September 25, 2025 • 15 mins
In this captivating sequel to Palos of the Dog Star Pack, Jason Croft embarks on a thrilling new chapter of his adventures on Palos. Having shed his earthly form, his astral projection now inhabits the body of a Palosian man. With his exceptional knowledge and skills, the high priest hails Jason as the voice of God. However, this divine status threatens to derail his ultimate goal marrying Naia, the very reason for his journey. Will he be able to navigate the complexities of his new role while pursuing love? - Summary by Krista Zaleski
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Chapter twenty of the Mouthpiece of Zitu. This is a
LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain.
For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org.
The Mouthpiece of Zitu by John Ulrich Geisey, Chapter twenty.
The Blue Girl of Affur, she lies near Croft's senses
(00:22):
reeled and then steadied into the blinding truth, the sweetness
of it, the full meaning of it, and yet the
possible peril to her whom it concerned. Naya of Affur
lay near him, had come to his rescue. Then, then,
seven days before, she had not told him all the
plans she had in mind. She had told him only
the essential portion which most closely concerned himself, and the
(00:45):
rest this thing, the part which dealt with her aid
and assistance when the time for it should arrive, she
had left unspoken, knowing no doubt he would forbid her,
risking her own integrity in an effort to succor him.
For an instant he thrilled with blended fears feeling, And
then he spoke to Maya, you mean that she lies
hid some distance beyond the camp of thy enemies. You
(01:06):
poor come, but Croft found himself confused by the manner
of Nia's presence. Barely seven days had passed since she
must have wakened in Jemaira after their astral conversation in
the tent where he lay bound. The time was not
sufficient to brand Maya's words as truth, and yet Croft
knew that he believed them. How then, had Naya come
(01:27):
almost with impatience? Maya interrupted seven sons from now she
waked from her slumber, you poor, in a most strange
mood for the you poor, Robert, she sent me, and
for long they spoke together. And after that she spoke
with me again, bidding me place her in the garment
she wears when she dares to rise in the air.
She took me with her to the great house, where
(01:47):
the thing she rides is kept, and compelled me to
enter it with her, so that my spirit turned as
weak as water. When with a great roaring we leaped
into space. Zitou you mean she flew to befir Cross's
stained chest rose sharply. His eyes began to flash, ay,
you poor, partly in the air like a bird, and
partly on the water like a boat, which, praise to
(02:10):
Zitu was calm and with wonderful speed. But fuel what
is burned in the motor, Jason questioned. Maya shrugged her lips.
Not mine should tell you how, like a bird to
its mate, she came to seek thee you poor, she admonished,
Yet were not the great galleys already seeking to reach
Beether with men and weapons. By the you poor Robart's orders,
(02:31):
and though he swore by Zitu and a zil she
should not undertake this madness, he did not refuse to
his cousin that which would spell her death on the waves.
We rode beside the galleys when the thing that makes
the motor turn was required, my god, Crofts spoke not
as a man of Tamarisia, but of Earth. Naya had
solved all difficulties. Driven by the desire of saving him
(02:53):
from the results of his own misfortune. She had overcome
all obstacles in her desire to reach him. And this
was love. The flight of Naya of Auffir, as the
Blue Girl had phrased it, like that of a bird
to its mate. On the night of the sun. Before this,
we came down in an open place in the forest,
Maya explained further. There the great wings we rode on
(03:13):
thy hid, and some distance farther in this direction she
awaits thee. You poor, come, ay, said Croft, and caught
a great, a wondrous breath of realization. Aye. Come. And now,
as he moved off where he had delayed before, he
seemed fired by an all compelling haste to reach her,
to meet her, to greet her, and gather her into
(03:34):
his arms, to hold her. Sense thee strength, the softness,
the ripened glory of her, To hold her and know that,
no matter how beautiful she was in body, the beauty
and strength of her spirit was no less. To hold her,
and no realize feel that the beauty, the strength, the
glory of both soul and body were his. He started
out of thee thicket at a pace that made maya gasp.
