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Subject: {ASSM} The Overlord's Gambit 07/36 (MF Mf Ff ff Mdom Fdom toys bd rom magic oral rough spank)
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<1st attachment, "Chapter07.txt" begin>

WARNING: This is a work of erotic fiction. It contains depictions of
nudity and graphic sex.

Author: A Strange Geek
Title: The Overlord's Gambit
Universe: Narlass Chronicles
Summary: Amanda is again pulled into events that grow beyond what she
ever imagined as the Overlords plot against the Emperor, for the
changes in Oceanus will bring changes for herself as well.

Part: 7 of 36
Keywords: MF, Mf, Ff, ff, Mdom, Fdom, toys, bd, rom, magic, oral,
rough, spank

Copyright A Strange Geek, 2007

Feedback welcome! Please email me at astraYOURngegeek@comMINDcast.net
( lose YOUR MIND to email me )

Or to send anonymous feedback, use the form at bottom of HTML version:

http://www.asstr-mirror.org/files/Authors/A_Strange_Geek/www/novels/Gambit/Chapter07.html



---------------

With rank came privilege. This might as well have been the creed by
which Janna J'garon lived.

It was evident simply by looking at her as she walked with long,
purposeful strides down the wide corridor leading to Duric's suite.
With each sweep of a foot forward, bare leg up to the thigh flashed
from under the swirling hem of her dress. Traditional attire for an
unattached Narlassi woman was a dress that reached at least halfway
down the calf. Narlassi style also called for a single, flowing dress
billowing loosely over the bodice, but Janna opted to cinch hers at the
waist, and to lace the back a little more tightly to show off her
bosom.

As she approached the gilded doors that led to the reception area of
Duric's suite, she paused and lifted her tresses from her shoulders and
let them spill down behind her back. She was a natural honey blonde,
but she used a little Magic to tease it to an almost golden hue. She
liked to keep it in curls as well. Again, it was different; Narlassi
style called for straight hair. But it also gave her an air of
innocence. It tended to take people off guard.

It was a tactic, nothing more. Rank did have privilege, but that was
not to say she was satisfied with only that.

Janna straightened her dress and pushed open one of the doors before
her. She glided into the room, her ruby-red lips curling into a
pleasant smile that had a hint of sultriness to them. If she felt any
disappointment over Duric's absence, she did not show it. Instead, her
gaze smoldered as it fell upon the graceful form of Duric's slave.

"Ah, Tanyee," Janna said smoothly, her smile widening a touch. "Good to
see you at the palace again."

Tanyee bowed respectfully from where she stood and smiled. "Thank you,
Mistress. I was very happy to be sent back to Master Duric."

"I have no doubt of that. Now, if you would tell your Master that I am
here to see him. I believe he is expecting me."

"Yes, Mistress, he instructed me to tell you he was detained and will
be with you shortly."

Janna nodded once to Tanyee and took a seat in one of the plush sofas
that lined the periphery of the room. She sank into it with a soft
sigh, crossing one leg over the other and tossing her head back. Her
already deep sapphire eyes seemed to turn a shade darker as her gaze
intensified on Tanyee.

"Come here, slave," Janna said, gesturing lazily.

Tanyee dutifully crossed the room and stood before Janna, folding her
hands demurely before her and bowing her head slightly.

Janna leaned forward and lay a hand lightly on Tanyee's hip. She slowly
ran her fingers up Tanyee's side as she spoke. "Have you been a good
girl since you came back to Master Duric?"

"Yes, Mistress, I have. I've tried to be as good as I can."

Janna tilted her head to one side as her hand rose and brushed the side
of one of Tanyee's breasts. Tanyee gave Janna an appreciative smile.
Janna slid her hand around Tanyee's back. She paused with her hand over
one ass cheek, lightly squeezing it. She watched as Tanyee's nipples
grew hard, and she listened to the soft sigh that escaped the slave's
lips.

"No more of that nasty disobedience you troubled him with before?"

"No, Mistress, none at all. I obey his every wish."

Tanyee's voice grew increasingly husky. Janna let her hand drop to
Tanyee's thigh, stroking the outside with just her fingertips. Janna
felt her quiver at the touch and heard her breath quicken.

"It's good to hear you say that ..." Janna's hand slid between Tanyee's
legs. Tanyee immediately parted them, then uttered a soft moan as
Janna's fingers played up the inside of one of her thighs. "I would
hate to hear you having to be punished. It's so much better to give
pleasure instead."

By this time her hand had reached Tanyee's mound. She cupped her hand
against Tanyee for a moment longer before letting a finger tease
Tanyee's now slick nub.

Tanyee's eyes closed, and she panted lightly as Janna stroked her with
a single fingertip.

Janna smiled. She had been glad to hear that Tanyee had been sent back
to Duric, and that she had been trouble free since then. Janna rather
liked the girl, and though she loved to play the part of the demanding
Mistress, she liked to give as much pleasure as she received.

And this was yet another indulgence that she took shameless advantage
of since her cousin became governor of Keyas. She had always had a
bisexual streak in her since puberty, but "proper" Narlassi women did
not do such things openly.

