The curse of the monolith 3 страница

brow [brau], shout [Saut], forth [fO:T]

‘Forgive the ruse, О noble savage!’ lisped Feng. ‘It was needful that this person concoct some tale to appeal to your primitive lust for gold, in order to allure you hither alone.’

Conan’s eyes blazed with volcanic fury as he hurled all the might of his powerful body against the invisible bonds that held him against the monolith. It did no good; he was helpless. Sweat trickled down his brow and soaked the cotton haqueton beneath his mail. He tried to shout, but only grunts and gurgles came forth.

‘Since, my dear captain, your life approaches its predestined end,’ continued Feng (поскольку, мой дорогой капитан, твоя жизнь приближается /к/ ее предопределенному концу, — продолжал Фэнг), ‘it would be impolite of me not to explain my actions (/это/ было бы невежливо с моей стороны: «от меня» — не объяснить моих действий), so that your lowly spirit may journey to whatever hell the gods of the barbarians have prepared for it in full knowledge of the causes of your downfall (так чтобы твой приземленный дух мог отправиться в какой бы то ни было ад, /который/ боги варваров приготовили для него, с полным знанием причин твоей гибели). Know that the court of his amiable but foolish highness, the king of Kusan, is divided between two parties (знай, что двор его любезного, но глупого высочества, короля Кусана, разделен между = на две партии). One of these, that of the White Peacock, welcomes contact with the barbarians of the West (одна из этих = них, та(ковая) = партия Белого Павлина, приветствует контакт с варварами Запада). The other, that of the Golden Pheasant, abominates all association with those animals (другая, та(ковая) = партия Золотого Фазана, ненавидит всякую связь с теми = этими животными); and I, of course, am one of the selfless patriots of the Golden Pheasant (и я, конечно, один из самоотверженных патриотов Золотого Фазана). Willingly would I give my life to bring your so-called embassy to destruction (охотно я отдал бы мою жизнь, чтобы довести твое так называемое посольство до уничтожения = уничтожить твое так называемое посольство), lest contact with your barbarous masters contaminate our pure culture and upset our divinely ordained social system (чтобы контакт с твоими варварскими хозяевами не заразили нашу чистую культуру и не перевернули нашу божественно предопределенный общественный строй; lest — чтобы не, как бы не).

spirit ['spIrIt], journey ['Gq:nI], course [kO:s]

‘Since, my dear captain, your life approaches its predestined end,’ continued Feng, ‘it would be impolite of me not to explain my actions, so that your lowly spirit may journey to whatever hell the gods of the barbarians have prepared for it in full knowledge of the causes of your downfall. Know that the court of his amiable but foolish highness, the king of Kusan, is divided between two parties. One of these, that of the White Peacock, welcomes contact with the barbarians of the West. The other, that of the Golden Pheasant, abominates all association with those animals; and I, of course, am one of the selfless patriots of the Golden Pheasant. Willingly would I give my life to bring your so-called embassy to destruction, lest contact with your barbarous masters contaminate our pure culture and upset our divinely ordained social system.

‘Happily, such an extreme measure seems unnecessary (к счастью, такая чрезвычайная мера кажется необязательной). For I have you, the leader of his band of foreign devils (ибо я имею тебя = у меня есть ты, предводитель своей банды чужеземных дьяволов), and there around your neck hangs the treaty the Son of Heaven signed with your uncouth heathen king (и там вокруг твоей шеи висит договор Сына Небес, подписанный с твоим неотесанным языческим королем = королем-язычником).’

measure ['meZq], extreme [Iks'tri:m], around [q'raund]

‘Happily, such an extreme measure seems unnecessary. For I have you, the leader of his band of foreign devils, and there around your neck hangs the treaty the Son of Heaven signed with your uncouth heathen king.’

