Chapter 64 Chapter Thirty

Zbyszko always did what he said he would do without delay, and now he decided to do something for his uncle.The next morning he and de Lausch set off for Plotsk.The road along the border is always unsafe, even in peacetime, because of the high number of bandits.The bandits were protected and supported by the Knights of the Crusaders, and the old Achaean king had made a serious protest to the Knights of the Crusaders for this.Although these charges were supported by Rome, and despite the clear punishments and strict measures stipulated in the law, the neighboring "Comto" often indulged their soldiers to join bandits, and practically protected those bandits who fell into the hands of the Poles. And not only in the village to which the order belonged, but also in its own castle sheltered the bandits who brought loot and captives.

So often many travelers and frontier dwellers fall into the hands of these murderers.Especially the children of rich families were kidnapped for ransom.But the two young knights were not afraid of the bandits' attack, because in addition to the groom, they also brought dozens of armed servants on foot and on horseback.So they reached Plotsk without incident.About a mile outside the city, they met an unexpected person. They had met this man at an inn, and it was none other than Tolima, who had arrived in Plotsk a day before them.It happened as follows: when the consul of the Knights of the Crusaders at Luboval heard that the ransom money brought by Tolima had been taken away near Brotnets, and that Tolima had hidden part of the ransom, he Immediately escorted the old man Tolima back to Brotnets Castle, and ordered the local "Komto" to force him to point out the place where the money was hidden.Tolima then took advantage of this opportunity to escape.The two knights were amazed at how easily he had escaped, and the old man explained to them:

"It's all because of their greed. Brotnets' Komto won't send more guards to watch me, because he wants to keep the money from everyone. Perhaps they have already negotiated with Lu The governor of Bova discussed to divide the money equally, but he was afraid that if the matter was leaked, a large part of the money would have to be sent to Marburg, and even the entire money had to be handed over to the two So the 'comto' only sent two people to escort me, one was a soldier who was going to row the boat with me when I crossed the Derwitz River, and the other was a recorder. They didn't know what they wanted to do Unknowingly, but you know, it's very close to the border. They gave me an oak oar...well-by the grace of God...I'm in Plotsk."

"I see! Those two will never go back, will they?" cried Zbyszko. After hearing Zbyszko's words, Tolima's stern face suddenly brightened. "Since the Derwitz flows into the Vistula, how can they go back? The Crusader Knights may find them only in Torone!" After a while the old man repeated to Zbyszko: "Lupoval's 'comto' robbed me of some of my money. But I got back the money that I hid when the Germans attacked me; I gave it to your squire for safekeeping. He lived in In the duke's castle. It's safer to stay with him than to take me in the inn."

"Then my squire is in Plotsk? What is he doing here?" Zbyszko asked in surprise. "After Siegfried committed suicide, he came here with the lady who lived in Spyhof. She is now the Duchess's lady-in-waiting. He told me so yesterday." But when Zbyszko was in Spychov, he was bewildered by Danusia's death, he was in a daze, he didn't ask anything, so he knew nothing; People take Siegfried away first.When I think of this scene, my heart is filled with pain and resentment. "True!" he said, "but where is the executioner who was with him?" "Didn't Father Kaleb tell you that Siegfried hanged himself? My lord, you must have passed his grave."

There was a moment of silence. "The servant told me," continued Tolima, "that he was coming to you, and he should have come earlier, but that the lady had been ill since Spyhof, and he had to take care of her. " Zbyszko, who had just shaken off his sad memory, asked like a man waking from a dream: "Which lady?" "That's the lady," replied the old man. "Your sister, or a relation, came to Spyhof with Knight Macko in the guise of a squire; she was the one who found our old lord while he was wandering about. Neither Macko nor your squire would have known him if it had not been for her. Our lord has loved her very much ever since; our lord has valued her as his daughter; Father Lieb, only she can understand him."

The young knight's eyes widened in amazement. "Father Kaleb told me nothing about the lady, and I have no female relations." "The reason why he didn't tell you anything is because you were very sad at that time and didn't care about the world of God at all." "What's the lady's name?" "They call her Jagienka." It seemed to Zbyszko a dream.It never occurred to him that Jagienka would come to Spykhov from so far away, from Zgorzlitri.Why on earth did she come?He knew that the lady had liked him very much in Zgotrilici, but he had told her then that he had been married.He therefore could not believe that Macko had brought her to Spykhov with the intention of marrying her to him.Besides, neither Macko nor the Czech had mentioned Jagienka to him.All this seemed very strange to Zbyszko and completely incomprehensible.He couldn't believe his ears, and he kept asking Tolima questions one after another, asking him to repeat the unbelievable news.

