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from opening his mouth more than a silver and made chewing equally impossible. Now it would be several days more before Richard could eat properly. Nor was the wetting, chill, and exertion doing his own injuries any good, Walter thought. |
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It was no very happy party that arrived in Builth just as dusk was shading into full dark, and they were led directly into the great hall, where Prince Llewelyn was sitting, by a gentleman who recognized the Earl of Pembroke's colors and was eager to do him honor. By then, Walter would gladly have forgone the honor of being Richard's companion, dropped out of the group, and found a place to restbut someone had to answer questions for Richard. Half-blind with pain and fatigue, Walter hardly saw the members of the group seated around the hearth, but he was startled into alertness by Lady Alinor's voice. |
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"Merciful Mary, what has happened to your face?" Alinor cried, and in the next breath, before Walter could take the few necessary steps forward to answer, she rose to her feet and took Richard's hand. "No, never mind. Come with me to your chamber at once. Rhiannon, have you a poultice that will take down this swelling?" |
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"Yes, I will go prepare it at once," Rhiannon replied, jumping to her feet and rushing off down the hall. |
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Alinor had been examining the hurt and now said, "This is not new, even if the blood is fresh. You silly boy, did you try to speak? Joanna, go tell the cooks to prepare something for Richard to eat that he can get into his mouth and will fill his stomach. He must be starving." At which point Richard squeezed her hand, and Alinor continued sharply, "Yes, I thought that would be what you would need most, but there is no need to break my fingers. Is there no one with a grain of sense in your company? Where are your squires?" |
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Looking around for them, Alinor missed the expression of pain and anxiety on Richard's face at the reminder of the young man in prison and the two boys lying hurt, but she did see Walter. "Walter!" she exclaimed. "Why did you not" And then, as he limped forward and his face came out of the shadows into the light of fire and candles, her voice checked. "Good God," she cried, "You are in no better case than Richard. Sybelle, take Walter to my chamber and see what is wrong with him. If you need my help, send a maid for me.'' |
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Walter knew quite well that he should draw forward Gervase |
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