Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
16. Siege Of The Sacred Mountain
DuringthatvoyagehomefromYucatanIhadcommunedwiththemwithgrowinginsight;butnowmymindwasnotmyown.Naishadalienuponit,andrefusedtobeousted;and,intruth,hersweettrespasswasmychiefsolace.
Butatlastmylongingcouldnofurtherbedenied.Throughoneofthearrow-slitwindowsofmytree-houseIcouldseefarawayagreatmountaintopwhitenedwithperpetualsnow,whichourLordtheSundyedwithbloodeverynightofHissetting.NightafternightIusedtowatchthatruddylightwithwidestrainingeyes.NightafternightIusedtorememberthatindaysagonewhenIwasenteringuponthepriesthood,ithadbeenmydutytoadoreourgreatLordasHeroseforHisdaybehindthesnowsofthatverymountain.Andalwaysthethoughtfollowedonthesemusings,thatfromthatdistantcrestIcouldseeacrossthecontinenttotheSacredMount,whichhadthecitybelowitwhereIhadburiedmylovealive.
SoatlastIgavewayandsetout,andaperilousjourneyImadeofit.Intheheavymists,whichhungalwaysonthelowerground,mywaylayblindbeforeme,andIwasconstantlylosingit.Indeed,tosaythatItraversedthreetimesthedirectdistanceissettingalowestimate.Throughoutallthoseswampsthegreatlizardshunted,andasthecountrywasnewtomeIdidnotknowplacesofharbour,andahundredtimeswaswithinanaceofbeingspiedanddevouredatamouthful.ButtheHighGodsstilldesiredmeforTheirownpurposes,andblindedthegreatbeasts’eyeswhenIslunktocoverastheypassed.
