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Page 108
Simon. I am too overwrought still. I must think while you are not near."
I do not trust such thoughts. You will make me into a monster and break my heart. You are no coward, Rhiannon. Will you not dare a little to have a life of joy?"
"If you mean I do not fear the death of the body, you are right. But I will not give you my soul to play with, Simon."
"Play with? I said you would make me into a monster. Listen"
"No. You are trying to trap me in a net of words. I do not wish to talk of this now. Simon, do you not realize that it is important to me whether or not my father goes to war?"
"But Rhiannon, he will not go himself," Simon soothed.
His own father still did go to war, and Ian and Llewelyn were about the same age. But the type of war usually waged by the Welsh was much more of an individual effort, and Simon did not think it practical for an older man to be involved. He did not believe Llewelyn was capable any longer of flitting through the forests or climbing the precipitous mountains. It was different for Ian, who rode to war surrounded by his vassals and, of recent years, with Adam on his right and Geoffrey on his left. Between the iron mountain that was Adam in battle and the swift, ravening flame that was Geoffreynot to mention his own effortsIan could come to little harm even if he should become exhausted.
"I was not concerned for Llewelyn's person," Rhiannon pointed out patiently, not understanding why Simon should raise such an idea. "It is the homestead I must warn."
"Angharad's HallI never thought! But, Rhiannon, I do not believe the king intends to attack North Wales. He will have troubles enough with Pembroke. And the

 
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