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

CHAPTER FOUR (глава четвертая) In the Flamelands (в Огненных землях)

Corum got used to the flight, though he still felt uncomfortable (Корум привык к полету, хотя по-прежнему чувствовал себя неуютно). Hanafax hummed to himself while he chopped at his hair and whiskers (Ганафакс что-то напевал про себя, подрезая свои волосы и бакенбарды; to hum — мурлыкать, напевать про себя; to chop — отрезать, отрубать) until a handsome, youngish face was revealed (пока не появилось привлекательное, довольно молодое лицо). Apparently without concern, he discarded his rags and drew on a clean doublet and pair of breeks he had brought with him in his bundle (явно без сожаления, он выбросил свои лохмотья и надел чистый камзол и штаны, /которые/ взял с собой в узле; to discard — избавляться от чего-либо; отказываться; bundle — узел, сверток, связка).

`I feel a thousand times improved (я чувствую себя в тысячу раз лучше; to improve — улучшать/ся/, поправлять/ся/, налаживать/ся/). I thank you, Prince Corum, for visiting the City of Arke before I had entirely rotted away (спасибо тебе, принц Корум, что посетил город Арк прежде, чем я совсем сгнил /в темнице/; to rot away — гнить, портиться; погибать)!

Corum had discovered that Hanafax could not sustain his moods of introspection but was naturally of a cheerful disposition (Корум обнаружил, что Ганафакс не может переносить свои настроения самонаблюдения = долго не печалится, а от природы — /человек/ веселого характера).

discarded [dIs`kRdId] doublet [`dAblIt] sustain [sq`steIn]

Corum got used to the flight, though he still felt uncomfortable. Hanafax hummed to himself while he chopped at his hair and whiskers until a handsome, youngish face was revealed. Apparently without concern, he discarded his rags and drew on a clean doublet and pair of breeks he had brought with him in his bundle.

`I feel a thousand times improved. I thank you, Prince Corum, for visiting the City of Arke before I had entirely rotted away!

Corum had discovered that Hanafax could not sustain his moods of introspection but was naturally of a cheerful disposition.

`Where is this flying thing taking us, Sir Hanafax (куда эта летающая штуковина несет нас, сэр Ганафакс)?

`Ah, there's the problem (ах, в этом и проблема), Hanafax said. `It is why I have found myself in more trouble than I sought (вот почему я оказывался в больших бедах, чем искал; to seek). I cannot — um — guide the kite (я не могу управлять змеем). It flies where it will (он летит, куда захочет).

They were over the sea now (они были над морем теперь).

Corum clung to the struts and fixed his eyes ahead of him (Корум вцепился в распорки и пристально посмотрел вперед) while Hanafax began a song which was not complimentary either to Arioch or the Dog God of the Eastern Mabden folk (а Ганафакс начал /петь/ песню, которая не была почтительной ни по отношению к Ариоху, ни к богу Псу восточного мабденского племени; complimentary — поздравительная, лестная, хвалебная).

Then Corum saw something below and he said drily (затем Корум увидел что-то внизу и сказал сухо):

complimentary [, kOmplI`ment (q) rI] either [`aIDq]

`Where is this flying thing taking us, Sir Hanafax?

`Ah, there's the problem, Hanafax said. `It is why I have found myself in more trouble than I sought. I cannot — um — guide the kite. It flies where it will.

They were over the sea now.

Corum clung to the struts and fixed his eyes ahead of him while Hanafax began a song which was not complimentary either to Arioch or the Dog God of the Eastern Mabden folk.

Then Corum saw something below and he said drily:

`I would advise you to forget the insults to Arioch (я бы посоветовал тебе забыть оскорбления в адрес Ариоха). We appear to be flying over the Thousand League Reef (мы, по-видимому, пролетаем над Тысячемильным Рифом). As I understand it, his domain lies somewhere beyond that (как я понимаю, его владения лежат где-то за ним).

`A fair distance, though (на порядочном расстоянии, однако). I hope the kite brings us down soon (надеюсь, змей вскоре опустит нас на землю).

They reached the coast (они достигли побережья). Corum screwed up his eyes as he tried to make it out (Корум щурил глаза, пытаясь разглядеть его). Some of the time it seemed to consist of water alone — a kind of huge inland sea (некоторое время = то оно, казалось, состояло из одной воды — что-то вроде огромного внутреннего моря) — and some of the time the water vanished completely and only land could be seen (то вода исчезала совсем, и можно было видеть лишь землю). It was shifting all the time (оно перемещалось все время).

`Is that Urde, Sir Hanafax (это Урд, сэр Ганафакс)?

`I would advise you to forget the insults to Arioch. We appear to be flying over the Thousand League Reef. As I understand it, his domain lies somewhere beyond that.

`A fair distance, though. I hope the kite brings us down soon.

They reached the coast. Corum screwed up his eyes as he tried to make it out. Some of the time it seemed to consist of water alone — a kind of huge inland sea — and some of the time the water vanished completely and only land could be seen. It was shifting all the time.

`Is that Urde, Sir Hanafax?

`I think it must be the place «Urde» by its position and appearance (думаю, это должно быть «Урдом», согласно = судя по местоположению и внешнему виду). Unstable matter, Prince Corum, created by the Chaos Lords (изменчивое вещество, принц Корум, созданное Владыками Хаоса).

`The Chaos Lords? I have not heard that term used before (я не слышал, чтобы это выражение употребляли раньше).

`Have you not (разве)? Well, it is their will that rules you (ну, именно их воля управляет тобой = твоей судьбой). Arioch is one of them (Ариох — один из них). Long since there was a war between the forces of Order and the forces of Chaos (давным-давно шла война между силами Порядка и силами Хаоса). The forces of Chaos won and came to dominate the Fifteen Planes (силы Хаоса победили и стали господствовать в Пятнадцати Плоскостях; to win) and, as I understand it, much that lies beyond them (и, как я понимаю, многим, что лежит за их пределами). Some say that Order was defeated completely and all her Gods vanished (некоторые говорят, что Порядок потерпел полное поражение и все его боги исчезли). They say the Cosmic Balance tipped too far in one direction (/еще/ говорят, что Космическое Равновесие склонилось слишком далеко в одну сторону) and that is why there are so many arbitrary events taking place in the world (и поэтому так много случайных событий происходит в мире). They say that once the world was round instead of dish-shaped (говорят, что некогда мир был круглым, а не тарелочный = не плоский, как тарелка; dish-shaped — тарелочный, чашеобразный). It is hard to accept, I agree (согласен, это трудно принять; to accept — принимать, допускать, соглашаться).

appearance [q`pI (q) rqns] Chaos [`keIOs] arbitrary [`RbItrqrI] accept [qk`sept]

`I think it must be the place «Urde» by its position and appearance. Unstable matter, Prince Corum, created by the Chaos Lords.

`The Chaos Lords? I have not heard that term used before.

`Have you not? Well, it is their will that rules you. Arioch is one of them. Long since there was a war between the forces of Order and the forces of Chaos. The forces of Chaos won and came to dominate the Fifteen Planes and, as I understand it, much that lies beyond them. Some say that Order was defeated completely and all her Gods vanished. They say the Cosmic Balance tipped too far in one direction and that is why there are so many arbitrary events taking place in the world. They say that once the world was round instead of dish-shaped. It is hard to accept, I agree.

