The Knights of the Cross/Volume 1/Chapter 19

by Henryk Sienkiewicz

CHAPTER XIX.

But before starting for Schytno, the four brethren and De Fourcy had to take farewell of the prince and the princess. That was a farewell not over friendly, but the prince, in accord with ancient Polish custom, unwilling to let guests depart empty handed, gave each man a fine bundle of fur, and a gryven of silver; they received these with delight giving assurance that, as brethren of the Cross, who had vowed poverty, they never kept money, but gave it to the poor, whom they recommended at the same time to pray for the health, glory, and future salvation of Prince Yanush.

The Mazovians smiled under their moustaches at these statements, for the greed of the Order was well known to them, and still better known were the lies of the Knights of the Order. In Mazovia the saying was, "A Knight of the Cross lies as a skunk gives out odor." The prince waved his hand and said after they had gone that a man might go to heaven on their prayers, perhaps crab fashion.

But still earlier, at parting with the princess, when Siegfried kissed her hand, Danveld approached Danusia, placed his hand on her head, and while stroking it said,—

"It is commanded us to return good for evil, and love even our enemies; so a sister of the Order will bring to you, young lady, the healing balsam."

"How am I to thank you?" answered Danusia.

"Be a friend of the Order, and the Knights of the Cross."

De Fourcy had noted this conversation, and because the beauty of the maiden had struck him, he asked after they had moved toward Schytno,—

"What beautiful damsel is that with whom you were talking?"

"She is the daughter of Yurand."

"The one whom you are going to seize?" asked De Fourcy, in wonder.

"The same. And if we have her, Yurand is ours."

"It is clear that not everything coming from Yurand is evil. It is worth while to be the keeper of such a prisoner."

"Do you think that it would be easier to war with her, than with Yurand?"

"That means that I think the same as you do. Her father is an enemy of the Order, but with the daughter you have spoken words rubbed with honey, and have promised her a balsam, besides."

Apparently Hugo von Danveld felt the need of justifying himself in some words before Siegfried, who, though not better than others, still observed strict rules of morality, and therefore had criticised certain brothers more than once.

"I have promised her a balsam," said he, "for that young knight who was crushed by the bull, and to whom she is betrothed, as you know. Should there be an outcry after we have seized the girl, we shall say that not only have we wished no harm, but we have sent them a cure according to Christian charity."

"Very well," replied Siegfried. "But we must send some safe person."

"I will send a pious woman completely devoted to the Order. I will command her to observe, and to listen. When our people go, as if sent by Yurand, they will find everything ready."

"It will be difficult to bring such people together."

"No. We have men who speak the same language that they do. We have them even among servants and the garrison,—men who are outlawed from Mazovia, fugitives, murderers, criminals, it is true, but fearless, and ready for anything. I shall promise them every reward if they do the work; if they fail, the halter."

"Very well! But in case of treason?"

"There will be no treason, for every man of them has earned impalement on the stake, and upon each one a sentence is hanging. We only need to give them proper clothing and they will pass for real servants of Yurand, but the main thing is a letter with Yurand's seal."

"We must foresee everything," said Rotgier. "After the last battle Yurand will wish to see the prince, perhaps, so as to complain of us, and justify himself. Being in Tsehanov he will go to his daughter in the forest. It may happen that our men appearing on Yurand's business will meet Yurand himself."

"The men whom I shall select are cunning ruffians. They know that if they strike Yurand they will go to the hook. Their lives will depend on not meeting him."

"Still, should it happen them to be captured?"

"We shall get rid of them, and the message. Who will say that we sent them? Finally if the girl is not carried away, there will be no outcry, and if a few gallows'-birds of Mazovia are quartered, no harm will happen from that to the Order."

"I understand neither your politeness nor your fear lest it be known that the girl was carried away by our command," said Brother Gottfried, the youngest among the Knights. "Having her once in hand we must, of course, send some person to Yurand to say to him: 'Thy daughter is with us; dost thou wish that she should receive freedom, give for her Bregov and thyself.' How else is it to be? But then it will be known that we seized the girl."

"True," said De Fourcy, whom the whole affair did not please overmuch. "Why hide that which must be discovered?"

But Danveld laughed, and turning to Brother Gottfried asked,—

"How long do you wear the white mantle?"

