Then the baron sounded his horn again, and out from the castle came all of the Swartzburg’s reserve to the rescue, and Wulf and his little band were in turn beset, and like to be destroyed, had not Rudolf himself, riding his great war-horse, and followed close by Karl, cut a way through the Swartzburg ranks to their aid.
By now the fighting was man to man, pell-mell, all up the pass, and so confused was that mass of battling soldiery that friend and foe of the Swartzburg pressed together across the draw and in through the castle gates, fighting as fight a pack of wolves when one is down.
Then, above all the din, sounded Herr Banf’s voice, calling the men of the Swartzburg to the baron, and there against the wall of the outer bailey made they their last stand. Well had Baron Everhardt fought among his men, but at last a well hurled spear thrown from one of the emperor’s soldiers pierced his helm and entered his brain, as he was rallying his friends, and there he fell.
Quickly Herr Banf and Herr Werner took him up and bore him within the inner bailey, while without the fighting went on. But the castle’s men fought halfheartedly now; for their leader was gone, and well knew they that they were battling against their lawful emperor. So ere long all resistance fell away, and the emperor and his men poured, unhindered, into the courtyard.
The Swartzburg was taken.
CHAPTER XV
HOW THE SHINING KNIGHT’S TREASURE WAS BROUGHT TO LIGHT
It was high noon when the last of the knights of the Swartzburg laid down his arms at the feet of the emperor and swore fealty to him. Of the castle’s company Herr Banf was missing; for he had ridden forth, in the confusion that followed the entrance of Rudolf’s men, to make his way through the woods and thence out from that land, minded rather to live an outlaw than to bend knee to the foe of his well loved friend.
A wise ruler as well as a brave soldier was Rudolf of Hapsburg, and well knew he how to win as well as to conquer. So, when all the knights had taken oath, to each was returned his arms, and him the emperor greeted as friend.
Within the castle hall the dead master lay at rest, and beside him watched the baroness, a pale, broken-spirited lady, whose life had been one long season of fear of her liege lord, and who now felt as little sorrow as hope. Her the emperor had already visited, to pay her respect and to assure her of protection, and now, with the two or three women of that stern and wild household of men-folk, she waited what might come.
Meanwhile, through castle and stables and offices the emperor’s appointed searchers went, taking note of all things; but Rudolf of Hapsburg sat in the courtyard, in sight of his men, who were by now making shift to prepare themselves a meal; for the greater number had not tasted food that day.