The Rebellion

Chapter 1
Storm clouds gathered as Nairra and Rocco raced through the valley, Rocco’s hooves barely touching the ground as he flew through the tall grass. Nairra spurred him on by will and word as they began their ascent up the mountain. Reaching the top, she reigned him to halt, pausing for only a moment at the pinnacle of the rocky ledge. To her left one last glimmer of sunlight shone through clouds causing the rocks and fields below to shimmer against the coming shadow. She turned to the right and with one word Rocco leapt on and made his way down into the woods. Without lessening their pace the two continued towards camp. The second Nairra entered the clearing and cast off her dark hood the perfectly trained guards came to attention, “Commander!”
“Soldier. Tell Pilantius the storm is coming. Gather the troops to Roté.”
“Yes, commander! Immediately.” And with that Nairra reigned her horse in a tight circle and bound off, leaving two bewildered guards to carry out their orders. Pilantius received the message, masked his inward fear, and with a face of stone commanded the orders be sound. The troops were to assemble ready to march. It was beginning.

Chapter 2
Nairra guided Rocco through the woods as quickly as they could go. They twisted and turned; darting around trees and bushes until Rocco was lathered with sweat. Not wanting to slacken her pace Nairra jumped off the horse and tied him to a tree. There wasn’t far left to go, and she would be less noticeable this way. So as Rocco softly whinnied after her, she slipped off through woods fleeting from shadow to shadow. Forthwith she came to the edge of the woods, and drew up behind a large tree. A weathered white tent lay only a couple feet away. She checked her surroundings, and seeing her chance, stole through the open space and vanished out of sight. She now stood directly on the other side of the tent wall, inside her mark was only a few feet away. He sat in chair facing the opposite direction, eating. Silently Nairra moved closer, her presence not yet noticed. At length she slowly pulled the knife from her belt and flung it into the air, propelling it straight at her target. Then at just the right moment his arm flew up and he grabbed the handle of the knife as it flew past him. Instantly he turned and threw the weapon in the opposite direction where it landed with a harmless thud in a wooden beam. With both hands free, he grasped her waist and stood to face her, both breaking into joyous smiles. Drawing her into his embrace Arandur spoke, “ Oh Nairra, I did not expect your coming.” He ran his fingers tenderly through her long, dark hair as she laid her head on his shoulder, thankful for a moment to hide her doubt and let only her joy at seeing him show. She did not wish to yet tell him they must prepare for battle. First she wanted a just a few precious moments alone with him. Pulling back he grinned at her, “You must always make the strangest entrances mustn’t you? One would think you were just now trying to kill me.”
“ Just keeping you on your toes, love. If I can so simply sneak past your guards each time, I must make sure that you at least would not be so easy for someone to get past.” Nairra teased in return.
“Oh you need not worry. No one can get past me, not even you.” Arandur jokingly boasted.
“Don’t be so sure. Perhaps you haven’t realized that each time I sneak in I want you to notice me.” She paused, growing serious, “But how long must we hide Aran? How much longer must I sneak past our own soldiers to see you? I know that it was best to keep our relationship appearing formal while building the respect and reverence of our men, but what about the wedding you pledged to me, Aran? Our army is built. Besides almost no one has to know for us to wed. Must we continue to lay it aside?” Arandur looked deep into her piercing blue eyes and he too became serious.
“ You did not come just to see me. You bring grave news. Tell me.”
“ I was scouting at the enemy’s camp today. We wait no longer. The time for battle has come. My troops are marching to Roté as we speak.” Nairra paused for a moment before she could continue, “People die in battle, Aran. Love does not keep them alive or our Fathers would not be dead. As much as we try not to think of it, we both know that either one of us could be killed. Worse than the thought of living without you is to think of one of us entering the unending without being unendingly bonded to one another. ” She reached out and clutched his hands firmly, “I want us to be husband and wife.” Arandur returned her grip and proclaimed deliberately, “ And so do I…” Right then the sentry announced himself and entered,
“ Captain, the lieutenant wishes to see,,, Co..Comander!” the sentry quickly saluted, “I did not know you had…how did you…” Nairra interrupted his stuttering,
“Do not worry. None of the guards saw me enter. I did not wish for you to.” The poor soldier looked more confused than ever. “ Think, if I can not evade my own guards how am I ever to evade those of the enemy.” It was more of a statement than a question.
“Of course mam,” the guard replied though he still looked unsure.
“I believe you were saying that the lieutenant wishes to see me?” Arandur entered the conversation.
“Yes sir.”
“Send him in, and do give him a proper warning of the commander’s presence.”
“Yes sir.” The guard proceeded to salute, turned on his heels and was off. The two waited silently for the lieutenant.
“Commander. My allegiance… Captain.” The lieutenant gave the proper greeting and saluted. “ I came to inform the captain that our scouts brought back news of the First Division marching towards Roté. However as you are now here Commander, I suspect he already has knowledge of this.”
“He does. The time has come, lieutenant. Prepare the troops to march within the hour.”
“Will you be leading out, Commander?” Arandur posed the question.
“No, you will, lieutentant. The Captain and I will follow shortly.”
“Yes mam. Do I have your leave then?”
“Yes, that is all” The lieutenant offered a stiff salute and immediately went to carry out his orders.
“Nairra, I have come to a decision.” He took her hands in his, “ Today we marry.” Nairra’s gratitude shined from her eyes as he leaned down and kissed her tenderly.
“Aran.” That one word said so many things as they looked into each other’s eyes.
“I’ll go make the preparations.”
“I’ll come…”
“No, love, you stay here. Don’t worry. I’ll take care of everything.”
“You never cease to amaze me.”
“Just prepare yourself” He kissed her lightly on the forehead and turned to leave. Just as he was walking out he paused and turned back to her, “ I love you Nairra.”
“And I you, Arandur.”


