Lloyd wasn't there and Lilith stayed in bed, waiting for Boyce to return while she pictured in her mind the account that Boyce gave to her about his reintroduction to Pomperaque. He walked into the dining room with Zoro and the Abbess Mariot (as all abbesses were called Mariot, since the first one that found the child called Sunshine, so long ago), was serving the table where the men sat. She curtsied to Boyce and left the room as both Miel and Cassta took to their feet and watched him approach them. They both came from behind the table and they embraced Boyce with tears streaming from their eyes. "Empal had told us who you are, Boyce Loebh Scullion-Blue!" said Miel between sniffles. "We didn't know that our great friends had any children, Master Scullion! Where did you stay as a child? How is it that your father didn't tell us?" Cassta asked desperately. "I remember both of you so well, Cassta and Miel. My father only had two friends that he trusted with his life!" said Boyce. "How do you remember us, Boyce? We had never seen you before this day!" Miel's tears subsided allowing wonder to dry them. "I was hidden before everyone's very eyes and there wasn't a soul in all of Phoride that knew. Only Empal was told and that was just before my parent's death." said Boyce and he then proceeded. "I was Boy, my parent's servant!" Astounded, the men kissed Boyce's right hand and they didn't even pay attention to Zoro cawing at them. "How it is to me, now, to realise that a great ruler truly served his people!" Cassta praised Boyce. "I had once served, both of you, with things of substance and now it is time for both of you to serve me." Boyce's voice sounded demanding. "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.