Boyce's slight affection for the single crow he had seen flying around, during their journey, was quickly waning and he quickly sat up to see where it was and shoo it away. He opened his eyes and saw six male figures standing around the opening of the den. "Lloyd, we're surrounded!" Boyce screamed out to him and Lloyd quickly sprang to his feet when he saw them. "Lloyd!" Boyce called out and Lloyd answered him quickly. Boyce continued. "This is getting ridiculous!" "I would say so!" replied Lloyd. "We should've thought twice before charging our friends, here!" The men took their capture in stride with the rest of their delays, and Boyce laughed. "Under the circumstances I couldn't see being cordially invited." One of the hunters poked Boyce in the ribs with the end of his club and Lloyd watched. "I guess that means silence?" Boyce jested. Lloyd and Boyce were quiet while the leper hunters took them into the heart of Palatka. Hung in discomfort, they heard the sounds of life get louder until they saw buildings and people pass them on each side while they were carried deeper into the heart of the city. The haul into the city finally ended and they were dropped to the hard ground, and plumes of dust lolled about their heads. When the dust settled from in front of their faces they saw a pair of scabby and puffy, sandled feet before them. Each man slowly leaned backwards as far as they could and looked up at the tall body of a heavy set man, dressed in plain-looking robes and he was fanning himself from the heat. "Release them!" said the leper and several of the hunters cut the ropes and the two captives got up from the ground beating themselves clean from the dust in their clothing. "Thank-you!" said Boyce. "Yes!" echoed Lloyd. They looked at one another for a long time, then the Palatkans that had them released spoke. "I am Urre, ruler of this race!" he said then proceeded. "I will ask you why you attacked my men?" Lloyd and Boyce glanced over at each other and Boyce spoke. "We seek forgiveness for that aggression!" he said and the Palatkan ruler waited. "We slept on the hill and when we woke we saw your men. Unaccustomed to seeing Palatkans, we undertook to defend ourselves. We are sorry!" Boyce finished and Lloyd felt ill because of Boyce's statement about the Palatkan's appearance. Urre had an insulted expression and from behind him came a sedate and shy voice. It was a man's voice yet it was very gentle. "Are you the travellers from Besten?" asked the man. "Yes!" answered Lloyd. "I am Lloyd Bartlett and this is my friend and apprentice, Boyce Loebh." "They are the ones we have agreement, to let pass through Palatka!" said the man. "Hold your tongue, Munsen!" ordered Urre. "They had broken their agreement with their attack upon our people." Boyce and Lloyd looked at one another, realising that they were in a predicament. "Take them to their cells." ordered Urre.