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Page 253
only unhappy member of the party. Sir Heribert had been bitterly disappointed when he could not induce Walter to order him, or even invite him, to join the rebel cause. He assumed Walter had agreed to abandon Pembroke for the price of a beautiful and wealthy wife. Thus, the simple path of betrayal was closed. Either he must think of another way to rid himself of his overlord or he must accept the fact that all roads to power and wealth were shut. He would never be more than a simple castellan of one modest keep.
By the time Heribert went to bed after the third day at Clyro, however, he was sure he would not even be able to keep his position of castellan but would be cast out to sell his sword like a beggar or become an outlaw himself. Heribert had sensed Walter's dislike and Sir Roland's reserve. It was clear that his best efforts had not deceived Walter and that his overlord's pleasant outward demeanor was meant to lull his suspicions until Walter could gather the tower to wrest Knight's Tower from him by force. No, not force, Heribert told himself. If Walter intended force there would have been no need to summon him to Clyro. But, then, what was the purpose of the summons? What had been accomplished?
The answer to that was not long in the seeking. The only result of the summons was that Sir Heribert was out of Knight's Tower, leaving no one of any authority in the keep. If Walter should appear at Knight's Tower and demand entrance, it would not be denied. Once in, Walter could easily buy the loyalty of the men-at-arms or even drive them out. Sir Heribert had never made any particular attempt to bind his men's loyaltyhe did not believe in loyalty. He paid them well, but Walter, with the backing of the wealthy and powerful Roselynde clan, could offer more.
Despite the warm featherbed in which he lay and the warm covers above, Heribert shook with the terrible chill of fear. He thought first of leaving immediately and rushing back to Knight's Tower, but in the next moment he realized that was useless. As soon as Walter understood his subtle device had failed, he would use force. Heribert knew Knight's Tower could not stand against the army Roselynde could muster. That path would only lead to his own death. Why should he lose everything? Why should he die?
Then terror receded. Why, indeed, should he die? Why not Walter instead? If Walter died before he married and had an

 
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