Plague Descends, Angels Withdraw

In 14th-century France, the Black Death ravages the land, famine and war follow, and God seems to have turned His face from humanity. Angels, weakened and scattered, do what little they can, while the fallen—led by Lucifer and his generals—seize the opportunity to torment mankind. Plague, war, and supernatural horrors descend, and the world teeters on the edge of apocalypse. The narrative opens with a sense of cosmic abandonment, as both Heaven and Hell wage war over the fate of humanity, but God remains silent. The stage is set for a journey through a world where the boundaries between the spiritual and the physical, the holy and the damned, are breaking down.

A Knight, A Girl, A Donkey

Thomas, a disgraced and excommunicated knight, survives as a brigand in plague-ravaged Normandy. He encounters Delphine, a strange, precocious girl who claims to see angels and asks for help burying her father. Their meeting is fraught with danger—Thomas's companions are violent, and Delphine is at risk. Yet, Thomas's reluctant compassion and Delphine's mysterious guidance set them on a journey together. The two form an uneasy alliance, joined by a cowardly priest, Matthieu, as they navigate a landscape of death, hunger, and moral collapse. Delphine's innocence and visions contrast with Thomas's cynicism and violence, hinting at a deeper purpose to their union.

Bargains, Burials, and Blood

The trio—Thomas, Delphine, and the priest—travel through devastated villages, burying the dead and scavenging for food. They encounter the horrors of the plague firsthand, as well as the brutality of desperate survivors. Thomas's violence is both a shield and a curse, while Delphine's insistence on small acts of kindness (like burying her father) challenges his hardened worldview. The priest, haunted by his own sins, is drawn into their orbit. Their journey is marked by moments of dark humor, fleeting comfort, and the ever-present threat of both human and supernatural evil. The group's dynamic is shaped by Delphine's growing influence and Thomas's struggle between brutality and redemption.

Monsters in River and Mind

As they travel, the trio faces not only human threats but monstrous, otherworldly creatures—manifestations of Hell's corruption. In one harrowing episode, Thomas battles a river monster that has been preying on villagers, risking his life to protect the innocent. The fight is brutal and nearly fatal, but with Delphine's help, he prevails. The encounter cements the group's bond and reveals the thinness of the veil between the natural and supernatural. The priest's faith is shaken, and Thomas is forced to confront his own mortality and the possibility of grace. Delphine's visions grow more urgent, and the group realizes their journey is part of a larger, cosmic struggle.

The Priest's Shameful Confession

Matthieu, the priest, confesses his deepest shame to Thomas: a forbidden love for another man, and the resulting ostracism and guilt that haunt him. His confession is both a plea for understanding and a reflection of the era's moral confusion. The group's dynamic shifts as secrets are revealed and forgiveness is sought. The priest's vulnerability and Delphine's compassion offer a counterpoint to Thomas's violence, suggesting that redemption is possible even for the most broken. The trio's journey becomes not just a physical quest, but a spiritual one, as each confronts their own demons.

Visions, Dreams, and Dark Pursuits

Delphine's visions intensify, guiding the group toward Paris and then Avignon, where she believes their destiny lies. Along the way, they are pursued by both human and supernatural enemies—brigands, zealots, and the walking dead. The boundaries between dream and reality blur, as Delphine's prophetic dreams warn of coming dangers and temptations. Thomas is tested by visions of his past and the possibility of a different future. The priest struggles with temptation and the weight of his sins. The group's journey becomes a pilgrimage through a landscape haunted by both the living and the dead, with Delphine as their unlikely guide.

Paris: City of Death

Arriving in Paris, the group finds a city in chaos—plague, famine, and violence have reduced it to a nightmare. They encounter relic sellers, desperate survivors, and mobs searching for scapegoats. Delphine's innocence and visions attract both suspicion and awe. The trio is drawn into the city's underbelly, witnessing the depths of human depravity and the flickers of compassion that survive amid the horror. The city becomes a crucible, testing their faith, morality, and resolve. Delphine's purpose becomes clearer: she is to seek a holy relic, the spear that pierced Christ, which may be the key to turning the tide against the darkness.

