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of Comnenus' group. Moreover, as more of his men found horses and rode frantically after him, the chance that the Emperor would believe he could take Richard at a disadvantage disappeared. Therefore, the chance that Comnenus would stand and fight also disappeared. The King pulled his mount to a halt, turned, and rode back toward the city that was already occupied by his forces. |
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That evening Richard dined in state with his ladies and gentlemen in Comnenus' palace. Lent being past, they made free with Comnenus' larder, enjoying such delicacies as they had not seen since they left Sicily. Richard, seated between Joanna and Berengaria, was in high good spirits, telling them how he was having the horses landed and exercised that evening so that they could really deal properly with Comnenus in the next few days. Since this was a victory feast, the King had ordered that strict precedence by rank be abrogated. Those who had a marked part in Comnenus' discomfiture sat with Richard at the High Table. As a mark of Richard's special favor, Simon sat at Joanna's left, Alinor just beyond him. Alinor had not taken her eyes from Simon's face since he entered the Hall and now, under cover of Richard's talk, she whispered urgently. |
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"Not at all," Simon replied, trying to smile. "Not even the two scratches I thought might be dealt me." |
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"Simon, do not lie to me." |
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"I am not lying. There were so few blows struck altogether, and those so ill-placed and feeble, that it would be almost a miracle if one hurt me." |
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"I do not believe you," Alinor cried, her voice rising in her distress, "You look like a man bled white." |
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Simon's hand fastened warningly on Alinor's wrist, but it was too late. Every head in the immediate vicinity, including the King's, turned. Simon did, indeed, look like a man who had lost too much blood, his |
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