The Rebels of Cordovia

by Linda Weaver Clarke

  “A stable hand?” asked Robin with surprise.

  Charles nodded. “That’s right. I had to convince her that she needed to slow down and let me grab a hold of her.”

  “But…” said Robin as she looked around the room at all the expensive items here and there.

  Charles nodded as he said, “I began my life by raising, training, and breeding horses. After a few years, we weren’t so bad off. Five years ago I lost my wife, so I decided to come back home.”

  “Home?” Robin asked curiously.

  He nodded. “Yes. This was where I was raised. When I was a young man, my father sent me away to learn about life. So I left and never came back again.”

  This surprised Robin. “But how about your parents?”

  “While I was gone, they passed away. I felt there was nothing to come back to.” He shook his head regretfully. “Cordovia has changed since I was a young man. It’s different.”

  Robin nodded. “I know.”

  With a smile, he said, “But my son is trying to get this country back on its feet again. He’s part of a rebel group that is fighting for justice.”

  She was beginning to feel at ease as she spoke with Charles. His green eyes brightened as he spoke to her. He was friendly and said what was on his mind. She liked him.

  “Now how would you like something to eat?” asked Charles as he patted her hand tenderly. “I was told we’re having roast beef tonight. How does that sound to you?”

  Daniel laughed. “He leaves it up to the kitchen staff to make the choices for him. When Mama passed away, he didn’t want to make a decision what to eat. So he just says, ‘Surprise me!’”

  Charles laughed and then took Robin’s hand and helped her up. Then he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and walked toward the dining room as he said, “I sure hope you don’t run too fast. My son isn’t a very fast runner, you know. I think he lacks motivation.”

  “Motivation?” asked Daniel with stunned surprise as he followed his father and Robin into the dining room. “What do you mean by that?”

  They walked to the table and Charles pulled a chair out for her to sit. “Well, he needs a woman who will motivate him to settle down and give me some grandchildren.”

  Robin put her hand to her mouth and giggled when she saw the astonished look on Daniel’s face. He was thoroughly embarrassed.

  Charles rang a bell beside him and a servant arrived. “We’re having two more guests for supper.”

  The servant gave a nod and left the room.

  “Now, how about your parents? What does your father do?” asked Charles.

  She smiled proudly and said, “He’s a baker and owns his own shop.”

  “A baker? What a great occupation! I can just imagine all the pastries and breads on the shelves. Yum!”

  Robin laughed. She was liking Daniel’s father more and more. What was she so worried about when she first entered the house? He wasn’t snooty and pompous. He was just like her own father.

  After the food was served, they began talking about the rebel groups and how she was the leader of Robin’s Rebels.

  Charles’ eyes widened as he looked at Robin. “This tall dainty young woman is the leader of…”

  Daniel nodded as he saw the astonished look in his father’s face. “Don’t underestimate her. She’s a real marksman.”

  “I’ve heard of Robin’s Rebels. They’re not to be messed with, I understand.” Then with a broad smile, he said, “Just like the legendary Robin Hood, eh?”

  His son laughed and agreed with him while Robin blushed.

  “So the two groups have now joined as one?” asked Charles.

  Daniel nodded and smiled affectionately at Robin.

  “So what’s the plan now? Do you have one?”

  After Daniel explained what they had been doing, Charles smiled with approval and said, “It’s going to be a tough road. It’ll be like looking for a coin in a haystack. A valuable coin, that is. Very valuable!”

  Chapter 13

  All week everyone searched Georgetown and asked questions. No one knew a thing or they were keeping quiet. Even Simon’s good-looking females that he had bragged about didn’t have a clue. But they were not giving up.

  One evening Robin called a meeting with her rebels.

  “The tax collector is due tomorrow but things have changed now. He has a dozen soldiers with him and they each carry muskets. We’ve got to put together a plan that won’t involve any deaths. As you know, we’re here to make a difference… not to take lives. This is just another job for these soldiers. I don’t want to hurt anyone.”

  Merek nodded. “How about the Freemen? Are they going to be included?”

  She shook her head. “We can take care of it. We’ve got twice the men than the taxman.”

  “So what do you think we should do this time?” asked Polly.

  “We need a diversion. We also need the coach to be stopped. I don’t want to try and outrun it.”

  Everyone agreed as they laughed. That didn’t appeal to them, either.

  “I’ve got an idea,” said Polly. “How about a stranded maiden who has been robbed by some thieves?”

  Robin nodded. “Great idea!”

  “And I volunteer to be the stranded maiden,” said Polly as she batted her eyes and laughed. “The soldiers will take pity on me and help me out.”

  “Perfect,” said Merek. “We should round up a nice carriage for her. She can say that they stole her horses.”

  “Good,” said Robin. “Polly, you can say the thieves headed back to Charlottesville and that will help them relax. When the soldiers are totally distracted and off guard, we will shoot twenty-four arrows into the side of the collector’s coach.”

  “Correction!” said Daniel as he walked into the barn. “That will be seventy-five arrows. My fifty plus yours.”

  “Daniel!” said Robin as her eyes widened.