But Tolima had nothing to say in the matter; he went at once to the castle to find the squire, and returned with him before sunset.The Czech saluted his young master cheerfully, but at the same time was very sad, because he knew everything that had happened to Spykhov.Zbyszko was also very happy, feeling from the bottom of his heart that the loyal and friendly heart of this Czech is exactly what a person in pain needs most.When he talked about Danusia's death, he burst into tears.He sang his heart out to the Czech, like a brother.It took him a long time to finish this sad story, and then asked M. de Lauches to sing the lament he had composed for the dead.De Lauche, standing by the open window, gazing at the stars, sang to the lyre.

This at last eased his grief considerably, and they each talked about what they were going to do in Plotsk. "I'm passing through here on my way to Marlborough; you know about my uncle's capture, and I'm going to ransom him." "I know," replied the Czech, "you are right, my lord. I myself intended to ride up to Spykhov to persuade you to go to Plotsk. The Grand Master has negotiated. It must be remembered: before the king, the crusader knight will not appear arrogant and courteous, but will pretend to be upright like a Catholic. "Tolima told me just now that you wanted to come to me, but Jagienka's illness delayed you. I also heard that Uncle Macko brought her with him, and she went to Spychov I've been there. I find it very strange to hear that. Tell me, why did Uncle Macko bring her with him?"

"There are many reasons. Your uncle doesn't want her to stay in Zigtririti alone, for fear that Wilker and Chinten will invade Zigtririti and bully the young lady. Everything will be safe if the young lady is not there. Because you know that in Poland if a nobleman cannot marry a girl by fair means, he will take her by force, but no one dares to touch the little orphan, because such a crime is punished by the executioner's sword Yes, and worse than the sword is disgrace. But there is another reason of the same nature. The abbot died and left his property to the lady. The estate is in the care of the bishop here. Therefore Matz Cavaliers have brought the lady to Plotsk."