`Some Vadhagh legends say it was once round (некоторые вадагские легенды /тоже/ говорят, он был однажды круглым).

`Aye. Well, the Vadhagh began their rise just before Order was banished (что же, вадаги начали свой подъем = расцвет как раз до того, как Порядок изгнали). That is why the Sword Rulers hate the old races so much (вот почему Повелители Мечей так ненавидят древние расы). They are not their creation at all (они вообще не являются их творением). But the Great Gods are not allowed to interfere too directly in mortal affairs (но Великим Богам не дозволено вмешиваться /слишком/ прямо в дела смертных), so they have worked through the Mabden, chiefly (поэтому они действуют через мабденов, в основном) …

`Is this the truth (это правда)?

`It is a truth (это относительная правда = возможно), Hanafax shrugged (Ганафакс пожал плечами). `I know other versions of the same tale (я знаю и другие варианты этой истории). But I am inclined to believe this one (но я склонен верить этому).

`These Great Gods — you speak of the Sword Rulers (эти Великие Боги — ты говоришь о Повелителях Мечей)?

interfere [, Intq`fIq] inclined [In`klaInd]

`Some Vadhagh legends say it was once round.

`Aye. Well, the Vadhagh began their rise just before Order was banished. That is why the Sword Rulers hate the old races so much. They are not their creation at all. But the Great Gods are not allowed to interfere too directly in mortal affairs, so they have worked through the Mabden, chiefly…

`Is this the truth?

`It is a truth, Hanafax shrugged. `I know other versions of the same tale. But I am inclined to believe this one.

`These Great Gods — you speak of the Sword Rulers?

`Aye, the Sword Rulers and others (да, о Повелителях Мечей и других). Then there are the Great Old Gods, to whom all the myriad planes of Earth are merely a tiny fragment in a greater mosaic (к тому же, существуют Великие Древние Боги, для которых все бесчисленные плоскости Земли — всего лишь ничтожные кусочки в большой мозаике). Hanafax shrugged. `This is the cosmology I was taught when I was a priest (такой космологии меня обучали, когда я был жрецом). I cannot vouch for its truth (не могу ручаться за ее истинность).

Corum frowned. He looked below and now they were crossing a bleak yellow and brown desert (он посмотрел вниз, теперь они пересекали унылую желто-коричневую пустыню; bleak — незащищенный от ветра; гнетущий, безрадостный). It was the desert called Dhroonhazat and it seemed entirely waterless (это была пустыня под названием Друнхазат, и она казалась совершенно безводной). By an accident of fate he was being borne towards the Knight of the Swords faster than he had expected (по случайности судьбы = благодаря случайности его несло к Рыцарю Мечей быстрее, чем он ожидал).

Or was it an accident of fate (/хотя/, было ли это случайностью)?

myriad [`mIrIqd] cosmology [kOz`mOlqGI] vouch [vauC] desert [`dezqt]

`Aye, the Sword Rulers and others. Then there are the Great Old Gods, to whom all the myriad planes of Earth are merely a tiny fragment in a greater mosaic. Hanafax shrugged. `This is the cosmology I was taught when I was a priest. I cannot vouch for its truth.

Corum frowned. He looked below and now they were crossing a bleak yellow and brown desert. It was the desert called Dhroonhazat and it seemed entirely waterless. By an accident of fate he was being borne towards the Knight of the Swords faster than he had expected.

Or was it an accident of fate?

Now the heat was increasing and the sand below shimmered and danced (теперь жара усиливалась, и песок внизу переливался и прыгал; to dance — танцевать; прыгать, скакать). Hanafax licked his lips (Ганафакс облизал губы).

`We're getting dangerously close to the Flamelands, Prince Corum (мы приближаемся опасно близко к Огненным землям, принц Корум). Look (смотри).

On the horizon Corum saw a thin, flickering line of red light (на горизонте Корум увидел тонкую, дрожащую линию красного света). The sky above it was also tinged red (небо над ней тоже было слегка красным).

The kite sped nearer and the heat increased (воздушный змей подлетал ближе /к огню/, и жара усиливалась; to speed — мчаться, торопиться). To his astonishment, Corum saw that they were approaching a wall of flame (к своему изумлению = с удивлением Корум увидел, что они приближаются к стене огня) that stretched as far as he could see in both directions (которая растянулась на сколько он мог видеть в оба направления = от края до края).

`Hanafax, we shall be burned alive (Ганафакс, мы сгорим заживо), he said softly.

`Aye, it seems likely (да, похоже на то).

`Is there no means of turning this kite of yours (неужели нет средств = нельзя повернуть этого твоего змея)?

danced [dRnst] increased [In`krJst] astonishment [q`stOnISmqnt]

Now the heat was increasing and the sand below shimmered and danced. Hanafax licked his lips. `We're getting dangerously close to the Flamelands, Prince Corum. Look.

On the horizon Corum saw a thin, flickering line of red light. The sky above it was also tinged red.

The kite sped nearer and the heat increased. To his astonishment, Corum saw that they were approaching a wall of flame that stretched as far as he could see in both directions.

`Hanafax, we shall be burned alive, he said softly.

`Aye, it seems likely.

`Is there no means of turning this kite of yours?

`I have tried, in the past (я пытался, в прошлом = раньше). It is not the first time it has taken me away from one danger and into a worse one (это не первый раз, когда он уносит меня от одной опасности к /другой/, худшей) …

The wall of fire was now so close that Corum could feel its direct heat burning his face (огненная стена теперь была так близко, что Корум ощущал, как ее прямой = исходящий от нее жар обжигает его лицо). He heard it rumble and crackle and it seemed to feed on nothing but the air itself (он услышал, как она гремела и потрескивала и, казалось, пожирала лишь один воздух; to feed on — питать; жить за чей-либо счет).

`Such a thing defies nature (подобная вещь нарушает /законы/ природы = это неестественно)! he gasped (проговорил он, задыхаясь).

`Is that not a fair definition of all sorcery (разве это не ясное определение всего колдовства = таковым является все колдовство)? Hanafax said. `This is Chaos work (это работа Хаоса). The disruption of the natural harmony is, after all, their pleasure (нарушение естественной гармонии — это, в конце концов, их развлечение).

`Ah, this sorcery (ох уж это колдовство). It wearies my mind (оно утомляем мой разум = как я от него устал). I cannot grasp its logic (не могу понять его логику; to grasp — схватывать; понимать, усваивать).

definition [, defI`nIS (q) n] harmony [`hRmqnI] grasp [grRsp]

`I have tried, in the past. It is not the first time it has taken me away from one danger and into a worse one…

The wall of fire was now so close that Corum could feel its direct heat burning his face. He heard it rumble and crackle and it seemed to feed on nothing but the air itself.

`Such a thing defies nature! he gasped.

`Is that not a fair definition of all sorcery? Hanafax said. `This is Chaos work. The disruption of the natural harmony is, after all, their pleasure.

`Ah, this sorcery. It wearies my mind. I cannot grasp its logic.

`That is because it has none (это потому, что в нем ее нет). It is arbitrary (оно непостоянно). The Lords of Chaos are the enemies of Logic (Владыки Хаоса — враги Логики), the jugglers of Truth, the moulders of Beauty (искажатели Истины, разрушители Красоты; juggler — фокусник; жонглер; обманщик; to moulder — разрушать/ся/, разлагать/ся/). I should be surprised if they had not created these Flamelands out of some aesthetic impulse (я бы удивился, если бы они не создали эти Огненные земли из некоего эстетического побуждения). Beauty — an ever-changing beauty — is all they live for (красота — вечно меняющаяся красота — все, ради чего они живут).