  He stared at her with pursed lips. He was not happy at all.

  “Please, Daniel,” she said. “Don’t take this personal.”

  “Well, I am,” he said firmly.

  Robin bit her lip as she rubbed her hand against her thigh. “There’s only twelve soldiers. I didn’t think we would need all the rebels. I mean, two hundred have joined the Freemen during the past month and that seems like a ridiculous number to use for only twelve soldiers.”

  Daniel nodded in agreement. “You’re right. But you could have at least told me what you were planning. I’ve involved you in everything, Robin Marie. Besides, I’m only using the two hundred men when the time comes for us to make a stand. That will be the day when Hanna talks to the people. My fifty best men live in the woods with me.”

  Robin felt terrible as she continued to rub her hand against her leg.

  Daniel smiled as he watched her, knowing she was feeling anxious. “I understand why you didn’t include my group. That is an awful lot of men. But I would like to be included with the planning, if that’s all right with you. You did agree to unite with us. Right?”

  Robin nodded. “I’m sorry. Thanks for understanding. And yes, I think seventy-five arrows striking the coach from all directions would be impressive.”

  Merek stood and said with a snicker, “Don’t forget, we need a deep threatening voice to call out for them to surrender.”

  Everyone laughed as they looked at Daniel. They knew his voice was the deepest and most threatening, according to the two soldiers they had stopped the other day.

  “I think Daniel should take that job,” suggested Merek.

  Daniel smiled. “I accept.”

  After the meeting, Daniel decided it was about time to introduce Robin to his fifty men. He realized that she had never gotten to know them and that was probably why she hadn’t included them.

  When everyone had left, he walked up to her and noticed how she was biting her lip. He smiled. Daniel knew she was feeling bad about leaving him out.

  He took her hand and said, “I’m taking you to the woo
ds with me. You’re going to join our little feast tonight and get to know my men. I think it’s about time. Don’t you?”

  Robin nodded and smiled.

  After telling Andrew and Martha that she wouldn’t be home until late, he told her to keep her dress on. He didn’t want her to change into her leggings because Daniel wanted the men to get to know her as a woman first instead of a rebel. He helped her mount her horse and they headed toward the woods.

  On the way, Daniel talked about his men and their various backgrounds so she would understand what they were like. He told her how every day they practiced archery, sword fighting, and fencing. He mentioned how he was teaching his men on a daily basis to defend themselves. Daniel wanted his men to be prepared.

  As they rode into camp, Robin noticed small wooden shacks here and there, a large table with benches, and a fire pit with a black pot hanging in the center along with a spit.

  “Are we in time for supper?” called Daniel as he slid off his horse.

  Simon chuckled. “Oh yes! We’re having pheasant on a spit and herbal potatoes cooked in a pot.” He rubbed his stomach and smiled. “I even sprinkled some herbs on the meat.”

  Daniel laughed as he took Robin by the waist and helped her down from the horse. “Simon loves to cook. How else do you think he got this big?”

  Everyone burst into laughter and Simon grinned with pride. Robin remembered how he wrestled with Merek. He had been so calm the whole time. Then at the right moment, when Merek was feeling overconfident, Simon pushed him to the ground and won.

  She could tell the men were curious about her. As they busily went about their business, she noticed they were glancing at her every now and then. When everyone was called to the table, all was quiet. Robin wondered why they had stopped talking all of a sudden. They were all staring at her.

  Daniel smiled and said, “They’re waiting on you.”

  “Me?”

  “You’re our guest. Would you like to thank God for our meal?”

  This announcement took her by surprise. She hadn’t expected this from such rough looking men.

  She gently bit her lip and then said, “Of course.”

  The men bowed their heads and all was quiet. She smiled at them, realizing they were “God-fearing” men. Why had she underestimated them so?

  Daniel raised his head and peeked at her. He noticed how she was looking at his men and he was pleased. After the blessing was said, everyone dished up their food and then began talking all at once. Daniel finally banged his cup on the table.

  “I can tell you’re curious about Robin. I usually call her Marie, but tonight I’ll call her Robin. While we eat, you may ask any question of her that you like.”

  Jonas raised his hand and said, “I have a question.”

  Robin nodded toward him. She remembered how well he played against her father in the competition. “All right, Jonas. What’s your question?”

  He grinned. “How old are you?”

  She laughed. “Twenty-one. And my father says I’m going to be an old maid if I don’t settle down soon.”

  The men laughed. After that, they began asking one question after another.

  Simon finally raised his hand and said, “I have a question.”

  Daniel pointed to him and said, “What’s your question?”

  “Do you go pheasant hunting?”

  She nodded. “Yes. With my father. We go quite often.”

  He nodded. “Well, lately we’ve been having a heck of a time finding out where they roost. It took me all day to get these birds here. Do you have a special place you go? Just a-wonderin’.”

  Everyone burst into laughter. Simon grinned from ear to ear. He thought he was quite clever.

  “Well, the next time I go,” she said. “I’ll take you along.”

  Simon gave a nod. “That’s a deal.”

