Потерянный континент: история Атлантиды
5. Zaemon’s Curse
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Shemadeasign,andastairwasbrought,andthenshecalledtome,andImountedandsatbesideherinthegoldenhalf-castleunderthecanopyofroyalsnakes.Thegirlwhostoodbehindinattendancefannedusbothwithperfumedfeathers,andatawordfromPhorenicethemammothwasturned,bearingusbacktowardstheroyalpyramidbythewaythroughwhichithadcome.Atthesametimealsoalltheothermachineryofsplendourwasputinmotion.Thesoldiersandthegaudilybedeckedciviltradersfellintoprocessionbeforeandbehind,andInotedthatabodyoftroops,heavilyarmed,marchedoneachofthemammoth’sflanks.
Phoreniceturnedtomewithasmile.“Youpiquedme,”shesaid,“atfirst.”
“YourMajestyoverwhelmsmewithsomuchnotice.”
“Youlookedatmysteedbeforeyoulookedatme.Awomanfindsithardtoforgiveaslightlikethat.”
“Ienviedyouthegreatestofyourconquests,anddostill.Ihavefoughtmammothsmyself,andattimeshavekilled,butIneverdaredeventothinkoftakingonealiveandbringingitintotameness.”
“Youspeakboldly,”shesaid,stillsmiling,“andyetyoucanturnaprettycompliment.Faugh!Deucalion,thewaythesepeoplefawnonmegivesmeanausea.Iamnotofthesameclayastheyare,Iknow;butjustbecauseIamthedaughterofGodstheymustneedsfeedmeonthepapofinsincerity.”
SoTathowasright,andtheswineherdwasforgotten.Well,ifshechosetokeepupthefictionshehadmade,itwasnotmyparttocontradicther.RightlyorwronglyIwasherservant.
