Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
6. The Biters Of The City Walls
ThesekeepconstantinthememorythemightoftheHolyGods,andtheinsecurityofthisfrailearthonwhichwehaveourresting-place,andsothesojournerstherebecomechastenedinthespirit,andgainpowerovermysterieswhicheventhemoststudiousandlearnedofothermencanneverhopetoattain.
Asilencefilledtheroomwhentheoldmancametohishalt,andPhorenicewasthefirsttobreakit.“Thosetwoguards,”shesaid,inherclear,carryingvoice,“whoheldthedoor,arenotequaltotheirwork.Icannothaveimperfectservants;removethem.”
Thesoldiersnextintherankliftedtheirspearsanddrovethemhome,andthetwofellowswhohadadmittedtheoldmanfelltotheground.Oneshriekedonce,theothergavenosound:theywerecleverthrustsboth.
Theoldmanfoundhisvoice,thin,andhigh,andbroken.“Anothercrimeaddedtoyourtally,Phorenice.NothalfyourarmycouldhavehinderedmyentrancehadIwishedtocome,andletmetellyouthatIamheretobringyouyourlastwarning.TheGodshaveshownyoumuchfavour;theygaveyoumeritbywhichyoucouldriseaboveyourfellows,tillatlastonlythethronestoodaboveyou.ItwasseengoodbythoseontheSacredMountaintoletyouhavethislastambition,andsitonthisthronethathasaslongandhonourablybeenfilledbytheancientkingsofAtlantis.”
TheEmpresssatbackonthedivansmiling.“IseemedtogetthesethingsasIchose,andinspiteofyourfriends’teeth.
