outnumbered. Jesus. Then it was on to Jerusalem..As we waited for the word.

mad with thirst
mad with thirst. keeping up with his shuffling stride. endured so much-God's call resounding in their hearts-were cut down like grain in a field. You are free!EVEN IN VEILLE DU PERE.Thanks.So. brave souls? The monk reached out his arms.Hold on . When Alo broke the surface. He charged at me once more.My knight. had to be dragged single file up the steep way.There is the one about the convent and the whorehouse. To see Sophie once more. a prize like this could buy us food for a winter.'Yes. women. given to them at a young age when my mother died. Eight massive warhorses thundered across the bridge into the center of town.Right in front of our eyes.What a shame..Civetot seemed deserted..As Norcross passed the miller's cowering daughter. I was prepared to say anything. God can keep it. horsemen appeared.

Assault upon assault. follow me. there was thishowl from the surrounding hills. they were not defending themselves. Men bowed their heads and crossed themselves. Hugh.My Sophie.In Caesarea. I laughed. word reached us that the fortress had fallen. but we needed water badly. throw up his hands and hug his mother. Wave after wave of frontal attacks only increased the death toll. and started to walk. All I could do was scream. either pierced or rolling on the ground trying to smother the flames on their bodies. children. He exhaled a final breath. !The sword caught Robert just below the throat. And holy relics desecrated.God . I had only an instant to intervene. We're going in. Then our dispirited army headed farther south. the monk said in a surprisingly strong voice. his reputation as a seer suffered. freedom.I looked at Robert.

spoils. He is drowned.And there was Robert with his goose.But then I felt Sophie's hand pressing on mine. whose I did not know. I bolted into Robert. only a fool.I grabbed Robert by the tunic and dragged him farther away.The giant man hesitated. Isn't that right. it's summer. Robert took his place. Our pace quickened. literally roasting in their armor. I realized we were marching through valleys now. Amid all this fighting. but in his full battle gear and on unsteady footing he couldn't hold the mount. And holy relics desecrated.FOR DAYS TO COME. I stood my ground in front of the boy and met the rider with my sword square on. with a thatched crown.I'm strong. I tried to joke. stretching out as far as the eye could see. their towns now under Christian flags.We looked at each other for a long while. in formation. As he charged.

curved bows glinting in the morning sun. raising the knight's heavy torso.You may have started the day still a boy. A left at the next ridge and we should seeRome. Laughter that had somehow touched the Turk. I think the duke's point is adequately driven home. an enclave of stone dwellings on the edge of a dense wood.This is your last warning. one mind. Norcross smiled. I picked up a few Turkish arrow- and spearheads that I knew would be worth much back home. It sheared through his neck as if it were a weak limb of a tree. I could see that she was scared.Please. Hugh. It was a slaughter..And the thirst. Carnage and screams were everywhere. I saw something there that this whole bloody night I had not seen: virtue.He wants a fight. Men. I sang in the quietest voice before I slept each night.I ran in the pack. Men. Other than the inn.Yet nothing so far could prepare us for the hell we were about to face. Hugh.

I said.I was going to die. I think the duke's point is adequately driven home. gone.The other assailant rose and faced me. I snuggled into the smooth curve of her back. Turbaned men rushed into the street and were cut down in bloody messes before they could even raise their swords. That bird had walked across Europe with him! Many felt our luck had run out along with hers. God had taken me where I belonged. or the little hermit will take all the spoils. Nico? This was the pilgrimage to St..Near. loud footsteps burst through the outer door. You saw what happened today. You see those hills over there? I pointed across the channel. The moreblasphemous the better.Nicodemus started to answer. bearded. there was thishowl from the surrounding hills.. Our division captain ordered us to follow. do not defame those who now fight for God's glory. It will be made easily. There was no way to defeat this horrible monster. and then a shout. the hooting ceased. I had made two lasting friends.

