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Page 82
were to remain in Abergavenny to be cared for until they had recovered completely.
Then, Walter thought, it had better be he who accompanied Richard to Brecon. He had already established a relationship with Gervase and Marie. Besides, Walter remembered that Bassett was not coming to the wedding. There was not much choice; he would have to ride to Brecon with Richard.
Meanwhile, Bassett had approved Richard's decision to make future plans immediately in conjunction with their Welsh ally but was urging the earl to have Llewelyn's men also watch Monmouth. Richard was clearly doubtful of the efficacy of this move. He had heard of the skill of the Welsh woodsmen and he knew that Bassett felt the attack on Grosmont would not have been half as successful or a tenth as profitable if the Welsh had not spied out the way and removed the guards and sentries. However, Richard had not taken part in the expedition against Grosmont and had never seen these men at their work. He was trained and experienced in traditional methods of war and found it difficult to believe such unorthodox procedures had great value.
After several exchanges, through which Walter sat silent, he realized that Bassett would not be able to convince the earl. This was something, he supposed, one must experience.
"My lord," Walter said, "there is no need for you to be involved in this matter at all. It is true that Lord Llewelyn may not consider the problems of south Wales to be important to him. However, they are important to me. Goldcliff will fall if Usk or Chepstow be taken or even if they are passed by so that the king's men may sup off easier meat. Let me write to Simon. Sir Gilbert is quite right that Simon will not need his men for a week or two, and he will be very willing to do me the favor of having them watch Monmouth."
"Excellent. Excellent," Bassett said, before Richard could begin to wonder whether it was right for Walter to ask as a personal favor what Richard himself did not wish to ask as help from an ally. "Go and write to Sir Simon at once," Bassett urged. "Do you need a messenger? If so, bring me the letter when it is finished, and I will have it sent out."
Taking the hint to remove himself before the earl began to worry about fine points of honor, Walter went off out of sight, found a place to sit down, and sent Dai to find a clerk to write the letter for him. Walter could write; it was no

 
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