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Freed by her vassal's nod and smile, Alinor made her way down to the guard room below. A young man-at-arms was sent scurrying to find her chief huntsman. There was little chance that Sir Simon would break off his efforts to gain some knowledge of the lands he must administer to go hunting, at least for this day, and the huntsman's hirelings were accustomed to ranging abroad. |
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The huntsman came hurrying, wiping his mouth, for he too had been at breakfast, although he had been hard at work for hours. "You wish to hunt, lady?" he growled in the coarse English of the native. "It is full late. The beasts will have gone to earth." |
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"No, no, huntsman," Alinor replied in her own native French. "I desire that your men should bear messages for me." |
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It was odd, each using a different language, but the English clung stubbornly to their own tongue and the Normans, except for a few, would not bother to learn to mouth the grunts and growls. Since each understood the other quite clearly, it worked well enough. |
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"Messages?" The huntsman was puzzled. "The men-at-arms are" |
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"I do not wish it known that I have sent these messages. The men-at-arms could have no business in the villages or farms. There is a knight riding with Sir Andre. Your men must go to each headman of each fishing village and the bailiff of each farm and to each chief herdsman, and tell them" |
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"You desire that this strange knight be slain, lady? The huntsmen themselves could better" |
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"No! Sacred Heaven, no!" Alinor exclaimed. "He is the King's warden. No harm of any kind must befall him." |
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"Lady, we will do your will in all things. We do not fear the King's warden." |
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Alinor smiled. "You are good, loyal servants, and I love you for it, but Sir Simon is no enemy to me at |
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