Janna paused, then dipped her finger into Tanyee's tight tunnel and
rocked her hand back and forth. Tanyee moaned more urgently. Janna
eased a second finger into Tanyee and lay her free hand against
Tanyee's hip . Tanyee took the subtle hint and started to rock her hips
against Janna's fingers.

"Mmm, yes, you do seem to be a good little girl," Janna purred.

"Uhhn ... thank you, Mistress ..." Tanyee panted, her head tilting
back.

Janna let her mind wander a bit as she enjoyed the soft sounds of
Tanyee's mounting pleasure. Could she dare to hope that Duric had
called for her for the reason that she wished? He had not taken a keen
interest in helping Janna further her ambitions before this.

Janna was not interested in Duric's position. She was sure she made
this known to him on numerous occasions. No, she had her sights set
further afield, and she felt an opportunity for just that might be
dropping into her lap.

This last thought made her look up at Tanyee and grin mischievously.
She lay a hand gently against Tanyee's abdomen. Tanyee understood and
immediately stopped moving her hips. She opened her eyes and gave Janna
a needful look, still panting even after Janna removed her fingers from
Tanyee's sex.

Janna slowly rubbed her damp fingers together and sat back on the sofa.
She uncrossed her legs and gestured with her hand, first in a twirling
motion and then patting her lap.

Tanyee complied with the silent order. She turned her back towards
Janna and settled into the woman's lap. She wriggled her hips closer to
Janna's body and splayed her thighs, her pussy spreading and glistening
in the subdued torchlight of the room.

"Now ... just keep being a good girl for me, slave," Janna cooed in
Tanyee's ear. She planted a gentle kiss on Tanyee's earlobe, sending a
shiver of pleasure down Tanyee's spine.

She pressed her damp fingers against one of Tanyee's nipples. She
swirled her fingertips around the erect flesh, coating it liberally and
making Tanyee's breath rise to a pant once more. She reached around and
did the same to the other nipple. Finally she cupped both of Tanyee's
breasts and began gently kneading them.

"I want to hear you, slave," Janna whispered urgently.

"Uhhnn ... ohhh ... that feels so good ... oh, gods ..." Tanyee
murmured, her voice breathy as her body trembled with desire. Her moans
rose as Janna flicked her fingers at Tanyee's slick nipples, little
tingles of pleasure rippling from them through her body. Tanyee writhed
in Janna's lap, her pussy wet and aching. She wanted to be touched
there badly, but a good slave does not beg for such things, she waits
until she is deemed worthy to receive it.

Janna was growing aroused herself. She could feel the growing heat in
her own sex, and she fully intended for Tanyee to take care of that for
her. She reached for Tanyee's nipples again, scraping her fingernails
across them. Tanyee tilted her head back and let out a long moan, her
sex feeling hot and needful.

"Oh, now, Janna, you wouldn't be trying to whip my poor slave into a
sexual frenzy, would you?"

Janna tilted her head to one side and looked past Tanyee's flowing
black hair. Duric was standing just inside the door to the inner
chambers of the suite, his arms folded and giving Janna a look of
mock-indignation.

Janna blinked her eyes in mock-innocence back at him. "Me? Tease a
slave of yours in such a naughty fashion?"

Even as she spoke, she slid a hand from one of Tanyee's breasts and
down to the slave's sex. She slipped two fingers over Tanyee's
womanhood and began to stroke it firmly and quickly. Tanyee gasped and
moaned even more loudly, shuddered as she felt herself climb quickly
higher. Just as her pussy would have strained close to climax, Janna
stopped and withdrew her fingers.

Tanyee let her breath go as a whimper, her sex aching from the need for
release. She uttered a yelp when Janna suddenly thrust two fingers into
her tunnel and rocked them back and forth. Once again, just as she was
about to peak, Janna withdrew, leaving Tanyee panting heavily and still
unsatisfied.

"I would never, ever do such a thing, and I should be insulted that you
would suggest it," Janna said haughtily, though her eyes held mischief
in them, and one corner of her mouth curled upwards.

Duric laughed. "Just try not to wear her out too much, if you would."

Janna raised her hand to Tanyee's face and gently pressed her damp
fingers to Tanyee's lips. Tanyee eagerly lashed at Janna's fingers with
her tongue. Janna turned her hand and slipped her fingers into Tanyee's
mouth. Tanyee closed her eyes as she sucked on Janna's fingers, licking
up as much of her own juices as she could. Her lips parted with a
smacking sound as Janna slowly pulled her fingers away.

"I doubt very much I could do that to one of Roquan's slaves," Janna
said. She resumed kneading Tanyee's breasts. "Now ... to what do I owe
the honor of your summons?"

Duric detected the small hint of sarcasm, even as wrapped as it was in
more good-natured banter. This did not bother him in the least. Janna
was simply being Janna. And it made her most suited for the task he had
for her.