`An evil beauty (зловещая красота).

`I believe that such notions of «good» and «evil» do not exist for the Chaos Lords (полагаю, что такие понятия, как «добро» и «зло» не существуют для Владык Хаоса).

`I should like to make it exist for them (хотелось бы мне сделать это существующим для них = лучше бы было иначе). Corum mopped his sweating head with his coat sleeve (Корум вытер /пот/ со своей потеющей голову рукавом плаща; to mop — мыть; вытирать /пот, слезы и т. д. /).

`And destroy all their beauty (и уничтожить всю их красоту)?

Corum darted an odd look at Hanafax (Корум бросил странный взгляд на Ганафакса). Was the Mabden on the side of the Knight (неужели этот мабден был на стороне Рыцаря)? Had he, in fact, trapped Corum into accompanying him (неужели он действительно обманом заставил Корума сопровождать себя); to trap into — вовлекать обманом)?

aesthetic [Js`TetIk] beauty [`bjHtI]

`That is because it has none. It is arbitrary. The Lords of Chaos are the enemies of Logic, the jugglers of Truth, the moulders of Beauty. I should be surprised if they had not created these Flamelands out of some aesthetic impulse. Beauty — an ever-changing beauty — is all they live for.

`An evil beauty.

`I believe that such notions of «good» and «evil» do not exist for the Chaos Lords.

`I should like to make it exist for them. Corum mopped his sweating head with his coat sleeve.

`And destroy all their beauty?

Corum darted an odd look at Hanafax. Was the Mabden on the side of the Knight? Had he, in fact, trapped Corum into accompanying him?

`There are other, quieter kinds of beauty, Sir Hanafax (существуют другие, более спокойные виды красоты, сэр Ганафакс).

`True (верно).

Everywhere below them now the flame yelled and leapt (повсюду под ними пламя кричало и прыгало = ревело и поднималось ввысь). The kite began to increase its height as its silk started to smoulder (змей стал набирать высоту, а его шелк начал тлеть). Corum was certain it would soon be destroyed by the fire (Корум был уверен, что его скоро уничтожит огонь) and they would be plunged into the depths of the flame wall (и они упадут в глубины огненной стены = в огненный океан; to plunge into — ввергать/ся/, погружать/ся/).

But now they were above it and, in spite of the silk suddenly springing alive with little fires (но теперь они были над ним, и, несмотря на то, что на шелке вдруг вспыхнули маленькие огоньки; to spring — появляться, выступать, возникать /внезапно/) and Corum feeling he was being roasted in his armour like a turtle in its shell (а Корум чувствовал себя поджареваемым в своих доспехах, словно черепаха в панцире), they now saw the other side of the wall (теперь они видели другую сторону стены).

A piece of the kite fell blazing away (кусок змея отвалился, пылая).

height [haIt] piece [pJs]

`There are other, quieter kinds of beauty, Sir Hanafax.

`True.

Everywhere below them now the flame yelled and leapt. The kite began to increase its height as its silk started to smoulder. Corum was certain it would soon be destroyed by the fire and they would be plunged into the depths of the flame wall.

But now they were above it and, in spite of the silk suddenly springing alive with little fires and Corum feeling he was being roasted in his armour like a turtle in its shell, they now saw the other side of the wall.

A piece of the kite fell blazing away.

Hanafax, his face a bright red, his body running with sweat, clung to a strut and gasped (Ганафакс с ярко-красным лицом и мокрым от пота телом вцепился в распорку и сказал, задыхаясь; to run with sweat — взмокнуть):

`Grasp a beam, Prince Corum (хватайся за перекладину, принц Корум; beam — балка, брус, перекладина)! Grasp a beam!

Corum took hold of one of the beams beneath his body as the burning silk was ripped from the frame and fluttered into the fires below (Корум ухватился за одну из перекладин под своим телом, когда горящий шелк оторвался от каркаса и полетел в огонь внизу; to rip — разрезать, лопать, распарывать/ся/; to flutter — махать крыльями; трепетать, развеваться /на ветру/). The kite dipped and threatened to follow the silk (воздушный змей наклонился и, казалось, вот-вот последует за шелком; to dip — окунать/ся/; наклоняться, опускаться; to threaten — грозить, угрожать). It was losing height rapidly (он стремительно терял высоту). Corum coughed as the burning air entered his lungs (Корум закашлялся, когда обжигающий воздух проник в его легкие). Blisters appeared on his right hand, though his left hand seemed immune (волдыри появились на его правой руке, хотя левая рука казалась неуязвимой; immune — неуязвимый; невосприимчивый, защищенный).

The kite lurched and began to fall (змей накренился и стал падать).

Corum was flung back and forth during the crazy descent (Корума швыряло назад и вперед = из стороны в сторону во время этого сумасшедшего падения; descent — спуск, снижение; падение), but he managed to keep his hold on the strut (но он сумел не выпустить перекладину из рук; to keep hold on — не выпускать из рук, не отдавать).

threatened [Tretnd] coughed [kOft] immune [I`mjHn] descent [dI`sent]

Hanafax, his face a bright red, his body running with sweat, clung to a strut and gasped:

`Grasp a beam, Prince Corum! Grasp a beam!

Corum took hold of one of the beams beneath his body as the burning silk was ripped from the frame and fluttered into the fires below. The kite dipped and threatened to follow the silk. It was losing height rapidly. Corum coughed as the burning air entered his lungs. Blisters appeared on his right hand, though his left hand seemed immune.

The kite lurched and began to fall.

Corum was flung back and forth during the crazy descent, but he managed to keep his hold on the strut.

Then there was a cracking sound, a mighty thump (затем раздался трещащий звук = треск, /последовал/ сильный удар; thump — тяжелый удар; глухой звук /удара/), and he lay amidst the wreckage on a surface of flat obsidian, the wall of flame behind him (и он /обнаружил/, что лежит среди обломков /змея/ на поверхности плоского обсидиана = на ровной поверхности обсидиана, а позади него стена огня).

He raised his bruised body upright (он поднял свое ушибленное тело прямо = весь в синяках, он встал на ноги). It was still unbearably hot and the flames sang close to his back, rising a hundred feet or more into the air (по-прежнему было невыносимо жарко, и пламя гудело за его спиной: «близко к спине», поднимаясь в воздух на сотню или более футов; to sing — петь; гудеть, свистеть). The fused rock on which he stood was green and glistened and reflected the flame, seeming to writhe beneath his feet (оплавленная скала, на которой он стоял, была зеленой; она блестела и отражала пламя, и, казалось, корчилась под его ногами; rock — скала, горная порода; большой камень). A little distance to his left was a sluggish river of molten lava, a few flames fluttering on its surface (недалеко, слева от него, спокойно текла река расплавленной лавы; sluggish river — река со спокойным течением). Everywhere Corum looked was the same shining rock, the same red rivers of fire (повсюду, куда бы ни посмотрел Корум, была такая же блестящая порода и такие же красные реки огня). He inspected the kite (он осмотрел змея). It was completely useless (тот был совершенно бесполезен). Hanafax was lying among its struts cursing it (Ганафакс лежал среди распорок змея, проклиная их). He got up (он поднялся).

wreckage [`rekIG] obsidian [qb`sIdIqn] fused [fjHzd]

Then there was a cracking sound, a mighty thump, and he lay amidst the wreckage on a surface of flat obsidian, the wall of flame behind him.

