***
{Inside The Projection}
Sinbad wheeled in the sky, a small black dot against the washed-out blue.
Below, Malik moved through the courtyard without hurry, boots clicking against pale stone.
The northern gate was already busy—guards standing stiff at attention, the clatter of armor, and the low hum of nobles who'd stopped to watch.
His palanquin sat ready, draped in deep red cloth trimmed with gold, cushions within still puffed from being freshly fluffed.
Four bearers stood on either side, eyes down, not daring to look at the man they would carry.
Malik's gaze swept over them once before his foot touched the first step.
...WHUMP.
The courtyard shattered.
BOOOOOOOOOM.
As a dull sound bloomed into a roar, the palanquin exploded outward in a burst of fire and splinters, immediately killing the four bearers and sending the courtyard into chaos.
***
{Outside The Projection}
"..."
"..."
"..."
...Malik could finally relax, huh?
