A BREAKFAST ON THE TOP OF THE SOUTH TOWER.
The Emperor was awakened by the ringing martial sound of bugles, calling
the various camps from slumber. The sun had not yet risen when he
reached the platform that formed the roof of his chamber, and there he
found John Surrey scanning the military preparations around and below
him with undisguised satisfaction. Soldiers in the valley were already
falling into line, and the clear stillness of the air made the sharp
commands of the officers audible even at the distance where Rodolph and
the archer stood. The tall powerful figure of the Black Count could be
seen pacing up and down the broad promenade on the west front, which
seemed hardly less remote than the valley itself, so lofty was the
tower. The whole design of the castle lay beneath them like a raised
map.
"I think he has been there all night," said the archer, nodding towards
the Count. "I sat here late making arrows in the moonlight, and he was
on the battlements when I went down. I was here at daybreak, and there
he was still. What a lovely scene it is, my Lord, viewed from this
perch," he cried, enthusiastically, waving his hand in a semi-circle
about him.
"It is indeed," concurred the Emperor. "The placid river, the hill tops
touched with the growing light, the green of the dense forest and the
yellow of the ripening grain, with the dark cliffs of rock above the
polished surface of the deep waters, are well worth getting up early to
see."
The archer scratched his head, and an expression of perplexity clouded
his brow.
"That was not quite what I meant, my Lord, for although there may be
pleasure in viewing hills, fields and river, as my friend, Roger Kent,
the poet, often pointed out to me, yet to my mind all such, which we
have continually seen these few days back, are little to be compared to
the blossoming of the tents on the plain, the stir of marching men eager
for the coming to conclusions with their fellows, as men should, and the
dealing and receiving of honest blows, doughtily given. Indeed, my Lord,
I would rather see one good two-handed sword argument like that between
your Lordship and his Darkness yesterday, than all the hills that were
ever piled one above the other in Switzerland."
"That contest," said Rodolph, sternly, "is not to be spoken of. You
heard me promise the Count that you would keep silence regarding it?"
"Oh, I did not take it to mean that we might not discuss it among
ourselves; indeed, it was my intention on the first opportunity to
inquire of his Blackness how he felt when he saw you approach like a
windmill gone mad, with the sword in every place but where he expected
it."
"You hold your life lightly to trust it on such a query. You have my
strict command to say nothing to him on any subject whatever unless he
speak first to you, and then answer briefly and with not too much
curiosity."
"I shall cling close to your wish, my Lord, the more as there is little
of intelligent talk to be got out of his Blackness at best. These
warriors below are like to give us enough to think and speak about. They
were early afoot, and got to their work like men who expected to take
the castle before breakfast, sack it for mid-day eating, and be home to
sup at Treves. I trust we shall keep them with us longer than they
think."
The Emperor glanced at the heap of feathered arrows which lay against
the parapet partially hidden by a mantle that had been thrown over them.
"Has your arrow-maker proven a success then? You seem to be well
supplied."
"He is so far a success as a German can be expected to succeed in a
delicate art. The making of an arrow," continued the archer with great
complacency, taking a specimen in his hand the better to illustrate his
argument, "is not merely one art, but rather the conjunction of several.
There is an art in the accurate shaving of the shank with a sharp flint
stone; there is an art in the correct pointing of it, and the sloping of
its shoulders so that it take not the wind more on the one side of it
than on the other, thus deflecting it from the true course; there is an
art in the feathering of it, which is in reality the winging of it; the
cutting of the notch requires great care, for there it receives its
impetus, and the making of the notch I hold to be like the training of a
youth, his course in after life depends on it; then it should, when
completed, balance on your forefinger, thus, with just so much length to
the right and so much to the left. In the making of a perfect arrow
there are thirty-four major points to be kept in mind, added to
fifty-seven minor details which must in no instance be neglected, the
which, beginning with the major points, are as follows, to wit,
firstly----"
"We are early afoot, John Surrey, but still too late for the beginning
of such a recital. During the siege it is most likely that we may have
to spend some sleepless nights on watch, and during these vigils you
will tell me all the conditions that go to the constructing of a perfect
arrow, for in the still watches I can give that attention to particulars
which the importance of the subject demands."
