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larger one packed with yards and yards of the most exquisite cloth Simon had ever seen, and several bulging, clinking sacks of gold and silver coin packed on the back of a mule as handsome as any horse. Simon's money problems were over for some considerable time, and he had a bride gift that would be well worthy of his wealthy wife. |
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When a fresh detachment of men had ridden out from Limassol to count up what remained after the fifty who had fought with Richard had taken what they wanted, Simon mounted a mettlesome black stallion and caught up the reins of his own tired horse, the mule, and a gorgeous little Arabian mare he had selected for Alinor. Sometimes in the past he had felt some compunction at looting. This time he was merely pleased at having done so well. Those who originally possessed what he now had did not deserve it. Temporarily his distaste for the lush beauty available in this land was in abeyance. |
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Comnenus had fled toward the mountainous portions of the island. The next few days were spent in administrative detail. Richard issued an edict promising leniency to all who ceased to oppose him and set up a provisional government which, although severe, was decent and honest enough to win the willing cooperation of many of the natives. It was also necessary to gather information as to where the Emperor had hidden himself. Simon was not concerned with those matters, however. To him Richard had assigned the task of arranging his wedding to Berengaria on the following Sunday. Although Simon knew nothing what-soever of such matters, he accepted the task with perfect calm and willingness. Being no mean tactician himself, he dropped the whole matter into Joanna's capable hands and spent three delightful days escorting Alinor while she ran Joanna's errands. |
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Saturday he was summoned hurriedly from the palace to the port. Three strange galleys had been sighted |
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