"Английский язык с М. Муркоком" - читать интересную книгу автора (Муркок Майкл, Еремин Андрей, Франк Илья)

CHAPTER THREE (глава третья) The Dark Things Come (порождения тьмы приходят)

Corum saw daylight above and then the flagstone slid back (Корум видел дневной свет наверху, затем плита сдвинулась обратно; to slide — скользить, плавно двигаться) and he was in darkness with the beast that dwelled in the pit beneath the courtyard (и он остался в темноте со зверем, что обитал в яме под внутренним двором). It was snarling in a corner somewhere (он рычал/ворчал где-то в углу). He prepared to defend himself against it (Корум приготовился защищаться от него).

Then the snarling stopped and there was silence for a moment (потом рычание прекратилось, и на миг наступила тишина).

Corum waited (ждал).

He heard a shuffling (он услышал шарканье /ног/; to shuffle — перемешивать, перемещать; волочить ноги). He saw a spark (увидел искру). The spark became a flame (искра превратилась в пламя). The flame came from a wick that burned in a clay vessel full of oil (пламя исходило от фитиля, который горел в глиняном сосуде, наполненном маслом).

The clay vessel was held by a filthy hand (глиняный сосуд держала грязная рука; filthy — грязный, отвратительный, мерзкий). And the hand belonged to a hairy creature whose eyes were full of anger (рука принадлежала мохнатому существу, глаза которого были наполены гневом).

`Who are you (кто ты)? Corum said.

snarling [`snRlIN] spark [spRk] filthy [`fIlTI]

Corum saw daylight above and then the flagstone slid back and he was in darkness with the beast that dwelled in the pit beneath the courtyard. It was snarling in a corner somewhere. He prepared to defend himself against it.

Then the snarling stopped and there was silence for a moment.

Corum waited.

He heard a shuffling. He saw a spark. The spark became a flame. The flame came from a wick that burned in a clay vessel full of oil.

The clay vessel was held by a filthy hand. And the hand belonged to a hairy creature whose eyes were full of anger.

`Who are you? Corum said.

The creature shuffled again and placed the crude lamp in a niche on the wall (существо пошло, снова шаркая ногами, и поставило грубый светильник в нишу в стене). Corum saw that the chamber was covered in dirty straw (Корум увидел, что /пол/ комнаты покрыт грязной соломой). There was a pitcher and a plate and, at the far end, a heavy iron door (там были кувшин и тарелка и, в дальнем углу, тяжелая железная дверь). The place reeked of human excrement (то место воняло человеческими испражнениями).

`Can you understand me (ты можешь понимать меня)? Corum still spoke the Nhadragh tongue (по-прежнему говорил на надрагском языке).

`Stop your gabbling (хватит тараторить; to gabble — говорить неясно и быстро, бормотать; гоготать). The creature spoke distinctly, as if he did not expect Corum to know what he was saying (существо говорило отчетливо, словно полагало, что Корум не знает, что оно говорит; to expect — ожидать, надеяться; полагать). He had spoken in the Low Speech (оно говорило на упрощенном языке). `You will be like me soon (ты скоро будешь таким, как я).

Corum made no reply (не ответил). He sheathed his sword and walked about the cell, inspecting it (он вложил в ножны меч и прошелся по темнице, осматривая ее; cell — ячейка; тюремная камера; клетка, отсек). There seemed no obvious way of escape (очевидного пути бегства не было = казалось, отсюда не вырваться). Above him he heard footsteps on the flagstones of the courtyard (над собой он услышал шаги по плитам внутреннего двора). He heard, quite clearly, the voices of the Ragha-da-Kheta (он услышал, вполне четко, голоса рага-да-кета). They were agitated, almost hysterical (они были взволнованными, почти истеричными).

niche [nIC] straw [strL] sheathed [SJDd] hysterical [hI`sterIk (q) l]

The creature shuffled again and placed the crude lamp in a niche on the wall. Corum saw that the chamber was covered in dirty straw. There was a pitcher and a plate and, at the far end, a heavy iron door. The place reeked of human excrement.

`Can you understand me? Corum still spoke the Nhadragh tongue.

`Stop your gabbling. The creature spoke distinctly, as if he did not expect Corum to know what he was saying. He had spoken in the Low Speech. `You will be like me soon.

