HISTORIAS                    Manuel Espejo

The Crusader's Tomb 

At the very spot where the warrior fell, he made a solemn request to be buried. With his master's gaze fixed upon him for the last time, the fighter uttered, "Sire, grant me my final wish." The Gallic nobleman responded, "Soldier, you have served the noble cause of Christ honorably in this land of unfaithful souls, and I shall not be the one to deny you the honour of resting in the Holy Land. Yet, I must make one last request of you." "Speak, noble Sir," replied the dying man. "You must bequeath your wealth, the spoils from Antioch and Jerusalem, to the Holy Crusade. Only then shall your sins find forgiveness, and your path to the Kingdom of Heaven be cleared." Despite his grave condition, the soldier contemplated for a moment before saying, "As you wish, my King. My contribution shall bolster the cause of Christ. Now, I can depart in peace."

As night descended, the captain arrived at the sovereign's tent and conveyed that the contributions of twenty-three dying soldiers had been gathered for the Holy Crusade's cause.

The Frankish monarch pondered, "This Crusade may not serve to reclaim the Holy Land for Christianity, but it shall undoubtedly enrich my dominion. There is no wealth greater than the faith of the people."

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