  Miles stood as he raised his hand and said, “I have a question. Do you do much cookin’? Being a woman and all, I figured you might but then I began thinkin’. Maybe you were too busy defendin’ your town and never learned much cookin’ skills.”

  The men chuckled.

  She smiled. “That’s a fair question. My father took me out daily to practice archery and sword fighting while my sisters did the womanly things. He told me that one day I would use my abilities to defend our home and country. I listened to him but didn’t realize that one day his prophecy would come true like it has now.” Robin shrugged. “I’m afraid I don’t know much about cooking. Although, I can cook stew. It’s simple. I just throw everything in that’s edible.”

  Miles winced. “Edible?”

  That made Simon laugh, since he was the professional cook each night. He prided himself for how delicious the food was.

  A nice looking young man stood and said, “My name is Giles. I was wonderin’…” He hesitated. “Well, do you dance?”

  She looked at the tall lean man at the end of the table and smiled. “Yes, I do.”

  “Then would you give me the pleasure to dance with you after supper? We always have music at the end of the day.”

  Robin looked at Daniel and he nodded. “That’s right. Every night.”

  With a nod, she agreed. “I’d be happy to dance with you.”

  “How about me?” asked a rough-cut man.

  “And me, too?” asked a tall heavy-set man.

  Robin laughed and said, “I’ll dance with anyone as long as we have some cheerful music. Is that a deal?”

  Everyone cheered as three young men got up, went to their wooden shacks and got their instruments. One held a flute in his hand, another a Mandolin, and the third held a bow and fiddle.

  When they began playing an upbeat song, Giles took Robin’s hand and led her to an open area. Holding Robin by the waist, they began dancing. As they danced, he chatted with her and made her laugh.

  As the men watched, they began forming a long line, waiting to have their turn. There were those who didn’t know how to dance and stood on the sidelines, cheering and clapping with the music. Some even stomped to the beat. A few ran to their shacks and got their instruments and joined in. When the music stopped, Giles took her to the line so the next man could dance with her.

  Robin hadn’t noticed the men lining up and she was surprised. Her eyes widened and then she laughed as she took her next partner’s hand. Each man had his own little style when it came to dancing. Giles had danced very smooth, Jonas was quick with his steps, and Simon took large steps. She was so afraid he was going to step on her toes.

  Daniel sat against a tree with one leg bent, watching her dance. He smiled as he saw her laugh and joke around with his men. This was exactly what she needed. He knew deep down that was the very reason she had not included them on the attack of the taxman.

  As Robin danced and twirled in the arms of her partner, Daniel noticed how her delightful laughter rang through the forest. Her long black tresses softly bounced against her shoulders with each movement. The activity even made her cheeks flush a rosy hue. She was having a great time.

  Daniel smiled when he saw Miles standing next in line. He was only five feet tall and she was about five foot eight, quite tall for a young woman. She took after her father. When her partner led her to the lineup, Daniel noticed how Miles grinned from ear to ear.

  “Make this a slow one,” yelled Miles. “I’m not as fast on my feet.”

  Everyone snickered. They knew he wasn’t as slow as he pretended and was quite agile. He just wanted a slow dance with the loveliest lady of Cordovia. When Daniel noticed that she was slowing down and the men were lining up for a second and third dance, he intervened.

  “I think it’s about time I take Miss Robin home. She’s had a great time but I’ve noticed she’s not as light on her feet anymore. She needs rest.”

  The men groaned while Miles climbed upon the table to say his farewell. He took her hand and gave it a kiss. Then he said, “You may rest in my shack if you want, fair lady. The bed’s warm and…”

>   All the men burst into laughter and then told Miles that was not the way to speak to a lady. After the joking stopped, each one told her they were proud to have her in their group.

  Daniel helped her upon her horse and she waved to everyone as they rode away.

  “Farewell, dear lady,” called Miles as he waved goodbye.

  Chapter 14

  The following day the rebels met at the designated spot and waited for Polly to arrive with the carriage. They were getting ready to rob the tax collector once again. That morning, Robin had taken Polly aside and told her what to say for their signal. Everything needed to be well timed. Polly had laughed, saying, “Why would I say that?”

  “Because you’re going to hold up the taxman and he’ll be anxious to continue on his way. I’ve gotten to know him. He’s a real grouch. So when you’re ready, and everyone seems quite relaxed and off guard, just repeat these words nice and loud: You’re grouchy for an old man.”

  While waiting for Polly, the men joked around with Robin, telling her how much fun they had last night and they wished she would return once again. But next time she should bring a few of her lady friends. Daniel watched how his men had taken to her and he was very pleased. It took all his control not to take her in his arms and give her a squeeze.

  When Polly arrived, they quickly took her horse from the carriage and hid it in the forest. As they waited for the tax collector, Polly sat on the edge of the carriage while the rebels found hiding spots behind shrubs and tree trunks. Some climbed into the tall trees and hid among the limbs. The reason everyone was instructed to wear brown or forest green was because they could blend into the scenery.

  Robin chose to sit on a branch with her bow and arrow ready. Daniel shook his head as he looked up at her in such a precarious position. She had told him that she always chose a spot that was high so she could see what was going on and make sure her men were safe.