The Rise of Iskander | Page 6

woman.

She looked up as Iskander entered. Her large dark eyes glanced through
his soul. Her raven hair descended to her shoulders in many curls on
each side of her face, and was braided with strings of immense pearls.
A broad cap of white fox-skin crowned her whiter forehead. Her
features were very small, but sharply moulded, and a delicate tint gave
animation to her clear fair cheek. She looked up as Iskander entered,
with an air rather of curiosity than embarrassment.
Hunniades stopped, and examined his visitor with a searching
inquisition. "Whence come you?" inquired the Hungarian chieftain.
"From the Turkish camp," was the answer.
"An envoy or a deserter"
"Neither."
"What then?"
"A convert."
"Your name?"
"Lord Hunniades," said Iskander, "that is for your private ear. I am
unarmed, and were I otherwise, the first knight of Christendom can
scarcely fear. I am one in birth and rank your equal; if not in fame, at
least, I trust, in honour. My time is all-precious: I can scarcely stay here
while my horse breathes. Dismiss your attendant."
Hunniades darted a glance at his visitor which would have baffled a
weaker brain, but Iskander stood the scrutiny calm and undisturbed.
"Go, Stanislaus," said the Vaivode to the officer. "This lady, sir,"
continued the chieftain, "is my daughter, and one from whom I have no
secrets."
Iskander bowed lowly as the officer disappeared.
"And now," said Hunniades, "to business. Your purpose?"

"I am a Grecian Prince, and a compulsory ally of the Moslemin. In a
word, my purpose here is to arrange a plan by which we may effect, at
the same time, your triumph, and my freedom."
"To whom, then, have I the honour of speaking?" inquired Hunniades.
"My name, great Hunniades, is perhaps not altogether unknown to you:
they call me Iskander."
"What, the right arm of Amurath, the conqueror of Caramania, the
flower of Turkish chivalry? Do I indeed behold that matchless
warrior?" exclaimed Hunniades, and he held forth his hand to his guest,
and ungirding his own sword, offered it to the Prince. "Iduna"
continued Hunniades, to his daughter, "you at length behold Iskander."
"My joy is great, sir," replied Iduna, "if I indeed rightly understand that
we may count the Prince Iskander a champion of the Cross."
Iskander took from his heart his golden crucifix, and kissed it before
her. "This has been my companion and consolation for long years,
lady," said Iskander; "you, perhaps, know my mournful history,
Hunniades. Hitherto my pretended sovereign has not required me to
bare my scimitar against my Christian brethren. That hour, however,
has at length arrived, and it has decided me to adopt a line of conduct
long meditated. Karam Bey who is aware of your necessities, the
moment you commence your retreat, will attack you. I shall command
his left wing. In spite of his superior power and position, draw up in
array, and meet him with confidence. I propose, at a convenient
moment in the day, to withdraw my troops, and with the Epirots hasten
to my native country, and at once raise the standard of independence. It
is a bold measure, but Success is the child of Audacity. We must assist
each other with mutual diversions. Single-handed it is in vain for me to
commence a struggle, which, with all adventitious advantages, will
require the utmost exertion of energy, skill, and patience. But if
yourself and the King Uladislaus occupy the armies of Amurath in
Bulgaria, I am not without hope of ultimate success, since I have to
inspire me all the most urgent interests of humanity, and combat, at the
same time, for my God, my country, and my lawful crown."

"Brave Prince, I pledge you my troth," said Hunniades, coming forward
and seizing his hand; "and while Iskander and Hunniades live, they will
never cease until they have achieved their great and holy end."
"It is a solemn compact," said Iskander, "more sacred than if registered
by all the scribes of Christendom. Lady Iduna, your prayers!"
"They are ever with the champions of the Cross," replied the daughter
of Hunniades. She rose, the large cloak in which she was enveloped fell
from her exquisite form. "Noble Iskander, this rosary is from the Holy
Sepulchre," continued Iduna; "wear it for the sake and memory of that
blessed Saviour who died for our sins."
Iskander held forth his arm and touched her delicate hand as he
received the rosary, which, pressing to his lips, he placed round his
neck.
"Great Hunniades," said the Grecian Prince, "I must cross the
mountains before dawn. Let me venture to entreat that we should hear
to-morrow that the Christian camp is in retreat."
"Let it be even so," said the Hungarian, after some thought, "and may
to-morrow's sun bring brighter days to Christendom."