"The sixth year will be finished the first week after Trinity Sunday."

"When you have worn it another six years you will understand the Order more intimately. Yurand knows us better than you do at present. This will be told him: 'Brother Schaumberg has charge of thy daughter, and if thou squeak a word, remember the children of Vitold.'"

"But later?"

"Later Bregov will be free, and the Order will be rid of Yurand."

"Well!" exclaimed Brother Rotgier, "everything is so wisely thought out that God must bless our undertaking."

"God will bless all undertakings that have for object the good of the Order," replied the gloomy Siegfried.

They went on in silence, and before them, two or three arrow-shots distant, went their escort to clear the road, which was drifted, for abundant snow had fallen in the night. On the trees was deposited much frost; the day was cloudy, but warm, so that steam rose from the horses. From the forest, toward human dwellings, flew flocks of crows, filling the air with foreboding caws.

De Fourcy fell back behind the knights a little, and rode on in deep thought. He had been for some years a guest of the Order; he had taken part in expeditions to Lithuania, where he had shown great valor and had been received everywhere as only Knights of the Cross knew how to receive guests from distant regions. He had grown strangely attached to them, and, not having a fortune, intended to enter their ranks. Meanwhile he had lived in Malborg; he had visited known localities, seeking in journeys amusement and adventures. Having come shortly before to Lubov with the wealthy Bregov, and hearing of Yurand, he had become excited with the desire to measure himself with a man who roused universal terror. The arrival of Meinegger, who had come out victorious from every encounter, hastened the adventure. The comtur of Lubov had given them men, but had told the three knights not only of the fierceness, but the stratagems and perfidy of Yurand, so that when the latter had asked them to send away their men they would not agree, fearing that should they do so he would surround and destroy them, or throw them into the dungeons of Spyhov. Yurand, thinking that they had in mind not only a knightly struggle, but robbery, attacked them offensively and inflicted a dreadful defeat.

De Fourcy saw Bregov overturned with his horse, he saw Meinegger with a broken lance in his bowels, he saw men simply begging for pity. He had been barely able himself to break away, and had wandered for days over roads and through forests where he might have died of hunger, or fallen a prey to wild beasts had he not come by chance to Tsehanov, where he found Gottfried and Rotgier. From the whole expedition he brought away a feeling of humiliation and hatred together with sorrow for Bregov, who was a near friend of his. He joined, therefore, heartily in the complaint of the Knights of the Cross when they demanded punishment for Yurand and liberation for their unfortunate comrade, and when that complaint found no attention, he was ready at the first moment to use every means of vengeance against Yurand. But now sudden scruples were roused in him. More than once while listening to conversations of the knights, and especially to Hugo's words, he could not avoid astonishment. Having become acquainted more intimately in the course of years with the Knights of the Cross, he saw really that they were not what in Germany and in the West they claimed to be. In Malborg he had known a few just and strict knights, those same who had often made charges against the corruption of the Brotherhood, against their profligacy and want of discipline, and De Fourcy felt that these charges were true; but being himself profligate and undisciplined, he did not take those faults into account too much, especially as Knights of the Cross atoned for them with valor. He had seen them at Vilno, meeting breast to breast with Polish knights, at the taking of castles defended with superhuman resolve by Polish garrisons; he had seen them dying under blows of swords and axes, in general storms or in single combat. They were unsparing and cruel to Lithuania, but they were lion-like, and walked in glory as in sunlight. Now, however, it seemed to De Fourcy that Hugo von Danveld was saying things and proposing methods which ought to shock the soul in every knight; and the other brothers not only did not rise against him, but confirmed every word of his. Hence astonishment possessed him more and more, and at last he began to think deeply as to whether he could put his hands to such deeds.

Had it been simply a question of snatching a girl away, or exchanging her for Bregov later on, perhaps he might consent, though the beauty of Danusia had touched him and captivated his heart. If it had come to him to be her guardian he might perhaps have had nothing against the task, or even would not have been sure that she would go from his hands in the same state in which she had come to them. But with the Knights of the Cross the question was clearly something else. Through her they wished to get, with Bregov, also Yurand himself, by promising him that they would release her if he would give himself for her; then they would kill him, and with him, to conceal the deceit and the crime beyond any doubt, kill the girl herself also. In every case the same fate threatened her that came on the children of Vitold in case Yurand dared to complain. "They will not observe anything; they will deceive both and kill both," thought De Fourcy; "still they carry the cross and ought to hold honor higher than others."

