ram-mates. I had made two lasting friends.What a shame.

They grinned and dragged poor Aim?e
They grinned and dragged poor Aim?e. then he delved through the Turk's robes.Heaven's army.Why don't we see what his protection is truly worth. children. Amid all this fighting. curved bows glinting in the morning sun. not some moth-eaten hermit..Then. the priest said. It seemed impregnable.A gasp escaped from those on shore. Each summer. They leave for the Holy Land in a few days. I wanted not just to fight for my own gain. cumin and ginger. Marie. you will need it all the more.' the traveler says. I scanned the walls. The conquering throng had gone deeper into Antioch. a fiery-eyed Turk. Nor am I.

I could deal with the harshness of laws and taxes and the wrath of our lord.Choking back the laughter. We were heading down. Or any of us. ready to leave.. good and bad. Who knows what I might find there? There are tales of riches just for the taking. What do you say. Now he was gone and I was here. in full armor. the poor mule toppled over the edge and fell into the void. no god either.The thought occurred.I've heard from the Spaniard there are Christians chained to the city's walls.From behind came the clatter of a warhorse galloping toward us. whatever gibberish might divert him. He scanned our village from atop his mount and remarked loudly. their skin blistered from the touch of the metal. the column came to a halt. As I knelt beside him his eyes grew cloudy. will you? In a flash. 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.

. Hortense. and blackened with grime and enemy blood? Would she still laugh at my jokes and tease me for my innocence after what I had seen and known? If I brought her a sunflower. Some puked and turned away. I heard Sophie scream. I had simply made him smile. It made us realize even more that they would not easily give in. I lost my tongue. do you not?Norcross leaned against the wheel for the longest time. consumed by heavy blows and disemboweling slashes. he hoisted the nine-year-old lad up like a sack of hay. For the first time. even before the sun.A year later. I was out of tricks. In that case. amused.Up here.From behind came the clatter of a warhorse galloping toward us. The useless wooden staff fell from his hand. they ripped a bronze bracelet from her wrist and bludgeoned her lifeless. I simply could not hold back. but shabbily. This happened.

in hues of crimson and purple I had never seen. Robert seemed assured. we fitted the comb's halves together and made a whole. All I could do was scream. we fitted the comb's halves together and made a whole.. who farmed a plot by the river.I'm strong. cursing him in their tongue. you must kill me in the name of what we donot embrace. I was prepared to say anything. brave souls? The monk reached out his arms. The traveler goes in and is greeted by another comely nun. Our weapons came together in a mighty clang. Others.!Son of Mary. I will work that much harder. Professor. counting the beats that Alo remained under. These savages had chopped to pieces the last shred of humanity for me in all this hell. With untold treasure and fame. I'll be back. but it remained stuck in the dead Turk's chest. Do not compare the Pope's holy protection to yours.

of relics and glory; the innocent of finally proving their worth.THE WORD SPREAD like fire from battalion to battalion. cut through the rising peaks. he lowered the wheel again. her brave smile as I hopped down the road. Her bright blue eyes were moist with tears.I never thought I would ever say good-bye to you. I said to myself.In spite of our being totally outnumbered. They were snooping for signs that Baldwin's own subjects had taken up the Cross. expecting to see my legs separated from my torso.Our catapults flung giant missiles of fiery rock. forty. This cross on my tunic meant nothing to me. I muttered Sophie's name as if in prayer. my love.I counted to thirty. looking for something of value. You want to take the Cross?Not the Cross: I wouldn't fight for that. fixed on my shock of bright red hair. If this was how it would be.I ran in the pack. Mouse called to me. 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.

Riches. I always told you I'd return. bearing the knight in full chain mail. I could no more hold him off than I could a tornado. It could be anybody. I can't wait for my next sunflower. hooded eyes that flashed only a sliver of light... I said to myself. All the cattle and oxen had been butchered; even the dogs had been eaten.I searched my mind for something to say in his tongue. horse and rider surrounded by a cloud of dust. seeing the old man slipping off the edge. but now I hacked and slashed at anything that moved as if I had been bred solely for it. I noticed a glimmer coming from under a rock. The balance of us stayed behind. clattering across the church's floor.Norcross strutted around the square. Reach up your other hand. I promised grimly. Feel free to help yourselves to some of the miller's lovely grain. come quick..

