Текст книги "Английский язык с М. Муркоком"

Автор книги: Майкл Джон Муркок

Соавторы: Илья Франк,Андрей Еремин
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Текущая страница: 35 (всего у книги 36 страниц)

pillar [ˈpɪlə] reverberated [rɪˈvə: b (ə) reɪt]

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 [ˈkɔ:pjulənt] thumb [Ɵʌm]

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 [əbˈzɔ:b] breath [breƟ] scabrous [ˈskeɪbrəs]

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 [skwi:zd] possessed [pəˈzest] flooded [ˈflʌdɪd]

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 [pəˈƟetɪk] mournful [ˈmɔ:nf (ə) l] consciousness [ˈkɔnʃəsnɪs]

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…

CHAPTER EIGHT (глава восьмая)
A Pause in the Struggle (передышка в борьбе)

Corum saw a procession passing him (Корум увидел процессию, проходившую мимо него).

Beings of a hundred different races marched or rode or were carried in that procession (существа сотни различных рас маршировали, либо ехали верхом, либо их несли в той процессии) and he knew that he watched all the mortal races that had ever existed (и он понял, что наблюдает все смертные расы, которые когда-либо существовали) since Law and Chaos had begun their struggle for domination over the multitudinous planes of the Earth (с тех пор, как Закон и Хаос начали борьбу за господство над многочисленными плоскостями Земли).

In the distance, he saw the banners of Law and Chaos raised, side by side (вдали он увидел поднятые знамена Закона и Хаоса, /расположенные/ рядом: «бок о бок»), the one bearing the eight radiating arrows (на одном были восемь расходящихся /из центра/ стрел), the other bearing the single straight arrow of Law (на другом – одна прямая стрела Закона). And over all this hung a huge balance in perfect equilibrium (над всем этим висели огромные весы в совершенном равновесии; balance – весы; равновесие, баланс). In each of the balance's cups were marshalled other beings, not mortal (в каждой чаше весов размещались другие существа, не смертные; to marshal – располагать в определенном порядке, размещать). Corum saw Arioch and the Lords of Chaos in one and he saw the Lords of Law in the other (Корум увидел Ариоха и Владык Хаоса в одной /чаше/, и Владык Закона в другой). And Corum heard a voice which said (Корум услышал голос, который сказал):

procession [prəˈseʃ (ə) n] multitudinous [, mʌltɪˈtju:dɪnəs]

Corum saw a procession passing him.

Beings of a hundred different races marched or rode or were carried in that procession and he knew that he watched all the mortal races that had ever existed since Law and Chaos had begun their struggle for domination over the multitudinous planes of the Earth.

In the distance, he saw the banners of Law and Chaos raised, side by side, the one bearing the eight radiating arrows, the other bearing the single straight arrow of Law. And over all this hung a huge balance in perfect equilibrium. In each of the balance's cups were marshalled other beings, not mortal. Corum saw Arioch and the Lords of Chaos in one and he saw the Lords of Law in the other. And Corum heard a voice which said:

`This is as it should be (так и должно быть). Neither Law nor Chaos must dominate the destinies of the moral planes (ни Закон, ни Хаос не должны властвовать над судьбами смертных плоскостей). There must be equilibrium (должно быть равновесие).

Corum cried out:

`But there is no equilibrium (но равновесия нет). Chaos rules all (всем управляет Хаос)!

The voice replied, saying (голос ответил, сказав):

`The balance sometimes tips (весы иногда наклоняются /в одну сторону/). It must be righted (их необходимо выровнять). And that is the power of mortals, to adjust the balance (во власти = под силу смертным – восстанавливать равновесие; to adjust – приводить в порядок, регулировать).

`How may I do that (как я могу это сделать)?

destiny [ˈdestɪnɪ] equilibrium [, i:kwɪˈlɪbrɪəm] balance [ˈbæləns]

`This is as it should be. Neither Law nor Chaos must dominate the destinies of the moral planes. There must be equilibrium.

Corum cried out:

`But there is no equilibrium. Chaos rules all!

The voice replied, saying:

`The balance sometimes tips. It must be righted. And that is the power of mortals, to adjust the balance.

`How may I do that?

`You have begun the work already (ты уже начал это дело). Now you must continue until it is finished (теперь ты должен продолжать, пока не закончишь). You may perish before it is complete, but some other will follow you (ты можешь погибнуть прежде, чем это закончено, но кто-нибудь другой последует за тобой = продолжит твое дело).

