This is an excerpt to my last novel of the Kings and Crusaders Series. In this scene, the knights of France have set out for crusade against the Albigensians.
A minstrel began to sing as he played the lyre. Perhaps he meant well, but he sung words that that were more disturbing than pleasing. Uneasiness grew in camp over the coming siege. Men in iron felt agony and fear as their bodies began to sweat the dread of open battle with the Cathars. The flags of France's counties flew in the wind as the drums played to an intense rising of the men-at-arms to the coming fight. The minstrel hid behind the trees and and in the form of a dramatic monologue faced the audience of toothless peasants in the woods that were chasing their dogs and ducks.
Chivalry is important, and there is nothing more glorious than going on a holy crusade,
though, some of us, with the orange headed maidens chose to stay and remain,
some see war as their love and profession,
but I see pale faces of maidens to be like heaven,
battles are bloody and weary,
but those with bald eyes are heavenly,
It is better to know heaven than it is to know hell,
and it is better to sing than to risk one's life in slaying the infidel.
Just then, many of the Anglo-Normans began to think of the carrot-tops and missed their company. Indeed, it is more enjoyable to watch those pale face redheaded maidens pick flowers in their gardens, than to wait for the outcome of the coming battle.
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