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

CHAPTER FIVE (глава пятая) Through the Lion's Mouth (через Пасть Льва)

The Queen gave them water from the cask that rested behind her saddle (королева дала им воды из бочонка, лежавшего позади ее седла; to rest — покоиться, лежать) and called up two of the lumbering mounts for Corum and Hanafax to ride (и подозвала двух неуклюжих животных, чтобы Корум и Ганафакс /могли/ ехать на них верхом). They climbed on to the beasts, clasped the reins (они вскарабкались на животных, схватили поводья), and then began to follow her over the black and green obsidian slabs, between the rivers of flame (затем последовали за ней по черным и зеленым обсидиановым плитам, между реками огня).

Though blind, she guided her beast skillfully, and she talked all the while of what had been here, what had grown there (несмотря на то, что она была слепой, королева умело управляла своим зверем и рассказывала все время о том, что было здесь, что росло там), as if she remembered every tree and flower that had once grown in her ruined land (словно помнила каждое дерево и цветок, которые когда-то росли в ее погубленной стране).

After a good space of time she stopped and pointed directly ahead (через большой промежуток времени = они ехали долго, она остановилась и указала прямо вперед; space — пространство; промежуток, интервал времени).

`What do you see there (что вы видите там)?

rein [reIn] guided [`gaIdId] ruined [`rHInd]

The Queen gave them water from the cask that rested behind her saddle and called up two of the lumbering mounts for Corum and Hanafax to ride. They climbed on to the beasts, clasped the reins, and then began to follow her over the black and green obsidian slabs, between the rivers of flame.

Though blind, she guided her beast skillfully, and she talked all the while of what had been here, what had grown there, as if she remembered every tree and flower that had once grown in her ruined land.

After a good space of time she stopped and pointed directly ahead.

`What do you see there?

Corum peered through the rippling smoke (Корум всмотрелся сквозь зыбкую дымку; to ripple — покрывать/ся/ рябью; колыхаться).

`It looks like a great rock (похоже на огромную скалу) …

`We will ride closer (подъедем ближе), she said.

And as they rode closer, Corum began to see what it was (когда они подъехали ближе, Корум увидеть, что это такое). It was, indeed, a gigantic rock (это действительно была громадная скала). A rock of smooth and shining stone that glowed like mellowed gold (скала из гладкого и блестящего камня, который сверкал, точно полированное золото; mellow — сладкий; нежный, сочный, густой /о цвете, голосе и т. д. /). And it was fashioned, in perfect detail, to resemble the head of a huge lion (и ей /скале/ придали вид, необыкновенно тщательно, головы огромного льва; in detail — подробно, точно; to resemble — походить, иметь сходство) with its sharp-fanged mouth wide open in a roar (с клыкастой пастью, широко разинутой в реве; sharp-fanged — обладающий острыми клыками).

`Gods! Who made such a thing (кто создал такую вещь)? Hanafax murmured.

mellowed [`melqud] resemble [rI`zemb (q) l] roar [rL]

Corum peered through the rippling smoke.

`It looks like a great rock…

`We will ride closer, she said.

And as they rode closer, Corum began to see what it was. It was, indeed, a gigantic rock. A rock of smooth and shining stone that glowed like mellowed gold. And it was fashioned, in perfect detail, to resemble the head of a huge lion with its sharp-fanged mouth wide open in a roar.

`Gods! Who made such a thing? Hanafax murmured.

`Arioch created it (Ариох создал ее), said Queen Oorese. `Once our peaceful city lay there (когда-то наш мирный город располагался здесь). Now we live — lived — in caves below the ground where water runs and it is a little cooler (теперь мы живем — /вернее/, жили, — в пещерах под землей, где течет вода и немного прохладнее).

Corum stared at the enormous lion's head and he looked at Queen Oorese (Корум пристально глядел на громадную львиную голову, /затем/ посмотрел на королеву Оорес).

`How old are you, queen (сколько тебе лет: «насколько ты стара», королева)?

