I BOLTED TOWARD the village square, the pallor of a ghost upon my face.

Children stared at me, then ran toward their houses. It is Hugh. Hugh De Luc. He's back from the war, they shouted.

All that could have seemed familiar about me was my mane of red hair. People rushed up to me, neighbors I recognized, whom I had not set eyes upon in two years, their faces caught between shock and joy. Hugh, praise God, it is you.

But I pushed past, barely acknowledging them. I was drawn on a direct path to our inn.

Our home... My heart sank as I came to the spot.

A burned-out hole was left where our inn had once been.

Among the cinders stood a single charred support post that had once held up a two-story structure, built by the hands of my wife's father.

Our inn had been burned to the ground.

Where is Sophie? I muttered, first to the charred ruins of the inn, then to faces in the gathered crowd.

I went from person to person, sure that any moment I would spot her coming back from the well. But everyone stood silently.

My heart began to beat insanely.Where is Sophie ? I shouted. Where is my wife?

Sophie's older brother, Matthew, finally pushed out of the crowd. When he saw me, his expression shifted-from surprise to a look of deep concern. He stepped forward, hurling his arms around me. Hugh, I can't believe it. Thank God you've come back.

I knew the worst had happened. I searched his eyes. What's happened, Matthew? Tell me, where is my wife?

A look of deep sorrow came onto his face.Oh ,God...I almost did not want him to tell me the rest. He led me by the arm to the remains of our home. There were riders, Hugh. Ten, twelve... They swept in, in the dead of night, like devils, burning everything they could. Black crosses on their chests. They wore no colors. We had no hint of who they were. Just the crosses.

Riders... ? My blood was frozen with dread. What riders, Matthew? What did they do to Sophie?

He placed a hand gently upon my shoulder. They burn............