Потерянный континент: история Атлантиды
14. Again The Gods Make Change
Amanranintothesquareshouting,andshowingawoundthatdripped,andpresentlyallthatvastcrowdwhichstoodonthepavements,andthesidesofthepyramids,andtheroofsofthetemples,tookupthecry,andbegantofeelfortheirweapons.
“Therebelsarein!”“Theyhaveburrowedapathintothecity!”“Theyhavekilledthecave-tigersandtakenagate!”“Theyareputtingthewholeplacetothestorm!”“Theywillpresentlyleavenopoorsoulofusherealive!”
Therethenwasaterminationofourmarriagecooings.Withrebelsmerelybitingatthewalls,itwasfinetoputstrongtrustinthedefences,andeasytoaffectcontemptforthebesiegers’powers,andtokeepthebusinessofpageantsandstatecraftandmarryingsturningoneasywheels.Butwithrebelsoldiersalreadyinsidethecity(andhordesofothersdoubtlesspressingontheirheels),theaffairstookadifferentlight.Itwasnomomentforfurtherdelay,andPhorenicewasthefirsttoadmitit.Theglowthathadbeeninhereyeschangedtotheglareofthefighter,asthefellowwhohadrunupsqualledouthistidings.
Istoodandstretchedmychest.Iseemedinneedofair.“Here,”Isaid,“isworkthatIcanunderstandmoreclearly.Iwillgoandsweepthisrabblebacktotheirburrows,Phorenice.”
“Butnotalone,sir.Icometoo.Itismycitystill.Nay,sir,wearetoonewlywedtobepartedyet.”
“Haveyourwill,”Isaid,andtogetherwewentdownthestepsofthethronetothepavementbelow.UndermybreathIsaidafarewelltoNais.
