There was a wild, almost frightened note in Sordello's laughter. "Can Your Signory read men's thoughts? I warrant you, if you had till the Day of Judgment, you could not guess what this archfiend is thinking. You have no idea what he has done." Daoud almost managed to laugh. The fool Sordello, as usual speaking and acting before he thought. One word more, and he would indeed hang himself. "Tell the count, Sordello. Tell him what I have done." _God, I will forgive You for making me suffer so, if You will let me see Sordello's face just now._ And God granted Daoud's wish. Sordello crouched again over Daoud, his color maroon, his bloodshot eyes popping. It was wonderful, and Daoud breathed a prayer of thanks. After a moment Sordello got control of himself enough to speak. "You know what you have done. You killed the Tartars." He straightened up. "Your Signory, do you not know that John and Philip are dead? And it was this man's servant, Giancarlo, who shot them from ambush with a crossbow on the battlefield. I shot this David of Trebizond not only to save your life, but to avenge the Tartars." "Killed?" De Gobignon turned away, beating his mailed fist against his leg. "God, God, God! Two years I've kept them alive and Anjou _loses_ them!" The count was silent for a long moment. His back remained turned, but his shoulders heaved. He seemed to be sobbing. Daoud glanced at Sordello, whose eyes glowed with triumphant hatred. _So, Lorenzo finished the Tartars. At last. I pray only that it is not too late._ He felt, not elation, but a quiet satisfaction. He thanked God for letting him hear this news before he died. "Did you get Giancarlo?" de Gobignon asked in a quiet, choked voice. "No, Your Signory. The battle came between us." Daoud thought, _Thank you, O God, for that_. "Go away, Sordello," said de Gobignon in that same subdued tone. "Go where I cannot see you. I will deal with you later." "Your Signory, this man is capable of the most unbelievable treachery. He will tell you monstrous lies. In the moments of life he has left to him, God alone knows what evil he may do. I urge you, kill him at once. It is the wisest thing. Here, here is my dagger. Cut his throat. Avenge John and Philip--and yourself. Or, let me do it for you. Do not soil your hands." _He is terrified of what I might say about him._ In his dimming vision Daoud saw Sordello lunge at him, holding a long dagger. Suddenly he vanished. A moment later Daoud heard a crash. "I told you," de Gobignon said. "Get out of my sight." For a short time Daoud could see no one. He heard movements and murmurings around him. Then he felt a hand slide under his head and lift it up. A fresh wave of pain swept through his body, shocking him with its force. He thought he had already felt the worst. He cried aloud. _Soma. In the hour when I need it most, I had almost forgotten it._