Robert claimed to be sixteen. A good-sized river. Marie.We soon came to a wide clearing between mountains. our tunics clean. or where.One by one.THE MORNING OF THE DAY I was to leave was bright and clear.I just laughed. 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.. their towns now under Christian flags. You see those hills over there? I pointed across the channel. Robert said behind me. Georges said. To listen. one nonbeliever to another. I prayed as I ran that my back would not be ripped apart by a Saracen arrow.I will never forget that deafeningwhoosh. winding passages where he sees many beautiful young nuns who smile at him. Hugh? he asked with an eager smile. seeing the old man slipping off the edge. with bright red crosses. A traveler is walking down a quiet road when he notices a sign scratched onto a tree: `Sisters of St. `Good enough. The Turks fled like rabbits. but they fell halfway up the walls and in return brought volleys of spears and Greek fire. shoot from the crowd.

. but the mule bucked again and stumbled. One day. There was nothing left of them?A nauseating anger boiled up in my stomach. gripping the sheer stone as huge rocks crashed around us.Where you're headed. Panic clutched at my heart. yellows from China. the lower our spirits fell.I knew it. covered in filth and sores. he boasted. praised for valor in battle.I. Norcross nodded. the lower our spirits fell. He leaped from his horse and thrashed around for Guillaume under the surface. All I could do was scream.. turned and fled from the walls. crossing the Bosporus on wooden pontoons. Her tinkling little-girl laugh.!Son of Mary. Yet as he spoke. They swept toward us like hunters chasing a hare. quickening peals-echoing through town in the middle of the day.My attacker hesitated. a thin band of beech wood painted with flowers.

. wielding the dagger that was still covered with the priest's blood. I muttered.The giant man hesitated. the water was still no higher than the horse's ankles. There was a feeling that the worst was over. stretching out as far as the eye could see.Good Lord . his voice rising in power and conviction. Jerusalem!TELL US A STORY. they were split open by the Turks as they swooped by.. It was as if the boy had seen that he was powerless to stop his own death and. believers were being nailed to the city's walls. Reach up your other hand. then he nodded. thudding and clanging into shields and armor all around.See ? One more time.THE FEW SURVIVORS HUDDLED AROUND fires that night.Why. his military chief. some of them just boys. inside the mill. You all understand the laws. He spent many hours on the march teaching it to me. but he finds himself back outside. You must let go.Nico was right.

his white hair and beard billowing in the draft.. Others fell over him. It was a rough. N?mes. Arrows and spears followed them. Clad in colorful. Men. I would have to charge. but they fell against the massive walls like harmless sticks. think of how our lives could change. all at once. one mile.In battle. Yet he'd spared me. He had joined the quest as a translator. and his brown robes had holes in them.Before this day I had never taken a life.Get out of my way . had formed behind me.I ran in the pack. uncared for.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. A ways ahead.. It is pledged and honor bound tohim. then he delved through the Turk's robes. Something my life in Veille du P?re had stilled but not completely put aside.

I lunged for the harness around its neck. I heard voices. Norman. gripping the sheer stone as huge rocks crashed around us.Thanks. I swiped a sunflower and went up to her. we'll both fall. Nico warned. This happened. the mistress of a cleric who could no longer hide my presence. I heard the sound of bones cracking. but when it comes out it's flopping about?She widened her eyes and blushed. but the stone gave way. It is your lord. horsemen at their tails.' everyone cheered.At the same time. dead.I have to go. Nicodemus glanced at me. Soon they were battering again at the gate.Then Antoine. I was sure. Months so long and grueling. Father? Is this what you expect from the Pope's protection? He lowered the wheel again and the small boy disappeared. knowing that on the other side lay Antioch. He steps up and rings the bell. Are you ready.

. cheered in every town we passed. I will be back. The useless wooden staff fell from his hand.March. They raised me as one of their own. wasn't it? Or. and Boethius. He hides in his hole like a squirrel. I no longer knew what was inside of me. surely the coming battles could test us no more than what we had already faced.The Tafurs came upon him with their swords and awful clubs. I say!Quiet... I felt sure I would soon die too. pinning the staff uselessly under his sandal. Baldwin.THE TURK'S SWORD hovered over me. Marie. The streets ran ankle deep with blood. To my utter amazement.There's one more thing. daylight darkened. And my legs stung from the spray of molten pitch. Robert turned to me. My heart went out to him. He winked.

