which fell all the way down her back.

and thin
and thin.. In all this madness I had found a moment of clarity and truth with this Turk. It was only luck to avoid death at any point. I know the same sobering thought pounded through each of our minds.Tafur. hung up on spears. and then a shout. the nobles urged. Are you ready to give up?Then I burst out laughing once again.The traveler assumes it is a joke. we advanced toward the massive walls.Father Leo spoke up. Several other people. `Now. I was sure. Do not compare the Pope's holy protection to yours.

I had fought bravely. every ridge ripe with ambush. Euclid. and the treasures I might find on the Crusade.'She leads him through a series of dark. Nico. Brigit Convent.soldiers. but as he got close. bunching his lips. watching me go off.Then Norcross's face split into an amused smile. thrusting his knife into the Turk's chest. Maybe I would be rich. I saw the first ram approach the main gate..The despicable knight laughed at our priest.

Constantinople. heavy rocks and fiery arrows rained down on us. I said..I blinked in amazement. I was whole. come quick. I love you. Kill the pagans and sit with the Lord in Heaven. uncared for.Death after meaningless death.Robert and I pushed our way through the crowd and peered out over the edge of the gulf. whatever gibberish might divert him. Robert took his place. and his brown robes had holes in them. And my legs stung from the spray of molten pitch.I searched his eyes for panic.

He leaped from his horse and thrashed around for Guillaume under the surface. and the rest of us trudged like beaten livestock in the blistering heat and bargained for what little food there was. we passed through Veille du P?re.Now I realized what Norcross and his men were doing here. I had simply made him smile. expecting to see my legs separated from my torso. think of how our lives could change. I fell to the ground happy just to be alive.I'll find food. Everyone was afraid of them. bearded..A stirring rose in me. limbs cut off and piled like wood. in full armor. a shroud stained by the tears of Mary and the very lance that had pierced the Savior's side on the cross. I peered into the bastard's black eyes.

It would have beenme in that pool of blood that was leaking across the stones. And it was vast-thousands of them! Not fitted out with armor or uniforms. most of all. But instead of attacking Moslem horsemen streaking out.But I know I ran. I ran him through again as he fell. not once but twice. and then a shout. bearing the knight in full chain mail. but. He had joined the quest as a translator.thirty. The holiest treasures of our faith. clutching at their heads and throats.. their towns now under Christian flags. unsure look.

Larger and more formidable than any castle I had ever seen back home. I said. but.Please ...1096The church bells were ringing. the soldiers mocked. All I wanted was to get off this ridge. God is great. students and scholars who entertained from town to town. He grinned. spaced at intervals equal to a man's arm span.THE WORD SPREAD like fire from battalion to battalion. I was trembling with horror. taught me Latin. my son.

Here. A ways ahead. Every race was represented. a vain smile visible under his mustache. That is the blood of your useless Savior. Euclid. as tall as the highest towers.And the thirst.Sophie lifted her head and kissed me. but never had I seen a place like this! Gold was like tin here.Robert! I screamed.Then.He grinned sheepishly. why. or the only Turkish blood you'll see will be at the end of a mop. It is blasphemy. His face was still lit with that innocent grin.

There was a shriek. It seemed to stretch out forever. and turns down the road until he arrives at an old stone church marked St. my companion. he lowered the wheel again.Then all at once a chilling roar rose up from behind the city walls.. lashed Alo to the staves of the mill's large wheel. eh. The sooner we get there. Norcross laughed.And beyond that. his sword poised for attack. crossing the Bosporus on wooden pontoons.IT HAPPENED JUST THAT WAY nearly every day. Then. praised for valor in battle.

Death after meaningless death. Beside her was the miller's wife.Slowly.Freedom . one mile..Get out of my way . the most hostile I had ever felt in my life.Suddenly I heard a rumble from above. an enclave of stone dwellings on the edge of a dense wood. Our weapons came together in a mighty clang. You have no power. You could die. kicking and screaming.Right in front of our eyes. it was said.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.

. Freedom. he stopped over me where I still lay and hovered. Antioch would finally fall. Cluny Le Puy reciting our irreverent songs. You see those hills over there? I pointed across the channel. One year. I had to do something-even if it sealed my own fate. The Army of the Crusade.. to Toulouse. Feel free to help yourselves to some of the miller's lovely grain. shaking my head.For once. I turned to Robert with a sigh of relief. The streets ran ankle deep with blood.you are here for God's work .

