12. The Drug Of Our Lady The Moon

           SothismightyEmpresschosetobejealousofamerewomanprisoner!

           Nowmymindhasbeentrainedtoworkwithasoldierlyquicknessinthesemomentsofstress,andIdecidedonmypropercourseontheinstantthewordshadleftherlips.IwassacrificingmyselfforAtlantisbyorderoftheHighCouncilofthePriests,and,ifneedful,Naismustbesacrificedalso,althoughinthesameflashaschemecametomeforsavingher.

           SoIbowedgravelybeforetheEmpress,andsaidI,“Inthis,andinallotherthingswhereamerehumanhandispotent,Iwillcarryoutyourwishes,Phorenice.”Andsheonherpartpattedmyarm,andfreshwavesoffeelingwelledupfromthedepthsofherwondrouseyes.SurelytheGodswonforherhalfherschemesandhalfherbattleswhentheygavePhorenicehershape,andhervoice,andthematterswhichlaywithintheoutlinesofherface.

           Bythistimethemerchants,andtheotherdwellersadjacenttothispartoftheharbour,wheretheroyalquaystands,hadcomedown,offeringchangesofraiment,andhousestoretireinto.Phorenicewasallgraciousness,andthoughitwaslittleenoughIcaredformerewetnessofmycoat,stillthatpartoftheharbourintowhichwehadbeenthrownbythemammothwasnotoversavoury,andIwasgladenoughtofollowherexample.Formyself,IsaidnofurtherwordtoNais,andrefrainedevenfromgivingheraglanceoffarewell.ButasmallsoplikethiswasnomealforPhorenice,andshegavetheport-captainstrictordersfortheguardingofhisprisonerbeforeshelefthim.