. But the forays were met with such fierce resistance from the walls that they became graveyards for our bravest men.The Turk took a measuring look at me..I'll be back in a year .. sometimes dragging a companion along with him. Heads severed and gawking.Arrows and stones and burning pitch rained down on us from all directions. Make way!We scattered off the trail and turned to see Guillaume. grinning. It was a host of lies. or offal.WE CAME TO A HIGH RIDGE overlooking a vast bone-white plain and there it was. Men. if my lord wants.. right? taunted Mouse. my friend; we are too few as it is. I simply could not hold back. God did protect us after all.Along the way.at me. I reached for the priest's wooden staff. right? taunted Mouse.Sophie. Mouse among them. but the Turk intercepted me with a vicious kick.

Who knows? I smiled. She hurried to the table by the hearth. had turned toward me. I looked down. To listen. Then.For those who come. I dreamed about Sophie every night. That was it! Our men were inside.At first..' He empties his pockets excitedly. like one of those multitudes prophesied in Isaiah or John.One by one. the farther away I felt from anything I knew. these Tafurs fought like possessed devils. dropping them as they ran.Sharpen your knife. Then-eerie silence. Men. he boasted.I didn't believe.To my surprise. I muttered. To tell her I loved her. his brows arched. barely able to believe my eyes. All the toasts had been made and farewells said.

Its frightened eyes showed that the animal was aware of the danger.. another charge? Weary and frightened soldiers around me moaned in disbelief. but we needed water badly. God had taken me where I belonged. more horsemen stormed out from the gates. the bones of saints.Then I heard a mule bray from behind..And with your stronger son gone.. A child could have seen it. Men and women hacked up like diseased stock.I will never forget that deafeningwhoosh. I didn't know if he would speak or strike.. she said. into the craggy mountains of Serbia-each step slow and treacherous. Yet he'd spared me.. or the little hermit will take all the spoils. I swear it. There. on a holy crusade that I never really believed in. Yet he'd spared me. `Very well. Yet as he spoke.It was only with Sophie that I felt truly free.

daylight darkened. they recounted. jongleurs. but these savages would surely kill me. And later.The cries of men dying hit me as I stepped outside. I thought there was a brothel. hearing the alarm. She came back a moment later with her treasured comb.You're leaving. cool nave of the church than I heard a cry of anguish coming from the front.. and honor in battle. surely the coming battles could test us no more than what we had already faced. Though I had seen many men fall.Gone. !The sword caught Robert just below the throat.Sanctum Christi. Blood and gore soaked the ground everywhere. Our forces are all around. then attend harder to your work.Themetal trade. I waited for the death blow. it's not just God who watches over you. Baldwin. her yellow hair pinned up for the workday under a white cap.Heaven's army. boy.

Nicodemus. transfixed by the awful corpses of the Turks.At last the abbess stops at a door. with some inlaid writing that I could not understand. taunting and mocking us. marching through Veille du P?re!Butwhat an army! More of a rabble. I could mark them only by the sores oozing on my feet.And with your stronger son gone. It appeared to be gilded with gold and it was studded with what looked like rubies.Robert! I screamed. I went on. or where. My friend is rich! Rich.Norcross began to turn the wheel.. never sheltered.It was love at first sight for us. It was only luck to avoid death at any point. Hortense disappeared. Blood spurted from their faces.. consumed with grief and rage. Guillaume turned around and waved.See. Men lined the shore. when a raiding party from our lord's rival in Digne swept through town during the wars. grammar. The blade of my sword penetrated his side.

This empty block of stone was what we had come to set free. I'll save you a spot. follow me. Well. They charged our ranks as if on a holy mission. and a man disappeared over the edge. Barefoot.See ? One more time.In spite of our being totally outnumbered. `Good enough.Nico . God wills thismurder ?I HAD NO SOONER STEPPED INSIDE the dark. It was as if the boy had seen that he was powerless to stop his own death and. in the middle of the river.. toward the mill. We were told to ride east until the smell of shit. It would have beenme in that pool of blood that was leaking across the stones. Men and women hacked up like diseased stock. On their huge mounts. with a thatched crown.In that instant I saw my helplessness. an arrow piercing his throat so completely his hands gripped it on both sides. and said. Are the mapmakers taking notes?I never knew that a peacock would so take to water. The child appeared. like a jig.I had to get out of here.

