Oceanus' rapid rise to power after its consolidation was instrumental in reviving what had been a declining market, namely slavery. Oceanus helped redefine the scope and structure of the slave trade, even down to the very basics such as the primary uses for slaves and how slaves were procured.

While a complete discussion of the history of slavery in Narlass is beyond the scope of this document, a summary is relevant to understanding how Oceanus had influenced it.

About a millennium ago, slavery had its roots in the basic need for labor, or as a means of exacting punishment on a conquered foe. Usually the two went hand-in-hand, save for some parts of Narlass where slavery was the only option for the poor. Some nations practiced sexual slavery, some did not. With the refinements made to Magic and the invention of the means of imbuing spells on blue pearls, soon slaves were no longer needed for labor. It was cheaper and easier to perform the same duties with Magic than it was to keep a slave in food and shelter.

Slavery soon became a niche market, reserved more for the higher classes, either as a sign of conquest over another, general prestige, or to provide for sexual needs. Yet as the years passed and the culture changed, using a fellow Narlassi as a slave slowly became distasteful to many.

Just prior to the founding of Oceanus, a breakthrough in Portal technology allowed the opening of Portals to other planes. The existence of such parallel planes had been theorized for some time but never proven until then. The Overlords, at the time on a decline and threatened with obscurity due to a fading market, seized upon this and began experimenting with the concept of capturing young men and women from other worlds.

It was soon discovered that this was a far more palatable option than enslaving a fellow Narlassi, especially when it was discovered that no parallel plane yet found has Magic in any great degree. The Overlords' fortunes quickly rebounded after the formation of the Oceanus nation. The Nobility of the new empire, looking for some way to reclaim prestige they had lost in accepting a "demotion" from Royalty to Nobility, were very open to the idea of taking on slaves as a sign of their high status.

As the Nobility were in no need of labor, the slave's role quickly became primarily focused on sexual services and general companionship. The Overlords responded to this, and based their slave training around skills of sexual gratification. Over the last two centuries, this has led to a cultural dichotomy between the commoner and the Nobility. While among the commoners, clothing styles were conservative and matters of sex were considered private, the Nobility flouted their sexual openness, keeping slaves unclothed and having trysts in open view of others ...

"Amanda?"

Amanda sighed and glanced towards the window. The sky had deepened to indigo above the dark waters of the ocean. Distant clouds at the horizon glowed in fading purple embers. She pushed herself up, having been lying on her stomach as she looked over the scroll before her.

Sirinna could tell that Amanda was not looking forward to this, and she gave her charge a sympathetic smile. At the same time, she spoke with a serious tone of voice. "Now, Amanda, make sure you behave properly for Master Lanno tonight," she said as she bid Amanda to stand before her.

"I always do that, Mistress, you know that," Amanda said a bit more sharply than she had intended.

Sirinna unlocked and detached the other end of the chain from the post. "I'm sorry to harp on it so much, but this close ... this close to when you will be sent to your first client ..."

Amanda heard the catch in Sirinna's voice. She had to take a deep breath herself to stop from becoming emotional over it again. "I understand, Mistress," Amanda said in a softer voice. "I will please him as best I can."

Sirinna secured the cuffs to Amanda's wrists and snapped the chain lightly. "I shouldn't doubt you anymore, Amanda. You really have shown you can do this. You've really made me proud these past few moons."

Amanda smiled faintly. She understood that Sirinna meant well, but being praised for how good a slave she was did not mean quite as much to her anymore. It was as if she needed something else now to sustain her, but she was not sure what that was.

"I know Master Lanno has proven ... difficult for you ..."

Hearing that made Amanda feel better. Sirinna was slowly becoming more open and honest with her feelings. Yet it made being sent away even more frustrating, as Amanda felt that she was connecting with Sirinna on an even deeper level than before. It had helped dispel some of the doubts she had been feeling in light of her relationship with Jollis.

"I'll be able to handle him, Mistress. This will be the last time I will have to deal with him for awhile."

"Unless he requests you again tomorrow night."

Amanda paused. "I really hope he doesn't."

Sirinna leaned in close and said in a faint whisper, "I do, too."

Amanda was surprised at this until she saw the knowing smile on Sirinna's face. Amanda began to smile as well. It was a tacit promise that the two of them would have one last time together before Amanda had to leave.

Amanda suddenly felt like she wanted to cry again but she fought it back. She had to be practical. While she wanted to spend time with Sirinna once more, she also needed to have Jollis ask for her one more time before she left. Unfortunately she was not in a position to arrange this herself. She had to hope that he cared enough about her to make the time.

Sirinna had picked up on the surge of emotion from Amanda despite how quickly it had been suppressed. She stepped back, snapping the chain smartly. "No dallying, Amanda. We need to get you to Master Lanno's at once," she said crisply, covering up her own emotions as well as Amanda's.

Amanda understood and nodded, yet there was a strain to her voice as she responded, "Yes, Mistress, I won't delay us."

She swiftly stepped before Sirinna and led the two of them out of the room and into the encroaching night.

"As much as I have enjoyed your hospitality, my dear Roquan," said Doran, pausing to quaff the last of the wine in his goblet. He set the goblet down with a small report on the corner of the desk. "I must get back to my own Manor. While I trust my Trainers to keep things running, I'm very picky about everything being just so. I'm sure you can understand."

