Parno's Gambit: The Black Sheep of Soulan: Book 3

by N. C. Reed

  “That's all right,” Parno assured him. “I need it as soon as possible, but if it doesn't work then it's useless anyway. Do what you can.”

  “I will,” Roda promised. “And I 'll finalize the work on the double-shot ballistas as well. They will help right away if I can get them into service.”

  “Whatever you need, use it,” Parno ordered. “Sooner the better.”

  ~*~

  'Milord!” Parno halted as he heard this call on his way out of the foundry. He turned to see Whip Hubel heading toward him, face set.

  “Oh, boy,” Parno murmured softly. “Hello, Whip!” he called with a smile. “How are you?”

  “I 'll be needin' a minute of your time, milord,” Whip told him. “A matter of serious concern, Prince.”

  “Let me guess,” Parno tried to keep his voice light. “What are my brother's intentions?”

  “Exactly so,” the old man nodded firmly. “I didn't raise my daughter to be no noble man's play toy, no matter who the man might be,” the old man was clearly working himself into a fit. “I like you, milord, and it would grieve me for us to have words of hardship between us, but-”

  “Wait, wait!” Parno held up his hands to stop the older man. “Wait,” he repeated, frowning. “What are you talking about? Play toy?”

  “Word is that your brother, the King, is trying to play house with my Winnie,” Whip was smoldering. “I won't be having that, milord, from no man I care not who he might be.”

  “Have you spoken to your daughter, Whip?” Parno asked, looking at the older man.

  “I can't get to her,” Whip replied. “And that's another thing-”

  “Come with me,” Parno cut him off once more, motioning for the older man to follow. “We 'll go now and see her. And along the way I 'll try and explain what's really happening. And I'd be most interested to know where you got your other information, as well,” he said amiably.

  Cho Feng was not fooled.

  ~*~

  “Let me get this straight,” Whip said as the palace came into view. “You mean to tell me that the King of Soulan is sparkin' my little girl and wants to actually marry her? Make her the Queen?”

  “Courting is the word we use, and yes,” Parno assured him. “That's exactly what's happening. As it happens, your daughter isn't keeping house or anything else. She's living with my own fiance in my old apartments in the palace and she has her own escort now as well as some very capable women constables to escort her where a man shouldn't be, including her rooms.”

  “Huh,” Whip looked taken aback by that. “That ain't how I got it,” he admitted.

  “I'd be most interested to know where you 'got it' from,” Parno said calmly.

  “Just rumors floatin' around,” the old man shrugged, now embarrassed. “One man in particular been talking a good bit about it during making delivery from here in town out to the foundry,” he added. “Took great relish in describing the King's 'toy' in fact, to the others at the Foundry. Word made its way to me a few days ago but I ain't been able to see my little girl since she's been staying here.”

  “I 'll fix that today,” Parno promised him. “As for this man in particular, I'm going to need his name, Whip. I 'll need to talk to him.”

  “Name's Denton,” Whip replied. “Havrel Denton. Makes delivery to the canteen two, three times a week, he does.”

  “Does he now?”

  “Aye.”

  “Well, We 'll have to talk to Mister Denton then,” Parno was entirely too calm. “Meantime,” they pulled up at the gate.

  “You again,” the officer at the gate said, seeing Whip. Then he spotted Parno and came to attention. “Milord!”

  “You've been refusing this man permission to see his daughter?” Parno didn't bother with niceties.

  “He doesn't have permission to be here, and there's no way his daughter is-”

  “His daughter is Winifred Hubel,” Parno forced his anger down, saving it for Mister Denton. “You know her as Lady Winifred? King's intended?” he allowed the words to sink in and was pleased to see the man's face pale.

  “While I'm on the subject, this man is my personal friend,” he added, not noticing how Whip straightened proudly at that. “Not to mention perhaps the finest bowman in all of Soulan,” he continued conversationally. “Now, I'm not castigating you for doing your job,” he told the man. “But did you at least check with someone in the palace to see if his story was true?”