The little duke pulled out from under Conan’s mail shirt the ivory tube containing the documents (маленьких князь вытащил из-под кольчужной рубахи Конана трубку/тубус, содержащий документы). He unclasped the chain that secured it around Conan’s neck and tucked it into one of his voluminous sleeves, adding with a malicious smile (он отстегнул цепочку, которая закрепляла ее (трубку) вокруг шеи Конана, и засунул ее в один из просторных рукавов, добавив со злобной улыбкой = ухмылкой), ‘As for the force that holds you prisoner, I will not attempt to explain its subtle nature to your childish wits (что касается силы, которая держит тебя в плену: «арестантом», я не буду пытаться объяснить ее тонкую природу твоему детскому уму). Suffice it to explain that the substance whereof this monolith was hewn has the curious property of attracting iron and steel with irresistible force (достаточно объяснить, что вещество, из которого этот монолит был высечен, имеет любопытное свойство притягивать железо и сталь с непреодолимой силой). So fear not; it is no unholy magic that holds you captive (поэтому не бойся, это не нечестивое волшебство, /которое/ держит тебя пленный = в плену).’

attempt [q'tempt], explain [Iks'pleIn], childish ['tSaIldIS]

The little duke pulled out from under Conan’s mail shirt the ivory tube containing the documents. He unclasped the chain that secured it around Conan’s neck and tucked it into one of his voluminous sleeves, adding with a malicious smile, ‘As for the force that holds you prisoner, I will not attempt to explain its subtle nature to your childish wits. Suffice it to explain that the substance whereof this monolith was hewn has the curious property of attracting iron and steel with irresistible force. So fear not; it is no unholy magic that holds you captive.’

Conan was little heartened by this news (Конан был мало ободрен этой новостью). He had once seen a conjuror in Aghrapur pick up nails with a piece of dark-red stone (он /уже/ однажды видел фокусника в Аграпуре поднимать = поднимающего гвозди куском темно-красного камня) and supposed that the force that held him was of the same sort (и полагал, что сила, которая удерживала его, была того же рода). But, since he hadnever heard of magnetism, it was al equally magic as far as he was concerned (но так как он никогда не слышал о магнетизме, это было все равно волшебство, насколько это его касалось / относилось к нему; concerned — занятый чем-л., связанный с чем-л., имеющий отношение к чему-л.).

news [nju:z], sort [sO:t], far [fQ:]

Conan was little heartened by this news. He had once seen a conjuror in Aghrapur pick up nails with a piece of dark-red stone and supposed that the force that held him was of the same sort. But, since he hadnever heard of magnetism, it was all equally magic as far as he was concerned.

‘Lest you entertain false hopes of rescue by your men,’ Feng went on, ‘I have thought of that, also (чтобы ты не лелеял ложных надежд на спасение твоими людьми, — продолжал Фэн, — я подумал об этом тоже). In these hills dwell the Jagas, a primitive headhunting tribe (в этих холмах живут джага, первобытное охотящееся за головами племя[12]). Attracted by your campfire, they will assemble at the ends of the valley (привлеченные вашим лагерным костром, они соберутся на концах долины) and rush your camp at dawn (и набросятся на ваш лагерь на рассвете). It is their invariable procedure (это их неизменный метод / обычай).

false [fO:ls], rush [rAS], dawn [dO:n]

‘Lest you entertain false hopes of rescue by your men,’ Feng went on, ‘I have thought of that, also. In these hills dwell the Jagas, a primitive headhunting tribe. Attracted by your campfire, they will assemble at the ends of the valley and rush your camp at dawn. It is their invariable procedure.

‘By that time I shall, I hope, be far away (к тому времени /я/, надеюсь, буду далеко прочь = отсюда). If they capture me, too — well, a man must die some time, and I trust I shall do so with the dignity and decorum befitting one of my rank and culture (если они схватят меня тоже — хорошо = что ж, человек должен умереть когда-то, а я верю, /что/ /я/ сделаю это с достоинством и этикетом, приличествующим одному = человеку моего ранга и культуры). My head would make a delightful ornament in a Jaga hut, I am sure (моя голова стала бы очаровательным украшением в хижине джага, я уверен).

die [daI], trust [trAst], culture ['kAltSq]

‘By that time I shall, I hope, be far away. If they capture me, too — well, a man must die some time, and I trust I shall do so with the dignity and decorum befitting one of my rank and culture. My head would make a delightful ornament in a Jaga hut, I am sure.

