7. The Biters Of The Walls (Further Account)

           HerethenwasthemannerofmyreceptionbackinthecapitalofAtlantis,andsomefirstglimpseathernewpolicies.Ifreelyconfesstomyowninactionandlimpness;butitwasalldeliberate.Theoldtiesofdutyseemedlost,oratleastmergedinoneanother.Beforetime,toservethekingwastoservetheClanofthePriests,fromwhichhehadbeenchosen,andwhoseheadheconstituted.ButPhorenicewasself-made,andappearedtobearuleuntoherself;ifZaemonwastobetrusted,hewasthemouthpieceofthePriests,andtheirClanhadsetheratdefiance;andhowwasamerehonestmantochooseontheinstantbetweenthetwo?

           Butcoldargumenttoldmethatgovernmentsweresetupforthegoodofthecountryatlarge,andIsaidtomyselfthattherewouldbemychoice.ImustfindoutwhichrulepromisedbestofAtlantis,anddomypoorbesttopropitintofullpower.Andhereatoncethereopenedupanotherpathinthemaze:Ihadheardsomeconsiderabletalkofrebels;ofanotherfactionofAtlanteanswho,whatevertheirfaultsmightbe,wereatanyratestrongenoughtobeleaguerthecapital;andbeforecomingtoanyfinaldecision,itwouldbeaswelltotaketheirclaimsinbalancewiththerest.SoonthenightofthatverysamedayonwhichIhadjustre-plantedmyfootontheoldcountry’sshores,Isetouttogleanformyselftidingsonthematter.

           Nooneinsidetheroyalpyramidgainsaidme.