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

CHAPTER SEVEN (глава седьмая) The Bane of the Sword Rulers (проклятье Повелителей Мечей)

bane- несчастье, погибель, проклятье

Corum stirred and forced his eyes open (Корум пошевелился и заставил себя открыть глаза). The table had gone (стол исчез). Gone, too, was Arioch (Ариох тоже исчез). The vast hall was in darkness, illuminated only by faint light issuing from a few of the doorways and galleries (громадный зал был /погружен/ во тьму, освещенный лишь слабым светом, исходившим из нескольких дверных проемов и галерей).

He stood up (он встал). Was he dreaming (уж не снилось ли ему /это/)? Or had he dreamed everything that had happened earlier (может, ему приснилось все то, что произошло раньше)? Certainly all the events had had the quality of dreams become reality (конечно, все те события имели черты = были похожи на сны, ставшие реальностью; quality — качество; свойство, характерная черта). But that was true of the entire world now, since he had left the sanity of Castle Erorn so long ago (но это было правдой всего мира теперь, с тех пор, как он покинул благословенный замок Эрорн так давно; sanity — нормальная психика, здравый ум, рассудок).

But where had Duke Arioch gone (но куда пропал герцог Ариох)? Had he left on some mission of the world (может, он отбыл с какой-то великой миссией; mission — делегация; поручение)? Doubtless he had thought his influence over Corum would last longer (несомненно, он думал, что его воздействие на Корума = чары будут длиться дольше). After all, that was why he wished the Vadhagh all destroyed, because he could not understand them (в конце концов, именно поэтому он хотел, чтобы уничтожили всех вадагов, — потому что он не мог их понять), could not predict everything they would do, could not control their minds as he controlled those of the Mabden (не мог предвидеть всего, что они сделают, не мог управлять их разумом, как он управлял разумом мабденов; to predict — предсказывать, пророчить; предвидеть).

entire [In`taIq] influence [`Influqns] predict [prI`dIkt]

Corum stirred and forced his eyes open. The table had gone. Gone, too, was Arioch. The vast hall was in darkness, illuminated only by faint light issuing from a few of the doorways and galleries.

He stood up. Was he dreaming? Or had he dreamed everything that had happened earlier? Certainly all the events had had the quality of dreams become reality. But that was true of the entire world now, since he had left the sanity of Castle Erorn so long ago.

But where had Duke Arioch gone? Had he left on some mission of the world? Doubtless he had thought his influence over Corum would last longer. After all, that was why he wished the Vadhagh all destroyed, because he could not understand them, could not predict everything they would do, could not control their minds as he controlled those of the Mabden.

Corum realised suddenly that he now had an opportunity, perhaps his only opportunity (Корум внезапно осознал, что теперь у него есть возможность, может быть, единственная возможность), to try to reach the place where Arioch kept his heart (попытаться добраться до места, где Ариох хранит свое сердце). Then he might escape while Arioch was still away, get back to Shool and reclaim Rhalina (потом он может сбежать, пока Ариох отсутствует, вернуться к Шулу и освободить Ралину; to reclaim — требовать обратно; возвращать себе). Vengeance now no longer motivated him (месть больше не двигала им; to motivate — побуждать, служить мотивом). All he sought was an end to his adventure, peace with the woman he loved, security in the old castle by the sea (все, что он искал — конец своих приключений = он стремился закончить свои приключения, /жить/ в покое с женщиной, которую любит, в безопасном старом замке у моря; to seek — искать; добиваться, стремиться). He ran across the floor of the hall and up the stairway to the gallery with the walls of coruscating marble (он побежал по полу зала, /затем/ вверх по лестнице к галерее со стенами из сверкающего мрамора) until he came to the ramp that seemed made of nothing but light (пока не достиг пандуса, который, казалось, был сделан лишь из света). The light had dimmed to a glow now, but high above was the doorway with the pulsating orange sign (теперь свет потускнел до /слабого/ свечения, но высоко вверху была дверь с пульсирующим оранжевым знаком) — the eight arrows radiating from a central hub — the Sign of Chaos (восемь стрел, расходящихся из центра — Знак Хаоса; hub — ступица /колеса/; центр /событий, внимания и т. д. /).

security [sI`kju (q) rItI] eight [eIt] central [`sentrql]

Corum realised suddenly that he now had an opportunity, perhaps his only opportunity, to try to reach the place where Arioch kept his heart. Then he might escape while Arioch was still away, get back to Shool and reclaim Rhalina. Vengeance now no longer motivated him. All he sought was an end to his adventure, peace with the woman he loved, security in the old castle by the sea. He ran across the floor of the hall and up the stairway to the gallery with the walls of coruscating marble until he came to the ramp that seemed made of nothing but light. The light had dimmed to a glow now, but high above was the doorway with the pulsating orange sign — the eight arrows radiating from a central hub — the Sign of Chaos.

