"I apologize for contacting you at such a late hour, Guildmaster," said the shimmering Farview image of Marlon as Uroddus fumbled with his spectacles and the sash on his robe. When Katla appeared just as she managed to close her own robe more securely over her breasts, Marlon added in a more contrite voice, "And for, ah, interrupting anything."

"It is all right, Marlon," said Uroddus in a slightly rushed voice. "I am assuming what you have to tell me is of great import."

"I wouldn't have thought so if I hadn't gone over these readings several times myself before I contacted you."

"Readings?" Katla said. "Wait, you mean the Inonni Portals? Did Jothan send you something already?"

"Yes, and he's lucky I kept the receiver orb for his spy pearls active or I would've never gotten it!"

"What did he find out?" Uroddus said. "Can you transmit it to us?"

"That'll take some doing. I was never as good at those types of spells as he is. I may have to send you the pearl I recorded them to."

"At least give us some idea what he found!" Katla piped.

"The readings show the Inonni are indeed cycling the Overlord Portal on its transdimensional setting."

"Which is exactly what we thought they were doing!" Katla cried. "So that was not just coincidental patterns in the noise!"

"But it does not explain as yet why they are doing so," Uroddus said. "Did you receive any such information to that effect, Marlon?"

Marlon shook his head. "All I got was the raw data, nothing else. I haven't been in any sort of direct communication with him."

"I suggest you work out a way to get that data to us as quickly as possible. A detailed analysis may help answer the remaining questions."

"I'll see what I can do. To be honest, I'm not sure I trust sending it by courier."

"Contact me again in the morning. I can arrange a Farview with some of our Mages who are quite skilled in transport magic."

"Q'kollan is good in that area," Katla said.

"He may be over-tasked with everything I have already asked of him," said Uroddus. "But I am sure he can recommend someone."

"I did look at the data more closely before I called you," Marlon said. "It's obvious their efforts are lacking."

"Lacking?"

"The energies are chaotic, more so than I would have expected from a properly working Portal."

"Not if it was out of alignment," said Katla. "That's always been the problem with transdimensional Portals. They always drift out of alignment over time."

Uroddus slipped off his spectacles and tapped them against his hand. Katla observed with a single raised eyebrow.

Marlon glanced off to the side. "I better get going before I awaken someone. Better for as few ears as possible to hear this."

"Agreed," said Uroddus as he put his spectacles back on. "I will look forward to conversing with you again in the morning."

Marlon nodded once, and his Farview image vanished.

"Okay, you haven't made that annoying gesture with your spectacles for some time," said Katla. "What are you thinking about?"

"Your statement concerning the condition of the Overlord Portal. The Portal in question is at the D'ronstaq Manor, and was last serviced by the Most Honorable Mage Q'yros."

"How long ago?" Katla asked in a tentative voice. She was hesitant to cast any aspersions on the late Q'yros' abilities. She had realized how much the old Mage had meant to Uroddus when he had taken to using the most hallowed title possible. "I mean, even Mages who are best in their field at Portal mechanics are not perfect."

"I would have to consult the records for an accurate dating," Uroddus said. "But it was not more than two seasons ago, and I am given to understand Roquan had not used the transdimensional setting since then. Therefore I would doubt the Portal alignment had suffered."

"Unless it received damage during the conquest of the Manor."

"I was there during part of the attack and did not recall the combat approaching the Portal building, but your point is well-taken. We will need to analyze those readings to know for sure."

Katla shook her head. "It doesn't make any sense. Why are they hiding what they are doing? Why should it matter to us if we know they are fiddling with the Overlord Portals?"

"Yes," said Uroddus. "Why, indeed."

The first red-orange rays of morning light broke across the ocean and spilled across the plaza in the center of Lerrusburg, sending Tarras' shadow stretching into the distance. He paused for a moment to gaze upon the golden sunrise through the canopy of a small copse of trees which lay at the edge of the cobblestones. Ahead rose the elegant columns of the town library, the marble steps which stood before its large, gilded bronze entrance stretching the width of the facade.

"It is best you get your business done quickly, my Lord," said Frenon in a soft voice as he stood behind the former Noble Lord. "Before the rest of the town stirs. Then we can be off."

