The Knights of the Cross/Volume 2/Chapter 60
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CHAPTER LX. Zbyshko fell at the feet of Princess Alexandra of Plotsk and offered her his service. She did not recognize the young knight at first, for she had not seen him for a long time. Only when he told her his name did she say,— "Indeed! But I thought you some one from the king's court. Zbyshko of Bogdanets! Of course! Your uncle was a guest here, the old knight of Bogdanets, and I remember how tears gushed in streams from me and my damsels when he told us thy story. And have you found your bride? Where is she at present?" "She is dead, gracious lady." "O dear Jesus! Do not say that, for I shall not restrain my weeping. She is in heaven surely, that is the one consolation, and thou art young. A weak creature is woman. But in heaven there is recompense for all things, and there thou wilt find her. But the old knight of Bogdanets, is he here with thee?" "He is not, for he is a captive with the Knights of the Cross, and I am going now to ransom him." "Then he too has failed of luck! But he seemed a quick man, who knew every custom. But when he is ransomed, come here to us. We shall be glad to see you both, for I say sincerely that he is not lacking in wit, as thou art not lacking in comeliness." "I will do so, gracious lady, all the more since I have come hither now purposely to beg of your Grace a favor for my uncle." "Very well, come to-morrow before the hunt; I shall have time then." Further conversation was interrupted by a new outburst of drums and trumpets announcing the arrival of Prince Yanush and his princess. As Zbyshko and the Princess of Plotsk stood near the entrance, Anna Danuta saw the young knight and approached him immediately without noticing the obeisance of their host, the starosta. The young man's heart was rent again at sight of Princess Anna, so he knelt before her, and seizing her knees remained in silence. She bent over him and pressed his temples, dropping tear after tear on his bright head, exactly as a mother while weeping over a son's misfortunes. And to the great astonishment of guests and courtiers she wept long, repeating,— "O Jesus! O Jesus the Compassionate!" Then she raised Zbyshko and said: "I weep for my Danusia, and I weep over thee. But God has so disposed that thy toils were fruitless, and now our tears are fruitless also. But do thou tell me of her, and of her death, for though I were to listen till midnight I should not hear enough." And she took him to one side, as the lord of Tachev had done previously. Those of the guests who did not know Zbyshko inquired concerning his adventures, and for some time all conversed only of him, and Danusia, and Yurand. The envoys of the Order asked also Friedrich von Wenden, the comtur of Torun, sent to meet the king, and Johann von Schönfeld, the comtur of Osterode. The latter, a German, but from Silesia, knowing Polish well, inquired easily what the question was, and when he had heard it from the lips of Yasko of Zabierz, an attendant of Prince Yanush, he said,— "Danveld and De Löwe were accused before the Grand Master of practising the black art." Then observing quickly that even the statement of such things might cast a shadow on the whole Order, like that which had fallen on the Templars, he added immediately,— "That was a statement of gossips, but it was not true, for there are no men of that kind in our order." But Povala, who was standing near, answered,— "They who prevented the baptism of Lithuania may oppose the Cross." "We wear the Cross on our mantles," answered Schönfeld, haughtily. "But men should wear it in their hearts," said Povala. That moment the trumpets sounded still louder, and Yagello appeared with the archbishop of Gniezen, the bishop of Cracow, the bishop of Plotsk, the castellan of Cracow, and other dignitaries and courtiers, among whom were Zyndram and the young Prince Yamont, an attendant of Yagello. The king had changed little since Zbyshko had seen him first. He had the same quickly glancing eyes, on his cheeks was the same pronounced ruddiness, he wore his hair long, as at Cracow, and put it behind his ears frequently. It seemed to Zbyshko, however, that he had more dignity of bearing and more majesty in his person, as if he felt surer on that throne which after the death of the queen he had desired to leave straightway, not knowing that he would be firm on it, and as if he were now more conscious of his great power and importance. The two Mazovian princes took their places at once at both sides of the sovereign; in front the German envoys greeted him with bows; and round about stood dignitaries and the foremost courtiers. The walls surrounding the court trembled from unceasing shouts, the sound of trumpets, and the thundering of drums. When at last silence came, the envoy Von Wenden began to mention something touching the affairs of the Order; but the king, when he noted whither the conversation was tending, waved his hand impatiently and said in his deep, sonorous voice,— "Better defer negotiation. We have come to this place for pleasure and are glad to see food and drink, not thy parchments." Meanwhile he smiled affably, not wishing the Knight of the Cross to think that he was answering in anger, and added,— "There will be time in