Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
9. Phorenice, Goddess
TheHighGodswhokeepthetetherofourliveshideTheirsecretswell,butIdidnotthinkitimpioustobesurethatminewasverynearthecuttingthen.
Thebeautifulwomansawthistoo.Sheevenwentsofarastotwineherfingersinmineandpressthemasafarewell,andIpressedhersinreturn,forIwassorryenoughnottoseehermore.StillIcouldnothelplettingmythoughtstravelwithagrimgloatingoverthefinemoundofdeadIshouldbuildbeforetheseragged,unskilledrebelspulledmedown.Anditwasinevitablethisshouldbeso.Forofalltheemotionsthatcanfermentinthehumanheart,thejoyofstrifeiskeenest,andnonebutanoldfighter,facetofacewithwhatmustnecessarilybehisfinalbattle,cantellhowdeepthislustisembroideredintotheveryfoundationsofhisbeing.
ButforthetimeZaemondidnotseeme,beingtoomuchwrappedinhisoutcry,andsoIwasfreetolistentotheburningwordswhichhespreadaroundhim,andtodeterminetheireffectonthehearers.
Thethemehepreachedwasnonewone.Hetoldthateversincethebeginningofhistory,theGodshadsetapartoneClanofthepeopletoruleovertherestandbetheirPriests,anduntilthecomingofPhorenicethesehaddonetheirdutieswithexactitudeandjustice.Theyhadfoughtinvaders,carriedwaragainstthebeasts,andstudiedearth-movementssothattheywereabletoforetellearthquakesanderuptions,andcouldspreadwarningsthatthepeoplemightbeabletoescapetheirdevastations.
