Loving a Thief

Chapter 25

Chapter Twenty-Five

The moon was high in the sky, providing light in the middle of darkness. Men and a few women walked over to the church. I followed them inside. I walked into a room filled with pews. A pulpit was on the other side of the room, facing the door. The church was big enough for the entire town to have a seat yet no seat was empty this night. People were standing in the aisle, and standing outside the church listening through the open windows. I squeezed my way past the crowd. I wanted to be able to see the speaker.

“Attention, everyone!” came a bellowing, rough voice. The crowd slowly fell silent. I recognized that voice.

“We are here this night, to discuss a problem. We all share the same opinion. Princess Arianna should be freed and rule over Great Lektra,” said another man. His voice was calming. I recognized his voice as well. I pushed through the crowd until I saw the speakers. Then I knew who they were. The speakers were Ed and Drake.

“Does anyone have any idea of how to peacefully bring Princess Arianna to the throne?” asked Drake.

The room was silent for a moment. Then a man stepped forward.

“Is it possible we could boycott the taxes?” asked the man. Many people started agreeing with him and started talking.

“That is a great idea, but I’m afraid we would all be arrested for it,” replied Ed.

“They can’t arrest all of us!” yelled a woman. The crowd erupted into agreements and arguing.

“We should storm the castle!” shouted a man. Everyone became dead silent.

“What did you say?” asked Drake.

The man who shouted stepped forward. “We could untie with neighboring towns and storm the castle. Fight our way down to the dungeon, where the princess is being kept, and release her ourselves.”

“And how will that get her the crown? It solves the problem about her in prison but not the other,” said Ed.

“Most of parliament is on the princess’s side. They believe her innocent. And I’ve heard a rumor that the judge was bribed to make sure Arianna was condemned guilty of the murder. Can we use that to our advantage?”

“I’m sure we can somehow,” replied Drake.

The night was filled with constant arguing and agreeing. Some plans were genius with only a few flaws and other plans were idiotic. People slowly started to leave until only five men remained. Edmund, Drake, the man who first stepped forward with an idea, I believe his name is Caleb, and two other men. I stayed in the back by the door. They couldn’t see me, but I could hear them just fine.

“I say we have a rebellion,” said Drake.

“We cannot do that, Drake. I am sure Princess Arianna does not want a rebellion. And she especially does not want a torn country,” said Caleb.

“Do explain more,” said Ed.

“There are people who oppose Arianna and believe she is a murderer. Have you heard about the war in the Americas?”

Everyone nodded.

“The Americans were greatly outnumbered against the British. Yet, they won the war. Great Lektra is like that. If they have a strong motive, people can conquer anything,” explained Caleb.

“The Americans also had many people who were not on their side. Many colonist wanted to stay with the British. We are also like that. We can conquer just as well as they can,” said a man.

The arguing continued for several more minutes. I finally had enough of it and said, “Why don’t you just wait and see what happens at the castle?”