  “N-no, milord, I did not,” the man admitted. “I assumed-”

  “Never a wise thing to do,” Parno told the man, shaking his head in mild reproof. “Now, you're doing an excellent job here soldier, but I do want it fixed so that Whip can see his daughter whenever the notion takes him. Is that clear?”

  “I 'll see to it, milord!” the young officer promised, saluting stiffly.

  “Outstanding!” Parno slapped the man's shoulder affectionately. “Now, carry on. I 'll escort Mister Hubel inside to see his daughter. Right?”

  “Right! I mean yes sir!” the young Lieutenant stammered.

  “Carry on then,” Parno nodded. “This way, Whip,” he said. “Have Mister Hubel's horse place in the palace stables. He 'll be staying the night,” Parno ordered the enlisted man holding their reins.

  “Aye milord,” the young lancer grinned, having been highly entertained as seeing his wet behind the ears lieutenant taken down a peg.

  “Milord, I'm not rightly the kind of man that ought be stayin' in a palace,” Whip said softly. “I just wanted to see to Winifred's well being.”

  “Nonsense,” Parno scoffed at the statement. “You're as fit as at least half the nobles who have stayed here, I promise you. You 'll likely have dinner with Memmnon and Winifred tonight, but if not you can dine in the canteen. We 'll have you a room assigned and you can stay here anytime you want to visit your daughter. Though I warn you that her days are pretty busy,” he added.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, she's been overseeing the refugee care for the last few days, and attending classes for Stephanie, Lady Corsin,” Parno clarified, “and she's also been attending civic and formal functions with Memmnon when he's able to attend.”

  “I'd heard he was injured,” Whip nodded. “That's one thing that made me question what I was hearin', to be honest,” he admitted.

  “You were wise to question, but I don't think you 'll have any more problems getting in,” Parno assured him. “Understand that after my father's murder, security here is a great deal more stringent that it had been.”

  “I've no doubt, though it could be a mite better,” Whip nodded and Parno stopped short, looking at him.

  “What do you mean?” he asked.

  “Begging pardon, milord, but there's at least seven ways inside this place that I've already found in the last week, and that's sneaking in without violence. I'm sure there's more.”

  “Do tell,” Parno encouraged. “In fact, after you've seen Winifred and satisfied yourself that she's not being mistreated, I want you to come see me. I want you to meet the commander of the Palace Guard.”

  “Aye, milord.”

  “Now, I need to see someone.”

  ~*~

  “Denton?” Karls made sure he had the right name.

  “Havrel Denton,” Parno nodded, handing over a slip of paper. “He makes deliveries to the foundry from here. I want him taken. Quietly if possible but taken no matter what. Once you have him, take him some place quiet and let me know you have him.”

  “Aye, milord,” Karls nodded. “I 'll have someone on him today, and try to take him this evening.”

  “That will be fine.”

  ~*~

  “Papa!” Winnie smiled broadly as seeing her father for the first time in weeks. She hugged him tightly and he returned it, relieved to see his daughter in such high spirits and good health.

  “Hello, girl,” he said softly. “You look a right fetchin' picture, lass,” he grinned and she blushed from head to toe.

>   “A lot has happened, Papa,” she admitted.

  “So the Prince informs me,” Whip nodded. “How about we find a place to talk and you tell me all about it?”

  ~*~

  “Colonel Stang, this is Whip Hubel,” Parno introduced. Strong eyed the archer with a raised eyebrow. “Whip, this is Colonel Mason Stang, commander of the Palace Guard. Colonel, if you recognize the name Hubel, Whip is Lady Winifred's father. He's also my archery instructor at Cove Canton. He's had some issues getting in to see his daughter lately. Now,” Parno leaned back, “I've fixed that problem for him, but during the time that he was trying to see his daughter he discovered a number of ways into the palace that bypass the security we have in place.”

