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mail and did not pause to take anything. I looked close. My lord was not there." |
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"You could not have looked over the whole field beforebefore those others had a chance to despoil" Joanna's voice broke. |
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"That is true, but I found my lord's sword and shield. |
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"They are below, my lady," Sir Guy said softly. "I did not wish" |
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Joanna understood. No one had questioned Tostig or Sir Roger before calling her. As soon as they saw the sword and shield, they were certain of Geoffrey's death. Sir Guy had wanted to keep the painful mementoes out of her sight until she was more resigned. Tostig had put his good hand over his face and begun to sob. Sir Guy patted his back and pushed the wine into his hand. The master-at-arms took a deep trembling breath and drank. He knew and Joanna knew as well, that Geoffrey would never drop his sword while he was conscious. Therefore, it was impossible that he had retreated after his father was taken and had gone to join Otto. |
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If he had been taken prisoner, the sword and shield would have been taken also as trophies. Certainly the scavengers would have taken the sword, which was a very fine one, a gift from Salisbury on his son's knighting. Even if by some chance they had overlooked it when they despoiled Geoffrey's body, they would not have moved the body far from where the sword and shield lay. Tostig should then have found him. |
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"II could not believbe it. I went round and round looking again and again," Tostig said piteously. "Each time I went a little further. It is true the vultures had been in that place. The sword was half-buried in the dust and hidden under the shield, which was why it was not taken. Then I thought that for some reason they might havemight have moved him. His armor was rich and several might have quarreled" |
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"Oh no," Joanna breathed, closing her eyes, although that could not block out a picture of Geoffrey's body being |
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