"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.