The following morning the men went to market and sew Empal. They
bought from him some of his special fruit from the lands to the west,
called Ïÿnondan, and they asked his opinion of last evening's gala.
Empal was pleased for its success and he told them that many others
thought so, as well. He also told them that Miel and Cassta were
expecting them in Gothal for a luncheon.
Boyce was ultimately pleased because he had a chance to see his wife
and Lloyd was also glad for being able to see Sister Rhonta, to argue
some more Smarte with her.
The two men went to the town stable and borrowed a couple of horses and
rode into Gothal, as soon as they finished their talk with Empal.
Gothal was close, just a few kilometres from Pomperaque's northern
gates but Boyce pushed the horses hard to reach Gothal as quickly as
possible, Zoro riding all the way on his shoulder.
He went to the Abbey of Our Holy Saint Mariot, where Lilith was staying
and found her in her job today, tilling and trimming the flower and
tree garden.
She was grimy from the dirt and heat but the sister in charge of
today's work let her off her job, under the circumstances, and Lilith
had a very quick bath before going to her husband, waiting for her in
her bed.
Rhonta was happy to see Lloyd but all they did was talk while she was
in a room repairing some clothing.
She was a full nun, as she was when she cared for Lloyd until he
recuperated. For the innocent kiss that she gave to Lloyd when he and
Boyce left Gothal, for Pomperaque, she was highly reprimanded and she
was made to work in the abbey kitchens until just recently.
Lloyd was disappointed, and she was probably more disappointed than he
was, but they were both mature enough to understand the circumstances
in which they both lived, so both made the most of their time by
talking.
At noon, Boyce left Lilith's bedroom and went to the Abbess's private
dining room where Miel and Cassta were both waiting for him.
Lloyd wasn't there and Lilith stayed in bed, waiting for Boyce to
return while she pictured in her mind the account that Boyce gave to
her about his reintroduction to Pomperaque.
He walked into the dining room with Zoro and the Abbess Mariot (as all
abbesses were called Mariot, since the first one that found the child
called Sunshine, so long ago), was serving the table where the men sat.
She curtsied to Boyce and left the room as both Miel and Cassta took to
their feet and watched him approach them.
They both came from behind the table and they embraced Boyce with tears
streaming from their eyes.
"Empal had told us who you are, Boyce Loebh Scullion-Blue!" said Miel
between sniffles.
"We didn't know that our great friends had any children, Master
Scullion! Where did you stay as a child? How is it that your father
didn't tell us?" Cassta asked desperately.
"I remember both of you so well, Cassta and Miel. My father only had
two friends that he trusted with his life!" said Boyce.
"How do you remember us, Boyce? We had never seen you before this
day!" Miel's tears subsided allowing wonder to dry them.
"I was hidden before everyone's very eyes and there wasn't a soul in
all of Phoride that knew. Only Empal was told and that was just before
my parent's death." said Boyce and he then proceeded. "I was Boy, my
parent's servant!"
Astounded, the men kissed Boyce's right hand and they didn't even pay
attention to Zoro cawing at them.
"How it is to me, now, to realise that a great ruler truly served his
people!" Cassta praised Boyce.
"I had once served, both of you, with things of substance and now it is
time for both of you to serve me." Boyce's voice sounded demanding.
"Yes!" the men echoed one another.
"We kneel, humbly, before you Lord Scullion-Blue." promised him as he
and Cassta went on their knees.
Boyce put his hands on each man's shoulders and told them to rise. He
let them know that
they had no obligation to kneel before any man, even if that man was
their leader.
"From this time on, neither you, nor any of those who you persuade to
join me -- to help me reclaim Phoride in the name of my father -- shall
kneel before me. Only God, who speaks to men's hearts deserves to be
knelt before. I am not God. I am just a man and because I am just a
man, I need loyal friends to help me regain my birthright an share my
sceptre with me, in this land."
"Only a truly God-sent leader would speak that way. We will die for
you, Boyce!" Miel vowed and Cassta nodded to Miel's offer.
"You did not die to protect my parents, old friends!" Boyce sounded
stern, his voice mirroring the guilt felt by both for their passiveness
when action was the necessity. And Boyce continued, "But I will die
for you, if it be so ordained."
Both of the men's heads sank down upon their chests in a visible shame,
and both had weepy eyes.
Boyce motioned for them to return to the table. They sat down and ate
the banquet that was prepared for them by the abbey sisters and they
discussed the plans that Boyce and Lloyd had agreed to with the
Northern United Alignment, concerning the invasion of Phoride.
Boyce told the men that it will be their job to find loyal and
trustworthy Prominants that would join his side in order to abolish the
canon rule forever and return him as their heir apparent to the Blue
descent.
Everything was agreed upon. Plans were set and fealty was paid through
vows and oaths, and when the meal was finished, the men returned to
Pomperaque.
Boyce returned to his Lilith's bedroom and made love with her once more
before the invasion was to come over this troubled land, and so
separate them for a while longer.
Zoro squawked, having been left out in the garden by Boyce before he
went to Lilith.
Zoro flew back to Pomperaque and circled it until Boyce and Lloyd left
the abbey for their second time.
Risking another reprimand, Sister Rhonta kissed Lloyd good-bye when
Lilith did the same to Boyce.
When the men returned to Pomperaque they rode right for Empal's stall.
Zoro had already soared down onto Boyce's shoulder when they road
through the town's gates, and to Empal's kiosk, Boyce let Empal know
that the invasion could commence.
Empal knew the rest. He had made his plans with the alignment, too.
This was the day that Empal would fly back to Virune and Besten, on his
Kenttitian Eagle, and tell his people and Harvard Bartlett that it was
time to mobilize the armies for their advance on Phoride.