Amanda lay on the bed trying to calm herself down and having only partial success at it. She was still panting, and her pussy was still aching and very damp, her folds glistening even in the subdued lighting.

Amanda had spent much of that morning with Duric. The Noble Lord had presented her to many of his staff, showing her off like a prize or trophy. He had yet to share her with them, however. All he had her do was pleasure herself slowly while he conducted meetings with his staff on rather mundane matters. It had been enough to keep her at a low level of sexual excitement.

But then she was left alone with Tanyee shortly after the midday meal, and Tanyee had taken Master Duric's orders to heart. Soon as the meal was finished, and they were alone together, Tanyee snuggled with Amanda in bed and kept her aroused.

No, not aroused. Horny.

Amanda had not thought it was possible simply because even the lightest of touches for so long against her sensitive flesh would have eventually chafed her. But Tanyee had been taught by Sirinna, and Sirinna already knew how to arouse someone with very little effort.

Apparently, Tanyee had been taught very well. At one point, Amanda had begged Tanyee to make her cum. Instead, Tanyee gave her light strokes that stimulated her without making her crest. Tanyee had then gently nudged away Amanda's hands when she forgot herself and nearly did it herself.

Amanda's only respite came when a low, gong-like sound echoed through the inner chambers of Duric's suite. "Someone is in the reception area, Amanda, requiring my services," Tanyee said. "Now, be a good girl and don't make yourself cum. I don't want to see you get in trouble with Master Duric."

It had taken some effort, but Amanda had managed not to touch herself, though she had to leave her thighs splayed to try to ease the pressure a bit. She realized now that she was starting to get used to the distressing physical ache of unsatisfied desire. She wondered now if other slaves actually enjoyed this, if that "extra ingredient" in the Draught whose existence she had intuited -- the ingredient that made the slave more sexually receptive -- somehow made them actually enjoy orgasm denial.

To a point, anyway. It had been orgasm denial that had been used as a punishment against Sirinna for a short time. Sirinna had been driven to the point of tears by it.

"Amanda."

Tanyee had reentered the chamber so quietly that Amanda jumped at the sound of her voice at the door. "Oh, um, sorry," Amanda said in a sheepish voice. "Back already?"

"You are being requested instead of me," said Tanyee with a wide smile. She took Amanda's hand and gently pulled her out of bed.

"Huh? Oh, is Master Duric back?"

"No, not yet. Mistress Janna wishes to see you."

Amanda gave Tanyee a puzzled look. "Mistress Janna? I don't remember meeting her."

"She was away from the palace this morning. Here, come along, she doesn't like to be kept waiting."

"Who is Mistress Janna, Tanyee?" Amanda asked as she was whisked from the bed chamber.

"Master Duric's cousin. So it is very important that you please her."

"I'll try my best, Tanyee. I ..."

Tanyee stopped at the door to the reception chamber and turned to Amanda. Her smile was kind-hearted even if her words were a little firm. "It's okay, Amanda, but no more talking. Remember what Master Duric said. No talking out of turn."

Amanda nodded, looking a bit anxious.

Tanyee squeezed her hand reassuringly. "It's okay, I was nervous with my first client as well, and that was not until after I had graduated. I can't imagine what it must be like for you."

"Tanyee, I can honestly say that I think you're right. You can't imagine."

The irony and slight sarcasm of her statement was lost on Tanyee, however. Tanyee simply smiled again and paused for Amanda to step into position ahead of her before the two of them entered the chamber.

As they stepped inside, Amanda's eyes fell upon Janna and she froze.

Tanyee came up from behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder. She nudged Amanda forward a few more steps before coming to a stop.

"This is Amanda, Mistress, as you requested," said Tanyee cheerfully.

Amanda quickly quelled a feeling of uneasiness as Janna's lips curled into a sly smile, her eyes roving over Amanda's body slowly and methodically. For that one moment, Amanda was reminded of Overlord Freya and the nightmare that the brief time as her slave had become.

"My, my, Tanyee," said Janna in a voice that was half amused and half sultry as her eyes lingered on Amanda's pussy. "Either you interrupted her servicing another of Duric's staff, or she is most eager."

"I was told to keep her sexually excited while the Master was away, Mistress."

"I'd say you did a very good job. You may go, Tanyee."

"Yes, Mistress," said Tanyee with no hesitation. She immediately turned and left Amanda alone.

Janna resumed looking over Amanda, casually crossing one nearly bare leg over the other. The shoe at the end of her foot dangled as she pointed her toes at Amanda. "Come here."

Amanda crossed the room in a few awkward strides. She was still so sensitized by Tanyee's ministrations that the movement of her thighs had a mild stimulating effect on her.

Janna's smiled widened. "I can practically smell your arousal, Amanda," she said, licking her lips. "Are you that excited?"

