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Simon and Rhiannon shared a bed that night, but they did not make love in it. Hardy as she was, Rhiannon was too quickly asleep to think of it, and Simon was tired enough himself that he was content just to have her beside him. The withdrawal at Dinas Emrys had frightened him at first, but later he understood that Rhiannon had made no attempt to exclude him from her communion with whatever lived there. He did not understand it as well as she, but he never felt personal threat from it, and Rhiannon seemed even more eager for the journey. Thus, he was content, not needing to claim and reclaim what was surely his. |
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They rode out of Krogen with a full troop, Siorl in command. When Rhiannon protested in surprise, Simon told her the tale of Sybelle and the raiders. He assured her he would try to avoid any area under contest, but such activity had a habit of spreading, and he did not wish to be caught unprepared. Although Simon was technically neutral in the quarrel between Pembroke and the king because his overlord was neutral, many things could happen to himand more especially to Rhiannonbefore that neutrality was established. Over the three days it took them to reach Roselynde, Rhiannon saw that Simon had been right. They had no trouble, but only because they were too strong to be attacked with impunity. |
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Rhiannon was stunned by the immensity of Roselynde keep. Some of her father's fortresses were very strong, but none were like Roselynde. "I will get lost," she cried. |
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Simon laughed at her. "It is very simple, really, but there will be guides enoughif you are not jesting." |
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"As to getting lostyes," she answered, "but . . . it is too large, Simon. It has driven away the woods and the wild things, and the walls are steeped in blood. This is not a refuge but a threat to all who come this way. I could not live here." |
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