第15章

Zaemonlookedatmebitterly。"AndyouarethemantheHighCouncilthoughttotrustastheywouldtrustoneofthemselves？

Trulyweareinanageofweakmenandfaithlessnow。But，mylord——nay，Imustcallyoubrotherstill:wecannotbetooniceinourchoosingto—day——youarethebestthereis，andwemusthaveyou。Welittlethoughtyouwouldaskapriceforyourgeneralship，havingoncetakenoathonthewallsoftheArkoftheMysteriesitselfthatalways，comewhatmight，youwouldbeaservantoftheHighCounciloftheClanwithoutfeeandwithouthopeofadvancement。Butthisistheageofbrokenvows，andyouaregoingnomorethantrimwiththefashion。Indeed，brother，perhapsI

shouldthankyouforbeingnomoregreedyinyourdemands。"

"Youmaysparemeyourtaunts。You，byself—denialandprofoundsearchintothehighestofthehigherMysteries，havemadeyourselfsomethingwiserthanhuman;Ihavepreservedmyhumanity，andwithititspowersandfrailties;anditseemsthateachofushashisproperuses，oryouwouldnotbecomenowheretome。

Ratheryouwouldhavedonethegenerallingyourself。"

"Youmakeawarmdefence，mybrother。ButIhavenoleisurenowtostandbeforeyouwithargument。CometotheSacredMountain，fightmethiswanton，upstartEmpress，andbymybeardyoushallhaveyourNaisasyouleftherasareward。"

"ItisacommandoftheHighCouncilwhichshallbeobeyed。

Iwillcomewithmybrothernow，assoonasheisrested。"

"Nay，"saidtheoldman，"Ihavenotiredness，andasforcomingwithme，thereyouwillnotbeable。Butfollowatwhatpaceyoumay。"

HeturnedandsetoffdownthesnowyslopesofthemountainandIfollowed;butgraduallyhedistancedme;andsohekepton，withspeedalwaysincreasing，tillpresentlyhepassedoutofmysightroundthespurofanice—cliff，andIfoundmyselfaloneonthemountainside。Yes，trulyalone。Forhisfootmarksinthesnowfrombeingdeep，grewshallower，andlessnoticeable，sothatIhadtostooptoseethem。Andpresentlytheyvanishedentirely，andthegreatmountain’sflanklaybeforemetrackless，anduntroddenbythefootofmansincetimebegan。

Iwasnotshakenbyanygreatamazement。Thoughitwasbeyondmypoorarttocompassthisthingmyself，havingoccupiedmymindinexilemorewithmemoriesofNaisthaninstudyofthoseuppermostrecessesoftheHigherMysteriesinwhichZaemonwassoprodigiouslywise，stillIhadsomeinklingofhispowers。

ZaemonIknewwouldbebackagaininhisdwellingontheSacredMountain，shakenandbreathless，evenbeforeIhadfoundanendtohistracksinthesnow，anditbehovedmetojoinhimthereinthequickestpossibletime。Ihadhispromisenowformyreward，andIknewthathewouldcarryitintoeffect。BeforetimeIhadmadeanerror。IhadvaluedAtlantismost，andNais，myprivatelove，asonlysecond。Butnowitwasinmymindtobehonestwithothersevenaswithmyself。Thoughalltheworldwerehangingonmychoice，IcouldbutlovemyNaismost，andserveherfirstandforemostofall。

16。SIEGEOFTHESACREDMOUNTAIN

Now，mypassageacrossthegreatcontinentofAtlantis，iftediousandhauntedbymanydangers，neednotberecountedindetailhere。OnlyonehaltdidImakeofanyduration，andthatwasunavoidable。Ihadkilledastagoneday，bringingitdownafteralongchaseinanopensavannah。Iscentedtheaircarefully，toseeiftherewasanyotherbeastwhichcoulddomeharmwithinreach，andthinkingthattheplacewassafe，setaboutcuttingmymeat，andmakingasufficiencyintoabundleforcarriage。

