Потерянный континент: история Атлантиды
14. Again The Gods Make Change
Deucalion,thatistobemyhusband,willlayyouinthatawfulbed,asasymbolthatsoshallperishallPhorenice’senemies,andthenhewillreleasetheramsandlowertheupperstoneintoplace,andtheworldshallseeyourfacenomore.Lookatthebrightsky,Nais,fillyourchestwiththesweetwarmair,andthenthinkofwhatthisdeathwillmean.Believeme,girl,Idonotwanttomakeyouanexampleunlessyouforceme.”
“Iwillnotwed,”saidtheprisonerquietly.
TheEmpressloosedherfingersfrommyarm,andlaybackagainstthecushions.“Ifthegirlpresumesonouroldfamiliarity,orthinksthatIjest,showhernow,Deucalion,thatIdonot.”
“TheEmpressisfarfromjesting,”Isaid.“IwilldothisthingbecauseitisthewishoftheEmpressthatitshouldbedone,andbecauseitisthecommandoftheEmpressthatasymbolofitshallremainforeverasanexampleforothers.Leadyourprisonertotheplace.”
Thesoldierswheeled,andthetwoguardswiththechainsofthecollarwhichwasontheneckofNaispreparedtoputoutforcetodragherupthesteps.Butshewalkedwiththemwillingly,andwithacolourunchanged,andIrosefrommyseat,andmadeobeisancetotheEmpressandfollowedthem.
Beforeallthosetenthousandeyes,wetwomadenodisplayofemotionthen,notonlyforAtlantis’sake,butalsobecausebothNaisandIhadanicetyandaprideinournatures.WewerenotasPhorenicetoflauntendearmentsbeforeothers.
