* * * * *
Bohun made Humphrey cool his heels with us for more than a week, so it was actually Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn who was the first of the conspirators I confronted. He strode into Brecon's great hall as if he owned the place, which he, of all my barons, allies, and enemies, never had. I found his attitude irritating so got straight to the point.
"Where is your son?" I asked him. Gruffydd halted before me, made the proper obeisance, even if the bow wasn't quite as deep as it should have been, and seated himself across from me. A servant brought a trencher of food and a carafe of wine.
"In England, with Prince Edward," Gruffydd said.
"That tells me everything and nothing," I said. "I've not spoken with Humphrey de Bohun himself, but his grandson is with us here at Brecon and he confirms Owain's involvement in an attack on me at the forest of Coed y Brenin. What do you say to that?"
Gruffydd turned beet red and sputtered, but didn't reply.
Tudur leaned in. "You didn't think our lord would charge you with this outright? Did you think that he would dance around you, anxious to appease you and your heir?"
Gruffydd's hands clenched and unclenched. Finally he seemed to master himself. He straightened in his chair and came out with the truth. "I have dealt with him, my lord. I assure you that I had no part in his misadventure."
"I didn't think you did," I said. "You've never been a fool. Your son, however, doesn't appear to share your strengths."
"My son," Gruffydd said through gritted teeth, "was led astray by your brother. When Dafydd came to him with a plan to attack you, he felt that he couldn't turn away such a powerful overlord."
I let the silence draw out as I studied Gruffydd. He held my gaze, defiant. Again it was Tudur who spoke. "If you really believe this explanation is a proper justification for his actions, I wonder that you've held onto your lands as long as you have. Would not the proper course for Owain have been to inform Prince Llywelyn-or you at the very least-of Dafydd's plans? Loyalty to the Prince of Wales surely trumps loyalty to a traitorous brother, whether or not he is a prince."
This was the same conversation Meg had just had with Humphrey. I wondered why this appeared to be such a difficult concept for everyone to grasp. Meg told me I was much loved by my people's descendants. But maybe it would be better to be feared by those who lived now.
Goronwy stood behind me, tapping his foot in an uneven staccato. I was tempted to put a hand on his leg to stop him, but refrained. I too was impatient with Gruffydd. I couldn't trust him and I couldn't ignore his son's blatant rebellion. He would have to bend or I couldn't let him leave Brecon.
Gruffydd took a long gulp of wine and set down his cup. He scrubbed his hair with both hands, sending the graying curls sticking up every which way, and then to my relief, capitulated.
"You have my apologies, my lord. I dragged the story from him when he returned to Powys. He claims the plan was entirely Dafydd's, but I can hardly credit it. It was Owain himself who convinced the Bohun lad to join them; he who paid a village headman to empty his village; he who aided Dafydd in his kidnapping of your woman. When and if Owain finds himself under my roof again, be sure that I will keep him on a tight rein. I will also send a report to Prince Edward of his deeds. He will be no more pleased at Owain's activities than you are."
I wasn't too sure of that but let it go. I had what I wanted from Gruffydd, for now.