ves of an unfriendly populace, Simon wondered. This should
be interesting. He might learn something.

The count turned to Dietrich von Regensburg, his third commander. "I
want a troop of the Burgundian pikemen up here now. Surround these
fellows." Von Regensburg, a knight with hard blue eyes, a flattened
nose, and a huge jaw, saluted and swung his dun horse around to ride
back to the long line of men-at-arms following Charles and his knights.

Anjou's order made Simon uneasy. Why try to frighten these Romans? Would
it not be better if he could enter the city with their approval?

Then he beckoned Simon to bring his horse up beside him. "No doubt you
speak Italian better than any of us. Translate for me." He glowered down
his long nose at the Romans who had approached him. "I am Count Charles
d'Anjou. I have come here as protector of the city of Rome, at the
request of His Holiness, the pope."

Simon repeated this.

"Rome needs protection only from you!" one of the men shouted.

"There is no pope," another called out. "The old one is dead and the new
one has not been crowned."

Simon could hardly believe his ears. He had heard that Roman citizens
were unruly; that was why the pope had moved away from Rome. But the way
these men addressed the Count of Anjou, the brother of the king of
France--it was unthinkable. It was madness. The count might not
understand their words, but the disrespectful tone was unmistakable.

Hesitantly, he translated. Charles stared at the six Romans, his swarthy
face expressionless.

Charles's great black and white war-horse shifted his legs restlessly,
and Charles stilled him with a jerk of the reins. Even the horse sensed
the Romans' anger.

"Silencio!" ordered a Roman somewhat taller than the others, with a
shock of iron-gray hair and an angular jaw. He wore a mantle of deep
maroon velvet trimmed with white fur, and a longsword hung from his
jeweled belt. He bowed courteously to Count Charles and Simon.

"Your Signory, I am Leone Pedulla, secretary of the Senate of Rome. We
come, with all respect, to pray you to turn back. The city of Rome rules
herself. We are most distressed to see a foreign army, a French army,
approaching our walls. If you wish to visit us and confer with our
leading citizens, leave this army behind. Come to us as a guest,
bringing a few of your barons with you. We will then offer you our
hospitality. We ask you to leave us in peace."

Simon wished himself fa