"Indeed," replied Roquan with a nod. He had not been away from the Manor himself in years, and he could not imagine being away from it for even a day let alone the half moon that Doran had spent. Rennis used to travel to the D'ronstaq Manor in a similar manner, but even he grew weary of it. He had already returned to his own Manor a few days ago.

Doran uttered a windy sigh. "Roquan, I fear things in Oceanus will never quite be the same again. Not after everything that has happened."

"We need only remove Z'haas from the throne. Once a new leader has been installed ..."

Doran shook his head. "No, Roquan, it is no longer as simple as that."

Roquan raised an eyebrow and gestured for him to continue.

"We have taken a course that none before us has ever done. You cannot tell me that will not leave a lasting impression on all involved."

Roquan stepped up to him. "I am taking the action that you yourself wished," he said in annoyance. "Now you tell me you don't believe it to be the correct choice?"

Doran gave his fellow Overlord a sour look. "No, that is not what I am saying. What we have done is necessary. What Lord K'garon will do is necessary. But that does not change the fact."

Roquan was about to answer when there was a soft knock at the door. "Enter."

Jollis slipped into the room and bowed his head respectfully. "Good day to you both, your Lordships." He turned to Doran and smiled. "I am pleased that you continue to grace us with your presence."

Doran laughed at this. "Oh, yes, you're a successful merchant, all right, with a smooth tongue such as yours! As it turns out, I am about ready to leave. My carriage will be at the gate by now to take me to the docks."

"Then I will be disappointed to see you go. It was indeed a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"Hrm. I should be thanking you, from some of the things you did for Roquan during the Conclave."

"I will be with you in a moment, Jollis," Roquan said to the merchant before returning his attention to Doran. "I still wish to respond to my cohort's last statement."

Jollis nodded once and stepped off to the side, folding his hands before him and remaining silent.

"What is there to respond to, Roquan?" said Doran crossly. "We have done the only thing we could do."

"If there had been another way ..."

"Yes, but even if there had been, you know why we cannot take it!"

Roquan nodded solemnly.

The Emperor had already spilled blood, not once but twice. Even though it was the blood of people they barely knew, it mattered not. What mattered was the deed and what it represented. Even in the worst of times, never had an Emperor resorted to such brutal tactics. Even if he had given the people a trial that was largely staged, at least there would have been a semblance of justice being dispensed.

Doran shook his head. "The Emperor has made this decision for us. I can only thank you for seeing it through."

Jollis raised an eyebrow slightly but remained silent.

Roquan sighed through his nose, his lips pressed tightly together. "I did not care for the price."

Doran rolled his eyes. "Really, Roquan, one would think that you have an attachment to that infernal girl."

Roquan's eyes darkened. "That 'infernal' girl as you so blithely refer to her was instrumental in unveiling the conspiracy at the Conclave."

"Yes, yes, I am perfectly aware of that, but ultimately, she is still a slave. Despite her ..." Doran gestured vaguely. " ... problem."

By this time it was clear to Jollis that the two of them were speaking of Amanda. She had been offered as "payment" in a transaction. He quelled whatever emotion this would generate in him, for this was not the time for it. He needed clear thinking now to determine what it was that had been "purchased" in such a manner.

"I am aware of that," said Roquan.

"You cannot continue to be so protective of her, no matter what your reasons are," Doran said, adding the last phrase when it appeared Roquan would object again. "Yes, she is young and inexperienced, but if Duric wants her, he should have her, if it means we get his assistance in the bargain."

Roquan was silent and unmoving.

Doran tilted his head and took another step towards Roquan. "Unless you intend to go fielding your own army? The Army of the Overlord! Hah! I'd love to see that!"

"Now you are just being ridiculous, Doran."

"Maybe so, but it proves my point. What needs to be done is something out of our expertise. You did the right thing by aligning with Duric."

Jollis watched and listened impassively. Yet his mind was racing. Something was happening that was most unexpected. And most unfortunate, if he were guessing right. This could place his plans in jeopardy.

And to add to the problem, Amanda was about to be whisked away from the Manor. It was the worst possible timing. And he believed that, had he not let his sense be addled by his feelings, he would have seen this coming.

"And yet now you tell me that the face of Oceanus will be changed forever."

Doran paused and brought his hands together as if in prayer."I didn't say that the changes would be bad."

"It has been my experience that change is always bad for someone."

"I do not see the Overlords coming apart at the seams if that's what you're worried about. But expect the relationship between the Overlords and the Nobility and the Imperium to change. Our little games that we play amongst each other may be nearing an end."

Roquan gave Doran an inquisitive look. "And how can that be a bad thing?"

Doran smiled slightly. "Now you're starting to get it." He raised a finger. "But ... can you handle giving up some of your prestige? I don't mean you personally, but what comes to you from the title 'Overlord.' It may not mean quite as much anymore when this is over."

"Overlords will still have their place," Roquan said firmly. "We will still be doing what we do best: training and contracting slaves. That is my life. That has always been my life. What we have had to do now, first with the Conclave and now this, is not what I wanted to do when I first took possession of this Manor from my ailing father. I wish to get this period of my life over with so I can return to what I know best."

Doran nodded earnestly. "As do I, Roquan. But will the forces of history allow us, hmm? That remains to be seen."

Doran turned away before Roquan could reply, making it clear that he was growing weary of the conversation. "I must go, but I will be in touch, as will Rennis. He has had the unenviable task of keeping an eye on Gronnus."

Jollis did not react to this statement, but made careful note of it.