"Yes, Mistress," Amanda said in a husky voice.

Janna raised a hand. "Feet apart."

Amanda slid her feet apart. Her heart thumped. Janna was giving orders with the same cadence in her voice that Freya had used.

Janna lay her hand between Amanda's thighs, lightly cupping Amanda's sex. She let a single finger tease Amanda's womanhood, probing it lightly, flicking the tip of her finger lazily. Amanda quivered and moaned softly, wanting desperately to push herself into Janna's hand.

"Do you wish to cum, Amanda?"

"O-only if you want me to, Mistress," Amanda breathed in a shaky voice, her eyes closing.

"Hmm. A nice, correct answer. I was led to believe to expect more from you."

Amanda wondered how much Duric had told others about her. It was obvious he knew more about her than most people outside the Manor did.

Janna pressed her finger more firmly into Amanda's slit, as if trying to goad her into a different answer. After a few moments, she withdrew her hand to a moaning sigh from Amanda. She lifted her hand to one of Amanda's breasts and played the slick fingertips across the swollen nipple.

Amanda panted, the ache in her pussy becoming more pronounced. Her pussy felt swollen as well, as if all the blood had rushed to it. The sensations from her hardening nipples had almost the same effect as touching her pussy directly. Janna's touch made her nipples tingle as much as her pussy ached.

Janna's fingers left her breast, leaving a maddening, lingering tingling in her nipple. Janna's hand dropped and slid around Amanda's waist. Her legs uncrossed and parted, and she drew Amanda between them. Amanda looked confused at first, and thought she had perhaps missed the order to drop to her knees.

Instead, Janna's lips pressed softly to Amanda's breast in a gentle kiss. Her tongue flicked out and licked at the nipple.

Amanda gasped, a single shudder passing through her as pleasure nearly as powerful as any she could get from her cunt radiated through her body. Her eyes closed again as she panted harder, shifting her weight as the pressure grew in her sex again. Janna's hand alighted along the inside of Amanda's thigh, teasing her much the way Tanyee did, never quite actually touching her pussy.

Amanda moaned deeply as Janna's cheeks dimpled and drew the nipple into her mouth. Some of Amanda's anxiety faded, replaced with the pleasure of moment. This was very much unlike Freya. That woman had not been capable of a single tender touch or comment, or at least none that were intended to be enjoyed.

At the same time, Janna was not doing anything to make Amanda cum. It was tender, but it could still be torture if it continued too long.

Now Janna's hand began teasing the edges of Amanda's mound. Janna's lips closed tightly around Amanda's nipple, squeezing and sucking. Amanda could not stop moaning and writhing despite her attempts to control herself. Janna's fingers teased her womanhood again.

It was too much for Amanda to bear. Her pleasure was soaring, and she did not have the will to suppress it. When Janna's finger slid deep into her, she let go, her pussy throbbing so hard it tightened around Janna's single finger with each pulse. Amanda struggled not to let her hips move too much against Janna's hand.

Janna switched to a lighter touch to prolong Amanda's climax. She sucked hard one last time and drew back, letting Amanda's nipple pop noisily from her mouth. Amanda uttered a small gasp as it caused a few more weak throbs from her pussy. "So you did want to cum after all."

Amanda heard amusement in the voice, but humorous rather than mocking. "Yes, Mistress. You never said that I couldn't, you just asked me if I wanted to," she replied in a still breathless voice.

"Now that is more like what I was led to expect. A bit of cheekiness."

"I'm sorry, Mistress."

"Oh, but there is no need for apologies. I'll just simply respond in kind. And you are right, I didn't tell you to hold back from cumming. But could you if I did?"

"Yes, Mistress, I can," Amanda replied.

"You know, I almost did tell you that. I toyed with the idea of testing you to see how long you would last before you begged me to make you cum. All slaves will eventually if you push them far enough."

Amanda said nothing in reply, but wondered if Tanyee had undergone similar treatment at the hands of this woman. She was not finding Janna to be as similar to Freya as she had initially feared. There was no sense of malice as there had been with Freya. Instead, it was more like Janna was simply more aggressive.

As if proving her point, Janna placed her hand upon Amanda's head and pushed. Amanda immediately fell to her knees.

Janna pulled up her dress. The crotch of her undergarment was damp. Janna's fingers slipped under the hem and delicately pulled the fabric back with a slow intake of breath until her lightly furred pussy was bared.

"I did you a very nice favor, Amanda," Janna said with a sultry smile. "So now ... this is your world. This is everything to you right now. I expect you to treat it as such."

As Amanda slid forward, she could smell the musk from Janna's folds. The aroma was so strong that she felt like she could not breathe at first when she lowered her face over Janna's sex. It was as if Janna was as excited as Amanda had been, but she simply knew how to hide her emotions better.

