"How did you know?!"

Q'yros was still bleary-eyed with sleep. It was barely the twilight of pre-dawn outside. Yet when these words came thundering to him across the Farview from the Guild Master, it woke him up at once, though it did little for his disposition at being awakened at such an hour.

"How in the fiery hells did I know what?!" Q'yros bellowed back as he looked around. "Hellfire! Where is my staff?! There ..."

He stepped out of view of Master Q'ixanna's Farview vision, but it did little to stem the tide of invective from him. "You have a serpent's tongue but a weasel's integrity! How dare you presume to keep such knowledge from me and watch us founder about like fish in a dried-up pond! You ..."

Q'yros stepped into view, hand grasping the staff tightly, a look of red-eyed anger on his face. "Did you wake me up at this unholy hour just to insult me, dear Guild Master?" he said in a voice of utter calm but hinting at the fury behind it.

"Do you deny anything I have just said?"

"I do not know enough about what you are talking about to say one way or the other, Master Q'ixanna. Perhaps you can enlighten me. Or do you just want to skip to the Mage's Duel soon as I can get to a Portal?"

This actually made Q'ixanna blink in shock. While he knew that Q'yros was exaggerating for effect, mentioning a Mage's Duel was not done lightly. Such a thing, if agreed to by the parties involved, was magically binding, and ended only in the death of one of the duelists.

The Guild Master took a deep breath and let it go. "I withdraw my remarks. Some of them! But I still wish to know how you knew about this!"

"Great gods, Master Q'ixanna, is it too much for you to tell me what it is I supposedly already knew?"

Q'yros was not as forceful as he could have been with that last statement. As he gathered his wits about him and shook off more of the stupor of slumber, he realized that all the Guild Master's bluster was hiding the fact that the man was rather worried about something.

"You knew about the focus energies. And where we would find them."

Q'yros' eyebrows rose. "You've found something?"

"You deny that you ..."

"Blast all that! How many times do I need to reiterate that I don't care about the politics! Feel free to claim all credit for yourself, Guild Master."

This made Q'ixanna blink again.

"Now ... what did you find?"

The Guild Master's eyes narrowed. "We had a new theory ... based on your idea ..." he added almost grudgingly " ... that we applied when we saw another Portal open. And we detected the focus energy."

"You did? Then where is it coming from?"

There was a long pause.

"Where, Master Q'ixanna?!"

"From the point of origin of the Portal."

Q'yros nearly dropped his staff in shock.

"That is the theory!" the senior Mage cried. "It has not been proven yet!"

"Great gods ..."

"What we know is that it is coming along the same ethereal path as the Portal energy itself, which is why we did not see it at first. Why would we expect to see something like that in the Portal stream? It is preposterous!"

"That is what you said to me a quarter moon ago. It still does not change the fact that we are seeing it. Guild Master, are you quite sure of this?"

"Yes, we are not fools here!" Q'ixanna snapped. "The focus energy arrives just before the Portal opens. The Portal opens right there, just as if it were homing in on a Focusing pearl. And you knew this somehow."

"I knew nothing of this. I was thinking more along the lines of someone from a distance projecting Focusing energy to a remote location. I had no idea that it would come in along the path of the Portal itself."

"This ... this cannot mean what it seems!" Q'ixanna declared loudly, though the conviction in his voice was weak.

"That someone can target a Portal from the point of origin with no outside assistance?"

The Guild Master fell silent.

Q'yros thought hard about it and finally shook his head. "No. There is something missing here."

"Now who is the one denying something that he doesn't like to hear, hmm?"

"Stop playing games with me, Master Q'ixanna. I am doing nothing of the sort. Fine, the enemy is able to target a Portal from the point of origin. How are they doing it? There still has to be a way to guide the focusing energy. It is not like firing an arrow, where you simply impart the proper velocity and ..."

"You do not need to teach me the most basics of Portal mechanics!" Q'ixanna said in irritation. "And why do you refer to them as the 'enemy'?"

Oh, did that finally rattle you, my dear Guild Master? Q'yros thought cynically. "What would you call someone opening up Portals into our lands without permission for an unknown purpose?"

"Is this the enemy that the Emperor speaks so vaguely of these days?"

Q'yros mused on that one. So was Z'haas starting to spread his paranoia to the Guild Halls as well? Except it did not seem like so much paranoia now. "Perhaps it is. Master Q'ixanna, we may be premature in becoming panicked over this. As you said, it is a theory. We can see the Focus energies along the path of the Portal. Perhaps there is another reason for it besides it originating at the point of origin."