Chapter 3
Nairra’s mind was left to wander where it would as she waited. She thought back to the day she met Arandur which led her to think back to the cause of their meeting, events that had begun when she was only a babe.
Their country had always been quiet and peaceful. It was made up of small villages where everyone knew everyone, and everyone grew up to we a raise peacful families of their own in the same small village. They rarely moved, never went to war, never rebelled against the government, and, most important in the people’ s eyes, always worshipped Yawhe, the One, the Creator. Children were raised to be people of the Faith. The king and all his advisors were always devoted members of the Body. And when each king chose his successor he always chose a devoted member of the Body. This was usually his first born son, yet if one was found with more wisdom or faith, he was chosen instead. The king at this time was certainly a man of deep faith, compassionate, kind, gentle even; too gentle at times. Perhaps that was how his only son, Atalantea, departed from the Faith and the Body, turning to his own rebellious ways. His father loved him deeply, and in effort to give him everything he ever wanted, failed in discipline. Thus he earned a son who was prideful, obstinate, undisciplined, and unbelieving. And though there were many better-qualified men, as the king lay on his deathbed he appointed his firstborn to be the next king. He refused to give up hope in the boy, believing that the responsibility of the kingdom would surely turn his heart back to the Way. But it did not. Only weeks after being crowned, he dismissed his father’s royal cabinet, a dreadful, unprecedented act in his small country. In their place he appointed young men of his choosing who were faithless like himself, all in spite of the fact that advisors were to be of the people’s choosing. Those elders who dared defy him where banished or executed. It was promptly manifest that brutality reigned and acquiescence was obligatory. At that time the most abysmal occurrence imaginable befell. King Atalantea outlawed the Faith and the meeting together of the Body, declaring to the people,
“ For centuries our nation has been entrapped by the walls of that antiquated, fictitious invention, which is called the Way. Though our past kings were great, they all, including my father, shared in one downfall. That defeat was continuing to lead our people astray by abiding in this mysticism. This Way of rules and irrational beliefs has created a small country, an impotent and ineffective country, chained from its true potential. Nevertheless we can overcome! I will learn from previous failure. The era of weakness is no more. We shall break the bonds and rise above our past. The time for greatness has arrived, and I will see it consummated. We shall be restrained no longer!”
Royal Couriers were dispatched across the countryside to bear the pronouncement to each village and township. Nairra clearly recalled the day the herald had arrived at her village. The entire settlement had been summoned to the town square, but, peculiarly, no one had the slightest notion as to the purpose. She remembered how the clamorous murmuring coursing through the crowd had died instantly as the herald began to speak, powerfully demanding silence. In that silence he read the king’s address. And as he read shock and disbelief grew in each heart, reaching its zenith upon hearing the edict which had been adjoined at the end,
“Therefore in order to carry out the king’s intentions and bring this fabled faith to a swift and timely end all gatherings of the body shall henceforth be terminated. All Assemblages should be immediately disbanded, and meet together no more. Furthermore this fallacious and ruinous book called the Word will no longer be read. It is from this point forward considered treasonous material, and any person found with such will be considered a traitor and punished accordingly.”
Defiance welled up in Nairra as she prepared to join with the others in resistance of this unthinkable law, but not one challenged him. In fact no one did anything at all, and Nairra’s defiance melted into bewilderment at the people’s submission, she also falling to submission in her quick and quiet compliance to her father when he instructed that she take her younger siblings home. She had no knowledge of what her father did that afternoon, only that he arrived home just in time for supper. The matter was not deliberated. The only time it was ever referred to in any manner was in one innocent inquiry from Nairra’s younger brother, “Nairra, where was father this afternoon? He spoke to those silly people, did he not?
“ Hush, Yakin. You know better than to ask such foolish questions. Anything we have need to know, Father will tell us. Until then be quiet as you ought.” The sting was taken from her words with a pat on his head, as she added softly, “Do not worry. Yahweh is in charge of all things. He always has a plan.” She almost spoke the words to herself, as if stating them aloud would make them more believable in her heart. Surely Yahweh would do something, raise up some champion to defend them, defend the Body. He could not let himself go unworshipped.
When the Day of the Lord arrived a few families followed the edict, deserting the Way. They were the unfaithful and untrue, those with wavering hearts. Others forsook the Assemblage and worshipped quietly in their homes. These were the weak, and the peacemakers. Many, however, were courageous and true, dedicated to the Lord with his fear in their hearts. It was these that came peacefully to the Assembly, worshipping as always. In this quiet manner, they were the ones who took the stand for the entire country and for their Lord. Nairra’s family was one of these. On the Day of the Lord they were awoken early as always and prepared for church. As they walked to the gathering the other families joined them as always. Before the service started the children played while the older ones visited. Outwardly all appeared the same, but the misgiving in Nairra’s heart told her it was not. Under the friendly greetings and normal banter it seemed as if each person was holding their breath, as if the composure of the situation rested upon the edge of a knife. Despite their apprehension the service passed without incident. So the Body persisted on regardless of the new law. Each week they went to the Assembly and each day Nairra’s family read the Word as they always had. Their response was typical of that throughout the country. There was no strong uprising, no vocal resistance, only their quiet dedication to Yahweh. It was not blatant defiance, but simply a humble denial of the king’s command. Thus the Assemblage continued uninterrupted for many weeks. Soon, however, the authorities became aware of what was going on. Detachments of soldiers were sent through the country stopping in a new community on each Lord’s Day. They would burst in during the service, commanding the men to come forward and renounce their faith as representatives of their entire families. When the men refused, all clergy along with several men would be seized and executed before the whole village, serving as examples. Decrees would be posted stating that if ever anyone in that village was found having such an assembly again each man and woman present would be killed, down to the smallest infant. Even then the people were not deterred from worshipping. Again decrees were sent forth. This time declaring that the king would be merciful no longer. If an Assembly was found gathered when the kings troops arrived, there would be no chance for repentance, executions would be immediate. News reached Nairra’s village of what was happening, yet still they attended the Assemblage and worshiped publicly. For three weeks they sat in service wondering if this would be the day the soldiers arrived. The fourth week it befell. Nairra was teaching the children at the time. Soldiers came bursting into the room, taking all the children, as their commander had concluded that anyone who would continue in the Way was unfit for parenting and the children’s minds must be saved from the parents poison. Nairra watched in horror as her three youngest brothers and sisters were snatched. Above the din of the other children she could hear them screaming her name, begging her to save them; but she could do nothing. Each leader had also been seized and was being restrained by a knife at their throat. The feeling of helplessness was almost more than Nairra could bear. The other teachers and her were quickly led to the main sanctuary with the others. Hands now tied behind their backs, they were forced to the front. All church workers were to be beheaded, from the highest to the lowest, including Nairra. Nairra’s father stood up immediately, “Please, sir, not my daughter! Why she is only a young girl.”

