by Anthology
Furthermore, Croft requested that he see what airplanes were already constructed, thoroughly overhauls, as part of the preparation for Koryphu's mission into the mountains north of Cathur. And that part of his intentions he explained.
"They follow a course of deception already, Rob, and two may play at the game. Much must be done ere we attempt a rescue, and toward the doing we must needs gain time. Wherefore since to the minds of Helmor and Kalamita it is unknown that I am forewarned and their intent to hold Naia in Berla, rather than it the place of which by Bathos she sent me word, it appears best to me that we make it seem we are deceived. These planes shall mount the air from Cathur, therefore, and fly above the mountains in advance of Koryphu's party, as though seeking for some place of concealment, wherein her captives may lie hid. Thus we shall help Kalamita play her part to her mind at least, and perchance throw at least some dust in Zollaria's eyes."
Robur nodded. "I sense your plan, Jason," he agreed. "Yet I have taken thought that a plane may fall, and that it is the secret of the moturs which Zollaria wishes in part to gain."
Croft smiled rather grimly. "Aye, Rob. The point were well taken, nor has it escaped my mind. To such an end each flier must be provided with a device by which his motur may under such conditions be destroyed, and with orders to burn his machine, escaping thereafter by the aid of the other planes on duty with him, or in any way he can."
Once more Robur nodded.
"Aye," said he, "you think of all things. And this other device toward the forming of which you are preparing?"
"Nay," Jason replied. "It depends upon my visit to Earth, after which I hope to give you plans and figures."
"Zitu grant you be successful," said the Governor of Aphur. "You will seek this knowledge when?"
"Tonight," Jason told him; "after which Scira must be visited and the consent of Koryphu to head the party to this meeting with Kalamita gained. She will lose small time in hastening to it, hoping to add another prisoner to her number, despite the fact that Helmor has altered her plans."
"Aye, and were swift moturs or an airplane to descend upon her lodge after Koryphu has reached it, it might be that Tamarizia would have a prisoner to exchange with Zollaria without a longer waiting."
"That, too, have I thought of, Aphur, yet though we match craft with craft and violence with violence, if the need arises, let none say that Zitu's Mouthpiece counseled the violation of an embassy's seeming or used it as a mask to another purpose than that to which it sets forth."
"But—if this Zollarian plans to trick you into her hands by such a meeting?"
"Nay, she will fail," said Jason. "Yet think not, meaning to seize me if so it falls out according to her wishes, she will come to that place so poorly guarded that an attempt to make her captive would result in aught save a clash of arms. Wherefore let her fail of her aim and return to Berla the next time with empty hands. How stands Zollaria then, save to deal direct with Zitra, which shall quibble with her—neither accepting nor refusing, appointing a place perhaps for a more representative meeting, while you and I, Rob, labor over our designs?"
"I have talked with Zitra by means of the message tower you have placed in Himyra and upon Zitra's walls," Robur replied. "Jadgor, my father, stands ready to aid you in whatsoever way he can, and the spirit of Lakkon writhes with thoughts of his daughter. May I saw to them those things with which you have made me acquainted?"
"Aye," Croft assented. "Say also that Naia sends a greeting to her father, and that at present she lies safe from harm. Come, let us return to the palace since things are now arranged."
And that night it was Croft made his promised visit to me. I was ready for him. I had not delayed in instituting my efforts at gaining the knowledge the use of which I had suggested, and I had found the man I wanted—one who had served his country well in the chemical arm of the service, and was therefore qualified to give me the information of which I stood in need. My greatest difficulty had been in convincing him that I desired the knowledge for no improper use, but in the end I surmounted the task. And that night after Jason had roused me to his presence I recited the formula to him.
"Zitu! Murray, the thing can be accomplished! Palos holds all that will be required."
"Good," I said. "Then you can make it?"
His thought waves beat back at me in a very passion of conviction. "Yes, and we'll carry it to them in something like blimps."
"Blimps—dirigibles, you mean?"
"Yes," he said. "That's what I've been considering making, though I haven't told Rob about it yet. They'll be far more stable for the purpose than planes."
