Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/137

Rh To this, Zyndram, who was flaming with special hatred against the Order, said with bitterness,—

"As to princes, I know not; but the Knights of the Cross are ready to make friends with the Tartars and strike us on the opposite flank."

"There will be war!" exclaimed Zbyshko. "I will go against the Knights of the Cross!"

But other knights contradicted. "The Knights of the Cross know no fear of God, and seek only profit; still, they will not assist pagans against Christian people. Moreover, Timur is warring somewhere far off in Asia; and the Tartar sovereign, Edygeï, has lost so many warriors in the battle that likely he is terrified at his own victory. Prince Vitold is a man of resources, and surely has supplied his fortresses well; though success has not come to the Lithuanians this time, it is no new thing for them to overcome Tartars."

"Not with Tartars, but with Germans must we fight for life and death," said Zyndram; "from Germans will our ruin come, unless we destroy them. And Mazovia will perish first of all," said he, turning to Zbyshko. "Thou wilt always find work there, have no fear!"

"Ei! if uncle were well, I would go there immediately."

"God strengthen thee!" said Povala, raising his goblet. "To thy health and Danusia's!"

"Destruction to the Germans!" added Zyndram.

And they began to take farewell of him. Meanwhile a courtier from the princess entered with a falcon on his hand, and, bending to the knights present, turned with a certain strange smile to Zbyshko.

"My lady, the princess, commanded me to tell you," said he, "that she will pass this night in Cracow, and take the road to-morrow morning."

"That is well, but why is this? Has any one fallen ill?"

"No. The princess has a guest from Mazovia."

"Has the prince himself come?"

"Not the prince, but Yurand of Spyhov," answered the courtier.

When Zbyshko heard this he was terribly confused, and his heart began to beat as it did when they read the death sentence to him.

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