Sophia sat beside Ugolini and put her hand on his knee. "If we can stay calm, dear Eminence, we can think of a way out of this."
"Even if he tortures me, I will tell him nothing, except that I am David, the trader from Trebizond," said Daoud. The methods of resisting pain that he had learned from the Hashishiyya would serve him now.
"You must not think of going with him!" Sophia cried.
"It is the only way. If I cooperate, it shows my innocence. The cardinal can use his influence to get me freed."
She jumped up and threw herself against him, weeping. "You are going to your death!" He held her tightly.
"D'Ucello has nothing to gain by killing me," he said. "And surrendering to him is the only thing I can do." He looked at Ugolini. "Do you agree?"
Ugolini sighed and shook his head. "I cannot think."
Gently Daoud freed himself from Sophia's embrace. "Insh'Allah, God willing, I will return to you."
He turned to the door. Every muscle in his body screamed at him to run, or to draw his sword and try to fight his way out. He cringed inwardly from the thought of imprisonment and torture. He remembered the poor madman whose body they had torn apart with red-hot pincers. He forced himself not to tremble. He took the first step toward the door, then another.
God, make me strong in the face of my enemies.