Tarras did not comment but thought Frenon too anxious. This was a place of learning. The Philosophers' Guild would not allow it to become a place of combat or political maneuvering. Or so he hoped.

"I spotted at least one Cohort entering the building as we approached the plaza," said Frenon. "Are you sure you will not reconsider this course of action?"

Tarras answered by lifting his hood over his head and pulling it as far forward as it would go. He folded his hands before him and advanced towards the building.

Despite his convictions, his heart did thump as he ascended the steps, and he was given pause when he first entered. The earliness of the hour had done little to assist in avoiding contact with the Cohorts. The place was already rife with them, either seated at long tables poring over scrolls or perusing the multitude of shelves bursting with scrolls, parchments, and leather-bound books.

Tarras' fingers tightened as he advanced, strolling slowly and -- he hoped -- casually through the ranks of the Cohort patrons. Nary a single one gave him so much as a glance. He paused at the end of the aisle and looked around. All he saw were Cohorts and no one else. Surely the place had other patrons before the Inonni had arrived? Or did they feel uncomfortable with these new arrivals?

Did they not like to share the accumulation of knowledge with their avatars?

Tarras lifted his eyes towards the towering shelves, arranged in ranks which stretched wide to either side. Wandering near the right end was a member of the Philosophers' Guild, marked by his dark purple tunic and deep maroon robes. Tarras could discern the silver stars on his shoulders which designated Journeyman rank. He was nearly bald, with only a few remaining wisps of pearly-white hair about the ears. Tarras was not surprised; members of that Guild took the longest time to reach mastership of any Guild in Oceanus.

The Philosopher looked towards him in what Tarras interpreted as a questioning manner. Tarras turned away without acknowledgement. He wanted to find the information he sought without assistance. The fewer people he encountered would make Frenon all the happier.

Tarras struggled to understand the indexing system. Much of the lettering had been written in a very flowing, ornate script which likely represented the local dialect, and it took some study to decipher them. Yet with perseverance he found the object of his search, or so he had thought at first.

The titles upon the scrolls had looked promising. They claimed to be treatises on religious faith, but when he perused them, he found they were little more than essays on the concepts of religion itself.

Tarras returned the scrolls and tried again. He found something on the religions of the Urisi and of the barbarian kingdoms to their south. He even found a bit of information on the Inonni concepts of Enlightenment, a topic which would be fascinating at any other time. Yet he found nothing on the religious faiths of the Oceanus peasants.

"May I help you?"

Tarras flinched. He started to turn his head towards the Journeyman until he felt the hood slip. He stopped and returned his gaze forward. "Ah, perhaps, my good man. I search for information on religious faith."

"Then you are most assuredly in the right section," said the Philosopher in a gentle voice. "Are you looking for a specific topic?"

"Yes, I search for information on the native faiths of the peasantry."

"Ah, I see. Sadly, I must disappoint you, for the peasants have very little organized religious faith to speak of."

Tarras jerked his head in surprise towards the Journeyman without thinking, and his hood slid further back. "That is not what I have seen on my travels," he said as he yanked the hood forward, yet not soon enough to avoid illiciting an astonished look from the Philosopher.

"Ah ... perhaps ... perhaps I can search our older archives for more information for you, my ... ah ... my honored visitor." The Journeyman backed away. "Please, I will be only a moment."

Before Tarras could say another word, the Philosopher fled and ducked down a narrow aisle between two towers of shelves.

Tarras' gaze darted about the library, as if he expected a horde of Cohorts to descend upon him with his next breath. No one approached, and when he stepped towards the tables, not a single Cohort raised his head.

Tarras was torn. The Journeyman's statement made no sense. Of course the peasants have religion! Why would he claim they did not? Tarras wanted to investigate further, but he had to assume the Philosophers had fallen in line with the occupiers, and the Cohorts would be stirred to action once alerted.

Nevertheless, he followed the same tenet which had sustained him thus far: to run is to make oneself appear suspicious. Tarras tugged his hood forward, folded his hands before him, and strolled towards the exit. He tried to ignore the quick and approaching footfalls behind him.

"Good visitor, please wait a moment!"

The call had not been in the Journeyman's voice. Tarras was only a few arms' lengths from the door. He was tempted to burst into a run, but that would indeed mark him as a criminal. He stopped and turned.

