Once a Soldier (Rogues Redeemed) Read Online Free PDF Page A

“And our beloved homeland is drowning in fog so we cannot see it!”
    Will and the rest of the riders joined the young sergeant and looked down the road ahead. Sure enough, the long, oval valley below was filled with white clouds. Toward the far end, a rounded hilltop just barely broke through the mist.
    Oliviera explained to Will, “This happens sometimes, though usually only in winter. If it was clear, you could see all of San Gabriel from here. The river that runs through the valley, the royal castle, the villages, the fields and trees and vineyards.” He released his breath softly. “Home.”
    “I look forward to seeing my own home.” Will chuckled. “We have mists much more often.” Raising his voice, he called out, “I know you’re impatient, but have a care. Your families will be really angry if you break your necks on their doorsteps, and I don’t want them to blame me!”
    With a ripple of laughter and excitement, the troop started down the track at a reasonable speed. There was enough width for a wagon or two riders, so Will fell in beside Oliviera. The sergeant had run away from home to fight the French at a ridiculously young age. Though still young, he’d seen almost as many years of war as Will. He kept his men under such good control, Will suspected that his own services as a commander hadn’t been needed. Duval’s real interest must be information about how San Gabriel was faring.
    Will asked, “What do you look forward to most after greeting your family?”
    Oliviera considered. “After my family, Gabrileño wine! It is the best wine you will ever drink, Major. One swallow and I will truly know I am home. You shall share that wine because you must stay with my family. My father is the chamberlain to the royal castle and we live within the walls. There will be ample space for you and Sergeant Murphy.”
    Living in the castle would be a good way to learn the country. Wondering what he’d find, Will said, “Thank you, I accept most gratefully.”
    Martinez, the lead rider, called out, “The shrine of Madonna de las Rosas is ahead! We must give thanks to Our Lady for our safe return!” He spurred his horse forward eagerly.
    Squinting, Will could see the faint shape of a tower through the mist. The outlines of the small structure solidified as he drew nearer. Ahead, Martinez halted in front of the shrine and gave an anguished cry.
    His fellow riders responded to that anguish at top speed. As Will pulled up, he saw that the building was in ruins. The front wall had collapsed and there was just enough of the stone structure left to support the battered tower. Behind were the remains of a small building that had been totally destroyed.
    Oliviera made a low, pained sound as he swung from his horse. “The shrine was built to offer welcome to travelers coming from Spain. There was water and a small shelter for rest. And now . . . !” He spat. “May those French swine rot in hell for this!”
    The other Gabrileños stared at blackened stone and charred rafters, their expressions stricken. Will guessed that this destruction brought home to them the reality of what San Gabriel had suffered. If a shrine could be destroyed, what, then, their homes and families?
    Will dismounted as he studied the exposed interior. This close, he could see that some effort had been made to clear away the burned rubble and restore order. “The enemy could damage the building, but they could not destroy the sacredness of this place,” he said quietly as he recognized a familiar shape inside the ruined structure.
    He stepped inside and laid his hand on two charred rafters that had been nailed together in the shape of a cross as tall as he was. “Your countrymen have done what they could. Soon there will be the time and labor to rebuild completely.” He gestured at a small, crudely carved wooden figure in front of the cross. “A cross, and a statue of the Madonna and child. What more does a shrine need?”
    Oliviera