Before anyone could ask Hurman for more information or Reginol could order more clarification from Mertin, both men shut their mouths and turned to face the stage. A hawk then descended from the sky and landed on Hurman's shoulder without warning. But it seemed to coddle Hurman and rubbed its face into his neck.
"BEGIN!"
Taking a calming breath and momentarily looking away from the match, Hurman took the small scroll attached to the hawk's leg. He first read it to himself while the others kept quiet, then sighed, "Afterward…"
The bird nodded in response but didn't leave. It remained perched on Hurman's shoulder as the patriarch returned his attention to the fight. But the hawk did take the scroll in its beak before turning to Reginol, who quickly bowed his head and read the paper in turn.
"Afterward would be best…"
