Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
17. Nais The Regained
WiththefallofdarknessImanagedtohaulmyselfupintoatree,andthereabodeinthecrutchofalimb,inwakefulnessandpainthroughoutthenight.
Withthedawn,whenthenightbeastshadgonetotheirlairs,Iclambereddownagain,andleaningheavilyonmyspear,limpedonwardsthroughthesombreforestsalongmyway.Themosswhichgrowsonthenorthernsideofeachtreewasmyguide,butgraduallyIbegantonotethatIwasseeingmossallroundthetrees,and,infact,wasgrowinglight-headedwiththepainandtheswellingofthelimb.ButstillIpressedonwardswithmyjourney,mylastinstinctbeingtoobeythecommandoftheHighCouncil,andsoprocuretheenlargementofNaisashadbeenpromised.
Mylastmemorywasofbeingmetbysomeoneintheblackforestwhoaidedme,andtheremywakingsensestookwingsintoforgetfulness.
Butafteraninterval,witreturned,andIfoundmyselfonabedofleavesinacleftbetweentworocks,whichwasfurnishedwithsomepoorskill,andfortifiedwithstakesandbuildingsagainsttheentranceofthelargermaraudingbeasts.Mywoundwasdressedwithapoulticeofherbs,andattheothersideofthecaverntheresquattedawoman,cookingamessofwood-grubsandhoneyoverafireofsticks.
“HowcameIhere?”Iasked.
“Ibroughtyou,”saidshe.
“Andwhoareyou?”
“Anymph,theycallme,andIpractiseassuch,collectingherbsandcuringthediseasesofthosethatcometome,tellingfortunes,andmakingpredictions.InreturnIreceivewhateachcanafford,andiftheydonotpayaccordingtotheirmeans,Iclaponacursetomakethemwither.
