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Page 142
willing to have her. He is accustomed to madwomen. So, you plan to take the golden goddess to your bosom. I wish you good fortune."
"If she will have me," Walter said, knowing somehow that Prince Llewelyn would be neither incredulous nor amused that Sybelle, a mere girl, was to be allowed to make her own choice.
"You need not fear she will not," Llewelyn responded, as if what Walter had said was the most ordinary thing in the world rather than a most peculiar exception. He gave Walter a broad smile. "I have quick eyes. I saw her face when you first came into the hall. It was all she could do to stop herself from running to you. She will have youbut are you sure you know what you are doing? Those women . . ." Llewelyn allowed his voice to drift off and then shook his head. "Some years ago . . . good God, it is more than twenty, although it seems only like yesterdayI found Lady Alinor leading an army into Wales. I admit she asked me to take them into battle, but had I refused, I know she would have done it herself."
Walter burst out laughing. "The blood in them has not grown any thinner with time," he began, and then told of Sybelle leading her troop right into his camp in pursuit of his erring men. Walter's feelings had shifted uncertainly from irritation and embarrassment to amusement whenever the incident came to mind, but retelling it to Llewelyn in the wake of the prince's disclosure now gave Walter an odd feeling of pride.
"There are few like unto them," Llewelyn agreed, chuckling at Walter's revelation. "And I will say this," he added, becoming serious. "If you can endure their boldness, you have a treasure that can have no price. They cleave like welded iron to their men. Neither their eyes nor their hearts wanderand that, with women so beautiful, is a miracle. However," he grinned again, slyly, "I have heard it said that they expect that courtesy to be returned. Oh, well, with such a wife it can be no great burden. But I did not come here to talk of those engaging witches of Roselynde. Since you are tied by the leg anyway, I cannot spoil your day by asking you to do a small task for me."
"Most gladly, my lord," Walter replied, moving to rise.
"No, no. Sit where you are. It is a matter of movement of

 
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