AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Nathaniel’s statement struck Eliza like a powerful wind. Father’s words resounded in her mind. “You must always serve your King, Eliza. Love him, and honor him.” Had she mistaken his meaning all those years? Had he been talking of Christ the King?
“We must arm ourselves with knowledge and with the almighty power of God, for He is truly on our side. We must stand for the truth! For the truth shall make us free!”
Another jubilant roar rose in the air. Eliza’s breath stuck in her throat. The plea her Father had spoken in that precious vision those many weeks ago, now rushed with striking force into the forefront of her memory. The truth shall make you free. Even Tho
mas had said those very words.
Tears threatened. She covered her mouth with both hands, pressing away the rising emotions. This was the third time the statement had been made. Father, Thomas and now Nathaniel.
Yes! God was her true King. This was what Father had intended for her to know. This is the truth she had been searching for. Armed with this knowledge she would never again be a prisoner to herself or anyone else. All along, Father had been telling her what he believed. He hadn’t kept her in the dark.
Thank you, Lord! And thank you Father for believing in me and trusting me to find what I needed to know.
Nathaniel’s resounding cry lifted above the fray and pierced her heart. And from the palpable reaction in the crowd, his words penetrated every other heart as well.
“This Liberty Pole represents our united cause. We must ever strive to be worthy of the blessings of God. We must ever be humble, teachable and courageous enough to accept the challenges and turmoil that awaits us. If we will but stand valiant, God will surely deliver us!”
Eliza raised her head as a tangible weight lifted from her shoulders.
“Let us march!” Nathaniel yelled, with his fist raised to the clouds. “Let us show the leaders of this historic city where their constituents homage lies! They must no longer work under the name of the king, but of the people!”
Nathaniel stepped down from his perch and began his walk toward the other side of town as a thunderous roar exploded. The jubilant crowd followed, clapping and cheering, bouncing their flags and waving their lanterns high in the air.
Eliza reveled in the joy of her personal revelation. The truth did make her free. She was weightless and walked as if on a bed of flowers.
Father taught her from the beginning. How had she become so confused? It was understandable, she supposed. The political turmoil of the time was such that everything was upside-down. But now she knew, and the world seemed as bright as noonday. She would unite with this cause as Father had done, and by so doing, ensure their prosperous futures—just as Father would have wanted.
As she followed the crowd she wished more than ever for Thomas to be at her side. She wanted to tell him what she’d finally learned and how it had changed her in a matter of seconds. It would be almost impossible not to tell him, though over the course of time she could—just, not indulging him with the details of how she came to this knowledge.
Her conscience pricked and Eliza’s stomach once again became home to a pillow’s worth of tickling feathers. It was time to return home. She’d received what she’d gone to the rally for, the personal revelation she’d been seeking. If she left now she would be back before they’d discovered her disappearance. God had kept her safe thus far. Better not to try His goodness.
It would be unwise to stay any longer.
Eliza shook her head and brushed aside the nagging voice that throbbed in her ears. She had to stay, just a bit longer. What could a few more minutes do? No harm would come.
She would watch the crowd at the courthouse, and then she would go home.
Chapter Twenty-one
Kitty’s excellent cooking pleased Thomas immensely on most occasions. Tonight, he couldn’t even chew. The worry that bit endless holes in his stomach continued its monotonous gnawing.
Kitty retired only moments ago and Thomas made her promise to tell him if Eliza was unwell.
He paced in front of the dying fire, certain she would come down within seconds. He couldn’t shake the probing feeling that something was wrong even though he’d checked on Eliza an hour ago.
As seconds turned into minutes his tension rose and fell. Then did so again, and again.
He’d done his best to ignore the fact that the rally was today. The cheering of the crowd reached their home from the small town some distance away. He was relieved Eliza had ceased her absurd pleadings to attend. No doubt the crowd was enormous and could even be dangerous for a petite and innocent woman—not to mention the countless soldiers that no doubt fringed the excited patriots. Good thing the three of them were safe within the walls of their proverbial fortress.
“Thomas!”
Kitty’s shrill cry struck like a javelin in Thomas’s gut.
“Thomas, come quickly!” she screamed.
All the fears that had pricked him through the evening now stabbed. He raced up the stairs. Once in the room he stared, trying to distinguish the confusing scene before him.
Eliza was not there—only Kitty stood at the side of the bed, a corner of the quilt in one hand, the other covering her quivering mouth. A length of pillows lined the bed where Eliza usually slept.
