Lorenzo shook his head. "That would arouse suspicion. If I go alone, whoever is guarding Charles's camp will see no reason to fear me."
"I went alone into the Palazzo Monaldeschi to kill them, and I could not do it."
"And I, with my poor Sicilian skills, cannot be expected to succeed where Daoud ibn Abdallah, who was trained by the Old Man of the Mountain himself, failed. Is that what you are thinking?"
Daoud smiled ruefully. "Well—"
Lorenzo frowned at him ferociously. "You have given me the task. Let me carry it out as best I can."
Daoud gripped his arm, feeling muscle like oak. "Go with God, my brother."
"May your Allah bless your struggle today, Daoud." One last, long look from the dark brown eyes, and Lorenzo turned away.
Again, as he had with Sophia, Daoud felt anguish that he had not told Lorenzo enough of his gratitude, his respect, his love.
And if Lorenzo dies an unbeliever, I will not meet him in paradise.
Manfred was standing at the battlements, staring north at his enemies, looking, it seemed to Daoud, more sad than angry.