Amanda played the tip of her tongue around the inner edges of Janna's pussy, as if repeating something similar to the teasing that she had received. As she drew closer to the prize at the top of Janna's slit, hot puffs of air from her nose blew lightly across Janna's swelling flesh.

Janna shivered and settled back into the sofa, uttering a breathy moan. Her nipples were so hard that they formed two prominent bumps on her blouse. Her body quaked more from excitement than stimulation, which is exactly what she wanted. She did not want the act to go so fast that she felt just the physical pleasure.

Amanda continued moving at a slow pace, licking very lightly now right at Janna's womanhood. She lifted a hand and barely penetrated Janna's tunnel with a fingertip. She then turned her hand around and curled her finger up to tease the tip of Janna's nub as her tongue worked on the shaft.

Janna moaned deeply and writhed. Great gods, she's good! she thought. Now I wish I didn't have to leave so soon.

Janna wished she could take Amanda with her. Or Tanyee. It would have been something familiar to her, something to distract her from any anxiety that she was sure this appointment would cause her.

But for the moment, she could forget her troubles. Even as familiar voices approached from out in the hall, they would not distract her.

Amanda heard Janna starting to breathe harder. She eased a finger into Janna's tunnel, probing gently at first, and then a little harder. She pushed two fingers into Janna's now tightening tunnel, feeling the woman's cunt squeezing about her digits.

The door to the chamber opened.

" ... sure this is going to work, Farro?" came Duric's voice in a dubious tone.

"No, I am not sure of anything, my Lord, I told you that from the start," came Farro's voice. "And it's only an idea. I need to talk to Roquan to see if he will be amendable to it in the first place."

Amanda felt a small shiver pass through her. She had not recognized the other voice. It must have been someone to whom Duric had not introduced her yet. The next moment, she found it vaguely amusing that she no longer thought anything of other people walking in on her while she was having sex. Another old Earth sensibility that had been driven from her by her training.

"Ah, Janna, you're back," said Duric. "And it didn't take you long to find my new slave."

"Oh, my," came Farro's voice again, in a tone that was a mixture of shock and curiosity. Amanda had no way of knowing, but this was the first time he had walked in on Janna being serviced in this manner. He wasn't sure where to put his eyes. "Perhaps I should return later ..."

"No, no, Farro, I've told you a hundred times already that I don't stand on such formalities."

"I was thinking more of Janna's ... um, modesty."

Duric laughed loudly.

"Oh, is that what you think of it?" Janna asked. There was an obvious teasing quality to it despite how breathless she was in her excitement.

"So you can understand me? From the way you looked, I didn't think you'd notice either of us."

"Mmm ... a-almost ... this one is good ..."

Amanda was relieved to hear some praise for a change.

Her fingers started working in and out of Janna's cunt, thrusting slowly and softly at first. She pressed her tongue against Janna's slit, licking harder, her lips closing around Janna's womanhood.

"Oh my ..." Janna whispered huskily as she began to pant.

"Anyway, Farro, with time as short as it, we need every opportunity," said Duric in a more serious tone.

Farro's gaze lingered on Janna for a moment longer. He shifted his eyes back to Duric and cleared his throat awkwardly. "Um, understood, my Lord."

"So just how do you expect to transport all those troops in that manner? Has that even been done before?"

"That's the trick, you see. It's been done, but not clandestinely."

"I don't follow you."

"We need to make sure this does not get back to the Emperor. If he knew that a Portal was being opened so close to the Palace at just that time ..."

Duric frowned. "But surely they won't know where it's coming from or what's being transported."

"At that point, I think the Emperor could take a good guess. Even if he does not suspect an actual army being transported in this manner, he will be suspicious and may send soldiers to investigate. That will destroy the element of surprise."

During the Conclave, when she had acted as Roquan's "spy," Amanda had learned how to listen even when her concentration was focused on the sexual act. Thus she managed to pick up on what Duric and Farro were saying. It was even easier now as no one was sexually stimulating her directly. That always made it harder to concentrate.

Amanda was growing intrigued with what they were saying. Part of it was simply her own thirst for more knowledge. Part of it was a need to find out more about what was essentially the reason for her being here in the first place.

"Then if we want it to be a viable option ..." Duric began. Amanda heard his voice drifting off to the side, then behind her. "... we have to make sure it is done in complete secrecy. Even more so than building the army in the first place."

"Yes, especially since it is our only option, my Lord, for getting an army to the Imperium in the time you want," said Farro. "Unless you want them to start marching now, which they cannot because they are not ready."

There was a pause before Duric said, "So you're really telling me that we have to make it work."

"That is the gist of it, yes."

