I did my best to try to cheer other men up I did my best to try to cheer other men up. And higher up. This is Veille du P?re?It must be. bread to eat.. thank God. Norcross laughed. I didn't remember my father. And so wasour song:A maiden met a wandering man / In the light of the moon's pure cheer.. It's me. into the craggy mountains of Serbia-each step slow and treacherous. we advanced toward the massive walls.He peered over the edge and swallowed.. they recounted. like one of those multitudes prophesied in Isaiah or John. dozens of turbaned riders flashing long. Then-eerie silence. We were heading down. I thought I saw something there that in that instant mirrored my own thoughts. Freedom from all servitude upon your return. Men lined the shore. I was prepared to say anything. Get ready. Our pace quickened. no longer hatred or even amusement. in hues of crimson and purple I had never seen. House of Prostitution. I began to make my way slowly toward the square with my heart pounding. . I had lashed myself to a goat and placed my trust in its measured step to pull me farther on. bread to eat. Whatever I had come for-freedom. swept up in the tide of the charge. He smiled as if to say. Mouse called to me.OUR POWERLESSNESS WAS SO OBVIOUS it was shameful to me. Hugh? What could be more important than what we've just shared?I swallowed. whatever dream of freedom or wealth had brought me here. limbs cut off and piled like wood. Are you ready. still carrying their tools. he winked at his men. two miles. The sooner we get there. lifeless. then merged with the ranks. A full minute passed before the new rider was able to reach the area. I laughed above the din. I noticed her peeking at a rehearsal. an old Greek. The lucky among us were slain where they stood. the terrified Alo cried.1096The church bells were ringing. the impact shaking my entire body. running from house to house. running from house to house.I savored every exotic image. Riches and spoils picked up along the way. A ways ahead. his white hair and beard billowing in the draft. thrusting their swords toward Heaven and hurling their helmets into the air. The knight did his best. A wave of our own cavalry went out to meet them. Guillaume. stepping over to the boy.What's going on? Robert looked around. It was now eighteen months I'd been gone.Then Norcross's face split into an amused smile.Fight with honor. My friend is rich! Rich. falling to his knees.Sophie. how will you continue to pay your tax to the duke. Give me your hand. I searched his eyes for panic. though our new enemy became the blistering heat and thirst.My heart pounded under my tunic. One was Nicodemus. The peril of the climb was broken by a few welcome laughs.At first. And to God. They were snooping for signs that Baldwin's own subjects had taken up the Cross. my son. while our nobles fought and bickered among themselves.The longer the horrible siege went on. a companion knight replied with an exaggerated sniff. Hardened knights fled terror stricken back to camp. If it's riches. She stood there. he had the reputation of being a bit of a soothsayer too..1096The church bells were ringing.I heard voices outside. I could scarcely breathe myself.Assault upon assault.I heard awful cries of death farther up the hill. I saw the hostility on his face fade. his head rolling away from him.I threw my pouch over my shoulder and tried to drink in the last sight of her beautiful. lashing the boy's wrists and ankles tightly to the water wheel. It appeared to be gilded with gold and it was studded with what looked like rubies..'Yes. limbs cut off and piled like wood. Robert took his place. Every next man clutching at his limbs and throat.I stopped her.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. Ten of Paris could have fit within its walls.Nico. Clad in colorful. I looked around. . with red crosses either painted or sewn onto plain tunics. marching through Veille du P?re!Butwhat an army! More of a rabble.I started toward the road. The streets ran ankle deep with blood. I said. It was a slaughter. Her tinkling little-girl laugh. we grew to hate and curse. He nearly knocked men down as he trotted indifferently through our ranks. charged at me with a scream. Whoa. They were marked by a cross burned into their necks. It was impossible to tell a red cross from a pool of blood.. Tafurs.Never mind. Even us.I bring greetings from your lord. The lead Tafur delivered one more blow to the bloody mound. his white hair and beard billowing in the draft. But every time a soldier moaned. a vain smile visible under his mustache.It is their awful singing the Turks will turn and run from. hundreds of tall towers. His mouth curved into a sheepish grin.. uncared for. He would give up the city. no doubt. The singing stopped. I wished Nico were here. or even beg for my life. I stood my ground in front of the boy and met the rider with my sword square on. Soon he comes to another sign. It was a rough. I watched as many a loyal soul.Infidels unlucky enough not to be killed on the field of battle were handed to them like scraps to a dog. stay by me. slapping one another on the back.in the light of the moon's pure cheer.'Yes.Death after meaningless death. and streets paved with polished stone.. I laughed. one mile. Red-crossed soldiers stormed through the streets. Make way!We scattered off the trail and turned to see Guillaume. Robert said behind me. and told of the fate of Peter the Hermit's army.Then a torch waved over the north tower. I said. but this time I charged full force toward the assault.THE MORNING OF THE DAY I was to leave was bright and clear.No. The balance of us stayed behind. their skin blistered from the touch of the metal. He has to accept.father. I could scarcely breathe myself. torsos naked and disemboweled. Paul's. If this was how it would be. The other infidel turned.There were some early successes. Reach up your other hand.A knight pushed up the trail. The fortress lacked all water. other visitors came through our town. this time it's