"Why, yes," I agreed. "Croft, it's a rather peculiar thing, but before the armistice was signed in Europe each side was planning to blot out the major cities of the opposing nations beneath a fiery rain."
For that was the thing I had proposed to Jason, and the secret for the production of the unquenchable liquid fire which could be stored and carried, and sprayed in a rain of death upon those against whom it was used, was the thing I had gained from Captain Gaylor, formerly connected with the department of gas and flame.
It was as though already the doom of Helmor's plans and Kalamita's vengeance was sealed. "Croft," I questioned, "you know the general nature of these blimps?"
"Aye." He nodded. "But if you have any suggestions, Murray…"
"Well," I said, "Captain Gaylor gave me the general plan in describing how the stuff you're going to demonstrate to Helmor was to be carried—as well as a description of the fire bombs they meant to carry aboard their planes. You know just before the armistice, Jason, there was talk of a new deadlier gas. In reality it wasn't gas at all, but this stuff of which I've told you. The gas talk was just a mask."
"Go on—tell me, Murray," he prompted tensely. "Give me all you can to begin with, though if I get stuck I'll be back again, of course."
"Of course," I said, and told him all I knew myself.
"Murray," he exclaimed when I had finished, "Naia of Aphur, and Jason, Son of Jason, will owe you their salvation."
"The thing seems plausible to me, Croft."
"Plausible," he repeated, "It shall be accomplished. Now, Koryphu may start upon his mission, while every shop and forget in Himyra roars."
"By the way, how does the populace cotton to this fresh Zollarian move?"
"They don't know it yet, old fellow." He gave me a glance. "You know, Murray, Tamarizia, even yet, isn't Earth. There's only the wireless between Himyra and Zitra, and a telegraph across the Gateway to Scira in Cathur—but in view of what's going to happen in Himyra almost at once—the preparations, I mean—I think I'll tell them, and suggest that in Zitra the masses be informed by Zud—that Zollaria has struck at the Mouthpiece of Zitu in order to coerce the nation. It won't do any harm to have the sympathy of the populace behind us in this."
"Nor in Scira," I said. "Cathur hasn't forgotten how nearly she was enslaved, I imagine—or that her fate would have been the same as Mazhur's for fifty years, if it had not been for the Mouthpiece of Zitu's intervention in hers and Tamarizia's behalf. And see here, Croft—if you've a telegraph up there, why don't you send Koryphu a message instead of going after him yourself? You've enough to tend to in the matter of the blimps without traipsing about."
He smiled for the first time. "It might do here, but not on Palos, Murray. They're great for delegations, personal representation—the old ways. You can't change them all at once. But—it won't do any harm to announce by coming or its reason, or that the Mouthpiece of Zitu comes in person to the house of Koryphu. That in itself might even serve in preparing the mind of Cathur's prince for the proposition I shall make him once I arrive. According to Palosian standards, Murray, even though it sounds bald for me to say so, such an occasion should be an important event in Koryphu's life."
Chapter VII
Croft went not to Himyra, however, as I fancied, but to Zitra, after he left me, and the sleeping apartment of Zud, taking his stand close to where the high
priest lay wrapped in slumber on a copper couch.
"Zud! Zud! Man of Zitu!" he let the call of his spirit steal forth. Once in a past time he had taught the high priest something of the astral body, finding it necessary to his purpose then to convince him of the truth. And he had told him that when he should call him in the future he would answer.
"My lord," he muttered. "Aye—my lord."
"Spirit of Zud—come forth!"
Zud of Zitra's body relaxed. His spirit obeyed. Mistlike it hovered above his physical form.
"My lord," it faltered again.
"Peace," said Croft. "Ye have answered me, Zud, in such wise. Give ear and obey me in the flesh, when dawn comes again to the world. I, Mouthpiece, say unto thee this:
"Word of the abduction of Naia, wife of Jason, and of Jason, Son of Jason, shall be noised abroad. Be it said that Zollaria, envious of Tamarizia's progress, has seized them and borne them into her country, holding them ransom to her demands against this nation, under penalty of death to Jason's son.
"Let it be understood. Let Zud himself sponsor the announcement, first going to Jadgor's palace and saying to Jadgor that Jason, the Mouthpiece of Zitu, gives the word.
