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as individuals, to fight
for our freedom, but not to harm innocent people because of their
beliefs.”
    “That’s terrible,” exploded Daniel.
    She nodded. “That’s the very reason Robin’s
Rebels don’t want to join other groups without knowing who they
really are and what their cause is. What are the Freemen’s beliefs
in this war? Is it for fame? Is it to protect the people? And how
about their faith? We must do this with faith in God and hope He
will help us.”
    Daniel pursed his lips in thought and then
nodded. “Now I finally understand why they’ve been holding back. I
don’t blame them.” In a more humble tone, he said, “I misjudged
them.”
    He looked at her hand as it nervously rubbed
against her thigh. He had noticed how she bit her lip with anxiety
when she spoke of the persecution of the aristocrats. She believed
in this cause and she was not afraid to express her feelings.
    Daniel pulled the cart to a stop and gazed
at her. This lovely dainty woman was such a mystery. She had such
conviction. Her voice was full of determination as she spoke of
freedom, as if it were engrained in her from birth. Perhaps it was.
One thing for certain, no other woman had ever affected him like
she had.
    He smiled as he took her hand in his,
brought it to his lips, and kissed it tenderly. “Thank you, dear
lady, for the lesson in humility.” Then he kissed it once
again.
    Daniel’s eyes held hers for a long moment
and Robin sensed the shift in his mood . She blushed as her heart picked up speed and warmth enveloped her from head to foot . Why
had his sweet kiss had an effect on her? It sent a tingle up her
arm and straight to her heart.
    After a moment, Daniel cleared his throat and
then pointed to an old nag on the side of the road. “Do you see
that old mare over there?”
    Robin nodded. “What about it?”
    “Well, I noticed you’ve got some rope in the
cart. If you don’t mind, I would like to use it.”
    “Of course,” she answered with an uplifted brow.
She was not sure what he was going to do.
    Daniel motioned to the back of the cart. “I’ve
got a great idea what to do with this soldier back here. You’ll
have to close your eyes for a while, sweet lady, so you don’t get
embarrassed. But I think you’ll love my idea.”

Chapter 5
     
    Andrew burst into laughter as he sat in front of
Robin’s Rebels, telling the story of what happened to the soldier.
“It was great. One of my customers was telling me all about it
today. The soldier was tied across this old beat up nag. There was
no way he could get loose cause he was tied down so good. And on
top of the nag’s head was the soldier’s hat. When the people at a
nearby village saw him riding toward them as naked as a mule, the
women screamed and the men laughed. It was great. There couldn’t
have been a better way to humiliate a soldier. I don’t think he’ll
ever set foot in this town again.”
    Robin’s face reddened at the memory of it, and
that made the men and women laugh even harder.
    “All right,” said Robin, feeling more
embarrassed than she wanted to admit. “We’re here to decide who is
going against the other contestant in sword fighting. What do you
think?”
    “Well,” said Merek. “Your father has beaten each
of us. I don’t think there’s a better choice.”
    “But,” said Robin. “I’m worried about his age.
Those young men are only in their twenties with great agility. I’m
not sure…”
    “But he has skill,” said Polly. “That makes a
big difference. If it was my choice, I would choose skill over
age.”
    Andrew laughed. “She’s got a point. But it’s up
to you. We’ve got to decide soon, though. The competition begins in
two hours.”
    She nodded. “All right. Let’s vote on it. Who is
for my father competing in the sword fight?”
    It was unanimous. Everyone felt his skill outdid
most any young person. With that, everyone got ready for the
competition and headed for the lake where it would take