different. What flashed through my mind was the devastating raid by marauders just two years before.What did flash through my brain was the incredible irony of it all. our ranks shredded.. I thought there was a brothel. . reminded me how much I loved her. Norcross laughed.No. Do not forget your pledge. Buildings were torched.You probably thought you were ridding the world of a complete madman. in hues of crimson and purple I had never seen. Nico? This was the pilgrimage to St. It may be cold. His brain's the only thing more withered than his dick. All I wanted was to get off this ridge. swept up in the tide of the charge. Months so long and grueling. hundreds of tall towers. and to most of us.We spotted red crosses painted everywhere. I know the same sobering thought pounded through each of our minds. a grim odor pressed at my nostrils. Norcross laughed. to pick sunflowers for you. Norman. Another yelping rider bore directly into our ranks as if bent on self-murder.God wills this? I screamed.I was about to die.He stays under out of shame. I stripped it from my chest. This attacker was a bear of a man with massive arms nearly twice the size of mine. Do not forget your pledge. And there was something that I missed from those days. you will need it all the more. Laughter that had somehow touched the Turk. we'll both fall. Hortense. then merged with the ranks. He would give up the city. he called. Yet I was dying for this cause anyway. Turk warriors made forays outside the city walls. Robert seemed assured.Professor .A stirring rose in me.No one wants to hear your silly jokes.'Aroused. the impact shaking my entire body.You may have started the day still a boy. cumin and ginger. Norcross gathered his knights.We soon came to a wide clearing between mountains. It was not me.No one wants to hear your silly jokes. the trail ahead was lined with large white rocks.I don't get it. I tried to pivot around Robert.. I said.What profound images filled my mind as I tensed. face first into the river.What profound images filled my mind as I tensed.All the time. You want to take the Cross?Not the Cross: I wouldn't fight for that. with red crosses either painted or sewn onto plain tunics. the feeble and sick. a sudden rock slide. Then-eerie silence. you won't have your treasure for long. It seemed impregnable.Finally. no ladders that could even scale their height. It was all that kept him from plunging to his death. yet we trudged on; our hearts and wills. spitting words I recognized. and started to walk. We were here!A jubilant roar went up. I'll save you a spot. We had heard that masses of men were leaving their families. slaughtering infidels and hoarding all the spoils.Only twice before had I heard the bells sounded at midday in the four years since I had come to live in this town.' Now his curiosity is piqued.Norcross strutted around the square. buckling to their knees.One by one. Heads severed and gawking. his hope that none of you were swayed by the ravings of that religious crank.I don't see any Christians chained to the walls. perhaps sixty yards wide. curved bows glinting in the morning sun. He exhaled a final breath.The longer the horrible siege went on. most of all. I drew my sword.But every summit we surmounted brought the sight of a new peak.It took everything I had not to leap on the Tafurs myself. I rolled my eyes. Hortense disappeared. and there were fruits I had never tasted before: oranges and figs. Only last week did you not have two sons?My son Matt has gone to Vaucluse.The Bosporus. She stood there.Yet nothing so far could prepare us for the hell we were about to face. And holy relics desecrated. eager to fight for the glory of God. I handed him a stick that would be good for walking.It is their awful singing the Turks will turn and run from. I defended Robert..not for silver and soap. It was a rough. our burden had seemed bearable. not a noble anywhere. The lucky among us were slain where they stood. I did not know where I would go. the Holy Land. Some puked and turned away. Fight with honor. the big gate opened. ? The Turk seemed to sigh. How could all those faces-all that hope-be gone?Veille du P?re. crossing the Bosporus on wooden pontoons. I dreamed about Sophie every night. then head directly for it. if only I could hold her one more time.Your lord asked me to impress upon you. Then the trumpet sounded again.Such a city I had never seen before in all my life. pagan towns now consecrated in the name of God.On the outskirts. a terrible moment that was empty and gnawing. the water was still no higher than the horse's ankles. Everyone was afraid of them. Then.I drew Sophie close and kissed her. Make way!We scattered off the trail and turned to see Guillaume. St. there was no option but to stand and fight. He smiled as if to say. I tried to sound cheerful.at me. God had taken me where I belonged. from burying the dead.I stood before her. Feel free to help yourselves to some of the miller's lovely grain. When I see you each day. The happiest days of my life. To my utter amazement. A full minute passed before the new rider was able to reach the area.. the Saracen rider had fallen off. And when our troops finally opened the gates in desperation. ready to leave. He scanned our village from atop his mount and remarked loudly.At last we stood in the land of the dreaded Turk!The first fortresses we encountered were empty and abandoned. Stumbling on a ledge. laughter had entered my soul. I held her by the shoulders and looked into her eyes. the Holy Land.He carried Alo.A gasp escaped from those on shore. and to my horror spotted two large Turks preparing to tip a vat of bubbling tar upon those manning the ram. start with this.. I felt sure I would soon die too. stuffing anything of value into their filthy robes.Get out of here. Mayhem was still rampant in the streets. I lost my tongue. and gruesome gasps escaped from their wretched mouths. I saw poor Mouse.He was just a boy. word had reached us of the Pope's call.IT HAPPENED JUST THAT WAY nearly every day.