`I do not know (не знаю). Time does not exist in Flamelands (в Огненных землях времени не существует). Perhaps ten thousand years (возможно, десять тысяч лет).

Far away another wall of flame danced (вдалеке еще одна стена огня плясала). Corum remarked upon it (Корум обратил на это внимание; to remark upon — высказываться /о чем-либо/, делать замечание).

enormous [I`nLmqs] thousand [`Tauz (q) nd]

`Arioch created it, said Queen Oorese. `Once our peaceful city lay there. Now we live — lived — in caves below the ground where water runs and it is a little cooler.

Corum stared at the enormous lion's head and he looked at Queen Oorese.

`How old are you, queen?

`I do not know. Time does not exist in Flamelands. Perhaps ten thousand years.

Far away another wall of flame danced. Corum remarked upon it.

`We are surrounded by flame on all sides (мы окружены огнем со всех сторон). When Arioch first created it, many flung themselves into it rather than look upon what had become of their land (когда Ариох впервые создал его, многие кидались в него, чтобы не смотреть на то, что стало с их страной). My husband died in that manner and thus did my brothers and all my sisters perish (мой муж погиб таким образом, и так же погибли мои братья и все мои сестры). Corum noticed that Hanafax was not his usual talkative self (Корум заметил, что Ганафакс не так разговорчив, как обычно). His head was bowed and he rubbed at it from time to time as if puzzled (его голова была наклонена, и он тер ее время от времени, словно в замешательстве = в раздумье).

`What is it, friend Hanafax (что /с тобой/ такое, друг Ганафакс)?

`Nothing, Prince Corum (ничего, принц Корум). A pain in my head (боль в голове). Doubtless the heat causes it (наверняка жара вызвала ее).

Now a singular moaning sound came to their ears (и тут необычный стон донесся до их ушей). Hanafax looked up, his eyes wide and uncomprehending (Ганафакс посмотрел вверх, его глаза были расширенными и непонимающими).

`What is it?

talkative [`tLkqtIv] singular [`sINgjulq]

`We are surrounded by flame on all sides. When Arioch first created it, many flung themselves into it rather than look upon what had become of their land. My husband died in that manner and thus did my brothers and all my sisters perish. Corum noticed that Hanafax was not his usual talkative self. His head was bowed and he rubbed at it from time to time as if puzzled.

`What is it, friend Hanafax?

`Nothing, Prince Corum. A pain in my head. Doubtless the heat causes it.

Now a singular moaning sound came to their ears. Hanafax looked up, his eyes wide and uncomprehending.

`What is it?

`The Lion sings (Лев поет), said the Queen. `He knows we approach (он знает, что мы приближаемся).

Then from Hanafax's throat a similar sound issued, as a dog will imitate another's howling (потом из горла Ганафакса вырвался похожий звук, будто одна собака подхватывает вой другой; to issue — вытекать, исходить; to imitate — копировать; подражать).

`Hanafax, my friend! Corum rode his beast close to the other's (Корум направил свое животное ближе к другому). `Is something ailing you (тебя что-то беспокоит; to ail — беспокоить, тревожить; причинять боль)?

Hanafax stared at him vaguely (Ганафакс уставился на него неясно = словно не понимая).

`No. I told you, the heat (я сказал тебе, жара) … His face twisted (его лицо искривилось). `Aah! The pain (боль = больно)! I will not (я не стану)! I will not!

Corum turned to Queen Oorese.

`Have you known this happen before (/известно ли тебе, чтобы/ такое случалось раньше)?

She frowned, seeming to be thinking rather than displaying concern for Hanafax (она нахмурилась и, казалось, скорее размышляла, чем проявляла интерес к Ганафаксу).

vaguely [`veIglI] frowned [fraund]

`The Lion sings, said the Queen. `He knows we approach.

Then from Hanafax's throat a similar sound issued, as a dog will imitate another's howling.

`Hanafax, my friend! Corum rode his beast close to the other's. `Is something ailing you?

Hanafax stared at him vaguely.

`No. I told you, the heat… His face twisted. `Aah! The pain! I will not! I will not!

