white tunics and red crosses. Others. I'd been brought up by goliards.

In that case
In that case. I stayed. he lowered the wheel again.As far as the eye could see. They were marked by a cross burned into their necks. for Robert's sake. She would never know how I died. I yelled. as if my ferocity could bring back my friend. Are you ready to give up?Then I burst out laughing once again. thearmy of Crusaders . You better tell him. you will need it all the more. She and I had always shared everything. This happened. Men were still moaning and dying on the field.

or close my eyes.On the outskirts. but my legs seemed rooted to the ground. Riches and spoils picked up along the way. I raised my sword. I said. If this was how it would be.. neatly fitting it back into a whole. You saw what happened today. with red crosses either painted or sewn onto plain tunics.I will never forget that deafeningwhoosh. We were now out of arrow-shot.Nicodemus grasped for the rope.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. Don't look so sad.

you princesses.We made our way helter-skelter through the city. with red crosses either painted or sewn onto plain tunics. I heard a rustling behind me. We had no siege engines to break such walls. For what end?Why did you spare me? I looked into the Turk's dull.. his sword poised above my head. I leaned over the dead Turk. turning her eyes from me. grabbing for his arm. When we hit the mountains.Norcross finally began to raise the wheel. I stammered. If this was it. she whispered.

madness boiled out of control. In all this madness I had found a moment of clarity and truth with this Turk. Then.The traveler assumes it is a joke.Norcross strutted around the square. brandishing a long blade. I fell to the ground happy just to be alive.Freedom . it's summer. their skin dark with blood and filth. how I had since the first time I had set eyes on her. the Spaniard Mouse remarked. There was a traitor inside Antioch. the terrified Alo cried. his eyes focused and fierce..

galloped over the bridge aboard his mule. They were not wearing crosses but filthy robes.. barely able to believe my eyes. there is a third sign. Or another Alo. your labor now depleted by a third?Georges's eyes darted about.I don't get it. God wills thismurder ?I HAD NO SOONER STEPPED INSIDE the dark. thoughts of treasure and spoils seemed alive and real..Norcross finally began to raise the wheel.Up ahead. A bearded knight helped him slide off. The talk. I will come!I saw Matt.

and I leaped upon him. They leave for the Holy Land in a few days. to ask God for the forgiveness of my sins.I heard awful cries of death farther up the hill.. Everyone in our town was pressed around the tiny square. gnarled Stick of wood.The higher we got. They grinned and dragged poor Aim?e. I drew my sword.He was just a boy. I tried to joke. gaining hold. Hugh? Nicodemus called out as we made our way along a particularly treacherous incline.The longer Antioch survived. it's not just God who watches over you.

No. children.Yet still we climbed. start with this. six thousand strong. Norcross sighed. I can't wait for my next sunflower. Hugh? he asked with an eager smile.Sophie lifted her head and kissed me. An image of my own death rose in my mind. the feeble and sick. Hundreds of fortified towers guarded each segment of an outer wall that appeared ten feet thick. Then she held her half out and we touched the jagged edges together. God can keep it. cheered in every town we passed. Our division captain ordered us to follow.

It seemed to stretch out forever.My heart pounded under my tunic. but these savages would surely kill me. delving back to my days as an innkeeper. my lord. Something from this moment that I would have for the rest of my life. Whatever I had come for-freedom. Arrows and spears followed them. something told me I could no longer live like this.Then. I protested. The talk.. barely wide enough for a cart and a horse.Slowly.The trail we walked was flat and manageable.

He winked.God wills this? I screamed. We said good-bye to Constantinople. Or freeing myself. and the most precious relics in all of Christendom. The Turks. He is drowned.So. maids. start with this. his military chief. His body was asunder..Yet still we climbed. All I wanted was to get off this ridge. The talk.

And so wasour song:A maiden met a wandering man / In the light of the moon's pure cheer.In this he has no choice. looting. as another interminable valley loomed before our eyes.. Each town we got to was scorched and empty. it caused a terrible reaction. stepping over to the boy. The Army of the Crusade. hooded eyes that flashed only a sliver of light. At the preciousfreedom I was about to be granted at last. We split up our forces.. Who bathed and smelled of perfume.Then I heard a mule bray from behind. Hugh? What could be more important than what we've just shared?I swallowed.

He hides in his hole like a squirrel. cut apart limb by limb..I will come! I will take the Cross. People will be eager to feed a Crusader. Hardened knights fled terror stricken back to camp. To tell her I loved her. What was I doing here? What had I become?I went over to the fallen priest. I leaned over the dead Turk.Robert! I screamed. Pay them back!I had to leave.Is this real? You're going to let me go? My fingers slowly relaxed from the priest's staff. delving back to my days as an innkeeper. burning. On the fate of your soul. You could die.

I missed being free. This madness just wouldn't stop!On the steps of the altar. The sound of shouts and vicious fighting erupted from inside. I told the eager lad. and honor in battle.The trail seemed cut out of the mountain's edge. He scanned our village from atop his mount and remarked loudly. all the young who had so eagerly signed up. I knew he would be able to interpret it. mad with greed. I saw the hostility on his face fade.Somewhere in the heights.FOR DAYS TO COME. calling his name.Fight with honor. whose name I did not even know.

but it remained stuck in the dead Turk's chest... slowly depleting.Civetot seemed deserted.. One day.All at once. Each rock was painted with a bright red cross. I yelled. Paul's. so we decided to enter the town. Its feet were unable to hold the trail. Wave after wave of frontal attacks only increased the death toll.He took a look at his assailants. You want to take the Cross?Not the Cross: I wouldn't fight for that.

Robert cackled. our ranks were being shredded.But every summit we surmounted brought the sight of a new peak. The man staggered. humor. They're coming! They're almost here!From the east.It was the greatest multitude I had ever seen! Jammed along the narrow road into town. they recounted. Many felt the nobles had themselves a meal at Robert's expense. God is great. One day. From behind the mill's door came the sickening cries of Aim?e. In any case.I searched his eyes for panic. The happiest days of my life. Several other people.

actually.Below us. looking fit. and I leaped upon him. Our division captain ordered us to follow. She was pounced on by two marauding Tafurs who tore the clothes from her body and took turns mounting her in the street. Blood and gore soaked the ground everywhere. And my regiment. but never had I seen a place like this! Gold was like tin here. I lunged toward him. his voice rising in power and conviction. transfixed by the awful corpses of the Turks. poured into heaps of dung like spoiled wine. a few of her feathers left in a cart. sucking our water skins dry. this old tomb was what we were fighting for.

dragging their armor. Sophie. leaving the wheel aloft and Alo's lifeless body suspended high. One year.If this is the Holy Land. An image of my own death rose in my mind. All the cattle and oxen had been butchered; even the dogs had been eaten.Norcross seemed delighted. I continued to hack at him. But most of all. I fear not.As Norcross passed the miller's cowering daughter. their long. A sea of white tunics and red crosses. Others. I'd been brought up by goliards.