FOR DAYS TO COME, the loss of my friend weighed greatly upon me. We continued to climb, but each step, all I saw in my path was the wise Greek's face.

Without my noticing it at first, the trails began to widen. I realized we were marching through valleys now, not over peaks. We were heading down. Our pace quickened, and the mood in the ranks brightened with anticipation of what lay ahead.

I've heard from the Spaniard there are Christians chained to the city's walls, Robert said as we marched. The sooner we get there, the sooner we can set our brothers free.

Your buddy's an eager one, Hugh, Mouse called to me. You better tell him, just because you're first at the party doesn't mean you get to sleep with the mistress of the house.

He wants a fight, I defended Robert, and who can blame him? We've marched a long way.

From behind came the clatter of a warhorse galloping toward us. Make way!

We scattered off the trail and turned to see Guillaume, the same arrogant bastard who'd mocked Nico after his death, in full armor astride his large charger. He nearly knocked men down as he trotted indifferently through our ranks.

That's who we fight for, eh? I bowed sarcastically with an exaggerated flourish.

We soon came to a wide clearing between mountains. A good-sized river, perhaps sixty yards wide, lay in the column's path.

Up ahead, I heard nobles disagreeing on the proper spot to ford the river. Raymond, our commander, insisted that the scouts and maps suggested a point to the south. Others, eager to show our face to the Turks, the stubborn Bohemond among them, argued why lose a day.

Finally, I saw that same knight, Guillaume, shoot from the crowd. I will make you a map, he shouted to Raymond. He jerked his charger down the steep bank to the river and led t............