Chapter 11 Chapter Eleven

Segolena was lying on the ground, her limbs were stiff, although there was no pain, it was difficult to move even a little bit, the power of that light palm in the darkness was so powerful.He raised his head reluctantly and stared at the old nanny's face, but felt that the old man was very kind under the candlelight, and the hostility in his heart eased a bit. The old nanny said slowly: "Young man, why did you break into my old woman's guest house at night?" Segolena had no choice but to bite the bullet and replied: "I was being chased closely, and there was nothing on my body. I was injured, and when I saw the window was half open, I rushed in in a panic, and I didn't come here to steal anything." He had just become a thief in the castle, and he was still guilty, so he added a sentence.The old nanny squinted her eyes and saw a dagger stuck in Segolena's waist. The blood had already soaked the skirt of her clothes. Knowing that what he said was true, she let out a long breath and said, "That's good, I'm still here I thought you were a thief at such a young age. What's your name?"

Segolena answered honestly, accidentally caught a glimpse of the lily pattern on the chest of the old lady, and thought of her shocking skill just now, she wondered if this old lady is a master of the Beguin Society?Thinking of this verse, he secretly groaned.If what Bijoqi said was right, the name of the Peguin Society was somewhat higher than that of the Twelve Apostles of the Guardian, and if it fell into their hands, it would be impossible for him to escape. The old nun didn't know what he was thinking, she stood up tremblingly from the chair, and said in her mouth: "Sister Ethel is really confused, I have taught her to close the doors and windows before going to bed, she forgot. She closed the window sash, turned around and said, "You are seriously injured, so you came here to seek shelter from the old man, it is naturally God's arrangement, wait for me to call someone to deal with you." The breathless force came, and Segolena was able to move his hands and feet immediately.This old woman's kung fu has advanced to the point where she can send and receive freely, and can release acupuncture points from the air. She seems to be a bit better than the "hermit", which really shocked him.

The old mother shook the copper bell in her hand, and not long after, there were three timid knocks on the door.The old nun said: "Come in." Immediately, a woman wearing a plain nun's attire opened the door and came in. This woman was not much older than Goleina, and she was born elegant and dignified, with a hint of inner beauty, and two dark eyebrows. Mo, with goose-egg-like cheeks as white as a white porcelain doll, those big eyes like autumn water are extremely clear, revealing a trace of innocence, and the forehead is covered with a few sparse bangs that cannot be combed. .

As soon as she entered the room, she suddenly saw a man lying on the floor, she couldn't help but "ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"The old mother sighed: "Sister Ethel, why are you still so reckless? My pot of tiger piranha has been planted for four years, and it was brought to Belgrade through thousands of mountains and rivers, but you trampled it." Sister Searle's eyes immediately became moist, and she knelt down and cried, "It's my fault, please punish Dean Gabriela." Sister Gabriela said: "Punishment will be discussed later, it is important to save people. You And help the child to bed, and get some bandages and ointment."

Ethel looked embarrassed, but she was afraid that the dean would blame her, so she closed her eyes, turned her head, and dragged Segolena's collar with both hands.Fortunately, Segolena was born extremely thin, and Ethel's slender physique could barely move it.With her eyes closed, she didn't know where she was going, when she suddenly heard a "boom". It turned out that Segolena's head hit the wooden frame beside the bed, and she let go of her hand in fright: "Yes... I'm sorry." The loosening doesn't matter, Segolena fell to the ground again, grinning in pain.

Aunt Gabriela frowned and said, "This child, if you are in such a panic, what can happen if you encounter big things in the future?" Ethel frowned and bit her lip, helped Segolena onto the bed, and accidentally touched her with her right hand. The handle of the dagger hurt so much that Segolena couldn't help saying: "This sister, the Holy Mother is merciful, and she doesn't like to hurt people." Ethel looked very embarrassed, twisting the hem of his robe with his hands and muttering: "You Are you alright? I...innocent...really." Aunt Gabriela said, "Bring the bandages and ointment quickly?" The sound of stepping on the wooden stairs, after a while, the sound of stepping stopped suddenly, but there was a rumbling sound of rolling down.Aunt Gabriela shook her head, seemingly helpless, and said to Segolena: "This child Ethel, other things are fine, but it seems to be possessed by a Nome imp. I don't know what's going on. I thought she was used to being clean and quiet during this trip, and I should take her out for a bit of experience, but I didn't realize that she was like a frightened quail, refusing to leave me even a single step."

Segolena said with a smile: "It may not be a good thing. Isn't there a poem saying it? 'Pure and comfortable, even a prince is like a king'. Only by being isolated from the world can you keep your heart pure." Aunt Gabriela was taken aback, These two lines are the verses in the psalm "The Eye of the Living Spring" written by the heavenly saint Hildegard five hundred years ago. Although Hildegard is admired by thousands of people, this psalm is not famous. Article, except for the nuns who specialize in research, few people know about it.At this time, it was said casually from a teenager, which really surprised Aunt Gabriela.Of course she didn't know that Brother Kavanagh had no other good teachings at the bottom of the valley, so he only asked Segolena to recite the hymns of the past, including Hildegard's works.

Aunt Gabriela said: "I didn't expect you to be familiar with these things at such a young age." Segolena said: "It was all taught by the teacher, and I felt it at the moment, so I read it out, please forgive me It’s a crime.” Aunt Gabriela said, “Forgive me for any crimes. Nowadays, the world is corrupt and many priests and bishops can’t even memorize the Bible. It’s really rare for you to have this kind of insight.” She saw that the child knew the way of God. Very detailed, can't help but love it a little more. While the two were talking, Ethel pushed the door open again, holding a ball of bandages and two bottles of amber-colored ointment in her hand.She called "Master Dean" and put these things on the bedside.Sister Gabriela glanced around, and said displeasedly, "Where are the scissors?" Ethel opened her mouth and said "Ah", her eyes wide open, and hurriedly turned around to go downstairs to get it.Mammy raised her hand to stop her and said, "Forget it, if you go downstairs again, I don't know how many people will be disturbed in their dreams." She walked tremblingly to the bedside, stretched out her little fingernail, Na scratched lightly on the side of his body, with less real energy, the cloth cracked in response, revealing the wound immediately.

The girl's dagger was stuck in Segolena's waist, and the gleaming sterling silver handle was exposed.Thanks to his profound internal energy, he never let the dagger go too deep into his body, otherwise no one would be able to save him unless the Heavenly Father came.When Ethel saw the man's skin, her face was filled with shame, and she wished to rush out the door, but it was only in the way of the majesty of the dean.Aunt Gabriela ordered her to hold the candlestick, leaned over to look at the wound carefully, and said, "It's okay, it's not serious. Sister Ethel, I'll seal the star near his wound first, You pull out the dagger vigorously, and apply it with the ointment of the Trinity of Trinity of the Trinity of the Beguin Society. Be careful not to miss any gaps, otherwise the blood will flow back. After washing the wound, tie it with a bandage. She glanced at the young girl, and added: "Don't be in a hurry, just take your time, just as you usually do for the sisters."