Butunderfootamongstthegrassestherewasagreatleggedworm，amonstrousgreenthing，veryvenomousinitsbite;andpresentlyasImovedIbrusheditwithmyheel，andlikethedartoflightitswoopedwithitstinyheadandstruckmewithitsfangsinthelowerthigh。WithmyknifeIcutthroughitsneckanditfelltowrithingandstrugglingandtwiningitshundredlegsintoallmannerofcontortions;andthen，cleaningmybladeintheground，Istabbedwithitdeepallroundthewound，sothatthebloodmightflowfreelyandwashthevenomfromitslodgement。Andthenwiththebloodtricklinghealthilydownfrommyheel，I

shoulderedthemeatandstrodeoff，thankfulforbeingsowellquitofwhatmighthavemadeitselfaveryuglyadventure。

AsIwalked，however，mylegbegantobefilledwithatightnessandthrobbingwhichincreasedeveryhour，andpresentlyitbegantoswellalso，tilltheskinwasstretchedlikedrawnparchment。Iwastaken，too，withasickness，thatrackedmeviolently，andifoneofthegreaterandmoredangerousbeastshadcomeuponmethen，hewouldhaveeatenmewithoutafight。WiththefallofdarknessImanagedtohaulmyselfupintoatree，andthereabodeinthecrutchofalimb，inwakefulnessandpainthroughoutthenight。

Withthedawn，whenthenightbeastshadgonetotheirlairs，Iclambereddownagain，andleaningheavilyonmyspear，limpedonwardsthroughthesombreforestsalongmyway。Themosswhichgrowsonthenorthernsideofeachtreewasmyguide，butgraduallyIbegantonotethatIwasseeingmossallroundthetrees，and，infact，wasgrowinglight—headedwiththepainandtheswellingofthelimb。ButstillIpressedonwardswithmyjourney，mylastinstinctbeingtoobeythecommandoftheHighCouncil，andsoprocuretheenlargementofNaisashadbeenpromised。

Mylastmemorywasofbeingmetbysomeoneintheblackforestwhoaidedme，andtheremywakingsensestookwingsintoforgetfulness。

Butafteraninterval，witreturned，andIfoundmyselfonabedofleavesinacleftbetweentworocks，whichwasfurnishedwithsomepoorskill，andfortifiedwithstakesandbuildingsagainsttheentranceofthelargermaraudingbeasts。Mywoundwasdressedwithapoulticeofherbs，andattheothersideofthecaverntheresquattedawoman，cookingamessofwood—grubsandhoneyoverafireofsticks。

"HowcameIhere？"Iasked。

"Ibroughtyou，"saidshe。

"Andwhoareyou？"

"Anymph，theycallme，andIpractiseassuch，collectingherbsandcuringthediseasesofthosethatcometome，tellingfortunes，andmakingpredictions。InreturnIreceivewhateachcanafford，andiftheydonotpayaccordingtotheirmeans，Iclaponacursetomakethemwither。It’saleanenoughlivingwhenwarsandthepestilencehaveleftsofewpoorfolktoliveintheland。"

"DoyouvisitAtlantis？"

"NotI。Phorenicewouldhavemeboiledinbrine，living，ifshecouldlayeasyhandsonme。OurdaintyEmpresstoleratesnomagicbutherown。TheysaysheisforpullingdownthePriestsofftheirMountainnow。"

"Soyoudogetnewsofthecity？"

"Assuredly。Itismytradetogetgoodnews，orotherwisehowcouldItellfortunestothevulgar？Yousee，mylord，Idetectedyourqualitybyyourspeech，andknowingyouarenotoneofthosethatcometomeforspells，andpotions，Ihavenofearinspeakingtoyouplainly。"

"Tellmethen:Phorenicestillreigns？"

"Mostvilely。"

"Asamaiden？"

"Asthemotheroftwinsons。Tatho’sherhusbandnow，andhasbeenthesethreeyears。"

"Tatho！WhofollowedhimasviceroyofYucatan？"

"ThereisnoYucatan。Avastnationoflittlehairymen，sothetalegoes，comingfromtheWestoverranthecountry。Theyhadclubsofwoodtippedwithstoneastheironlyarm，butnumbersmadetheirchiefweapon。Theyhadnodesireforplunder，orthetakingofslaves，ortheconqueringofcities。ToeatthefleshofAtlanteanswastheironlylust，andtheyfolloweditprodigiously。

