Simon fought off the killer long enough to give Friar Mathieu time to open doors and let in light. One of the Tartars managed to wound the man in black with an arrow. The attacker threw Friar Mathieu from the stairs and vanished into the maze of rooms on the first floor of the palace.
Now, Simon thinks as he eases himself into his bath, he has met the hidden enemy whose presence he felt ever since coming to Orvieto. Evil as Satan, powerful enough to throw an army against a fortified palace, subtle enough to strike at victims no matter how well protected. A being of almost inhuman strength and skill. Cruel and pitiless, ready to murder anyone who stands in his way.
Certain as the judgment of God it is that Simon and the man in black will fight again. This is war to the death.
BOOK TWO
THE HOLY WAR
Anno Domini 1264-1266
Year of the Hegira 662-664
"That which striketh!
What is that which striketh?
Ah, who will convey to thee what the Striking is?"
—The Koran, Surah CI