Relics, Riots, and Night Terrors

The search for the relic leads to encounters with charlatans, riots, and the supernatural. Delphine's ability to see and interact with angels and devils becomes both a blessing and a curse, as she is targeted by those who fear or covet her power. The group narrowly escapes death at the hands of a mob and the predations of night-walking statues—animated by Hell's power. The city's spiritual sickness is mirrored by physical horrors, and the trio's survival depends on their faith in each other and the possibility of miracles. The relic is found, but at great cost, and the group is forced to flee Paris, pursued by both human and inhuman foes.

The Penitents and the False Miracles

On the road, the group encounters a band of Penitents—flagellants who promise miracles in exchange for suffering. The Penitents' leader, Rutger, performs apparent resurrections, but Delphine sees through the deception: the miracles are the work of devils, not God. When Delphine exposes the truth, she is nearly killed by a mob, but her courage and compassion break the spell. The episode underscores the dangers of fanaticism and the ease with which evil can masquerade as holiness. The group's journey becomes a meditation on the nature of true faith and the cost of resisting false prophets.

The War in Heaven and Earth

As the group nears Avignon, the narrative expands to encompass the war in Heaven—a battle between angels and devils that mirrors the chaos on earth. The fallen seek to break Heaven's walls and claim dominion, while the loyal angels are weakened by humanity's suffering and lack of faith. The world is beset by monsters, the dead walk, and the living are driven to madness and despair. Delphine's visions reveal that the outcome of this cosmic war depends on the choices of a few flawed mortals. The group's journey is both a flight from evil and a march toward a final confrontation that will decide the fate of the world.

The Road to Avignon

The group's journey south is marked by new alliances and betrayals. They join a band of river pirates to reach Avignon, only to be betrayed and nearly killed. Thomas is gravely wounded, and the priest sacrifices himself to save Delphine. The group is scattered, and Delphine is forced to continue alone, guided by visions and the relic she carries. The road to Avignon is littered with the dead and the damned, and the city itself is a cauldron of political intrigue, spiritual rot, and supernatural menace. The stage is set for a final reckoning.

The Pope's Feast of Shadows

In Avignon, the papal court is a scene of grotesque decadence—a feast where the living and the dead mingle, and the boundaries between pleasure and horror dissolve. The pope, or something wearing his face, presides over a court of cardinals, knights, and courtesans, while devils move unseen among them. Delphine and Thomas, disguised, seek an audience with the pope, hoping to use the relic to banish the evil that has taken root at the heart of Christendom. The feast is a masquerade in every sense, and the true nature of the enemy is revealed only when it is almost too late.

The Vineyard of the Dead

Delphine and an ally discover that the pope's vineyards are being harvested by the dead—animated corpses forced to labor for the devil's wine. The wine itself is tainted, a tool of corruption and control. The revelation underscores the depth of the rot at the heart of Avignon and the scale of the supernatural threat. Delphine's growing power and insight allow her to see the true nature of the evil at work, but also mark her as a target. The city is a powder keg, and the final confrontation is imminent.

The Devil in the Papal Court

The true pope is revealed to have been replaced by a devil—Baal'Zebuth, a prince of Hell—who has used the papal office to spread death, despair, and damnation. The court is thrown into chaos as the devil's minions are unmasked and the dead rise to serve him. Thomas, Delphine, and their allies must fight not only for their lives, but for the soul of Christendom. The battle is both physical and spiritual, as the forces of Hell are opposed by a handful of mortals and the last, weakened angels. The cost is terrible, and not all will survive.

The Final Confrontation

In a climactic battle, Thomas and Delphine confront Baal'Zebuth and his champions. Thomas, mortally wounded, uses the holy spear to strike at the devil, but is killed. Delphine, gravely injured, sacrifices herself to save the true pope and unleash the power of the relic. Her death becomes a catalyst for the return of the angels, who descend in a blaze of light to drive back the devils and restore a measure of hope to the world. The victory is costly, and the survivors are left to reckon with the scars of what they have seen and done.

