Английский язык с М. Муркоком 27 страница

tinged [tInGd] inaccurate [In`xkjurIt] unable [An`eIbl]

Corum decided to sail in an easterly direction along the reef, hoping to find somewhere where he could land the boat and perhaps drag it overland to the waters that lay beyond the reef.

He sailed for another four days, without sleep, and the reef offered neither a passage through nor a place to land.

A light mist, tinged pink by the sun, now covered the water in all directions and Corum kept away from the reef by using his lodestone and by listening for the sounds of the surf on the rocks. He drew out his maps, pricked out on skin, and tried to judge his position. The maps were crude and probably inaccurate, but they were the best Shool had had. He was nearing a narrow channel between the reef and a land marked on the map as Khoolocrah. Shool had been unable to tell him much about the land, save that a race called the Ragha-da-Kheta lived thereabouts.

In the light from the boat, he peered at the maps (в свете, /исходившем/ от лодки, он всматривался в карты), hoping to distinguish some gap in the reef marked there, but there was none (надеясь различить какой-либо пролив в рифе, обозначенный там, но на ней не было никакого /пролива/).

Then the boat began to rock rapidly and Corum glanced about him, seeking the source of this sudden eddy (затем лодка начала быстро качаться, и Корум посмотрел вокруг, ища источник этого внезапного волнения; eddy — маленький водоворот, вихрь). Far away, the surf boomed, but then he heard another sound (вдалеке гудел прибой, но потом он услышал другой звук), to the south of him, and he looked there (к югу от себя, и посмотрел туда).

The sound was a regular rushing and slapping noise, like that of a man wading through a stream (звук был /похож/ на постоянный торопливый и шлепающий звук, словно от человека, переходящего вброд ручей; to slap — хлопать, шлепать; noise — шум, гам, грохот; неприятный звук; stream — поток, река, ручей). Was this some beast of the sea (был ли это какой-нибудь зверь моря = морское чудовище)? The Mabden seemed to fear many such monsters (казалось, мабдены боятся многих подобных чудовищ). Corum clung desperately to the sides, trying to keep the boat on course away from the rocks (Корум схватился отчаянно за борта, пытаясь направить лодку на курс прочь от скал = отплыть подальше от скал; to cling — цепляться, крепко держаться), but the waves increased their agitation (но волны усиливали свое волнение = поднимались все больше).

And the sound came closer (а звук /все/ приближался).

distinguish [dIs`tINgwIS] source [sLs] agitation [,xGI`teIS(q)n]

In the light from the boat, he peered at the maps, hoping to distinguish some gap in the reef marked there, but there was none.

Then the boat began to rock rapidly and Corum glanced about him, seeking the source of this sudden eddy. Far away, the surf boomed, but then he heard another sound, to the south of him, and he looked there.

The sound was a regular rushing and slapping noise, like that of a man wading through a stream. Was this some beast of the sea? The Mabden seemed to fear many such monsters. Corum clung desperately to the sides, trying to keep the boat on course away from the rocks, but the waves increased their agitation.

And the sound came closer.

Corum picked up his long, strong sword and readied himself (Корум поднял свой длинный, крепкий меч и приготовился).

He saw something in the mist then (тут он увидел что-то в тумане). It was a tall, bulky shape — the outline of a man (высокая, грузная фигура — очертания человека). And the man was dragging something behind him (и тот человек тащил что-то за собой). A fishing net (рыболовную сеть)! Were the waters so shallow, then (значит, воды были настолько мелки)? Corum leaned over the side and lowered his sword, point downward, into the sea (Корум перегнулся через борт и опустил меч, острием вниз, в море). It did not touch bottom (он не коснулся дна). He could make out the ocean floor a long way below him (он мог разглядеть дно океана далеко под собой = на большой глубине). He looked back at the figure (он снова посмотрел на фигуру). Now he realised that his eyes and the mist had played tricks on him (теперь Корум осознал, что его глаза и туман обманули его; to play a trick — подшучивать, забавляться; сыграть /с кем-либо/ шутку). The figure was still some distance from him and it was gigantic — far huger than the Giant of Laahr (фигура находилась все еще на некотором расстоянии от него, и она была громадной — намного больше, чем Великан из Лаара; huge — огромный, гигантский). This was what made the waves so large (вот что делало волны такими большими). This was why the boat rocked so (вот почему лодка так раскачивалась).