Corum made no reply. He sheathed his sword and walked about the cell, inspecting it. There seemed no obvious way of escape. Above him he heard footsteps on the flagstones of the courtyard. He heard, quite clearly, the voices of the Ragha-da-Kheta. They were agitated, almost hysterical.

The creature cocked his head and listened (существо подняло голову и прислушалось).

`So that is what happened (так вот что произошло), he mused, staring at Corum and grinning to himself (проговорил он задумчиво, пристально глядя на Корума и ухмыляясь самому себе = своим мыслям). `You killed the feeble little coward, eh (ты убил этого хилого маленького труса, да; feeble — немощный, хилый; ничтожный)? Hm, well I don't resent your company nearly so much (хм, что ж, мне не будет неприятна твоя компания настолько; to resent — негодовать, возмущаться; не нравиться). Though your stay will be short, I fear (хотя, боюсь, твое пребывание /здесь/ будет недолгим). I wonder how they will destroy you (интересно, как они уничтожат тебя) …

Corum listened in silence, still not revealing that he understood the creature's words (Корум вслушивался в тишину, по-прежнему не показывая, что понимает слова существа; to reveal — открывать, обнаруживать). He heard the sound of the corpses being dragged away overhead (он услышал, как утаскивают трупы наверху). More voices came and went (еще голоса пришли и ушли = раздались и смолкли).

`Now they are in a quandary (теперь они в затруднительном положении), chuckled the creature (хихикнуло создание). `They are only good at killing by stealth (они умеют убивать лишь тайком; to be good at — быть способным к). What did they try to do to you, my friend, poison you (что они попытаются сделать с тобой, мой друг, отравить тебя)? That's the way they usually get rid of those they fear (это способ, /которым/ они обычно избавляются от тех, /кого/ боятся).

coward [`kauqd] quandary [`kwOnd (q) rI] stealth [stelT]

The creature cocked his head and listened.

`So that is what happened, he mused, staring at Corum and grinning to himself. `You killed the feeble little coward, eh? Hm, well I don't resent your company nearly so much. Though your stay will be short, I fear. I wonder how they will destroy you…

Corum listened in silence, still not revealing that he understood the creature's words. He heard the sound of the corpses being dragged away overhead. More voices came and went.

`Now they are in a quandary, chuckled the creature. `They are only good at killing by stealth. What did they try to do to you, my friend, poison you? That's the way they usually get rid of those they fear.

Poison? Corum frowned (нахмурился). Had the wine been poisoned (не было ли отравлено вино)? He looked at the hand. Had it known (неужели она знала)? Was it in some way sentient (не обладала ли она своего рода предчувствием; sentient — ощущающий, чувствующий)?

He decided to break his silence (он решил нарушить свое молчание).

`Who are you? he said in the Low Speech (он сказал на упрощенном языке).

The creature began to laugh (существо принялось смеяться).

`So you can understand me (значит, ты можешь понимать меня)! Well, since you are my guest, I feel you should answer my questions first (что ж, раз ты мой гость, думаю, тебе следовало бы ответить на мои вопросы сперва). You look like a Vadhagh to me, yet I thought all the Vadhagh perished long since (ты похож на вадага по-моему: «для меня», хотя я думал, все вадаги давно погибли). Name yourself and your folk, friend (назови себя и свой народ, друг).

sentient [`senS (q) nt] laugh [lRf] guest [gest]

Poison? Corum frowned. Had the wine been poisoned? He looked at the hand. Had it known? Was it in some way sentient?

He decided to break his silence.

`Who are you? he said in the Low Speech.

The creature began to laugh.

`So you can understand me! Well, since you are my guest, I feel you should answer my questions first. You look like a Vadhagh to me, yet I thought all the Vadhagh perished long since. Name yourself and your folk, friend.

Corum said: `I am Corum Jhaelen Irsei — the Prince in the Scarlet Robe (Принц в Алом Плаще). And I am the last of the Vadhagh (и я последний из вадагов).

`And I am Hanafax of Pengarde (а я — Ганафакс из Пенгарда), something of a soldier, something of a priest, something of an explorer (немного воин, немного жрец, немного исследователь/путешественник) — and something of a wretch, as you see (и немного оборванец, как видишь; wretch — несчастный, жалкий человек). I hail from a land called Lywm-an-Esh — a land far to the West where (я происхожу из страны, называемой Лиум-ан-Эш, — страны, /лежащей/ далеко на западе, где) …

`I know of Lywm-an-Esh. I have been a guest of the Margravine of the East (я был гостем маркграфини восточной /части страны/).

