The two men began to follow the lead guard but were stopped momentarily by another one who ripped the belt case from around Boyce's waist.
They were escorted to the palace of the Sedash ruler, Mas-Trephor.
Under a strict watch, they were forced to sit for several hours. That was to be their wait for an audience with the great ruler of Sedara.
During the lengthy wait to see Trephor, there was a Dam that brought to them some food and drink. The guards refused to let her through at first, but then as if they had no choice, allowed her entry to see the two men. She served each one individually but said nothing to them.
The men glanced at one another when she handed them some goblets of drink.
"Don't drink it, yet!" Lloyd whispered.
He took Boyce's goblet and took a sip from it, then soon after took a gulp from his own.
"Can't be too cautious!" Boyce whispered back at him and the Dam hermaphrodite smiled.
"I assure you both that the drinks and the food are quite safe. If you do not believe me let me drink."
Lloyd examined his server. From the slight form he guessed sixteen years of age, and from the look of those bright green eyes, he soon nodded to Boyce that he could drink.