Corum made to call out, to ask the gigantic creature to move away lest he sink the boat, then he thought better of it (Корум хотел крикнуть, попросить гигантское создание отойти в сторону, чтобы оно не потопило лодку, но потом передумал). Beings like this were considered to think less kindly of mortals than did the Giant of Laahr (считалось, что существа вроде этого думают менее доброжелательно о смертных, чем = не жалуют смертных, в отличие Великана из Лаара; think kindly of me — не поминайте лихом).

downward [`daunwqd] ocean [`quS(q)n] distance [`dIst(q)ns]

Corum picked up his long, strong sword and readied himself.

He saw something in the mist then. It was a tall, bulky shape — the outline of a man. And the man was dragging something behind him. A fishing net! Were the waters so shallow, then? Corum leaned over the side and lowered his sword, point downward, into the sea. It did not touch bottom. He could make out the ocean floor a long way below him. He looked back at the figure. Now he realised that his eyes and the mist had played tricks on him. The figure was still some distance from him and it was gigantic — far huger than the Giant of Laahr. This was what made the waves so large. This was why the boat rocked so.

Corum made to call out, to ask the gigantic creature to move away lest he sink the boat, then he thought better of it. Beings like this were considered to think less kindly of mortals than did the Giant of Laahr.

Now the giant, still cloaked in mist, changed his course, still fishing (теперь великан, по-прежнему скрытый туманом, изменил направление, продолжая ловить рыбу; to cloak — покрывать плащом; маскировать, прикрывать). He was behind Corum's boat and he trudged on through the water, dragging his nets behind him (он был позади лодки Корума и устало шел по воде, таща свои сети за собой; to trudge — идти с трудом, устало тащиться; с трудом преодолевать что-либо).

The wash sent the boat flying away from the Thousand League Reef, heading almost due east (прибой отнес лодку в сторону от Тысячемильного Рифа, направляя почти прямо на восток; wash — мытье; прибой, волна; to send — посылать, отправлять; направлять /что-либо куда-либо/ с силой; to send flying — сообщать предмету стремительное движение; отбрасывать), and there was nothing Corum could do to stop it (и Корум ничего не мог сделать, чтобы остановить ее). He fought with the sail and the tiller, but they would not respond (он боролся с парусом и румпелем, но они не поддавались; to respond — отвечать, реагировать; срабатывать). It was as if he was borne on a river rushing towards a chasm (словно его несла река, бегущая к глубокому ущелью; to bear; chasm — глубокая трещина, пропасть, ущелье). The giant had set up a current which he could not fight (великан вызвал течение, с которым он не мог бороться; to set up — устанавливать, устраивать; вызывать).

There was nothing for it but to allow the boat to bear him where it would (ничего не оставалось, кроме как позволить лодке нести его, куда она понесет = отдаться на волю волнам). The giant had long since disappeared in the mist (великан давно уже исчез в тумане), heading towards the Thousand League Reef where perhaps he lived (направляясь к Тысячемильному Рифу, где, возможно, он жил).

Like a shark pouncing on its prey, the little boat moved (как акула, набрасывающаяся на свою добычу, /стремительно/ двигалась маленькая лодка; to pounce — бросаться, внезапно атаковать), until suddenly it broke through the mist into hot sunshine (пока вдруг не пробилась сквозь туман = вырвалась на жаркий солнечный свет).

And Corum saw a coast (и Корум увидел берег). Cliffs rushed at him (утесы устремились = быстро приближались к нему).

due [djH] chasm [kxzm] pouncing [`paunsIN] prey [preI]

Now the giant, still cloaked in mist, changed his course, still fishing. He was behind Corum's boat and he trudged on through the water, dragging his nets behind him.

The wash sent the boat flying away from the Thousand League Reef, heading almost due east, and there was nothing Corum could do to stop it. He fought with the sail and the tiller, but they would not respond. It was as if he was borne on a river rushing towards a chasm. The giant had set up a current which he could not fight.

There was nothing for it but to allow the boat to bear him where it would. The giant had long since disappeared in the mist, heading towards the Thousand League Reef where perhaps he lived.

Like a shark pouncing on its prey, the little boat moved, until suddenly it broke through the mist into hot sunshine.

And Corum saw a coast. Cliffs rushed at him.