Corum turned to Queen Oorese.

`Have you known this happen before?

She frowned, seeming to be thinking rather than displaying concern for Hanafax.

`No, she said at last (сказала она наконец). `Unless (если только) …

`Arioch! I will not! Hanafax began to pant (Ганафакс начал задыхаться).

Then Corum's borrowed hand leapt up from the saddle where it had held the reins (тут заимствованная рука Корума = рука Кулла взметнулась с седла, где держала поводья; borrowed — одолженный, взятый взаймы; to leap — прыгать; вскакивать). Corum tried to control it, but it shot straight towards Hanafax's face, its fingers extended (Корум попытался управлять ей, но она бросилась прямо к лицу Ганафакса, вытянув пальцы; to extend — протягивать/ся/, расширять/ся/). Fingers drove into the Mabden's eyes (пальцы погрузились в глаза мабдена; to drive into — вбивать, вколачивать). They pierced the head, plunging deep into the brain (они проткнули голову, погружаясь глубоко в мозг). Hanafax screamed (Ганафакс пронзительно закричал).

`No, Corum, please do not (нет, Корум, пожалуйста, не надо) … I can fight it (я могу бороться с этим) … Aaaah!

And the Hand of Kwll withdrew itself (рука Кулла отдернулась назад; to withdraw), the fingers dripping with Hanafax's blood and brains (с пальцев капала кровь и мозг Ганафакса), while the lifeless body of the Mabden fell from the saddle (а безжизненное тело мабдена вывалилось из седла).

pierced [pIqst] withdrew [wID`drH]

`No, she said at last. `Unless…

`Arioch! I will not! Hanafax began to pant.

Then Corum's borrowed hand leapt up from the saddle where it had held the reins. Corum tried to control it, but it shot straight towards Hanafax's face, its fingers extended. Fingers drove into the Mabden's eyes. They pierced the head, plunging deep into the brain. Hanafax screamed.

`No, Corum, please do not… I can fight it… Aaaah!

And the Hand of Kwll withdrew itself, the fingers dripping with Hanafax's blood and brains, while the lifeless body of the Mabden fell from the saddle.

`What is happening (что происходит)? Queen Oorese called.

Corum stared at the mired hand, now once again his (Корум уставился на окровавленную руку, которая теперь снова была его; to mire — обрызгать грязью; замарать).

`It is nothing (ничего), he murmured (прошептал он). `I have killed my friend (я убил своего друга).

He looked up suddenly (он вдруг поднял глаза).

Above him, on a hill, he thought he saw the outline of a figure watching him (ему показалось, что над ним, на холме, он видит очертания фигуры, наблюдающей за ним). Then smoke drifted across the scene and he saw nothing (затем дым скрыл этот вид, и он ничего не увидел; to drift — сносить ветром).

`So you guessed what I guessed, Prince in the Scarlet Robe (значит, ты догадался /о том/, о чем догадалась я, Принц в Алом Плаще), said the queen.

`I guessed nothing (я ни о чем не догадался). I have killed my friend, that is all I know (я убил своего друга, вот и все, что я знаю). He helped me (он помог мне). He showed me (он показал мне) …

`What is happening? Queen Oorese called.

Corum stared at the mired hand, now once again his.

`It is nothing, he murmured. `I have killed my friend.

He looked up suddenly.

Above him, on a hill, he thought he saw the outline of a figure watching him. Then smoke drifted across the scene and he saw nothing.

`So you guessed what I guessed, Prince in the Scarlet Robe, said the queen.

`I guessed nothing. I have killed my friend, that is all I know. He helped me. He showed me…

Corum swallowed with difficulty (Корум сглотнул с трудом).

`He was only a Mabden, Prince Corum (он был всего лишь мабденом, принц Корум). Only a Mabden, servant of Arioch (лишь мабденом, слугой Ариоха).

`He hated Arioch (он ненавидел Ариоха)!

`But Arioch found him and entered him (но Ариох нашел его и проник в его /разум/). He would have tried to kill us (он попытался бы убить нас). You did right to destroy him (ты сделал правильно, что уничтожил его). He would have betrayed you, prince (он бы предал тебя, принц).

