The Rebels of Cordovia

by Linda Weaver Clarke

  Then Hanna smiled and said, “I really love your corset. Where did you get it? I have such plain looking ones.”

  Robin giggled. “My mother got it for my birthday.”

  “It’s so beautiful.” Then she laughed and said, “Sometimes they make them more beautiful than the dresses we wear. Too bad we have to hide them.”

  With that, both women burst into laughter as they lay on their backs, looking up to the sky.

  They watched the clouds float by for several minutes when they heard a deep voice say, “Hello, ladies!”

  Robin gasped as she quickly turned around and saw Daniel standing behind them.

  He was chuckling and shaking his head. “Well, I didn’t expect to find you ladies in your unmentionables.”

  Feeling horrified and embarrassed at being seen in her chemise and corset, her eyes widened at his statement. She was still modestly dressed in a way, but it was the fact that she was wearing… as he put it… “Unmentionables.”

  She got to her feet, stuck her chin in the air as if she were fully dressed, and said, “We have no clothes to wear.” She pointed to the clothes on the shrubs. “We can’t possibly put those back on. They’re soaked through. Besides that, mine is torn at the shoulder and down the arm.”

  Daniel shook his head as he looked at the clothes. “We can’t leave them in plain sight. We’ll have to hide them. We don’t want to leave any evidence you were here.”

  He took off his leather waistcoat and handed it to Hanna. “Here! Put this on.” He shrugged when he looked at Robin. “Sorry. I only have one.”

  Then he quickly grabbed the dresses, dug a shallow hole, and stuck them inside. Then he placed a large rock over it. After he was done, he put his fingers to his mouth and gave a high-pitched whistle. A couple of horses walked over the ridge toward him.

  “Ladies, I think we need to get moving. I brought two horses. One for you ladies and one is mine.” He smiled teasingly at Robin and said, “Unless you want to ride with me.”

  As he chuckled, her eyes widened as she shook her head adamantly and said, “Not in my… my…”

  “Unmentionables?” He smiled. “I didn’t think so.”

  Daniel helped the ladies upon their horse and then he climbed on his. As they rode along, he asked what had happened.

  Robin explained and then suddenly she gasped. “My parents!”

  He held his hand up and said, “Don’t worry. I took care of it. Merek was headed for your house this morning when he saw the soldiers. He immediately rode into town and told me. We were hanging up posters in some of the merchants’ stores when he rode up. I told him to take your parents to our camp in the forest. They need to stay there until this whole thing is over.”

  She sighed a breath of relief. “Where are we headed?”

  “I have an old shack a ways off that I use for emergencies like this.” He turned to look at her as he spoke. “We can hold up there until it’s safe to come out. I don’t dare take you to our camp because it’s too far. We need to keep low for a while.”

  Feeling self conscious, Robin looked down at herself and groaned. How she wished she were sitting behind Hanna instead of in the front!

  Daniel seemed to perceive her discomfort and smiled. “Don’t worry, Marie. Everything is just fine. I’m just pretending that you have clothes on. It’s not bothering me one bit.” He cleared his throat. “Well, that’s not exactly true. Let’s say that it’s not bothering me too much.” When he saw her frown, he chuckled and added, “All right. I’ll try not to look at you any more but it’s real hard to do.”

  Robin creased her brow and said, “You were raised as a gentleman. So you shouldn’t be looking at us at all.”

  Daniel held back a chuckle and glanced at her once again. “I’m a rebel, too, Marie. And the rebel inside of me is coming out. But I’ll try not to embarrass you. I’m really sorry about this. I should have thought about bringing extra clothes. After I get you both settled down, I’ll run out and get some.”

  She smiled. “Thanks. I appreciate that.”

  Without turning toward her, he patted the side of his horse and said, “I brought your bow and quiver along just in case we might need them.”

  “You did? How did you get them?”

  “I went by your house after the soldiers had left to get some things for your parents and noticed them. Don’t you remember that I said to keep your bow with you at all times?”

