From the maiden's tower, which, with the ancient Waldemar's tower, near the chapel, stood within the northern semicircle of the wall surrounding the castle, a vaulted private passage led to the broad flagged and spacious hall on the first floor of the main building into which the knights' hall, the ladies' apartment, and various others opened. There was likewise a front entrance from the court-yard by a flight of high wooden steps, surmounted by a porch, and enclosed on each side with an iron railing that led up to the balcony. Directly opposite the two northern towers stood, on the side towards the sea, in the southern semicircle of the castle wall, the strongly fortified towers called the dragon and the sea tower. Above the entrance stood the castle tower, and above the chapel was a small belfry. In the midst of the castle square stood a high flagstaff, bearing the royal arms, the three crowned leopards among a number of golden hearts. The circular wall, which, with its high battlements and towers, surrounded the whole castle, was also environed by ramparts and deep moats. As the castle was often occupied by the king and his whole court, it was kept in perfect repair, and amply provided with furniture and every kind of convenience.

The castle was one of the most important fortresses in the kingdom. The number of men belonging to the garrison and household was not inconsiderable. Whenever the chapel bell rung for mattins, the commandant, with all the inmates of the castle and its precincts, proceeded to the chapel across the spacious square of the castle. They now were returning from mattins with their extinguished lanterns in their hands.

The captive maidens were guarded without any severity. When accompanied by one female attendant, the whole castle was open to them during the day. They were obliged, however, to sleep at night in the tower, which was never unlocked until daylight; and the porter was only permitted to open the castle gate for them when the commandant himself or his family accompanied them to the church of the town, or through the orchard to the chase of the castle, where at this season of the year they sometimes amused themselves by hawking, a sport of which Ulrica was passionately fond, but in which Margaretha only shared for her sister's sake.

When Ulrica, with her sister and the attendant maiden, stepped out of the dark passage into the vestibule, she instantly ran as usual to one of the bow windows, and breathed upon one of the panes to clear away the frost and make herself a peep-hole into the castle yard. "Look! look!" she said, gaily; "we shall have the new yellow car to drive in to-day to church; and look! there they ride to water with the strangers' horses--I declare they have long silken coverings on, and there are the royal grooms with them--Look! the commandant, with the Drost and the strangers, are crossing over this way--one of the strangers is a canon; but who can those two comical men be with the German caps?"

"Let us go into the ladies' apartment," said Margaretha; "it would not be seemly that they should find us here alone so early."

"One can never see any thing, or enjoy any thing, because of that tiresome seemliness," said Ulrica, pettishly, and followed her sister reluctantly into the ladies' apartment. Shortly afterwards the door opened, and Drost AagÉ entered the ante-chamber, with the king's confessor. Master Petrus de Dacia, and the two German minstrels, accompanied by the commandant. Sir Ribolt, a tall man of noble presence, whose knightly attire was arranged in strict conformity to the fashion of the time. The commandant first crossed the threshold, and closed the door to keep in the warmth, which began to diffuse itself from the large glowing stone chimney.

"In the king's name!" he said, with a kind of solemnity, as he doffed his high plumed hat, "welcome in his hall, noble sirs! Here he is your host, though in my insignificant person--I may expect him here, then, in the spring, venerable sir?"

"He bade me bring you that message, next to royal greeting and favour," answered Master Petrus de Dacia, giving his hand to the commandant. "We have slept under your roof, but as yet your guests are unknown to you," he continued. "My name you know. In a few hours I must journey onwards; but these honourable strangers desire, and have royal permission, to be your guests for some time, partly with a learned and scientific object." He now presented to the commandant Master PoppÉ and Master Rumelant from Swabia, as renowned professors of the noble art of minstrelsy, who had visited the territories of many lords and princes, and who were now desirous also of seeing and knowing all that was remarkable in Denmark respecting the manners and the customs of the people, and the state of art and science, compared with that of other nations. "These learned persons," he added, "are commended to you as the king's guests, so long as it is their desire to remain here. It is the king's pleasure that they should have free access to the royal collection of manuscripts and the archives of the castle."