Ratsiondz to speak of affairs with the Grand Master." Then he turned to the Prince of Plotsk,— "But to-morrow to the wilderness to hunt—is it so?" This question was a declaration at the same time that he did not wish to speak that evening of aught besides hunting, which he loved with all his soul, and for which he came to Mazovia gladly, since Little and Great Poland were less wooded and so populous in places that forests were lacking altogether. The faces of guests then grew gladsome, for they knew that the king, whenever he conversed of hunting, was joyous and indeed gracious also. The Prince of Plotsk began at once to tell whither they would go, and what game would be provided. Prince Yanush had sent one of his attendants to bring from the city his two "defenders" who had led wild bulls out of snares by the horns, and had broken the bones in bears, for he wished to show these two men to Yagello. Zbyshko wished greatly to go and bow down to Prince Yanush, but he could not approach him. He saw from a distance, however, Prince Yamont, who had forgotten evidently the sharp answer which on a time the young knight had given him in Cracow, for he nodded in a friendly manner, telling him by winks to come whenever possible. At that moment some hand touched the young man's shoulder, and a sweet, sad voice was heard right at his side there,— "Zbyshko!" He turned quickly and saw Yagenka. Occupied earlier in greeting the Princess of Plotsk, and then in converse with Anna Danuta, he could not approach Yagenka; so she herself, making use of the confusion caused by Yagello's entrance, came to him. "Zbyshko," repeated she, "may God and the Most Holy Lady comfort thee!" "God reward you," answered Zbyshko. And he looked with gratitude into her blue eyes, which at that moment were as if covered with dew. They stood face to face there in silence. For though she had come to him like a kind and mourning sister, she seemed in her queenly bearing and brilliant court dress so different from the former Yagenka that at the first moment he dared not even say thou to her, as had been his wont at her father's house, and in Bogdanets. And it seemed to her that after those words which she had spoken there was no more to say to him. This continued till embarrassment was evident on their faces. But just at that moment it became less crowded in the court, for the king sat down to supper. Princess Anna Danuta approached Zbyshko again, and said,— "This will be a sad feast for us both, but serve me as before." So the young man had to leave Yagenka; and when the guests were seated he stood behind the princess to change dishes and to pour out water and wine for her. While serving he looked involuntarily from time to time at Yagenka, who, being a damsel of the Princess of Plotsk, sat at her side, and he could not but admire her beauty. Yagenka, since he had seen her at home, had grown considerably; she was not changed so much by her stature, however, as by a dignity of which she had not had a trace before. Formerly, when in a sheep-skin coat and with leaves in her dishevelled hair she chased through forests and pine woods on horseback, she might have been taken really for a beautiful peasant; now, at the first cast of the eye, she seemed a maiden of birth and high blood, such repose was there in her face. Zbyshko noted also that her former gladsomeness had vanished; but he wondered less at this, for he had heard of her father's death. He was astonished still more by that peculiar dignity of hers, and at first it seemed to him that her garments gave this appearance. So he looked in turn at the golden circlet which surrounded her forehead white as snow, and her dark hair falling in two tresses to her shoulders, then on her blue, closely fitting robe embroidered with a purple strip, beneath which was indicated clearly her arrowy form and her maiden bosom. "A real princess." But he saw afterward that it was not her dress alone which had caused the change, and that though she were to put on a simple sheep-skin at that time, he could not consider her so lightly and bear himself with her so freely as in past time. He noticed also that various young men, and even older knights, gazed at her eagerly and with attention; and once, when he was changing the plate before the princess, he saw Pan de Lorche lost in gazing at her, and, as it were, rapt into Paradise. And at this sight he felt anger in his soul at him. The knight of Guelders did not escape the watchfulness of Princess Anna Danuta, who, recognizing him, said quickly,— "See Pan de Lorche! He is falling in love again surely, for he is dazed altogether." Then bending over the table somewhat, she glanced toward Yagenka sidewise. "By my faith," said she, "other lights will pale before this torch." Zbyshko was drawn toward Yagenka, for she seemed to him like a beloved and loving kinswoman, and he felt that a safer confidant for his sorrow he could not find, nor could he find more compassion in any heart; but he had no chance to speak to her that evening, for first he was occupied with service, and, second, during the whole time of the feast the chorus sang songs, or the trumpets made such loud music that even those who sat side by side could hardly hear one another. The princesses and ladies left the feast earlier than the