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Page 199
very little real damage. They were still in excellent condition to withstand anything the king could throw against them. As soon as he could, Simon made his way to Richard, waiting impatiently for him to be free of business for a moment. When he could, he asked about Geoffrey, naming his arms, but Richard had not seen him at all. The siege tower he had faced had been commanded by the Earl of Ferrars.
"If you mean the demon with the lion and Danish ax on a green ground, bend sinister," Philip Bassett said, "I have this to thank him for." He pointed to an ugly bruise on his forehead. "But you need not worry. He is in the most excellent health, damn him."
"No, do not damn him," Simon protested, laughing with relief. "I am sorry for your bruise, but he is my brother."
"And you could not cozen him into joining us instead of opposing us?"
Simon blinked at the idea of cozening Geoffrey, who could think rings around anyone else he knew. Joanna might manage it, but no one else could. However, all he said was "He is the king's cousin, Salisbury's bastard."
It was easier to explain Geoffrey's attachment by a blood tie than to get involved in his belief that the friends of the king could eventually bring him to reason. Philip Bassett was of fiery temper and would not appreciate Geoffrey's desire to convince rather than force, but he would understand the bond of blood.
"Well, then, I will not wish him ill," Bassett agreed. wryly, "since he is dear to you, but I hope he will be sent elsewhereor that I will. He is not large, but he is a terror! He cost us more men than all the others put together and actually came across and held a piece of the wall for a time. There were moments when I thought he would win his way to the tower door. It was only the call to retreat that drove him off."
"I thank God he came to no harm," Richard said

 
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