Chapter 31 Chapter Thirty-One

Be brave, charge to the gap again, Might as well step on the dead bodies of our Britons to climb the walls. And you, good farmers, Your bodies are nourished by the English earth, Let everyone see the skills of the athletes of the motherland, We swear you are British without shame. "Henry V" [Note: Shakespeare's historical play. 】 Although Cedric didn't quite believe Ulriga's words, he still didn't forget to convey her promise to the Black Armored Knight and Locksley.They were very happy and felt that it was a good thing to have a friend in the castle. When necessary, maybe she could bring some convenience to their siege.The opinion of the Saxons was immediately joined, and it was agreed that an immediate attack, however unfavorable the circumstances, was the only way to rescue the captives who had fallen into the hands of the cruel General Bullface.

The descendants of King Alfred are in danger at any time.Cedric said. The honor of a noble lady was also at stake.Said the black armored knight. I swear by the image of St. Christopher on my shoulder strap, the good farmer said, if only for that poor loyal bastard, for no other reason, I would risk saving him without letting a hair of his hair go. Hurt. Me too, said the friar, tell you, gentlemen, such a fool I mean, gentlemen, this clown has been taught, learned a set of jokes, he can make you drink like a piece of bacon After drinking, I said, brothers, such a fool, as long as I can read scriptures and use guns and sticks, he will never worry about not having a priest to pray for him and draw his sword to help him.

As he said this, he pulled up the heavy battle axe and swung it over his head. It seemed as light as a shepherd boy's crooked stick in his hand. Yes, father, said the Black Knight, your words are as true as if they had spoken by St. Dunstan himself.Now, friend Locksley, will the venerable Cedric be in charge of this attack? I don't know anything about it, replied Cedric. I have never studied how to attack and defend these centers of violence that the Normans have established in this troubled land.I can charge into battle, but my upright folk know that I am not a trained soldier, know how to fight a battle, or storm a castle.

Since the venerable Cedric thinks so, said Loxley, I am willing to take command of the archers; and I promise, as soon as the defenders show their faces from the walls, they will be filled with arrows, just like Christmas. It's like sprinkling clove seeds on a gammon leg at the festival; if you can't do that, you can hang me on our rally tree. Well said, brave farmer, replied the knight in black armor, then I, if you will trust me for the task, and the brave lads will join me, believe me to be a true English knight Because I really think I can be called such a person, then I am willing to lead them to attack the castle based on the experience I have accumulated in the past.

The leader's tasks were thus assigned, and the first offensive was launched, the results of which are known to the reader. After capturing the bunker, the Black Armored Knight sent someone to inform Locksley of the good news, and at the same time asked him to closely monitor the movement on the castle to prevent the defenders from concentrating their forces on a sudden attack and recovering their lost bunker.This was the knight's greatest concern, for he knew that the detachment he was leading had been hastily formed, of untrained volunteers, ill-armed, and lax in discipline, and that if suddenly attacked, they would inevitably They are in a hurry and cannot resist the veterans of the Norman knights. They are well-equipped, able to attack and defend. Although their morale is not as strong as that of the attackers, they are well-trained and battle-tested. They are used to fighting and think they are sure to win. .

Taking advantage of this interval, the knight set about building a pontoon bridge, that long raft-like thing by which it was hoped to get across the ditch in spite of enemy resistance.It took a certain amount of work, but the commanders did not regret it, because it also gave Ulriga time to implement her plan and contain the enemy's forces, which was always beneficial to the attacker no matter what. After the raft was made, the knight in black armor said to the besiegers: "It is not time to wait any longer, my friends, the sun is already in the west, and my responsibility does not allow me to delay it until tomorrow."Besides, the cavalry from York could appear at any moment and attack us from behind, unless we can finish the task quickly.One of you, therefore, must go and tell Locksley to start shooting arrows towards the other side of the castle, and move forward step by step, as if an attack is imminent.You loyal Britons, stick close to me, and drive the raft straight across the ditch as soon as the rear door opens on our side.You must bravely rush to the opposite side with me, and help me attack the main wall of the opposite castle and take down its exit.Anyone among you who does not want to do this, or who is not suitable for doing this due to lack of equipment, can go to the top of the bunker to serve as a guard, draw your bow, and get ready to shoot arrows. annihilate.Honorable Cedric, will you command those who remain here?

