"Charles is determined to be crowned by the pope in Rome. He keeps mentioning that Charlemagne was crowned in Rome."
Friar Mathieu smiled. "So, the fate of Italy is in the hands of three men who are each unwilling to make a move." Sunlight turned his beard to silver. "And what are your plans? Have you returned to us for good, or will you go back to Count Charles?"
At the thought of the prospect before him, Simon felt a warmth within rivaling the afternoon sun. "Tell me, Father—where can I find Cardinal Ugolini's niece, Sophia?"
Friar Mathieu's eyes seemed to sink deeper into the hollows under his white brows. "Ugolini and Sophia are not here in Viterbo."
Simon felt as if a wintry chill had fallen on the loggia. "What? Where have they gone?"
"They never came here. None of us, not even the pope, realized Ugolini was gone until the day of the papal coronation, when he still had not appeared. It was a scandal. After all, Ugolini was cardinal camerlengo under Urban. Papa le Gros—Clement—was furious. The rumor is that Ugolini has fled to Manfred. The pope intends to strip him of his rank for leaving the Papal States without permission."
The pain of loss made Simon cry out, "But Sophia! What of Sophia?"
Friar Mathieu shook his head sadly. "She must be with Ugolini. They are probably both in Manfred's kingdom."
Simon fell back against the plaster wall, gasping. "But—a message—there must have been a message for me. She must have left some word."
"With whom?" Friar Mathieu spread his hands. "She knows I am your friend, but I heard nothing from her."