Diametries snorted softly in derision to hear Kestrel speak of freedom. "Your people got what they deserved," Diametries asserted. "At least your information comes in time for me to use it."

Diametries then cocked his ear slightly at a sound from near the curtains. "How long have you been here, Daymion?" Diametries asked, and his gold-decorated robes swished along the ground as he turned.

A man clad in flowing black fabric that hung loosely on his sinewy frame stepped out from behind the curtain. He was a bit shorter than Diametries, and his way of walking silently gave the impression that he had a natural stealth. His shoulder-length hair was pale gray, almost white. It looked shaggy, as if it had long been untended and only recently washed and brushed, causing it to frame his gaunt face jaggedly.

His garnet-colored eyes darted quickly from left to right as he took in his surroundings, and there was certain cunning in the way he smiled. His chest was adorned with a simple silver moon that gleamed in contrast with his black clothing.

"Hmm...your senses are finely tuned, my lord," he said, obviously impressed. "I am surprised that you noticed me."

"How much of that interaction did you see and hear?" Diametries asked with a sharp look that underlined the seriousness of the question.

Daymion threw up his hands casually and shrugged his shoulders. "Enough, but the spirits you consort with are not my affair," he assured him.

"Very professional, assassin," Diametries replied coolly.

"This is just business," Daymion replied, matching the Speaker's tone.

"Today will be exceedingly dangerous. Do you and your people understand the risks?" Diametries asked, watching the assassin carefully for his response.

"Yes. The Mortalitas are ready to give our lives to fulfill any contract we accept, including this one," Daymion asserted. "We will operate as your eyes and ears today, and if an obstacle appears, we will remove it."

"On the other matter outlined in your contract, have you confirmed that your brother is here?" the Speaker asked.

Daymion cocked his head to the side with confidence, and strands of his long hair fell across his eyes. "Soren wanders from city to city. We baited him here with whispers of our presence in Deiyil, and we will begin the process of luring him into the open shortly," he assured

Diametries. "If I know him at all, I know he will not be able to resist getting involved."

Daymion thought for a moment and chose carefully what he would say next. "Your Lordship, I have a word of caution about my brother Soren. He has had an even more colorful past than most of my family, and this causes him to be dangerous. If pushed too far, there is little that can stop him," Daymion warned.

The Speaker considered what Daymion had said before responding. "Make sure that does not happen," he commanded.

Daymion bowed.

Diametries grimaced. "On another note, there are still loose ends dangling in our path. The researchers at the Scar, where the tablets were found, may figure out the details of the ritual if we leave them alive. How are they being cleansed?" he asked.

"I have sent a group of my people to cover up anything that may lead back to you," Daymion said with deadly seriousness.

"If you can, make sure that they do not suffer," Diametries insisted.

"Where would the fun be in that?" Daymion asked with a sly smile.

Diametries looked down at the assassin from his full height.

"It would be a pity if you were on my list of unfortunate accidents," said the Speaker, leaving no room for argument.

Daymion shrugged his shoulders and replied, "Fine." He turned away and then looked back. "There is one other matter," he said. "A young scholar by the name of Penndarius Greyson was sent a tracing of one tablet and purportedly has translated it in full, something that no other has been able to do. He is presumably meeting with either the head researcher, Isaiah Helkrif, or one of his assistants."

Diametries tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Greyson...that name sounds familiar." He shook his head and then inquired, "What action is being taken?"

"I have men shadowing him now," Daymion replied. "When they see their chance, they will strike."

"Good," Diametries said. "I look forward to success in our endeavors, Daymion."

Daymion smiled maliciously, and his eyes twinkled. "The Mortalitas Assassins are yours to command, my lord," he replied with an elegant bow.

Daymion swiftly ducked out the window and disappeared into the brightening dawn.

Diametries turned from the window and clasped his hands behind his back.

Kestrel's outline appeared on the wall behind Diametries. "You have impressive friends, My Liege," he said with a malevolent grin.

Diametries responded. "Events have begun to unfold," he said grimly. "Where will this story lead, I wonder."

Diametries turned toward the large, dark form on the ground and eyed it for a moment. "If the ritual is as you say, this creature may yet serve a useful purpose, even in its unconscious state," he said and pulled a small, sharp letter opener from his robes. The Speaker walked to the still form and quickly cut a small tuft of glossy, black hair from the unconscious creature's body. He then pulled one of the two blue ties from his hair and wrapped the fur with it and placed it securely in one of his pockets.

After Diametries took his souvenir, he watched as the large creature's form began to change. Bones cracked, muscles shrank, the hair receded, and he took on a humanoid demeanor. He was soon a small man in appearance, unconscious on the ground and breathing slowly and deeply.

Suddenly a loud banging came from the other side of the door. "Is everything all right, sir?" someone yelled."We found bodies in the hall!"

Moments later five guards burst through the door, almost clambering over one another to get in and arriving in a standing dogpile. A white-clad guard saluted. "Sir, are you all right?" he asked.

"I am fine. He is not," Diametries said and calmly pointed toward the naked, unconscious form on the floor. "If you could see him to the cells below and keep him under observation, that would be appreciated."

"What happened there?" one wide-eyed guard asked as he looked at the broken desk.

"He attacked me and failed to prevail," Diametries said casually. "Replace this wreckage, and get out of my room," he ordered without raising his voice, motioning toward the shattered desk.

The guard saluted. The other guards picked up the unconscious man and draped him with a tabard that partially hid his nakedness, then carried him out of the room.

Outside, Daymion hung one-handed from the eaves above the window and spoke to someone not present.

"Deartháir...Brother, you will not be able to stop these deaths, either," he said with a triumphant grin.

- End of Episode -

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