Текст книги "Английский язык с М. Муркоком"

Автор книги: Майкл Джон Муркок

Соавторы: Илья Франк,Андрей Еремин
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Текущая страница: 30 (всего у книги 36 страниц)

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

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

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

definition [, defɪˈnɪʃ (ə) n] harmony [ˈhɑ:mənɪ] grasp [ɡrɑ:sp]

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

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

`Such a thing defies nature! he gasped.

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

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

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

`An evil beauty (зловещая красота).

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

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

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

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

aesthetic [i:sˈƟetɪk] beauty [ˈbju:tɪ]

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

`An evil beauty.

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

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

`And destroy all their beauty?

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

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

`True (верно).

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

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

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

height [haɪt] piece [pi:s]

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

`True.

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

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

A piece of the kite fell blazing away.

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

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

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

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

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

threatened [Ɵretnd] coughed [kɔft] immune [ɪˈmju:n] descent [dɪˈsent]

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

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

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

The kite lurched and began to fall.

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

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

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

wreckage [ˈrekɪʤ] obsidian [əbˈsɪdɪən] fused [fju:zd]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hanafax snorted (Ганафакс фыркнул).

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

netherworld [ˈneðəwə: ld] eternally [ɪˈtə: n (ə) lɪ]

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

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

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

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

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

Hanafax snorted.

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

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

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

`Doubtless.

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

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

quirk [kwə: k] rivulet [ˈrɪvjulɪt] circuitously [sə: ˈkju:ɪtəslɪ] daunted [ˈdɔ:ntɪd] plagued [pleɪɡd]

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

`Another quirk of the Lords of Chaos, doubtless.

`Doubtless.

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

`I think we are doomed, Prince Corum.

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

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

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

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

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

spectacular [spekˈtækjulə] allies [ˈælaɪz]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

conception [kənˈsepʃ (ə) n] experiment [ɪkˈsperɪmənt]

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

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

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

`Hush, Sir Hanafax…

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

`What is it (что это)?

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

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

snout [snaut] barbed [bɑ:bd] lance [lɑ:ns] weapon [ˈwepən]

Hanafax peered through the smoky heat.

`What is it?

And then they revealed themselves.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

accident [ˈæksɪd (ə) nt] country [ˈkʌntrɪ]

Silently, they surrounded Corum and Hanafax.

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

`What do you in our Flamelands, strangers?

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

`You are not peaceful. You bear swords.

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

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

`Can we not (а не можем ли мы) …?

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

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

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

cavern [ˈkævən] recognised [ˈrekəɡnaɪzd]

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

`Can we not…?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

`No! I…

shouted [ˈʃautɪd] gesticulating [ʤeˈstɪkjuleɪtɪŋ]

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

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

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

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

`No! I…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Corum controlled himself. Slowly, he nodded.

`Aye. You may take your prizes.

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

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

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

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

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

ghastly [ˈɡɑ:stlɪ] familiar [fəˈmɪlɪə]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hanafax put an arm on Corum's shoulder.

`They are all dead now, Prince Corum.

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

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

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