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voice. "The next man or maid of mine that makes one sound. one, will feel the lash. There is no danger. The ship is sound. I am with you." She turned to the other women. "Come, let us go aboard. If the maids see us, they will follow more willingly." |
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"It would be most helpful, my ladies," Simon urged, bowing and stepping back. |
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He could have knelt down and kissed the mud where Alinor walked, he was so grateful to her. When it was necessary. hysterical maids could be knocked down and carried but the Queen would be most annoyed if her ladies were used in that fashioneven though she would no doubt have ordered it herself if they behaved that way in her presence. Simon watched Alinor go aboard her step giving lithely to the movements of the plank His spirit was washed over by an unutterable weariness and bitterness. |
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He had been so happy for those few days. He had done his duty against his will, advising the Queen to take Alinor when he thought he would be left behind. Then he had been ordered to come also. It had seemed. After Alinor's softness, that God's will was to bring them together. That was only delusion. Alinor's softness was kindness, not love. She wanted to be friends. But it was too late for that. Simon found to his horror. He could not be Alinor's friend. |
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The loading was finished. Simon, the last aboard, took a quick look at the landing. Nothing large had been left and anything small must be gone for good. The ship was well-stowed, not surprising since about half Alinor's troop had been fishermen before they were taken into her service. Beorn was conversing earnestly with the captain of the ship, his face wearing an expression of serious delight. |
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The sailors pulled in the planks, cast off the ropes, and settled to their oars. The ex-fishermen men-at-arms were hastily pulling off their steel-ring reinforced leather armor and urging the others to do so |
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