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Page 213
bedrobes and had the heavy eyes that result from being awakened from the first deep sleep.
"Do you agree with this hothead's conclusions about what his men report?" Pembroke asked Walter, squeezing Simon's arm fondly.
From the question, Walter understood that Simon had already managed to relate the information. "Yes, and so does Gilbert Bassett," Walter replied.
"Oh, Gilbert would see the worst in a gift of ten pounds of gold." Pembroke shrugged. "I do not doubt that they are preparing for war, but I cannot see how they could have heard that I intend to move my forces north." He looked at Llewelyn. "We were private when we spoke except for that one time at the breaking of our fast, and I do not think Walter spread the news. So how . . .''
"Why should it be needful for John of Monmouth to know our plans?" Llewelyn asked. "The very fact that we have made allianceand all the king's party must know thatwould imply that future action might take place nearer my lands. Also," he pointed out, "since you did not press the attack on Monmouth within the first week, while you might have been supposed to think the garrison was in disarray, John could believe you to have been more weakened by the battle than you were."
"I did not think of that," Pembroke admitted, his brows knitting into a frown. "Merde!" he exclaimed, rising to his feet suddenly. "They might be planning to attack now, while I am here."
"Sit, Pembroke, sit," Llewelyn said. "No one could march an army from Monmouth to Abergavenny or to Usk before you could ride there from here."
"They are not ready to march yet," Simon assured him. "My men were in the keep only a day or two ago, and at that time the preparations were less than half-complete."
"Yes, but it is more than that," Waiter put in. "Something was said, I am sure, that made us believe John of Monmouth did know you were planning to go north." He turned to Simon. "Was it the man at Cwm-du or was it Siorl? I cannot now remember exactly what, but all of us, Bassett, too, were convinced that"
"It does not matter," Llewelyn put in smoothly. "As I mentioned at first, it would be a natural assumption by any

 
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