‘And so, my good barbarian, farewell (итак, мой добрый варвар, прощай). You will forgive this person for turning his back upon you during your last moments (ты простишь эту = мою персону за то, что /я/ повернусь к тебе спиной: «за поворачивание своей спиной на тебя» во время твоих последних мгновений). For your demise is a pity in a way, and I should not enjoy witnessing it (ибо твоя кончина печальный факт в какой-то мере, и я не получу удовольствия от того, что буду ее свидетелем; pity — жалость, печальный факт; in a way — в некотором отношении, в известном смысле, до известной степени; to enjoy smth. — получать удовольствие от чего-либо). Had you had the advantages of a Khitan upbringing, you would have made an admirable servant (если бы ты имел преимущества кхитайского воспитания, ты стал бы замечательным слугой) — say, a bodyguard for me (скажем, телохранителем для меня). But things are as they are (но дела /такие/, как они есть = но дела обстоят так, /а не иначе/; thing — вещь, дело, факт, предмет).’

pity ['pItI], servant ['sq:vqnt], say [seI]

‘And so, my good barbarian, farewell. You will forgive this person for turning his back upon you during your last moments. For your demise is a pity in a way, and I should not enjoy witnessing it. Had you had the advantages of a Khitan upbringing, you would have made an admirable servant — say, a bodyguard for me. But things areas they are.’

After a mocking bow of farewell, the Khitan withdrew to the lower slope of the hill (после насмешливого прощального поклона кхитаец удалился к более низкому склону холма). Conan wondered if the Duke’s plan was to leave him trapped against the shaft until he perished of starvation and thirst (Конан хотел знать, ли план князя был оставить его = было ли в планах князя оставить его в ловушке у колонны, пока он /не/ погибнет от голода и жажды). If his men marked his absence before dawn, they might look for him (если его люди заметили бы его отсутствие до зари, они могли бы поискать его). But then, since he had stolen out of the camp without leaving word of his going (но тогда, так как он прокрался из лагеря без оставления слова = не сказав о своем уходе), they would not know whether to be alarmed by his absence (они не знали бы, тревожиться ли им из-за его отсутствия: «ли быть встревоженными». If he could only get word to them, they would scour the countryside for him (если бы он мог только передать им словечко, они бы прочесали местность ради него) and make short work of the treacherous little duke (и быстро разделались бы: «сделали короткую работу» с вероломным князьком). But how to get word (но как передать словечко = сообщить)?

slope [slqup], thirst [Tq:st], word [wq:d]

After a mocking bow of farewell, the Khitan withdrew to the lower slope of the hill. Conan wondered if the Duke’s plan was to leave him trapped against the shaft until he perished of starvation and thirst. If his men marked his absence before dawn, they might look for him. But then, since he had stolen out of the camp without leaving word of his going, they would not know whether to be alarmed by his absence. If he could only get word to them, they would scour the countryside for him and make short work of the treacherous little duke. But how to get word?

Again he threw his massive strength against the force that held him crushed against the column, but to no avail (снова он бросил свою большую силу против силы, которая держала его придавленным к колонне, но без никакой = какой-либо пользы). He could move his lower legs and arms and even turn his head somewhat from side to side (он мог двигать нижними ногами и руками = нижними частями ног и рук и даже вращать /своей/ головой немного из стороны в сторону). But his body was firmly gripped by the iron mail that clothed it (но его тело было крепко охвачено железной кольчугой, которая покрывала его).

threw [Tru:], strength [streNT], iron ['aIqn]

Again he threw his massive strength against the force that held him crushed against the column, but to no avail. He could move his lower legs and arms and even turn his head somewhat from side to side. But his body was firmly gripped by the iron mail that clothed it.

Now the moon brightened (теперь луна прояснилась). Conan observed that, about his feet and elsewhere around the base of the monument, grisly remains of other victims were scattered (Конан заметил, что у его ног и в других местах вокруг основания памятника были разбросаны вызывающие ужас останки других жертв). Human bones and teeth were heaped like old rubbish (человеческие кости и зубы были свалены как старый мусор); he must have trodden upon them when the mysterious force pulled him up against the shaft (он, должно быть, наступил на них, когда таинственная сила притянула его к столбу; must have trodden — выражение вероятности события в прошлом с помощью модального глагола must (должно быть, наверное) — must + have + причастие прошедшего времени).

base [beIs], remains [rI'meInz], rubbish ['rAbIS]

Now the moon brightened. Conan observed that, about his feet and elsewhere around the base of the monument, grisly remains of other victims were scattered. Human bones and teeth were heaped like old rubbish; he must have trodden upon them when the mysterious force pulled him up against the shaft.

