Английский язык с М. Муркоком 28 страница

They crossed the enclave and entered a courtyard that was surrounded by an enclosed walk and had a fountain in its centre (они пересекли зал и вошли во внутренний двор, который был окружен крытой галереей, а в центре находился фонтан).

enclave [`enkleIv] beautiful [`bjHtIful] courtyard [`kLtjRd] fountain [`fauntIn]

Reaching the gates of the palace, they all dismounted and servants, as thin and tall as the warriors, with the same astonished round faces, took away the mounts. Corum was led through the gates, up a staircase of more than a hundred steps, into an enclave. The designs on the walls of the palace were less colourful but more elaborate than those on the outer walls of the city. These were chiefly in gold, white and pale blue. Although faintly barbaric, the workmanship was beautiful and Corum admired it.

They crossed the enclave and entered a courtyard that was surrounded by an enclosed walk and had a fountain in its centre.

Under an awning was a large chair with a tapering back (под навесом находился большой трон с суживающейся кверху спинкой; chair — стул, кресло; трон). The chair was made of gold and a design was picked out upon it in rubies (трон был сделан из золота, украшенный узором из рубинов; to pick out — отделывать, украшать). The warriors escorting Corum came to a halt (воины, сопровождавшие Корума, остановились) and almost immediately a figure emerged from the interior (и почти тотчас вышла фигура из внутренних помещений). He had a huge, high head-dress of peacock feathers (у этого человека был огромный, высокий головной убор из павлиньих перьев), a great cloak, also of many brilliant feathers, and a kilt of thin gold cloth (большой = просторный плащ, тоже из множества сверкающих перьев, и юбка из тонкой золотой ткани). He took his place on the throne (он занял место на троне). This, then, was the ruler of the city (значит, он был правителем города).

The leader of the warriors and his monarch conversed briefly in their own language (командир воинов и его повелитель поговорили немного на своем языке; monarch — монарх, государь; briefly — кратко, сжато) and Corum waited patiently, not wishing to behave in any way that these people would judge to be unfriendly (Корум ждал терпеливо, не желая поступить так = сделать что-либо, что эти люди расценили бы недружелюбным = сочли враждебным).

At length the two creatures stopped conversing (наконец эти два существа прекратили разговор). The monarch addressed Corum (правитель обратился к Коруму). He seemed to speak several different tongues until at length Corum heard him say, in a strange accent (видимо, он говорил на нескольких языках, пока наконец Корум не услышал, как тот сказал со странным акцентом):

rubies [`rHbIz] interior [In`tI(q)rIq] feather [`feDq] throne [Trqun] monarch [`mOnqk]

Under an awning was a large chair with a tapering back. The chair was made of gold and a design was picked out upon it in rubies. The warriors escorting Corum came to a halt and almost immediately a figure emerged from the interior. He had a huge, high head-dress of peacock feathers, a great cloak, also of many brilliant feathers, and a kilt of thin gold cloth. He took his place on the throne. This, then, was the ruler of the city.

The leader of the warriors and his monarch conversed briefly in their own language and Corum waited patiently, not wishing to behave in any way that these people would judge to be unfriendly.

At length the two creatures stopped conversing. The monarch addressed Corum. He seemed to speak several different tongues until at length Corum heard him say, in a strange accent:

`Are you of the Mabden race (ты из народа мабденов)?'

It was of the old speech of the Nhadragh, which Corum had learned as a child (это был старый язык надрагов, который Корум учил в детстве: «/будучи/ ребенком»).

`I am not (нет),' he replied haltingly (ответил он, запинаясь).

`But you are not Nhedregh (но ты и не недрег).'

`Yes — I am not — "Nhedregh (да, я не «недрег»)". `You know of that folk (ты знаешь об этом народе)?'

`Two of them lived among us some centuries since (двое из них жили среди нас несколько столетий назад). What race are you (/из/ какого народа ты)?'

`The Vadhagh.'

The king sucked at his lips and smacked them (король пососал губы и чмокнул ими).

haltingly [`hLltINlI] centuries [`senCqrIz]

`Are you of the Mabden race?'

It was of the old speech of the Nhadragh, which Corum had learned as a child.

`I am not,' he replied haltingly.

`But you are not Nhedregh.'

`Yes — I am not — "Nhedregh". `You know of that folk?'

`Two of them lived among us some centuries since. What race are you?'

`The Vadhagh.'

The king sucked at his lips and smacked them.

`The enemy, yes, of the Nhedregh (враг, да, недрегов)?'