Roquan raised an eyebrow. "Is he being suspected of collusion again?"

"We don't know for certain," replied Doran. "All I know is what some of Uridon's merchants have said."

Roquan frowned at this and turned to Jollis.

"Yes, your Lordship?" Jollis said at once, smiling slightly.

"Have you heard of anything odd going on around Gronnus' Manor from your contacts, Jollis?" asked Roquan.

"No, your Lordship, I have not. Admittedly they do little business with him. Do you wish me to inform them to keep a closer eye on his Manor?"

Roquan nodded. "That would be a good idea given the circumstances. You will forgive me if I do not divulge the exact details of why I feel the need for surveillance on him."

Jollis nodded once. "If it is important to your efforts, that is sufficient. Your word is good enough for me, as always."

Jollis hoped this small stroke of luck would help his fortunes. At least now his contacts could remain close to Gronnus' Manor without looking suspicious. It would make it easier to carry out the clandestine slave deals with the Overlord.

"Your efforts will likely be overkill, Roquan," said Doran. "No one is telling Gronnus anything."

"Let's make sure that it stays that way."

Doran nodded in agreement. "I must be on my way. Good day to you, Roquan. And to you, Jollis."

Roquan watched Doran leave before turning to Jollis. "What do you have for me today, Jollis?"

"Ah, but perhaps I should be asking you the same thing," Jollis said with a small smile.

Roquan retrieved the empty goblet from the corner of the desk. "Things have been happening very quickly of late, Jollis. I was going to appraise you of the situation very soon."

"This is understandable. But I am curious. Your talk with the other Overlord suggested you have already turned to another for help."

Roquan did not detect any reproach or disappointment in the merchant's voice, which he took as a good sign. One issue he had in the back of his mind was Jollis taking offense at not being considered first. Nevertheless, he felt the need to express the thought outright.

"No slight to your abilities is intended."

"And none is taken."

Roquan considered for a moment. "I am curious now, Jollis. Did you come to me with news of a new inroad into our problem of the Emperor?"

"I was coming to inform you that my cohorts have manged to make contact with another potential rebellious element within the Imperium, one that feels strongly enough about what happened to Gondas to assist in a new plot against the Emperor." He paused for a moment as silence followed his statement, the Overlord giving him a brooding look. "Can I assume from what I have heard that you consider this inadequate now?"

Roquan looked into the goblet idly for a few moments before turning away from the merchant, pausing in thought before speaking again in a voice heavy with regret. "If the ... incident with Gondas had not turned out as it did, I would consider your option. I would consider anything that would avoid bloodshed. But that has failed. Blood has been spilled. It has taken me some time to realize this, but there is unfortunately only one answer to that."

Jollis considered solemnly. "You are to engage in a military campaign, then."

Roquan set the goblet down and folded his arms tightly, turning back towards the merchant. "Regretfully, yes."

It was as Jollis had feared. He should have realized that the Emperor's extreme actions would have consequences like this. Again, had he not let himself be distracted ...

And yet, this was not the most disturbing aspect. What truly troubled him was the Emperor's motivations. Why did he feel so threatened that he needed to react with such a brutal hand? Despite some of the things the Overlords have said about Z'haas, and despite his own encouragement of it, Jollis did not believe the Emperor to be insane. Yet these actions would indicate he was, unless there was another reason for it that Jollis did not know.

It was this unknown factor that worried him.

"Most distressing," Jollis said softly.

"I do not like it either, but the Emperor has left us no alternative. I realized that only after the true implications of what the Emperor has done set in. I should have realized it when he had spilled blood the first time with his purge."

"But you will meet with violence with more violence."

Roquan stared at Jollis for a moment. The statement had been made in a neutral tone of voice, so the Overlord took it at face value. "To attempt to do anything further by clandestine means would be to condemn more to death if they fail. Conspirators have nothing but secrecy to protect them. Soldiers have weapons with which to defend themselves."

Jollis knew this was a rationalization. The Overlord did not want to pursue this course of action. He was being pushed along this path by both the other Overlords and the desire for a quick end.

There was also a cultural factor to consider. Jollis knew it was there, but did not think it was as strong in modern times. It was said that once your adversary has shown a willingness to spill blood, you must do the same to avoid appearing weak. Unfortunately, it was usually not enough to simply show the willingness.

Another failure on his part.

"I take it you are not rallying men to your banner directly, you Lordship?" asked Jollis.

Roquan shook his head. "Lord Duric K'garon will provide that. As well as leadership of the army itself. It would be better to have a Noble at its head than an Overlord."

Jollis nodded once. Yes, this was indeed most distressful. The one thing that Duric had against him was time. He had an uneasy feeling that Duric would overcome this.

If things were left as they are, the odds were against the Emperor. Jollis could guess what the shrewd Duric would attempt: a strike at the Imperium when the Emperor's army was marching on Colos. Victory would be a trivial matter.

Naturally, Jollis could warn the Emperor ahead of time via Gronnus. But now Jollis knew that he had to rethink his analysis of Z'haas. He could not risk informing the Emperor too soon. Z'haas had already proven that he can take extreme action if it suits him. Inform the Emperor too soon, and he might strike preemptively. That would shake the Nobility out of its complacency, and they would strike as one at the Imperium, overwhelming it.

The Emperor must not be allowed to fall. Not easily. Finding the right action to take at the right moment was going to take time. And with as swiftly as things were now moving, time was something he had in short supply.

