CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
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.