Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
9. Phorenice, Goddess
AretheGodstothrowdownthiswomanwhohasscornedThemandsocruellytroddenonyou?Orareyoutobestillfurtherpurgedofyourpridebeforeyouareripefordeliverance?”
Theoldpriestbrokeoffwithagesture,andhisraggedwhitebeardsankontohischest.Promptlyayoungman,skincladandcarryinghisweapon,elbowedupthroughthepressoflisteners,andjumpedontotheplatformbesidehim.“Hearme,brethren!”hebellowed,inhisstrongyoungvoice.“Wearedonewithtyrants.Deathmaycome,andweallofusherehaveshownhowlittlewefearit.Butownrulersagainwewillnot,andthatisourfinalsay.Mylord,”hesaid,turningtotheoldmanwithabraveface,“Iknowitisinyourpowertokillmebymagicifyouchoose,butIhavesaidmysay,andcanstandthecostifneedsbe.”
“Icankillyou,butIwillnot,”saidZaemon.“Youhavesaidyoursilliness.Nowgoyoutothegroundagain.”
“Wehavefreespeechhere.IwillnotgotillIchoose.”
“Aye,butyouwill,”saidtheoldman,andturnedonhimwithasuddentighteningofthebrows.Therewasnoblowpassed;eventheSymbol,whichglowedlikeastaragainstthenight,wasnotsomuchasliftedinwarning;buttheyoungmantriedtoretort,and,findinghimselfsmittenwithasuddendumbness,turnedwithaspasmoffear,andjumpedbackwhencehehadcome.Thecrowdofthemthrilledexpectantly,andwhennofurtherportentwasgiven,theybegantoshoutthatamiracleshouldbeshownthem,andthenperchancetheywouldbepersuadedbacktotheoldallegiance.
Theoldmanstoopedandgloweredattheminfury.
