Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
11. An Affair With The Barbarous Fishers
ItappearedalsothatYlga’sinterferencewaslookeduponasuntimely,and,thoughIcouldnotunderstandtheexactreasonsforeitherofthesethings,Iacceptedthemastheywere,seeingthattheyforwardedtheschemethatZaemonhadbiddenmecarryout.
SowhentheEmpresslentmeherfingers—warm,delicatefingerstheywere,thoughsoskilfultograsptheweaponsofwar—Itookthemgravely,andledheroutofthegreatcircle,whichshehadpollutedwithhertrickeries.IhadexpectedtoseeourLordtheSuntakevengeanceontheprofanationwhilstitwasstillinact;butnonehadcome:andIknewthatHewouldchoosehisowngoodtimeforretribution,andappointwhatinstrumentHethoughtbest,withoutmyraisingapunyarmtoguardHismightyhonour.
SoIledthislovelysinfulwomanbacktothehugeredmammothwhichstoodtheretamelyinwaiting,andthesmellofthesacrificecameafterusaswewalked.Shemountedthestairtothegoldencastleontheshaggybeast’sback,andbadememountalsoandtakeseatbesideher.Buttheplaceofthefan-girlbehindwasempty,andwhatwesaidaswerodebackthroughthestreetstherewasnonetooverhear.
Shewaseagertoknowwhathadbefallenmeaftertheattackonthegate,andItoldherthetale,layingstressontheworthinessofNais,andutteringanopinionthatwithcarethegirlmightbewonbacktoallegianceagain.
