"Harry Harrison - Captive Universe" - читать интересную книгу автора (Harrison Harry)

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BERKLEY MEDALLION EDITION, FEBRUARY. 1976,/p>

THIRD PRINTING




THE VALLEY


1

O nen nontlacat
O nen nonqizaco
ye nican in tlalticpac:
Ninotolinia,
in manel nonquiz,
in manel nontlacat.
ye nican in tlalticpac.

In vain was I born,
In vain was it written
that here on earth:
I suffer,
Yet at least
it was something
to be born on earth.
Aztec chant.
Chimal ran in panic. The moon was still hidden by the cliffs on the eastern side of the valley, but its light
was already tipping their edges with silver. Once it had risen above them he would be as easily seen as
the holy pyramid out here among the sprouting corn. Why had he not thought? Why had he taken the
risk? His breath tore at his throat as he gasped and ran on, his heart pulsed like a great drum that filled his
chest. Even the recent memory of Quiauh and her arms tight about him could not drive away the
world-shaking fear—why had he done it?