Unthinking, the plebeian touched a strange necklace he wore depicting a man nailed to a cross. His fingers lingered there as he answered, saying, “Because your men are hurt . . . and because if it were us that needed help, seigneur, I hope that you would give it.” As they spoke three men—two peltasts and one of the villagers—struggled to lift Ored into the saddle; no small feat with his missing leg. And in a smaller voice, almost beneath hearing, Jean-Louis added, “And because the Lord God commands His children to help those in need.” God?
