Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
17. Nais The Regained
Istillserveinthesametemple,thoughwehavesweptouttheoldGodsbyorderoftheEmpress,andputherimageintheirplace.Thepeoplearetidilypiousnowadays,thosethatareleftofthem,andthelivingisconsequentlyeasy.Yes,Itellyoutherearefarmoreofferingsnowthantherewereintheolddays.AndsoIhadnowishtobemixedwithmatterswhichmightwellmakemebedeprivedofasnugpost,andmyheadtoboot.”
“Icanbelieveitallofyou,Ro.”
“ButtherewasnodenyingZaemon.Heburstintooneofhisblackfuries,andwhilehespokeatme,ItellyouIfeltasgoodasdead.Youknowhispowers?”
“Ihaveseensomeofthem.”
“Well,theGodsaloneknowwhicharethetrueGods,andwhicharetheothers.Iservetheonethatgivesmeemployment.ButthosethatZaemonservesgivehimpower,andthat’sbeyonddenying.Youseethatrighthandofmine?Itisdeadandparalysedfromthewrist,andthatisagiftofZaemon.Hebestowedit,hesaid,tomakemecollectmyattention.Thenhesaidmorehardthingsconcerningwhathewaspleasedtotermmyapostasy,notlettingmeputupawordinmyowndefenceofhowthechangewasforceduponme.Andfinally,saidhe,Imighteitherdohisbiddingonacertainmattertotheletter,ortakethatpunishmentwhichmyfallingawayfromtheoldGodshadearned.‘Ishallnotkillyou,’saidhe,‘butIwillcoverallyourlimbswithaparalysis,suchasyouhavetastedalready,andwhenatlengthdeathreachesyouinsomegutter,youwillwelcomeit.’”
“IfZaemonsaidthosewords,hemeantthem.