"But why did he take her to Spyhof again?" "He took her there because neither the bishop nor the princess was in Plotsk at the time, and he had nowhere else to keep her. Fortunately he took her with him. If it hadn't been for the lady, we would have The old lord would miss the old knight Jurand and walk past him as a strange old beggar. It was only because of her pity for him that we found out who the old beggar was. It is all God The will of her is expressed through her kindness." Then the Czech recounted how Jurand could not do without Jagienka afterwards; how he loved her and blessed her, which Zbyszko, although he had already heard from Tolima, was still moved and grateful. Yagienka. "May God give her health!" he concluded. "I just wonder why you never told me about her at all." The Czech was a little embarrassed; in order to think more about how to answer, he asked: "Where do you mean, sir?" "It was when we were with Skovoro, in Zimud." "Haven't we talked about it? Really, I think it did, I'm afraid you had other things on your mind at the time." "You spoke of Jurand's return, but you never mentioned Jagienka at all." "Oh, it's not that you can't remember for a while? God knows what happened! Perhaps the Mackerel thought I told you, and I thought he told you, so it was wrong. But at that time, we both Tell you what, sir, it's all in vain. That's no wonder. Things are different now. Fortunately, the lady is here herself, because she can help Knight Macko." "What can she do?" "The duchess here is very fond of her, as long as she asks the duchess for mercy. A crusader knight will not refuse her request. There are two reasons for this: first, she is of royal birth; second, she is a knight." You may have heard that the Duke of Skilguero (who is also the king's brother) is against the Duke of Witout at present, and that he has fled to the Knights of the Crusaders, and wants them to help him ascend to Witout. The throne of Thoth. The king is obedient to the Duchess, so the Knights of the Crusader want her to influence the king. Support Skilguero against Witout. May they go to hell! They understand that as long as Witout is overthrown The knights have nothing to fear! So the envoys of the knights prostrate themselves at the Duchess's feet from morning to night, guessing all her wishes." "Jagienka loves Uncle Macko very much," said Zbyszko, "and I'm sure she will intercede for him." "That's for sure! My lord, we'd better go to the castle now to discuss with her what to say, what to say." "De Rausch and myself are going to the castle," replied Zbyszko, "that's why I've come; we'll just have to comb our hair and dress properly." A while later , and said: "In order to keep the funeral, I wanted to cut off my hair, but I forgot to cut it." "It's better not to cut it!" said the Czech.He went to fetch his servants, and in a moment brought them with him, and the two young knights dressed for the evening feast at the castle.He went on to tell them all about the affairs of the king's and duke's courts. "The knights of the crusaders tried to frame the Duke of Witout," he said, "and they knew that as long as he was alive, ruling over the khmud, protected by the power of the king, they would have no peace. Truth be told, they only Afraid he's alone! Hey! They're stalking him everywhere, digging at his walls like a mole. Already the dukes and duchesses here are turned against him; under their tricks, the Duke of Janussi is no big deal. Approved him, and the cause was Wiesner." ① Wizna is a town on the border between Masovia and Lithuania, a place often contested between the two countries.From the fifteenth century onwards, Wizner was finally incorporated into the territory of Masovia. "Then Prince Janussi and Princess Anna are also here? Then we can meet many acquaintances." "Of course! Both of them are here," replied the Czech. "They have many things to do with the Knights of the Crusaders, and they plan to accuse the Knights of the Knights of the Crusades to the Grand Master of the Knights of the Crusades in the presence of the king. Many atrocities." "Which side is the king on? Will he really make peace with the Knights of the Crusaders? Will he really not draw his sword against them?" "The King doesn't like the Knights of the Crusaders. It is said that he has said that he will fight against them... As for the Duke of Witout, the King would rather have him than his own brother Skilguero, because Skilguero Lo is a drunken drunkard.... Therefore, the knights around the king say that the king will never oppose Witout, and will not promise the Knights of the Crusaders not to help him. This is most likely, because here A The Duchess of Leksantra often goes to see the country, and she looks very depressed." "Is Chavisha Charni here too?" "He's not here; but those who have been here are enough to watch, and if they use force, they will beat the Germans to the ground!" "I have no pity for them." After saying the "Lord's Prayer" about a few times, the two knights dressed up and went to the castle.The dinner that day was held not in the duke's palace, but in the large estate of Antery, Jagocs, consul of the city, near the castle walls, by the great tower.It was a very hot evening, and so that the guests might not be crowded and uncomfortable, the consul ordered the tables to be placed in the courtyard, which was paved with marble, and among the marble grew rowan and yew trees.The burning pitch barrels lit up the courtyard brilliantly with a bright yellow light, but the moon was brighter, like a knight's silver shield among the stars in the cloudless sky.The royal guests and the dukes have not yet arrived.Zbyszko knew many of them, especially those from Prince Janusz's court.Among those old acquaintances in Krakow, he saw Kerr Cong in Kozygrov, Ris in Tegovisko, Marzin in Wrocimovici, Copireni in Tomarath, Steschko of Chapimovitri, and Povara of Perchev.Zbyszko was especially pleased when he saw Povara, because he remembered how warmly the famous knight had been to him in Cracow.But he could not approach any of these Krakow knights, because the local knights surrounded them, asking about the state of Krakow, court entertainment, and various aspects of war. They admired the splendor of the knights. Dress, admiring their beautiful, wonderfully powdered curls (which make them look older), the Majurs feel that they are all examples of elegance and decency. But at this moment Povara of Tachev saw Zbyszko; he pushed his way through the majurs and came up to him. "I know you, young man," he said, squeezing his hand. "How do you do, when did you come? Wonderful! I see you've got your cavalier's belt and spurs on. So many people look forward to those two things until