Lords of Freedom 2 - Chapter 14
Introduction
Lords of Freedom is an exciting trilogy that includes adventure, realistic action, surprising insights, and a touch of romance. (Movie rights open)
The serialization of Lords of Freedom book one is complete, with all 33 chapters published in the Gene Van Shaar Substack. Here is the link to all the chapters: Lords 1
The serialization of Lords of Freedom 2 (book 2 of the trilogy) is in progress. Lords of Freedom 2 includes many intriguing parallels with Joan of Arc, George Washington, Francis Marion (The Swamp Fox), Henry Knox, and the American Revolutionary War. Chapters of book 2 are being published weekly. Please follow and subscribe on X or Substack.
Lords Of Freedom 2 - Chapter 14 - Advanced Tactics
The following day, after their swim and an enjoyable breakfast with Fredrick comprised of hash brown potatoes, sausage, and orange juice, Xan and Hon set off in the skiff, bound for the arena and the day’s training.
After a round of practice shooting, Solomon, Sekhmet, and Jartan introduced them to cannons. This entailed leaving the arena for a large open field. Both quickly realized how much damage could be inflicted with such large black powder weapons.
After that exercise, Solomon schooled them on enhanced strategy, tactics, and skills. Jartan and Sekhmet added their wisdom as well, which included:
● Fighting from higher ground.
● Avoiding combat in open areas.
● Shooting from behind cover, such as rocks, trees, mounds, or ditches.
● Increasing firepower by rotating frontal firing lines.
● Practice and maintenance of superior accuracy.
● Practice and maintenance of superior speed and mobility.
● Targeting enemy officers.
● Shooting at ranges between 100 and 300 paces.
● Preparing for and making strategic retreats when necessary.
● Stealing or destroying enemy guns, cannons, supplies, wagons, and boats.
● Having superior scouts, spies, and traps.
● Maintaining over-watch sniper protection.
● Avoiding capture.
Jartan then explained that their position regarding enemy captives would be an agreement to exchange prisoners but outright refusal of ransom demands or battle concessions.
Jartan emphasized that the king's army and navy would have superior numbers and use smooth-bore weapons. He assured them that the enemy would stubbornly maintain their traditional practice of fighting in the open, making them susceptible to ambush, hit-and-run tactics, and long-range shooting.
Their training continued for several weeks, during which time Hon used a bow and arrows as much as she did pistols, muskets, or rifles. Xan adapted quickly to black powder weapons and had an inherent knack for hitting his mark. Hon, on the other hand, was more familiar and comfortable with a bow, but she remained determined to master firearms.
Sekhmet presented Xan with a flintlock pistol and matching holster one morning, advising him to use his staff as well, when the need arose. She then presented him with a sling that would serve as a holster for the staff. After a bit of practice, Xan could holster his pistol, reach over his left shoulder, and bring the staff to bear in seconds.
To Hon, Sekhmet said, "You are already an excellent archer. You can shoot arrows six times faster than black powder weapons can be reloaded."
Handing Hon an unusually shaped bow, Sekhmet continued, "This is an enhanced bow that will extend your effective range to more than two hundred paces.”
She then extended a quiver of arrows to Hon. “This quiver will never empty, no matter how many arrows you shoot."
“That is amazing,” Hon said, nocking an arrow from the quiver.
Taking aim at a large tree on the fringe of the field, she drew in a slow breath, as her father, Sergio, had taught her. As she exhaled, she let the arrow fly.
Whoops from Solomon, Jartan, and Xan erupted behind her, and she turned with a grin. Sekhmet clapped her approvingly on the shoulder with a smile of her own. The fired arrow quivered dead center in the trunk of the distant tree.
From that time on, Xan's training focused on black powder weapons while Hon's centered on advanced archery methods and maneuvers. Oftentimes, on the lakeshore at their home, Hon practiced firing Xan’s pistol. She enjoyed shooting, but clearly, she’d be an archer on their mission.
A few days after the presentation of Xan’s pistol and Hon’s bow and quiver, Solomon called the group to order. Xan, Hon, Jartan, and Sekhmet took seats in the stands while Solomon stood before them on the lower tier. Sheba and Sonya sat on either side of him.
“You have prepared well in a relatively short span of time,” he began. "Part of your mission will be to recruit and train about a hundred archers. Many of them will come from tribes of excellent bowmen, native to Marius Knox’s land.
“Most of the time Xan and Sheba will fight together, but she will move wherever needed on the battlefield. Also, the archers and Hon will have duties requiring stealth and rapid fire."
He motioned to Sekhmet then, who rose and left the stands briefly. She returned carrying three suits of soft body armor.
“This is for you, Xan,” she said, extending one set.
“Here is yours, Hon.”
Hon took hers, examining it as Xan did his. Both were finely crafted and promised to be comfortable and motion-friendly. Exchanging smiles, they joined hands.
“This last set is to be given to Marius Knox. Sheba will continue to wear her invisible cosmic armor,” Sekhmet finished and then took her seat.
Sheba yawned wide in response, resigned to wearing said armor.
Solomon proceeded to instruct them on different forms of government, including a political organization called a republic. This form of government was designed to give equal say to all communities and prevented large urban cities from overwhelming small rural towns. He explained that after winning the war for freedom, Marius Knox would preside over the new republic, which they would help him establish.
Solomon added, in closing: “Previously, I visited many guilds of gunsmiths and trained them to produce rifles with grooved barrels and accurate sights. Using much gold, I ordered 10,000 grooved rifles and an abundance of ammunition. They will be ready for Knox by the time you reach him."
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