tween himself
and Manfred.

Daoud put out his hands, palms up. "Sophia is with Cardinal Ugolini. The
cardinal's courage fails him at times. We thought it best for one of us
to stay and give him strength. And Sophia can help him run his household
and entertain the men of influence he must see."

Manfred nodded, a small smile twitching his blond mustache. "Yes, she
would be good at that."

Daoud thought of Simon de Gobignon and felt a flash of hatred for him.
But he must report about him, too.

"She has captured the heart of a young French nobleman, the Count de
Gobignon, who commands the Tartars' military escort. When Charles
d'Anjou invades Italy, de Gobignon will surely be one of his captains."

"_When_ Charles d'Anjou invades Italy? And a moment ago you said _when_
a pope of the French party is elected."

Daoud was about to reply, but Manfred raised a hand for silence. He rose
from his high-back chair. With a glance, as if for reassurance, at the
portrait of the red-bearded man hanging behind him, he strode out in
front of the table with his hands clasped behind his back. Daoud and
Lorenzo made way for him. He walked the length of the marble floor to
the door at the end of the hall. The dwarf Erculio sank down
cross-legged on the tabletop, his long arms clasped around his knees,
watching Manfred sombrely.

Daoud prayed, _Oh, God, help him to judge wisely_.

"King Louis has always held Charles back," Manfred said, turning
suddenly to face Daoud and Lorenzo. "Louis does not believe that the
pope should set Christian rulers against one another."

_And help me to advise him well._

Daoud gathered his thoughts. The success of his mission in Italy
depended on persuading Manfred to choose the right course. His heart
beat harder. He tried to speak with all the assurance he could muster.

"Sire, there are enough French cardinals to elect the next pope. They
are bound to choose a man who will give King Louis what he wants--the
alliance between Christians and Tartars. And that same pope will surely
offer your crown to Charles d'Anjou as Urban did. If Louis has the
alliance he wants above all else, he will not stand in Charles's way."

Manfred sighed and turned away. "So, you think war is certain."

_Accept it!_ Daoud cried out to Manfred in his heart. _Hesitate no
longer._

"Yes, once a pope is elected," Daoud said. "But you can act before that
happens. Use the time Ugolini is gaining for you. March north now, S