aped him over the years, Baibars sent him
against the powers of Europe.

"Cardinal Ugolini took a Muslim agent into his house? Introduced you to
the Holy Father? _The pope himself?_ By God's breath--"

He must be careful, and protect his onetime protector. And others. "It
was King Manfred who sent me to Ugolini." Daoud managed to laugh. "Do
you think poor Cardinal Ugolini would be mad enough to present me to the
pope if he had known that I was a Muslim--a Mameluke?"

"I suppose not," said the count. Daoud focused his wandering eyes on the
pale face with its sharp features that hovered over him. De Gobignon's
mouth was open, working. He was afraid of what Daoud might answer.

"And Sophia? How much did she know about you?"

"She knew nothing. She knows nothing even now. She was more useful to us
that way."

Sophia was probably still in Benevento, waiting for him. Charles's army
must be moving on Benevento to occupy it. There would be murder and rape
and looting there this night. If de Gobignon still believed in Sophia
and loved her, he would try to protect her.

There was pain in de Gobignon's eyes. "Useful to you?"

"Yes. We let her encourage you. We let her fall in love with you." He
watched de Gobignon's color grow warmer, pinker, as he absorbed what
Daoud was saying. "Each time she saw you, Ugolini would question her
afterward, as if worried about her virtue. You told her more than you
realized. She told Ugolini more than she realized."

"Did _you_ question her?" De Gobignon fixed his eyes on Daoud's.

"I spoke very little with her. I did not want her to suspect me."

_Forgive me, Sophia, for denying our love. I do it to save your life._

"Where can I find Sophia?"

"Perhaps you can help her. She is in Benevento. She came with her
uncle." Daoud managed a smile. "He thought Manfred was going to force
the pope to reinstate him."

"Where in Benevento?"

"On a narrow street that runs south from the Roman arch. A house that
has a statue of an angel conquering a dragon over the door. The only
three-story building on the street. She is on the top floor. Get there
before Charles's men do."

"You do care about Sophia."

"She is an innocent woman. I do not want her to be hurt on my account."

"What about the others--your servant Giancarlo, Tilia Caballo?"

"They thought I was a merchant from Trebizond serving Manfred as an
agent."

"And Sordello? He seems to know more about you than he ever told me. It