Belial had already been informed of the situation that had arisen in the inn between Tara, Chryrie and Veighn. Belial understood that Chryrie might have intended the taunting of Tara to sing as a joke. Yet everyone knew how poorly Tara sings. Veighn would have taken advantage of the situation if he could have and therein lay the issue. To retain the alliance neither side could "attack" the other but Bel wasn't stupid, she knew that Veighn, just like many of the Bloods, was looking for a reason to break alliance. It seemed the only one who deemed the alliance useful was Corwyn. Too bad he wasn't sharing why.

Bel smiled to the pair, her niece and nephew-in-law, waving them to sit and make themselves comfortable as she placed the image orb in the middle of her desk. "I am assuming this is the situation that resulted in the kidnapping of Alysia?" Bel already knew it had to be. She flipped the orb on then sat back to watch.

The orb revealed a typical night at the Red Dragon Inn; Fio leaning against the bar, Lil making snide comments, Tara, the ever popular, trading banter with friends. Nothing out of the usual so far" Belial sipped from her coffee mug, those green eyes intently watching. Veighn's arrival was all pomp and circumstance; mysterious, cowled and already peeved, yet none of that surprised Belial. Veighn tended towards the showy intimidation factor. Of course, he immediately began his rant about how Chryrie attempted to use Tara against him. Belial had expected this too. He laid the blame squarely on the DeAuster House and the Bloods. Although he did mention Chryrie's connection to House Skye, he insisted that Fio was responsible in opening negotiations up with Alysia otherwise Veighn was threatening all out war. Belial kept her expression serene, no reason to allow her growing dislike of Veighn to show. Instead she focused on the scene unfolding before her.

Basically, Veighn demanded a favor of Fio in lieu of declaring all out war against the DeAuster House and that favor was to approach Alysia and negotiate the Chryrie situation to an amicable end. Belial felt she was following along just fine" So, when did things end up going so south' Once again she watched the images shining from the orb.

The chaos of the inn continued to play out, a rather typical Rhy"Din evening, save for the climax building. Alysia didn't seem interested in negotiating, although Chryrie was under the protection of House Skye as well as Onyx. Surprisingly, the Lady Skye wanted to blame Chryrie's attempted manipulation of Tara on Tara and those protecting the girl. Everyone in Rhy"Din knew plain enough how volatile Tara was, her peculiar brand of insanity left the girl open for such ploys as Chryrie had attempted to instigate. Alysia wanted none of the responsibility however, and from Belial's point of view seemed rather dismissive of Fiona and her efforts to resolve the situation.

Two things came to Bel's mind; Fio didn't deserve the lady's ire, she was merely attempting to retain the strained peace between Veighn and the rest of Rhy"Din. And Alysia's blatant refusal to work the issue out collaboratively lowered Belial's esteem of the lady. Through the images unfolding Alysia came across rude, presumptive and quarrelsome. She even went as far as to intentionally hurt Tara, the very soul everyone was attempting to protect. In fact, Bel was forced to wonder" what exactly had been Alysia's goal" Had she already predetermined to go to war with Veighn" Was Fio simply a convenient scapegoat' Or had the lady really believed that the Bloods were "threatening" her" It made little difference to Bel; she judged Alysia by her actions not her delusions, they were left up to the lady herself to address. It was her actions which condemned her.

Green eyes narrowed as she continued to watch the event unfolding. Veighn was taking center stage with Alysia as Fio wisely stepped aside. Bel smiled over her desk to her niece proudly. Fio had done Veighn's "favor" and had ensured Tara's safety; she'd done an excellent job and Belial wanted her to know it was appreciated.

Watching as Alysia dressed Veighn down did bring an amused smile blossoming on full, red lips. Belial too suffered from the "irritation syndrome" around Veighn. There was about the male such arrogance and ego it was hard to overlook the flaws. Bel held her tongue for the sake of their uneasy peace but it was a strategy that had proven successful time and again. She kept the peace because the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the one or few. As much as Bel disliked Veighn, she knew her Family was safer with the alliance intact.

Alysia did not share this point of view as was proving obvious as the night's event continued to play out.

The alliance between House Skye and Yhaull came to an abrupt end by Alysia's own tongue. Bel stared at the image of Alysia surprised and confused. Why end the alliance in the midst of a confrontation' If nothing else could be said of Veighn, he will stand lawfully by his word. Once given, to him it seemed to be bond. Yes, Bel always paid attention' to every tiny detail.

As the scene continued, Veighn and Alysia drew Chryrie into the building confrontation. What she had to contribute made Belial scowl. Such little disregard for the welfare of the whole astounded her. She too could be impulsive and thoughtless when caught up in her own world. But since the mantle of Onyx House Leader, she's learned to keep the best interests of her Family in the forefront of her mind.

Or perhaps it was the newly found guilt that drove her"

"Tara's off limits, Chryrie." Alysia said off-handedly, "Veighn is not."

And so the battle-lines were drawn through barbs and banter over the next twenty or so minutes, that was until all hell broke loose!

Alysia was the first to draw on Veighn; he merely took her up on her invitation.

Belial was riveted in her chair, staring at the unconcealed display of Veighn's power. It was rare when he let his guard down so much and Belial didn't miss a detail! Still" the questions she had concerning the Black Wizard were left unanswered. But at last there was something concrete, something that gave some insight as to what powers the creature held. A frown settles on beatific features as Veighn bulldozed into Alysia and the pair vanished from the inn.

Lucky; this was Bel's prominent thought. She had to find Lucky and she had to find him soon before someone else had the time to tell him. Belial couldn't allow Lucky to chase after Veighn, not now, not knowing the power the Black Wizard had at his beck and call. Somehow, someway, Bel would need to keep Lucky from such a foolhardy endeavor.

That green gaze moved to rest on Fio as a delicate brow arched. "You were there, what would you say of Veighn's "display??"

((Author's Note: A log of the night Veighn kidnapped Alysia is available. If you need more details please contact us for a copy. Thanks!))