And the soul stormed up in him more and more mightily every moment because of such shamelessness; but he determined to satisfy himself as to how far his suspicions were just, so he rode up to Hugo again and inquired,—

"If Yurand gives himself to you, will you liberate the girl?"

"If we should liberate her the whole world would know at once that we took both of them."

"But what will you do with her?"

Hugo inclined toward the speaker, and exhibiting by his smile the decayed teeth under his thick lips, asked,—

"Of what are you inquiring? Of what we shall do with her before or after?"

De Fourcy, knowing now what he wanted, was silent; for a while he seemed to struggle with himself, then rising in his stirrups somewhat, he said so loudly that all four Knights of the Cross heard him,—

"The pious Brother Ulrich of Jungingen, a model and ornament of chivalry, said once to me: 'Among the old men in Malborg thou wilt still find worthy brothers of the Cross; but those in the boundary districts bring naught save reproach to the Order.'"

"We are all sinners; but we serve the Saviour," said Danveld.

"Where is your knightly honor? The Saviour is not served by infamous actions. Know, then, that not only will I take no part in this action, but I will not permit you to do so."

"Why will you not permit?"

"To permit deceitful attack, treason, infamy?"

"But how are you going to prevent? In the battle with Yurand you lost your escort and your wagons. You must live by the favor of the Order; you would die of hunger should we be unwilling to throw a piece of bread to you. Besides, are we not four here while you are one? How will you prevent?"

"How will I prevent?" repeated De Fourcy. "I can return to the house and forewarn the prince; I can announce your intention before the whole world."

At this the Knights of the Cross looked at one another, and their faces changed in the twinkle of an eye. Especially did Danveld look for a time with an inquiring glance into the eyes of Siegfried; then he turned to De Fourcy.

"Your ancestors," said he, "served in the Order, and you wish to enter it; but we will not receive traitors."

"In answer to that I say that I will not serve traitors."

"Ho! you will not carry out your threat. Understand this, that the Order knows how to punish not merely brothers of the Cross."

De Fourcy, roused by these words, drew his sword; he seized its edge with his left hand, his right hand he placed on the hilt, and said,—

"On this hilt, which has the form of a cross, on the head of Saint Dionysius, my patron, and on my knightly honor, I shall warn the Prince of Mazovia and the Grand Master."

Danveld looked again with an inquiring glance at Siegfried, and the latter closed his eyes, as if in sign that he agreed to something. Then Danveld spoke with a strangely changed and dull voice,—

"Saint Dionysius might have carried his severed head under his arm," said he, "but if yours once falls—"

"Are you threatening me?" interrupted De Fourcy.

"No, but I shall kill you!" answered Danveld.

And he plunged a knife into his side with such force that the blade was hidden to the handle. De Fourcy shrieked with a terrible voice; for a moment he tried to seize with his right hand the sword which before he had held in his left, but he dropped it to the ground; that same moment the other three brothers fell to stabbing him without mercy in the breast and the bowels, till he dropped from the horse.

Then came silence. De Fourcy, bleeding terribly from a number of wounds, quivered on the snow, and tore it with fingers twisted by convulsions. From beneath a leaden sky came only the croaking of crows as they flew from empty deserts to human habitations.

And then a hurried conversation began among the murderers.

"The attendants have seen nothing!" said Danveld, in a panting voice.

"Nothing. The attendants are in advance, they are out of sight," answered Siegfried.

"Listen: there will be occasion for a new complaint. We shall spread the report that Mazovian knights attacked us, and killed our comrade. We will make a noise,—until Malborg hears that the prince sets murderers on guests even. Do you hear? We must say that the prince not only was unwilling to listen to our complaints against Yurand, but that he gave command to kill the man who made the complaint."

De Fourcy meanwhile turned on his back during his last convulsion, and lay motionless with bloody foam on his lips, and terror in his eyes now opened widely. Brother Rotgier looked at him, and said,—

"Consider, pious brothers, how God punishes even the intention of treason."

