Boyce and Lloyd laughed a little when they saw the beautiful Virunese air command epaulette. Empal wondered why they were laughing at the gift that he had included for Boyce. He was somewhat irritated and insulted by it until he was told the reason. "Black feathers jutting, Lloyd." Boyce grinned while he spoke. "I thought of Zoro when I first heard them say it!" admitted Lloyd. "I believe that they did, too, but it didn't fit their interpretation. That's why they called us to talk to them." said Boyce. He put the epaulette-body brace into the cabinet and swung the interior around to the empty false front, and he closed the cabinets. "Later this evening Tucker and his cousin Tellis are flying in two eagles for you." said Empal. "He will bring them to the back of the mansion, on the base of the hill. No one will see them there or think of checking there." Empal conveyed to them the expectant time of arriving invasion force, letting them know that most of the main fighting force would be in Phoride within a week, with the second wave being a day behind. Zoro cawed. He enjoyed looking at the shiny metals of the armour but the discussion that took place afterwards was making him restless. When Boyce asked Empal to stay for supper, Zoro flew out the den's window and flew around Pomperaque for a while until he disappeared. CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN There was a great dinner party at Halls the next evening. Orren was against the idea of having it but the ArchBishop apparently was very warm for his idea. It has reached the point for Manguino that his whole days spent with Eckma in the act of fornication was beginning to tire him. He wanted an interesting diversion in order to get his life to seem fulfilling and exciting once again. Orren didn't participate. He went up to the cathedral's spire early and watched the sky for hours. At the height of the gala this evening the urge returned to Manguino and he left his higher cardinals to entertain the guests while he took Eckma back to their chamber. When they entered the chamber, disrobed and were just to get into their pool, Manguino looked to the window and saw Jessuum Benitar standing there. "Jessuum!" exclaimed Manguino, walking towards him, still naked. This was quite disturbing for the prophet but he said nothing about it. "I thought that I'd never see you again!" Manguino said to him. Jessuum looked about the chamber and saw Eckma staring right into his face while she stroked the nipple of her left breast. He looked away from her and turned slightly away from her direction while he spoke to the ArchBishop. "I come to ask if you remember the prophesy that I gave to you, once upon a time?" he asked Manguino. "Yes, and don't repeat it to me!" Manguino replied in a hostile voice, then continued. "But, you can tell me something, Seer. Are the two men from Besten, Boyce Loebh and that Lloyd friend of his, part of that prophesy?"