Потерянный континент: история Атлантиды

           Butheheldsteadilytoonedirection,andasthatwastowardsmyself,itnaturallycametomymindthat,havingdealtwithgreaterthings,hewouldnowsettlewiththeless;or,inplainerwords,thathavingputhispolicybeforetheswarmingpeople,hewouldnowsmitedownthemanhehadseenbutyesterdayseatedasPhorenice’sminister.Well,IshouldlosethatfinalfightIhadpromisedmyself,andthatmoundofslainformyfuneralbed.ItwasclearthatZaemonwasthemouthpieceofthePriests’Clan,dulyappointed;andIalsowasapriest.IfthewordhadbeengivenontheSacredMountaintothosewhosatbeforetheArkoftheMysteriesthatAtlantiswouldprospermorewithDeucalionsenttotheGods,Iwasreadytobowtothesentencewithsubmissiveness.ThatIhadregretforthismodeofcuttingoff,Iwillnotdeny.Nomanwhohaspractisedthegameofarmscouldabandonthepromiseofsuchagorgeousfinalbattlewithoutaqualmoflonging.

           ButIhadbeentrainedenoughtoshownoneoftheseemotionsonmyface,andwhentheoldmancameuptome,Istoodmygroundandgavehimthesalutationprescribedbetweenourranks,whichhereturnedtomewithcircumstanceandaccuracy.Thecrowdfellback,beingdrivenawaybytheineffableforceoftheSymbol,leavingusaloneinthemiddleofaring.EvenNais,thoughshewasapriest’sdaughter,wasignorantoftheMysteries,andcouldnotwithstanditsforce.Andsowetwomenstoodtherealonetogether,withtheglowoftheSymbolbathingus,andlightinguptheseaofravenousfacesthatwatched.