Corum stared at her through brooding eyes (Корум внимательно посмотрел на нее задумчивым взглядом).

`I should have let him kill me (мне нужно было позволить ему убить меня = лучше бы он убил меня). Why should I live (зачем мне жить)?

`Because you are of the Vedragh (потому что ты из /племени/ ведрагов). The last of the Vedragh who can avenge our race (последний ведраг, который может отомстить за наш народ).

difficulty [`dIfIk (q) ltI] betrayed [bI`treId]

Corum swallowed with difficulty.

`He was only a Mabden, Prince Corum. Only a Mabden, servant of Arioch.

`He hated Arioch!

`But Arioch found him and entered him. He would have tried to kill us. You did right to destroy him. He would have betrayed you, prince.

Corum stared at her through brooding eyes.

`I should have let him kill me. Why should I live?

`Because you are of the Vedragh. The last of the Vedragh who can avenge our race.

`Let it perish, unavenged (пусть он погибнет, неотомщенный)! Too many crimes have been committed so that that vengeance might be won (слишком много преступлений совершено, чтобы эта месть могла осуществиться; to win — победить, выиграть; достичь)! Too many unfortunates have suffered frightful fates (слишком многих несчастных постигла ужасная судьба)! Will the Vadhagh name be recalled with love — or muttered in hatred (будут ли вспоминать /имя/ вадагов с любовью — или шептать с ненавистью; to mutter — бормотать, говорить тихо, невнятно)?

`It is already spoken with hatred (оно уже произносится с ненавистью). Arioch has seen to that (Ариох позаботился об этом). There is the Lion's Mouth (вот Пасть Льва). Farewell, Prince in the Scarlet Robe (прощай, Принц в Алом Плаще)!

And Queen Oorese spurred her beast into a gallop and went plunging past the great rock, on towards the vast wall of flame beyond (королева пришпорила своего зверя, и он понесся галопом, подпрыгивая, мимо огромной скалы, к громадной стене огня вдали).

Corum knew what she would do (Корум знал, что она сделает).

vengeance [`venG (q) ns] farewell [feq`wel] gallop [`gxlqp]

`Let it perish, unavenged! Too many crimes have been committed so that that vengeance might be won! Too many unfortunates have suffered frightful fates! Will the Vadhagh name be recalled with love — or muttered in hatred?

`It is already spoken with hatred. Arioch has seen to that. There is the Lion's Mouth. Farewell, Prince in the Scarlet Robe!

And Queen Oorese spurred her beast into a gallop and went plunging past the great rock, on towards the vast wall of flame beyond.

Corum knew what she would do.

He looked at the body of Hanafax. The cheerful fellow would smile no more and his soul was now doubtless suffering at the whim of Arioch (веселый товарищ больше не улыбнется, и его душа теперь, несомненно, страдает по прихоти Ариоха).

Again, he was alone (снова он был один).

He gave a shuddering sigh (он издал вздрагивающий вздох = вздохнув, он содрогнулся).

The strange, moaning sound once again began to issue from the Lion's Mouth (странный стон снова начал исходить из Пасти Льва). It seemed to be calling him (казалось, он зовет его). He shrugged (он пожал плечами). What did it matter if he perished (какая разница, погибнет ли он)? It would only mean that no more would die because of him (это будет лишь означать, что никто больше не умрет из-за него).

doubtless [`dautlIs] sigh [saI] die [daI]

He looked at the body of Hanafax. The cheerful fellow would smile no more and his soul was now doubtless suffering at the whim of Arioch.

Again, he was alone.

He gave a shuddering sigh.

The strange, moaning sound once again began to issue from the Lion's Mouth. It seemed to be calling him. He shrugged. What did it matter if he perished? It would only mean that no more would die because of him.