(03:56):
Walk not so quickly, you poor, and permit that I
walk at thy side. Seen we may be of many,
And though thou art stained to the seeming of a
man of Masaire, yet were it best you seem also,
not as one in haste, but as a man who
strolls through the camp with a woman at his side.
I Kroft nodded in understanding, and slackened his stride. A
Maya yet lead me to her as quickly as you can.
(04:18):
Their course led them, after a time into the depths
of the gloomy forest, where the moons were blotted out
or their light filtered in streaming tatters through the trees,
and there Crofts spoke again to his companion. I failed
to understand when you put it into the mind of
the guard to make way with my clothes. Maya made
a clicking sound suggestive of an almost IMPI amusement as
(04:38):
she answered. But since I was to paint your body
you pour, it was easier for me to bring the
pigments wrapped inside them when I slipped away from him
after he had drunk wine into which I had dropped
a substance to induce heavy slumber I had brought with
me inside my kirdle band. Indeed, we three now appear
no more than as other children of Mazaire. My mistress,
when we come upon her, will seem no other than myself.
(05:02):
You mean you have stained her, Jason questioned a lord.
From the roots of her golden hair to her graceful
heels for two suns. As I have told you, has
it been needful for her to lie in the open
while I made my way to the camp and performed
my mission, and had any come upon her, she turned
aside and swept back a screen of branches. She plunged
through and came into a break in the forest, close
(05:24):
to the banks of a tiny stream, across a little glade,
And there she pursed her lips and sent, quivering through
the moonlight, what seemed a night birds call. It was answered,
Maya repeated and paused, and whistled again. Then, touching Croft
on the arm, she urged him forth from the shadow
until he stood revealed in the rays of the Pelosian moons,
and from the shadows beyond him, another shape appeared. Slight
(05:46):
it was and slender, graceful as a fawn, as it
came swiftly toward him on flying feet, graceful as a
dry out of the forest in its every supple, sweeping line,
save for where it was girdled by a band of
white so much Croft saw and advanced to meet it,
and found it nia veiled as she stood before him,
from head to waist in the heavy cloud of her
(06:07):
auburn tinted hair, And then she lay against him. His
arms were straining her to his breast, and that cloud
of ruddy hair was like the kiss of satin against
his naked chest. And her hands were clinging to him.
Her arms were holding him fast, Jason beloved. She panted,
you are safe, uninjured, alive. Yes, thanks to you, beloved
(06:27):
and to Maya. Croft replied and kissed her. Thou, Nia
of a fur, flung up her head and turned to
the girl of Masair. Thou, who this knight, have brought
me more than life or anything besides, Thou shalt never
leave me. Thou shalt remain always with me and with him.
My children. You shall cradle in your arms. And if
love comes to you as to me and offspring, I
(06:49):
swear it to me, they shall be as mine. My mistress.
Maya faltered, bending her head before Nya. Nay, you are,
my sister, said Nia, smiling, and took her by the hand.
And after that she spoke again to Croft. Yet I
am forgetting. Not yet are we free from danger. Thrice
today have men roamed through the forest while I hid
me beneath the leaves. But thy huge bird waits to
(07:10):
bear us high above them. Come, beloved, Come for an
hour after that, his arm about her, or walking hand
in hand, as though now they were once more together,
they sought the assurance of the fact through every thrilling sense.
They hurried on, and then once more the moonlight filled
all the bowl of a tree ringed opening in the forest,
and struck doll gleams from the copper body of the
(07:32):
waiting airplane. Huge, impotent in seeming, it squatted there waiting
their touch to wake it, its interlacing struts and trusses
making a spider webbed pattern in shadow on the ground.
Nya drew her ruddy tresses about her as they stepped
into the forest meadow. Put on your flying garments, now, beloved,
she prompted, while Maya and I find ours and put
(07:53):
them on. Five minutes later, Croft lifted both women to
their seats. Then, as Nia, save for her strained face
and changed hair, very much herself in her brown flying garments,
took her place at the control. He seized the blades
of the propeller and sent the engine round. The plane
swung with them like some monster bat beneath the skies.