`What? Does that Margraviate still exist (неужели маркграфство все еще существует)? I had heard it had been washed away by the encroaching seas long since (я слышал, его давно смыло наступающими волнами/океаном; to encroach — вторгаться; затоплять)!

`It may be destroyed by now (возможно, оно уничтожено теперь). The Pony Tribes (племена на пони) …

soldier [`squlGq] priest [prJst] encroaching [In`krquCIN]

Corum said: `I am Corum Jhaelen Irsei — the Prince in the Scarlet Robe. And I am the last of the Vadhagh.

`And I am Hanafax of Pengarde, something of a soldier, something of a priest, something of an explorer — and something of a wretch, as you see. I hail from a land called Lywm-an-Esh — a land far to the West where…

`I know of Lywm-an-Esh. I have been a guest of the Margravine of the East.

`What? Does that Margraviate still exist? I had heard it had been washed away by the encroaching seas long since!

`It may be destroyed by now. The Pony Tribes…

`By Urleh (/клянусь/ Урлехом)! Pony Tribes! It is something from the histories (это что-то из историй = легенд).

`How come you to be so far from your own land, Sir Hanafax (как случилось, что ты оказался так далеко от своей страны, сэр Ганафакс)?

`It's a long tale, Prince Corum (это долгая история, принц Корум). Arioch — as he is called here — does not smile on the folk of Lywm-an-Esh (Ариох — как его здесь называют — не благоволит народу Лиум-ан-Эш; to smile on — выказывать благоволение, благоприятствовать). He expects all the Mabden to do his work for him (он ожидает/рассчитывает, что все мабдены будут делать его работу за него) — chiefly in the reduction of the older races, such as your own (в основном, по сокращению численности = уничтожению древних рас, как например, твоей; reduction — снижение, уменьшение; покорение). As you doubtless know, our folk have had no interest in destroying these races, for they have never harmed us (как ты, несомненно, знаешь, наш народ не был заинтересован в уничтожении этих рас, потому что они никогда не причиняли нам вреда). But Urleh is a kind of vassal deity to the Knight of the Swords (но Урлех — нечто вроде вассального божества, /подчиненного/ Рыцарю Мечей). It was Urleh that I served as a priest (Урлеху я служил в качестве жреца).

history [`hIst (q) rI] vassal [`vxs (q) l] deity [`dJItI]

`By Urleh! Pony Tribes! It is something from the histories.

`How come you to be so far from your own land, Sir Hanafax?

`It's a long tale, Prince Corum. Arioch — as he is called here — does not smile on the folk of Lywm-an-Esh. He expects all the Mabden to do his work for him — chiefly in the reduction of the older races, such as your own. As you doubtless know, our folk have had no interest in destroying these races, for they have never harmed us. But Urleh is a kind of vassal deity to the Knight of the Swords. It was Urleh that I served as a priest.

Well, it seems that Arioch grows impatient (for reasons of his own) (итак, кажется, Ариох проявляет нетерпение (по каким-то своим причинам)) and commands Urleh to command the people of Lywm-an-Esh to embark on a crusade (и велит Урлеху приказать людям Лиум-ан-Эш предпринять /военный/ поход; to embark on — начинать, приступать к; crusade — поход, кампания; крестовый поход), to travel far to the West where a seafolk dwell (отправиться далеко на запад, где живет морской народ). These folk are only about fifty in all and live in castles built into coral (этих людей всего около пятидесяти, они живут в замках, построенных в коралловых /рифах/; to build into — вделывать, вмуровывать). They are called the Shalafen (называются шалафены). Urleh gave me Arioch's command (Урлех отдал = передал мне приказ Ариоха). I decided to believe that this was a false command (я решил, что это ложный приказ) — coming from another entity unfriendly to Urleh (исходящий от другого существа, недружелюбного к Урлеху). My luck, which was never of the best, changed greatly then (моя судьба, которая никогда не была лучшей = счастливой, изменилась сильно затем). There was a murder (произошло убийство). I was blamed (меня обвинили). I fled my lands and stole a ship (я бежал из своей страны и украл судно; to flee — убегать, спасаться бегством; to steal). After several somewhat dull adventures, I found myself among this twittering people (после нескольких довольно скучных приключений я оказался среди этого щебечущего народа) who so patiently await Arioch's destruction (который так терпеливо ожидает уничтожения Ариохом). I attempted to band them together against Arioch (я попытался объединить их против Ариоха). They offered me wine, which I refused (они предложили мне вина, от которого я отказался). They seized me and placed me here, where I have been for more than a few months (они схватили меня и поместили сюда, где я нахожусь больше нескольких месяцев).

