Parno's Destiny: The Black Sheep of Soulan: Book Two (28 page)

“Keep stockpiling them for now,” Parno ordered. “I'll send someone to secure a holding facility between here and the army where they can be stockpiled. What about other. . .ordnance, wasn't it?”

“Yes, milord,” Finn was noticeably pleased at Parno's recollection of the term. “We have begun casting the rounds for our catapults and trebuchets, and our laboratory is producing the solution that makes them explode. Small amounts for now, similar to what we were able to accomplish at Cove, but we are increasing production every day. We will begin seeing substantial quantities in another fortnight or so. We will repeat our transportation method from Cove and ship the rounds and the solution separately. For safety.”

“I assume you're training crews to safely assemble the components once they reach the front?” Parno asked with a raised eyebrow.

“You may safely make that assumption,” Finn nodded. “Also were are working with a team of veterans from the battle at the Gap who are not yet well enough to return to full duty. They in turn are training men to safely handle the ordnance and employ it in battle. We do not have as much time as we did at Cove, but we know more than we did then so it balances out.”

“We hope,” Parno snorted.

“Fervently,” Finn replied. “I believe we should have enough ready ordnance for a protracted battle within a month, though it will take another ten days or so to get everything safely in place. Your acquiring a safe staging area might cut down on that time considerably, however. We would be replacing spent ordnance as you used it, keeping the supply up as high as possible.”

“I will not be ready to act for at least a month,” Parno admitted. “It would be well to have some of your gadgets on hand in the event of a full-fledged attack on our northern positions, or the western emplacements at Shelby for that matter, but I'm doing all I can to buy time for that to happen.”

“We will not let you down, milord,” Finn promised. He almost said something else, but withheld it at the last second, not wanting to promise something he might not be able to deliver.

“You've done well, Roda,” Parno said quietly as the tour ended. “I'm in your debt.”

“Hardly, milord,” the fussy little man waved the comment away. “I am in yours. And Soulan is my home as well.”

*****

“It appears that things are going well,” Feng remarked as they returned to Nasil proper.

“Looks that way,” Parno agreed with an absent nod.

“If we can make another month, or better another six weeks, we'll have a marked advantage,” Karls said.

“We'll have the start of an advantage,” Parno corrected.

“Agreed,” Enri nodded. “It's fine to think of our advances as helpful, but we cannot expect the enemy to do things as we want. No plan survives contact with the enemy.” He sounded like a lecturer at the War College.

“So it doesn't,” Parno nodded. “Until Soulan soil is free of Imperial presence, we'll assume only that we're losing. If we're preparing for the worst, expecting the worst, then we won't be surprised when it happens.”

“Well said.”

*****

“I've sent two men north to secure a forward staging area for Roda's gadgetry,” Parno informed his brother that evening. “He's beginning to build up an inventory so I want it out and gone as he does. It will also make resupply easier to have a forward supply area. Not to mention making Nasil safer by not having so many of his. . .creations, in the city,” he added.

“I still find it difficult to credit all these precautions,” Memmnon looked skeptical.

“Once you see the demonstrations, you won't,” Parno promised. “His work can literally change the course of the war. Change how we fight in the future for that matter. You should send for him sometime when he is not busy and allow him to speak to you of what he has discovered. He cannot reproduce even a tithing of it, but even that tithing is. . .substantial.”

“Very well,” Memmnon nodded. “You are off tomorrow?” he changed the subject.

“I am,” Parno nodded. “We're heading to Cove for a few days, then back to 1
st
Army headquarters. I'm expecting it to take at least a month, perhaps as much as six weeks for 4
th
and 5
th
Corps to make it there. I've ordered each man to detach his absolute best militia units to remain in the area, patrolling and garrisoning vital outposts. I won't leave the area completely uncovered.”

“Good,” Memmnon nodded. “Father would like to see you before you go,” he changed the subject again and Parno stiffened. Despite a reasonably good relationship with his eldest brother, Parno was not of a forgiving nature. He held both of them at least partly responsible for what had happened to Darvo Nidiad. And he still blamed Memmnon for not supporting him when Therron had lied to the King about him and his troopers.

“What does he want?” Parno tried to keep his voice neutral.

“He wants to visit with his son,” Memmnon said evenly, careful to maintain eye contact with his younger brother. “He is not well,” Memmnon added with a slight shrug.

“I know this,” Parno nodded curtly. “Does he think to make up for a lifetime of maltreatment now that he might be dying? Do you, for that matter?” he challenged suddenly. Memmnon's face reddened slightly but he accepted the barb as a fair shot.

“I can never make up what I've done and said to you,” he told Parno flatly. “I will not insult you with the effort. All I can do is treat you better now, and try to build a better relationship with you as adults than I bothered with as children. I can do no more. Nor can I ever undo the damage I have done prior. One must accept his limitations and work with what he has.”

“You're telling me that he actually desires my company?” Parno's expression couldn't have been more bewildered if Memmnon had suddenly told him that he would have to assume the crown himself.

“Yes, he does,” Memmnon said, nodding. “If you can spare it.”

“Well, since he always had time for me,” Parno's sarcasm was thick, “I suppose the least I can do is return that favor, isn't it?”

*****

Parno entered his father's apartments after the evening meal, actually surprised that his father had not dined with them. When he thought about it, he realized that Tammon McLeod had been absent completely from all meetings, most unlike him.

“Prince McLeod,” Physician Smithe's voice preceded him out of the dim light of the King's apartments. His tone was not one of welcome.

“Doctor,” Parno nodded. He was long passed being intimidated by anyone. Even Stephanie's old and cantankerous uncle.

“The King simply cannot entertain you this evening I'm afraid,” Smithe's voice was adamant. “He must rest.”

“Well, that's a problem then because he sent for me,” Parno replied evenly.