Breathing heavily, he ran up the spiral ramp (тяжело дыша, он взбежал по винтообразному пандусу). Up and up he ran, until the rest of the palace lay far below him (он бежал все вверх и вверх, пока остальная часть замка не лежала = не осталась далеко внизу), until he reached the door which dwarfed him (пока он не добрался до двери, рядом с которой он выглядел карликом), until he stopped and looked and wondered, until he knew he'd reached his goal (пока не остановился, посмотрел /на нее/ и удивился, пока не понял, что достиг своей цели). The huge sign pulsed regularly, like a living heart itself (огромный знак пульсировал равномерно, словно живое сердце), and it bathed Corum's face and body and armour in its red-gold light (заливал лицо Корума, его тело и доспехи красно-золотым светом; to bathe — купать/ся/, окунать/ся/; to bathe in — заливать /светом, водой/). Corum pushed at the door, but it was like a mouse pushing at the door of a sarcophagus (Корум толкнул дверь, но это было, как если бы мышь толкала дверь = камень саркофага). He could not move it (он не мог сдвинуть ее).

He needed aid (ему нужна была помощь). He contemplated his left hand — the Hand of Kwll (он задумчиво посмотрел на левую руку — Руку Кулла; to contemplate — разглядывать, созерцать; размышлять). Could he summon help from the dark world (мог ли он призвать = получить помощь из темного мира)? Not without a 'prize' to offer them (не без «награды», чтобы предложить им).

mouse [maus] sarcophagus [sR`kOfqgqs] contemplated [`kOntqmpleItId]

Breathing heavily, he ran up the spiral ramp. Up and up he ran, until the rest of the palace lay far below him, until he reached the door which dwarfed him, until he stopped and looked and wondered, until he knew he'd reached his goal. The huge sign pulsed regularly, like a living heart itself, and it bathed Corum's face and body and armour in its red-gold light. Corum pushed at the door, but it was like a mouse pushing at the door of a sarcophagus. He could not move it.

He needed aid. He contemplated his left hand — the Hand of Kwll. Could he summon help from the dark world? Not without a 'prize' to offer them.

But then the Hand of Kwll bunched itself into a fist and began to glow with a light (но тут Рука Кулла сама сжалась в кулак и стала испускать свет; to bunch — образовывать пучки, гроздья; сбивать/ся/ в кучу, скапливаться; to glow — светиться, пылать, гореть) that blinded Corum and made him stretch his arm away as far as it would go, flinging his other arm over his eyes (который ослепил Корума и заставил его вытянуть руку в сторону насколько возможно, закрывая другой рукой глаза; to fling — бросать/ся/, кидать/ся/). He felt the Hand of Kwll rise into the air and then strike at the mighty door (он почувствовал, как Рука Кулла поднялась в воздух и затем нанесла удар по огромной двери; mighty — могущественный; мощный; объемистый, громадный). He heard a sound like the tolling of bells (он услышал звук, похожий на звон колоколов). He heard a crack as if the Earth herself had split (он услышал треск, будто сама Земля раскололась). And then the Hand of Kwll was limp by his side and he opened his eyes and saw that a crack had appeared in the door (затем Рука Кулла упала безвольно /сбоку/, он открыл глаза и увидел, что в двери появилась трещина; limp — мягкий, нежесткий, безвольный). It was a small crack in the bottom of the right corner (это была маленькая трещина внизу правого угла), but it was large enough for Corum to wriggle through (но она была достаточно большой, чтобы Корум пролез через /нее/; to wriggle — извивать/ся/; пробираться ползком).

`Now you are aiding me as I would wish to be aided (теперь ты помогаешь мне так, как я хотел бы /чтобы мне помогали/), he murmured to the hand (прошептал он руке). He got down on his knees and crawled through the crack (он опустился на колени и прополз через трещину).

wriggle [`rIg (q) l] crawled [krLl]

But then the Hand of Kwll bunched itself into a fist and began to glow with a light that blinded Corum and made him stretch his arm away as far as it would go, flinging his other arm over his eyes. He felt the Hand of Kwll rise into the air and then strike at the mighty door. He heard a sound like the tolling of bells. He heard a crack as if the Earth herself had split. And then the Hand of Kwll was limp by his side and he opened his eyes and saw that a crack had appeared in the door. It was a small crack in the bottom of the right corner, but it was large enough for Corum to wriggle through.

`Now you are aiding me as I would wish to be aided, he murmured to the hand. He got down on his knees and crawled through the crack.

