by Lew Wallace
CHAPTER IX
IN THE WHITE CASTLE
The landing was in possession of dark-faced, heavily bearded men, withwhite turbans, baggy trousers, gray and gathered at the ankles, andarms of every kind, bows, javelins, and cimeters.
The Prince, stepping from his boat, recognized them as Turkishsoldiers. He had hardly time to make the inspection, brief as it was,before an officer, distinguished by a turban, kettle-shaped andelaborately infolded, approached him.
"You will go with me to the Castle," he said.
The official's tone and manner were imperative. Suppressing hisdispleasure, the Prince replied, with dignity:
"The Governor is courteous. Return to him with my thanks, and say thatwhen I decided to come on in the face of the storm, I made no doubt ofhis giving me shelter until it would be safe to resume my journey. Ifear, however, his accommodations will be overtaxed; and since theriver is protected from the wind, it would be more agreeable if hewould permit me to remain here."
The response betrayed no improvement in manner:
"My order is to bring you to the Castle."
Some of the boatmen at this raised their eyes and hands toward heaven;others crossed themselves, and, like men taking leave of hope, criedout, "O Holy Mother of God!"
Yet the Prince restrained himself. He saw contention would be useless,and said, to quiet the rowers: "I will go with you. The Governor willbe reasonable. We are unfortunates blown to his hands by a tempest, andto make us prisoners under such circumstances would be an abuse of oneof the first and most sacred laws of the Prophet. The order did notcomprehend my men; they may remain here."
Lael heard all this, her face white with fear.
The conversation was in the Greek tongue. At mention of the law, theTurk cast a contemptuous look at the Prince, much as to say, Dog of anunbeliever, what dost thou with a saying of the Prophet? Then droppinghis eyes to Lael and the boatmen, he answered in disdain of argument orexplanation:
"You--they--all must go."
With that, he turned to the occupants of the other boat, and raisinghis voice the better to be heard, for the howling of the wind was verygreat, he called to them:
"Come out."
They were a woman in rich attire, but closely veiled, and a companionat whom he gazed with astonishment. The costume of the latter perplexedhim; indeed, not until that person, in obedience to the order, erectedhimself to his full stature upon the landing, was he assured of his sex.
They were the Princess Irene and Sergius the monk.
The conversation between them in the Homeric palace has only to berecalled to account for their presence. Departing from Therapia atnoon, according to the custom of boatmen wishing to pass from the upperBosphorus, they had been carried obliquely across toward the Asiaticshore where the current, because of its greater regularity, is supposedto facilitate descent. When the storm began to fill the space aboveAlem Daghy, they were in the usual course; and then the question thathad been put to the Prince of India was presented to the PrincessIrene. Would she land in Asia or recross to Europe?
The general Greek distrust of the Turks belonged to her. From infancyshe had been horrified with stories of women prisoners in their hands.She preferred making Roumeli-Hissar; but the boatmen protested it wastoo late; they said the little river by the White Castle was open, andthey could reach it before the storm; and trusting in their betterjudgment, she submitted to them.
Sergius, on the landing, pushed the cowl back, and was about to speak,but the wind caught his hair, tossing the long locks into tangle.Seeing him thus in a manner blinded, the Princess took up the speech.Drawing the veil aside, she addressed the officer:
"Art thou the Governor of the Castle?"
"No."
"Are we to be held guests or prisoners?"
"That is not for me to say."
"Carry thou then a message to him who may be the Governor. Tell him Iam the Princess Irene, by birth near akin to Constantine, Emperor ofthe Greeks and Romans; that, admitting this soil is lawfully theproperty of his master the Sultan, I have not invaded it, but am herein search of temporary refuge. Tell him if I go to his Castle aprisoner, he must answer for the trespass to my royal kinsman, who willnot fail to demand reparation; on the other hand, if I become hisguest, it must be upon condition that I shall be free to depart as Icame, with my friend and my people, the instant the wind and wavessubside. Yes, and the further condition, that he wait upon me asbecomes my station, and personally offer such hospitality as his Castleaffords. I shall receive his reply here."
The officer, uncouth though he was, listened with astonishment not inthe least disguised; and it was not merely the speech which impressedhim, nor yet the spirit with which it was given; the spell was in theunveiled face. Never in his best dream of the perfected Moslem Paradisehad he seen loveliness to compare with it. He stood staring at her.
"Go," she repeated. "There will be rain presently."
"Who am I to say thou art?" he asked.
"The Princess Irene, kinswoman of the Emperor Constantine."
The officer made a low salaam to her, and walked hurriedly off to theCastle.
