Lords of Freedom 2 - Chapter 9
Introduction
Lords of Freedom is an exciting trilogy that includes adventure, realistic action, surprising insights, and a touch of romance.
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.
Lords of Freedom 2 - Chapter 9 - Maraculous Rescue
Prairie grass swished against Sheba’s flanks and flattened beneath her paws as she loped across the meadow. Her nose twitched and her ears flicked; then she slowed to hunker down in the grass. There were sentries ahead, and although that would not stop Xan and the others, it was good intel for them to have.
She was about to head back to inform Xan when a falcon’s caw rang through the darkening sky. Sheba cast her gaze skyward and roared a reply.
“I am Calla, royal falcon of the kingdom Vlad, empowered by the angel Mercedes to help rescue the maiden Jayn of Farland.”
“I am Sheba, Regal Guardian of Freedom. Xan, Royal Guardian of Freedom, and his wife Honbria lead a team of twenty bowmen a little distance behind. We have been sent to help rescue Jayn.”
Calla banked in her flight, circling overhead.
“In my wake is a lone horseman, Caden. He is a soldier, but torn in his loyalty and determined to rescue Jayn. I as well have betrayed my lords, Prince Nigel and General Vicor, but when Mercedes quickened my understanding, I could not refuse. The maiden Jayn drew me in from the moment I first saw her; she is pure of heart and full of selfless love and courage.”
“Where is Jayn now?” Sheba asked.
“She was convicted in a mock trial and is being marched to the pyre where they intend to burn her at the stake. Time is of the essence.”
“I sense sentries nearby; what of them?” Sheba said.
“I’ve alerted Caden to their presence and steered him clear. Bring your team here; Caden will be waiting when they arrive.”
With that, Calla soared back the way she’d come and Sheba raced back toward Xan.
*****
At a canter, Xan led the others across a grassy plain toward the kingdom of Vlad. Sheba had moved out ahead to scout the area before them and had yet to return. They’d heard her roar a few minutes ago but that could mean any number of things and Xan wasn’t worried. No forest creature or animal pack was any match for her and, with her armor, neither were hunters or soldiers.
Then all at once, the great cat pelted into view, running at full speed. Xan held up an arm and reined his horse in; the others stopped as well at the signal.
“Follow me; I found an ally, one looking for us,” Sheba’s silent voice came. “It was a falcon, commissioned by Mercedes along with a lone Vlad soldier. Jayn is in grave peril; make haste.”
With that, she spun, tearing clods of grass with her claws, and sped off. Xan kicked his horse into a full gallop, followed by the others.
“There are sentries about, but the falcon, Calla will steer us clear of them,” Sheba added silently.
“Very good,” Xan projected back.
They rode through a grove of trees, coaxing their horses to leap a small stream and then onto a sprawling meadow. There, atop a rise a lone horseman waited, raising his hand in a welcoming wave and spurring his mount in to meet them.
He didn’t seem nervous over Sheba, although he did look amazed. Then Xan noticed Calla in the air above and watched her land on a tree stump. Sheba padded over and sniffed her, then raised her head as the lone rider approached.
Even his piebald horse remained calm and lowered its head to touch noses with Sheba. Calla, it seemed, had everyone introduced, evidenced when she ruffled her feathers and flapped her wings at full span.
“You’re Caden?” Xan said, reaching to shake the young man’s hand.
“Yes sir; Xan, I presume... and Honbria,” he said as she moved to Xan’s side.
Xan nodded, pleased with the sure grip Caden offered.
“Jayn just stood trial for witchcraft and survived the drowning test, which convicted her. Prince Nigel’s Royal Guard is leading her to the pyre where she’ll be burned at the stake. There’s no time to lose; I just hope we’re not too late,” Caden said, wheeling the piebald around.
Calla launched skyward with a caw. Sheba broke into a jaunt as Xan spurred his mount into a gallop with the rest of the team close behind.
As they crested a sloping rise, a column of thirty armed men came into view. They were on foot, with a lone captive in their midst: Jayn. Her hands were bound before her and she looked bedraggled—likely from the drowning test. Still, her manner was regal, and her step sure.
Xan stopped his team and had the archers fan out on the low hill. Once they were in position, he signaled Sheba. The great cat moved out on silent paws, shadowed by Calla in flight above.
Turning to Caden, Xan said, “Come with me; we’ll make our approach from the rear.”
Both dismounted and handed their reins to Johann and Maynard, leaving them, along with Hon, Trahern, and Quillan, to watch for any Vlad guards who might survive the bowmen’s onslaught and seek to flee. Then Xan and Caden set off, moving along the tree line fringe to avoid detection.
As they went, they saw the lead Vlad guard halt the procession, taking uneasy note of Sheba as she moved into view. Jayn perked up and craned her neck to better see the black tiger; then her gaze trailed skyward and she smiled wide. Calla swooped in salute but remained silent in the sky above.
When they were near the company’s rear flank, Xan signaled the bowmen. Careful with their aim, they launched a volley of arrows. At once, Jayn dropped to a crouch as guard after guard around her fell.
Xan and Caden charged from cover, surprising the guards still standing. Caden ran quickly to Jayn’s side to shield her from the fray while Xan and Sheba struck down every remaining guard.
In the sky above, Calla shrieked a victory caw; on the road below, Sheba roared in kind. Whoops sounded from atop the rise from Hon and the others as they spurred their horses to join the others on the dusty road.
Reaching out, Caden pulled Jayn to her feet and drew her into an impulsive embrace. With all the arrows flying, despite the archers’ skill and aim, his heart had been in his throat. To his surprise, she hugged him back, tightly, and he felt her tears on his neck.
“You led the promised help and arrived just in time,” she marveled.
“Jayn.”
Both looked over to see Johann, Maynard, Trahern, and Quillan standing by. It was Johann who’d spoken and Jayn rushed to hug him first; then the others in turn.
“I thought all of you were dead,” she exclaimed in disbelief.
“I likely would have been if it wasn’t for a courier passing by…Eva,” Johann said casually, knowing she and Jayn were childhood friends.
“Eva?”
As the five of them caught up, Caden retreated, feeling like an intruder suddenly. Calla flapped over to a tree branch, regarding him with a chirrup.
“We did well, huh?”
“We did very well indeed,” came her silent reply.
With that, Calla launched skyward with a caw to circle the meadow in majestic flight. Caden watched, amazed anew until a hand touched his shoulder.
“Honbria?”
“You rather fancy Jayn, don’t you?” she said with a knowing smile.
He scuffed a boot in the dirt. “Is it that obvious?”
“You’ll be good for her, but be patient and take things slow. Jayn has been through a lot and may struggle to fully trust you, or any man, in a romantic sense.”
Caden raised a brow, surprised by her forthrightness.
She smiled. “She’ll come around, I’m sure. You were a friend to her in enemy hands, which lays a strong foundation. As we speak, she is already distracted, talking to her advisor and guards, but looking over time and again at you.”
“She is?” Caden half turned but stopped himself.
Hon nodded. “Come; Xan needs to confer with you about the state of affairs in Vlad. Surely, there are some in power who will side with liberty.”
Caden nodded, looking over at Xan, Sheba, and the others. “There are, but they walk in fear, pretending loyalty to Prince Nigel.
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