(08:14):
It turned, it rushed off under Naya's guiding, its veins
all silvered now like the top of the forest in
the moonlight. Bearing its burden of renewed life and love.
Far far away on the plane where Croft had lain
captive still winked the light of fires. They came closer
closer as the airplane ate through the trackless distance, where
(08:35):
beneath it were left behind around and a monster circle,
a descending spiral, and once more around again and again
in a vast wide turning, sinking lower and lower down,
the lights on the beef were closer, closer, the fire
irons burned. Below was the wide flung reach of the
street along the river, and straight above at the airplane swung.
(08:57):
The hum of the motor died, and the night wind sang,
and a sinking whisper passed it. It slipped down a
long hill of air and sped along the ground. And
as it stopped, as Croft lifted Nia from her seat
from the entrance of Atlas Palace, there dashed a chariot
drawn by Nupas, their plumes tossing, bearing down on the
plain with flying feet straight as though driven in a race.
(09:19):
It approached and paused, with the Nupas on their haunches.
Robert of Aufir swung aside its silk like curtains and
sprung down bay Zitou, and bays Zitu my friend, my brother,
and Thou Naya, my cousin. Thou chosen of all Zito's children,
He cried, all pois are thought of dignity, vanishing as
(09:40):
he caught them in his arms. They entered the carriage
and reclined upon the padded cushions, the princess commanding Maya
to take a place at her side. They were driven
to the palace, and there Croft was led to a room,
and their attendants labored until the last of the blue
pigment vanished, and his skin emerged from beneath it, a
most surprising pink from the necessary force they used. As
(10:02):
for the ready scalplock, he had it shaved off as
the simplest way of settling the matter regarding his hair.
He was glowing, both literally and with the thoughts induced
by the manner of his escape and return when Robert appeared,
bidding the servants fetch his customary garments leg cases, tunic,
helmet and metalquiras, he dismissed them and proceeded to clothe himself.
(10:24):
Hail Robert eyed him, as once before, I remarked, Thou
art a sight and a sight thou art for more
than the eyes of a maid. Jason, my friend, in
Zitu's name, what chance to the airplane that thy plans
went wrong? In at Leather? There was well nigh a
panic when you failed of your return, Croft explained, and
Robert nodded. Aye. It was the same with the motors
(10:47):
when they stalled and they knew not how to start them.
And as you have explained to me, there is small
time to work upon a motor in the air. My father, however,
swore it was a judgment of Zitu against him for
his stick, and of the past few zeitrans toward thee.
Then came zud in Lacan with your message and word
that fresh men and weapons were assured to lighten his
(11:08):
cares and the dynamo. Rob Kraft questioned, buckling his queer
straps and standing once more appareled in silver and gold,
with the wings and cross and blue upon his breast,
lies on a galley even now beside the keys. Robert replied,
what of it, Jason, You have a plan, yes, Kroft nodded,
as he laid a hand on his sword, A plan
(11:29):
to show that its wires, as well as light may
build a cordon about Atla's walls to touch, which shall
mean death. Then let massr Zelarian commanded hoarde attack. Aye,
say you so Robert gained his feet. Two thousand riflemen
are with me four times their number, come from Beithra,
and should arrive tomorrow. No doer and milder will send
(11:50):
us others. Also there are the motors twelve, all numbered,
and the remaining airplanes with men who know how to
fly them to some extent. I let maziar and turn
Zilarian leader's attack. But if you are ready, come, I
was sent to bid you to a feast, a feast.