CHAPTER TWO (глава вторая)

Temgol-Lep (Темгол-Леп)

Desperately Corum tried to turn the boat away from the cliffs (отчаянно пытался Корум повернуть лодку от утесов). His six-fingered left hand gripped the tiller and his right hand tugged at the sail (его шестипалая левая рука схватилась за румпель, а правая рука тянула за парус). Then there was a grinding sound (потом раздался скрежещущий звук; to grind — перемалывать/ся/; тереть/ся/ со скрипом). A shudder ran through the metal boat and it began to keel over (дрожание пробежало по металлической лодке = лодка содрогнулась и начала заваливаться на борт; to keel over — опрокидываться). Corum grabbed at his weapons and managed to seize them before he was flung overboard and carried on by the wash (Корум попытался схватить оружие и сумел схватить его прежде, чем его швырнуло за борт и понесло течением; to grab at — пытаться схватить/ся/). He gasped as water filled his mouth (он /чуть/ не задохнулся, когда вода наполнила его рот). He felt his body scrape on shingle and he tried to stagger upright as the current began to retreat (он почувствовал, как его тело тащит по гальке, и попробовал /встать/ и идти прямо, когда течение начало отступать; to scrape — скрести/сь/, задевать, шаркать /ногой/). He saw a rock and grasped it, dropping his bow and his quiver of arrows which were instantly swept away (он увидел скалу = выступ и уцепился за него, бросая лук и колчан стрел, которые были тут же смыты /волнами/).

The sea retreated (море отступало = начался отлив). He looked back and saw that his upturned boat had gone with it (он оглянулся и увидел, что его перевернутая лодка ушла с ним /отливом/). He let go of the rock and climbed to his feet (он отпустил скалу и поднялся на ноги), buckling his sword-belt around his waist (застегивая портупею вокруг пояса), straightening his helmet on his head (поправляя шлем на голове; to straighten — выпрямлять/ся/; приводить в порядок), a sense of failure gradually creeping through him (ощущение неудачи постепенно вползало в него = овладевало им).

weapon [`wepqn] seize [sJz] quiver [`kwIvq] straightening [`streItnIN]

Desperately Corum tried to turn the boat away from the cliffs. His six-fingered left hand gripped the tiller and his right hand tugged at the sail. Then there was a grinding sound. A shudder ran through the metal boat and it began to keel over. Corum grabbed at his weapons and managed to seize them before he was flung overboard and carried on by the wash. He gasped as water filled his mouth. He felt his body scrape on shingle and he tried to stagger upright as the current began to retreat. He saw a rock and grasped it, dropping his bow and his quiver of arrows which were instantly swept away.

The sea retreated. He looked back and saw that his upturned boat had gone with it. He let go of the rock and climbed to his feet, buckling his sword-belt around his waist, straightening his helmet on his head, a sense of failure gradually creeping through him.

He walked a few paces up the beach and sat down beneath the tall, black cliff (он прошел несколько шагов по берегу и сел под высоким черным утесом). He was stranded on a strange shore, his boat was gone (его выбросило на странный берег, его лодка пропала) and his goal now lay on the other side of an ocean (а его цель теперь находилась на другой стороне океана).

At that moment Corum did not care (в ту минуту Коруму было все равно). Thoughts of love, of hatred, of vengeance disappeared (мысли о любви, о ненависти, о мести исчезли). He felt that he had left them all behind in the dream-world that was Svi-an-Fanla-Brool (он почувствовал, что оставил их все в мире грез, которым был Сви-ан-Фанла-Брул). All he had left of that world was the six fingered hand and the jewelled eye (все, что у него осталось от того мира — шестипалая рука и украшенный самоцветами глаз).

Reminded of the eye and what it had witnessed, he shivered (вспомнив о глазе и о том, что он увидел, Корум вздрогнул; to remind — напоминать). He reached up and touched the patch that covered it (он протянул руку и коснулся повязки, что прикрывала его).

And then he knew that by accepting Shool's gifts, he had accepted the logic of Shool's world (потом он понял, что, приняв дары Шула, он принял логику мира Шула). He could not escape from it now (он не мог теперь уйти от этого).

vengeance [`venG(q)ns] accepted [qk`septId] logic [`lOGIk]

He walked a few paces up the beach and sat down beneath the tall, black cliff. He was stranded on a strange shore, his boat was gone and his goal now lay on the other side of an ocean.

At that moment Corum did not care. Thoughts of love, of hatred, of vengeance disappeared. He felt that he had left them all behind in the dream-world that was Svi-an-Fanla-Brool. All he had left of that world was the six fingered hand and the jewelled eye.

Reminded of the eye and what it had witnessed, he shivered. He reached up and touched the patch that covered it.

And then he knew that by accepting Shool's gifts, he had accepted the logic of Shool's world. He could not escape from it now.