"Well, these learned guests are welcome," answered the commandant, saluting the strangers with some embarrassment; "it is probably the chronicles they desire to search into, and the ancient manuscripts which lie here, treating of the affairs of Denmark and the German kingdoms in olden times. There was lately here a learned monk from NyÉ, who, by the king's command, had much to do with these writings. They are treasures which I, to say truth, know but little how to prize; but scholars can never sufficiently laud our king's carefulness in collecting such writings, and the free use of them which he allows both to native and foreign scholars. The Lord help me. Sir Drost!" he whispered to AagÉ, "they are surely most awfully learned; they perhaps do not understand a word of Danish?"

"Are not your king's famous 'Congesta'^[18] to be found here?" asked the tall master PoppÉ, in a half German half Danish dialect; "we desire especially to become acquainted with that important historical collection, as well as with the copy which is here to be seen of your famous Saxo Grammaticus, likewise Sveno Agonis^[19], and whatever may be found here of collections of old ballads, and of Norwegian or Icelandic poems, and Sagas of heathen time; item, all remarkable monumenta and volumina antiquitatis."

"What I specially rejoice over," said the enthusiastic little Master Rumelant, "is what I here expect to meet with of your famous theological lumina and christian poets, particularly the far-famed Hexameron of the great Andreas Sunonis, of which I have never been able to trace any copy among my countrymen, or among any of the noble lords and princes, my gracious well-wishers and benefactors, whose praises I have sung according to my poor ability."

"So far as I know, the manuscript you speak of is to be found here among the learned Latin writings, from the time of King Waldemar the Victorious, of blessed memory," answered the commandant, endeavouring to hide his impatience; "but it is only of what is written in the language of the country that I can give account to you--your study shall be next to the manuscript chamber--the castle chaplain has the superintendence of it; he will no doubt be able to give you all the information you want. I will arrange every thing in the best way I can for you, learned sirs; but I pray you to excuse me, who am a layman, and straight-forward soldier, for my ignorance of such matters. Permit me now to install you among my family, and to entreat you will be content for the present with some food for the body."

"Allow me first a few words in private here with the Drost," said Master Petrus, remaining behind in the vestibule with AagÉ, whose pale cheek was for a moment tinged with a crimson hue as the door of the ladies' apartment closed, and he was but half able to greet Margaretha. It was evident that he had suffered from a dangerous wound. He still held his head rather stiffly, and his left arm was in a sling.

The tall ecclesiastic took him by the hand, and gazed on him earnestly, with his serene, intellectual eye. "It is chiefly for your sake, Drost AagÉ, the king sent me hither," he said; "you know how dear you have been to him from his childhood, and how greatly he needs must miss you; but ere it is permitted me to speak one word to you of the king's and state affairs, I am enjoined to certify myself of the health both of your mind and body. It is said you have not only been dangerously wounded, but sick at heart besides, and plagued with all manner of disquiet thoughts and confused dreams, so that you have oft stood more in need of a spiritual than of a bodily physician. If you place any trust in me, then confide to me that which seems still to disquiet you."

"I have been a visionary since I was excommunicated," said AagÉ; "I know it right well. The trial was too much for me; but now, praise be to the Lord and our Lady! a light hath dawned upon my soul, which reconciles me to what is dark and mysterious in my life and destiny.--But my feelings and concerns are of no moment. Tell me only what the king is about; how can he and the country be saved from downfall amid all these perplexing events; for the Lord's sake tell me?"

"Not a word of that as yet, dear Drost," interrupted Master Petrus; "I must first see how far you are capable of acting in worldly matters. The spirit that would work mightily for the peace and happiness of king and country must first be at peace with itself."

"I have that peace, venerable sir! My soul is as well at ease as it ever will be in this world. When I heard the archbishop was fled, and the king excommunicated, I threw myself on my horse, and would have hasted to SjÖborg, but they brought me back here half dead. What I have since heard of the king's impetuosity and wrath hath more than ever disquieted me, and in my tendency to dark presentiments I have many a night, in my fevered dreams, beheld the king surrounded by robbers and murderers."

"Be easy on that score, noble Drost. No sovereign was ever more beloved by his people; an invisible guard of the angels of love and righteousness accompany the young Eric, even when traitors and deadly foes are nigh him. I know you were with the king's father in Finnerup-barn on that bloody St. Cecilia's eve. What you then witnessed as a child you surely have never been able to forget?"

