Chapter 9

Olaf Skaktavl.

The best heart in Norway burst, when Krummedike’s hirelings struck him down. Methinks I still can see the long procession that passed into the banquet-hall, heavily, two by two. There he lay on his bier, white as a spring cloud, with the axe-cleft in his brow. I may safely say that the boldest men in Norwaywere gathered there that night. Lady Margrete stood by her dead husband’s head, and we swore as one man to venture lands and life to avenge this last misdeed and all that had gone before.—Inger Gyldenlöve,—who was it that burst through the circle of men? A maiden—almost a child—with fire in her eyes and her voice half choked with tears.—What was it she swore? Shall I repeat your words?

Lady Inger.

I swore what the rest of you swore; neither more nor less.

Olaf Skaktavl.

You remember your oath—and yet you have forgotten it.

Lady Inger.

And how did the others keep their promise? I speak not of you, Olaf Skaktavl, but of your friends, all Norway’s nobles? Not one of them, in all these years, has had the courage to be a man; yet they lay it to my charge that I am a woman.

Olaf Skaktavl.

I know what you would say. Why have they bent to the yoke, and not defied the tyrants to the last? ’Tis but too true; there is base metal enough in our noble houses nowadays. But had they held together—who knows what then might have been? And you could have held them together, for before you all had bowed.

Lady Inger.

My answer were easy enough, but ’twould scarce content you. So let us leave speaking of what cannot be changed. Tell me rather what has brought you to Östråt. Do you need harbour? Well, I will try to hide you. If you would have aught else, speak out; you shall find me ready——

Olaf Skaktavl.

For twenty years have I been homeless. In the mountains of Jæmteland my hair has grown grey. My dwelling has been with wolves and bears.—You see, Lady Inger—Ineed you not; but both nobles and people stand in sore need of you.

Lady Inger.

The old burden.

Olaf Skaktavl.

Ay, it sounds but ill in your ears, I know; yet hear it you must, for all that. In brief, then: I come from Sweden: troubles are brewing: the Dales are ready to rise.

Lady Inger.

I know it.

Olaf Skaktavl.

Peter Kanzler[19]is with us—secretly, you understand.

Lady Inger.

[Starting.] Peter Kanzler?

Olaf Skaktavl.

’Tis he that has sent me to Östråt.

Lady Inger.

[Rises.] Peter Kanzler, say you?

Olaf Skaktavl.

He himself;—but mayhap you no longer know him?

Lady Inger.

[Half to herself.] Only too well!—But tell me, I pray you,—what message do you bring?

Olaf Skaktavl.

When the rumour of the rising reached the border mountains, where I then was, I set off at once into Sweden. ’Twas not hard to guess that Peter Kanzler had a finger in the game. I sought him out and offered to stand by him;—he knew me of old, as you know, and knew that he could trust me; so he has sent me hither.

Lady Inger.

[Impatiently.] Yes yes,—he sent you hither to——?

Olaf Skaktavl.

[With secrecy.] Lady Inger—a stranger comes to Östråt to-night.

Lady Inger.

[Surprised.] What? Know you that——?

Olaf Skaktavl.

Assuredly I know it. I know all. ’Twas to meet him that Peter Kanzler sent me hither.

Lady Inger.

To meet him? Impossible, Olaf Skaktavl,—impossible!

Olaf Skaktavl.

’Tis as I tell you. If he be not already come, he will soon——

Lady Inger.

Doubtless, doubtless; but——

Olaf Skaktavl.

Then you knew of his coming?

Lady Inger.

Ay, surely. He sent me a message. ’Twas therefore they opened to you as soon as you knocked.

Olaf Skaktavl.

[Listens.] Hush!—some one is riding along the road. [Goes to the window.] They are opening the gate.

Lady Inger.

[Looks out.] It is a knight and his attendant. They are dismounting in the courtyard.

Olaf Skaktavl.

’Tis he then. His name?

Lady Inger.

You know not his name?

Olaf Skaktavl.

Peter Kanzler refused to tell it me. He would say no more than that I should find him at Östråt the third evening after Martinmas——

Lady Inger.