Sighing, he got up and peered at the cliff (вздохнув, он встал и внимательно осмотрел утес). It was unscaleable (на него нельзя было взобраться; to scale — подниматься, взбираться; scale — градация, шкала; иерархия, лестница). He began to walk along the grey shingle, hoping to discover a place (он принялся ходить по серой гальке, надеясь отыскать место) where he could climb to the top of the cliff and inspect the land in which he found himself (где сможет вскарабкаться на вершину утеса и рассмотреть землю, в которой он оказался: «обнаружил себя»).

He took a gauntlet given him by Shool and drew it over his hand (он взял латную перчатку, /которую/ ему дал Шул, и надел ее на руку). He remembered what Shool had told him, before he left, about the powers of the hand (Корум вспомнил, что Шул говорил ему, прежде чем он покинул /остров/, о могуществе этой руки). He still only half believed Shool's words and he was unwilling to test their veracity (он по-прежнему лишь наполовину верил словам Шула и не желал проверить их правдивость). For more than an hour he trudged along the shore until he moved round a headland and saw a bay (более часа он устало шел вдоль берега, пока не обогнул мыс и не увидел бухту), whose sides sloped gently upward and would be easily scaled (склоны которой отлого поднимались, и на них легко можно было взобраться; to slope — опускаться или подниматься наклонно; gently — мягко, нежно; умеренно). The tide was beginning to come in and would soon cover the beach (начинался прилив, и он скоро покроет берег). He began to run (Корум побежал). He reached the slopes and paused, panting (он достиг склонов и остановился, тяжело дыша). He had found safety in time (он нашел безопасность = безопасное время вовремя). The sea had already covered the largest part of the beach (море уже залило большую часть берега). He climbed to the top of the slope and he saw the city (он вскарабкался на вершину склона и увидел город).

unscaleable [,An`skeIlqbl] climb [klaIm] inspect [In`spekt] gauntlet [`gLntlIt] veracity [vq`rxsItI] city [`sItI]

Sighing, he got up and peered at the cliff. It was unscaleable. He began to walk along the grey shingle, hoping to discover a place where he could climb to the top of the cliff and inspect the land in which he found himself.

He took a gauntlet given him by Shool and drew it over his hand. He remembered what Shool had told him, before he left, about the powers of the hand. He still only half believed Shool's words and he was unwilling to test their veracity. For more than an hour he trudged along the shore until he moved round a headland and saw a bay whose sides sloped gently upward and would be easily scaled. The tide was beginning to come in and would soon cover the beach. He began to run. He reached the slopes and paused, panting. He had found safety in time. The sea had already covered the largest part of the beach. He climbed to the top of the slope and he saw the city.

It was a city of domes and minarets that blazed white in the light of the sun (это был город из куполов и минаретов, которые белели: «сверкали белым» в свете солнца), but as he inspected it more closely Corum saw that the towers and domes were not white, but comprised of a multicoloured mosaic (но когда Корум рассмотрел его тщательнее, он увидел, что башни и купола не белые, а облицованы разноцветной мозаикой; to comprise — включать в себя, содержать). He had seen nothing like it (/никогда/ он не видел ничего подобного).

He debated whether to avoid the city or approach it (он раздумывал, обойти город или войти в него; to debate — обсуждать, спорить; думать, размышлять; to avoid — избежать, уклониться; to approach — приближаться, подходить). If the people of the city were friendly, he might be able to get their help to find another boat (если жители города дружелюбны, ему, возможно, удастся с их помощью найти другую лодку). If they were Mabden, then they were probably unfriendly (если они мабдены, тогда они, вероятно, недружелюбны).

Were these the Ragha-da-Kheta people mentioned on his maps (были ли они ли народом рага-да-кета, упоминаемым на его картах)? He felt for his pouch, but the maps had gone with the boat, as had his lodestone (он поискал свою сумку, но карты исчезли вместе с лодкой, как и его магнит; to feel for — нащупывать, искать ощупью; pouch — сумка, мешок). Despair returned (отчаяние вернулось).

He set off towards the city (он направился к городу).

mosaic [mq(u)`zeIIk] debated [dI`beItId] pouch [pauC]

It was a city of domes and minarets that blazed white in the light of the sun, but as he inspected it more closely Corum saw that the towers and domes were not white, but comprised of a multicoloured mosaic. He had seen nothing like it.

He debated whether to avoid the city or approach it. If the people of the city were friendly, he might be able to get their help to find another boat. If they were Mabden, then they were probably unfriendly.