He raised his bruised body upright. It was still unbearably hot and the flames sang close to his back, rising a hundred feet or more into the air. The fused rock on which he stood was green and glistened and reflected the flame, seeming to writhe beneath his feet. A little distance to his left was a sluggish river of molten lava, a few flames fluttering on its surface. Everywhere Corum looked was the same shining rock, the same red rivers of fire. He inspected the kite. It was completely useless. Hanafax was lying among its struts cursing it. He got up.

`Well (что ж), he kicked at the blackened, broken frame (он пнул почерневший сломанный каркас), `you'll never fly me into any more dangers (ты никогда больше не занесешь меня ни в какие опасности)!

`I think this danger is all we need (думаю, эта опасность — все, что нам нужно = нам хватит и этой передряги), Corum said. `It could be the last one we'll ever face (эта, возможно, последняя, с которой мы столкнемся = в нашей жизни).

Hanafax picked up his sword-belt from the wreckage and tied it round his shoulders (Ганафакс поднял свою портупею из обломков и обвязал/закрепил ее вокруг плеч).

`Aye, I think you could speak truth, Prince Corum (да, думаю, ты говоришь правду = ты прав, принц Корум). A poor place to meet one's end, eh (скверное место, чтобы встретить смерть/погибнуть, да)?

`According to some Mabden legends (согласно некоторым мабденским легендам), Corum said, `We might already have met our ends and been consigned here (мы, возможно, уже погибли и отправлены сюда; to consign — передавать; отправлять, посылать). Are not certain Mabden netherworlds said to be made of eternally burning flame (разве не правда, /что/ мабденское царство мертвых, говорят, состоит из вечно пылающего огня; netherworld — ад, преисподняя, царство мертвых; certain — точный, определенный; известный)?

Hanafax snorted (Ганафакс фыркнул).

`In the East, perhaps (на востоке, возможно, /и говорят/). Well, we cannot go back, so I suppose we must go forward (итак, мы не можем вернуться, поэтому, полагаю, мы должны идти вперед).

netherworld [`neDqwq: ld] eternally [I`tq: n (q) lI]

`Well, he kicked at the blackened, broken frame, `you'll never fly me into any more dangers!

`I think this danger is all we need, Corum said. `It could be the last one we'll ever face.

Hanafax picked up his sword-belt from the wreckage and tied it round his shoulders.

`Aye, I think you could speak truth, Prince Corum. A poor place to meet one's end, eh?

`According to some Mabden legends, Corum said, `We might already have met our ends and been consigned here. Are not certain Mabden netherworlds said to be made of eternally burning flame?

Hanafax snorted.

`In the East, perhaps. Well, we cannot go back, so I suppose we must go forward.

`I was told that an Ice Wilderness lay towards the North (мне сказали, что Ледяная пустыня лежит к северу), Corum said. `Though how it does not melt being so near to the Flamelands, I do not know (хотя как она не растаяла, находясь так близко к Огненным землям, я не знаю).

`Another quirk of the Lords of Chaos, doubtless (еще одна шутка Владык Хаоса, несомненно; quirk — причуда, каприз; выходка, случайность).

`Doubtless.

They began to make their way over the slippery rock that burned their feet with every step (они начали делать свой путь = пошли по скользкой скале, которая обжигала их ноги с каждым шагом), leaving the wall of flame behind them, leaping over rivulets of lava (оставляя позади стену огня, перепрыгивая через ручейки лавы), moving so slowly and so circuitously that they were soon exhausted and paused to rest (двигаясь так медленно и окольными /путями/, что вскоре утомились и остановились отдохнуть), look back at the distant flame wall, mop their brows, exchange daunted looks (оглянулись на далекую огненную стену, вытерли пот со лба и обменялись обескураженными взглядами). Thirst now plagued them and their voices were hoarse (жажда мучила их, и их голоса были хриплыми; to plague — зачумлять; беспокоить, мучить).

`I think we are doomed, Prince Corum (думаю, мы обречены, принц Корум).

quirk [kwq: k] rivulet [`rIvjulIt] circuitously [sq: `kjHItqslI] daunted [`dLntId] plagued [pleIgd]

`I was told that an Ice Wilderness lay towards the North, Corum said. `Though how it does not melt being so near to the Flamelands, I do not know.

`Another quirk of the Lords of Chaos, doubtless.

`Doubtless.

They began to make their way over the slippery rock that burned their feet with every step, leaving the wall of flame behind them, leaping over rivulets of lava, moving so slowly and so circuitously that they were soon exhausted and paused to rest, look back at the distant flame wall, mop their brows, exchange daunted looks. Thirst now plagued them and their voices were hoarse.

`I think we are doomed, Prince Corum.

Corum nodded wearily (Корум кивнул устало). He looked up (он посмотрел вверх). Red clouds boiled above, like a dome of fire (красные облака кипели вверху, словно купол огня). It seemed that all the world burned (казалось, что весь мир пылает).

`Have you no spells for bringing on rain, Sir Hanafax (разве у тебя нет заклинаний для вызывания дождя, сэр Ганафакс)?

`I regret not (к сожалению, нет). We priests scorn such primitive tricks (мы, жрецы, презираем подобные примитивные фокусы).

`Useful tricks (полезные фокусы). Sorcerers seem to enjoy only the spectacular (похоже, колдунам нравится только эффектные /зрелища/).

`I am afraid it is so (боюсь, что так). Hanafax sighed (вздохнул). `What about your own powers (как насчет твоего собственного могущества)? Can you not (не можешь ли ты), he shuddered (он содрогнулся), `summon some kind of aid from whatever netherworld it is your horrid allies came (призвать = попросить о какой-нибудь помощи из царства мертвых, откуда твои ужасные союзники/помощники приходили)?

spectacular [spek`txkjulq] allies [`xlaIz]

Corum nodded wearily. He looked up. Red clouds boiled above, like a dome of fire. It seemed that all the world burned.

`Have you no spells for bringing on rain, Sir Hanafax?

`I regret not. We priests scorn such primitive tricks.

`Useful tricks. Sorcerers seem to enjoy only the spectacular.

`I am afraid it is so. Hanafax sighed. `What about your own powers? Can you not, he shuddered, `summon some kind of aid from whatever netherworld it is your horrid allies came?

`I fear those allies are only useful in battle (боюсь, эти помощники полезны только в битве). I have no true conception of what they are or why they come (у меня нет точного понимания = я плохо представляю, кто они и почему приходят). I have come to believe that the sorcerer who fitted me with this hand and eye had no clearer idea himself (я стал думать, что колдун, который снабдил меня этой рукой и глазом, сам толком не знал). His work was something of an experiment, it seems (кажется, /этот/ его поступок был вроде опыта).

`You have noticed, I take it, that the sun does not appear to set in the Flamelands (ты заметил, полагаю, что солнце, похоже, /никогда/ не заходит в Огненных землях). We can expect no night to come to relieve us (мы не можем ждать, что = вряд ли наступит ночь и облегчит наши /страдания/; to relieve — помогать; ослаблять, облегчать).

Corum was about to reply when he saw something move a rise of black obsidian a short distance away (Корум собирался ответить, когда увидел, как что-то двинулось на холме из черного обсидиана недалеко).

