Chapter 3 Chapter 3 The Castle

In the center stands a majestic palace, Iron gates effectively resist foreign invasion. The pheasant is tall, firm and steep, Below is a deep trench. Around the castle the brook murmured, The guard's tower loomed in midair. anonymous While Dawiert was talking like this with his new acquaintance, he had come to a place from which he could see the whole Plessy.Le.Facade of the Castle of Tours.Even in an age when the nobility had to keep their quarters under guard, the castle stood out because it couldn't have been more tightly guarded. Young Davelt and his companion stopped at the edge of the wood to admire the palace of the king.They saw an open meadow stretching away from the edge of the wood, or at a very gentle slope.There were no trees or shrubs of any kind in the meadow, but a huge, half-dead old oak.The meadows were deliberately left open in accordance with the rules of defense of all ages, so that the enemy could not approach the walls without being seen by the guards on the battlements or under cover.Just across the meadow is where the castle is located.

The castle has three outer walls, and pheasants and towers are arranged at different angles at intervals.The second wall was raised higher than the first, in order to be able to control the outlying fortifications in case of enemy occupation.Similarly, the second wall is also controlled by the third wall and the innermost barrier.The Frenchman told his young companions (for they were now standing lower than the foot of the wall that the young man could not see what he was about to say) to dig a trench about twenty feet deep around the outer wall, and the water in the trench By the Cher, or rather by the damming of a tributary of the Cher.He said that there was also a moat in front of the second wall, and a third moat was dug between the second and the innermost wall.Both vary in width and depth.The outer and inner edges of the triple trench were protected by strong iron bars.Its use is equivalent to the so-called horse barrier in modern fortifications.Each bar is topped by a cluster of spikes, which must make any attempt to cross it a self-destructive act.

Inside that last wall stood the castle.The castle is composed of several buildings belonging to different periods.They were huddled together, communicated by a grim and forbidding ancient main tower.The main tower is older than any of the buildings here, and looks like an Ethiopian giant, towering into the sky, and because of all the windows and the defensive shots scattered messily on the walls The holes are similar in size, which, when viewed from the outside, inevitably creates an unpleasant feeling of witnessing a blind person.The other buildings did not meet the requirements of living comfort, because all the windows opened to a walled courtyard inside.Therefore, the entire castle looks more like a prison than a palace from the front.The king of the current dynasty added to this appearance.In order that his own supplementary fortifications would not be easily distinguished from the original (like many wary people he disliked being noticed), he used masonry of the darkest colour. , and the lime is mixed with soot, so that the whole castle has a uniform and uniform original and simple tone.

There is only one entrance to this fortified and terrifying place.At least when Darwilt looked along the wide front of the castle, there was only one entrance.The entrance was in the center of the first outer wall, flanked by fortified towers that served as the usual defenses of the gate.He also observed some common fortifications. The iron gate and the drawbridge have been lowered at this moment, while the drawbridge has been lifted up.Similar towers can be seen at the entrances to the second and third enclosures, but not in line with the towers at the entrances to the outer walls.The passage as the entrance does not pass through the three walls at the same point, but on the contrary.Those who crossed the first wall had to travel a distance of thirty yards or so between the first and second walls.If they came in with hostility, they would be flanked by arrows and rocks on both sides.Similarly, when they passed through the second wall, they had to deviate from the straight line and still make a detour to reach the gate of the innermost third wall.To enter the outer courtyard in front of the castle building, therefore, the enemy had to pass through two dangerous narrow passages, attacked on both sides by arrows and stones, and had to succeed in breaking through three gates, which were defended in the most fortified manner of the time.

Darwilt comes from a country full of internal and external troubles.It has a steep and mountainous terrain, full of cliffs and fast-moving waters, and the terrain is extremely defensible.The young man was therefore quite acquainted with the ingenious means devised by men in those harsh times to protect their dwellings; So many methods have been designed to make up for the insufficiency of nature.For, as we have mentioned, castles are built only on the top of a slope that rises gently from where they stand. What made him even more surprised was that his companions told him that, except for a winding path that could safely reach the gate, the rest of the castle was full of hidden traps like the jungle they had just passed through. , Organs, to catch uninvited guests who dare to break in without a guide.He also said that some iron cages called bird's nests were built on the walls.Sentinels were stationed there to target without risk any stranger who came in without knowing their code and the day's password.The archers of the royal guard performed this duty day and night, for which King Louis gave them great pay, splendid attire, and many honors and benefits.Tell me, young man, he went on, have you ever seen such a strong fortress, and do you think anyone has the audacity to attack such a fortress?