Theirnumberswerelikethebeesinaswarm。

"TheycametoeachofthecitiesofYucataninturn，andthoughthecolonistsslewtheminthousands，theweightofnumbersalwaysprevailed。Theyatecleaneachcitytheytook，andleftittothebeastsoftheforest，andwentontothenext。Andsointimetheyreachedthecoasttowns，andTathoandthefewthatsurvivedtookship，andsailedhome。TheyevenateTatho’swifeforhim。Theymustbecuriousperseveringthings，theselittlehairymen。TheGodssendtheydonotgetacrosstheseastoAtlantis，ortheywouldbeworseplaguetothepoorcountrythanPhorenice。"

NowIhadheardoftheselittlehairycreaturesbefore，andthoughindeedIhadneverseenthem，Ihadgatheredthattheywerealittlelessthanhumanandalittlemorethanbestial;alinksotospeakbetweenthetwoorders;andspeciallyheldincheckbytheGodsincertainforestsolitudes。AlsoIhadlearnedthatonoccasion，whenpunishmentwasneedful，theycouldbesetlooseasadevastatingarmyuponmen，devouringallbeforethem。ButIsaidnothingofthistothenymph，shebeingbutavulgarwoman，andindeedhalfsilly，asisalwaysthecasewiththeseself—styledsorceresseswhogulltheignorant，commonfolk。ButwithinmyselfIwasbitterlygrievedatthefateofthatfinecolonyofYucatan，inwhichIhadexpendedsuchaninfinityofpainstodomyshareofthebuilding。

Butitdidnotsuitmypurposetohavemynameandqualityblazonedabroadtillthetimewasfull，andsoIsaidnothingtothenymphaboutYucatan，butletthetalkcontinueuponothermatters。"WhataboutEgypt？"Iasked。

"Initsaccustomeddarkness，sotheysay。WhocaresforEgypttheselatteryears？Whocaresforanyoneoranythingforthatmatterexceptforhimselfandhisownproperestate？Timewaswhenthecountryfolkandthehuntershereaboutsbroughtmeofferingstothiscaveforsheerpiety’ssake。Butnowtheynevercomenearunlesstheyseeawayofgettinggoodvalueinreturnfortheirgifts。And，byresult，insteadoflivingfatandhearty，Imakeleanmealsoffhoneyandgrubs。It’sapoorlife，anymph’s，intheselatteryearsItellyou，mylord。It’sthefashionforallclassestobelieveinnokindofmysterynow。"

"Whatmannerofpestilenceisthisyouspokeof？"

"Ihavenotseenit。ThanktheGodsithasnotcomethisway。

ButtheydosaythatithasgrownfromthefolkPhorenicehasslain，andwhosebodiesremainunburied。Sheisalwaysslaying，andsothebodiesliethickerthanthebirdsandbeastscaneatthem。Forwhichofoursins，Iwonder，didtheGodsletPhorenicecometoreign？Iwishthatsheandhertwinswereboiledaliveinbrinebeforetheycamebetweenanhonestnymphoftheforestandherliving。

"Theysayshehasputanimageofherselfinallthetemplesofthecitynow，andhasorderedprayersandsacrificestobemadenightandmorning。ShehasdecreedallotherGodsinferiortoherselfandforbiddentheirworship，andthoseofthepeoplethatarenotsufficientlydevoutforhertaste，havetheirhamstringsslitbytheirtormentorstoaidthemconstantlyintoadevotionalattitude。——Willyoueatofmygrubsandhoney？Thereisnothingelse。YourbackwasbloodywithcarryingmeatwhenImetyou，butyouhadlostyourload。Youmusteithertastethismessofminenow，orgowithout。"

Iharbouredwiththatnymphincavesixdays，sheusingherdrugsandcharmstocuremylegthewhile，andwhenIwasrecovered，Ihuntedtheplainsandkilledherafatcloven—hoofedhorseaspayment，andthenwentalongmyways。

Thecountryfromthereonwardshadatonetimecarriedasturdypopulationwhichhelditsownfirmly，and，asitsnumbersgrew，tookinmoreground，andbuiltmorehomesteadsfartherafield。Thehouseswereperchedintreesforthemostpart，astheretheywereoutofreachofcave—bearandcave—tigerandtheothermoredangerousbeasts。Butothers，andthesewerethebetterones，werebuiltontheground，oflogssoponderousandsofirmlyclampedanddovetailedthatthebeastscouldnotpullthemdown，andonceinsideahouseofthisfashionitsownersweresafe，andcouldprogueatanyattackersthroughtheintersticesbetweenthelogs，andoftenwound，sometimesmakeakill。

