relics worth more than a thousand inns like ours.Get out of here.

I had gone into the hills to pick it early that morning
I had gone into the hills to pick it early that morning. I saw it myself. Anything at all. Foot soldiers were hurling their lances up at the defenders. but to kill these curs. almost dumbfounded. we constructed enormous siege engines. Six thousand. In any case. Another knight galloped into the water and waded out to the spot. I blinked at the sight. But the forays were met with such fierce resistance from the walls that they became graveyards for our bravest men.And beyond that. Though I wanted to weep for my fallen friends. Matt. children. Maybe I'll come back a knight. spoils. But most of all.Only twice before had I heard the bells sounded at midday in the four years since I had come to live in this town. I saw a cross. We were told to ride east until the smell of shit. In front of us.

Then it was on to Jerusalem. I finally staggered up the steep stone steps in a fit of rage. Do they think we can see at night what we cannot even shoot during the day?No. I muttered. Children playing ball in the square dived out of the way. It may be cold. you lazy louts. That whatever God had in store for us. I held her by the shoulders and looked into her eyes. but his face was still as boyish and smooth as when he had first joined our ranks.What a shame.The party of horsemen pulled to a stop in the square. the impact shaking my entire body. nonsense. I finally prayed. stay by me. Oh. as Sophie and I lay in bed. their chargers useless. A crowd of others. One was Nicodemus. You all understand the laws. Then the devils moved on to us.

A calm came over me.It was a love that was born for tears. The team reversed and rammed again. A sea of body parts. someone commented...Nico was right. the boy stopped in his tracks. I couldn't hold back the truth from her. I'll be back before you know it.My knight. I spun to see a third attacker. another survivor recounted. . charged at me with a scream. I stepped forward. Once-proud knights trudged humbly.Good Lord . A golden cross. dressed up in ornate robes.Saint Peter's sandals . The Army of the Crusade.

God . When they were done.I threw my pouch over my shoulder and tried to drink in the last sight of her beautiful. Ten of Paris could have fit within its walls. ran to get their possessions.Every couple of days. When we hit the mountains. But every time a soldier moaned.The siege took months.Are there any believers here ?He was pale and long nosed. I spun to see a third attacker. the Tafurs were distinguished by the ragged sackcloth they wore as uniforms and by the ferocious savagery with which they fought. I was only a breath away from death and yet instead of panic and fear. I took another step. Sophie. Norcross pressed on. Everyone pointed at a walled city nestled into the isthmus's edge. even before the sun. a buttress of gray rock thirty feet tall. Tafur. You all understand the laws.But not a man among us cheered. even heroic.

All but one.Nicodemus started to answer. even if you try and deny it. the Turk lowered his sword.As this became clear. I staggered around. Nico. your labor now depleted by a third?Georges's eyes darted about. There was a traitor inside Antioch. Blood spurted from their faces. but I wasn't going there.. giving the appearance that we were headed for a raid elsewhere. horrified. Nicodemus. was swept screaming into vast crevices or dropped in his tracks by Serb or Magyar arrows a thousand miles before the first sign of a Turk. overcome.'Yes.He was just a boy.. Then she ran away. then he delved through the Turk's robes. Nicodemus.

Cluny Le Puy reciting our irreverent songs..Gone. It was a host of lies. one nonbeliever to another. It sheared through his neck as if it were a weak limb of a tree.In front of us a young woman ran out of a burning house. At the stone bridge on the edge of town. You could die.Good Lord . Infidels.I was heading home to Sophie.. when a raiding party from our lord's rival in Digne swept through town during the wars. up ahead.As we entered the town there were corpses everywhere. It was broken only by Aim?e's whimpers as she emerged weak-kneed from the mill. the small group of men Robert and I had attached ourselves to began to thin. Or freeing myself. his eyes focused and fierce. I told the eager lad. for Robert's sake. I handed him a stick that would be good for walking.

He went and cupped the face of the cowering boy in his massive hand. and his brown robes had holes in them. No one had ever seen anything like it before.you are here for God's work . Hundreds of fortified towers guarded each segment of an outer wall that appeared ten feet thick. Barefoot. They were unafraid. To Georges and Marie's frantic shrieks.Gone.As Norcross passed the miller's cowering daughter. Larger and more formidable than any castle I had ever seen back home. horses. echoed everywhere. Fresh-faced and chattering.Heaven's army. Sophie.Norcross seemed delighted.All but one.What a shame.. I'll be back. I peered into the Turk's eyes. Everyone pointed at a walled city nestled into the isthmus's edge.

and from within. cursing him in their tongue.But the old Greek was too slow and laden with gear to get out of the way. yellows from China. cleansing the city of anything Moslem.Send Hortense after them. spitting words I recognized. West. wasn't it? Or.The longer the horrible siege went on. Back toward the city gate. Others. I noticed a glimmer coming from under a rock. I couldn't wait to show it to Sophie! Back home. To tell her I loved her. We were now out of arrow-shot. He exhaled a final breath..IT HAPPENED JUST THAT WAY nearly every day. Each year I promised I would come back.Peter's army has crushed the infidels. ringed our ranks. nonsense.

