THAT NIGHT, as most of our ranks dozed, I got together the twenty brave men who would sneak into the castle.

There was Odo and Alphonse from our town, Alois and four of his best from Morrisaey. For the rest, we chose strong-hearted men we could trust, who would not back down from killing with their bare hands.

One by one, they arrived before my fire, wondering, why were they here?

How do you intend to take this castle with us, Alois asked, when you can't make a dent in it with a thousand men?

We'll have to take it without a dent, I said. I know a way inside. Come with me now or go back to sleep.

We armed ourselves with swords and knives. Father Leo blessed us with a prayer. I handed him the lance. On the chance that I don't return.

Are you ready, then? I looked around at the men. I clasped each of their hands. Say good-bye to your friends. Pray we see them on the other side.

Are we talking about Heaven? Odo asked.

I was speaking of the wall, I said, and faked a laugh.

Under the cover of night, we crept away from the campsites and out behind the hutted settlements and narrow streets that clung to the city walls. Torches lit up the defenses above us, lookouts peering for signs of life. We crouched in the shadow of the wall.

Odo tapped my shoulder. So, Hugh, this ever been done before?

What?

People like us, bondmen, rising against their liege.

A group of farmers rose against the duke of Bourges, I said.

The smith seemed satisfied. We crept a ............