The Saracen: The Holy War

by Robert Shea

  LXX

  Terror filled the little room like a pool of icy water. Soon, Sophiathought, terror would drown them.

  The worst for her was not knowing whether Daoud was alive or dead.

  _Before dawn I had him here in this bed. Now after sunset I have no ideawhere he is._

  Sophia lay back on the bed, while Tilia sat on cushions laid overSophia's traveling chest. Ugolini sat in an armchair reading--trying toread, Sophia suspected--a leather-bound book by the light of a candle ina brass holder standing on the arm of the chair. Only the yellow gleamof the candle and the reddish light of a low fire on the hearthilluminated the room. From the shadows along the wall, the icon of SaintSimon stared at her.

  She wondered whether she should have spoken to Daoud of what she hadcome to suspect. Her time of the month, regular as the moon itself sinceshe was a girl, was over six weeks late. It seemed the brew of myrrh,juniper berries, and powdered rhubarb Tilia had concocted for her, andwhich she had drunk faithfully every morning for six months, might havefinally done its work.

  She wanted Daoud to know, though she was not sure whether he would bepleased. He had never said that he had any children. She wanted to besure she was truly carrying his child before she told him. Tilia hadadvised her to wait until at least twelve weeks had gone by without anissue of blood.

  But now it hurt her that she had not told him. It would have beenanother parting gift she could have given him.

  Darkness had fallen. The foreboding quiet of Benevento was broken byshouts in the distance, growing louder as they came closer.

  She heard a scream from the street. A woman's voice, shrill with fear.She shut her eyes and shuddered. Another scream, this time a man's voiceand full of agony.

  Sophia's body grew colder. She looked at Ugolini and saw that he wastrembling.

  It was not just terror that was making her cold. The fire was burningtoo low. She got up and laid two more split logs on it.

  Back on the bed, she reached into the neck of her gown and pulled on thelong silver chain, drawing out the locket Daoud had given her. Shetwisted the screw and opened it and stared for a moment at the engraved,interlocking arabesque pattern.

  Then Daoud's face superimposed itself, and the pattern disappeared. Itwas not a picture of him; it _was_ Daoud, as if she were seeing himthrough an open window. It was magic, and it frightened her. She hadnever before encountered magic. His face was alive, though it did notmove. His blue eyes seemed to look right at her. She never quite caughthim blinking, but it seemed as if he might have, just a moment ago. Heappeared about to speak to her. Just as the fresh logs on the fire madethe room warmer, so her terror subsided at the sight of him.

  "What is that?" Tilia asked.

  "A keepsake Daoud gave me." She closed the hammered silver case and slidit back inside the top of her gown.

  "We cannot just sit here," Tilia said. "We are like mice waiting for thecat to come and eat us."

  "I don't like depending on someone else to save me any more than you,Tilia," Sophia said, "but all we can do is wait. Someone will come forus. Daoud or Lorenzo. Someone."

  "We should have left long ago, when the men-at-arms ran away," saidUgolini. "Then we would have had horses." He looked reproachfully atSophia. Sophia felt he had a right to. She had persuaded them to stayhere. How could she have been so sure that the news that the battle waslost, which had thrown the men-at-arms into a panic, was merely abaseless rumor? It was her faith in Daoud, she thought, her certaintythat no matter what happened on the battlefield he would come for herand take her to safety.

  "Adelberto, you cannot ride very well," said Tilia. "And I cannot ridea horse at all. You may be sure those poltroons would not have carriedus on litters. We could not have left then."

  "You could ride if your life depended on it," said Sophia. "You maystill have to."

  "My life depends on _never_ getting on a horse," said Tilia. "I wouldsurely break my neck."

  There were more anguished shrieks from somewhere nearby, and they lookedat each other and the pool of terror rose higher.

  Sophia heard hoofbeats and men's voices, loud, in the street outside.She went to the door that led out to the balcony and pushed it open acrack. With a clattering of hooves on cobblestones, three mounted menrode down the street, looking up at buildings. They carried no torches,but their drawn swords gave off pale glints. There was no way she couldtell who they were or which side they were on.

  The man in the lead pointed with his sword at the house where Sophiawas. She leaned farther out, her heart pounding at her ribs, to see thetrio dismount and tie their horses.

  She turned away from the doorway to the balcony and pointed silentlydownward. Ugolini closed his book with shaking hands. Tilia fingered herpectoral cross that Daoud had long ago told Sophia contained a poisonedblade. And Sophia loosened the mouth of the leather bag tied to her beltthat held the tiny crossbow Daoud had given her.

  Would she be able to use it? She had shot a longbow for sport a fewtimes in her life, with indifferent accuracy. But she had never firedeven a normal-size crossbow. Still, if the darts were poisoned, she neednot hit a man in a vital spot to stop him.