A white-haired man advanced, dressed in the same purples and blues as the Journeyman but bearing the gold bars of mastership upon his shoulders. He brandished a scroll at Tarras. "I am quite sorry for the fuss," said the Master Philosopher. "But it appears we have the information you seek after all."

The Philosopher stopped before Tarras and appeared to stare directly into his face, eyes widening slightly.

"That is quite all right, I understand," said Tarras, taking a step back. "Perhaps it would be better for me to come back another day when you have had a chance to properly index--"

"I am quite sure this will answer your questions," said the Philosopher in earnest, thrusting the scroll forward until it brushed Tarras' chest. "I would highly recommend perusing it before you leave."

Tarras wondered if Frenon's suspicious nature were rubbing off on him, for now he feared a ruse to keep him there while others were summoned to take custody of him. Nevertheless, he accepted the scroll with a small smile. "Thank you, I am indebted to you. To whom do I have the pleasure?"

The Philosopher looked uncertain, but hesitated only a single breath. "Master Zello I'joddan."

"I am traveler Tarras. Well met."

Zello bowed his head, spun on his heel, and marched away.

Tarras sat at the nearest table and started to unroll the scroll. He frowned as he skimmed the first paragraphs. The document had nothing at all to do with religion. It spoke of the rise of the market system in the lower kingdoms of what had preceded the Oceanus Empire.

He continued to unroll the scroll, and a torn piece of parchment contained within fluttered off the edge of the table. Tarras snatched it before it could fall to the floor. He glanced about for a moment, then read the jagged, hasty scrawl upon the parchment:

Clover Terrace third on right at midday

Tarras took another glance about him and slipped the parchment piece into his robe. With slow and methodical movements, he rolled up the scroll and placed it upon one of the designated return areas and walked out of the library.

Frenon rushed up to him. "We should leave at once," he said in a low, urgent voice. "There are far more Cohorts here for my liking."

"Not just yet."

Frenon frowned but said nothing as he looked at Tarras expectantly.

"I believe I have a rendezvous to keep," said Tarras with a tiny smile.

Uroddus stood at the threshold to the Chamber of Equals, watching the Farview image of Marlon struggle to keep up with the string of incantations and projected runes besetting him from three Mage Elders. Occasionally one would heave an obviously dramatized sigh to a cry of "no, no, no!" and force Marlon to redo some spell sequence from the beginning.

Q'kollan stepped up to the Guildmaster. "My apologies if Marlon's teachers are not as patient with him as you would like."

Katla smirked as another chorus of "no, no, no!" rose from one agitated Mage Elder. "Don't worry about that one, Master Q'kollan. He acts that way even in when he's teaching guild apprentices."

"Except Marlon is no apprentice and should not be treated as such," Uroddus said.

Q'kollan cleared his throat. "Not to put too fine a point on it, Guildmaster, but the expatriates have ... what's the best way to put this ... picked up a bad habit or two in their self-taught magical training. To the Mage Elders, he is indeed an apprentice."

"Fortunately, a remarkably patient one, which I would not have thought from my impressions."

"Ah, now who is the one judging someone, hmm?"

Uroddus gave his advisor a small smile. "Point taken."

"At any rate, this will get us the data faster." Q'kollan folded his hands and looked towards the others for a moment. "Hmm."

"Yes?"

Q'kollan paused, then gestured for Uroddus and Katla to follow as he stepped out of the chamber.

"What is it?" Katla demanded as they fell into step on either side.

"I have a theory concerning what the Inonni are doing with the old Overlord Portals."

"You what?"

"Already, Master Q'kollan?" Uroddus asked.

Q'kollan did not reply. After a few moments, he turned towards an unused training chamber.

"What's with all this secrecy?" Katla declared as she stepped inside. "Or have you forgotten how much the Guildmaster--"

"Please, Katla," Uroddus said in a low voice. He gestured, and the door to the chamber closed behind them. He took a seat behind the lectern "What is your theory, Q'kollan?"

"Feel free to disregard it for now," Q'kollan said. "For it is based not so much on scientific analysis as it is on gut feeling. It is quite possible I am leaping to conclusions based on little data."

