Parno's Destiny: The Black Sheep of Soulan: Book Two (46 page)

“Can you direct me to Lord Parno's apartments, please?” she asked sweetly.

*****

The new shift for her guard detail had arrived and now all four followed her to Parno's rooms.

“They've not been used much of late, milady, but we dust and what have you on a regular basis,” the young woman leading them informed her. “Though I am not certain this is proper,” she added hesitantly.

“I assure you it' fine,” Stephanie smiled again. “Lord Parno and I. . .that is, I am his. . .what I mean to say is that he and I . . .”

“What she is trying to say is that she and Lord Parno are affianced,” Winnie offered with a straight face, ignoring her friend's sputtering. “As she is attending to the Crown Prince while he recovers, it is of vital importance that she be close by. Considering her relationship with the Marshal, this seems the easiest solution to the problem. Under the circumstances I cannot imagine Marshal McLeod or the Crown Prince objecting.”

“Very good,” the maid's eyes had gone wide at Winnie's initial remark but she now realized there had just been a power shift in the palace.

“It would be the height of impropriety to speak of their betrothal before there has been an official announcement,” Winnie added, this time a bit more sternly. The maid's eyes grew wider still as she nodded her understanding. She opened the doors to Parno's rooms, firing a lamp to add more light in the dimming natural light of day.

“Nice,” Winnie murmured. She turned to the escort.

“Post outside and no one is to enter without my permission,” she ordered. “I'll remain here with Lady Freeman at all times, as well as accompany her when she is about. Once the escort is rested, suggest to the Captain that a four-man detail might be a good idea, considering our situation. I don't want any of you at risk because there are too few,” her voice grew gentler at the last sentence and the men nodded. It never occurred to either of them to question her right to issue orders. Winnie turned to the maid.

“Please bring food and have a bath drawn for Lady Freeman,” she ordered, though not unkindly. “I assume there is a tub here?”

“Yes milady,” the maid nodded.

“Call me Winifred,” Winnie smiled. “I am not a lady, nor a peer. Be at ease. Please see to the food and the bath.” The maid bowed slightly and almost ran to obey. The two soldiers followed her out, closing the door behind them and posting themselves at the door. Winnie crossed the room and locked the door before turning to face Stephanie.

“You shouldn't have told her that,” Stephanie said at once, looking at the floor. “It isn't proper.”

“Parno is hardly proper,” Winnie reminded her. “And besides, you were doing so well explaining your.  . .that is how he and you. . .” she teased gently and was rewarded with a slight smile.

“It's. . .complicated,” Stephanie admitted.

“I know,” Winnie said gently. “I am sorry about your uncle, Stephanie,” she added in the same gentle tone. “It's obvious you cared for him a great deal.”

“I did,” she sighed heavily. “He was one of my mentors as well as my mother's brother. He was a cantankerous old devil at times, but he was always good to me. He almost had apoplexy at the thought of my 'throwing my career away' by going to Cove. 'We do not answer the summons of an egotistical whelp such as Parno McLeod, Stephanie',” she imitated her uncle's voice quite well. “My mother swore that one of the reasons I went was to show him he couldn't tell me what to do,” she laughed softly.

“Imagine that,” Winnie murmured, shaking her head. “You two are definitely made for one another,” she added and Stephanie blushed, but nodded. She looked around her, studying the apartment for the first time.

It was actually quite nice. It was obviously a man's domicile as the lack of gentleness showed clearly. Had Parno's mother lived the room certainly would have borne her touch, Stephanie was sure. Had Therron McLeod not interfered in Parno's relationship with the Willows, then Edema's hand might have found its way here eventually. She could imagine the graceful duchess clucking her tongue as she went through Parno's things.

The apartment was clean and orderly. A sitting room, two bedrooms, an office and a bath. The rooms were all furnished comfortably, the beds made and the sofas covered with spreads designed to keep them clean. She inspected the closets and found clothing neatly hung or folded, several pairs of boots, three robes, and a selection of weapons ranging from a bow to a very large sword. She snorted lightly. Of course there would be weapons in Parno's closet.

