Chapter 7
Victoria Barkley looked around the room. Tempers were getting high. She knew everyone needed to take a moment and calm down, especially Nick and Rhianna. "Why don't we sit down and you can tell us what you need to, Rhianna."
Rhianna turned and looked critically at her Lieutenant. She asked kindly, "Lieutenant, when was the last time you had something to eat and hot coffee?"
"It's been a while, General." The Lieutenant admitted reluctantly.
"Mrs. Barkley?" Rhianna looked at Victoria as the unspoken question hung in the air.
"Yes, of course. Lieutenant, my daughter, Audra, will take you to the kitchen and Silas will fix you a plate of food. You're welcome to stay as long as you like." Victoria graciously extended her hospitality to the weary soldier.
"Thank you Ma'am, but I must leave after eating." The Lieutenant saluted Rhianna who returned it quickly to dismiss him. With that, the Lieutenant and Audra left.
Rhianna walked over and stood, leaning against the desk. She was across the room from Nick, wanting as much distance from him as she could.
"Well?! What is the rest of the story, GENERAL?" Nick's sarcasm was plain to everyone.
Rhianna sighed in exasperation. "Barkley, I need a moment to organize my thoughts.
"I think you need a moment to think up another story," Nick mumbled under his breath before being prodded by Victoria to sit and be silent.
Rhianna rubbed her eyes tiredly before finally asking, "What do you know about Ireland?"
Jarrod thought for a moment, "I really don't know a lot. I know it's an island and it's green."
Rhianna sighed, "In other words, you know nothing." She looked at the clock and did quick calculations. "Jack, I need to take half an hour here, but it will cost us. Get Brady ready for a hard ride and be ready to go; it will be close, but I think we can make it there in time."
"Get Brady ready? Don't you want to do that yourself?" Jack asked in a panicked voice. He was clearly nervous and reluctant to go near the horse.
Rhianna looked levelly at Jack and spoke with an edge to her voice. "You have your orders, Colonel."
As Jack nodded and left to do her bidding, Nick once again exploded, "Where are you going, now? I want information, Lady, and you aren't giving us very much!"
Jarrod and Heath looked at each other and shrugged, they knew Nick was acting this way because he was feeling out of control.
"Barkley, if you would be quiet for a moment and let me speak, you would find out the answers to your questions." Rhianna was aggravated with Nick. "I needed to make sure my Lieutenant was taken care of first. I have to leave in a half hour. Where's Audra?"
"I'm here. Your Lieutenant is eating now, Rhianna." Audra had just come back into the room. She was impressed with Rhianna and had grown to like her very much.
"Thank you. You are an important part of this." Rhianna was grateful to her new friend.
Heath broke in, "What was that about my favorite time of day?"
Rhianna began, "I will get to that, I promise. You were saying you know nothing about Ireland. Irish history goes back over a thousand years, but I only have time to tell you what you need to know.
Once, Ireland was many separate provinces with separate rulers. Brian Boru changed all that. He became the High King of Ireland and the O'Briens are direct descendants. After Elizabeth I and James I conquered Ireland and brutally pacified the country, they enacted hundreds of penal laws to control the Catholic majority. These laws only applied to the non-Anglican residents of Ireland, that is, us Catholics.
We couldn't hold public office and had no say in Parliament. We couldn't vote. We were barred form any legal profession and couldn't study the law nor could we go abroad to gain any type of foreign education. We couldn't own or inherit land. We were not allowed to own a horse valued over five pounds and until 1793 were not allowed to bear arms or serve in the military."
Nick and Heath looked stunned. They could not imagine the conditions Rhianna was describing. Heath remembered someone they had met, "Nick what was the name of that Irishman who thought he bought some of our land?"
Nick thought for a moment, "Callahan? He was always going on about the English Landlords. I had no idea what he was talking about."
"Well, Barkley, I'm sure you treated him with the same respect you've shown me," Rhianna's sarcasm could be plainly heard.
