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Page 296
love me, but their lives are their own. I can go when I wish, free. But you are tied to your land, are you not?''
"Yes," Sybelle whispered. "I am bound to the land more harshly than any serf. I am not free, nor ever will be." Then she lifted her head higher. "But this is foolish talk. The advantage is all with our men. It is sitting with those . . . those ghouls, who do not care about Richard's well-being or success or, perhaps, even hope for his ill-doing that has made us uneasy. Come, let us go up on the walls again. They must come soon. Surely, they will come or news will come soon."
In fact, it was soon. Before the chill had reached through their cloaks and heavy woolen clothing, the guards on the walls saw mounted men in the distance. They called warnings and then politely, but with strong emphasis, bade the ladies go down. Sybelle and Rhiannon gave no argument, knowing their presence would be a hindrance to defense if defense were necessaryalthough what defense the few men remaining in Abergavenny could make, they did not know, But it was only a few minutes before the riders the guards had seen were crying out their identities and assurances of a great victory.
The guards relayed the message to the gate guards so that the drawbridge could be got down. Sybelle and Rhiannon heard. They were at the gate to question the foreriders, but these men had no word of Simon or of Walter. Gold eyes locked again with green. Unspoken in both was the desire to ride out and look for their men. Oddly, it was the bolder Rhiannon who shook her head.
"The road will be blocked and the woods full of stragglers," she said. "And if our men are unhurt, they are like to be as far as the gates of Monmouth keep."
"And there will be work for us now," Sybelle agreed.
Rhiannon nodded. The wounded would be the first to return, having been sent on ahead. Sybelle and Rhiannon then withdrew to a vantage point where they could watch the bailey, which was now becoming crowded and a scene of utter confusion. Oxen lowed, horses whinnied, men shouted orders and imprecations, the wounded moaned and screamed. However, it was not quite the chaos it looked. The old knight left in charge of Abergavenny knew his business. Sybelle and Rhiannon threaded their way through the servants and men

 
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