"Say also to Jadgor that Jason requires him to send, from the tower on Zitra's walls, word to Mutlos, Governor of Cathur, requesting him to see that word is spread to Scira—also that Jason himself shall come to Scira to hold speech with Koryphu on the matter—and that he notify Scythys' younger son. Let this be done by command of Jadgor. The message being received from him in Himyra will be forwarded to Scira at once."
"Aye, Mouthpiece of Zitu," Zud made answer. "Once ere this have ye appeared in such guise before me, and I obeyed thee. Even so shall I obey you now. These things shall be done."
"Yet counsel the people to remain calm in the announcement," Jason said. "Zitu's Mouthpiece desires no more than their sympathy in this."
"But the woman—my lord has word of her and the infant?" the high priest questioned.
"Aye," Croft told him. "As Zud knows, I may meet with her in the spirit even as with Zud himself."
"Aye"—Zud inclined his astral head—"that Zud no longer doubts, since within his knowldge it is proved.
"Say also to Jadgor that Jason goes to Himyra to labor in the flesh with Robur, son of Jadgor," Croft continued. "Now return to thy body and finish thy slumbers, man of Zitu. Yet, waking, see that in all things my counsel is obeyed."
"Aye, Zud obeys on waking," the high priest promised.
"In Zitu's name," said Croft, and with that he left.
Dawn was breaking over Berla when he reached it in the astral and told Naia of the visit with me and his talk with Zud. Throughout the next day, Jason and Robur passed from one palace to another, calling the captains, whom Croft himself had trained, explaining, and issuing orders.
Late in the afternoon, bulletins struck off Jason's presses appeared posted on the corners—flaunting the news of Zollaria's latest move before the people's eyes. It had one effect that he had not counted on; time after time, in his progress from one place to another, his motur was halted by crowds and Croft found he had to make speeches. The delay was irritating, however gratifying the sympathy and support of his people.
Thus it was not until evening that he reached the hangars, and told his select corps that both moturs and planes must be destroyed if a forced landing was made on Zollarian soil. Robur would direct them in the use of grenades. The pilots were distressed at the thought of destroying their planes, but firm in their determination that Zollaria should not learn their secret. Croft's spirits were high as he and Robur entered their motur to return home.
"Tonight, Rob, I give you many plans and dimensions," he said. "That done, I board Jadgor's galley for Scira. Till I return, the work lies in your hands."
Chapter VIII
All Scira was en fÍte, or seemed so, though there was a strange sullenness about her crowds, despite the flags, the banners that decked the houses and lined the streets, and flew above her blue walls.
The Mouthpiece of Zitu was coming from Aphur on a mission, and the city was adorned to greet him by the orders of Mutlos, Governor of Cathur, himself. The throngs which waited his coming, to welcome him, and escort him to the house of Koryphu, where the sun-rayed banner of Aphur hung beside that of Cathur in the almost breathless air, wore their brightest garments. But his mission forbade holiday spirits in the minds of the crowd.
What was the purpose of the man to whom all Tamarizia looked as little less than a demigod in his knowledge, in visiting Koryphu, who had pored over tablets and scrolls in a semiseclusion ever since the disgrace Kyphalllos, son of Scythys, now happily dead, had brought upon Cathur's royal house?
Be that as it may, Mutlos prepared his residence for the occasion and on the day of the expected arrival of Jason Croft donned his bravest apparel and waited to welcome his quest.
Yet it was mid-afternoon before Jadgor's galley, bearing the standard of Zitra—the circle and cross—appeared and bore down on Scira's walls.
The giant sea doors swung open, admitting her to the harbor, and closed again when she had passed. Breaking forth Cathur's flag, she advanced across the inner harbor and swung to a mooring. A band of trumpeters ruffled forth from the quay, where Mutlos waited. The gangway was thrust forth, and the Mouthpiece of Zitu, walking alone and unattended, appeared.
"Hail, Mouthpiece of Zitu!" the assembled populace roared.
Mutlos advanced. The two men struck hands on shoulders, and joined their palms in a moment's claps. Side by side they entered Mutlos's motur. The trumpeters fell in before them, breaking a pathway through the crowds.
