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but see that it is with silk and that none remark upon it. You will serve him now. Beorn will do for me." He turned to his damp clothing and began to dress and belt on his weapons. "I must see to the setting of the sentries." |
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Fortunately Odo had a very clear memory of where the hut lay, and Simon sighed with pleasure when the area was described to him. They must be very near to the encampment, for that hut, still stocked, must be a sentry place. That it was empty meant the Welsh had been warned of their presence in the neighborhood, but that did not disturb Simon. It was hopeless even to dream of surprising Welsh hillmen in their own forests. |
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Simon nearly forgot how hungry he was as he gathered the leaders of his troop to explain the possibilities. If God was good to them, he said, the Welsh would launch a raid in an attempt to rescue the prisoner both because he was kin to Owain Gwynedd and because they would be afraid of what he might tell if put to torture. Not, Simon remarked, that he wished to speak against Lord Llewelyn's courage, but he was only a boy, after all. The men listened quietly but with faintly puzzled expressions. They could see their lord was excited, and they did not understand what could be exciting about another slash and run raid by the Welsh. |
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"But after this raid," Simon smiled grimly, his eyes glittering, "they will not succeed in melting away." |
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At that the fighting captains came more upright and leaned forward. |
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"Will they stand and fight for the young lord?" |
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"Perhaps," Simon replied, "but if they do not, it will not matter for we will know to where they flee." |
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Beorn licked his lips and Simon thought of the rat and laughed. |
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"Yes," he added, "I think we will all feed full tomorrow night, if we fight well for our dinners." |
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That brought a chorus of laughter and assurances that they would fight with all their hearts for a good dinner. Then Simon moved to practical details. He de- |
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