The eagle tells the general that he must return to the byzantium, incognito. The general does not want to be disturbed. The eagle promises to kill both of them if they awake. He tells the sorceress that he has a guardian angel who can read his thoughts. He also tells her that the treasure they find in the temple of Jupiter is the "tribute of the gods" and that it is guarded by the demon cohorts of pluto. He says that if they accept the mission, they will find the temple and key to hell. They must decide quickly because theodora has already told no one about the mission. They will also be able to keep the mission a secret because they are deserters of the imperial army. The two men decide to try again, but they cannot find the helmet that the panther gave them thirteen years ago.