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Page 362
she went also. That much lying I will contrive to do. She can stay safe and quiet in the women's quarters until"
Both Simon and Rhiannon interrupted him with laughter. She put her hand on his arm. "I thank you for your consideration, but I can ride as long and hard as Simon, and can outrun him also."
"You cannot!" Simon exclaimed. "On the flat I out distance you two times out of three. It is only when leaping up mountains like a goat that you outpace me. We are a match!"
Rhiannon's breath caught. They were a match! But if she yielded to what Simon desired, they would become one. Half an apple could not live without the other half. Desperate not to answer, Rhiannon's eyes went past Simon and saw Sir Henry watching them with pitiful anxiety.
"I must explain to the old man," she said softly. "He knows we must go. I have explained that already, but this long conference is frightening him."
"Yes, of course. I will go see to the men and to the horses while you start the packing and explain to him. Then I will come back and say farewell before we leave. Oh, and Rhiannon, could you tell him gently that a new chaplain is coming? Brother Michael is too old and not well. He is to return to the priory."
"Good. That will divert his mind from our leaving and give him something to look forward to. You told the abbot, I hope, that whoever comes must be ready to spend much time comforting an old manand not affright him with hell and damnation, either."
"I will see to it," Sir Harold promised, his face lightening. He had not realized that his responsibility to Sir Henrys loneliness would be solved so easily.
As they were crossing the drawbridge several hours later, Rhiannon said, "That was most fortunate. Sir Henry is so eager to tell the new chaplain just how things are to be done and who is pious and who a

 
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