Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
20. On The Bosom Of The Deep
ShecameouttothesideoftheArk,andleanedup,andcriedmeafarewellthroughthegatheringroaroftheflood.
“IwouldImightsaveyouandtakeyouwithus,”Isaid.
“Asforthat,”shesaid,withagesture,“Iwouldnotcomeifyouaskedme.Iamnotawomanthatwilltakeanythinglessthanall.ButIshallmeetwhatcomespresentlywiththememorythatyouwillhavemealwayssomewhereinyourrecollection.Iknowsomewhatofmen,evenmenofyourstamp,Deucalion,andyouwillneverforgetthatyoucameveryneartolovingmeonce.”
Ithink,too,shesaidsomethingfurther,concerningNais,butthebellowingrushofthewatersdrownedallotherwords.Agreatmistmadefromthestreamsentupbytheswampedburningmountainsstoppedallaccurateview,thoughtheblazefromthefireslititlikegold.ButIhadalastsightofahordeofsoldieryrushinguptheslopesoftheMountain,withascumofsurgebillowingattheirheels,andlickingmanyofthembackinitsclutch.AndthenmyeyefellonoldZaemonwavingtomewiththeSymboltoshutdownthedoorintheroofoftheArk.
Iobeyedhislastcommand,andwentdownthestair,andclosedallingressbehindme.Therewereboltsplacedready,andIshottheseintotheirsockets,andtherewereNaisandIalone,andcutofffromalltherestofourworldthatremained.
Iwenttotheplacewhereshelay,andputmyarmstightlyaroundher.Without,weheardmenbeatingdesperatelyontheArkwiththeirweapons,andsomeevenclimbedbythebattenstothetopandwrenchedtotryandmovethedoorfromitsfastenings