His soldiers stood in respectful remove from the prisoners--such therefugees must for the present be considered--leaving them grouped inclose vicinity, the Prince and the monk ashore, the Princess and Laelseated in their boats.
Calamity is a rough master of ceremonies; it does not take its victimsby the hand, and name them in words, but bids them look to each otherfor help. And that was precisely what the two parties now did.
Unsophisticated, and backward through inexperience, Sergius wasnevertheless conscious of the embarrassing plight of the Princess. Hehad also a man's quick sense of the uselessness of resistance, exceptin the way of protest. To measure the stranger's probable influencewith the Turks, he looked first at the Prince, and was not, it must besaid, rewarded with a return on which to found hope or encouragement.The small, stoop-shouldered old man, with a great white beard, appearedrespectable and well-to-do in his black velvet cap and pelisse; hiseyes were very bright, and his cheeks hectic with resentment at theannoyance he was undergoing; but that he could help out of thedifficulty appeared absurd.
Having by this time rescued his hair from the wind, and secured itunder his cowl, he looked next at Lael. His first thought was of theunfitness of her costume for an outing in a boat under the quietest ofskies. A glance at the Princess, however, allayed the criticism; whilethe display of jewelry was less conspicuous, her habit was quite asrich and unsubstantial. It dawned upon him then that custom hadsomething to do with the attire of Greek women thus upon the water.That moment Lael glanced up at him, and he saw how childlike her facewas, and lovely despite the anxiety and fear with which it wasovercast. He became interested in her at once.
The monk's judgment of the little old man was unjust. That master ofsubtlety had in mind run forward of the situation, and was alreadyproviding for its consequences.
He shared the surprise of the Turk when the Princess raised her veil.Overhearing then her message to the Governor, delivered in a mannercalm, self-possessed, courageous, dignified, and withal adroit, heresolved to place Lael under her protection.
"Princess," he said, doffing his cap unmindful of the wind, andadvancing to the side of her boat, "I crave audience of you, and inexcuse for my unceremoniousness, plead community in misfortune, and adesire to make my daughter here safe as can be."
She surveyed him from head to foot; then turned her eyes toward Lael,sight of whom speedily exorcised the suspicion which for the instantheld her hesitant.
"I acknowledge the obligation imposed by the situation." she replied;"and being a Christian as well as a woman, I cannot without reasonjustifiable in sight of Heaven deny the help you ask. But, good sir,first tell me your name and country."
"I am a Prince of India exercising a traveller's privilege ofsojourning in the imperial city."
"The answer is well given; and if hereafter you return to thisinterview,
O Prince, I beg you will not lay my inquiry to commoncuriosity."
"Fear not," the Prince answered; "for I learned long ago that in thelaws prescribed for right doing prudence is a primary virtue; andmaking present application of the principle, I suggest, if it pleaseyou to continue a discourse which must be necessarily brief, that we doso in some other tongue than Greek."
"Be it in Latin then," she said, with a quick glance at the soldiers,and observing his bow of acquiescence, continued, "Thy reverend beard,O Prince, and respectable appearance, are warranties of a wisdomgreater than I can ever attain; wherefore pray tell me how I, a feeblewoman, who may not be able to release herself from these robbers,remorseless from religious prejudice, can be of assistance to thydaughter, now my younger sister in affliction."
She accompanied the speech with a look at Lael so kind and tender itcould not be misinterpreted.
"Most fair and gentle Princess, I will straight to the matter. Out onthe water, midway this and the point yonder, when too late for me tochange direction or stay my rowers, I saw a body of horsemen, whom Ijudged to be soldiers, moving hurriedly down the river bank toward theCastle. A band richly caparisoned, carrying two flags, one green, theother red, moved at their head. The former, you may know, has areligious signification, and is seldom seen in the field except aperson of high rank be present. It is my opinion, therefore, that ourarrest has some reference to the arrival of such a personage. Inconfirmation you may yet hear the musical flourish in his honor."
"I hear drums and trumpets," she replied, "and admit the surmise aningenious accounting for an act otherwise unaccountable."
"Nay, Princess, with respect to thyself at least, call it a deedintolerable, and loud with provocation."
"From your speech, O Prince, I infer familiarity with these faithlessbarbarians. Perhaps you can make your knowledge of them so farserviceable as to tell me the great man's name."
"Yes, I have had somewhat to do with Turks; yet I cannot venture thename, rank or purpose of the newcomer. Pursuing the argument, however,if my conjecture be true, then the message borne the Governor, thoughspirited, and most happily accordant with your high degree, will notaccomplish your release, simply because the reason of the capture inthe first place must remain a reason for detaining you in the next. Inbrief, you may anticipate rejection of the protest."
