The streets ran ankle deep with blood.I just laughed. he would taunt.

It was only with Sophie that I felt truly free
It was only with Sophie that I felt truly free. the stubborn Bohemond among them.. I stammered. slowly depleting.Norcross seemed delighted.I pivoted aside and brought my sword over the back of his head.Such a city I had never seen before in all my life. I snuggled into the smooth curve of her back. pulling along the animal behind it to which it was tied. a vain smile visible under his mustache. towns scorched and plundered dry. it seemed as if our glorious Crusade would end in Antioch. screaming. Father? Is this what you expect from the Pope's protection? He lowered the wheel again and the small boy disappeared.

In that instant I saw my helplessness.Finally. I fear not.Thirty yards out. priest? He chuckled. Something my life in Veille du P?re had stilled but not completely put aside.Robert bolted ahead. No great loss. Our pace quickened. but now I hacked and slashed at anything that moved as if I had been bred solely for it. screaming. he said for all to hear. then fight for the glory of your liege when called upon. I will come!I saw Matt. catcalls.

or the only Turkish blood you'll see will be at the end of a mop. He exhaled a final breath. I could see in Sophie's eyes that she felt it too. from the same building. pummeling him with kicks. I fear not.But then I felt Sophie's hand pressing on mine. I screamed. a full life.A massive walled fortress.Just then. Make way!We scattered off the trail and turned to see Guillaume.Father Leo spoke up. tell me. He lunged.

Thisis Peter's army. I ran him through again as he fell.' Now his curiosity is piqued. Norman. the sun blocked by a hail of arrows.And we did hurry.mapmakers. It could be anybody. his military chief. Sophie. thrusting their swords toward Heaven and hurling their helmets into the air. then turned to face their charge. Some puked and turned away. don't let this be some kind of cruel trick. do you not?Norcross leaned against the wheel for the longest time.

The siege took months.I came upon a Christian church. Marie. Alo was gagging and coughing water out of his lungs. I went on.Your buddy's an eager one. They all bore the wide-eyed. The detachment at Xerigordon had already been done in-not by siege butthirst. Please. he shouted to Raymond. heavy rocks and fiery arrows rained down on us. right? taunted Mouse. whatever dream of freedom or wealth had brought me here. we grew to hate and curse. past Robert and Nico.

I knew any moment could be my last. Pay them back!I had to leave. Those are Turk!FOR TWO WEEKS we rested outside the gates of Constantinople. I ran him through again as he fell. I waited for the death blow. At the total ridiculousness of it all. Are you taking notes?The raucous laughter continued for a time as we waited for the knight to emerge. Do they think we can see at night what we cannot even shoot during the day?No. one step at a time. then fight for the glory of your liege when called upon. Reach up your other hand.WE CAME TO A HIGH RIDGE overlooking a vast bone-white plain and there it was. They were marked by a cross burned into their necks. Feel free to help yourselves to some of the miller's lovely grain. consumed by heavy blows and disemboweling slashes.

They passed by me on their way to loot the church. Men bowed their heads and crossed themselves. until Sophie had grown from a gangly girl into the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. I had sworn in my heart to protect him. buckling to their knees. I lunged.. What do you say. Who bathed and smelled of perfume. his knights began to fan out through town.. My heart went out to him. Our spirits were bolstered by the tales of Turks fleeing at full run. He winked. to ask God for the forgiveness of my sins.

turbaned and cloaked in robes. Another knight galloped into the water and waded out to the spot. The smallest hope flashed through me: maybe I could whack it across his ankles..Yet still we climbed. his rush was intercepted by Robert.Robert! I screamed. If this was how it would be. dark beard. I held her by the shoulders and looked into her eyes. missing me by the width of a blade.Father Leo spoke up. The boy was heartbroken. Oh. All I wanted was to get off this ridge.

just because you're first at the party doesn't mean you get to sleep with the mistress of the house. Our weapons came together in a mighty clang.Go where ? There was something in his face.I began to laugh.Be brave . stay by me.I pivoted aside and brought my sword over the back of his head.The first ram pounded into the heavy gate. the town's priest. I had gone into the hills to pick it early that morning.. the feeble and sick.The traveler assumes it is a joke. but to kill these curs. The rage that burned in my heart from the day's horror was killing me.

He hides in his hole like a squirrel.I never thought I would ever say good-bye to you.If it's martyrs you're looking for. I heard voices. I will make you a map. delving back to my days as an innkeeper. dozens of turbaned riders flashing long. grasping.hundreds of them . I motioned with my eyes for them to stay clear of Norcross and his thugs. People were running into the square.. I rose early. a thin band of beech wood painted with flowers. I winked.

I saw a cross.I searched his eyes for panic.I am finally free. carrot-top. Six thousand. and hacked away at the first wave of horsemen. My stomach felt as empty as a bottomless pit. You have to cross the mountains. Everyone was afraid of them. I say!Quiet. I stripped it from my chest. and his shoulder fell away from his body as the massive blade lodged deep in his chest. Jerusalem!TELL US A STORY. I muttered. he rushed toward me.

someone commented.Hugh's rich. I thought about what weapons were at my inn and how we could possibly fight these knights if we had to. Something from this moment that I would have for the rest of my life.Your lord asked me to impress upon you. heads charred and roasted. I fixed on a face above the main gate. our commander. Others.The troops along the riverbank burst into laughter.He stays under out of shame. to pick sunflowers for you. We said good-bye to Constantinople. All around us..

On the fate of your soul. not once but twice. Now he was gone and I was here. and outlaws hoisting their sacks and makeshift weapons.I heard awful cries of death farther up the hill. gaining hold. as tall as the highest towers.I pushed Robert through the smoke and dust in the direction of our ranks. I stepped forward. It appeared to be gilded with gold and it was studded with what looked like rubies. All I could do was scream..My heart pounded under my tunic. our ranks were being shredded..

Sophie lifted her head and kissed me. I knew I could no longer fight. There. Well. threadbare.Your buddy's an eager one. I waited for the death blow.In spite of our being totally outnumbered. I reached and wiped a glistening tear from her eye.I pressed Robert up against the wall. consumed with grief and rage. I knew she was trying to be brave. Robert cackled.But the old Greek was too slow and laden with gear to get out of the way. I was a different man.

Spare him!He managed to kill the first one with a mighty sweep of his sword. Guillaume turned around and waved. You must let go. Who will come. doing her best not to cry. He spent many hours on the march teaching it to me. clattering across the church's floor.We gazed at each other with a sigh of relief.I pivoted aside and brought my sword over the back of his head.The nobles pushed us hard.All but one. who demands your service. The streets ran ankle deep with blood.I just laughed. he would taunt.