And then they revealed themselves (и тут показались они).
There were about a score of them, mounted on beasts whose bodies were covered in thick, scaly skin resembling plate armour (около двадцати их = воинов, сидевших на животных, чьи тела были покрыты толстой, чешуйчатой кожей, напоминавшей пластинчатые доспехи). They had four short legs and cloven feet (у них были четыре короткие лапы и раздвоенные копыта;
snout [snaut] barbed [b:bd] lance [l:ns] weapon ['wepn]
Hanafax peered through the smoky heat.
`What is it?
And then they revealed themselves.
There were about a score of them, mounted on beasts whose bodies were covered in thick, scaly skin resembling plate armour. They had four short legs and cloven feet, a crest of horns jutted on heads and snouts and small, red eyes gleamed at them. The riders were covered from head to foot in red garments of some shining material which hid even their faces and hands. They had long, barbed lances for weapons.
Silently, they surrounded Corum and Hanafax (они молча окружили Корума и Ганафакса).
For a few moments there was silence, and then one of the riders spoke (несколько мгновений = некоторое время стояла тишина, потом один из наездников заговорил).
`What do you in our Flamelands, strangers (что делаете вы в наших Огненных землях, чужестранцы)?
`We are not here from choice (мы здесь не по своему выбору), replied Corum (ответил Корум). `An accident brought us to your country (случайность привела нас в вашу страну;
`You are not peaceful. You bear swords (у вас мечи).
`We did not know there were any inhabitants to these lands (мы не знали, что в этих землях кто-то живет;
accident ['aeksd nt] country ['kntr]
Silently, they surrounded Corum and Hanafax.
For a few moments there was silence, and then one of the riders spoke.
`What do you in our Flamelands, strangers?
`We are not here from choice, replied Corum. `An accident brought us to your country. We are peaceful.
`You are not peaceful. You bear swords.
`We did not know there were any inhabitants to these lands, Hanafax said. `We seek help. We wish to leave.
`None may leave the Flamelands save to suffer a mighty doom (никто не может покинуть Огненные земли, кроме как пройдя страшное испытание;
`Can we not (а не можем ли мы) …?
The riders began to close in (наездники начали окружать их;
`Well, Prince Corum, it seems we are to die (что ж, принц Корум, похоже, мы умрем).