By the spirit of Hereward, I don't want to stay here!The Saxon said, I can't lead the team, but if I can't charge under your command, even if I go to the grave, I will be reviled by future generations.I started this dispute and I should be at the forefront of the fight. But consider, noble Saxon, said the knight, that you have neither mail nor breastplate, nor any shield, but a cap, a small shield, and a sword. This is even better!Cedric replied, I can climb the city more lightly.Besides, brother knight, pardon my boasting, you can see today that a Saxon without armor can lead and go into battle as bravely as a Norman in full armor.

Well, then, God bless us, said the knight, opening the gate, and lifting the pontoon out to the other side. The door leading from the inner wall of the bunker to the moat was opened at once, and it was in line with the sortie opening in the main wall of the castle.Immediately the temporary bridge plunged across the water, spanning the distance between the bunker and the castle, forming a trembling and dangerous passage for two men abreast over the ditch.The black-armored knight fully understood the importance of being unaware of the enemy, and led Cedric to jump onto the pontoon bridge and head straight for the opposite bank. Once there, he raised his battle ax and beat the city gate until it rumbled.When the Templars retreated from the bunker, they destroyed the original drawbridge, but still left half of it. It was attached to the top of the city gate, and it just served as a cover for the black armored knight and Cedric, blocking the arrows from the city wall. and rocks.But those who followed the knight, who had no such cover, were immediately struck by arrows, two fell into the ditch, and the rest had to retreat back to the blockhouse.

The situation of Cedric and the black armored knight is indeed very dangerous now. Fortunately, the archers on the top of the bunker kept shooting arrows at the opposite tower, which distracted the attention of the soldiers stationed there. , and got a chance to breathe; otherwise, they would probably be hit too hard.But their situation is still dangerous, and with each passing minute, the danger increases. You wimps!De Blassi yelled at the soldiers beside him, they are still good at archery, these two dogs are hiding at the foot of the city wall, how can you do nothing to them?If there is no other way, at least you can lift the stone on the city wall and smash it down.Get your pickaxes and levers and throw this big spire down on the wall!he said, pointing to a large stone carving rising from the parapet of the tower.

At this moment, the besiegers saw a red flag raised from the corner of the tower, which was the signal that Ulriga had spoken to Cedric.It was first spotted by the brave farmer Locksley, who was on his way to the fort to see for himself the progress of the siege. St. George!he cried, merry St. George bless England!Brave friends, rush up!Why let the good knight and the noble Cedric attack the gate alone?In the past, the crazy monk showed off his skills, and let everyone see that people who chant scriptures can also fight in the past, brave farmers!We can definitely take the castle, we have internal support inside.Look, that flag, it's the promised signal that Torquaystone is ours!For honor, for spoils, rush over!One more push and the castle is ours!