"What we have done has been done for the good of the Order," said Gottfried. "Praise to him who did the deed—"

But he stopped, for in that instant from behind them, at the turn of the snowy road, appeared a horseman who raced with the speed of his horse. Seeing him, Hugo called quickly,—

"Whoever that man be, he must die."

"I recognize him," said Siegfried, who, though the oldest among the brothers, had an uncommonly quick eye. "He is the attendant who killed the wild bull with an axe. True, that is he!"

"Hide your knives, lest he be frightened," said Danveld.

"I will strike first again; you support me."

Meanwhile the Cheh rode up, and about ten or eight steps away checked his horse in the snow. He saw a corpse in a pool of blood, a horse without a rider, and astonishment was depicted on his face; it remained, however, but the twinkle of an eye. Next moment he turned to the brethren as though he had seen nothing, and said,—

"I salute you, brave knights!"

"We recognized thee," answered Hugo, approaching him slowly. "Hast thou any question with us?"

"The knight Zbyshko of Bogdanets, whose spear I carry, has sent me, he who was wounded by the wild bull at the hunt; he was not able himself to come."

"What does your master want of us?"

"Because you complained of Yurand of Spyhov unjustly, to the detriment of his knightly honor, my master gives command to declare to you that you have not acted as true knights, but that you have barked as dogs; and that he summons the man who used the words to a combat on foot or on horseback to the last breath, in which struggle he will meet you when you indicate the place, and when, with God's favor and mercy, his present sickness permits him."

"Tell your master that Knights of the Cross endure insults patiently, for the sake of the Saviour; as to a struggle without personal permission from the Master or the Grand Marshal, they cannot answer, but for this permission, however, we will write to Malborg."

Again the Cheh looked at the body of De Fourcy, for it was to him that he had been sent specially. Zbyshko knew that the Knights of the Cross did not accept challenges; but hearing that among the five was a lay knight, he wished to challenge that one, thinking thus to influence and win Yurand. Now the man was lying there slaughtered like an ox in the presence of four Knights of the Cross.

Hlava, it is true, did not know what had happened; but, inured from childhood to danger of all kinds, he sniffed peril of some sort. He was astonished also that Danveld, while talking, drew up more and more to him, and the others began to surround him from the sides, as if wishing to encircle him without being noticed. For these reasons he began to have a care of himself, especially since he had no weapons on his person; for in his haste he had not succeeded in taking them.

Meanwhile Danveld was there before him, and continued:

"I have promised thy master a healing balsam, so then he repays kindness with evil. Among Poles this is common; but since he is grievously wounded, and may soon appear before God, tell him—"

Here he placed his left palm on the Cheh's shoulder.

"Tell him then that just this is what I answer."

That moment a knife gleamed near Hlava's throat; but before Danveld could stab, the Cheh, who had noted his movements, seized with his two iron hands the right arm, which he twisted till joints and bones cracked in it, and only when he heard a terrified roar of pain did he put spurs to his horse and shoot off like an arrow, before the others were able to stop him.

Brothers Rotgier and Gottfried started to chase, but returned soon, frightened by the terrible cry of Danveld. Siegfried held him by the shoulder; but he, with pale and blue face, cried so that the attendants, who had advanced with the wagons considerably, stopped their horses.

"What is the matter?" inquired the brothers.

But Siegfried ordered them to ride on with all speed and bring a wagon, for evidently Danveld could not hold himself in the saddle. After a while cold sweat covered his forehead, and he fainted.

When the wagon was brought he was placed on straw, and they moved toward the boundary. Siegfried hurried, for he understood, after what had happened, that they had no time to lose, even in nursing Danveld. Sitting with him on the wagon, he rubbed his face with snow from time to time, but was unable to bring him to consciousness. Only when near the boundary did Danveld open his eyes and look around, as if in astonishment.

"How is it with you?" asked Siegfried.

"I feel no pain, but neither do I feel my hand."

"It is benumbed, so feeling has vanished. In a warm room pain will return to you. Meanwhile thank God, even for a moment of relief."

Then Rotgier and Gottfried approached the wagon.

"An accident has happened," said the first; "what are we to do now?"

"We will say," answered Danveld, with a weak voice, "that the attendant killed De Fourcy."

"Their new crime, and the author of it, is known!" added Rotgier.