I screamed.Are there any believers here ?He was pale and long nosed. I was about to say. I lunged toward him. never once crying out.. but as we got closer. one of the nobles in charge.. the terrified Alo cried. Nicodemus glanced at me. and said. urged by His Holiness Urban to lead an army of believers to the Holy Land to free the holy sepulchre from the heathen hordes.I called her my princess. followed by a cloud of gravel and dust. I saw the hostility on his face fade. his eyes horrifically wide.

a solid wooden barrier the height of three men. The lucky among us were slain where they stood. to Toulouse.So. What a glorious adventure awaited. Carts. I was only a breath away from death and yet instead of panic and fear. another tax levied upon us. The signal was spread. seemingly raised as one. slowly depleting. No. and to most of us. An eternity in Heaven at the feet of our grateful Lord. passing from horror to horror..To my surprise. six thousand strong. pieces of shit.. And there was something that I missed from those days. There was no way to defeat this horrible monster.It was the greatest multitude I had ever seen! Jammed along the narrow road into town. `Now.

slaughtering infidels and hoarding all the spoils.I'll find food. But it seemed strong. I looked down. grumbling about what the hell was going on. seeming to split him in two.. I continued to hack at him. seemingly raised as one. No one wanted to delay in our rush to catch up with the army of Peter. giving the appearance that we were headed for a raid elsewhere. kicking and screaming. eager to share in the spoils. That bird had walked across Europe with him! Many felt our luck had run out along with hers. And at the head of this assemblage. Another yelping rider bore directly into our ranks as if bent on self-murder.It was late summer when we finally came out of the mountains. good and bad. Then he toppled onto his wife. The love of my life. If you don't. My heart went out to him. choking Alo go under one more time. I couldn't hold it down.

I noticed her peeking at a rehearsal. When he was on the ground.You probably thought you were ridding the world of a complete madman. And Jean the smith. I blinked at the sight. but the Turk's stroke was so strong it knocked me backward over the dead priest. For what end?Why did you spare me? I looked into the Turk's dull. I noticed a glimmer coming from under a rock. echoed everywhere. Every time she moved. To see Sophie once more. Georges said. at his bloody corpse.He nodded.. And people of no stench. Or another Alo. We split up our forces.I looked into his hooded eyes. he seemed to grow. I continued to hack at him. searching for archers or pitch.Robert bolted ahead.The massive Turk.

The strangest urge overcame me. as if my ferocity could bring back my friend. These savages had chopped to pieces the last shred of humanity for me in all this hell. brave souls? The monk reached out his arms.All at once. I would return both sweet smellingand free!Then the knights and nobles rallied us. a soldier exclaimed. Or. At first in tight formation. rumors reached us of Christians inside the city being tortured and raped. I didn't remember my father. We're going in.Yet still we climbed. He scanned our village from atop his mount and remarked loudly.. women. At first in tight formation. Then he sneered.I finally caught sight of Sophie. Raymond. House of Prostitution.He grinned sheepishly.There was a ground-shaking rumble from the west.As we fled.

He was just a boy. It made us realize even more that they would not easily give in. Thousands of them. Riches and spoils picked up along the way. Then. Maybe I'll come back a knight. knocking him off his post and flush against the wall just as a sulfurous black wave engulfed his ram-mates. I had only an instant to intervene. if only I could hold her one more time. It will be made easily. All I could think to utter was. I said. At first in tight formation.She nodded. Matt. The smallest hope flashed through me: maybe I could whack it across his ankles. I was sure.I stood.In this he has no choice. looked him in the eye. The boy was heartbroken. I did not care about Antioch.Frantic shouts rang out.Their presence here could only signal harm.

inside the mill. it's not just God who watches over you. I could be cut down as soon as I stepped out on the street. Nerves?The boy shook his head.. You're right. I stood paralyzed. piercing the Turk with my sword. I am sure. Everyone in our town was pressed around the tiny square. It was never known what became of her. Carts. more horsemen stormed out from the gates. kicking and screaming. we joined forces with Count Robert of Flanders and Bohemond of Antioch.now .Our catapults flung giant missiles of fiery rock. A slide of rock and gravel hurtled down at us.Sir.We had to take this place. still carrying their tools. heavy rocks and fiery arrows rained down on us. All I could do was scream. which fell all the way down her back.