  Robin nodded. “Sorry. I wasn’t thinking. The soldiers were upon us before we realized it. We barely had time to get out.”

  As they rode through the woods, Hanna explained what kind of life she had been living during the past few years as she hid from Rupert. She said that she knew this day would come and dreaded being found.

  When they came upon a small shack in the woods, Daniel pointed toward it and said, “We don’t get any visitors here. It’s too far out. That’s why I picked this spot for fast getaways.”

  He climbed down from his horse and tied it to a post in front of the house. Then he held his hands out to Hanna and helped her down from the horse. She thanked him and then he held his hands out to Robin.

  She shook her head. “I can get down myself. Thanks, anyway.”

  Daniel was amused over her independence and nodded. He knew it was because she was feeling self-conscious.

  He led the way into the shack and motioned to the room. “It’s not very clean but we can change all that since we’ll be here for a while.” He looked at Hanna and said, “Get yourself settled and I’ll run into town and get you women some clothes. There’s a spring nearby and a well outside for water. I’ll get some food while I’m in town.” He turned to leave and then hesitated. “Oh! About the clothes. Do you have any preferences?”

  Robin turned away from him with embarrassment. She folded her arms across her waist and said, “Anything! Just anything, please!”

  “A blue one for me,” said Hanna. “And only one petticoat is fine.”

  Daniel nodded. “A blue one for Hanna and just anything for Robin.” He grinned. “Got it.”

  After he shut the door behind him, Robin sighed. She had never felt more humiliated in her whole life.

  Realizing she needed to take her mind off her problems, she looked around and said, “Let’s get this place cleaned up before he gets back.”

  With a nod, Hanna grabbed an old rickety broom while Robin found some rags to wash the place down. Hanna sang as she worked, which brought about some joy in the little shack. After a couple of hours, the place was sparkling clean and it even smelled better. The old musty smell was gone. Robin had an idea. She ran outside and brought in some wild roses and then crumbled the petals into a dish to make the place smell sweet.

  As Hanna stood, appraising the place, she heard a horse ride up. Knowing it was only one person, and not sure if it was Daniel or not, Hanna grabbed her broom and hid behind the door. Daniel had forgotten to leave her bow and quiver so Robin grabbed an iron pan and stood on the other side of the door. Each held their weapon high above their heads as the door creaked open.

  When Daniel entered and saw the ladies with their weapons above their heads, he quickly backed up and said, “I surrender.”

  The women breathed a sigh of relief.

  “Come in, Daniel,” said Hanna. “We didn’t dare look out the window, for fear of being seen.”

  He nodded. “We need a signal.”

  “How about a whistle?” said Hanna. “You can give two short whistles and we’ll know it’s you.”

  Daniel agreed as he held out the packages in his arms. “Look, ladies, what I have. This one is yours, Hanna.”

  Instantly, they snatched the packages from his arms and took them to the table. He turned around to leave when he heard Robin sigh. She liked the rose flowered dress he bought her.

  As he turned to leave, he heard Hanna exclaim, “You bought me a blue dress with a floral pattern. I love it.”

  “Well,” he said shyly. “I thought you mig
ht like flowers.”

  Robin was impressed with his thoughtfulness. All embarrassment went away as she turned and said, “Thank you, Daniel.”

  “You’re welcome,” he said softly without turning toward her. “I’ll leave while you women put on your clothes. I’ve got some food outside, too. Let me know when you’re ready and I’ll bring it in.”

  As they pulled on their clothes, Hanna cooed over her blue dress. Robin thought she was so adorable the way she admired it. After they were dressed, Robin gave two short whistles and Daniel walked in with the packages of food in his arms.

  Chapter 20

  As Hanna began preparing the food, she asked Daniel, “Will you please split us some wood so I can cook us something to eat? We’re hungry. We haven’t had any breakfast yet.” Then turning to Robin, she said, “And I need some water from the well outside.”

  Robin nodded as she watched Daniel unbutton his shirt.

