Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
17. Nais The Regained
Thecollegeofyouthsheldnomorenowthanamustysmelltobearwitnessthatmenhadoncebeengrownthere.ThehomelypalacesofthehigherPriests,atonetimesoardentlysoughtafter,laymanyofthemempty,becausenotevenonecandidatecameforwardnowtocanvassforelection.
EvilthoughtssurgedupwithinmeasIsawthesethings,thatweredirectpromptingsfromthenetherGods.“Theremustbesomethingwanting,”thesetempterswhispered,“inareligionfromwhichsomanyofitsPriestsfledatthefirstpinchofpersecution.”
IdidwhatIcouldtothrustthesewaveringsresolutelybehindme;buttheyrefusedtobealtogetheroustedfrommybrain;andsoImadeacompromisewithmyself:First,Iwouldwiththehelpthatmightbegivenme,destroythiswantonPhorenice,andregainthekingdomwhichhadbeengivenmetomyownproperrule;andafterwardsIwouldcallacounciloftheSevenandcounciloftheThree,andconsiderwithoutprejudiceiftherewasanymatterinwhichourancientritualcouldbeamendedtosuitthemoremodernrequirements.ButthisshouldnotbedonetillPhorenicewasdeadandIwasfirmlyplantedinherroom.Iwouldnotbeaparty,eventomyself,toanyplanwhichsmackedatallofsurrender.
AndthereasIwalkedthroughthedesolategrovesandbesidethecoldaltars,theHighGodswerepleasedtoshowtheirapprovalofmyscheme,andtogivemeopportunitytobindmyselftoitwithasolemnoathandvow.AtthatmomentfromHisdistantresting-placeintheEast,ourLordtheSunleapeduptobeginanotherday