Butnotoneintenoftheseoutlyingsettlersremained。ThehousesweresilentwhenIreachedthem，thefire—hearthbeforethedoorweed—grown，andthepatchofvegetablestakenbackbythegreedyfingersoftheforestintomerescrubandjungle。Andfartheron，whenvillagesbegantoappear，strongly—walledasthecustomis，towardofftheattacksofbeasts，thelogswhichaforetimehadbarredthegatewaylaystrewninasproutingundergrowth，andnaughtbutthekitchenmiddensremainedtoprovethatoncetheyhadshelteredhumantenants。Phorenice’sinfluenceseemedtohavespreadasthoughitweresomehorridblightoverthewholefaceofwhatwasonceasmilingandaneasy—livingland。

SofarIhadmetwithlittleenoughinterferencefromanymenIhadcomeacross。Manyhadfledwiththeirwomenintothedepthsoftheforestatthebaresightofme;somestoodtheirgroundwithathreateningface，butmadenooffertoattack，seeingthatIdidnotoffertheminsultfirst;andafew，averyfew，offeredmeshelterandprovision。ButasInearedthecity，andbegantocomeuponmuddybeatenpaths，Ipassedthroughgovernmentsthatweremorethicklypopulated，andhereappearedstrongchanceofdelay。

Thewatcherinthetowerwhichissetaboveeachvillagewouldspymeandcry:"Hereisamasterlessman，"andthenthepeoplethatwerewithinwouldrushoutwithintenttospoilmeofmyweapons，andafterwardstoappointmeasalabourer。

Ihadnodesiretoslaythesewretchedfolk，beingfilledwithpityatthestatetowhichtheyhadfallen;andoftenwordsservedmetomakethemstandasidefromthepath，andstarewonderinglyatmyfierceness，andletmegomyways。Andwhenatothertimeswordshadnoavail，Istrovetostrikeaslightlyascouldbe，myobjectbeingtogetforwardwithmyjourneyandleavenounnecessarydeadbehindme。Indeed，havingfoundthemodernwayofthesevillages，itgrewtobemycustomtoturnoffintotheforest，andmakeacircuitwheneverIcamewithinsmelloftheirgarbage。

Similarly，too，whenIgotfartheron，andcameamongstgreatertownsalso，Ikeptbeyondchallengeoftheirwalls，havingnomindtoriskdelayfromthewhimofanynewlawwhichmightchancetobesetupbytheirgovernors。Myprogressmightbeslinking，butmypridedidnotupbraidmeveryloudly;indeed，thefeverofhasteburnedwithinmesohotandIhadlittleenoughcarryingspaceforotheremotions。

ButatlastIfoundmyselfwithinahalf—day’sjourneythecityofAtlantisitself，withtheSacredMountainanditsringoffiresloominghighbesideit，andthecallforcautionbecametreblyaccentuated。Everywhereevidencesshowedthatthecountryhadbeendrainedofitsfightingmen。EverywherewomenprayedthatthebattlesmightendwiththeroutofthePriestsorthekillingofPhorenice，sothatthewretchedlandmighthavepeaceandtimetolickitswounds。

AnarmywasinvestingthesacredMountain，anditsoneapproachwasmostnarrowlyguarded。Evenafterhavingjourneyedsofar，itseemedasifIshouldhavetosithopelesslydownwithoutbeingabletocarryouttheorderswhichhadbeenlaiduponmebytheHighCouncil，andearntherewardwhichhadbeenpromised。

Forcewouldbeuselesshere。Ishouldhaveonegoodfight——agorgeousfight——onemanagainstanarmy，andmyusefulnesswouldbeended……No;thiswastheoccasionforguile，andIfoundcovertintheoutskirtsofawood，andlaytherecudgellingmybrainforaplan。

Acrosstheplainbeforemelaythegrimgreatwallsofthecity，withtheheadsofitstemples，anditspalaces，anditspyramidsshowingbeyond。Thestep—sidesoftheroyalpyramidheldmyeye。Phorenicehadexpendedsomeofhernew—foundstoreofgoldinoverlayingtheirformerwhitenesswithsheetsofshiningyellowmetal。Butitwasnotthatchangethatmovedme。Iwasrememberingthat，inthesquarebeforethepyramid，therestoodathroneofgranitecarvedwiththesnakeandtheoutstretchedhand，andinthehollowbeneaththethronewasNais，mylove，asleeptheseeightyearsnowbecauseofthedrugthathadbeengiventoher，butalivestill，andwaitingforme，ifonlyIonmypartcouldmakeawaytotheplacewhereZaemondefiedtheEmpress，andannouncemycoming。

