The Rebels of Cordovia (12 page)

Daniel picked a pretty flower print dress about
the same size as Amy. They both figured she was about eight years
old.

When they were done, they headed back to the
Bakery to pack everything in the cart. While they stood talking,
Robin noticed Polly sitting on a bench beside Captain
Nathaniel.

The Bakery was situated next to a public square
with a large beautiful fountain in the middle of the road. Benches
were placed around it with tall trees to create shade. This was a
popular place for lovers to come and sit, whisper to one another,
and watch the water roll over the edges of the fountain.

Robin smiled when she saw Polly giggle. The
captain leaned toward her and whispered something in her ear. When
she smiled at him, he leaned toward her and kissed her cheek, which
brought a blush to her face.

“What do you suppose they’re talking about?”
asked Daniel.

Robin shrugged. “I’m not sure but I’m guessing
that he’s flirting with her.”

When she noticed that Polly had become serious,
she wondered what had happened. She had just been smiling and
laughing a moment before. Then she saw Polly shake her head
adamantly and speak to him in a sober manner. After a while, she
took his hand and pulled him from his seat and led him toward the
Bakery. She had a determined look on her face. Robin creased her
brow and wondered what was happening.

When they entered the Bakery, Polly said to
Robin. “This is Captain Nathaniel. When are we going to deliver the
clothes and food to the poor?”

“Right now if you’re ready.”

“Good. I’m bringing Nathaniel along.”

“Really? Why?”

She looked affectionately at him and replied,
“He was telling me how he is in charge of one hundred soldiers.
Well, the king has ordered him and his men to guard all the towns
and villages in this area so they can keep order.”

“Order?” asked Robin. “We’re doing just fine. We
don’t have any problems in Charlottesville.”

“That’s what I said and he told me that the king
wants to be sure he has control over the people. I was shocked. So
I said the king should be in control of the poor. That’s what he
should be worrying about.”

Nathaniel laughed. “She’s a spunky one, isn’t
she?”

Robin nodded with a smile.

“Anyway,” continued Polly. “I asked him if he
had ever been on the outskirts of town where the poor live and seen
their condition. He said that he never has.”

Robin’s eyes widened. Surely all the soldiers
knew the condition of the people. But apparently not.

She turned to Daniel. “Would you mind coming
with us?”

He nodded. Daniel could see in her eyes that she
was a little uneasy about taking the officer along. She needed a
little support, especially since she had been fighting against them
lately.

Nathaniel retrieved his horse and met them at
the Bakery. Daniel unhitched his and was ready to go. They followed
the women in the cart pulled by their favorite mule.

When they arrived at their destination, small
wooden shacks could be seen in the distance down in a little
valley. The dirt roads were narrow and children played in the
street with ragged clothes and no shoes. The children were thin, so
thin it would break a person’s heart. Their large dark eyes were
trusting and innocent. When the children saw the cart approach,
they yelled to their parents. They recognized Robin from other
visits.

When Robin pulled the cart to a stop in front of
a small shack, a young mother walked out to meet them.

“I can’t believe my eyes,” she said with tears
running down her cheeks. “You said you were coming back and you’re
here.”

“How about your husband?” asked Robin. “Has he
found a job, yet?”

The woman nodded. “Yes, he’s working for a
farmer, but he doesn’t know how long it will last. Just until
harvest season, I guess.”

Robin smiled affectionately. “I’ve got the
clothes I promised. Tell your children to come along and we can
find out what sizes are best for them.”

The woman wiped the tears from her eyes and
said, “God bless you. If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t have had
enough food until my husband got this new job.” Then she turned to
Captain Nathaniel and said, “Tell the king what kind of condition
we’re in. He needs to know. Why isn’t he doing something to help
us?”

Nathaniel scanned the area but didn’t say a
word. He had never seen this part of town before. He didn’t even
know it existed. He, too, wondered why the king didn’t do something
about it.

