30
JAK RETURNED TO THE hub with the winged man. The place was as quiet as a tomb. Everyone’s eyes were on their communicators or on the vid screen above the bar.
“What’s going on?” Ebere asked.
A woman near him put a finger to her lips and shushed him.
“The beasts destroyed the palace,” she said.
“What?” Jak pushed his way through the crowd and watched as the Tero-Joro reported on the activity in around the palace that day. The explosion could be seen for miles, and the aftershocks felt throughout Adalu.
When the news ended, a few of the patrons caught his eye. Jak took it as a signal to speak.
“Do you see now? This isn’t just a Bolaji kingdom’s problem. It will be a problem for you soon enough. The winged men from your eastern border have agreed to join us.” Jak gestured to Tarrik,
