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We will have to think of a way for you to redeem yourself. Someday this war will be over and Bassett and Pembroke will be reestablished. We cannot have word spread in England that you are a witch. But what I want to know is what you were doing in that camp in the first place?" |
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She told him the whole story, from Llewelyn's letter through her capture. Simon laughed again at the Pwyll's wife fabrication and Math's defense of her when she resisted de Guisnes, but despite his amusement his eyes were troubled. |
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"You need not tell me it was foolish and dangerous," Rhiannon said seriously. "I will not do it again. I would have waited at Builth, or come here perhaps, onlyonly I was happy, and I wanted you to be happy, too, Simon. But I will never be so foolish again. I know I could have become a chain to bind you. What happened in the camp after I left?" |
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"We cleaned them out. They are naked as babes, and we are rich. We have everything, even the pay chests and the king's tent and some of his plate and jewelry which, for some reason, were not taken to the keep. They have no horses, except the few that were in Grosmount, no oxen, no food, no tents for the men, no armor, no weapons. And we tried not to kill if we could avoid it, but they know we could have slit their throats in the dark," |
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"Is the war over, then?" she asked hopefully. |
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"Not yet, but I do not think it will be long. The king will be hysterical after this. First he will blame Richard and make all sorts of useless threats that he cannot fulfill. Then, after another defeat or two, when he realizes he is helpless and is being beaten, he will turn his hatred on those who put him into this case." |
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"But until then you will be at war?" Her voice was tight with fear. |
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Simon hesitated, but he said, at last, "Yes, Rhiannon. It is my duty." |
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