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Page 400
Burgh. Surprisingly, the Earl of Kent was not at all desirous of being revenged or of unseating the king, nor did he desire any part of his power be restored. He wished, he said, only to be permitted to live in peace on the diminished estates still permitted to him. He was reluctant to engage in any action against Henry, but when pressed gave his opinion that war could not be avoided. He would not approve a treaty with Llewelyn, despite his gratitude to Simon, although Richard's own good sense and his other advisers insisted that such an alliance was a necessity. Simon did not fail to remind them of the benefits that had come from Chester's long friendship with the Lord of Gwynedd. There had been peace on the border for many years, Simon pointed out.
This caused a burst of merriment. "What peace?" Richard asked sarcastically. "Those Welsh thieves come out every summer and autumn like a plague of locusts and mice."
"That is nothing," Simon protested, laughing, "only a little playful raiding. The Welsh are poor. That is not war."
His point was acknowledged, and it was soon agreed that Richard and a few others would meet with Llewelyn at the Welsh leader's stronghold at Builth.
"Circumstances being what they are," Richard said bleakly, "I will be in less danger in Llewelyn's keep than in one of my own."
With great rejoicing, Simon sent word of this decision to Builth, as instructed. Either Llewelyn would be there, or word would be sent on to him. His overt mission accomplished, Simon lingered at Usk, greeting old friends and arguing war and politics with them. He had nothing else to do, since his compliment of men was already with him and he did not dare go near Rhiannon. Besides, Llewelyn had suggested Simon should stay if he was welcome. He had suspected that there was still a possibility of Henry's making

 
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