Toritofu did not accept the drink Hitohana presented him. Over the years the master had outfoxed the craftiest of courtiers and avoided the blade of several assassins. What was that thing that the little peasant had dropped upon the cart? No reason to take chances.

"Hitohana, when you offer a drink to another, you must use your other hand", Toritofu instructed.

A bit confused the girl stood awkwardly for a moment before offering her lord the drink from her other hand.

Perhaps the peasant's anxiety confirmed Toritofu's suspicion. Perhaps he saw nothing when she was at the cart, but none-the-less, he was confident now that if one of the cups contained death, it surely wasn't his.

"Drink up little one", Toritofu said with an encouraging voice, "soon we can continue our little lessons in etiquette".

With that both peasant and lord seemed to take a taste of their beverages. Toritofu observed the girl over his cup, making sure she took a nice swallow. Hana coughed as the strength of the alcohol burned her young throat, but she continued to drink until she emptied her cup.

With a hearty, almost victorious laugh, the ruler swallowed his beverage in one robust gulp. The deed was done. If the girl had tried to kill him, she had just ended her own life.

Within a few short breaths the light of the room began to fade. Every muscle relaxed and the unconscious functions of the lungs and heart ceased. Death came as her brother had promised, quiet and painless.

To be continued...