Tartars were safely in
Perugia, only Manfred's army would be powerful enough to get at them.
Manfred might not want to go to war, but war was inevitable. Clearly the
pope was no longer neutral. He favored the Tartar-Christian alliance and
was waiting only for the right moment to announce it. When the pope came
out for the alliance, the French would come into Italy.

The time for Manfred to act was now. If he marched north and seized all
of Italy, including the person of the pope and as many cardinals as he
could capture, the French never _would_ invade, because a Ghibellino
pope would not approve a joint campaign of Christians and Tartars
against Muslims. Then, for certain, there would be no alliance.

"Now that the pope has moved to a place of safety," he said aloud, "only
King Manfred can dislodge him."

Ugolini wrung his hands. "First you incite the Filippeschi against the
Monaldeschi. Then Siena against Orvieto. Now Manfred against the Papal
States? Sometimes I think you are like one of the horsemen of the
Apocalypse, spreading war wherever you go."

All too true, Daoud thought. He turned to Sophia to see whether she
agreed with the accusation. She looked at him somberly, but did not
speak.

He sighed. "I am fighting for my people. For my God."

"I, too, for _my_ people," said Sophia quietly. Her tone told Daoud she
sided with him, and he felt an inner warmth.

"And what have your people to do with this?" Ugolini cried. "Have you
forgotten that you are not Sicilian but Greek?"

"Not at all," said Sophia. "I want to see Manfred in control of Italy.
He is a friend of Byzantium. The Franks are our enemies."

Ugolini shook his head. "I am the only Italian in this room. And I weep
for _my_ people."

Daoud strode over to Ugolini's table, pressed his hands flat on it, and
stared into his eyes.

"Be _strong_ for your people," he said. The hairs on the back of his
neck rose with excitement as he spoke. He had wanted to try to put
strength into Ugolini for such a long time.

Ugolini looked bewildered. "What do you mean?"

"Think what Italy would be with Manfred von Hohenstaufen ruling from the
Alps to Sicily and a pope who supports him."

"A Ghibellino pope?" Ugolini looked surprised, then nodded. "Why not? As
a Ghibellino myself, I would rejoice at that. But it will happen only if
Manfred has the College of Cardinals in his power."

"Yes," said Daoud. "And that is why I must go all the way south to
Lucera,