"Not at all. If I am to embrace both Traditionalism and Empiricism, I need to keep an open mind, which means accepting possibilities based on intuition. Please, go on."

"I suppose in a way some of it is based on analysis, but mostly of our own Empiricists."

Katla raised an eyebrow. "Really."

Q'kollan turned to her. "You have stated your brethren are encountering difficulties working the transdimensional nature of the Overlord portals into your equations."

"Yes, but we're making progress," Katla said quickly.

Q'kollan held up a hand. "No need to get defensive, Master Q'yoona. Yes, you are, but as I understand it, you're going to great lengths to do so."

"As far as we can tell, it involves some sort of chaos theory. We just have yet to properly quantize it."

"Yes, and the Inonni approach to Portal mechanics appears similar to Empiricist thinking. Thus I submit the Inonni do not have the ability to breach the dimensional barrier with their current Portal technology."

Katla stared, eyes wide. Uroddus leaned back in his chair and folded his hands.

"To me, this makes sense," Q'kollan continued. "The Inonni appear to be a very logical people, almost to a fault. They calculate everything to the last decimal point before they act. If we extrapolate this to their approach to Portal mechanics, it is possible they completely missed the transdimensional possibilities of the technology."

"But the Inonni have been at this for at least as long as us!" Katla protested. "In all that time, their equations never led them there? I find that hard to believe."

"Are you sure there is not a small amount of pride speaking for you, Master Q'yoona?"

"Blazing right, there is! Okay, yes, it's not something obvious, and we're working it in now only because we already know the Portals can work this way."

"And therein you make my point for me," said Q'kollan. "You know already the Portals work this way so it is obvious some equation dictates their operation. Yet getting there from a purely Empiricist approach may require an intuitive leap which is difficult to those versed in but a single approach."

Katla paused, then nodded. "Yeah, I can agree with that."

"This is most fascinating," Uroddus said. "It suggests that taking one path or the other elusively -- Traditionalist or Empiricist -- allows vast progress in one area while sacrificing the other."

Q'kollan offered a small smile. "Another argument in favor of further collaboration."

"More than that, Master Q'kollan. It suggests a blind spot in the Inonni thinking process. This may be something which can be exploited."

"Wait, is anyone realizing the terrible danger here if Master Q'kollan is right?" Katla cried.

"Yes, indeed," said Uroddus in a somber voice.

When opening a transdimensional Portal to another universe for the first time, it had to be opened without the benefit of a focus. Thus the Portal could open to anywhere on the planet, and repeated openings were often required just to get the Portal to open somewhere over dry land. Only when someone had been sent through could the Portal be targeted to a specific location.

"Even if we somehow rid Oceanus of the Inonni, they could still figure this out for themselves," Katla said.

"I would suggest we worry more about our own world than others," said Master Q'kollan.

"What kind of attitude is that?"

"What would you suggest, Master Q'yoona? That we carry a war to the Inonni homeland? Who is to say the use to which the Portals were put by the Oceanus Overlords -- and are put by the Urisi Slavemasters -- is any more or less morally justified than what the Inonni might do? I remind you there are quite a number of older Mages who find the Overlord slave system reprehensible and are glad to see it gone. And now many feel more free to voice that opinion now that they are convinced Q'ixanna-style Guildmastering is gone for good."

"Yes," said Uroddus. "I have heard such opinions expressed, along with some distressing suggestions."

"What suggestions?" Katla demanded.

"That the knowledge of transdimensional Portal mechanics be stripped from our own archives."

"No! Absolutely not!"

"Please, calm down. I would never abide by such a measure. The destruction of information is never the answer. Security cannot be obtained through obfuscation."

"I am in agreement there," said Q'kollan. "And my theory may be wrong. Yet ..." He paused and frowned.

"Yes, Master Q'kollan? Is there something else?"

Q'kollan shook his head. "Only speculation. Nothing scientific at all, and only more fodder for worry."

"Please, tell me."

"It is a concern I have always had with the Overlord Portals, but I made the assumption -- perhaps a false one for my own comfort -- that the Overlords knew what they were doing and were careful in their selection of worlds."

"Is not each 'world' simply another version of Narlass?"