The young man stared at this place for a long time, becoming more and more interested, so that under the influence of the young man's curiosity, he even forgot that he was still wearing wet clothes. He answered, with twinkling eyes and flushed cheeks, like one who is contemplating a bold and honorable action: This is a fortified castle, well defended.But nothing is impossible for the brave. Is there anyone in your country who can do such a marvelous thing?said the old man rather contemptuously. I wouldn't bet on it, replied the young man, but there are thousands of us out there who would try such a venture for a just cause.

snort!The elder said, maybe you are such a warrior yourself? I would be guilty if I was bragging about a situation where there was no danger.My father did such brave things, though, replied young Davelt, and I'm sure I'm not a cowardly bastard. OK!His companion smiled and said, "However, if you take such an adventure, you will meet your opponent, and your countrymen, because standing guard on the wall over there is the Scottish archer of King Louis's guard, three hundred of your country. A nobleman of the best birth. If I were King Louis, answered the young man, I would entrust my safety to these three hundred Scotch lords, trusting fully in their fidelity, and tear down the walls and fill up the moat, and send my lords and knights Invite to gather by your side and live a life commensurate with the status of a king.I will see spearmen duel in mighty tourneys, I will feast with nobles by day and dance with ladies at night; I will fear my enemies as little as flies.

His companion smiled again.Then he turned his back on the castle, for he realized they were getting too close to it.Then he led the young men back to the original woods by a wider path that they had not traveled, but that was often traveled by people.This trail will take us to a village called Plessy.As a stranger, he said, you will be treated there honestly and honestly.About two miles further up is the beautiful city of Tours.This beautiful and rich earldom is named after it.But the Plessy Village we are going to, because it is very close to the palace, is sometimes called the Plessy Village of the Royal Garden, and there are many prey around it, and will provide you with more gracious hospitality.

Good lord, I'm very grateful for your introduction, said the Scot, but I'm only here for a short time, so if I can get a little meat to eat and something better than plain water to drink, Then call it the Plessy of the Garden, or the Plessy of the Pond, and I will be greatly satisfied with what I want from this village. No, replied his companion, I think you have some friend here who wants to call. I do have a friend who's visiting and that's my mother's brother, Darwilt replied, and, before he left Angus Hill, was the best he'd ever been in the heath with his stout platform shoes. Nice lad.

What's his name?asked the elder, I can inquire about him for you.It's not safe for you to go to the castle alone.People will take you for a spy. hey my god!The young man said, treat me as a spy!By God, whoever fabricates this crime against me, let him test the strength of my sword.As for my uncle's name, I don't mind being known as Leslie.Leslie is a loyal and noble name. I don't doubt that, said the old man, but there are three men by that name in the Scotch Guard. My uncle's name is Ludvik.Leslie.said the young man. Of the three Leslies, the merchant replied, there were two named Ludwick.