After the confession, Mammy stretched out her fingers and counted the three palaces of Segolena Virgo, Libra, and Capricorn, skillfully.These few fingers were infused with Zhirou's true energy, immediately sealing all the big star points near the wound.Segolena's internal strength rebounded slightly, which surprised Mammy.Her kung fu is mainly soft, ordinary internal force can't resist at all, it's really strange that the internal force in this young man responds. Mammy didn't have time to think about it, she immediately withdrew her hand and said, "The waist is the vital part of the human body, it can't be closed for too long, Ethel, you can pull it out." Ethel handed the candlestick to Mammy, stepped forward timidly, with a pair of slender hands Holding the handle of the dagger, she had never been so close to a strange man in her life. She was very cautious for fear of touching his skin and soiling her body.Aunt Gabriela said, "Hurry up in your hands, it's not embroidery!" Ethel turned her heart away when she heard the urging, closed her eyes and lowered her head to forcefully pull the dagger away from her body.She used too much force, and with a groan, she fell backwards holding the dagger, and was almost injured by the blade.

Before Aunt Gabriela could scold her, Ethel got up from the ground.She didn't care to pick up the dagger, and didn't dare to look at Mammy, she quickly lowered her head and squeezed out the ointment from the bottle, and applied it to the wound.Her smearing was like a plasterer applying plaster. A large lump of ointment was applied directly, and it was not evenly spread. It could be used to lay bricks directly.After finally tidying up, Ethel brought bandages again, with three or four laps overlapping one another, wrapping Segolena's waist like a bacon's leg wrapped in straw.Only then did she let out a long breath, relieved.Segolena said: "It's much more comfortable, thank you very much." Ethel quickly turned his eyes away, not daring to look directly at him. At this moment, Sister Gabriela picked up the dagger from the ground, examined it, and frowned slightly.She walked to the bed with the dagger, and asked Segolena: "The person who stabbed you is the enemy who chased you?" Segolena said, "Although not, they belonged to the same group." Sister Gabriela said: "I have seen this dagger before, and it is the possession of Rosemary, a lay disciple of Provenzano. Could it be that they are the enemies you mentioned?" Segolena thumped in his heart. The sound is not good.He forgot that the Beguin nuns were escorted by Provenzano along the way, and this old nun was naturally familiar with the weapons used by the disciples of the Simon lineage. He didn't dare to lie, so he could only reply: "Yes, it's them, and there is another one named Romulus and Cherie." Mammy nodded and said, "That's it. The three of them are here this time. "She turned strict and said: "Provenzano's disciples are not the type to fight with others at will. Although Cherie's child has a bad temper, Romulus is in charge, so he will not hurt others indiscriminately. What do you do? What happened to startle them?" Segolena hesitated for a moment, feeling that she couldn't tell a lie in front of this kind mother, so she told the whole story about her conspiring with Van Eyck to steal the Bazlisk, but deliberately concealed her identity.After he finished speaking, he added again: "I only want to get back the wooden stick, but not to steal anything." The nun pondered for a moment, and then said: "The Duke is in danger of Europa, you help someone steal his elixir, This is one wrong; the elixir is the Pope's will, blessed, you tamper with the holy money, this is two wrong; that magic hand painter is also good and evil, but you don't ask the reason, don't discern the righteousness, and act presumptuously. Since joining forces with him, this is three things that should not be done." This accusation was just and stern, and Segolena was ashamed.He thought to himself, what he did was really inappropriate, even if Brother Kavanagh was still alive, he would probably reprimand him like this.Seeing that he was ashamed, Aunt Gabriela said, "Belgrade is ruled by the duke. You trespassed on his castle. I am a guest, so I can't cover you up. I have to send you to the castle later." He liked Segolena, and felt pity for his talents, so he said with relief: "But since you have entered my place by mistake, it seems that God has given instructions. People are not Jesus, and there is nothing wrong with him. Paul also insulted me that day. Christ, didn’t he wake up in the end and become a generation of saints? I’ll go with you later and say that you have repented, and teach them to punish them lightly. I think they will betray me for this little thing. of." Aunt Gabriela raised her right hand and said to Ethel, "Get my robe, and I'll take him to the Duke myself." Ethel was about to leave as if she had been pardoned, when Aunt Gabriella said again: "Sai Golena's robe is broken and can't be worn anymore, go to the owner of the inn and find a man's robe and bring it up." Ethel said "Yes", turned and left, and soon brought back a set of black nuns and a set of light gray denim shirts. Mammy knew that she was a thin-skinned disciple, and asking her to change a man's clothes was worse than killing her, so she simply changed it herself.Mammy