Were these the Ragha-da-Kheta people mentioned on his maps? He felt for his pouch, but the maps had gone with the boat, as had his lodestone. Despair returned.

He set off towards the city.

Corum had travelled less than a mile before the bizarre cavalry came racing towards him (Корум прошел менее мили, когда причудливая конница понеслась к нему) — warriors mounted on long-necked speckled beasts with curling horns and wattles like those of a lizard (воины, сидевшие верхом на длинношеих пятнистых животных с закрученными рогами и сережками, как у ящерицы; wattle — сережка /у птиц/, бородка /у индюка, петуха/). The spindly legs moved swiftly, however (длинные тонкие ноги двигались, впрочем, быстро), and soon Corum could see that the warriors were also very tall and extremely thin (и вскоре Корум мог видеть, что воины тоже очень долговязые и чрезвычайно худые), but with small, rounded heads and round eyes (но с маленькими округлыми головами и круглыми глазами). These were not Mabden, but they were like no race he had ever heard of (они не были мабденами, но они /также/ не были похожи ни на один народ, о котором Корум когда-либо слышал).

He stopped and waited (он остановился и /стал/ ждать). There was nothing else he could do until he discovered if they were his enemies or not (он ничего не мог больше сделать, пока не узнает, враги они ему или нет).

Swiftly, they surrounded him, peering down at him through their huge, staring eyes (они быстро окружили его, пристально глядя на него своими огромными, широко раскрытыми глазами). Their noses and their mouths were also round and their expressions were ones of permanent surprise (их носы и рты тоже были круглыми, а выражение лиц были /выражениями/ постоянного изумления).

bizarre [bI`zR] lizard [`lIzqd] extremely [Ik`strJmlI] permanent [`pq:mqnqnt]

Corum had travelled less than a mile before the bizarre cavalry came racing towards him — warriors mounted on long-necked speckled beasts with curling horns and wattles like those of a lizard. The spindly legs moved swiftly, however, and soon Corum could see that the warriors were also very tall and extremely thin, but with small, rounded heads and round eyes. These were not Mabden, but they were like no race he had ever heard of.

He stopped and waited. There was nothing else he could do until he discovered if they were his enemies or not.

Swiftly, they surrounded him, peering down at him through their huge, staring eyes. Their noses and their mouths were also round and their expressions were ones of permanent surprise.

`Olanja ko (оланжа ко)?' said one wearing an elaborate cloak and hood of bright feathers (сказал один, носивший изысканный плащ и капюшон из ярких перьев) and holding a club fashioned like the claw of a giant bird (державший дубинку, по форме напоминавшую коготь огромной птицы). `Olanja ko, drajer?' Using the Low Speech of the Vadhagh and the Nhadragh, which was the common tongue of the Mabden, Corum replied (используя низкий = упрощенный язык вадагов и надрагов, который был обычным языком мабденов, Корум ответил):

`I do not understand this language (я не понимаю этого языка).'

The creature in the feather cloak cocked his head to one side and closed his mouth (существо в /украшенном/ перьями плаще склонило голову на бок и закрыло рот). The other warriors, all dressed and armed similarly (остальные воины, все одетые и вооруженные подобным образом), though not as elaborately, muttered among themselves (хотя и не так изысканно, тихо переговаривались; to mutter — бормотать; тихо, невнятно говорить).

Corum pointed roughly southwards (Корум указал приблизительно на юг).

`I come from across the sea (я прибыл из-за моря).' Now he used Middle Speech which Vadhagh and Nhadragh had spoken, but not Mabden (теперь он использовал средний = обычный язык, на котором говорили вадаги и надраги, но не мабдены; to speak).

feather [`feDq] tongue [tAN] roughly [`rAflI]

`Olanja ko?' said one wearing an elaborate cloak and hood of bright feathers and holding a club fashioned like the claw of a giant bird. `Olanja ko, drajer?' Using the Low Speech of the Vadhagh and the Nhadragh, which was the common tongue of the Mabden, Corum replied:

`I do not understand this language.'

The creature in the feather cloak cocked his head to one side and closed his mouth. The other warriors, all dressed and armed similarly, though not as elaborately, muttered among themselves.

Corum pointed roughly southwards.

`I come from across the sea.' Now he used Middle Speech which Vadhagh and Nhadragh had spoken, but not Mabden.

The rider leaned forward as if this sound was more familiar to him (всадник подался вперед, словно этот звук = эти слова были более знакомы ему), but then he shook his head, understanding none of the words (но потом он /отрицательно/ покачал головой, не понимая ни слова).