Sacrifice and the Coming of Light

Delphine's sacrifice opens a path for the angels to return, and the devils are driven from Avignon in a cataclysmic battle. The dead are released, the city is shattered, and the survivors are left to rebuild. Thomas, killed in the battle, finds himself in Hell, reliving his sins and failures. But Delphine, now an angelic being, descends to rescue him, offering forgiveness and a chance at redemption. The harrowing of Hell is both a personal and cosmic event, as love and sacrifice prove stronger than damnation.

The Harrowing and the Judgment

Thomas endures torment in Hell, reliving his worst moments and suffering the consequences of his choices. Yet, in the midst of despair, Delphine appears—now a being of light—and offers him a choice: to remember love, even if it means pain, or to forget and be at peace. Thomas chooses love, and is granted release from Hell. The judgment is not based on perfection, but on the willingness to forgive and be forgiven. The narrative suggests that even the damned can be redeemed, and that love is the only force strong enough to break the cycle of suffering.

Forgiveness, Return, and Renewal

The story ends with Thomas and Delphine reborn in a world still scarred by plague and war, but with the possibility of renewal. They are given a second chance—not as heroes, but as ordinary people, capable of kindness and love. The world is not saved, but it is changed; the angels have returned, the devils are in retreat, and the survivors must rebuild. The final message is one of forgiveness, humility, and hope: that even in the darkest times, the smallest acts of compassion can turn the tide, and that love endures beyond death and damnation.

Characters

Thomas de Givras

Thomas is a disgraced, excommunicated knight, haunted by his past as a brigand and his failure to protect those he loved. His journey is one of reluctant heroism—he is violent, cynical, and often brutal, but beneath his armor lies a capacity for compassion and sacrifice. His relationship with Delphine transforms him, forcing him to confront his own sins and the possibility of grace. Thomas's arc is one of hard-won redemption: he moves from self-loathing and violence to self-sacrifice and, ultimately, forgiveness. His struggle is both external (against monsters and devils) and internal (against his own guilt and despair).

Delphine

Delphine is a mysterious, precocious girl who claims to see angels and is guided by visions. She is both innocent and wise beyond her years, serving as a moral compass for Thomas and the priest. Delphine's role is that of a prophet and, ultimately, a martyr—her compassion, courage, and willingness to sacrifice herself are the keys to the group's survival and the world's salvation. She is both fully human and something more: a vessel for divine intervention, a bridge between Heaven and Earth. Her death and transformation into an angelic being are the story's emotional and spiritual climax.

Père Matthieu Hanicotte

Matthieu is a priest burdened by guilt over his forbidden love and his failure to protect his flock. His journey is one of confession, penance, and, ultimately, self-sacrifice. Matthieu's vulnerability and honesty make him a sympathetic figure, and his relationship with Thomas and Delphine is marked by mutual support and forgiveness. His death is both tragic and redemptive, as he gives his life to save Delphine and is, in turn, offered a measure of peace. Matthieu embodies the story's themes of sin, shame, and the possibility of grace.

Baal'Zebuth (The Devil in the Papal Court)

Baal'Zebuth is a prince of Hell who takes the place of the pope, using the papal office to spread death, despair, and damnation. He is a master of deception, capable of appearing as a benevolent leader while orchestrating horrors behind the scenes. Baal'Zebuth's power is both supernatural and psychological—he manipulates the living and the dead, turning faith into fanaticism and hope into despair. He is the story's primary antagonist, embodying the corruption at the heart of Christendom and the cosmic war between good and evil.

The Angels (Zephon, Uriel, Michael, etc.)

The angels are depicted as weary, diminished beings, struggling to intervene in a world that has lost faith. They are both majestic and vulnerable, capable of great power but dependent on human belief and compassion. Their intervention is delayed and costly, and they are often forced to work through flawed mortals like Delphine and Thomas. The angels' return at the story's climax is both a victory and a reminder of the fragility of hope.

The Penitents (Rutger the Fair, etc.)

The Penitents are a band of flagellants who promise miracles in exchange for suffering. Led by Rutger, they are both sincere and deluded, manipulated by devils into performing false resurrections and spreading chaos. The Penitents embody the dangers of fanaticism and the ease with which evil can masquerade as holiness. Their story is a cautionary tale about the perils of misplaced faith and the need for discernment.

