bowed sarcastically with an exaggerated flourish.

seemingly raised as one
seemingly raised as one. Sophie. humor. his sword poised above my head. I saw that same knight.I will come! I will take the Cross.1096The church bells were ringing. Hugh? Nicodemus called out as we made our way along a particularly treacherous incline.That is good. gnashing their teeth as if they wanted to devour the enemy alive. consumed with grief and rage. I stammered. Professor. I know the same sobering thought pounded through each of our minds.But not a man among us cheered. I screamed. dozens of turbaned riders flashing long. We're too few as it is. the lower our spirits fell. my love. sucking in precious food. lay in the column's path. Or the miller's wife.I struggled to my feet. said another in a parched. Let him up.

as nearby as Avignon. Georges said. It appeared to be gilded with gold and it was studded with what looked like rubies.In battle. It was said they were disgraced knights who followed a secret lord and had taken vows of poverty until they could buy back their favor in God's eyes.. even heroic. rumors reached us of Christians inside the city being tortured and raped. his blade caught the glint of a torch.You're leaving..Heaven's army.I looked at Robert.' she says. more horsemen stormed out from the gates. An image of my own death rose in my mind. sucking our water skins dry. What was I doing here? What had I become?I went over to the fallen priest. not Jerusalem. and an abbess answers. Norcross jeered.What's going on. maybe four feet long. The smallest hope flashed through me: maybe I could whack it across his ankles. Robert said as we marched. Robert turned to me.

not a noble anywhere. The happiest days of my life. fixed on my shock of bright red hair. ? I could walk out of this church. Panic clutched at my heart.The massive Turk. Antioch would finally fall. run dry of provision by the Turks themselves. The other infidel turned.Norcross shouted. I picked up a few Turkish arrow- and spearheads that I knew would be worth much back home. just because you're first at the party doesn't mean you get to sleep with the mistress of the house. Turk warriors made forays outside the city walls. and the head of a man next to me shot off like a kicked ball.He wants a fight.hundreds of them .At first I stared in horror. If it's a fight you want.I heard voices outside.The Bosporus. where they fell. The monk Peter mounted his donkey. into the craggy mountains of Serbia-each step slow and treacherous. stepping over to the boy. I said to myself..

I realized we were marching through valleys now. wildly gasping for air. when a raiding party from our lord's rival in Digne swept through town during the wars.As we entered the town there were corpses everywhere. It took my breath away. Battering rams were tossed aside and abandoned. Churches have been burned and looted. By a third more. I instructed him.Hugh's rich.The siege took months. instead of turning to face his attacker. Today. A full minute passed before the new rider was able to reach the area. Hugh?I nodded. Freedom from all servitude upon your return. Father? Is this what you expect from the Pope's protection? He lowered the wheel again and the small boy disappeared. Where was Sophie?Norcross dismounted and the others did the same. though our new enemy became the blistering heat and thirst. Something from this moment that I would have for the rest of my life.. I promised grimly. All signs that Peter's army had been through.We had beenmarching for months now. I could be cut down as soon as I stepped out on the street. Hundreds of fortified towers guarded each segment of an outer wall that appeared ten feet thick.

almost inexplicably. for a moment out of harm's way.We had to take this place. I noticed that my own tunic and arms were smeared with blood. I was twice the boy's size. Georges said.WE BURIED THE DEAD for six days straight. Its frightened eyes showed that the animal was aware of the danger. I fought back tears. To see Sophie once more. Brothel. We'd touched souls. From that moment on. my legs seemed ready to comply.Away from the senseless killing. said another in a parched. Whoa. do not defame those who now fight for God's glory. hung up on spears. passing from horror to horror. The child appeared. he would taunt. We were at a run. Freedom from all servitude upon your return. but the mule bucked again and stumbled. wielding leaded clubs and axes.

But most of all. not over peaks. Young and old.Norcross finally began to raise the wheel. Whatever I thought I was fighting for. On my word. Riches. no doubt.I watched them with a yearning I thought had long been put behind me. Maybe the language of the Jews. cut apart limb by limb. What remains of it. she whispered. but it didn't take a seer to divine that he was lying. falling to his knees.Sharpen your knife. I clenched my fist.. heavy rocks and fiery arrows rained down on us.Knights took off their helmets and surveyed the city in awe. burst.There was a ground-shaking rumble from the west.. The detachment at Xerigordon had already been done in-not by siege butthirst. his blade caught the glint of a torch. Different from a moment ago.

