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Page 154
"That I wish to chain you," Simon rejoined hotly, setting Rhiannon down on a convenient rock so he could look at her while they argued. "I do not go to war alone against all my enemies. That is all I ask of you."
Rhiannon looked so stricken at these words that Simon paused. "Have I so many enemies?" she asked softly. "I have never intended harm to any man or woman."
"Perhaps enemies is the wrong word," Simon allowed, and he could not help smiling as he added, "especially among the men. But"
"You need not fear that I will be taken by surprise again," Rhiannon said with a touch of bitterness. "I will not easily forget this, and I will be on my guard."
That was true. The frown of worry on Simon's face disappeared. He knew Rhiannon's woodcraft to be the equal of any Welsh huntsman's, which was to say a miracle of perceptiveness. There was always the danger of an arrow shot from concealment, but a whole army surrounding her could not really protect her from that kind of attack. Then his eyes narrowed.
"If you desire, I will say nothing to Prince Llewelyn," he agreed, "but neither will I lie to my overlord. If he questions me, I will tell him you bade me not to answer. Will this content you? However, I will not leave you alone. If you wish to walk into Aber on your own feet, I will wait with you until you are able. Of course, that means that Madog will most likely escape. He need only find a woodman's hut and say he was set upon by outlaws."
Rhiannon could see the wicked gleam between Simon's narrowed lids. Her own eyes glittered with rage for a moment, and then she burst out laughing. "Devil! Clever devil! You know I could not lie to my father any more than you could. And he will ask. You are quite right. Someone will tell him I am all bruised." She flexed her fingers weakly and set a foot to the

 
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