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Long before dawn of the following day the castlefolk were astir. The sleepy murmur of voices quickened and rose to the angry humming of a disturbed hive as the first pink streaks stained the sky. As if the coming of the sun was a signal, the castle erupted into violence with morning. Men bellowed, women shrieked, horses whinnied, oxen lowed, and asses brayed. Cart jostled loaded cart, wheels locked, the carters cursed and occasionally came to blows. Between them, men-at-arms threaded their overfresh horses, adding confusion when the more spirited animals took exception to a chance blow or sudden movement to lash out with their heels or begin to buck. |
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The scene in the courtyard where the nobles were assembling was very nearly as confused. Most of the Queen's ladies traveled in great, well-cushioned wagons, but Alinor, the two Isobels, and a few of the younger ladies-in-waiting, as well as the Queen herself, planned to ride. Maidservants ran back and forth with small items of comfort that had been left behinda pomander for Lady Leicester, an additional veil to ward the dust for Lady de Mandeville. The mules stamped and snorted, pages darted about. |
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At last the Queen came from her chambers. Simon hurried across to lift her into her saddle. The great white palfrey moved forward, and behind it the whole disorderly mass was galvanized into action. Because there was no danger, there was little discipline. By and large the ladies rode somewhere near the Queen, but Isobel of Clare fell back to ride beside the litter |
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