Потерянный континент: история Атлантиды
2. Back To Atlantis
ButlookatPhorenice:itwasherwhimtotakeexerciseasaman-at-armsandpractisewithalltheutensilsofwar;andthen,beforeanyonequiteknowshoworwhyithappened,arebellionhadbrokenoutintheprovince,andherewasshe,aslipofagirl,leadingZaemon’stroops.”
“Zaemon,whenIknewhim,wasamerederisioninthefield.”
“Hearmeon.Phoreniceputdowntherebellioninmasterlyfashion,andgavetheconqueredachoicebetweenswordandservice.Theyfellintoherranksatonce,andwerefaithfultoherfromthatmoment.Itellyou,Deucalion,thereisamarvellousfascinationaboutthewoman.”
“Herpresenthistorianseemstohavefeltit.”
“OfcourseIhave.Everyonewhoseeshercomesunderherspell.Andfrankly,Iaminlovewithheralso,andlookuponmycominghereasdetestableexile.EveryoneneartoPhorenice,highandlow,lovesherjustthesame,eventhoughtheyknowitmaybeherwhimtosendthemtoexecutionnextminute.”
PerhapsIletmyscornofthisappear.
“Youfeelcontemptforourweakness?Youwerealwaysastrongman,Deucalion.”
“Atanyrateyouseemestillunmarried.Ihavefoundnotimetopalterwiththefripperiesofwomen.”
“Ah,butthesecolonistsherearecrudeandunfascinating.Waittillyouseetheladiesofthecourt,myascetic.”
“Itcomestomymind,”Isaiddryly,“thatIlivedinAtlantisbeforeIcameouthere,andatthattimeIusedtoseeasmuchofcourtlifeasmostmen.Yetthen,also,Ifeltnoinducementtomarry.”
Tathochuckled.“Atlantishaschangedsothatyouwouldhardlyknowthecountryto-day.