impatient [Im`peIS (q) nt] crusade [krH`seId] coral [`kOrql] false [fLls]

Well, it seems that Arioch grows impatient (for reasons of his own) and commands Urleh to command the people of Lywm-an-Esh to embark on a crusade, to travel far to the West where a seafolk dwell. These folk are only about fifty in all and live in castles built into coral. They are called the Shalafen. Urleh gave me Arioch's command. I decided to believe that this was a false command — coming from another entity unfriendly to Urleh. My luck, which was never of the best, changed greatly then. There was a murder. I was blamed. I fled my lands and stole a ship. After several somewhat dull adventures, I found myself among this twittering people who so patiently await Arioch's destruction. I attempted to band them together against Arioch. They offered me wine, which I refused. They seized me and placed me here, where I have been for more than a few months.

`What will they do with you (что они сделают с тобой)?

`I cannot say (не могу сказать = не знаю). Hope that I die eventually, I suppose (надеются, что умру со временем, /полагаю/). They are a misguided folk and a little stupid, but they are not by nature cruel (они — обманутый народ и немного глупый, но не жестокие по характеру; misguided — введенный в заблуждение; сбитый с курса; by nature — по природе, по характеру). Yet their terror of Arioch is so great that they dare not do anything that might offend him (однако их страх перед Ариохом столь велик, что они не посмеют сделать что-либо, что может обидеть его). In this way they hope he will let them live a year or two longer (таким образом, они надеются, что он позволит им жить еще год-два).

`And you do not know how they will deal with me (ты не знаешь, как они поступят со мной; to deal with — иметь дело, обходиться)? I killed their king, after all (я убил их короля, все-таки).

`That is what I was considering (вот об этом я и думал). The poison has failed (яд не сработал). They would be very reluctant to use violence on you themselves (они вряд ли решатся применить к тебе силу; reluctant — делающий что-либо с большой неохотой). We shall have to see (нам придется /подождать/ и увидеть).

`I have a mission to accomplish (мне нужно выполнить поручение), Corum told him. `I cannot afford to wait (я не могу позволить себе ждать).

Hanafax grinned (Ганафакс усмехнулся).

misguided [mIs`gaIdId] stupid [`stjHpId] violence [`vaIqlqns]

`What will they do with you?

`I cannot say. Hope that I die eventually, I suppose. They are a misguided folk and a little stupid, but they are not by nature cruel. Yet their terror of Arioch is so great that they dare not do anything that might offend him. In this way they hope he will let them live a year or two longer.

`And you do not know how they will deal with me? I killed their king, after all.

`That is what I was considering. The poison has failed. They would be very reluctant to use violence on you themselves. We shall have to see.

`I have a mission to accomplish, Corum told him. `I cannot afford to wait.

Hanafax grinned.

`I think you will have to, friend Corum (думаю, тебе придется /подождать/, друг Корум)! I am something of a sorcerer, as I told you (я немного колдун, как я говорил тебе). I have a few tricks, but none will work in this place, I know not why (у меня есть несколько фокусов/трюков, но ни один не сработает в этом месте, не знаю почему). And if sorcery cannot aid us, what can (а если колдовство не может нам помочь, что сможет)?

Corum raised his alien hand and stared at it thoughtfully (Корум поднял свою чуждую руку и посмотрел на нее задумчиво).

Then he looked into the hairy face of his fellow prisoner (потом заглянул в волосатое лицо своего товарища по заключению).

`Have you ever heard of the Hand of Kwll (ты когда-нибудь слышал о Руке Кулла)?

Hanafax frowned (нахмурился).

