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Page 95
to Richard at any time, and then he did not know when he would be able to return. Once the fighting started, it might be many months before his time was again his own.
By morning Simon was convinced that the only certain method was to lay violent hands on Rhianpon, carry her away into the woods, and try to excuse both offenses at once. It was, however, easier to make this decision than to carry it out, he feared. How was he going to find her in a place where he could seize her without interference? If she screamed and resisted, doubtless every man in Aber would pursue them. Nonetheless, after breaking his fast and idling about the hall, hoping Rhiannon would come in, Simon began to make plans to forward this purpose. He told his grooms to saddle Ymlladd and stood watching their struggles with the evil-tempered gray stallion, while trying to formulate a message that would bring Rhiannon out into the bailey. He was so absorbed in his thoughts that he did not notice the prize he so ardently desired approaching him. In fact, he reached automatically for the horse's bridle when it was led toward him.
From Rhiannon's viewpoint, Simon seemed first to be looking right through her, as if she did not exist, and then to be intending to ride quickly away. Ordinarily she would have been very angry, but her sense of being at fault, together with the fear that he had been so hurt he was leaving for good, drove her to call his name and run forward. A number of heads turned in the direction of the sound. One of them was Mallt's, another was Madog's. He had followed Simon out of the hall, suspicious of the fact that de Vipont seemed to be avoiding his usual cronies. Now Madog's suspicions were confirmed.
Simon's hand jerked on Ymlladd's bridle, and the horse reared. Knowing that swift movement or loud sounds could set the battle-trained animal into a frenzy,

 
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