Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
17. Nais The Regained
Eightgatesofstonetherewerecuttingthepathway,eachcommandingastraight,steeppieceoftheascent,andoverhangingeachgatewasagallerysecurefromarrow-shot,yetsocontrivedthatgreatstonescouldbehurledthroughholesinthefloorofit,insuchamannerthattheymustirretrievablysmashtoapulpanymenadvancingagainstitfrombelow.Andincavesdugoutfromtherockoneitherhandwasagreathoardofthesestones,sothatnoenemythroughsheerexpenditureoftroopscouldhopetostormagatebyexhaustingitsammunition.
Butthoughtherewereeightofthesegranitegatesintheseries,wehadthewholenumbertodependonnolonger.ThelowestgatewasheldbyagarrisonofPhorenice’stroops,whohadbuiltawallabovethemtoprotecttheiroccupation.Thegatehadbeengainedbynobrilliantfeatofarms—ithadbeenwonbythreats,bribery,andpromises;or,inotherwords,ithadbeengivenupbytheblackesttreachery.
Andherelaythekeynoteoftheweaknessinourdefence.Themostperfectrampartsthatbraincaninventareuselesswithoutmentolinethem,anditwasmenwelacked.OfstudentsenteringintothecollegesoftheSacredMountain,therehadbeennonenowformanyayear.TheyoungergenerationthoughtlittleoftheolderGods.Ofthementhathadgrownupamongstthesacredgroves,andfilledofficesthere,manyhadbecomelukewarmintheirfaithandremainedononlythroughhabit,andbecauseaneasylivingstayednearthemthere;andthese,whenthesiegebegan,quicklymadetheirwayovertotheotherside.
Phorenicewasnofooltofightagainstunnecessarystrength.
