"You need not glare at me like that, Madama Tilia," Sordello said. "You are very lucky to be under my protection tonight." "What will your protection cost us?" Tilia's voice was heavy with scorn. Sordello spread his hands. "Why, whatever your lives are worth to you. You have had much practice putting a price on that which is precious." "The battle--King Manfred?" Sophia pressed him. Sordello's grin broadened, showing more stumpy, crooked teeth. "We--Anjou's men--are here in Benevento, are we not? Manfred von Hohenstaufen is dead. With my own eyes I saw him fall." Sophia felt sick to her stomach. Blindly, she staggered to the bed and sat down heavily. A long, high-pitched wail came from Ugolini. He threw his book to the floor and rocked back and forth with his face in his hands. Tilia rushed to him and held him. _Manfred, dead._ Sophia's cry of grief was as heart-tearing as Ugolini's, but she kept it inside herself. She had loved Manfred once, and even after that was over, she had delighted in attending his court and had marveled at the felicity of his kingdom. _Gone in a day! What a loss, what a waste!_ "Manfred died in a most chivalrous manner," said Sordello, showing no sympathy for the anguish he was causing. "He fought to the end, a few faithful followers beside him, surrounded by enemies. Cardinal de Verceuil killed him. I think I will write a poem about it." "De Verceuil!" Ugolini cried. "That pestilence in red robes! If only I had had him poisoned." Had Daoud been one of the faithful who fought beside Manfred? Sophia's throat almost closed with fear as she asked the question. "What of--David of Trebizond?" Again that little frown and shake of the head, aimed at her alone. "More of him later." There must be things he did not want to say in front of the two Venetians. But she persisted. "Is he alive? Is he unhurt?" Sordello nodded gravely, his yellowish eyes holding hers. "He was alive when I last saw him, Madonna." She let out a long breath. The ache of fear in her stomach eased. Even if the battle were lost, Daoud would manage to live through it and get back to her. Perhaps Sordello was his messenger. She felt safer on her feet. She pushed herself up and moved slowly toward the door leading to the balcony outside. Downstairs, Scipio started barking again. "Capitano," said one of the archers. "Are we to stand here talking all night? There is a whole town for the taking here, and we are missing our chance." "Hush, Juliano," said Sordello. "You see before you two very important and wealthy followers of the late King Manfred. What they can offer us by way of ransom will be far more than the trinkets you could pick up raiding some merchant's home." "Ransom?" Tilia spat. "What right does a furfante like you have to demand ransom of me?" "Why, Madama, is that not exactly what scoundrels do?" Sordello laughed.