Some time during the day the man had left the deck in favor of the cooler lower decks. His cabin was unadorned with the basics, a bed, wooden chest, and a truck with his things. Lowering himself unto the bed he fell into a fitful sleep.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"No, please no! Something else could be arranged, it doesn't have to be this way." Pleading sounded from the man at his feet. The man above smiled coldly down at his victim. <br/>"You can not get out of this. You have enough enemies out there that anyone could easily eliminate you." He played with the small knife, the blade cool against his skin. The man squirmed at his feet, his once proud demeanor now gone. <br/>"I could pay you. You would live comfortably for the rest of your life." He noticed the bare hands of his attacker. "Maybe even get a lady." The blade stopped dancing across his fingers, a glint in his eye. <br/>“I have an understanding that you have an invitation to the Masquerade ball in Rhomma.” The man at his feet nodded. “I'm afraid you're going to have to cancel because you will not be attending.” The man's eyes grew wide as the knife plunged into his chest. When the breathing and thrashing had stopped the man withdrew the knife, wiping the slender blade on the victim's shirt. He turned and left, locking the door behind him. It would be weeks before the body was found, and by then he would be long gone.</span><br/><br/>Waking with a start, the man tried to push this dream away. He wasn't there, no one knew about the crime, no one knew that the invitee had not cancelled his invitation even after lady death took hold.