Unlikely Heroine

El Presidente's rebels attacked the Bonica Palace from all sides with quickness and precision that surrender was inevitable. The French consulate and his wife were brutalized and killed. El Presidente beheaded the consulate and rode through the streets, displaying the consulate's head on a pole, gloating over his victory. Fear erupted through the island for the islanders were gentle people, not fighters. They were easy prey. The few soldiers the French left to protect the palace were no match for such an unexpected invasion.

Jada, Tamara's brother, tried to fight back. He was tied by the feet, dragged through the street, shot, and hanged, leaving him for all to see as a warning to anyone who dared to oppose El President's self-imposed dictatorship. Tamara watched helplessly from her hiding place. She vowed vengeance for her brother and her people.

After months of establishing his laws, stripping the islanders of their dignity, El Presidente traveled to France in search of a wife. He used the Farrington's misfortune of a failing export/import business as a leverage to force them to accept a generous dowry in return for the hand of their beautiful daughter in marriage. Their thought was not of their daughter's happiness but maintaining the social status they were accustomed. Marta was furious for she was in love with Adrian. She was destined to marry a man old enough to be her father and whom she despised.

His ego boasted of a beautiful wife who would be the perfect hostess to the many dignitaries he planned to have visit to barter for the island's commodities. He would be the envy of everyone.

Tamara danced in front of Marta to draw her attention. Recognizing her as the girl who had refused to bow to El Presidente during the parade, she made eye contact with her. Their eye contact revealed unmistakable understanding. Thankfully, El Presidente had been preoccupied by the crowd when Tamara refused to bow. Sensing the urgency in Tamara's eyes, she pointed to her and told him that she would be her personal maid.

Choosing allies carefully, Tamara planned carefully. Ethan, a French soldier, had been spared because he was a lawyer and had been in charge of island business. He soon realized he had been spared because El Presidente could barely scribble his name, much less read or write.

Tamara had little concern about her own destiny. To return Marta and Ethan to their rightful homes and freedom took preference over her safety. Marta wanted to believe. Tamara assured her the plan would work but only if she could play her role in a believable way. All other allies must be prepared to act quickly when the time came.

As she watched her plan in progress, praying for their victory, she pushed her boat out to the sea. Her possibility of surviving was bleak, but if she died, she would die free. Afloat for several days, her meager supplies had diminished. A fishing boat rescued her and took her to the island of Taliwa where she was nourished back to health by Tina, Leon, and the owner of the island, Neil.

Her future was yet uncharted, but whatever it held, at least she would be free.