"The suggestion of your Lordship is good, and shows that you have some
appreciation of the task's difficulties, the which I have never been
able to beat into the head of the German hind the Count has bestowed
upon me, although I find him useful in the splitting of wood and the
rough shaping of the shaft; indeed he has advanced so surprisingly that
he now sees that a piece of timber, bent and twisted like a hoop from a
wine butt, is not suitable for the making of an arrow; that the presence
of a straight grain is more desirable than many knots, and so I have a
hope that in time he may gather much useful knowledge regarding the
arrow-maker's craft. But I would on no account have your Lordship labour
under the delusion that the mastering of the major and minor points will
guarantee you success in the construction of a shaft. No; you must be
born to it as well, because there is an intuition in the estimating of
its value when completed; for many of our archers in England, unerring
in aim, could not, did their life depend upon it, make for themselves a
true flying arrow; indeed the making and the speeding have ever been
regarded as separate and distinct accomplishments, expertness in the one
being no assurance of expertness in the other; the which is but to be
expected in a civilised country, for England must not be confounded with
the more barbarous nationalities of the continent; and so in my land the
arrow-makers are a guild in themselves, to which trade a man must be
duly apprenticed, forswearing in his indentures all vices by which the
steadiness of his nerves are affected, as the drinking of strong liquors
or the amorous pursuit of----"
"Yes, yes," cried the Emperor, with scarcely concealed impatience, "all
the virtues of earth are concentrated in your land and upon the
inhabitants thereof."
"Nay, I made no such claim," continued the archer, calmly, "but I may
state without suspicion of prejudice in favour of my countrymen that for
honesty, bravery, skill, intelligence, modesty, integrity, patriotism,
strength, nobility of character, firmness, justice, enlightenment,
courage----"
"And a good appetite. John Surrey, have you breakfasted? Do you feed
with the men of the castle, or alone?"
"The room below," said John, in no wise disconcerted by the sudden
change of the subject, and ever ready to discourse on any topic
presented to him, "being much too large for my sleeping accommodation,
and one never knowing what may happen, especially after such a bout as
you had with the master of the place--I beg your worship's pardon, I
shall not more particularly refer to it--I might more properly have
said, in the circumstances that have come to our private knowledge, I
thought it wise to fill the remainder of the space with provisions from
the outer courtyard, where they ran some danger of being spoiled by the
first rain that falls; and I have also, with much effort and with the
help of my arrow-making knave, trundled up these stairs, several of the
smaller casks of wine from the same place, the hoisting of the larger
butts presenting difficulties we could in no wise overcome. I have
furthermore taken the precaution to provide myself with various
trenchers, flagons, and the like, and a few stools, for as I have some
skill in cookery, picked up in various countries, I thought I might have
the privilege of preparing a meal for your Lordship when you were
disinclined to venture down these long stairs. I foresaw that such a
thing might come as a siege within a siege, and for all such emergencies
it is well to be ready, even though they never come. A stout swordsman
in a pinch might hold these stairs though a thousand tried to mount
them, and when he is tired, a skilful bowman might take his place
without danger to any but those below him."
"John, all the compliments you tender your countrymen do I multiply
tenfold and bestow on thy resourceful head. Wisdom, thy name is Surrey.
Is thy knave in thy room below?"
"Aye. He sleeps, my Lord, that being the greatest of his
accomplishments."
"Then waken him; transport table and stools to this platform. Prepare a
choice breakfast for four. We will invite the Count himself to breakfast
with us, and the two ladies of the castle, if they will so honour us.
Therefore let me boast of thy skill with the viands, John."
"I like not the coming of the Count," said the archer, sturdily. "I did
not wish him to know that we were also provisioned for a siege."
"The knowledge should make him the more chary in attacking us, were such
his intention. But he has no malignant designs. I trust Count Heinrich."
"You trusted him before," persisted the archer, with the dogged tenacity
of his race, "and all that came of it--again craving your pardon--was
stout blows and the flying of sparks."
