Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/742

 304 reckonings indeed with the Knights of the Cross, but I think now thou wilt pay them for everything."

"I will pay them with blood even; indeed I will pay for everything!"

"But thou knowest that thy Kuno Lichtenstein is now grand comtur?"

"I know, and my uncle knows also."

"God grant me to meet him," interrupted Matsko; "for I have a special account with that man."

"I know! but we too have challenged him," answered Povala. "He answered that his office did not permit him to meet us. Well! perhaps it will permit him now."

To this, Zavisha, who spoke always with great dignity, said,—

"He will be his to whom God predestines him."

But Zbyshko from pure curiosity laid his uncle's case before the judgment of Zavisha, and asked if Matsko had not accomplished his vow by this, that he had fought with a relative of Lichtenstein, who had offered himself as substitute, and which relative he had killed. All cried out that he had accomplished it. The stubborn Matsko alone, though he was comforted by the decision, said,—

"Yes, but I should feel surer of salvation if I could meet him."

And then they began to talk of the capture of Gilgenburg, and of the approaching great battle, which they expected soon, for there was nothing left the Grand Master but to bar the way before Yagello.

Just as they were breaking their heads over the question of how many days there would be before the encounter, a tall, thin knight approached them; he was dressed in red cloth with a cap of similar material on his head, and spreading his arms he said in soft, almost feminine accents,—

"A greeting to thee, Knight Zbyshko of Bogdanets!"

"De Lorche!" exclaimed Zbyshko, "thou here!"

And he seized him in his embrace, for a pleasant memory of the man had remained with him, and when they had kissed each other, as if they were the nearest of friends, he inquired with delight,—

"Art thou here on our side?"

"There are many knights of Guelders perhaps on the other side," answered De Lorche, "but I owe service from Dlugolyas to my lord, Prince Yanush."

"Then thou art the heir of old Mikolai of Dlugolyas?"