Rodrigo's stomach stopped aching with hunger before Veng returned. 

"Almost ready." Veng smiled and patted Dastien on the head like a puppy. "You've done your job; you have my permission to die."

Dastien's head snapped up and a knife flashed toward Veng's heart. Before it touched the man, Dastien fell into dust.

"Oh dear, should have told him to go somewhere else." Veng scattered the pile with his toe. "Don't think you're going to get off that easily." He stalked over ...