king, princes, and knights, whose custom it was to amuse themselves at goblets till late hours. Yagenka carried a cushion for the princess, so it was not possible to delay; she, too, departed, but in going she smiled at Zbyshko a second time, and bowed to him. It was almost daylight when the young knight, Pan de Lorche, and their two attendants went back to the inn. They walked on for a time, sunk in thought; but near the inn De Lorche said something to his attendant, a Pomorian who spoke Polish easily, and the man turned to Zbyshko,— "My lord," said he, "would like to ask something of your Grace." "Very well," replied Zbyshko. De Lorche spoke to his attendant again awhile. The Pomorian, smiling slightly, said,— "My lord would like to inquire if it is certain that that damsel with whom your Grace conversed before the feast is a mortal being, or if she is some saint or angel." "Tell thy lord," answered Zbyshko, with a certain impatience, "that he has asked me that question already, so I wonder now to hear it a second time. In Spyhov he told me that he was going to Vitold's court to see the beauty of Lithuanian damsels, then for a similar cause he wished to visit this place, in Plotsk to-day he wished to challenge the knight Povala in behalf of Yagenka of Dlugolyas. and now again he is aiming at another. Is that his constancy; is that his knightly faith?" Pan de Lorche listened to this answer through the mouth of his attendant, sighed deeply, looked awhile at the sky, which was growing pale, and then answered,— "Thou speakest justly. Neither constancy nor faith, for I am a sinful man and unworthy to wear the spurs of knighthood. As to Panna Yagenka of Dlugolyas, I have made a vow to her, it is true, and God grant that I shall keep it; but see how I shall move thee when I tell how cruelly she treated me at Chersk." Here he sighed again, and looked at the sky, on the eastern rim of which a strip was growing clearer. When the Pomorian had interpreted his words De Lorche continued,— "This is what she said to me: 'I have an enemy, a master of the black art: he dwells within a tower in the middle of a forest; he sends a dragon out every year against me; this dragon comes to Chersk in autumn, and watches to see if he can seize me.' When she told this I declared immediately that I would give battle to that dragon. Ah! consider my story further: when I reached the appointed place I saw a dreadful monster waiting for me; delight filled my soul, for I thought that either I should fall or rescue the maiden from his disgusting jaws, and win eternal glory. But when I went near and thrust a spear into the monster— Canst thou think what I discovered? An immense bag of straw on wooden wheels, and it had a tail all stuffed with straw! I won people's laughter instead of glory, and then I had to challenge two Mazovian knights; from both I suffered sad defeat inside barriers. Thus was I treated by the woman whom I had exalted beyond all others, and whom alone I wished to love." The Pomorian, while interpreting these words, thrust his tongue into his cheek and bit it at moments, so as not to burst into laughter, and Zbyshko at another time would have laughed surely, but pain and unhappiness had destroyed gladness in him utterly, so he answered with a serious face,— "She may have done this only through frivolity, and not in malice." "I have forgiven her, and thou hast the best proof of that in this, that I wished to fight with the knight Povala in defence of her beauty and her virtue." "Do not fight with him," said Zbyshko, more seriously. "I know that it would be death, but I would rather fall than live in endless suffering and sadness." "Povala has no such things in his head. Better go to him with me to-morrow, and conclude a league of friendship." "I will do so, for he has pressed me to his heart; but to-morrow he is going with the king to hunt." "Then we will go early. The king loves to hunt, but does not despise rest, and he has conversed long to-night." And they did thus, but in vain; for Hlava, who had gone still earlier to the castle to see Yagenka, announced that Povala had slept, not in his own lodgings, but in the king's chambers. Their disappointment, however, was recompensed, for Prince Yanush met them, and commanded both men to join his escort. Thus they were able to be present at the hunt. While going to the forest Zbyshko found the chance of speaking to Prince Yamont, who gave him pleasant tidings. "While undressing the king for sleep," said he, "I reminded him of thee, and of thy Cracow adventure. And the knight Povala, who was present, added immediately that thy uncle had been seized by the Knights of the Cross, and he begged the king to claim him. The king, who is dreadfully incensed at the knights for stealing little Yasko, and for other attacks, grew still more raging. 