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Mikolaj of Dlugolas having learned from Jendrek of Kropiwnica about the challenge, required both Zbyszko and the other knight to give him their knightly word that they would not fight without the prince and the comthur's permission; if they refused, he said he would shut the gates and not permit them to leave the castle.
Finally he told what he had heard about the war during his journey, and how the people were making preparations for it, and were expecting it every day. He asked whether the people in the principalities of Mazowsze, thought it would soon come. The heir of Kropiwnica did not think that the war was near.
Jendrek of Kropiwnica, turned toward Zbyszko with a threatening face, and said: "You shall not fight; I shall permit neither of you." "I did not challenge him; he challenged me." "But you called his lady an owl. Enough of this! I also know how to use a sword." "But I do not wish to fight with you." "You will be obliged to, because I have sworn to defend the other knight."
Sanderus repeated the question in German. "Ulryka von Elner!" answered Fulko de Lorche. Then he raised his eyes and began to sigh. Zbyszko hearing this answer, was indignant, and reined in his stallion; but before he could reply, Jendrek of Kropiwnica, pushed his horse between him and the foreigner, and said: "You shall not quarrel here!"
Then the young man grew still more confused, and answered: "It must be that." They moved forward and rode silently for some time; but after a while Jendrek of Kropiwnica asked: "What do they call you? I did not hear distinctly?" "Zbyszko of Bogdaniec." "For heaven's sake! The knight who made a vow to Jurandowna, had the same name."
The heart of the young knight throbbed when he heard that name; immediately he determined to question Jendrek of Kropiwnica. "I know!" said he; "I heard about him; his daughter Danuta was girl-in-waiting with the princess; afterward she was married." Having said this, he looked sharply into the eyes of the Mazowiecki knight, who answered with great astonishment: "Who told you that?
The long-haired knight said that his name was Jendrek of Kropiwnica and that he was conducting some guests to the prince; Brother Godfried, Brother Rotgier, also Sir Fulko de Lorche of Lotaringen, who being with the Knights of the Cross, wished to see the prince and especially the princess, the daughter of the famous "Kiejstut."
Zbyszko, seeing that he could not do otherwise, because Jendrek of Kropiwnica would not permit them to fight, called Sanderus, and told him to explain to the Lotaringer knight, that they could fight only in Ciechanow.
"God will not permit it. Would you stay home? Your princes belong to the kingdom of Poland!" "No, we would not stay home," answered Jendrek of Kropiwnica. Zbyszko again glanced at the foreign knights, and at their peacocks' tufts, and asked: "Are these knights going for that purpose?" "They are brothers of the Order and perhaps that is their motive. Who understands them?" "And that third one?"
Jendrek of Kropiwnica said further: "The comthur, or as we would say the starosta from Jansbork is at our prince's castle; he told the prince about these knights; that they desired to visit him, but that they did not dare, especially this knight from Lotaringen, who being from a far country, thought that the Saracens lived right beyond the frontier of the Knights of the Cross, and that there was continual war with them.
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