"Yes, but our version is, so far, the only one we know of which has magic in any sufficient quantity. I fear the Inonni will blunder into a world which has magical ability comparable to our own. They do not yet understand the techniques which are required to avoid such a thing, something which involves a very intuitive, Traditionalist approach."

"And what is the ultimate danger?" asked Uroddus.

"Wait, I think I know," said Katla. "That they stupidly open a Portal to a world which not only has magic, but thanks to the Inonni can open a Portal back to this world!"

Uroddus frowned. "You're suggesting they would attack us?"

"Why not? Wouldn't we do the same thing if some other world opened Portals to ours? Especially if they started kidnapping people like the Overlords essentially did?"

"Then you have revealed a blind spot in our thinking, as I had not even considered such a possibility."

"Neither have the Overlords, or the Urisi Slavemasters," Q'kollan said. "I feel I must voice an opinion which I have long suppressed: I believe they've been playing a very dangerous game for the past two centuries. You can count me as one of those who is glad to see the Overlords gone, but for practical reasons rather than moral grounds."

"Stop that," Katla snapped. "Don't praise anything the Inonni have done!"

"I do not praise them, I merely state their actions have had an unintended beneficial side-effect."

"No more arguing," Uroddus declared. "We will wait until we analyze the data from Marlon. Then we will decide what to do next. Is there anything else you have for me, Q'kollan?"

"Yes, I believe you will be hearing from former Overlord Rennis soon. We managed to get a courier to him to request he use his Farviewing pearl to contact you."

"I will look forward to his summons, Master Q'kollan. Thank you."

"I apologize for the bit of subterfuge," said Zello as he swept his arm towards the interior of his small cottage. "Please, be welcome."

Tarras offered him a brief smile and stepped inside. The smallness reminded him of the shack in which he had found the Village Elder, but a far more pleasant atmosphere pervaded this modest home. Sunlight drenched the central living space from both the south-facing window, under which the sill was festooned with many plants, and a skylight in the cathedral ceiling.

Everything was crowded into this one space: a living area consisting of only a short sofa; a dining area of one small table and two chairs; a cot shoved against a far wall next to a curtained doorway leading to the sanitary. A small copper pot steamed upon a wood stove.

Zello gestured to the dining table, upon which were two small cups filled with dark, pungent tea leaves. As Tarras sat, Zello poured boiling water from the pot into the cups.

"I must ask, what made you wish to contact me in this manner?" Tarras said.

"It was obvious to my Journeyman you were no Cohort," said Zello as he replaced the pot on the stove. He sat down opposite Tarras. "And when I saw you, it was clear you were no peasant either."

"Then I will not be so foolish as to claim either."

Zello took a delicate sip of his tea and waited for Tarras to do the same before he spoke again. "I would go so far as to say you were -- shall we say -- a bit higher in the social hierarchy? Guild member perhaps. Or Nobility." His lips twitched into a tiny smile. "My Journeyman insists you are are a Noble Lord, that he recognizes you."

Tarras paused. "Perhaps we should say no more on that for now."

Zello nodded. "Understood. We, ah, all have our secrets to keep."

"Such as the idea the peasants have religion."

Zello slowly lowered his cup. "Hmm. Yes, that."

"Yes, that," Tarras said, unable to keep the irritation from his voice. "Not to mince words, but I find the suppression of knowledge to be reprehensible."

"Then allow me to rectify that. Please ask me whatever you wish to know."

"And you do not need to consult the library?"

"Not for this topic. It is something of a specialty of mine." His smile became tight. "Was a specialty."

Tarras hated playing the part of the Noble Lord, especially with a man who seemed so agreeable. But he had pledged he would no longer shy away from his heritage, and if he were to waver now, he would never be able to claim it again. "I wish only to know the significance of the term 'avatar,' as I feel it will answer a multitude of questions."

Zello laced his fingers together and leaned back in his chair. "Avatars. You do know how to get to the heart of the matter, do you not? Just what do you know of them?"

"It is the term the peasants use to refer to the Inonni Cohorts. Or at least that is what I gleaned from a conversation with a Village Elder. Other than that, I do not know their significance."

Zello's eyes took on a somber look. "I will answer your question in full. But I must know how much you understand Oceanus religious faith or the answer may not have much meaning to you."

