda's skilled fingers keeping him from going further.

Amanda continued like this until she could hear Roquan panting hard, straining at the edge. Amanda tilted her head slightly and took his cock deeply into her mouth as she let go of his balls. Roquan uttered a loud groan, his fingers faltering again as his manhood erupted in her mouth.

Amanda closed her eyes, panting hard as he came, streams of his hot seed squirting over her tongue. She drew her head up, squeezing his cock and milking him through the latter part of his now fading orgasm. Despite the angle, she managed not to spill a single drop from her lips as she drew her mouth up his shaft. She angled her head back a bit as the head of his now softening cock popped out from between her lips. She let only one drop ooze out, yet as soon as she swallowed, she caught it with her tongue before it could dribble down her chin.

Now that his pleasure was concluded, however, he resumed the relentless assault on her sex. Amanda moaned, her body shivering hard. Her muscles ached as she hovered excruciatingly close to climax. This was supposed to be the sign that she should ease off before she strained herself, but she wanted to keep going a little longer. She wanted to impress Roquan and show him she could do it.

She wanted to show him she could at least act the part of a good slave.

Roquan was dutifully impressed. Most Trainees would have broken down and cum by this point, either through lack of willpower or lack of adequate muscle control. Yet he knew she was likely reaching her limit, and perhaps trying to go beyond it.

"Cum."

Amanda almost did not hear it at first, and it took her a few seconds to let go of her muscles. The next moment her pussy throbbed hard. She impaled herself further on his fingers, whimpering as she climaxed. Finally, when it began to wane, her head drooped and she was panting for breath.

Roquan relented, but slowly, keeping her orgasm going at a low level for a few moments longer. Amanda moaned between gasps until his fingers finally withdrew, leaving her with a lingering but not unpleasant ache deep in her sex.

"You have done very well, Amanda," Roquan said with genuine appreciation in his voice.

"Thank you, Master," Amanda replied, still slightly out of breath.

"Lie beside me."

Amanda felt a bit of her initial apprehension returning. If he were intending to speak with her, this was the time he would do it.

She turned herself around on the bed and settled down next to him. She snuggled her soft body against his firm one, draping an arm across his chest. She felt Roquan slide an arm around her and draw her close to him, his body heat warming her.

Roquan remained silent for a long while, the only sound the steady flow of his breath as his chest rose and fell under Amanda's arm. Yes, Amanda had shown great skill. Of that there was no doubt. Yet after all this time there was still something missing from her performance.

It was enthusiasm. Or rather, obvious enthusiasm. Amanda did everything that was expected and asked of her. She was very obedient and accommodating. For some clients, that was enough. Yet many wanted a slave that was perky and happy, someone that appeared to take great pleasure in the act of obedience. Amanda had yet to exhibit this, and now Roquan was concerned that Duric would be disappointed with her.

"Master?"

Roquan was abruptly brought out of his reverie. "Yes, Amanda?"

"May I ask a question?"

Roquan inwardly sighed. He knew what it was. Sirinna most likely let it be known that he wanted to speak to her. Now she was impatient to know what it was. "Yes, you may."

"Mistress Sirinna mentioned you wanted to talk to me about something, Master," Amanda said, a slight quaver to her voice. "What was it?"

Roquan's instinct was to admonish her for speaking out of turn, but he decided against it.

If this had been several moons ago, before Amanda had arrived and before the Emperor had disrupted his Manor, he would simply inform her she was being contracted to a client and accept no further discussion on it. He was the Overlord, and she was the slave. She was effectively a commodity. Yes, he cared very much for the well-being of his slaves, but they must know their place. They must accept that others control their destiny.

Yet he had already violated that unspoken rule with Amanda. He had confided in her things during the Conclave that he would tell no slave. And he could not forget that it had been her that had pieced together what the Draught of Forgetfulness did in addition to the stated purpose of wiping previous memories.

What had been accomplished with Amanda was nothing short of amazing. However, he was finally beginning to accept a truth that he had been ignoring: Amanda was not an ordinary slave and never could be made into one, not completely.

Which meant that he could not treat her as one.

"Amanda, you recall what I told you during the Conclave about what we ultimately wish to accomplish."

Amanda noted the grave tone in the Overlord's voice and was anxious again. She kept her voice calm, however, as she spoke. "Yes, Master, I remember. You said you wanted to initiate a coup."

