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hall iswell, it is not easily accessible. Do you really think there is danger?" |
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"Of the king's army coming there? Very little. But if Pembroke should fail and the king should turn on my father, our men will flee into the hills. Llewelyn has come to us in the past" She stopped abruptly and looked at Simon. |
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"Do not insult me by wondering whether I will betray him," Simon said softly. |
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His voice made Rhiannon shudder. She had a glimpse of a cold, hard core inside the man, something that would not bend or break and could be destroyed only by Simon's death. That was his honor. If only love could be . . . Rhiannon thrust out that thought and bowed her head. |
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"Forgive me. I know your father is clan-brother to mine and that you love him." |
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"I have also given Prince Llewelyn my fealty," Simon said in the same soft voice, "and I have no divided oath of homage. No wonder you do not trust me. You think me a Judas who would sell my lord for thirty pieces of silver." |
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"No! Simon, I did not think that at all. You must know it was trust that caused me to say such a thing in the first place. I have never told another personnever! I would not even tell Llewelyn's vassals." |
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Simon sighed and Rhiannon saw the tenseness go out of him. Then he smiled at her. What she had said of Llewelyn's vassals brought sharp remembrance of how often Llewelyn had been betrayed by those he should have been able to trust. |
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"I do not think you need worry about Pembroke failing your father. He is a man of high honor. If he says he will not make peace without Prince Llewelyn's agreement, he will not." |
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"That is no warranty of safety. In war many things can happen. Pembroke could die" |
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"That would not matter. His brother Gilbert will |
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