by Anthology
"Jadgor the king knows best in his heart," said Croft, and waited. "I ask but his aid to bring this thing to pass."
"These things have been spoken to Magur?" Jadgor turned his eyes to the face of the priest.
"Ayes," Croft said quickly.
"Then speak of them to me."
An hour passed while Croft explained and the two Tamarizians listened or bent above the drawings he unrolled. "And this—how do you name it—" Jadgor began at last.
"Motur." Croft threw the word into the native speech.
"This motur will do these things?" Jadgor asked in a tone of amaze.
"All I have promised, and more."
"And what is required to bring this to pass?"
"Workers in metals—a supply of wine to be used as I shall direct—and a closed mouth that Cathur shall not be told, nor permitted to view the work until done."
"Those things are granted. I shall see it arranged." Jadgor turned his eyes again in Magur's direction. "Priest of Zitu—Zitu's own hand appears in the plans of Jasor's mind. The designs of Zitu himself have surely entered his soul. I, Jadgor, shall sponsor the carrying out." And once more he addressed Croft. "When shall this work begin?"
"So soon as Aphur wills."
"Good." Jadgor clapped his hands. He was a man of action as Croft knew. Now as a guardsman answered the summons, he spoke quickly in direction. "Make search for my son, Prince Robur, and say I desire him here."
The soldier withdrew, and Jadgor plunged into further questions concerning Croft's plans. Croft on his part answered him fully, promising other wonders than the motor in good time.
And now there entered the room a youth to whom Croft's heart went out. Clean-limbed, strong-featured, with a well-shaped jaw, and a mouth not lacking in humor, he advanced with a springing stride and stood before the king.
"Robur, my son," Jadgor began. "Jasor of Nodhur is our guest. In all things shall you aid him, speaking in all such matters as the mouthpiece of the king. See to it that he has metal-workers under his command to do his bidding, also that wine is given into his hands for such use as he sees fit."
Robur put forth a hand, which Croft took in his own. The Prince of Aphur smiled. "My father's word is the law in Aphur," he said. "Welcome, Nodhur. Ask and I obey."
"First, then," said Croft, "I would visit my father's galley at the quays and acquaint them with what has occurred before they continue up the Na."
"Come, then," Robur responded to the natural request.
And thus he began the work on Palos which was to hold him for many months. He presented Sinon and Mellia to Robur, and after an hour spent in explanations, and ending with a promise to visit Ladhra after he had his work in Himyra started, he left them divided between amazement and pride in their son.
"Once what I intend is completed, we will mount these splendid roads without gnuppas, and at many times their speed," he said as Robur and he re-entered the prince's car.
Robur opened his eyes. "Say you so? Is it for that I am to aid you as my father said?"
"Aye."
"Then let us begin at once. I would like to see the thing accomplished."
Croft nodded and briefly described what was required.
"There is a place where the doors of metal and the bodies of the chariots and carriage are molded," Robur said. "Metal is melted and worked into shape, according to designs."
"Take me there, O Robur of Aphur."
Robur laughed. "Call me not by so lengthy a title," he exclaimed. "I am drawn to you, Jasor. Let us forget questions of caste or rank between ourselves. Speak to me as Rob."
"Gladly will I call you so," said Croft. "And let us pledge ourselves now to work for the welfare of our nation until it is assured."
Robur's eyes lighted. "This is a day of wonder for all Tamarizia," he said, and turned the gnuppas southward along the river road.
In the end he brought them to a stand before an enormous building, wherein Croft found the flares of fires, and men, well-nigh naked, at work in their glare. Robur led him to the captain in charge of the place, and made him acquainted with Croft's needs. Inside an hour Croft was superintending the makings of certain wooden patterns, to be molded, and cast in tempered copper, while Robur looked on, all eyes.
And his eyes were glinting as they left the Palosian foundry and drove toward the royal depots of wines, after Croft had given certain of the metal-workers the designs for a huge copper retort to be made at once.
At the depots, where Croft found unlimited supplies of wine, stored in skin bottles of tabur hide, Jason ordered the building of a brick furnace for the retort when it was done, giving the dimensions and plans of construction to masons hurriedly called. That task arranged for, Robur drove him back to the palace, and led him straight to his own private suite.
