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Page 211
no-holds-barred way. He felt a real grudge against the king, unmitigated by any of the qualms of conscience that made Richard so unhappy. It was not likely that Richard would choose the method Bassett had suggested as a way out of the trap John of Monmouth was setting. Richard felt a real horror at the thought of any direct attack on Henry. Nor was it likely that Llewelyn, whose heart was set on the loot to be gathered from an assault on Shrewsbury, would agree to the delay and losses that would be incurred.
Therefore, in the discussions between Simon and Walter on the way home, Bassett's suggestion was virtually ignored. They rode hard, stopping only once to rest the horses while the light lasted and then to wait for the moon to rise after dark fell. By the time they came to Builth, Simon's men had fallen miles behind and Beau's head was hanging with exhaustion. Only Ymlladd still had strength to shy at shadows and whinny with irritation because Simon held him back to Beau's pace. Walter stroked Beau's neck with affection to encourage him. He loved his destrier and he would ride him often enough so that he would not feel neglected, but he was reconsidering the notion of mixing a softer strain into the Roselynde line of great grays.
The different sound of the hooves on the harder-packed road of the village drew Walter's attention from the horses. They were passing the church when he looked up, and he suddenly remembered the events of the previous morning, a shadow of the burden he had carried into that church passing over him; he bit his lip. He had forgotten his penance. He pulled Beau's rein and the tired beast stopped.
"Simon," Walter called softly, "have you a purse?"
Simon had to back Ymlladd, who had gone ahead. "Yes," he replied.
Walter dismounted and walked a few steps toward Simon, eyeing Ymlladd cautiously. He held out his hand. "Give it me. Do you know what is in it?"
"Nothing much, twenty or thirty shillings," Simon said, unfastening the purse from his belt and dropping it into Walter's hand. His eyes were bright with curiosity, but he knew Walter could not see that in the dark, and he asked no questions.
"Ride on," Walter bid him. "Tell the gatekeeper that I will be but a few minutes behind you."

 
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