Потерянный континент: история Атлантиды
14. Again The Gods Make Change
Whenitsuitedherfancy,nonecouldbemorestrictontheritualofaceremonythanthismany-moodedEmpress,anditappearedthatonthisoccasionshehadgivencommandthatallthingsweretobecarriedoutwiththerigidexactnessandpompoftheoldermanner.
SoshewasborneupbyherEuropeanstothescarletawning,andIhandedhertotheground.Sheseatedherselfonthecushions,andbeckonedmetoherside,entwiningherfingerswithmineashasalwaysbeenthecustomwithrulersofAtlantisandtheirconsorts.Andtherebeforeusaswesat,abodyofsoldierymarchedup,andopeningoutshowedNaisintheirmidst.Shehadacollarofmetalroundherneck,withchainsdependingfromitfirmlyheldbyabraceofguards,sothatsheshouldnotruninuponthespearsoftheescort,andthusgetaquickandeasydeath,whichisoftenthecustomofthosecondemnedtothemorelingeringpunishments.
Butitwaspleasanttoseethatshestillworeherclothing.Raiment,whetheroffabricorskin,hasitsvalue,andcustomhasalwaysgiventhegarmentsofthecondemnedtothesoldiersguardingthem.SoasNaiswasnotstripped,Icouldnotbutseethatsomeonehadgivenmoneystotheguardsasarecompense,andinthisIthoughtIsawthehandofYlga,andfeltagratitudetowardsher.
Thesoldiersbroughtherforwardtotheedgeofthepavilion’sshade,andshewasbiddenprostrateherselfbeforetheEmpress,andthisshewiselydidandsoavoidedroughhandlingandforce.Herfacewaspale,butshowedneitherfearnordefiance,andhereyeswerecalmandnatural.
