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Page 183
a look at Winchester that really did my heart good."
"You mean he blamed Winchester for the trouble he had got himself into?" Hope made Simon's voice vibrant.
"Yes, but do not let yourself think that one mistake will do the bishop much harm. It took years of carelessness to rouse Henry against de Burgh."
Simon grimaced. "A few months more of Winchester and either the king or the realm will be destroyed." Geoffrey did not answer that remark but looked so grim and sad that Simon was sorry he had said it.
After a little silence, Geoffrey repeated, "What brought you here, Simon? Did you come to see your father? He is not here. He has gone north to keep that border quiet. I have his men in my care."
Guilt flicked Simon again. That was another reason Geoffrey looked so exhausted. In addition to his political worries, he was carrying the burden of Ian's troops as well as his own, and Geoffrey was one who always saw to everything himself. If Simon had not been opposed to the king, he would have been sharing Geoffrey's burden.
"No, I did not expect to see Papa. He worries too much about me. I thought you would tell him I am well. But that is not why I came. I have news. Richard really does not wish to come to blows with the king."
"That is scarcely news. However, he will have no choice," Geoffrey said dryly. "The king says he will take nothing but abject surrender. He says he will not even see Richard unless he comes naked with a halter around his neck."
"He will have a long wait for that," Simon replied. "Usk is victualed for half a year, and we could last another three to six months if necessary. The land is cleared and burnt for ten miles around also, and the people are fled or inside the keep. Can Henry pay his mercenaries for so long? And do these flatlanders know anything about fighting the Welsh?"

 
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