A black carrier pigeon beat its wings, circled a few times above the Council Hall, and finally landed before the Great Elder. It paced back and forth restlessly, as though heralding some ominous portent. Frowning deeply, the Great Elder carefully untied the bamboo tube bound to the pigeon's leg and slid out the note inside.
"What is it, Great Elder?" the Second Elder asked, sensing that the atmosphere had shifted.
Taking a deep breath, the Great Elder handed the note to the Second Elder, his voice ominously low. "The man in black has sent word."
Chapter 100