Slowly, he began to ride towards the Lion's Mouth (он медленно поехал к Пасти Льва). As he drew nearer, he gathered speed and then, with a yell, plunged through the gaping jaws and into the howling darkness beyond (приближаясь, он набирал/увеличивал скорость, а потом с пронзительным криком влетел в разверстую пасть и пронзительную темноту /в ней/; to plunge into — бросаться, врываться; to gap — широко открывать рот; зевать; разверзаться; howling — унылый, одинокий; заброшенный; воющий)!

The beast stumbled, lost its footing, fell (зверь /Корума/ споткнулся, оступился, упал). Corum was thrown clear, got up, sought the reins with his groping hands (Корума выбросило /из седла/, он поднялся и /стал/ искать поводья ощупью: «ощупывающими руками»; to seek). But the beast had turned and was galloping back towards the daylight (но зверь развернулся и /уже/ мчался назад к дневному свету) that flickered red and yellow at the entrance (который мерцал красным и желтым у входа; to flicker — мерцать, мигать; колыхаться).

For an instant Corum's mind cooled and he made to follow it (на мгновение разум Корума остыл = у него внутри все похолодело, и он попытался догнать его; to follow — следовать; преследовать, гнаться). Then he remembered the dead face of Hanafax and he turned and began to trudge into the deeper darkness (тут он вспомнил мертвое лицо Ганафакса, развернулся и стал пробираться в более глубокую тьму = пошел глубже во тьму; to trudge — идти с трудом; продираться сквозь что-либо).

entrance [`entrqns] instant [`Instqnt]

Slowly, he began to ride towards the Lion's Mouth. As he drew nearer, he gathered speed and then, with a yell, plunged through the gaping jaws and into the howling darkness beyond!

The beast stumbled, lost its footing, fell. Corum was thrown clear, got up, sought the reins with his groping hands. But the beast had turned and was galloping back towards the daylight that flickered red and yellow at the entrance.

For an instant Corum's mind cooled and he made to follow it. Then he remembered the dead face of Hanafax and he turned and began to trudge into the deeper darkness.

He walked thus for a long while (он шел таким образом долго). It was cool within the Lion's Mouth and he wondered if Queen Oorese had been voicing nothing more than a superstition (внутри Пасти Льва было прохладно, и он размышлял, а не были ли рассказы королевы Оорес лишь суевериями; to wonder — удивляться; интересоваться; размышлять, сомневаться; to voice — произносить, говорить), for the interior seemed to be just a large cave (потому что внутренняя часть /Пасти Льва/ казалась просто большой пещерой).

Then the rustling sounds began (затем начались = послышались шелест, шуршание).

He thought he glimpsed eyes watching (ему показалось, он увидел мельком глаза, наблюдавшие /за ним/). Accusing eyes (обвиняющий взгляд)? No. Merely malevolent (только злобный). He drew his sword (он вытащил меч). He paused, looking about him (остановился, оглядываясь вокруг). He took another step forward (он сделал еще шаг вперед).

He was in whirling nothingness (он был /теперь/ в кружащейся пустоте; nothingness — ничто). Colours flashed past him, something shrieked and laughter filled his head (/разные/ цвета проносились мимо него, что-то пронзительно вскрикнуло, и смех наполнил его голову; to flash — сверкать, вспыхивать; быстро промелькнуть, пронестись). He tried to take another step (он попытался сделать еще один шаг).

rustling [`rAslIN] malevolent [mq`lev (q) lqnt] laughter [`lRftq]

He walked thus for a long while. It was cool within the Lion's Mouth and he wondered if Queen Oorese had been voicing nothing more than a superstition, for the interior seemed to be just a large cave.

Then the rustling sounds began.

He thought he glimpsed eyes watching. Accusing eyes? No. Merely malevolent. He drew his sword. He paused, looking about him. He took another step forward.

He was in whirling nothingness. Colours flashed past him, something shrieked and laughter filled his head. He tried to take another step.

