Between Two Fires
by Christopher Buehlman
Contents
Twenty-Six: Of Thomas, and of an Oath Long Overdue
Overview
Thomas discovers Delphine has left and wanders south in despair, rebuffed at Mornas. Mistaken for an enemy by villagers mourning longbow-slain men, he is brought before their priest. In church, Thomas swears he is no brigand and vows to bring justice to English routiers, regaining purpose as he heads toward Orange.
Summary
Thomas wakes to find Delphine gone and, believing she blames him for the priest’s death, sets off south to catch her. He questions scattered villagers but is misunderstood, passes a ruined convent garden of dead nuns, and is turned away from papal-held Mornas, deepening his sense of loss and purposelessness.
Drawn by southern bells, Thomas reaches a village gathered around fresh dead pierced by long arrows. The crowd, mistaking him for an enemy, drags him to the bodies and smears him with blood. Disarmed and beaten, Thomas protests as the village priest intervenes, probing whether Thomas is French or among the English routiers.
In the church, the priest makes Thomas swear formal oaths: that he is a knight of France, no brigand, and a servant of God and king. Thomas further vows to deliver God’s justice to the longbow-wielding routiers if he can. The crowd accepts his oath; his sword is returned, and the villagers wash him and feed him.
Revived by their trust and charity, Thomas departs toward Orange. Though still ragged, he carries himself like a knight again, his renewed oath giving him direction and purpose in Delphine’s absence.
Who Appears
- ThomasKnight protagonist; searches for Delphine, nearly lynched by villagers, swears in church to hunt English routiers, and regains purpose heading toward Orange.
- Village priestLeads the mourning village; interrogates Thomas, administers oaths in church, and secures the crowd’s acceptance of Thomas.