InthatcovertofthewoodsIlayadayandanightragingwithmyselffornotdiscoveringsomeplantogetwithinthedefencesoftheSacredMountain，butinthemorningwhichfollowed，therecameamantowardsmerunning。

"Youneednotthreatenmewithyourweapons，"hecried。"I

meannoharm。ItseemsthatyouareDeucalion;thoughIshouldnothaveknownyoumyselfinthoseragsandskins，andbehindthattangleofhairandbeard。YouwillgivemeyourgoodwordIknow。

Believeme，Ihavenotloiteredunduly。"

HewasalowerpriestwhomIknew，andheldinlittleesteem;

hisnamewasRo，agreedyfellowandnotoverworthyoftrust。

"Fromwhomdoyoucome？"Iasked。

"Zaemonlaidacommandonme。Hecametomyhouse，thoughhowhegotthereIcannottell，seeingthatPhorenice’sarmyblocksallpossiblepassagetoandfromtheMountain。ItoldhimIwishedtobemixedwithnoneofhisschemings。Iamapeacefulman，Deucalion，andhavetakenawifewhorequiresnourishment。Istillserveinthesametemple，thoughwehavesweptouttheoldGodsbyorderoftheEmpress，andputherimageintheirplace。Thepeoplearetidilypiousnowadays，thosethatareleftofthem，andthelivingisconsequentlyeasy。Yes，Itellyoutherearefarmoreofferingsnowthantherewereintheolddays。AndsoIhadnowishtobemixedwithmatterswhichmightwellmakemebedeprivedofasnugpost，andmyheadtoboot。"

"Icanbelieveitallofyou，Ro。"

"ButtherewasnodenyingZaemon。Heburstintooneofhisblackfuries，andwhilehespokeatme，ItellyouIfeltasgoodasdead。Youknowhispowers？"

"Ihaveseensomeofthem。"

"Well，theGodsaloneknowwhicharethetrueGods，andwhicharetheothers。Iservetheonethatgivesmeemployment。ButthosethatZaemonservesgivehimpower，andthat’sbeyonddenying。

Youseethatrighthandofmine？Itisdeadandparalysedfromthewrist，andthatisagiftofZaemon。Hebestowedit，hesaid，tomakemecollectmyattention。Thenhesaidmorehardthingsconcerningwhathewaspleasedtotermmyapostasy，notlettingmeputupawordinmyowndefenceofhowthechangewasforceduponme。Andfinally，saidhe，Imighteitherdohisbiddingonacertainmattertotheletter，ortakethatpunishmentwhichmyfallingawayfromtheoldGodshadearned。’Ishallnotkillyou，’

saidhe，’butIwillcoverallyourlimbswithaparalysis，suchasyouhavetastedalready，andwhenatlengthdeathreachesyouinsomegutter，youwillwelcomeit。’"

"IfZaemonsaidthosewords，hemeantthem。Soyouacceptedthealternative？"

"HadI，withawifedependingonme，anyotherchoice？I

askedhispleasure。Itwastofindyouwhenyoucameinherefromsomedistantpartoftheland，anddelivertoyouhismessage。

"’Thentellmewhereisthemeetingplace，’saidI，’andwhen。’

"’Thereisnoneappointed，noristhedayfixed，’saidhe。

’Youmustwatchandsearchalwaysforhim。Butwhenhecomes，youwillbeguidedtohisplace。’Well，Deucalion，IthinkIwasguided，buthow，Idonotknow。ButnowIhavefoundyou，andifthere’ssuchathingasgratitude，IaskyoutoputinyourwordwithZaemonthatthisdeadnessbetakenawayfrommyhand。It’sanawfulthingforamantobeforcedtogothroughlifelikethis，fornorealfaultofhisown。AndZaemoncouldcureitfromwherehesat，ifhewassominded。"

"YouseemstilltohaveaveryfullfaithinsomeoftheoldGods’priests，"Isaid。"Butsofar，Idonotseethatyourerrandisdone。Ihavehadnomessageyet。"