  “Sir?” that got Stang's attention. Tammon McLeod's personal regiment had been incorporated into the Palace Guard upon the King's death, and Stang given command. He had served for years working to keep Tammon safe and the murder of the King had stung him to the core. Not just as a failure to protect his Sovereign, but his failure to protect a man that he had great respect for. A man he had served for over ten years of his career.

  “That's it, Colonel,” Whip nodded, his voice calm. “I've found seven ways so far that a determined man could get in here without being seen, was he a mind to. Probably others as well, though I'd have to look to see.”

  “Seven ways,” Stang looked skeptical. “Without being seen or detected?”

  “Aye, Colonel,” Whip replied.

  “You 'll both forgive me I hope if I find that hard to believe,” Stang fought to keep his composure. “We've worked since. . .the incident, to find and close any and all holes in our security, milord,” this to Parno. “I do not doubt that Mister Hubel believes he can get inside without detection, but I do doubt that he can actually do so. We've identified and closed a number of places that someone might be able to infiltrate the palace or the grounds, and secured them or posted guards.”

  “What about a test, then?” Parno asked, a slight smile on his face. “No warning to the troops, mind you,” he held up a finger. “Your normal security measures in place and nothing else. We 'll see if Mister Hubel can put his money where his mouth is, so to speak.”

  “Sir, that would be extremely dangerous for Mister Hubel,” Stang objected. “My men might injure or kill him in the performance of their duties, sir. I would not like for that to happen.”

  “What do you say, Whip?” Parno asked, looking at the older man.

  “I doubt they can do it,” he said simply. “They have to catch me to hurt me, and they won't.”

  “Colonel?” Parno turned back to Stang.

  “Sir, with the assurance that my men and I will not be penalized when he ends up hurt or killed, I will allow it,” Stang agreed, stung by Whip's easy confidence. Plus, if this was something Prince Parno really wanted to do, there wasn't anything Stang could do to stop him.

  “Very well, but remember; no warnings, no extra security measures. This is between the three of us. Whip, when do you want to do this?”

  “Next night or so, I guess,” Whip shrugged. “No sense putting it off, milord.”

  “All right then,” Parno agreed. “I'd like to be here when it happens and I need to leave in the next day or so. I 'll agree to that. Remember Colonel,” he looked back at Stang. “No heads up to your troopers. If you warn them it's not a real test, right?”

  “As you say, milord,” Stang nodded jerkily, on the border line of anger over this questioning of his men and their work.

  “Then what say you and I escort Mister Hubel off the grounds so you know he's not here anymore?”

  ~*~

  “I thought we were expecting your father to join us for dinner,” Memmnon looked at the empty place setting at the table in his private dining area. It was a small room adjacent to his apartment in the palace and he rarely entertained anyone other than Winnie there.

  “He will be here soon,” she promised, smiling. “He said he had to do something for the Prince and then he would be along. He did say we did not have to wait for him,” she added, trying very hard to speak and enunciate as she had been taught recently. Winnie had admitted to herself that she had come to care very much for Memmnon in the last few weeks and she wanted to be someone he could be proud of.

  “I would prefer not to start until he arrives if that is alright with you?” Memmnon replied. “We can enjoy the appetizer while we wait. And I would welcome hearing about your day,” he smiled gently.

  “My day?” Winnie laughed softly. “How can my day compare to yours?” she asked.

  “My day was much the same as yesterday,” he sighed. “And tomorrow I am sure will be more of the same.”

  “I spent a good part of the day in class, and working on the refugee resettlement issue,” Winnie admitted. “I have made some progress working with Minister Philo.”

  “I'm glad to hear that,” Memmnon said as he poured tea into her cup. “I admit that I worry about them. I wish we had been able to prevent the invasion and they didn't have to flee their homes.”

  “I do too,” Winnie sighed. “But, we're doing the best we can for them, I promise,” she squeezed his hand as she took her tea from him with the other. “Their lives may not be as good as they were before, but they will be able to feed themselves and have shelter. And it won't be forever,” she reminded him.

