Mention My Name in Atlantis by John Jakes

Author:John Jakes
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2013-05-31T16:00:00+00:00

* Nine *

Happy to put the beach and its rotting fish-heads behind—not to mention possible search parties!—I plied the oars as vigorously as my strength would permit. To be perfectly honest, one does not develop stout muscles in the vintner's trade—except in that portion of the brain devoted to sharp bargaining!

Therefore, when we were a sufficient distance from the narrow necklace of beach which ringed fair Atlantis, I stepped the splintery mast. After I had installed the tiller in its socket, I handed a line to Conax and took up my position in the stern.

"What am I supposed to do with this rope?"

"Don't you know anything about sailing?"

"I am a king! My sailing master handles those mundane details."

"I see. Well, do nothing until I instruct you to give it a smart tug. Surely that is not too demeaning for you."

My temper had grown short, I confess, due to lack of rest, food, and the general tensions of the night. Conax pondered my remark, but said nothing, which was to the good. I do believe that a retort would have caused me to ignore his thews and paste him a stiff one in the mouth.

Gradually the breeze caught our much-patched sail. The little fishing boat began to race smartly toward open sea.

From my post at the stern, I watched the Island Kingdom drop behind us, splendid and imposing, its rooftops glinting in the first light. To see it so tranquil, one would hardly believe that within its walls disorder reigned, and supernatural beings stalked.

I was not an expert sailor by any means. But like all Atlanteans, I had enjoyed recreational boating as part of my upbringing. I managed to tack us quite far out, until we reached a spot where I deemed it safe to drop sail and anchor.

As soon as the lead ball plopped overside, I relaxed, hoping to catch a few winks. Unless my navigation erred, we lay far enough offshore so that we would be a mere blur to any watchers on the wall. I hoped we would be taken for fishermen trying different waters. Thus I also hoped to avoid the regular fishing fleet. When night descended, we would return to the beach and attempt to regain my villa.

I settled down to a sort of doze, but there was no real rest in it. My mind was haunted by spectral visions of the blue beings and their strange craft.

How had the apparition struck the ordinary, garden-variety Atlantean? Surely the craft's descent had been visible to any who were abroad.

Unless I missed my guess, the spectral sight would foment more fear and rumor. The citizens might well recall Babylos' warnings—and hold the corrupted government responsible for the bad omens.

I could not help a certain sly amusement. Geriasticus X, his debauched queen, and the entire grasping, pleasure-mad court had been guilty of so many crimes against the public good—both sins of commission and omission—that it was only a kind of ironic justice that they be held accountable for the heavenly visitations.

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