  Sophia heard Scipio barking in the room below, Tilia and Ugolini's room,where they had tied him. There was, she knew, no one in the house exceptthe three of them. The house belonged to a Guelfo merchant who had fledtown when Manfred's army arrived. But she did not hear anyone movingabout downstairs, as they would if they were looting the place. Instead,heavy footsteps came up the stairs and a voice called, "Madonna Sophia!Madonna Sophia, are you up there?"

  Her heart leapt with relief. It was not yet Daoud, but it must besomeone he had sent. They were rescued.

  She was about to explain the good news to the others when the door tothe room swung open. There, grinning triumphantly at her, sword in hand,stood Sordello.

  He strode across the room, the floorboards squeaking under his boots,and stood facing her. The hound's barking boomed up from below. Herheart sank. She had never trusted this man. Her flesh crawled wheneverhe looked at her.

  "Thank God I have found you, Madonna."

  Two men followed him in, dressed in the padded body armor andbowl-shaped helmets of crossbowmen. As he did, they carried shortswords.

  "How _did_ you find me, Sordello, and for whom are you fighting?"

  His back was to the two men who had followed him. He frowned at her andshook his head slightly, as if trying to tell her not to say too much.But the little signal did not allay her suspicion of him, and her fear.

  "Why, I am here in the service of Charles d'Anjou, rightful King ofSicily by decree of the pope," Sordello trumpeted. "And I serve HisSignory, Count Simon de Gobignon." Gloved fists on his hips, he turnedslowly to gaze around the room.

  At his words, the pool of fear became a flood of terror that threatenedto sweep her from her feet. She swayed dizzily. This meant the battlewas surely lost.

  _Dear God, what has happened to Daoud?_

  With a life of their own, her trembling hands pressed against herstomach.

  "And look who we have here," Sordello said. "His magical Eminence, thevanishing Cardinal Ugolini. And Tilia Caballo, Orvieto's mostdistinguished brothel keeper, of whose establishment I have such happymemories. Are you two now reduced to being Manfred's camp followers?"

  Tilia stared with wide-eyed hatred at Sordello. Ugolini's face was asblank as if he had been clubbed. What Tilia had said earlier about catand mouse was apt, thought Sophia. Sordello was tormenting his prey.

  _But he could have learned where I am only from Daoud._

  If Daoud had told him where to find her, it must be that Sordello wasstill secretly Daoud's man, as he had been in Orvieto. That must be whatthe frown and the headshake meant.

  "You need not glare at me like that, Madama Tilia," Sordello said. "Youare very lucky to be under my protection tonight."

  "What will your protection cost us?" Tilia's voice was heavy with scorn.

  Sordello spread hi
s 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 vonHohenstaufen is dead. With my own eyes I saw him fall."

  Sophia felt sick to her stomach. Blindly, she staggered to the bed andsat down heavily.

  A long, high-pitched wail came from Ugolini. He threw his book to thefloor and rocked back and forth with his face in his hands. Tilia rushedto him and held him.

  _Manfred, dead._

  Sophia's cry of grief was as heart-tearing as Ugolini's, but she kept itinside herself. She had loved Manfred once, and even after that wasover, she had delighted in attending his court and had marveled at thefelicity of his kingdom.

  _Gone in a day! What a loss, what a waste!_

  "Manfred died in a most chivalrous manner," said Sordello, showing nosympathy for the anguish he was causing. "He fought to the end, a fewfaithful followers beside him, surrounded by enemies. Cardinal deVerceuil killed him. I think I will write a poem about it."

  "De Verceuil!" Ugolini cried. "That pestilence in red robes! If only Ihad 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. "Whatof--David of Trebizond?"

  Again that little frown and shake of the head, aimed at her alone. "Moreof him later." There must be things he did not want to say in front ofthe two Venetians.

  But she persisted. "Is he alive? Is he unhurt?"

  Sordello nodded gravely, his yellowish eyes holding hers. "He was alivewhen I last saw him, Madonna."

  She let out a long breath. The ache of fear in her stomach eased. Evenif the battle were lost, Daoud would manage to live through it and getback to her. Perhaps Sordello was his messenger.

  She felt safer on her feet. She pushed herself up and moved slowlytoward the door leading to the balcony outside. Downstairs, Scipiostarted barking again.

  "Capitano," said one of the archers. "Are we to stand here talking allnight? There is a whole town for the taking here, and we are missing ourchance."

  "Hush, Juliano," said Sordello. "You see before you two very importantand wealthy followers of the late King Manfred. What they can offer usby way of ransom will be far more than the trinkets you could pick upraiding some merchant's home."

