Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
20. On The Bosom Of The Deep
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IwenttothetopoftheArkofMysteriesthen,climbingtherebythebattenswhicharefastenedtothesides,andthendescendedbythestairwhichisinsideandfoundNaisinalittlechamberwaitingforme.
“IwasbiddenstayherebyZaemon,”shesaid,“whoforcedmetothisplacebythreatsandalsobypromisesthatmylordwouldfollow.Heisveryungentle,thatfatherofmine,butIthinkhehasakindnessforusboth,andanywayheismyfatherandIcannothelplovinghim.Istherenochancetosavehimfromwhatisgoingtohappen?”
“HewillnotcomeintothisArk,forIaskedhim.IthasbeenordainedfromtheancienttimewhenfirsttheArkwasbuilt,thatwhenthedayforitspurposecame,onewomanandonemanshouldbeitsonlytenants,andtheyareherealready.Zaemon’swillinthematterisnottobetwistedbyyouorbyme.HehasamessagetobedeliveredtotheGods,and(ifIknowhimatall),hegrudgeseveryminutethatislostincarryingittothem.”
Ileftherthen,andwentoutagainupthestair,andstoodoncemoreontheroofoftheArk.OntheMountaintopmenstillranaboutdistracted,butgraduallytheywerecomingtowheretheArkrestedonthehighestpoint.Forthemoment,however,Ipassedthemlightly.Thedrowningofthegreatcontinentthathadbeenspreadoutbelowfilledtheeye.Oceanroaredinuponitwithstillmorefuriouswaves.Theplainsandthelevellandswerefoaminglakes.ThegreatcityofAtlantishadvanishedeternally.