Croft eyed him sharply, and Robert smiled, Aye, a feast
in quality, my friend, if not in numbers, he replied,
(12:13):
Come along. You favored one of Zitu Naya v Affir
Axe hostess to knight to her lord. Yet even so
Croft did not understand as he followed his friend to
a small apartment where a table was spread, and found
Madai of Bethir, Jack gor Lakan Zud and Naya already
reclining on the couches ranged about the board. Nor did
(12:34):
he consider greatly after he had gripped the hand of
each man present, and looked into Old Zud's eyes with
a glance of mutual understanding, and taken the place at
Naya's side. She indicated by a gesture of her hand
she was in white, all save the golden fabric of
her girdle, where against the glistening background the seal of
a zeal blazed, save only for that spot of keller,
(12:56):
white as the robe of a vestal. Her garment showed,
even were the sandals and leg cases on her feet,
and tapering calves of white leather, as thin and soft
as kid White. Too were the stately plumes above her hair,
once more a shimmer of gold, and her lips were
scarlet as a poppy, and her eyes twin lakes of
pansy purple and softly pink as the blush of innocence itself.
(13:19):
Her warm skin glowed. Wherefore Croft was content to put
by all consideration to eat, to drink of the wine
before him with his lips of nia, with his eyes
listened to the congratulations of the others stretched about the tables,
while the harps of musicians hidden somewhere out of sight
were softly played. Nor did he dream that anything beyond
the celebration of their safe return was torrid until old
(13:42):
Zud rising signaled them to rise, so that all uncomprehending,
he obeyed and rose, and, giving Naya his hand, assisted
her to her feet, and stood in silence, waiting for
the priest to speak, becoming aware as he did so,
that the others had also risen and were standing with
their eyes on non Yah and himself. Children of Zeitu,
(14:03):
I give ye to one another. May he send his
blessings upon you, as I his priest give mine. So
spake Zad of Zetra, high priest of all Tamarisia than
whose words was no higher priestly voice. And Naya, reaching down,
unpinned the seal of a zeal and placed the gleaming
jewel in his palm. Oh Jason, Jason, She stayed his
(14:26):
halting question, Think you not that in our case custom
may be set aside? See you not that? So I
compelled Zud to promise before I flew above at as
walls to find you, that if we returned together it
should be so to night. And then Croft comprehended all
the sweetness of her planning, and drew her into his
arms and held her, held her until it seemed that
(14:47):
all else faded away, and there was naught in the
world save their two selves. My bride, he said, My bride.
End chapter twenty
Chapter twenty of the Mouthpiece of Zitu. This is a
LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain.
For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org.
The Mouthpiece of Zitu by John Ulrich Geisey, Chapter twenty.
The Blue Girl of Affur, she lies near Croft's senses
(00:22):
reeled and then steadied into the blinding truth, the sweetness
of it, the full meaning of it, and yet the
possible peril to her whom it concerned. Naya of Affur
lay near him, had come to his rescue. Then, then,
seven days before, she had not told him all the
plans she had in mind. She had told him only
the essential portion which most closely concerned himself, and the
(00:45):
rest this thing, the part which dealt with her aid
and assistance when the time for it should arrive, she
had left unspoken, knowing no doubt he would forbid her,
risking her own integrity in an effort to succor him.
For an instant he thrilled with blended fears feeling, And
then he spoke to Maya, you mean that she lies
hid some distance beyond the camp of thy enemies. You
(01:06):
poor come, but Croft found himself confused by the manner
of Nia's presence. Barely seven days had passed since she
must have wakened in Jemaira after their astral conversation in
the tent where he lay bound. The time was not
sufficient to brand Maya's words as truth, and yet Croft
knew that he believed them. How then, had Naya come
(01:27):
almost with impatience? Maya interrupted seven sons from now she
waked from her slumber, you poor, in a most strange
mood for the you poor, Robert, she sent me, and
for long they spoke together. And after that she spoke
with me again, bidding me place her in the garment
she wears when she dares to rise in the air.