A woman rose as they entered. She was sweet-faced, with brown eyes and hair. Robur presented Croft to her as his wife, a princess of Milidhur, and proudly displayed two children, a boy and a girl. Croft found his reception gracious in the extreme, and learned he was to be the guest of Robur and Gaya while engaged in his work. She listened to Robur's and Croft's description of their plans, and cried out with delight at what they proposed.
Thereafter the days passed quickly, and part after part of the new engine which was to revolutionize transportation on Palos was drafted, molded, and made. Croft selected each man who showed any particular aptitude and delegated him to that individual task.
The huge retort was set up and was producing pure alcoholic spirit every day. Inside ten days Croft himself began the assembling of the already finished parts. At his own request, Robur was permitted to assist. More than once Croft smiled to himself as he beheld the crown prince of Aphur soiled, grimy, smudged, and enjoying himself immensely.
To gain speed, Croft had introduced the unheard-of nightshift in Himyra. Day and night now the work went on, and his first creation advanced apace. Only on the winding of the magneto did he maintain great secrecy. Over that he and Robur worked alone. It was the main, essential part, he explained to the prince. Without it, the whole thing would be useless and dead. He tried to make Robur understand the electric nature of the device and, failing, told him it was the same as the lightning in the clouds.
"Zitu!" cried Robur. "Jasor, would you harness Zitu's fire?"
"By Zitu's permission," Croft said.
Aphur's prince studied that. "Aye," he said at length. "My friend, you are a strange and wonderful man. Jadgor believes that Zitu himself had endowed your mind, and Magur says as much in your favor, also."
"Magur speaks the truth," Croft declared. "Listen, Rob. Strange things occurred in this body of mine in Scira. At times—when the need occurs—it shall fall sleep. From each sleep shall it return with new knowledge for the good of Tamarizia's race, and the confounding of Zollaria's plans."
"Zollaria! Hai!" Robur exclaimed.
"To oppose which Jadgor designs to betroth your cousin to Kyphallos of Cathur. Rob," Croft went on, "I would ask a favor if it may be granted."
"Speak," Robur said.
"I would be present at the betrothal feast inside the next few days."
"By Zitu, and you shall," Robur declared.
"My caste—" Croft began.
Robure laughed and tapped him on the breast with a wrench. "Rise, Hupor! If this work succeeds, that will be arranged."
Croft felt his pulses quicken. "You mean—"
Robur nodded. "That Jadgor, my father, will raise you to the first rank beneath the throne."
On the day before the betrothal feast Croft finished his magneto, tested it out before Robur's eyes, and obtained a good, fat spark. Hastily connecting it with the assembled motor, for which workmen were building a chassis such as Palos had never seen, he filled a testing tank with spirit, primed the carburetor, that he had somewhat changed for the use of the different fuel, and then laid hold of the crank.
It was a tense moment as he spoke to Robur. "Watch now, Rob—watch!"
; He spun the crank around. For the first time on Palos there came a motor's cough. Again Croft whirred the crank, spinning it to generate the life-giving spark. He was answered by a hearty hum. The motor quivered and shook. A staccato sound of steady explosions filled the room in which it stood. Life gunfire its exhaust broke forth. The heavy balance wheel Croft had arranged for the trial to load it to safety spun swiftly round and round.
A commotion rose in the shop. Captains and subcaptains ran from their work to view the success of that for which they had worked. They stood staring at the throbbing, quivering engine. Croft straightened and stood, pale of face but with glazing eyes, before them.
And suddenly the crown prince spoke. "Back—back to your work. Work as ye have never worked before. Complete the frame for this to ride upon, the wheels. Make all ready, men of Aphur, and spare no effort to the aim. A new day has dawned in Aphur—in Tamarizia. Inside the hour there shall be a new prince. Salute him, Hupor Jasor, who thus has served the state."
They lifted their hands in salute, those captains, and turned away. Croft looked into Robur's eyes. "Rob," he stammered.