"No, never!" exclaimed AagÉ, with breathless earnestness; "and I have often mourned I had neither courage nor might to avert that catastrophe. It was not till the barn burst into flames around the murdered king that I fully recovered the use of my senses. I snatched the sword from the old insane PallÉ, when he threw himself on the body to maltreat it, and struck the same murderous steel into his breast with which he had slain his liege. That bloody scene, and the dying look of that crazed old man, hath often been fearfully present to me. The horrid spectacle, however, was nearly effaced from my memory, when, two years back, I was one day sent by the king to the captive archbishop at SjÖborg to bring him to confession; but when I looked on yon terrific prisoner, as he uplifted his fettered arm, and gave me over to the Devil, with the church's most dreadful curse, it seemed to me as though I stood once more in the barn at Finnerup, and as if a condemning spirit spoke through the archbishop, and thundered forth the words of excommunication over me for my sins' sake. In the fever caused by my wound I have often suffered from the most fearful visions, and dreamed of fighting with all manner of monsters and demons; but when it was at the worst I ever saw a heavenly angel at my side, who, with pious prayers, chased away the evil spirit, and whispered comfort and consolation to my soul. At last a mild light dawned upon me--I felt I might yet redeem from the curse that life which in my childhood I had neither power nor courage to sacrifice for my former master, by my devoting it to his son, our noble young King Eric. This is now my firm and stedfast purpose; I have renounced all thoughts of happiness for myself. Yon angel of consolation hath since appeared to me in a mortal form; but she neither desires nor is able to turn me from my resolve. It was the eldest and most estimable of Marsk Stig's daughters. Venerable sir! to you alone I confide it--she hath become dear to me as my own soul, and she hath herself wonderfully strengthened me in my resolution. By saving my life, and preserving it for the service of him who hath pronounced her whole race outlawed, she hath sought to atone for a share of her dreaded father's crime. Each step I follow my beloved young sovereign will and must separate me and Marsk Stig's race in this world; yet, with the Lord's help, that shall not stop my progress, or impair my loyalty. Mark, venerable sir! from the moment in which the future destiny of my life was clear before me I was freed from the evil spirits which persecuted me, and I now feel myself nearly healed both in body and soul. Now you know all, tell me, I beseech you, that which is of far greater moment, what message bring you me from the king?"

"One word more of yourself first, noble Drost," answered Master Petrus, in an affectionate tone, taking his hand, and gazing with his usual look of calm intelligence on AagÉ's melancholy but resolute countenance; "your determination I must laud as fair and noble, although it still in some measure betokens your tendency to extremes, even in what is good and praiseworthy. You can devote your life and powers to the service of your king and country without seeking the death of a martyr; you need not yourself renounce the enjoyments of life because a higher aim of existence stands in your view; but I will not upbraid you for such youthful extravagances,--There was a time when I desired myself to die a martyr in honour of the Holy Virgin; even now I should glory in it were it so ordered for me; but I no longer hanker after martyrdom with blind enthusiasm and spiritual pride. The consoling angel you speak of, noble Drost, she who stood before you here in the form of a captive maiden, I only desire her justification and acquittal, and then assuredly you need not renounce all hope in respect of the secret wishes of your heart. I also have known such a being," he continued, with emotion; "next to the Holy Virgin she is even yet to me the most precious soul of her sex that lives and hath ever lived in the world; she is, in truth, the bride of Heaven here upon earth, and her duty and condition, as well as mine, separate us here below. But I believe, to speak truly, neither you nor any worldly man can be called on or have strength to make such renunciation; but Providence and its high disposer will care for this. I rejoice from my heart that the fairest feeling of humanity is awakened in your soul. Even when attended by the greatest sacrifice and the extreme of privation, it is, next to the joys of Heaven, the richest treasure that can be bestowed on a human being."

"Yes, assuredly!" exclaimed AagÉ, with joyful enthusiasm; "wholly wretched I never now can be. I have now told you the whole state of my case. Conceal not any thing longer from me!"

"Well, my excellent young friend," said Master Petrus, pressing his hand, "I will look on you as spiritually healed. It is a true and precious feeling--it is the earnest of a noble and mighty life of action which stirs in your somewhat enthusiastic and visionary soul. I would send you forth from this much too quiet and trying position, which only fosters your visionary turn of mind. I will not hesitate to enlist your whole strength in the service of king and country. Look! here is a private letter from the king." He reached a sealed packet to the Drost.

