Welsh Princes 1 Here Be Dragons by Sharon Kay Penman

Author:Sharon Kay Penman
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Sharon Kay Penman
Published: 2010-04-14T09:40:34+00:00

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Gvvenwynwyn's voice was scornful. "Nor do I believe you've suddenly become such a bloody saint yourself, willing to overlook the part we played in Your defeat at Aberconwy." "I've no claims to sainthood, but I like to think I'm capable of learnne from past mistakes. What about you, Gwenwynwyn? Can you say as much?" "You think I could ever trust you? I'd sooner deal with the Devil!" Llewelyn shrugged. "You think you could ever trust John?" Madog had yet to take a seat. Now he moved toward Llewelyn, stopped in front of him. "Your mother and my father were sister and brother; that makes ours the most significant of bonds, one of blood. It eives me the right to speak plainly. You're making a great mistake, Cousin. John's hatred for you is mortal. You move into the Perfeddwlad, and you'll see an English army in Wales within a fortnight. He'll take all of Gwynedd this time, Llewelyn, and then he'll burn every hut, every tree if need be, in order to run you to earth. Need I tell you what befalls a man charged with treason? He's dragged behind a horse to the gallows, hanged and cut down whilst he still breathes, gelded and disemboweled ere he's finallyand mercifullybeheaded. And there are even worse deaths. You need only remember Maude de Braose's fate." Llewelyn had heard enough. "You're overlooking something, Madog. Whether I keep the truce or not, sooner or later John would find an excuse to move against me. Besides . . . this time I do not intend to lose." Madog shook his head; there was on his face an expression of genuine regret. "As you will. But I want no part in this. If I must come to terms with the English King in order to hold on to my lands, so be it. I know the limits of my power, would that you did yours." He walked to the door, paused. "I wish you luck, Cousin. I very much fear you'll need it" With Madog's departure, a pall settled over the room. Llewelyn sought to dispel it by saying defiantly, "Of course we can do nothing, �an 8� on as we always have, fighting one another, allowing the English ngs to play their sport of divide and conquer. Is that what you want, ae'gwn? You want to wait until John has the time to deal with your ellion, until you find yourself facing an English army?" You made a mistake in taking Ceredigion," Maelgwn said coolly. na then I made one in backing John. I expect that makes us even . . . lik 3St ^�r now- Y�u do not have to talk me into an alliance. I might not 11 any; for certes, I do not like you. But it makes sense." v , We'yn grinned, looked toward the others. "What say the rest of y^el nodded, grinned back. Rhys Gryg glanced over at his

366 T 367 brother, then rose to his feet. Maelgwn was by far the more physically impressive of the two.

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