`Hush, Sir Hanafax (тихо, сэр Ганафакс) …

conception [kqn`sepS (q) n] experiment [Ik`sperImqnt]

`I fear those allies are only useful in battle. I have no true conception of what they are or why they come. I have come to believe that the sorcerer who fitted me with this hand and eye had no clearer idea himself. His work was something of an experiment, it seems.

`You have noticed, I take it, that the sun does not appear to set in the Flamelands. We can expect no night to come to relieve us.

Corum was about to reply when he saw something move a rise of black obsidian a short distance away.

`Hush, Sir Hanafax…

Hanafax peered through the smoky heat (Ганафакс всмотрелся в дымную жару = даль).

`What is it (что это)?

And then they revealed themselves (и тут показались они).

There were about a score of them, mounted on beasts whose bodies were covered in thick, scaly skin resembling plate armour (около двадцати их = воинов, сидевших на животных, чьи тела были покрыты толстой, чешуйчатой кожей, напоминавшей пластинчатые доспехи). They had four short legs and cloven feet (у них были четыре короткие лапы и раздвоенные копыта; foot — ступня; лапа), a crest of horns jutted on heads and snouts and small, red eyes gleamed at them (рога на голове и носу и маленькие красные глаза, /смотревшие/ на них, сверкая; crest — гребень, гребешок; snout — рыло, морда; выступ; to jut — выдаваться, выступать). The riders were covered from head to foot in red garments of some shining material which hid even their faces and hands (наездники были закутаны с головы до ног в красные одеяния из какого-то сверкающего материала, которые скрывали даже их лица и руки). They had long, barbed lances for weapons (у них были длинные, зазубренные копья в качестве оружия).

snout [snaut] barbed [bRbd] lance [lRns] weapon [`wepqn]

Hanafax peered through the smoky heat.

`What is it?

And then they revealed themselves.

There were about a score of them, mounted on beasts whose bodies were covered in thick, scaly skin resembling plate armour. They had four short legs and cloven feet, a crest of horns jutted on heads and snouts and small, red eyes gleamed at them. The riders were covered from head to foot in red garments of some shining material which hid even their faces and hands. They had long, barbed lances for weapons.

Silently, they surrounded Corum and Hanafax (они молча окружили Корума и Ганафакса).

For a few moments there was silence, and then one of the riders spoke (несколько мгновений = некоторое время стояла тишина, потом один из наездников заговорил).

`What do you in our Flamelands, strangers (что делаете вы в наших Огненных землях, чужестранцы)?

`We are not here from choice (мы здесь не по своему выбору), replied Corum (ответил Корум). `An accident brought us to your country (случайность привела нас в вашу страну; accident — несчастный случай, авария; случай, случайность; to bring). We are peaceful (мы мирные).

`You are not peaceful. You bear swords (у вас мечи).

`We did not know there were any inhabitants to these lands (мы не знали, что в этих землях кто-то живет; inhabitant — житель, обитатель), Hanafax said. `We seek help (мы ищем = нам нужна помощь). We wish to leave (мы желаем уйти /отсюда/).

accident [`xksId (q) nt] country [`kAntrI]

Silently, they surrounded Corum and Hanafax.

For a few moments there was silence, and then one of the riders spoke.

`What do you in our Flamelands, strangers?

`We are not here from choice, replied Corum. `An accident brought us to your country. We are peaceful.

`You are not peaceful. You bear swords.

`We did not know there were any inhabitants to these lands, Hanafax said. `We seek help. We wish to leave.

`None may leave the Flamelands save to suffer a mighty doom (никто не может покинуть Огненные земли, кроме как пройдя страшное испытание; to suffer — страдать, испытывать, переживать; mighty — могучий, сильный). The voice was sonorous, even sad (голос был звонкий, даже печальный). `There is only one gateway and that is through the Lion's Mouth (есть только один выход — через Пасть Льва; gateway — ворота; вход, выход).

`Can we not (а не можем ли мы) …?

The riders began to close in (наездники начали окружать их; to close in — приближаться; окружать). Corum and Hanafax drew their swords (Корум и Ганафакс вытащили мечи).

`Well, Prince Corum, it seems we are to die (что ж, принц Корум, похоже, мы умрем).

Corum's face was grim (лицо Корума было мрачным/грозным). He pushed up his eye patch (он сдвинул наверх глазную повязку). For a moment his vision clouded and then he saw into the netherworld once again (на мгновение его зрение затуманилось, затем он снова увидел преисподнюю; to see into — всматриваться; проникать взором о что-либо). He wondered for a moment if it would not be better to die at the hands of the Flameland dwellers (на миг он усомнился, не лучше ли умереть от рук обитателей Огненных земель) but now he was looking at a cavern in which tall figures stood as if frozen (но вот он /уже/ смотрел на пещеру, в которой высокие фигуры стояли, словно замороженные). With a shock Corum recognised them as the dead warriors of the Ragha-da-Kheta (с потрясением Корум узнал в них мертвых воинов рага-да-кета), their wounds now bloodless, their eyes glazed (их раны теперь были бескровны, их глаза остекленели), their clothes and armour torn, their weapons still in their hands (одежда была порвана, доспехи пробиты, а их оружие по-прежнему в руках; to tear — рвать/ся/, разрывать/ся/; пробивать, ломать). They began to move towards him as his hand stretched out to summon them (они начали двигаться к нему, когда его рука протянулась, чтобы призвать их).

cavern [`kxvqn] recognised [`rekqgnaIzd]

`None may leave the Flamelands save to suffer a mighty doom. The voice was sonorous, even sad. `There is only one gateway and that is through the Lion's Mouth.

`Can we not…?

The riders began to close in. Corum and Hanafax drew their swords.

`Well, Prince Corum, it seems we are to die.

Corum's face was grim. He pushed up his eye patch. For a moment his vision clouded and then he saw into the netherworld once again. He wondered for a moment if it would not be better to die at the hands of the Flameland dwellers but now he was looking at a cavern in which tall figures stood as if frozen. With a shock Corum recognised them as the dead warriors of the Ragha-da-Kheta, their wounds now bloodless, their eyes glazed, their clothes and armour torn, their weapons still in their hands. They began to move towards him as his hand stretched out to summon them.

`NO! These, too, are my enemies (это тоже мои враги)! Corum shouted (закричал Корум).

Hanafax, unable to see what Corum saw, turned his head in astonishment (Ганафакс, не способный видеть /то/, что Корум видел, обернулся: «повернул голову» в изумлении).

The dead warriors came on (мертвые воины продолжали идти). The scene behind them faded (вид позади них исчез). They materialised on the obsidian rock of the Flamelands (они материализовались на обсидиановой скале Огненных земель).

Corum backed away, gesticulating wildly (Корум попятился, дико размахивая руками). The Flameland warriors drew their mounts to a stop in surprise (воины Огненных земель удивленно осадили своих животных). Hanafax's face was a mask of fear (лицо Ганафакса было маской страха = исказилось от ужаса).

`No! I…

shouted [`SautId] gesticulating [Ge`stIkjuleItIN]

`NO! These, too, are my enemies! Corum shouted.

Hanafax, unable to see what Corum saw, turned his head in astonishment.

The dead warriors came on. The scene behind them faded. They materialised on the obsidian rock of the Flamelands.

Corum backed away, gesticulating wildly. The Flameland warriors drew their mounts to a stop in surprise. Hanafax's face was a mask of fear.