`Aye… I believe I have (да… думаю, слышал). The sole remains of a God, one of two brothers, who had some sort of feud (единственные останки бога, одного из двух братьев, которые вроде враждовали; feud — длительная, наследственная вражда, междоусобица) … A legend, of course, like so many (легенда, конечно, как и многие /другие/) …

sorcery [`sLs (q) rI] feud [fjHd]

`I think you will have to, friend Corum! I am something of a sorcerer, as I told you. I have a few tricks, but none will work in this place, I know not why. And if sorcery cannot aid us, what can?

Corum raised his alien hand and stared at it thoughtfully.

Then he looked into the hairy face of his fellow prisoner.

`Have you ever heard of the Hand of Kwll?

Hanafax frowned.

`Aye… I believe I have. The sole remains of a God, one of two brothers, who had some sort of feud … A legend, of course, like so many…

Corum held up his left hand (Корум показал свою левую руку).

`This is the Hand of Kwll. It was given me by a sorcerer, along with this eye — the Eye of Rhynn (ее дал мне один колдун, вместе с этим глазом — Глазом Ринна) — and both have great powers, I am told (и оба /предмета/ обладают огромной силой, /он/ мне сказал).

`You do not know (ты не знаешь)?

`I have had no opportunity to test them (у меня не было возможности проверить их).

Hanafax seemed disturbed (Ганафакс казался встревоженным).

`Yet such powers are too great for a mortal, I would have thought (однако подобные силы слишком велики для смертного, я бы подумал = мне кажется). The consequences of using them would be monstrous (последствия их использования могут быть ужасными) …

`I do not believe I have any choice (не думаю, /что/ у меня есть выбор). I have decided (я решил). I will call upon the powers of the Hand of Kwll and the Eye of Rhynn (я призову |yf помощь/ силы Руки Кулла и Глаза Ринна; to call upon — взывать, обращаться; призывать)!

opportunity [, Opq`tjHnItI] consequences [`kOnsIkwqnsIz]

Corum held up his left hand.

`This is the Hand of Kwll. It was given me by a sorcerer, along with this eye — the Eye of Rhynn — and both have great powers, I am told.

`You do not know?

`I have had no opportunity to test them.

Hanafax seemed disturbed.

`Yet such powers are too great for a mortal, I would have thought. The consequences of using them would be monstrous…

`I do not believe I have any choice. I have decided. I will call upon the powers of the Hand of Kwll and the Eye of Rhynn!

`I trust you will remind them that I am on your side, Prince Corum (надеюсь, ты напомнишь им, что я на твоей стороне, принц Корум; to trust — верить, доверять/ся/; надеяться).

Corum stripped the gauntlet from his six-fingered hand (Корум снял латную перчатку со своей шестипалой руки). He was shivering with the tension (он дрожал от напряжения). Then he pushed the patch up to his forehead (потом сдвинул повязка на лоб; to push — толкать, продвигать).

He began to see the darker planes (он начал видеть более темные плоскости). Again he saw the landscape on which a black sun shone (снова он увидел пейзаж, где светило черное солнце). Again he saw the four cowled figures (снова увидел четыре фигуры в капюшонах; cowl — сутана с капюшоном, капюшон).

And this time he stared into their faces (на этот раз он посмотрел в их лица).

He screamed (он вскрикнул).

But he could not name the reason for his terror (но он не мог бы назвать причину своего ужаса).

He looked again.

tension [`tenS (q) n] forehead [`fOrId] cowled [kauld]

`I trust you will remind them that I am on your side, Prince Corum.

Corum stripped the gauntlet from his six-fingered hand. He was shivering with the tension. Then he pushed the patch up to his forehead.

He began to see the darker planes. Again he saw the landscape on which a black sun shone. Again he saw the four cowled figures.

And this time he stared into their faces.

He screamed.

But he could not name the reason for his terror.

He looked again.

The Hand of Kwll stretched out towards the figures (Рука Кулла потянулась к фигурам). Their heads moved as they saw the hand (их головы двинулись, когда они увидели руку). Their terrible eyes seemed to draw all the heat from his body, all the vitality from his soul (их ужасные глаза, казалось, вытягивали = высасывали все тепло из его тела, всю энергию из его души; vitality — жизненность, энергия). But he continued to look at them (но он продолжал смотреть на них).

