Потерянный континент: история Атлантиды
2. Back To Atlantis
ThroughevilyearsandthroughgoodhaveIruledhere,strivingonlyfortheprosperityofthelandandthestrengtheningofAtlantis,andIhavegrowntolovethepeopleslikeafather.ToyouIbequeaththem,Tatho,withtendersupplicationsfortheirinterests.”
“ItisnotIthatcancarryonDeucalion’sworkwithDeucalion’spower,butrestcontent,myfriend,thatIshalldomyhumblebesttofollowexactlyoninyourfootsteps.Believeme,Icameouttothisgovernmentwithathousandregrets,butIwouldhavediedsoonerthantakeyourplacehadIknownhowvigorouslythesupplantingwouldtroubleyou.”
“Wearealonehere,”Isaid,“awayfromtheformalitiesofformalassemblies,andamanmaygiveventtohisnaturalselfwithoutfearoftarnishingaceremony.Yourcomingwassomethingofthesuddenest.Tillanhourago,whenyoudemandedaudience,Ihadthoughttoruleonlonger;andevennowIdonotknowforwhatcauseIamdeposed.”
“Theproclamationsaid:‘Werelieveourwell-belovedDeucalionofhispresentservice,becausewehavegreatneedofhispowersathomeinourkingdomofAtlantis.’”
“Amereformality.”
Tatholookeduneasilyroundthehangingsofthechamber,anddrewmewithhimtoitscentre,andloweredhisvoice.
“Idonotthinkso,”hewhispered.“Ibelieveshehasneedofyou.Therearetroubloustimesonhand,andPhorenicewantstheablestmeninthekingdomreadytohercall.”
“Youmayspeakopenly,”Isaid,“andwithoutfearofeavesdroppers.Weareintheheartofthepyramidhere,builtineverywaybyaman’slengthofsolidstone.