`Not now (теперь нет).'

`Not now?' The king frowned (король нахмурился).

`All the Vadhagh save me are dead (все вадаги, кроме меня, погибли),' Corum explained (пояснил Корум). `And what is left of those you call Nhedregh have become degenerate slaves of the Mabden (а /те/, что остались от тех, кого ты называешь недрегами, стали выродившимися = жалкими рабами мабденов).'

`But the Mabden are barbarians (но мабдены — варвары)!'

`Now they are very powerful barbarians (теперь они очень могущественные варвары).'

The king nodded (король кивнул).

`The enemy, yes, of the Nhedregh?'

`Not now.'

`Not now?' The king frowned.

`All the Vadhagh save me are dead,' Corum explained. `And what is left of those you call Nhedregh have become degenerate slaves of the Mabden.'

`But the Mabden are barbarians!'

`Now they are very powerful barbarians.'

The king nodded.

`This was predicted (это было предсказано).' He studied Corum closely (он внимательно рассматривал Корума). `Why are you not dead (почему ты не погиб)?'

`I chose not to die (я решил не умирать).'

`No choice was yours if Arioch decided (никакой выбор не был бы твоим = никто не посчитался бы с твоим выбором, если бы Ариох решил).'

`Who is "Arioch" (кто такой «Ариох»)?'

`The God.'

`Which God?'

`The God who rules our destinies (бог, который управляет нашими судьбами). Duke Arioch of the Swords (герцог Ариох Мечей).'

`The Knight of the Swords (Рыцарь Мечей)?'

predicted [prI`dIktId] destiny [`destInI] duke [djHk]

`This was predicted.' He studied Corum closely. `Why are you not dead?'

`I chose not to die.'

`No choice was yours if Arioch decided.'

`Who is "Arioch"?'

`The God.'

`Which God?'

`The God who rules our destinies. Duke Arioch of the Swords.'

`The Knight of the Swords?'

`I believe he is known by that title in the distant south (полагаю, он известен под этим титулом на дальнем юге).' The king seemed deeply disturbed now (король казался глубоко встревоженным теперь). He licked his lips (он облизнул губы). `I am King Temgol-Lep (я король Темгол-Леп). This is my city, Arke (это мой город, Арк).' He waved his thin hand (он обвел /кругом/ своей тонкой рукой). `These are my people, the Ragha-da-Kheta (это мои подданные, рага-да-кета). This land is called Khoolocrah (эта страна называется Кулокрах). We, too, soon shall die (мы тоже вскоре умрем).'

`Why so (отчего же)?'

`It is Mabden time (это время мабденов). Arioch decides (/так/ решает Ариох).' The king shrugged his narrow shoulders (король пожал узкими плечами). `Arioch decides. Soon the Mabden will come and destroy us (скоро мабдены придут и уничтожат нас).'

`You will fight them, of course (выбудете с ними сражаться, конечно)?'

distant [`dIst(q)nt] destroy [dIs`trOI]

`I believe he is known by that title in the distant south.' The king seemed deeply disturbed now. He licked his lips. `I am King Temgol-Lep. This is my city, Arke.' He waved his thin hand. `These are my people, the Ragha-da-Kheta. This land is called Khoolocrah. We, too, soon shall die.'

`Why so?'

`It is Mabden time. Arioch decides.' The king shrugged his narrow shoulders. `Arioch decides. Soon the Mabden will come and destroy us.'

`You will fight them, of course?'

`No. It is Mabden time. Arioch commands (Ариох /так/ велит). He lets the Ragha-da-Kheta live longer because they obey him, because they do not resist him (он позволяет рага-да-кета жить дольше, потому что они повинуются ему, потому что не сопротивляются ему). But soon we shall die.'

Corum shook his head (покачал головой).

`Do you not think that Arioch is unjust to destroy you thus (вы не думаете, что Ариох несправедлив, уничтожая вас таким образом)?'

`Arioch decides.'

It occurred to Corum that these people had not once been so fatalistic (Коруму пришло в голову, что эти люди когда-то не были столь фаталистичны = покорны судьбе). Perhaps they, too, were in a process of degeneration, caused by the Knight of the Swords (возможно, они также были в процессе = пережили упадок, вызванный Рыцарем Мечей).

`Why should Arioch destroy so much beauty and learning as you have here (зачем Ариоху уничтожать такую красоту и знания, которые у вас здесь)?'

