The screaming stopped almost as soon as it began, turning into shallow gasps for air as the young man grasped at his own throat in panic. Although that ended quickly too, and soon he went completely silent. As his arms went limp the magic being used on him was released, resulting in a loud thud as the body hit the floor. Zyra turned and continued walking down the alley. "Insolent whelp."
The man didn't really do anything worthy of death, per se. He was just a beggar, and Zyra was just walking down the alley he lived in. He just had the misfortune of asking her for some change. At first, she just ignored him and walked on. Until he murmured an insult under his breath. All she could make out was the word "whore", but she didn't like that too much.
The sooner she was out of this village, the better. She hated being in towns, even ones as small as this one. However, she had run out of food and the next town was a three day walk away. Naturally, she had to stop somewhere and get the supplies she needed.
Zyra moved through the streets until she came across a small food stall run by a short, fat merchant. She took out a bag and pointed to some dried meat. The merchant smiled heartily and picked up the meat. "Excellent choice, miss. This is the town favorite! Is that all?"
Zyra just glared at him and nodded, dropping the coins she owed him in his hand. She put the meat in her bag and put her bag away, then moved on. There seemed to be something going on in the middle of the marketplace, since there were people gathered around a man who was shouting something. What it was, Zyra didn't care to find out.
When she got to the other side of the marketplace she headed through another alley that came out next to an old shop, then turned onto the street a good distance behind someone else. Not long later she watched as this person walked into a wall, and the last bit of human emotion she still felt caused her to laugh a little. Whether it was loud enough for him to hear, she would soon find out.