"This is something that the Overlords have done in the past."

"I know, Master. I read it in the scrolls that you gave me."

Roquan nodded once. "Then you know we strive to do things quietly and quickly, without spilling blood."

"Yes, Master."

There was a pause before Roquan spoke again. "That attempt has failed, Amanda."

Amanda was unsure of how to react. She felt a twinge inside her, something that told her that this was very bad news to be hearing. This was not just from the standpoint of the event in and of itself. It was more the fact that he was confiding in her about this in the first place. The last time he had done such a thing had been at the Conclave, and he had had a specific task for her to do after that.

"I am forced to take another approach," Roquan continued. "One that requires the Overlords to join ranks with the Nobility."

Amanda swallowed, her heart starting to pound. "Master, are you speaking of starting a civil war?"

She is incredibly perceptive, the Overlord marveled. "That is what we wish to avoid. This alliance is secret, and it is hoped that warfare will be confined to a single quick stroke."

"But ... it's still a military action, isn't it, Master?"

Roquan uttered a very small sigh. "Yes, it is."

"That's never happened before, not since Oceanus was founded."

"You have made excellent use of the scrolls, I see."

Amanda paused a moment. "Was that improper of me, Master?" she asked, trying to keep her voice neutral.

Roquan sensed the intent of defiance behind it even if he did not detect it in her voice. "No, Amanda. I gave you those scrolls with the expectation that you would read them."

"Then ... what is it you wish of me, Master?" Amanda asked, her voice quavering a bit.

Again Roquan felt the old ways trying to reassert themselves. She was a slave. She was property. She is to do as she is told and go where she is directed. There is no compromise and no explanations offered.

His arm squeezed her a little more tightly. "When an alliance is forged in this manner between an Overlord and a Noble, there is always something exchanged to seal it. You understand this already from what you saw at the Conclave."

Amanda swallowed, her heart racing. She nodded once, not trusting her voice at that moment.

"The Noble with whom I am allying is Lord Duric K'garon."

The name was familiar to her. In a moment, she had it. "Master, isn't that the one Tanyee was contracted to?"

"Yes, indeed, Amanda. And he wishes a second slave as part of this arrangement, at no additional cost other than the help he will be providing me."

Amanda felt her stomach clench. "He ... h-he wants Sirinna, doesn't he, Master?"

"No. He wants you."

Amanda's head came up, and she gave the Overlord a dumbfounded look.

"Lord K'garon prefers young slaves. The younger the better. He apparently heard about you somehow, and is quite interested in you."

Amanda stared at Roquan for a moment, numb with shock.

This was far worse than she had imagined. With Sirinna gone and Amanda at the Manor, she would at least have Jollis as a source of some solace for her. Remaining in a place that was familiar to her, where she finally knew what was expected of her, would be better than this. Now she was going to be torn away from everything she found comforting.

Amanda finally took a deep breath and let it go. Despite the emotions welling up within her, she dared not show them. She had to be a proper slave, even in the face of this. She could not refuse. She knew eventually something like this would happen as much as she had tried not to think about it.

Roquan could see the struggle. He caught the shimmering in her eyes. He admired her for trying to suppress it.

When Amanda finally spoke, the emotion was evident in her voice. "Master ... he ... he does know that I am not a full slave yet? That I am still a Trainee?"

"Yes, he does. It is not unusual to send Trainees to a client for a short contract to help round out her experience."

Amanda blinked once. "Wait ... a short contract? I won't be with Lord K'garon for very long, Master?"

"That is the hope, yes," said Roquan quietly. "But he may show interest in keeping you beyond the initial contract."

Amanda swallowed hard and nodded. "I understand, Master. How long is this initial contract?"

"For as long as the crisis lasts and we have a new Emperor upon the throne. Realize that we must work quickly, so this is not likely to be more than a single moon."

A single moon, or approximately a month by her old Earth time reckoning. Could she handle being separated from Sirinna for that long? But there was the chance that he would want to keep her, unless she somehow made him want to send her back ...

No, she could not do that. She could not purposely act badly. Roquan would know she was faking. He would not have accepted her backsliding.

She was aware that he knew of the feelings between her and Sirinna. This did not mean he had to be sympathetic to him.