is nearly eighty years old, and no one else can gossip about her.She made Segolena lie flat, her fingertips were like a sword, and she swiped a few times. In an instant, the clothes on the boy's upper body were shattered, revealing his scrawny body.Ethel was holding the clothes at the side, not daring to look at them with her head down. Sister Gabriela picked up her shirt and wished: "God loves the world, and Our Lady is merciful. With me by my side, the Duke will not..." Before she finished speaking, she suddenly froze.Segolena's upper body was naked. Under the candlelight, there were a little lavender marks on her shoulders and chest, which together with the purple mark on her forehead looked like a cross.Afraid that her old eyes might misread it, the nanny ordered Ethel to hold the candlestick close to it, and looked closely at it for a long time before asking in a trembling voice, "This is the stigmata of the court guard! Who are you?!" Segolena said: "My teacher left it to me." The nanny's eyes suddenly became sharp, and she asked anxiously, "Who is your teacher?" Brother Pa Fei Kavanagh, the beggar elder, and that wooden stick is his token." The nun heard Brother Kavanagh's name, knew that he was a well-known righteous man in the Sangha, and immediately asked Esther Er fetched the stick.She reached out and touched the five round scars on the spine of the stick, knowing that it was the symbol of the Dervish Sangha, she couldn't help wondering: "The stigmata of the court guard are the unique marks of the twelve apostles, how can the elders of the Dervish Sangha Will you know it?" Seeing that she couldn't hide it, Segolena could only sigh, and said to the nanny, "Since you asked, I have no choice but to answer it. It's just that this matter involves the secrets of the Holy See, and no one else is allowed." After hearing this, Searle said quickly: "My lord, I'll check to see if the door downstairs is locked." After she walked away, Segolena said to the nanny: "My teacher, Brother Kavanagh, is the preacher of the Gospel of Matthew of this generation. The Pope sent him to the friar's order to monitor secretly. So no one knows about it." Sister Gabriela said, "It took at least twenty years for Brother Cavanagh to become famous, while His Majesty Pope Martin V ascended the throne for only nine years, but the time is different." Segolena said: "It was Pope Urban VI who appointed my teacher." Sister Gabriela nodded and remained silent.Although the Beiguin Society is detached and independent from the Jianghu, they are also under the control of the Holy See in name, so they know very well about the dispute over the religious order back then.Pope Urban VI of Rome, Pope Alexander V of Milan, and Clement VII of Avignon all claimed to be the orthodox Peter, and the churches all over Europe relied on each other.At that time, everyone in the rivers and lakes was in danger. When two people met, they first asked about each other's faction, and often drew their swords at each other just because of the disagreement of the religious system, and I don't know how many lives were caused.Beguin has always kept a low profile, and was almost involved in it. If the former dean used thunderous means to suppress him, he was afraid that a civil strife would arise. On that day, the twelve guardian apostles were also divided into three factions, each with an emperor, and fought happily. Only the preacher of Matthew's Gospel was missing.At this moment, hearing what Segolena said, the nanny had already guessed that Brother Kavana is loyal to the Roman faction: "Since Brother Kavana gave you the wooden stick, you also learned all the martial arts in the Gospel of Matthew." Already?" Segolena said: "I'm ashamed to say that the teacher was already disabled at that time, and I only learned a few percent." The nanny said: "You don't have to be too modest. The old man just tested your depth, and the internal force in his body is quite strong. It is very rare to be able to flick my finger slightly. You are not very old, but your internal energy seems to be a master who has been practicing for many years. Does Brother Kavanagh's Matthew really have such a magical effect?" Segolena said in a low voice: "Not necessarily." Then he told the whole story of his experience in the past seven years.Rao Sister Gabriela was very determined, she was dumbfounded when she heard it, and said after a long while: "You have studied the "Proverbs of Martial Arts", no wonder you have this skill. Just looking at your internal strength, it seems that you don't do what you want ?” Segolena said: "Nurse really belongs to the Fang family. Although the internal energy in my body is abundant, it still cannot function freely. When fighting, I have to use straight fists and palms to vent my internal energy, and use sword moves and stick techniques However, I still can’t get it together.” Mammy said: “Actually, many inner strength methods in the world lead to the same goal by different routes, and in the end it always boils down to the balance of the four fluids. The so-called moves are nothing more than how to make the four fluids drive a more stable posture. That’s all. Adam and Eve were perfect humans in the Garden of Eden, and the four fluids in their bodies were not able to balance themselves. Later, they ate the forbidden fruit. God sent them down