< previous page page_159 next page >

Page 159
more use to my lord in the camp than at council."
It was a reasonable enough excuse and Geoffrey did not believe that this particular squire had any animosity to him. Probably the message would be delivered as it had been given. Actually, he did not care how it was delivered. He had no intention of being present when Llewelyn made submission at any cost, even if he had to take to his bed and pretend he was dying. It was outrageous that the king had summoned him. John knew perfectly well that Geoffrey had often been Llewelyn's guest when he had served under Ian. He must have known also that Geoffrey had received many kindnesses from Llewelyn. Only John's warped mind, Geoffrey thought, could seek to increase the Welshman's misery and shame by summoning a man to whom he had been a gracious host, offering favors, to witness Llewelyn's humiliation.
Geoffrey was still furious when, late that night, Salisbury came to his tent. Geoffrey heard his father exchanging a low-voiced conversation with Tostig, who slept across the doorway of the tent, and got out of bed. "Come within. I am awake."
"What ails you, child?" Salisbury asked anxiously, peering at Geoffrey in the dim and uncertain light of an ill-shielded oil lamp.
"A sickness in the stomach and a sour taste in the mouthand it is no sickness of the body, father, so do not ask what physician has seen to me.
"What do you mean?"
"I was house guest to Lord Llewelyn, I cannot say how many times, a servant to his clan brother and vassal, a child he gave sweets, a young man to whom he pointed out with a wink the fairest and most available maidens. Lord Llewelyn himself taught me to use the long bow and praised my singing of Welsh songs. What kind of man, who had received so many kindnesses, would go to witness his humbling? What kind of a man would bid me witness it?"
Salisbury sat down on the stool and gestured Geoffrey to get back into bed. "You will take cold if you stand naked in

 
< previous page page_159 next page >