Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
4. The Welcome Of Phorenice
Thebodyhethrewovertheside,andoneofthegreatman-eatingbirdsthathoverednear,pickeditupandflewawaywithittoitsnestamongstthecrags.Andsowewerefreetogetamealofthefruitsandthefreshmeatswhichthegalleyoffered,whilsttheoar-slavessentthegalleyrushingonwardstowardsthecapital.
Therewasawine-skinintheafter-castle,andIfilledahornandpouredsomeoutatTob’sfeetinsalutation.“Myman,”Isaid,“youhaveshownmeafight.”
“Thanks,”saidhe,“andIknowyouareajudge.‘Twasprettywhilstitlasted;and,seeingthatmyladswere,forthemost,scurvy-rotten,Iwillsaytheyfoughtwithcredit.IhavelostmyLordTatho’snavy,butIthinkPhorenicewillseemerightedthere.IfthosethatareagainsthertooksomuchtroubletokillmyLordDeucalionbeforehecouldcometoheraid,IcanfancyshewillnotbeniggardinherjoywhenIputDeucalionsafe,ifsomewhatdentedandblood-bespattered,onthequay.”
“TheGodsknow,”Isaid,foritisnevermycustomtodiscusspolicieswithmyinferiors,eventhoughetiquettebeforthemomentloosened,asourswasthenbythethrillofbattle.“TheGodswilldecidewhatisbestforyou,Tob,evenastheyhavedecidedthatitisbestthatIshouldgoontoAtlantis.”
Thesailorheldahornfilledfromthewine-skininhishand,andIthinkwasmindedtopouralibationatmyfeet,evenasIhaddoneathis.Buthechangedhismind,andemptieditdownhisthroatinstead.“Itisthirstywork,thisfighting,”hesaid,“andthatdrinkcomesveryuseful