Amanda heard movement behind her. She soon felt Duric's hand touching her rear, squeezing one of her ass cheeks and coaxing her into raising her hips. Amanda dutifully obeyed the silent command, adopting a near all-fours position save for the one hand at Janna's pussy.

Amanda tried to pay little attention to Duric's touch as she heard Janna's moans escalating, her pussy squeezing more tightly around Amanda's fingers. She felt Janna's hand move, her fingers curling into Amanda's hair as she breathed harder.

Amanda tried not to move too fast now. She wanted to hear more of what Duric and Farro had to say. Unfortunately, Duric's hand now strayed between Amanda's thighs, fingers playing in Amanda's helplessly exposed pussy. It was not long before there was a gentle wet sound of Amanda's renewed arousal.

"I'm sure you'll come up with something, Farro," said Duric.

Farro sighed. "I do hope your faith in me is not seriously misplaced."

"You say that every time I talk to you, it appears."

"The sentiment has not yet changed. When it does, I will inform you."

Duric snorted. "Had this been any other context, I would say you were finally developing a sense of humor."

Amanda suddenly felt Janna's hand push against the back of her head, shoving her face into Janna's pussy with a strained cry of, "Oh, gods, Amanda!"

Amanda had been so intent on trying to hear the other two that she had strung Janna along a little too long. She pressed her mouth to Janna's mound and licked hard, her fingers sliding deeper into Janna's tunnel.

Farro said something at that point, something with a sarcastic edge to it, but Amanda did not hear it. It had been drowned out by Janna's cry as she came. A brief, hot squirt of fluid splashed hard against Amanda's face unexpectedly. Janna was moaning and gasping, her hips trying to buck with the force of her climax.

"Good gods ..." said Farro softly in a combination of embarrassment and awe.

Janna finally grew still as Amanda slowly drew back. Amanda's face was dripping, and she was panting lightly as Duric continued stroking her with his hand. Janna took a moment to recover her breath before turning her head and giving Farro a smirk. "Was that at her prowess or me squirting?"

Farro blinked, his cheeks growing faintly pink from Janna's boldness. Duric simply laughed and slipped a finger into Amanda's tunnel, pumping it in and out quickly. Amanda closed her eyes and moaned, remaining on all fours until she was told to stand.

Janna reached forward and cupped her hand under Amanda's chin. "Now there you go, making me have to fetch some clean underthings," she said with a grin. "That was very good, Amanda. Not many can make me squirt like that. Too bad I have to head abroad later today."

"Thank you, Mistress," Amanda said. Yes, Janna was definitely nothing like Freya when it came down to it. Janna was just playing a role for a little fun.

Janna stood and adjusted her dress. "I'll leave you two alone so Farro doesn't have to be embarrassed over me again."

"Oh, now, see here ..." Farro began protesting, but Janna winked at him and headed out the door.

Duric was still chuckling when he gestured to Farro. "Hey, now, why not take advantage of the moment? Amanda here is perfectly situated at the moment for either of two activities."

Farro looked back over to Amanda and took a slow, deep breath. He always did find the sight of Tanyee arousing, and for some reason, Amanda doubly so. It was likely just the fact that she was new. Unlike Duric, he was not quite as excited by her youth.

"Actually, my Lord, I'd rather discuss the matter of your army in more detail with you, to be honest," replied Farro.

Amanda shared the sentiment. She wanted to hear more about this.

Instead, Duric began pumping two fingers into Amanda's pussy now, forcing her to tense again so her pleasure did not rise too fast. "Come now, Farro, you've been working all morning without even a break for your midday meal. You deserve a little bit of a respite."

Duric pressed his free hand to Amanda's back and made her rock back and forth against his fingers, forcing them to plunge deeper into her. Amanda panted softly as she picked up the pace herself.

Farro found it difficult to resist. He glanced at the door as if expecting Janna to walk back in before stepping across the room. He still felt the need for some privacy in matters of this sort. He would have felt rather self-conscious if Janna had still been there.

Duric saw where Farro was going and withdrew his fingers from her. As Farro came up behind Amanda, Duric stepped towards the sofa and sat down. He reached under it and pulled out a small towel. He cleaned off his fingers and then gently dabbed at Amanda's face.

Amanda heard Farro's clothing slide off, sending a shiver of anticipation through her. Even so, she still wished she had had the opportunity to hear more of their conversation.

"Nudge her forward a little, Farro," Duric said as he slipped off his clothes from below the waist.

Amanda crawled forward until she was close enough to take Duric's expanding cock into her mouth. At the same time, Farro slid into her from behind, and she was soon rocked slowly back and forth between the two of them.

Even as she focused on her task, her mind was off thinking about the implications of what was happening. Tongue and lips moved gracefully down Duric's manhood, and her tunnel tightened around Farro as he thrusted, yet all the while her mind was on those scrolls. She hoped Duric would give them back to her soon. She wanted to know if anything like this had happened in the past that could give her better insight into the present.