`Arioch decides.'

obey [q(u)`beI] unjust [An`GAst] fatalistic [,feItq`lIstIk]

`No. It is Mabden time. Arioch commands. He lets the Ragha-da-Kheta live longer because they obey him, because they do not resist him. But soon we shall die.'

Corum shook his head.

`Do you not think that Arioch is unjust to destroy you thus?'

`Arioch decides.'

It occurred to Corum that these people had not once been so fatalistic. Perhaps they, too, were in a process of degeneration, caused by the Knight of the Swords.

`Why should Arioch destroy so much beauty and learning as you have here?'

`Arioch decides.'

King Temgol-Lep seemed to be more familiar with the Knight of the Swords and his plans than anyone Corum had yet met (казалось, король был лучше знаком с Рыцарем Мечей и его планами, чем кто-либо, встреченный ранее Корумом). Living so much closer to his domain, perhaps they had seen him (живя так близко от его владений, возможно, они /даже/ видели его).

`Has Arioch told you this himself (Ариох сам сказал вам это)?'

`He has spoken through our wise ones (он говорил через наших мудрецов).'

`And the wise ones — they are certain of Arioch's will (а ваши мудрецы — они уверены в воле = что такова воля Ариоха)?'

`They are certain (они уверены).'

Corum sighed (вздохнул).

`Well, I intend to resist his plans (что ж, я намерен препятствовать /осуществлению/ его планов). I do not find them agreeable (я не нахожу их приемлемыми = они меня не устраивают)!'

King Temgol-Lep seemed to be more familiar with the Knight of the Swords and his plans than anyone Corum had yet met. Living so much closer to his domain, perhaps they had seen him.

`Has Arioch told you this himself?'

`He has spoken through our wise ones.'

`And the wise ones — they are certain of Arioch's will?'

`They are certain.'

Corum sighed.

`Well, I intend to resist his plans. I do not find them agreeable!'

King Temgol-Lep drew his lids over his eyes and trembled slightly (прикрыл веками глаза и вздрогнул слегка; to draw over — натягивать поверх, накрывать). The warriors looked at him nervously (воины посмотрели на него беспокойно). Evidently they recognised that the king was displeased (очевидно, они понимали, что король недоволен).

`I will speak no more about Arioch (я больше не буду говорить об Ариохе),' King Temgol-Lep said. But as our guest we must entertain you (но, как нашего гостя, мы должны развлекать тебя). You will drink some wine with us (ты выпьешь вина с нами).'

`I will drink some wine. I thank you.'

Corum would have preferred food to begin with (Корум предпочел бы начать с еды = поесть сначала), but he was still cautious of giving offence to the Ragha-da-Kheta (но по-прежнему опасался обидеть рага-да-кета; cautious — осторожный, осмотрительный; to give offence — оскорбить, обидеть), who might yet supply him with the boat he needed (которые могли предоставить ему лодку, в которой он нуждался; to supply with — снабжать).

displeased [dIs`plJzd] entertain [,entq`taIn]

King Temgol-Lep drew his lids over his eyes and trembled slightly. The warriors looked at him nervously. Evidently they recognised that the king was displeased.

`I will speak no more about Arioch,' King Temgol-Lep said. But as our guest we must entertain you. You will drink some wine with us.'

`I will drink some wine. I thank you.'

Corum would have preferred food to begin with, but he was still cautious of giving offence to the Ragha-da-Kheta, who might yet supply him with the boat he needed.

The king spoke to some servants who were waiting in the shadows near the door into the palace (король сказал /что-то/ слугам, ждавшим в тени у двери, /ведущей/ во дворец). They went inside (они вошли внутрь). Soon they returned with a tray on which were tall, thin goblets and a golden jug (вскоре они вернулись с подносом, на котором были высокие тонкие бокалы и золотой кувшин). The king reached out and took the tray in his own hands, balancing it on his knee (король потянулся и взял поднос в свои руки, удерживая его на колене; to balance — сохранять равновесие; качаться). Gravely, he poured wine into one of the cups and handed it to Corum (серьезно = с мрачным видом он налил вино в один из бокалов и подал его Коруму; cup — чаша, кубок). Corum stretched out his left hand to receive the goblet (Корум протянул левую руку, чтобы взять бокал; to receive — получать, принимать).

The hand quivered (рука задрожала).

