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。