Nevertheless, some of what would have been anger towards Roquan was tempered by the fact that he had chosen to speak to her about it in this manner. She knew he had been well within his rights to handle it like any other contract, where she would learn on the day she was to depart that she had been contracted. That's how it had been with the others that had departed recently.

"Thank you, Master, for talking to me about this," Amanda said in a voice of forced calm.

"It made no sense not to, Amanda," said Roquan firmly. "But make no mistake about this. I expect you to act as I would any slave. You are to perform your duties for him as any other slave would, and your contracting is not up for any debate."

"Yes, Master, I understand. I will do what you expect me to do." She looked him in the eye, her gaze steady and unwavering, the shimmering gone. "I will be a proper slave as you expect me to be, Master."

And even in submission, she is defiant, Roquan mused. "If it is any comfort to you, Amanda, you will get to see Tanyee again, as I knew you had become friends with her."

Amanda did manage a small smile at this. Yes, she was interested in seeing how her friend was doing, and being with someone she knew would help.

A thought came to her. "Master, may I ask one more question?"

"Yes, you may continue to speak freely."

"May I still bring my scrolls with me? I do wish to keep reading them. I have not finished even half of them."

"That will be at the discretion of Lord K'garon. I will mention it to him and see what he says. As with your training, your reading of them may not interfere with your slave duties."

"Yes, I understand, Master. Thank you."

"Now ... lie with me for awhile, Amanda," Roquan said in a softer voice.

Amanda snuggled up beside Roquan and felt his arm draw her securely to him, but she took little comfort in it. All she could think about was how she was going to be separated from the one she loved, and she had no idea if she would be back after the crisis was over.

She closed her eyes and ducked her head under his chin, his chest rising and falling slowly under her, the sound of his breath in her ears. She remained unmoving, not even so much as a single tremor passing through her body.

Yet a single tear emerged from under one closed eyelid and trickled onto Roquan's chest.

Gronnus sealed the doors to his private office, having sent all his slaves to bed for the night. The room was momentarily plunged into darkness until the spell on the magic torch detected an occupant remaining in the room and flared to life. Only one lighted itself in this manner. The others would not unless given command by Gronnus.

He did not bother. He let the room remain in the sepulchral, flickering glow of the one light, as he did not intend to stay longer than needed. He did not want anyone to know he was taking this audience despite how anxious he had been for it to come. Not that it really mattered, as the only ones to see the light in his window would be slaves, and they would not say a word.

Or, for that matter, care.

Gronnus hastily stepped to the center of the room and turned towards the fireplace. "I accept the summons," he said, adding "finally" under his breath.

A lanky, dark-haired form shimmered into being in front of him, smiling. "Good evening to you, Overlord," he said, bowing his head respectfully.

Gronnus' eyes narrowed. "You. I should have realized it was you all along."

The man's head lifted. "Ah, but does my esteemed Overlord remember me now?"

"I remember you from the Conclave. It is simply your name that escapes me at the moment."

"Jollis the Wanderer. I suppose I should choose not to take insult that you forgot my name."

"Whatever. Get to the point, Jollis. Why did you do this, and what do you want from me?"

"Should not the point be clear to you already, my dear Overlord?"

Gronnus kept his eyes steely even though there was an edge of anxiety to his voice. "You gave me information that stopped the Overlords' coup attempt cold."

"And did that not please your sovereign as you had wished?"

Gronnus swallowed. To be truthful, he was not sure. He had not had contact with the man since he had reported the information. Since all those people had died.

"I suppose it did," the Overlord said finally. "At least I have not been executed as he had threatened to do on occasion."

"I suppose that will have to suffice. Perhaps you can get in his good graces with more information he will find useful."

"You mean more information that you will give me?"

Jollis' smile widened and he shook his head. "No. That I will sell you."

Gronnus' eyes widened in shock. "Sell?"

"Yes, sell, Overlord. I am, at heart, a merchant."

"Is that what this is all about? So you could secure a deal?!" Gronnus thundered.

"Is that bad?"

"People died because of that name I gave Z'haas! Not just the man himself, but all his conspirator friends!"

"But is that not the way of things, Overlord? Is that not what people in power will do to stay in power? Are you not helping him stay in power yourself? I am merely offering assistance in reaching those goals."