As he spoke, he drew up his bow and shot an arrow in the chest of a guard on the city wall. Under the command of De Blasey, the man was about to pry up a big stone and throw it at Cedric and Black. The armored knight smashed off his head.The second soldier snatched the iron rod from the dead man and continued to pry loose the great stone carving, but at that moment another arrow pierced his helmet, and he fell dead from the wall into the ditch.The guards were frightened; it seemed that no armor could stand against the sharp arrows of the dreaded archer. You cowards, you can't escape!De Blasey shouted, Long live Saint Denis!Give me the leverage! He seized the lever and began again to pry the loose boulder, so heavy that if thrown it would not only destroy the remaining drawbridge and render the two assailants hiding under it no hiding place, but would also allow the The rough boards on the pontoon were smashed.Everyone saw the danger, and even the brave monks were on the alert and dared not set foot on the raft.Locksley drew his bow and shot three arrows at De Blasey, but all three arrows hit the knight's armor and bounced back. Damn Spanish body armor!Had it been made by an English blacksmith, cried Locksley, it would have been pierced by these arrows like silk.So he shouted: "Friends!friends!Honorable Cedric!Step back quickly and let the broken bridge plate fall. No one heard his warning, even if twenty bugles sounded at the same time, it would be of no avail amidst the sound of black armored knights pounding on the city gate.The loyal Geord did jump on the pontoon, trying to warn Cedric of the danger he was facing, or die with him.But his warning may have come too late, the big rock was already crumbling, but a new situation appeared at this time, which made De Blasey's plan fail to come true. It turned out that the voice of the Templar suddenly sounded in his ear: It's all over, de Blasey, the castle is on fire. Are you crazy, what nonsense!replied the knight. The west side was already full of smoke and flames; I tried my best to fight, but without success. Stern and calm is Brian.Bois-Ghibert's character was fundamental, and now he delivered the terrible news with a calmness peculiar to him, but his friend could not listen to the news with the same composure, and immediately panicked. O saints in heaven!De Blasey said, what now?I swear, I will donate a solid gold candlestick to Saint Nicholas of Likuj nonsense!The Templar said, do as I say.You go down with your men, pretending to break out, and open the side door.There are only two people on the pontoon outside the door, and you push them down the ditch and rush to the bunker.I'll rush out the front door and attack the bunker from the outside.As long as we can retake this stronghold, we can hold the castle securely until reinforcements arrive, or at least until they agree to our terms and make peace with us. That's a good idea, said de Blasey, and I promise.Templar, you won't lie to me, will you? I promise to cooperate with you and never lie to you!But for God's sake, said Bois-Guilbert, hurry up! Gathering his men hastily, de Blassey rushed down the ramparts, made for the side gate, and ordered it to be opened at once.But just as the door opened a crack, the black-armored knight squeezed in with his astonishing arm strength. De Blasey and his men couldn't stop them. The two in front immediately fell down, and the rest ignored the leader's words Shouting, fleeing one after another. You dogs!De Blasey shouted, can you just let two people block our only way out? He is the devil!A battle-hardened veteran answered, stepping back from the black-armored warrior's axe. If he's the devil, don't you just let him send you to hell?De Blasey replied, The castle is on fire behind us, you bastards!We can only fight a way out of despair and break through!Let me deal with this big man myself. De Blasey's performance that day was indeed valiant, worthy of being a battle-hardened warrior of that terrible era.There is a vaulted passage at the entrance of the side door, where two fierce warriors fight hand to hand, De Blasey wields a sword, and the black armored knight fights with a heavy battle axe, you come and go, fighting inextricably, The clatter of weapons echoed through the corridor.At last the Norman received a blow of the axe, which, though partly offset by the shield, did not kill him, but the weight of it fell on his helmet, and he lay flat on the ground. Surrender, de Blasey, said the knight in black armor, stooping down, drew out the dagger, and held it before the opponent's visor. This kind of dagger is used by knights to kill the enemy. It is so sharp that it is called mercy. Sword, surrender, Morris.De Blasey, unconditional surrender is your only way out. I cannot surrender to a victor without a name, De Blasey replied, in a weak voice, tell me your name, or else everything will follow.I must never let anyone say, Maurice.De Blasey became the captive of a nameless country bumpkin. The black armored knight leaned close to the defeated man's ear and whispered something. I surrender unconditionally and await disposal.The Norman replied, his stern and firm tone suddenly changed to discouragement and fear. Go to the bunker, said the victor in a dignified voice, and wait there for my further orders. But first let me tell you something you should know, said de Blasey, that Wilfred of Ivanhoe was wounded