"Now, now, no need for games, my dear," Duric said as he settled into a
seat nearby, smiling as he watched his slave writhe in Janna's lap.
"You know perfectly well why I called you here."

"Oh, but you assume I know everything that is going on with you lately,
Duric."

Duric laughed again. "Ah, more games, is it? Come now. If anyone has
their ear to the ground here, it's you. Or is the rumor that many of my
advisers clandestinely seek you out first before reporting to me not
true?"

Janna raised an eyebrow at this. /Oh, he is the sly one all right,/ she
thought with as much respect as amusement. /So he knows about that?/

"Should I be grateful you are not terribly upset with me over that?"
asked Janna.

Duric smirked. "Should I be grateful you did not use the opportunity to
whisper in their ears and steer policies more to your liking?"

Janna paused a moment in her conversation, even though her hands
continued to work Tanyee's breasts, making the young slave pant and
whimper. Janna was very tempted to let him believe that she might do
just that, just to see what happened. Instead, she decided to be more
serious about it. "You know I would never do such a thing, Duric. This
is your kingdom to run, not mine."

"Yes, I know."

"Do you, really?"

"Yes, really. If I didn't trust you that way, Janna, I wouldn't be
considering you for this task."

Janna was impressed. She had wanted Duric's trust, but did not realize
she had gained it already.

"If you're surprised at that, Janna, realize that I keep very careful
tabs on everyone. Face it, many in the Clan consider me too young for
this position. There are many older men that grumble over being passed
over for appointment. They would love to find a way to force me out of
this position."

"Yes, I am well aware of that. Though things have quieted down greatly
in the past moon."

Duric gave Janna a wan smile. "I suppose I now have something good to
say about my, ah, 'talk' with the Emperor. They're shying away from me
thinking that I'm the Emperor's right-hand man or something."

"Shying away? Try scared, Duric," Janna said, her face growing dark.
Her hand dipped between Tanyee's legs, her fingers stroking the slave's
swollen womanhood very slowly. Tanyee trembled with the desire to press
her pussy into Janna's hand but maintained proper discipline and did
not move.

"Good, they should be."

Janna gave him an odd look.

Duric chuckled. "No, not because I've become Z'haas' lackey or
something. It means that they'll take things seriously. Which is what
brings us to your reason for being here."

Janna nodded. "You want me to represent you at the Caucus."

"As I thought you would, you got it right in one."

"When do I leave?"

"I don't know yet. Officially, we don't have a Caucus. And we still
might not have one."

Janna frowned. "Don't tell me Uras backed down, that great windbag ..."

Duric shook his head. "No. We're just waiting for the Overlords to see
what they do."

Janna considered this for a moment, the only sound in the room the
increasingly desperate moans of Tanyee as Janna skillfully made her
strain ever closer to orgasm without reaching it. "You're hoping
they'll take care of the problem for you."

Duric grinned. "Precisely. So then we can all listen to ourselves gripe
and complain about Overlord influence, raise the hells themselves in
indignation, and then go back to life as usual and just let it slip
into the history scrolls."

Janna had a reply for him, but raised a hand briefly to pause their
conversation. She lifted her free hand to Tanyee's breast and massaged
the nipple firmly. At the same time, she pumped her fingers in and out
of Tanyee's sex.

Tanyee squealed and moaned in delight. Her whole body tensed, her back
arching as she strained at the edge. She let go with a short, sharp cry
as her pussy throbbed. Her hips bucked in Janna's lap as she came, her
breathing a ragged pant as she could think of nothing but her climax
for the next few moments.

"Now, my dear Tanyee," Janna whispered into her ear. "I have given you
a privilege. A reward before the fact. Now you have to live up to that.
Prove yourself worthy of the great pleasure I have just bestowed upon
you."

Janna's own voice grew increasingly husky as she spoke, as this had
aroused her to the point where it was growing uncomfortable to sit with
her legs together anymore. She was sure she had already soaked into an
undergarment.

She nudged Tanyee from her lap. Still panting lightly, Tanyee turned
just as Janna pulled up her dress and spread her legs. Her underpants
were indeed quite damp, the crease in her slit stained dark.

She glanced up at Duric with a tiny smile. "I assume you have no
objections ..."

Duric's smile widened. "Oh, no objection whatsoever. Do continue. My
slave is for your pleasure. I would not insult you by denying her to
you."

Janna smiled at Duric as she pulled the crotch of the garment to the
side.

Tanyee leaned in, her face moving towards Janna's musky and wet sex.
Janna drew in her breath and let it go as a contented sigh as Tanyee's
tongue began gently licking. "Nice and slow, slave," Janna said in a
husky voice. "I still have some business to finish with your Master."
She looked up at Duric. "Anyway ... So I may not get to go on this
little jaunt to the Imperial Palace after all."

"Between you and me, Janna?" Duric said in a more serious tone of
voice. "I think you'll be going."

"Really, now?"

"I think the Overlords are foundering. History tells us the Overlords
move swiftly when they decide on this course of action. We should not
be able to talk about it now except as a footnote after the fact."