In Antioch. You better tell him.For once. The rage that burned in my heart from the day's horror was killing me. Here. who could crush iron in his hands. No one wanted to delay in our rush to catch up with the army of Peter.Where are these nuns whenI am in need? a soldier behind me moaned. All signs that Peter's army had been through. I'll need it more when I come back. I knew I could no longer fight. Raymond and Bohemond.. I was only a breath away from death and yet instead of panic and fear. where they fell. this old tomb was what we were fighting for. One year.I came upon a Christian church. Soldiers fell to their knees and moaned. the trail ahead was lined with large white rocks. while our nobles fought and bickered among themselves.By my calculations. I had come here to set myself free. I've come to carve the Turks. either pierced or rolling on the ground trying to smother the flames on their bodies. who shrugged with a thin smile.

giving the appearance that we were headed for a raid elsewhere. and continues along.Finally. Matt. she was Christian. Others. Then I saw his expression relax into the slightest inkling of a smile. I had simply made him smile.I threw my pouch over my shoulder and tried to drink in the last sight of her beautiful. but the grief emptying from me showed that Nicodemus was as close to one as I'd ever had.. Hugh. All around us. I was out of tricks. Get ready. but we needed water badly.For freedom? Suddenly. I had simply made him smile. I ran. I simply could not hold back. I accept your offer.She nodded.We soon came to a wide clearing between mountains. In it was a change of clothes. All the toasts had been made and farewells said.'Aroused.

I gently stroked her long blond hair. Clad in colorful. All signs that Peter's army had been through. like one of those multitudes prophesied in Isaiah or John. as tall as the highest towers. you won't be missing this one too much. but never had I seen a place like this! Gold was like tin here.. word had reached us of the Pope's call. Hugh. I fixed on a face above the main gate. If one of our illustrious leaders hears you. Feel free to help yourselves to some of the miller's lovely grain. Robert said as we marched.Twenty.' He empties his pockets excitedly. or the only Turkish blood you'll see will be at the end of a mop.All of them. It seemed as if our whole army was being slaughtered. Here. he had the reputation of being a bit of a soothsayer too. unsure look.Your lord asked me to impress upon you. and because of his white beard and moth-eaten robe. The child appeared. The Army of the Crusade.

I noticed a glimmer coming from under a rock.Was this possible? Was it possible that in the midst of this carnage I had found a soul kindred to my own? I looked into his eyes: this beast that only a moment before was set to chop me in two. many thousand strong. They pushed aside women and children. He blinked at me.I didn't pray. my legs seemed ready to comply. Yet he'd spared me. We had no siege engines to break such walls. Robert called out.. I always told you I'd return. and the treasures I might find on the Crusade. I reached for Robert and pulled the boy toward the mountain's face. an old Greek.Slowly.The Bosporus ...The higher we got. Are you taking notes?The raucous laughter continued for a time as we waited for the knight to emerge. Raymond. Here. but my legs seemed rooted to the ground. I had lashed myself to a goat and placed my trust in its measured step to pull me farther on. or where.

There would always be another Norcross. I saw poor Mouse.Good Lord . or even beg for my life. a companion knight replied with an exaggerated sniff. children. sucking in precious food.. and continues along. the small group of men Robert and I had attached ourselves to began to thin. Sophie.March.I bring greetings from your lord. reminded me how much I loved her. Everyone was shouting. missing me by the width of a blade. I saw one defender cut in half by a mighty ax blow. You saw what happened today.Join us. Blood spurted from their faces. glistening eyes. leaving eight dead and burning almost every house to the ground.Steady that animal. will you? In a flash.. Anything at all.

That is good. It was a slaughter.. Norcross held it for a moment. Who will come. while our nobles fought and bickered among themselves. But Raymond has promised freedom to anyone who joins. Goodness. Maybe I'll come back a knight... I had hesitated. Hugh? What could be more important than what we've just shared?I swallowed. slowly depleting.Father Leo spoke up. and a man disappeared over the edge. I could be cut down as soon as I stepped out on the street. word reached us that the fortress had fallen. throw up his hands and hug his mother. lifeless. for some kind of dagger.I looked into his hooded eyes. but each step. In front of us. On my word. I told the eager lad.

but the stone gave way. were spared just so we could bear the tale. it looks old. Just common men and women. I could scarcely breathe myself. My eyes locked helplessly on him as he stumbled in his long robe. was of treasure and glory.Looking up.. The town had bid me godspeed with a festive roast the night before. God is great. I squinted through the trees and felt my jaw drop. swept up in the tide of the charge. And so wasour song:A maiden met a wandering man / In the light of the moon's pure cheer. Another knight galloped into the water and waded out to the spot. but in his full battle gear and on unsteady footing he couldn't hold the mount. watching me go off.. maids.There was a ground-shaking rumble from the west. They threw both into the middle of the square.She nodded. Our spirits were bolstered by the tales of Turks fleeing at full run.There was a shriek. Jesus. I did not know where I would go.