The Hand beckoned (Рука поманила /их/ к себе).

The dark figures moved towards Corum (темные фигуры двинулись к Коруму).

He heard Hanafax say (он услышал, как Ганафакс сказал):

`I see nothing (я ничего не вижу). What are you summoning (что ты призываешь)? What do you see (что видишь)?

vitality [vaI`txlItI] beckoned [`bekqnd]

The Hand of Kwll stretched out towards the figures. Their heads moved as they saw the hand. Their terrible eyes seemed to draw all the heat from his body, all the vitality from his soul. But he continued to look at them.

The Hand beckoned.

The dark figures moved towards Corum.

He heard Hanafax say:

`I see nothing. What are you summoning? What do you see?

Corum ignored him (Корум не ответил ему; to ignore — игнорировать, не обращать внимания). He was sweating now and every limb save the Hand of Kwll was shaking (он потел = истекал потом теперь, и каждая его конечность, кроме Руки Кулла, тряслась).

From beneath their robes the four figures drew huge scythes (из-под своих плащей четыре фигуры достали огромные косы).

Corum moved numbed lips (Корум шевельнул онемевшими губами).

`Here (сюда). Come to this plane (идите в эту плоскость). Obey me (подчиняйтесь мне).

They came nearer and seemed to pass through a swirling curtain of mist (они приближались и, казалось, проходили через клубящуюся завесу тумана; to swirl — кружить/ся/ в водовороте; клубиться).

Then Hanafax cried out in terror and disgust (потом Ганафакс вскричал от ужаса и отвращения).

`Gods! They are things from the Pits of the Dog (это твари из Ям Пса)! Shefanhow (Шефанхау)! He jumped behind Corum (он прыгнул за Корума). `Keep them off me, Vadhagh (держи их от меня подальше, вадаг)! Aah!

sweating [`swetIN] scythe [saID] disgust [dIs`gAst]

Corum ignored him. He was sweating now and every limb save the Hand of Kwll was shaking.

From beneath their robes the four figures drew huge scythes.

Corum moved numbed lips.

`Here. Come to this plane. Obey me.

They came nearer and seemed to pass through a swirling curtain of mist.

Then Hanafax cried out in terror and disgust.

`Gods! They are things from the Pits of the Dog! Shefanhow! He jumped behind Corum. `Keep them off me, Vadhagh! Aah!

Hollow voices issued from the strangely distorted mouths (глухие голоса раздались из странно перекошенных ртов; hollow — пустой, полый; глухой, замогильный /о звуке/; to issue from — исходить, выходить; distorted — кривой, перекошенный, искаженный):

`Master (повелитель). We will do your will (мы исполним твою волю). We will do the will of Kwll (мы исполним волю Руки Кулла).

`Destroy that door (сломайте эту дверь)! Corum commanded.

`Will we have our prize, master (получим ли мы нашу награду, повелитель)?

`What prize is that (что это за награда)?

`A life for each of us, master (жизнь для каждого из нас, повелитель).

Corum shuddered (вздрогнул).

`Aye, very well, you'll have your prize (да, хорошо, вы получите свою награду).

issued [`ISHd] distorted [dIs`tLtId]

Hollow voices issued from the strangely distorted mouths:

`Master. We will do your will. We will do the will of Kwll.

`Destroy that door! Corum commanded.

`Will we have our prize, master?

`What prize is that?

`A life for each of us, master.

Corum shuddered.

`Aye, very well, you'll have your prize.

The scythes rose up and the door fell down (косы поднялись вверх, и дверь упала) and the four creatures that were truly `Shefanhow' led the way into a narrow passage (и четыре существа, которые были поистине шефанхау, вошли в узкий коридор; to lead the way — показывать путь; проявить инициативу, сделать первый шаг).

`My kite (мой воздушный змей)! Hanafax murmured to Corum (Ганафакс прошептал Коруму). `We can escape on that (мы можем сбежать на нем).

`A kite?

`Aye. It flies and can take both of us (он летает и способен поднять нас обоих).

The Shefanhow marched ahead (шефанхау двигались вперед). From them radiated a force that froze the skin (от них исходила сила, которая леденила кожу = от которой мороз шел по коже; to freeze). They mounted some steps and another door was burst by the scythes of the cloaked creatures (они прошли несколько ступеней, и еще одна дверь была сломана косами существ в плащах; to mount — подниматься, восходить; to burst — разрывать/ся/, разламывать/ся/). There was daylight (там = снаружи был день).