He stood on a crystal plain and embedded in it, beneath his feet, were millions of beings (он стоял на прозрачной плоской поверхности; вмурованные в нее, под его ногами, находились миллионы существ) — Vadhagh, Nhadragh, Mabden, Ragha-da-Kheta, and many others he did not recognise (и многие другие, /которых/ он не узнал). There were males and females and all had their eyes open (там находились мужчины и женщины, и у всех были открыты глаза); all had their faces pressed against the crystal (лица у всех были прижаты к /поверхности/ кристалла); all stretched out their hands as if seeking aid (все протягивали руки, словно прося о помощи). All stared at him (все пристально смотрели на него). He tried to hack at the crystal with his sword, but the crystal would not crack (он попытался разбить кристалл своим мечом, но тот /даже/ не треснул).

He moved forward (он двинулся дальше).

He saw all the Five Planes, one superimposed upon the other, as he had seen them as a child (он видел все Пять Плоскостей, наложившиеся одна на другую, как он видел их, будучи ребенком) — as his ancestors had known them (/в том виде/, как их знали его предки). He was in a canyon, a forest, a valley, a field, another forest (он был /то/ в глубоком ущелье, /то/ в лесу, /то/ в долине, /то/ в поле, снова в лесу). He made to move into one particular plane, but he was stopped (он попробовал переместиться в одну определенную плоскость, но /что-то/ его остановило).

crystal [`krIstl] superimposed [, s (j) Hp (q) rIm`pquzd] ancestor [`xnsqstq]

He stood on a crystal plain and embedded in it, beneath his feet, were millions of beings — Vadhagh, Nhadragh, Mabden, Ragha-da-Kheta, and many others he did not recognise. There were males and females and all had their eyes open; all had their faces pressed against the crystal; all stretched out their hands as if seeking aid. All stared at him. He tried to hack at the crystal with his sword, but the crystal would not crack.

He moved forward.

He saw all the Five Planes, one superimposed upon the other, as he had seen them as a child — as his ancestors had known them. He was in a canyon, a forest, a valley, a field, another forest. He made to move into one particular plane, but he was stopped.

Screaming things came at him and pecked at his flesh (визжащие твари набросились на него и /принялись/ клевать его плоть). He fought them off with his sword (он отогнал их мечом). They vanished (они исчезли).

He was crossing a bridge of ice (он переходил ледяной мост). It was melting (мост таял). Fanged, distorted things waited for him below (клыкастые, перекошенные твари поджидали его внизу). The ice creaked (лед треснул). He lost his footing (он поскользнулся). He fell (упал).

He fell into a whirlpool of seething matter that formed shapes and then destroyed them instantly (он упал в водоворот бурлящей материи, которая создавала /различные/ формы и разрушала их тотчас). He saw whole cities brought into existence and then obliterated (он видел, как создавались целые города, а затем уничтожались; to obliterate — вычеркивать; уничтожать, удалять). He saw creatures, some beautiful, some disgustingly ugly (он видел существ, одни были прекрасными, другие — отвратительно уродливыми). He saw things that made him love them and things that made him scream with hatred (он видел вещи, которые заставляли его любить их, и вещи, которые заставляли его кричать от ненависти).

whirlpool [`wq: lpHl] obliterated [q`blItqreItId]

Screaming things came at him and pecked at his flesh. He fought them off with his sword. They vanished.

He was crossing a bridge of ice. It was melting. Fanged, distorted things waited for him below. The ice creaked. He lost his footing. He fell.

He fell into a whirlpool of seething matter that formed shapes and then destroyed them instantly. He saw whole cities brought into existence and then obliterated. He saw creatures, some beautiful, some disgustingly ugly. He saw things that made him love them and things that made him scream with hatred.

And he was back in the blackness of the great cavern (он снова вернулся в черноту/темноту огромной пещеры) where things tittered at him and scampered away from beneath his feet (где твари хихикали над ним и удирали из-под его ног; to scamper — носиться, быстро бегать).

And Corum knew that anyone who had experienced the horrors that he had experienced would have been quite mad by now (Корум знал, что любой, кто пережил те ужасы, которые пережил он, сошел бы с ума уже). He had gained something from Shool the sorcerer besides the Eye of Rhynn and the Hand of Kwll (он получил что-то от колдуна Шула помимо Глаза Ринна и Руки Кулла). He had gained an ability to face the most evil of apparitions and be virtually unmoved (он получил способность смело смотреть на самые зловещие = ужасные видения и практически не реагировать на них; unmoved — неподвижный; равнодушный, непоколебимый).

