“Am I going mad, or am I dying?” wailed Yermah, pushing his fingers up through his tangled hair. “Did I hear aright? Tell me, Setos—didst thou say that our native land and all our people are blotted out?”
“Such is the word from Mayax. They also report that the land of the Mexi is split from east to west with a great rent in the earth, from which seven great volcanoes have sent fire and smoke ever since the crevice closed. In that section the disturbance came from the east, and went far out into the surviving islands of the lost Lemuria on the west.”
Alcamayn and Orondo shared Yermah’s consternation; but, like Setos, they never expected to return to Atlantis, and therefore their interest was not so personal and keen.
Yermah still seemed stupefied, but he roused himself by a mighty effort of will.
“Call all the people together in the Temple of Saturn, on the proper day, and let the four intervening suns rise on a fasting and contrite nation. Let every house and roadway be swept for purification. Let the anointing and ablution be thorough, and let them come to the temple laden with flowers; because where flowers grow, love has been. This is the end of a divine cycle; and it is befitting that we come together in chastened spirit to mourn its myriad dead.”
Seeing that they stood uncertain as to how to proceed, he added:
“I will make proclamation. See to it, Setos, and thou, Alcamayn, that the edict is posted on all the temple doors and all the obelisks, and make it known to the fleet and to the warriors. None shall be exempt from this Festival of Humiliation, and it shall be an anniversary for ages to come.”
“Before thou art engrossed with quill and parchment, accept another service of wine of maguey,” said Orondo, while the tamane was arranging writing materials. “Thy physical strength is indeed at low ebb.”
“But my agonized spirit hears the shrieks of despair of our dying brothers. May they find comfort in the bosom of the Ineffable One!”
“Amenti! hear and grant, we beseech thee!” they all said in heartfelt sympathy.