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Page 371
cause ten or a hundred English had died for each of those who hung? He shook the memory off.
"Philip? What the devil does Llewelyn know of Philip?"
"More than you would suppose. Each time Llewelyn comes at odds with John, he flirts with Philip, and Philip knows even less about the Welsh than we do. He believes, I think, that with the proper cozening the 'stupid' barbarians will give him free port of entry to this island. So Philip welcomes Llewelyn's emissaries into France and shows them often how powerful he is, believing they will wish to ally themselves with the strong."
"Llewelyn may not love John, but he would not be such a fool as to open his land to a strong army over which he could have no control," Geoffrey said with a gentle hoot of laughter.
"There are those who think that if a man wears simple clothing and speaks a foreign tongue simply that his brains must also be simple. In truth, I think Llewelyn may have been offended by Philip's assumption that, because he would fight to free his own lands from his father-by-marriage, that he would also stab John in the back. When all is said, Llewelyn is married to John's daughter. However they may fight between themselves, Llewelyn, at least, would not welcome an outsider into a family quarrel. I think the news he sends is true. He says that Count Ferrand is no longer so enamored of his overlord as he once was. Ferrand has learned that Philip encouraged Louis to attempt seizure of two of Ferrand's townsSt. Omer and Aire. Now, the towns are most like to fall to Louis because the people have little love for Ferrand and thus little heart to defend themselves. If the towns fall, Llewelyn thinks that Ferrand will be ripe for Renaud of Dammartin's handling and that John should bid Renaud to make haste to Flanders and promise Ferrand John's help."
As Ian spoke, the slight suspicion that had appeared on Geoffrey's face faded. Ian was as prone to see good in his "brother" as. Salisbury was to see good in the king. However, Geoffrey also believed the news Llewelyn sent was

 
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