10
JAK TURNED BACK TO listen, but didn’t join Rasha. She hurried closer, anxiety and anticipation making her stomach clench. She willed herself not to look at Jak.
Both of the messengers seemed out of breath and tired from riding hard.
“Bring them water, now,” she told the guard.
“I’m sorry Your Highness, we bring you bad news,” the Karmirian messenger said. The other had light green skin and small ears, which suggested he was something other than Tero-Joro. “We waited for days and tried everything we could think of to get an audience. They refused to even see us.”
Rasha nodded and patted his shoulder. “It’s all right. I suspected they might not listen to us. You’ve done well.” The water arrived a moment later, and they drank thirstily.
The other messenger turned to Jak.
“Your Grace