After measuring the children and then
distributing the clothes to them, they went to the next home. Every
home was the same. Some needed clothes, others needed food, and
some needed both. The children were sweet and acted grateful for
what they received. Some had dirty faces from playing outside and
others had muddy feet from walking in a puddle.

Before trying on the clothes, the mothers
insisted they get washed up first. With a groan, they obeyed. Robin
noticed this brought a smile to Nathaniel’s face. At one home, they
found a mother bathing a child in a round wooden tub outside. She
was preparing her children for their afternoon meal.

They had spent the day giving to others,
chatting with families to find out their needs, and talking to the
children. Now they would make one more stop. It would be little
Amy’s home. Daniel had picked out a special dress for her.

When they arrived, Robin noticed a white flag
had been stuck in the ground next to the house. This worried
her.

She turned to Daniel and the captain and said,
“A white flag means that someone is very ill. It’s a warning to
others to stay away so they don’t get it.”

Robin quickly slid from the cart and walked to
the door with everyone following. She knocked and waited
impatiently.

Daniel could see the concerned look on her face.
He put a hand on her shoulder for comfort and support. She turned
to him and slightly smiled.

After a few moments, a woman answered the door
and said, “Oh my! You’ve come back. You don’t want to come in. Amy
has the grippe and it’s real bad. We sent for the doctor but he
said he has done all he can. He can’t do anymore and there isn’t
any medicine to be had. He’s not the best doctor but he’s all we
have.” The young mother wiped a stray tear as she said, “Amy can’t
breath very well. She struggles with every breath she has.”

Robin took a deep breath, hoping to push away
the ache in her heart. “How about the other children, Betty? Have
they gotten it?”

Betty shook her head. “No, they’re quite
healthy.”

Robin nodded. “Good. May I see her, please?”

Betty opened the door and allowed everyone to
enter. She led them to a room where the small child was lying on a
bed. Robin could tell Amy was taking chills and shivering, even
though her bed was near a lighted fireplace. She was pale and her
eyes looked hollow. Robin groaned inside herself, holding her
stomach for fear it would twist in knots.

She quickly knelt beside the child and took her
hand and said, “How are you feeling, Amy?”

She gave a weak smile and said, “I’m fine. Did
you bring me that dress you promised?”

Robin blinked away a few tears and said, “Of
course. Daniel picked out a pretty red-flowered dress for you. He
said it was so lovely that he wanted you to have it.”

Amy smiled. “I don’t have any flowers for you
today but I’ll get some next time when you come back.”

She coughed and held her hand against her chest.
Her face became ashen as she struggled to take a breath.

“Does it hurt when you cough?” asked Robin.

The child nodded.

Robin’s heart wanted to break. It looked as if
the grippe had turned into pneumonia. When a stray tear made its
way down Robin’s cheek, Amy reached out and brushed it away.

“Don’t worry about me. I’m fine. Mama says God
blesses little children. And he’s going to bless me, too.”

Such faith! Robin immediately took the small
child in her arms and held her tightly against her chest as she
struggled to hold back the tears welling up in her eyes.

Then taking a deep breath, she gradually let go
of Amy and said with a smile, “Get better, all right? I’ll check up
on you next time we come around.”

Amy coughed and gave a nod.

Without another word, Robin left the room and
went outside. As she leaned against the side of the house, she
wept. Her chest was aching and her throat was constricted. She
never imagined becoming so close to the children that she was
helping.

Daniel bid farewell and told Betty they would
return so he could give the dress to Amy when she was feeling
better. Then he put his arm around Robin’s shoulders and walked her
to the cart. Polly took Nathaniel’s arm and quietly led him to his
horse.

Standing by the cart, Daniel took Robin in his
arms and held her tight. The comfort of his arms around her was
wonderful but it wasn’t enough. Her heart was breaking.

He lifted her chin upwards and looked into her
eyes. “I know what you’re thinking, Marie. The grippe has taken so
many lives this year, both little children and the old. You don’t
have much hope, but there is something we can do.”

With a surprised look, she asked, “What? Betty
said the doctor has done everything he can.”

