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would be burnt. That would be very bad in this bitter cold, but for most, except the old and the very young, not catastrophic. |
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As soon as Walter understood, he urged Sybelle and the men onto the road at the best pace they could make. Despite the cold, all the men had rolled their cloaks and had their shields on their arms. They expected any moment either to meet or to be pursued by foreriders of the king's army. However, there was no untoward incident for several miles. Indeed, they were so close to Abergavenny that Walter thought it safe to slow the pace to spare the horses, when they rounded a curve and saw an armed party drawn up in defensive array. |
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Convinced this was the patrol of foreriders they had been expecting, and unwilling to lose the impetus of forward movement, Walter asked no questions and called no challenge. He dug his spurs into Beau, at the same time bellowing, "Sybelle! Fall back!" |
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Instantly, rising above a cat's ferocious yowl, a woman's voice called out an order in Welsh, and then, in French, "Walter, stop! It is I, Rhiannon." |
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As soon as he heard the cat's squall, even before Rhiannon had spoken his name, Walter had lowered his sword and shield and begun to fumble for Beau's reins, which he had wound round his pommel just as he spurred the destrier forward. He found them and pulled, but it was impossible for Beau to stop. However, Rhiannon's men moved their horses aside and a collision was avoided. The men behind Walter, somewhat slower to charge, were able to come to a halt before more dodging was necessary. |
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"What in the world made you run at us like that?" Rhiannon asked as Walter came round and stopped Beau beside her mare, Cyflym. |
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"We heard in the village up the road that an army is on the move from Grosmont. I thought your group was foreriders. Where is Simon?" |
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A shadow passed over Rhiannon's face, and her voice trembled slightly. "Simon is with the army. But how do you come from a village on this road?" |
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"Never mind that. Sybelle will explain. Lend me a man to take me to Simon or Richard. I must tell them that there will be an army on this road as well as" |
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