Cephiro, Elven Province

[Corwin]

"Some of you are disguising yourself as elves," she states. "How many in each band are capable of that?"

[Carthrat]

The monk spits in Umi's face. "Kill me already," he says, boldly.

[Corwin]

She wipes the spittle away with her left sleeve. "All in good time." She pauses, glaring at him. "It's not a question of when, but of how. Now, answer me!" Umi swipes her rapier at the monk's leg, leaving a gash in it, while careful to give all of his bonds a wide berth.

[Carthrat]

The monk inhales sharply as the blood starts spilling from his leg. "All," he replies in a wheezing voice.

[Corwin]

"There was a monk I faced twice already," Umi says, describing him from memory. "Who is he?"

[Carthrat]

The monk starts laughing again. "Shigen. Shigen Oniko."

[Corwin]

"How many of your clan participating in these raids are as strong as he is?" Umi inquires.

[Carthrat]

"None," replies the monk, smirking. "But you should be praying to your gods on bended knee."

[Corwin]

Umi snorts. "I wasn't the one running away from both our encounters." Her eyes narrow. "Now, I want to hear about your clan's spellcasting abilities. What are the monks attacking our towns capable of?"

[Carthrat]

"Killing elves," replies the monk, sarcastically. "How many graves will be dug tonight? Or how big will the cremating fire be?"

[Corwin]

"You may be under the false assumption that only the method of your death has been left undetermined, monk," Umi tells him coldly. "But you should also think on the amount of time it will take you to leave this Earth."

[Halbarad]

Hikaru's voice comes from behind Umi. "Why? Why are you doing this?"

[Carthrat]

"I'm dying anyway, elven bitch. What does the method matter? You're no master of torture," shoots back the Monk.

Jyoshi stands back, watching with a critical eye..

[Corwin]

"You could still be healed. Again and again." Umi smirks again. "Tell me about your fellow monks' spellcasting abilities."

[Carthrat]

"No," replies the monk, smirking.