Janna nodded slowly. She paused and looked down at Tanyee, tenderly
stroking the girl's lustrous hair. She let herself enjoy the pleasure
for a few moments before responding in a more subdued and slightly
breathy voice, "So that leaves the mess to us."

"Unfortunately, yes. Though we don't have the luxury of a clandestine,
behind-the-scenes coup. We just have to find a way to rap the Emperor
on the knuckles, call him a naughty boy and tell him to take his toy
soldiers and go home."

"And hope he doesn't throw a tantrum."

"That's the tricky part." Duric smiled slightly. "Another reason I
picked you."

Despite Tanyee having obeyed Janna's orders, Janna felt herself rising
rather steadily. She was excited not just by Tanyee but her own
thoughts of what this assignment could mean for her future, and it was
driving her to a peak faster. "Mmm ... o-oh? In what way?" she asked,
sounding slightly distracted.

Duric grinned at this. "I figured if there was anyone that could charm
the pants off Z'haas, it would be you."

"And do you intend for me to do that literally?"

Duric laughed. "I will leave that up to you. Though he does not exactly
strike me as handsome by any means."

"Being ... b-being the Emperor means he does not have to be ... oh,
Tanyee, very nice ..."

Janna closed her eyes as she panted heavily. Her only weakness in
adopting the tough Mistress guise was that it shattered quite easily
once she was on the receiving end of the pleasure. It was the one
reason why potential lovers of hers had no trouble "taming" her once
they got far enough to engage in sexual contact.

That was most likely why she would choose not to go the sexual route in
attempting to win over the Emperor.

"Mmm ... a-anyway ... I thank you for giving me this opportunity ...
I'm sure we can turn this around ..."

Some of Duric's smile faded. He opened his mouth to say something but
decided to wait. By this time, Janna was urging Tanyee onward. Janna
tossed her head back, moaning loudly as she rose precipitously. Her
back arched slightly just moments before she let out a soft cry. The
muscles in her thighs clenched as she came, her pussy throbbing hard
under Tanyee's lips and tongue.

Janna slowly relaxed as her orgasm played out. She stroked Tanyee's
hair lovingly as she nudged the girl back. Tanyee looked up, smiling,
her face still glistening with Janna's fluids. "Did I please you,
Mistress?"

"Mmm ... indeed, Tanyee, you did, most satisfactorily," said Janna.

"Tanyee, go clean yourself up and wait for me in my bedchamber," Duric
called out.

"Yes, Master," said Tanyee dutifully as she stood. She departed the
room without a backwards glance.

Janna looked a bit askance at Tanyee's rather abrupt dismissal and
looked over to Duric questioningly.

"You need to know something, Janna," Duric said in a much more somber
tone of voice.

Janna simply nodded for him to continue as she readjusted her
underpants and dress.

"I am not convinced that the Caucus will work either."

Janna did not reply at first. This was the same thing she was thinking
but dared not speak it. She had hoped that it was just a manifestation
of her own nervousness. Despite her enthusiasm for the task, it would
be the first time that she had to deal with so many Lords. And at the
/Imperial Palace!/ Even in the best of times that was a daunting idea.

She would never let anyone see any of that doubt. That was a sign of
weakness. Once she had completed her task the first time, it would
become easier the next time.

"Then what are our options?" Janna asked after she had finished
adjusting her clothing.

"It will again depend on the Overlords. They're going to be running the
show."

Janna frowned at this.

"Yes, I know, you don't like that idea. But I can almost guarantee that
will be what will happen. And Roquan D'ronstaq will be their leader."

"Leader? You make it sound like he's in a bid for the throne himself."

Duric could sense both the disdain and anxiety in Janna's voice. He
shook his head. "No, nothing like that. But I've been seeing some
interesting things in the intelligence I've been getting recently.
Something happened at that Conclave, Janna. Something bigger than just
a change in regime. Whatever it was, it rallied the Overlords around
one of their number. That has /never/ happened before."

"So what are you saying, Duric?"

"I'm saying that there may be a need to take more direct measures to
deal with Z'haas."

Janna's eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. "You can't possibly
mean ... there hasn't been that sort of thing since ..." she sputtered.

"Since the founding of Oceanus two centuries ago, yes. But if the
Overlords want to go that route, then ..."

Janna bolted out of her seat, indignant. "We cannot have a military
coup by the Overlords! That would be worse than what we have now!"

Duric raised his hands and gave her a stern look. "Janna, calm down. I
know how you feel about Overlord power in Oceanus. A military action by
/only/ the Overlords is not possible and you know it."

Janna was about to retort when she paused, catching the emphasis that
he had used. She slowly sat down. "You think the Overlords will come to
us?"

"Well ... not exactly. Not if Roquan is the leader. He won't want to
touch the Nobility."

"Is he a fool, then?"

"No, just proud. And stubborn. Which is why I intend to force the issue
when the Overlords' next move fails."

Janna eyed Duric. "You're that confident that it will indeed fail?"

"Unfortunately, yes. So I will be ready when that moment comes and make
the initial overture to Roquan."

