. and gruesome gasps escaped from their wretched mouths.

Professor
Professor.It was the greatest multitude I had ever seen! Jammed along the narrow road into town. The child appeared.. sucking our water skins dry. until his powerful body resembled some hideous slab of meat and not the noble soul he was. I put the priest's staff to the ground and took a step-the other way. The knight did his best. Free of my illusions. I felt sure I would soon die too. You smell it. it was said.Those we captured were sometimes handed over to a fearsome group of Frank warriors called Tafurs. jongleurs. I stayed. Turbaned men rushed into the street and were cut down in bloody messes before they could even raise their swords. a human soul. marching through Veille du P?re!Butwhat an army! More of a rabble.Fight with honor.She nodded.The Bosporus. cumin and ginger. taking the Cross. unsure look. Hundreds of fortified towers guarded each segment of an outer wall that appeared ten feet thick.As he made his way back across the square.

He carried Alo. Professor. It was impossible to tell if they were Christian or Turk. Then. but never had I seen a place like this! Gold was like tin here. Then he toppled onto his wife. hollow look of men who have seen the worst atrocities and somehow lived.Robert ran ahead to hurl one of the rocks toward the walls. the mighty fortress gate opened.' the traveler says. Then he sneered. I heard Sophie scream.These Tafurs reported to no lord among us.Father Leo spoke up.There's one more thing. and to most of us.At that moment.Their presence here could only signal harm. Raymond.All the time. Soon he comes to another sign. God wills it.He had just uttered these words when another turbaned warrior charged toward him. Robert claimed to be sixteen. raiders. from infidel spies.

lashed Alo to the staves of the mill's large wheel. These savages had chopped to pieces the last shred of humanity for me in all this hell. I turned to Robert with a sigh of relief. I think the duke's point is adequately driven home.All around me. but it didn't take a seer to divine that he was lying. with the help of a cohort. I did not know where I would go. you say. Another yelping rider bore directly into our ranks as if bent on self-murder.. it seemed. schooled in the sciences and languages. sometimes dragging a companion along with him.Every couple of days. What was I doing here? What had I become?I went over to the fallen priest. You smell it.somewhere in MacedoniaThe heavy-bearded knight reared his mount over us on the steep ridge. No great loss.I ran in the pack. if there were any fucking trees. to pick sunflowers for you. but as we got closer. Red crosses smeared all over the walls-in blood. If this was how it would be. Yet he'd spared me.

if only I could hold her one more time. Spoils and booty were being divvied up among the men.You probably thought you were ridding the world of a complete madman. priest? He chuckled. schooled in the sciences and languages. I peered into the bastard's black eyes. or the only Turkish blood you'll see will be at the end of a mop. Matt. I noticed a small crucifix on the altar. I looked around. I recognized the knight in charge as Norcross..Saint Peter's sandals . It was a slaughter. Raymond and Baldwin are aligned. Blood spurted from their faces. I no longer knew what was inside of me. eh.It was built on a sharp rise.The nobles pushed us hard. Freedom from all servitude upon your return. It was never known what became of her.THE MORNING OF THE DAY I was to leave was bright and clear. Let's find the fucking crypt.I am finally free. not some moth-eaten hermit.

Nico . I only wanted to go home. Son of Cain. Hortense. There was nothing more to say. Jeers. Each rock was painted with a bright red cross.You're leaving. Women.The Bosporus.somewhere in MacedoniaThe heavy-bearded knight reared his mount over us on the steep ridge. Where was Sophie?Norcross dismounted and the others did the same. charged at me with a scream. one step at a time.Crusaders . And at the head of this assemblage.Along the way. It took my breath away. He nearly knocked men down as he trotted indifferently through our ranks. Seeing his comrades slain. then head directly for it. I heard the loudest chorus of voices. I was sure. Foot soldiers were hurling their lances up at the defenders.I blinked in amazement. delving back to my days as an innkeeper.

a full life. You could die. but they fell against the massive walls like harmless sticks. all I saw in my path was the wise Greek's face. But it seemed strong.All the time. his eyes focused and fierce. with some inlaid writing that I could not understand..Hold your tears. Everyone pointed at a walled city nestled into the isthmus's edge. our own conquering army spilled in.Be brave . no god either. `Please. The love of my life. I will work that much harder. Oh.I was heading home to Sophie. I lunged. His Holiness Urban promises unimaginable rewards. slowly depleting. To Georges and Marie's frantic shrieks. I knew the stench. but the Turk intercepted me with a vicious kick.All around me.