Daniel shook his head. “I don’t think so. We
have a doctor over in Georgetown that my father goes to. I’m going
to ask father to pay him a visit and tell him this is an emergency.
He needs to come out here tonight. Don’t worry about the bill. I’ll
take care of it.”

Robin tried to smile but all she could do was
bite her lip. She looked up into his eyes and said, “We should go
home. It’s getting late. The sun will be going down soon.”

As they traveled, Nathaniel asked, “Do these
children go to school?”

Polly shook her head. “They’re too embarrassed.
They’re dressed in rags while the other children have nice clothes.
It’s a pride thing. Besides, the children make fun of them because
of their clothing.”

Nathaniel looked shocked as he shook his
head.

“That’s why we have so many rebels,” Polly said
firmly. “They are fighting for the people’s lives, Nathaniel. If
the king really cared about his people, we wouldn’t have rebels.
There would be no need for them.”

With a raised brow, Nathaniel asked, “How do you
and Marie come up with all the money to buy food and clothes for
these people?”

She smiled. “The merchants in Charlottesville
donated their money to help the poor. It’s done anonymously.”

Robin nodded. That was true. All the merchants
in town had given their taxes to the taxman and her rebels had
taken the donation to give to the poor.

“Well,” said Nathaniel. “I’m going to tell the
king about the condition of his people. He should know about it.
I’m so surprised…”

Daniel interrupted with a frown. “I’ve made
appointment after appointment to talk to him and he won’t see
anyone unless it has something to do with planning a party or
fitting him with an outfit.”

Nathaniel creased his brow and frowned.

“It’s true,” said Daniel. “I even sent a message
about what I wanted to say to the king and he still refused
me.”

Nothing more was said. Daniel had given
Nathaniel something to think about. For the rest of the journey
home, everyone was quiet.

A week had passed and Daniel finally made it
into town to visit Robin. It was early in the morning when he
walked into the Bakery. He smiled and announced, “I think it’s time
to go out and celebrate.”

She raised her eyebrows curiously. “For what
reason?”

He laughed and said, “I brought my carriage
along.” He pointed to it. “See?”

Robin smiled at his excitement.

“Grab your bonnet and let’s go,” he
commanded.

“But…”

Andrew heard the commotion and waved his hand
toward Daniel. “Go ahead. Business is slow.”

With that, she grabbed her bonnet and headed out
the door. He helped her into the carriage. Sitting on the seat
beside her was a package.

“What’s this?” asked Robin.

Daniel grinned. “You’ll see.”

Without another word, he whipped the reins and
they headed down the road. When she tried to question him, he shook
his head and refused to answer. As Robin watched him, it seemed
that he was enjoying her curiosity because he would grin and
chuckle at every question she asked.

“Does it have something to do with me?”

He shook his head and grinned.

“Does it have something to do with the
rebels?”

Again he shook his head. Then taking her hand in
his, he gave it a squeeze and chuckled.

“Does it have something to do with you?”

“No more questions,” Daniel commanded as he
brought her hand to his lips and gave it a kiss.

A thrill went through Robin as his lips touched
her hand. For some reason, every little touch, every little thing
he said, the way he looked at her… everything seemed to make her
heart flutter with joy. Warmth enveloped her as she looked into his
eyes. Robin enjoyed the attention she was receiving. She had missed
him so much during the past week.

As they rode down the street, Robin noticed how
he glanced at her every now and then. He would smile and then whip
the reins, giving a chuckle at the same time. What was going on? As
they came upon the shacks down in the valley, Robin’s brow rose
curiously. She turned to Daniel and saw him staring at her.

“Why are we here?”

“Oh, I thought I would show you the children and
what they look like.”

“What they look like?”

He smiled. “You’ll see.”

They passed shack after shack and Robin’s eyes
grew larger than ever. The children were walking down the road in
warm clothes and their feet were not bare. They had shoes on and
their hair was combed. In their hands were books. When the children
saw her coming, they waved and yelled a greeting.