"If there is anything I can do to assist in this endeavor, please let me know," said Jollis.

"At the moment, all I can ask is that you continue to keep the Manor supplied with what it needs for the lowest possible cost," Roquan said. "At the moment, this is Duric's game. As Doran had said, this is something outside of our venue. It would be best if we simply did not get in Duric's way."

Jollis could tell that the Overlord did not like this. He wanted to be involved in what was happening and hated sending someone else off to do it. Jollis did not like it, either, but for different reasons. Being excluded from the action meant he had little source of intelligence on Duric's moves, and little influence.

But then his thoughts returned to Amanda, and what was to become of her.

It was then that he suddenly realized that having Amanda be given to Duric was a good thing, not a bad one. Now he had more reason than ever to see her one last time before she was sent away.

"My good Overlord, am I given to understand that you will be sending the sweet Amanda to Lord K'garon?" Jollis asked.

"Yes, that is correct. It is part of the deal to secure his support."

"Might I ask a bit of indulgence from you, your Lordship? I have ... grown fond of the girl. Might I ask of her services for an evening before she is to be sent away?"

"You will need to work that out with her Trainer Sirinna as you always do. But I have no objection, if that is what you mean."

Jollis bowed his head. "Thank you. I am not versed in the protocol in this area. For all I knew, a slave selected to be sent to a client was sequestered from contact until she left, or was prepared in a special way."

Roquan smiled at this. "Thank you for your concern, Jollis. No, she is free to engage in her normal duties at the Manor. The only preparation that is done is to bathe her. Normally that would be done at the client's location, but where she is being sent by Portal, it will be done here."

"Ah, she is to go by Portal? Then things must be moving fast indeed."

"Yes. Duric indicated that he has only a single moon to prepare."

Jollis had made that estimate as well. He had hoped that he had been in error. A single moon in which to completely reformulate his plans. There could be no less daunting a task to be asked of him.

His original plan had called for stringing the Overlords along with another coup attempt, one far more intricate than the last one, in hopes of gaining more time to finish his own preparations and to escalate tensions further. Now this lay in ruins. He had to find a new way to buy time or speed up his plans.

And above all else, he needed to contact his Master.

Jollis bowed his head. "Then if I am not needed at the moment, your Lordship, I shall excuse myself to tend to my normal duties."

"I am sure I will be calling upon your assistance at some point. I intend to inform Duric of your resourcefulness. I am sure he will want to make use of it as well."

"Ah, but one can hope this will be true. Good day to you, Overlord."

Yes, Jollis could hope, but he knew it would not be the case. From what he knew of Duric, the man already had extensive connections and influence. He would have no need of the merchant Jollis. No, if Jollis wished to gain some insight as to the Noble's plans, he would have to use other means.

And those other means would have to involve Amanda. There was no other choice in the matter.

Amanda was trying very hard not to be scared.

Lanno was somewhere behind her. She couldn't see him and could hear only vague sounds of movement. It was as if he were purposely leaving her in this vulnerable position just to test her. At least she dearly hoped this was only a test of some sort.

She could not move from her position. She was on her knees on Lanno's bed, but tilted forward with her head lying on his pillow, face turned to one side. Her wrists were still bound behind her, as he had told Sirinna to leave the leather cuffs on. Her ass was thrust into the air, her pussy open and vulnerable between her thighs.

Finally she felt Lanno's hands around her hips, and she uttered a gasp.

"You're trembling," Lanno said.

Amanda swallowed. "S-sorry, Master," she said in a quavering voice.

"Do I frighten you, Amanda?"

"No, Master."

"Ah, the correct answer. But not necessarily the true one. No matter."

He gave Amanda's ass a single sharp slap, causing Amanda to flinch and yelp.

"You will not cum until I tell you. Is that understood?"

"Y-yes, Master."

The words were barely out of her mouth when she felt Lanno invade her folds with his tongue.

Amanda shuddered as he stroked her womanhood with broad swipes of his tongue. As nervous as she had been, she had mustered only a slight dampness in her pussy, but now it was not long before she was thoroughly wet. His tongue began gliding over slick flesh, making her rise too quickly. In her anxiety she was finding it difficult to keep the proper muscles tensed.

She whimpered as she continued to climb, her body quivering in betrayal as her pleasure mounted. Finally she managed to gain some measure of control and slowed her rise. As if intent on pushing her to her limits, Lanno changed his approach, teasing her womanhood with constant flicks of the tip of his tongue while his finger played inside her tunnel. Amanda moaned deeply and started to pant.

She drifted upward despite her efforts. She managed to hold herself again, but she was so close to climax that it was excruciating to keep herself from it. Lanno did not let up on her, and her pussy soon ached from both her need and her straining muscles.

He planted his lips against her helpless pussy and sucked at her nub, drawing it into his mouth and clamping his lips around the swollen little knob of flesh. His cheeks dimpled with the effort, tongue whipping back and forth across the tip.

It was too much for Amanda to bear. She uttered a long, strident whimper that became a ragged cry as her pussy throbbed. Lanno tightened his grip on her hips when they jerked, and he licked at her folds in a way to keep her climax going until it nearly exhausted her.

Lanno drew back from her and let go of her hips. "Hmm ... I thought I had told you not to cum."

The voice had not been one of admonishment. In fact, the words had been delivered in a very matter-of-fact manner. For some reason, Amanda found that more frightening than actually yelling at her. "I-I'm sorry, Master. I'm still learning about ..."