a solid wooden barrier the height of three men.All around me. It seemed impregnable. slaughtered Christian and infidel alike.To my surprise. I vowed to carry it with me wherever I went for the rest of my life. the Tafur had said. then slowly raised the wheel. You smell it. then he delved through the Turk's robes. I held her by the waist and she moved on top of me.Robert! I screamed. I knew he would be able to interpret it. Hugh.She nodded.I ran with my sword drawn and a loud cry. I had come here to set myself free. just as one of the attackers thrust a dagger into the belly of the priest.!Son of Mary. European.At intervals. logic. taunting and mocking us.It was only with Sophie that I felt truly free. humor. I leaped on him before he had a chance to recover.

a companion knight replied with an exaggerated sniff. And Robert too. And agile.Nico.We had beenmarching for months now. the loss of my friend weighed greatly upon me.I swear. to leave her this way. That is the blood of your useless Savior... not even for a moment. stretching out as far as the eye could see. Blood and gore soaked the ground everywhere. a fiery-eyed Turk. not some moth-eaten hermit. I wanted to say. I was only a breath away from death and yet instead of panic and fear. other visitors came through our town. I lost my tongue.. his sword poised for attack. our commander. Don't look so sad. They all bore the wide-eyed. delving back to my days as an innkeeper.

Please . but as we climbed.Where are these nuns whenI am in need? a soldier behind me moaned.I'll find food. and from within. his goose comically trailing behind. As they readied. That brave smile. I tried to joke.I'll find food.. Larger and more formidable than any castle I had ever seen back home.'Yes. as was my vow. a mixture of ardor and tears. but I wasn't going there.It was built on a sharp rise. spaced at intervals equal to a man's arm span. Not from its walls crumbling but from treachery and greed. One false step would mean a grisly death. Each rock was painted with a bright red cross. There was nothing more to say. She would never know how I died.I'll be back in a year . The child appeared. Then.

the boy strung up on that wheel could be our own..Professor .She took it. Full battle gear. A traveler is walking down a quiet road when he notices a sign scratched onto a tree: `Sisters of St. if my lord wants. The smallest hope flashed through me: maybe I could whack it across his ankles. If this was how it would be. we joined forces with Count Robert of Flanders and Bohemond of Antioch. Idid see.. then he delved through the Turk's robes. amused. Mouse called to me.I drew Sophie close and kissed her. The holiest treasures of our faith.I ran in the pack. there is a third sign. I had lashed myself to a goat and placed my trust in its measured step to pull me farther on. Two of Norcross's knights returned to the square dragging Georges the miller and his young son Alo by the hair. Th-the thing is. I think the duke's point is adequately driven home. an officer barked from behind.It took everything I had not to leap on the burberry outlet onlineTafurs myself. If this was it.

pagan towns now consecrated in the name of God. Ten of Paris could have fit within its walls. but to kill these curs.I heard voices outside.It is their awful singing the Turks will turn and run from. I think the duke's point is adequately driven home. the soldiers mocked. I bent down to pick up the shiny object and could not believe it. his goose comically trailing behind. Then he toppled forward. the Tafurs were distinguished by the ragged sackcloth they wore as uniforms and by the ferocious savagery with which they fought. But every time a soldier moaned. the leaders cried. A chance to change my destiny in a single stroke. working around the inn. humor.I was right. From behind. on a holy crusade that I never really believed in. a fiery-eyed Turk. I had to do something-even if it sealed my own fate. pulling along the animal behind it to which it was tied. then fight for the glory of your liege when called upon.Thisis Peter's army. Who will come. I heard nobles disagreeing on the proper spot to ford the river.

hollow look of men who have seen the worst atrocities and somehow lived. men and women; some carrying axes and mallets and old swords. Hugh. I had sworn in my heart to protect him. Men who had traveled so far. many from the ranks called out loudly. resolved that any breath might be my last. his rush was intercepted by Robert.I'm strong.Up ahead.Tafur.Then I should pack some more food for you.Constantinople.When we charge. I saw a horseman hurtling directly toward us at full speed. grammar. Jesus.Then I did a little hop. with bright red crosses. Hugh.Saint Peter's sandals . I couldn't hold back the truth from her. for those who put aside their earthly possessions and join our Crusade. clutching at their heads and throats. It was more like resignation.The arid lands of our Lord's great sacrifice have been defiled by the infidel Turk.

It took my breath away. I stood my ground in front of the boy and met the rider with my sword square on. for those who put aside their earthly possessions and join our Crusade.So. You're right.It was built on a sharp rise. At first we were glad to leave the inferno behind. clutching at their heads and throats. urged by His Holiness Urban to lead an army of believers to the Holy Land to free the holy sepulchre from the heathen hordes. Others. If there's fighting. but it remained stuck in the dead Turk's chest.. the boy strung up on that wheel could be our own. hooded eyes that flashed only a sliver of light. Above me. No great loss. red-eyed demon that.And beyond that. And you too.. who instructs him. he said for all to hear.I threw my pouch over my shoulder and tried to drink in the last sight of her beautiful.. Food was down to nothing.

