8. The Preacher From The Mountains

           “Youwillsetmefree,”shesaid,regardingmefromunderherbrows,“withoutanyfurtherexactionsortreaty?”

           “Iwillsetyoufreeexactlyonthoseterms,”Ianswered,“unlessindeedweheredecidethatitisbetterforAtlantisthatIshoulddie,inwhichcasethefreedomwillbeofyourowntaking.”

           “Mylordplaysaboldgame.”

           “Tut,tut,”Isaid.

           “ButIshallnothesitatetotakethefullofmybond,unlessmytheoriesaremostclearlydisprovedtome.”

           “Tut,”Isaid,“youwomen,howyoucanplayoutthetimeneedlessly.Showmesufficientcause,andyoushallkillmewhereandhowyouplease.Come,begintheaccusation.”

           “Youareatyrant.”

           “AtleastIhavenotparadedmytyranniesinAtlantisthesetwentyyears.Why,Nais,Ididbutlandyesterday.”

           “YouwillnotdenyyoucamebackfromYucatanforapurpose.”

           “IcamebackbecauseIwassentfor.TheEmpressgivesnoreasonsforherrecalls.Shestatesherwill;andwewhoserveherobeywithoutquestion.”

           “Pah,Iknowthatolddogma.”

           “Ifyoudiscreditmypoorhonestyattheoutsetlikethis,Ifearweshallnotgetfarwithourunravelling.”

           “Mylordmustbeindeedsimple,”saidthisstrangewomanscornfully,“ifheisignorantofwhatallAtlantisknows.”

           “Thensimpleyoumustwritemedown.OveryonderinYucatanweweretoowellwrappedupinourownparochialneedsandpoliciestohaveleisuretopondermuchovertheslimnewswhichdriftedouttousfromAtlantis—and,intruth,littleenoughcame.