“Nice,” Winnie noted the bow and pulled it carefully from the closet and inspected it.

“Like it?” Stephanie asked and Winnie grinned, nodding.

“It's very well made,” she said, replacing it. She had made her own from an ash sapling and would never part with it willingly, but the Prince's bow was very nice. Before they could do more the young maid returned with a tray of food and another woman, who moved to the bath and began preparing hot water for a bath. 

“Please find the Captain of our escort, or his lieutenant and have our bags brought up,” Winnie 'ordered' the maid, who nodded. “And. . .what is your name?” Winnie asked suddenly, changing her subject.

“Amelia, milady,” the girl bowed again.

“Amelia, please inform the staff manager that you will be attending to Lady Freeman on a permanent and full time basis as of now. If he or she has a problem with that, refer them to me and I'll deal with it.” She walked to the door where four men from the escort now stood guard.

“May I ask one of you to escort Amelia to speak with her boss and ensure that whoever that is understands that she now serves Marshal McLeod's party directly and there should be no issues with that? Once that is over if you could have someone find our bags and bring them up I would sincerely appreciate it. And perhaps inform the Captain that Lady Freeman may require a courier from the escort while she is caring for the Prince? Having a messenger who is so obviously a soldier of the Marshal's Own should serve as both a warning and reminder of who she is.” For all that she was still a teen, Winnie had learned well from older women at the Canton and now handled the staff, the soldiers and the issues facing them with apparent ease.

“I'll see to it, milady,” one of the soldiers nodded. “Ma'am?” he looked at Amelia, who blushed red at being addressed as 'ma'am' and almost curtsied before following the soldier away.

“Thank you, so much,” she told the remaining soldiers, who nodded silently.

“We'll be here,” one offered then turned to watch the stairs while the other two stood guard at the door. Satisfied, Winnie closed the door and secured it. She turned to see Stephanie studying her with a raised eyebrow.

“What?” she asked.

“You've taken over quite nicely it seems,” Stephanie smiled and Winnie shrugged.

“Just doing what has to be done. You would be doing if not distracted by so many other things. And I will be with you from here on anyway, so I might as well make myself useful.”

“What do you mean, with me?” Stephanie asked.

“I mean that I'm not letting you out of my sight until we know this place is safe,” Winnie said bluntly, taking a seat and crossing her legs. Stephanie once more had to admire the hard muscles that knotted and relaxed beneath Winnie's breeches. She really did need to start exercising, the doctor decided.

“Winnie that's hardly a job for you,” Stephanie objected. “You're an instructor, for goodness sake. They can't spare you from that simply to 'watch' me!”

“Want to bet?” Winnie asked. “There current crop is well enough along that the instructors really don't need me anymore, anyway. The job was never meant to be permanent. And once Lord Parno gets word of all this, I'm sure he'll agree that you need a companion. He has one, after all,” she added. “Two if you count Cho Feng.”

“What?” Stephanie was surprised by that. “Who is 'watching' Parno?” she asked, curious.

“I wasn't supposed to say that,” Winnie winced slightly. “Captain Sprigs is. . .well, let’s just say he's not only a secretary,” she shrugged, the damage already done. “Cho Feng had trained him to a much higher standard than most of the regiment, and his real job is to safe guard the Marshal. It would be much better for everyone if you didn't tell him that,” she eyed Stephanie closely. “I'm not supposed to know, either, but my father helped Sprigs with the bow, and he and Feng are. . .not friends, I guess, but they respect one another.”

“Your secret is safe with me,” Stephanie promised, glad to know that she was not the only one concerned with Parno's safety, since he himself didn't seem to be.

A knock at the inner door came and the other maid entered.

“The bath is ready, Milady,” she informed Stephanie.

“I appreciate that,” the physician smiled tiredly. “I promise I'm not normally so lazy,” she added. “I'm just really tired.”

“You were working on the Prince,” the woman nodded. There were no real secrets in a Royal Household. “Thank you,” she added softly.

“It was my privilege,” Stephanie nodded. “Winnie, when our bags come up will you call me?” she asked over her shoulder. “I will soak I think until then, if you don't mind.”