Corum shouted (Корум крикнул):

`I do not want this (я не хочу /делать/ это). I cannot bear such a burden (я не смогу вынести такого бремени/тяжести)!

`YOU MUST (т должен)!

The procession marched on, not seeing Corum, not seeing the two banners flying (процессия продолжила движение, не видя Корума, не видя двух развевающихся знамен), not seeing the Cosmic Balance that hung over them (не видя Космических Весов, что нависали над ними).

complete [kəmˈpli:t] burden [bə: dn]

`You have begun the work already. Now you must continue until it is finished. You may perish before it is complete, but some other will follow you.

Corum shouted:

`I do not want this. I cannot bear such a burden!

`YOU MUST!

The procession marched on, not seeing Corum, not seeing the two banners flying, not seeing the Cosmic Balance that hung over them.

Corum hung in cloudy space and his heart was at peace (Корум парил в облачном = туманном пространстве, и его сердце было спокойным). Shapes began to appear and then he saw that he was back in Arioch's hall (начали появляться очертания /окружающих предметов/, и он увидел, что он снова находится в зале Ариоха). He sought for his sword, but it was gone (он поискал свой меч, но тот пропал; to seek).

`I will return your sword before you leave, Prince Corum of the Vadhagh (я верну твой меч, прежде чем ты уйдешь, принц Корум из /племени/ вадагов).

The voice was level and it was clear (голос был спокойный и ясный).

Corum turned (Корум обернулся).

He drew a sudden breath (он сделал внезапный вдох = в изумлении выдохнул).

`The Giant of Laahr!

The sad, wise face smiled down on him (печальное мудрое лицо /сверху/ улыбнулось ему).

Corum hung in cloudy space and his heart was at peace. Shapes began to appear and then he saw that he was back in Arioch's hall. He sought for his sword, but it was gone.

`I will return your sword before you leave, Prince Corum of the Vadhagh.

The voice was level and it was clear.

Corum turned.

He drew a sudden breath.

`The Giant of Laahr!

The sad, wise face smiled down on him.

`I was called that, when I was in exile (так меня называли, когда я был в изгнании). But now I am no longer exiled and you may address me by my true name (но теперь я больше не в изгнании, и ты можешь обращаться ко мне по моему настоящему имени). I am Lord Arkyn and this is my palace (я – лорд Аркин, а это мой дворец). Arioch has gone (Ариох исчез). Without his heart he cannot assume flesh on these planes (без сердца он не может находиться во плоти в этих плоскостях; to assume – принимать, получать, приобретать). Without flesh, he cannot wield power (без плоти он не может обладать властью). I rule here now, as I ruled before (теперь здесь правлю я, как я правил раньше).

The being's substance was still shadowy, though not as formless as before (очертания существа все еще были неясными, хотя и не такими бесформенными, как раньше; substance – материя, вещество; shadowy – затененный; туманный, неотчетливый).

Lord Arkyn smiled.

`It will take time before I assume my old form (потребуется время, прежде чем я обрету мою прежнюю форму). Only by a great power of will did I enable myself to remain on this plane at all (лишь благодаря огромной силе воли я сумел вообще остаться на этой плоскости). I did not know when I rescued you, Corum, that you would be the cause of my restoration (я не знал, когда спас тебя, Корум, что ты будешь причиной моего восстановления = что благодаря тебе я вернусь). I thank you (благодарю тебя).

rescued [ˈreskju:d] restoration [, restəˈreɪʃ (ə) n]

`I was called that, when I was in exile. But now I am no longer exiled and you may address me by my true name. I am Lord Arkyn and this is my palace. Arioch has gone. Without his heart he cannot assume flesh on these planes. Without flesh, he cannot wield power. I rule here now, as I ruled before.

The being's substance was still shadowy, though not as formless as before.

Lord Arkyn smiled.

`It will take time before I assume my old form. Only by a great power of will did I enable myself to remain on this plane at all. I did not know when I rescued you, Corum, that you would be the cause of my restoration. I thank you.

`I thank you, my lord (я благодарю тебя, мой господин).

`Good breeds good (добро порождает добро; to breed – порождать, вызывать), Lord Arkyn said. `Evil breeds evil (а зло порождает зло).

Corum smiled.

`Sometimes, my lord (иногда, мой господин).

Lord Arkyn chuckled quietly (лорд Аркин тихо засмеялся; to chuckle – хихикать, посмеиваться).

`Aye, you are right – sometimes (да, ты прав – иногда). Well, mortal, I must return you to your own plane (итак, смертный, я должен вернуть тебя в твою плоскость).