Alo went under.WE BURIED THE DEAD for six days straight.But the old Greek was too slow and laden with gear to get out of the way. the Saracen rider had fallen off. a full life. It seems he wasn't cut out for the miller's life after all. every ridge ripe with ambush. Something my life in Veille du P?re had stilled but not completely put aside.Dei leveult ! God wills it!My own blood surged.On the outskirts. Then. cheered in every town we passed. I went on.My attacker hesitated.. they taught me how to perform. until Sophie had grown from a gangly girl into the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. It was a host of lies.. turbaned and cloaked in robes. All the cattle and oxen had been butchered; even the dogs had been eaten.We had marched across Europe and through the Alps. A Seljuk horde of thousands surrounded the city and simply waited them out. It seemed to stretch out forever. running from house to house. children.

A golden cross. I squinted through the trees and felt my jaw drop.Let's go ! the nobles shouted. Consider your tax raised. I said to myself. he said. God can keep it. hearing the alarm. stepping over to the boy. Once-proud knights trudged humbly. Oh. cursing him in their tongue.The three years we'd been married had been the happiest I had known. simply bowed their heads and wept. but I stayed behind. just because you're first at the party doesn't mean you get to sleep with the mistress of the house. which dipped deep beneath the surface of the river. and the rest of us trudged like beaten livestock in the blistering heat and bargained for what little food there was. sweltering in our tunics and armor. I heard thewhoosh from a wave of arrows shooting across the sky. It is your lord. And it was vast-thousands of them! Not fitted out with armor or uniforms.From out of the trees. And the second. do not defame those who now fight for God's glory. We were heading down.

cheered in every town we passed. But a little man in a homespun monk's robe. and who can blame him? We've marched a long way. but now I hacked and slashed at anything that moved as if I had been bred solely for it. Norcross's sword jangled as he made his way to the frightened miller. he called. and I always did.. and a man disappeared over the edge.mapmakers. I was sure.Everyone be ready. All around us. argued why lose a day. logic.I saw disaster looming. a human soul.. Robert called out. Let him up. I had come here to set myself free. when word reached us that the King's son had died. Or freeing myself.The boy's back was turned.Every instant. every twitch of her nose.

At last the abbess stops at a door. there was thishowl from the surrounding hills. pieces of shit. The Pope's protection. in my lord's name. we continued along the ridge and down the narrow trail. resolved that any breath might be my last.All at once.I bring greetings from your lord. Then turbaned horsemen charged-wave after wave.. It could be anybody. Riches.. hacking away at limbs and heads. said another in a parched.The other assailant rose and faced me. I lunged after it. carrot-top? The glowering knight turned. side by side. Who knows? I smiled.We looked at each other for a long while.God . Who will come. bread to eat.Then I should pack some more food for you.

Norcross shouted. Here I was. Her bright blue eyes were moist with tears. Along the way.. I saw the hostility on his face fade. I recognized him as Guillaume. I whispered. Only last week did you not have two sons?My son Matt has gone to Vaucluse. Frank.IT HAPPENED JUST THAT WAY nearly every day. The useless wooden staff fell from his hand.. Guillaume turned around and waved. plopped atop a simple mule. black slaves from Africa. Their temples. I only wanted to go home. I clenched my fist.It was the image I carried for the next two years. Who bathed and smelled of perfume.Norcross strutted around the square. on a holy crusade that I never really believed in. realizing how close we had come to death. Then it was on to Jerusalem. A ways back on that last ridge.

but as we got closer. I saw a horseman hurtling directly toward us at full speed.At last we stood in the land of the dreaded Turk!The first fortresses we encountered were empty and abandoned.I bring greetings from your lord.' the traveler says. roaring with cheers.Get out of my way . start with this. word had reached us of the Pope's call. and streets paved with polished stone. They had recently taken Nicaea. Though I had seen many men fall.I heard awful cries of death farther up the hill. You'd better go. And. I'd been brought up by goliards.'Yes.. I was trembling with horror. I couldn't hold it down. What was I doing here? What had I become?I went over to the fallen priest. barely wide enough for a cart and a horse. an officer barked from behind.Hugh. Barefoot. Only last week did you not have two sons?My son Matt has gone to Vaucluse.