“I'll see to it,” the younger woman promised.

“When she is finished I'll draw more hot water for you, milady,” the woman offered.

“That's all right,” Winnie smiled. “I'm not a lady, either. I'll get my own. I appreciate you taking such good care of her, too,” Winnie added. “She has had a very hard day.”

“It has been a very hard couple of days,” the woman agreed. “Will the Prince. . .I mean, will he. . .”

“He should, so far as I know, but neither she nor the surgeon spoke to me about it,” Winnie answered the broken question. “I think, though, if he was still in danger, they would be much more concerned. Let us not borrow trouble if we don't have to,” she smiled.

The woman curtsied and departed, leaving Winnie alone with her thoughts, her head spinning at how easily she had fallen into the role she was now playing. Where had she gotten the nerve?

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

-

Memmnon was vaguely aware of floating somewhere. That was odd since he was nowhere near the sea, and he would never swim in the river. In fact, he rarely went into the water at all, even the pool on the palace grounds. He didn't have anything against swimming, he just didn't really care for it himself all that often.

That didn't explain why he felt as if he was floating. He tried to look around him but couldn't, seeing only darkness. Why would he be in a pool in complete darkness. That made no sense of any kind.

How had he gotten here? He tried to track his movement and memories before waking up here and suddenly jerked as the memory of the knife sinking into his back hit him.

“Milord, wake up please,” he heard a distant voice saying. The pain was still there, however, and he turned to try and lessen it. Did the witch
leave
the knife there?

“Milord, it's time to wake up,” a female voice said this time. He didn't recognize it. Had he brought a woman to his bed? That wasn't like him. To carry on like that. Parno, on the other hand, wouldn't hesitate, but Parno wasn't the Crown-

Memmnon awoke with a start and tried to sit up. Fortunately, strong hands were nearby to hold him steady until he calmed. He saw two women and a man he didn't know, and Howard Govan, his right hand.

“Howard?” Memmnon said, or tried to. His throat and mouth were so dry that all he managed to get out was a horrible sounding croak.

“Take this, milord, and drink,” one of the women told him. Pretty thing, he noted in passing as the cup met his lips. As the cool water hit him Memmnon drank greedily, his body crying out for fluids.

“Not too much now,” the woman advised. “Ease into it, milord. That's better.” Her voice was soothing. He imagined she was a nurse.

“Welcome back, milord,” Govan spoke gently.

“Howard,” Memmnon managed to get out. “How long?” he asked.

“A day, milord,” Govan admitted.

“Summon Brock at once,” he ordered and Govan nodded, moving to do just that. “And Grey!” he added to Govan's departing back.

“That will have to wait, milord,” the woman told him. “You're going to have-”

“No, there is no waiting,” Memmnon shook his head, paying for it with a dizzy spell. “Listen to me, the kingdom is in peril and already a day is lost! I have to speak to Brock and Grey at once!”

“Very well,” the woman agreed reluctantly. “But if you show signs of fatigue, then the meeting is over,” she told him flatly. Anger flushed Memmnon's face.

“Who is it you think you are?” he demanded.

“I'm the doctor that saved your life,” she replied tartly. “I'll thank you to remember that when you address me, too,” she added. Understanding dawned on Memmnon as he shook his head ruefully.

“You must be Lady Freeman,” he said finally.

“If I must then I am,” she nodded. “At your service.”

“Thank you,” he told her simply. “And I am very sorry about your uncle,” he added softly. Her gaze softened for a moment and she nodded slowly.

“I cannot stress enough how important it is that I see those two men,” he told her. “I do not in any way exaggerate when I say the kingdom is at risk. And please clear the room,” he ordered. “Though you may stay, of course,” he added when thunder appeared in her eyes once more. She shooed the rest of the staff out of the room, though she didn't bother to make the attempt with the younger woman holding the bow. He looked pointedly at her but the doctor shook her head.

“I'm afraid I can't get rid of her,” Freeman smiled at him and Memmnon was momentarily distracted by the woman's beauty.