`No! I…

From the lips of the dead King Temgol-Lep came a whispering voice (с губ мертвого короля Темгол-Лепа слетел шепот).

`We serve you, master (мы служим тебе, повелитель). Will you give us our prizes (дашь ли ты нам нашу награду)?

Corum controlled himself (Корум взял себя в руки). Slowly, he nodded (медленно он кивнул).

`Aye (да). You may take your prizes (можете взять свою награду).

The long-limbed warriors turned to face the mounted warriors of the Flamelands (длинноногие и длиннорукие воины повернулись лицом к конным воинам Огненных земель; to face — стоять лицом к; сталкиваться лицом к лицу). The beasts snorted and tried to move back but were forced to stand their ground by their riders (животные зафыркали и пытались пятиться, но их наездники заставили их оставаться на месте). There were about fifty of the Ragha-da-Kheta (было около пятидесяти /воинов/ рага-да-кета). Dividing into groups of two or three, their clawed clubs raised (разделяясь на группы по двое и по трое, подняв свои когтевидные дубинки), they flung themselves at the mounted beings (они бросились на всадников).

From the lips of the dead King Temgol-Lep came a whispering voice.

`We serve you, master. Will you give us our prizes?

Corum controlled himself. Slowly, he nodded.

`Aye. You may take your prizes.

The long-limbed warriors turned to face the mounted warriors of the Flamelands. The beasts snorted and tried to move back but were forced to stand their ground by their riders. There were about fifty of the Ragha-da-Kheta. Dividing into groups of two or three, their clawed clubs raised, they flung themselves at the mounted beings.

Barbed lances came up and stabbed down at the Ragha-da-Kheta (зазубренные копья взметнулись и пронзили /воинов/ рага-да-кета; to come up — подниматься, повышаться; to stab — наносить удар /острым оружием/). Many were struck, but it did not deter them (многих поразили /эти копья/, но это их не остановило; to deter — удерживать; отпугивать; останавливать). They began to drag the struggling riders from their saddles (они принялись стаскивать отбивавшихся всадников с седел).

Pale-faced, Corum watched (бледный: «бледнолицый», Корум наблюдал). He knew now that he was consigning the Flamelands warriors to the same nether world from which he had summoned the Ragha-da-Kheta (он понимал теперь, что отправляет воинов Огненных земель в ту же преисподнюю, из которой он вызвал рага-да-кета). And his actions had sent the Ragha-da-Kheta to that netherworld in the first place (его действия отправили рага-да-кета в тот мир изначально = раньше).

On the gleaming rock, around which ran rivers of red rock, the ghastly battle continued (на блестящей скале, вокруг которой текли реки красного камня = лавы, продолжалась ужасная битва). The clawed clubs ripped the cloaks from the riders, revealing a people whose faces were familiar (когтевидные дубинки срывали плащи с всадников, открывая людей, чьи лица были знакомы).

`Stop! Corum cried. `Stop! That is enough (довольно). Kill no more (больше не убивайте)!

ghastly [`gRstlI] familiar [fq`mIlIq]

Barbed lances came up and stabbed down at the Ragha-da-Kheta. Many were struck, but it did not deter them. They began to drag the struggling riders from their saddles.

Pale-faced, Corum watched. He knew now that he was consigning the Flamelands warriors to the same nether world from which he had summoned the Ragha-da-Kheta. And his actions had sent the Ragha-da-Kheta to that netherworld in the first place.

On the gleaming rock, around which ran rivers of red rock, the ghastly battle continued. The clawed clubs ripped the cloaks from the riders, revealing a people whose faces were familiar.

`Stop! Corum cried. `Stop! That is enough. Kill no more!

Temgol-Lep turned his glazed eyes on Corum (Темгол-Леп обратил свое остекленевшие глаза на Корума). The dead king had a barbed spear sticking completely through his body (тело мертвого короля пробило насквозь зазубренное копье), but he seemed unaware of it (но, казалось, он и не подозревал об этом). His dead lips moved (его мертвые губы шевельнулись).

`These are our prizes, master. We cannot stop (мы не можем остановиться).

`But they are Vadhagh! They are like me (они такие же, как я)! They are my own people (это мой народ)!

Hanafax put an arm on Corum's shoulder (Ганафакс положил Коруму руку на плечо).

`They are all dead now, Prince Corum (теперь они все мертвы, принц Корум).

Sobbing, Corum ran towards the corpses, inspecting the faces (рыдая, Корум побежал к трупам, заглядывая в их лица). They had the same long skulls, the same huge, almond eyes, the same tapering ears (у них были такие же удлиненные черепа, такие же огромные миндалевидные глаза, такие же сужающиеся уши).

Temgol-Lep turned his glazed eyes on Corum. The dead king had a barbed spear sticking completely through his body, but he seemed unaware of it. His dead lips moved.

`These are our prizes, master. We cannot stop.

`But they are Vadhagh! They are like me! They are my own people!

Hanafax put an arm on Corum's shoulder.

`They are all dead now, Prince Corum.

Sobbing, Corum ran towards the corpses, inspecting the faces. They had the same long skulls, the same huge, almond eyes, the same tapering ears.

`How came Vadhagh here (как вадаги попали сюда)? Hanafax murmured (прошептал Ганафакс).

Now Temgol-Lep was dragging one of the corpses away, aided by two of his minions (Темгол-Леп утаскивал один из трупов, ему помогали двое /из/ его слуг; minion — любимец, фаворит; ставленник). The scaled beasts scattered, some of them splashing through the lava uncaringly (покрытые чешуей животные бросились врассыпную, некоторые бежали по лаве небрежно; to splash — брызгать/ся/, плескать/ся/; шлепать /по лужам, воде и т. д. /).

Through the Eye of Rhynn, Corum saw the Ragha-da-Kheta pull the corpses into their cave (Глазом Ринна Корум видел, как рага-да-кета втаскивают трупы в свою пещеру). With a shudder, he replaced the eye patch (содрогнувшись, он вернул на место глазную повязку). Save for a few weapons and tatters of armour and clothing (за исключением оружия, кусков доспехов и клочьев одежды; tatter — клочья, лохмотья; развалины), save for the disappearing mounts, nothing remained of the Vadhagh of the Flamelands (кроме исчезающих = разбегающихся ездовых животных, ничего не осталось от вадагов Огненных земель).

`I have destroyed my own folk (я уничтожил собственный народ)! Corum screamed (вскричал Корум). `I have consigned them to a frightful doom in that nether world (я отправил = обрек их на ужасную судьбу в том мире мертвых)!

minion [`mInIqn] disappearing [, dIsq`pIqrIN]

`How came Vadhagh here? Hanafax murmured.

Now Temgol-Lep was dragging one of the corpses away, aided by two of his minions. The scaled beasts scattered, some of them splashing through the lava uncaringly.

Through the Eye of Rhynn, Corum saw the Ragha-da-Kheta pull the corpses into their cave. With a shudder, he replaced the eye patch. Save for a few weapons and tatters of armour and clothing, save for the disappearing mounts, nothing remained of the Vadhagh of the Flamelands.

`I have destroyed my own folk! Corum screamed. `I have consigned them to a frightful doom in that nether world!

`Sorcery has a way of recoiling suddenly upon its user (колдовство имеет особенность обращаться внезапно против того, кто его использует; to recoil — отскакивать, отлетать; возвращаться рикошетом /о злых поступках/), Hanafax said quietly. `It is an arbitrary power, as I said (это непостоянная/капризная сила, как я говорил).

