Medieval: Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Chapter 215 Zimberg

Chapter 216 Zimberg

Henry left Grand with a heavier heart than when he arrived.

He was not only confused about the prospects of saving Hans, but also deeply disgusted by the greed and baseness of human nature.

The little gray horse beneath him seemed to sense its master's low spirits, as even the sound of its hooves seemed somewhat muffled.

As dusk fell, he passed through the village of Bilani, where a warm light shone from a tavern with an old wooden sign hanging at the village entrance.

Henry decided to go in for a drink to shake off his fatigue and gloom.

The tavern was filled with the mixed aromas of roasted meat, ale, and tobacco, and was noisy with conversation.

Henry found a corner seat and ordered a plate of thinly sliced ​​air-dried chicken, a plate of vegetable salad with a simple vinaigrette, two glistening, thick sausages, and a large glass of frothy local stout.

The alcohol slid down his throat, temporarily numbing his tense nerves and making him feel a little better.

Just then, a young nobleman, dressed in fine clothes but still looking travel-worn, walked over.

He had thick, brown curly hair and a handsome face, but a deep-seated worry lingered between his brows.

"Excuse me, sir knight."

The young nobleman's voice carried a polite, tentative tone, "You possess an extraordinary bearing, like a seasoned warrior. Would you be willing to accept a position as an employee?"

Henry, who had nowhere to vent his frustration, looked up and sized up the other person: "What kind of employee?"

"My brother and I were attacked by the Cumans on our way to the Seidlez Monastery."

The young man began to recount his misfortune: "All our guards were killed in battle, and even the monks sent by the monastery to provide support were brutally murdered."

His voice trembled slightly with anger and sorrow, "My brother, Bonebreaker," Engelsberg, has been captured. They want a ransom.

I need a helper to rescue him, and if possible—I also want to avenge the dead guard and that innocent monk!

The Cumans dared to kill monks? This was a horrific crime in Catholic Bohemia.

But Henry immediately thought that the Silver Dawn Knights' recent campaign against the Cumans had been extremely fierce, perhaps pushing the pack of steppe wolves to the brink of desperation.

"My name is Jan Engelsberg."

The young man introduced himself, a slightly shy expression on his face, "My friends call me Flower Bud."

""

"Flower Bud" Jazz —

Henry nearly choked on his beer; the nickname was quite a contrast to the worried nobleman before him.

But he didn't reveal it; his desire for revenge coincided with his current state of mind.

"I accept your employment."

Henry said bluntly, "Tell me the details."

Sir Flowerbud recounted their journey in detail. They came from Engelsberg Castle in Moravia, where their family had been lords of the Zimberg region 180 years ago.

Back then, the Seidleitz family provided the land, and the Zimberg family provided the funding, together they built the magnificent Seidleitz Monastery.

In 1287, Abbot Henry brought back a handful of soil from Jerusalem and scattered it in the monastery's cemetery, declaring that the land was blessed by God.

Since then, this place has become the final resting place for many dignitaries in Central Europe.

The Zimborg family thus established a tradition: each head of the family must be buried here. Even after the family moved to Moravia, the monastery continued to reserve a prestigious burial plot for them.

Now that their father has passed away, their mother is behaving strangely. Not only is she unwilling to pay for his funeral, but she is also preventing Hua Guduo from inheriting the title. Instead, she and their "uncle" have taken control of everything in the castle.

The brothers Huaguduo and Chegu, determined to fulfill their father's dying wish and prove to their vassals that they were capable of handling things independently, resolutely embarked on the perilous journey to rebury their father's remains, carrying the reliquary containing his bones, under the protection of several loyal retainers. Just as their destination was within reach, tragedy struck.

"The Cumans—they're utterly lawless!" Flower Bud clenched her fists.

"Perhaps, they were forced into a corner."

Henry was deep in thought, thinking of Peter and his illustrious knightly order.

Based on Hua Gudu's recollection of the surrounding environment of the attack site and the clues left behind by the Cumans when they withdrew, the two tracked the trail and eventually locked their target on the former home of the Zimborg family, the Zimborg Castle, which had long since been reduced to ruins.

As they silently approached the ruins, night had fallen.

By the faint starlight, they observed that the number of Cumans stationed within the ruins far exceeded their expectations, numbering over seventy light cavalrymen—a complete combat company. To force their way in would be tantamount to suicide.

The two lay in ambush in the bushes surrounding the ruins, patiently waiting.

Time passed slowly, and in the latter half of the night, even the Cuman sentries began to slack off, yawning and dozing off while clutching their spears.

Just as Henry and Flower Bud exchanged glances, preparing to act, a very faint but orderly sound came from the woods below the mountain.

A team, like a stream flowing in the dark night, silently approached the ruins. They were disciplined, their movements coordinated, and even the horses seemed trained, their hooves barely audible.

Suddenly, the leader of the group raised his hand sharply, and the entire group froze instantly.

The man's gaze, sharp as the most hawk's, pierced the night and shot straight towards where Henry and Flower Bud were hiding.

"Friends over there, you can come out now." A calm and familiar voice rang out.

Henry's heart skipped a beat, and he cautiously stepped out of his hiding place. In the dim moonlight, he could see that resolute and familiar face.

"Prince Brunswick!" Henry's surprise was palpable. "What are you doing here?"

Peter stood fully armed at the front of the battle. He waved his hand, and the knights and carriages behind him slowly came to a stop, their movements swift and alert.

"Henry, I never expected to meet you here." Peter stepped forward, his self-shine sweeping over Henry and then landing on the slightly nervous Flower Bud.

"I intend to head to the castle ruins above, to establish our knightly order's new base. And you? What brings you here so late at night?"

"My lord, there are over seventy Cumans stationed up there. Sir Flower Bud and I are preparing to go up and rescue them."

Henry quickly introduced Sir Flowerbud to Peter and briefly explained their purpose in coming to rescue the Bonebreaker.

The flower bud stared wide-eyed in disbelief at the legendary prince and the group of people behind him who stood as silent as mountains.

A knight exuding a fierce aura.

They had heard about the Silver Dawn Knights' achievements along the way, but they never expected to witness them in person here.

He took a deep breath, suppressed his excitement, stepped forward, and solemnly gave a knightly salute: "Your Excellency Prince Brunswick, I am Jan Engelsburg, and people call me Flower Bud."

The Zimberg Castle mentioned above was once my family's old residence. I still have some memory of its interior layout, which may be of some help to you.

At the same time, I implore you to help us rescue my captured brother.

Peter's gaze lingered on Flower Bud's sincere face for a moment, then looked at the outline of the ruins in the distance, which resembled a giant beast crawling in the darkness, and a smile of approval appeared on his lips.

"A very reasonable deal."

He reached out and patted the flower bud's shoulder firmly. "Well then, it'll be a pleasure working with you!"

In the darkness of night, two teams with different purposes but aiming at the same goal met.

The Cumans, lying on the ruins, knew nothing of their fate.