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Page 245
"Sir Peter sent me word there were rumors of it, but Clyro is quiet, and he had, when he wrote, no certain news." Since Joanna had no intention of telling Geoffrey what she was doing in London, she was relieved that his main interest seemed to be Wales.
"It is certain," he snapped. "I had a letter from Owain. Llewelyn has not yet joined the other princes, but it is his intention to do so soon. I near killed myself riding south.
"But why?" Joanna asked in amazement. "You could have sent me a letter to say what had happened. What was the need that you come yourself and wake me in the middle of the night?"
For some incomprehensible reason, Geoffrey looked mortally offended at her innocent questions. Then he laughed harshly. "Knowing you, Owain bid me restrain you from rushing off to Wales to oversee the preparations at Clyro Hill yourself."
"Is there need?" Joanna asked urgently, her hands already moving toward the belt of her robe as if she would undo it and begin to dress in that moment. "Do you think they will attack Clyro?"
"No, no, Clyro is quite safe. Owain assures me that those who rebelled against Llewelyn are now most humble, pleading that he lead them and promising submission and obedience. You know that Llewelyn will not trouble your mother's lands. His intention is only to root out all of the king's strongholds."
Joanna looked alertly at Geoffrey. It grew more puzzling by the moment why he had ridden in from the north. "Is that why you came in such haste? To muster men for the king?"
Geoffrey's tired face became even more haggard, but he only said, "You know the summons are gone out already to arm and gather for war"
"But that was against France."
"Yes, and when I left the king that was how matters remained." Geoffrey's voice was constricted. "John was speaking of a small punitive expedition to go into Wales."

 
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