`For what purpose?
`You really do know little of war! she said. `Less than do I. The molten lead will be poured on the heads of the invaders when they try to storm our walls.
Corum shuddered.
`Must we be so crude?
`We are not Vadhagh. We are not fighting Nhadragh. I believe you can expect these Mabden to have certain crude battle practices of their own…
`Of course (конечно). I had best cast an eye over the Margrave's manuscripts (мне нужно было бы /хоть/ бегло просмотреть рукописи маркграфа;
`Aye (да), she said softly, handing him a sheet (сказала она тихо, передавая ему лист /бумаги/), `certain kinds of reality, at any rate (определенные = некоторые виды проблем, по меньшей мере).
It was the first time he had heard her offer an opinion of her husband (это был первый раз, /когда/ он услышал, /как/ она высказывает мнение о своем супруге). He stared at her, wanting to ask more (он уставился на нее, желая спросить еще), but she waved a delicate hand (но она /лишь/ махнула изящной рукой).
`You had best read swiftly (тебе бы лучше читать быстро). You will understand the writing easily enough (ты поймешь написанное довольно легко;
opinion [q`pInjqn] delicate [`delIkIt] husband [`hAzbqnd]
`Of course. I had best cast an eye over the Margrave's manuscripts. He was evidently a man who understood the realities.
`Aye, she said softly, handing him a sheet, `certain kinds of reality, at any rate.
It was the first time he had heard her offer an opinion of her husband. He stared at her, wanting to ask more, but she waved a delicate hand.
`You had best read swiftly. You will understand the writing easily enough. My husband chose to write in the old High Speech we learned from the Vadhagh.
Corum looked at the writing (Корум посмотрел на рукопись). It was well-formed but without any individual character (она была написана правильно, но без какого-либо индивидуального характера/почерка = не давала представления о писавшем;
There was a knock on the main door to their apartments (раздался стук в главную дверь их покоев). While Corum read, Rhalina went to answer it (пока Корум читал, Ралина пошла открывать;
`Beldan sent me, Lady Margravine (Белдан послал меня, леди маркграфиня;
Corum put down the sheets of manuscript (Корум положил листы рукописи).
soulless [`squllIs] knock [nOk] soldier [`squlGq]
Corum looked at the writing. It was well-formed but without any individual character. It seemed to him that it was a somewhat soulless imitation of Vadhagh writing, but it was, as she had said, easy enough to understand.
There was a knock on the main door to their apartments. While Corum read, Rhalina went to answer it. A soldier stood there.
`Beldan sent me, Lady Margravine. He asked Prince Corum to join him on the battlements.
Corum put down the sheets of manuscript.
`I will come immediately (я приду тотчас). Rhalina, will you see that my arms and armour are prepared (Ралина, не позаботишься ли ты, чтобы мои оружие и доспехи были готовы = чтобы мне приготовили…;
She nodded (она кивнула). He left (он вышел;
The causeway was almost clear of water now (дамба почти освободилась от воды = почти обнажилась теперь). Beldan was yelling something across to the warriors on the bank, speaking of a parley (Белдан кричал что-то воинам на берегу, предлагая переговоры;
The drum continued its slow but steady beat (барабан продолжал свой медленный, но постоянный бой).
The warriors did not reply (воины не отвечали).
Beldan turned to Corum (Белдан повернулся к Коруму).
almost [`Llmqust] steady [`stedI] reply [rI`plaI]
`I will come immediately. Rhalina, will you see that my arms and armour are prepared?
She nodded. He left.
The causeway was almost clear of water now. Beldan was yelling something across to the warriors on the bank, speaking of a parley.
The drum continued its slow but steady beat.
The warriors did not reply.
Beldan turned to Corum.
`They might be deaf men for all they'll respond (они, должно быть, глухие, иначе бы ответили;
Corum had the same feeling (у Корума было то же ощущение).
`Why did you send for me, Beldan (зачем ты послал за мной, Белдан)?
`I saw something in the trees (я увидел что-то в лесу). A flash of gold (проблеск золота). I am not sure (я нет уверен). Vadhagh eyes are said to be sharper than Mabden eyes (говорят, глаза = зрение вадагов острее, чем зрение мабденов). Tell me, prince, if you can make anything out (скажи мне, принц, можешь ли ты что-нибудь разглядеть). Over there (вон там). He pointed (он указал /рукой/).
Corum's smile was bitter (улыбка Корума была горькой = он горько улыбнулся).
`Two Mabden eyes are better than one Vadhagh (два мабденских глаза лучше, чем один вадагский) …