Q'yros was admittedly still wracking his brains on this one. A Focus from the point of origin made no sense. There was no point of reference to go by. There was nothing to harness to pinpoint the Portal location. The means of describing a location in the five dimensions required by Portal mechanics was an impossible feat. No machine could be designed to do it. No spell could be crafted to contain it. Such things were possible only in the human mind.

But now the Guild Master was shaking his head. "No. It is coming from the point of origin."

Q'yros felt a bit unnerved now. "And how did you come to this conclusion?"

"The artifacts."

Q'yros' eyebrows shot up. "The spent Portal device I asked you to look at?"

"The device contains a lingering resonance in the structure of the power frame, even with the gem at the heart long gone. There is a faint signature of Focusing energy in addition to Portal energy in the molecular structure."

There was a long silence between them. Q'yros wanted to shout that this could mean anything. It could mean someone was using the device itself as a Focus, as pearls did not have to be used exclusively, they were simply convenient. Or it could mean that the Portal device was being used as a relay. That was something that had been proposed many times but could never be made to work and had since been dismissed as impractical.

He had a distinct feeling, however, that the answer was the obvious one that Q'ixanna had proposed. And yet, there was still something missing. One more piece of the puzzle was missing.

"Did your investigations turn up how they were generating the Focus energy, Guild Master?" Q'yros asked.

"Does it matter?!"

"By the gods, yes! Magic works by a set of defined laws, just as the physical world does! No matter how powerful a Mage one is, one cannot simply invent new laws! Whatever is being done, it must fit into the framework of the magical weave! Stop getting caught up in the implications of the discovery itself and find out why it works as it does!"

"I will not be ordered around like your apprentice," Q'ixanna said coldly.

Q'yros sighed. He bowed his head respectfully and lowered his voice. "My apologies, Guild Master. But do you not agree we should discover everything we can about this?"

The Guild Master slowly nodded.

"Surely with the best minds at the Guild working on this ..."

The senior Mage's eyes narrowed a touch.

Q'yros frowned. "You have no one else working on this."

"The Emperor may have agreed to disclose the existence of these artifacts to you, Q'yros, but he said nothing about the rest of the Guild Hall."

"Fine. Then I will secure ..."

Q'ixanna fixed Q'yros with an icy stare. "And I will not accept authorization from any source but the Emperor's own mouth."

Ah, so he discovered my ruse from the other day, Q'yros thought without even a hint of regret. Yet he went ahead with it anyway. He's just as worried as I am and does not want to admit it.

"So be it," said Q'yros. "I will attempt to convince him and have him contact you as quickly as possible."

Q'ixanna's face hardened. The last thing he wanted to hear was the Emperor's authorization on this matter. It removed a huge piece of leverage he had over the rest of the Guild. By opening up study of the artifacts, it gave several rising stars at the Guild a chance to shine, and perhaps outshine the Guild Master himself.

Now Q'yros felt more serious about abandoning politics at the Hall. He wondered how much of a disservice it had done them over the recent years.

"I will need to speak with the Emperor in any case," Q'yros added. "This information is too vital for him not to hear it."

"Agreed," said Q'ixanna.

Q'yros suddenly broke into a smile.

The Guild Master looked at him crossly. "What is it?"

"This may indeed been an auspicious day yet. You and I actually came to an agreement on something."

Q'ixanna snorted. "Do not get used to it. Good day to you."

"Good day to you as well."

The Guild Master's image faded from sight.

Q'yros heaved a sigh, his shoulders slumping as his energies quickly ebbed with the ending of the Farview. He looked towards the window, where dawn was barely showing its first light. He needed more sleep, but there was simply no way that he was going to achieve that now.

The Mage instead stepped out into the corridor, still cool from the evening, as the fires had not yet been lighted to warm the palace. Normally no one would be about at this time in the morning.

The only thing that never changed was the preponderance of guards.

Normally the night shift was about half the size of the day shift. That had all changed once the Emperor learned of the Caucus.

Q'yros could tell just from a glance at their faces that they were tired of these constant double-shifts. He wondered if the Emperor were bothering to compensate them any further than their normal pay.

He advanced down a narrow corridor that was even chillier than the main hall, as it jutted into an embankment outside. The packed earth around that part of the palace made it always feel cool. At the end of the corridor, where only a single torch was lighted to mark it, lay a thick wooden door.