  He smiled at her and said, “This is the only one I have. Can’t get it soaking wet like last time.”

  As he pulled his shirt off and placed it on a chair, Hanna’s eyes widened as she put her hand to her mouth and said, “Oh, my! Master Daniel!”

  As she stared at him, Daniel raised his brow curiously and said, “What?”

  Seeing Hanna’s expression, Robin giggled and then walked up to him and said, “Daniel, you’ve just got to get used to the surprised look in women’s eyes if you keep taking your shirt off in front of them. Do you understand what I mean?”

  Daniel knew exactly what she was saying and he was proud of his muscles, but he was in a very mischievous mood and couldn’t help it. He just wanted to see how far she would go to explain herself. So he shook his head and acted puzzled.

  “No, what do you mean?”

  “Well,” she said. “You have very broad shoulders, Daniel. Broader than the average man.”

  “My shoulders? That’s why she was surprised?”

  Robin shook her head. “No,” she said as she pointed to his biceps. “These, too.”

  Trying not to burst into laughter, Daniel pushed a little further by saying, “So my shoulders and arms surprise women, then? Is that what you’re saying?”

  “No! Yes! No! I mean…”

  Hanna laughed as she stepped beside Robin and said, “It’s your strength, Daniel. Your build. That’s what she means.”

  Daniel nodded. “So, this is what I understand you’re saying. Because my shoulders are so broad and my arms are so solid, I should keep my shirt on. Right?”

  Robin’s eyes widened. “No, no, no! I didn’t mean that at all. You can keep your shirt off. It’s all right with me.” As if she was shocked by her very own words, she clapped her hand over her mouth and gasped. “I mean… I mean…”

  Daniel grinned and then burst into laughter. “I know what you mean. Thanks. I think I will keep it off… at least until I’m done splitting wood. I noticed a bunch of logs against the house. I’ll start with those.”

  Then he turned around and grabbed the ax leaning against the wall. Looking over his shoulder, he winked at her. Then he headed out the door.

  Hanna looked at Robin’s red face and said, “I think that went well.”

  Feeling humiliated and stunned at her own words, she looked at Hanna and said, “Do you really think so? I just told him that he could keep his shirt off.”

  Then she shook her head, grabbed a pail that was sitting on the stove and walked out the door to get the water. Robin wasn’t sure if she could ever look Daniel in the face again.

  Robin made sure the bucket was attached to the rope before she dropped it into the well. When she heard it plop into the water, she looked up at Daniel. He was putting a log upon a stump. He held the ax in the air and swung it down into the log, splitting it in half. She noticed how his biceps bulged as he struck the log. Yes, they were solid, all right.

  “It’s my father’s fault,” said Daniel as he glanced toward her.

  “What?” asked Robin as she blinked at his sudden comment.

  He grabbed another log. “Yup! It’s my father’s fault. I take after him. He has broad shoulders and a wide chest like me.” He placed the log on the stump. “Well, I guess the rest of my build is because of him, also. He taught me how to work.” He raised the ax into the air and swung it down, splitting the log in half. “My father said that hard work makes a man. He said he had to work for everything he got and didn’t see any reason why his son wouldn’t have to, also.”

  Robin pulled the bucket up and placed it on the side of the well. As she poured the water into her pail, she said, “I believe your father is right. Work does make the man. He was very wise.”

  Daniel grinned as he took another log and placed it upon the stump. She watched him strike the log and smiled. It was mesmerizing to watch him work, but she needed to help Hanna. Biting her lower lip, she took a deep breath. Then she grabbed the pail and headed for the small shack.

  Daniel watched her as she left and smiled. She was so much fun to tease. He knew he shouldn’t have pushed her like he did but he couldn’t help it. Her comment was humorous. He laughed as he remembered her words.

  “You’ve just got to get used to the surprised look in women’s eyes if you keep taking your shirt off in front of them.”

