Harold Lamb

Name: Rusudan — VI. The Wit of Messer Antonio
Author: Harold Lamb

Rusudan — VI. The Wit of Messer Antonio (1927)

Summary

“Rusudan — VI. The Wit of Messer Antonio”, published in 1927, is a work by Harold Lamb. It explores elements such as Rusudan, Messer Antonio and crusader.

Quotes from Rusudan — VI. The Wit of Messer Antonio (Harold Lamb)

Harold Lamb, Rusudan — VI. The Wit of Messer Antonio (1927)

“ And Rusudan—
He would be well content to abide in Tphilis for a few days. It would not be so pleasant riding back alone, as with that wayward gipsy Rusudan, even in a storm.
“Arg my falcon is quick to see—”
“Come!” Trevisani stooped under the lintel of a clay hut with horn windows, deep in the shadow of the hill. And the merchant shivered as if the breath of the river ice had touched him.
A score of hillmen and Circassians sat on the cushions by the stove against the wall, and no one made way for the twain from the castle. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Harold Lamb, Rusudan — VI. The Wit of Messer Antonio (1927)

“ Antonio della Trevisani reflected that Rusudan was no longer a child; she did unexpected and unlooked-for things.
For hours she would sit brooding on the walls or in the forest chapel where her brother lay. The Genoese was a keen observer and he felt sure that Rusudan, who had formerly paid John the Constable the careless reverence of a young animal, now watched him and the strategos with puzzled eyes. She no longer romped with the hunting dogs.
“Eh,” he said to himself, “our maid is growing up. She has wild blood in her, and it angers her now that others should give orders to her people.” ”

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Source: Wikisource

Harold Lamb, Rusudan — VI. The Wit of Messer Antonio (1927)

“ To Rusudan the sight was as familiar and as beloved as the icy wind blasts that flushed her cheeks and tore at the mass of her dark hair under the 'kerchief. Before the door of the Frank's chamber she hesitated a moment, and mocked ceremony by knocking upon it vigorously.
The door opened, revealing the crusader, his sheathed sword in his left hand.
“Ai,” cried Rusudan, “do you always bear a weapon?” And then she made shift to speak in the lingua franca that she had picked up from the Greeks. “Sir Hugh, I greet you well. It is time for you to go upon the snow road.” ”

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Source: Wikisource

Harold Lamb, Rusudan — VI. The Wit of Messer Antonio (1927)

“ But the shrewd Genoese did not think she had any love for the strategos.
“The maid learns to dissemble,” he meditated. “By the saints, that is nothing strange in a woman, but in a barbarian Georgian it is a miracle.”
And it seemed to Messer Antonio that Rusudan, who had just now stormed at the Frank, had bidden him first to go from her presence and then to stay, was fond of the tall stranger. Messer Antonio glanced up covertly at the dark profile of the crusader, framed in its tangle of yellow curls, at the clear, gray eyes and firm-set lips. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Harold Lamb, Rusudan — VI. The Wit of Messer Antonio (1927)

“ Not many women could have worn so many colors and so different materials to advantage. But Rusudan looked bewitching, and this was because she was excited. Her eyes grew deeper and wider and a half-smile of anticipation touched her lips. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Harold Lamb, Rusudan — VI. The Wit of Messer Antonio (1927)

“ Hugh had been powerless to prevent the slaying of the envoys, but Arslan could not know that.
“It was easily done,” smiled Trevisani. “They knelt to the sword with empty hands; nor did they defend their lives.”
“By the Cross!” Hugh remembered the order he had given the Mongols, fearing a brawl between them and the Georgians. With two dead, and the manner of their death told to the Horde, his mission was at an end. And there was no slightest doubt that Subotai would require his life as retribution. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Harold Lamb, Rusudan — VI. The Wit of Messer Antonio (1927)

“ Hugh asked bluntly, and the Georgian lifted her head proudly and not a little defiantly.
“War—without truce or any mercy!”
The crusader nodded.
“My horse has been brought into the castle. Now I must ask your leave to depart, to the Horde.”
Rusudan's expressive eyes looked a volume of questions.
“But why? The caravan would take you, Sir Frank, to your folk. You have been seeking a way out of the pagan land. Why would you ride back?”
And Messer Antonio, whose lean brown face betrayed nothing at all, glanced at the crusader sharply. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Harold Lamb, Rusudan — VI. The Wit of Messer Antonio (1927)

“ So the Genoese quickened his steps, following with his eyes the tall figure of Rupen of Kag who was bound, no doubt, for his favorite tavern kept by a Bokharian near the street of the leather workers, where the din of the Kur drowned the curses and clatter of all too frequent broils. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Harold Lamb, Rusudan — VI. The Wit of Messer Antonio (1927)

“ Trevisani whispered to him, “this is scant courtesy. My companion the Frank is a belted knight, and mighty are his deeds. 'Tis said no man can stand against him with the sword.”
“Hide of the devil! What is it to me?”
“True,” nodded the Genoese. “He hath the immunity of his mission. Still, his message was insolent.”
“Tfu! It was answered in the right way.” Rupen surveyed the unconscious crusader with grudged admiration. “Well, his courage is proof.” ”

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Source: Wikisource

Harold Lamb, Rusudan — VI. The Wit of Messer Antonio (1927)

“ A heave and thrust, and the table went over, bearing with it a pair of hillmen who were tardy in getting out of the way.
“Stay!” cried Trevisani, dancing with anxiety, and with one eye on the crusader's great broadsword. “Challenge the Frank with axes.”
“Now!” Rupen cried, heeding the advice. “Only let it be now, with axes and shields. Look—the ground is level and the snow is hard.”
“Aye, so,” said Hugh. ”

Harold Lamb

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