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Page 186
Chapter Twelve
Simon did not stay long after that exchange. Geoffrey saw him to the boundary of the camp and sent him off, the sentries assuming he was a spy in his brother-by-marriage's service. On the hillside at the edge of the woods, Simon's men were waiting for him, silently comparing their spoils. They came to their feet, stuffing away their ill-gotten gains, when Simon arrived and began the three-mile trek back to Usk. When they had come far enough so that no vagrant breeze could bring the sound of their voices back to the armed camp, each man in turn reported what he had seen to Simon.
All in all it was a most satisfactory venture. Simon had discovered not only what he wanted to know, but why Henry had stopped to offer battle in so inviting a place. It was not a trap in the usual sense, but the king's chances of defeating Pembroke in open battle were far better than his chances of breaking into Usk. Supplies were dangerously low, lower even than

 
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