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speed like a boulder until he rolled, grasping at rocks and weeds, all the way
down the embankment and tumbled into the river.
He slid under the surface. I am certain that what flashed through his mind was
that he would pick himself up and climb back and finish me off. Moments
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passed. I could not believe what was happening myself. The Tafurdid not rise.
A gloved hand broke the surface and thrashed in the air, struggling for
something to grasp on to.
More time passed. Air bubbles rose to the surface. His glove flailed back and
forth. But the Tafur never rose again. Black Cross was done, drowned, dead.
I forced myself to crawl over to the edge of the embankment. The fighting had
wound down. Stephen's men were kneeling, groaning, hands in the air. Some of
our men were beginning to cheer, hoisting their swords above their heads.
Then they were all cheering, jubilant faces reflecting the same incredible
thing. We had won! Stephen was defeated. We had actually won!
All around, people came rushing up to me. I didn't know whether to laugh or
cry. Finally, tears bit at my eyes, tears of joy and exhaustion. People
shouted my name as if I were a hero.
I reached behind me for the holy lance. With whatever strength was left in my
body, I thrust it high into the air.
Toward Heaven.
Chapter 143
EMILIE DID NOT hear cheering. Why?
She knew a fierce battle was under way. She'd heard the pounding gallop of
horsemen leaving the city, the walls shaking with their strides.
Oh,God , she thought, that could only mean Stephen had attacked. Hugh's army
was now fighting for its life.
Emilie could not bring herself to look out the window of her cell.How could
God let this ruthless bastard win? Fight ,Hugh ,fight. But she knew the odds
were against him.
She waited for the roar, close by, announcing victory. It would tell her
Stephen's killers had done their job. That Hugh was dead.
But there was no roar.
After the first rumble of horsemen there was only the clash of metal, the
gnashing din of battle, far-off cries. Then, in the distance, a trail of
cheers. Why were the ranks on the wall so silent? She finally pulled herself
up on her mat.
No cheering... Could Hugh have won? Was it possible?
Suddenly the bolt jangled and the door was flung open.
Stephen was there, his eyes fierce. Two soldiers followed him into the cell.
She forced a smile. I hear no cheers coming from the walls, my lord. Why do I
think the battle has not gone your way?
Forboth of us. Stephen snorted and seized her arm. There's a noose in the
courtyard that awaits your pretty neck. Tomorrow morning, you traitorous
bitch!
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You have no right to pass such judgment. Emilie tried to twist away. You
sentence me to death on what charge?
Sedition, abetting the rebels, fucking a heretic... Stephen listed them with a
shrug.
Have you lost your mind? Is there no honor left in you? Have you bargained
everything with the Devil for a piece of metal? That lance?
The lance, Stephen said, his eyes flashing, is worth more to me than youand
your fool, and all the pitiful`honorable' souls left in France.
Emilie shouted, You will not beat him, Stephen, whether you hang me or not. He
came for you as one man; now an army stands behind him. You cannot stop him,
not with all your titles and mercenaries, no matter how many men.
Yes, yes, your ruddy little fool. Oh, now you've really got my knees knocking.
Stephen laughed.
Hewill come for me.
Stephen shook his head and sighed. Sometimes I think the two of you actually
deserve each other. Of course the fool will come for you, my pathetic girl.
That's precisely what I'm counting on.
Chapter 144
THE REALIZATION SETTLED over the men that the battle was finally over. No more
fighting. No more blood.
They looked around, stunned and elated. Those who had lived sought out friends
and embraced them. Georges and the Languedocians, Odo and Father Leo, Alphonse
and Alois, farmers and Freemasons, jubilant just to be alive.
I led our men back to the castle walls, exhausted, out of fight. But as
conquerors!
The same defenders who had pushed aside our attacks now sullenly watched us,
arms at rest. Stephen's captured knights were pushed to the front, stripped of
their armor, and forced to kneel. A cry rose up. Not a cry of victory but a
single, steady voice that grew in power until all joined in.
Submit,submit , they chanted.
Finally, from a parapet above the front gate, Stephen appeared, dressed in a
ceremonial purple cloak. He surveyed our ranks contemptuously, as if he could
not believe this ragtag rabble had beaten back his troops.
What happens now? I asked Daniel.
You must talk with him. Stephen has to comply or his knights will lose their
heads. He is bound by honor.
Go on. Odo pushed me forward. Tell the bastard he can keep his fucking grain.
See if there's any ale in there.
I grabbed the lance. Someone hitched up a mount for me.
I'll go with you, Daniel said.
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I'll come too, the miller said.
I looked at Stephen. I didn't trust this bastard, no matter how deeply he was
bound by honor. I think not. I shook my head. I had someone else in mind.
We brought up Baldwin. He had long been stripped of his fancy clothes and was
dressed in a burlap tunic like any common man. His wrists were bound, his
haggard face badly in need of a shave.
It is your lucky day, I said, plopping a plumed hat upon his head. If all goes
well, you'll soon be back in silk.
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