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Despite the bitter weather, Sybelle enjoyed the ride to Knight's Tower. They went the long way around past Builth and west of Gilwern Hill to meet Simon and Rhiannon at Cefnllys with the main force that Llewelyn was sending to meet Pembroke's army. There they spent the night. In the morning they turned northeast toward Penybont and joined Richard's army south of Glog Hill. The forward units, unencumbered with supply carts, moved swiftly under Richard's direction and reached the gates of Knight's Tower within an hour. |
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Walter asked for Sir Heribert, and when told he was not in the keep, he and Richard exchanged significant glances. Then Walter simply demanded entry as overlord. The master-at-arms knew the name de Clare and knew that the previous overlord was dead. He looked out at the sea of men waiting in the fields that stretched around the keep; he thought of the men-at-arms available to defend Knight's Tower. He knew that even if Sir Heribert returned, there was no way he could muster any force to oppose the army behind de Clare. He called a welcome and bid his men open to their new master. |
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Walter spoke him fair but made clear that he and his men were to go with the Earl of Pembroke while Walter's own men took over the defense of Knight's Tower. Walter knew nothing against the man, and it appeared that he had done his duty, for the men-at-arms were disciplined and obedient. They gathered their equipment and marched out in good order, apparently not ill-pleased at the idea of some action and the chance of loot. |
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The servants were not in such good case, being dirty, frightened, and clearly ill-fed, but Walter suspected that condition was of long standing. Whether the master-at-arms had encouraged it or added to it mattered little since he and his troop were going with the army. Those who returned after the Shrewsbury campaign would be sent down to Goldcliff, where they would soon learn new behavior or be turned out. |
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The next day, Richard and the army marched on, and Walter and Sybelle turned their attention to a detailed investigation of their new possession. Both were busy all the day and found more and more cause to be satisfied with their choices of mates. From living alone for many years, Walter |
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