and locked up in the castle, and would die in the fire unless rescued immediately. Ivanhoe's Wilfred!exclaimed the black armored knight, shut up in the castle, and died in the fire!If one of his hairs were singed, everyone in the castle would die for him.Tell me the room where he lives! From the winding stairs over there, you can reach his house, De Blasey said, do you want me to show you the way?He said again in a flattering tone. Need not.Go to the bunker and wait for my orders there.I don't trust you, de Blasey. While this struggle and the brief talk that followed was in progress, Cedric, seeing that the wicket was wide open, immediately led a party, including tall monks, across the pontoon, and drove back the dejected and demoralized de Blasios. Some of the subordinates begged for their lives, some made useless resistance, and most of them fled into the courtyard.De Blasey himself got up from the ground, cast a sad glance at his victor, took off his helmet as a sign of surrender, and walked towards the bunker, meeting Locksley on the way, and asked him Handed over the sword. As the fire grew, signs of it soon became apparent from the room where the Jewish girl nursed and tended Ivanhoe.Not long after he fell asleep, he was awakened by the noise of the battle.At his repeated request, the Jewish girl stood at the window, observed and reported the attack to him.But the increase in the smoke choked her, and her observations were interrupted for a moment.At last a great deal of smoke rolled into the house, and the din of battle, even with cries for water, made them aware of the new danger. The castle is on fire, says Rebecca, it's burning!How can we save ourselves? Go, Rebecca, you'd better run for your life, Ivanhoe said, because there is no power left to save me. I won't go, replied Rebecca, and we'll either be rescued together, or we'll be burned together.Also, great God!My father my father, what happened to him? At this moment, the door opened, and the Templar Knight appeared at the door. He looked so terrible, his gold-plated armor was torn, covered with blood, part of the feather on his head fell off, and part of it was burnt. I finally found it. You, he said to Rebecca, you can prove that I mean what I say, and I will share with you through thick and thin.There is but one safe way now, and I have come here with great difficulty to show you the way; rise up and follow me at once! I will not go with you alone, replied Rebecca, if you are born of a woman, if you have any humanity, if your heart is not as hard as your breastplate, then you too shall rescue my old man. Father, and this wounded knight! A knight, replied the Templar with his characteristic coolness, Rebecca, a knight, he should face his fate, whether it be in the form of sword or fire; as for the Jew, who cares what he meets What fate? Savage warrior!Rebecca said, I would rather burn to death than accept your salvation! It's not your choice, Rebecca; once you refused me, but the second time, you can't threaten me with death. As he said this, he grabbed the trembling and yelling girl, grabbed her and walked out, no matter how much she cried, and no matter how much Ivanhoe cursed and threatened loudly behind him: You holy Wild dog of the temple, you have tarnished your banner, put down the little girl!You are a traitor, Boisguibert, and Ivanhoe is ordering you!You are a scoundrel, and you must pay this debt with blood! At this moment, the black armored knight stepped into the room and said: Thanks to your shouting, I finally found you, Wilfred. If you are a true knight, leave me alone, replied Wilfrid, and go after the robber, go to rescue Miss Rowena, and go to noble Cedric! I will go find them, the black knight replied, but saving you is the first priority. He picked Ivanhoe up and carried him out of the house, looking as easy as the Templars taking Rebecca.Then he went straight to the side gate, handed over the wounded to the care of the two farmers, and returned to the fort to help rescue other prisoners. At this time, a tower was shrouded in flames, and flames continued to emerge from window holes and shooting ports.But in the rest of the castle, where the thick walls and vaulted roofs kept the fire from spreading, men were still killing each other, perhaps no less terrible than the forces of nature which had taken hold elsewhere; People are going from room to room, chasing and killing the guards of the castle. They have long hated the tyrannical bull-faced general's subordinates. Now is the opportunity to take revenge and vent their hatred. How can they be spared lightly.Most of the defenders resisted to their last breath, and a few begged for their lives, but none were spared.The air was filled with screams and the clang of weapons, and the ground was littered with slimy pools of blood from the desperate and dying. Amidst this chaotic scene, Cedric scurried about in search of Rowena, with the loyal Georgie at his heels, regardless of danger, trying to fend off the swords and guns aimed at his master as he made his way through the melee.The honorable Saxon was fortunate enough to find the room of his adoptive daughter, who had abandoned all hope of escape, and in agony, clutching a crucifix to her breast, sat on a chair and begged to die quickly.He handed her over to Ge Si, and asked him to take her safely to the bunker, the road was now free of enemies and had not been blocked