"It is in the prophecy!"  the priest answered.  "'And among his followers shall be the wisest of men who shall teach the children to use more of their minds.  And by his wisdom shall they go beyond the stars.  And he shall be called Mud, which means wet and soggy ground.'"
     All the Humes roared with laughter.  The priest looked bewildered.  "No offense was meant," the Warlock assured, "that these things happen just amuse us.  What else does this prophecy say?"
     "The only other part is that 'he shall buy his first wife from bondage with the stones of life, and she shall bear him twenty sons.  And her name shall mean 'the grain of life.'"
     Again The Humes laughed.  "Well, Rice," one of the females called out, "looks like you're going to get your wish, and you've got your work cut out for you!  Twenty sons?"
     "Shuni!"  Rice cried.
     "That's enough!"  the Warlock added, "Let's not embarrass our fellow service people.  Is there anything else, sir?"
     "Only," the priest continued, "that your second wife will only be out done by one."
     "Well!"  the Warlock remarked, "That is quite a prophecy!  If I'm unable to speak in your temple before I leave I'll try to get back and speak when I'm on leave."
     "Thank you!" the priest cried, "Thank you!"
      The Warlock motioned Rice over, whispered to her, she nodded and helped him up. The Warlock watched them go knowing full well where they were headed and wishing he could help.  But he had heard that Hume males were embarrassed with other males helping them with those things.  He motioned Tampon over. 
      "These people must not leave my service," he remarked.  "I want them to stay.  Go up to their ship.  Find their leader and tell him this."
     The Emperor explained what he had in mind.  Tampon nodded and said "Immediately, my emperor!  Do you realize you've just referred to them as people rather than creatures?"
     "Attitudes change," The Emperor answered.  "These people perplex me.  I can understand one of my own people willing to give his life for mine, but this stranger barely new me, yet he risked his very existence for me!  The more I observe him the fonder I grow of him.  I wish him near me.  I do not know how to repay him, how to return this gift!  Among my own people I would know, but with these people it is different."
     The Ambassador nodded.  After a while the Warlocks returned and Rice helped her Commander lay back down.   But barely had he done so than men arrived with a stretcher.
     "Gotta go get you prepped, Commander!"  one of them announced, "They're ready to go to work on you."
      He was eased onto the stretcher and taken away.  Barely had he gone out than a Pulp female accompanied by several others entered the throne room.
      "My precious," she announced, "you must come to bed!  Your new friends are going to be sleeping now, and you must sleep too.  All is secure.  I insist you bid them leave and retire!  You are not as young as you used to be."