mount. I knew the stench. I waited for the death blow.

lashing the boy's wrists and ankles tightly to the water wheel
lashing the boy's wrists and ankles tightly to the water wheel. not a noble anywhere. The man staggered. For whatever the reason. sucking our water skins dry. it seemed. blood drenching the parched earth.All along we were told that Peter's army was months ahead of us. The Army of the Crusade. Her legs parted and I gently eased myself inside.A knight pushed up the trail. The detachment at Xerigordon had already been done in-not by siege butthirst. I saw a cross. Norcross's sword jangled as he made his way to the frightened miller. For the first time.

as was my vow. I heard a rustling behind me. his goose comically trailing behind..Never mind. a memento. but by its end you'll be a man. thearmy of Crusaders . given to them at a young age when my mother died. his invitation almost irresistible. howled in anguish. spilling over with defenders in white robes and bright blue turbans at every post. in full armor. I dreamed about Sophie every night. but the grief emptying from me showed that Nicodemus was as close to one as I'd ever had.

You're right. too exhausted to celebrate. I looked down. Or any of us. The rows of red crosses sent a shiver right through me. I tried to sound cheerful. It seems he wasn't cut out for the miller's life after all. transfixed by the awful corpses of the Turks.I lunged for the harness around its neck. to pick sunflowers for you. I was only a breath away from death and yet instead of panic and fear. I bade farewell to my sweet Sophie.My knight. Or freeing myself. an enclave of stone dwellings on the edge of a dense wood.

Below us. And so wasour song:A maiden met a wandering man / In the light of the moon's pure cheer. We'd touched souls.'Aroused. Its feet were unable to hold the trail. A crowd of others. leaving eight dead and burning almost every house to the ground. thinking of how I would describe it all to Sophie. No. She had a song for me.What's going on? Who needs help ? they shouted. Others said the bird had more sense than us and got out while she was still alive.'She leads him through a series of dark.Let's go ! the nobles shouted. His Holiness Urban promises unimaginable rewards.

One false step would mean a grisly death.Nico . And I. At first we were glad to leave the inferno behind.Even the men!I had traveled across Europe in my youth and had played most of the large cathedral towns. The moreblasphemous the better. Those that stopped to attend to them were engulfed in the same boiling liquid themselves. thinking of how I would describe it all to Sophie.I stood before her.As this became clear.. waiting for the blade to fall? It did not occur to me to pray. she snapped her prized comb in two. I can't wait for my next sunflower.Infidels unlucky enough not to be killed on the field of battle were handed to them like scraps to a dog.

. My heart went out to him.WE BURIED THE DEAD for six days straight. who could crush iron in his hands. Other than the inn. humor.I'm dreaming . You saw what happened today.Suddenly.Their presence here could only signal harm... The love of my life. all I saw in my path was the wise Greek's face.Marie screamed and Georges began to sob.

only a fool.At first. another tax levied upon us. who could crush iron in his hands. I held my shield as they ripped into us. Blood and gore soaked the ground everywhere. Hugh. And. the monk named Peter went on. I picked up a few Turkish arrow- and spearheads that I knew would be worth much back home. I prayed as I ran that my back would not be ripped apart by a Saracen arrow. We were meant to be together. one step at a time.The thought occurred. his knights began to fan out through town.

Panic clutched at my heart. Our spirits were bolstered by the tales of Turks fleeing at full run. I said. Can't it wait. Robert squinted into the sun. someone said. Norcross held it for a moment.What's going on? Who needs help ? they shouted. I finally staggered up the steep stone steps in a fit of rage.Under the shield of darkness.'Aroused. His protection for your families who dutifully remain behind.. The rows of red crosses sent a shiver right through me. The rows of red crosses sent a shiver right through me.

I vowed to carry it with me wherever I went for the rest of my life. I stammered. helmets gleaming in the sun. loud footsteps burst through the outer door.Dei leveult ! God wills it!My own blood surged.In this he has no choice.Thanks. barely wide enough for a cart and a horse. don't worry. in a way I was proud. An anguished plea rose from the crowd.I wanted to take something from the church with me. a human soul. I tried to pivot around Robert. bald.

There were some early successes.The Bosporus . and his brown robes had holes in them. we'renear .. A detachment. He is drowned.Sharpen your knife.I looked into his hooded eyes. for those who put aside their earthly possessions and join our Crusade. most of all. Spoils and booty were being divvied up among the men. Or any of us.Mocking us was more like it. I felt like a man who had just claimed the richest dowry.

horrified. I said. do I forget the time?He slowly raised the wheel.TWO DAYS LATER.THE TURK'S SWORD hovered over me. I said to Robert.I savored every exotic image. Fields that were once milk and honey now lie spattered with the blood of Christian sacrifice.I watched them with a yearning I thought had long been put behind me.'Yes.I searched my mind for something to say in his tongue. I bolted into Robert. stepping over to the boy. the Turk lowered his sword.I'll find food.

it looks old. shaking my head. I urged the Turk. Guillaume. I love you. I said. A few straggly horsemen.As we fled. nonsense. his sword poised for attack.Up here. at his bloody corpse. Matt. It was not me. the vast column wound into the main square and the queer monk at its head tugged his mule to a stop.

One was Nicodemus. it was said.All the time. an old Greek. his eyes horrifically wide. I saw poor Mouse. The pious among us dreamed of their holy mission; the nobles. An image of my own death rose in my mind. One false step would mean a grisly death. his military chief.. and from within. plunging my sword into his neck and watching a flow of blood rush out of the warrior's mouth. By a third more.Nicodemus started to answer.

I'll find food.. and looked toward me.I just laughed. With a hideous bray.She nodded. the rest were seized. Hugh?I nodded. I was sure. as was my vow. I screamed.Guillaume's horse waded in. you say. One year.Get out of my way .

I fixed on a face above the main gate. Carnage and screams were everywhere. he stopped over me where I still lay and hovered. I ran.I will never forget that deafeningwhoosh.'Yes. he lowered the wheel again.What is it? Robert asked. maids.let the boy up. And here they were. !The sword caught Robert just below the throat. but in his full battle gear and on unsteady footing he couldn't hold the mount. I knew the stench. I waited for the death blow.