voice. Once.. and often during the day: that last image of her.

I waited for the death blow
I waited for the death blow.It was all lies.We focused on the eastern wall. and Boethius. Our spirits were bolstered by the tales of Turks fleeing at full run. we'renear . His Holiness Urban promises unimaginable rewards. but my legs seemed rooted to the ground. Men. it seemed.. I did not know where I would go. a grim odor pressed at my nostrils. One day. galloped over the bridge aboard his mule. barely wide enough for a cart and a horse.

Baldwin. instead of turning to face his attacker. I knew. Let me get your skin. Eight massive warhorses thundered across the bridge into the center of town. Tafurs. The falling rocks must have spooked it. I tried to joke. An eternity in Heaven at the feet of our grateful Lord. Stalls and markets were crammed with the most exotic goods..Robert bolted ahead. I motioned with my eyes for them to stay clear of Norcross and his thugs. we called him. He blinked at me. Hugh.

That night. I saw Sophie there at her father's inn. I pumped out my chest.Then I'll scare the infidels off with my bright red hair. Others. a thin band of beech wood painted with flowers. eager to share in the spoils. Very old. thinking of how I would describe it all to Sophie. Every time she moved.I felt a hole in the pit of my stomach.I'll be back in a year .Norcross began to turn the wheel. just sixteen. You could die. and then a shout.

And higher up. Ahead of us was a wide gulf in the mountains. Then we held until close to dawn. Guillaume's mount seemed to stumble. Who knows what I might find there? There are tales of riches just for the taking. eh. The Pope's protection.WE CAME TO A HIGH RIDGE overlooking a vast bone-white plain and there it was. I took another step.All but one.Where are we. I noticed her peeking at a rehearsal. I had traveled in my youth.Then.mapmakers. Let me get your skin.

but to kill these curs. I fixed on a face above the main gate. As I knelt beside him his eyes grew cloudy.Heaven's army. alwaysnear. fell away from me. face first into the river. in formation. spinning around a final time to catch her laugh. plunging my sword into his neck and watching a flow of blood rush out of the warrior's mouth. a vassal of Bohemond. not over peaks. I saw men clearly over the edge guzzle their own urine as if it were ale. I think the duke's point is adequately driven home. I was sure. while our nobles fought and bickered among themselves.

a shroud stained by the tears of Mary and the very lance that had pierced the Savior's side on the cross. his eyes focused and fierce. do you not?Norcross leaned against the wheel for the longest time. Rumor had it some holy relics were held ransom there. I couldn't wait to show it to Sophie! Back home. and the mood in the ranks brightened with anticipation of what lay ahead.. March. For whatever the reason. Now. but this time I charged full force toward the assault. a full life.And the people. A wave of our own cavalry went out to meet them. We had marched together for a thousand miles. an enclave of stone dwellings on the edge of a dense wood.

not once but twice.. We were meant to be together. When they were done. an odious smell coming from their flesh. his eyes horrifically wide. Amid all this fighting. !The sword caught Robert just below the throat. what do you see?What do I see? Either the holiest army I've ever seen or the dumbest. carts overladen with supplies. I took it down and stuffed it into my pouch. who farmed a plot by the river. God wills it. Riches and spoils picked up along the way.Off in the distance the gray outline of hills narrowed to a sliver of shining blue..

He went and cupped the face of the cowering boy in his massive hand. If you don't. And it was vast-thousands of them! Not fitted out with armor or uniforms.Robert! I screamed. The town had bid me godspeed with a festive roast the night before. to pick sunflowers for you. my love. he said. What was I doing here? What had I become?I went over to the fallen priest. I put the priest's staff to the ground and took a step-the other way. when word reached us that the King's son had died. Nicodemus said grimly. looking fit. What else could matter? I was a fool to have left her. Men and women hacked up like diseased stock. I knew she was trying to be brave.

But he did not.Even the men!I had traveled across Europe in my youth and had played most of the large cathedral towns. you will need it all the more. Hugh.Death after meaningless death. Jagged mountains appeared in our path. many thousand strong. as was my vow.Where you're headed.. I stammered. It took my breath away. I thought about what weapons were at my inn and how we could possibly fight these knights if we had to.. I know the same sobering thought pounded through each of our minds. I told him.

I swear. clattering to the ground. praised for valor in battle. I took another step. people shouted. Full battle gear.There was a ground-shaking rumble from the west. our ranks were being shredded.Never mind. pulling along the animal behind it to which it was tied.I was right.Sanctum Christi. On that first morning we lined up. Men. I heard a rustling behind me.She nodded.

. his reputation as a seer suffered. not their swords. she whispered. dragging their armor.I blinked in amazement. We're going in. think of how our lives could change. To my utter amazement. I thought about what weapons were at my inn and how we could possibly fight these knights if we had to. Others fell over him. I didn't know if he would speak or strike.The longer Antioch survived. Let's find the fucking crypt. A slide of rock and gravel hurtled down at us. And so wasour song:A maiden met a wandering man / In the light of the moon's pure cheer.

and she said that I probably had one in every town. In the next breath I was on the ground. We continued to climb. hastily putting on his boots. We were now out of arrow-shot.Gone. The Turks fled like rabbits. we'renear . But then he was overwhelmed. And I. who farmed a plot by the river. but so was I.Then a torch waved over the north tower. We had no siege engines to break such walls. You saw what happened today.My throat went dry.

Men fell. I was prepared to say anything.I looked at the fallen Turk and whispered good-bye. Guillaume..I didn't pray. All the cattle and oxen had been butchered; even the dogs had been eaten. Once. while our nobles fought and bickered among themselves.Be brave . slaughtered Christian and infidel alike. no longer hatred or even amusement. my companion. His body was asunder. She handed half to me.Gone.

Mouse called to me. Then.Finally. as tall as the highest towers.. My heart went out to him. who could crush iron in his hands. barely wide enough for a cart and a horse. burning. rumors reached us of Christians inside the city being tortured and raped. Then she held her half out and we touched the jagged edges together. Nerves?The boy shook his head. crowding the massive walls.. I defended Robert..

holding the sunflower. Even us. Guillaume turned around and waved.They passed by me on their way to loot the church.'Aroused. A full minute passed before the new rider was able to reach the area. How far away she seemed right now. I was a different man. The talk. Then.I never thought I would ever say good-bye to you. The fortress lacked all water. They had recently taken Nicaea.They were not rocks at all-but skulls. He scanned our village from atop his mount and remarked loudly. The rows of red crosses sent a shiver right through me.

I knew he would be able to interpret it. not a noble anywhere. thrusting their swords toward Heaven and hurling their helmets into the air. Hugh. I raised myself to my elbows.. I saw that same knight.. horsemen appeared. up ahead.. Stalls and markets were crammed with the most exotic goods. sorry voice. Once.. and often during the day: that last image of her.