"What, think you they will hold me prisoner?"
"They are crafty."
"They dare not!" and the Princess' cheek reddened with indignation. "Mykinsman is not powerless--and even the great Amurath"--
"Forgive me, I pray; but there was never mantle to cover so many crimesas the conveniences kings call 'reasons of state.'"
She looked vaguely up the river which the tempest was covering withpromiscuous air-blown drifting; but recovering, she said: "It is for meto pray pardon, Prince. I detain you."
"Not at all," he answered. "I have to remark next, if my conjectureprove correct, a lady of imperial rank might find herself ill at easeand solitary in a hold like this Castle, which, speaking by report, isnow kept to serve some design of war to come more particularly thandomestic or social life."
The imagination of the Princess caught the idea eagerly, and, becomingactive, presented a picture of a Moslem lair without women orapartments for women. Her mind filled with alarm.
"Oh, that I could recall the message!" she exclaimed. "I should nothave tempted the Governor by offering to become his guest upon anycondition."
"Nay, do not accuse yourself. The decision was brave and excellent inevery view," he said, perceiving his purpose in such fair way. "Forsee--the storm increases in strength; yonder"--he pointed toward AlemDaghy--"the rain comes. Not by thy choice, O Princess, but the will ofGod, thou art here!"
He spoke impressively, and she bent her head, and crossed herself twice.
"A sad plight truly," he continued. "Fortunately it may be in a measurerelieved. Here is my daughter, Lael by name. The years have scarcelyoutrun her childhood. More at mercy than thyself, because without rankto make the oppressor careful, or an imperial kinsman to revenge awrong done her, she is subject to whatever threatens you--a cell inthis infidel stronghold, ruffians for attendants, discomforts to casther into fever, separation from me to keep her afraid. Why not sufferher to go with you? She can serve as tirewoman or companion. In villanythe boldest often hesitate when two are to be overcome."
The speech was effective.
"O Prince, I have not words to express my gratitude. I am thy debtor.Heaven may have brought this crisis, but it has not altogether desertedme--And in good time! See--my messenger, with a following! Let thydaughter come, and sit with me now--and do thou stand by to lend me ofthy wisdom in case appeal to it become necessary. Quick! Nay, Prince,Sergius is young and strong. Permit him to bring the child to me."
The monk made haste. Drawing the boat close to the shore, he gave Laelhis strong hand. Directly she was delivered to the Princess, and seatedbeside her.
"Now they may come!"
Thus the Princess acknowledged the strength derivable fromcompanionship. The result was perceptible in her voice once more clear,and her face actually sparkling with confidence and courage.
Then, drawn together in one group, the refugees awaited the officer.
"The Governor is coming," that worthy said, saluting the Princess.
Looking toward the Castle, the expectants beheld a score or more menissuing from the gate on foot. They were all in armor, and eachcomplemented the buckler on his arm with a lance from which a coloredpennon blew out straight and stiff as a panel. One walked in frontsingly, and immediately the Prince and Princess fixed upon him as theGovernor, and kept him in eye curiously and anxiously.
That instant rain in large drops began to fall. The Governor appearedto notice the premonition, for looking at the angry sky he halted, andbeckoned to his followers, several of whom ran to him, received anorder, and then hastily returned to the Castle. He came on in quickenedgait.
Here the Prince, with his greater experience, noticed a point whichescaped his associates; and that was the extraordinary homage paid thestranger.
At the landing the officer and soldiers would have prostratedthemselves, but with an imperious gesture, he declined the salutation.
The observers, it may be well believed, viewed the man afar withinterest; when near, they scanned him as persons under arraignmentstudy the judge, that from his appearance they may glean something ofhis disposition. He was above the average height of men, slender, andin armor--the armor of the East, adapted in every point to climate andlight service. A cope or hood, intricately woven of delicate steelwire, and close enough to refuse an arrow or the point of a dagger,defended head, throat, neck, and shoulders, while open at the face; acoat, of the same artistic mail, beginning under the hood, followedclosely the contour of the body, terminating just above the knees as askirt. Amongst Teutonic and English knights, on account of itscomparative lightness, it would have been distinguished from anold-fashioned hauberk, and called _haubergeon_. A sleeveless _surcoat_of velvet, plain green in color, overlaid the mail without a crease orwrinkle, except at the edge of the skirt. _Chausses_, or leggins, alsoof steel, clothed the nether limbs, ending in shoes of thin lateralscales sharply pointed at the toes. A slight convexity on top, and thebright gold-gilt band by which, with regular interlacement, the copewas attached, gave the cap surmounting the head a likeness to a crown.
