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Page 528
fear when I think of bringing a lamb into the pack of wolves among whom we live."
Geoffrey's fears were immediately proved valid when London, crying her fear of rape by the foreign mercenaries, opened her gates to the rebels and prepared to defend herself stoutly against Salisbury and the Flemish troops he led. An enormous army with numerous siege engines and endless supplies would be necessary to break London, and the city could not be besieged because of the river. Salisbury withdrew. The beating heart of the kingdom, from whence flowed a good part of the gold and goods that kept it alive, was locked away from the king.
Stalemate. The rebels could not come out. The king could not get in.
On June 10, John came to Windsor. Negotiations began anew. Because Geoffrey was known to be faithful to the king and yet to dislike him heartily for good reason, he was considered the perfect intermediary. Many who feared to go directly to Langton, who was serving as spokesman for the rebels although he dissociated himself from them, and others who feared to receive any messenger from the king, were all willing to talk to Geoffrey.
Back and forth he went between Windsor and London. Geoffrey rode the track so often that he could soon sleep on his horse while it found its own way. That was just as well because he had little other time to sleep. It seemed to him that he no sooner took off his clothes and lay down in either place than he was summoned by another stealthy messenger who led him to a nervous overlord with still another suggestion or complaint. His hip ached unmercifully, but not nearly so much as his jaw ached from being clamped tight over expression of his own convictions.
Too clever by half, Ian called Geoffrey, and it was true. He was observant and thoughtful, and he saw more than those intimately concerned noticed. They were absorbed in details. This word was changed and that phrase. The barons were convinced to yield one small matter; the king yielded another. Langton grew gaunter, his burning eyes like beacons in his tired, ashen face. Some feared he would fail

 
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