  "Ransom?" Tilia spat. "What right does a furfante like you have todemand ransom of me?"

  "Why, Madama, is that not exactly what scoundrels do?" Sordello laughed.

  He sat down in the spot Sophia had just vacated on the bed, laying hisglistening sword ostentatiously across his lap. Sophia saw that hecarried a long dagger in a sheath hung on his right side. He surveyedthem all, grinning.

  _God, this is torture! If only I could find out what has happened toDaoud._

  "You have three choices, Madama Tilia," Sordello said. "You may leavehere. Outside this house you can take your chances with the victoriouswarriors of Charles d'Anjou, who have fallen upon Benevento likeravening wolves. Can you hear the screams? Or you can stay here under myprotection, and it will not cost you even one denaro. And in the morningI will present you, all legally and properly, to King Charles, who willbe most grateful to me for the service. He is exceedingly eager to roundup all of Manfred's principal servants. Some he is beheading, some he ishanging. You, former Eminence, will probably pay at the stake for yourheresy and witchcraft. As for you, Madama Tilia, if a rope stout enoughto hang you cannot be found, you may spend the rest of your lifeshedding your excess flesh in a dungeon."

  Ugolini sat hugging himself and shuddering. Tilia opened her wide mouthto speak, seemed to think better of it, closed it again. But red coalssparkled in her eyes.

  _That's better, Tilia. Keep the anger hidden until you can use it._

  But Sophia's fear for Daoud grew again at the thought that he might beCharles's captive, awaiting execution. Why would Sordello tell hernothing?

  "Has David been captured?" she ventured, turning from the doorway to thebalcony.

  Sordello smiled at her, just as Scipio downstairs broke into anotherburst of furious barks. In the candlelight, Sordello's face turned adeep orange with sudden anger.

  "Find that damned dog and kill it!"

  "Wait!" said Tilia. "That is Giancarlo's hound, Scipio. We put him downin our room to guard our belongings."

  "Just what I thought," said Sordello. "That is why I wish him killed."

  "But he is a thoroughbred boarhound," Tilia went on, "and since itappears Giancarlo has lost him, let him be part of our ransom. He iseasily worth several hundred florins."

  "I have always loathed that dog," said Sordello. "I would gladly kill itjust to avenge myself on Giancarlo for killing the Tartars."

  In the midst of her terror Sophia felt a stab of surprise. "The Tartars?Dead? Giancarlo killed them?" Did that mean Rachel was free?

  "Yes," growled Sordello. "And if I find him, I will personally repay himby cutting him to bits, starting at his toes. For that and for the manyother injuries he has done me. But Madama Tilia is right. The hound isdoubtless worth too much money to kill. I will take it, then." Hegestured to his two men. "Have these two display their possessions foryou. Do not harm the dog. Or them, for that matter. I want them backhere intact when you are done, so I know I am getting an honestinventory."

  "I do not know whether we can satisfy you," said Tilia. "We did notbring everything we own with us. If you would help us get to Lucera, wecould make you princely rich."

  Sordello leaned back and crossed his legs. "But Lucera is far from here,and there may not be time for us to collect what you have there. In afew days King Charles will unleash his locusts and scorpions far andwide throughout this land--his bailiffs and judges and clerks and taxcollectors and men-at-arms--to lay hold of every speck of gold and chipof precious stone. For now, please help my men collect what you havewith you. I am sure you have plenty. That cross on your handsome bosom,for instance. I suspect a man might buy himself a small castle withthat." He reached out, and Tilia stepped back, but into the grip of oneof the archers.

  Tears sprang from her eyes and trickled down her painted cheeks. "Pleaselet me keep it just a little longer. If I must part with it, in the endI will, but it is very dear to me."

  Sordello waved grandly. "For now, then. Go now with these fellows. Andmind you, hold nothing back. They are Venetians. You can't hide anythingvaluable from a Venetian."

  Indeed, thought Sophia, remembering tales of how the Venetians hadlooted her beloved Constantinople years ago. As she watched theshuffling Ugolini and the dauntless Tilia leave with Sordello's two men,she felt her knees trembling so hard under her gown that she couldbarely stand.

  She would be alone with Sordello.

  "Be wary of the dog," Sordello called after his archers. "But be carefulnot to hurt it."

  "Si, capitano." The door closed with a thump.

  "And now, Sophia," said Sordello, lifting the sword from his lap andlaying it carefully on the bed, "we settle accounts."

  "I do not know what you mean by accounts," said Sophia, making her voiceas cold and forbidding as she could. "But before anything else, thetruth, if you can manage it. I have seen you serving Simon, and I haveseen you serving David, and now you say you are on the side of Charlesd'Anjou. Who do you truly serve?"