"Amanda," Lanno called out, this time with a bit of sharpness to his voice.

Amanda immediately silenced herself. She understood what she had done wrong at once. She had spoken out of turn. A slave does not explain herself or offer information unless asked. She simply does what she is told to do. She felt she would have remembered that if she had not been so nervous.

He turned away from her and went unnervingly quiet while he cleaned up his face and fingers. He returned to Amanda and clamped his hands around her hips again. "Hopefully your disobedience was momentary." His hand slid around to her backside, kneading the flesh. "But, still, it must be dealt with."

Amanda bit her lip as she sensed Lanno stepping to one side of her. She tried hard not to brace herself.

Lanno's hand drew back and came down with a loud slap against Amanda's ass cheeks. Amanda managed not to cry out, but her body did flinch against the brief sting of pain. The hand came down again and again in a steady rhythm, her cheeks soon glowing pink with punishment. Despite her resolve, Amanda closed her eyes tightly as the number of slaps surpassed ten. She tried to stop herself from counting, but she could not help herself.

Finally, at twenty, he stopped. Amanda was panting lightly, her pussy glistening with renewed arousal despite the lingering sting in her reddened cheeks.

She was still growing increasingly scared despite her arousal. She tried to tell herself over and over that he was not going to hurt her, that he would not possibly risk the wrath of Roquan. Yet it had little effect. Her heart still pounded until her chest ached. She still shivered at even the most fleeting thoughts of what he might do to her.

Lanno was behind her once more, and he squeezed her ass cheeks again. Amanda whimpered softly as they stung, still sensitive from the spanking.

"Now, we'll try again," Lanno said, his hands shifting to her hips. "Do not cum until I tell you."

Amanda panted lightly and braced herself despite everything her training had taught her.

"Amanda?"

"Y-yes, Master, I will not c-cum until you tell me."

"Very good. Now ..."

Amanda suppressed a gasp when she felt the head of his cock press at the entrance to her tunnel. His hands tightened around her hips, gripping them like a vise as he pushed his manhood into her. Amanda uttered a strained whimper as his length slid into her, diving deeply into her tight tunnel. She worried again that she might not accept all of him, as deep as he could go from this angle.

Yet Lanno was able to slip every inch of himself into her, until his body pressed tightly against her rear. Amanda's hands clenched behind her back as she tensed her muscles, feeling a sense of fullness that was almost unreal. There was a very faint pressure deep inside her, right where the head of his cock was, and she was sure that was him coming just short of pressing against her cervix.

Lanno held himself like this, feeling Amanda's tunnel tighten around his manhood. He cracked a small smile before he drew back quickly, only to thrust back into her hard the next moment.

Amanda was again challenged in her attempts to obey him. His rapid dives into her from the onset caused her pleasure to mount again despite her best effort. She put every ounce of willpower she had into it, her muscles clamping down on his cock to the point of slowing his thrusts into her.

Lanno chuckled. "Oh, very good. I love a tight twat on a slave. I'll just have to fuck you a little harder."

That was the first time Amanda could recall hearing such vulgar language from someone that was using her for his pleasure. Occasionally, the Overlords of the Conclave had been demanding of her, but their language had remained rather refined. This was jarring by comparison.

Her thoughts dissolved when he began slamming into her hard enough that the slap of his body against hers made her tender ass cheeks sting. The combination of the rising pleasure with the slight bit of pain threatened to overwhelm her senses and make her lose her concentration. She whimpered as her body shuddered and writhed, her pussy aching both from the need to cum and the roughness of the sex act itself.

Amanda clenched her teeth as the need to cum rose to the point that her body shook, and her breathing became ragged. She hung on by sheer determination, encouraged by the fact that Lanno's breathing grew heavy and his movements more urgent. Yet she wavered, still creeping upwards, the pressure growing intolerable.

Finally, Lanno uttered a single, long, guttural groan and shoved himself into her as far as he could. She felt his cock pulsing hard inside her. Her whimpers became strident moans as she started to lose control.

He started to pull back. Feeling him still pulsing against her womanhood was too much for her. She went over the edge, crying out as she came, gasping and panting.

Lanno slowly withdrew from her once his orgasm had faded. Amanda closed her eyes and went limp, waiting for the inevitable punishment again and trying not to cry.

"You almost made it," Lanno said, his voice still a little breathless.

Amanda said nothing. She wanted to plead with him that she was still inexperienced at this, that she had not had enough training yet. She bit her lower lip to stop herself from speaking.

Lanno slapped her rear. It was light, but Amanda yelped and flinched anyway, and the lingering tenderness from before made it sting. Her eyes glistened.

Lanno paused a moment, a low sigh issuing from between his lips. He slipped on his robe and helped Amanda to a more upright position on the bed. Amanda felt a momentary pain in a neck muscle that had become stiff from the awkward position she had been forced to remain in for so long. She ignored it, as Lanno was now sitting on the edge of the bed before her and looking at her with a critical gaze.

Amanda wanted to shrink back from those eyes. For the first time in a long while she felt like a complete failure. Every partner before him had been satisfied with her in some manner.

She blinked away a few tears and sniffled once.

Lanno just shook his head. He reached out a hand towards her face. Amanda lost what little composure she had and cringed, expecting a violent slap across her cheek. Instead, he cupped it gently and nudged her into looking back at him again.

