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There would be no trick in that. The portcullis was swiftly lifted, the Queen's party invited in with apologies. The Queen herself was tenderly escorted to Alinor's chamber, warmed, plied with food and drink. She told them that Richard had been taken prisoner in Germany but thus far she did not know where he was being kept or what the ransom would be. She stared, unseeing, into the leaping flames. |
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"John knows," she remarked. "He has made alliance with Philip of France to arrange his brother's death or perpetual imprisonment. He is beyond me now. Once I could curb him. When I am with him, I can still hold him, but the moment he is away" Her eyes were weary and bitter. The silence stretched. Then the Queen straightened her back, lifted her head, and brought her eyes into focus. "I do not know what you did, but John will never forgive you for it or forget. It is greatly to your interest to help me free Richard. If John should come to be King, I fear no one will be able to save you." |
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Alinor put her hand on Simon's and nodded. Simon made that odd, characteristic gesture of back and shoulders as if readying himself to strike a blow. It was plain in their faces that they did not fear John. Determination stared from Alinor's eyes; contempt curled Simon's lips. Nonetheless they would support Richard. For Alinor it was the path of wisdom; for Simon the path of loyalty. The future would be neither safe nor secure, but they were ready for it. |
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