"The Count differs from you, archer, in learning a lesson and profiting
by it. No more pardons for such allusions will be granted; three within
an hour have exhausted my stock. Attend you to the preparation of the
meal; keep strict silence while serving it, and expect generous reward
if it prove satisfactory. Leave all dealing with the Count to me, and if
you cannot trust his Lordship, trust in Providence."
Saying this, Rodolph went down the stairs, while the archer, grumbling
to himself, descended to his room and kicked the slumbering menial into
a state of wakefulness that enabled him to appreciate the hard realities
of life.
The Emperor, reaching the battlements, greeted the Lord of Thuron, who
returned his salutation without lavish excess of cordiality.
"My Lord Count, in honour of the coming of the Archbishops, I am having
prepared a breakfast on the top of the southern tower. The archer
pretends to some knowledge of cooking, and I ask your Lordship to help
me form an estimate of his abilities."
"I shall breakfast on these battlements. I wish to watch the movements
of the enemy."
"There is no more admirable point of observation than the top of the
tower, for from there you may view what is going on all round you, while
from here you may see but towards the west. It is also my intention,
with your permission, to invite the ladies, your wife and niece."
Count Heinrich made no reply, his restless eye scouring the plain
below.
"I hold it well," continued Rodolph, suavely, "to begin our conflict
with peace and harmony within, whatever may happen outside the walls.
Have I your Lordship's consent?"
"My whole mind is in the coming fight," said the Black Count, still
keeping his eyes on the valley, "and I have little skill in the nice
customs and courtesies that perhaps you have been accustomed to. I am a
soldier, and prefer to eat with soldiers."
"Am I to understand that you consider me no soldier?"
"You twist my words. I am an awkward man. I mean that I care not for the
company of women."
"You owe some reparation to your niece for your harshness of yesterday.
It is the least you can do to tell her that you are sorry. I have
already said to her on your behalf that your mind was worried by the
unexpected news of the junction of the two Archbishops, and although
that is no excuse for a grown man, still I think I persuaded her it was.
She will, no doubt, forgive you, little as you deserve it."
"Forgive me!" cried the Count, angrily.
"Aye. We all need forgiveness, and I judge you are not so free from
blame that your statue will be erected in the valley as the Saint
Heinrich of your day. Come, my Lord Count, be a bear to your enemies if
you like, but a lamb to your friends, whose scarcity you but last night
deplored!"
"The Countess Tekla has refused to see me; she barred my own door
against me."
"And quite right too. She is a girl of spirit, and worthy of her warlike
ancestors. Therefore, the more proud should you be that she consents to
take you by the hand this morning."
"But does she so consent?" asked the Count, dubiously.
"Come to the tower and see. Large minds bear no malice. We will signal
to you when the meal is ready."
Rodolph found there was more difficulty in persuading Heinrich's wife
to be one at the table with her lord, than there was in winning Tekla's
consent, but at last all obstacles were removed and he escorted the
ladies up the narrow winding stairs. The Countess Tekla was in
unexpectedly high spirits, and she admitted to him gaily that she had
been at her wit's end to know what they should do for breakfast, as all
attendants had gone, and her uncle had shown no anxiety regarding their
substance.
It was Tekla's first visit to the tall tower and she looked upon the
marvellous scene spread before her with keen and enthusiastic
appreciation. The sun had risen and the morning was already warm, but
the skilful Surrey had spread an awning from flag pole to parapet, which
shielded the table from its rays. The elder lady seated herself on one
of the stools, and paid no attention to the view, awaiting with evident
apprehension the coming of her husband. Tekla passed from point to point
in the circle of the parapet and exclaimed joyously as the beauties of
the landscape unfolded themselves to her. The deep, sombre, densely
wooded chasm of the brawling little river Thaurand, from which in three
variants, the castle took the several names that designated it, she had
never until this moment beheld; the more familiar valley of the Moselle
revealed new aspects at this height, not noticeable from the lower level
of the battlements. Rodolph accompanied her and pointed out this and
that, having himself eyes for nothing but the delighted and delightful
girl, and thus, telling the archer to summon the Count, he paid no
attention to Surrey's method of doing so, which might not have met his
approval. The Count was standing at the edge of the battlements gazing
abstractedly down upon the village of Alken, his arms folded across his
breast and his back towards the tower. The bowman deftly notched an
arrow on the string and let fly with such precision that its feather
must have brushed the Count's ear. The amazed and startled man
automatically smote the air and his ear with his open hand as if a bee
had stung him, and sprang several yards from where he had been standing,
glaring angrily round, wondering whence the missile had so unexpectedly
come.