And, he thought, this meant that he has lost something, too (он подумал, это означает, что он также и потерял что-то; to lose) …

He moved on another step (он сделал еще шаг).

ability [q`bIlItI] virtually [`vq: CuqlI]

And he was back in the blackness of the great cavern where things tittered at him and scampered away from beneath his feet.

And Corum knew that anyone who had experienced the horrors that he had experienced would have been quite mad by now. He had gained something from Shool the sorcerer besides the Eye of Rhynn and the Hand of Kwll. He had gained an ability to face the most evil of apparitions and be virtually unmoved.

And, he thought, this meant that he has lost something, too…

He moved on another step.

He stood knee-deep in slithering flesh that was without shape but which lived (он стоял по колено в скользкой плоти, которая была без формы, но которая жила = была живой; to slither — скользить). It began to suck him down (она начала засасывать его). He struck about him with his sword (он рубил мечом вокруг себя). Now he was waist-deep (теперь он /увяз/ уже по пояс). He gasped and forced his body through the stuff (он вдохнул и пробился через эту ткань; to force through — прорываться, пробиваться; проталкивать; stuff — материя, ткань; вещество).

He stood beneath a dome of ice and with him stood a million Corums (/и вот/ он стоял под куполом из льда, а с ним стоял миллион /таких же/ Корумов). There he was, innocent and gay before the coming of the Mabden (вот он, невинный и веселый до прихода = нашествия мабденов), there he was moody and grim, with his jewelled eye and his murderous hand, there he was dying (вот он унылый и мрачный, с украшенным самоцветами глазом и смертоносной/кровожадной рукой; вот он умирает) …

Another step (еще один шаг) …

Blood flooded over him (кровь лилась вокруг него; to flood — затоплять; хлынуть потоком). He tried to regain his feet (он попытался снова встать на ноги). The heads of foul reptilian creatures rose from the stuff and snapped at his face with their jaws (головы отвратительных похожих на рептилий существ поднимались из этой массы и щелкали своими челюстями возле его лица).

innocent [`Inqs (q) nt] foul [faul] reptilian [rep`tIlIqn]

He stood knee-deep in slithering flesh that was without shape but which lived. It began to suck him down. He struck about him with his sword. Now he was waist-deep. He gasped and forced his body through the stuff.

He stood beneath a dome of ice and with him stood a million Corums. There he was, innocent and gay before the coming of the Mabden, there he was moody and grim, with his jewelled eye and his murderous hand, there he was dying…

Another step…

Blood flooded over him. He tried to regain his feet. The heads of foul reptilian creatures rose from the stuff and snapped at his face with their jaws.

His instinct was to draw back (его инстинкт был = требовал отступить; to draw back — отдергивать; отходить назад, отступать). But he swam towards them (но он поплыл к ним; to swim) …

He stood in a tunnel of silver and gold (он стоял в туннеле из серебра и золота). There was a door at the end and he could hear movement behind it (в конце была дверь, и он слышал /какое-то/ движение позади нее).

Sword in hand, he stepped through (/держа/ меч в руке, он вошел в нее).

Strange, desperate laughter filled the immense gallery in which he found himself (странный, отчаянный смех наполнил необъятную галерею, в которой он оказался; immense — безмерный, беспредельный, очень большой).

He knew that he had reached the Court of the Knight of the Swords (он понял, что добрался до двора Рыцаря Мечей).

instinct [`InstINkt] immense [I`mens] Court [kLt]

His instinct was to draw back. But he swam towards them…

He stood in a tunnel of silver and gold. There was a door at the end and he could hear movement behind it.

Sword in hand, he stepped through.

Strange, desperate laughter filled the immense gallery in which he found himself.

He knew that he had reached the Court of the Knight of the Swords.