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The room. The news appeared to unsettle everyone in the room, at least everyone but the old woman. As Vital studied the healers, he could feel her watching him. Hurepel was visibly angry; Bedersi seemed impatient. She alone was calm. After several long moments, he addressed the group. My presence is required in the great hall. I ask that the three of you examine the patient together and decide who is most qualified to address buy instagram followers her specific cirstances. A stew of voices bubbled up in protest, but all were overpowered by the buy instagram followers single instagram voice of his sister. google Damn you, Vital! Celsa will die, and her life is on your head. ~ ~ ~ The baron was seating himself at the high table when Vital entered the great hall. The king's http://www.oneeyedeer.com/ provost, the aged Robert Nicodeme, stood before him. You have resolved the situation with the medici? the baron asked. Yes. Vital was surprised at how confident his lie sounded. The baron looked back to the provost. What is the meaning of forcing your way into my house like this, Robert? We've always treated each other with respect. Gathon, it is out of respect for you that I sought this meeting. We do not have time for pleasantries and decorum. Speak your mind then. What of your insulting threat to bring the king's army to my door? You know that my official duties and my family loyalties put me in a terrible bind from time to time. We're both men of this region, with blood ties that run back as far as memory can reach. We are both-- You stand before me buy instagram followers today as the king's man, not as my cousin. Speak your business, it! You're wrong, Gathon. I am here as your kin. I threatened your guardsmen with the king's army only because I was desperate to meet with you. I risk my position and indeed my very life by being here without the king's direction. He will send his army, though, if you don't abandon your building plans and swear allegiance to him, immediately. Building plans? You refer to my new gatehouses. You cannot expect to put barriers across a royal road and levy taxes on pilgrims without igniting a reaction from Paris. I can and will do everything permitted me by the charter granted by Count Raymond. And why this sudden alarm? The gatehouses have been under construction for months, for all the world to see. The provost's skeletal form appeared to lose what little strength it had. His shoulders slumped, and his gray head tilted downward. The king has learned of your plan to ally yourself with the Trancavel viscounts. He's a pious young man, and you know his mother's virulent hatred of heretics. Louis and Blanche will not let the murder of the inquisitors go unpun-- The baron shot to his feet as though the Earth had ejected him. I had nothing to do with the extermination of those pests, although I would gladly thank those who erased them from our midst. And I have made no pledge to join anyone in any uprising. Have you not observed how all my energies and resources have been going into building up my defensive position here? To protecting my people? I have no wish to join a larger conflict when I am struggling against long odds to keep what I own. Then show your goodwill by tearing down the gatehouses. I can send word to Louis that you will not attempt to tax pilgrims ping through to Spain. This pious boy-king does not respect my legal rights,