o had done to him. He could only lie there and struggle against
the agony he felt in every part of his body. His head ached. His tongue
felt like a lump of dried camel dung. His throbbing muscles and bones
begged him to sink back into unconsciousness. How long had he slept?
Only an hour or two, he was sure.

The yellow glow of a lighted candle filled the room. Lorenzo was
standing near the bed holding the candle, glowering at Daoud from under
thick, dark brows as if he were angry at him.

_Lorenzo._

Daoud wanted to laugh and leap out of bed and throw his arms around
Lorenzo. He managed only to sit up, too quickly. Fires shot from his
joints into his neck to coalesce in a burst of agony in the back of his
head. He did not want to cry out in front of Lorenzo, but a groan forced
itself through his cracked lips.

Sophia, wearing her red silk gown and standing by the bed--_How did she
get out of bed and dressed before Lorenzo got in here?_--took Daoud's
shoulders gently and lowered him back to the bed.

Lorenzo set the candle on the table beside Daoud and sat beside him.

"What the devil did those bastards do to you?"

Daoud saw the rage in the penetrating dark eyes, and it delighted him,
because Lorenzo was furious for his sake.

"Nothing that I will not recover from. More quickly, now that I see your
infidel face. Have you come here to parley with the podesta?"

"Yes, Duke Rinaldo has sent his son, Lapo, and me to meet with d'Ucello
here at Ugolini's."

Lorenzo had accomplished everything Daoud asked of him, and more. His
timely arrival had saved Daoud's life. To think that Daoud had once
wanted to be rid of him. Except for Sophia, he had never in his life
felt so happy to see anyone as this grizzled Sicilian.

Sophia said, "I have tended your wounds enough for tonight, David. I
leave you in Lorenzo's care." She smiled at Lorenzo and put her hand
briefly on his shoulder.

As she went to the door, Lorenzo scooped something from the floor,
jumped up, and handed it to her. "I believe this is yours, Madonna." He
held out her red leather belt.

Sophia swept it from his hand. "Thank you, Messere," she said coolly.

"Good night, Sophia," said Daoud with a smile. "You have brought me
great comfort tonight."

"Good night, David," she said, and shot him a burning look that he hoped
Lorenzo did not see.

After the door closed behind her, Lorenzo chuckled softly as he sat down
again. "Tending your wounds with her