Gronnus paused a moment, trying to think of what to say next. The truth of the matter was that the Overlord was attempting to save himself. He knew if he crossed the Emperor now that he would meet with a swift end. As much as he had alienated himself from the other Overlords, he did not feel his death would garner much sympathy. The original goal of toppling Roquan's influence seemed to be secondary now.

His only chance was to continue to aid the Emperor and hope that once Z'haas had restored order, he would give Gronnus protection, or some power or influence as a reward for his loyalty. It was the only way he could stay afloat. Clients continued to desert him and the other Overlords continued to remain cold towards him, thanks to the combined efforts of Roquan, Doran, and Rennis.

He was especially resentful because he believed it was this treatment by the other Overlords that was causing his clients to abandon him. They had learned that Gronnus was being shunned, and grew wary of continuing to do business with him.

"The last time you helped me, Jollis, it was to save an Overlord's life," Gronnus said darkly. "Now you instead betray the one that you saved. Explain that to me before you expect me to trust you enough to do business with you."

"Ah, but now your memory no longer fails you. Very good."

It was true. Jollis had been the one that gave Gronnus the means with which to temporarily free Amanda from Freya for a night so that she could help him warn Roquan of the assassin.

"Everything is done according to who may pay. Those that are able to pay receive my services. Those who do not cannot expect me to retain loyalty to them after our parting. Does that make more sense to you, Overlord?"

Gronnus considered this. So did the relationship between this merchant and Roquan go sour? He would not be surprised. Certainly the help that this man was giving Roquan would command a high price. Even with Roquan doing better these days financially, he had a long way to go to recover his fortunes, especially if his clients were to be distracted by the Caucus. Perhaps Roquan could not make the payment that was agreed upon.

"And if I do not make your payment demands, you will betray me?" Gronnus demanded.

"Only if such a thing suited me financially. At the moment, it does not. Helping you does."

"This is too much of a risk for me to take."

"Any more than the risk you take when you fail to deliver more against the Emperor's demands?"

"He has made no more demands of me!" Gronnus shouted in frustration. "I know not what he wants!"

"As a merchant, I have my ear close to the ground at all times, dear Overlord," said Jollis. "I can tell you that things will be changing. You will likely hear from the Emperor shortly, and you had better be able to deliver."

Gronnus tried to retain his resolve, though inwardly he was cringing. "If I decided to take you up on this ... business venture ... what would you demand as payment for information?"

Jollis smiled in satisfaction. "The cost to you will be very simple, and will never change. I desire of you one slave for each piece of information I give you."

Gronnus' eyes blazed. "That will cut into my revenue even further, to contract slaves to you at no ..."

Jollis shook his head. "Ah, but you misunderstand me. This was to be expected. No, I do not wish a contract for services. I wish you to give ownership of a slave to me."

Gronnus looked aghast at this suggestion. "What ... are ... a-are you mad?!"

"I assure you, dear Overlord, I am quite sane."

"I cannot do such a thing! Only Overlords may own slaves!"

"I would repeat the mantra I have so often heard among those associating with your nemesis, Roquan: things in Oceanus have moved beyond adhering to protocol and tradition. And this is your life we are speaking of, Overlord. It will be worth very little in a very short amount of time if you have nothing to give the Emperor the next time he calls."

Gronnus swallowed. Every day it seemed he was being pushed into performing more taboo actions that Roquan likely ever conceived of doing. He knew that some of the things he was doing would pale in comparison now to the idea of a draughtless slave. And he knew that the other Overlords would see it that way as well.

Gronnus' eyes were dark and accusing as they cast a cold gaze upon the shimmering image of the merchant. "That is blackmail, pure and simple," he hissed through clenched teeth, one hand rising and balling tightly into a fist.

"Hardly blackmail, Overlord," said Jollis loftily. "Simply stating a fact. Deal with me, and remain in the good graces of the Emperor. Refuse, and you are left to your own devices. I will not attempt to hasten your demise in any way should you refuse to deal with me."

Gronnus found that hard to believe but said nothing on that point. "And just what do you intend to do with slaves?"

"That is not your concern. Suffice it to say that they will be treated very well. You have nothing to fear in that regard. And I am not particularly picky about which slaves. I will leave that up to you. Feel free to use this as an opportunity to unload slaves that dissatisfy you. There is only one stipulation that I will make."

"And that is?"

"The slaves you give me must have had some prior experience. At least two different clients."