"I know a little," said Tarras. He took a sip of his tea to coat his dry throat. "I know there are several gods attuned to what were once called the elements. A god of the earth or the land, a goddess of the sea, a god of the air."

Zello nodded. "And?"

"And they all stand for different things. Different ways of life."

"The god of the land makes the land and the women fertile," intoned Zello. "And he demands purity of thought and action. The goddess of the sea revels in the intensity of life, including experiencing all its pleasures."

"Taking a dip in the sea," Tarras said as enlightenment dawned.

Zello gave Tarras a wry smile. "Yes, it gives rise to slang such as that to refer to what those of faiths attuned to deities other than the sea goddess would consider illicit sex. And finally there is the god of the air, who aspires to knowledge and learning, to whom most Guilds other than the merchants tend to align themselves."

"Yes, that makes sense from most of what I have seen," said Tarras. "Except one ..."

He described the odd ritual he had seen the young woman perform in secret after the blessing of the spring planting by the Village Elder. Zello nodded immediately. "Yes, of course. One common element to all religions is that, upon death, the fate of each individual is judged by all the gods. The god you worshiped will fight for you, while the others will fight to cast you into hellfire because you didn't worship them. The ritual you saw is a means of giving a token appeasement to the other gods so they will not fight as hard, though the practice tends to be frowned upon by religious elders and is thus done in secret."

"Fascinating," Tarras said softly.

"Now that you understand the basic structure, I will explain the concept of avatars," said Zello. "Avatars are representatives of the gods sent to judge mortals before their passing from this world. Judge them as a whole, mind you. If they are found worthy, the avatars leave without incident. If they are found wanting, the avatars will purge them."

Tarras set down his cup with a rattle, splashing tea on the table. "Purge them? What exactly does that mean?"

"It means every negative connotation you are likely thinking at this moment."

Tarras leaned back in his chair, eyes wide. "Good heavens. No wonder the peasants will not approach them."

"You'll note you saw no one but Cohorts in the library."

"Yes, I did. But that makes sense, does it not? They tout themselves as intellectuals."

Zello gave the former Noble Lord a wry smile, his voice cool. "And all peasants are ignorant, yes?"

Tarras said nothing, and let the guilt in his eyes speak for him.

Zello softened his gaze and his voice. "Some peasants wish to better themselves. We teach them to read and write. Or if they have learned on their own, we provide reading materials. Some aspire even further, and we help them contact the Guilds, including our own." He uttered a forlorn sigh. "Not a single peasant has set foot in the library since the Inonni arrived."

"Small wonder, now," Tarras said.

Zello paused, flexing his fingers. He picked up his cup long enough to down the rest of the contents in one swallow. "There is another more important implication you do not know. We are not sure of it ourselves, as some of the information we have is sketchy."

"What is it?" Tarras demanded.

"The Inonni Cohorts are everywhere. They walk among followers from all three of the pantheon. This may be construed by some that something bigger is afoot: a complete and total judgment of all mankind. Or an impending battle between the gods, with Narlass as their battleground."

Tarras paused for a long moment before he could work up the courage to say what he was thinking. "Surely you don't believe--?"

Zello waved his hand and shook his head. "No. The Philosophers' Guild as a whole does not believe in deities, so we do not believe any divine retribution is at hand. But that is not the point. If the people believe such events are imminent, they will begin acting as such. Surely you have seen examples of this in your travels?"

Tarras nodded slowly. He recalled the fertility ritual of the peasants, and the sea merchants acting rowdier than usual -- all trying to appease their own gods. "And may I assume there will be no love lost between followers of different gods?"

"Very little," said Zello. "You recall the bit of peasant slang you mentioned about taking a dip in the sea. Some of the more devout take this to extremes. Even bathing is seen as too symbolic of the sea goddess."

Tarras nodded and felt more sympathetic towards the odoriferous Village Elder. It also explained why the peasants who worked the land were shunned by the Nobility and the Overlords. What they thought of as ignorance of common hygiene was simply another means of honoring a religious faith. "All right, then let me ask you one final question: why have you suppressed this information?"

Zello grinned. "Should that not be clear to you by now, Lord Tarras?"

Tarras flinched. One hand clenched into a fist, then slowly relaxed as a deep sigh passed his lips.