They found themselves in the main courtyard of the palace (они оказались в главном внутреннем дворе дворца).

radiated [`reIdIeItId] force [fLs]

The scythes rose up and the door fell down and the four creatures that were truly `Shefanhow' led the way into a narrow passage.

`My kite! Hanafax murmured to Corum. `We can escape on that.

`A kite?

`Aye. It flies and can take both of us.

The Shefanhow marched ahead. From them radiated a force that froze the skin. They mounted some steps and another door was burst by the scythes of the cloaked creatures. There was daylight.

They found themselves in the main courtyard of the palace.

From all sides came warriors (со всех сторон шли воины). This time they did not seem so reluctant to kill Corum and Hanafax (на этот раз они не казались столь неохотными = желали убить Корума и Ганафакса), but they paused when they saw the four cloaked beings (но они остановились, когда увидели четырех в плащах).

`There are your prizes (вот ваша награда), Corum said. `Take as many as you will and then return to whence you came (берите, сколько хотите, а потом возвращайтесь, откуда пришли).

The scythes whirled in the sunshine (косы взметнулись на солнце). The Ragha-da-Kheta fell back screaming (рага-да-кета отступили, крича).

The screaming grew louder (крик стал громче).

The four began to titter (четверо начали хихикать). Then they began to roar (затем они начали реветь). Then they began to echo the screams of their victims as their scythes swung and heads sprang from necks (потом принялись подражать крикам своих жертв, когда их косы взлетали, и головы слетали с плеч; to swing — качать/ся/; размахивать). Sickened, Corum and Hanafax ran through the corridors of the palace (преодолевая тошноту, Корум и Ганафакс побежали по коридорам дворца; to sicken — заболевать, испытывать тошноту, отвращение). Hanafax led the way and eventually stopped outside a door (Ганафакс бежал впереди и наконец остановился за дверью).

echo [`ekqu] eventually [I`venCu (q) lI]

From all sides came warriors. This time they did not seem so reluctant to kill Corum and Hanafax, but they paused when they saw the four cloaked beings.

`There are your prizes, Corum said. `Take as many as you will and then return to whence you came.

The scythes whirled in the sunshine. The Ragha-da-Kheta fell back screaming.

The screaming grew louder.

The four began to titter. Then they began to roar. Then they began to echo the screams of their victims as their scythes swung and heads sprang from necks. Sickened, Corum and Hanafax ran through the corridors of the palace. Hanafax led the way and eventually stopped outside a door.

Everywhere now the screams sounded (повсюду теперь звучали крики) and the loudest screams of all were those of the four (а самые громкие из всех принадлежали тем четырем).

Hanafax forced the door open (Ганафакс силой открыл дверь). It was dark within (внутри было темно). He began to rummage about in the room (он принялся рыться в комнате).

`This is where I was when I was their guest (здесь я был, когда являлся их гостем). Before they decided that I had offended Arioch (до того, как они решили, что я оскорбил Ариоха). I came here in my kite (я прибыл сюда на змее). Now…

Corum saw more soldiers rushing down the corridor towards them (Корум увидел, как еще воины бегут по коридору к ним).

`Find it quickly, Hanafax (найди его быстро = ищи быстрее, Ганафакс), he said. He leapt out to block the corridor with his sword (он выскочил /из комнаты/, чтобы перегородить коридор с мечом).

The spindly beings came to a halt and looked at his sword (длинные тонкие существа остановились и посмотрели на его меч). They raised their own bird claw clubs and began cautiously to advance (они подняли свои дубинки в форме птичьего когтя и начали осторожно приближаться; to advance — продвигаться вперед; наступать).

rummage [`rAmIG] halt [hLlt] advance [qd`vRns]

Everywhere now the screams sounded and the loudest screams of all were those of the four.

Hanafax forced the door open. It was dark within. He began to rummage about in the room.

`This is where I was when I was their guest. Before they decided that I had offended Arioch. I came here in my kite. Now…

Corum saw more soldiers rushing down the corridor towards them.

`Find it quickly, Hanafax, he said. He leapt out to block the corridor with his sword.