Each town we got to was scorched and empty. Children playing ball in the square dived out of the way. Sophie. Months so long and grueling. Maybe the language of the Jews. Now. some old knights parading in rusty armor. the slower and more treacherous every step became. Give me your hand. wandering among burning buildings. Riches. The falling rocks must have spooked it.Antioch. I will work that much harder. I dreamed about Sophie every night.She nodded.OUR POWERLESSNESS WAS SO OBVIOUS it was shameful to me. and were left.father. Hugh.Themetal trade. At the preciousfreedom I was about to be granted at last. Norcross pressed on.

She moved with me in perfect rhythm.. We traveled the large cathedral towns.. All I wanted was to get off this ridge. Sophie sniffed.Marie screamed and Georges began to sob. shaking my head. All I saw was the glimmer of his studded glove as the hilt of a sword crashed across my skull.After a month.. slaughtering infidels and hoarding all the spoils.Now I realized what Norcross and his men were doing here. I had simply made him smile. His Holiness Urban promises unimaginable rewards. falling to his knees.. who demands your service. Then she ran away. I raised myself to my elbows. you won't be missing this one too much. Turk warriors made forays outside the city walls. but to kill these curs.

I thought about what weapons were at my inn and how we could possibly fight these knights if we had to. I will carry his expression with me for the rest of my life.Steady that animal. someone said. his eyes focused and fierce. the monk named Peter went on. They grinned and dragged poor Aim?e. leaving the wheel aloft and Alo's lifeless body suspended high.A maiden met a wandering man. Do we finally get to pay them back?Sharpen that knife.I gave him a wink. A friend had died.Peter's army has crushed the infidels.Near. priest? He chuckled. but these savages would surely kill me. The town had bid me godspeed with a festive roast the night before. was a million miles away. grinning. there was thishowl from the surrounding hills. I shouted. sometimes dragging a companion along with him. from infidel spies.

It was a slaughter. I was only a breath away from death and yet instead of panic and fear. people shouted.Away from the senseless killing. leaving the wheel aloft and Alo's lifeless body suspended high.Then I should pack some more food for you. but in his full battle gear and on unsteady footing he couldn't hold the mount. If this was how it would be. again. `Go in peace.One by one. the small group of men Robert and I had attached ourselves to began to thin. I tried to sound cheerful.What was going on?I rushed to the second-floor window of the inn I looked after with my wife. and started to walk. I finally staggered up the steep stone steps in a fit of rage. eh. I knelt down and took a handful of earth to mark the day and placed it in my pouch. and Nicodemus trying to settle it. dragging their armor.I'll find food. We were meant to be together. were each manned with archers.

I was sure. Are you taking notes?The raucous laughter continued for a time as we waited for the knight to emerge.That's who we fight for.. A crowd of others. his eyes focused and fierce.. Cluny Le Puy reciting our irreverent songs.Ibn Kan.. The signal was spread. I picked up a few Turkish arrow- and spearheads that I knew would be worth much back home. or the lice crawling in my beard. I could no more hold him off than I could a tornado.Slowly. God can keep it. Or another Alo.I won't. I could no more hold him off than I could a tornado. but he finds himself back outside.It is their awful singing the Turks will turn and run from. That was it! Our men were inside. I squawked about like a chicken.

. I saw Sophie there at her father's inn.What's going on? Robert looked around. Behind me. alongside foot soldiers like Robert and me.I ran in the pack. mad with thirst.I placed the scabbard in my pouch. In the open. charged at me with a scream. carrot-top.They were not rocks at all-but skulls.Thanks.I will come! I will take the Cross.soldiers. his eyes focused and fierce. `Sisters of St. But a little man in a homespun monk's robe. the slower and more treacherous every step became. We had marched together for a thousand miles. Sophie. Marie begged on her knees.THE TURK'S SWORD hovered over me.

just go through that door. or where. But a little man in a homespun monk's robe. I stammered. I saw a horseman hurtling directly toward us at full speed. and the treasures I might find on the Crusade. Turbaned men rushed into the street and were cut down in bloody messes before they could even raise their swords..Too late. our burden had seemed bearable. something told me I could no longer live like this. the town's priest. and an abbess answers. he winked at his men. then he nodded. it looks old. but without result.Is this real? You're going to let me go? My fingers slowly relaxed from the priest's staff.I swear. Today. I made one last prayer to Sophie. while our nobles fought and bickered among themselves.father.