Q'yros tapped the door with his staff and incanted a short, runic phrase. Magic crackled along the edges of the door just before it swung open.

He stepped inside. Torches lighted themselves automatically. In the center the chamber was a huge stone table, not much more elegant than a large slab propped up with boulders. Q'yros stepped up to the slab and swiped his staff through the air once over it. "Show me!" he declared.

Responding to his command, the spell that the Mage had placed upon the room now made an image shimmer into view. It became a three-dimensional model of the Imperial Palace, but with the walls rendered translucent. At apparently random points in the image were flickers of light. The Palace was a complex enough structure that it was impossible to tell any details.

Q'yros changed this with a few simple intonations. Suddenly the image faded save for one level, where most of the lights were congregated in compartments that represented rooms.

The Mage watched the lights intently. A wave of his hand sent the Palace rotating slowly in space. He uttered another incantation, which ended in the name "Janna J'garon."

One of the lights became brighter than the others.

Q'yros raised an eyebrow. From what he had heard of the woman, he had expected to see that she had already shared her quarters with one of the other Lords.

He went through a series of incantations that traced the route that each of the Lords in turn had taken after the Caucus had adjourned, appearing as ghostly trails that snaked into and out of rooms, down corridors, around the courtyard and gardens.

He played through Janna's twice.

By the time he was done, he nodded in satisfaction. A wave of his hand as he turned away, and the image of the Palace flickered back into nonexistence. He paused at the door, laying a hand upon the door frame . He was panting lightly.

Manipulating the magic of that spell was draining, more so then he had thought it would be. He had not wanted to admit it, but he was reaching the days where he was not going to be able to wield powerful magic as long and as steadily as he had been called upon to do as the Emperor's adviser. He had not had this much activity in several years than he had in the past full moon. If this crisis continued much more than another full moon, his reserves were going to run out. He would be forced into a sabbatical to recharge his energies.

He stiffened at the thought of what the Emperor would say to that. Like most non-Mages, Z'haas likely had no idea how magical energies worked. A Mage had to constantly build up his power if he wished to wield the stronger spells for a longer period of time. Most Mages took in more power than they used, which allowed them to build up a very respectable charge by the time they reached their elder years. This is why the maxim "the more ancient the wizard, the more formidable his power" was not just a metaphor for his experience.

Yet now Q'yros' expenditures were exceeding his intake for the first time in a decade. He could not keep that up indefinitely. Eventually, something had to give. He just had to hope that he would have a chance to rest before it was him that had to give.

Q'yros left the room, letting the door close and seal behind him.

"We have no other options, Roquan. There is simply no other way to accomplish this."

Roquan regarded Duric's Farview image silently for a few moments, his arms folded across his chest. He finally drew in his breath and let it go as a long sigh. "Yes, I believe I anticipated you would say this."

"Then you have already inquired of your Tradesman about ..."

"I have said nothing to him as yet," said the Overlord firmly. "One does not mention matters such as this openly or too soon. There is no telling how word might get back to the Mage Guild."

"Is all this paranoia truly warranted, Roquan?"

"Indeed it is, Duric. You have not had the experience that I have with Mages."

"Yes, I know. Q'yros. I don't envy you."

"The fact that he is the Emperor's right hand now means we need to tread as lightly as possible. We cannot let any of this leak out. The very idea of using a rogue Mage is one of the most taboo things in our society."

Duric snorted at this in derision. "You mean the Mage Guild would like you to believe that!"

"Unfortunately in the arena of magic, they have a large sway. If they say something is taboo, it becomes taboo."

Duric nodded. "And the matter of the Overlord that will assist us ..."

"I will contact him as soon as I have spoken with my Tradesman." Roquan paused. "I am debating whether to actually inform Weton that a rogue Mage will be doing this."

"You think he may balk at it?"

"I am thinking more of how much he will ask of me in return for this favor. As improved as my finances are becoming, they are not where they ought to be."

Duric cast a look of mild surprise at the Overlord.

"Yes, rather astonishing, hearing an Overlord admit a weakness in this area. Times are indeed changing, Duric."

"I would say so."

"Which reminds me, have there been any names forwarded as an interim Emperor?"

Duric looked thoughtful. "I daresay there hardly has been any time to contemplate one. I certainly cannot do it, nor any of my clan."

"And why not? If nothing else, it would be a reward for your efforts."