'Not with a pleasant word,' said he, 'should one meet them, but with a lance! with a lance! with a lance!' And Povala threw fuel on that fire purposely. This morning, when the envoys of the Order were waiting at the gate, the king did not even look at them, though they bowed to the earth before his Majesty. Hei! they will not get a promise now that the king will not assist Prince Vitold, and they will not know what first to lay their hands on. But be sure of one thing, the king will not fail to press the Master about thy uncle Matsko." Thus Prince Yamont delighted Zbyshko's heart, and still more did Yagenka delight it; for, accompanying Princess Alexandra to the forest, she strove to ride back side by side with Zbyshko. During hunts there was always great freedom; people returned usually in couples. And since it was not important for one couple to be too near another, they could speak without restriction. Yagenka had heard earlier of Matsko's captivity from Hlava, and had lost no time in helping. At her request the princess had given a letter to the Grand Master and had gained, besides, this, that Von Wenden, the comtur of Torun, had mentioned the affair in a letter in which he gave an account of what was happening in Plotsk. He boasted before the princess that he had added, "Wishing to please the king, we should not raise difficulties in this case." And the Grand Master was concerned beyond measure at that moment to please the powerful sovereign as far as possible, and turn all his own forces with perfect safety on Vitold, whom thus far the Order had been quite unable to manage. "I have done what I could, taking care to avoid delay," said Yagenka; "and since the king will not yield to his sister in great things, he will try to please her at least in the smallest, hence I have great hope." "Were the affair not with such treacherous people," said Zbyshko, "I would take the ransom straightway, and thus end the matter; with them, however, it may happen to a man as it happened with Tolima,—they will take the money, and not free the person who brought it unless power stands behind him." "I understand," said Yagenka. "You understand everything now," answered Zbyshko; "and while I live I shall be grateful to you." "Why not say thou to me, as an acquaintance from childhood?" asked she, raising her sad and kind eyes to him. "I know not," answered he, innocently. "Somehow it is not easy for me; and you are not the young girl of former days, but—as it were—something—entirely—" And he could not find the comparison; but she interrupted his efforts and said,— "Some time has been added to my age—and the Germans have killed my father in Silesia." "True! God grant eternal light to him!" They rode on some time side by side in silence, and thoughtfully, as if listening to the low sound of the pinetrees, then she inquired,— "But after ransoming Matsko wilt thou stay in these parts?" Zbyshko looked at her as if in wonder, for up to that moment he had been given so exclusively to mourning and sadness that it had not come to his head to think of what would happen later. So he raised his eyes as if in meditation, and after a while he said,— "I know not! O merciful Christ! how can I know? I know that when I travel anywhere my fate will follow after me. Hei! a sad fate! I will ransom my uncle, and then go perhaps to Vitold to accomplish my vows against the Knights of the Cross; and perhaps I shall perish." At this the girl's eyes grew misty, and bending toward the young man somewhat, she said in a low voice, as if entreating,— "Do not perish; do not perish!" And again they ceased to speak, till at the very walls of the place Zbyshko shook himself out of thoughts that were gnawing him. "But you—but thou—wilt thou stay here at the court?" asked he. "No. It is dreary for me here without my brothers, and without Zgorzelitse. Stan and Vilk must be married before this, and even if they are not I do not fear them." "God grant me to bring Uncle Matsko to Zgorzelitse. He is such a friend of thine that thou mightst depend on him always. But do thou remember him also." "I promise sacredly to be, as it were, his own child to him." And after these words she wept in earnest, for in her heart there was gloom and trembling. Next day Povala of Tachev appeared at Zbyshko's inn and said to him,— "After communion the king will go to meet the Grand Master; thou art numbered with his knights and wilt go with us." Zbyshko flushed from delight at these words, for not only did the fact of including him with the knights of the king protect him from the treachery and attacks of the Knights of the Cross, but conferred great renown on him also. Among those knights were Zavisha Charny and his brothers Farurey and Kruchek, Povala himself, and Kron and Pashko Zlodye, and Lis, with many other tremendous and glorious knights, famed at home and in foreign countries. Yagello took a small detachment, for some he had left at home, and some were seeking adventures in distant lands and in lands beyond the sea; but he knew that with them he might go even to Malborg without fearing the treachery of the Order, for in case of need they would crush walls with their mighty arms and open a road for him among Germans. Zbyshko's young heart might warm also with pride at the thought that he would have such companions. At the first moment he forgot his own grief even, and pressing Povala's hand, he said with delight,— "To you, and to no one else, am I indebted,—to you! to you!" "To me in part," answered Povala, "in part to the gracious princess here, but most to our gracious sovereign. Go at once and embrace his feet, so that he may not suspect thee of ingratitude." "In so far as I am ready to die for him, so help me God!" exclaimed Zbyshko.
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