The Rebels of Cordovia (21 page)

Finally they arrived at the house. Miles had
ridden up ahead and found the place to be safe.

After dropping off Andrew, Martha, and Robin,
Daniel and Miles took Hanna to the outskirts of Charlottesville.
Andrew agreed to meet them within the hour.

Martha and Robin quickly changed into fresh
dresses. Then Martha helped her daughter by brushing her hair out
and making several small braids, which lay on top of her thick dark
hair.

“Beautiful!” exclaimed Martha.

Andrew stood in front of the mirror in his
bedroom, washing his face when Martha walked up to him and said,
“It’s time, sweetheart. This is the day that everyone has been
waiting for.”

Andrew nodded as he patted his face dry. “Today
will be our Day of Independence.”

“So why don’t we celebrate?” said Martha with
excitement as she pulled a box out from under the bed. “Let’s put
on your very best suit.”

Andrew grinned. “I’m going to meet Daniel’s
father today. I’m excited to meet the man who raised such a
wonderful son.”

“Me, too,” said Martha.

“I’m so impressed with him.” Andrew grinned. “I
can’t wait until he’s part of the family.”

“Now, now,” said Martha. “Don’t get your hopes
up, dear.”

He looked down at the clothes that she spread
out on the bed and gave a nod.

Martha smiled. “Do you think it’ll still
fit?”

He laughed. “I sure hope so.”

When Andrew was finally cleaned up, he put on
his pants. After buttoning up his long-sleeved white shirt, he
pulled on his blue jacket.

He grinned from ear to ear as he said, “It’s
snug but it still fits.”

Martha smiled and gave a nod. “You look so
handsome.”

“Thanks, dear. I’m ready but I’m also a bit
nervous. I sure hope everything turns out all right with Hanna’s
testimony. This is the day we’ve been waiting for.”

Martha kissed his check and said, “God is on our
side. Don’t worry.” She raised her brow curiously. “Do you think
all the servants and Legionnaires will be there, too?”

“I bet they will be,” he said with conviction.
“They’ve been waiting for this day as much as we have.”

Martha grabbed three coats with hoods. “I think
we should all wear our hoods just in case the soldiers recognize
us. We don’t know if they’re still looking for Robin or us.”

Andrew nodded. “That’s right.”

She helped him on with his coat and buttoned it
for him. Then she pulled the hood over his head and laughed. “You
look like quite the rebel, sweetheart.”

Andrew grinned.

Martha walked out of the bedroom and took
Robin’s coat to her, telling her the reasoning for wearing it. Then
she put on her own coat, as well. After pulling the hoods over
their heads, they followed Andrew outside to the carriage that was
awaiting them. Andrew had already hitched up the horse before
getting ready.

After everyone was settled, Andrew whipped the
reins and they headed down the road toward the outskirts of
Charlottesville. Signs had been set up that morning so people would
know where the meeting was.

When they arrived, Robin was shocked at how many
carriages and horses were tethered or standing free. Leaving theirs
with all the others, they walked toward the area, which had been
set up especially for the meeting.

She was amazed at how many people had shown up.
Everyone was standing around, talking and discussing what the
meeting might be about. No one seemed to know, but they were
speculating, nonetheless.

The soldiers were standing at attention,
watching the people as if they were assigned to keep the peace.
Robin knew there were too many people to arrest, even if they
wanted to.

As they walked along, Robin gasped when she saw
the soldier who had accosted her. Andrew, too, recognized him and
he quickly pulled her hood further over her face. He didn’t want
anything to mar this day for her, either. She had worked hard to
make this day possible.

They continued walking between the people as
they headed toward the platform. When Robin saw Daniel standing
beside a minister in disguise, she pointed toward him. Then she
took her father’s hand and pulled him along.

“Marie!” called Polly as she waved her hand in
the air.

Robin saw her smiling with excitement. “Excuse
me, Papa. You go ahead and I’ll be right there.”

He nodded and walked toward Daniel and his
men.

As she made her way to Polly, she waved
back.

“Isn’t this great?” Robin asked when she
approached her.

Polly nodded. “I can’t believe so many people
came.”