Roquan was surprised when Duric laughed out loud at this. "The Imperial Throne? A reward? Surely you jest! No Noble in his right mind truly wants that post, interim or no. But joking aside ... it is best I do not seek it for myself or my clan. It is bad enough I am doing this in secret. I do not want them to think this is merely an excuse for me to grab power for myself."

Roquan nodded in agreement. He could understand the sentiment. Roquan himself felt as if he had been thrust into a leadership role for a group of people that traditionally had no leader. He wanted to shed that responsibility as soon as the crisis was over and go back to being just another Overlord.

"But someone must be considered," said Roquan.

"I intend on contacting Lord Uras on the eve of the attack," Duric explained. "I will accept his advice as to who the interim Emperor should be. He will most likely suggest himself, and that is as good as we can get."

From what Roquan knew of Uras, he was not that impressed with the man. Nevertheless, he refrained from comment. It was best not to meddle in the affairs of the Nobility. He had to trust that Uras would make the right decision. But he did feel he had to make a comment.

"I should tell you that the Overlords are watching the proceedings very carefully," Roquan said in as neutral a voice as he could muster. "I hope it is obvious to you what they are afraid of."

"A shift in the balance of power, of course," replied Duric with a sly grin. "Influence leaning heavily towards the Lords. Hmm. Might make for some really sweet deals from your lot."

Roquan raised an eyebrow, the look in his eyes showing that he was not amused.

Duric laughed at the Overlord's reaction. "I still need to work on that sense of humor of yours."

"I have put that away for safe keeping until the crisis is over," replied Roquan smoothly.

This made Duric laugh again. "You should get it out now and then. Makes dealing with things easier."

"If we are concluded then ..."

"Yes, I believe we are done. Oh, but there is one more thing. About Amanda."

Roquan paused. "Yes?"

"She is proving to be intriguing. Very much so."

Roquan had no idea how to interpret that. "As long as you are pleased with her."

"Oh, I won't know that yet, not until I talk to her."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Why, those scrolls of hers, Roquan! I'm most interested in knowing what she is learning from them."

The Overlord could not tell whether Duric was serious or simply attempting to be amusing again. Or was this a roundabout way to inform Roquan that he found her scrolls to be a nuisance? He decided to take a middle road.

"I had impressed upon her that she is not to neglect her normal duties to you despite her interest in those scrolls."

Duric was already waving a hand of dismissal. "Yes, yes, I know. Rest assured, I have no complaints about her sexual prowess. Anyway, Roquan, I am needed elsewhere. Please contact me the moment you have made arrangements."

"I will. Good day to you, Duric."

"Good day, Roquan."

Roquan picked up the pearl the moment the image faded from sight and returned it to its bed of velvet beside the other Farviewing pearls.

He stared down at them for a moment before closing the drawer and turning around. He crossed his outer chamber and slipped past the curtain to his bed chamber.

The Overlord half-expected to find Amanda lying there on his bed. He longed to see her again, feeling her absence more than he believed he ought. And this was even in light of the fact that it was Sirinna, his traditional favorite among his slaves, that graced his bed that morning.

She lay contentedly and lightly stroking herself as he had instructed her when he had left to take the Farview audience. Her soft and delicate moans filled his ears and sent a renewed tingle through his loins despite having spent a good deal of time with her in bed that morning.

Roquan stepped over to the bed and leaned over her. He placed a hand gently on hers, the one that lay on her pussy. He nudged her fingers aside and dipped his own into her wet folds. Sirinna closed her eyes and tilted her head back, uttering more breathy moans, her body shivering with mounting pleasure. Her pussy ached from all the activity that morning, but it did not matter to her. She simply adored his touch and would take it over and over again.

Roquan rubbed her slit until she shuddered in climax, her body quivering as she throbbed. He brought her down slowly, then reached down and kissed her tenderly on the lips.

"We must end it here for this morning," Roquan said as he drew himself up.

"Yes, Master," said Sirinna in a contented and still breathy voice.

"In fact, I need you to summon someone to me this morning."

Sirinna immediately swung her legs over the side of the bed. The movement made her pussy throb weakly a few more times, adding to the pleasurable afterglow of her orgasm. "Yes, Master. Who am I to bring to you?"

"My Tradesman, Jollis. Please inform him that it is very important."

"Of course, Master. I will tend to it at once."

Jollis had now advanced past impatience into worry. Three days, and still nothing.

The only reaction that had been seen near the Imperial Palace was an increase in the number and frequency of the patrols along the most likely routes of advance. It would give the Emperor scant warning if Duric somehow managed to get his armies that far without being detected.

