< previous page page_418 next page >

Page 418
of any settlement outside of force, and that the king's presence at Grosmount was an inducement rather than a detraction to the idea of attack. It was also obvious that every man who was not directly his vassal intended to follow Llewelyn. To withhold his own men, then, would merely increase the danger for his allies without preventing the action. And most probably they were right after all. Nonetheless, Richard could not bring himself personally to lead a surprise attack on the king.
"I will go back to Abergavenny," he said, "and send my men out under Bassett's command. I am sorry, but I cannot lead them myself. I"
"If God had sent me such vassals as you," Llewelyn interrupted, "I would be prince of the Garden of Eden." Then he laughed. "I do not know whether that would be entirely to my taste. So much peace and justice and mutual respect. . . . No, I cannot imagine it.'' He put out his hand to Richard. "But one or two like you, Pembroke, would be the greatest gift God could give a ruler. What a fool Henry is."
While this talk had progressed, Simon was shifting impatiently from one foot to the other. Now Llewelyn turned his head toward him and raised his brows sardonically. "And another vassal like you," he said affectionately, "would make me inquire why my men never bathed. If you itch, Simon, then scratch. Do not stand there wriggling."
"I do not itch," Simon protested, "except to go at once. If we do not move at once, they may victual and be away before we arrive. It would be impossible to hide all traces, and . . ."
Half a dozen pairs of eyes fixed on him with varying degrees of amusement and irritation. Simon swallowed. It was rather foolish for him to be instructing a group of old war dogs, one of whom, at least, had been staging successful surprise attacks for nearly forty years. Yet Llewelyn was least annoyed and only said

 
< previous page page_418 next page >