In style this armor was common. The preference Eastern cavaliers showedit may have been due in part at least to the fact that when turned outby a master armorer, after years of painstaking, it left the wearer hisnatural graces of person. Such certainly was the case here.
The further equipment of the man admits easy imagining. There were thegauntlets of steel, articulated for the fingers and thumbs; a broadflexible belt of burnished gold scales, intended for the cimeter, fellfrom the waist diagonally to the left hip; light spurs graced theheels; a dagger, sparkling with jewels, was his sole weapon, and itserved principally to
denote the peacefulness of his errand. As therewas nothing about him to rattle or clank his steps were noiseless, andhis movements agile and easy.
These martial points were naturally of chief attraction to the Princeof India, whose vast acquaintanceship with heroes and famous warriorsmade comparison a habit. On her side, the Princess, to whomaccoutrement and manner were mere accessories, pleasing or otherwise,and subordinate, sought the stranger's face. She saw brown eyes, notvery large, but exceedingly bright, quick, sharp, flying from object toobject with flashes of bold inquiry, and quitting them as instantly; around forehead on brows high-arched; a nose with the curvature of aRoman's; mouth deep-cornered, full-lipped, and somewhat imperfectlymustached and bearded; clear, though sunburned complexion--in brief, acountenance haughty, handsome, refined, imperious, telling in everyline of exceptional birth, royal usages, ambition, courage, passion,and confidence. Most amazing, however, the stranger appeared yet ayouth. Surprised, hardly knowing whether to be pleased or alarmed, yetattracted, she kept the face in steady gaze.
Halting when a few steps from the group, the stranger looked at them asif seeking one in especial.
"Have a care, O Princess! This is not the Governor, but he of whom Ispoke--the great man."
The warning was from the Prince of India and in Latin. As if to thankhim for a service done--possibly for identifying the person hesought--the subject of the warning slightly bowed to him, then droppedhis eyes to the Princess. A light blown out does not vanish moreinstantly than his expression changed.Wonder--incredulity--astonishment--admiration chased each other overhis face in succession. Calling them emotions, each declared itselfwith absolute distinctness, and the one last to come was most decidedand enduring. Thus he met her gaze, and so ardent, intense andcontinuous was his, that she reddened cheek and forehead, and drew downthe veil; but not, it should be understood, resentfully.
The disappearance of the countenance, in effect like the suddenextinguishment of a splendor, aroused him. Advancing a step, he said toher, with lowered head and perceptible embarrassment:
"I come to offer hospitality to the kinswoman of the EmperorConstantine. The storm shows no sign of abatement, and until it does,my Castle yonder is at her order. While not sumptuous in appointment asher own palace, fortunately there are comfortable apartments in itwhere she can rest securely and with reserve. The invitation I presumeto make in the name of my most exalted master Sultan Amurath, who takesdelight in the amity existing between him and the Lord of Byzantium. Tolay all fear, to dispel hesitation, in his name again, together withsuch earnest of good faith as lies in an appeal to the most holyProphet of God, I swear the Princess Irene shall be safe frominterruption while in the Castle, and free to depart from it at herpleasure. If she chooses, this tender of courtesy may, by agreement,here in the presence of these witnesses, be taken as an affair ofstate. I await her answer."
The Prince of India heard the speech more astonished by theunexceptional Latin in which it was couched than the propriety of thematter or the grace of its delivery, though, he was constrained toadmit, both were very great. He also understood the meaning of the lookthe stranger had given him at the conclusion of his warning to thePrincess, and to conceal his vexation, he turned to her.
That moment two covered chairs, brought from the Castle, were set downnear by, and the rain began to fall in earnest.
"See," said the Governor, "the evidence of my care for the comfort ofthe kinswoman of the most noble Emperor Constantine. I feared it wouldrain before I could present myself to her; nor that alone, fairPrincess--the chair must convict me of a wholesome dread of accusationin Constantinople; for what worse could be said than that I, a faithfulMoslem, to whom hospitality is an ordination of religion, refused toopen my gates to women in distress because they were Christians. Mostnoble and fair lady, behold how much I should esteem acceptance of myinvitation!"
Irene looked at the Prince of India, and seeing assent in his face,answered:
"I will ask leave to report this courtesy as an affair of state that myroyal kinsman may acknowledge it becomingly."
The Governor bowed very low while saying:
"I myself should have suggested the course."
"Also that my friends"--she pointed to the Prince of India, and themonk--"and all the boatmen, be included in the safeguard."
This was also agreed to; whereupon she arose, and for assistanceoffered her hand to Sergius. Lael was next helped from the boat. Then,taking to the chairs, the two were carried into the Castle, followed bythe Prince and the monk afoot.