in anger and demoted them to the world. Since then, the four fluids in human offspring have been out of balance, and they are all branded with original sin. For those of us who practice martial arts, the purpose should not be to strive for strength, but to strive to make our four fluids reach a balance of power, close to the perfection of our ancestors, reduce original sins, and finally be perfected by God. It is internal strength The most important thing is the heart of faith. The stronger the belief in the Lord, the more the Lord will be able to see into our minds and bestow mercy on us. At that time, the four fluids will be self-levelling, and we will be able to enter the supreme and wonderful realm. The 'Holy Blessing of the Virgin Mary' stresses blessing to the soul, which is exactly the reason." These words made Segolena enlightened and said yes again and again.Sister Gabriela suddenly asked: "Is your adoptive father really named Durand?" Segolena said: "Exactly, he is the guard of the Valois royal family, and he was ordered to go to Moldova. "The nanny said: "That's why you want to serve the French royal family, with the whole father's will?" Segolena said: "That's right. When I go to see the Pope, if I catch Novas, I will give the St. Louis crown to him." Send it to the crown prince." After hearing this, Mammy remained silent. While talking, Ethel hurried upstairs and said, "Many soldiers outside knocked on the door, asking if we saw any suspicious men." Segolena thought that the nun would hand herself over to the soldiers, but she groaned After a while, she raised her head and said to Ethel, "Go and tell them, and say that you never saw it." Ethel hesitated and said, "Then, isn't that a lie?" Still wanting to tell, seeing Mammy's sharp eyes, he bowed his head and backed away. Segolena asked in surprise, "Auntie, you hid the prisoner, isn't it against the Duke?" The nun said, "It was supposed to be handed over, but since you are the direct descendant of the Gospel of Matthew, it is quite different." Saigo Rainer said: "It doesn't matter if those soldiers break in and catch me. If you ruin Mammy, your reputation will be bad." Sister Gabriela smiled slightly: "The wife of the Duke of Belgrade is my first residence. The female disciples of the Yinhui, the guest house of the Beguinhui, they would not dare to force their way in." Although the Beguinage is a team of nuns, it is not an ordinary nunnery. In addition to the nuns who are determined to serve God, there are also lay female disciples among them. It is up to you to take the oath or not.Some people have been lay disciples for a few years, and finally become nuns; Segolena wondered, "Why are you doing this, Sister?" Sister Gabriela hesitated to speak, and then said after a while, "I have my own arrangements, but it's just not the right time yet." She patted the head of the bed and said : "The duke has been busy with preparations these days, and he is overwhelmed. Let's not add trouble. The duke's birthday banquet will be in three days. You will attend with me at that time, and beg his forgiveness. You are just young and ignorant, deceived by the magic hand painter, and you have old age. Circumstantial evidence, this matter should not be difficult." Segolena couldn't help feeling grateful when she saw that the nanny had considered it so thoroughly. The mother said again: "You can rest at my place and recuperate. I have Ethel to take care of her here. Although that girl is clumsy, she is very kind." Ethel turned around just in time, and when she heard what Mammy said, she was very embarrassed and stood at the door, daring not to come in.The nanny has such sharp ears, she smiled and said, "Come in." Ethel had no choice but to enter the door and said, "The military master downstairs has been dismissed." The nanny said, "Very good. This brother needs to rest with us for a long time. In a few days, you can take care of him more. Let the kitchen cook more meat porridge, and add our Shaoxiang Jingqi pills, which is the best way to keep healthy. Just don’t let others know that he is here." She knew that Segolena was Matthew preached the Gospel, so he changed his name to "brother". After Mammy finished explaining, she got up and walked out of the room, and went to the next room to rest.Ethel made the wooden bed, put a cup of drink made of honey and wormwood beside it, and took out a Boltu felt blanket to cover Segolena.Mammy wasn't in the room, she was doing things more calmly, not as flustered as before.Lying on the bed, Segolena turned her head and said, "Sister, thank you very much." Ethel glared at him, and hurriedly said, "I've lost my mind, please don't talk to me!" Seeing her embarrassment and her desire to play, Na couldn't help jokingly said: "There is a saying in 2 Peter: 'Respect all people, dear brothers in the church.' How did you forget?" Ethel's expression changed He was a little flustered in his hand, and said in a serious manner: "The scriptures also say, 'If a person loves life and wishes to enjoy good things, he must keep his tongue from speaking evil and his lips from speaking deceit." Since you are a preacher of the gospel, how can you Speak so frivolously? Beware of falling into the lake of fire under Jerusalem!" When Segolena heard this, she smiled and said, "The lake of fire under Jerusalem? Sister, you must have