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"If their company is suitable for you, my lord, it must be suitable for me," Heribert insisted. |
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Walter shook his head. "I do but accompany Lady Sybelle, who has no part in this conflict and is free to visit her kin in war and peace. As for myself, if you will be so good as to bide here with Sir Roland, I will come again on the day after Christmas and then ride with you to Knight's Tower. I am healed of my hurt, and it is time, I think, to see the lands myself so that we can consult together on how to amend their condition." |
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Sybelle's eyes opened wide, and her lips parted. In the next instant she lifted her goblet, drank, and then lowered her face over her food. However, Sir Heribert had caught the brief expression of shock. It was immediately clear to him that Walter had no intention of returning to Clyro, and his suspicion was confirmed that Walter intended to take Knight's Tower during his absence and bar him from the place. |
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"My wife and I will be most pleased if you will give us your company," Sir Roland urged. "Nor need you think that it will be too quiet with only us. Later this very day I expect my brother and two cousins with their families. We will have minstrels also, so we will be merry enough." |
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In a way, Sir Roland's sudden mention of the arrival of his relations was soothing to Sir Heribert, despite the fact that he saw it also as an additional threat. To Heribert it implied three additional men to keep him prisoner. It was the final spur to his determination to have Sir Walter murdered. However, it also meant that there would be many additional witnesses to the fact that he had been innocently celebrating Christmas in Clyro keep when his overlord was attacked and killed. His men had had their instructions from the beginning. He had only to send a messenger to them to tell them their prey was on the way. |
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"I thank you, Sir Roland," Heribert replied, smiling. "It is a long time since I have had the pleasure of joining a family party at this festive season. I will be glad of your coming to Knight's Tower, too, my lord," he added, turning to Walter, "but if you will give me leave for a few minutes, I would like to send one of my men ahead to bid them make ready in the keep such poor welcome as a bachelor's establishment may provide. It is a long ride, and the days are short. If |
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