“This has to be kept secret for the time being Lady Freeman,” Memmnon shook the distraction off. “She has to go.”

“I'm not going if she doesn't,” Winnie said flatly. “She's a possible target of the people who managed to get in here and attack you, milord. I am her shadow, for now.”

“The people who attacked me won't be back,” Memmnon assured her. “Not for several days, anyway.” Just then the door burst open and Govan returned with Brock and Grey in two.

“Milord, it's good to s-” Brock began but Memmnon cut him off.

“No time for that now,” he said. “Sherron killed my father, Physician Smithe, and tried to kill me. Callens and some of his men killed my aide, my guard, and my father's door guard. I don't know how they got in or out, assuming they did,” he frowned. “But Sherron took great delight in telling me that she had learned where Therron was from my father and was on her way to free him. She wants to put him on the throne.”

“We know she stabbed you,” Grey nodded. “And we assumed it was Callens from the description though you are the first one to name him. He had left two men behind, however, and though one isn't talking and the other can't, they are clearly his men.”

“They came in through one of the family routes, I assume led by one the Twins' servants that we missed,” Grey continued. “We believe they escaped the same way. As I said they left two men behind and we found one of them there, at the room where the route is hidden.”

“We have to stop them,” Memmnon said firmly. “Brock we have to assume that Callens' entire regiment is on its way to free Therron. We cannot allow that to happen!”

“The company I have with him won't be able to prevent it,” Brock said grimly. “I'll have to gather a force to go after them. Callens is a bastard but his regiment is an elite unit. We'll need a strong force to deal with them.”

“Get whatever it takes and make sure that this doesn't happen,” Memmnon ordered. “We need to spread the word about this, too,” he added grimly. “With my father dead, it won't matter about Therron, and including him in the plot with Sherron will turn most of his followers against him. Have warrants issued for both of them, Callens, and any of his officers you can name. Arrest and question their families as well. I hate to do that but. . .one of them might know something we can use.”

“Yes sir,” Grey replied as the one who would be responsible for that. “I'll see to it.”

“Treat them gently, but let them know that this is because of the treason of their family members and the murder of the King!”

“They will be hard to catch,” Brock returned to the more immediate problem. “Especially with a day head start.”

“I don't think so,” Memmnon shook his head and again was rewarded with a bout of lightheadedness. “My sister is a creature of comfort. She will ride a horse for a while, but it is a long way to Key Horn. She will not ride day after day without a break and Callens will do all he can to please her because he thinks she will. . .reward him,” he finished with a surreptitious glance at the two women. Winnie chuckled and Stephanie blushed slightly, but having lived on an Army post most of year or more had remove that sort of squeamishness.

“I see,” Brock nodded. “By your leave, then?” he straightened. He had work to do.

“Go,” Memmnon nodded. “Has anyone contacted Parno and let him know what's happening?”

“I sent a courier with orders to kill horses if needed to get word to him as quickly as possible. But he's been gone but a day, or just shy of it.”

“So at least another day before he even knows,” Memmnon sighed. “He'll be in danger if Callens left anyone behind.” A delicate snort from Winnie drew his attention.

“You have something to add?” he asked, fighting to be civil.

“Beg your pardon, mil- Your Majesty,” she corrected, “but the Marshal is capable of caring for himself quite handily, first of all,” Winnie held up a finger. “Second,” she added another, “he is surrounded by the most feared fighting regiment on either side of this war, all of whom would give their lives for him in a heartbeat, and three,” one more finger, “he has at least two full squads of said soldiers who do nothing but protect him, and two other men inside that bubble who could kill Callens and any ten of his men he wanted to choose, alone,” she added one last finger.

“So you're saying Parno is probably going to be okay, then,” Memmnon grinned, and Winnie smiled back at him, nodding.

“I'd say that's a given, sire.”

*****

Parno watched the sun rising, relieved that the new day and the expiration of the temporary truce had not brought renewed attacks. His men were ready for it, he knew, but they were tired and the fighting had cost them. If the Nor would hold off another attack for two weeks or so, he might have Herrick and

Freeman's Corps up and with the army, at which point things would change.