Corum wheeled on Hanafax (Корум повернулся к Ганафаксу).

`Stop your prattling, Mabden (хватит болтать, мабден; to prattle — лепетать; болтать)! Do you not realise what I have done (неужели ты не осознаешь, что я наделал)?

Hanafax nodded soberly (Ганафакс кивнул серьезно; sober — трезвый, рассудительный).

`Aye. But it is done, is it not (но это сделано, не так ли)? Our lives are saved (наши жизни спасены).

`Now I add fratricide to my crimes (теперь я добавил братоубийство к своим преступлениям). Corum fell to his knees, dropping his sword on the rock (Корум упул на колени, роняя меч на скалу). And he wept (и заплакал; to weep).

fratricide [`frxtrIsaId] knee [nJ]

`Sorcery has a way of recoiling suddenly upon its user, Hanafax said quietly. `It is an arbitrary power, as I said.

Corum wheeled on Hanafax.

`Stop your prattling, Mabden! Do you not realise what I have done?

Hanafax nodded soberly.

`Aye. But it is done, is it not? Our lives are saved.

`Now I add fratricide to my crimes. Corum fell to his knees, dropping his sword on the rock. And he wept.

`Who weeps (кто плачет)?

It was a woman's voice (это был женский голос). A sad voice (печальный голос).

`Who weeps for Cira-an-Venl, the Lands That Are Now Flame (кто оплакивает Кира-ан-Венл, Земли, которые теперь огонь = стали огнем)? Who remembers her sweet meadows and her fair hills (кто вспоминает ее душистые луга и прекрасные холмы)?

Corum raised his head and got to his feet (Корум поднял голову и встал на ноги). Hanafax was already staring at the apparition on the rock above them (Ганафакс уже пристально смотрел на это видение, /возникшее/ на скале над ними; apparition — видение; привидение).

`Who weeps, there?

meadow [`medqu] apparition [, xpq`rIS (q) n]

`Who weeps?

It was a woman's voice. A sad voice.

`Who weeps for Cira-an-Venl, the Lands That Are Now Flame? Who remembers her sweet meadows and her fair hills?

Corum raised his head and got to his feet. Hanafax was already staring at the apparition on the rock above them.

`Who weeps, there?

The woman was old (женщина была старой). Her face was handsome and grim and white and lined (ее лицо было привлекательным и суровым, бледным и морщинистым). Her grey hair swirled about her and she was dressed in a red cloak such as the warriors had worn, mounted on a similar horned beast (седые волосы завивались; она была одета в красный плащ, такой, что носили воины, и сидела верхом на таком же рогатом животном). She was a Vadhagh woman and very frail (она была вадагской женщиной, /к тому же/ очень хрупкой). Where her eyes had been were white, filmy pools of pain (/там/, где были /раньше/ ее глаза, /теперь находились/ белые, подернутые дымкой озера боли; filmy — покрытый пленкой; подернутый дымкой; pool — лужа; прудок, омут; бассейн).

`I am Corum Jhaelen Irsei, lady. Why are you blind (почему ты слепа)?

`I am blind through choice (я слепа по /своему собственному/ выбору). Rather than witness what had become of my land, I plucked my eyes from my head (вместо того, чтобы видеть, что стало с моей страной, я вырвала свои глаза). I am Oorese, Queen of Cira-an-Venl, and my people number twenty (я Оорес, королева Кира-ан-Венла, а моих подданных /лишь/ двадцать; to number — нумеровать; насчитывать).

Corum's lips were dry (губы Корума были сухими = пересохли).

The woman was old. Her face was handsome and grim and white and lined. Her grey hair swirled about her and she was dressed in a red cloak such as the warriors had worn, mounted on a similar horned beast. She was a Vadhagh woman and very frail. Where her eyes had been were white, filmy pools of pain.

`I am Corum Jhaelen Irsei, lady. Why are you blind?

`I am blind through choice. Rather than witness what had become of my land, I plucked my eyes from my head. I am Oorese, Queen of Cira-an-Venl, and my people number twenty.

Corum's lips were dry.

`I have slain your people, lady (я убил твоих подданных, госпожа). That is why I weep (поэтому я плачу).

Her face did not alter (/выражение/ ее лица не изменилось).

`They were doomed (они были обречены), she said, `to die (на смерть). It is better that they are dead (лучше, что они погибли). I thank you, stranger, for releasing them (благодарю тебя, чужестранец, /за то/, что освободил их). Perhaps you would care to release me also (может быть, ты захочешь освободить и меня тоже; to care — заботиться, беспокоиться; иметь желание). I only live so that the memory of Cira-an-Venl may live (я живу лишь для того, чтобы могла = продолжала жить память о Кира-ан-Венле). She paused.

`Why do you use a Vedragh name (почему ты используешь ведрагское имя)?

`I am of the Vadhagh — the Vedragh, as you call them (я из /племени/ вадагов — ведрагов, как ты их называешь) — I am from the lands far to the South (я из земель, /лежащих/ далеко к югу).

alter [`Lltq] release [rI`lJs] South [sauT]

`I have slain your people, lady. That is why I weep.

Her face did not alter.

`They were doomed, she said, `to die. It is better that they are dead. I thank you, stranger, for releasing them. Perhaps you would care to release me also. I only live so that the memory of Cira-an-Venl may live. She paused.

`Why do you use a Vedragh name?

`I am of the Vadhagh — the Vedragh, as you call them — I am from the lands far to the South.

`So Vedragh did go South (значит, ведраги действительно пошли на юг). And is their land sweet (красива ли их страна; sweet — сладкий, приятный; миловидный)?

`It is very sweet.

`And are you folk happy, Prince Corum in the Scarlet Robe (а счастлив ли твой народ, принц Корум а Алом Плаще)?

`They are dead, Queen Oorese (они мертвы, королева Оорес). They are dead.

`All dead, then, now? Save you (кроме тебя)?

`And save yourself, my queen (и кроме тебя, моя королева).

A smile touched her lips (улыбка тронула ее губы).

`So Vedragh did go South. And is their land sweet?

`It is very sweet.

`And are you folk happy, Prince Corum in the Scarlet Robe?

`They are dead, Queen Oorese. They are dead.

`All dead, then, now? Save you?

`And save yourself, my queen.

A smile touched her lips.

`He said we should all die, wherever we were, on whichever plane we existed (он сказал, мы все должны умереть, где бы мы ни были, в какой бы плоскости ни существовали). But there was another prophecy — that when we died, so did he (но было и другое пророчество — когда мы умрем, умрет и он). He chose to ignore it, as I remember (он решил не заметить его, насколько я помню).

`Who said that, lady (кто сказал это, госпожа)?

`The Knight of the Swords. Duke Arioch of Chaos (Герцог Ариох Хаоса). He who inherited these five planes for his part in that long-ago battle between Order and Chaos (тот, кто унаследовал эти пять плоскостей в качестве своей доли после той давней битвы между Порядком и Хаосом). Who came here and willed that smooth rock cover our pretty hills (/тот/, кто пришел сюда и пожелал, чтобы эта гладкая скала = камни покрыли наши прекрасные холмы), that boiling lava run in our gentle streams (чтобы кипящая лава текла в наших тихих ручьях; stream — поток; река, ручей), that flame spring where green forests had been (чтобы пламя возникло /там/, где были зеленые леса). Duke Arioch, prince, made that prediction (Герцог Ариох, принц, сделал то предсказание). But, before he departed to the place of his banishment, Lord Arkyn made another (но, прежде чем отправиться в место своего изгнания/ссылки, лорд Аркин сделал другое /предсказание/).

prophecy [`prOfIsI] prediction [prI`dIkS (q) n]

`He said we should all die, wherever we were, on whichever plane we existed. But there was another prophecy — that when we died, so did he. He chose to ignore it, as I remember.