This was not what Jollis had expected. Had it been anyone else on the throne, the Imperial Legions would be marching towards Keyas now. Then Duric would be forced to reveal his hand to defend his lands. The ultimate result would have been civil war, but not until after an initial delay that would give Jollis a chance to complete his preparations.

Instead, the Emperor continued to do essentially nothing.

Jollis was increasingly convinced that he was missing a crucial piece of this puzzle. Something that would explain Z'haas' reactions, for as irrational as they seemed on the surface, Jollis felt there was an underlying logic to it. There had to be. The Emperor was not a stupid mad. Driven, perhaps. A bit paranoid. But not stupid.

What was most distressing about it was that Jollis felt it was something that he himself had overlooked. Some unanswered question. Some assumption that would prove wrong. But what was it?

His eyes flicked up when there came a gentle knock on the door of his quarters. "Enter."

Jollis could not help but smile at the sight of Sirinna as the young woman slipped inside. "Master Jollis? Master Roquan would like to see you on urgent business."

Jollis was grateful for the summons and nodded. He needed the distraction. "Yes, pretty one, I will come at once if you would consent to walk with me."

Sirinna smiled. To Jollis it seemed to light up the room, almost as much as Amanda's did. He could see why Amanda and Sirinna were so compatible as lovers. "I would be honored, Master."

Jollis took Sirinna's hand gently in his own as they headed out of his quarters and down the path to the gate. "You give me opportunity to thank you," said Jollis.

Sirinna looked at him and cocked her head inquisitively. "Master?"

"You have been very kind to me these past few days. You have been a wonderful companion."

"Of course, Master. I do wish to please you."

Jollis detected a sincerity in Sirinna's voice that went beyond mere typical slave exuberance. He wondered if perhaps some of Amanda's personality had transferred to Sirinna. It would be wondrous if this were so. Jollis so wished there were a way to reverse some of the effects of the Draught. It was not something talked about as strictly part of his mission, but it was on his mind of late.

"You have indeed, and more," Jollis said. "It is little wonder that Amanda is so sweet. I believe she gets some of that from you."

Sirinna's smile widened at the praise. "Thank you, Master."

"Have you heard from Amanda lately, Sirinna?"

"Oh, yes, actually, I heard from her last night. In fact, she wanted me to tell you something."

Jollis paused a moment just as they got to the gate. He gazed at Sirinna and squeezed her hand. "Oh?"

"Yes. She said 'I really wish he could talk to me himself'."

Jollis nodded once. It was obvious to him that she was repeating Amanda's words verbatim. He felt terribly guilty now for having been so wrapped up in his own worries that he had not found the time to Farview her.

"Master, may I ask a question?"

Jollis was a bit surprised at this, even from Sirinna. It was rare to have a slave ask a question on her own, and he had expected Sirinna to toe the line in this regard. The fact that she did not was rather refreshing. Sirinna reminded him of Amanda so much more now. "Of course, sweet one."

"Did you bind a Farviewing pearl to her?"

And now Jollis was doubly pleased. That required intelligence! Not that he thought Sirinna was dumb, but he knew of the possible side-effect of this Draught of theirs. "Yes, Sirinna, I did," said Jollis, bringing her hand to his lips and bestowing a light kiss upon it. "I am terribly sorry to have violated protocol so badly."

Sirinna shook her head. "It's not for me to question your actions, Master. I was simply curious."

"Ah, of course you were. And I have doubly sinned, for I have failed to Farview the dear one. I shall rectify that tonight."

Sirinna smiled again. "I think Amanda would like that, Master."

Jollis smiled as well. It made him feel good that Amanda was still thinking of him. He knew it was foolish to be so prideful of such a thing, but Amanda had already made him do and feel things that were not proper. There was little point in trying to go back.

"As much as it pains me, I must make haste to the Overlord's quarters," Jollis said. "He will not want to be kept waiting."

"Will you wish my company this evening, again, Master?"

"I will consider it. It will depend on what Roquan wishes of me."

"Of course, Master. I will be at your convenience."

Sirinna gave a respectful bow of her head and parted company from Jollis.

Jollis arrived at the Overlord's chambers just as Roquan poured some wine into a goblet. "You wished to see me, Overlord?"

Roquan swirled the wine in his goblet for a few moments. Without looking up from it he said in a low voice, "Jollis, please make sure there is no one standing near these quarters outside."

