When Lloyd let Empal into the room, he embraced both Lloyd and Boyce and welcomed them properly back into Boyce's city. When the formalities of welcome were observed, the two men sat with Empal and ate the fruit that he had brought along with him, while Boyce listened to Empal's detailed first report that was assigned to him before they left Besten. "The Blue Mansion has been sacked by Manguino's vermin before your parents' bodies were even laid to rest." Empal told Boyce. "The great building has been left unattended and abandoned since the time of their death, and although it had been put on the market, there has been no one interested in buying it." The needed information that Empal was reviewing for Boyce, was depressing but Boyce was satisfied to hear that the Blue Mansion could still be his home. He was strangely happy in realising that his old home was still his and available to him, but even though he legally held it as his own, to keep Halls from knowing who he was, he would have to buy it. Empal was glad that he had finished giving his report. Now he could have his two friends recount their journey to him and possibly explain to him the reason for the tardiness of their journey from besten. Boyce and Lloyd didn't leave out a single detail about their trip. Unusual as it was, Lloyd told of their meeting of Grenadine and his reactions to her. He told the story with such honesty that there was almost a feeling of melancholy in the room when he finally came to telling Empal about her death. Empal could see, in Lloyd's face, that the woman called Grenadine had really left her mark on Lloyd's heart and he sympathised with him. On the other extreme of Empal's sympathy for Lloyd, so was Empal's ultimate delight in hearing the news of Boyce's marriage and to such a girl like Lilith; daughter of a Laurentine Consul. Empal had envied them, listening to their adventures and their victories over danger and evil. He had mentioned to them that he wished that he was young, like them, so that he could've made the journey with them. "We would have cherished your company!" was the statement that Boyce made to Empal's wish, and it was enough to make Empal feel the importance that he held with both Besten and Virune. "What of the Nolunge and Flinnd?" asked Empal. "Did those two peoples let you pass through their lands or did they go back on their word, also?" Empal questioned with curiosity, since they told him that Sedara and Palatka both rescinded their signed agreement of passage with the Northern United Alignment. "Everything was smooth with those two nations. They are learned and cultured peoples and they honoured the treaty." said Lloyd. "Yes!" Boyce added. "And I would like to send to them a token of appreciation after Pomperaque becomes rightfully mine! It neared noon when Lloyd and Boyce decided to mill around the town and finally go to Halls for a look around the lands-office.