“I'm sure he did,” Smithe didn't bother to hide his disdain.

“I believe we may have gotten off on the wrong foot, Doctor,” Parno said gently. “I no longer bow and scrape to you and the others of this household. Nor will I ever do so again. So long as he lived, Darvo Nidiad did his utmost to keep me in check and prevent me from retaliating against those whose maltreatment demanded that I seek satisfaction for it.” Parno paused for a moment to make sure he had Smithe's attention.

“You may recall that Darvo is no longer with us.”

“Are you threatening me, Prince?” Smithe demanded.

“Yes, I am,” Parno replied simply. “I couldn't care less about your opinion of me, Doctor, as I will like as not die before this war is over, so please spare me your whining as I simply do not have the time for it. Now, kindly step aside. I have no real desire to be here, but my father has asked for me and I leave with the rising of the sun tomorrow.”

Smithe's mouth opened but despite motion from his lips no sound emerged. He clearly had expected the somewhat browbeaten Prince he had come to know as the King's Physician, not the man who stood before him now as Lord Marshal of the Royal Army.

“I won't ask again, Doctor,” Parno kept his voice even but his eyes clearly dared Smithe to continue to challenge his right to be here. Wisely, Smithe decided not to push the issue and stepped aside. Parno walked by him without another word and entered his father's bedchamber. The sight that awaited him there shocked him.

Tammon McLeod was pale and drawn as he lay upon his bed. Despite that his eyes were clear as he saw Parno immediately and motioned for him to approach.

“Hello, my son,” Tammon managed a weak smile. “It is good to see you.”

“Hello, father,” Parno managed to sound warm, having no wish to upset his obviously sick father. “Doctor Smithe tells me you are feeling poorly this evening,” he settled for saying as he sat carefully on the side of his father's large bed.

“Yes, well, he needs me to feel poorly so he can keep a job I suppose,” Tammon shot back and Parno grinned in spite of himself. “How goes it, my son?” he asked, more serious.

“We are holding our own for the moment,” Parno promised him. “We've had a bit of good news today, two bits actually, with hopefully more to follow.” He briefly explained the news from Semmes and from Finn, as well as his orders to bring the two southern corps northward.

“Semmes is from a good family,” Tammon nodded at the report from the Admiral. “Been sailors all the way back to Tyree as I recall. I knew his father, years ago. Good man, good family.”

“He seems to have done well,” Parno nodded. “I have promoted General Davies and given him command of the newly formed 1
st
Army. His own command and 1
st
Corps. I did the same with Raines in Shelby, though he will have to settle for his own Corps and attachments as 2
nd
Army. I may form 3
rd
Army with the two southern corps when they arrive. I haven't decided yet.”

“Herrick is a solid man, but a womanizer,” Tammon warned. “He's not a bad man, but he'd tell a whore his entire battle plan if he thought it would impress her. Bear that in mind. Freeman is a solid book soldier but not inclined to think outside his manuals. He's also prone to ride the coat tails of others. That doesn't make him a bad general I guess, but it might keep him from being a great one.”

“Why have such men in such important posts?” Parno asked.

“I let Therron handle those things, Parno,” Tammon admitted. “I should not have, but in my defense I had no idea at that time that I had sired a snake. Two of them if my house spies do not deceive me.” He gave Parno a knowing look.

“They do not,” Parno confirmed. “She is an agitator and instigator. I suspect that she will continue to advocate for Therron behind the scenes so to speak. Attempt to create a crisis or even an uprising, somewhere.”

“How will you deal with that, my son?” Tammon asked, not even bothering to pretend that Memmnon would be the one to confront them.

“I'll kill them,” Parno shrugged. “We cannot do otherwise now, father. We stand on the cusp of ruin. To allow that kind of deceit and treachery in our ranks would be courting disaster.”

“How will you know who to trust?” Tammon asked, curious.

“I already have people working to determine that,” Parno said grimly. “And, if I can't decide one way or the other, I shall err on the side of caution.”

“I'm truly sorry, Parno,” Tammon said suddenly, his face drawn. “For so many things, but especially for placing you in such a position. You deserve better.”

“Yes, I did,” Parno didn't pull his punches. “That is behind us now, however. I will do as I must to contain this problem. There will be a throne in Soulan, and Memmnon will sit upon it,” he all but swore. “Whatever it takes. We will not be the family that loses the crown. That day may come, but it is not now. Not us.”

“I do not deserve a son such as you,” Tammon smiled faintly. “I cannot tell you how proud I am of you. I know that I had no part in making you the man you are, but I am proud of you nonetheless. And I have something for you,” he added, pulling the cord beside his bed. A chamberlain appeared before the cord stopped moving.

“My King?”

“Bring my valise, please, Ben,” Tammon said. “I have need of it.” The man disappeared back into the shadows, only to reappear within the minute, handing a leather satchel to the King before withdrawing. Tammon rummaged inside for a moment before withdrawing two pieces of parchment.

“I have done something that should have been done long ago,” he admitted, looking at his youngest son. “Darvo Nidiad has been added to the peerage, posthumously,” he handed the first paper to Parno. “There is a small land grant along with livestock and a stipend. He would have laughed in my face had I offered it to him,” Tammon chuckled, “but I wanted Dhalia to have it. Whatever her future is will be for her to decide. She will not be forced to do anything she does not wish to.”

“Thank you,” Parno nodded. “I will place this in her hand myself.”

“And this,” Tammon lifted a second, heavier scroll, “is yours.” He passed it over to his son. “You have been deeded the lands around Cove Canton. All of them. You may select any title you wish though I doubt you will be interested in one. Still, your offspring should be able to claim peerage rights, my son, since if there is still a kingdom it will be due to their father more than any other.”

Parno looked at the scroll but did not open it.