Janna gave Duric a knowing smile. "And of course you're doing this out
of the goodness of your heart and your love for your country."

Duric chuckled. "Yes. But I think that dedication deserves a reward,
doesn't it? A gift, even. And Roquan will provide one if he wants my
help. I've even picked out the gift for him, so it will make it easy on
him."

"Hmm, should I even ask?"

"Oh, I think you'll like the gift too, Janna," Duric said with a
growing smile. "Considering your ... /propensities/ ..."



The two Overlords stared at each other across the room for a silent
moment, one attired in casual earth tones, the other in shimmering,
blue-tinted Farview. The only sounds were the gentle tick of an ornate
clock mounted above the mantle of a wide fireplace just behind the
latter, and the occasional, very faint soft moan from somewhere beyond
the closed door of the room.

The Farviewed one finally spoke, the look on his face a cross between
indignation and simple incredulity. "If this is some sort of joke,
Gronnus, I'm not finding it the least bit funny."

Gronnus sighed and wiped his face with a beefy hand, trying not to look
as anxious as he felt. "Rennis, be reasonable! I am only asking for
..."

The image of Overlord Rennis D'glounaas gaped at Gronnus.
"/Reasonable?/ Hellfire, Gronnus, where do you have the gall to assume
you of all people know anything about being reasonable?"

Gronnus clenched a hand into a fist. He tried not to let the fact that
Rennis reminded him so much of Roquan cloud his judgment. It was not
that Rennis looked anything like Roquan. Far from it. Rennis had a much
leaner build, black hair, and a goatee, which was nothing like Roquan's
broad-shouldered, brown-haired and clean-shaven appearance. It more
Rennis' manner. Despite the fact that Rennis tended to be more brash
and forward than Roquan, he nevertheless had begun spouting the same
beliefs as his cohort.

Gronnus knew but would not openly admit that he had himself to blame.
Rennis used to be more of a balance to Roquan, helping Roquan realize
his own limitations. Gronnus' actions had just served to push Rennis
more into Roquan's camp.

"So is there anything else you wanted to waste my time with today,
Gronnus?" Rennis said in irritation.

"Rennis, I am not asking for the world! Only for my fair share!"

"Fair share of what?"

"Information! Blast that Roquan! Why is he so secretive? What does he
have to hide from the rest of us?"

Gronnus knew this was likely not helping his case. But he was
frustrated. He had already talked to eight other Overlords trying to
find a shred of hard information about what Roquan was planning next.
He had gained little from them. Challenges to Roquan's secrecy earned
him only rebukes about trusting Roquan to do what needed to be done.

To Gronnus' surprise, Rennis looked amused at this. "Secretive? Not
really. He's been informing others of his plans. Myself, for instance.
Doran, for another."

"And no one outside your little conspiratorial circle?" Gronnus said
acidly.

Rennis sneered, his eyes cold. "You're the one to talk about
conspiracies, Gronnus. Considering how you almost had Roquan killed."

"I have explained myself time and time again until I am blue in the
face! I had little choice in the matter in light of the Emperor's
threats!"

Rennis gave a short bark of laughter, devoid of humor. "And did you
consider that the other Overlords might have rallied around you once
they heard that one of their own was threatened by the madman on the
throne right now? No, you did this with personal gain in mind. Don't
try to deny that."

Gronnus was somewhat taken aback by this. He had expected Rennis to be
unfriendly towards him, but this was downright vindictive. It was not
the way one Overlord should talk to another. Had this been before the
Conclave, and it had been Roquan speaking in such a manner (as he was
wont to do during that time), Rennis would have reamed him for it. Now
Rennis was doing it himself. He was becoming so much more like Roquan
every day.

"Regardless of what you believe, Rennis, I am with you now," declared
Gronnus. "As I told you, assassination had not been my intent, it was
something Z'haas had sprung on me at the last minute. Now I want to see
him removed from the throne as much as you and Roquan do."

"Good to hear you say that, Gronnus. Nice to know you won't grieve for
him when he's gone."

Gronnus detected the sarcasm in Rennis' voice and tried not to bristle.
"What I mean is, I wish to no longer be kept in the dark about these
matters."

"And why do you wish to know?"

"Why should I have to answer such a question?!" Gronnus thundered. "I
am an Overlord! Roquan's plots are not privileged information! We all
voted in favor of deposing Z'haas. Even myself. That earns me the right
..."

"You have earned nothing, Gronnus!" Rennis shouted back, eyes blazing
remarkably like Roquan's might when he was angry. "Nothing but
contempt."

"Contempt is one thing. Being completely ostracized is quite another!"

"Really, Gronnus, I think you are overstating the issue."

"The other Overlords tell me nothing. It is clear that Roquan is
playing his cards close to the vest. Too close for my liking."

Rennis paused at this point. He knew for a fact that Roquan was indeed
sharing information with the other Overlords. It was at Doran's urging,
as he had heard similar complaints from the others about Roquan's
secretiveness. Doran had the unenviable task of explaining to the other
Overlords why they must avoid sharing too much information with Gronnus
without revealing his direct involvement in the assassination plot.