So came Jason to Scira once more, somber of mien, yet steady-eyed.
"My sympathy as a man I give thee, Advisor of Tamarizia," Mutlos said as the car began to move. "My assistance and that of Cathur I pledge you an' it be needed. This thing passes all endurance. Say but the word and Cathur will gather her swords."
"Nay," Jason replied slowly. "Thy sympathy, Cathur, warms the heart of the man. But the time of rescue has not arrived. Armed interference at present were ill-advised, since Zollaria fears it, and should it be attempted, thinks to offer my son to Bel a sacrifice."
"Zitu!" Mutlos gasped. "What then, O Mouthpiece? Where lies a chance of rescue? Zollaria makes demands of ransom?"
"Aye—or will. Even now one approached a rendezvous in the mountains north of Cathur to meet with an agent of ours. It is because of that I am here."
"To arrange a mission to this meeting?" Mutlos said with ready understanding.
"Aye. Zollaria sends Kalamita of ill-fame to Cathur as her agent. Tamarizia, with the knowledge of Cathur and his own consent if it is forthcoming, sends Scythys' son."
"Now, by Zitu!" Admiration waked in Mutlos's eyes. "'Tis well thought of—to face that tawny enchantress, this creature of Adita, by one in whose heart must burn hot hate against her. Guardsmen I place at your disposal and his. My place lies open to you, and you will honor it with your presence—or plan you to lodge in Koryphu's house?"
"With Koryphu this night at least," said Jason. "Yet with Mutlos things must be discussed here the mission fares forth. Hence at the palace in the night succeeding the sun after this. I accept the offer of guardsmen gladly. A score will be enough."
"They will be forthcoming," Mutlos promised, and spoke to his driver. "To Koryphu's house."
Up to the door of the lesser palace stalked Jason alone, once he had descended from the motur.
But Koryphu had marked his coming, and the door slid open before him.
"Hail to this, Tamarizia, in the person of Jason, Mouthpiece of Zitu," Koryphu exclaimed and drew back a pace before him, that he might enter under the eyes of the watching crowd.
"My lord," he said once the portal was closed, shutting them in together after Mutlos had risen in his motur and bowed and he had returned the salutation.
"Greetings to you, Koryphu, son of Scythys," Croft responded. "Behold in me not so much an
ything as a man bereft and sorely troubled by his loss—one who comes to you thus in a time of trouble to ask you to lend him aid."
Koryphu's eyes widened swiftly. "But, by Zitu—in what can one of fallen fortunes aid you, Mouthpiece of Zitu?"
"It is of that we must speak together, Prince of Cathur."
"Come then," Koryphu turned and led the way across a court done in blue and crystal, surrounded by a balcony of blue and white, to the room in which more than any other Koryphu spent his life.
"Be seated, lord," he invited, indicating a redwood chair and taking his place in another drawn close to a table of copper, littered with numerous scrolls. "Loss is not unknown to Scythy's son, nor the feeling of it. Speak—Koryphu lends his ear to thy voice."
Jason explained—going at some length into past events—proffering Koryphu the leadership of the first embassy at last.
"I—Koryphu!" The Cathurian noble stammered, his breathing a trifled quickened. "Zitu's Mouthpiece chooses me for such an errand as this?"
"Aye." Croft inclined his head, watching the man before him. "Koryphu the Tamarizian."
"Tamarizian!" Koryphu repeated. "But why Koryphu—why the son of a discredited house? Why not another, whose loyalty none could question?"
"Because, who heads this mission will meet Kalamita of Zollaria in the north."
"Kalamita!" Koryphu stiffened. "That—foul sepulchre of dead loves and unholy emotions—that stench in the nostrils of true men, and blot on the name of women. Say you she comes herself to this meeting?"
"Aye," said Jason Croft. "Wherefore, there appears no better agent in all Tamarizia to meet her when she comes to trap me also as she hopes, seeing she had bidden me to this conference in person, than one who loves her not nor is apt to fall captive to her shameless graces—than Koryphu Tamarizian first, and son of Cathur, and loyal in his heart to both, as I believe."
"Thou believest?" Koryphu questioned with an eagerness almost pathetic.