In the stronger light, Conan was disquieted to see that these remains were peculiarly discolored (в более сильном свете Конан был встревожен увидеть = увидев, что эти останки были необычно бледными). A closer look showed that the bones seemed to have been eaten away here and there (более пристальный взгляд показал, что кости, казалось, были объедены тут и там), as if some corrosive fluid had dissolved their smooth surfaces to expose the spongy structure beneath (как будто какая-то едкая жидкость растворила их гладкую поверхность, чтобы показать пористую структуру под /ней/).

eaten [i:tn], smooth [smu:D], structure ['strAktSq]

In the stronger light, Conan was disquieted to see that these remains were peculiarly discolored. A closer look showed that the bones seemed to have been eaten away here and there, as if some corrosive fluid had dissolved their smooth surfaces to expose the spongy structure beneath.

He turned his head from side to side, seeking some means of escape (он вертел головой из стороны в сторону, ища = в поисках какого-нибудь средства /для/ побега). The words of the smooth-tongued Khitan seemed to be true (слова льстивого кхитайца казались /быть/ правдой, но теперь он мог разглядеть куски железа), but now he could discern pieces of iron held against the curiously stained and discolored stone of the column by the invisible force (удерживаемые на странно испачканном и обесцвеченном камне колонны невидимой силой). To his left he sighted the shovel, the crowbar, and the rusty bowl of a helmet (слева от него: «к его левому» он увидел лопату, лом и ржавую сферу шлема), while on the other side a time-eaten dagger was stuck against the stone (в то время как на другой стороне изъеденный временем кинжал был приклеен к камню). Yet once more he hurled his strength against this impalpable force… (/и/ все-таки еще раз он бросил свою силу против этой неосязаемой силы…)

escape [I'skeIp], means [mi:nz], true [tru:]

He turned his head from side to side, seeking some means of escape. The words of the smooth-tongued Khitan seemed to be true, but now he could discern pieces of iron held against the curiously stained and discolored stone of the column by the invisible force. To his left he sighted the shovel, the crowbar, and the rusty bowl of a helmet, while on the other side a time-eaten dagger was stuck against the stone. Yet once more he hurled his strength against this impalpable force...

From below sounded an eery piping sound — a mocking, maddening tune (снизу раздался зловещий звук свирели — насмешливый, сводящий с ума мотив). Straining his eyes through the fickle moonlight, Conan saw that Feng had not left the scene after all (напрягая свои глаза сквозь переменчивый свет луны, Конан увидел, что Фэн не покинул место действия, в конце концов). Instead, the duke was sitting on the grass on the side of the hill, near its base (вместо этого князь сидел на траве на краю холма, возле его основания). He had drawn a curious flute from his capacious garments and was playing upon it (он вытащил странную флейту из своих вместительных одежд и играл /на/ ней).

sound [saund], tune [tju:n], scene [si:n]

From below sounded an eery piping sound — a mocking, maddening tune. Straining his eyes through the fickle moonlight, Conan saw that Feng had not left the scene after all. Instead, the duke was sitting on the grass on the side of the hill, near its base. He had drawn a curious flute from his capacious garments and was playing upon it.

Through the shrill piping, a faint, squashy sound reached Conan’s ears (сквозь пронзительные звуки /флейты/ слабый чавкающий звук достиг ушей Конана). It seemed to come from above (он казался доноситься = казалось, доносится сверху). The muscles of Conan’s bullneck stood out as he twisted his head to look upward (мускулы бычьей шеи Конана выступили, когда он повернул /свою/ голову, чтобы посмотреть вверх); the spired Turanian helmet grated against the stone as he moved (остроконечный туранский шлем заскрежетал /о/ камень, когда он зашевелился). Then the blood froze in his veins (затем кровь застыла в его венах; to freeze — замерзать, застывать, морозить).

faint [feInt], muscles [mAsklz], froze [frquz]

Through the shrill piping, a faint, squashy sound reached Conan’s ears. It seemed to come from above. The muscles of Conan’s bullneck stood out as he twisted his head to look upward; the spired Turanian helmet grated against the stone as he moved. Then the blood froze in his veins.

