guest [ɡest], unerring [ˈʌnˈə:rɪŋ], confusion [kənˈfju:ʒn]

Steel flashed and the throng surged wildly back out of the way. In their flight they knocked over the single candle and the den was plunged in darkness, broken by the crash of upset benches, drum of flying feet, shouts, oaths of people tumbling over one another, and a single strident yell of agony that cut the din like a knife. When a candle was relighted, most of the guests had gone out by doors and broken windows, and the rest huddled behind stacks of wine kegs and under tables. The barbarian was gone; the center of the room was deserted except for the gashed body of the Kothian. The Cimmerian, with the unerring instinct of the barbarian, had killed his man in the darkness and confusion.

2

2

The lurid lights and drunken revelry fell away behind the Cimmerian (пылающие огни и пьяная пирушка исчезли позади киммерийца; to fall away — исчезать). He had discarded his torn tunic and walked through the night naked except for a loincloth and his high-strapped sandals (он избавился от своей рваной туники и шел в ночи обнаженным, не считая набедренной повязки и сандалий с высокой шнуровкой; to discard — сбрасывать карту; избавляться от чего-л.;except for — за исключением, кроме). He moved with the supple ease of a great tiger (он двигался с гибкой легкостью огромного тигра; ease — облегчение; легкость), his steely muscles rippling under his brown skin (/а/ его стальные мускулы перекатывались волнами под загорелой кожей; to ripple — покрываться рябью; струиться, течь /небольшими волнами/).