The commander responded, “If you did not want your daughter to die, then you should have obeyed the edict. You did not. She will die like the others.”

“No, please! Take me instead.”

“And why should I do that?”

“No, Father!” Nairra could keep quiet no longer, “ I
do not fear death. You must take care of…”

“Hush, Nairra, I will…”

The commander interrupted him, “ While these family sentiments are charming, I do not have time for them. She is to
be executed. Hold your tongue or I will take you also.”

But he could not remain silent, “ Sir, I am the true leader, not her. She was only teaching the children in my stead, because I told her to do so. I am the one who deserves to die. The girl is still young. She could easily be converted, and still has many years left to serve her country. Please, spare her.”

“Oh fine. I care not.” He turned to his soldiers, “Bind him.” He walked over and untied Nairra’s hands. “You’re actually rather beautifully aren’t you.” He caressed her face with the back of his hand. “Perhaps… Ow! You bit me, you dog! You press you luck.” And with that he struck her across the face and snarled, “Get out of my sight.” At that moment he announced that five more men would be chosen to die and nodded to his troops. The five were randomly chosen and among them was Nairra’s brother. He was taken as a man though he was only thirteen. Nairra’s mother could not stand the taking of her young son. Jumping from her seat she grabbed the arm of the guard who was leading him away, crying, “Not my son!” The guard turned briefly, but only to strike her down. She fell to her knees weeping bitterly as the thirteen men and women were led away to be executed, both her husband and son among them. Nairra hastened to her and comforted her for a momen.

