They would have to enlist the aid of someone who had influence over the podesta, Sophia thought, someone who was friendly enough to Ugolini to be willing to speak on his behalf. With the pope gone, the most powerful person in the city was-- As soon as the thought came to her, she spoke. "The Contessa di Monaldeschi. Cardinal, you must go to her and ask her help." Her heart rose to her throat, choking her. Tilia and Ugolini stared at her. Would they listen? Would they spurn her idea? "Why should _she_ help me?" said Ugolini. "She admires you," said Sophia. "She told me so the night of the reception she gave for the Tartars. Now that the pope has left Orvieto, she probably feels neglected." Wide-eyed, Ugolini shook his head. "But David is accused of involvement in the attack on her palace. Just yesterday I saw her cackling like a strega while her men chopped off Marco di Filippeschi's head and murdered half his family. They even impaled a baby on a spear, and she shouted with glee." "That has nothing to do with us," said Sophia, though the image revolted her. "She has no reason to connect David with the Filippeschi." Tilia nodded vigorously, shaking her body and the chair she was sitting in. "Sophia has an excellent idea, Adelberto. If the Contessa di Monaldeschi pleads for David, if _she_, the injured party, is convinced of his innocence, the podesta must yield." Sophia felt more confident as she saw that Tilia was on her side. She pressed the attack. "Again and again d'Ucello has shown that he does whatever the Monaldeschi expect of him," she urged. "He used to do whatever _either_ family expected of him," said Ugolini. "Until so many Filippeschi perished that they ceased to matter." Ugolini went to the window. A blast of hot, damp wind roared into the room, and he raised his hand protectively in front of his face. "It will storm soon," said Tilia. "It cannot be soon enough to suit me. A storm will break this terrible heat. As soon as the storm passes, you must go to her." Ugolini nodded slowly. "If I fail to convince her, I will be no worse off than I am now." "You will convince her," said Tilia. "You might as well start to put on your red robes." Real hope sailed across the sea of terror to Sophia now, and it was a galley, a galley with sails painted a cardinal's red. She felt it bearing her up over her dread for Daoud and for herself. "I will go to the contessa with you," said Sophia. If he gave way to panic again, she could stop him from doing too much damage. "And I will return to my house," said Tilia, standing up. "No," said Ugolini. "It was dangerous enough for you to come here. We know this mansion is being watched. Stay here until nightfall." Tilia smiled, went to him, and held his small, pointed face between her hands. "I will stay. And if you succeed in persuading the contessa to have David freed, we will have something to celebrate, you and I."