Потерянный континент: история Атлантиды
6. The Biters Of The City Walls
Thereissomeobjectinallthis.”
Shewentandpushedtothemassivestonethatswunginthedoorwayofthechamber.Thensheputherlittlejewelledfingersonmygarmentanddrewmecarefullyawayfromtheairshaftintothefarthercorner.“IamthedaughterofZaemon,”shesaid,“whomyouknew.”
“Youbringmesomemessagefromhim?”
“HowcouldI?Helivesinthepriests’dwellingsontheMountainyoudidobeisanceto.Ihavenotputeyesonhimthesetwoyears.ButwhenIsawyoufirststepoutfromthatredpaviliontheyhadpitchedattheharbourside,I—Ifeltapityforyou,Deucalion.Irememberedyouweremyfather’s,Zaemon’s,friend,andIknewwhatPhorenicehadinstore.Shehasbeenplottingitallthesetwomonths.”
“IcannothearwordsagainsttheEmpress.”
“Andyet—”
“What?”
Shestampedhersandaluponthestoneofthefloor.“Youmustbeaveryblindman,Deucalion,oraverydaringone.ButIshallnotinterferefurther;atleastnotnow.Still,Ishallwatch,andifatanytimeyouseemtowantafriendIwilltryandserveyou.”
“Ithankyouforyourfriendship.”
“Youseemtotakeitlightlyenough.Why,sir,evennowIdonotbelieveyouknowmypower,anymorethanyouguessmymotive.Youmaybefirstmaninthiskingdom,butletmetellyouIrankassecondlady.Andremember,womenstandhighinAtlantisnow.Believeme,myfriendshipisacommoditythathasbeensoughtwithfrequenceandindustry.”
“AndasIsay,Iamgratefulforit.
