“Even so; and, had you not freely and nobly released your Genoese merchant, it had gone hard with Adlerstein.”
“Could Adlerstein be taken?” demanded Ebbo triumphantly.
“Your grandmother thought not,” said Sir Kasimir, with a shade of irony in his tone. “It would be a troublesome siege; but the League numbers 1,500 horse, and 9,000 foot, and, with Schlangenwald’s concurrence, you would be assuredly starved out.”
Ebbo was so much the more stimulated to take his chance, and do nothing on compulsion; but Friedel put in the question to what the oaths would bind them.
“Only to aid the Emperor with sword and counsel in field or Diet, and thereby win fame and honour such as can scarce be gained by carrying prey to yon eagle roost.”
“One may preserve one’s independence without robbery,” said Ebbo coldly.
“Nay, lad: did you ever hear of a wolf that could live without marauding? Or if he tried, would he get credit for so doing?”
“After all,” said Friedel, “does not the present agreement hold till we are of age? I suppose the Swabian League would attempt nothing against minors, unless we break the peace?”
“Probably not; I will do my utmost to give the Freiherr there time to grow beyond his grandmother’s maxims,” said Wildschloss. “If Schlangenwald do not meddle in the matter, he may have the next five years to decide whether Adlerstein can hold out against all Germany.”
“Freiherr Kasimir von Adlerstein Wildschloss,” said Eberhard, turning solemnly on him, “I do you to wit once for all that threats will not serve with me. If I submit, it will be because I am convinced it is right. Otherwise we had rather both be buried in the ruins of our castle, as its last free lords.”