Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
15. Zaemon’s Summons
Wemadeourwaytoheralongthelevelbeaches.
Tobwaskeepingakeenwatch.Wewerechallengedthemomentwecamewithinstoneorarrowshot,andbiddentohaltandreciteourbusiness;buthewascivilenoughwhenheheardwewerethosewhomheexpected.Hecalledacrewandslackedouthisanchor-ropetillhisshipgroundagainsttheshingle,andthenthrustouthistwosteeringoarstohelpusclamberaboard.
IturnedtoYlgawithwordsofthanksandfarewell.“Iwillneverforgetwhatyouhavedoneformethisnight;andshouldtheHighGodsseefittobringmebacktoAtlantisandpower,youshalltastemygratitude.”
“Idonotwanttoreturn.Iamsickofthisoldlifehere.”
“Butyouhaveyourpalaceinthecity,andyourservants,andyourwealth,andPhorenicewillnotdisturbyoufromtheirpossession.”
“Oh,asforthat,Icouldgobackandbefan-girltomorrow.ButIdonotwanttogoback.”
“Letmetellyouitisnotimeforagentlynurturedladylikeyourselftogoforward.IhavebeenviceroyofYucatan,Ylga,andknowsomewhatofmakingafootholdinthesenewcountries.Andthatwasnothingcomparedwithwhatthiswillbe.Itellyouitentailshardships,andprivations,andsufferingswhichyoucouldnotguessat.Fewsurvivewhogotocoloniseinthebeginning,andthoseonlyofthehardiest,andtheyearnnewscarsandnewbatteringseveryday.”
“Idonotcare,and,besides,Icansharethework.Icancook,Icanshootagoodarrow,andIcanmakegarments,yes,thoughtheywerecutfromtheskinsofbeastsandhadtobesewnwithbackbonesinews.
