Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди

           ToleadPhoreniceinmarriagewouldmeanaseverancefromthisotherwomaneternally,andIachedasIthoughtofit.Butthoughthesethoughtsfloatedthroughmysystemandgavemeharshwrenchesofpain,IdidnotthrustmypunylikingsbeforethecommandofthecouncilofthePriests.IbowedbeforeZaemon,andputhishandtomyforehead.“Itisanorder,”Isaid.“IfourLordtheSungivesmelife,Iwillobey.”

           “Thenletusbegonefromthisplace,”saidZaemon,andtookmebythearmandwavedawayforuswiththeSymbol.NofurtherworddidIhavewithNais,fearingtoembroilherwiththeserebelswhoclusteredround,butIcaughtonehotglancefromhereyes,andthathadtosufficeforfarewell.Thedenseranksofthecrowdopened,andwewalkedawaybetweenthemscathless.Fiercelythoughtheylustedformylife,brimmingwithhatethoughtheymadetheircries,nomandaredtorushinandraiseahandagainstme.Neitherdidtheyfollow.Whenwereachedtheoutskirtsofthecrowd,andtheranksthinned,theyhadamind,manyofthem,tosurgealonginourwake;butZaemonwhirledtheSymbolbackbeforetheirfaceswithablazeofluridlight,andtheyfelltotheirknees,grovelling,andpressedonusnomore.

           Therainstillfell,andinthelightofthecampfiresaswepassedthem,thewetgleamedontheoldman’swastedbody.AndfarbeforeusthroughthedarknessloomedthevastbulkoftheSacredMountain,withtheringofeternalfiresencincturingitscrest.IsighedasIthoughtoftheoldpeacefuldaysIhadspentinitstempleandgroves