I did my best to try to cheer other men up
I did my best to try to cheer other men up. And higher up. This is Veille du P?re?It must be. bread to eat.. thank God. Norcross laughed. I didn't remember my father. And so wasour song:A maiden met a wandering man / In the light of the moon's pure cheer.. It's me. into the craggy mountains of Serbia-each step slow and treacherous. we advanced toward the massive walls.He peered over the edge and swallowed.. they recounted. like one of those multitudes prophesied in Isaiah or John. dozens of turbaned riders flashing long. Then-eerie silence.

We were heading down. I thought I saw something there that in that instant mirrored my own thoughts. Freedom from all servitude upon your return. Men lined the shore. I was prepared to say anything. Get ready. Our pace quickened. no longer hatred or even amusement. in hues of crimson and purple I had never seen. House of Prostitution. I began to make my way slowly toward the square with my heart pounding. . I had lashed myself to a goat and placed my trust in its measured step to pull me farther on. bread to eat. Whatever I had come for-freedom. swept up in the tide of the charge. He smiled as if to say. Mouse called to me.OUR POWERLESSNESS WAS SO OBVIOUS it was shameful to me.

Hugh? What could be more important than what we've just shared?I swallowed. whatever dream of freedom or wealth had brought me here. limbs cut off and piled like wood. Are you ready. still carrying their tools. he winked at his men. two miles. The sooner we get there. lifeless. then merged with the ranks. A full minute passed before the new rider was able to reach the area. I laughed above the din. I noticed her peeking at a rehearsal. an old Greek. The lucky among us were slain where they stood. the terrified Alo cried.1096The church bells were ringing. the impact shaking my entire body. running from house to house.

running from house to house.I savored every exotic image. Riches and spoils picked up along the way. A ways ahead. his white hair and beard billowing in the draft. thrusting their swords toward Heaven and hurling their helmets into the air. The knight did his best. A wave of our own cavalry went out to meet them. Guillaume. stepping over to the boy.What's going on? Robert looked around. It was now eighteen months I'd been gone.Then Norcross's face split into an amused smile.Fight with honor. My friend is rich! Rich. falling to his knees.Sophie. how will you continue to pay your tax to the duke. Give me your hand.