Ay; even to-night.

Olaf Skaktavl.

He was to bring letters with him; and from them, and from you, I was to learn who he is.

Lady Inger.

Then let me lead you to your chamber. You have need of rest and refreshment. You shall soon have speech with the stranger.

Olaf Skaktavl.

Well, be it as you will.

[Both go out to the left.

[After a short pause,Finnenters cautiously by the door on the right, looks round the room, and peeps into the Banquet Hall; he then goes back to the door, and makes a sign to some one outside. Immediately after, enterCouncillor Nils Lykkeand the Swedish Commander,Jens Bielke.

Nils Lykke.

[Softly.] No one?

Finn.

[In the same tone.] No one, master!

Nils Lykke.

And we may depend on you in all things?

Finn.

The commandant in Trondhiem has ever given me a name for trustiness.

Nils Lykke.

’Tis well; he has said as much to me. First of all, then—has there come any stranger to Östråt to-night, before us?

Finn.

Ay; a stranger came an hour since.

Nils Lykke.

[Softly, toJens Bielke.] He is here. [Turns again toFinn.] Would you know him again? Have you seen him?

Finn.

Nay, none has seen him, that I know, but the gatekeeper. He was brought at once to Lady Inger, and she——

Nils Lykke.

Well? What of her? He is not gone again already?

Finn.

No; but it seems she holds him hidden in one of her own rooms; for——

Nils Lykke.

It is well.

Jens Bielke.

[Whispers.] Then the first thing is to put a guard on the gate; so are we sure of him.

Nils Lykke.

[With a smile.] H’m! [ToFinn.] Tell me—is there any way of leaving the castle, save by the gate? Gape not at me so! I mean—can one escape from Östråt unseen, though the castle gate be barred?

Finn.

Nay, that I know not. ’Tis true they talk of secret ways in the vaults beneath; but no one knows them save Lady Inger—and mayhap Mistress Elina.

Jens Bielke.

The devil!

Nils Lykke.

It is well. You may go.

Finn.

Should you need me in aught again, you have but to open the second door on the right in the Banquet Hall, and I shall presently be at hand.

Nils Lykke.

Good.

[Points to the entrance-door.Finngoes out.

Jens Bielke.

Now, by my soul, dear friend and brother—this campaign is like to end but scurvily for both of us.

Nils Lykke.

[With a smile.] Oh—not for me, I hope.

Jens Bielke.

Say you so? First of all, there is little honour to be won in hunting an overgrown whelp like this Nils Sture. Are we to think him mad or in his sober senses after the pranks he has played? First he breeds bad blood among the peasants; promises them help and all their hearts can desire;—and then, when it comes to the pinch, off he runs to hide behind a petticoat!

Moreover, to say truth, I repent that I followed your counsel and went not my own way.

Nils Lykke.

[To himself.] Your repentance comes somewhat late, my brother!

Jens Bielke.

For, let me tell you, I have never loved digging at a badger’s earth. I looked for quite other sport. Here have I ridden all the way from Jæmteland with my horsemen, and havegot me a warrant from the Trondhiem commandant to search for the rebel wheresoever I please. All his tracks point towards Östråt——

Nils Lykke.

He is here! He is here, I tell you!

Jens Bielke.

Were it not liker, in that case, that we had found the gate barred and well guarded? Would that we had; then could I have found use for my men-at-arms——

Nils Lykke.

But instead, the gate is very courteously thrown open to us. Mark now—if Inger Gyldenlöve’s fame belie her not, I warrant she will not let her guests lack for either meat or drink.

Jens Bielke.

Ay, to turn us aside from our errand! And what wild whim was that of yours to have me leave my horsemen half a league from the castle? Had we come in force——

Nils Lykke.

She had made us none the less welcome forthat. But mark well that then our coming had made a stir. The peasants round about had held it for an outrage against Lady Inger; she had risen high in their favour once more—and with that, look you, we were ill served.

Jens Bielke.