"Why，themessageissosimplethatIdonotseewhyhecouldnothavegotsomeoneelsetocarryit。Youaretomakeagreatblaze。Youmayfirethegrassesoftheplaininfrontofthiswoodifyouchoose。Andonthenightwhichfollows，youaretogoroundtothatflankoftheSacredMountainawayfromthecitywheretherocksrundownsheer，andtheretheywillloweraropeandhaulyouuptotheirhandsabove。"

"Itseemseasy，andIthankyouforyourpains。IwillaskZaemonthatyourhandmayberestoredtoyou。"

"Youshallhavemyprayersifitis。Andlook，Deucalion，itisasmallmatter，anditwouldbelesslikelytoslipyourmemoryifyousawtoitatonceonyourlanding。Later，youmaybedisturbed。Phoreniceisboundtopullyoudownoffyourperchuptherenowshehasmadehermindtoit。Sheneverfails，onceshehassetherhandtoathing。Indeed，ifshewasnoGoddessatbirth，sheismakingherselfintooneveryrapidly。ShehasgotalltheancientlearningofourPriests，andmorebesides。ShehasdiscoveredtheSecretofLifetheserecentmonths——"

"Shehasfoundthat？"Icried，fairlystartled。"How？Tellmehow？OnlytheThreeknowthat。ItisbeyondourknowledgeevenwhoaremembersoftheSeven。"

"Iknownothingofhermeans。Butshehasthesecret，andnowsheisasgoodanimmortal（soshesays）asanyofthem。Well，Deucalion，itisdangerousformetobemissingfrommytempleoverlong，soIwillgo。Youwillcarrythatmatterwespokeofinyourmind？Itmeansmuchtome。"——Hiseyewanderedovermyraggedperson——"Andifyouthinkmyserviceisofvaluetoyou——"

"Youseemepoor，myman，andpracticallydestitute。"

"Somesmallcoin，"hemurmured，"orevenalinkofbronze？I

amatgreatexpensejustnowbuyingnourishmentformywife。Well，ifyouhavenothing，youcannotgive。SoI’lljustbidyoufarewell。"

Hetookhimselfoffthen，andIwasnotsorry。IhadneverlikedRo。ButIwastednomoreprecioustimethen。Thegrassblazedupforasignalalmostbeforehistimorousheelswereclearofit，andthatnightwhenthedarknessgavemecover，Itooktheriskofwhatbeastsmightbeprowling，andwenttotheplaceappointed。Therewasnoropedangling，butpresentlyonecamedownthesmoothclifffacelikesomeslendersnake。Imadealoop，slippeditoveraleg，andpulledhardasasignal。Thoseabovebegantohaul，andsoIwentbacktotheSacredMountainafteranabsenceofsomanytoilsomeandwarringyears。Therewerenonetodisturbtheascent。Phorenice’stroopshadnothoughttoguardthatgaunt，bare，seamlessprecipice。

Themenwhohauledmeupwereold，andpantedheavilywiththeirtask，and，untilIknewthereason，Iwonderedwhyaknotofyoungerpriestshadnotbeenappointedfortheduty。ButIputnoquestion。WithusofthePriests’ClanontheSacredMountain，itisalwaystakenasgrantedthatwhenanorderisgiven，itisgivenforthebest。Besides，thesepriestsdidnotofferthemselvestoquestion。TheytookmeoffatoncetoZaemon，andthatiswhatI

couldhavewished。

Theoldmangreetedmewiththeroyalsign。"AllhailtoDeucalion，"hecried，"KingofAtlantis，dulycalledtheretobytheHighCouncilofthepriests。"

"IsPhorenicedead？"Iasked。

"Itremainsforyoutoslayher，andtakeyourkingdom，if，indeed，whenallisdone，thereremainsamanoraroodoflandtogovern。Thesentencehasgoneoutthatsheistodie，anditshallbecarriedintoeffect，eventhoughwehavetosetloosethemostdreadfulpowersthatarestoredintheArkoftheMysteries，andwreckthiscontinentinoureffort。WehavebornewithherinfamiesalltheseyearsbycommandsentdownbythemostHighGods;butnowshehasgonebeyondendurance，andTheyitiswhohavegiventhewordforhercuttingoff。"

"YouareoneofthehighestThree;IamonlyoneoftheSeven;

youbestknowthecost。"

"Therecanbenocountingthecostnow，mybrother，andmyking。Itisanorder。"

"Itisanorder，"Irepeatedformally，"soIobey。"