Another ramp stretched upwards over a gulf of sparkling emptiness (еще один пандус тянулся вверх над пропастью сверкавшей пустоты; gulf — залив; бездна, пропасть). Strange sounds filled the air, rising and dying, coming close and then falling away (странные звуки наполняли воздух, усиливаясь и затихая, приближаясь, а затем отдаляясь; to fall away — спадать, уменьшаться; чахнуть). There were hints of menace here, hints of beauty (в них были намеки на опасность = незримо присутствовали опасность и красота), hints of death, hints of everlasting life (смерть и вечная жизнь), hints of terror, hints of tranquility (ужас и спокойствие). Corum made to draw his sword and then realised the uselessness of such an action (Корум попытался вытащить меч и тут осознал бесполезность такого действия). He set foot on the ramp and began to climb again (он ступил ногой на пандус и снова принялся подниматься).

menace [`menIs] tranquility [trxNk`wIlItI]

Another ramp stretched upwards over a gulf of sparkling emptiness. Strange sounds filled the air, rising and dying, coming close and then falling away. There were hints of menace here, hints of beauty, hints of death, hints of everlasting life, hints of terror, hints of tranquility. Corum made to draw his sword and then realised the uselessness of such an action. He set foot on the ramp and began to climb again.

A wind seemed to spring up and his scarlet robe flew out behind him (казалось, поднялся ветер, и его алый плащ развевался позади него). Cool breezes wafted him and hot winds scoured his skin (прохладный ветерок обдувал его, а горячие = жаркие ветра обжигали кожу; to waft — нести/сь/, доносить/ся/ /о звуках, запахах и т. д. /; дуть /о ветре/; to scour — чистить, тереть, отдраивать). He saw faces all around him and many of the faces he thought he recognised (он видел повсюду вокруг лица, и ему показалось, он узнал многие из этих лиц). Some of the faces were huge and some were infinitely tiny (некоторые лица были огромными, другие — бесконечно крохотными). Eyes watched him (глаза следили за ним). Lips grinned (губы ухмылялись). A sorrowful moaning came and went (скорбный стон раздавался и смолкал). A dark cloud engulfed him (темное облако поглотило его). A tinkling as of glass bells ringing filled his ears (звон, словно /звук/ звенящих стеклянных колокольчиков, наполнил его уши). A voice called his name and it echoed and echoed and echoed away forever (какой-то голос назвал его имя, и эхо все повторяло и повторяло его). A rainbow surrounded him, entered him and made his whole body flash with colour (радуга окружила его, проникла в него и заставила все его тело сверкать /разными/ цветами). Steadily he continued his walk up the long ramp (он неуклонно продолжал подъем по длинному пандусу).

scoured [`skauqd] infinitely [`InfInItlI] echoed [`ekqud]

A wind seemed to spring up and his scarlet robe flew out behind him. Cool breezes wafted him and hot winds scoured his skin. He saw faces all around him and many of the faces he thought he recognised. Some of the faces were huge and some were infinitely tiny. Eyes watched him. Lips grinned. A sorrowful moaning came and went. A dark cloud engulfed him. A tinkling as of glass bells ringing filled his ears. A voice called his name and it echoed and echoed and echoed away forever. A rainbow surrounded him, entered him and made his whole body flash with colour. Steadily he continued his walk up the long ramp.

And now he saw he was coming to a platform that was at the end of the ramp but which hung over the gulf (он увидел, что подходит к помосту, который находится в конце пандуса, но висит над пропастью). There was nothing beyond it (после него = за ним ничего не было).

On the platform was a dais (на помосте было возвышение; dais — помост, возвышение). On the dais was a plinth and on the plinth was something that throbbed and gave forth rays (на возвышении — постамент, а на постаменте находилось что-то, что пульсировало/билось и испускало лучи).

Transfixed by these rays were several Mabden warriors (несколько мабденских воинов /стояли/, парализованные этими лучами; to transfix — пронзать, прокалывать; пригвоздить, приковать к месту). Their bodies were frozen in attitudes of reaching for the source of the rays (их тела были заморожены в положении протягивания к = они застыли, пытаясь достать источник лучей; to freeze), but their eyes moved as they saw Corum approach the dais (но их глаза двинулись, когда они увидели, что Корум приближается к возвышению). Pain was in those eyes, and curiosity, and a warning (в тех глазах были боль, любопытство и предостережение).

Corum stopped (Корум остановился).

source [sLs] dais [`deIIs]

And now he saw he was coming to a platform that was at the end of the ramp but which hung over the gulf. There was nothing beyond it.

On the platform was a dais. On the dais was a plinth and on the plinth was something that throbbed and gave forth rays.

