"Do you feel better, now that you have made a threat -- so petty, as it was?" Jessuum put Manguino in his place and gave him the feeling of being a child. "I do not like you, Manguino and I do not approve of that for which you stand. I despise your crude manners and even cruder methods." Jessuum backed away from the stench of the ArchBishop's body; the stench that was caused by the over-use of the same filthy rain water. Jessuum resumed. "Should the people of this great land lose their fear of you, my son, no one would be here when you needed them, to fight for your precious stick of flesh. Not a single citizen would kneel to kiss your fruit for the redemption of their sins." "What have you to say for our tomorrow, Seer? You tire me with this worthless palaver about my indulgence." ordered Manguino, scratching at his manhood. "Very well, impatient god of these ignorant people. This is the final time that you shall hear words from my dreams, given to you. Hear this and hear it only once, and remember! Commit it to paper if you will but remember it. Tell the court of the Prominants, if you will, but never ask it to be repeated to you, for on that day when that request is done, so should it be the end of your rule in Pomperaque." Jessuum's eyes glowed with the fire of wisdom and the light of knowledge. His brow poured forth an anxious sweat while Manguino stood by smiling with less than no faith in what he was told -- even if he cared to think of the meaning behind it. "Four great elements, ride on high Come from the greatest fears inside. All suspicions end with feast Of gilded skins and threaded beads. Foul water there is all to drink And wine does burn with chocking stink, Of dying corpses bleeding free And refuge cut off, from the sea. And where to run with hearts that tare Leave not your sight, from the air. Black feathers from his shoulders peer As promised by that Holy Seer, Shall come and take his place that day And rule the city where he once did play. The great one falls in the bloodied sand And is soon forgotten in the land. The bones of his body are never found But his breathing body yet is sound." Manguino stared at Jessuum for a moment then sneered. "What do I make of that? It was quick and as senseless as all your other dreamy riddles. How could my fore-fathers trust you?" "Do you remember those words, Manguino?" Jessuum asked him. "Yes, but what should I care?" Manguino asked. "Then ... repeat it to me -- once ... if you can!" demanded the great Seer and Manguino did indeed repeat every word to no great avail of knowing their meaning.