`Can you transport me to a particular place, my lord (ты можешь переместить меня в определенное место, мой господин)?

`I can, Prince in the Scarlet Robe.

transport [trænsˈpɔ:t] particular [pəˈtɪkjulə]

`I thank you, my lord.

`Good breeds good, Lord Arkyn said. `Evil breeds evil.

Corum smiled.

`Sometimes, my lord.

Lord Arkyn chuckled quietly.

`Aye, you are right – sometimes. Well, mortal, I must return you to your own plane.

`Can you transport me to a particular place, my lord?

`I can, Prince in the Scarlet Robe.

`Lord Arkyn, you know why I embarked upon this course of mine (ты знаешь, почему я начал свой путь; to embark upon – начинать, предпринимать; course – курс, направление; линия поведения, образ действия). I sought the remnants of the Vadhagh race, my folk (я искал остатки = выживших из моей расы, моего народа). Tell me, are they all gone now (скажи мне, они все погибли)?

Lord Arkyn lowered his head (лорд Аркин опустил голову).

`All, save you (все, кроме тебя).

`And cannot you restore them (разве не можешь ты вернуть их)?

`The Vadhagh were always the mortals I loved most, Prince Corum (вадаги всегда были смертными, которых я любил больше всего, принц Корум). But I have not the power to reverse the very cycle of time (но у меня нет могущества = я не в силах изменить само течение времени; to reverse – переворачивать, давать обратный ход; cycle – цикл; круговой процесс). You are the last of the Vadhagh. And yet (однако) … Lord Arkyn paused. `And yet there might come a moment when the Vadhagh will return (однако может наступить момент, когда вадаги вернутся). But I see nothing clearly and I must speak no more of that (но я не вижу четко, и не должен больше говорить об этом).

remnant [ˈremnənt] cycle [ˈsaɪk (ə) l]

`Lord Arkyn, you know why I embarked upon this course of mine. I sought the remnants of the Vadhagh race, my folk. Tell me, are they all gone now?

Lord Arkyn lowered his head.

`All, save you.

`And cannot you restore them?

`The Vadhagh were always the mortals I loved most, Prince Corum. But I have not the power to reverse the very cycle of time. You are the last of the Vadhagh. And yet… Lord Arkyn paused. `And yet there might come a moment when the Vadhagh will return. But I see nothing clearly and I must speak no more of that.

Corum sighed (Корум вздохнул):

`Well, I must be content (значит, я должен быть доволен/удовлетворен). And what of Shool (а что касается Шула)? Is Rhalina safe (Ралина в безопасности)?

`I think so (думаю, да). My senses are still not capable of seeing all that happens and Shool was a thing of Chaos and is therefore much harder for me to see (мое сознание по-прежнему не способно видеть = я не могу видеть все, что происходит, а Шул был тварью = порождением Хаоса, поэтому мне намного труднее видеть его; sense – чувство, ощущение; senses – разум, сознание). But I believe that Rhalina is in danger (но, полагаю, что Ралина в опасности), though Shool's power has waned with the passing of Arioch (хотя могущество Шула значительно ослабло с уходом Ариоха; to wane – убывать, уменьшаться, ослабевать).

`Then send me, I beg you, to Svi-an-Fanla-Brool, for I love the Margravine (тогда отправь меня, прошу тебя, на Сви-ан-Фанла-Брул, потому что я люблю маркграфиню).

`It is your capacity for love that makes you strong, Prince Corum (именно твоя способность любить делает тебя сильным, принц Корум).

content [kənˈtent] capacity [kəˈpæsɪtɪ]

Corum sighed:

`Well, I must be content. And what of Shool? Is Rhalina safe?

`I think so. My senses are still not capable of seeing all that happens and Shool was a thing of Chaos and is therefore much harder for me to see. But I believe that Rhalina is in danger, though Shool's power has waned with the passing of Arioch.

`Then send me, I beg you, to Svi-an-Fanla-Brool, for I love the Margravine.

`It is your capacity for love that makes you strong, Prince Corum.

`And my capacity for hate (а моя способность ненавидеть)?

`That directs your strength (она направляет твою силу).

Lord Arkyn frowned, as if there was something he could not understand (лорд Аркин нахмурился, словно чего-то не мог понять).

`You are sad in your triumph, Lord Arkyn (ты печален в своей победе = опечален, победив, лорд Аркин)? Are you always sad (ты всегда печален)?

The Lord of Law looked at Corum, almost in surprise.