Transfixed by these rays were several Mabden warriors. Their bodies were frozen in attitudes of reaching for the source of the rays, but their eyes moved as they saw Corum approach the dais. Pain was in those eyes, and curiosity, and a warning.

Corum stopped.

The thing on the plinth was a deep, soft blue and it was quite small (предмет на постаменте был глубокого приглушенного синего цвета, довольно маленький) and it shone and it looked like a jewel that had been fashioned into the shape of a heart (он светился и был похож на драгоценный камень, ограненный в форме сердца; to fashion — придавать форму). At every pulse, tubes of light shot forth from it (при каждом биении лучи света исходили от него; tube — труба, трубка, тюбик; to shoot forth — пронестись, промелькнуть; пускать).

This could only be the Heart of Arioch (это могло быть лишь сердцем Ариоха).

But it protected itself, as was evident from the frozen warriors surrounding it (но оно защищалось, что было ясно из = судя по замороженным воинам, окружавшим его; evident — явный, очевидный, ясный).

Corum took a pace nearer (Корум сделал шаг ближе = вперед). A beam of light struck his cheek and it tingled (луч света коснулся его щеки, и он почувствовал покалывание). Another pace nearer and two more beams of light hit his body and made it shiver, but he was not frozen (еще один шаг ближе — и еще два луча света коснулись его тела и вызвали дрожь: «заставили его дрожать», но Корум не был заморожен). And now he was past the Mabden warriors (и вот он прошел мимо мабденских воинов). Two more paces and the beams bombarded his whole head and body, but the sensation was only pleasant (еще два шага, и лучи градом осыпали всю его голову и тело, но ощущение было лишь приятным; to bombard — бомбардировать; облучать частицами). He stretched out his right hand to seize the heart (он протянул правую руку, чтобы схватить сердце), but his left hand moved first and the Hand of Kwll gripped the Heart of Arioch (но левая рука двинулась первой, и /вот/ Рука Кулла крепко держала сердце Ариоха; to grip — схватить, сжать; крепко держать/ся/).

evident [`evId (q) nt] bombarded [bOm`bRdId]

The thing on the plinth was a deep, soft blue and it was quite small and it shone and it looked like a jewel that had been fashioned into the shape of a heart. At every pulse, tubes of light shot forth from it.

This could only be the Heart of Arioch.

But it protected itself, as was evident from the frozen warriors surrounding it.

Corum took a pace nearer. A beam of light struck his cheek and it tingled. Another pace nearer and two more beams of light hit his body and made it shiver, but he was not frozen. And now he was past the Mabden warriors. Two more paces and the beams bombarded his whole head and body, but the sensation was only pleasant. He stretched out his right hand to seize the heart, but his left hand moved first and the Hand of Kwll gripped the Heart of Arioch.

`The world seems full of fragments of Gods (кажется, мир полон частей богов), Corum murmured. He turned and saw that the Mabden warriors were no longer frozen (он повернулся и увидел, что мабденские воины больше не были заморожены). They were rubbing at their faces, sheathing their swords (они терли свои лица, вкладывали в ножны мечи).

Corum spoke to the nearest (Корум обратился к ближайшему).

`Why did you seek the Heart of Arioch (зачем ты искал сердце Ариоха)?

`Through no choice of my own (не по своему выбору). A sorcerer sent me, offering me my life in return for stealing the heart from Arioch's palace (один колдун послал меня, предлагая мне мою жизнь в обмен на кражу сердца из дворца Ариоха).

`Was this Shool (это был Шул)?

`Aye — Shool (да, Шул). Prince Shool.

sheathing [`SJDIN] palace [`pxlIs]

`The world seems full of fragments of Gods, Corum murmured. He turned and saw that the Mabden warriors were no longer frozen. They were rubbing at their faces, sheathing their swords.

Corum spoke to the nearest.

`Why did you seek the Heart of Arioch?

`Through no choice of my own. A sorcerer sent me, offering me my life in return for stealing the heart from Arioch's palace.

`Was this Shool?

`Aye — Shool. Prince Shool.

Corum looked at the others (Корум посмотрел на остальных). They were all nodding (все они кивали).

`Shool sent me (Шул послал меня)! And me!

`And Shool sent me, said Corum. `I had not realised he had tried so many times before (я и понятия не имел, что он пытался /украсть сердце/ так много раз раньше).