Farro began moving faster rather sooner than Amanda had expected. She could hear Farro's groans and grunts growing louder. He didn't seem to want to take quite as long at this as Duric might have. Amanda tried not to hurry Duric along, but Farro was causing her to rock faster, and thus her lips slid up and down Duric's shaft faster.

"I'm going to make sure you take the time to really relax later on, Farro," Duric called out as he stroked Amanda's hair.

"Sorry, my Lord ... just have a lot ... do to today ..." Farro panted, his voice heavy and strained.

"We all do, but we should take the time for the finer things, you know."

Duric gently pressed his hand on Amanda's head and coaxed her lips further down his cock with each down stroke. Amanda angled her head slightly so he would slide deeper into her mouth comfortably. She took this as permission to match pace with Farro. She pressed her tongue tightly against his shaft, stroking it deeply as her body moved.

Her pleasure rose only mildly, as Farro's technique was not particularly inspired. It was easier for her to keep a rein on it, and when she heard Farro suddenly groan and shudder, it was almost a disappointment. She even loosened her muscles a bit so that his final strokes would stimulate her a bit more.

Duric moaned softly, his hand urging Amanda on faster. As Farro withdrew from her, she was able to comply more easily. Her head bobbed in a quick, steady rhythm, and she tilted her head back a little each time she moved up. He was soon short of breath as his pleasure mounted precipitously.

She suddenly felt Farro's fingers in her slit, rubbing her womanhood rather firmly. She made a grunting noise as he stimulated her quickly before she could tighten her muscles again. He kept at her relentlessly, as if looking for some evidence that she was responding to it. Amanda wondered if Farro knew that she had orders not to cum unless Duric gave permission.

Duric suddenly let out a series of low, loud groans as his cock throbbed. His hot seed spewed into her mouth, and she was hard-pressed to keep it from oozing out from behind her lips. She shuddered as Farro drove her to the edge, making her strain to keep herself from climaxing. She closed her eyes as she slowly milked Duric's cock in her mouth, until his erection began to lose its hardness.

She let him slip from her mouth and swallowed, then slowly licked what she had been forced to leave behind of his seed from his manhood. All the while she panted hard and shivered from Farro's touch.

Duric stroked her cheek lightly, watching her struggle against her orgasm for another long moment before finally saying, "You may cum."

Amanda let out a soft cry as her pussy throbbed hard against Farro's fingers.

"Oh, my, you can do that?" Farro said in awe as he started to pull his hand away. Amanda risked it and pushed herself against his fingers, prompting him to renew his strokes and let her orgasm play out longer.

Duric chuckled. "Do you mean to ask that of her or me?"

Farro looked suddenly embarrassed. "Um ..."

"She has control over that sort of thing. All slaves do."

"I didn't know that."

Duric smiled. "Tanyee has some amazing control in that area. I love watching her do it while I'm trying to make her cum in any way possible. I'll have to see how good Amanda is at that sort of thing."

Amanda was not so sure she would look forward to that.

Duric stood. Both Duric and Farro dressed. Duric gestured, and Amanda rose to her feet. "Amanda, go fetch Tanyee and return with her. You'll be making more of the rounds with me this afternoon, and I don't want Tanyee feeling neglected." He grinned. "Not to mention that there will likely be a few members of my staff that have been working rather hard and will be wanting to take a bit of a break themselves."

"Yes, Master," Amanda said as she turned away. She hoped it would at least give her another chance to hear more conversation. If she could focus on it.

"Most unfortunate."

Jollis felt the words of his Master like a heavy weight upon him, and his head bowed as if that weight had physical substance in his mind. He took a slow, deep breath and then lifted his gaze back to his Master.

Master Kyllos maintained an even gaze on his long-time apprentice. Jollis held his Master's eyes without flinching. The older man truly hoped this was a sign that Jollis was overcoming his occasional bouts of low self-confidence, as it was the only thing holding him back.

"I must ask forgiveness, Master."

Kyllos considered, his eyes softening slightly even as the lines around his mouth and face remained hard and resolute. "Whatever for, my Wanderer?"

"For failing to foresee the events that have come to pass."

"You are not a Seer, Jollis. You cannot be expected to anticipate everything."

"I could wish a Seer's eye, Master, for as complex as things have become here."

Kyllos allowed himself a very small, sardonic smile. "To be honest, I have little use for Seers. So locked in their own visions of the future that they are loathe to act, convinced that they cannot change it. No, for this I need some who understands dynamics. As you do."

"I am honored you still believe so, Master," Jollis said in a hollow voice that indicated that perhaps he did not believe it himself. "But I have let emotions guide me when reason should have."