The spindly beings came to a halt and looked at his sword. They raised their own bird claw clubs and began cautiously to advance.

Corum's sword darted out and cut a warrior's throat (меч Корума метнулся вперед и перерезал одному из воинов горло; to dart — метать/ся/, мчаться стрелой). He collapsed in a tangle of legs and arms (он рухнул грудой; tangle — сплетение; путаница; конфликт). Corum struck another in the eye (Корум ударил другого в глаз; to strike).

The screams were dying now (крики теперь стихали). Corum's foul allies were returning to their own plane with their prizes (отвратительные союзники Корума возвращались в свою плоскость с наградой).

Behind Corum, Hanafax was dragging forth a dusty arrangement of rods and silk (позади Корума Ганафакс вытаскивал пыльную конструкцию из планок и шелка; rod — прут, стержень, рейка).

`I have it, Prince Corum (я нашел его, принц Корум). Give me a short while to remember the spell I need (дай мне немного времени, чтобы вспомнить нужное заклинание).

Rather than being frightened by the deaths of their comrades (они не только не испугались гибели товарищей; rather than — скорее, чем; вместо того, чтобы), the Ragha-da-Kheta seemed spurred on to fight more fiercely (наоборот, рага-да-кета, казалось, стали сражаться яростнее/неистовее; to spur — пришпоривать; подгонять, побуждать). Partly protected by a little mound of the slain, Corum fought on (частично прикрытый небольшой кучкой убитых, Корум продолжал сражаться; mound — насыпь, курган, холм).

arrangement [q`reInGmqnt] comrade [`kOmr (q) Id] fiercely [`fIqslI]

Corum's sword darted out and cut a warrior's throat. He collapsed in a tangle of legs and arms. Corum struck another in the eye.

The screams were dying now. Corum's foul allies were returning to their own plane with their prizes.

Behind Corum, Hanafax was dragging forth a dusty arrangement of rods and silk.

`I have it, Prince Corum. Give me a short while to remember the spell I need.

Rather than being frightened by the deaths of their comrades, the Ragha-da-Kheta seemed spurred on to fight more fiercely. Partly protected by a little mound of the slain, Corum fought on.

Hanafax began to call out something in a strange tongue (Ганафакс начал выкрикивать что-то на странном языке). Corum felt a wind rise that ruffled his scarlet robe (Корум почувствовал подъем ветра = как поднялся ветер, который раздул его алый плащ; to ruffle — рябить, взъерошивать; трепыхаться). Something grabbed him from behind and then he was rising into the air (что-то схватило его сзади, потом он стал подниматься в воздух), over the heads of the Ragha-da-Kheta, speeding along the corridor and into the open (над головами рага-да-кета, спешивших по коридору наружу; the open — открытое пространство).

He looked down nervously (он посмотрел вниз беспокойно). The city was running past below them (город пробегал мимо под ними = оставался позади).

Hanafax dragged him into the box of yellow and green silk (Ганафакс втащил его в корзину из желто-зеленого шелка; box — коробка, ящик, сундук). Corum was sure he would fall, but the kite held (Корум был уверен, что упадет, но воздушный змей держался /в воздухе/).

The ragged, unkempt figure beside him was grinning (оборванная, нечесаная фигура возле него ухмылялась).

`So the will of Arioch can be denied (итак, воле Ариоха можно не подчиняться; to deny — отвергать, отрицать), Corum said.

`Unless we are his instruments in this (если только мы не /сыграли роль/ его инструментов в этом = не стали орудиями в его руках), said Hanafax, his grin fading (сказал Ганафакс, и его усмешка исчезла; to fade — увядать, блекнуть; постепенно исчезать).

unkempt [, An`kempt] denied [dI`naId]

Hanafax began to call out something in a strange tongue. Corum felt a wind rise that ruffled his scarlet robe. Something grabbed him from behind and then he was rising into the air, over the heads of the Ragha-da-Kheta, speeding along the corridor and into the open.

He looked down nervously. The city was running past below them.

Hanafax dragged him into the box of yellow and green silk. Corum was sure he would fall, but the kite held.

The ragged, unkempt figure beside him was grinning.

`So the will of Arioch can be denied, Corum said.

`Unless we are his instruments in this, said Hanafax, his grin fading.