The Bosporus . stepping into the center of the square. all at once. of such chilling proportion that we thought we had entered a valley of demons.Would she even know me now. a heralded fighter.. I began to make my way slowly toward the square with my heart pounding.Good Lord .Finally. Hugh. I pumped out my chest. whose name I did not even know.All of them. A sliver of orange light was just breaking over the hills to the east. gripping the sheer stone as huge rocks crashed around us. we joined forces with Count Robert of Flanders and Bohemond of Antioch. gripping the sheer stone as huge rocks crashed around us. I turned and took a long last look at the inn. we grew to hate and curse.. Hardened knights. A ways ahead. there was no option but to stand and fight. whose name I did not even know.Nico was right.

she snapped her prized comb in two. Do your duty . while our nobles fought and bickered among themselves. hurrying from the well with her bucket. then let it be. How far away she seemed right now. a solid wooden barrier the height of three men.God wills this? I screamed. hacking away at limbs and heads. And deeply in love. I did not.And there was Robert with his goose. Narrow passes.They passed by me on their way to loot the church. It could be anybody.Nico was right.What's going on. I had sworn in my heart to protect him.I was about to die. our liege lord's chatelain. lifeless.The massive Turk. it's the worst equipped.. We baked like hogs. It was said they were disgraced knights who followed a secret lord and had taken vows of poverty until they could buy back their favor in God's eyes.

Another knight galloped into the water and waded out to the spot. a hazel twig to clean my teeth. pinning the staff uselessly under his sandal.. Norcross nodded. Norcross's sword jangled as he made his way to the frightened miller. I screamed. which Nicodemus had taught me. it looks old. The irony was bursting through my sides.You probably thought you were ridding the world of a complete madman. you must kill me in the name of what we donot embrace.On the outskirts.Then a torch waved over the north tower. given to them at a young age when my mother died. A chance to change my destiny in a single stroke.The lead Tafur delivered one more blow to the bloody mound. a vassal of Bohemond. slaughtered Christian and infidel alike. it's not just God who watches over you.Then I should pack some more food for you. I saw the first ram approach the main gate.The pagan is a coward. Everyone was afraid of them. they taught me how to perform.I stood before her.

Hurry. a companion knight replied with an exaggerated sniff.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 trace of a thin. more horsemen stormed out from the gates. Roman ruins and temples. I noticed her peeking at a rehearsal.Then he lowered his head and puked his guts out on the field. Behind me. Red-crossed soldiers stormed through the streets. then he nodded.. I lunged after it. crowding the massive walls. his sword poised for attack. leaving eight dead and burning almost every house to the ground.Finally. I thought of gaining our freedom.The trail seemed cut out of the mountain's edge. it seemed. I muttered. this one bare chested and monstrous.Go.A knight pushed up the trail. I was whole.

Is this real? You're going to let me go? My fingers slowly relaxed from the priest's staff. I felt like a man who had just claimed the richest dowry. Foot soldiers were hurling their lances up at the defenders..THE TURK'S SWORD hovered over me. my lord. Robert said behind me. They're coming! They're almost here!From the east. Its frightened eyes showed that the animal was aware of the danger. A friend had died. He winked.Right in front of our eyes. marching through Veille du P?re!Butwhat an army! More of a rabble. your labor now depleted by a third?Georges's eyes darted about. cheered in every town we passed. Nerves?The boy shook his head. Marie begged on her knees.Hugh .Up here. Women.If it's martyrs you're looking for.It was a love that was born for tears. I said.March. I knew I could no longer fight.I missed being free.

The talk.. `and consider yourself properly screwed!'Laughter broke out from all around. Mouse grumbled from behind. I held my shield as they ripped into us. gaining hold. but I was blocked by the Turk. it's the worst equipped. most of all.I gave a last wave to Sophie. barely able to believe my eyes.And there was Robert with his goose. the leaders cried. all at once. whatever gibberish might divert him.What profound images filled my mind as I tensed.At what I was dying for. a companion knight replied with an exaggerated sniff.She nodded. but these savages would surely kill me. Then he sneered. and started to walk. I couldn't hold back the truth from her. but I wasn't going there. galloped down the line on their crested mounts. I had only an instant to intervene.

a terrible moment that was empty and gnawing. I turned and took a long last look at the inn. The rest of us set out for there.The sight sent a chill shooting through my bones. the traveler hurries through the door.Would she even know me now. West. turning her eyes from me. And I. I said. The animal's hind legs spun. Nico? This was the pilgrimage to St. Let's find the fucking crypt. I said. My stomach felt as empty as a bottomless pit. Or freeing Jerusalem. brandishing a makeshift knife.I'm dreaming . turning her eyes from me. jongleurs. With a hideous bray. and to my horror spotted two large Turks preparing to tip a vat of bubbling tar upon those manning the ram. It could be anybody. and the rest of us trudged like beaten livestock in the blistering heat and bargained for what little food there was. . and gruesome gasps escaped from their wretched mouths.