"My clothes." Croft left his couch. Ten minutes later a rap fell on the door. Robur appeared. Word of Croft's waking had spread. The prince himself came with a page bringing wine. Croft drank: "I would see Jadgor at once," he declared. "He sleeps," Prince Robur began. "Then wake him. All Tamarizia totters to a fall unless we be ready in less than a single cycle, Rob." "Zitu!" Robur stared. "Say you truly. How know you this, Jasor, my friend?" Croft turned and pointed toward his couch. "I was told while my body lay there," he said quickly. "You call on Zitu in vain unless you give heed to my words!" "Nay, not so. Come," replied Aphur's prince. "I myself shall take you to my father without delay." That was a strange night in Himyra of Aphur, pregnant with the destinies of a nation--and nothing less. Jadgor, no king in seeming now, but a stern-faced man in a simple garment sat upon his couch while Croft revealed his knowledge of what Zollaria planned. "By Zitu!" he roared at the end, "would Cathur dare this thing?" "Aye--for the woman and Zitra's throne," said Croft. "To foreswear his pledge to Aphur?" "Aye." "To surrender his state?" "Aye--that too, Jadgor the king." And suddenly Jadgor was king indeed despite the disadvantage of position and clothes. "Then let Zilla the Destroyer take me unless we meet them, spear to spear and sword to sword! Jasor of Nodhur, I understand you not--nor yet how your knowledge is obtained save Zitu speaks through you as a mouthpiece for his own designs. Yet know I that what you say falls out. Wherefore I shall once more heed your words. This falls on Aphur, Nodhur, Milidhur, I think, with Tamhys, man of peace on Zitra's throne. Yet shall Aphur, Nodhur, and Milidhur prepare. Inside a cycle, should we work together, we shall have a very horde of ready spears and swords." "Nay, scarcely that," said Croft. "What else?" Jadgor stared. "Stronger weapons than those, for which I bring the plans. If made in time, a thousand men instructed in their use, can end this war almost before it starts. Let Aphur, Milidhur, and Nodhur plan together, that these weapons may be produced some in Himyra and some in Ladhra. The work is vast. Yet shall the final end be sure if this is done before Zollaria strikes. Robur and I shall undertake the carrying out of my designs, if Jadgor gives the word." "Then Jadgor gives it," said the king. "On Nodhur will I call and Milidhur. No man may say that Aphur failed to think of Tamarizia's good. For though I see that should you do this thing your name will stand above all others in the state--I love my nation more than I love either fame or rank. Hence, Nodhur, make your weapons for this coming trial of strength, and I shall give you moneys, metals, men--all things you may require."