not a loyal Guelfo? Are you not faithful to the papal cause?
How can you speak of coming to terms with the Ghibellini?" What a
pleasure it was to goad d'Ucello.

The podesta squinted at Daoud, as if to see how serious his question
was.

"This is a Guelfo city, and normally I would take that side. But I have
no personal feelings one way or the other. What I do care about is the
responsibility I have accepted, of governing this city. I carry out that
responsibility best by preserving it from ruin."

_And at the same time saving your own life_, thought Daoud. _And biting
your thumb at the Contessa di Monaldeschi who has been treating you like
a servant. Oh, there are many reasons why you want to surrender to the
Sienese._

But Daoud was in terrible pain, and so tired that fatigue itself was now
as much a torment as anything he had suffered earlier. He longed to cut
this conversation short.

"What has all this to do with me?"

"To display my good faith to the Ghibellini, I have decided to free
you."

"Why should the Ghibellini care, one way or the other, what happens to
me?" said Daoud. Slowly he rolled over on his side, to make it easier to
look at d'Ucello. Pain flared in his arms and legs, in his back and
chest. His hands barely had the strength to pull the blue cloak with
him.

"You still deny that you are of that party?" d'Ucello asked.

"I am David of Trebizond."

D'Ucello rose to answer a knock at the door. Daoud lifted himself on one
elbow to see who it was. In the shadowed corridor a white-robed friar,
taller than d'Ucello, was peering in, trying to see Daoud.

"We are not quite ready for you, Fra Bernardino," said d'Ucello,
half-closing the door.

"Wait, Signore," the Dominican said, putting out a pale hand. "Cardinal
Ugolini has come here with men-at-arms and is demanding that you release
this man David to him at once."

Ugolini, here? Daoud felt a lightness in his heart. Freedom was that
much closer.

"Make sure the cardinal is comfortable and is offered refreshments, Fra
Bernardino," said d'Ucello, "and tell him he will not have to wait
long."

_Better and better._

When the door was shut, d'Ucello walked over to the bed and stared into
Daoud's eyes. "If I let you go, will you speak on my behalf to the
Ghibellini?"

Daoud smiled. "In my capacity as a trader?"

D'Ucello clenched his fists. "Damn you! You are too stubborn."

"So"--Daoud kept the smile fixed on his face--"you have arres