"We offer to you this gold," Boyce pointed to the gold on the bed. "and we offer to you honourable positions in the new government. If you accept you must follow both of us blindly or else you will be killed. If you do no accept we shall hand you over to the monastic guards and have you charged for whatever crimes you have committed, or even those you haven't committed." "You give us a hard choice." said the smaller man. There was a brief quiet in the room while they all exchanged looks. "Hard choices ..." Lloyd began. "are often-times the choices most worth making!" The bigger criminal stood up and folded his arms upon his chest. "It seems we are inclined to accept your offer ... Masters!" he said. "Very wise!" Lloyd responded. " -- And in this new wisdom, you will be our compatriots and will not address us as master." Boyce expressed his intent of partnership. "I am called Boyce Loebh, and this is Lloyd Bartlett." "I am Mingo, and this is my brother, Bix." said the larger man, pointing to the smaller man. "Mingo ... Bix; a new era has dawned in Phoride with your acceptance to serve this man." Lloyd said to them, regarding Boyce. "In the shortness of time you will be told all about this young man and our plans to depose the ArchBishop." Bix got up off the floor being helped by his bother. They both turned slightly, and faced Boyce. "On this new day you have become honourable warriors -- the lieutenants of the only son of Brook and Dearborne Scullion-Blue -- heir to Phoride and the protector of the Northern United Alignment. This is Boyce Loebh Scullion-Blue." Lloyd finished. Mingo and Bix gawked at Boyce then kneeled as they whispered his name in surprise. They new his great and respected name. "Do not kneel, my new friends! We are all equal in the eyes of God. In battle, don't fight for me, but fight for the freedom of Phoride and for your families -- as I will fight for the same. And from this time forward call me only by the name, Boyce." "We pledge our lives to you, Boyce!" Mingo and Bix hailed Boyce as they slowly stood up. CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO Pomperaque woke up and Mingo had left Boyce and Lloyd's room, with Bix. They had denied themselves the gold offered by Boyce and they set out to meet many others like themselves, to encourage them to join Boyce's cause. Lloyd and Boyce caught themselves a few hours of sleep between the time that Mingo and Bix left, and Empal came to their room. Empal had come to the room in order to receive his instructions from Boyce concerning the finalization of the invasion plans. He had also come to tall Boyce about the blue Mansion, since he wanted to know if it was possible for him to purchase it. Empal came to their room that day carrying a large basket of fresh fruit, as if he was delivering the fruit to a buyer, and he woke them from their sleep.