  “It may well be a long time,” he told her sadly. “If not for Parno we would have already fallen you know,” he told her flatly. “I doubt many know it, but his work before the war is all that kept us from being caught unaware and bowled over.”

  “You mean his work with the Black Sheep?” Winnie asked.

  “No,” Memmnon shook his head. “That work was important and is still bearing fruit even now, but no. I'm referring to his work in sniffing out the Norland plot to attack us. Without his warning we would have been caught completely unaware.”

  “I didn't know that,” she admitted.

  “Not many do,” Memmnon confided. “I still remember the fit my brother threw over it,” he shook his head sadly. “He was more concerned that Parno had done something he wasn't supposed to than the fact that the Empire was about to invade.”

  “Why wasn't he supposed to do something?” Winnie asked. “I don't understand. He did something that needed doing, and the Kingdom got the benefit, right? So where is the problem?”

  “In Therron's head,” Memmnon admitted. “And my father wasn't a great deal better. He did at least listen and commend Parno in the end, but he started out by telling Parno that he had acted outside his authority.”

  “That's silly Memmnon,” Winnie frowned. “What authority does he need to protect his people?”

  “I didn't say it was right,” Memmnon nodded. “And this is why I'd much rather hear about your day,” he smiled, trying to change the subject.

  “I can see where my day would be more encouraging to you,” she smiled back.

  ~*~

  “What are you looking for?” Stephanie asked as Parno looked out the door of their own small dining area. Parno would get up and move to the door every five minutes, look down the hallway, then return to the table.

  “Nothing,” he smiled distractedly. “How is your meal?” he asked solicitously.

  “My meal is excellent as it always is,” she raised an eyebrow. “What is going on, Parno?”

  “What makes you think anything is going on?” he asked, smiling again.

  “Parno, I am an educated and highly intelligent woman,” Stephanie smirked slightly and her voice took on an amused tone. “And I know you quite well, too. You're obviously up to something and I want to know what it is!” Her tone was light despite her demand for information. It was clear that whatever was happening wasn't dangerous, at least judging by his attitude.

  “I'm not personally up to anything,” Parno told her truthfully. “I'm just enjoying the show.”

  “What show?”

  “Wait for it.”

  ~*~

&n
bsp; Colonel Stang made the rounds again, checking every post of the Palace Guard and every gate, entrance way and door to the palace itself. He was not going to allow some backwoods archer to embarrass his unit or his job. It wasn't personal, and he would never disrespect the father of Lady Winifred, but there was simply no way that man was going to be able to penetrate the grounds of the palace.

  Having completed his rounds for the third time, he approached the King's apartment to check on security there. The two men at the door stiffened to attention from standing rest as he approached.

  “How are things?” he asked tersely. “All secure?”

  “Aye Colonel,” the senior man at the door reported. “His Highness, Her Ladyship, and her Ladyship's father are dining at the moment.”

  “Excellent,” Stang nodded absently. “I want to know at once if-what did you say?”

  ~*~

  “It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Mister Hubel,” Memmnon said politely, standing as Whip entered the room.

  “Ah, the pleasure be mine, Your Highness,” Whip was clearly nonplussed at Memmnon's behavior. “I'm right sorry for being here late.”

  “Quite all right I assure you,” Memmnon waved the apology away. “Winnie informed me that you were doing a project for my brother. I must also thank you for all the work you have done for us to this point, as well. Parno says that your assistance with his training program was invaluable to him and he speaks most highly of you. Something I assure you he isn't know for doing,” he added with a wry smile.

  “I'm glad he has such a good opinion of me, Your Highness,” Whip managed not to stammer.

  “Please, call me Memmnon,” the King smiled.

  “I, ah, don't think I could do that, sire,” Whip looked uncomfortable at the suggestion. “That's a mite informal for someone like me to be addressing the King.”

  Before Memmnon could answer there was a knock at the door. Frowning he rose and went to answer it. He was surprised to find a red-faced Colonel Stang standing there.

  “Colonel,” Memmnon said. “To what do I owe the pleasure?” It was clear that he wasn't pleased, however.