He nodded. "In a way I've thought as much myself. I get your meaning. But I'm going to try and preserve it at least in part." "Babylonian?" said Naia in a tone of question. Jason and I explained, and she heard us out. "Oh, but--things must change, must they not, Dr. Murray?--and the common people will be so much happier for the knowledge Jason brings to Palos. And even I--think where I and my child would be now save for the knowledge possessed by a man of earth. It is to you and Jason that we owe our lives. Think you not that I carry your name to Ga and Azil in my prayers--that I have wished to meet you in order to express my thanks myself?" * * * * * Her words gave me a feeling of something like exaltation, even while in a way they embarrassed. "I, too," I faltered, "am very glad of the meeting, to be able to assure you that it was my happiness to serve you, and to wish you and Jason the happiness of each other, and your son a long and useful life." She glanced toward the tiny couch and back again, smiling. "Life," she said softly. "It is so wonderful to hold him--to realize that his life is but the blending of Jason's and mine. Sometimes I even think that I understand in a measure what Ga must feel as she guards the eternal fire." And what is one going to say to a wife and mother when she talks like that? I know I mumbled something to the effect that what Ga probably felt was an all compelling compassion and love. And then I asked Croft to translate the words of the baptismal ceremony as voiced by Magur and Zud the high priest. He complied and I questioned him of Jadgor and Gaya and Robur, confirming my recognition of Naia's relatives and his friends. Conversation became general for something like an hour, and then Jason prompted. "Beloved, shall we accompany Murray somewhat--show him Himyra in passing when he returns?" "Aye, as you like," she assented. "And he must come to us again. Now that our need has rendered possible such communion it will not be necessary for you to seek earth in the flesh when you need additional knowledge, or leave me overly long again." Croft nodded. "Yes, Murray is going to have his hand in Tamarizian affairs from now on, and the boy there will know more than any man ever born on Palos in the end. Well, Murray, want to see Himyra?" "I've always wanted to see it since you told me about it first," I assented. "Then come along." "But," I added as he led the way with Naia through one of the open windows of the chamber. "I never expected to see it exactly like this." Naia turned her eyes and smiled as we floated free of the house and upward under Croft's guiding will. "Dear friend," she said, "you know so much of us that to me it does not seem strange to find you one of us at last." "Behold Himyra," said Croft, and flung out a shadowy arm.