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safe and well and she would not have worried. Simon did not relish the thought of any shadow on Rhiannon's happiness, not even if the shadow was fear for him. Of course, from a different viewpoint, Simon was amused by the idea that Rhiannon should fear for him. He could not see that there was anything to fear in a pleasant little war. |
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At dawn he was rousing the men, urging them into the saddle. Breakfasthard cheese and wine from the small skins each man carriedcould be eaten while riding. Simon was eager to bring the news of Llewelyn's sympathy to Richard, though he was sorry he could not say Llewelyn was willing to call up men and join him. But Richard probably had never hoped for that. He would be much cheered, Simon knew, by the one guarantee Llewelyn was willing to givehe had promised not to join with or aid the king in any way. And as a tender of his good faith in that direction, he had loosed his raiding parties to prey on Henry's army. |
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The land was gentler and they made better time down one river valley and into another until they came to the Wye. Then overland to Aberhanddu and southeast along to Usk to Pembroke's keep. That took only three days more, although it was nearly dawn when they finally came to the castle overlooking the river. Naturally enough, the guards would not open the gates at that time of night, and there was a shouting match. Simon won it, but only at the cost of having the earl himself dragged from his bed. |
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"God in heaven, Richard growled, "could you not wait two hours? Is your news so urgent?" |
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"I am very sorry," Simon said meekly. "No, it is not. I just lost my temper. We have been riding all night, and I am tired." |
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"So am I," Richard said pointedly, and then, "If your news is not urgent, why the haste?" |
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"I wanted to be sure to be here before any attack, |
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