duped the people of Ireland into thinking he was a committed and selfless patriot when in fact he was nothing more than an ambitious autocrat orchestrating a rebellion to further his own political aspirations.
O’Donnell did give Fitzpatrick credit in one regard though, he was a talented thespian. For years he had masqueraded as a brilliant military virtuoso when, in fact, his wife was unwittingly operating the entire rebellion behind the scenes.
Since Lady Fitzpatrick had taken command of the rebellion, everything had changed. Their raids were more organized and more effective and fewer men lost their lives. O’Donnell observed that she had a second sense for intelligence and because of this talent their encampments had not been raided once. Her intuition for effective strategy was remarkable as well, and she seldom missed her mark. She instructed them that the way to defeat the British was through underground and partisan warfare. She asserted that the Irish must never confront the King’s army on the battlefield. He agreed; the British had the skills and the armament to annihilate the rebels in formal warfare. They both knew that the rebellion could be won only by subversion and surprise strikes, similar to the strategy of the Indian in the American Colonies.
O’Donnell saw India excel in diplomacy as well. He believed since she was a woman, she had an instinct for dealing with men and their need to assert their authority. Listening to the regional leaders, India considered their views before making any decision of importance. She acknowledged openly that they were more qualified than anyone else to advise her on the geography and political climate of their particular region. After spending hours with each one, she created unity and a spirit of open dialogue which expanded trust and mutual respect among them all. When disputes arose between factions and clans, she discreetly guided them toward a compromise. Under this umbrella of cooperation and regard, the rebellion prospered and expanded. Lady Fitzpatrick ruled powerfully but with a velvet glove. With this attitude of open dialogue, she united the leaders from all parts of Ireland including Ulster. The rebellion was at last on track for victory.
Lady Fitzpatrick had but one problem, her husband.
* * *
A slushy snow covered the Ballyhoura Mountains. The yews and alders groaned under the weight of the frost, their branches sagging. It was almost Christmas, and it was cold. This time of year, rain and fog usually seeped through the mountain ranges, but this Christmas, the wind was frigid and there was a dusting of snow. India pulled the hood up on her red cloak and watched the ground as she walked. She did not want to soak her shoes stepping in an ice-covered puddle.
“Lady Fitzpatrick,” someone called.
India looked up and saw Barry Gallagher, the red-headed young man who helped her after the raid in Kilcommon. “Lady Fitzpatrick, I have news!”
He ran up the trail toward her, slipping and sliding on the snow. He was out of breath when he reached her. “I just received a message. The British are pulling out of Cavanaugh in exchange for Lord Dixon. The abduction succeeded.”
India smiled and looked out across the mountains of Cork saying a prayer of thanks. When she was a child, she thought the dark hills of the mountains were slumbering giants. “The Titans are awakening at last,” she said.
“Beg pardon?” Gallagher said.
“Oh, nothing. Thank you for the news, Mr. Gallagher.”
Starting down the trail, she said, “Come with me to the meeting, and you can tell them the news yourself. I believe you have earned the right to attend our meetings.”
Barry pulled his hat off and said, “Why thank you, Lady Fitzpatrick. I would be honored.”
India chuckled. “Honestly, Gallagher. Put your hat back on. It’s cold.”
* * *
The meeting was in a
O’Donnell did give Fitzpatrick credit in one regard though, he was a talented thespian. For years he had masqueraded as a brilliant military virtuoso when, in fact, his wife was unwittingly operating the entire rebellion behind the scenes.
Since Lady Fitzpatrick had taken command of the rebellion, everything had changed. Their raids were more organized and more effective and fewer men lost their lives. O’Donnell observed that she had a second sense for intelligence and because of this talent their encampments had not been raided once. Her intuition for effective strategy was remarkable as well, and she seldom missed her mark. She instructed them that the way to defeat the British was through underground and partisan warfare. She asserted that the Irish must never confront the King’s army on the battlefield. He agreed; the British had the skills and the armament to annihilate the rebels in formal warfare. They both knew that the rebellion could be won only by subversion and surprise strikes, similar to the strategy of the Indian in the American Colonies.
O’Donnell saw India excel in diplomacy as well. He believed since she was a woman, she had an instinct for dealing with men and their need to assert their authority. Listening to the regional leaders, India considered their views before making any decision of importance. She acknowledged openly that they were more qualified than anyone else to advise her on the geography and political climate of their particular region. After spending hours with each one, she created unity and a spirit of open dialogue which expanded trust and mutual respect among them all. When disputes arose between factions and clans, she discreetly guided them toward a compromise. Under this umbrella of cooperation and regard, the rebellion prospered and expanded. Lady Fitzpatrick ruled powerfully but with a velvet glove. With this attitude of open dialogue, she united the leaders from all parts of Ireland including Ulster. The rebellion was at last on track for victory.
Lady Fitzpatrick had but one problem, her husband.
* * *
A slushy snow covered the Ballyhoura Mountains. The yews and alders groaned under the weight of the frost, their branches sagging. It was almost Christmas, and it was cold. This time of year, rain and fog usually seeped through the mountain ranges, but this Christmas, the wind was frigid and there was a dusting of snow. India pulled the hood up on her red cloak and watched the ground as she walked. She did not want to soak her shoes stepping in an ice-covered puddle.
“Lady Fitzpatrick,” someone called.
India looked up and saw Barry Gallagher, the red-headed young man who helped her after the raid in Kilcommon. “Lady Fitzpatrick, I have news!”
He ran up the trail toward her, slipping and sliding on the snow. He was out of breath when he reached her. “I just received a message. The British are pulling out of Cavanaugh in exchange for Lord Dixon. The abduction succeeded.”
India smiled and looked out across the mountains of Cork saying a prayer of thanks. When she was a child, she thought the dark hills of the mountains were slumbering giants. “The Titans are awakening at last,” she said.
“Beg pardon?” Gallagher said.
“Oh, nothing. Thank you for the news, Mr. Gallagher.”
Starting down the trail, she said, “Come with me to the meeting, and you can tell them the news yourself. I believe you have earned the right to attend our meetings.”
Barry pulled his hat off and said, “Why thank you, Lady Fitzpatrick. I would be honored.”
India chuckled. “Honestly, Gallagher. Put your hat back on. It’s cold.”
* * *
The meeting was in a
Similar Books