Corum tried to control it, but it knocked the goblet away (Корум попытался управлять ей, но она отшвырнула бокал; to knock — ударять, бить). The king looked startled and began to speak (король выглядел испуганным, принялся /что-то/ говорить). The hand plunged forward and its six fingers seized the king's throat (рука бросилась вперед, и ее шесть пальцев вцепились в горло короля; to plunge — нырять; бросаться вперед). King Temgol-Lep gurgled and kicked as Corum tried to pull the Hand of Kwll away (король Темгол-Лепа хрипел и дергал ногами, а Корум пытался оторвать/оттянуть руку Кулла; to gurgle — булькать, журчать).

poured [pLd] receive [rI`sJv] gurgled [`gq:gld]

The king spoke to some servants who were waiting in the shadows near the door into the palace. They went inside. Soon they returned with a tray on which were tall, thin goblets and a golden jug. The king reached out and took the tray in his own hands, balancing it on his knee. Gravely, he poured wine into one of the cups and handed it to Corum. Corum stretched out his left hand to receive the goblet.

The hand quivered.

Corum tried to control it, but it knocked the goblet away. The king looked startled and began to speak. The hand plunged forward and its six fingers seized the king's throat. King Temgol-Lep gurgled and kicked as Corum tried to pull the Hand of Kwll away.

But the fingers were locked on the throat (но пальцы намертво вцепились в горло; to lock — запирать/ся/; сжимать, стискивать). Corum could feel himself squeezing the life from the king (Корум чувствовал, как он выдавливал жизнь из = как жизнь покидает короля).

Corum shouted for help before he realised that the warriors thought that he was attacking the king on his own volition (Корум громко звал на помощь, пока не понял, что воины думают, будто он нападает на короля по своей воле; volition — волевой акт, воля, хотение). He drew his sword and hacked around him as they attacked with their oddly-wrought clubs (он вытащил меч и размахивал им вокруг себя, когда они нападали /на него/ со своими странно сделанными = причудливыми дубинками; to hack — рубить, разрубать; wrought — выделанный, обработанный; кованый). They were plainly unused to battle, for their actions were clumsy and without proper co-ordination (они явно не привыкли к битве, так как их действия неловкими и без должного согласования = несогласованными).

Suddenly the hand released King Temgol-Lep and Corum saw that he was dead (внезапно рука отпустила короля, и Корум увидел, что он мертв).

His new hand had murdered a kindly and innocent creature (его новая рука убила добродушное и невинное создание)! And it had ruined his chances of getting help from the Ragha-da-Kheta (она уничтожила возможность получить помощь от рага-да-кета; to ruin — разрушить, погубить; chance — шанс, /удобный/ случай, возможность). It might even have killed him, for the warriors were very numerous (она могла бы даже убить и его = лучше бы она убила его, потому что воинов было очень много: «были очень многочисленны»).

Standing over the corpse of the king, he swept his sword this way and that (стоя над трупом короля, он размахивал мечом во все стороны: «туда и сюда»; to sweep — сметать, смахивать), striking limbs from bodies, cutting into heads (отрубая конечности от тел, рубя головы). Blood gushed everywhere and covered him, but he fought on (кровь лилась повсюду и забрызгала его, но он продолжал сражаться; to gush — хлынуть, хлестать, литься потоком).

volition [vq`lIS(q)n] clumsy [`klAmzI] innocent [`Inqs(q)nt] numerous [`njHm(q)rqs]

But the fingers were locked on the throat. Corum could feel himself squeezing the life from the king.

Corum shouted for help before he realised that the warriors thought that he was attacking the king on his own volition. He drew his sword and hacked around him as they attacked with their oddly-wrought clubs. They were plainly unused to battle, for their actions were clumsy and without proper co-ordination.

Suddenly the hand released King Temgol-Lep and Corum saw that he was dead.

His new hand had murdered a kindly and innocent creature! And it had ruined his chances of getting help from the Ragha-da-Kheta. It might even have killed him, for the warriors were very numerous.

Standing over the corpse of the king, he swept his sword this way and that, striking limbs from bodies, cutting into heads. Blood gushed everywhere and covered him, but he fought on.

Then, suddenly, there were no more living warriors (потом вдруг больше не осталось живых воинов). He stood in the courtyard while the gentle sun heat down and the fountain played and he looked at all the corpses (он стоял во внутреннем дворе, мягкое солнце светило, фонтан журчал, и смотрел на все эти трупы; t o heat — нагревать/ся/, согревать/ся/; to play — играть, переливаться; бить, извергать /о струе, шланге, фонтане и т.д./). He raised his gauntleted alien hand and spat on it (он поднял чуждую руку в латной перчатке и плюнул на нее; to spit).

