FARTHER AHEAD, we came to a fieldstone bridge that crossed the river along the outskirts of the city.

It was guarded by a stone tower. I drew the ranks to a halt about sixty yards away. Three or four of Stephen's knights were waiting there, mounted on horseback, draped in their lordship's green and gold colors.

The first sign of the enemy.

They began to taunt us, questioning the size of our balls. You call this rabble an army? one yelled. He lifted his leg as a dog pees. It's a bunch of peasants who wouldn't know a fight from a good fart.

They are only trying to bait us into something stupid, Daniel cautioned. Stay your ground. They will fall back as soon as we advance.

A few of the men, fueled by the horrific sight they had just seen, ignored him and ran toward the taunting soldiers, ready to do battle with their clubs and swords.

When they were about twenty yards away, archers appeared in the tower armed with crossbows. They sent a volley of arrows whooshing down. Four men dropped immediately, clutching their chests. The rest peeled back out of range.

Behind me, I heard Alphonse yell out, They want their fight, they'll g-get it!

No, I called, we can't lose more. But against my futile shout, he took off. He and his group ran bravely toward the tower.

Arrows hissed down on them, thudding into their shields. Another man fell, struck in the thigh. Our own archers loaded and sent a reply of fire arrows toward ............