Nevertheless, some of it had leaked. Gronnus had not been truthful when
he had said that he had been told nothing. He was told that contact was
being made with someone in the Imperial Palace, but he did not have a
name. But this information was useless without a specific name,.

"Perhaps, Gronnus, Roquan has indeed shared information," Rennis said
carefully. "But only with those that he can trust. And perhaps he told
them not to inform you."

Gronnus looked stricken. "What?! He cannot do that to me!"

Rennis looked askance at the other Overlord. The look in Gronnus' eyes,
even over the Farview, betrayed fear more than it did anger.

Gronnus caught himself and tried to regain his composure, but was only
partially successful. "He cannot tell the others about ... about what
he accuses me of! He knows what will happen if he does!"

Rennis sighed and shook his head. "Still resorting to threats to get
what you want."

"And he is not doing it to me?"

"You earned it, he has not."

"/He is training a Draughtless girl!/"

"And how does that stack up against nearly getting an Overlord and a
slave killed?!" Rennis thundered. "The truth is, Gronnus, you may think
that the other Overlords will scream for Roquan's blood over his
indiscretion, but they would want your hide flayed long before that.
And to be honest, Doran could likely work his oratory magic and get
Roquan off with no more than a censure. He would not lift a /finger/
for you and would more likely sell the rope for your hanging if we
still did that sort of thing. Now, Gronnus, tell me exactly how you
come to believe that you have a right to demand anything of Roquan?"

Rennis' face was livid, but inwardly he felt a great sense of relief.
That anger towards Gronnus had been building for some time. It grated
on him to no end that Gronnus had done such a reprehensible act and
still remained in charge of one of the largest Manors in Oceanus. He
felt almost embarrassed now that he had so taken Roquan to task when he
had first heard about Roquan training Amanda. It was almost nothing
compared to this.

Gronnus silently fumed for a few moments. He knew now there was little
hope of getting the information he needed from Rennis. But it also
confirmed something else he had been thinking. He had glossed over it
with the Emperor, claiming the opposite of what he now had the
increasingly uneasy feeling was true. The terrifying truth was that he
no longer had any influence over Roquan.

One of the longest-standing traditions of the Overlords blatantly
violated, and in the end it would mean nothing to the others!

Rennis composed himself in the wake of Gronnus' silence. He realized he
should not have vented like that, no matter how good it had felt at the
time. When he spoke again, his voice was back to a normal
conversational tone, though it retained an acid edge. "Gronnus, if you
want to regain any sort of standing again, you're going to have to own
up to what you have done and find a way to make amends for it."

Gronnus uttered a short, cynical laugh."Make amends? Like Roquan would
accept such a gesture!"

"You would be surprised, Gronnus. You simply need to stop thinking
about your personal gain and start thinking about the good of Oceanus."

"I am thinking of that! That is why I wanted information about ..."

"To what end, Gronnus? You are in no position to assist even if you did
know all the details."

"I know what Roquan is afraid of," Gronnus said, his voice quavering a
bit. "He is afraid I will tell the Emperor. That I am spying for him. I
can assure him that I am not! I want nothing more to do with that ...
that ... paranoid fool!"

"I'm not the one you need to convince, Gronnus, and I am not the one to
be your advocate. Not now, with so much at stake. You're going to have
to sit this one out. Perhaps when things have quieted down, you can
approach Roquan and seek peace with him. Now, you will excuse me, as I
have other matters to attend to."

Before Gronnus could protest, the image of Rennis turned to leave. The
Farview lingered a few moments to show his retreating back before
fading out.

Gronnus bristled and gnashed his teeth. To turn one's back on another
before terminating the Farview link was a veiled insult in Narlassi
culture.

He stomped across the room and snatched the pearl from the spot before
the fireplace. He considered throwing it across the room and letting it
shatter against the wall. It would be a fitting symbol of his shattered
fortunes.

Instead, he paused and let his eyes drift over the darkening room. The
large, ornate desk sat in shadow at the far end of the long,
rectangular space. He silently cursed the stack of parchments upon it
that marred its otherwise perfect appearance, papers that reminded him
of how fast his debts had mounted in wake of his humiliation at the
Conclave. He was still expected to honor the many deals he had done at
the Conclave despite the outcome, as an Overlord's word was considered
sacrosanct.

Worse, the distractions of the Conclave and his own dealings with other
Overlords had taken so much attention from the business of actual
Overlordship that several of his clients had terminated their contracts
with him.

Gronnus walked silently to his desk and put the blue pearl away in its
bed of velvet along with the other pearls he used for contacting the
Overlords and his clients. His eyes shimmered at the number of empty
slots among the latter.

The Overlord slammed the drawer shut with a loud bang and looked
towards the door from which the low moans continued to emanate.

He strode across the room and yanked open the door. In the plush
reception area, two naked slave girls looked up from where they sat
upon one of the sofas, slowly fingering each other's sex. At the sight
of their Overlord, they withdrew their hands and stood up. They stepped
over to him and bowed their heads submissively, folding their hands
before them.