She took me with her to the great house, where
(01:47):
the thing she rides is kept, and compelled me to
enter it with her, so that my spirit turned as
weak as water. When with a great roaring we leaped
into space. Zitou you mean she flew to befir Cross's
stained chest rose sharply. His eyes began to flash, ay,
you poor, partly in the air like a bird, and
partly on the water like a boat, which, praise to
(02:10):
Zitu was calm and with wonderful speed. But fuel what
is burned in the motor, Jason questioned. Maya shrugged her lips.
Not mine should tell you how, like a bird to
its mate, she came to seek thee you poor, she admonished,
Yet were not the great galleys already seeking to reach
Beether with men and weapons. By the you poor Robart's orders,
(02:31):
and though he swore by Zitu and a zil she
should not undertake this madness, he did not refuse to
his cousin that which would spell her death on the waves.
We rode beside the galleys when the thing that makes
the motor turn was required, my god, Crofts spoke not
as a man of Tamarisia, but of Earth. Naya had
solved all difficulties. Driven by the desire of saving him
(02:53):
from the results of his own misfortune. She had overcome
all obstacles in her desire to reach him. And this
was love. The flight of Naya of Auffir, as the
Blue Girl had phrased it, like that of a bird
to its mate. On the night of the sun. Before this,
we came down in an open place in the forest,
Maya explained further. There the great wings we rode on
(03:13):
thy hid, and some distance farther in this direction she
awaits thee. You poor, come, ay, said Croft, and caught
a great, a wondrous breath of realization. Aye. Come. And now,
as he moved off where he had delayed before, he
seemed fired by an all compelling haste to reach her,
to meet her, to greet her, and gather her into
(03:34):
his arms, to hold her. Sense thee strength, the softness,
the ripened glory of her, To hold her and know that,
no matter how beautiful she was in body, the beauty
and strength of her spirit was no less. To hold her,
and no realize feel that the beauty, the strength, the
glory of both soul and body were his. He started
out of thee thicket at a pace that made maya gasp.
(03:56):
Walk not so quickly, you poor, and permit that I
walk at thy side. Seen we may be of many,
And though thou art stained to the seeming of a
man of Masaire, yet were it best you seem also,
not as one in haste, but as a man who
strolls through the camp with a woman at his side.
I Kroft nodded in understanding, and slackened his stride. A
Maya yet lead me to her as quickly as you can.
(04:18):
Their course led them, after a time into the depths
of the gloomy forest, where the moons were blotted out
or their light filtered in streaming tatters through the trees,
and there Crofts spoke again to his companion. I failed
to understand when you put it into the mind of
the guard to make way with my clothes. Maya made
a clicking sound suggestive of an almost IMPI amusement as
(04:38):
she answered. But since I was to paint your body
you pour, it was easier for me to bring the
pigments wrapped inside them when I slipped away from him
after he had drunk wine into which I had dropped
a substance to induce heavy slumber I had brought with
me inside my kirdle band. Indeed, we three now appear
no more than as other children of Mazaire. My mistress,
when we come upon her, will seem no other than myself.
(05:02):
You mean you have stained her, Jason questioned a lord.
From the roots of her golden hair to her graceful
heels for two suns. As I have told you, has
it been needful for her to lie in the open
while I made my way to the camp and performed
my mission, and had any come upon her, she turned
aside and swept back a screen of branches. She plunged
through and came into a break in the forest, close
(05:24):
to the banks of a tiny stream, across a little glade,
And there she pursed her lips and sent, quivering through
the moonlight, what seemed a night birds call. It was answered,
Maya repeated and paused, and whistled again. Then, touching Croft
on the arm, she urged him forth from the shadow
until he stood revealed in the rays of the Pelosian moons,
and from the shadows beyond him, another shape appeared. Slight
(05:46):
it was and slender, graceful as a fawn, as it
came swiftly toward him on flying feet, graceful as a
dry out of the forest in its every supple, sweeping line,
save for where it was girdled by a band of
white so much Croft saw and advanced to meet it,
and found it nia veiled as she stood before him,
from head to waist in the heavy cloud of her
(06:07):
auburn tinted hair, And then she lay against him. His
arms were straining her to his breast, and that cloud
of ruddy hair was like the kiss of satin against
his naked chest. And her hands were clinging to him.
