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Page 367
Simon laughed. "Around and above. Half of you would be dead already if I wished you ill. You have a look of your brother."
Bassett had stiffened at Simon's warning, then relaxed and smiled. "Ah, yes. Philip has written about your Welshmen, but you do not say what you do here so secretly or why."
"A long story. Will you trust me and bid your men dismount? And by the by, how did you find us? I thought we came quietly enough."
After an eye blink's hesitation, Bassett ordered most of his troop to retreat and be at rest. The others rode back to the campsite and also dismounted, although they cast nervous glances at the woods around them.
"As to how I knew where you were," Bassett said to Simon as he came down from his horse, "you passed by the grazing meadows of Upavon and a shepherd saw you. The king may disseisin me, but he cannot change the hearts of my people."
"That is true. I am glad you are so well served." Then Simon turned and cheerfully called out to someone hiding on the branch of a large tree. The branches parted and Siorl dropped to the ground lightly. His bow was strung, but the nocked arrow now drooped negligently from his hand. He replied shortly and sharply to Simon's remark, which made Simon laugh. "I asked him how come we were seen," Simon explained to Bassett. "Siorl prides himself on not being seen."
"Shepherds have long sight and are accustomed to watching for stealthy movement," Basset suggested.
"No, that was not Siorl's excuse. He said there is no way to hide fifty-two horses."
Reminded, Bassett looked around, but there was neither sight nor, what was far more puzzling, sound of a horse. It was a small wood. Bassett did not think it possible to keep fifty horses so quiet that they could not be heard.
"But it seems you have done it," he remarked.

 
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