`Oh, evil thing (порождение зла: «злая вещь»)! Rhalina was right (Ралина была права)! You have made me a murderer (ты сделала меня убийцей)!'

But the hand was his again, it had no life of its own (но рука снова была его, у нее не было своей собственной жизни). He flexed the six fingers (Корум согнул шесть пальцев). It was now like any ordinary limb (рука была теперь, как любая обычная конечность).

Save for the splashing of the water from the fountain, the courtyard was silent (не считая плескания воды в фонтане, во внутреннем дворе было тихо; save for — за исключением, кроме).

Corum looked back at the dead king and shuddered (Корум оглянулся на мертвого короля и содрогнулся). He raised his sword (поднял меч). He would cut the Hand of Kwll from him (он отсечет себе руку Кулла). Better to be crippled than to be the slave of so evil a thing (лучше покалечиться = стать калекой, чем быть рабом такой злой вещи)!

And then the ground fell away from him and he plunged downwards (затем земля исчезла под ним, и он полетел вниз; to fall away — покидать, исчезать) to fall with a crash upon the back of a beast that spat and clawed at him (упал с грохотом на спину зверя, который плюнул и оцарапал его; to claw — царапать, скрести, рвать когтями).

murderer [`mq:dqrq] ground [graund] clawed [klLd]

Then, suddenly, there were no more living warriors. He stood in the courtyard while the gentle sun heat down and the fountain played and he looked at all the corpses. He raised his gauntleted alien hand and spat on it.

`Oh, evil thing! Rhalina was right! You have made me a murderer!'

But the hand was his again, it had no life of its own. He flexed the six fingers. It was now like any ordinary limb.

Save for the splashing of the water from the fountain, the courtyard was silent.

Corum looked back at the dead king and shuddered. He raised his sword. He would cut the Hand of Kwll from him. Better to be crippled than to be the slave of so evil a thing!

And then the ground fell away from him and he plunged downwards to fall with a crash upon the back of a beast that spat and clawed at him.

CHAPTER THREE (глава третья)

The Dark Things Come (порождения тьмы приходят)

Corum saw daylight above and then the flagstone slid back (Корум видел дневной свет наверху, затем плита сдвинулась обратно; to slide — скользить, плавно двигаться) and he was in darkness with the beast that dwelled in the pit beneath the courtyard (и он остался в темноте со зверем, что обитал в яме под внутренним двором). It was snarling in a corner somewhere (он рычал/ворчал где-то в углу). He prepared to defend himself against it (Корум приготовился защищаться от него).

Then the snarling stopped and there was silence for a moment (потом рычание прекратилось, и на миг наступила тишина).

Corum waited (ждал).

He heard a shuffling (он услышал шарканье /ног/; to shuffle — перемешивать, перемещать; волочить ноги). He saw a spark (увидел искру). The spark became a flame (искра превратилась в пламя). The flame came from a wick that burned in a clay vessel full of oil (пламя исходило от фитиля, который горел в глиняном сосуде, наполненном маслом).

The clay vessel was held by a filthy hand (глиняный сосуд держала грязная рука; filthy — грязный, отвратительный, мерзкий). And the hand belonged to a hairy creature whose eyes were full of anger (рука принадлежала мохнатому существу, глаза которого были наполены гневом).

`Who are you (кто ты)?' Corum said.

snarling [`snRlIN] spark [spRk] filthy [`fIlTI]

Corum saw daylight above and then the flagstone slid back and he was in darkness with the beast that dwelled in the pit beneath the courtyard. It was snarling in a corner somewhere. He prepared to defend himself against it.

Then the snarling stopped and there was silence for a moment.

Corum waited.

He heard a shuffling. He saw a spark. The spark became a flame. The flame came from a wick that burned in a clay vessel full of oil.

The clay vessel was held by a filthy hand. And the hand belonged to a hairy creature whose eyes were full of anger.

`Who are you?' Corum said.

The creature shuffled again and placed the crude lamp in a niche on the wall (существо пошло, снова шаркая ногами, и поставило грубый светильник в нишу в стене). Corum saw that the chamber was covered in dirty straw (Корум увидел, что /пол/ комнаты покрыт грязной соломой). There was a pitcher and a plate and, at the far end, a heavy iron door (там были кувшин и тарелка и, в дальнем углу, тяжелая железная дверь). The place reeked of human excrement (то место воняло человеческими испражнениями).

`Can you understand me (ты можешь понимать меня)?' Corum still spoke the Nhadragh tongue (по-прежнему говорил на надрагском языке).