`Olanja ko?'

Corum also shook his head. The warrior looked puzzled and made a delicate scratching gesture at his cheek (воин посмотрел озадаченно и сделал осторожный царапающий жест по своей щеке). Corum could not interpret the gesture (Корум не смог понять этот жест; to interpret — объяснять, толковать; понимать).

The leader pointed at one of his followers (главный указал на одного из своей свиты; leader — руководитель, глава; вождь; командир; follower — последователь, сторонник).

`Mor naffa!'

The man dismounted and waved one of his spindly arms at Corum (тот спешился и одной из своих длинных рук помахал Коруму), gesturing that he climb on the long-necked beast (показывая, чтобы он взобрался на длинношеее /животное/).

familiar [fq`mIlIq] delicate [`delIkIt] interpret [In`tq:prIt]

The rider leaned forward as if this sound was more familiar to him, but then he shook his head, understanding none of the words.

`Olanja ko?'

Corum also shook his head. The warrior looked puzzled and made a delicate scratching gesture at his cheek. Corum could not interpret the gesture.

The leader pointed at one of his followers.

`Mor naffa!'

The man dismounted and waved one of his spindly arms at Corum, gesturing that he climb on the long-necked beast.

With some difficulty, Corum managed to swing himself into the narrow saddle and sit there, feeling extreme discomfort (с трудом Корум сумел вскочить в узкое седло и сесть, ощущая крайнее неудобство; to swing oneself into a saddle — вскочить в седло).

`Hoj!' The leader waved to his men and turned his mount back towards the city (главный махнул рукой своим людям и повернул свое животное обратно к городу; mount — лошадь, мул и т.д. под седлом).

`Hoj — ala!'

The beasts jogged off, leaving the remaining warrior to make his way back to the city on foot (животные побежали трусцой, заставляя оставшегося воина идти обратно в город пешком; to jog — идти медленной рысью /о лошади/; двигаться подпрыгивая; to leave — покидать, оставлять; to make one`s way — продвигаться, пробираться).

The city was surrounded by a high wall patterned with many geometric designs of a thousand colours (город был окружен высокой стеной, украшенной многочисленными геометрическими рисунками тысячи цветов). They entered it through a tall, narrow gate (они вошли в него через высокие узкие ворота), moved through a series of walls that were probably designed as a simple maze (преодолели множество стен, которые, вероятно, были расположены как простой лабиринт; series — ряд, множество; to design — задумывать; конструировать), and began to ride along a broad avenue of blooming trees towards a palace that lay at the centre of the city (и поскакали по широкой улице, /обсаженной/ цветущими деревьями, ко дворцу, что находился в центре города; avenue — широкая аллея, обсаженная деревьями; широкая улица).

discomfort [dIs`kAmfqt] thousand [`Tauz(q)nd] avenue [`xvInjH] palace [`pxlIs]

With some difficulty, Corum managed to swing himself into the narrow saddle and sit there, feeling extreme discomfort.

`Hoj!' The leader waved to his men and turned his mount back towards the city.

`Hoj — ala!'

The beasts jogged off, leaving the remaining warrior to make his way back to the city on foot.

The city was surrounded by a high wall patterned with many geometric designs of a thousand colours. They entered it through a tall, narrow gate, moved through a series of walls that were probably designed as a simple maze, and began to ride along a broad avenue of blooming trees towards a palace that lay at the centre of the city.

Reaching the gates of the palace, they all dismounted (подъезжая к воротам дворца, они все спешились) and servants, as thin and tall as the warriors, with the same astonished round faces, took away the mounts (и слуги, такие же тощие и высокие, как воины, с теми же удивленными круглыми лицами, увели седловых животных). Corum was led through the gates, up a staircase of more than a hundred steps, into an enclave (Корума повели через ворота, вверх по лестнице из более, чем сотни ступеней, в зал; enclave — анклав /территория, окруженная чужими владениями/; внутренняя зона). The designs on the walls of the palace were less colourful but more elaborate than those on the outer walls of the city (рисунки на стенах дворца были менее красочными, но более изысканными, чем /рисунки/ на внешних стенах города). These were chiefly in gold, white and pale blue (они были в основном золотыми, белыми и бледно-голубыми). Although faintly barbaric, the workmanship was beautiful and Corum admired it (хотя и несколько варварское, мастерство исполнения/искусство было прекрасным, и Корум любовался им; faintly — слабо, едва; to admire — любоваться, рассматривать с восхищением).

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14