de the doorway, they were two
short, bulky shadows, Tilia much bulkier than Ugolini.

"We heard you moving about," said Tilia. "We came down to wish you
victory."

"What do the stars say about today?" Daoud asked Ugolini.

"Yesterday, the twenty-first of February, the sun moved from the house
of Aquarius the water-bearer to the house of Pisces, the fish." Ugolini
shook his head dolefully. "The fish is the sign of Christendom."

"Adelberto, you are a poor astrologer," said Tilia heartily. "A good
astrologer would find something encouraging to say. For example: It
would not be good for Christendom for Charles to win. The French would
dominate the Church and corrupt it. True Christianity will triumph if
Manfred wins."

"Do not use the word 'if,' Madama Tilia," said Daoud with a smile.

"I know Manfred is going to win," said Ugolini. "Otherwise I would not
have followed his army all the way to Benevento. I believe he will go on
to the Papal States and will persuade Pope Clement to restore me to my
rightful position."

"If Pope Clement _waits_ for Manfred after Charles is defeated," said
Tilia dryly.

That was Ugolini's explanation of why he had come north with Manfred's
army. Daoud wondered what Tilia's was. Both risked being imprisoned and
probably executed should Manfred lose and Charles capture them.

"Did you see Lorenzo leave?"

"Moments before you came down," said Tilia. "That big dog of his,
Scipio, is inconsolable. I can hear him keening in the stable. I think
Adelberto and I will take him up to our room and comfort him."

Daoud said, "It is a rare moment when Scipio is not at Lorenzo's side.
And I think, too, he can sense when his master is in danger. As we all
are today. It would be kind of you to care for him."

With a tremulous attempt at laughter, Sophia said, "And who will care
for me?"

Tilia laid her small hand on Sophia's arm. "We will stay with you,
Sophia, if you want, until Daoud returns." She pulled Ugolini inside the
door and it closed behind them, leaving Daoud and Sophia alone.

Sophia moved close in the lamplight outside the entrance of the
merchant's house and looked up at him, her eyes large and solemn.
"Nothing but you matters to me. Come back to me."

Daoud still wished he could convince her that she had nothing to fear.
But that was foolish. She knew all too well that there was much to fear.

"I don't want you to be frightened," he said.

"I will try not to be."

"I will