"My Journeyman was not the only one who recognized you, my Lord," said Zello. "I was once a citizen of Carolas. I must say I am most happy to see you have escaped the Inonni, ah, purge."

And then it struck Tarras exactly why the peasants were not happy to see the hedonistic Nobility removed: it could only be a sign they were next in some imminent great purge.

Tarras suddenly smiled.

"You have figured it out," said Zello.

"Yes, I believe I have. The Inonni have no idea why they are feared, do they?"

"Not that we can tell. Their inability to assimilate the peasants into their culture ... or perhaps I should say, their enlightenment ... is a complete mystery to them. That is why they come to the libraries, to do more research on the peasants and understand their ways."

"And you have removed a key piece of understanding."

Zello stood up to replenish his cup of tea. "Not just here, my Lord. Everywhere. The Philosophers' Guild is actively working against them." He held up the tin of tea leaves with a questioning look.

Tarras shook his head. "That seems strange to me."

"Does it?"

"One would think a guild whose mission is the spread of knowledge would do such a thing even to an invading army."

Zello took a moment to insert a small tea basket into his cup and pour hot water over it. "But that is just it, my Lord. For all their high-sounding words, they are not interested in general knowledge, only what they choose to dole out until we are 'ready.'" Zello took a sip of his tea and sat at the table with a sigh. "Not everyone was happy with the old ways of the Nobility and the Overlords' slave trade, nor the Z'haas regime. But there was little or no active suppression of knowledge. No one was watching the peasants to determine if they were 'ready' to receive knowledge. Some criticized the way the Nobility tended to ignore the peasants, but we in the Guild see the immense advantages. Really, how did they think the Guilds found new members? By finding peasants willing to better themselves, of course."

Tarras was stunned, and Zello's lips curled into a small, satisfied smile. "I must say, this has been an eye-opener for me, Master Zello," said Tarras. "I had no idea the peasants had such a rich and diverse life."

"To be fair, for many life is still a grind," said Zello. "But not all. And no one was actively holding them down."

"And the Inonni are."

Zello put down his cup and folded his hands. "Let us put it this way, my Lord. The Inonni are much like overprotective parents. We are but babes in their eyes, and we need to be guided. What is sad is they likely mean well. They may even believe their own words, that they are doing this for our betterment."

"Yes. Yes, I see!" Tarras cried. "That is why they removed the Nobility! Not so much to eliminate the rulers of the nation as to remove what they felt was an impediment to the peasantry!"

"An impediment which was vastly overstated." Zello sighed. "No, it wasn't perfect. Condemn me for my next words if you must, my Lord, but the only government system which allows better access to education is a Republic. It can never be achieved under a Monarchist form of government. There, I have said it, something which likely has not been spoken in any seriousness since the founding of the Empire."

Tarras was struck by a memory.

Selemas Keep. He had once touted the honored memory of the place, where the final battle had been fought which destroyed the power of the would-be Republican usurpers and paved the way for an enduring Monarchist government. First the memory had been tainted by a love which had been lost, and now...

Tarras suddenly frowned.

"I fear I have offended you, finally," said Zello. "I beg forgiveness if not excuse."

Tarras shook his head. "No, Master Zello, it is not that, it is ... hard to explain. It is perhaps best left for another time."

"Understood. Is there anything else you wish to learn from me?"

"I was going to ask if you had any questions for me." Tarras offered a weak smile. "Considering I was your governor once."

Zello laced his fingers together and looked thoughtful. "I am curious as to how you have remained free."

"A blind spot in the Inonni thinking. They are concentrating so hard on using their vaunted Portal technology to capture me that they do not think to effect a simple search."

Zello tilted his head. "Portal technology?"

"The Inonni have the ability to target Portals without a focus at the destination. They use the strong memories from several people of a given location to direct a Portal there, or of a person to open the Portal near that person no matter where he is."

Zello's eyes widened. "Astounding! And it explains quite a bit, such as why they attacked the Overlord Manors first. Many of the followers of the god of the land would think it quite appropriate that slaves were the downfall of the Overlords and the Nobility. I would caution you, however, my Lord. Do not count on their blind spot much longer. The Inonni are very driven and focused. Were they to realize you are traveling the countryside at will--"

"I understand, and I have an armed escort. Something I have lamented until now." Tarras stood up, and Zello with him. "It has been a pleasure, Master Zello. You have given me very much to think about."