She looked at the time and continued, "But those weren't the most important to us. Catholics could only have lay priests, not seminary educated ORDAINED priests. I know you aren't Catholic, so I'll try to explain. Only ordained priests may give the sacraments. Only priests may baptize and confirm. Only priests may perform the marriage ceremony. Only priests may give last rites and bury the dead. Only priests may hear confession and give the Eucharist.
Many places wouldn't even allow us to have a church. The law said if we were allowed to have a church, it had to be built out of wood and not stone."
Rhianna looked at the clock, "Time is running short. After these oppressive laws were put in place, the five oldest families of Ireland got together and decided to fight the English. We raised Armies. We wanted Ireland to rule itself. My mother died in the line of duty when I was very young. There are nine children in my family and we all fight in one way or another. I and three of my brothers command the Armies. My three sisters help by raising the children, providing supplies, hiding soldiers, passing along information, whatever they can to help. Another brother, Killian, is a horse master. He makes sure there are mounts for the Army as well as protects the breeding program so there will always be Irish horses."
Heath was listening carefully, "That's only eight; what about the ninth?"
"That's who you have been protecting, isn't it?" Jarrod asked quietly.
"Yes. Liam is the bravest of us all. When he was young he felt the call to serve God. Later, he was smuggled out of Ireland and made his way to a small seminary in Italy. He studied and was ordained a priest. He then snuck back into Ireland to serve his people. I have been hiding and protecting him as best I could, but he was caught. I sent a small detachment of Cavalry to get him out and bring him here. I was praying it would be safe and with Jack here, he would have some protection."
Jarrod had been thinking about the cryptic message. "You know where he is, don't you?"
"Of course I do." Rhianna smiled at Jarrod.
"All right, I have been silent, but now I have to ask, how on earth did that ridiculous message tell you anything?" Nick was skeptical.
"Because I know my brother. 'The favorite book will be read two one three.' Liam's favorite book is Matthew. Matthew 2:1-3 says this: 'Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the King, behold there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem. Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east and have come to worship him. When Herod the King had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.'"
"So it does, but how does that tell you where he is?" The Barkleys were all confused.
Rhianna explained, "It means he will be brought to the easternmost part of the ranch. The English know he has escaped, but haven't been able to track him. In order to keep his whereabouts secret, his escorts must leave for Ireland by sunrise tomorrow, Heath's favorite time of day. I must get there before then to secure Liam and bring him here. He's a priest, not a soldier; he won't be able to survive out in the wilderness, especially in a strange country."
Heath asked, "How do they know my favorite time of day?"
Rhianna replied, "I know, so my brothers know."
Audra said, "Your brother's a priest? Then maybe the children won't have to leave!"
Rhianna nodded her agreement, "I think this is an answer to both our prayers."
Jarrod thought about all he had heard, "Rhianna, you said the penal laws were enacted. What about now?"
Rhianna looked at the counselor with respect. "I knew you would ask." She smiled at Jarrod. "The penal laws have been repealed, but it will take many generations until my countrymen will be truly free."
Nick asked, "Why? If the law says you're free, than you're free."
Rhianna replied, "You recently fought a war. The slaves were freed. Are they treated equally to white men everywhere?"
Nick blustered, "Well, not yet, but…"
Rhianna interrupted him, "Of course not. When a people or a race has been subjugated for hundreds of years it takes many generations for hearts to change." She gave a heavy sigh and then spoke fiercely. "We want the English out. We want Ireland to rule itself and I will not stop fighting until that happens or they kill me."
Jack returned and said, "General, we need to leave if we're going to make the meeting, we're really pressed for time. We'll need to ride hard as it is."
"All right, Jack. Let's go." Rhianna stood to leave.
Nick had been thinking about all he had heard. He was confused and angry, but still felt drawn to Rhianna. "I'll go with you. I know this ranch better than you."
"I don't think so, Barkley. The two of us can get there faster alone." Rhianna was adamant.
