`They sleep in caves, the rider explained. `We use them as little as possible. They're hard things to control, as you saw.
Corum said nothing.
For all that the Mabden had saved his life and seemed both cheerful and courteous, Corum had learned, as an animal learns, that the Mabden were his enemies. He glowered at the Mabden.
`What have you saved me for, Mabden?
The man looked surprised (человек выглядел удивленным). He dusted down his tunic of scarlet velvet (он стряхнул пыль с туники из алого бархата;
`How did you know I was coming (откуда вы узнали, что я иду)?
`We were told by our Margravine to expect you (наша маркграфиня сказала нам, чтобы мы ждали тебя;
`And who told your Margravine (а кто сказал /об этом/ вашей маркграфине)?
`I know not (я не знаю). You are somewhat ungracious sir (а ты весьма нелюбезный господин). I thought the Vadhagh a courteous folk (я думал, вадаги — вежливый народ;
tunic [`tjHnIk] Margravine [`mRgrqvJn] ungracious [An`greISqs]
The man looked surprised. He dusted down his tunic of scarlet velvet and adjusted his sword-belt on his hips. `You were drowning, he said. `Why did you run away from our men when they came to greet you?
`How did you know I was coming?
`We were told by our Margravine to expect you.
`And who told your Margravine?
`I know not. You are somewhat ungracious sir. I thought the Vadhagh a courteous folk.
`And I thought the Mabden vicious and mad (а я думал, мабдены злобные и безумные;
`Ah, you speak of the folk of the South and East, eh (а, ты говоришь о племени, /живущем/ на юге и востоке, да)? You have met them, then (значит, ты встречал их;
With his stump, Corum tapped his ruined eye (Корум коснулся своей культей изуродованного глаза;
The young man nodded his head sympathetically (молодой человек склонил голову сочувственно;
`I suppose I would have guessed (думаю, мне следовало бы догадаться). Mutilation is one of their favourite sports (калечение — одно из их любимых развлечений). I am surprised you escaped (удивляюсь, /что/ ты /сумел/ спастись).
`I, too (я тоже).
vicious [`vISqs] ruined [`rHInd] sympathetically [, sImpq`TetIk (q) lI] favourite [`feIv (q) rIt]
`And I thought the Mabden vicious and mad, Corum replied. `But you…
`Ah, you speak of the folk of the South and East, eh? You have met them, then?
With his stump, Corum tapped his ruined eye. `They did this.
The young man nodded his head sympathetically.
`I suppose I would have guessed. Mutilation is one of their favourite sports. I am surprised you escaped.
`I, too.
`Well, sir (что ж, господин), said the youth, spreading his hand in an elaborate gesture towards a doorway in a tower (сказал юноша, простирая руку в сложном жесте = величественным жестом указывая на вход в башню;
Corum hesitated (Корум колебался).
`We are not your Mabden of the East, sir, I assure you (мы не /такие, как/ мабдены с востока, господин, уверяю тебя).
`Possibly (возможно), Corum said harshly (сказал Корум резко), `but Mabden you are (но вы /все-таки/ мабдены). There are so many of you (вас так много). And now, I find, there are even varieties (и вот, /как/ я понимаю, существует даже многообразие = множество /племен/). I suspect you share common traits, however (полагаю, однако, что вы у вас есть общие черты;
The young man showed signs of impatience (молодой человек/юноша обнаружил признаки нетерпения).
elaborate [I`lxb (q) rIt] hesitated [`hezIteItId] variety [vq`raIqtI] impatience [Im`peIS (q) ns]
`Well, sir, said the youth, spreading his hand in an elaborate gesture towards a doorway in a tower, `would you go in?
Corum hesitated.
`We are not your Mabden of the East, sir, I assure you.
`Possibly, Corum said harshly, `but Mabden you are. There are so many of you. And now, I find, there are even varieties. I suspect you share common traits, however…
The young man showed signs of impatience.
`As you like, Sir Vadhagh (как /вам/ угодно, господин вадаг). I, for one, will go in (я, например, войду;
Corum watched him enter the doorway and disappear (Корум посмотрел, как он вошел в дверь и исчез). He remained on the roof (он остался на крыше), watching the seabirds drift, dive and climb (наблюдая, как морские птицы сносились ветром, ныряли /в воду/ и /снова/ взмывали вверх;
A woman stood there (там стояла женщина). She seemed quiet and self-contained and had a gentleness about her (она выглядела спокойной, сдержанной и доброй;