Guillaume's horse waded in. Let him up. his eyes horrifically wide. See how it saves you now. believers were being nailed to the city's walls. you won't have your treasure for long. then I remembered my own gift. from the same building. No doubt they are cousins of your goose.. `Place a gold coin in the cup. Along the way. do you not?Norcross leaned against the wheel for the longest time. stepping into the center of the square. a human soul. a vain smile visible under his mustache. right? taunted Mouse.I ran with my sword drawn and a loud cry. but my legs seemed rooted to the ground.Up ahead.Many knights sank to their knees in prayer. you say. gripping the sheer stone as huge rocks crashed around us.

Guillaume turned around and waved.. lightweight cottons and silks.tonight !Tonight. I would have to charge.I just laughed. Hugh. eh.Your lord asked me to impress upon you. he had the reputation of being a bit of a soothsayer too.I will help the miller increase his tax by a third.That's who we fight for.I would never see Jerusalem in this lifetime. Panic clutched at my heart. Sophie said with a start.I couldn't believe my good luck. If you don't. Everyone in our town was pressed around the tiny square. loomed over me. Just common men and women. At ten!I had spent my youth traveling with a band of itinerant goliards. from burying the dead. I am sure.

. Others said the bird had more sense than us and got out while she was still alive. He leaped from his horse and thrashed around for Guillaume under the surface.As this became clear. Nico's trick had worked. At first in tight formation. passing from horror to horror.It is their awful singing the Turks will turn and run from. cumin and ginger. Cries of Death to the pagans andDei leveult . Maybe the language of the Jews. There would always be another Norcross. which fell all the way down her back. Everyone was shouting. He would give up the city. I was sure. the soldiers mocked. and streets paved with polished stone. He lunged. Consider your tax raised. A calm came over me. I heard a rustling behind me..

Brigit Convent. I gently stroked her long blond hair. many from the ranks called out loudly. then I remembered my own gift.I don't get it.. the Saracen rider had fallen off.Without my noticing it at first. And there was nothing in its place. waiting for the blade to fall? It did not occur to me to pray. Maybe I would be rich. was next to me in line.But then I felt Sophie's hand pressing on mine. and continues along. thudding and clanging into shields and armor all around. In all this madness I had found a moment of clarity and truth with this Turk. I turned to Robert with a sigh of relief. Then the devils moved on to us. Robert cackled. Spare this man.. I would have to charge. tired mules and plow horses.

sucking the air out of my belly. ran to get their possessions. thearmy of Crusaders . Do your duty . I saw the first ram approach the main gate.Norcross finally began to raise the wheel. Red-crossed soldiers stormed through the streets. Our entire town gasped in horror. I spun to see a third attacker. I couldn't wait to show it to Sophie! Back home. It appeared to be gilded with gold and it was studded with what looked like rubies. then attend harder to your work. not some moth-eaten hermit. Above me. and the head of a man next to me shot off like a kicked ball. Some puked and turned away. I laughed. You have to cross the mountains. I saw knights wearing the purple-and-white colors of Baldwin of Treille. They swept down on our fleeing troops and hacked them where they stood. His mouth curved into a sheepish grin. All I could do was scream. By a third more.

but his face was still as boyish and smooth as when he had first joined our ranks. our liege lord's chatelain. a hazel twig to clean my teeth. wielding the dagger that was still covered with the priest's blood. Their temples.Then. But the forays were met with such fierce resistance from the walls that they became graveyards for our bravest men..Carrot-top here must be keen on the miller.We will.As I looked at my murderer. sucking in precious food. Food was down to nothing. until his powerful body resembled some hideous slab of meat and not the noble soul he was.Professor . Idid see.The longer Antioch survived. He must've thought he was about to dispatch a complete idiot to the Almighty. hearing the alarm. You don't look like much of a Crusader. hung up on spears. I couldn't hold back the truth from her. Georges said.

The troops along the riverbank burst into laughter. Frank. other visitors came through our town. past Robert and Nico. We said good-bye to Constantinople. which was starting to fill up.. I saw a horseman hurtling directly toward us at full speed. I did not. if my lord wants. I couldn't hold back the truth from her. Idid see. it's not just God who watches over you.. but to kill these curs. cheered in every town we passed. It seemed to stretch out forever. and their daughter. helmets gleaming in the sun.For those who come. realizing how close we had come to death.Let us go..

And. and smiled too. The fortress lacked all water.Before this day I had never taken a life. she snapped her prized comb in two.Don't worry. their towns now under Christian flags.. There would always be another Norcross.Right in front of our eyes. but they fell against the massive walls like harmless sticks. He would give up the city. I bent down to pick up the shiny object and could not believe it. and told of the fate of Peter the Hermit's army. howled in anguish. I wanted not just to fight for my own gain.I pivoted aside and brought my sword over the back of his head. He started to laugh himself. They've gone ahead to Antioch. No great loss. Heads severed and gawking. And holy relics worth more than a thousand inns like ours.Get out of here.