Jollis thought this an unusual request, but it signaled that the Overlord had something rather momentous to say. The merchant nodded once and took a brief excursion outside, checking that no slaves were congregating near the building.

"I have done so, Overlord," Jollis said as he stepped back inside. "There would appear to be no one in attendance other than you and I."

Roquan took a long sip of his wine before turning to face his Tradesman. "While it is a given that you hold everything I tell you in confidence, I feel I must reiterate that. Even if you cannot assist us in this request, you must not allow the fact to leave this room that you were asked in the first place."

"Understood, Overlord," Jollis said in a somber, serious voice, bowing his head once in emphasis of the point. "Nothing will leave this room."

"I need you ... that is, Duric and I require ... the services of a rogue Mage."

Jollis was a bit struck by this request. He did not think he could be surprised at anything the Overlord would ask him, save this. "May I ask why, your Lordship?"

"You are aware of the army that Duric is building?"

"Yes, indeed."

"He has a problem. He needs to get them to the Imperial Palace quickly."

Jollis nodded. "I had assumed they would use one of your cohorts Portals to do the deed."

"Yes, that is the intent. But there are some logistics that need to be worked out."

Jollis knew what some of them were. He knew the limitations of the Portal technology of Oceanus. Indeed, of nearly everyone outside his own nation. It is why the Inonni strove hard to keep the secret as long as possible. "And you need a Mage for this."

"Yes. We cannot hire one from the Mage Guild for obvious reasons. So that leaves us only one choice."

Jollis nodded again. It made logical sense to him. It was a very bold and daring move, almost as much as fielding the army itself.

"Is this something you can do for us?" asked Roquan earnestly.

Jollis looked thoughtful for a moment. "Before I answer that, your Lordship, might I ask if Lord Duric has considered other options?"

"He claims he has. What would they be?"

"There are various spells set on pearls that can be used to hold a Portal open longer," Jollis explained. "I assume that is the main problem, keeping the Portal open long enough to transport an army."

"It is one of the issues."

"Ah, good. That is to say, good in that I can procure such a dewomer for you without the need for a rogue Mage."

Roquan swirled his wine around in the goblet again. "That is well and good for the one problem. I would wish to avoid the use of a rogue if possible as well. But it does nothing for the other problem, that of detection."

Jollis raised an eyebrow. "Detection, Overlord?"

"Yes, by the Mage Guild."

Jollis looked confused. "I am afraid I am at a loss."

"I see I have made an erroneous assumption about your knowledge of Oceanus. The Guild was rather tight-lipped about it, so it is understandable. The Mage Guild can detect when Portals open and close within the confines of the nation."

For a moment, Jollis was too thunderstruck to respond, though he did not show this on his face.

"Thus we need someone that has the ability to conceal the fact that a Portal is being energized," continued Roquan. "I doubt there is a pearl for that."

"Your Lordship, if I may inquire about this ... this advance," Jollis said cautiously. "How recent an innovation is this?"

"Not very long ago. Perhaps within the past two or three seasons."

And Jollis was enlightened.

Every time a Portal had been opened into Oceanus, the Emperor knew. He knew. Now his actions were impeccably logical. Each and every report from Gronnus had been preceded by a Portal opening near the Overlord's Manor. If the Emperor saw this, and thought it evidence of Gronnus colluding with an enemy, it would make perfect sense that the Emperor would cast doubt on everything he was being told.

Yet there was something far more disturbing an implication. For the Emperor to believe the Portal openings to be foreign, he must have some way of telling them apart from normal domestic Portals.

Which meant that the Mage Guild of Oceanus knew there was a more advanced Portal technology in existence.

"So, Jollis, can you obtain a rogue Mage for us?" the Overlord asked.

Jollis forced his focus to return to the matter at hand. "This will be a difficult proposition, your Lordship."

"If you cannot do it, I will inform Duric of that at once."

"Ah, but 'difficult' does not mean 'impossible,' your Lordship," said the merchant with a small smile. "However, it will likely mean that this will be an expensive proposition. Rogue Mages do not like, shall we say, high profile projects?"

"Hmm. I had not thought of that."

"They are more used to being hired by minor Nobility, monied individuals for private projects, or black marketeers. To be hired by a major Lord or Overlord is unprecedented. They will suspect some sort of entrapment."

"And how much platinum will it take to overcome their suspicions?"

"That remains to be seen. I assume it will be Lord Duric providing the funds?"