  Sordello stretched his booted legs and crossed them, leaning back in thechair. "Myself, Andrea Sordello, of course. Men may command part of me,but only I own all of me. In the beginning I was to serve Simon,reporting secretly to Anjou. In Orvieto David was my master. He offeredme--a rich reward. But then he threatened to kill me. I fled Orvieto,following Simon. After that I was mostly Simon's man. A little bitDavid's man. I sent him information from Perugia and Viterbo, and hesent me money. But first, last, and always, my own man."

  "Why are you here, then?"
Sophia let her hand rest on the door handle asif she might rush out on the balcony and call for help. She hopedSordello would expect her to do that rather than try to use a weapon onhim.

  Sordello stood up, smiling. "Madonna, you are not aware how I havesuffered because of you. Suffered with longing. You owe me much forthat." He strolled over to the fire, picked up a big log from the pilenext to the hearth, and set it on the burning wood.

  _Oh, may God shrivel his phallos!_ Sophia felt her stomach burn at theidea of this repulsive man lusting after her. She turned quickly, facingthe balcony door, so that he could not see her grope in the bag at herbelt for the tiny crossbow and the box of darts Daoud had given her. Howquickly, she asked herself, could she take the crossbow out, get apoisoned dart from the box without scratching herself, load it, draw thebow, aim and shoot?

  _He could be across the room and tearing the thing out of my handsbefore I got all that done._

  Helplessness made her tremble.

  Having made sure of the location of crossbow and darts, she turned tohim again, gripping the skirt of her gown to hide the shaking of herhands. "If you find me attractive, I am flattered, of course, but it isno fault of mine."

  "You do not wish to escape from Benevento? You wish to be turned over toKing Charles's judges?"

  "I have nothing to fear from them."

  He bared his broken teeth. "Do you think they will have trouble findingsomething to accuse you of? Not if I tell them what I know." Then heraised a finger. "It was David of Trebizond who told me where to findyou. And you keep asking about him. I always suspected, when I wasserving David at Cardinal Ugolini's, that there must be somethingbetween you two."

  "If there is any spark of mercy in you at all, do not play with me likethis. Tell me if he is alive."

  She wanted to seize him by the arm, but she was afraid to get too closeto him.

  The light of the one candle in the room cast shadows like black blots onSordello's grinning face. "Play with you? Ah, but if there is a spark ofmercy in _you_, then you will play with me. _Then_ I will tell youeverything you want to know. Being alone with you like this, I burn sowith desire, I would do anything, good or evil, to possess you."

  Scipio's thunderous barks, bursting out suddenly, made her jump. Sheheard male voices cry out, alarmed, then Scipio's rumbling snarls. Thensilence.

  Sordello glowered at the floor. "God's beard! I almost hope they didkill that brute."

  To distract him a little longer from herself, Sophia said, "You hadbetter hope Scipio does not hurt _them_."

  "What do I care if they suffer a few bites? The dog is worth more thanthey are." He looked up at her. "Do you know anything about journeys toparadise?"

  "I do not know what you are talking about." Was that a name for somecarnal pleasure he wanted to have with her?

  "Come away from that balcony door," Sordello said.

  "The air is fresher here." From the street she heard swords clanging,men screaming and cursing, and hooves pounding. There was fightingnearby.

  "Our French friends, quarreling over their loot," said Sordello. "Do youstand by the balcony door because you fancy being rescued from _me_ by_them_? They are animals, like that dog downstairs. What I feel for youis far more profound than the desire to rape some conquered woman. I ama trovatore, after all. I will prove it to you. Just let me see youunclothed. Like Mother Eve. I will not touch you. Undress yourself, andI will tell you what you want to know about the man called David."

  She wanted to spit in his face. She was desperate to know what he couldtell her, but even if he did tell her about Daoud, how could she put anytrust in him? If Daoud was alive he would find his way to her, or she tohim. She had nothing to gain by cooperating with Sordello.

  "You disgust me!" she cried. "I wish you were not even able to see myface, let alone the rest of me." And she turned away from him, her handdipping into the leather bag.

  She heard his heavy footsteps thudding on the wooden floor. And anotheroutburst of barking from below.

  "I wanted you to give yourself to me willingly," Sordello said. "But ifyou refuse me, I will take you. And while I am doing it, I will tell youabout the man David."

  Terror seized her and shook her as if she were a rag doll. The way thatfilthy pig said that--it must mean something bad had happened to Daoud.She felt paralyzed by fear and grief.

  Then, sudden rage made her want to strike out at this man who washurting her so. She had the box of darts open now. She must be verycareful of the poisoned tips.

  The door to the room crashed open.