Robert Hanicotte

Robert is Matthieu's younger brother, a handsome and ambitious man who serves in the papal court. He is torn between loyalty to his brother, his own desires, and the temptations of power. Robert's arc is one of complicity and, ultimately, regret—he betrays Delphine and the cause of good, but is given a chance at redemption in the story's final act. His character explores the corrupting influence of power and the possibility of forgiveness.

Marguerite de Péronne

Marguerite is Thomas's wife, whose betrayal and loss haunt him throughout the story. She appears in memories and visions, representing both the pain of the past and the possibility of forgiveness. Marguerite's story is intertwined with Thomas's journey toward redemption, and her presence is a reminder of the cost of pride, anger, and the refusal to forgive.

Jacquot

Jacquot is a minor but memorable character—a former brigand and companion of Thomas, marked by his cowardice and self-preservation. He reappears as a crossbowman in Avignon, accidentally shooting Thomas in the final battle. Jacquot's fate is a darkly comic reminder of the randomness of survival and the thin line between victim and perpetrator.

Baal'Zebuth's Champions (Lion-Knight, Cardinal Cyriac, etc.)

These characters serve as the devil's enforcers—knights, cardinals, and courtiers who are revealed to be devils in disguise. They are both literal monsters and symbols of the corruption that has infected the highest levels of church and society. Their defeat is necessary for the restoration of hope, but comes at great cost.

Plot Devices

Duality of Faith and Doubt

The novel's structure is built on the tension between faith and doubt—God's silence allows evil to flourish, while small acts of faith and compassion open the door for redemption. The characters' struggles with belief, guilt, and forgiveness mirror the cosmic war between angels and devils. The story uses dreams, visions, and supernatural encounters to blur the line between the spiritual and the physical, making the characters' internal battles as important as the external ones.

Relics and Sacred Objects

The search for the holy spear is both a literal quest and a metaphor for the possibility of grace. Relics are depicted as both powerful and dangerous—capable of miracles, but also coveted by the wicked. The spear becomes the focal point of the final confrontation, its power dependent on the faith and sacrifice of those who wield it.

Foreshadowing and Prophecy

Delphine's visions and the recurring motif of dreams serve as both warnings and guides, foreshadowing key events and shaping the characters' choices. The use of prophecy creates a sense of inevitability, but also allows for moments of agency and defiance. The story's structure is cyclical, with echoes and repetitions that reinforce its themes of sin, redemption, and renewal.

The Blurring of Life and Death

The boundaries between life and death are porous—plague victims rise, statues walk, and the living are constantly confronted by the dead. This device heightens the sense of horror and underscores the story's meditation on mortality, guilt, and the possibility of resurrection. The final act's harrowing of Hell literalizes the idea that love and forgiveness can reach even the damned.

The Unmasking of Evil

The story's climax is built around the unmasking of devils in the papal court—figures of authority and trust are revealed to be monsters. This device serves as both a plot twist and a commentary on the dangers of unchecked power and the need for discernment. The unmasking is both literal (as devils reveal their true forms) and metaphorical (as characters confront their own sins and the sins of their leaders).

Analysis

Between Two Fires is a dark, ambitious meditation on faith, suffering, and the possibility of redemption in a world seemingly abandoned by God. Set against the backdrop of the Black Death and the Hundred Years' War, the novel uses horror and fantasy to explore the psychological and spiritual crises of its characters and their society. Buehlman's narrative is both a grim adventure and a theological allegory, asking what it means to be good when the world is ruled by evil, and whether forgiveness is possible for even the most broken souls. The story's power lies in its refusal to offer easy answers: God's silence is never fully explained, and the return of the angels is as much a result of human compassion as divine intervention. The novel's ultimate message is one of humility and hope: that in the face of unimaginable horror, small acts of kindness and the willingness to forgive—oneself and others—are the only forces capable of turning the tide. Between Two Fires is a harrowing, beautiful, and deeply human tale that lingers long after the final page.

Last updated: May 6, 2025