"As I said, you almost made it," he repeated. His tone was no less reproachful but was not as harsh. "But, Amanda ... that's not going to be good enough."

Amanda felt a sob welling up within her until she realized what he had actually said. Not going to be good enough? What did he mean by that? She was burning with the need to ask him. If this had been Jollis, she could have just come out with the question.

Lanno caressed her cheek in what to Amanda was an odd show of affection before withdrawing his hand. "I just treated you as a true Master would, Amanda. Unfortunately, you did not act as a true slave would."

Amanda stared at him. She was trembling with the need to say something, to defend herself in some way. She had worked too long and too hard at this to be told that she was no good now. She knew she could only act the part, but she acted the part well. She had convinced herself of this.

As if sensing her need, Lanno said in a tired voice, "You may speak freely, Amanda."

"Master Lanno, I'm sorry," Amanda blurted at once. "I am still in training. I have not finished learning muscle control yet, I ..."

But Lanno was already shaking his head. "You see, I knew you would miss the point."

"I-I don't understand."

"I know you don't. And that's your problem."

Amanda did not reply. She had nothing more to say, except to ask him again what he meant.

"When I first met you in the Healer's office that day you came for your Kaylaxxa treatment, I knew there was something different about you," Lanno explained, folding his hands across one knee. "You were not at all like any other slave I had known, even one in training. No, this has nothing to do with training. At least, assuming that your Trainer Sirinna is competent ..."

Amanda's mouth dropped open at this and she bristled at the idea that Sirinna was anything less than a good Trainer. She doubted she would have been able to learn as much as she did under anyone else.

Lanno chuckled humorlessly. "See? Here, let me see if I can help you figure this out, since you seem to be rather intelligent for a slave."

Amanda felt vaguely insulted by the way that had been worded, but she did not offer any reaction to it.

"Now, there is something fundamentally different between you and the other slaves here. In fact, I can see it between you and Sirinna. Do you know what that is?"

Amanda felt her heart race. Was this it? Had he found out the Overlords' dirty little secret about the Draught? She tried hard not to look nervous and instead just shook her head.

"What do you remember Sirinna doing when she presented you to me?"

Amanda was a little nonplussed at this question, but it was clear he was expecting an actual answer from her. "Um ... she led me inside and removed my chain ... then she tried to remove my cuffs but you told her to leave them on. Then she left."

"Not quite. You're leaving out a few crucial details. Try again."

Amanda tried to replay the scene in her head. "Uh ... she said 'please treat her well, and may she bring you pleasure,' like she always says."

Lanno nodded. "And?"

Amanda shook her head again.

"How did she say it?"

"How? Same as she always does, I guess, Master. She was polite and respectful."

"You're leaving out something."

Amanda gave him a perplexed look.

"Happy," Lanno announced with a smile of his own. "Everything she said and did was delivered with a smile and an attitude that said she really enjoyed what she was doing. Had your roles been swapped, and she was the one servicing me, she would be enthusiastic and bubbly from the start."

Amanda said nothing. She simply stared at him with eyes that betrayed both defiance and despair, as if she were trying to decide which she should be feeling at the moment.

In truth, she did not know what to think. She wanted to defend herself. She wanted to tell him that she would feel more enthusiastic about it -- again, like she did with Jollis -- if he treated her better. If he treated her a little more like a person and less like an object.

It was then that she realized the flaw in her thinking.

Jollis was the exception to the rule. She had lost sight of that. The stark reality was that many people that used slaves did not act as kind as he did. Or even as kind as Roquan. For all she knew of the outside world, most clients could be very much like Lanno. Perhaps even Lord K'garon was the same way.

But if that were the case, why would Tanyee have been so happy to go back to him? She had the answer to that as well, as much as she did not want to admit it.

The Draught. Tanyee had been given it, so she craved the sexual attention. It was in her nature to be submissive because the Draught had helped her become that way. It always came down to that damned Draught.

Amanda felt a frustration that was worse than ever before. Her eyes burned with it, as impossible as it was for her to suppress it.

Lanno reached out and cupped his hand under Amanda's chin. Amanda's eyes flashed anger for a very brief moment before she could control it.

"Your Overlord is sending you abroad in another two days, Amanda," Lanno said in a deadpan tone of voice. "You're being sent to a client. This is the real thing. The real world, Amanda. What you failed to do earlier, and what you're doing now, even with just your eyes, is not going to cut it. Your Master will not find it acceptable at all."

"I'll just have to try my best, Master," Amanda said evenly.

"Trying is not the same as doing. Amanda, there is a reason for everything that I did to you, and what I am telling you now. This is all for your own good. I'm telling it to you straight. I think you're going to fail this first time around."

Amanda's lips parted slightly and her eyes took on a forlorn look.

"Expect a lot more spankings from your new Master, especially once he knows how wet it makes you in the end. He may think you crave the punishment."

"I do not crave it! ... Master ..." Amanda cried, adding the title as an afterthought.

Lanno just shook his head and stood up. He grasped Amanda's upper arm and guided her off the bed and to her feet.

"I am going to bring you back to your Trainer, Amanda," said Lanno. "And I will tell her that you failed to please me and that I expect her to select an appropriate punishment for you. I regret to say that you can expect more of that from your client. Take it as a learning experience, Amanda. I think you can be a fine slave some day. You just have a long way to go."

In a quavering voice heavy with emotion, Amanda started to reply. "Master Lanno, p-please ... I'm sorry I didn't please you, I-I really tried ..."