`I suppose I am still sad, yes (думаю, я все еще печален, да). I mourn for the Vadhagh as you mourn (я оплакиваю вадагов, так же, как и ты). I mourn for the one who was killed by your enemy, Glandyth-a-Krae – the one you called the Brown Man (я оплакиваю того, кого убил твой враг, Гландит-а-Краэ – того, кого ты называл мохнатым человеком).

triumph [ˈtraɪəmf] mourn [mɔ:n]

`And my capacity for hate?

`That directs your strength.

Lord Arkyn frowned, as if there was something he could not understand.

`You are sad in your triumph, Lord Arkyn? Are you always sad?

The Lord of Law looked at Corum, almost in surprise.

`I suppose I am still sad, yes. I mourn for the Vadhagh as you mourn. I mourn for the one who was killed by your enemy, Glandyth-a-Krae – the one you called the Brown Man.

`He was a good creature (он был добрым созданием). Does Glandyth still bring death across the land of Bro-an-Vadhagh (неужели Гландит по-прежнему несет = сеет смерть на земле Бро-ан-Вадаг)?

`He does (да). You will meet him again, I think (думаю, ты снова с ним встретишься).

`And then I will kill him (и тогда я убью его).

`Possibly (возможно).

Lord Arkyn vanished. The palace vanished (дворец исчез).

Sword in hand, Corum stood before the low, twisted door that was the entrance to Shool's dwelling (/держа/ меч в руке, Корум стоял перед низкой перекошенной дверью, которая была входом в жилище Шула). Behind him, in the garden, the plants craned up to drink the rain that fell from a pale sky (позади него, в саду, растения вытягивались, чтобы попить дождя, который падал = шел с бледного неба).

entrance [ˈentrəns] garden [ɡɑ:dn]

`He was a good creature. Does Glandyth still bring death across the land of Bro-an-Vadhagh?

`He does. You will meet him again, I think.

`And then I will kill him.

`Possibly.

Lord Arkyn vanished. The palace vanished.

Sword in hand, Corum stood before the low, twisted door that was the entrance to Shool's dwelling. Behind him, in the garden, the plants craned up to drink the rain that fell from a pale sky.

A peculiar calm hung over the dark and oddly formed building (странная тишина висела над темным, причудливо построенным зданием), but without hesitation Corum plunged into it and began to run down eccentric corridors (но без колебания Корум ворвался в него и побежал по необычным коридорам).

`Rhalina! Rhalina!

The house muffled his shouts no matter how loudly he uttered them (здание глушило его крики, как бы громко он ни кричал).

`Rhalina!

Through the murky dwelling he ran until he heard a whining voice he recognised (он бежал по темному/мрачному жилищу, пока не услышал плаксивый голос, который узнал). Shool!

`Shool! Where are you (где ты)?

building [ˈbɪldɪŋ] hesitation [, hezɪˈteɪʃ (ə) n] murky [ˈmə: kɪ]

A peculiar calm hung over the dark and oddly formed building, but without hesitation Corum plunged into it and began to run down eccentric corridors.

`Rhalina! Rhalina!

The house muffled his shouts no matter how loudly he uttered them.

`Rhalina!

Through the murky dwelling he ran until he heard a whining voice he recognised. Shool!

`Shool! Where are you?

`Prince Shool. I will be given my proper rank (мне дадут надлежащее звание = называйте меня соответственно титулу). You mock me now, my enemies have beaten me (ты насмехаешься надо мной теперь, мои враги победили меня).

Corum entered a room and there was Shool (Корум вошел в комнату, там был Шул). Corum recognised only the eyes (Корум узнал только глаза). The rest was a withered, decrepit thing that lay upon a bed, unable to move (остальное было иссохшей дряхлой массой, которая лежала на кровати, неспособная двигаться).

Shool whimpered (Шул захныкал).

`You, too, come to torment me now that I am conquered (ты тоже пришел мучить меня, теперь, когда я побежден; to conquer – завоевать, покорить). Thus it always is with mighty men brought low (так всегда /происходит/ с униженными могущественными людьми).

`You only rose because it suited Arioch's sense of humour to let you (ты возвысился только потому, что это подходило чувству юмора Ариоха = ради забавы Ариох позволил тебе /возвыситься/).

`Silence (молчать)! I will not be deceived (меня не обманешь; to deceive – обманывать, вводить в заблуждение). Arioch has taken vengeance upon me because I was more powerful than he (Ариох отомстил мне, потому что я был более могуществен, чем он).

decrepit [dɪˈkrepɪt] conquered [ˈkɔŋkəd] deceived [dɪˈsi:vd]

`Prince Shool. I will be given my proper rank. You mock me now, my enemies have beaten me.

