# The Knights of the Cross/Volume 1/Chapter 32

* CHAPTER XXXII.
* In the whole court, as well among the knighthood as the women, there was alarm because of Zbyshko, for he was loved universally. In view of Yurand's letter no one doubted that right was on the side of the German. They knew besides that Rotgier was one of the most renowned brothers of the Order. The armor-bearer Van Krist narrated, perhaps purposely, among the Mazovian nobles that his lord, before becoming an armed monk, had sat at the table of honor given by the Knights of the Cross, to which table were admitted only knights famed throughout Christendom, men who had made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, or who had battled victoriously against dragons, giants, or mighty sorcerers. When the Mazovians heard these narratives of Van Krist, and also the assurances that his lord had fought frequently single-handed against five, having a misericordia in one hand and an axe or a sword in the other, they were frightened, and some said,—
* "Oh, if Yurand were here he could manage two of them, no German ever escaped him; but woe to the youth! for that knight exceeds him in strength, years, and training." Others lamented that they had not taken up the gauntlet, declaring that had it not been for the tidings from Yurand they would have done so without fail—"but the fear of God's judgment." They mentioned also, when they could, and for mutual consolation, the names of Mazovian, or in general of Polish knights, who, either in court tournaments or in meetings with lances, had gained numerous victories over knights of the West. First of all, they mentioned Zavisha of Garbov, whom no knight in Christendom had equalled. But some were of good hope concerning Zbyshko also. "He is no decked-out knight," said they, "and as ye have heard he has hurled down German heads on trampled earth worthily." But their hearts were strengthened specially by Zbyshko's armor-bearer, Hlava, who, on the eve of the duel, when he heard Van Krist exalting the unheard-of victories of Rotgier, being an excitable young man, seized Van Krist by ​the chin, pushed back his head, and said: "If thou art not ashamed to lie before people look up, because God too hears thee!" And he held him in that way as long a time as would be needed to say one "Our Father;" the other, when he was freed at last, inquired about Hlava's family, and learning that he came of nobles challenged him straightway to axes.
* The Mazovians were pleased at this, and again more than one of them said: "Such men will not limp on the field of combat, and if truth and God are on their side the brothers of the Order will not bear away sound bones from this struggle." But Rotgier had cast sand in the eyes of all so successfully that many were alarmed touching this point: on which side is truth, and the prince himself shared the alarm with others. Hence on the evening before the combat he summoned Zbyshko to an interview, and inquired of him,—
* "Art thou sure that God will be with thee? Whence knowest thou that they seized Danusia? Did Yurand tell thee anything? For, seest thou, here is Yurand's letter, written by Father Kaleb, and upon it is his seal. In this letter Yurand declares that to his knowledge the Knights did not carry off Danusia. What did he say to thee?"
* "He said that it was not the Knights of the Cross."
* "How canst thou risk life then and appear before the judgment of God?"
* Zbyshko was silent; but after some time his jaws quivered and tears gathered in his eyes. "I know nothing, Gracious Lord," said he. "We went away from here with Yurand, and on the road I told him of the marriage. He began to complain that that might be an offence against Heaven, but when I told him that it was God's will he grew pacified, and forgave me. Along the whole road he said that no one had carried off Danusia but Knights of the Order, and after that I know not myself what happened. To Spyhov came that woman who brought some medicine for my use to the hunting-lodge, and with her one messenger. They shut themselves in with Yurand and counselled. What they said I know not, only after that conversation Yurand's own servants could not recognize him, for he was as if saved from a coffin then. He said to us: "Not the Knights of the Cross," but he let out of the dungeon Bergov and all the captives whom he had taken, God knows why; he went away himself without attendant or servant. He said that he was ​going to the bandits to ransom Danusia, and he commanded me to wait for him. Well, I waited till news came from Schytno that Yurand had murdered Germans and had himself fallen. O, Gracious Lord! the land of Spyhov was burning beneath me, and I came near running mad. I put men on horseback to avenge Yurand's death, but Father Kaleb said: 'Thou canst not take the castle, and do not begin war. Go to the prince; they may know something there of Danusia.' So I came, and happened in here just as that dog was barking about the wrong done the Order and the madness of Yurand. I took up his gauntlet because I had challenged him earlier, and though I know nothing, I know this one thing exactly, that they are hellish liars, without shame, faith, or honor. See, Gracious Prince, they stabbed De Fourcy and tried to cast the blame of that deed on my attendant. As God lives! they slaughtered De Fourcy like a bullock, and then came to thee, lord, for restitution and vengeance. Who will swear that they did not lie to Yurand, and have not lied now to thee? I know not where Danusia is, but I have challenged this man; for though I should have to lose my life, death is
* sweeter to me than is life without her who in all the world is my dearest."
* When he had said this he forgot himself; he tore the net from his head and the hair fell over his shoulders; he seized it and sobbed grievously. Anna Danuta, afflicted to the depth of her soul by the loss of Danusia, placed her hand on his head in compassion for his sufferings, and said,—
* "God will aid, bless, and comfort thee!"