Kyllos nodded. "You have explained yourself to me adequately. If anything, it tells me that this young girl is everything we had hoped she would be. She can influence people without realizing it."

"I should not have let myself ..."

Kyllos held up a hand. Jollis fell silent at once. "We shall not dwell upon it. Instead, we will now apply reason to the future disposition of your task."

Jollis felt his heart thump in his chest. Part of him believed this was where his Master would finally grow tired of Jollis' failures and remove him from this task. He would be indignant about it if that had come to pass, but he was convinced that he would eventually come to realize that the decision had been for the best.

"Let me see if I comprehend what is happening," said Kyllos. "An army prepares to march sooner than expected, and this may precipitate an event that will destroy the needed divisive element."

"Yes. In my distraction, I underestimated the resolve of the Overlords and the reaction of the Emperor. That is what has me most gravely concerned, Master."

"In what way?"

"There is an unknown element at work. The Emperor is not acting as expected. He is moving too swiftly. Too resolutely. It is forcing the Overlords and now the Nobility to do the same. Confrontation at this point will work against our plans."

"You believe the Emperor weak?"

"Yes. As much as he prefers to think otherwise. He cannot see the flaws in his own plans. He cannot see how precarious his position is if he goes ahead with his plans for Colos. He must be made to call off this action and keep his armies closer to the Imperium. It will give us more time."

Kyllos considered this for a long moment. He tended to trust Jollis' analysis in these matters. Yet he did admit to some concern. Jollis had indeed been distracted by the very person he was to be using as his instrument to help him complete this task. Kyllos realized that he should have foreseen this. Jollis was a passionate young man, and it was not surprising that he would be attracted to someone like Amanda, someone who had a passion as well.

"What are the possible outcomes in case of failure, Jollis?" Kyllos asked flatly.

"There is the scenario that we appear to marching towards, which is an attack by Lord K'garon's army on an Imperium left lightly defended because its armies are marching on Colos. Lord K'garon will take the Imperial Palace and install an interim Emperor. Stability will swiftly return to Oceanus.

"Then there is the scenario where the Emperor will grow paranoid enough to take rash action against the Lords at the Caucus. There are other rebellious elements in the Imperial Palace that I had planned to put Roquan in contact with before he decided to go with Lord K'garon's plan. They would be galvanized and would join with the Lords in a violent palace coup. Once again, with his armies in Colos, the Emperor will again fall and stability will return.

"And a third, remote scenario is similar to the second. He retains his armies close at hand and puts down the Nobility, effectively declaring a military dictatorship. He will remain in power, but once again, we have stability. Without a strong Nobility to support them, the Overlords will have no further resources ... or clients ... to support their cause."

Kyllos nodded in acknowledgment. "Can anything be done to change this course?"

"That is the difficulty, Master. To change course but allow us time to prepare. To have civil war start when we are not ready means to give them a chance for one side or the other to win a swift victory."

"But you have taken steps to see that this does not happen, have you not?"

There was a long pause. "I have."

The Wanderer's Master gave the apprentice a speculative look.

Jollis took a breath. "I was hoping to hear your wisdom first, Master," he said reverently. "To see if perhaps your experience will show me a better path than I have been taking."

Kyllos was mildly disappointed but did not let it show on his face. It was clear that Jollis had already taken the initiative -- which is what Kyllos would expect and wish of his apprentice -- but Jollis was looking for validation.

"Jollis ... True wisdom is not solely from experience. It is also observation and action. You have already proven the former to me. All I need to hear is the latter."

"But if you would only suggest what you might ..."

"I am not there, Jollis, you are. You know the situation far more than I ever could. That is how it was on your last task. Your actions ultimately led to resolution."

"They led me to kill a man, Master."

The words seemed to remain suspended in the air between the, despite how leaden they had sounded.

"That had been ... most unfortunate," Kyllos said quietly.

"Yet it could have been avoided had my actions been different. I do not wish to make the same mistake here."

"Jollis, it is a sad but simple fact that people will die when you complete your task. You already know this."

"Yes, but there is magnitude to consider."

"Enough," Kyllos said firmly, letting some of his annoyance show. "Tell me what action you have taken."

Jollis did not like it when his Master became upset. It happened so rarely that it was always something of a jolt to him when it did happen. "I have fed information about the collusion between the Nobility and the Overlords to Gronnus, who in turn is relaying it to the Emperor. The intention is for the Emperor to discover the army before it marches and foil their plans for now. It will keep Oceanus unstable and allow us time to complete our plans."

"That is a most excellent course of action, Jollis," Kyllos said firmly. "It attempts to use both sides against the middle to achieve a balance without resolution. Well played."

Jollis bowed his head once. "Thank you, Master. But it will remain to be seen whether it plays out as well as I hope."

