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them that if they fight, except to defend themselves against attack, the archbishop of Canterbury in his own person would excommunicate them and condemn them to hell." |
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Ian rubbed his hands together nervously. "Then all that is required is that the king's presence should be ignored. If no one attacks him, he will not attack. Perhapsjust perhapsI can bring it off! They may arm and close themselves into their keeps. So long as they do not speak at all or speak sweet words, they need do no more. Very well. I must go at once" He stared past Geoffrey. "I must go in two directions at the same time. God! I am so tired." |
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Geoffrey looked at his father-by-marriage and was suddenly aware that Ian was not an invincible and tireless god. He was a man, and no longer a young man. Here and there were threads of silver that gleamed among the black curls. There were ugly gray patches under his dark eyes, and his cheeks seemed to have fallen in. |
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"Can I go either way for you, my lord?" Geoffrey asked. |
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"How long can you be absent from court without danger?" Ian wanted to know. |
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"I doubt time will make much difference," Geoffrey replied drily. "If John wishes to take offense, he will be no angrier for a week than for a day. And my father knows where I am and what my purpose is." |
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Ian was not sure himself whether the sigh he uttered was of relief or regret. He was sorry that Geoffrey's very necessary action would probably reawaken John's hatred, but since it was already so he might as well make sure that the hatred had not been stirred in vain. The next day Ian rode off to try to bring Vesci's men to see reason and Geoffrey went to propose the same things to the remainder of Ian's vassals. |
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To the great benefit of the nation, they were successful. John spent the next two weeks vainly marching his army up and down the hills of Lancashire and Yorkshire without gaining so much as an angry look or word. Again crisis was averted, but the breach between king and nobles grew wider and deeper. Well aware that his intervention had merely |
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