May be so. But what am I to do now? Count Sture is in Östråt, you say. Ay, but how does that profit me? Be sure Lady Inger Gyldenlöve has as many hiding-places as the fox, and more than one outlet to them. You and I, alone, may go snuffing about here as long as we please. I would the devil had the whole affair!

Nils Lykke.

Well, then, my friend—if you like not the turn your errand has taken, you have but to leave the field to me.

Jens Bielke.

To you? What will you do?

Nils Lykke.

Caution and cunning may in this matter prove of more avail than force of arms.—And to say truth, Captain Jens Bielke—something of the sort has been in my mind ever since we met in Trondhiem yesterday.

Jens Bielke.

Was that why you persuaded me to leave the men-at-arms?

Nils Lykke.

Both your purpose at Östråt and mine could best be served without them; and so——

Jens Bielke.

The foul fiend seize you—I had almost said! And me to boot! Might I not have known that there is guile in all your dealings?

Nils Lykke.

Be sure I shall need all my guile here, if I am to face my foe with even weapons. And let me tell you, ’tis of the utmost moment to me that I acquit me of my mission secretly and well. You must know that when I set forth I was scarce in favour with my lord the King. He held me in suspicion; though I dare swear I have served him as well as any man could, in more than one ticklish charge.

Jens Bielke.

That you may safely boast. God and all men know you for the craftiest devil in all the three kingdoms.

Nils Lykke.

I thank you! Though, after all, ’tis not much to say. But this present errand I count as indeed a crowning test of my powers; for here I have to outwit a woman——

Jens Bielke.

Ha-ha-ha! Inthatart you have long since given crowning proofs of your skill, dear brother. Think you we in Sweden know not the song—Fair maidens a-many they sigh and they pine: “Ah God, that Nils Lykke were mine, mine, mine!”

Nils Lykke.

Alas, ’tis women of twenty and thereabouts that ditty speaks of. Lady Inger Gyldenlöve is nigh on fifty, and wily to boot beyond all women. ’Twill be no light matter to overmatch her. But itmustbe done—at any cost. Should I contrive to win certain advantages over her that the King has long desired, I can reckon on the embassy to France next spring. You know that I spent three years at the University in Paris? My whole soul is set on coming thither again, most of all if I can appear in lofty place, a king’s ambassador.—Well, then—is it agreed—do you leave Lady Inger to me? Remember—when you were last at Court in Copenhagen, I made way for you with more than one fair lady——

Jens Bielke.

Nay, truly now—that generosity cost you little; one and all of them were at your beck and call. But let that pass; now that I have begun amiss in this matter, I had as lief that you should take it on your shoulders. Yetonething you must promise—if the young Count Sture be in Östråt, you will deliver him into my hands, dead or alive!

Nils Lykke.

You shall have him all alive. I, at any rate, mean not to kill him. But now you must rideback and join your people. Keep guard on the road. Should I mark aught that mislikes me, you shall know it forthwith.

Jens Bielke.

Good, good. But how am I to get out——?

Nils Lykke.

The fellow that brought us in will show the way. But go quietly——

Jens Bielke.

Of course, of course. Well—good fortune to you!

Nils Lykke.

Fortune has never failed me in a war with women. Haste you now!

[Jens Bielkegoes out to the right.

Nils Lykke.

[Stands still for a while; then walks about the room, looking round him; then he says softly:] At last, then, I am at Östråt—the ancient hall whereof a child, two years ago, told me so much.

Lucia. Ay, two years ago she was still a child. And now—now she is dead. [Hums with a half-smile.] “Blossoms plucked are blossoms withered——”

[Looks round him again.

Östråt. ’Tis as though I had seen it all before; as though I were at home here.—In thereis the Banquet Hall. And underneath is—the grave-vault. It must be there that Lucia lies.

[In a lower voice, half seriously, half with forced gaiety.

Were I timorous, I might well find myself fancying that when I set foot within Östråt gate she turned about in her coffin; as I crossed the courtyard she lifted the lid; and when I named her name but now, ’twas as though a voice summoned her forth from the grave-vault.—Maybe she is even now groping her way up the stairs. The face-cloth blinds her, but she gropes on and on in spite of it.

