Потерянный континент: история Атлантиды
5. Zaemon’s Curse
Theselowerpeoplewillnotbuildfinehousestoadornmycity,andbecausetheychoosetoliveonintheirsqualid,unsightlykennels,therehavebeencalenturesandothersicknessesamongstthem,whichmakethemdisinclinedforwork.Andthen,too,forthemoment,earningisnoteasy.Indeed,youmaysaytradeisnearlystoppedthislasthalf-year,sincetherebelshavebeenhammeringsolustilyatmycitygates.”
Iwasfairlystartledoutofmydecorum.
“Rebels!”Icried.“WhoarehammeringatthegatesofAtlantis?Isthecityinastateofsiege?”
“Oftheircondescension,”saidPhorenicelightly,“theyaregivingusholidayto-day,andso,happily,mywelcometoyoucomesundisturbed.Iftheywerefighting,yourearswouldhavetoldyouofit.Togivethemtheirdue,theyarenoisyenoughinalltheirefforts.Myspiessaytheyaremakingreadynewenginesforuseagainstthewalls,whichyoumaysallyoutto-morrowandbreakifitgivesyouamusement.Butforto-day,Deucalion,Ihaveyou,andyouhaveme,andthereispeaceroundus,andsomeprettinessofdisplay.IfyouaskformoreIwillgiveityou.”
“Ididnotknowofthisrebellion,”Isaid,“butasYourMajestyhasmademeyourminister,itiswellthatIshouldknowallaboutitsscopeatonce.Thisisamatterweshouldbeseriousupon.”
“AnddoyouthinkIcannottakeitseriouslyalso?”sheretorted.“Ylga,”shesaidtothegirlthatstoodbehind,“setloosemydressattheshoulder
