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Page 228
before he leaves for Crusade. Wales is an easy place to die from a chance arrow."
Ian drew in breath sharply, and Simon knew he need not be more specific. He continued, "This is one thing you must watch and listen for. Lord John may seek to reach Owain through Llewelyn. I wish to know if he does. I also wish to know if he seeks to bind Llewelyn to him. This is not so dangerous. It is a thing for the long future. However Llewelyn is no fool for all he is so young. He might conceive a dangerous hatred from the wrong type of cozening."
"But my lord," Ian protested, running a hand through his already disordered hair in unconscious imitation of Simon's own habit, "How can I know these things?"
"From Llewelyn who, if you are deft, will ask your advice. You and I mean Llewelyn and his people no harm. We wish only that they live in peace and cease from raiding the border towns."
Matters might not be so simple if Richard decided on the conquest of Wales, but Simon was certain that Richard could not be diverted from the Crusade for such a purpose. As long as the King held his present course, what Simon said was true.
"Thus," he went on, "your advice to Llewelyn should be honest. You will not violate his trust. You already have a strong beginning in gaining that trust. It was you who comforted and sympathized with him when he discovered what had befallen his men because his Uncle David would lend them no support. It was you who went with him so that he could see that those who were captured were being treated as well as we are able in our condition. You will be the only person he knows at Court, and you have shown him kindness and good will when he was utterly in your power. It will be natural for him to turn to you."
"I hope I may not violate your trust," Ian said unhappily. "To lead your guard as you instruct me, to

 
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