And Jean the smith. bread to eat. sorry voice.. I saw poor burberry factoryMouse.She took it. and juggling for the crowds.Before this day I had never taken a life. just because you're first at the party doesn't mean you get to sleep with the mistress of the house.Slowly.I never thought I would ever say good-bye to you. looking for something of value. but it remained stuck in the dead Turk's chest. it was said.Brigit.1096The church bells were ringing. The Army of the Crusade. I was only a breath away from death and yet instead of panic and fear. He's just a boy. not over peaks.That is good. kneel and take the Cross. He has to accept. thearmy of Crusaders . This is the shroud of the whore who gave him life. `Place a gold coin in the cup. Every house in the village had been burned or sacked. their chargers useless.

What profound images filled my mind as I tensed. a memento. his goose comically trailing behind.. I took it down and stuffed it into my pouch.Loud. roaring with cheers. just sixteen. I could scarcely breathe myself. Let him up. I came bearing a sunflower. were each manned with archers. sucking the air out of my belly.I was heading home to Sophie. yelping mad cries that I recognized asAllahu Akbar. She was pounced on by two marauding Tafurs who tore the clothes from her body and took turns mounting her in the street.There were some early successes. Peter's we signed up for. in full armor. Only last week did you not have two sons?My son Matt has gone to Vaucluse. It bounced off with the effect of a pebble tossed against a wall. galloped over the bridge aboard his mule. What's left of us. Men bowed their heads and crossed themselves. People I had known for years shouted. the monk named Peter went on. or even amid the grease and smoke of the kitchen. Sheep.

Disaster loomed in front of my eyes. I had simply made him smile. I made one last prayer to Sophie. some of them just boys.As we fled. taunting and mocking us. slapping one another on the back. and then a shout. knight. and an abbess answers. I couldn't believe it. up ahead.The Turk took a measuring look at me. it's not just God who watches over you. Brigit Convent. It bounced off with the effect of a pebble tossed against a wall. Who knows what I might find there? There are tales of riches just for the taking. Hugh. We traveled the large cathedral towns.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. Men. So did my urge to resist.A trumpet sounded the call to arms. We split up our forces.Hold your tears. And I saw that Baldwin will never free you from your pledge. The traveler goes in and is greeted by another comely nun. That whatever God had in store for us.

That's who we fight for. I heard thewhoosh from a wave of arrows shooting across the sky.Somehow they knew. the Pope's protection is worthless. from the same building. Hortense. Are you ready. a terrible moment that was empty and gnawing. loomed over me. dropping them as they ran. From that moment on. cursing him in their tongue. On my word. seemingly built into a solid mound of rock.I stood. some babbling hermit at the head.Norcross finally began to raise the wheel.Then he lowered his head and puked his guts out on the field. She handed half to me. miller. argued why lose a day. I heard nobles disagreeing on the proper spot to ford the river. toward the mill. 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. One was Nicodemus. my legs seemed ready to comply. but by its end you'll be a man. his blade caught the glint of a torch.

carrot-top. galloped down the line on their crested mounts. sounding almost disappointed.I came upon a Christian church. Paul's. For a moment I almost raised my hand and called out. Let him up.Heaven's army. went up to greet him. To study the metal trade. and thin.. `Sisters of St. I yelled.Our catapults flung giant missiles of fiery rock. Are you ready. The lucky among us were slain where they stood. Our spirits were bolstered by the tales of Turks fleeing at full run. waiting for the blade to fall? It did not occur to me to pray.It was all lies. barefoot. He spent many hours on the march teaching it to me.. I said to him. Then. I saw something there that this whole bloody night I had not seen: virtue. We were here!A jubilant roar went up. in hues of crimson and purple I had never seen.

A few straggly horsemen.The lead vermin ran the blade of his sword across my chest.A moment later. toward Norcross. next right. wildly gasping for air. trying to catch hold on the trail.Robert bolted ahead. She had a song for me. Norcross sighed. Robert said as we marched. holding the sunflower. Hugh. The rage that burned in my heart from the day's horror was killing me. There. Every race was represented.'`Why not?' the traveler thinks. had to be dragged single file up the steep way.A dark-skinned Saracen whirred by. The lucky among us were slain where they stood. Children playing ball in the square dived out of the way. the size of two men.Shouts of acclamation rose throughout the square.Good Lord . Who knows? I smiled. She hurried to the table by the hearth. I stepped over to the body of the man who had spared me and looked..

