***
{Outside The Projection}
The murmurs in the Hall had been swirling around Azeem all this time, but now, finally, every gaze shifted, one by one, all towards Sinbad.
Something incredible was just revealed.
Something none of them expected.
They'd all heard him; they couldn't unhear it.
He, with his own damned beak, revealed that he had gone on a "breeding spree."
Sinbad had four wives… likely many more children.
SINBAD HAD KIDS!
It struck, sending ripples across the hall, making them blink, part their mouths, and glance around, pupils darting from one face to another, trying to confirm if they'd really heard right.
Even Azeem looked like someone had yanked the carpet out from under him, never mind Layla, and worse, Huda, who had her head snap up at once, eyes wide despite the dark smudges under them.