seen too much of Alighieri Dante." Christianity has always been at odds about the location of hell, and only mentions that the entrance to hell is in Jerusalem. , so Segolena knew it as soon as he heard it.After hearing what he said, Ethel turned even paler with fright: "I... I just saw it by accident, and never read it secretly." Although Dante's work was widely praised when it was first published, it was not tolerated by the orthodox, saying that there were many words that condemned obscenity, so female monks were not allowed to read it at that time.Seeing that her shoulders were trembling, Segolena felt a little guilty, so she comforted, "I'm not going to tell Mammy, let alone this is a good book, so what are you afraid of?" Ethel was surprised when he heard his praise, his eyes were as bright as stars: "You have read it too?" Segolena proudly said: "Of course I have read it." Ethel said: "Can you ask... ...Uh...May I ask where you read it?" Segolena could not tell her that he was taught by Brother Kavana at the bottom of the valley, so he stammered: "Uh...it is in a church, There are a lot of books there." Ethel was very envious: "You must have read it many times." Segolena said: "Don't say that I have read it, I can even recite every sentence!" Ethel was overjoyed when she heard this, and lightly supported the head of the bed with both hands, her head unconsciously leaned towards Segolena, which was completely different from the previous rejection.The nun could not apply the fragrance of powder, but Segolena could smell a faint body fragrance, knowing that she had the same natural fragrance as Yulinia, she felt at ease, and did not say anything.Breathing up and down in her chest, she asked tremblingly, "You said you could memorize it, but is it true?" Segolena said, "Of course it is true." Ethel closed her eyes in joy, put her hands on the head of the bed and said, "God, thank you for your gift to me." She suddenly felt that she had lost her composure, her face was flushed, and she secretly glanced at Segolena, seeing that he was not concerned. Strange, so he twitched and said: "I saw the manuscript from a secular sister. She went to the meditation hall to pray silently every day, and I secretly went to her bedside to read a few pages. Dante's writing is really good, It is timeless, exquisite, and meaningful, and it is more comforting than reading a psalm. It is a pity that the sister left the Beguilement soon, and the manuscript was taken away. What else did you write? Can you recite it to me?" She started talking nonchalantly, but then her tone became hurried, as if she was thirsty for books. Segolena smiled and said, "It's very easy. Since Aunt Gabriela taught you to take care of me, I will recite it to you slowly in the past few days." Ethel was overjoyed and didn't know what to do. It would be good to be grateful, and brought over the honey bowl beside the bed and said, "Drink as you please." With a tremor in his hand, the honey water in the bowl spilled out, pouring sticky water on Segolena's face.In desperation, she tore off the hood to wipe it, only then did Segolena see that she had long brown hair, brown as shiny as oil. For the next three days, Segolena lay quietly on the bed, and Aunt Gabriela occasionally came to check on the injury, and Ethel was with him most of the time.Ethel wanted to hear it wholeheartedly, and wished she could stay by the bed day and night, and Segolena was happy to have someone to chat with, so she chanted slowly one sentence at a time.Ethel's long-cherished wish was fulfilled, and she was fascinated by listening to it. She was so moved that she covered her face with her hands and cried several times, murmuring how could there be such an exquisite poem in the world.She was afraid that people would find out, so she didn't dare to transcribe, so she just memorized it as she listened to it, and sometimes she couldn't remember it clearly, and she even taught Segolena to go back and recite it again.It took three days, and I just finished half of the Hell and Purgatory chapters. In the past three days, Segolena also asked Ethel to go out to inquire secretly, and learned that the search and arrest that night was fruitless, and the magic hand painter seemed to have fled. I don't know whose hands the four-leaf clover fell into in the end.Relying on the name of the Beguin Society, Ethel moved freely in the castle, and also found out that Augustine was imprisoned in the water prison under the castle, and his life was not in danger. Beguin's Trinity Sansheng Pills were indeed effective. On the fourth day, Segolena's back injury had already healed by seven or eight points.Early in the morning of this day, a cart with two horses and four wheels from the Duke's mansion came to wait in front of the guest house.Aunt Gabriela asked Ethel to find a dervish robe for Segoline, and put it on with a wide-brimmed hood, so that no one could see his face as long as he bowed his head. A special deacon went up to meet them, and led Aunt Gabriela, Ethel, and Segoline into the carriage together. The coachman yelled, and the carriage rumbled towards the castle.Along the way, colorful flags fluttered all over the town, full of joy.The Duke of Belgrade fought the Ottoman invasion for decades and won the hearts of the people. Therefore, his birthday banquet was also celebrated by the