"Aye, such is the order of Aphur's king did the test we were to make today succeed. He will himself confirm it tomorrow night. In the meantime I am told to bid Jasor to the betrothal feast of Naia of Aphur to Cathur's prince. What now of caste, my friend?"
Croft quivered. He opened his lips yet found himself overwhelmed with emotion, unable to speak.
Robur cast an arm about his shoulders as the two men stood. "Jasor, my friend, what things have you in mind I know not of? Speak. Know you not, Jasor, that I love you?"
"Aye," said Croft. "Yet Rob, I may not speak of those things as yet. Later you shall know all," he declared. "As for the rest—you are my dearest friend."
"Speak when you will," Robur replied. "Tomorrow at the house of Prince Lakkon, Jadgor shall name you Hupor before the nobles of Aphur. And when this motur of ours is completed, you shall drive it to Ladhra and take with you the noble rank for Sinon, since he has served his state in bringing about your birth."
Tomorrow night at the house of Prince Lakkon! Suddenly Croft felt his face flush and his eyes took on a flashing light. "Rob," he cried. "This is only the beginning. What we shall do for Tamarizia Zitu only knows."
"Would Zitu had sent you before this then," Robur growled. "I question not the wisdom of Jadgor, my father," he went on quickly. "Yet like I not this sacrifice of a virgin made to the lecherous son of Cathur's king."
"Rob!" Croft cried. "Zitu himself must frown upon such a thing. Rob—how long between the night of betrothal and the marriage itself?"
"Hai!" Robur narrowed his eyes. "A cycle, my friend. By royal custom these things are never matters of haste."
"A cycle!" Croft threw up his head and laughed. "Rob, could we made Tamarizia strong beyond any dream of her wisest men inside that cycle, what then?"
"A promise is a promise, my friend."
"But," said Croft, "much may happen in a cycle—and Zollaria plans."
"What mean you? Jasor—you are a strange man. Twice now have you spoken of Zollaria's plans. What do you have in mind?"
"To watch Cathur's prince," said Croft. "Hold, Rob—the priest, Abbu, is my friend. He will help us in this. Magur, too, must give us aid. Let us watch—and work."
Work—yes, work. Croft threw up his face and met Robur's questioning gaze. "Aphur shall show the way to the nation," he cried. "Zollaria's plans shall come to naught, my friend."
"Zitu!" Robur gasped. "After tomorrow night we must speak of these things to Aphur's king. Jasor, I am minded that Magur is right. Zitu works through you to his ends."
The motor coughed and died, having used up its fuel. Croft smiled, and called Robur back to work. Through the day they toiled, and by night the engine was bolted to the chassis, wheeled into the assembling room by the workmen that afternoon. There remained now no more than the assembling of the clutch and the transmission before the body should be affixed to complete the car. And the body was ready and waiting.
Croft worked throughout the night. Robur offered to assist, but he refused. He wanted to be alone—to think.
The answer was plain. Aphur must arm—and Nodhur—and Milidhur from whence came the gentle, sweetly sympathetic Gaya, Robur's wife. And of arms he knew little, but—he could learn. Only, he had to return to Earth. There, not many miles from his own town, was the home of a man who before now had won fame as a maker of arms.
Croft chuckled to himself as he worked, and the captain assisting him in Robur's place thought him pleased with their progress and smiled.
"This motur of thine will surely draw the car in lieu of gnuppas, my lord?"
"Aye," said Croft with a nod.
"By Zitu! Never was anything like it dreamed of in Tamarizia before thy coming."
Croft nodded again. "Tomorrow I shall bring you orders to start all men working on those parts they have made for this, in untold numbers," he returned. "And hark you, captain. Each man shall make but the one part—which he makes the best. So shall we make many and build them together at once and produce a vast number of cars, and other moturs to drive boats on the Na."
"By Zitu! Then shall Aphur rule the seas indeed."
"Tamarizia shall rule," said Croft with an assurance not to be denied.
And as the first rays of Sirius began to gild the red walls of Himyra, he finished filling the fuel tank with spirits, told the captain to open wide the doors of the building wherein they had toiled through the night, and seized hold upon the crank of the engine he had built.