`It is a game Arioch plays with him (Ариох играет с ним), murmured one of the Mabden warriors. `I learned that Shool has little power of his own at all (я узнал, что у Шула совсем мало своего собственного могущества). Arioch gives Shool the power he thinks is his own (Ариох дает Шулу силу, которую тот считает своей), for Arioch enjoys the sport of having an enemy with whom he can play (потому что Ариоху нравится развлекаться, имея врага, с которым он может играть). Every action Arioch makes is inspired by nothing but boredom (каждый поступок, который совершает Ариох, продиктован не чем иным, как скукой = совершается лишь от скуки; to inspire — вдохновлять, воодушевлять; стимулировать). And now you have his heart (теперь у тебя его сердце). Plainly he did not expect the game to get so out of hand (очевидно, он не ожидал, что игра так выйдет из-под контроля).

boredom [`bLdqm] expect [Ik`spekt]

Corum looked at the others. They were all nodding.

`Shool sent me! And me!

`And Shool sent me, said Corum. `I had not realised he had tried so many times before.

`It is a game Arioch plays with him, murmured one of the Mabden warriors. `I learned that Shool has little power of his own at all. Arioch gives Shool the power he thinks is his own, for Arioch enjoys the sport of having an enemy with whom he can play. Every action Arioch makes is inspired by nothing but boredom. And now you have his heart. Plainly he did not expect the game to get so out of hand.

`Aye, Corum agreed (согласился Корум). `It was only Arioch's carelessness that allowed me to reach this place (лишь беспечность Ариоха позволила мне добраться до этого места). Now, I return (теперь я возвращаюсь). I must find a way from the palace before he realises what has happened (я должен найти выход из дворца прежде, чем он поймет, что случилось).

`May we come with you (можно нам пойти с тобой)? the Mabden asked.

Corum nodded.

`But hurry (но торопитесь).

They crept back down the ramp (они прокрались обратно по пандусу).

Half-way down, one of the Mabden screamed, flailed at the air (на полпути назад один из мабденов вскрикнул, /принялся/ бить по воздуху; to flail — молотить; бить, ударять), staggered to the edge of the ramp (пошел, шатаясь к краю пандуса) and went drifting down into the sparkling emptiness (и прыгнул /медленно опускаясь/ в сверкавшую пустоту; to go down — спускаться, понижаться; to drift down — снижаться).

carelessness [`keqlIsnIs] edge [eG]

`Aye, Corum agreed. `It was only Arioch's carelessness that allowed me to reach this place. Now, I return. I must find a way from the palace before he realises what has happened.

`May we come with you? the Mabden asked.

Corum nodded.

`But hurry.

They crept back down the ramp.

Half-way down, one of the Mabden screamed, flailed at the air, staggered to the edge of the ramp and went drifting down into the sparkling emptiness.

Their pace increased until they reached the tiny crack at the bottom of the huge door and crawled through it, one by one (их шаг ускорился = они пошли быстрее, пока не дошли до маленькой трещины внизу огромной двери и не проползли через нее один за другим).

Down the ramp of light they went (они пошли вниз по пандусу из света). Through the gallery of coruscating marble (через галерею из сверкающего мрамора). Down the stairway into the darkened hall (вниз по лестнице в затемненный зал).

Corum sought the silver door through which he had entered the palace (Корум искал серебряную дверь, через которую вошел во дворец). He made one complete circuit of the hall (он сделал один полный круг = обошел кругом весь зал) and his feet were aching before he realised that the door had vanished (его ноги /начали/ болеть, прежде чем он понял, что дверь исчезла).

The hall was suddenly alive with light again and the vast, fat figure Corum had originally seen was laughing on the floor (зал внезапно осветился, и громадная жирная фигура Ариоха, которую Корум увидел первоначально, засмеялась на полу), lying amidst filth, with the Mabden parasites peering from out of the hair beneath his arms, from his navel, from his ears (лежа среди отбросов, а мабдены-паразиты выглядывали из волос под его руками = из-под рук, с пупка, из ушей).

aching [`eIkIN] originally [q`rIGIn (q) lI] navel [`neIv (q) l]

Their pace increased until they reached the tiny crack at the bottom of the huge door and crawled through it, one by one.

Down the ramp of light they went. Through the gallery of coruscating marble. Down the stairway into the darkened hall.

Corum sought the silver door through which he had entered the palace. He made one complete circuit of the hall and his feet were aching before he realised that the door had vanished.

The hall was suddenly alive with light again and the vast, fat figure Corum had originally seen was laughing on the floor, lying amidst filth, with the Mabden parasites peering from out of the hair beneath his arms, from his navel, from his ears.

`Ha, ha! You see, Corum, I am kind (видишь, Корум, я добрый)! I have let you have almost everything you desired of me (я позволил тебе получить почти все, что ты пожелал /получить/ от меня). You even have my heart (у тебя даже мое сердце)! But I cannot let you take it away from me, Corum (но я не могу позволить тебе забрать его у меня, Корум). Without my heart, I could not rule here (без сердца я не могу править здесь). I think I will restore it into this flesh of mine (думаю, я верну его обратно в эту мою плоть).