whole city, as lively as a harvest festival. When the carriage arrived under the castle, Segolena secretly opened the curtains to look, and couldn't help gasping.There was a huge situation in front of them, and several huge tents were set up along the entire moat, just like a market.The guests here are ordinary citizens of Belgrade and nearby peasants. They are not allowed to enter the castle, so they play near the tents. Small vendors, barbers, pharmacists, and some jugglers scream and sell, as well as priests who take the opportunity to sell indulgences. Time is busy and life is full of turmoil.Someone from the Duke's Mansion boiled several large pots of nutmeg and vegetable soup, served with piles of rye bread, and everyone who came came had a share, wishing the Duke a happy life.There are also some people who secretly take the spirits brewed privately by the farmhouse, and squat on the ridge to drink and chew, and watch and listen, feeling very comfortable. Far away, there is a flat grassland that has been leveled and solidified, surrounded by wooden fences, and no one is allowed to enter.The customs of Europa are martial arts, especially knights. All celebrations, big or small, must come to a duel to enjoy themselves.When the birthday banquet is over, there will inevitably be noble knights from all over the world fighting here.More than half of these ordinary people came here to see this. After the carriage entered the castle, the inner courtyard of the castle was another scene.There are hundreds of emblems, family crests, and banners waving in mid-air.There are dozens of long tables lined up in the square in the inner courtyard, at least hundreds of guests filled the square, and more than a hundred servants shuttled between the tables, serving delicacies, and then evacuated. dinner plate.A dozen hounds followed closely behind, hoping to share some leftovers.In the corridors around stood hired bands, complete with lutes, harps, bagpipes, and castanets, playing appetizing lilts.Most of the people sitting here are noble lords, knights, the presidents of handicraft guilds, chambers of commerce and ordinary martial arts gangs from all over Serbia and Hungary, and Bjözy and others are among them. Today is the day of fasting. The Duke believes in Christianity. All roasted venison, smoked sausage, stuffed pig intestines, roast goose, etc. are not served. The table is mostly fish, river seafood and vegetables, as well as some warm quinces, pumpkin pudding and so on. Desserts with strong notes of sage and cinnamon in the air. The carriage went straight through the crowd, and it didn't stop until the entrance to the main castle.The Duke's only son, Janos, was waiting for him at the bottom of the steps, dressed in a round brocade suit.Without waiting for the carriage to come to a complete stop, he took a step forward and opened the door, and said respectfully, "The Duke of Belgrade and his family greet the Lord Beguin." Aunt Gabriela stretched out her hand for him to support, stepped out of the carriage, looked around carefully, and said with a smile: "You have a bit of your mother's features." Janos said: "The saint is here, My mother was very happy. If it wasn't for the ancestral system, she would have gone to the guest house to see you." The two exchanged a few more words, and Janos was stunned when he saw Ethel get off the car , said with an air of awe: "Could this be the Holy Maiden?" Ethel's mind was full of thoughts, and she didn't notice that her foot stepped on the hem of the skirt. With an oops, she staggered and got out of the car. Janos strode forward to hold her up.Ethel thanked her softly in shock, her voice was as big as a mosquito.Sister Gabriela sighed softly, and said: "If the saintess was so reckless, I'm afraid the old dean would have died of anger. It means that I am so lucky that I will not die of anger for a while. She is my youngest disciple. , called Ethel." Janos said: "The behavior of this sister reminds people of the demeanor of Humilian in those days." Humilian was a nun in the Bruges convent two hundred years ago, and she practiced piously.She fell down one day while fetching water by the stream, and unexpectedly saw Jesus reflected in the water. Since then, she has become famous, and everyone knows this story.Janos used Humilian to compare Ethel, not only avoiding her embarrassment, but also praised her for having the blessing to meet the Lord, and what he said was extremely appropriate.Sister Gabriela could not help secretly approving. At this time Segolena also got out of the car. He had seen Janos, and the brim of his hat was pulled down.Aunt Gabriela knew his difficulties, so she said to Janos: "This brother is a monk of the Salzburg Dervish Order, and he has some connections with me, so he brought it together. Man, you don't need to say hello, just take me to meet your mother." Janos thought it was weird for a dervishe to wear a hood, but after hearing what the nanny said, he immediately said: "This brother, my Archbishop Capistrano of Belgrade is also an elder in the dervish society, wait Now you can get closer." Segolena made the sign of the cross, but dared not speak.Janos called a servant and asked him to take Ethel and Seglerin to their seats, and he led Aunt Gabriela to see the Duke's relatives. Ethel and Segolena entered the hall, both of them were