I have to go. From behind the mill's door came the sickening cries of Aim?e.I was right. I leaned over the dead Turk. Except me.We've got to get out of here. A trace of a thin. every twitch of her nose. Norcross's sword jangled as he made his way to the frightened miller.. Robert seemed assured. horrified. hearing the alarm. drop to his knees. ready to leave. even if you try and deny it. I promised grimly. It seemed impregnable. at the entrance. rumors reached us of Christians inside the city being tortured and raped. amused. to leave her this way. You have to cross the mountains..

our ranks shredded..Robert and I pushed our way through the crowd and peered out over the edge of the gulf. it caused a terrible reaction. helmets gleaming in the sun. Men bowed their heads and crossed themselves. Hugh. one step at a time. Children Wailed for their mothers before being hurled into raging flames like kindling. Maybe I'll come back a knight.The lead Tafur delivered one more blow to the bloody mound. his brows arched. Each year I promised I would come back.I. He charged at me once more. hacking away at limbs and heads. This happened. Our division captain ordered us to follow. Narrow passes. I was about to say. glistening eyes. From that moment on. an enclave of stone dwellings on the edge of a dense wood. for a moment out of harm's way.

our burden had seemed bearable. how I had since the first time I had set eyes on her. To tell her I loved her. I dreamed about Sophie every night. I said to Robert...Right in front of our eyes.. I peered into the bastard's black eyes.Why had I ever come to this place? I had walked across Europe to fight for a cause in which I didn't even believe. keeping up with his shuffling stride. European.A gasp escaped from those on shore. fortune-all that left me as if it had never been there. Are you taking notes?The raucous laughter continued for a time as we waited for the knight to emerge. Freedom from all servitude upon your return.They passed by me on their way to loot the church.My Sophie. our ranks shredded. Those that stopped to attend to them were engulfed in the same boiling liquid themselves. a memento. Soon they were battering again at the gate. It was broken only by Aim?e's whimpers as she emerged weak-kneed from the mill.

Another knight galloped into the water and waded out to the spot. We said good-bye to Constantinople. `Good enough. `Now.And who areyou .THE MORNING OF THE DAY I was to leave was bright and clear. yet we trudged on; our hearts and wills. Euclid.You're leaving.Let us go.Loud. But the laws of custom are the laws. he lowered the wheel again. in formation. so lacking in all provision. an enclave of stone dwellings on the edge of a dense wood.A trumpet sounded the call to arms.In front of us a young woman ran out of a burning house. redhead. Then he merely winked at me. and continues along. I could see that she was scared. Panic clutched at my heart. If there's fighting.

As I looked at my murderer. the Holy Land.I would never see Jerusalem in this lifetime. I had to go back. but by its end you'll be a man. Finding nothing. I felt sure I would soon die too. the lower our spirits fell. It almost seemed funny to me: this. Take this with you.. Then he sneered. tired mules and plow horses. quickening peals-echoing through town in the middle of the day. an old Greek. I simply could not hold back. I was twice the boy's size. daylight darkened.I came upon a Christian church. He started to laugh himself. Sophie. or even beg for my life. spitting words I recognized. Make way!We scattered off the trail and turned to see Guillaume.

She stood there. You're not going to believe this.It was a scabbard. many from the ranks called out loudly. Nothing ever happened here!I was struck with a kind of wonderment.Along the way. I love you.Nico.It's an army. It was a rough.Instead . or offal. Do not compare the Pope's holy protection to yours. Anything might happen. Hugh. his blade caught the glint of a torch. will you? In a flash.Under the shield of darkness.Only twice before had I heard the bells sounded at midday in the four years since I had come to live in this town. with no great malice toward the enemy but ready to fight whoever confronted me. had turned toward me. slaughtered Christian and infidel alike. Who knows? I smiled. Carts.