“Neither can I,” said Robin as she pushed the
hood from her head and hugged Polly. “You’ve been a very special
friend through all of this and I want to thank you for your
support.”

Polly smiled. “I can’t believe it’s going to
finally come to an end.”

Robin tugged on her hand and said, “Come along
and you can stand with me up front.”

Polly shook her head. “I can’t. I promised
Nathaniel I’d stand with him. He said the king assigned him and his
men to keep the peace. The king told him to arrest anyone who makes
trouble.”

Robin smiled and whispered. “I sure hope so.
We’re not here to make trouble. We’re here to have justice done.
The king is an assassin and shouldn’t be allowed to get away with
it.”

Polly nodded. “Don’t worry. Everything will be
just fine. Nathaniel won’t let the soldiers hurt the citizens. I
know it.”

“You do?” asked Robin. “Do you know him that
well?”

“I think so.” Polly glanced down at her hands
that were twisting her bow. “I called you over here to tell you
something.”

“What is it?”

Polly smiled. “Well, if everything goes well
today, I’m going to accept Nathaniel’s hand in marriage.”

Robin’s eyes widened. “Really? But what about
his beliefs? Doesn’t he fight against all rebels? And, Polly,
you’re a rebel.”

Polly became sober. “I know.”

“What if, after this meeting, he doesn’t agree
to what we’ve fought for? What if he is still faithful to the king?
You’ll be on opposite sides.”

Polly nodded. “I know. That’s the reason I told
him that I couldn’t give him an answer until tomorrow because I had
to think about it. He doesn’t know that his actions today will
affect our future. I won’t be able to marry him if he sticks with
the king. I just can’t.”

Robin pursed her lips as she thought about her
friend’s dilemma. She nodded. “I understand. Good for you.”

Instantly Polly’s eyes widened as she stared at
a soldier standing before her with fury in his eyes. He was staring
at Robin. The scornful look he exuded frightened her and she
instinctively backed up. The man grabbed Robin by the shoulders and
yanked her toward him.

Glaring at her, the soldier growled as he said,
“I thought it was you.”

Robin gasped as she looked at the man who had
captured the young boys in the woods and had beaten Matt. His face
was twisted with anger as he roughly grabbed her by the arm.

“Come with me,” snapped the soldier. “And don’t
fight me or you’ll be sorry. You’re under arrest.”

Robin shook her head as she tried to struggle
out of his grasp. “You have no rights here.”

“That’s what you think, rebel,” he said as he
tightened his grip on her arm. “Now move!”

Robin fought the man but she was helpless. He
was much stronger than she was. As he twisted her arm behind her,
she winced with pain.

“Move!” he growled as he pushed her toward the
sheriff.

When Polly saw what was happening, she ran after
them and said, “You can’t arrest her. We have rights.”

The man glared at her and said, “You’re a rebel,
too. Aren’t you?” With a grin, he grabbed her arm. “I’m pretty
lucky today. I’ve got myself two rebels. Both of you should bring
me a good reward.”

Without hesitation, Polly kicked the man’s leg
with great force. He howled and let go of Robin. Grabbing hold of
Polly’s hair, he raised his hand in the air ready to strike her
across the face.

“I’ll teach you,” snarled the man.

A strong hand grabbed the soldier’s arm,
preventing him from striking Polly.

“If you hit a woman, I’ll make sure you’re put
in prison.”

Polly looked relieved when she saw her hero
standing beside her. Nathaniel had come to her rescue.

“These women are rebels,” the soldier said.

“So, is it common for you to slap females if you
believe they’re rebels?” asked Nathaniel. “Have you no respect for
women?”

The soldier hesitated for a moment and then
said, “They’re rebels. I can prove it.”

“Whether she’s a rebel or not. You don’t hit a
woman,” commanded Nathaniel with anger.

The soldier pointed at Robin. “I saw her. She’s
one of ‘em. I saw her in the woods. She aimed an arrow at me.”

Nathaniel turned to Robin and asked, “Do you
want to explain?”

She pulled her shoulders back and said, “Yes, I
do. This soldier was beating up three young boys in the woods. The
youngest was only fifteen years old.”

