"Pallia was beautiful, and charming, witty, graceful, and everything that one could want in a child." He said, his smile failing to form fully. The old man's face had lost most of its color in the last few days and his eyes had become dull in the light. For the noble Sen Almari, his daughter's demise had been the cold breath to blow out the light of his soul and as he held the golden cup aloft in a wrinkled hand which shook too noticeably for his liking he found his words failing him for the second time in nearly a century of speeches, toasts, and praise.
"But..." he continued, then looking at those gathered at his table, his gray eyes daring not meet the sad, or uncomfortable stares to be found there. "... she has passed from our world, like her mother. My home knows only sorrow that such deeds would transpire, and claim the second joy of the Almari house. Deeds which I should know better than to acknowledge here, amongst my friends, allies and family. But I have no other words for you. Not tonight."
He lowered the oddly dull cup, and regarded it like some mysterious force had placed it in his hand just then. "To Pallia, may her mother receive her, and embrace her as I cannot." He spoke quietly, and his throat became dry.
"Almari blessed." a quiet chorus of voices spoke. Sen touched the cool metal cup to his lips, and drank the wine until it was gone. Those at his table followed suit and as Sen retook his seat in the center of the table's length servants began to present food to the guests. The meal was had in a respectful silence.
In the city far below the bluff which held the Almari house a pair of black gloved hands gripped at the throat of a man. His eyes bulged and his bare fingers scratched at the thick leather. The man was thin and craven, with wiry black hair and yellowed eyes. He smelled of spirits and dirt. "I dunno where'ey is! Ah swear it!" he cried out with the little air that escaped his lungs.
"The house of Almari has always been good to this city, and its people, Hine. Yet when pressed, their eyes see nothing and their ears are struck deaf." The broadly shouldered man spoke in an even, and emotionless tone.
Hine's eye darted to a fro, hoping some soul might spot his in the alley. "If ah new anyfin ah woulda told ya!"
"You know something, and you will tell me."
"Ah don't!" Hine croaked.
The hands closed on his throat, and he was lifted off the ground. As Hine's thin legs kicked at empty air the larger man tilted him so that their eyes would meet. As he met the steely gaze of his attacker he understood that there was only one way tonight would end. He would have to talk... and so Hine nodded, unable to catch the air for words.
As quickly as it started, the hands loosened, and Hine gasped, and coughed. "Awright, awright."
"Your words, and be quick."
"Ah know, it was Bensil, an 'is lot! They were hot unner the collar fer what that Kanlin brat did t'em. Didn't know it'd go this far though, ah never woulda helped 'em had ah known!"
Dark, storm colored eyes watched Hine as he spilled every bean he had.
"You have my thanks, Hine."
"Sure, sure Temn, now please let me go, ah just wanna get outta here."
"You will, but I bear a message for you, and must deliver it..." Hine offered little more than a strangled cry as Temn's hand crushed his throat suddenly.
"Sen Almari offers his condolences for your loss."
The thick, vice like hands twisted, snapping the thinner man's neck with a dull pop. Temn, impossibly tall and clad in midnight blue carried the dead Hine to a dark corner of the alley and settled him behind a pile of garbage before walking back into the city street.
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