"Cassio told me just before—before—" Francesca was convulsed with sobs.
Tilia turned to Sophia. "I have never seen her like this."
"Your house is destroyed," said Francesca, choking and gasping and wiping her nose on her sleeve.
"Destroyed!" Tilia and Sophia stared at each other. A shock of fear swept through Sophia. Already terrified for Daoud, she was now swept by dread for Rachel and pity for Tilia.
Any more of this, and I will lose my wits.
"And they hanged Cassio."
"Oh, my God!" Tilia screamed.
Another jolt of terror. Sophia thought of that day in Constantinople when the Franks had run riot, burning whole districts and murdering townspeople. Was this another such day?
"And they—and they killed Hector and Claudio and Apollonio and the other menservants."
"Who did this?" Tilia was on her feet, standing over Francesca, shouting. "Who? Who?"