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"Are you threatening me?" Winchester asked softly. |
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"You know I am not," Ian said. I have given my fealty, and I will support the king in all that is just. I am trying to explain how the barons thinkfor I am one of them and you, forgive me, my lord, are not. Moreover, you have been long away and you may not understand how things are. You think you achieved a great victory when you overthrew Hubert de Burgh, but that was accomplished because he was grown too powerful, and the lords would not lift a finger to support him or even give him a refuge." |
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"Yet he had been benefactor to many," Winchester remarked cynically. "Does this not prove that it is unwise for the king to trust in love and favor? It is strength he needs." |
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"There is not so much strength to be had in the whole world as to tame this baronage while they believe they are wronged. My lord, can you not see that the king's strength lies in the habit of the lords of snapping and snarling at each other so that he must settle their quarrels? Thus if a few cry out unfairly that they are oppressed, all the others support the king. Believe me, my lord, I am not threatening. I am warning you that what you are doing is causing the barons to forget their private quarrels." |
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Winchester laughed. "Oh, they will all curse and rage, but the moment it comes to acting. . . . They are all so swollen with pride that they will fall to fighting over who should lead. Unless Pembroke" He stopped suddenly, having said more than he had intended, even to an old friend. |
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Ian pretended he had not heard the last words. "Do not press them too far," he urged. "Show only a little yielding. Say a few sweet words. You are wise and subtle, my lord. These men can be led little by little to where you want them to go, but if you try to drive them by force, you will drive them instead to unite." |
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