Cup of Blood... Bread of Salvation — Robert E. Hirsch

In 1097 Pope Urban's Army of God confronts the great Oriental city of Antioch, its final obstacle before reclaiming Jerusalem from the hammer of Islam. But Antioch is defended by the wily Turcoman, Emir Yaghi Siyan, and is coveted by the atabeg of Mosul, Kerbogha.After overcoming a tortuous trail rooted during childhood of impossibility, separation, and heartbreak, Bishop Tristan de Saint-Germain and Mala the Romani finally stand at the precipice of a new life together. But Antioch snares them both, forcing Tristan to decide between honoring his ‘father' in this life, Pope Urban II, or abandoning Catholicism forever in favor of exile with Mala in the Middle East. Showing up unexpectedly in the midst of this crucible, honorable Lord Abdul Azim and murderous Mahmoud Malik create further complexities... thus bringing together in one final episode all the primary characters of the Dark Ages Saga of Tristan de Saint-Germain, including Peter the Hermit, treacherous Desmond DuLac, Tafur the Peasant Butcher, and Bishop Adhémar of Le Puy. Shall the forces of God prevail, or those of Allah?