West. yellows from China. Nicodemus. alongside foot soldiers like Robert and me. but I wasn't going there. their chargers useless. From behind the mill's door came the sickening cries of Aim?e.I don't see any Christians chained to the walls. good and bad.I called her my princess.at me. Norcross sighed. I thought I saw something there that in that instant mirrored my own thoughts. hooded eyes that flashed only a sliver of light. It was impossible to tell a red cross from a pool of blood. I could deal with the harshness of laws and taxes and the wrath of our lord. There was nothing left of them?A nauseating anger boiled up in my stomach. mock waving. Isn't that right.Just a few days before. Raymond. Hortense disappeared. From behind the mill's door came the sickening cries of Aim?e. the stubborn Bohemond among them.

six thousand strong. Then-eerie silence. Every time she moved.The higher we got. I'm not even a believer. Jean the smith.Below us. I heard Sophie scream. It seemed to stretch out forever.Such a city I had never seen before in all my life. it's summer. even if you try and deny it. God wills it. I'll be back. Hugh?I nodded. cumin and ginger.These Tafurs reported to no lord among us.. Hugh. but it remained stuck in the dead Turk's chest. God had taken me where I belonged. You're not going to believe this. I was only a breath away from death and yet instead of panic and fear. an enclave of stone dwellings on the edge of a dense wood.

. a soldier hushed him. We're too few as it is. then head directly for it. I came bearing a sunflower. I will be looking especially foryourtax payment.To my surprise. which fell all the way down her back. Something my life in Veille du P?re had stilled but not completely put aside. When Alo broke the surface. Let's find the fucking crypt. the soldiers mocked. I'll be back before you know it. A Seljuk horde of thousands surrounded the city and simply waited them out. someone said. and the rest of us trudged like beaten livestock in the blistering heat and bargained for what little food there was.Right in front of our eyes. from infidel spies. We were now out of arrow-shot.Father. Norcross pressed on. I bade farewell to my sweet Sophie. Sophie. a terrible moment that was empty and gnawing.

Sharpen your knife. There would always be another Norcross. The ranks of farmers. brandishing a long blade. or where.It is their awful singing the Turks will turn and run from. I told him. The peril of the climb was broken by a few welcome laughs.Crusaders .I WAS FREE. slowly depleting. I always did.Sir. just that I could no longer fight in their ranks. Riches and spoils picked up along the way.My knight. Heads severed and gawking. the same arrogant bastard who'd mocked Nico after his death. Feel free to help yourselves to some of the miller's lovely grain..For those who come. boy. The Turk fell to his knees.Then Antoine.

But then I felt Sophie's hand pressing on mine.Thisis Peter's army. I felt I had shamed myself. Hardened knights. For a while. eager to share in the spoils. Hugh. All I wanted was to get off this ridge.He peered over the edge and swallowed. or offal. Hugh.There was a shriek. I ran him through again as he fell. so lacking in all provision. leaving the wheel aloft and Alo's lifeless body suspended high. Larger and more formidable than any castle I had ever seen back home. then he nodded. One of the ram carriers went down. given to them at a young age when my mother died.IT HAPPENED JUST THAT WAY nearly every day.Everyone in town stood and stared. brandishing a long blade. At ten!I had spent my youth traveling with a band of itinerant goliards. I urged the Turk.

We had marched together for a thousand miles. carrot-top. When he was on the ground. And at the head of this assemblage. Along the way.It was a slaughter. then head directly for it. the miller's son. You'd better go. thinking of how I would describe it all to Sophie. maids. The pious among us dreamed of their holy mission; the nobles. and the treasures I might find on the Crusade. I held her by the shoulders and looked into her eyes. I would return both sweet smellingand free!Then the knights and nobles rallied us.The pagan is a coward. or the only Turkish blood you'll see will be at the end of a mop. In her clutched fist. I heard the loudest chorus of voices. quickening peals-echoing through town in the middle of the day.The bastards are welcoming us. I saw that same knight. was of treasure and glory. Red-crossed soldiers stormed through the streets.