`Stop your gabbling (хватит тараторить; to gabble — говорить неясно и быстро, бормотать; гоготать).' The creature spoke distinctly, as if he did not expect Corum to know what he was saying (существо говорило отчетливо, словно полагало, что Корум не знает, что оно говорит; to expect — ожидать, надеяться; полагать). He had spoken in the Low Speech (оно говорило на упрощенном языке). `You will be like me soon (ты скоро будешь таким, как я).'

Corum made no reply (не ответил). He sheathed his sword and walked about the cell, inspecting it (он вложил в ножны меч и прошелся по темнице, осматривая ее; cell — ячейка; тюремная камера; клетка, отсек). There seemed no obvious way of escape (очевидного пути бегства не было = казалось, отсюда не вырваться). Above him he heard footsteps on the flagstones of the courtyard (над собой он услышал шаги по плитам внутреннего двора). He heard, quite clearly, the voices of the Ragha-da-Kheta (он услышал, вполне четко, голоса рага-да-кета). They were agitated, almost hysterical (они были взволнованными, почти истеричными).

niche [nIC] straw [strL] sheathed [SJDd] hysterical [hI`sterIk(q)l]

The creature shuffled again and placed the crude lamp in a niche on the wall. Corum saw that the chamber was covered in dirty straw. There was a pitcher and a plate and, at the far end, a heavy iron door. The place reeked of human excrement.

`Can you understand me?' Corum still spoke the Nhadragh tongue.

`Stop your gabbling.' The creature spoke distinctly, as if he did not expect Corum to know what he was saying. He had spoken in the Low Speech. `You will be like me soon.'

Corum made no reply. He sheathed his sword and walked about the cell, inspecting it. There seemed no obvious way of escape. Above him he heard footsteps on the flagstones of the courtyard. He heard, quite clearly, the voices of the Ragha-da-Kheta. They were agitated, almost hysterical.

The creature cocked his head and listened (существо подняло голову и прислушалось).

`So that is what happened (так вот что произошло),' he mused, staring at Corum and grinning to himself (проговорил он задумчиво, пристально глядя на Корума и ухмыляясь самому себе = своим мыслям). `You killed the feeble little coward, eh (ты убил этого хилого маленького труса, да; feeble — немощный, хилый; ничтожный)? Hm, well I don't resent your company nearly so much (хм, что ж, мне не будет неприятна твоя компания настолько; to resent — негодовать, возмущаться; не нравиться). Though your stay will be short, I fear (хотя, боюсь, твое пребывание /здесь/ будет недолгим). I wonder how they will destroy you (интересно, как они уничтожат тебя)…'

Corum listened in silence, still not revealing that he understood the creature's words (Корум вслушивался в тишину, по-прежнему не показывая, что понимает слова существа; to reveal — открывать, обнаруживать). He heard the sound of the corpses being dragged away overhead (он услышал, как утаскивают трупы наверху). More voices came and went (еще голоса пришли и ушли = раздались и смолкли).

`Now they are in a quandary (теперь они в затруднительном положении),' chuckled the creature (хихикнуло создание). `They are only good at killing by stealth (они умеют убивать лишь тайком; to be good at — быть способным к). What did they try to do to you, my friend, poison you (что они попытаются сделать с тобой, мой друг, отравить тебя)? That's the way they usually get rid of those they fear (это способ, /которым/ они обычно избавляются от тех, /кого/ боятся).'

coward [`kauqd] quandary [`kwOnd(q)rI] stealth [stelT]

The creature cocked his head and listened.

`So that is what happened,' he mused, staring at Corum and grinning to himself. `You killed the feeble little coward, eh? Hm, well I don't resent your company nearly so much. Though your stay will be short, I fear. I wonder how they will destroy you…'

Corum listened in silence, still not revealing that he understood the creature's words. He heard the sound of the corpses being dragged away overhead. More voices came and went.

`Now they are in a quandary,' chuckled the creature. `They are only good at killing by stealth. What did they try to do to you, my friend, poison you? That's the way they usually get rid of those they fear.'

Poison? Corum frowned (нахмурился). Had the wine been poisoned (не было ли отравлено вино)? He looked at the hand. Had it known (неужели она знала)? Was it in some way sentient (не обладала ли она своего рода предчувствием; sentient — ощущающий, чувствующий)?

He decided to break his silence (он решил нарушить свое молчание).

`Who are you?' he said in the Low Speech (он сказал на упрощенном языке).

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14