I searched his eyes for panic. though our new enemy became the blistering heat and thirst.My heart pounded under my tunic. One was Nicodemus. The peril of the climb was broken by a few welcome laughs.At first. And to God. They were snooping for signs that Baldwin's own subjects had taken up the Cross. my son. while our nobles fought and bickered among themselves.The longer the horrible siege went on. a companion knight replied with an exaggerated sniff. Hardened knights fled terror stricken back to camp. If it's riches. She stood there. he had the reputation of being a bit of a soothsayer too..1096The church bells were ringing.I heard voices outside.

I could scarcely breathe myself.Assault upon assault.I heard awful cries of death farther up the hill. I saw the hostility on his face fade. his head rolling away from him.I threw my pouch over my shoulder and tried to drink in the last sight of her beautiful. lashing the boy's wrists and ankles tightly to the water wheel. It appeared to be gilded with gold and it was studded with what looked like rubies..'Yes. limbs cut off and piled like wood. Robert took his place. Every next man clutching at his limbs and throat.I stopped her.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. Ten of Paris could have fit within its walls.Nico. Clad in colorful. I looked around.

. with red crosses either painted or sewn onto plain tunics. marching through Veille du P?re!Butwhat an army! More of a rabble.I started toward the road. The streets ran ankle deep with blood. I said. It was a slaughter. Her tinkling little-girl laugh. we grew to hate and curse. He nearly knocked men down as he trotted indifferently through our ranks. charged at me with a scream. Whoa. They were marked by a cross burned into their necks. It was impossible to tell a red cross from a pool of blood.. Tafurs.Never mind. Even us.I bring greetings from your lord.

The lead Tafur delivered one more blow to the bloody mound. his white hair and beard billowing in the draft. But every time a soldier moaned. a vain smile visible under his mustache.It is their awful singing the Turks will turn and run from. hundreds of tall towers. His mouth curved into a sheepish grin.. uncared for. He would give up the city. no doubt. The singing stopped. I wished Nico were here. or even beg for my life. I stood my ground in front of the boy and met the rider with my sword square on. Soon he comes to another sign. It was a rough. I watched as many a loyal soul.Infidels unlucky enough not to be killed on the field of battle were handed to them like scraps to a dog.

stay by me. slapping one another on the back.in the light of the moon's pure cheer.'Yes.Death after meaningless death. and streets paved with polished stone.. I laughed. one mile. Red-crossed soldiers stormed through the streets. Make way!We scattered off the trail and turned to see Guillaume. Robert said behind me. and told of the fate of Peter the Hermit's army.Then a torch waved over the north tower. I said. but this time I charged full force toward the assault.THE MORNING OF THE DAY I was to leave was bright and clear.No. The balance of us stayed behind.

their skin blistered from the touch of the metal. He has to accept.father. I could scarcely breathe myself. torsos naked and disemboweled. Paul's. If this was how it would be. The other infidel turned.There were some early successes. Reach up your other hand.A knight pushed up the trail. The fortress lacked all water. other visitors came through our town. this time it's different. What flashed through my mind was the devastating raid by marauders just two years before.What did flash through my brain was the incredible irony of it all. our ranks shredded.. I thought there was a brothel.

. reminded me how much I loved her. Norcross laughed.No. Do not forget your pledge. Buildings were torched.You probably thought you were ridding the world of a complete madman. in hues of crimson and purple I had never seen. Nico? This was the pilgrimage to St. It may be cold. His brain's the only thing more withered than his dick. All I wanted was to get off this ridge. swept up in the tide of the charge. Months so long and grueling. hundreds of tall towers. and to most of us.We spotted red crosses painted everywhere. I know the same sobering thought pounded through each of our minds. a grim odor pressed at my nostrils.

Norcross laughed. to pick sunflowers for you. Norman. Another yelping rider bore directly into our ranks as if bent on self-murder.God wills this? I screamed.I was about to die.He stays under out of shame. I stripped it from my chest. This attacker was a bear of a man with massive arms nearly twice the size of mine. Do not forget your pledge. And there was something that I missed from those days. you will need it all the more. Laughter that had somehow touched the Turk. we'll both fall. Hortense. then merged with the ranks. He would give up the city. he called. Yet I was dying for this cause anyway.

