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ground. Shake that faith by making him feel my power, and he will begin to seek ways to wrest that power from me." |
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Simon stared at her. It was Lord Rannulf speaking through her mouth, he knew, but Alinor was not mouthing empty words. She understood their meaning well and clearly. |
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"It is a pretty trap," he growled, "and I still do not understand how Lord Rannulf could have stepped into it apurpose." |
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"That is because you came here with King Henry when the worst of the troubles were over. In Lord Rannulf's time there was no law nor was any man safe as overlord. It was very easy to find a different master who would make a new vassal out of an old castellan." |
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Simon spat an oath. "Yes, I see. And I also see that evil will come of this some day." |
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"Do you suspect Sir Giles of wishing to take to himself outright what is mine?" |
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"No, no. Sir Giles, I believe, you may trust for now. I was talking of the years ahead." |
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"You are sure trouble is coming, Simon?" |
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"Trouble, yes. How can trouble be avoided when the head of the realm is missing and there is no control on the hand that holds the reins? My uneasiness lies in that I do not know what kind of trouble. For now, I will not attempt to change the ordering of your keeps. I do not see my way clearly enough." |
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It was just as well that Simon had not decided upon any action. At Kingsclere they found Sir Andre waiting with the message they had been expecting from the Queen. Had Simon been conscious of an unfinished task, he might well have used that as an excuse not to respond to the Queen's invitation at once and have blinded himself to his reluctance to do so. As it was, he faced the rebellious desire to keep Alinor to himself. |
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She is not for me, Simon reminded himself, and |
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