The mist that had obscured the top of the pylon was gone (дымка, которая затеняла вершину пилона, была ушедшей = пропала/исчезла/рассеялась). The rising half moon shone on and through an amorphous thing, which squatted obscenely on the summit of the column (поднимающийся полумесяц светил на и сквозь аморфное существо, которое сидело противно: «непристойно» = вызывая отвращение на вершине колонны). It was like a huge lump of quivering, semi-translucent jelly — and it lived (оно было подобно огромной глыбе подрагивающего полупрозрачного студня — и оно жило = было живым). Life — throbbing, bloated life — pulsed within it (жизнь — пульсирующая, распухшая жизнь — билась в нем). The moonlight glistened wetly upon it as it beat like a huge, living heart (лунный свет блестел мокро = отсвечивал мокрым на нем, когда оно билось, как огромное, живое сердце; to beat — бить(ся), ударить).

gone [gOn], jelly [GelI], translucent [trxnz'lu:snt]

The mist that had obscured the top of the pylon was gone. The rising half moon shone on and through an amorphous thing, which squatted obscenely on the summit of the column. It was like a huge lump of quivering, semi-translucent jelly — and it lived. Life — throbbing, bloated life — pulsed within it. The moonlight glistened wetly upon it as it beat like a huge, living heart.

As Conan, frozen with horror, watched, the dweller on the top of the monolith sent a trickle of jelly groping down the shaft toward him (когда Конан, застывший от ужаса, наблюдал, /как/ обитатель вершины монолита выпустил струйку желе, двигаясь ощупью вниз по столбу к нему). The slippery pseudopod slithered over the smooth surface of the stone (скользкий псевдопод/ложноножка скользнул через/по гладкой поверхности камня). Conan began to understand the source of the stains that discolored the face of the monolith (Конан начал понимать источник пятен, которые обесцветили лик монолита).

horror [hOrq], surface ['sq:fIs], source [sO:s]

As Conan, frozen with horror, watched, the dweller on the top of the monolith sent a trickle of jelly groping down the shaft toward him. The slippery pseudopod slithered over the smooth surface of the stone. Conan began to understand the source of the stains that discolored the face of the monolith.

The wind had changed (ветер переменился), and a vagrant down-draft wafted a sickening stench to Conan’s nostrils (и движущийся нисходящий поток воздуха донес тошнотворное зловоние до ноздрей Конана). Now he knew why the bones at the base of the shaft bore that oddly eaten appearance (теперь он знал, почему кости у основания колонны носили /на себе/ тот странно изъеденный вид). With a dread that almost unmanned him, he understood that the jellylike thing exuded a digestive fluid (со страхом, который почти лишил его мужества, он понял, что желеобразное существо испускала пищеварительную жидкость), by means of which it consumed its prey (посредством которой оно поглощало свою добычу). He wondered how many men, in ages past, had stood in his place (он спрашивал себя, сколько людей в прошедшие времена стояло на его месте), bound helplessly to the pillar and awaiting the searing caress of the abomination now descending toward him (прикованные беспомощно к столбу и ожидая жгучей ласки мерзости, теперь спускавшейся к нему).

dread [dred], fluid ['flu: Id], past [pQ:st]

The wind had changed, and a vagrant down-draft wafted a sickening stench to Conan’s nostrils. Now he knew why the bones at the base of the shaft bore that oddly eaten appearance. With a dread that almost unmanned him, he understood that the jellylike thing exuded a digestive fluid, by means of which it consumed its prey. He wondered how many men, in ages past, had stood in his place, bound helplessly to the pillar and awaiting the searing caress of the abomination now descending toward him.

Perhaps Feng’s weird piping summoned it, or perhaps the odor of living flesh called it to feast (вероятно причудливые звуки /флейты/ Фэна вызвали его, или, возможно, запах живой плоти позвал его на пир). Whatever the cause, it had begun a slow, inching progress down the side of the shaft toward his face (какой бы ни была причина, оно начало медленное, дюйм за дюймом движение вниз по стороне колонны к его лицу; inching — медленный, inch — дюйм, to inch — медленно двигаться, двигаться дюйм за дюймом). The wet jelly sucked and slobbered as it slithered slowly toward him (мокрый студень сосал = издавал сосущие звуки и распускал слюни, по мере того как он скользил медленно к нему).

perhaps [pq'hxps], odor ['qudq], cause [kO:z]

Perhaps Feng’s weird piping summoned it, or perhaps the odor of living flesh called it to feast. Whatever the cause, it had begun a slow, inching progress down the side of the shaft toward his face. The wet jelly sucked and slob­bered as it slithered slowly toward him.