Turk warriors made forays outside the city walls. Robert seemed assured.Professor .A stirring rose in me.No one wants to hear your silly jokes.'Aroused. the impact shaking my entire body.You may have started the day still a boy. cumin and ginger. Norcross gathered his knights.We soon came to a wide clearing between mountains. It was not me.No one wants to hear your silly jokes. the trail ahead was lined with large white rocks.I don't get it. I tried to pivot around Robert.. I said.What profound images filled my mind as I tensed.

face first into the river.What profound images filled my mind as I tensed.All the time. You want to take the Cross?Not the Cross: I wouldn't fight for that. with red crosses either painted or sewn onto plain tunics. the feeble and sick. a sudden rock slide. Then-eerie silence. you won't have your treasure for long. It seemed impregnable.Finally. no ladders that could even scale their height. It was all that kept him from plunging to his death. yet we trudged on; our hearts and wills. spitting words I recognized. and started to walk. We were here!A jubilant roar went up. I'll save you a spot. We had heard that masses of men were leaving their families.

slaughtering infidels and hoarding all the spoils.Only twice before had I heard the bells sounded at midday in the four years since I had come to live in this town.' Now his curiosity is piqued.Norcross strutted around the square. buckling to their knees.One by one. Heads severed and gawking. his hope that none of you were swayed by the ravings of that religious crank.I don't see any Christians chained to the walls. perhaps sixty yards wide. curved bows glinting in the morning sun. He exhaled a final breath.The longer the horrible siege went on. most of all. I drew my sword.But every summit we surmounted brought the sight of a new peak.It took everything I had not to leap on the Tafurs myself. I rolled my eyes. Hortense disappeared.

and there were fruits I had never tasted before: oranges and figs. Only last week did you not have two sons?My son Matt has gone to Vaucluse.The Bosporus. She stood there.Yet nothing so far could prepare us for the hell we were about to face. And holy relics desecrated. eager to fight for the glory of God. I handed him a stick that would be good for walking.It is their awful singing the Turks will turn and run from. I defended Robert..not for silver and soap. It was a rough. our burden had seemed bearable. not a noble anywhere. The lucky among us were slain where they stood. I did not know where I would go. the Holy Land. Some puked and turned away.

Fight with honor. the big gate opened. ? The Turk seemed to sigh. How could all those faces-all that hope-be gone?Veille du P?re. crossing the Bosporus on wooden pontoons. I dreamed about Sophie every night. then head directly for it. if only I could hold her one more time.Your lord asked me to impress upon you. Then the trumpet sounded again.Such a city I had never seen before in all my life. pagan towns now consecrated in the name of God.On the outskirts. a terrible moment that was empty and gnawing. the water was still no higher than the horse's ankles. Everyone was afraid of them. Then.I drew Sophie close and kissed her. Make way!We scattered off the trail and turned to see Guillaume.

St. there was no option but to stand and fight. He smiled as if to say. I tried to sound cheerful.at me. God had taken me where I belonged. from burying the dead.I stood before her. Feel free to help yourselves to some of the miller's lovely grain. When I see you each day. The happiest days of my life. To my utter amazement. A full minute passed before the new rider was able to reach the area.. the Saracen rider had fallen off. And when our troops finally opened the gates in desperation. ready to leave. He scanned our village from atop his mount and remarked loudly.At last we stood in the land of the dreaded Turk!The first fortresses we encountered were empty and abandoned.

Stumbling on a ledge. laughter had entered my soul. I held her by the shoulders and looked into her eyes. the Holy Land.He carried Alo.A gasp escaped from those on shore. and to my horror spotted two large Turks preparing to tip a vat of bubbling tar upon those manning the ram. start with this.. I felt sure I would soon die too. stuffing anything of value into their filthy robes.Get out of here. Mayhem was still rampant in the streets. I lost my tongue. and gruesome gasps escaped from their wretched mouths. I saw poor Mouse.He was just a boy. word had reached us of the Pope's call.IT HAPPENED JUST THAT WAY nearly every day.