• A tall, slender woman prowled the stone corridor impatiently. A young man came running up to her, bowed and handed her a small object.

    "You got it, then?"

    "Yes, mistress."

    "Good work, Addis." She fingered the small vial in her hands. The liquid inside may not have looked much, but to her it meant ending this wasteful conflict once and for all. She handed it back to the man. "You know what to do with it."

    "Mistress, is this really necessary? Support for Lady Isabel is dwindling rapidly. Even her own son joined our ranks three days ago."

    "Is that so?" The faintest flickers of a smile showed on the usually humourless woman's lips. "Even so...let's just say, I'd be glad to see the back of her once and for all." She clicked her fingers and a servant boy appeared from the shadows. "Bring a cup of tea to my chambers." The boy nodded and ran off. "Good night, Addis."

    "Good night, mistress." He bowed again and left.

    ---

    Lady Miriam stood before her mirror and smiled to herself. This was her second smile today; something must be going well. And so it was. Tomorrow, Lady Isabel would be dead and the city of Lanavor would be hers. A tentative knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.

    "Enter!" she snapped. The servant boy tiptoed in, placed the tea tray on the bedside table, and dashed out. Even though he had only been here a matter of days, he already knew that Lady Miriam did not tolerate servants entering her quarters for any longer than was absolutely necessary.

    Lady Miriam sat on her bed and sipped the tea. As the liquid trickled down her throat, she felt a strange tingling sensation.

    "ADDIS!" she screamed.

    But it was not her faithful manservant who opened the door. The servant boy smiled as her face contorted with first shock, then agony. His family had ruled this city for centuries. This young upstart would change nothing.