Corum's shoulders slumped (плечи Корума опустились; to slump — резко падать; горбиться, сутулиться).

`He has tricked us (он обманул нас), he said to his terrified Mabden companions (сказал он своим напуганным мабденским товарищам).

But one Mabden said.

`He has used you, Sir Vadhagh (он использовал тебя, сэр вадаг). He could never have taken his heart himself (он никогда бы сам не достал свое сердце). Did you not know that (разве ты этого не знал)?

`Ha, ha! You see, Corum, I am kind! I have let you have almost everything you desired of me. You even have my heart! But I cannot let you take it away from me, Corum. Without my heart, I could not rule here. I think I will restore it into this flesh of mine.

Corum's shoulders slumped.

`He has tricked us, he said to his terrified Mabden companions.

But one Mabden said.

`He has used you, Sir Vadhagh. He could never have taken his heart himself. Did you not know that?

Arioch laughed and his belly shook and Mabden fell to the floor (Ариох расхохотался, и его брюхо затряслось, а мабдены попадали на пол).

`True (верно)! True! You have done me a service, Prince Corum (ты оказал мне услугу, принц Корум). The heart of each Sword Ruler is kept in a place that is banned to him (сердце каждого Повелителя Мечей хранится в месте, недоступном для него; to ban — налагать запрет, запрещать), so that the others may know that he dwells only in his own domain and may travel to no other (чтобы остальные могли знать = быть уверены, что он пребывает лишь в своих владениях и не может перемещаться ни в какое другое), thus he cannot usurp some rival ruler's power (таким образом, он не может захватить власть какого-нибудь другого соперничающего правителя; to usurp — узурпировать, незаконно захватывать). But you, Corum, with your ancient blood, with your peculiar characteristics (но ты, Корум, с твоим древним происхождением, с твоими особенными чертами; blood — кровь; происхождение, род, родовитость), were able to do that which I am unable to do (сумел сделать то, что я не смог). Now I have my heart and I may extend my domain wherever I choose (теперь у меня есть мое сердце, и я могу расширить свои владения куда пожелаю). Or not, of course, if I choose not to (или не стану, конечно, если не захочу).

`Then I have helped you (значит, я помог тебе), Corum said bitterly (горько сказал Корум), `when I wished to hinder you (когда захотел помешать тебе; to hinder — мешать, препятствовать) …

usurp [jH`zq: p] ancient [`eINS (q) nt] hinder [`haIndq]

Arioch laughed and his belly shook and Mabden fell to the floor.

`True! True! You have done me a service, Prince Corum. The heart of each Sword Ruler is kept in a place that is banned to him, so that the others may know that he dwells only in his own domain and may travel to no other, thus he cannot usurp some rival ruler's power. But you, Corum, with your ancient blood, with your peculiar characteristics, were able to do that which I am unable to do. Now I have my heart and I may extend my domain wherever I choose. Or not, of course, if I choose not to.

`Then I have helped you, Corum said bitterly, `when I wished to hinder you…

Arioch's laughter filled the hall (смех Ариоха заполнил зал).

`Yes. Exactly (именно). A fine joke, eh (прекрасная шутка, а)? Now, give me my heart, little Vadhagh (а теперь, отдай мне мое сердце, маленький вадаг).

Corum pressed his back to the wall and drew his blade (Корум прижался спиной к стене и вытащил клинок). He stood there with the Heart of Arioch in his left hand and his sword in his right (он стоял с сердцем Ариоха в левой руке, /держа/ меч в правой).

`I think I will die first, Arioch (думаю, я прежде умру, Ариох).

`As you please (как пожелаешь).

laughter [`lRftq] sword [sLd]

Arioch's laughter filled the hall.

`Yes. Exactly. A fine joke, eh? Now, give me my heart, little Vadhagh.

Corum pressed his back to the wall and drew his blade. He stood there with the Heart of Arioch in his left hand and his sword in his right.

`I think I will die first, Arioch.

`As you please.

The monstrous hand reached out for Corum (громадная рука потянулась к Коруму). He dodged it (он увернулся от нее). Arioch bellowed with laughter again and plucked two of the Mabden warriors from the floor (Ариох снова громко расхохотался и поднял двух мабденских воинов с пола; to bellow — мычать, реветь, орать; to pluck — собирать, щипать; силой утащить). They screamed and writhed as he drew them towards his great, wet mouth, full of blackened teeth (они кричали и извивались, когда он поднес их к своему огромному рту, полному почерневших зубов). Then he popped them into his maw and Corum heard their bones crunch (затем он бросил их в пасть, и Корум услышал, как хрустят их кости; maw — утроба, брюхо; пасть, глотка). Arioch swallowed and spat out a sword (Ариох проглотил /их/ и выплюнул меч). Then he returned his gaze to Corum (потом снова обратил взор на Корума).