Such a question might have garnered a hostile response from Roquan just a few moons ago. To suggest that an Overlord's finances were not up to the task was insulting. With Jollis, however, he had learned to be realistic about these matters. "Indeed. It is likely beyond my means at the moment."

Jollis nodded. "I will get right on this, Overlord. And you can trust that my contacts will be discreet about this."

"I have no doubts about that," said Roquan. He took a long drink from his goblet and sighed. "Terrible times indeed, Jollis, that we come to this."

"Ah, but as with all things, the end will come eventually," said Jollis with a smile. "Is there anything else you need of me, your Lordship?"

Roquan laughed humorlessly. "Isn't what I have asked enough?"

"But it is always good to check. Good day, your Lordship."

"Good day, Jollis."

Jollis' mind began to race as soon as he stepped back out into the sunshine.

While Jollis was grateful for the information that had been provided to him, it showed that his plans were careening towards disaster unless he changed them. He now knew that manipulating the Emperor was no longer an option. Instead, he had to find a way to take the situation as it was and turn it around to his advantage.

And he had to do it very soon. If the Mage Guild could detect his Portals, and they knew them to be different, how long would it be before they gleaned other information about them? Buying extra time was no longer an option. There simply was no more to be had.

However, there was one good thing to come out of it. Jollis was exonerated. The information he had about Oceanus had come from his Masters. They had not known about the Portal detection ability. Even the Inonni did not have that ability. Which meant further that it was likely a discovery resulting from serendipity.

Thus it was no one's "fault" per se. It was simply an unexpected development.

Yet it would fall to Jollis to provide a solution. He already had an idea. It was a most distasteful one, but it was the only viable one. He had think on it a bit before he was sure.

That, and contact his Master to get his blessing, for he refused to make a decision that would send people to their deaths without consultation.

Amanda blinked in confusion as she lifted her head into the darkness of the late evening. She glanced over to Tanyee and very nearly called out her name, thinking it was her that had spoken to her. It was not until she felt it again that she understood. It had been like a voice whispering softly in her ear, but now that she was alert, she could sense it more in her head than her ears.

Her heart thumping with excitement, she slipped out of bed, pausing to make sure Tanyee did not stir and that no sound came from Duric's bedchamber. She had to force herself to move cautiously, tip-toeing to the balcony despite the fact that bare feet made not a sound against soft fur.

She slipped her hand behind the curtains and unlatched the door, having learned how to press it in slightly before turning, and thus muffling the noise that it made.

When she stepped outside, she was startled when she felt cold droplets striking her. She looked up and blinked when a raindrop struck her eye. When she looked out over the balcony, she saw that a cool mist had settled over everything, making the torchlights far below appear as if viewed through a gauze.

The rain was only a drizzle, but the air was cold and clammy, making her shiver. She didn't care. She made sure the door was securely closed and called out, "I accept the summons."

The next moment, the rain meant nothing to her. She broke out into a wide smile as the image formed before her.

"Hello, dear one," said Jollis with a wide smile of his own.

"Master Jollis, hello! Thank you for calling me! I've really missed you ..."

The words were gushed from Amanda's mouth before she realized what she was saying. She blushed, feeling a bit embarrassed. It only got worse when he bowed to her.

"I am honored," he said in a soft and tender voice. "I have missed you as well. My lack of communication with you has been inexcusable."

"No, no, it's okay," Amanda said quickly. "I know that Master Roquan keeps you busy."

"Ah, yes, indeed. But it is said that it is the fool that slavishly devotes himself to duty, and the wise man that knows when it may be set aside."

"I'm just glad you were able to call me. I mean, Farview me."

Jollis had wondered about the term "call" in this context. It took him a moment to realize that she was likely using an idiom from her world. He had heard that some worlds had wondrous devices that allowed one to speak with anyone else without the need to bind a pearl to that person. It was refreshing to speak with someone that remembered her own world.

Now he found himself wishing he had the time for such small talk. How she could enlighten him as to the ways of other worlds! He believed he could have sat in rapt wonder for an entire night listening to her.

He dearly hoped that events would not have to go so fast that his opportunity to do just that would vanish forever. Yet he knew it was foolish optimism at best.

"Is Master Duric treating you well, my dear one?" asked Jollis.

"Yes, I'm doing okay. Though I thought you might have heard that from Sirinna by now."

"Ah, but she does go on about you. She is quite proud of you."

Amanda smiled weakly. "I'm sure she is."

"But I can hear the pain in her voice when she says it. She does indeed miss you."

