"You should have seen the single emerald I traded to King Manfred for these smaller stones. There was beauty. A few at a time, these can be turned into gold."
She looked into his eyes. She took him more seriously now, he thought. He was not just some strange Muslim whose rashness might get her killed. He was a source of wealth.
"They must be sold carefully, or their sudden appearance will be noticed," she said. "After all, even the princes of the Church would have to stretch their purses for these."
"I have it in mind to buy princes of the Church, not to sell jewelry to them."
"We can sell some of these gems to the Templars. They have enormous wealth and they are very discreet."
Noting that she had said "we," Daoud smiled at the thought of those ferocious enemies of the Mamelukes, the Knights Templar, helping to provide the financing that would weaken their foothold in Islamic lands.
"Now," he said, "do you think we can accomplish something to keep Tartars and Christians apart?"
"Yes—something. Used wisely, these jewels—or their worth in gold—will gain you influence among the men around the pope. You might even pry a few of the French cardinals loose from their loyalty to King Louis."
Daoud began scooping up the stones and funneling them into the hidden pocket of his belt. "You must help me to use them wisely."
"Exactly what do you have in mind?" she asked, her eyes fixed on the jewels as they disappeared.