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The Czech rushed to bring him immediately, and meanwhile the Kurpie carried Zbyszko to the prince's mansion.
Thus they sat talking for a while beside the bright fire, looking like two young forest creatures. Zbyszko looked at the girl's pretty face, lighted by the flames, and said with involuntary admiration: "There is not another girl in this world as brave as you are. You ought to go to the war!" She looked into his face and then she answered, almost sadly: "I know; but you must not laugh at me."
"Is that man Zbyszko?" exclaimed the girl, looking again at the young knight. "Yes, it is he." "You must give him a kiss, because he is an old acquaintance of yours," said Zych, mirthfully. Jagienka turned gaily toward Zbyszko; but suddenly she retreated, and having covered her eyes with her hand, she said: "I am bashful." "But we have known each other since we were children," said Zbyszko.
In the evening of the same day, a herald announced at the four corners of the market place with the sound of trumpets, to the knights, guests and burghers assembled, that the noble Zbyszko of Bogdaniec was sentenced by the castellan's court to be decapitated by the sword.
Zbyszko crossed himself, raised the curtain in the doorway, and entered with throbbing heart. But he did not perceive Jurand and Danusia at once, because the room was not only "crooked" but dark also. But after a while he saw the fair head of the girl, who was sitting on her father's lap.
We only desire your welfare," replied the old knight, somewhat agitated. Then he turned to Zbyszko: "Listen, there is no use to leave her here. The wafting of the wind and the rays of the sun will probably benefit her. Do not lose your head, boy, but take her to the same cradle wherein she was when they brought her here or upon the saddle and let us move on! Do you understand?"
The men, upon hearing the account of her wrongs, gnashed their teeth, and not a few put on the steel cuirass, grasped the sword, axe, or lance and went along with Zbyszko, in order to take revenge with interest. Because, the valiant race considered even retribution, wrong for wrong, insufficient. But revenge did not then occupy Zbyszko's mind; his only thought was for Danusia.
But for her sake he attacked Lichtenstein, in order to tear from his head the feathers, and he would not have risked his life for de Lorche. As for the reward, I said before that they both deserve one, and I will think about it in Ciechanow." "Nothing will please Zbyszko more than to receive the knightly girdle and the golden spurs."
Zbyszko nestled Danusia for the last time on his breast and kept her for a long time, as long as he could breathe and until the princess drew her from him, in order to dress her for the journey. In the meanwhile it was broad daylight. In the mansion everybody was up and moving round. The Czech came to Zbyszko to ask about his health and to ascertain what were his orders.
Zbyszko seized his spear which had been driven into the ground behind him and rushed to the edge of the forest; he was followed by a few Litwins who were ready to die in defence of Kiejstut's daughter; but all at once the crossbow creaked in the hands of the lady, the bolt whistled and, having passed over the animal's head, struck him in his neck.
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