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Page 363
sinner that he was easily reconciled to our leaving. He is sorry to lose Brother Michael, but. . . . What is it, Simon? Is there more danger than you wished to mention in Sir Harold's presence?"
"No. I am just trying to decide which way to go. Naturally, I do not wish to pass Sir Roger's men, but that is easy enough to avoid." He paused and his lips tightened. "I am really very annoyed with Winchesterand with the king, too, if he is a party to this. They need their hands sharply slapped for reaching out to grasp that to which they have no right. Yet if I bring you home to Wales first, it may be too late."
"What are you talking about?"
"That I would like to spite Winchester, and the king, too, by snatching Hubert de Burgh out of the church where he is, no doubt, slowly starving to death."
Rhiannon's green eyes opened wide. Then she giggled. I think we should. My father might not agree. I do not believe he has forgiven de Burgh for that execution of hostages two years ago, but he will be even angrier at Winchester when he hears there was a plan to seize me. Or we could say nothing about it to him." Then she frowned. "But can we do it, Simon?"
"We?" he repeated.
She shrugged. "There is no place to leave me, and as you said, he will be back in prison or dead if you ride into Wales first. What I meant was, where will you take him when we have him out? I do not think he would be welcome on my father's lands."
"No, Pembroke would take him gladly, I think. Anyway, that would not be our problem. I am not fool enough to involve Prince Llewelyn in such a matter without his permission." He explained about handing de Burgh over to Gilbert Bassett. "But where to find Bassett is beyond me. He should be in the neighborhood of Devizes, hoping for a chance to get at de Burgh, but I cannot go around openly asking the whereabouts of a rebel and an outlaw."

 
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