Despair gave new strength to his cramped, tired muscles (отчаяние придало новые силы его сведенным судорогой, усталым мускулам). He threw himself from side to side (он бросался из стороны в сторону), striving with every last ounce of strength to break the grip of the mysterious force (борясь каждой последней унцией = каплей силы, чтобы сломить захват таинственной силы). To his surprise, he found that, in one of his lunges, he slid to one side, partway around the column (к его удивлению он обнаружил, что в одном из своих рывков он соскользнул в одну сторону частично /пройдя путь/ вокруг колонны; to slide — скользить).

ounce [auns], break [breIk], surprise [sq'praIz]

Despair gave new strength to his cramped, tired muscles. He threw himself from side to side, striving with every last ounce of strength to break the grip of the mysterious force. To his surprise, he found that, in one of his lunges, he slid to one side, partway around the column.

So the grip that held him did not forbid all movement! (итак хватка, которая держала его, не запрещала всякого движения!) This gave him food for thought (это дало ему пищу для мысли), though he knew that he could not long thus elude the monster of living jelly (хотя он знал, что /он/ не мог = не может долго таким образом ускользать /от/ чудища из живого студня).

Something prodded his mailed side (что-то кольнуло его окольчуженный бок = бок в кольчуге). Looking down, he saw the rust-eaten dagger he had glimpsed before (посмотрев вниз, он увидел изъеденный ржавчиной кинжал, /который/ он заметил прежде). His movement sideways had brought the hilt of the weapon against his ribs (его движение вбок принесло рукоятку оружия к его ребрам).

held [held], food [fu:d], thus [DAs]

So the grip that held him did not forbid all movement! This gave him food for thought, though he knew that he could not long thus elude the monster of living jelly.

Something prodded his mailed side. Looking down, he saw the rust-eaten dagger he had glimpsed before. His movement sideways had brought the hilt of the weapon against his ribs.

His upper arm was still clamped against the stone by the sleeve of his mail shirt, but his forearm and hand were free (его верхняя рука = рука выше локтя была все еще прижата к камню рукавом его кольчуги, но его предплечье и кисть были свободны). Could he bend his arm far enough to clasp the haft of the dagger? (мог ли он изогнуть /свою/ руку достаточно далеко, чтобы схватить рукоятку кинжала?)

He strained, inching his hand along the stone (он напрягся, медленно продвигая /свою/ кисть вдоль камня). The mail of his arm scraped slowly over the surface; sweat trickled into his eyes (кольчуга /на/ его руке царапала медленно по поверхности, пот сочился в = заливал его глаза). Bit by bit, his straining arm moved toward the handle of the dagger (понемножку его напряженная рука продвигалась к рукоятке кинжала). The taunting tune of Feng’s flute sang maddeningly in his ears (дразнящий мотив флейты Фэна пел, сводя с ума, в его ушах), while the ungodly stench of the slime-thing filled his nostrils (в то время как ужасное зловоние слизистой твари заполняло его ноздри).

along [q'lON], over ['quvq], while [waIl]

His upper arm was still clamped against the stone by the sleeve of his mail shirt, but his forearm and hand were free. Could he bend his arm far enough to clasp the haft of the dagger?

He strained, inching his hand along the stone. The mail of his arm scraped slowly over the surface; sweat trickled into his eyes. Bit by bit, his straining arm moved toward the handle of the dagger. The taunting tune of Feng’s flute sang maddeningly in his ears, while the ungodly stench of the slime-thing filled his nostrils.

His hand touched the dagger, and in an instant he held the hilt fast (его кисть коснулась кинжала, и через мгновение он держал рукоятку крепко). But, as he strained it away from the shaft, the rust-eaten blade broke with a sharp ping (но, когда он потянул его от столба, изъеденное ржавчиной лезвие сломалось с резким звоном). Rolling his eyes downward, he saw that about two thirds of the blade, from the tapering point back, had broken off and lay flat against the stone (повернув свои глаза вниз, он увидел, что около двух третей клинка от суживающегося острия назад отломались и лежат горизонтально на камне; to break off — отломаться). The remaining third still projected from the hilt (оставшаяся треть все еще выступала из рукояти). Since there was now less iron in the dagger for the shaft to attract, Conan was able, by a muscle-bulging effort, to tear the stump of the weapon away from the shaft (поскольку теперь было меньше железа в кинжале для колонны притягивать = чтобы его могла притянуть колонна, Конан смог вздувающим мускулы усилием = усилием, от которого вздулись мускулы, оторвать обломок оружия от столба).

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