Corum entered a room and there was Shool. Corum recognised only the eyes. The rest was a withered, decrepit thing that lay upon a bed, unable to move.

Shool whimpered.

`You, too, come to torment me now that I am conquered. Thus it always is with mighty men brought low.

`You only rose because it suited Arioch's sense of humour to let you.

`Silence! I will not be deceived. Arioch has taken vengeance upon me because I was more powerful than he.

`You borrowed, without knowing it, a fraction of his power (ты взял на время, не зная об этом, часть его могущества). Arioch is gone from the Five Planes, Shool (Ариох исчез из этих Пяти Плоскостей, Шул). You set events in motion which resulted in his banishment (ты вызвал события, которые привели к его изгнанию; to set in motion – пускать в ход; приводить в действие, движение). You wanted his heart so that you might make him your slave (ты хотел его сердце, чтобы сделать его своим рабом). You sent many Mabden to steal it (ты посылал множество мабденов, чтобы украсть его). All failed (все потерпели неудачу). You should not have sent me, Shool, for I did not fail and it resulted in your undoing (тебе не следовало посылать меня, Шул, потому что я не потерпел неудачу = я справился с заданием, и это привело к твоему краху; undoing – уничтожение; гибель; падение).

Shool sobbed and shook his haggard head (Шул всхлипнул и покачал изможденной головой).

`Where is Rhalina, Shool? If she is harmed (если ей причинили вред) …

`You borrowed, without knowing it, a fraction of his power. Arioch is gone from the Five Planes, Shool. You set events in motion which resulted in his banishment. You wanted his heart so that you might make him your slave. You sent many Mabden to steal it. All failed. You should not have sent me, Shool, for I did not fail and it resulted in your undoing.

Shool sobbed and shook his haggard head.

`Where is Rhalina, Shool? If she is harmed…

`Harmed? A hollow laugh from the wizened lips (глухой смех /сорвался/ с высохших губ). `I harm her (я причинил вред ей)? It is she who placed me here (это она загнала меня сюда; to place – помещать, располагать). Take her away from me (держи ее подальше от меня). I know she means to poison me (я знаю, она хочет отравить меня).

`Where is she?

`I gave you gifts (я дал тебе дары). That new hand, that new eye. You would be crippled still if I had not been kind to you (ты до сих пор был бы калекой, если бы я не был добр к тебе). But you will not remember my generosity, I know (но ты не вспомнишь = забудешь мою щедрость, я знаю). You will…

`Your «gifts», Shool, near crippled my soul (твои «дары», Шул, чуть не изуродовали мою душу)! Where is Rhalina?

`Promise you will not hurt me, if I tell you (обещай, что не тронешь меня, если я скажу; to hurt – причинять боль; ранить, ушибить)?

wizened [ˈwɪz (ə) nd] generosity [, ʤenəˈrɔsɪtɪ]

`Harmed? A hollow laugh from the wizened lips. `I harm her? It is she who placed me here. Take her away from me. I know she means to poison me.

`Where is she?

`I gave you gifts. That new hand, that new eye. You would be crippled still if I had not been kind to you. But you will not remember my generosity, I know. You will…

`Your «gifts», Shool, near crippled my soul! Where is Rhalina?

`Promise you will not hurt me, if I tell you?

`Why should I wish to hurt so pathetic a thing as you, Shool (с чего мне желать трогать такую жалкую тварь, как ты, Шул)? Now, tell me (а теперь, скажи мне).

`At the end of the passage is a stair (в конце коридора лестница). At the top of the stair is a room (наверху лестницы комната). She has locked herself in (она заперлась в ней). I would have made her my wife you know (я бы сделал ее = хотел сделать ее своей женой, видишь ли). It would have been magnificent to be the wife of a God (было бы великолепно = как прекрасно быть женой бога). An immortal (бессмертного). But she…

`So you planned to betray me (значит, ты намеревался предать меня)?

`A God may do as he chooses (бог может поступать, как пожелает: «как выбирает»).

Corum left the room, ran down the passage and up the short flight of stairs (Корум вышел из комнаты, побежал по коридору и вверх по короткому лестничному пролету), hammering with the hilt of his sword upon the door (стуча эфесом меча в дверь; to hammer – бить, колотить /молотком, кувалдой/; барабанить).

pathetic [pəˈƟetɪk] magnificent [mæɡˈnɪfɪs (ə) nt]

`Why should I wish to hurt so pathetic a thing as you, Shool? Now, tell me.