Zello smiled. "That, my Lord, is perhaps the best compliment one can give to a Philosopher."

Tarras smiled, bowed his head, and left. Frenon immediately beset him. "I do hope you are done, my Lord," Frenon said in an irritated voice.

"Yes, quite done. I have learned all I can here."

"Was it worth the risk?"

"Very much so," said Tarras, though now it raised in his mind one last question, the one which would be the hardest to answer:

What exactly was he fighting for?

The Farview image of Rennis looked confused, almost dazed, by the question. Finally he simply stared and said, "What?"

"What exactly is your group fighting for, Overlord?" said Uroddus as he adjusted his spectacles.

"I'm not sure I understand what you're asking."

"Every group has a cause. What is yours?"

"With all due respect, Guildmaster, that is a bit of a stupid question," Rennis declared. "We want to get rid of the Inonni!"

"And then what?"

Rennis just stared again.

"If we somehow succeed in forcing the Inonni to leave, what do we put in their place? Do you believe the Overlords can simply return to their Manors and the Nobles to their Palaces? Assuming we would see any of them again even if the Inonni leave?"

Rennis winced. "Stop talking about them as if they're dead!"

Uroddus paused, then nodded once. "Forgive me. I forget one of your companions from the Overlords is among the missing."

"Look, anything is better than what we have now!"

"One would argue something is better than nothing."

"What in hellfire is that supposed to mean?"

Uroddus slipped off his spectacles and tapped them against his hand. He knew Katla hated the gesture, but she was not here and his frustrations were too great; this was the only way he could show them without the conversation breaking down. "As it is now, with no plans in place, getting rid of the Inonni would leave a vacuum."

"I am sure we would come up with something," Rennis said in a dry voice.

"But what would it look like? You do understand it would likely be impossible to return to what we had before?"

Rennis remained silent.

Uroddus put his spectacles back on. "Perhaps you need to extend your horizons a bit. Consider the peasants for a moment--"

"Oh, don't you start now!" Rennis snapped. "I have had just about enough of hearing about the peasants."

Uroddus gave the former Overlord an expectant look, but Rennis was not forthcoming on any further details. "I apologize if my statements came across as insulting. That was not at all my intent. On the contrary, I want to help. I feel we need to work together if we are to rid ourselves of the Inonni. But I also feel we need to give thought to what a post-Inonni Oceanus will look like."

Rennis uttered a long sigh and averted his eyes. From the myriad of emotions which crossed the Overlord's face, Uroddus was not sure whether the man would continue the Farview. Finally, Rennis turned his gaze back to the Guildmaster. "All right, I guess I get what you mean. I really haven't thought much about what would happen afterward. I'm still getting used to the fact everything I knew is gone. I think I can be forgiven for wanting everything back the way it was."

"Of course. But at some point, we need to be realistic."

"Yes, yes, I know, Tarras has been trying to do that for some time now. I just hope he stays out of the reach of the Inonni. He's certainly not making it very hard for them."

Uroddus frowned. "What do you mean?"

"He's been gallivanting all over the countryside! The rest of us have to keep traveling as well just to meet up with him."

"And is there a reason for this?"

"I suppose he thinks he's learning something from the peasantry, something we can use against the Inonni."

Uroddus nodded and relaxed, but only a bit. This is something he was going to suggest someone do, but he had not expected Tarras would do it himself. "And yet he has not been caught. Another blind spot in the Inonni thinking."

"That's what Tarras said." Rennis paused and raised an eyebrow. "Wait. You said another blind spot?"

"It will take too long to explain. Let us just say we have discovered the Inonni are not quite as high above us in Portal knowledge as perhaps they would prefer us to believe."

"I better end this Farview," said Rennis. "I was about to head to the next rendezvous with Tarras. I'm sure he'll want to contact you himself."

"Yes, I would most enjoy hearing what he has to say about his travels."

Rennis managed a wry smile. "I am sure he will like that, since he does not usually find as appreciative an audience in me. Good day, Guildmaster."

"Good day, Overlord."

Rennis' smile became strained at the sound of his old title before his image faded and vanished.

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