Gronnus smiled. His slaves, he believed, were proper slaves. Each one
of them given a properly strong Draught of Forgetfulness when first
captured. Each one trained to know her place. They never disobeyed or
questioned his orders. When he placed them on a rotating cycle to come
into the reception area and have sex with each other so that he could
enjoy the sounds of constant soft moaning all day, they simply did as
he told them. They did not demand to know why or how.

How could Roquan possibly live with a slave that did not act as his
did?

"I am retiring for the day. I will have my evening meal later in my
room. Then I shall have the two of you."

"Yes, Master," said one, then the other.

"Now, go to my room now and await me there. Continue to pleasure each
other until I arrive so you two remain aroused. I will share my evening
meal with you."

The two slaves acknowledged him again in the same manner and hurried
off.

Gronnus watched them go before turning away and heading out of the
reception area .

He entered a wide hallway, one side of which was lined with large,
ornate windows. The setting sun cast the corridor in a ruddy glow,
adding a touch of crimson to Gronnus' already dark expression. Long
shadows stretched before the sun's fading rays in the lush gardens that
surrounded the Overlord's mansion in the center of the D'yoran Manor.
In the distance, a large tree was edged in the beginnings of fall
colors.

He passed quickly through the hall and out the doors at the opposite
end and into the outside air. A breeze rustled the leaves in the trees
and touched his skin with a slight chill. After having spent so much
time in the hot, steamy tropics during the Conclave on his recent
travels, it was a welcome feeling.

Gronnus' gait now took on a more leisurely pace as he managed to calm
himself somewhat. The sight of the sun dipping behind the low mountains
to the west and the crispness of the temperate and dry air always made
him feel a bit more centered.

He headed down one of the paths that led through the gardens. The place
looked deserted. It was the dinner hour, so most of the Manor slaves
were in the Common Room sharing a meal. Gronnus never dined with them,
save in private. He felt it made him become too personable to the
slaves. He wanted to seem just out of reach. He wanted that aloofness,
which he felt helped reinforce the concept of who was in control.

Gronnus let his gaze wander. Surrounding the central mansion, tiny
houses dotted the landscape, arranged in rigid rows and grids like a
properly laid out city. This is what a Manor should look like, Gronnus
always thought. Neat and well-organized, and far enough inland to be
away from the unhealthy humidity of the sea. His Manor was located far
north along the eastern seaboard of the continent. Not like Roquan's
Manor, sitting in the near-tropics, the air always sodden and hot.

The last sliver of sun began to vanish as Gronnus reached the edge of
the Manor grounds. It was somewhat ironic that, for all his desire to
be involved in matters with the other Overlords, all he seemed to want
when he was not trysting with his slaves or negotiating a contract, was
to be alone, to isolate himself from everything and everyone. Things
seemed so much simpler when he was looking over the rolling,
grass-covered hills behind the Manor.

But of late, even this bit of solace was denied him due to his
increasing dread of what action the Emperor would take against him.
Instead of seeing the empty fields behind the Manor as a source of
peace, now he thought of how excellent a target he was making himself
to a good marksman. A single arrow from a concealed location would be
all that was needed to ...

"Ah, but you like to take walks to clear the mind much like I do. This
is good."

Gronnus whirled around so fast that he stumbled and nearly fell. Only
placing a hand against the trunk of a tree saved him from a spill to
the ground. "Wh-who is it?!" he demanded, his voice filled with
indignation but quavering with fear.

"Does your Lordship forget me so soon? After how I had helped you
during the Conclave?"

Gronnus whipped his head around. The voice seemed to come from
everywhere around him at once. He could tell the voice was nearby, but
not exactly where. Only now did he realize how many places one could
hide. Behind one of the trees; along the side of one of the slave
quarters; crouched behind one of the freshwater wells; or even just
behind the regularly spaced boulders that marked the edge of Gronnus'
property.

And the voice did seem familiar to him.

"Maybe I know you," Gronnus said, trying to make his voice sound
intimidating despite how frightened he was. "But that gives you no
right to sneak into my Manor! And how did you do it? The wards along
here prevent anyone from coming in without me knowing about it!"

"The wards mean nothing to me, my dear Overlord. What matters is what I
can do for you."

Gronnus felt his heart pounding. While the stranger had been speaking,
he tried approaching one of the wells, as it seemed like the place the
voice was coming from. Yet no one was crouched behind it when he
looked.

"No need to continue this silly game, your Lordship," came the voice
again, this time sounding like it came from behind one of the slave
quarters. "And you will not find me unless I wish to be found."

Nevertheless, Gronnus dashed along the side of the building to see for
himself. There was no one behind it. He did not even hear the sound of
feet against the sandy ground, as he would expect were someone running
away to avoid being caught.

"You are using some sort of sorcery!" Gronnus shouted as he came out
from behind the structure. "I demand you stop it this instant!"