There was a long silence, broken only by the heavy sound of Gronnus' labored breathing. Finally there was a long sigh. "You give me no choice. I will accept the deal."

Jollis' grin broadened. "Splendid, Overlord. If you would pick out your first slave as soon as possible, I can share information with you in as soon as a few days from now."

"I have one last question for you, merchant," Gronnus said, making the title sound like an epithet. "Where is your spy in my Manor?"

Jollis raised an eyebrow inquisitively.

"Your person on the inside. Or someone skulking about the fields and hills behind my Manor."

It took Jollis a moment to make the connection. "Ah, yes ... you speak of my ability to open the Portal to your Manor."

"Yes, that! I do not want you spying on me! That will cease immediately!"

"Have no fear, Overlord. I have no intention of opening any more Portals in your Manor. I have several contacts in the area that will be my liaison. You will trade your slave to them, and they will provide you the information at the same time. It will be a fair exchange."

Gronnus nodded, but he was not entirely convinced. "I do not understand how you got someone into my Manor in the first place. Or how he got away with it."

"But the fact remains that it happened." Jollis gave him an amused smile. "Unless you wish to suggest I managed to open a Portal to you with such pinpoint accuracy without someone already there with a focus?"

Gronnus snorted in derision. Like anyone else in Narlass who had some knowledge about Portals, he knew that was impossible. To open a Portal to a specific location, there had to be someone there already with a blue pearl upon which a focusing spell had been imbued. That was the current thinking, anyway, and it had been that way since Portals came into use three centuries prior.

"I believe our business for now is concluded, Overlord," Jollis said with a nod. "I will contact you shortly with the specifics of the exchange. Please have a slave picked out by then."

"You realize that this could be another drain on my resources," Gronnus said darkly.

"True. But you must weigh that against more important matters. Such as your life."

Gronnus was so taken aback by this bluntness that he had no reply.

"Good day to you, Overlord."

Jollis' image faded away.

The merchant heaved a sigh and stepped over to the hearth. He bent down and picked up the blue pearl just as the glow of Farviewing magic faded.

He straighted up and examined it in his hand before closing his fingers around it. He had almost done something rather foolish. He had almost failed to make the connection when Gronnus spoke of a spy in his midst.

The Overlord had been partially right. One cannot open a Portal with such accuracy without a focus. Where he was wrong in that the focus had to be at the target location. And that it had to be a spell imbued upon a pearl.

Jollis turned and tucked the Farviewing pearl in a small velvet bag, which he stowed away with the rest of his belongings under the bed. As far as he knew, only his people, the Inonni, knew how to do it any other way. That was information that had to be kept secret at all costs. He did not think it had been a risk opening the Portal to Gronnus' Manor, for he did not believe the Guild Mages would pick up on it. As far as he knew, a method of detecting the opening of Portals from a distance had not been discovered yet.

Certainly the Inonni had not learned how to do it yet, so it was clear that no one else had, either. Even those with Portal sensitivity -- like Vanlo used to have -- were limited to sensing them only in the immediate vicinity.

He had to hope that they would continue to be mired enough in their old thinking to miss seeing the truth for a little longer. More than anything, he needed time. There can be no sudden victories, no sudden defeats. The failed coup looked like a fatal blow to one course of action, but soon Jollis would provide a means to continue down that avenue.

The truth was, Jollis had not expected the Emperor to react as violently as he had to the attempted coup. Jollis would have expected Gondas to be executed, or to conveniently disappear, but not the entire lot, and certainly not Bennis as well. It threatened to move things too fast. Fortunately, it had the side-benefit of bringing other potential conspirators to the fore. As with most despots, Z'haas failed to realize that the more firm his hand, the more people will wish to resist it.

Jollis straightened and looked over his quarters. To him it seemed rather empty that evening. He had wished for Amanda so many nights now and had stopped himself each time. He felt he was becoming seriously negligent in his duties. Even the Farview he had placed to Gronnus that night was something he had intended to do much sooner after the failed coup attempt.

His expression hardened. No more. This was going to stop. He had to retain his focus.

Yet there was the dilemma. On the one hand, he needed to avoid contact with Amanda to prevent himself from being distracted by feelings he should not be having in the first place. Yet on the other, he needed to continue grooming her for the bigger task she needed to play down the road. That time when she would be needed was approaching, and she must be ready.

He sighed and prepared himself for sleep.

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