***
{Inside The Projection}
"Fine then."
Sinbad turned to face the hall and waddled around a little, trying to find himself a comfortable spot on Malik's lap before lowering himself to finally relax.
"I will do as you like... as I always do. But what of after you? If you carve yourself into the world's memory and step down into whatever silence you intend, somebody must stand where you stood. Someone must be the face the people aim at and the shoulders the rest may cling to. That is to say... who will be the next Sultan?"
Malik's head tilted the barest fraction.
He continued to stare at the still hall before them.
His eyes alone had said more than most speeches ever could.
His quiet remained, until eventually, he realized that he actually needed to utter what was said by his gold.
"There's no one."
The words came out flat.