"Ifitwerenotimpioustodoso，itwouldbeeasytojustifythisdecisionoftheGods。Thewomanhasusurpedthethrone;yetshewasforgivenandbiddenruleonwisely。Shehastamperedwithourholyreligion;yetshewasforgiven。ShehaskilledthepeoplesofAtlantisingreedyuselesswars，anddestroyedthecountry’strade;yetshewasforgiven。Shehasdesecratedtheoldtemples，andlatterlyhassetupinthemimagesofherselftobeworshippedasadeity;yetshewasforgiven。ButatlastherevilclevernesshasdiscoveredtoherthetremendousSecretofLifeandDeath，andtheresheoversteppedtheboundaryoftheHighGods’

forbearance。

"Imyselfwenttocarryafinalwarning，andoncemorefacedherinthegreatbanqueting—hall。SolemnlyIrecitedtohertheedict，andshechosetotakeitasachallenge。Shewouldliveoneternallyherselfandshewouldshareherknowledgewiththosethatpleasedher。Tathothatwasherhusbandshouldalsobeimmortal。

Indeed，ifshethoughtfit，shewouldcrythesecretaloudsothateventhecommonpeoplemightknowit，anddeathfrommereagewouldbecomealegend。

"ShecarednowithowshemightupsetthelawsofNature。ShewasPhorenice，andwasthehighestlawofall。Andfinallyshedefiedmethereinthatbanqueting—hallanddefiedalsotheHighGodsthatstoodbehindmymouth。’Mymagicisasstrongasyours，youpompousfool，’shecried，’andpresentlyyoushallseethetwostandsidebysideupontheirtrial。’

"Shebegantocollectanarmyfromthatmoment，andweonourpartmadeourpreparations。Itwasdiscoveredbyourartsthatyoustilllived，andKingofAtlantisyouweremadebysolemnelection。

Howyouweresummoned，youknowasnearlyasitislawfulthatoneofyourdegreeshouldknow;howyoucame，youunderstandbestyourself;buthereyouare，mybrother，andbeingKingnow，youmustorderallthingsasyouseebestforthepreservationofyourhighestate，andweothersliveonlytogiveyouobedience。"

"ThenbeingKing，Icanspeakwithoutseemingtomakeuseofathreat。ImusthavemyQueenfirst，orIamnotstrongenoughtogivemywholemindtothisruling。"

"Sheshallbebroughthere。"

"So！ThenIwillbeaGeneralnow，andseetothedefencesofthisplace，andviewthemenwhoareheretostandbehindthem。"

Iwentoutofthedwellingthen，Zaemongivingplaceandfollowingme。ItwasnightstillbutthereisnodarknessontheupperpartoftheSacredMountain。Aringoffires，fedeternallyfromtheearth—breathwhichwellsupfrombelow，burnsroundone—

halfofthecrest，lightingitalwaysasbrightasday，andinfactformingnosmallpartofitsfortification。Indeed，itissaidthat，intheearlydawnofhistory，menfirstcametotheMountainasastrongholdbecauseofthenaturaldefencewhichthefiresoffered。

Thereisnobridgingtheseflamesorsmotheringthem。Oneithersideoftheirlineforahundredpacesthegroundglowswithheat，andamanwouldbeturnedtoashwhotriedtocrossit。

Roundfullone—halfthemountainslopesthefiresmakearampartunbreakable，andontheothersidetherockrunsinonesheerprecipicefromthecresttotheplainwhichspreadsbeyonditsfoot。ButitisonthisfarthersidethatthereistheonlyentrancewaywhichgivespassagetothecrestoftheSacredMountainfrombelow。Runningdiagonallyupthesteepfaceofthecliffisagiganticfissure，whichsucceedingages（asmanhasgrownmoreluxurious）havemademoreeasytoclimb。

Lookingattheadditions，intheancientdays，Icanwellimaginethatnonebutthemostdaringcouldhavemadetheascent。

Butonegenerationhasthrownabridgeoverabadgaphere，andanotherhascutintothelivingstoneandwidenedaledgethere，tillintheselatteryearsthereisapathwithcutstepsandcarvedbalustradesuchasthefeeblestormostgiddymighttraversewithlittleeffortorexertion。Butalwayswhentheseimproversmadesmooththeobstacles，theywerecarefultoweakeninnopossiblewaythenaturaldefencesbutrathertoaddtothem。