"Ah, but would you be so insistent on having this meeting on your terms
if you knew exactly what I could be doing for you, my dear Overlord?"

Gronnus knew that voice! If he could just quell his growing panic, he
was sure he could remember who it was. "So is this your plan? Attempt
to confuse me so you can land the blow more easily?"

"Land the blow? You dishonor me, Overlord Gronnus. To consider me
nothing more than a lowly assassin."

Gronnus looked behind a tree. "You act like one! Skulking about like
..."

"I do not skulk, dear Overlord," came the reply with a slight edge to
it. "That also dishonors me. I am simply remaining unseen. There is a
great difference. But let us not argue over such piddly things, your
Lordship."

Gronnus returned to the spot in which he had been standing when he had
first heard the voice, panting in exasperation from the effort of the
search. "Fine. If you are indeed bent on destroying me, best get it
done quickly! Not the slow death I have endured for the past moon!"

"But what if the very thing I am offering you is a way of preventing
your destruction? Or ... at least staving it off for a time."

Gronnus paused and narrowed his eyes. "What are you saying?"

"I know of your difficulties, your Lordship. I know of what you are
expected to deliver to your tormentor."

Gronnus' mouth opened for a moment but he was unable to say a word. He
trembled at the idea that someone else might know about his dealings
with the Emperor. At the same time, he realized that one could claim
anything one wanted, and it could all hold a kernel of truth if spoken
vaguely enough. "Then ... th-then prove it to me!" Gronnus shouted, his
voice edged with desperation. "Give me what I supposedly need for my
supposed tormentor! Otherwise your words are meaningless to me!"

"Gondas Ze'yassa."

Gronnus' eyes opened wide. "What ...?"

"Gondas Ze'yassa. That is what you need. A name to deliver to your
former benefactor. It will appease him for the time being."

Gronnus was confused at first, until he realized the meaning of the
honorific prefix "Ze." It was used for those that were part of the
Emperor's staff in the heart of the Imperium. And the Yassa Clan owed a
great debt to the Jorus Clan. Doran D'jorus' Clan. Now it made sense to
him.

Gondas Ze'yassa was the Overlords' inside man in the Imperium. He was
the one that was going to attempt the coup.

"I must leave you," said the voice. It shifted, as if the person behind
it were truly moving now. "But I will be in contact with you again. And
then we will talk business."

Gronnus blinked. "Business? What in the hells do you mean?!"

"Ah, but you truly do not remember me or what I am. A pity. Information
is a commodity, my dear Overlord. You of all people should know that. I
do not give away such a thing for free. There is a price. Consider what
I have given you today a 'free sample' of my 'wares.'"

Gronnus opened his mouth to speak again, but before he could, he heard
the sound of running feet against sandy ground. And this time it came
from a definite direction, near a rocky outcropping where the land
outside the Manor dipped but the Manor grounds remained level.

Gronnus broke into a run. The short cliff curved, keeping the stranger
just out of his view. He was slowed by having to step around rocks and
crags, things that the stranger seemed to glide over. By the time he
heard the sound of running stop, there was a bright glow from around
the bend and a sound like thunder.

Gronnus rounded the curve and emerged into a small clearing just behind
one of his Trainers' quarters. He skidded to a stop just as the ground
beneath his feet shook with the imploding energies of a Portal being
closed.

The Overlord was dumbfounded. A Portal? Opened up inside his Manor?
That meant the stranger had a partner, someone to carry a blue pearl
imbued with a spell allowing it to be the focus for the Portal. It was
the only way to open one with such pinpoint accuracy. Someone had to
have been here already to assist him in infiltrating the Manor.

His thoughts were distracted by a flicker of light from the ground near
where the Portal had departed.

He stepped forward and looked down. On the ground was a blue pearl.

Thinking he had found the focus, Gronnus reached down and snatched it
up. Yet almost as soon as it was in his fingers, he felt an odd
tingling shoot through his hand. Gasping in a panic, he threw the pearl
to the ground. It was too late, however. The spell imbued into it had
already discharged into him, and the pearl now slowly turned to a
powder that was scattered to the breeze.

Gronnus contained his sense of alarm. He now recognized the Magic. All
that had happened was someone had bound a Farview spell to him.
Someone, somewhere had a blue pearl that they could use to summon
Gronnus to a Farview audience. There was inherently nothing wrong with
this, other than the fact that Farview binding generally required the
willingness of the recipient, and was done with the pearl itself that
was to be used for the Farview instead of by proxy as this one was
done. What the stranger had done was generally frowned upon by the Mage
Guild.

But then again, the stranger had made it perfectly clear that he was
willing to ignore the rules when it suited him. And by this time,
Gronnus had figured out who the man was.

Unfortunately, it made the man's sincerity suspect. It could be a means
of planting false information. Yet he had nothing else. He had no other
options. This was literally his only hope.

He was anxious to inform the Emperor now. But he had to wait until the
Emperor Farviewed him. That would not be until the morning. He had to
sit on the knowledge until then.

He turned and headed back into the Manor. It was going to be a long
night.
<1st attachment end>


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