Her arms were holding him fast, Jason beloved. She panted,
you are safe, uninjured, alive. Yes, thanks to you, beloved
(06:27):
and to Maya. Croft replied and kissed her. Thou, Nia
of a fur, flung up her head and turned to
the girl of Masair. Thou, who this knight, have brought
me more than life or anything besides, Thou shalt never
leave me. Thou shalt remain always with me and with him.
My children. You shall cradle in your arms. And if
love comes to you as to me and offspring, I
(06:49):
swear it to me, they shall be as mine. My mistress.
Maya faltered, bending her head before Nya. Nay, you are,
my sister, said Nia, smiling, and took her by the hand.
And after that she spoke again to Croft. Yet I
am forgetting. Not yet are we free from danger. Thrice
today have men roamed through the forest while I hid
me beneath the leaves. But thy huge bird waits to
(07:10):
bear us high above them. Come, beloved, Come for an
hour after that, his arm about her, or walking hand
in hand, as though now they were once more together,
they sought the assurance of the fact through every thrilling sense.
They hurried on, and then once more the moonlight filled
all the bowl of a tree ringed opening in the forest,
and struck doll gleams from the copper body of the
(07:32):
waiting airplane. Huge, impotent in seeming, it squatted there waiting
their touch to wake it, its interlacing struts and trusses
making a spider webbed pattern in shadow on the ground.
Nya drew her ruddy tresses about her as they stepped
into the forest meadow. Put on your flying garments, now, beloved,
she prompted, while Maya and I find ours and put
(07:53):
them on. Five minutes later, Croft lifted both women to
their seats. Then, as Nia, save for her strained face
and changed hair, very much herself in her brown flying garments,
took her place at the control. He seized the blades
of the propeller and sent the engine round. The plane
swung with them like some monster bat beneath the skies.
(08:14):
It turned, it rushed off under Naya's guiding, its veins
all silvered now like the top of the forest in
the moonlight. Bearing its burden of renewed life and love.
Far far away on the plane where Croft had lain
captive still winked the light of fires. They came closer
closer as the airplane ate through the trackless distance, where
(08:35):
beneath it were left behind around and a monster circle,
a descending spiral, and once more around again and again
in a vast wide turning, sinking lower and lower down,
the lights on the beef were closer, closer, the fire
irons burned. Below was the wide flung reach of the
street along the river, and straight above at the airplane swung.
(08:57):
The hum of the motor died, and the night wind sang,
and a sinking whisper passed it. It slipped down a
long hill of air and sped along the ground. And
as it stopped, as Croft lifted Nia from her seat
from the entrance of Atlas Palace, there dashed a chariot
drawn by Nupas, their plumes tossing, bearing down on the
plain with flying feet straight as though driven in a race.
(09:19):
It approached and paused, with the Nupas on their haunches.
Robert of Aufir swung aside its silk like curtains and
sprung down bay Zitou, and bays Zitu my friend, my brother,
and Thou Naya, my cousin. Thou chosen of all Zito's children,
He cried, all pois are thought of dignity, vanishing as
(09:40):
he caught them in his arms. They entered the carriage
and reclined upon the padded cushions, the princess commanding Maya
to take a place at her side. They were driven
to the palace, and there Croft was led to a room,
and their attendants labored until the last of the blue
pigment vanished, and his skin emerged from beneath it, a
most surprising pink from the necessary force they used. As
(10:02):
for the ready scalplock, he had it shaved off as
the simplest way of settling the matter regarding his hair.
He was glowing, both literally and with the thoughts induced
by the manner of his escape and return when Robert appeared,
bidding the servants fetch his customary garments leg cases, tunic,
helmet and metalquiras, he dismissed them and proceeded to clothe himself.