`Who said that, lady?

`The Knight of the Swords. Duke Arioch of Chaos. He who inherited these five planes for his part in that long-ago battle between Order and Chaos. Who came here and willed that smooth rock cover our pretty hills, that boiling lava run in our gentle streams, that flame spring where green forests had been. Duke Arioch, prince, made that prediction. But, before he departed to the place of his banishment, Lord Arkyn made another.

`Lord Arkyn?

`Lord of Law, who ruled here before Arioch ousted him (Владыка Закона, который правил здесь до того, как Ариох изгнал его; to oust — выгонять, занимать чье-либо место; свергать). He said that by destroying the old races, he would destroy his own power over the five planes (он сказал, что, уничтожая древние расы, он уничтожит свою власть над пятью плоскостями).

`A pleasant wish (славное желание = неплохо сказано), murmured Hanafax, `but I doubt if that is true (но сомневаюсь, что это правда).

`Perhaps we do deceive ourselves with happy lies, you who speak with the accent of a Mabden (возможно, мы обманываем себя радостной ложью, ты, говорящий с акцентом мабденов). But then you do not know what we know, for you are Arioch's children (но ведь ты не знаешь /того/, что знаем мы, ибо вы — дети Ариоха).

Hanafax drew himself up Ганафакс выпрямился).

`His children we may be, Queen Oorese, but his slaves we are not (может, мы и дети Ариоха, королева Оорес, но мы не его рабы). I am here because I defied Arioch's will (я здесь потому, что воспротивился воле Ариоха; to defy — бросать вызов, сопротивляться; игнорировать).

ousted [`austId] deceive [dI`sJv]

`Lord Arkyn?

`Lord of Law, who ruled here before Arioch ousted him. He said that by destroying the old races, he would destroy his own power over the five planes.

`A pleasant wish, murmured Hanafax, `but I doubt if that is true.

`Perhaps we do deceive ourselves with happy lies, you who speak with the accent of a Mabden. But then you do not know what we know, for you are Arioch's children.

Hanafax drew himself up.

`His children we may be, Queen Oorese, but his slaves we are not. I am here because I defied Arioch's will.

Again she smiled her sad smile (снова она улыбнулась своей печальной улыбкой).

`And some say that the Vedragh doom was of their own doing (некоторые говорят, что судьба ведрагов была /результатом/ их собственных деяний). That they fought the Nhadragh and so defied Lord Arkyn's scheme of things (что они воевали с надрагами и тем самым нарушили /установленный/ лордом Аркином порядок вещей; scheme — план, схема; структура, принцип).

`The gods are vengeful (боги мстительны), Hanafax murmured (прошептал Ганафакс).

`But I am vengeful, too, Sir Mabden (но я тоже мстительна, господин мабден), the queen said.

`Because we killed your warriors (потому что мы убили твоих воинов)?

She waved an ancient hand in a gesture of dismissal (она махнула старой рукой в жесте отказа = пренебрежительно; dismissal — роспуск; освобождение /от неприятных мыслей и т. д. /; увольнение).

scheme [skJm] vengeful [`venGfql] ancient [`eInS (q) nt]

Again she smiled her sad smile.

`And some say that the Vedragh doom was of their own doing. That they fought the Nhadragh and so defied Lord Arkyn's scheme of things.

`The gods are vengeful, Hanafax murmured.

`But I am vengeful, too, Sir Mabden, the queen said.

`Because we killed your warriors?

She waved an ancient hand in a gesture of dismissal.

`No. They attacked you (они /первыми/ напали на вас). You defended yourselves (вы защищались). That is what that is (это естественно). I speak of Duke Arioch and his whim (я говорю о Герцоге Ариохе и его капризе) — the whim that turned a beautiful land into this dreadful wasteland of eternal flame (капризе, который превратил прекрасную страну в эту ужасную пустошь, /горящую/ вечным пламенем).

`You would be revenged, then, on Duke Arioch (значит, за тебя мстили Герцогу Ариоху)? Corum said.

`My people once numbered hundreds (когда-то /у меня/ были сотни подданных). One after the other I sent them through the Lion's Mouth to destroy the Knight of the Swords (одного за другим я посылала их через Пасть Льва, чтобы уничтожить Рыцаря Мечей; to send). None did so (ни один этого не сделал). None returned (ни один не вернулся).

`What is the Lion's Mouth (что такое Пасть Льва)? Hanafax asked. `We heard it was the only escape from the Flamelands (мы слышали, это единственный выход из Огненных земель).

`It is (это так). And it is no escape (это не выход). Those who survive the passage through the Lion's Mouth do not survive what lies beyond it — the palace of Duke Arioch himself (те, кто уцелеют, /пройдя/ через Пасть Льва, не преодолеют того, что лежит за ней — дворец самого Герцога Ариоха; to survive — пережить, выдержать; остаться в живых, уцелеть).

beautiful [`bjHtIf (q) l] beyond [bI`jOnd]

`No. They attacked you. You defended yourselves. That is what that is. I speak of Duke Arioch and his whim — the whim that turned a beautiful land into this dreadful wasteland of eternal flame.

`You would be revenged, then, on Duke Arioch? Corum said.

`My people once numbered hundreds. One after the other I sent them through the Lion's Mouth to destroy the Knight of the Swords. None did so. None returned.

`What is the Lion's Mouth? Hanafax asked. `We heard it was the only escape from the Flamelands.

`It is. And it is no escape. Those who survive the passage through the Lion's Mouth do not survive what lies beyond it — the palace of Duke Arioch himself.

`Can none survive (/неужели/ никто не может выжить)?

The Blind Queen's face turned towards the rosy sky (лицо слепой королевы обратилось к розовому небу).

`Only a great hero, Prince in the Scarlet Robe (только великий герой, Принц в Алом Плаще). Only a great hero.

`Once the Vadhagh had no belief in heroes and such (когда-то вадаги не верили в героев и тому подобные /вещи/), Corum said bitterly (горько сказал Корум).

She nodded (она кивнула).

`I remember (я помню). But then they needed no beliefs of that kind (но тогда им не нужны были верования = не нужно было верить в такое).

Corum was silent for a moment (Корум помолчал минуту). Then he said:

`Where is the Lion's Mouth, queen (где находится Пасть Льва, королева)?

`I will lead you to it, Prince Corum (я отведу тебя к ней, принц Корум).

hero [`hI (q) rqu] belief [bI`lJf] queen [kwJn]

`Can none survive?

The Blind Queen's face turned towards the rosy sky.

`Only a great hero, Prince in the Scarlet Robe. Only a great hero.

`Once the Vadhagh had no belief in heroes and such, Corum said bitterly.

She nodded.

`I remember. But then they needed no beliefs of that kind.

Corum was silent for a moment. Then he said:

`Where is the Lion's Mouth, queen?

`I will lead you to it, Prince Corum.