they grow old, and you seem to be here Worked for St. Jesse." "God bless you, noble knight," replied Zbyszko. "Even if I had sent down the most famous German, I would not be as happy as seeing you in good health." "I'm glad to see you, too. Where is your father?" "He is not my father, but my uncle. The crusader knights have taken him prisoner, and I am going to ransom him." "And the little lady-in-waiting who put the veil over your face?" Zbyszko made no answer, but lifted his tear-filled eyes and looked skyward.Lord Tachev saw him weeping and said: "Terrible fate... really miserable fate! Let us sit down on the bench under the rowan backing, and tell me your sad story." He led the young knights into a corner of the courtyard and sat down side by side, and Zbyszko told about Jurand's misfortune, Danusia's kidnapping, how he had sought her himself, how he had rescued her, and how she had been rescued. All the circumstances of his death were told to Povara.Povara listened with fascination.He was amazed for a while, filled with righteous indignation for a while, and pity for a while, and these emotions showed one after another on his face.At last Zbyszko finished, and said: "I must tell the king, our lord, about all this. And he is going to bring up the Yashik incident in Kretkova to the grand master and demand severe punishment for those who kidnapped him. So the crusader knights must They kidnapped him because he was rich and wanted to hold him for ransom. In their view, even harming an innocent baby was nothing." He thought for a moment, and then said: "Those robbers are greedy, they are worse than the Turks and the Tartars. They are really afraid of us and the king, but they can't help plundering and murdering. They raided the villages, slaughtered the peasants, Drowning fishermen, stealing children like wolves. If they are not afraid, they don't know what kind of situation they will end up in!... The grand master sent letters to foreign courts to attack the king, but flattered him in front of the king , He knows our strength better than others. But patience has a limit." He was silent for a while, then put his hand on Zbyszko's shoulder. "I must sue the king," he said again. "His blood boiled like a kettle of water. Don't worry, those you have victimized will never escape a terrible punishment." "But those people are dead now," said Zbyszko. Povara looked at him kindly. "You have! It seems that no one has escaped you. There is only one Lichtenstein, and you have not repaid him. But I know you can't do it. We swore to fight against him in Krakow." , but to fulfill our vows, it may be necessary to wait until war breaks out, God bless! For he cannot accept our challenge without the permission of the grand master. And the grand master trusts in his resourcefulness; always sends him to foreign courts ; therefore the Grand Master will not allow him to duel." "I must redeem my uncle first." "Yes . . . I have inquired about Lichtenstein. He is not here, nor will he go to La Dronza; the Grand Master sent him to ask the King of England for archers. As for your uncle, you need not worry. A word from the king or the duchess here, and the Grand Master will stop haggling over ransom." "Besides, I have an important prisoner, a knight named de Lauche, who is rich, famous, and powerful among them. The knight de Lauche will be happy to salute and make your acquaintance; When it comes to worshiping famous knights, no one can compare with him." He beckoned to De Rausch, who, knowing who Zbyszko was talking to, hurried forward, blushing, because he wanted to know someone like Bova. Pull such a famous knight. When Zbyszko introduced him to Povara, the elegant knight Gertly bowed very handsomely and said: "It is a great honor to shake your hand, and if there is any greater honor, it is to fight you in war, or challenge you in a tournament." The extraordinary knight of Tachev smiled; he looked like a mountain before the diminutive de Rausch.He replied: "It is my pleasure to meet you in a pleasant tournament, God bless us not to meet on another occasion." De Lauche hesitated for a moment, then replied with a timid air: "Noble knight, if you please state that Miss Agniska of Drugolas is not the most beautiful and virtuous lady in the world...then it will be my great honor...to refute , and to you..." He didn't go on, just looked directly into Povara's eyes, with an expression of admiration and even appreciation, and at the same time keenly and carefully assessed the man's physical strength. But Povara, either because he knew how easy it was to crush an opponent, as if he crushed a walnut with two fingers, or because he had an extremely kind and humorous disposition, burst out laughing, and said: "Look! I once chose the Duchess of Burchadia as my lover. She was ten years older than I was then. If you, knight, will claim that my Duchess is not older than your lover Agneska, Then we must mount our horses..." Upon hearing this, de Lauche looked for a moment at Lord Tachev in amazement.Then the flesh on his face quivered; at last he too laughed heartily, when Povarat stooped, embraced de Lauche, and suddenly lifted him up as easily as a baby. Rock him back and forth. "Peace! Peace!" he said, "as Bishop Clopitro said: . Then he took him in his arms and put him on the ground.Just then a horn sounded at the courtyard gate, and Prince Ziemowit of Plotsk entered with his wife. "The Duke and Duchess have arrived before Prince Janussi," Povara told Zbyszko, "although the banquet is held at the consul's house, in Plotsk they are always the hosts. Go to the Duchess, you knew her from Cracow, and she pleaded with the King for you." ① Refers to the Duke and Duchess of Pugetsk. He took Zbyszko's arm and led him across the courtyard.Walking behind the duke and duchess are the chamberlains and ladies-in-waiting of the court. Because they wanted to meet the king, all the retinues dressed up beautifully, making the whole courtyard resplendent, like a hundred flowers blooming. Zbyszko was walking with Povara, Zbyszko was looking at the faces of these people from a distance, looking for some acquaintance, but he stopped suddenly in surprise. Beside the Duchess, he did see a familiar figure and a familiar face, but it looked so dignified, so beautiful, so noble, that he could hardly believe his eyes. "Is that Jagienka, or some prince's daughter?" That's right, it's Jagienka of Zgotrilitri.When their eyes met, she smiled at him, a smile that was mingled with love and pity, and then she paled a little, and stood there with her head bowed, with a golden lock tied in her black hair. The headband, slim and regal to the extreme, looks not just like a princess, but like a real queen.