Lorenzo answered before Daoud could speak. "Let me remind you, Signore,
that it was David of Trebizond whose gold made possible your capture of
Orvieto."
There was too much conflict building up here, Daoud thought. "No,
Lorenzo. Siena had the will, the fighting spirit. That was what made
this victory possible. I contributed only money."
He turned to Lapo. "I do not give orders, I make recommendations based
on my knowledge of this town. I recommend that d'Ucello continue as
podesta. If you leave enough men under his command, he will keep the
feuding families under control. Orvieto will prosper and pay you tribute
that will make this expedition worth your while."
"The army of Siena has marched against Orvieto because Orvieto is a
Guelfo stronghold," said Lapo. "We intend to replace the governments of
all the cities near Siena with rulers favorable to us."
Daoud thought he understood Lapo, gauging him as a man who had little
experience of war but who enjoyed bloodletting. He was probably
disappointed that the city might surrender without a battle, without an
excuse for looting and massacre. He might be hoping, as a substitute, to
find someone who could be put to death publicly in some hideous way to
demonstrate his power over the city.
"Of course you have come here to impose your will on Orvieto," he said
quietly. "But be grateful that you do not have to fight your way up the
mountain. If d'Ucello were to choose to resist, your army would be
months taking Orvieto. Let us be glad the podesta was sensible and
surrendered. Orvieto is a beautiful city. Its people will be eager to
show their gratitude to a conqueror gracious to them. The ease with
which you win their hearts will in turn impress your own Sienese people
with your statesmanship. Of course, Orvieto was richer when the pope and
most of the cardinals were here. A pity you could not have marched your
army here sooner."
_It would have been easier on me too._
Lapo's thick eyebrows went up. "I heard that you were tortured by this
podesta. And I can see you have been badly hurt. You want no revenge?"
Daoud fixed Lapo with a hard look and slowly shook his head. "Revenge
does not interest me."
"Just what does interest you, Messer Trader?" The heir of Siena glowered
at Daoud from under his heavy eyebrows. "I do not trust a man who does
not care about revenge."
Revenge? Was not his presence at the heart of Christendom a kind of
revenge for nearly two hundred years of Christian invasions of Muslim
lands? Did it not make revenge all the sweeter that God's chosen
instrument was a descendant of those very crusaders who had been sent
against Islam? This dense young nobleman could not conceive of the
fantastic forms revenge could take.
"I act in the interests of King Manfred," Daoud said. "It is in his
interest that Orvieto be part of the chain of Ghibellino cities in the
north that limit the power of the pope. It is not in his interest--or
yours--that Siena waste lives and money capturing Orvieto. The town can
be taken without a struggle if you come to terms with d'Ucello. And I
recommend that you leave him in place as podesta of Orvieto."
Lapo shook his head. "How can I trust a man who would betray his own
city?"
Daoud felt his small remaining store of strength ebbing fast. He must
finish this quickly.
"You will leave your own force here to keep him in line, of course. You
will take prominent Orvietans back to Siena with you as hostages. But
you should understand that d'Ucello is not betraying his city. He is
willing to surrender because he knows that is best for Orvieto. Give him
a free hand and strengthen his militia, and he will govern the town well
for you."
Lorenzo said dryly, "This paragon of podestas waits in Cardinal
Ugolini's reception hall to offer you the keys to the city of Orvieto.
Shall we invite him to join us, Your Signory?"
Lapo di Stefano shrugged and waved a greasy hand. "Send for the fellow.
I will make my decision after I have seen him." He picked up another
roasted pigeon and sank his teeth into it.
And life or death for hundreds of people depended on how this ape
happened to choose in the next few moments, Daoud thought, as Lorenzo
went to the door and called a servant. Why did God put such men in
positions of power?
Soon there was a knock at the door, and Lorenzo went to it and admitted
d'Ucello. The podesta's face was hidden by the dark brown hood of his
cloak.
_For all this man knows, I plan to have him killed_, Daoud thought,
admiring d'Ucello's courage in coming here.
"You come recommended to us as a man who can keep order in this city,"
said Lapo as d'Ucello took a seat.
"And we can think of no higher recommendation, since it comes from a man
you have just been torturing," said Lorenzo.
"This man has the strength of the old Romans," said d'Ucello, nodding
toward Daoud. "He knows when to put a personal grievance aside for the
greater good."
Lapo said, "If we were willing to let you remain as podesta of this
city, in return for your oath of allegiance to the Duke of Siena, how
many men would you need to keep the city under control?"
"With two hundred men I could match the Monaldeschi forces," said
d'Ucello. "The Filippeschi have been crushed, and so badly that they may
go over to the Ghibellino party." His dark eyes lit up. He was relishing
the prospect of giving orders, Daoud thought, to the old houses that had
treated him like a servant.
_Can it be that my legacy to Orvieto may be an improved government? I
certainly did not come here for that purpose._
But Daoud felt himself weakening. His overtaxed body would soon betray
him into sleep if he did not go to bed of his own accord.
"If you have no further need of me--" he said. Lorenzo helped him stand,
and leaning on him, he limped to the door.
"I owe you more than I can say," d'Ucello called after him.
"Pray to God that I do not decide to repay my debt to _you_," Daoud
answered. He did not look back, but he could imagine d'Ucello's small,
grim smile.