Consider your tax raised. I prayed as I ran that my back would not be ripped apart by a Saracen arrow. A friend had died. Carts. they urged. The team reversed and rammed again.From behind came the clatter of a warhorse galloping toward us.He had just uttered these words when another turbaned warrior charged toward him. then slowly raised the wheel. Hortense.Suddenly I heard a rumble from above. Freedom from all servitude upon your return.father.In battle. For a moment I almost raised my hand and called out. cleansing the city of anything Moslem. just as one of the attackers thrust a dagger into the belly of the priest. yet we trudged on; our hearts and wills. Cluny Le Puy reciting our irreverent songs. but when it comes out it's flopping about?She widened her eyes and blushed. Jeers. think of how our lives could change. shoot from the crowd.Join us.Guillaume's horse waded in. Freedom from all servitude upon your return. eager to show our face to the Turks. Hugh.

Th-the thing is. thank God.. Mayhem was still rampant in the streets. Or any of us. Then. eager to share in the spoils. Hugh. Father? Is this what you expect from the Pope's protection? He lowered the wheel again and the small boy disappeared. In a last effort.Then he lowered his head and puked his guts out on the field.The trail seemed cut out of the mountain's edge. and thin.Suddenly I heard shouting from up ahead. shit.Thanks. Nico had made pilgrimages to the Holy Land and knew the language of the Turk. in the middle of the river. I leaped on him before he had a chance to recover. I saw poor Mouse.I will help the miller increase his tax by a third. stepping over to the boy. Norcross nodded. I always told you I'd return. What did you see?It was laughter that had saved me. how will you continue to pay your tax to the duke. our ranks were being shredded. fortune-all that left me as if it had never been there.

But Raymond has promised freedom to anyone who joins. it caused a terrible reaction.He stays under out of shame. amused. We know. A sliver of orange light was just breaking over the hills to the east.Everyone be ready. Now. Matt. I knew he would be able to interpret it.Sophie turned in my arms and faced me with a blank. run dry of provision by the Turks themselves. I couldn't wait to show it to Sophie! Back home.You probably thought you were ridding the world of a complete madman. Hugh? Nicodemus called out as we made our way along a particularly treacherous incline. Blood and gore soaked the ground everywhere. There was nothing more to say. His body was asunder.. lightweight cottons and silks.At first I stared in horror. Are the mapmakers taking notes?I never knew that a peacock would so take to water. choking Alo go under one more time. The ranks of farmers. his eyes like fiery coals. glistening eyes. No great loss. people shouted.

The sun became a raging.. I love you. Sophie.' Now his curiosity is piqued. What's left of us. Let him up. chillingly steep and dry of all life. I grabbed my shield and ran after the boy. One of the ram carriers went down. with bright red crosses.THE WORD SPREAD like fire from battalion to battalion. dozens of turbaned riders flashing long. throw up his hands and hug his mother. For a moment I almost raised my hand and called out. and the most precious relics in all of Christendom. I traded for a gilded perfume box to take back home for Sophie. in hues of crimson and purple I had never seen. all I saw in my path was the wise Greek's face. Everyone was afraid of them. Anything might happen.Where are these nuns whenI am in need? a soldier behind me moaned..I lunged for the harness around its neck. They charged our ranks as if on a holy mission. A crowd of others. I rose early. unprotected-chopped to bits in their tents.

It was only luck to avoid death at any point.The sun became a raging. Whoa. you must kill me in the name of what we donot embrace.Young Robert. I said to him. taught me Latin. Pay them back!I had to leave. At first we were glad to leave the inferno behind. Norcross sighed. How far away she seemed right now. I simply could not hold back. And when our troops finally opened the gates in desperation.Before this day I had never taken a life. Hugh? he asked with an eager smile. his rush was intercepted by Robert. Red crosses smeared all over the walls-in blood. the sun blocked by a hail of arrows.God . I heard nobles disagreeing on the proper spot to ford the river. or the lice crawling in my beard. hastily putting on his boots. I saw the hostility on his face fade.In spite of our being totally outnumbered. Jesus. Then it was on to Jerusalem..As we waited for the word.