AagÉ hastily broke the seal. "Ha! what means this? Of course you know the contents?"

"I wrote the letter myself in the chancellor's absence. It is come to a breach with Junker Christopher; he must be disarmed and brought to subjection ere two more suns have set. You or Sir Ribolt are to beleaguer Holbek castle, and join the king before Kallundborg with a hundred lancers."

Drost AagÉ gazed in dismay,--now on the letter,--now on Master Petrus. "Great God!" he exclaimed; "is it come to this? Civil war and bloody feud between the brothers!"

"Be calm, noble Drost! That is precisely what you must prevent, but quietly,--cautiously. I have, besides, a question to put to you, by word of mouth, from the king." So saying, Master Petrus drew AagÉ further from the door, and continued in a low tone,--"Hath the junker caused any paper to be fetched from hence lately? Of the noble Sir Ribolt there is no suspicion; but is the castle chaplain to be counted on?"

"For the commandant's loyalty I will answer," replied AagÉ; "the chaplain I know not. But what mean you?"

"The letters Junker Christopher took from the chest in Lund sacristy he affirms that he deposited here, but they have been lately sought for in vain. They might now be of the greatest importance in the king's affair with Master Grand. The learned scholars I have brought hither with me are again to search the archives. I must myself haste to Sweden, to tranquillise the spirits there. You know the ambassadors left us in haste. We are on doubtful terms with their court; the negotiations are broken off. The king went too far in his anger at Grand's flight. He now wants to carry every thing through by force. It is come to a breach also with the Dukes of Sleswig--the cardinal hath left the court, he menaces to use his fearful authority."

"Misfortune upon misfortune!" exclaimed AagÉ. "Great Heaven! what will be the end of all this?"

"If the Lord please, all may turn out more favourably than seems likely at present," continued Master Petrus, calmly. "If you and the Marsk can procure peace with temporal enemies, I and my colleagues hope, with God's assistance, to obtain a truce with ecclesiastical foes. Chancellor Martinus and Provost Guido are sent to Rome to anticipate Grand. Most of the bishops in the country side with the king. The provincial prior of the Dominicans and the chapters continue their protest against the constitution of Veile. No priest will uphold the interdict; and, as I said, the people are loyal and devoted to the king."

"But this unhappy quarrel with the junker--the breach with the dukes--the doubtful terms with Sweden--the king's rashness and impetuosity--and that terrible Isarnus and the outlaws!"

"You are right, Drost AagÉ! There are more clouds in Denmark's and our young king's heavens than it is in the power of man to disperse"--resumed Petrus de Dacia; "but remember," he added, solemnly, "above the clouds are the stars of heaven, and over the course and government of the stars presides the most high and righteous Creator! and forget not, dear Drost, where stern justice would annihilate us stands the Mediator and his heavenly Mother. Her prayers can shake and avert the threatenings of each evil star, however firmly fixed in the judgment heaven. Be comforted, noble Drost!" he continued, with mild tranquillity; "none can draw aside the veil of futurity: this much, however, I think to have discerned in yon vast mysterious book, that I renounce not the hope of better days for Denmark, so long as the Lord and our blessed Lady will extend a protecting hand over the king's life. With his fortunate star will that of Denmark now assuredly rise or sink."

"You are a learned and God-fearing man, venerable Master Petrus!" said AagÉ, who meanwhile had been pacing uneasily up and down, with the king's letter in his hand; "but, pardon me, now, it is you, and not I, who indulge in visionary fancies. I have more confidence in your piety and enlightened view of the Almighty's government here upon earth, and in our time, than in your astrological knowledge and devout gaze into futurity. What we are now concerned in is the present moment; but what in the world is to be done, when neither you, nor any other wise man, can bring the king to his right senses? Hath the archbishop's flight caused him to set at nought discretion? Would he now demand justice only,--not mercy,--of the papal see? Does he think, in defiance of ban and interdict, and even without a dispensation of kindred, he can prevail on the wise Swedish government to consent to the marriage? It is an impossibility--would he despise all reasonable negotiation, and let the sword decide the quarrel with the dukes? And would he now himself storm his brother's castle, and force him to become an avowed traitor and deserter to the enemy?"

