The desert wind carries the scent of dust and memory, whispering through the remnants of a crusader camp where banners once flew and prayers once echoed. In the shadow of Jerusalem’s walls, Robert, Duke of Normandy, reflects on a journey marked by blood, betrayal, and the burden of legacy. Fresh from the events of Crusader’s Path, he sits down with us to speak of vows made, battles fought, and the soul-searching that follows a war waged in God’s name.
Interviewer: Duke Robert, thank you for joining us. For those unfamiliar with your role in the Crusades, how would you describe your purpose?
Robert: Purpose is a slippery thing. I left
Normandy not with a clear mission, but with a need to escape, to reclaim
something lost, perhaps even to outrun my own reputation. The call to arms came
at a time when my coffers were thin and my conscience thinner. I answered not
as a saint, but as a man seeking distance. Whether I found redemption or simply
distraction is for history to decide.
Interviewer: You’ve been described as both a noble
leader and a man of indulgence. How do you reconcile those sides of yourself?
Robert: I don’t. I live with them. I’ve worn
the mantle of Duke, but I’ve also worn the weight of jealousy, rivalry, and
regret. My youth was spent chasing pleasure and prestige, and I’ve paid dearly
for it. The Crusades stripped away the silk and left only steel. In the fire of
war, you learn who you are or who you’ve failed to become.
Interviewer: Etienne plays a central role in Crusader’s
Path. How did your relationship with him evolve?
Robert: Etienne came to swear fealty after his
father’s death, and I saw something rare in him, honesty without arrogance. I
invited him to court, and he followed. We rode together, fought together, and in
many ways, he became my conscience. He gave me counsel I didn’t always want but
often needed. I leaned on him more than I ever admitted. He reminded me of the
cost of neglect, even when I was too blind to see it.
Interviewer: The Crusades tested many. What
challenged you most?
Robert: The silence of God. We marched under
banners of faith, yet the answers came in blood and betrayal. Disease struck
our camps, treachery brewed in our ranks, and every step toward Jerusalem felt
heavier than the last. Leadership is not glory, it’s a burden. And in war, that
burden grows with every soul lost.
Interviewer: What do you believe the Crusades
accomplished?
Robert: That depends on who pens the
chronicle. Some will say we reclaimed holy ground. Others will say we desecrated
it. I believe we revealed the fragility of men who claim divine purpose. The
Crusades tested our faith, yes, but more than that, it exposed our humanity. And
our failings.
Interviewer: What’s next for you, now that the
campaign has ended?
Robert: I returned to Normandy with fewer men
and more ghosts. My duty now is to remember, to ensure that the lessons of this
war are not buried with the dead. Redemption is not found in conquest. It is
found in reflection, in humility, and in the stories we choose to tell.
Interviewer: Duke Robert, thank you for your
candor. Is there anything you’d like to share with our readers before we close?
Robert: Only this: history is not forged by
swords alone. It is shaped by the choices we make when no one is watching. And
if you ever find yourself at the gates of Jerusalem, ask not what you’ve won, but
what you’ve lost to get there.
Purchase Links
Amazon Global Link
http://mybook.to/CrusadersPath
Universal Link
https://books2read.com/u/3yNPen
Mary Ann Bernal is a distinguished alumna of Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, NY, where she earned her degree in Business Administration. Her literary journey began with the 2009 publication of her debut novel in The Briton and the Dane series, marking the start of a richly diverse body of work that spans historical fiction, contemporary short stories, science fiction/fantasy, and fast-paced adventure novellas.
Her recent publications include
Crusader’s Path, a poignant redemption tale set during the First Crusade;
Forgiving Nero, a compelling exploration of familial bonds in Ancient Rome; and
the award-winning AnaRose adventure series, chronicling the daring escapades of
a museum curator-turned-relic hunter. Mary Ann’s work has been honored by the
Independent Press Award, the NYC Big Book Award, Chanticleer International Book
Awards, the B.R.A.G. Medallion, and the Reader Views Reviewer’s Choice Awards.
Her short fiction anthologies have likewise earned distinction, most notably
from the American Legacy Book Awards. She was also recognized with the Editor’s
Choice Award for Literary Excellence by Reader’s House magazine.
A dedicated supporter of the United
States military since Operation Desert Storm, Mary Ann has actively engaged in letter-writing
campaigns and related initiatives. Her advocacy has been featured on KMTV’s The
Morning Blend and in the Omaha World-Herald. As a celebrated author, she has
appeared on numerous reader blogs and book promotion platforms. Mary Ann
currently resides in Elkhorn, Nebraska, where she continues to craft stories
that inspire and endure.
Connect with Mary Ann
Website: http://www.maryannbernal.com/
Whispering Legends Press: https://www.whisperinglegendspress.com/
Blog: https://maryannbernal.blogspot.com/
Amazon author page
https://www.amazon.com/Mary-Ann-Bernal/e/B003D2DPZ4
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Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-ann-bernal-a9a05b33/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/maryannbernal
BookBub
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mary-ann-bernal
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