Simon sat down on the stone street to wait for the horse. Silently the crowd that had gathered waited with him.
When the innkeeper's servant brought the horse, Simon lifted Alain's body with the help of two other men and lashed it securely facedown over his horse's back with the rope he had used to climb to Sophia's room.
Sophia. He had been so happy just moments ago because she said she loved him as they parted. Was she looking down now, seeing this pitiful sight?
Fresh sobs forced their way into his throat, and he leaned against his horse, covering his face with his arms.
I have to get away from here quickly.
He forced himself to stop crying and took hold of the reins. The Orvietans fell back as he led the horse up the street leading northward to the Monaldeschi palace. He felt warmth on his neck and looked up to see the sun through a break in the clouds.
Alain would never see the sun again.
Whoever did this to you, Alain, I will not rest until I have killed him with my own hands.