Corum jumped behind a pillar (Корум прыгнул за колонну). Arioch's hand came round it, feeling for him (рука Ариоха шарила вокруг нее, ища его; to come round — обходить, объезжать кругом; to feel for — нащупывать, искать ощупью). Corum ran (Корум побежал).

More laughter and the hall reverberated (снова смех, и зал задрожал; to reverberate — отражаться, отдаваться /о звуке/). The God's mirth was echoed by the uttering voices of his Mabden parasites (радость = смех бога подхватили голоса его мабденов-паразитов; to echo — вторить, подражать; to utter — издавать звук, произносить). A pillar crashed as Arioch struck at it, seeking Corum (колонна разрушилась, когда Ариох ударил по ней, ища Корума).

pillar [`pIlq] reverberated [rI`vq: b (q) reIt]

The monstrous hand reached out for Corum. He dodged it. Arioch bellowed with laughter again and plucked two of the Mabden warriors from the floor. They screamed and writhed as he drew them towards his great, wet mouth, full of blackened teeth. Then he popped them into his maw and Corum heard their bones crunch. Arioch swallowed and spat out a sword. Then he returned his gaze to Corum.

Corum jumped behind a pillar. Arioch's hand came round it, feeling for him. Corum ran.

More laughter and the hall reverberated. The God's mirth was echoed by the uttering voices of his Mabden parasites. A pillar crashed as Arioch struck at it, seeking Corum.

Corum dashed across the floor of the hall (Корум помчался по полу зала), leaping over the broken bodies of the Mabden who had fallen from the corpulent body of the God (перепрыгивая через разбитые тела мабденов, которые упали с тучного тела бога).

And then Arioch saw him, seized him, and his chuckles subsided (тут Ариох увидел его, схватил, и его хихиканье утихло).

`Give me my heart now.

Corum gasped for breath and freed his two hands from the soft flesh that enclosed him (Корум дышал с трудом/задыхался и высвободил свои руки из мягкой плоти, что окружала его). The giant's great hand was warm and filthy (огромная рука великана была теплой и грязной). The nails were broken (ногти были обломаны).

`Give me my heart, little being (отдай мне мое сердце, малявка).

`No! Corum drove his sword deep into the thumb, but the God did not notice (Корум вогнал меч глубоко в большой палец, но бог не заметил этого).

corpulent [`kLpjulqnt] thumb [TAm]

Corum dashed across the floor of the hall, leaping over the broken bodies of the Mabden who had fallen from the corpulent body of the God.

And then Arioch saw him, seized him, and his chuckles subsided.

`Give me my heart now.

Corum gasped for breath and freed his two hands from the soft flesh that enclosed him. The giant's great hand was warm and filthy. The nails were broken.

`Give me my heart, little being.

`No! Corum drove his sword deep into the thumb, but the God did not notice.

Mabden clung to the hair of the chest and watched, their grins blank (мабдены вцепились в волосы на груди и наблюдали с бесцветными/пустыми усмешками).

Corum's ribs were near to breaking, but still he would not release the Heart of Arioch that lay in his left fist (ребра Корума почти сломались = трещали, но он по-прежнему не выпускал сердце Ариоха, которое лежало в его левой руке).

`No matter (неважно), said Arioch, his grip relaxing a trifle (сказал Ариох, ослабляя немного сжатие), `I can absorb both you and the heart at the same time (я могу поглотить и тебя, и сердце; at the same time — одновременно, вместе).

Now Arioch began to carry his great hand towards his open mouth (Ариох начал подносить свою огромную руку к открытому рту; to carry — переносить, перевозить). His breath came out in stinking blasts and Corum choked on it, but still he stabbed and stabbed (его дыхание было зловонным, и Корум задыхался от него, но по-прежнему колол и колол /мечом/; to come out — выходить, появляться; blast — сильный порыв ветра, поток воздуха).

A grin spread over the gigantic lips (усмешка разлилась по гигантским губам). All Corum could see now was that mouth, the scabrous nostrils, the huge eyes (все, что Корум мог теперь видеть, были тот рот, противные ноздри и громадные глаза; scabrous — грубый на ощупь, шершавый; покрытый грязью). The mouth opened wider to swallow him (рот широко открылся, чтобы проглотить его). He struck at the upper lip, staring into the red darkness of the God's throat (он нанес удар по верхней губе, глядя в красную тьму глотки бога).

absorb [qb`zLb] breath [breT] scabrous [`skeIbrqs]

Mabden clung to the hair of the chest and watched, their grins blank.

