Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
20. On The Bosom Of The Deep
WithasourenoughfeelingIwentuptotheheadofthepass,andthenthroughthegroves,andbetweenthetemplesandcollegesandhouseswhichstoodontheupperslopesoftheSacredMountain,tillIreachedthatboundary,beyondwhichinmilderdaysitwasdeathforanybuttheprivilegedfewtopass.Butthetime,itappearedtome,waspastforconventions,and,moreover,myowntemperwashot;anditislikelythatIshouldhavestrodeonwithlittlescrupleifIhadnotbeeninterrupted.Butinthetemplewhichmarkedtheboundary,therewasoldZaemonwaiting;andhe,withduesolemnityofwords,andwiththewholeofsomeancientritualordainedforthatpurpose,soughtdispensationfromtheHighGodsformytrespass,andwouldnotgivemewaytillhewasthroughwithhisceremony.
AlreadyPhorenice’stowerandbridgewereinposition,fortheclashandyellingofafighttoldthatthesmallhandfulofPriestsontherampartofthelastgatewerebarteringtheirlivesforthehighestreturnindeadthattheycouldearn.Theyweretrainedfightingmenall,butoldandfeeble,andtheoddsagainstthemweretooenormoustobestemmedforoverlong.Inaveryshorttimetheplacewouldbeputtothestorm,andtheroofoftheSacredMountainwouldbeattheopenmercyoftheinvader.Iftherewasanyfurtherthingtobedone,itwaswellthatitshouldbesetaboutquicklywhilstpeaceremained.Itseemedtomethatthemomentforpromptaction,andthetimeforlengthypompousceremonialwasdoneforgood.
ButZaemonwasmindedotherwise.
