Late at night, thousands of soldiers gathered in the square before the Cathedral, waiting for the peasant Stephen.
No one made a sound.
Belem was the last to arrive, carried on a stretcher.
Earlier that evening, he had attempted to capture the Mountain Castle. Not only had he failed, but he'd been driven back by the enemy and shot in the thigh with an arrow.
He staggered off the stretcher, his injured thigh giving way, his hands covered in blood.
Belem looked as if he had just walked out of Hell, his steps weak, his face pale.
The other leaders stood on the steps, wearing their coronets and displaying their war banners. Brother John stood before them.
Eric had expected him to be in solemn vestments, but he wore a simple Monk's Robe with no cap on his head.
The peasant Stephen emerged from a small alley, walking silently toward Brother John, utterly undistracted by the presence of the many soldiers and Nobility.