Corum's ribs were near to breaking, but still he would not release the Heart of Arioch that lay in his left fist.

`No matter, said Arioch, his grip relaxing a trifle, `I can absorb both you and the heart at the same time.

Now Arioch began to carry his great hand towards his open mouth. His breath came out in stinking blasts and Corum choked on it, but still he stabbed and stabbed.

A grin spread over the gigantic lips. All Corum could see now was that mouth, the scabrous nostrils, the huge eyes. The mouth opened wider to swallow him. He struck at the upper lip, staring into the red darkness of the God's throat.

Then his left hand contracted (тут его левая рука сжалась /в кулак/). It squeezed the Heart of Arioch (она сдавила сердце Ариоха). Corum's own strength could not have done it (собственная сила Корума не могла этого сделать), but once again the Hand of Kwll was possessed of a power of its own (но снова Рука Кулла обладала своей собственной силой = ожила). It squeezed.

Arioch's laughter faded (смех Ариоха /постепенно/ утих). The vast eyes widened and a new light filled them (огромные глаза расширились, и новый свет наполнил их). A bellow came from the throat (рев раздался из его горла).

The hand of Kwll squeezed tighter still (тем не менее, Рука Кулла сдавливала /сердце/ сильнее).

Arioch shrieked (Ариох вскрикнул).

The heart began to crumble in the hand (сердце начало крошиться в руке). Rays of a reddish blue light sprang from between Corum's fingers (лучи красновато-синего света проходили между пальцами Корума). Pain flooded up his arm (боль поднялась по его руке).

There was a high whistling sound (раздался высокий свистящий звук).

squeezed [skwJzd] possessed [pq`zest] flooded [`flAdId]

Then his left hand contracted. It squeezed the Heart of Arioch. Corum's own strength could not have done it, but once again the Hand of Kwll was possessed of a power of its own. It squeezed.

Arioch's laughter faded. The vast eyes widened and a new light filled them. A bellow came from the throat.

The hand of Kwll squeezed tighter still.

Arioch shrieked.

The heart began to crumble in the hand. Rays of a reddish blue light sprang from between Corum's fingers. Pain flooded up his arm.

There was a high whistling sound.

Arioch began to weep (Ариох зарыдал). His grasp on Corum weakened (сжатие Корума ослабло). He staggered backwards (шатаясь, он отступил назад).

`No, mortal (нет, смертный). No… The voice was pathetic (голос был жалостным). `Please, mortal, we can (пожалуйста, смертный, мы можем) …

Corum saw the God's bloated form begin to melt into the air (Корум увидел, как жирная фигура бога начала растворяться в воздухе; to melt — таять, плавиться). The hand that held him began to lose its shape (рука, которая держала его, стала терять форму). And then Corum was falling towards the floor of the hall (потом Корум стал падать на пол зала), the broken pieces of Arioch's heart scattering as he fell (разбитые куски = осколки сердца Ариоха разлетались, пока он падал; to scatter — разбрасывать/ся/, рассеивать/ся/).

He landed with a crash, tried to rise, saw what was left of Arioch's body writhing in the air (он приземлился с грохотом, попытался подняться, увидел, как то, что осталось от тела Ариоха, кружилось в воздухе), heard a mournful sound, and then Corum lost consciousness (услышал печальный/скорбный звук и потом потерял сознание), hearing, as he did so, Arioch's last whispered words (слыша при этом последние прошептанные слова Ариоха).

`Corum of the Vadhagh. You have won the eternal bane of the Sword Rulers (ты навлек на себя вечное проклятие Повелителей Мечей; to win — побеждать, выигрывать; добиваться; bane — смерть, убийство; несчастье, проклятие) …

pathetic [pq`TetIk] mournful [`mLnf (q) l] consciousness [`kOnSqsnIs]

Arioch began to weep. His grasp on Corum weakened. He staggered backwards.

`No, mortal. No… The voice was pathetic. `Please, mortal, we can…

Corum saw the God's bloated form begin to melt into the air. The hand that held him began to lose its shape. And then Corum was falling towards the floor of the hall, the broken pieces of Arioch's heart scattering as he fell.

He landed with a crash, tried to rise, saw what was left of Arioch's body writhing in the air, heard a mournful sound, and then Corum lost consciousness, hearing, as he did so, Arioch's last whispered words.

`Corum of the Vadhagh. You have won the eternal bane of the Sword Rulers…