"My Lord," said the archer, deferentially, leaning over the stone coping
and motioning with his bow, "breakfast is ready."
For a moment the Count stood as one transfixed, then a reluctant smile
made itself visible through his thick beard, and he strode along the
promenade, disappearing down the steps.
A few moments later he was on the platform of the tower, visibly ill at
ease. His eyes were on his niece, seemingly in doubt regarding the
nature of her reception of him. The girl on hearing his steps had turned
away from the parapet, and now stood somewhat rigidly with heightened
colour, waiting for him to approach her.
"Tekla," he began, but she quietly interrupted him, saying:
"When you have greeted my aunt, I shall be glad to receive your
salutations."
Heinrich was taken aback at this. He had not thought of looking at his
wife, but now he glanced at her shrinking form cowering on the stool. He
took a step forward, and placed his hand roughly on her shoulder.
"Wife--" he said, and paused, not knowing what to add, until sudden
inspiration seemed to come to him, and he cried, masterfully: "We are
surrounded by enemies, but we will beat them off, damn them!"
"Yes, my Lord," whispered his spouse, meekly, trembling under his heavy
hand. Tekla laughed merrily, and sprang forward to him, flinging her
arms about him, to his great embarrassment.
"You great Swartzwald bear!" she cried, "of course you will beat them. I
am sure no one can stand up against you."
"Tekla," he protested, with visible discomposure, "that is the
Archbishops' tent on the heights. They can see us."
"Let them!" cried the girl, waving her hands towards the large tent.
"This is my uncle, Heinrich of Thuron, surnamed the Black, my Lords and
Archbishops, and we hurl defiance at you, for he fears you neither
separately nor together."
The Black Count smiled grimly, and very soon they were all seated at
breakfast, Rodolph and Tekla bearing the burden of the conversation, the
Count and his wife adding but little to it. It was easily seen that
Heinrich's mind was not on his meal, but on what was passing in the
valley, where his uneasy eye wandered ever and anon.
As the breakfast ended and the Countess Tekla was congratulating the
archer on its excellence, there came up to them a fan-fare of trumpets,
and all saw, issuing from the forest to the south, an impressive
cavalcade, headed by Count Bertrich, at whose side rode another,
seemingly his equal in rank, and quite his superior in equipment, whom
Rodolph at once recognised by his blazonry as the representative of the
Archbishop of Cologne. Behind these two rode a group of perhaps
threescore men, all gaily bedecked and fully armed. Five or six
horse-lengths in front of this notable procession came four heralds
holding long trumpets from which depended gay silken banners in gorgeous
colours, setting forth, two the arms of Treves, and two the arms of
Cologne. As the cavalcade advanced the trumpeters raised bugles to lips
and gave forth the musical notes that had first attracted the attention
of those on the tower. The Count sprang instantly to his feet, Rodolph
also rising.
"A demand of surrender," said the latter, "about to be set forward with
due ceremony and circumstance. I must say the Archbishops acquit
themselves creditably."
"Will you attend me while I make reply?" asked the Count, of Rodolph.
"Surely," returned the other.
"I should be glad of your counsel," continued Heinrich, "and of some
slight hint regarding the choice of words to be used. We have usually
fallen to without so much preliminary flourishing at Thuron, and I am
not versed in the etiquette of the occasion."
"Answer slowly," said the Emperor, "taking ample time to consider each
question, and if there is any hint to give, I will whisper it to you."
The two men departed down the stairs, leaving at least one interested
spectator of the conference about to take place. The elder woman
remained where she was, with her hands folded on her lap; the Countess
Tekla leaning against the parapet, saw her uncle and Rodolph, attended
by Captain Steinmetz and a guard of lancers, mount the platform above
the gates, while the imposing troop of horsemen came to halt amidst
another blast from the trumpets.