by flames.After finishing this matter, loyal Cedric hurried to find his friend Athelstan, determined to save the last descendant of the British royal family regardless of his own danger.But before Cedric reached the ancient hall in which he himself had been confined, the elf had delivered himself and his fellow sufferer. It turned out that there were bursts of shouts and killings outside, indicating that the battle had entered a white-hot stage, so the clown exhausted all his strength and began to shout: Long live St. George and the White Dragon!Mighty St. George bless merry England!The castle has fallen!At the same time he seized two or three of the rusted armor that had been thrown on the ground around the hall, and banged them so loudly that his cry was all the more frightening. There was a group of guards stationed in the front room outside the hall. They were already in a state of panic and despair, and Wang Ba's noise made them even more frightened. They left there without closing the door, and wanted to report the battle to the Templars, claiming that the enemy had entered old hall.Thus the two prisoners easily passed out of the cell into the antechamber, and from there into the castle yard, where the final battle was taking place.The ferocious Templar was sitting on a horse, surrounded by several guards on horseback and on foot. These people followed the famous general and planned to break out of the encirclement under his leadership and fight for the last chance of escape.By his order the drawbridge was lowered, but the passage was surrounded; for the archers, who had been harassing the castle by shooting only from the opposite side, saw the flames rising, and the drawbridge was lowered again, and at once hordes flocked to the entrance. , this is not only to prevent the guards from escaping, but also to enter the castle to plunder the loot before it is burned to ashes.On the other hand, a siege party, which had come in by the side gate, had now swarmed into the yard, and fell upon the remaining defenders with such violence that they were caught in the middle. Yet these soldiers, driven by desperation, and inspired by the example of their indomitable leader, fought with tenacity, and being well armed, they repelled more than one attack, though few in number.Rebecca, held on horseback by a Saracens slave of the Templars, was at the center of the party; Boisguibert kept a close eye on her safety despite the chaos of the bloody battle.From time to time, he came to her side, disregarding his own safety, and blocked his triangular steel plate shield in front of her; Knocked to the ground, then returned to her side. Readers know that Athelstan has always acted slow and lazy, but he is not timid. Seeing the Templars spare no effort to protect a woman, he suspects that this is Rowena, and the knight is trying to snatch her away, so he ignores the possibility Everything resisted and rushed over. By the spirit of St. Edward, cried he, I must rescue her from that pompous rider, and let him die before me! Think about what you are doing!cried Wang Ba, look clearly, and don't take a frog for a fish; I swear to God, it's not our Miss Rowena, look at her long black locks!No, since you can't tell right from wrong, you can be your leader, but I don't want to follow you to death; if I want to die, I have to know who I sacrificed for.What's more, you don't have any armor on you!You know, silk hats cannot withstand a blow from a knife or a gun.However, since you are obsessed with diving, you have to do so.May God bless you, Athelstan who is not afraid of death!he said finally, letting go of the Saxon cape he had been clutching. The latter had now seized from the ground a mace which had just been dropped from the hands of a dying man lying beside it.So, holding it up, he charged at the Templar party, swinging it left and right in quick succession, knocking down a guard with each blow, for Athelstan was so powerful and now furious, He was even more valiant; but in a few moments he was within two yards of Bois-guibert, and cried out in his sonorous voice: Come back, sinister Templar!Let her go, you don't deserve to touch her; come back, you rapers, robbers with no conscience! You bastard!The Templar replied through gritted teeth, I have to teach you a lesson and let you know what it is to slander the Templars.As he spoke, he turned the horse's head so that it raised its front legs slightly towards the Saxon, while he stepped on the pedals, straightened himself up, and took advantage of the momentum of the horse to plunge forward, and raised the knife to Athelstan's head. Cut it hard. Terrible, Wang Ba shouted, silk hats can't stop steel knives!The weapons of the Templars were so sharp that the unfortunate Saxon had just raised his mace to parry it, but the strong, thick handle of the mace had been chopped off like a willow branch, and the steel knife fell to Art. Erstein's head, he immediately fell to the ground. ha!Long live the black and white flag!This is what happens to anyone who slanders the Templars, cried Bois-guibert!Taking advantage of the dejected atmosphere created by the fall of Athelstan, he shouted: "He who wants to live, come with me!"Then he rushed across the drawbridge and dispersed the archers who blocked him.He broke out with his Saracens slaves, and about five or six soldiers, all on horseback.Although these people were attacked by dense arrows