Amanda's words were cut off when Lanno delivered a swift slap to her backside.

"No more talking, Amanda," Lanno snapped. "I've already declared my intention on bringing you back, so your words mean nothing more to me. That's another thing you need to understand. You need to know your place. You may be highly intelligent and very clever, but you are still a slave. Remember that."'

To Amanda, those words hurt more than the spanking ever could, and she had to fight back a new flood of tears as she was taken out of Lanno's quarters and into the darkness of the night.

As Jollis waited, he felt an emotion he had not allowed himself to feel in some time: impatience. Finally, just as it got to the point where he was about to berate himself for it, the harried form of Gronnus shimmered into view above the Farviewing pearl, one hand cupping a goblet.

"Really, Jollis, do you always intend to contact me at such an uncivilized hour?" Gronnus complained with a slight slurring of his words. Gronnus lifted the goblet to his lips.

"You will prepare a slave," Jollis said crisply, his eyes dark and hard. "Immediately. I will have someone over by dusk tomorrow to collect her."

The Overlord nearly gagged on his wine, coughing and spraying it everywhere. The image of it faded into nonexistence just a hand's width from the image of Gronnus himself. "What?? Are you insane?!"

"You will find that I am quite sane, dear Overlord. However, you will also find that I am not a happy man tonight, and I would advise that you keep that in mind when dealing with me."

Gronnus stared and swallowed nervously at the utter coldness of Jollis' voice. He took a deep breath and wiped his chin on the sleeve of his robe, setting the goblet down somewhere off to the side. "You better have some information for me to exchange, then, merchant!" he said in a stern voice.

Jollis sensed the falseness of the bravado that Gronnus was showing. "Perhaps you did not hear me earlier, Overlord. I am not to be taken lightly tonight."

"I just want to make sure you're going to come through on your end of the bargain, that's all! An entire slave for a snippet of information! Bah!"

"Two slaves."

Gronnus stared. "Wh-what ...?"

"If you intend to trifle with me tonight, you will suffer for it. The price is now two slaves for my information."

"You ... y-you can't do that!" Gronnus sputtered.

"I can, and I have. Do you wish me to continue and make it three?"

"No information could be worth that much."

"Then perhaps I shall take my business elsewhere." Jollis casually stepped forward and reached out his hand towards the pearl.

"No! No! Wait!"

Nevertheless, Jollis continued a moment more, just to hear the tremor of fear in the Overlord's voice when he pleaded again. The merchant paused and slowly withdrew his hand. His gaze rose to the Overlord's eyes in silent anticipation.

Gronnus swallowed. "Two slaves," he said in a hollow voice. "D-deal."

"Very good, my dear Overlord. And be sure they are slaves with a good deal of experience. That is vital. They must have been contracted before. And to different clients."

The Overlord nodded, but then narrowed his gaze in suspicion.

Jollis raised an eyebrow. "Yes, Overlord?"

"I know what you're up to now."

The merchant actually smiled at this. "Do you, now? Please enlighten me."

"You want to start your own Manor. You've been around the Overlords and want to know what it feels like. So you want experienced slaves to start one."

Jollis laughed. "I should have expected that from you, my dear Overlord. Your views are so shortsighted. You cannot see beyond your own little world. You believe the Overlords are the be-all and end-all of everything. But in truth, you are little more than cogs in a machine that is polished on the outside, but is rusting out from the inside."

Gronnus stared, totally aghast and at a loss for words.

Jollis paused, his lips tightening. A muscle in his face twitched as he checked his anger and brought it back under control. "What I wish of your slaves is my business alone. I can assure you that I am not interested in competing with you. No, Overlord, I have no interest in founding my own Manor."

Jollis found the very thought of it distasteful, but he did not share this. He had already said more than he ought.

Gronnus uttered a windy sigh. "Fine. You will have your slaves. Where should I meet your contact?"

"Along the shore of the lake a short distance from the gates of your Manor will be fine."

"Are you insane? Out in the open like that?"

"I have that well in hand, Overlord. We will not be observed by anyone that I do not wish to observe. You will receive your information in exchange for the slaves at that time."

"I do not find your words reassuring."

"That is not my problem. You will adhere to your end of the deal. That is all I have to say to you."

Before Gronnus could protest, Jollis stepped forward and swiftly passed his hand over the pearl. The image of the distraught Overlord mercifully flickered out.

Jollis swept up the pearl and stood. He had lost control of himself again.

Was the stress of his task getting to him? Was he indeed inadequate for the mission as he had feared at the beginning? Was this all a mistake from the start? Was it better to have remained a common soldier for his cause? He had excelled at that. Perhaps that is where his true strength lay.

Jollis took a few deep breaths to bring himself back on a more even keel. These were not questions he should ask. To ask such things would be to doubt the wisdom of his elders. That was unacceptable.

Jollis returned the pearl to its place. He needed Amanda. Not for his own personal reasons, but because he had to get to her before she was given to her client. He had to commit a terrible breach of protocol to accomplish his goal now. If he were found out, Roquan would be very upset with him.

He headed out of his quarters and through the gate back onto the Manor grounds. He knew it was likely too late to call upon Amanda that evening. But he could see if Sirinna would be amenable again to letting him "reserve" her for the girl's last night here.

He even entertained a foolish notion that she might appreciate him being her last partner before she was given to Lord K'garon.

