"I, too, for _my_ people," said Sophia quietly. Her tone told Daoud she
sided with him, and he felt an inner warmth.
"And what have your people to do with this?" Ugolini cried. "Have you
forgotten that you are not Sicilian but Greek?"
"Not at all," said Sophia. "I want to see Manfred in control of Italy.
He is a friend of Byzantium. The Franks are our enemies."
Ugolini shook his head. "I am the only Italian in this room. And I weep
for _my_ people."
Daoud strode over to Ugolini's table, pressed his hands flat on it, and
stared into his eyes.
"Be _strong_ for your people," he said. The hairs on the back of his
neck rose with excitement as he spoke. He had wanted to try to put
strength into Ugolini for such a long time.