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men and the supplies needed for it, to be worked on parchment. I will have a table brought." |
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The table appeared with some swiftness, and Walter was left to play with the question of how long it would take to move an army from one point to another along a variety of routes, plus what supplies would be needed to feed them, considering on the one hand that they were allowed to loot freely and on the other that looting was forbidden. It was an interesting exercise for Walter, who had not had such problems set for him since he left the household of William of Pembroke. Walter was responsible for his own men, of course, but that was a much smaller group, and time and quantities were never simply proportional. |
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As he worked, Walter realized that if he married Sybelle and if she did succeed to her grandmother's estates, he would have almost as many men to plan for as his own levy. It was a most sobering thought, even though Walter knew the results he was working out were not crucial. Each master-at-arms or captain of mercenary troops requested what he felt would be necessary from his lord, and each lord was supposed to obtain supplies for his men out of his own resources. However, in the case of the rebellion, many had been stripped of their lands and incomes so that Richard had to find food and arms for them also. |
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Walter's estimates would be used only to cheek on whether anyone was asking for more than he really needed. Some, Walter was sure, would do so. He remembered how Richard listened with sympathy to certain men and with considerable coolness to others. How did one know? Walter wondered, and then smiled at himself. One knew by doing what he was doing now and by talking and listening to the men, by visiting their keeps and looking over their lands. He knew it would be a heavy burden and remembered that Lord Geoffrey had told him he would be fortunate to find time enough to eat and sleep. Suddenly Walter chuckled. He would forgo the eating and sleeping, just so long as there was time enough for love. |
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