Текст книги "Английский язык с М. Муркоком"

Автор книги: Майкл Джон Муркок

Соавторы: Илья Франк,Андрей Еремин
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Текущая страница: 29 (всего у книги 36 страниц)

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

`You do not know (ты не знаешь)?

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

Hanafax seemed disturbed (Ганафакс казался встревоженным).

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

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

opportunity [, ɔpəˈtju:nɪtɪ] consequences [ˈkɔnsɪkwənsɪz]

Corum held up his left hand.

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

`You do not know?

`I have had no opportunity to test them.

Hanafax seemed disturbed.

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

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

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

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

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

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

He screamed (он вскрикнул).

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

He looked again.

tension [ˈtenʃ (ə) n] forehead [ˈfɔrɪd] cowled [kauld]

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

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

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

And this time he stared into their faces.

He screamed.

But he could not name the reason for his terror.

He looked again.

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

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

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

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

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

vitality [vaɪˈtælɪtɪ] beckoned [ˈbekənd]

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

The Hand beckoned.

The dark figures moved towards Corum.

He heard Hanafax say:

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

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

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

Corum moved numbed lips (Корум шевельнул онемевшими губами).

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

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

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

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

sweating [ˈswetɪŋ] scythe [saɪð] disgust [dɪsˈɡʌst]

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

From beneath their robes the four figures drew huge scythes.

Corum moved numbed lips.

`Here. Come to this plane. Obey me.

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

Then Hanafax cried out in terror and disgust.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Corum shuddered (вздрогнул).

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

issued [ˈɪʃu:d] distorted [dɪsˈtɔ:tɪd]

Hollow voices issued from the strangely distorted mouths:

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

`Destroy that door! Corum commanded.

`Will we have our prize, master?

`What prize is that?

`A life for each of us, master.

Corum shuddered.

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

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

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

`A kite?

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

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

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

radiated [ˈreɪdɪeɪtɪd] force [fɔ:s]

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

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

`A kite?

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

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

They found themselves in the main courtyard of the palace.

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

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

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

The screaming grew louder (крик стал громче).

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

echo [ˈekəu] eventually [ɪˈvenʧu (ə) lɪ]

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

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

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

The screaming grew louder.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

rummage [ˈrʌmɪʤ] halt [hɔ:lt] advance [ədˈvɑ:ns]

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

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

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

Corum saw more soldiers rushing down the corridor towards them.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

arrangement [əˈreɪnʤmənt] comrade [ˈkɔmr (ə) ɪd] fiercely [ˈfɪəslɪ]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

unkempt [, ʌnˈkempt] denied [dɪˈnaɪd]

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

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

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

The ragged, unkempt figure beside him was grinning.

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

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

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 [dɪsˈkɑ:dɪd] doublet [ˈdʌblɪt] sustain [səˈsteɪn]

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 [, kɔmplɪˈment (ə) rɪ] either [ˈaɪðə]

`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 [əˈpɪ (ə) rəns] Chaos [ˈkeɪɔs] arbitrary [ˈɑ:bɪtrərɪ] accept [əkˈsept]

`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 [, ɪntəˈfɪə] inclined [ɪnˈklaɪnd]

`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 [ˈmɪrɪəd] cosmology [kɔzˈmɔləʤɪ] vouch [vauʧ] desert [ˈdezət]

`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 [dɑ:nst] increased [ɪnˈkri:st] astonishment [əˈstɔnɪʃmənt]

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).