"You have told her of your love?" Gaya seemed a bit breathless as she paused.
"Aye." Croft inclined his head.
"You are mad!"
"Nay—I am in love. It comes to the same thing." Croft smiled.
"Ga and Azil help you both," Gaya returned. "I can do nothing. And—you must not imperil her honor, my lord. But—I shall make it my task to see her and explain the manner of your return tonight, and," her color deepened swiftly, "to assure her of your love."
"Thank you, sweet Gaya." Croft rose. "You are a blessed hypocrite—and a true woman."
He bent and gripped her hand.
And Gaya smiled upon him because he was a strong man and she was a woman indeed.
For the rest as the days and weeks dragged away, Croft sought to drown himself in attention to his work. All day he toiled and oftentimes far into the night. Jasor's splendid physique stood him in good stead during the months of preparation.
There were no labor troubles in Aphur. The state fixed the scale of wages, and those who would not work were summarily sent to the mines to dig the metals needed by their more energetic fellow citizens. Thus the fifth month passed.