"It is important for you to understand, Jollis, that you were not picked for this task simply because you were the only one we could get. Careful consideration went into it. You must not let setbacks -- even if by your own mistakes -- shake your confidence in these decisions."

"People wiser than me have made them, Master."

That was not precisely what Kyllos had meant, but he did not pursue it any further. "And remember, my Wanderer ... Both the fool and the wise man have faults. One laments over them. The other uses them to his own advantage. You would do well to heed that."

Jollis bowed again as his Master's image faded from sight.

He straightened up and sighed. He picked up the Farviewing pearl, watching the last of the light within fade before closing his fingers tightly around it.

He felt a little better after speaking to his Master. It was never specifically what was said in these conversations that helped. Just the presence of his Master gave him comfort, as if it were a reminder that his Master still saw Jollis as worth his notice.

Jollis returned the pearl to its proper place. Perhaps his Master was right. Perhaps he was not seeing his own good qualities in light of his faults. And as for Kyllos' advice, Jollis' main fault was his feelings for Amanda. Thus this must be used to his advantage.

Which he would, if he could determine a good time to try and Farview Amanda.

He wanted to wait until he had heard from Sirinna. He had asked her to inform him when Amanda had contacted her. That would be the signal to him that it was safe to try to make contact himself.

Naturally, Amanda could simply ignore the summons if she were not in a position to take it. But Jollis did not want her to feel obligated to answer and possibly risk exposure.

And there was the matter of the Emperor. He had not let on to his Master just how gravely concerned he was. He did not feel that Z'haas was simply acting hastily. He felt that the Emperor was acting unpredictably. That was far worse.

He hoped he was worrying too much. After all, everything should become very clear to the Emperor once Gronnus delivered the information to him. Gronnus surely had gained Z'haas' trust with the accurate information about Gondas. It was thanks to him that the Emperor had stopped a very real coup attempt with a very real chance at success.

Jollis took a deep breath. I did not kill them, he thought. It had not been by my hand. The Emperor's actions had not been predicted.

Jollis stepped outside into the fading daylight. He wondered if Sirinna would be amenable to sharing the evening meal with him. For some reason, he felt like he did not want to be alone that evening.

It was more likely than not that Sirinna had similar feelings. Even if she would never admit to them.

He headed away from his quarters and back to the gate into the Manor.

The lamp on the little table next to the bed had been turned down to the barest flicker of a flame, just barely enough to hold off complete darkness as evening turned to night. Amanda felt her heart lurch briefly as she was reminded of her private moments with Sirinna. The subdued lighting had always given their trysts a more intimate feeling.

It did so even now, even though she did not share the same depth of feeling for her present partner.

It did help that Amanda liked Tanyee a great deal. Even as tired as she was, even as much as her pussy ached from how much it had been used in pleasing members of Duric's staff that past afternoon, Tanyee's gentle manner and kindness managed to excite her one more time to perform the one last duty Duric had given them before they could retire for the evening.

Amanda lay on her back, her legs splayed. Tanyee's face lay softly against her sex, tongue weaving a sensual path over her swollen womanhood and wet flesh. Amanda's arms were wrapped loosely about Tanyee's hips, drawing Tanyee's pussy to her own mouth. She closed her eyes as she swirled her tongue around Tanyee's nub, enjoying Tanyee's soft moans of pleasure that joined with her own.

Amanda was enjoying it, perhaps more than she thought she might. She remembered how embarrassed she had felt after having been forced into a very ardent coupling with Tanyee that time the Disalla had become mixed in with their bath. It seemed a more distant memory now.

Their noises escalated in urgency and depth. As their pleasure rose in unison, they each tightened their muscles a bit to prolong the enjoyment. Yet neither wanted to go to the extreme they had while in Duric's direct service. They allowed themselves a little leeway as they were both tired.

Amanda panted into Tanyee's musky, hot pussy as she climbed. She drew Tanyee closer to her, the older girl's sex filling her vision. Her lips pressed hard to Tanyee's folds, her tongue ceasing its teasing touches, changing to broad, quick strokes that made wet, lapping noises against Tanyee's flesh. Tanyee quivered, knees sliding apart a bit more on either side of Amanda, causing her pussy to sink even further against Amanda's face.

Amanda realized that she had needed this bit of comforting intimacy, if for no other reason than to show that it was still possible to find it. While none of Duric's staff were unkind to her or hurt her in any way, the attitude she sensed was that she was a sex toy to them and not much more. Used for the pleasure of the moment and then disregarded like a fixture in the room.

It was true that this attitude had prompted them to talk freely when not engaged with her, and she had learned a few things. But she still could not help feeling a bit empty. At least when she trysted with the other slaves at the Manor, she got some sense that they cared about her. There was a sense of camaraderie with the other slaves.