Amanda sighed and nodded at this.

"As do I."

"I so miss our conversations, Master," Amanda said softly.

"It is such a pity that others do not see the value of your intellect as well as your body."

This comment made Amanda's pride swell. It was gratifying to hear someone else confirm her own thoughts. "Master Duric does seem interested in my scrolls, though."

One of Jollis' eyebrows rose. "Oh? Does he? Is he letting you read them?"

"Yes. I think he may want to talk to me about them at some point."

Jollis found this rather surprising. This was not what a typical Noble Lord would do. He knew that Duric was something of a maverick among the Nobility, but this was unexpected.

Jollis immediately wondered if this could somehow be put to his advantage. If Jollis could bend Duric's ear through Amanda, it might make his new plans more viable than they had appeared initially.

And again came the guilt on the heels of this. He felt ashamed for considering using Amanda in this way. But the mission must succeed, despite his feelings.

"That could be an enlightening discussion," said Jollis. "Do you believe it would be proper for you to tell me what he says in this talks with you?"

Amanda considered for a moment. "I'm not sure ..."

"Assuming, of course, he says nothing that needs to be kept in confidence. I am aware of your responsibilities in that area."

Not that it would be the first time that she violated that. Though in that case it had been at the direct order of Roquan, and even then she had insisted he explain why. She finally nodded to him. "All right, I think I can do that."

The two of them made small talk for a bit until Jollis looked at Amanda oddly. "Little one, is it me, or are you getting rather wet?"

Amanda had barely noticed it herself. While the rain had grown no worse, in the time she had been standing there, her body had become covered in a sheen of moisture, and her hair was lying limp against her shoulders and back. "Um, yeah, it's raining a bit here."

"I thought you might be outside. Dear one, you should have said something. I do not want you shivering in the cold rain just to talk to me."

Amanda smiled. "Master Jollis, that's how much I like our conversations. I can handle a little discomfort."

"But you must dry yourself before you return to bed, is that not so?"

Amanda's eyes widened. "I hadn't even thought about that," she admitted sheepishly.

"Little one, as much as it pains me, I am going to let you go. I shall contact you again very soon. I shall not let you go so long without hearing from me again."

Amanda really did not want to end this. It was the first truly intellectual conversation she had had in so long. But Jollis was right. She needed to dry herself off and get back to bed.

"All right, Master. I will wait for you to call me again."

Jollis felt like telling her that she did not have to call him by that title. She was likely doing it by reflex. Yet now was not the time. "Until then, dear one, please take care of yourself, and be good for Master Duric."

"I'll try. Good night, Master Jollis."

"Good night, Amanda."

Amanda watched the image fade from sight.

She sighed. She was sad that the conversation had to end, but she was elated at having spoken with him again.

Amanda stole back inside and dashed to the sanitary. She did her best to dry herself. Her hair turned out to be a problem as it was more wet than she had anticipated. She had to sneak back into the bed chamber and fetch a hairbrush. Like the ones that she had used at the Manor, it had a magic spell on it that dried her hair as she brushed it out.

Amanda took a little longer than she thought it would. When she returned to the bed chamber, Tanyee had rolled over. She had to hope the girl did not awaken.

Amanda slipped back into bed without incident, sighing in relief as she settled down to sleep.

Jollis stared at the empty space where Amanda's image had been moments before. He folded his arms across his chest and made no effort to pick up the Farviewing pearl.

He went over in his head again and again that his mission was paramount. All other things were secondary. That included other people and his own feelings.

Jollis finally stepped forward and picked up the pearl. He held it up to the light. He felt that he was holding the world in his hands. In a way, he was. What happened in this nation would have repercussions all over Narlass.

Jollis let the pearl slip into his hand. He closed his hand around it tightly.

Duric would be allowed to send his armies to the Imperial Palace. But Jollis planned to make sure they were met with equal force. If time was no longer available to be bought, they would change to another that would serve their need: chaos.

It was not ideal. It was most distasteful. But it was the only way. The civil war will begin, now rather than later, but initiated not by politicians but by the sword. It would be sown in fire and blood, and plunge the nation into a state of utter chaos as both sides scrambled to deal with a war for which neither side was ready.

And into this chaos would step the Inonni. And then the true work would begin.

Jollis drew in a deep breath and let it go as a slow sigh.

And maybe, when it is all over, when you have traveled the path of pain and suffering, you will find it in your heart to forgive me, Amanda, Jollis thought.

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