As he turned down the path that ran along the west side of the Manor grounds, he caught movement up ahead of him, just at the end of the path where it forked. A man had emerged from the leg of the fork that led to Sirinna and Amanda's quarters. He recognized the man immediately.

Jollis was about to duck into the foliage of the gardens when Lanno instead took the other leg of the fork and disappeared from view.

The merchant paused a few moments before continuing along his way. A frown creased his face. What did the Healer want at this time of the night?

Jollis quickened his pace without thinking about it. He approached the door to Sirinna's quarters and was about to announce himself when he heard words issue forth that were filled with both fury and tears. His heart lurched when he realized they were from Amanda.

"It wasn't fair!" Amanda screeched. "He didn't give me a chance to say anything or to try to do the right thing!"

"Amanda, please, calm down ..." came Sirinna's pleading voice, almost barely audible compared to Amanda's cries.

"I will not calm down!" Amanda shouted, her voice cracking. It was clear that she was crying at the same time she was venting her anger. "He treated me like ... I-I mean, he didn't treat me like the others did!"

"Amanda, you have to realize, you're a slave, and some people ..."

"I know! I know! And I'm a terrible one! I suck at it! You don't have to tell me that!"

"Amanda! No, that's not what ..."

"He said it himself! You have to punish me now because I didn't please him! Because I can't cut it!"

"That is not true, love, you ..."

"I'm just fooling myself, that's all! I can't do it because I can't act the part! I'm a fake! I'm ..."

"AMANDA!"

Jollis was so taken aback by Sirinna's desperate shout that he backed up a step from the door. He could not leave, however. He had to hear this out.

Silence descended, broken only by an occasional sniffle from Amanda.

"Amanda," Sirinna repeated in a much softer tone. "Something else is going on here other than simple displeasure over you. What did he say to you? Specifically?"

It came out haltingly. The more Amanda spoke, the more her tears turned to barely contained hot indignation, as if she had found her center again and managed to banish some of her self doubt. Jollis nodded in approval at this even as he seethed at the harsh words the Healer had told her.

A Healer he may be, Jollis thought to himself acidly. But he knows nothing of caring for the spirit as well as the body.

"I don't get it, Sirinna," said Amanda. "No one else I ever serviced ever said anything like that to me! Was he right? Is that what clients are expecting of me? Is that what Lord K'garon will expect of me? To be bright and happy all the time? If he is, I can't do it. I can't turn my emotions on and off like that."

There was a heartfelt sigh from Sirinna. "I know you can't, and I don't expect you to."

Jollis nodded in approval that Sirinna understood this point. Most slaves were naturally enthusiastic about their place in the world. Amanda was different. He was grateful that Sirinna seemed to recognize this difference on some level.

"Yes, a client likes his slaves to be happy. I don't think that means you need to be smiling and laughing all the time."

"Yeah, but you are," Amanda retorted. "I never see you act any other way around people like Master Roquan."

"Amanda, realize what you said before. No other person ever complained about you like this. One thing that you have to learn is that no matter how good you are, you will always find a Master that does not like something about you. That's why Master Roquan tries to match a slave with the right client."

"I don't think he had much choice in this case with Lord K'garon."

"Perhaps not. But I doubt that he would have agreed to give you to him had he thought you would seriously displease him."

Jollis heard a sigh from Amanda. It was clear to him that she was not convinced by this argument. The merchant was not, either. He, too, realized that Roquan acted out of necessity to secure Lord K'garon's assistance. There was likely no negotiation.

It was simple deduction. Roquan would not have given anything but the best to Lord K'garon had he a choice in the matter. Amanda is not the best by conventional standards, or rather she was not the best fit. Thus the only explanation was that Lord K'garon had asked for Amanda specifically. Jollis thought this a rather interesting development.

Sirinna confirmed his logic with her next statement. "Amanda, if he did indeed ask for you, I doubt he would have done so if he thought you would displease him."

"Unless he just wanted someone to punish all the time," said Amanda in a sullen voice.

Sirinna's response was firm. "No. He would not do that. Master Roquan would not give a slave to someone that would punish simply for punishment's sake."

There was a long pause. During it, Jollis mused.

How much did Amanda know and understand about why she was so different from the other slaves? Jollis knew she had a secret she would not divulge. He had figured that out during the Conclave. And his Master suspected that the Overlords did more than simply make their captives forget their previous lives.

"I am not going to punish you, Amanda," Sirinna said in a low voice.

"Huh? But ... Master Lanno said ..."

"He said to give you any punishment that I see fit. That gives me the option to give you no punishment at all."

Jollis slowly smiled. He was quite pleased with Sirinna. Sirinna was not interpreting the intent of the Healer's words correctly. Instead, she was applying her own spin to them. Most unusual for a Draughted slave. And a Trainer, no less!

"And to be honest, Amanda, I think Master Lanno punished you enough."

"Thank you, Mistress," Amanda said in a softer voice.

"Sirinna. For the rest of the evening, love, my name is Sirinna."

Jollis caught the tenderness in Sirinna's voice. He had wanted very much to insure that he had Amanda for the next evening, but this was no time to intrude. In truth, now he felt a twinge of guilt for wishing to treat her as a slave himself. He had to remind himself that he was nothing like Lanno, that he treated Amanda with kindness rather than punishment.

And Amanda certainly had no trouble smiling and being happy in his presence.

He turned away and quietly headed back to his own quarters. His plans could wait one more day.

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