THE ARMORED RAIDERS SWEPT DOWN upon the sleeping manor. It was a large stone house in a neighboring duchy, miles from the nearest town.

I will make them pay, Black Cross promised. No man is bold enough to steal from God. Especially not the true relics of Christendom.

At first, there was a yip of dogs as the massive chargers thundered out of the calm night. Then torches lit up the darkness and everything went ablaze.

The horsemen set fire to the stables, horses bucking and neighing in fright. A few terrified workers who had been sleeping there ran out and were mowed down by the blades of hard metal charging by.

The manor burst alive with light. Six dark knights dismounted and two of them crashed through the heavy wooden door with their axes. Black Cross burst inside with his men.

The knight of the manor appeared in a doorway inside. His name was Adh俶ar. All France knew of this old man, this renowned fighter, who still stood with a strength that spoke of his past. Behind him, his wife huddled in a bed gown. The knight had donned his tunic. It bore the purple-and-gold fleur-de-lis of the King.

Who are you? Adh俶ar challenged the raiders. What do you want here?

A piece of gold, old man. From your last campaign, said Black Cross.

I am no banker, intruder. My last campaign was in service to the Pope.

Then it should not be so hard to remember. What we seek was plundered from a tomb in Edessa.

Edessa? The old knight's eyes flicked from intruder to intruder. How do you know this?

The noble Adh俶ar's fame iswell -known, Black Cross said.

Then you also know I fought with William at Hastings. That I wear the Gold Fleur, awarded to me by King Philip himself. That I have defended the faith at Acre and Antioch, where my blood still lies.

We knowall of this. Black Cross smiled. In fact, that is why we arehere.

He signaled to one of his men, who bo............