Now she has reached the Banquet Hall! She stands watching me from behind the door!

[Turns his head backwards over one shoulder, nods, and says aloud:

Come nearer, Lucia! Talk to me a little! Your mother keeps me waiting. ’Tis tedious waiting—and you have helped me to while away many a tedious hour——

[Passes his hand over his forehead, and takes one or two turns up and down.

Ah, there!—Right, right; there is the deep curtained window. ’Tis there that Inger Gyldenlöve is wont to stand gazing out over the road, as though looking for one that never comes. In there—[looks towards the door on the left]—somewhere in there is Sister Elina’s chamber. Elina? Ay, Elina is her name.

Can it be that she is so rare a being—so wise and so brave as Lucia fancied her? Fair, too,they say. But for a wedded wife—? I should not have written so plainly.——

[Lost in thought, he is on the point of sitting down by the table, but stands up again.

How will Lady Inger receive me?—She will scarce burn the castle over our heads, or slip me through a trap-door. A stab from behind—? No, not that way either——

[Listens towards the hall.

Aha!

[Lady Inger Gyldenlöveenters from the hall.

Lady Inger.

[Coldly.] My greeting to you, Sir Councillor——

Nils Lykke.

[Bows deeply.] Ah—the Lady of Östråt!

Lady Inger.

——and my thanks that you have forewarned me of your visit.

Nils Lykke.

I could do no less. I had reason to think that my coming might surprise you——

Lady Inger.

Truly, Sir Councillor, therein you judged aright. Nils Lykke was indeed the last guest I looked to see at Östråt.

Nils Lykke.

And still less, mayhap, did you think to see him come as a friend?

Lady Inger.

As a friend? You add mockery to all the shame and sorrow you have heaped upon my house? After bringing my child to the grave, you still dare——

Nils Lykke.

With your leave, Lady Inger Gyldenlöve—on that matter we should scarce agree; for you count as nothing whatIlost by that same unhappy chance. I purposed nought but in honour. I was tired of my unbridled life; my thirtieth year was already past; I longed to mate me with a good and gentle wife. Add to all this the hope of becoming your son-in-law——

Lady Inger.

Beware, Sir Councillor! I have done all in my power to hide my child’s unhappy fate. But because it is out of sight, think not it is out of mind. There may yet come a time——

Nils Lykke.

You threaten me, Lady Inger? I have offered you my hand in amity; you refuse to take it. Henceforth, then, it is to be open war between us?

Lady Inger.

I knew not there had ever been aught else?

Nils Lykke.

Not onyourside, mayhap.Ihave never been your enemy,—though, as a subject of the King of Denmark, I lacked not good cause.

Lady Inger.

I understand you. I have not been pliant enough. It has not proved so easy as some of you hoped to lure me over into your camp.—Yet methinks you have nought to complain of. My daughter Merete’s husband is your countryman—further I cannot go. My position is no easy one, Nils Lykke!

Nils Lykke.

That I can well believe. Both nobles and people here in Norway think they have an ancient claim on you—a claim, ’tis said, you have but half fulfilled.

Lady Inger.

Your pardon, Sir Councillor,—I account for my doings to none but God and myself. If it please you, then, let me understand what brings you hither.

Nils Lykke.

Gladly, Lady Inger! The purpose of my mission to this country can scarce be unknown to you——?

Lady Inger.

I know the mission that report assigns you. Our King would fain know how the Norwegian nobles stand affected towards him.

Nils Lykke.

Assuredly.

Lady Inger.

Then that is why you visit Östråt?

Nils Lykke.

In part. But it is far from my purpose to demand any profession of loyalty from you——

Lady Inger.

What then?

Nils Lykke.

Hearken to me, Lady Inger! You said yourself but now that your position is no easy one. You stand half way between two hostile camps, whereof neither dares trust you fully. Your own interest must needs bind you tous. On the other hand, you are bound to the disaffected by the bond of nationality, and—who knows?—mayhap by some secret tie as well.

Lady Inger.

[To herself.] A secret tie! Oh God, can he——?

Nils Lykke.

