Потерянный континент: история Атлантиды
2. Back To Atlantis
“Threetimeswerebodiesofsoldierysentagainsther,andthreetimeswasshevictorious.Thelastwasafinaleffort.Before,ithadbeencustomarytodespisethisadventuresswhohadsprungupsosuddenly.Butthenthepriestsbegantorealisetheirperil;toseethatthethroneitselfwasindanger;andtoknowthatifsheweretobecrushed,theywouldhavetoputforththeirutmost.Everymanwhocouldcarryarmswaspressedintotheservice.Everyknownartofwarwasorderedtobeputintoemployment.Itwasthelargestarmy,andthebestequippedarmythatAtlantisthenhadeverraised,andthePriestlyClansawfittoputinsupremecommandtheirgeneral,Tatho.”
“You!”Icried.
“Evenmyself,Deucalion.Andmarkyou,Ifoughtmyutmost.Iwasnothercreaturethen;andwhenIsetout(becausetheywantedtospurmetotheuttermost)theHighCouncilofthepriestspointedoutmyprospects.TheKingwehadknownsolong,wasailingandwearilyold;hewassowrappedupinthestudyofthemysteries,andthejoyofcloselyknowingthem,thatearthlymattershadgrownnauseoustohim;andatanytimehemightdecidetodie.ThePriestlyClanusesitsowndiscretionintheelectionofanewking,butittakesnoteofpopularsentiment;andageneralwhoatthecriticaltimecouldcomehomevictoriousfromagreatcampaign,whichmoreoverwouldreleaseaharassedpeoplefromtheconstantapplicationofarms,wouldbetheidolofthemoment.Thesethingswerepointedouttomesolemnlyandinthefullcouncil.”
“What!Theypromisedyouthethrone?”
“Eventhat.