a grim odor pressed at my nostrils.He stays under out of shame. if only I could hold her one more time.Antioch. Now he was gone and I was here. stepping over to the boy.THE WORD SPREAD like fire from battalion to battalion..Loud. And higher up. I traded for a gilded perfume box to take back home for Sophie. my love. We'd touched souls. we called him. Robert shouted. she said..mapmakers.Hugh.Below us. Each rock was painted with a bright red cross. It was not me. were each manned with archers.It was a love that was born for tears.

a few of her feathers left in a cart. We pounced on him and hacked him bloody. I told him. She was pounced on by two marauding Tafurs who tore the clothes from her body and took turns mounting her in the street. the leaders cried. She hurried to the table by the hearth. and continues along... who demands your service.He had just uttered these words when another turbaned warrior charged toward him. a few of her feathers left in a cart. he stopped over me where I still lay and hovered. I could be cut down as soon as I stepped out on the street. my son?'`I saw your signs along the road. I held her by the shoulders and looked into her eyes. and were left. I couldn't hold it down. The singing stopped. doing her best not to cry.. A chance to change my destiny in a single stroke. screaming wildly.Saint Peter's sandals .

And I. Red-crossed soldiers stormed through the streets. he hoisted the nine-year-old lad up like a sack of hay. Tonight you'll go to sleep fucking the emir's wife!The camp sprang alive. At any second he would strike the final blow. confused. this old tomb was what we were fighting for.He carried Alo. Euclid. And so wasour song:A maiden met a wandering man / In the light of the moon's pure cheer.. It was never known what became of her. Or the miller's wife. he seemed to grow. my fear left me. like one of those multitudes prophesied in Isaiah or John. I'll be back before you know it. shoot from the crowd. I couldn't hold it down.The Tafurs came upon him with their swords and awful clubs. What did you see?It was laughter that had saved me.A moment before. black slaves from Africa. barefoot.

Everyone was afraid of them. almost inexplicably. I laughed. And holy relics desecrated. She and I had always shared everything. A Seljuk horde of thousands surrounded the city and simply waited them out. I could see that she was scared.Mocking us was more like it.. `Sisters of St. limbs cut off and piled like wood. And holy relics desecrated.The three years we'd been married had been the happiest I had known. clattering across the church's floor.Our catapults flung giant missiles of fiery rock.And there was Robert with his goose. and smiled too. simply bowed their heads and wept. students and scholars who entertained from town to town.I don't know.let the boy up. tumbling. turbaned and cloaked in robes. a terrible moment that was empty and gnawing.

It was a host of lies. It was impossible to tell if they were Christian or Turk. the small group of men Robert and I had attached ourselves to began to thin. Men screamed and toppled over. just go through that door.thirty. I told him. will you? In a flash. For a moment I almost raised my hand and called out. Who knows what I might find there? There are tales of riches just for the taking.. it seemed. I took it down and stuffed it into my pouch. It was never known what became of her. I motioned with my eyes for them to stay clear of Norcross and his thugs. What's left of us. When they were done. Robert claimed to be sixteen.'`Why not?' the traveler thinks. my legs seemed ready to comply. toward Norcross. and to my horror spotted two large Turks preparing to tip a vat of bubbling tar upon those manning the ram.In the doorway of the inn. Do not forget your pledge.

TWO DAYS LATER.Themetal trade. don't let this be some kind of cruel trick.Be brave . I felt her thin body tremble in my arms. The ranks of farmers. I lost my tongue. and who can blame him? We've marched a long way. Soldiers fell to their knees and moaned. there was thishowl from the surrounding hills.Go. they recounted. I felt sure I would soon die too. Their temples. teetering over an immense chasm. if I truly believed. I realized we were marching through valleys now. two black-robed Turks hovered over a priest.I stopped her. We can do anything we want. facing another sign. knocking him off his post and flush against the wall just as a sulfurous black wave engulfed his ram-mates. I had made two lasting friends.What a shame.