The miscreant’s eyes widened at the accusation.
“They were rebels, sir.”

Robin shook her head. “No, they weren’t. This
man tried to force them to admit they were rebels by beating them.
He just wanted the reward.”

Nathaniel’s eyes widened as he turned to the
soldier. “Is this true?”

“They were rebels, sir. I know it for a
fact.”

“No, they weren’t,” said Robin with defiance as
she stomped her foot.

Nathaniel grinned as he watched Robin defend the
boys.

The soldier scowled as he said, “What were you
doing out in the woods, then? You’re a rebel and I know it.”

Robin turned to Nathaniel and said, “Daniel and
I were out together when we heard them. He just couldn’t let this
malefactor beat the boys so he challenged him to a sword fight and
won. That’s why he’s so upset. He lost.”

Nathaniel smiled. “Then you freed the boys?”

“Yes, sir. We did. They were innocent.”

Nathaniel grabbed the soldier by the neck and
said, “You’re under arrest.” He turned to Polly. “I’ll be right
back. I’ll have the sheriff lock him up.” He pointed to the
sheriff. “I should be back in a minute.”

Polly smiled. “I’ll wait right here.”

Robin watched Nathaniel as he handed the soldier
over to the sheriff and smiled. “Well, maybe there’s hope for him
after all.”

Polly giggled. “I hope so.”

When Robin noticed that the meeting was about to
begin, she said, “I’ve got to go.”

With a wave, she headed toward the platform
where her father was waiting for her.

A platform was built so the audience could see
and hear who was speaking. Daniel’s men had built it near a rock
wall that curved in a half circle. The platform was within this
recess. When someone spoke, his voice would carry a long distance
and would be heard by most anyone. It was ingenious.

Over five thousand people had arrived to hear
what the Freemen had to say. The news had spread like wildfire and
everyone wanted to hear the mysterious secret about King Rupert.
People had hinted what it was about and others were in the
dark.

The amazing thing that astonished everyone was
the first rows of Legionnaires in their original blue uniforms: one
hundred of them. A few of the men looked as if their buttons were
about to burst, but they stood at attention, as if they were proud
to be wearing their uniforms once again. They had read the notices
and heard the announcements in every village and town, telling all
of Edmund’s Legionnaires to meet at this designated spot. It was
time to unite once again!

Daniel walked up the wooden steps and stood on
the platform. After the crowd settled down, he told all the details
of King Edmund’s death. Holding his hands in the air, he quieted
the people down and told them that he had a witness. The servant
who took care of King Edmund would testify of the truthfulness of
his words.

Hanna, still in disguise, stood beside him,
waiting for her turn. Daniel helped Hanna out of the minister’s
uniform. Then he told her to testify of the truthfulness of what he
had just told everyone. She was timid but she knew that it was time
to speak up. Hanna realized that she should have told the truth
thirty years ago but she was afraid for her life.

With conviction, she said in a loud voice, “It
is true what Daniel has told you. I took the glass to be analyzed
and my friend told me it was truly poison that had been
administered to the king. When I went to the king to tell him, it
was too late. He had passed away.”

With this announcement, the crowd mumbled their
stunned surprise. They were shaken at what they heard. For those
who couldn’t hear at the far back, the word spread quickly and
everyone was shocked.

As Hanna walked down from the platform, Daniel
told the people of their plan. “Rupert murdered the king for his
own profit. He must be removed from his position. King Edmund
wanted to do away with all kings. He said that he wanted leadership
in our country where the people would have a say and we would have
equality among men. He was going to assign his son, Jonathan, to be
a High Judge and there would be Lesser Judges. The High Judge would
have to discuss laws with the Lesser Judges before they could make
a ruling or pass laws. Also, they would listen to the grievances of
the people. This is what Edmund wanted for us but Rupert banished
Jonathan and took over.”

Someone stood and yelled out, “How do we know
this was Edmund’s will? How do we know it will be good for us? We
have only been ruled by a king.”

A hefty man called out, “I like the idea of
having a say about the laws of our country.”

Another man stood next and yelled, “I remember
King Edmund. He was a great leader, but how do we really know this
was his desire? How do we know it will work?”