Then she stood, and through the tears streaming down her face beseeched the people, “ Why do we stand idly by as our loved ones are led to their death? Why do we watch and do nothing? These men tramp through village after village killing again and again, and we allow them to do so. What have any of these people done to deserve death? Their executions are not just. We can prevent them. Their numbers are few. They can be overtaken. How can you sit here any longer? We must fight!”

Though she pleaded with all her might all she received in return were some looks of pity, and a gentle reprimand from one of the elders, “Sit down, young lady. We can do no such thing. It is our duty as Christ’s followers to humbly accept the authority over us. You are young and brave, and it would seem wise to you to fight. Someday, however, you will understand. Peace, child.”

“Peace! My father is dying in my place, and you would tell me peace! With all my respect, I will tell you I understand now. My father was brave. He fought for my life, and saved it. How can I simply let his be taken? How can I not fight back? We can save these people from death. Will you do nothing?” As she finished her eyes traveled across the room in bewilderment. With shock and dismay she realized that they indeed would not stand with her. Just then one young man slowly stood. Nairra recognized him as Arandur, a neighbor she did not know well. His father also was one of the men taken. As he stood, he caught her eye with a look of assurance. His were blue and filled with caring. Her eyes were a surprisingly deep green, sparkling wells of thought.

All this was taken in during the brief moment before Arandur began to speak, “She is right, and many of you know it, unless you are too cowardly to admit it. True, Yahweh commands us to respect those in authority over us, but he also commands that we worship him. Our leaders would have us not, and thus they are our authority no longer. As Peter told the Sanhedrin so say I. We must obey Yahweh rather than men. And what of the last one they took? Why he was a child of no more than 13. Will you let them kill our children also? Nairra speaks the truth. We must stand and fight.” This time many called out support, but still one objected,

“We are but peaceful villagers. How do you propose we fight trained soldiers?”

Nairra again took up the cause, “Peaceful, yes, but we are not foolish. Long have our people prepared for the time in which we may have need to defend ourselves. Most all of the men have proficient skill with a bow, practicing, routinely in your hunting. Others are skilled in swordsmanship. Why many of you learned with me from my father, albeit it was only on a childish whim. That does not lessen our ability. Those who are willing stand with me now. The rest of you go on the square where you would let our kinsmen die. If you will not help by fighting, at least help by keeping quiet.” After everyone filed out, twenty-seven were left. That was two more than the number of soldiers. It would be enough, barely.

Time was of the essence. They must plan quickly. Nairra first suggested a show of arms, followed by negotiations. “No, Nairra, our weapons will not sway them. They are cruel, and uncaring. Attempting to parley will only give them the advantage in a fight or lead to our execution as well. If we desire to succeed we must use surprise,” Arandur gave his counsel.

“But to save lives by taking others? I wish for as little killing as possible. Did not Yahweh command we be as innocent as doves?”

“Yea, and also to be as crafty as serpents. You have decided to lead this fight, Nairra, and thus you are responsible for these people. You must lead them wisely, and you must be firm in you decision. If you do this thing there will be bloodshed. We must take them unawares. It is our only chance.” Nairra made one quick nod of her head. Her decision was made, and she began to lay out the plan. No one questioned her authority, and she never wavered again. Soon thereafter they dispersed from the building. As Nairra and Arandur headed in opposite directions, Nairra looked back at him briefly. He flashed her one small assuring smile, and turned. The smile was unforgettable.

Nairra rushed into her house, stopping before the fireplace. There above mantle was her great, great grandsire’s sword from a battle of long ago. She had often stood gazing at that sword as a child, captivated by its beauty. Now as she lifted it from its place she paused, holding it in her upturned palms, and kneeled before Yahweh. The next few moments belonged to her and Yahweh alone, as she laid down her fears and dedicated to Him the sword and the battle. With that she stood swiftly, sheathing the sword and tying it at her side. She placed her brother’s hunting knife in her boot, cast her winter cloak about her, and was gone.

At the town square the commander wathched Nairra walk up, “You again. What do you want?”

“Commander I feel I must apologize for my earlier actions. It was terribly wrong of me. Please excuse them as the deeds of an impetuous youth.”

“What are you trying accomplish by this?”

“Nothing commander, I only wanted to right my wrong. You were only complementing me, and I threw it in your face. One should not lightly throw such things aside, especially from a man of your stature,” replied Nairra laying her hand on his arm and breaking into a flirtatious smile.

“Perhaps you are not…” Though keeping her smile in place, Nairra’s focus shifted from the commander to watch as Arrandur slipped up behind him while slowly unsheathing his sword. Suddenly Nairra ducked, missing Arrandur’s blade only by inches as it sliced through the commander’s neck. She grasped the handle of her sword, whipping it from its sheath as she stood.

“Free the prisoners first!” Nairra shouted the command and turned, her sword swinging to meet the guard running at her. The rebellion had begun.