len Romans. Some of them,
still alive, called out to him pleadingly. He ignored them.

Simon could not resist saying, "If you had come out to welcome Count
Charles before these others did, much bloodshed might have been
prevented."

Orsini shrugged. "Necessary bloodshed. The mob that threatened Count
Charles was incited by the Ghibellino faction in Rome. They tried to get
the city militia to join them, but we held the professionals back.
Indeed, we have heard you killed one of the leaders of the popolo
minuto, the lower orders, Leone Pedulla. That was well done. His loss
will be a blessing to this city, as will the loss of these other
troublemakers."

Simon felt as disgusted with this man as he had with Charles's marshals.
Unable to keep order in their own city, the nobility of Rome approved
the slaughter of their people by foreign invaders. It was despicable.
Count Charles would have to deal with them, but he himself would speak
no more to these poltroons who called themselves gentlemen.

They rode in silence toward the advancing Angevin army of Count Charles.
The count's black and red lion banner fluttered over his steel coronet.
He was riding toward Rome again with his commanders behind him as if all
their differences were settled.

Charles and his leaders reined up before the new delegation from Rome.
The Count of Anjou greeted these representatives of the great families
of Rome with courtesy, dismounting and embracing Gaetano Orsini. He
assured each Roman nobleman, Simon interpreting, how happy he was to see
him.

"I believe it would be best if my men and I were to camp outside the
city walls for tonight," he said, looking down his large nose at Orsini.

"I was just about to suggest that," said Orsini. "The city is quite
crowded."

"Perhaps less crowded now." Charles laughed, with a nod at the fields
where wailing men and women were walking, trying to find their dead and
bear them away for burial. "At any rate, I will enter the city
tomorrow."

"All will be prepared for Your Signory. The loyal supporters of the
Parte Guelfo are eager to greet you. You will be made an honorary
patrician. There will be banners, cheering crowds, music. The militia
will parade for you. It will be a true Roman triumph." Orsini was all
smiles and flourishes.

Charles smiled. "A triumph. Yes, and I assume that a triumph will
include tribute?"

Orsini's smile faded. "Tribute?"

Charles nodded slowly. "To be exact, I will r