and stones when they retreated, it was very dangerous, but the Templars still galloped on horseback regardless of everything, and went around to the bunker, looking for De Blassy according to the original plan. He thought he might have occupied the bunker . De Blasey!De Blasey!he shouted, are you there? I am here, replied De Blasey, but I am a prisoner. Can I save you?exclaimed Boisguibert. No, De Blasey replied, I surrendered myself, unconditionally.I have to be an honest captive.Run for yourselves; watch out, the falcon has escaped its cage.Let the sea separate you from England; the rest I cannot say. Well, replied the Templar, it is for you to stay there yourself, and remember, I did not miss appointments or abandon friends.Those falcons are where they like, I don't care, the walls of the temple synagogue are enough to protect me, and once I'm there, it's like a heron returning to its nest. After saying this, he led his subordinates to gallop away. The defenders, who were not on horseback, continued to struggle desperately with the attackers after the Templars had left, but this was more due to lack of forgiveness than hope of escape; the fire quickly spread to The various parts of the castle, Ulriga who lit the fire, stood on the top of the tower, looking like the ancient Furies singing the battle songs, such songs were used by the bards of the Saxons before their conversion to Christianity. Singing loudly.She was hatless, her white hair fell back, her eyes were bright, and she was mingling vengeful pleasure with unhinged rage.She raised the spinning pole and waved it above her head, as if she was a goddess of fate, holding and manipulating the thread of life [Note: There are three goddesses of fate in Greek mythology, one weaves the thread of life and the other decides the thread of life.] The length of the thread, one is responsible for cutting the thread of life. 】.In that fire and carnage she sang a wild hymn, some verses of which are preserved in our lore: Sons of the White Dragon, Sharpen the steel knife fast! Daughters of Hengist, Let the torches burn brightly! Sharpening steel knives is not for cutting meat at a banquet! It is the sharpest sword of battle; To light the torch is not to light the newlywed's boudoir, It emits a blue light that contains anger. Sharpen your steel knife, the crow is crowing! Light the torches, the devil is howling! Sons of Bailong, sharpen your steel knives quickly! Daughters of Hengist, let the torches burn brightly! Clouds cover the castles of the Saxon lords; The eagle rides the dark clouds and howls. Scream not, gray knight who rides the clouds, Your feast is ready! The sisters of Valhalla are waiting, Prepare to receive the guests sent by the people of Hengist. Sisters of Valhalla, shake your dark locks [Note: Valhalla: In Norse mythology, the temple that receives the fallen heroic spirits. 】 Sound your welcome tambourine! Many noble feet are marching to your halls, Many helmeted heads rest here. Darkness fell upon the castle of the Saxon lord, Thick dark clouds hung about it; But the blood of the warriors will immediately dye everything red! The fire that destroys the forest shakes the red plume, Hold high the bright flag and roll forward, It will devour the rich mansion, It will take the bloody warrior drowned in a forbidding red sea, Its joy from slashed swords and cracked shields, Its joy is to suck the blood that hisses from the wound! All shall perish! The sword split the helmet, The spears pierced the solid armor, The flames engulfed the prince's house, Weapons broke down the defenses of battle. All shall perish! The nation of Hengist is gone, Holsa's name no longer exists! But fighting children, do not yield to fate! Let your swords drink blood like wine, In the burning hall, Enjoy the carnage feast! As long as there is a breath left, we must fight hard, neither pity nor flinch, For the chance of vengeance is fleeting, Hate itself will inevitably evaporate! I too must die! Now the flames were so hot that nothing could hold them back, and like a mighty beacon they charged into the night sky, illuminating the vast expanse of countryside around them.The towers, with their red-hot roofs and rafters, fell one by one, and the fighting men were forced to retreat into the courtyard.There were only a few people left on the defeated side, and they fled one after another and hid in the nearby woods.Groups of victors gathered everywhere, looking at the fire, a little surprised, but also a little scared. The fire light illuminated them and their weapons with a dark red luster.For a long time, Ulriga the Saxon could be seen standing madly in the air, waving her arms from the height she had chosen, and laughing wildly, as if she were a queen directing the fire she had ignited. fire.Finally, with a terrible noise, the whole tower collapsed, and she was buried in the fire pit, and died together with the tyrant who tortured her.For a moment, the soldiers on the sidelines were too frightened to make a sound, and silence ruled everything. For a few minutes, they did not move a single finger except for making the sign of the cross.Then came Locksley's voice: Cheers, folks!The bully's lair is destroyed!Bring your trophies to our appointed meeting place at the Hutt Hills Woodland Dating Tree; for after daylight we shall have justice among our own mates and among our friends in this great act of vengeance allocated.