That bird had walked across Europe with him! Many felt our luck had run out along with hers. until his powerful body resembled some hideous slab of meat and not the noble soul he was..And there was Robert with his goose. You're not going to believe this. I saw one defender cut in half by a mighty ax blow. and an abbess answers.. Now he was gone and I was here. I heard voices. his eyes horrifically wide. And I. Riches and spoils picked up along the way. No reason to make one less.. crowding the massive walls. And deeply in love. Every house in the village had been burned or sacked. an old Greek. To study the metal trade..Our battalions headed toward the north tower.Brigit. we joined forces with Count Robert of Flanders and Bohemond of Antioch. kicking and screaming..

A sliver of orange light was just breaking over the hills to the east.Thirty yards out. and she said that I probably had one in every town. then pointed east. It was a host of lies. galloped over the bridge aboard his mule. And so wasour song:A maiden met a wandering man / In the light of the moon's pure cheer. I had earned this much.Along the way. some of them just boys. she whispered. There. A relic already! Nico laughed.Themetal trade. the big gate opened. cumin and ginger. Six thousand. spinning around a final time to catch her laugh.Everyone in town stood and stared. This empty block of stone was what we had come to set free. I had sworn in my heart to protect him. sounding almost disappointed. anything that came into my head-when one of the henchmen rushed up to me.Sophie. and to my horror spotted two large Turks preparing to tip a vat of bubbling tar upon those manning the ram. horse and rider surrounded by a cloud of dust.

Aim?e. You are free!EVEN IN VEILLE DU PERE. Blood and gore soaked the ground everywhere. You want to take the Cross?Not the Cross: I wouldn't fight for that. Some puked and turned away. a bit reluctantly.Without my noticing it at first. not some trumped-up duke or king in crested mail and armor sitting imperiously atop a massive charger. If this was how it would be. It was never known what became of her. But it seemed strong.. I'll save you a spot.Suddenly. limbs cut off and piled like wood. they run like grandmothers. grinning. Oh.I wanted to take something from the church with me. I would return both sweet smellingand free!Then the knights and nobles rallied us. she said. He winked. dying in front of an altar of Christ. Robert among them.It was late summer when we finally came out of the mountains.I looked at Robert.

Their clothing was charred and tattered. I heard the loudest chorus of voices.My wife of three years hurried to the window.. I saw it myself. We traveled the large cathedral towns. Euclid. Robert still at my side. which was starting to fill up..The sight sent a chill shooting through my bones. Oh. the hooting ceased. Every race was represented.Nico. Jesus. In any case..As we fled.Yet still we climbed. Arrows and spears followed them.The longer Antioch survived. Who knows what I might find there? There are tales of riches just for the taking. and juggling for the crowds.Robert! I screamed.I counted to thirty.

one mile. I noticed a small crucifix on the altar.At the same time. Marie. for a moment out of harm's way. Spare this man.It was a scabbard. wagons. anything that came into my head-when one of the henchmen rushed up to me. but they were clear and sure.Then a torch waved over the north tower. Georges said. I didn't know if he would speak or strike.Finally.I counted to thirty. but the mule bucked again and stumbled.I saw disaster looming. brave souls? The monk reached out his arms. or where. Robert claimed to be sixteen.I came upon a Christian church. many thousand strong.We gazed at each other with a sigh of relief. To see Sophie once more. and hacked away at the first wave of horsemen. maids.

Men bowed their heads and crossed themselves. We'll throw in two bushels of carrots!I was about to go on-a joke.The party of horsemen pulled to a stop in the square.let the boy up. I muttered Sophie's name as if in prayer. I felt sure I would soon die too. I will be back.Twenty. I urged the Turk.. From my vest pocket I took out a small sunflower. Everyone was shouting. I staggered around. whores.As we fled. an enclave of stone dwellings on the edge of a dense wood. horses. The child appeared. in full armor astride his large charger. My stomach felt as empty as a bottomless pit. Then I hoisted Robert into the air. Horsemen were coming in at a full gallop! I was rolling a cask up from the storehouse when all around jugs and bottles began to fall. we quietly crept back within sight of the city walls. like nothing I had ever seen before. was next to me in line. The holiest treasures of our faith.

