Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/411

Rh —Amen!" Then turning to De Lorche and others, he added, "Thee, as a knight, and all of you here present, I take to witness that which I myself testify, that they fought according to rule and custom, in the way that the judgments of God are sought for in all places; hence this man has acted in knightly fashion and in obedience to God."

The warriors shouted in a chorus of agreement, and when the prince's words were interpreted to De Lorche he rose and announced that not only did he testify that all had been done in accordance with the law of knighthood and of God, but also that if any one from Malborg or the court of any prince should dare to call that in question, he, De Lorche, would challenge him straightway to meet within barriers on foot or on horseback, not only if he were an ordinary knight, but even a giant, or some sorcerer surpassing Merlin himself in magic.

Now Princess Anna Danuta, when Zbyshko was embracing her feet, asked, bending toward him,—

"Why art thou not glad? Rejoice and thank God, for if the Lord in His mercy has freed thee from this net He will not desert thee hereafter, and will bring thee to happiness."

"How can I rejoice, gracious lady?" answered Zbyshko.

"God has given victory and avenged me on this brother of the Order, but Danusia, as she has not been found, is not recovered yet, and I am no nearer her now than I was before the battle."

"Her most inveterate enemies, Danveld, Gottfried, and Rotgier, are no longer alive," replied the princess, "and as to Siegfried, they say that he is juster than the others, though more cruel. Praise God's mercy then for even this. De Lorche has promised also that if the Knight of the Cross fell he would take the corpse to Schytno, and go immediately to Malborg and defend Danusia before the Grand Master of the Order. They will not dare, be assured of that, to disregard the Grand Master."

"God give health to Pan de Lorche," said Zbyshko, "and I will go with him to Malborg."

But the princess was as much frightened at these words as if Zbyshko had said that he would go unarmed among wolves, which gather in packs during winter in the great pine forests of Mazovia.

"Why!" exclaimed she. "To certain destruction? Immediately after the duel neither De Lorche can assist thee,