shocked.The hall is decorated extremely luxuriously and grandly, with the mast dome, enamel carved edges, and the end is resplendent and resplendent.There is a main table in the middle of the hall, and there are more than a dozen long tables on the left and right. The table is covered with red cloth, and there are several silver candlesticks and some dates and fig plates on each table.Thirty to forty choirs in white robes stood in the back porch of the hall, singing softly. Although the sound was not loud, it echoed in the dome, lingering and lingering, full of holy breath.There is also a flower basket in the center, in which hundreds of flowers are competing in beauty, with no less than dozens of names and colors, and the words "May the Lord bless the pious" are written on a silk belt. Except for the main table which is still empty, most of the rest of the hall is full of people.Several famous sects in the Jianghu have sent envoys, and the rest are the head of the Hamburg Sword Sect, Hohen, the head of the seventy-two urban guards of the Hanseatic League, Conrad, the deputy head of the Teutonic Knights, and the Catalonians. The mercenary team, as well as the Medici, Pelucci, Hawkstetter and other banking tycoons, etc., also sent prominent figures.For a while, almost half of Europa's Wulin Qingying gathered here, it seemed like a meeting of heroes. Segolena saw Provenzano sitting at the first table on the right, with a majestic expression and two white eyebrows knit together.Romulus, Cherie and Rosemary stood behind him with their hands down, not daring to move a step.He took another look at Rosemary. The little girl was pale and almost bloodless. He wondered if she hadn't recovered from the palm he slapped. But next to Provenzano, there were three strange old men in square hats.These three old men are generally withered, all have goatee beards, a pair of small glasses on the bridge of their noses, and they whisper to each other with their hands in their sleeves, acting funny.The boy who led the way suppressed a smile and secretly told their origins.It turned out that these three old men were professors of the Tri-University Alliance of the University of Cologne, the University of Mainz, and the University of Heidelberg, but for some reason they were treated with courtesy, and their seats were no lower than Provenzano. The servant took the two of them to the first table on the left and sat down, and brought over two cups of boiled apples.Segolena was afraid of being seen by others, so she had to lower her head.Seeing that the dean was not there, Ethel felt uneasy, and kept asking Segolena for details.Where Segolena dared to answer loudly, he hesitated to respond.Fortunately, Aunt Gabriela just went to catch up and came back soon.After she sat down, she said to Segolena: "The Duchess is a member of my Beguin society. I have told her that a sinner begged the Duke to forgive me, and the Duchess has agreed." Segolena thanked her道：“嬷嬷您如此回护，真是无以为报。”嬷嬷淡淡一笑道：“圣母慈悲为怀，我辈自当效法先贤。何况老身还有事要你助我。”赛戈莱纳道：“只要嬷嬷有求，我自当赴汤蹈火，在所不辞。”嬷嬷伸手拍拍他肩膀，和蔼道：“如今还不到时候，咱们且安享寿宴罢。” 正说间，忽然号角声呜呜大作，鼓声大振，厅内宾客一起站起身来，齐刷刷朝门口望去。赛戈莱纳见到一位身着骑士甲胄的矍铄老者步入大厅，这老者须发皆白，虎目狮鼻，身躯矮小结实，宛如奥林帕斯山巅一块顽石。他走起路虎虎生风，铠甲铿锵作响，亚诺什与其他几位将军簇拥在侧，竟要快步方能跟上老者步伐。正是名震中欧、阿拉伯诸国的贝尔格莱德公爵卢斯维科·匈雅提。 赛戈莱纳这时却留意到，在公爵身旁还有一人。这人身披灰袍，身高体瘦如竹竿，面露苦容，竟似生来就不曾笑过。他胸前悬着一个小十字架，赛戈莱纳忽然想到，这人怕不就是迈耶长老所说的圣方济会在贝尔格莱德的长老？亚诺什唤他叫做卡皮斯特拉诺，名字却长。 公爵走到大厅中央，朝四下挥了挥手，不怒而威，厅中霎时静下来。公爵环顾一圈，大声道：“今日老夫寿辰，诸位英雄贵客肯拨冗来陋处做客祝寿，实令匈雅提全族蓬荜生辉。我贝尔格莱德地薄人穷，惟有好客之道亘古不变。塞尔维亚有句俗谚：朋友之来，邀以美酒；豺狼之来，待以矛枪。贝尔格莱德上蒙天主护佑，下承民心，甘为基督世界屏藩，虽死不移。天佑吾国，天佑吾民！哈里路亚！” 最后三句公爵说的气壮山河，中气十足，震得穹顶嗡嗡作响。周围宾客齐声赞了句“好！”厅外及城外的诸人虽听不到公爵讲话，听到宾客齐声呐喊，也纷纷欢呼，贝尔格莱德城堡内外一时极是热闹，声震层云。 公爵说完，转身落座。亚诺什与卡皮斯特拉诺分坐在两侧。亚诺什冲膳食总管丢了个眼色，膳食总管立刻拖着长腔儿尖声道：“上酒。”立刻有十几名仆役端着酒樽走上前来，三人一桌，有条不紊地擦杯、倒酒，顷刻间大厅内每一位宾客跟前都有一杯满斟的葡萄美酒。 公爵端起酒杯，又从座位上站了起来。宾客以为他要祝酒，纷纷捏好酒杯，屏息宁气，只等主人发话。不料公爵却声音一沉，朗声道：“今日各路英雄来得可不少，老夫有几句话要说与列位。”他手持酒杯缓步走到大厅中央，这里正对着穹顶，有扩音之效，院里的人也便能听个仔细。老公爵在胸口划了一个十字，扫视四周，其目光明澈锋利，休说旁人，就连普罗文扎诺和加布里埃拉嬷嬷心中都一阵凛然，暗暗赞叹这老人的锐气，全无迟暮衰朽，更看不出是个罹患美杜莎之泣的病人。 老公爵道：“老夫贱辰，实是不甚重要，今日借这名头聚集英豪，却是为了与诸位商议一件大事。”众人面面相觑，不知他要说些甚么大事。公爵蚕眉一竖，口气转为沉痛道：“列位知道，奥斯曼土耳其身为异教之国，对我欧罗巴之地觊觎已久，未有一刻停息。如今瓦拉几亚、特兰斯万尼亚已告陷落，塞尔维亚全境亦已沦为附庸，东欧已是岌岌可危，唯有我贝尔格莱德坚守至今，不曾让苏丹得手。” 众人皆知这老人并非胡吹大气。贝尔格莱德稳守三十年，奥斯曼军数次围攻，都被老公爵击退，这才保全萨瓦河、多瑙河以北的基督世界领土，上下无不钦佩。院外就有人高喊道：“老公爵劳苦功高，我们都是记得清楚的！”厅内之人自矜身份，不愿多言，却也都微微点头。 老公爵又道：“只是奥斯曼土耳其如今兵势浩大，自攻灭瓦拉几亚以后，彼水军便可循多瑙河一路西进，与南塞尔维亚从水旱二路夹攻贝尔格莱德。我城中军民不曾怕死，但一座孤城，绝难支撑。倘若此城有失，奥斯曼苏丹便可突破萨瓦河天险，攻入欧罗巴腹心，届时只怕是王道不统，教难再临，万千之众都要沦为苏丹奴仆！” 众人听了，都默然不语。奥斯曼苏丹这些年来骄横跋扈，东征西讨，实在是自蒙古之后的欧罗巴第一大患。公爵又道：“回想当日十字军数次东征，群王毕至，义士咸集，上帝之旗，飘于圣都耶稣撒冷，大大地煊赫我基督威名。我等子孙，难道还不及祖先信心坚定么？”他“唰”地拔出宽刃长剑，猛一挥剑，把那花篮斩为两截，喝道：“我等世人，是为彰显神的福造，却不是为了劳什子寿宴！请诸位与我在此盟誓，回返诸国后，请尽发欧罗巴信士，来此抗奥斯曼兵锋！” 原来公爵是想让欧罗巴诸国蹈袭前例，再组织一次十字军，来襄守贝尔格莱德。有整个欧罗巴为后盾，他便毋需惧怕苏丹大军了。卡皮斯特拉诺这时亦开口道：“倘若有哪位义士愿留下来守城，我等亦是无上欢迎。为基督流了血的，基督必给他们成全；为基督涂了膏的，他日基督必在天国给他涂了。” 院内来的多是各地来的贵族年轻骑士、小领主和行会成员，听到公爵这么一番慷慨激昂的鼓动，纷纷亮出手中兵器，仰天高喊：“守城！守城！”当下就有百余人慨然起身，表示愿守贝尔格莱德。赛戈莱纳偷偷看过去，普罗文扎诺表情丝毫不为所动，罗慕路斯倒是流露出钦佩神色，手握锤柄，几次跃跃欲试都被恩师眼神挡回；那三个教授似乎争执起来，个个鼻子红亮，语速极快，还连连比划手势，根本听不清楚说些甚么。 就在这时，一名卫兵匆忙跑进院子。这人汗水肆流，显然已跑了一段长路。厅外护卫把他拦下，这人急道：“我有要事禀告公爵大人，却耽搁不得！”情急之下，他扯着脖子高声叫道：“公爵大人！奥斯曼苏丹遣使贺寿，如今使者已经到了门口了！” 这一句话，不啻晴天惊雷，众宾客一阵大哗。真是说尼禄，尼禄到，公爵方才说要重整十字军军威来抗奥斯曼，奥斯曼苏丹便派了使者。众人均想，无事不登万神殿，这使者偏偏挑这日子前来，一定是有甚么图谋，纷纷去看公爵如何应对。 老公爵听到有奥斯曼的使者前来，毫不吃惊，平伸双手道：“远来皆是客，与我把他们迎进来罢。” 卡皮斯特拉诺在一旁动了动嘴唇，老公爵略微点了点头，不再说甚么。这下众人无心吃饭，专等这奥斯曼的使者前来。赛戈莱纳想到自己初出谷时，就是作这冒充奥斯曼使者的营生，不由得面露微笑，惹得旁边艾瑟尔一阵好奇。加布里埃拉嬷嬷冷哼道：“明知今日是英雄大会，却不知这些异教徒又来搞甚么花样！”她与普罗文扎诺隔桌对视一眼，都是一般心思。