The thing was cut and dried. Even a public appearance was, it would seem, arranged. The church of the nation had given him forth as a spirit divinely sent as a teacher, gaining physical expression through the body of Jasor of Nodhur. And--what was Croft to do? To disclaim--to compel Zud to retract--would strike, as he knew, not only at his own powers of future accomplishment, discredit him as it were, but would aim a blow at the very foundation of the social structure, if Zud were shown to have made so terrible an error as he had. And yet--and yet--to accept--to go on--to pose as what he was not. The thought was distasteful, and worse, since to go on might mean the loss of Naia, as well as that position he had expected to hold in the newly organized republic of Tamarizian states. For the political end of the matter he cared very little to tell the truth, but even the thought of Naia sent a quiver throughout his body--caused a sudden dizzy whirling of his brain. Once more he felt baffled, trapped, enraged. And so far as any escape from the situation he confronted was concerned, he could see no possible way out. For a moment a wild impulse to seize the kneeling man at his feet, lift him up and shake him, hurl against him a scorching torrent of passion-urged words for his curious meddling, assailed him. But he choked it and stood as one who considers, and when he spoke his words were once more calm: "Enough. What things Zitu wills, those things shall be done. Yet have I a body, as thou seest, that has lain unnourished full long. Rise, Zud of Zitra. Command me food. I would eat while we talk." "Even now it waits." Zud rose and went backward toward the door. He set it open. As Croft seated himself once more on his couch there filed in a group of brothers, the foremost bearing a short-legged table of molded copper, the others dishes and flagons in their hands. The dishes were of gold and silver. There were goblets of glass which the Tamarizians made of magnificent quality and design. One of the latter was placed before Croft and filled with a mild and blood-red wine. Their service ended the lay brothers bent in genuflexion and retired. Zud remained standing in watchful silence until Croft bade him be seated, when he drew up a stool and sat down. While he ate Croft plunged into a series of questions concerning affairs in the Tamarizian states. "The reign of Tamhys will terminate in fourteen suns (days)?" "Aye." "Thereafter we shall adopt the new government as it was decided, the elections being held as in the choice of the former assemblies in each kingdom--each decktaron to elect a representative, by whose vote shall be the choice of president?" "Aye." Zud inclined his head. "So has it been proclaimed." "What candidates have been selected?" "Jadgor of Aphur, and Tammon, Tamhys's son."