"Hold, my son," Sinon objected at once. "What have you in mind?"
"To see the priest of Zitu without delay," Croft replied without evasion. "Shall Jadgor not give ear, if the priest of Zitu asks?"
"And the priest?" Sinon asked.
"I carry a message to him from Abbu of Scira." Croft held up the tablets that Abbu had inscribed.
"My son!" Sinon gave him a glance of admiration. "Go, and Zitu go with you. We shall wait for you here."
Croft nodded and left. He had purposely had the galley moored as near the Palace as he might. Now he rapidly made his way to the bridge across the Na, and along it to the middle span. And there he paused and gazed about him, at the palace, the pyramid, the vista of the terraced stream. This was Himyra—this was the home of Naia. Today he stood here unheralded and unknown. Yet he stood there because of the dominant spirit which was his, which had dared all to stand there, and—it should not be long until all Himyra—all Tamarizia knew of Jasor of Nodhur, as he surely must be known.
He went on across the bridge and approached the pyramid. It lifted its vast pile above him. He found an inclined way and began to mount. After a considerable time he reached the top and entered the temple itself. The huge statue of Zitu sat there as he had seen it in his former state. Now almost without volition he bent his knees before it. After all, it stood for the One Eternal Source. He gave it reverence as such.
A voice spoke to him as he knelt. He rose and confronted a priest.
"Who art thou?" the latter asked, advancing toward him. "How come you here at no hour appointed for prayer?"