"I have shared your apprehensions, noble Drost! I blamed the king's impetuous procedure; I vainly strove to hinder these far too hasty steps. His purpose is inflexible. But amid all my fears for the consequences, I could not but admire the kingly spirit, which ventured so much for the support of royal dignity. In reliance on the justice of his cause, ere twice twenty-four hours King Eric will stand with his knights before Kallundborg, to teach obedience to his rebellious brother."

"The report was true, then, of the blockading of Kallundborg, and the new fortification?"

"Alas, yes! The king was greatly displeased at the junker's contumacy, but still more at his treacherous endeavour to hinder the marriage.--The wily Drost Bruncke hath betrayed him, probably with the view of causing a breach between the brothers, and stirring up tumult in the country."

"Hum! and the Dukes of Sleswig renew their former pretensions at the same time."

"They are probably in league with the junker; yet they have not scared the king.--If they have already forgotten the defeat at GrÖnsund, he will show them he dares face them on land also. Marsk Oluffsen is assembling all the foot forces against them at Hadersleben."

"And the archbishop and the cardinal, where are they?"

"Grand threatens from Bornholm, and Isarnus from Axelhuus. He demands safe conduct for the archbishop, and protests against the confiscation of the Lund church property. Bishop Johan of Roskild wavers. The enforcement of the interdict is dreaded."

"Merciful Heaven! and, amid all this, can the king think of his marriage?"

"The first of June he purposes to cross to Helsingborg, with a bridal train or an armed force. Yet, perhaps, that was but a hasty speech to me and the Marsk. The Lord forbid it should come to such extremity!"

"He draws the bow too tight; it must break. But one word more--the outlaws who were pursued; are they taken?"

"I know not; but their death doom is pronounced, wherever they are found; the last murderous attempt hath rendered the king implacable--A price is set on every outlaw's head--AagÉ KaggÉ was on the expedition with Marsk Stig's daughters--There is now, assuredly, little hope at present of the freedom of the unhappy maidens."

"They are innocent! by the Lord above, they are innocent!" exclaimed AagÉ, impetuously. "I must to the king; it is high time." He tore the sling from his left arm, and moved it somewhat stiffly. "It shall do," he continued; "my right arm hath no one lamed. I must speed to Kallundborg to the king. If the castle is to be stormed--if the traitorous junker is to be chastised, leave that to me--against his own brother my king shall not himself bear sword and shield. Matters must have been carried far; his forbearance can hold out no longer."

"Still, however," interrupted Master Petrus, "he expressly enjoins you to spare the junker, wherever you meet him.--You are to blockade Holbek with as little alarm as possible.--If you could even yet make peace between the brothers, noble Drost! you would perhaps save state and kingdom."

The door of the ladies' apartment now opened, and the commandant returned. "Your morning repast will be cold, my honoured guests," he said, courteously; "but what see I, Sir Drost? Your arm is not in the sling?"

"It can and must be dispensed with," answered AagÉ. "You have spoilt me here; you have been much too prudent and watchful. I have now to thank you and your noble captives for your kindly care. The king needs strong arms and swords. Can you instantly furnish me with two hundred men from the garrison here?"

"Two hundred men shall stand fully armed and in the court-yard here within an hour, if you, as Drost, command it in the king's name," answered Sir Ribolt. "Dare I ask their destination?"

"I march to Holbek and Kallundborg. There is the king's name and seal for it."--He gave him the king's letter. "It is for you also--but it is to go no farther than ourselves."

"Against the junker? merciful Heaven! Sir Drost, is it possible?" exclaimed the commandant, clasping his hands in the greatest astonishment.

"The junker hath taken a fancy to add new fortifications, and shut the gates against the king's men, as you know. It is probably only an unfortunate jest, or a misunderstanding; but you see yourself such gates must be forced betimes, when the king is on the road, and would enter therein. Two hundred men, then, within an hour, but with as little stir as possible, of course!"

"You shall find all ready ere it rings to high mass," answered the commandant, with calm determination. "But your wound, Sir Drost! Can you yourself ride forth without danger? Otherwise the task is mine?"

"With or without danger I must--I will onward," answered AagÉ. "When it rings for high mass, then; and secrecy is expedient--Let it concern a hunt after the outlaws--Understand you?"

"Right! that shall be the belief in the castle here within the half hour." So saying, Sir Ribolt hasted into the castle-yard, and Drost AagÉ went with Master Petrus into the ladies' apartment.