"You have no idea how large this ranch really is. It's much larger than it looks!" Nick objected.
"I know that; you have thirty thousand acres and I have ridden over every one in the last couple of months. I know exactly where I am going. You would only slow me down and I will not be deterred from this mission. You stay." Rhianna was intractable.
Nick looked angry, but knew he wouldn't win. He also realized to argue with her would only delay the inevitable.
Rhianna then turned and spoke to Heath. "Keep an eye out for trouble. Watch carefully, I trust you."
As Heath nodded, Nick bristled at the implication, "You trust him? Are you saying you don't trust me?"
Rhianna stared at Nick astounded, "Barkley, are you insane? Not an hour ago you were calling me a liar and questioning my integrity. You stopped just short of calling me Irish trash! Trust you? Not ever will I trust you!"
Kathleen had been listening to Rhianna with mixed emotions. She wanted her brother safe but was worried about Rhianna. She didn't look good. "Why does it always have to be you? Why can't you send someone else, for once? You look tired. You're getting sick aren't you?"
Rhianna turned to face her sister. "I HAVE to go. It's my fault he was captured. I have to save him."
"Not everything that happens in this life is YOUR fault!" Kathleen was getting angry.
Rhianna shot back, "This one is."
"How is it your fault?" Kathleen was bewildered.
"He was captured because he came out of hiding for me, to give me peace. He risked it for her. And for me. It was my duty to get him out." Rhianna cried.
"Honor and duty. That's all you ever think about. Just once I wish you would think about the family!" Kathleen said the words without thinking.
Rhianna's expression hardened and her eyes were like fire. No one in the room wanted to be the object of her attention.
"Just once? When have I EVER thought about anything except the family? All of you told me from childhood it was my DUTY to give up my horses and my music, all the things I love. I have lived my entire life doing my DUTY for my country and her people. If you don't like what I have become, then you only have yourself to blame!"
Rhianna stormed out of the house and mounted Brady. Without a backward glance, she and Jack rode off hastily.
~Big Valley~
After riding all night, Rhianna and Jack got near the meeting place. It was near dawn and they were being careful. They spotted the group in a grove of trees just inside Barkley land. After making sure the area was secure, the pair quietly stole up to the group.
"Liam?" Rhianna spoke in a whisper.
"Rhianna!" Liam was happy to see her.
"Oh, Liam! Thank God." Rhianna was so relieved.
Rhianna looked at the soldiers protecting Liam. She owed them a debt that could never be repaid. She finally laid eyes on their commander, her brother. "Shawn Andrew!"
After the siblings embraced Shawn Andrew held her at arms length and looked closely at his sister. "You look tired. Are you getting sick?"
Rhianna spoke quickly, irritated, "I'm fine!"
Shawn Andrew put his hands up in mock surrender. "Okay, Okay. We need to leave. The sooner we get back the sooner we can cover our tracks."
Rhianna looked around. "We owe these men a debt. When you can, each man gets a month leave."
"A month?!" Shawn Andrew objected.
"Yes, a month. They risked a hell of a lot for us…see to it, Major."
Shawn Andrew nodded. He walked over and hugged his brother. "We better get going. Take care of yourself, Liam. Watch over her, if she'll let you." He cast a worried look at his youngest sister.
The group left and Rhianna looked at Liam. He looked tired and hungry. As the siblings embraced, shots rang out.
Rhianna quickly pulled Liam down. "Jack, get him back to the ranch. I'll deal with them! Liam must be safe."
"Rhianna! We can't leave you here alone!" Jack protested.
"I mean it, Jack! Get him out of here! Get him to Nick. Colonel, that's an order!"
Jack pulled Liam into the woods and they mounted and rode off. They rode for hours until they could see the house in the distance.
Rhianna stayed and surveyed the scene. She didn't think it was their enemies, but needed to make sure. As she crept in for a closer look, she felt a searing pain in her shoulder. She aimed and fired just before collapsing.
