Prologue
May 1101—Jerusalem
“We could jointhe Lombards and this new crusade,” Thierry Douglas suggested, his opinion of that strategy clear in his tone. “If we want to fight withpeasants.”
The eight knights who had become friends, as well as comrades, sat in the tavern they favored and drank young red wine. They had each ridden to crusade and had met in Outremer, ultimately joining forces to fight together. Rolfe de Viandin liked to jest that his friends were rogues and angels, for it was true that their natures could not have been morevaried.
Thierry and Luc Douglas were twins from the north of England, and Rolfe still found it uncanny how well they anticipated each other’s thoughts and movements. The sole difference between them was that Thierry’s eyes were green, a striking contrast to his black hair, while Luc’s remaining eye was hazel. They, too, had ridden in pursuit of adventure and Rolfe admired that neither hesitated to engage afoe.
Rolfe had met the twins at the siege of Antioch four years before, when both he and they had noticed two other knights being struck down and taken captive. Rolfe, Thierry, and Luc had rescued Quinn and Bayard, which had formed the core of their company. Luc had lost an eye in that battle and had worn a patch eversince.
Quinn de Sayerne, with his auburn hair and amber eyes, was the most thoughtful of the company, as befitted an older son and heir. He often fought back-to-back with Bayard de Neuville, dark-haired and dark-eyed, a younger son with no claim at home, much like Rolfe. Bayard was quick with a jest and quicker yet to strike a killing blow, which was a good balance to Quinn’s temperance. They had met shortly after arriving in Palestine and become close companions. Rolfe thought that Quinn had joined the crusade for experience and pursuit of justice while Bayard sought adventure and opportunity. They might have been lost without such timelyintervention.
Never mind the aid of Lothair. Lothair, who they called the Viking, was taller than any of them and more ferocious in battle than any knight Rolfe had ever known. He was also a talented healer and had ensured Quinn’s survival, thereby bonding those two together. Lothair had blond hair and green eyes and must have hailed from some frozen northern land. He was inclined to be enigmatic but there was no doubt of his ambition—he had joined the fight forplunder.
The company was completed with two handsome knights, both with a measure of charm. Amaury de Montvieux was another with a legacy he had only to ride home to claim. He had joined the crusade out of a conviction that it was right, and was an excellent fighter. He was affluent—no surprise, given his status as heir to a prosperous holding—and inclined to be a little proud. His heart was of the best and valiant, too. Because of his connections, the company had been shown favors in Outremer by the kinghimself.
Finally, there was Niall MacGillivray, a Scottish mercenary with a fondness for damsels in distress—with his fair hair and blue eyes, he easily gained the favor of any lady he sought to woo, though he vowed that he would never lose his own heart. Although he was even more shameless in his pursuit of women than Rolfe, he listened well and often learned details from the ladies that were of advantage to them inbattle.
It was after sunset by the time they had all gathered at the tavern and had their first sip of the wine. Although they met most nights, on this night, they had a decision to make. Lothair had pronounced Quinn to be fully healed, and Quinn had received a message from his overlord that he was now Lord de Sayerne. Would Quinn leave? If so, there was no doubt that Bayard would accompany him. But what of the others? Should they join another battle, like the one mustering in Constantinople, or should they dissolve theircompany?
The wine had become sharper than had previously been the case and Rolfe de Viandin found it lesspalatable.
Not as unpalatable as Thierry’s suggestion, though. He had endured enoughwar.
“I failed to bring my plow,” Rolfe said, then quaffed the rest of his wine. He recalled, not for the first time, the rich wine made at his home estate and felt his yearning to return growstronger.
Niall grinned, his blue eyes dancing. “I forgot mine, as well.” He filled Rolfe’s cup and the two toasted each other before drinkinganew.
“They killed Alexios’ pet lion,” Lothair said grimly. “Regardless of their social status, they lack sense in anymeasure.”
“Allying with fools will see a man dead quicker than any other choice,” Luc, the strategist,agreed.
There was a murmur of agreement tothat.
“I see little to be gained by remaining in Outremer, but much to be lost,” Rolfe said. “Jerusalem is taken and secured. We have gained some riches, which could belost.”
“Just as our health could be,” Lothair agreed. “We have sufficient injuries between us, to mythinking.”
Again, there wasassent.
“It is said that other forces arrive,” Quinn noted, speaking with his customary calm. “Knights among them. Raymond IV of Toulouse is said to be arriving at Nicodemia withtroops.”
“He turned back from the first crusade before the battle was won,” Amaury scoffed. “I see the reason they already call this the crusade of the faint-hearted. I am not hungry to join such company. They might falter in battle, which would lead to no goodresult.”
The knights nodded atthis.
“They come to reap the spoils now the hard labor is done,” Bayard muttered. When Quinn might have protested, he gave his comrade a hard look. “We only lingered so long in Outremer because of your injury. Now you are not just healed, but heir to a holding! I say we ride for Sayerne, pray at your father’s grave, and find you a wife.” They drank to Quinn’s health and congratulated himagain.
Quinn did not reply to that, merely sipped of his ale. Was it possible he was not happy with these tidings? Rolfe wondered if he had been close to his father and mourned hisdeath.
“But not all of us are so fortunate as Quinn,” Thierry noted. “Not all of us have a holding that merely awaits ourarrival.”
“Although some of us do,” Luc said, giving Amaury a nudge. That knight only smiled, for the truth was indisputable. “Perhaps we shall all come with you and live off the fat of the land atMontvieux.”
“God spare me the expense of a company of hungry mercenaries!” Amaury said and they all laughed. “And then there is my fair cousin. No, no, no. You will not be welcome at Montvieux.” He pointed at Rolfe. “Not you.” He pointed at Niall. “And especially notyou.”
“How fair is she?” Niall demanded with a grin. “I might make herhappy.”