[Notices her emotion, but makes no sign, and continues without change of manner.] You cannot but see that such a position must ere long become impossible.—Suppose, now, it lay in my power to free you from these embarrassments which——

Lady Inger.

In your power, you say?

Nils Lykke.

First of all, Lady Inger, I would beg you to lay no stress on any careless words I may have used concerning that which lies between us two. Think not that I have forgotten for a moment the wrong I have done you. Suppose, now, I had long purposed to make atonement, as far as might be, where I had sinned. Suppose it were for that reason I had contrived to have this mission assigned me.

Lady Inger.

Speak your meaning more clearly, Sir Councillor;—I cannot follow you.

Nils Lykke.

I can scarce be mistaken in thinking that you, as well as I, know of the threatened troubles in Sweden. You know, or at least you can guess, that this rising is of far wider aim than is commonly supposed, and you understand therefore that our King cannot look on quietly and let things take their course. Am I not right?

Lady Inger.

Go on.

Nils Lykke.

[Searchingly, after a short pause.] There isonepossible chance that might endanger Gustav Vasa’s throne——

Lady Inger.

[To herself.] Whither is he tending?

Nils Lykke.

——the chance, namely, that there should exist in Sweden a man entitled by his birth to claim election to the kingship.

Lady Inger.

[Evasively.] The Swedish nobles have been even as bloodily hewn down as our own, Sir Councillor. Where would you seek for——?

Nils Lykke.

[With a smile.] Seek? The man is found already——

Lady Inger.

[Starts violently.] Ah! He is found?

Nils Lykke.

——and he is too closely akin to you, Lady Inger, to be far from your thoughts at this moment. [Looks fixedly at her.

The last Count Sture left a son——

Lady Inger.

[With a cry.] Holy Saviour, how know you——?

Nils Lykke.

[Surprised.] Be calm, Madam, and let me finish.—This young man has till now lived quietly with his mother, Sten Sture’s widow.

Lady Inger.

[Breathes more freely.] With—? Ah, yes—true, true!

Nils Lykke.

But now he has come forward openly. He has shown himself in the Dales as leader of the peasants; their numbers are growing day by day; and—as mayhap you know—they are finding friends among the peasants on this side of the border-hills.

Lady Inger.

[Who has in the meantime regained her composure.]

Sir Councillor,—you speak of all these matters as though they must of necessity be known to me. What ground have I given you to believe so? I know, and wish to know, nothing. All my care is to live quietly within my own domain; I give no countenance to disturbers of the peace; but neither must you reckon on me if it be your purpose to suppress them.

Nils Lykke.

[In a low voice.] Would you still be inactive, were it my purpose to come to their aid?

Lady Inger.

How am I to understand you?

Nils Lykke.

Have you not seen, then, whither I have been aiming all this time?—Well, I will tell you all, frankly and openly. Know, then, that the Kingand his Council see clearly that we can have no sure footing in Norway so long as the nobles and the people continue, as now, to think themselves wronged and oppressed. We understand to the full that willing allies are better than sullen subjects; and we have therefore no heartier wish than to loosen the bonds that hamper us, in effect, even as straitly as you. But you will scarce deny that the temper of Norway towards us makes such a step too dangerous—so long as we have no sure support behind us.

Lady Inger.

And this support——?

Nils Lykke.

Should naturally come from Sweden. But, mark well, not so long as Gustav Vasa holds the helm; his reckoning with Denmark is not yet settled, and mayhap never will be. But a new king of Sweden, who had the people with him, and who owed his throne to the help of Denmark——. Well, you begin to understand me?Thenwe could safely say to you Norwegians: “Take back your old ancestral rights; choose you a ruler after your own mind; be our friends in need, as we will be yours!”—Mark you well, Lady Inger, herein is our generosity less than it may seem; for you must see that, far from weakening, ’twill rather strengthen us.

And now that I have opened my heart to you so fully, do you too cast away all mistrust. And therefore [confidently]—the knight from Sweden, who came hither an hour before me——

Lady Inger.

Then you already know of his coming?

Nils Lykke.

Most certainly. ’Tis he whom I seek.

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