"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 in Scira--also that Jason himself shall not 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 knowledge 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 Zitra as he emerged from the pyramid and made his way swiftly north. Dawn was breaking over Berla when he reached it. It struck him through a tiny orifice for ventilation high in the wall, and fell in a golden shaft of light across the dungeon in which Naia of Aphur prayed to Ga, Mother of Life Eternal, for aid. Then as she moved and rose from her knees, he called her, as always: "Beloved."