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was spent. But both were too tired this time, partly because of the tension generated during their meeting with the king. |
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Although Rhiannon slept well, Simon's anxious dreams that night cast a pall over his awakening in the morning. Although he could not remember any specific event, the dreams intensified his resistance to Rhiannon's attending court again. He should have spoken about the matter directly and purged his system, but he did not wish to spoil Rhiannon's joyous morning mood. Then, immediately after they had broken their fast, he was called away to an urgent conference with Ian's and Geoffrey's friends, who wanted to know what Lord Llewelyn would do whennot ifthe truce was broken. |
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Simon did not enjoy the conference. He never took pleasure as Geoffrey did in political maneuvering. He disliked intensely needing to watch and measure his words so that what Llewelyn had told him would come across clear and undistorted by his own desires and prejudices. Equally, he disliked needing to attend closely to what the others said, trying to judge the half-truths so that he could render to his overlord a good account of what he had learned. |
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All adjudged the situation dangerous to desperation, and to Simon's greater displeasure, it was decided that it would be best to include Richard of Cornwall in the discussion. Thus, the whole group rode out, but not as a group. To avoid bringing their intention too strongly to Winchester's notice, they went singly and in twos by different gates. As one of the youngest, Simon was sent out by the westward gate, which added several miles to his ride and a few degrees to the temperature of his temper. |
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This was not at all cooled by the knowledge that they would dine and spend the night at Wallingford. Nor did it help that he had to repeat nearly everything he had said before and have it thrashed out |
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