  He burst into laughter and then placed another log on the stump. After he had enough wood ready for the stove, he picked up a bunch and headed for the shack. He knocked on the door with his foot and waited. When Robin opened it, he strode toward the stove and dropped the wood beside it. Then he proceeded to prepare the fire for Hanna. When he was done, he went to the well and dropped the bucket inside. As he pulled it up, he saw Robin come out with a towel in her hand.

  “I brought this out for you.”

  Daniel smiled. “Thanks. I bought a few for us to use. We can leave them here afterwards for other emergencies.”

  He put the bucket on the side of the well and began splashing water on his face, arms, and chest. Daniel held his hand out and Robin placed the towel in his hand.

  After drying himself off, he handed it back to her and said, “I was just teasing you in there. I couldn’t help it.”

  She smiled and slapped his shoulder, trying to hide the fact that his close proximity had its effects on her. She stepped backwards, hoping to calm her fluttering heart as she blushed.

  Daniel grinned as he stepped toward her. He stroked her cheek affectionately and winked at her. Then he walked toward the house.

  As Robin watched him walk away, she wondered if she had successfully hidden the way he made her feel as he stood before her. His grin and the way he touched her gave her reason to believe that he might have seen right through her.

  ***

  After the meal was fixed and everyone had eaten heartily, Daniel headed out to get more logs to chop for the next day. Hanna and Robin did the dishes and talked. That was when Hanna noticed that Robin seemed a bit anxious.

  “So what’s wrong, darlin’?” asked Hanna.

  “I don’t know. I think it’s because I’ve been indoors all week. I’m not used to it.”

  “What’s your day usually like?”

  “Well, I sometimes help Papa at the bakery, go out and practice archery, or even go hunting with him.”

  Hanna nodded. “I’ve got an idea. Go out and get us some grouse. That would be so delicious for tonight. What do you say?”

  “But I can’t leave you alone.”

  Hanna put a hand to her cheek and smiled. “I’m fine. This little place is hidden away. There’s no road that leads here to the house. So there’s nothing to worry about. That’s what Daniel told me.”

  Robin nodded. “All right. I’ll be back before dusk.”

  Hanna smiled. “You’ll enjoy it. Afterwards, you’ll be a little more relaxed.”

  Robin grabbed her bow and quiver and headed out the door. As she walked through the forest, she heard the calming sounds of birds singing and the river bubbling over rocks. She breathed in the
fresh scent of pine and smiled. That was it. She could not stand to walk any longer. Robin picked up her skirts and took off running. The fresh air filled her lungs and she felt the exhilaration of life. She loved being alive and a feeling of happiness spread through her as she ran. Life couldn’t be better. She was in love and wanted to shout it to the world.

  As she picked up her speed, she remembered her family, neighbors, and the rebels. Then she remembered the little children and the cause of the rebels, to fight for the rights of the people, to help a divided country become one once again. The pain of a people suffering because of lack of food brought tears to her eyes.

  When she came upon a meadow, she stopped and fell to her knees and wept. With all the fervor in her soul, she poured her heart out to God, asking him to help them end this battle once and for all, to help them free the people of this oppression. Robin knew her emotions were on the surface today. One minute she was up and the next she was down.

  As she prayed, a feeling of peace came over her, as if God was saying that all would be well, as if the battle would soon end. She took the hem of her skirt and wiped her eyes. When she realized how late it was, that it was now dusk, she stood and looked out over the meadow. Could there be some grouse out there?

  Robin’s eyes narrowed with curiosity as she saw the glow of a fire and smoke coming from the other side of the meadow. Who were they and what were they doing here? She couldn’t pass through the meadow or they would see her coming and she didn’t know if they were friend or foe. The only way to find out was to follow the forest around to the other side. That way they wouldn’t see her coming.

  Without another thought, she began picking her way through the woods, walking around to the other side of the meadow. As she got closer, Robin noticed it was getting darker. But she couldn’t turn around now and go back. She had to find out who those people were. She was only three miles from the shack and that was much too close for comfort.