Free The Rebels of Cordovia by Linda Weaver Clarke Page B

“But yours is
nice. Mine is just an old work shirt.”
    Daniel laughed as he pulled on the shirt and
began buttoning it up. “I’ve got plenty more where that came from.
Keep it.”
    Flann nodded gratefully and led them into the
house to meet his wife. After the greetings were done and a drink
was offered for both, the conversation began.
    “Elsa,” said Daniel. “We belong to a group
called the Freemen. We represent people who want to be free from
oppression. And we’ve come here to ask a favor.”
    She nodded.
    Robin then took over the conversation and said,
“I have a story to tell. It’s a story about a king named Edmund,
his son Jonathan, and a plan to have no more kings.”
    Elsa smiled. “I’ve heard of that plan.”
    Robin told her everything, all about Edmund’s
plan, how Rupert had poisoned him, and ending with the servants and
Legionnaires escaping to save their lives. She noticed that Elsa
didn’t act surprised but just sat and listened.
    After a while, Elsa said, “I remember King
Edmund and his son. I remember how he was against having another
king rule and wanted to change all that.” A tear dropped to her
cheek. “He was a good man and so was his son. We all hoped Jonathan
would come back and rule over the land but it was too late. Rupert
had taken over.”
    “We want to change all that,” said Daniel. “We
plan on replacing Rupert with a good righteous man.”
    “But how can you do that? All the aristocrats
believe in him. He has too many followers.”
    Robin answered with firm resolve, “By using the
testimony of the servant who had the poison tested. She will
testify to a large group of people what she knows to be a fact. If
we can convince the people about what kind of person he really is,
then Rupert will be outnumbered and will have to step down. If he
doesn’t, this means war and we’re prepared to fight.”
    Elsa creased her brow curiously. “Why did you
come to me?”
    Daniel took over and said, “A friend of a friend
told us that you might know where she lives.” He smiled
reassuringly. “Will you help us?”
    Elsa nodded.
    “Are you that servant, Elsa?”
    She shook her head. “No. I remember the day
Hanna found out about the poison. She told all of us, even the
Legionnaires, but it was too late. I don’t know exactly where Hanna
is living right now but I do know which town she’s in. I saw her a
few months ago and we visited for a long time. She told me that
she’s been working as a maid for some aristocrat in Georgetown.
She’s been there for thirty years. She likes it there ‘cause she
makes more money.”
    Daniel put a hand on Elsa’s and smiled. “Thank
you so much. We really appreciate this.”
    She smiled back and said, “Are you hungry? I was
about to serve Flann something to eat. We have plenty.”
    Daniel looked at Robin and she nodded. It
sounded better than the cheese and fruit she had packed in the
cart.
    “We accept,” he nodded. “What can we do to
help?”
    “Just set the table. That’s all.”
    As Robin got the plates from the cupboard and
chatted with Elsa, she glanced at Daniel as he conversed with
Flann.
    Elsa smiled and leaned toward her and said,
“You’ve got yourself a real nice lookin’ man there.”
    Robin looked at Daniel. Then she shook her head
and said, “No, he’s not my nice looking man.”
    Elsa laughed. “Oh? You could have fooled me.
I’ve been watchin’ him and he keeps glancin’ at ya with great
interest. Either he’s very concerned whether he’ll get his meal or
he’s enamored with you.”
    “Enamored?” Robin shook her head. “No. He just
likes me. We’re friends.”
    “Friends?” laughed Elsa. “You can try and
convince yourself of that, but just look at the way he watches you
next time and you’ll see what I mean. And I suspect you feel the
same way, too.”
    “Is supper ready?” interrupted Flann. “I’m
famished.”
    Robin noticed how Daniel glanced at her and
smiled as Flann spoke. Could