Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
7. The Biters Of The Walls (Further Account)
TheyarebaitingabatchofprisonerswiththetwogreatbeastswhichtheEmpress(whosenamebeadored)hassentheretoaiduskeepthegate.Butifmylordwill,therearethewardroomsleadingoffthispassage,andthegallerieswhichrunoutfromthemcommandingthecircus,andfromtheremylordcanseethesportundisturbed.”
Now,themerelustforkillingexcitesonlydisgustinme,butIsuspectedtheordersoftheEmpressinthismatter,andhadacuriositytoseeherscheme.SoIsteppedintothewarder’slodge,andonintothegallerieswhichcommandedthecircuswiththeirarrow-slits.Theoldbuildersoftheplacehadintendedtheseforasecondlineofdefence,for,supposingtheouterdoorsallforced,anenemycouldbespeedilyshotdowninthecircus,withoutbeingabletogiveablowinreturn,andsowouldonlymarchintoadeath-trap.Butasagazing-placeonaspectacletheywerenolessuseful.
Thecircuswasbrightlitbythemoonlight,andtheairwhichcameintomefromitwasacridwiththereekofblood.Therewasnosportinwhatwasgoingforward:asIsaid,itwasmerekilling,andthesightdisgustedme.Iamnoprudeaboutthismatter.Giveaprisonerhisweapons,puthiminapitwithbeastsofreasonablestrength,andlethimfighttoafinishifyouchoose,andIcanlookonthereandapplaudthestrokes.Thewarprisoner,beingaprisoner,hasearneddeathbynaturallaw,andpreferstogethislaststrokeinhotbloodthantobeknockeddownbytheheadsman’saxe.Anditisanybraveman’sluxuryeithertohelporwatchalustyfight.