(10:24):
Hail Robert eyed him, as once before, I remarked, Thou
art a sight and a sight thou art for more
than the eyes of a maid. Jason, my friend, in
Zitu's name, what chance to the airplane that thy plans
went wrong? In at Leather? There was well nigh a
panic when you failed of your return, Croft explained, and
Robert nodded. Aye. It was the same with the motors
(10:47):
when they stalled and they knew not how to start them.
And as you have explained to me, there is small
time to work upon a motor in the air. My father, however,
swore it was a judgment of Zitu against him for
his stick, and of the past few zeitrans toward thee.
Then came zud in Lacan with your message and word
that fresh men and weapons were assured to lighten his
(11:08):
cares and the dynamo. Rob Kraft questioned, buckling his queer
straps and standing once more appareled in silver and gold,
with the wings and cross and blue upon his breast,
lies on a galley even now beside the keys. Robert replied,
what of it, Jason, You have a plan, yes, Kroft nodded,
as he laid a hand on his sword, A plan
(11:29):
to show that its wires, as well as light may
build a cordon about Atla's walls to touch, which shall
mean death. Then let massr Zelarian commanded hoarde attack. Aye,
say you so Robert gained his feet. Two thousand riflemen
are with me four times their number, come from Beithra,
and should arrive tomorrow. No doer and milder will send
(11:50):
us others. Also there are the motors twelve, all numbered,
and the remaining airplanes with men who know how to
fly them to some extent. I let maziar and turn
Zilarian leader's attack. But if you are ready, come, I
was sent to bid you to a feast, a feast.
Croft eyed him sharply, and Robert smiled, Aye, a feast
in quality, my friend, if not in numbers, he replied,
(12:13):
Come along. You favored one of Zitu Naya v Affir
Axe hostess to knight to her lord. Yet even so
Croft did not understand as he followed his friend to
a small apartment where a table was spread, and found
Madai of Bethir, Jack gor Lakan Zud and Naya already
reclining on the couches ranged about the board. Nor did
(12:34):
he consider greatly after he had gripped the hand of
each man present, and looked into Old Zud's eyes with
a glance of mutual understanding, and taken the place at
Naya's side. She indicated by a gesture of her hand
she was in white, all save the golden fabric of
her girdle, where against the glistening background the seal of
a zeal blazed, save only for that spot of keller,
(12:56):
white as the robe of a vestal. Her garment showed,
even were the sandals and leg cases on her feet,
and tapering calves of white leather, as thin and soft
as kid White. Too were the stately plumes above her hair,
once more a shimmer of gold, and her lips were
scarlet as a poppy, and her eyes twin lakes of
pansy purple and softly pink as the blush of innocence itself.
(13:19):
Her warm skin glowed. Wherefore Croft was content to put
by all consideration to eat, to drink of the wine
before him with his lips of nia, with his eyes
listened to the congratulations of the others stretched about the tables,
while the harps of musicians hidden somewhere out of sight
were softly played. Nor did he dream that anything beyond
the celebration of their safe return was torrid until old
(13:42):
Zud rising signaled them to rise, so that all uncomprehending,
he obeyed and rose, and, giving Naya his hand, assisted
her to her feet, and stood in silence, waiting for
the priest to speak, becoming aware as he did so,
that the others had also risen and were standing with
their eyes on non Yah and himself. Children of Zeitu,
(14:03):
I give ye to one another. May he send his
blessings upon you, as I his priest give mine. So
spake Zad of Zetra, high priest of all Tamarisia than
whose words was no higher priestly voice. And Naya, reaching down,
unpinned the seal of a zeal and placed the gleaming
jewel in his palm. Oh Jason, Jason, She stayed his
(14:26):
halting question, Think you not that in our case custom
may be set aside? See you not that? So I
compelled Zud to promise before I flew above at as
walls to find you, that if we returned together it
should be so to night. And then Croft comprehended all
the sweetness of her planning, and drew her into his
arms and held her, held her until it seemed that
(14:47):
all else faded away, and there was naught in the
world save their two selves. My bride, he said, My bride.
End chapter twenty
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