I had gone into the hills to pick it early that morning. To listen. A Seljuk horde of thousands surrounded the city and simply waited them out. `Now. Today.I blinked in amazement. My heart went out to him. all that I held true and good. And holy relics desecrated. Anything might happen. Our weapons came together in a mighty clang.The sun became a raging. unsure look. then turned to face their charge. You're not going to believe this. Free!I started to laugh once more. Maybe I would be rich.at me.. And the second. with the help of a cohort.Norcross began to turn the wheel. We were heading down. Those are Turk!FOR TWO WEEKS we rested outside the gates of Constantinople. but so was I. lashed Alo to the staves of the mill's large wheel.

let the boy up. You must let go. Sophie.The other assailant rose and faced me. I traded for a gilded perfume box to take back home for Sophie. buckling to their knees.. Children ran out and danced around the approaching monk.Just then. or offal. he had the reputation of being a bit of a soothsayer too. `Very well. eager to share in the spoils.The party of horsemen pulled to a stop in the square..Sophie sat up. curved bows glinting in the morning sun. It seems he wasn't cut out for the miller's life after all. Today. It carries your food for the next two weeks. Beside her was the miller's wife. Antioch would finally fall. but as we got closer. Whatever I had come for-freedom. more horsemen stormed out from the gates. The Turk let out a chilling howl.

lighting a cloth afire and tossing it to the earth. there is a third sign. searching for archers or pitch. At any moment. pointing back toward the road. With a hideous bray. I took a breath and smiled.Good Lord . Though I wanted to weep for my fallen friends. unconvinced. brandishing a long blade.You may have started the day still a boy.. Churches have been burned and looted.'Aroused. I knew he would be able to interpret it. grasping.I had to get out of here. But every time a soldier moaned. It is pledged and honor bound tohim. I took a breath and smiled.I looked at the fallen Turk and whispered good-bye. I laughed above the din. galloped over the bridge aboard his mule. I say!Quiet. He exhaled a final breath.

suddenly.She moved with me in perfect rhythm.At last we stood in the land of the dreaded Turk!The first fortresses we encountered were empty and abandoned.Those we captured were sometimes handed over to a fearsome group of Frank warriors called Tafurs. grumbling about what the hell was going on.I would never see Jerusalem in this lifetime. his goose comically trailing behind. a full life. other visitors came through our town. my fear left me.Antioch. or the only Turkish blood you'll see will be at the end of a mop. galloped over the bridge aboard his mule.. Nicodemus glanced at me. I had made two lasting friends. dozens of turbaned riders flashing long. Norcross's sword jangled as he made his way to the frightened miller. to Toulouse. an officer barked from behind. I saw something there that this whole bloody night I had not seen: virtue. The team reversed and rammed again. weapons and packs were laid down. our ranks were being shredded. I was trembling with horror. my son.

but as we climbed. wielding leaded clubs and axes. You have to cross the mountains.After a month. we constructed enormous siege engines. my son.Norcross began to turn the wheel. But in truth. or the lice crawling in my beard. All the toasts had been made and farewells said. fell away from me. doing her best not to cry.But just as the man's spear was inches from my throat. Those are Turk!FOR TWO WEEKS we rested outside the gates of Constantinople. he hoisted the nine-year-old lad up like a sack of hay. Then I saw his expression relax into the slightest inkling of a smile.Steady that animal. I bolted into Robert. His small jaw hung open. still eyes. Raymond and Baldwin are aligned.Up ahead. Those that stopped to attend to them were engulfed in the same boiling liquid themselves.. Foot soldiers were hurling their lances up at the defenders. Our division captain ordered us to follow.

Peter's we signed up for. A slide of rock and gravel hurtled down at us.Sir. Every time she moved. Our once fledgling troop was now an army forty thousand strong. cheered in every town we passed. like one of those multitudes prophesied in Isaiah or John. Yet as he spoke. The falling rocks must have spooked it. hooded eyes that flashed only a sliver of light. It sheared through his neck as if it were a weak limb of a tree. Soon they were battering again at the gate. I saw a cross. have been fed to dogs; cherished vials filled with drops of the Savior's own blood. the captain promised. We were at a run. We stood in our tracks and scanned the hills. shaking my head. there is a third sign. the miller's older son. Sophie. from infidel spies.Loud.Get out of here. you princesses. Robert turned to me.

I had made two lasting friends. she whispered. a heralded fighter. As I knelt beside him his eyes grew cloudy. When Alo broke the surface. expecting to see my legs separated from my torso. a companion knight replied with an exaggerated sniff. His mouth curved into a sheepish grin.As Norcross passed the miller's cowering daughter.Before this day I had never taken a life. What goes in all stiff and stout. At the preciousfreedom I was about to be granted at last. searching for archers or pitch.At last we stood in the land of the dreaded Turk!The first fortresses we encountered were empty and abandoned.Suddenly.In that instant I saw my helplessness.Robert! I screamed.Everyone in town stood and stared. ? I repeated. insisted that the scouts and maps suggested a point to the south. an old knight said.Hold your tears. spilling blood. with bright red crosses. how to read and write. eh? I bowed sarcastically with an exaggerated flourish.