这二人俱是欧洲武林耆宿，奥斯曼人就算想闹事，只怕也没这胆子。 约摸一支蜡烛的光景，就听外面宣号之人大声道：“奥斯曼土耳其苏丹敕封使者三名，亲来祝寿。”中门大开，有三名盘巾裹头、黑纱覆面的阿拉伯男子大摇大摆走进来，穿得金丝银线，颇为华贵。他们一前二后，迈着步子走入城堡内院，后面还有数名奴仆抬着一个鲨鱼蒙皮的箱子，里面东西颇为沉重。 三人进得大厅，为首的使者是个皮肤白净的小老头，下颌胡须微微翘起。他按阿拉伯礼节朝公爵略一鞠躬，开口拿流畅意大利语道：“在下是安条克的穆罕默德·阿卜杜拉·阿穆尔，谨代奥斯曼土耳其的苏丹、万千穆斯林的保护者、安拉忠贞的信徒穆罕默德二世陛下，向贝尔格莱德公爵大人致以崇高问候，并祝公爵大人福如红海，寿比圣山，愿安拉与您同在。” 老公爵淡淡道：“代我回禀苏丹，便说谢他善祈善颂。只是我自有天主护持，你家安拉不必费心折腾了。”阿穆尔道：“虽然两国交兵，但苏丹陛下对老英雄极为赏识。陛下常说，生平不识匈雅提，识遍英雄也难及，若麾下将军个个如老英雄般有勇有谋，天下不足定。”贝尔格莱德公爵“哼”了一声，奥斯曼人骄横惯了，给别人戴高帽时也透着一股贪天的霸气。席间的武林人士也个个愤愤不平，有脾气暴躁的已叫骂起来。 阿穆尔故作不知，继续道：“这次陛下欣闻大人七十华诞，特命我等前来祝寿，且备了一份厚礼，请公爵笑纳。”老公爵摆了摆手，说道：“问候便好，寿礼便算了。我塞尔维亚人一贯恩怨分明，敌人之物，就是一口凉水亦不能入口，恕我不能领苏丹的好意。”阿穆尔笑道：“公爵大人何必如此警觉，难道怕我在这箱子里藏下勇士，重演特洛伊之事么？”他这一句话着实狠毒，倘若公爵不收，反显得怕了苏丹。卡皮斯特拉诺在一旁低声道：“大人不妨权且收了，当众打开，谅他也耍不出甚么花样。” 几名侍卫围过去，要开这鲨鱼皮的木箱，不料手未触及，箱子里忽然传来咚咚声响，似是有活物在其中。侍卫们大惊，心想难道奥斯曼人真在这里藏了杀手，纷纷抽出刀来。阿穆尔哈哈大笑道：“我闻塞尔维亚多勇士，怎地如今怕的如同女人一般？”他对公爵道：“公爵大人世代贵胄，寻常金银珠宝是根本难入法眼的。是以我家苏丹备下一份别致寿礼，大人定会喜欢。” 他话说完，双掌拍了三拍，箱子“腾”地从里面被掀开。侍卫们下意识地举刀上前，眼前却都金光一闪，眼花缭乱。原来从鲨鱼皮箱里站起来竟是一个女人。这女人脸上覆着一层轻柔薄纱，周身挂满金灿灿的首饰环佩，一举一动都引得叮铛作响，颇为动听。她身材婀娜，上半身仅以丝巾裹住丰满胸部，下面虽穿着条黄澄澄的条丝长裙，两侧开衩却极高，一双曼妙美腿若隐若现。 这阿拉伯舞姬甫从箱中出来，便旁若无人地舞动起来，口中吟唱土耳其小调，纤细腰伎与肚皮扭动不停，极具魅惑，把一种异香传遍厅内，闻者皆觉浑身酥软。看得周围群雄瞠目惊舌，嘴唇发干，他们却没想到苏丹送给贝尔格莱德公爵的，竟是这么一个活生生的尤物。艾瑟尔看得满面飞霞，暗暗道：“啐，这女人好不知廉耻，哪里还有半点贞洁！该下第二层地狱的淫欲者之海！”她才听罢了地狱篇，于地狱结构如数家珍。她侧过头去问赛戈莱纳：“哎，淫妇在海中被戾风吹散那一段，但丁是如何写的来着？”她愕然发觉他也是直勾勾一双眼睛盯着舞姬，不禁大皱眉头，转头努力回想见色起意的男子是下的第几层地狱。 她却不知，赛戈莱纳一直目不转睛地盯着那舞姬，不是贪瑟，却是因为觉得她面纱之后的轮廓有几分面熟，搜肠刮肚想了半天，忽然想到，竟与那横死摩尔多瓦山谷的少女莎乐华颇为相似。 这时厅内一人喝道：“拿色相蛊惑大众，已迹近魔女，还是给我收起来罢！”一块掰碎了的黑麦面包破空而出，正中舞姬的脚踝。舞姬尖叫一声，身子软软朝后倒去，跌回到箱子里。这面包掷得无论角度、力道与时机都恰到好处，一块揉碎的面包竟有如此威力，可见发掷之人内力之强。阿穆尔面色微变，一扭头看到一个白眉中年男子坐在桌后，手中尚存有半块面包。 阿穆尔道：“这一位，莫非就是护廷十二福音中的西门使徒、宗教裁判所大裁判长普罗文扎诺大人？”普罗文扎诺成名日久，尤其这些年来于欧罗巴各处搜捕魔女、剿灭异端，更是名声大噪，江湖送绰号叫“白眉米迦勒”，是以连奥斯曼人也识得他两条白眉。普罗文扎诺端坐不动，从容道：“我欧罗巴是上帝治下的领土，从来谨遵圣诲，只有贞节之女，没有妖冶之姬。这等伤风败俗的勾当，在我宗教裁判所里，就是火刑之罪！” 阿穆尔拉开箱子，教那舞姬起身，双手抚住她的细腰道：“这位舞姬至今仍是处女之身，如何不能称贞节了？她从小便特受教育，教以琴棋书画，诗歌舞蹈，学识之广，就是阿拉伯亦无几人能及。且有年长女性助她精研，一心要在新婚之夜侍奉自己丈夫至完满境界。这等完美女性，怎能说她是魔女？”普罗文扎诺不屑道：“行小善而积大恶，蝇营狗苟这许多东西，却背离信主之道，又有何用？” 那舞姬白了普罗文扎诺一眼，一双妙目却朝亚诺什飘过去。亚诺什正是血气方刚，看到那舞姬的裸露的圆润肩头，顿觉小腹一阵火热，赶紧转移视线，去看贝居因会这边。他从加布里埃拉嬷嬷扫视起，到艾瑟尔时多看了两眼，觉得这清秀小姑娘着实有些傻得可爱，又扫到赛戈莱纳头上，忽然心中觉得有些古怪，这人轮廓竟似哪里见过。 这时老公爵道：“老夫已是风烛残年，只能驭马，却难以驭女。”阿穆尔道：“我家苏丹亦代我转赠一些埃及神油，公爵却不必担心。”公爵仰天哈哈大笑，道：“这个奥斯曼苏丹倒真是细心呐，连老夫床第之事都关怀备至。”他陡然眉头一立，双目瞪圆，作狮子吼状：“少说废话，奥斯曼苏丹派你们此来，究竟是甚么目的！” 阿穆尔似乎早料到他会有此一问，便不慌不忙从怀中取出一卷敕令道：“老公爵果然爽快。我奥斯曼土耳其苏丹素以慷慨著称，不为己甚。只消公爵你递呈一份敬表，苏丹愿以塞尔维亚国王之位相酬。”老公爵道：“这便是要我作他的傀儡？”阿穆尔摇头道：“公爵此言差矣。这份敕令上写的清楚，您的王位不受节制，不受统辖，自行其事五十年不变，陛下只要一个臣服的名分。我奥斯曼土耳其自立国以来，灭国无数，还从不曾开出如此优渥的条件，足见苏丹对大人的厚爱呐。” 老公爵似乎有些动容，搓动双手道：“这条件确实优厚，只是尚犹不足。”阿穆尔道：“我临行之时，苏丹特意叮嘱，只管听公爵您开出条件，绝不讨价。”老公爵道：“果然如此么？”阿穆尔以手加胸道：“以安拉的名义，不敢欺诳！”老公爵大声道：“好的很！我想要的，并非甚么塞尔维亚国王，却是穆罕默德二世的项上人头与耶路撒冷！你们肯给么？！” 座下登时掌声雷动。群雄平日惯受奥斯曼欺凌，见这使者飞扬跋扈，语带骄横，且公然色诱名贿，早觉不顺眼，此时公爵发一声吼，实在是直抒胸臆，大感痛快。 阿穆尔却丝毫不以为怪，倘若高官厚禄可收买这老头子，只怕几十年前便收买了，何必等到今日。他捋捋卷须，好整以暇道：“苏丹陛下已是仁至义尽，公爵您莫要敬酒不吃吃罚酒。今日来的，只是我等三人；他日再来，可就是千倍不止。贝尔格莱德阖城大小性命，全系于您一句话上了。” 老公爵一甩披风，露出浑身精钢甲胄，慨然喝道：“老夫今日穿上这身铠甲，就是教众人知道，我匈雅提家族只向天主站死，不朝安拉跪生。莫说三十万，就是三百万我亦不放在眼里。便是老夫死了，还有我儿子代我的职守。你若不杀尽这城堡中最后一人，便休想染指贝尔格莱德一寸土地！” 几句话说得正气凛然，慷慨激昂。赛戈莱纳大为折服，击节赞叹，觉得如今才见到甚么是真豪杰。回想自己偷东西险些坏了老英雄的性命，颇自不安，心想得琢磨个甚么办法从魔手画师那里寻回四叶三叶草，来治他的病。 这时已经有许多人拔出兵刃，跃跃欲试，只待公爵发一声令，便要扑过去把这使者剁成肉酱。阿穆尔面对汹汹群敌，了无惧色，把苏丹敕令放回怀中，不屑笑道：“我闻欧罗巴最重骑士之道，如今一见，也不过是群恃强凌弱、的蛮子罢了。” 老公爵乃是教皇亲封的白盾骑士，事事严守骑士七德，如今听到一个奥斯曼人语带讥诮，心中大怒，双手一拍道：“你辱我太甚，本来是要拿你这异教徒的血来祭英雄大会。看你还算个英雄，我们亦不想以众欺寡，违背骑士道德，便依着江湖规矩，给你个公平决斗的机会。”卡皮斯特拉诺急道：“大人，何必与他纠缠这些。”老公爵摆摆手道：“今日这么多人在此，难道还怕了他不成。我若不答应，反挫了自己锐气。” 阿穆尔道：“有趣有趣，只是在下生平只扶笔杆，不曾摸过刀兵，如何打得过列位英雄？”老公爵道：“你可从部下里任意挑选一人，代你决斗便是。”阿穆尔沉吟片刻，抬头笑道：“我的决斗之人，便是这一位舞姬。” 众人轰的一声，俱大为讶异，原来都以为他会从身后那两个虎背熊腰的护卫里选出一人代打，却没料到是这娇滴滴的阿拉伯舞姬，看那蜂腰细腿不堪一握，哪里有半分力道，刚才被普罗文扎诺一片面包皮就打回箱子，功夫能高明到哪里去。亚诺什上前一步，愤愤道：“你是特地来消遣我们的么？”阿穆尔正色道：“这位舞姬出身显爵，在奥斯曼身份不比各位下等——何况她自幼除了修习文艺，也有阿拉伯名师指点武艺，不逊于江湖中的一流高手。” 他从怀里掏出一样物事道：“今日厅中之人，有能胜过这舞姬的，我便以此宝物相赠。如此可算是表出诚意了罢？” 罗慕路斯、赛戈莱纳、亚诺什一齐“啊”了一声，阿穆尔手掌里托的，是一片葱绿叶子，瓣分四片，竟是一支四叶三叶草！阿穆尔道：“这草是我国的至宝，生嚼入腹，有起死回生的功效。我曾救过陛下一命，这才蒙他赐下一叶，今日拿出来作赌注，不知是否够了。”口气中竟带着些不舍。熟知内情的人均知，这一个赌注拿出来，贝尔格莱德无论如何也要应下这一场仗了。 这时卡皮斯特拉诺冷冷道：“倘若我方败了呢？”阿穆尔笑道：“阁下未想胜，先料败，不愧是公爵的智囊。倘若你们败给了这位舞姬，我们只要公爵的公子去安条克盘桓一阵，寻访一下土耳其风物。”老公爵道：“拿我儿子作人质？这条件好可笑，我为何要与你赌了？”亚诺什捏捏他父亲手掌，低声道：“倘若不赌，父亲您的病该如何是好？教皇所赠的四叶三叶草如今不曾追回，如今却是个绝好的良机，儿子便来冒这个险便是。今日菁英甚多，总不至于输给一个阿拉伯女人。” 阿穆尔又道：“今日在座的诸位，都是耆宿前辈。等下那些小辈比划起来，还请列位在一旁多多提点呐。能蒙宗师指点，那可是天大的福缘。”他故意说出这些话来，挤兑住普罗文扎诺、加布里埃拉嬷嬷等一众高手，迫他们不能出手。 这时厅内有一人大笑道：“今日寿宴倒也热闹，我不妨也添个彩头。若有能胜得奥斯曼人的，我家有一百杜卡特金币相赠。”众人去看，看到一个白白净净的男子手持酒杯，半靠在长桌上，神色惫懒。这人身着锦袍，头抹亮油，一副放荡不羁的模样，原来是意大利巨贾美第奇家族此来祝寿的代表，名叫吉格罗，乃是家族中出了名的花花公子，挥金如土。只因他身后家族显赫，是以也安排入了大厅。 阿穆尔拍手赞道：“好豪气，不愧是世家子弟，出手阔绰。”吉格罗冲那舞姬瞥了一眼，拿起一块干面包擦擦嘴边酒渍，道：“倘若这位小姐胜了，那五百杜卡特金币便是她的了……咳咳，这位小姐身材美妙如斯，谩说金币，就是要我这人，也随她去了。” 在场众人均觉这纨绔子弟实在不像话，在这关节上居然还与敌人调情。阿穆尔却哈哈大笑道：“若有美第奇家的家产陪嫁，倒是值了！”说话间，那舞姬已经站到了大厅中央，摆出一个舞不似舞、招不似招的姿势。阿穆尔走到一条长桌之前，略拜道：“卢瑟、梅瑟、卡尔松三位教授，你们来自大学，精熟律法典籍，不妨与这次决斗作个公证如何？” 那三个瘦小干枯的教授一同起身。卢瑟教授扶扶眼镜道：“只是不知这公证，是否该依循着《查士丁尼罗马法汇纂》的规矩？”梅瑟教授道：“《罗马法》年代久远，却不如《格拉蒂安教令集》来得严谨。”卡尔松教授高声道：“莫要说笑，法律本是理性之女，岂能与教廷信仰混为一谈？伦巴底有一部《封建法典》，里面既有法制，又有判例，十分精致，大有法学之美，不妨一用。”卢瑟教授怒道：“你们美因茨大学只因收了伦巴底商人的贿赂，便处处唯他们是从，却不知罗马法才是万法的渊薮，谁能与它比正统？”梅瑟教授道：“休怪我说你们偏颇，《教皇格雷高里九世法令汇编》、《克莱门书》、《罪行录》哪一本不是充满灵性的裁判之作？我研读了三十余年，其中精妙仍学之不竭。”卢瑟教授跳起来，神情大为激愤：“咱们在说公证，你们扯去刑法作甚么？这是民法范畴，不信你们可去查《小汇编》第三卷第二节的开头绪言，连教皇大人本人都坦承罗马民法已臻完美，只可援用成例注解，不可擅作更动。” 这三个教授旁若无人，竟兴致勃勃地自行争论起来，他们语速极快，且说的东西艰涩拗口，休说是阿穆尔，就是在座的欧罗巴人，亦听不懂他们究竟说些甚么玩意。亚诺什见状不妙，急忙上前低声劝道：“三位教授，如今只是请你们三人作个公证，却不必如此深究法学渊源。等打退了奥斯曼人，再议不迟。”卢瑟教授道：“公子所言甚是，我便不与他们折辩就是。罗马法中规定公证需要三人，今日恰好够了这数，可见这法典是符合人性。”梅瑟教授冷哼道：“难道《教令集》中就不曾写了么？”卡尔松教授道：“三人公证，本是侯爵以上立下遗嘱时的必须之数。今日不过是与人赌斗，于法理上只要二人公证便够。你们只看皮毛，不深析内在逻辑，如何作得学问？” 趁着三个教授争执之时，舞姬懒懒地伸展皓臂，轻启朱唇，温软软的声音滑齿而出：“小女子艾曼达，恭候诸位高手指教。”