"The scriptures have promised that the Son of the true Living God would one day return to establish His kingdom of love and happiness. I am here to tell you that the day of His coming is at hand." Jessuum stopped for a moment and saw Boyce smile a little and give Lilith a loving glance. "What will you do on that day, Boyce?" Jessuum asked him. "I am not a god and could never be one. I would gladly step down from my rule to submit to a way of life as promised through Him. I will patiently await Him, and try to rule my people as best as I an able until that day when He comes -- then I will rest." promised Boyce. Jessuum shook hands with Boyce and bowed to him. "You are surely a king among living men and may God bless you with the strength to deny evil, a single breath!" Jessuum walked over to the window and transformed himself into a large crow. Glancing back at Boyce he squawked a few times. "Zoar-caw, Zoar-caw!" his crowing echoed about the room, then he jump from the window, to fly back to his mountain. Boyce had thought that Zoro had been lost, too. Yet, he was neither with him nor gone far from him. Jessuum's concern had guided him through the most demanding times of his life and now he left him to rule with Lilith, until the Son of Man returned. Jessuum looked down on Pomperaque, and the world, with tear-filled eyes of happiness and contented fulfilment. "His truly will be a wiser rule!" Jessuum said to himself then he turned into a great bird of light, ascended into the sky and disappeared. THE END SCORCHED EARTH A Novel Written By: Walter D. Petrovic (c) Copyright January 1980 + April 2004 Committed to MSWord 6, April 1998 Approximately 111,591 Words WALTER D. PETROVIC walter.petovic@3web.net