And Roquan cared, even if he did not admit to it directly. She had ceased seeing him as the ogre that she had thought him to be back before she became his slave. She had even sensed some sort of basic affection from him.

As for Duric ... she was not sure yet what to think about him.

Both of them were writhing in each other's embrace, straining for release. They continued like this for a short time, as if neither wanted to be the first one to give in and let go. Finally it was Tanyee that did so, perhaps out of kindness for Amanda. She shuddered and moaned loudly into Amanda's sex as she came. Tanyee's tongue became much more incessant in the excitement of her orgasm that it was impossible for Amanda to hold out any further. She gave in as well, arching her back as she throbbed.

The two of them slowly came down from their shared orgasm, each wanting to prolong the other's pleasure a bit more. When they finally subsided, they remained as they were for a few more moments, panting softly as the last of the sensations faded.

Then Tanyee did something that Amanda had not expected. She turned herself around, embraced Amanda, and gave her a slow, lingering kiss.

Amanda let herself be drawn into it, their tongues and lips still wet from each other's pussy. Amanda felt something like a tingle pass through her body. When Tanyee broke it off, Amanda smiled in gratitude at her. "Thank you."

"Amanda, you did well today," Tanyee said, stroking Amanda's hair. "It was a little shaky at the start, but I think Master Duric understood you were just nervous."

Amanda nodded. "I hope so, Tanyee. I think I did all right this afternoon."

"Master Duric's staff was pleased, certainly."

Yes, though I wasn't, really, Amanda thought. "Is it that intense every day for you, Tanyee?"

"No, not every day. I think today it was so because you're new, and Master Duric was showing you off."

Amanda paused a moment before broaching a subject that had concerned her as the day wore on. "Tanyee ... you're not upset that I'm taking attention away from you, are you?"

Tanyee smiled. "Why would I?"

"I don't know. It's just that hardly anyone paid attention to you today while I was there, and Master Duric has been doing everything with me today instead of you."

"As long as Master Duric is pleased, that's all that really matters to me, Amanda. If it pleases him to have you more than me, that is fine by me."

Amanda nodded at this, but wondered now if Tanyee even understood what her own condition was, that she had a low-level addiction to sex. Amanda doubted now that Tanyee was really consciously aware of this.

Was even Duric aware of it? It was one thing to know that a slave was always willing, but another thing entirely to realize that sex was much more a basic need. Amanda was concerned that if Duric did not pay enough attention to Tanyee, she might eventually go into something akin to withdrawal.

"And he does allow me time with you," Tanyee added, stroking Amanda's cheek. "I've missed our times together back at the Manor. You're just so nice to be with."

Amanda blushed at the praise and hugged Tanyee to herself briefly. "Thank you. I'll try to be a good friend while I'm here."

Tanyee returned the hug before separating from Amanda. "We should get cleaned up and retire for the night. Master Duric said he will have no further need for us tonight."

Amanda nodded and remained silent as they took turns using the sanitary. She had hoped that Duric would have given the scrolls back to her that evening in reward for being a good slave that afternoon. She didn't want to ask for fear of being accused of speaking out of turn again. She would have to be patient.

She sat on the bed watching Tanyee's shadowy movements through the curtain that marked the door to the sanitary. She started worrying again about how she was going to contact Sirinna. She abandoned the notion of trying that night. She was too tired to try and stay up until Tanyee and Duric were both asleep.

Plus she did not have any experience over what happened when a Farview started. She knew from observing Yanna talking to the Emperor that it involved a free-floating image of the one that had been Farviewed. It spoke as if the person were in the room. But she had not seen the start of the conversation. What if there were flashes of light or bursts of noise that accompanied the start of a Farview?

When they were finished, Tanyee drew Amanda into another embrace and a quick kiss before settling into bed with her. "I'll see you in the morning, Amanda," Tanyee said softly before dousing the light on the lamp entirely.

The room went completely dark, save for a small amount of moonlight that shimmered against the curtain across the window, and a flicker of light from the sanitary from the equivalent of a night light. She listened to Tanyee's movements against the furs until they subsided. Then there was silence.

As tired as Amanda was, she was slow to turn over and drift off to sleep. She felt there was so much happening around her, and that she needed to keep track of all of it. A slave was not supposed to worry about such things, but she had given up any hope of being a "normal" slave now. It was simply not possible for her, and was starting to come to terms with this.

But this left the question of what exactly she would -- or could -- become if not a slave. Her options were limited in this world.

And the hard truth was, even if she were given the freedom to decide, she had no idea herself what she wanted to become.

Her mind was not up to the task of dealing with these deeper issues. Her thoughts finally subsided, and she drifted off to a much-needed sleep.

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