In his mind he had already made the moves he was going to make. He would send one mounted infantry division to Raines in place of the Cavalry division he had taken from the western forces, along with a militia division of cavalry. Not near the equal of the unit he'd surrendered, Raines would still be able to make use of the horsemen.

He would then form all of his cavalry divisions into a separate force, six in total though some of the divisions would not be full strength, and send them on an end around to hit the Nor right just as the rest of the army stuck from the front. He did not know exactly how many men he would be able to muster for that attack since five of those divisions had suffered losses in the previous fighting. Davies' men in particular had been in contact since the war began and some of his units had suffered heavily. He made a note to try and place them in the reserve, if he had one. They might be able to avoid the worst of the fighting that way. It wasn't rest, really, but it was better than being thrown against an army that had slowly been beating them back all this time.

The cavalry force would number about the same as the frontal assault he figured, allowing for losses in the units so far engaged as well as the men he had stripped from them to form Beaumont's command. Thinking of the hearty brigadier made Parno wonder where he was and what his men had accomplishes so far.

“Sir,” Sprigs' voice cut into his thinking and he turned to face him.

“I believe that General Beaumont's forces have returned, milord,” Sprigs informed him. “A runner arrived just a moment ago with news of a large group of men approaching the left, with horses, cattle, and a train in tow.”

“How about that?” Parno grinned. Once more it was as if thinking about someone had conjured them up. He wished he knew it would always work.

“Let’s go and see, shall we?”

*****

“That's a lot of tents,” Beaumont remarked to Whipple as the two rode side-by-side at the head of their column. Both were dusty and dirty and tired, but happy to be in the relative safety of their own lines for the first time in weeks.

“We may have missed a battle,” Whipple nodded as he observed medics running to and fro. “Those tents appear to be housing wounded.”

“So they do,” Beaumont nodded. “I wonder how long since the battle?”

“No way to tell without asking, I guess,” Whipple shrugged. He turned to his second in command.

“Have the horses taken to the wrangler camp and the cattle to the quartermaster. Tell him we require fifty head for our own us to resupply and the rest are his to do with as he pleases. All wagons other than our own are to be left with him as well. After that, move to the rear and select a place for us to make camp. Keep the units together,” he added.

“Yes sir,” the colonel nodded and started issuing orders of his own. That done, Beaumont and Whipple moved out, seeking information about what they might have missed in their absence. Even as they rode toward the camp, Whipple spotted the Marshal's small group heading their way.

“Look,” he elbowed Beaumont. They two pulled up where they were. Seconds later Parno McLeod stopped his charger next to them.

“Welcome back, gentlemen!” he beamed, taking each man's hand. “Looks like you did well for yourselves,” he nodded toward the spoils that were moving off.

“Not bad,” Beaumont grinned. “Ate good,” he added, to which Parno laughed aloud.

“Looks like we missed a brawl, milord,” Whipple mentioned, and Parno's smiled dimmed.

“That you did.”

*****

“Sounds as if it were quite the battle,” Beaumont remarked as Parno finished sketching what had happened in their absence.

“It was indeed,” Parno nodded. “Don't let me keep you two, though,” he ordered suddenly. “I'm sure you're looking to clean up and sack out, so go ahead. Tomorrow is more than soon enough for us to catch up.”

“Thank you, milord,” the two replied in unison.

“I'll see you for lunch tomorrow, then,” Parno ordered and the two bowed slightly and departed. Parno watched them go, pleased with the outcome of their first foray behind the lines. They seemed to have done quite well, so far.

“Milord,” Enri Willard's voice broke into his thinking and Parno turned to see his Chief of Staff holding a sheaf of papers.

“Reports?” Parno asked, trying to hide his trepidation.

“Corps and Division level only, for now,” Enri nodded. He offered the papers but Parno shook his head. “Just give me the gist, for now,” he ordered.

“Five thousand, three hundred and eleven dead, eight thousand five hundred, ninety-two wounded. Seven artillery pieces lost, five more damaged to the point of needing overhaul. Fortifications damaged but nowhere broken.”