People called my uncle Ludvik the Scarred.Quentin said that our surname was very common among Scottish clans, so we always added a nickname when the land wasn't involved. I think you mean a pseudonym, replied his companion, and the man you are referring to, I think, is called Le Balafrey because of the scars on his face.He was a very nice man, a good warrior.I hope I can help you meet him, as he is a dignitary with strict responsibilities of protection.These men don't often leave their garrison posts unless they are directly accompanying the king. Answer me a question, young man.I bet you want to serve in the Scottish Guards with your uncle.It's a big deal if you're going to do it, especially since you're very young, and it will take years of experience to get the high office you're after. Maybe I've thought about it, Darwilt said casually, but when I do, the attraction is gone. How could it be, young man?said the Frenchman somewhat sternly, Is that how you comment on the errands your noblest countrymen are eager to obtain? I wish them happiness.Quentin said calmly, frankly, I might have liked to have served the King of France.But no matter how finely you dress me and how well you eat me, I still prefer the free air to being shut up in one of those cages, or those iron-grid pepper pots you call bird's nests.Besides, he added in a low voice, really, if a Corwin tree in front of a certain castle But the landlord usually greets the guests in front of the big tree quite far from the castle, and sends them to the big tree when they leave.) With rafters like the one on the tree over there, I would not like this castle . I guess what you mean, said the Frenchman, but please make it clearer. OK, I'll make it clearer.A stone's throw from the castle grew a handsome oak tree, and from that oak tree hung a man in a gray doublet like mine. Not bad at all!said the Frenchman, My God!It seems that there should be a sharp eye of young people!Hey, I did see something, but only as a crow hiding among the branches.Young man, there is nothing strange about it. When summer is over and autumn is coming, when the moon nights are long and the roads become unsafe, you will see ten or even twenty of these rafters hanging in bundles. On that old oak tree But, what's there?They are all signal flags to scare off bad guys and send out warnings.For every scoundrel hanging there, the honest man can count on one less thief, traitor, and brigand in open public robbing of the public roads in France, or one less scoundrel who exploits and oppresses the people.Young man, these are the testimonies of our sovereign law enforcement. If I were King Louis, I'd hang them farther from my palace.In Scotland, said the young man, we hang dead crows where the live crows frequent, not in our gardens or in the dovecots.Phew, the stench of that rotting corpse wafts into my nostrils even though we stand so far away. My young man, if you would be a faithful servant of your lord, replied the Frenchman, then you would find no scent like the stench of a murdered traitor. If so, I would rather not live, unless I lose my sense of smell and sight.Says the Scot, you might as well point me to a living traitor.My hands and my weapons will know how to deal with him.However, once a person dies, hatred should end.I think we are about to enter the village.I hope I can show you that neither slobbering in the river nor feeling sick has spoiled my appetite for breakfast.Dear friend, please lead me to the inn as soon as possible, but before I accept your hospitality, please tell me how to address you. Just call me Monsieur Pierre, replied his companion, and I don't care about titles and titles.To be an ordinary person who earns a living by my own ability is my ambition. Well then, Monsieur Pierre, said Quentin, I am glad to have such a good opportunity to bring us together.I just need someone to give me timely advice.I know how to express my gratitude to him. As they spoke, they saw church steeples and tall wooden crosses protruding from the branches, proclaiming that they had reached the village. The road they were taking was already joined by an open public causeway, but Monsieur Pierre led him aside from this road, and told his companion that the guest house to which he intended to take him The store is a little quieter, and only accepts relatively high-end passengers. If you mean travelers with fuller purses, replied the Scot, I dare not be, and I would rather take my chances with the robbers of your official roads than with the robbers of your inn. ! God!said the leader, how careful you Scots are!If he was an Englishman, he'd run straight into a tavern, get drunk on the best food and drink, and never think of settlement until he was full.But, Master Quentin (since your name is Quentin), you forget that I owe you a breakfast because of my fault that you got wet in the river.This is the meaning of my apology for offending you. To tell the truth, said the cheerful young man, I have forgotten all about your wet clothes, your offending, your apologies, and so on.My clothes were dry, or nearly dry, after all the walking.However, I will not refuse your kind invitation.The lunch I had yesterday was not very big, and I didn't eat dinner either.You appear to be an old and respectable citizen, and I see no reason not to accept your invitation. The Frenchman turned his head to one side and smiled, for he knew well that the young man, hungry as he might be, was not willing to admit that he ate a stranger's food for free, and was therefore trying to overcome his pride with an idea.The argument he finds is that in matters of such small favors, both acceptance and invitation can make the other party happy. They had now come down a path shaded by a tall elm, at the end of which they entered through a door into the courtyard of a large hotel.This inn was reserved for nobles who came to the neighboring castles on errands or for dignitaries seeking an audience with the king, since Louis XI permitted guest rooms in his palace only on rare occasions, when etiquette was absolutely unavoidable. Receive guests.Over the door of the rambling great house hangs a shield decorated with the royal emblem of a lily.But around the courtyard and its ancillary buildings, there is hardly the busy atmosphere of that era when public and private inns hired many entertainers, business was booming, and customers were abundant.It seemed that the austere and lonely palace near by had transmitted a part of its austere and grim atmosphere to this palace-like building, which, according to the custom of foreign countries, should have been a place for people to indulge in social entertainment. Without calling anyone, and without even approaching the entrance, Monsieur Pierre unlatched a side door and led the way into a large house.A great log was now burning brightly in the fireplace, and a good breakfast was being arranged. My old man is very careful, the Frenchman said to the Scotchman, you must be very cold, I have told Mr. Personnel to calm down.You must be very hungry too, breakfast will be brought to you soon. He whistles.The innkeeper came in, and answered Monsieur Pierre's good morning respectfully, but with none of the chatty humor of a French innkeeper of any age. I ask a gentleman to order breakfast, said Monsieur Pierre, has he ordered it? The shopkeeper only responded with a bow and salute.Then he put all kinds of dim sum dishes on the table one by one.He didn't say a word in praise of their deliciousness.While French hosts tend to boast about their cuisine, this breakfast deserves any praise.I will introduce it to the reader in the next chapter.