The motor roared out. Croft sprang to the driver's seat. He let in his clutch. And slowly—very slowly the car moved toward the open doors.
One glimpse Jason had of the captain's face—a thing wide-eyed, agape with amazed belief, and then he was outside the massive walls of that foundry womb in which the car had been formed. He was out in the streets of Himyra, riding the thing he had made.
He gained the river road and opened the throttle notch by notch. Swiftly and more swiftly the new car moved. He reached the palace entrance and turned in. Straight to the steps of the king's wing he drove and brought the car to a stand.
Like their fellow of the street, the guards shrank back in amazement from this strangest of chariots they had ever seen, until Croft, rising in his seat, ordered them to send word to Robur and Jadgor himself, that he waited their inspection of the car. He throttled down and sat waiting while a guardsman hurried away.
Then into the midst of his elation broke the voice of Aphur's prince. "Hai, Jasor, my lord, this is a surprise. Now I see that which last night you planned."
Robur had hurried forth with Gaya by his side, and behind him now came Jadgor, between a double row of guards. While Croft rose and gave a hand to Robur and Gaya in turn, and bowed before the king, the latter advanced to the side of the new machine.
"You came here in the motur itself?" Robur asked.
"Yes," Croft replied. "And well nigh frightened a night guard out of his wits when he saw me bearing down on him, as well as carrying consternation into the minds of even soldiers here."
Robur laughed. "I can well believe that," he agreed. "Had I known not of it I fear I should have been sadly disturbed myself."
Jadgor smiled. "If it carried fear into the hearts of Aphur's guards, might it not do likewise to an enemy's men as well?"
"O king, it is in my mind that it would do even that," Croft returned. "My I show you the motur in action, O King of Aphur?"
"Yes."
"Wait!" Robur cried as Croft resumed his seat. "Wait, Jasor, I shall go with you. Gaya will be the first woman of Aphur to ride in such a chariot."
Gaya smiled, Like most of the Tamarizian women, Croft had seen she seemed devoid of any particular fear. She took Robur's hand and stepped into the car; Robur followed.
Then Croft engaged his clutch and the car moved off, rolling without apparent means of propulsion in circles about the great red court while th
e guards and Jadgor watched. For some five minutes Croft kept up the circling before he brought the machine to a stand before the king, and once more rising, bowed.
"Your words were true, O Jasor," spoke Jagor then. "In this I see great service to the state. Hail Hupor!" He caught a sword from the nearest soldier, and advancing, struck Croft lightly upon the breast with the flat of the blade. "More of this tonight," he said, stepping back. "In the meantime arrange to build as many of these moturs as you may—also for those which shall propel the boats."
Turning, he withdrew with his guard, disappearing into the palace. Gaya smiled at her husband and Croft. "I, too, shall withdraw now," she began. "I can see you are eager to be alone with this new toy. My thanks, Lord Jasor, for the ride. All my life long I shall remember myself the first of Tamarizian women to mount your wonderful car."
Robur helped her to get out, then sprang back to Croft's side. His face was alight. "Now—go! Let us leave the city along the highway to the south and test the motur for speed."
Nothing loth, Croft once more advanced gas and spark and let in the clutch. Outside the palace entrance he turned south along the Na. Robur, beside him, seemed strangely like a boy. "Approach the gate slowly. Let me see for myself what effect we have on the guards."
His wish was granted in a surprisingly short time. As they neared the gate, not yet open to morning traffic, a guardsman appeared. He seemed practically paralyzed at the sight which met his eyes. In the end, however, he suddenly lifted his spear as though expecting to meet a charge with its point.
"Open, fellow!" Robur shouted with a grin.
His voice wrought a change in the man. He caught a deep breath, dropped his spear and flung himself toward the levers which worked the gate. "My lord," he said, as Croft drove past where he now stood at attention with the gate swung wide. "My lord!"
Robur flung him a bit of silver and a laugh. Then they were out of the tunnel through the wall and rushing up the well-built road. "That fellow thought us Zutemque himself, to judge by his expression," he chuckled. "Jasor, my friend—go faster—let—"
"Let her out!"