Parno's Company (The Black Sheep of Soulan Book 1)

by N. C. Reed

  “I am, indeed,” Parno bowed graciously, “and I apologize, milady. I assume you are Doctor Freeman-Corsin?”

  “Please, milord, call me Stephanie,” the woman blushed again. “I apologize as well. I. . .”

  “Quite all right, Stephanie, I assure you,” Parno smiled, walking up onto the porch, “and please, call me Parno. We are far from Nasil and I care little for formal address, save in a formal setting. I’m sorry I wasn’t here sooner, but several people decided to arrive here today and I’m having to make rounds to see all of you.”

  “I remember,” she nodded. “Colonel Nidiad told me I wasn’t the only one who had been invited here. Please, take a seat,” she waved. She and Parno settled easily onto the comfortable porch chairs. Before they were settled, Mrs. Downs appeared on the porch.

  “Can I get you some tea, milord? St. . .Doctor Corsin?”

  “Hello, Maureen,” Parno smiled. “Water for me, thanks.”

  “Milord?” Downs dimpled in a smile.

  “Same for me, please, Maureen,” Stephanie nodded, watching how at ease Parno made the woman. The two exchanged pleasantries until Mrs. Downs returned with their glasses and a pitcher, before disappearing into the house once more.

  “You know her well?” Stephanie asked.

  “Barely at all, I fear,” Parno shook his head. “Her husband is one of my troopers. She’s a very nice woman, however. A good person.”

  “I believe so as well,” Stephanie nodded. “Do you make a habit of using the spouses of your soldiers as menial labor?” Parno blinked at that.

  “When we can,” he replied carefully, knowing that this woman was somehow upset over Mrs. Downs being here, but with no idea why.

  “How very noble of you,” Stephanie didn’t quite sneer. Parno blinked again.

  “I’m sorry? I thought you liked her. If there’s a problem, we can find someone else. I thought she’d be perfect for the job, but. . . .”

  “I can’t believe that you would force a soldier’s wife into serving one of your staff!” Stephanie exclaimed.

  “Force her?” Parno was still reeling. “I didn’t force her! The job was posted on the board in town and she was the best qualified applicant!”

  “What?” It was Stephanie’s turn to blink in surprise.

  “Mrs. Downs!” Parno called loudly, standing. The woman was at the door in seconds.

  “Yes, milord?” she asked.

  “Mrs. Downs, how was it you come by this position? For the Doctor’s enlightenment, please,” he added at the woman’s obvious surprise.

  “Why, I saw it posted and applied for it, Miss,” Downs turned to the doctor. “Myself and several others were interviewed by the wives panel and I was selected. Have I erred in some way?” Downs looked worried now. Stephanie, her face red, shook her head as she tried to find some way out of the hole she had dug for herself.

  “Not in any way, Maureen,” Stephanie managed to croak out. “I was simply. . .I was just curious. I am lucky to have you,” she added, “and thankful.”

  “Thank you, miss,” Maureen curtsied slightly. “Will there be anything else, milord?”

  “No, ma’am, thank you,” Parno smiled, and she blushed in pleasure, returning to the house.

  “Milord, I. . . .”

  “I think I shall take my leave, good doctor,” Parno said stiffly. “Should you be interested in discussing anything with me, you may call upon me at my office. I assume that Colonel Nidiad spoke to you concerning the hospital?”

  “Milord, I. . .yes, he did,” Stephanie nodded.

  “If you decide to stay, then when you have a design that works for you, please bring it to the Colonel and he will see to it that the hospital is built to your specifications. If you need anything at all, please let the Colonel know. He will see to it. Good day, doctor,” Parno bowed, stiff with anger, and started down the steps.

  “Milord, I am sorry!” Stephanie bolted from her chair, coming to the stairway herself.

  “As am I,” Parno replied over his shoulder, stalking back toward the Headquarters building. “Good day, doctor.”

  Stephanie watched his walking away, silently cursing her tongue. She had assumed. . .and assuming was never a good thing for a doctor. Sighing, she retreated to the house.

  It had been a long day. Perhaps tomorrow would be better.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  “Mornin’ lad,” Darvo greeted Parno. “What’s eatin’ at you this fine mornin’?” Parno scowled at the older man as he sat down at the table where Darvo was just starting his morning meal.

  “Don’t start on me this early,” Parno warned, accepting a cup of hot coffee from a mess steward with a nod of thanks. He sipped at the warm liquid.

  “Breakfast, milord?” the steward asked. Parno nodded.

  “Please, Mister Gaines.”

  “Be up hot in a minute, sir,” Gaines nodded, and scurried away.

  “Y’know, lad, your mornin’ manners are gettin’ worse all the time,” Darvo chided with a grin.

  “Well, I’ll work on that if it happens I get the chance,” Parno grumped. He rubbed his temple, trying to get rid of a headache.

  “Bit too much to drink last evening?” Darvo asked, his face a mask of innocence. Parno frowned at him.

  “No, I didn’t drink anything. I went to bed mad and woke up with a headache.”

  “Ah,” Darvo nodded in understanding. “Might want to see that new doctor. She’s supposed to be a near miracle worker, ‘corrdin’ to Finn, and a right pretty lass, I’ll. . .what?” Darvo broke off as Parno’s frown deepened.

  “The doctor was the reason I went to bed mad,” Parno snorted. “Besides, coffee and a good meal will soon set me to rights.” As he spoke, Gaines set a tray before him with ham, eggs, and potatoes. Parno smiled.

  “Thank you, Mister Gaines. A feast fit for a. . .well, a Prince,” he laughed.

  “Thank you, milord,” Gaines beamed, then departed. Darvo waited as Parno gave thanks, then dug into his meal with a gusto.

  “So what happened with you and the doctor?” the older man inquired. “You didn’t try to. . . .”

  “No, I didn’t,” Parno looked indignant. “Give me just a little credit, Darvo, if you can spare it.”

  “Don’t get lippy,” Darvo shot back. “So what did happen? She seemed okay to me. A bit stiff necked, but then she had just endured a bumpy coach ride from Nasil.”

  “I went to see her after meeting with Pearl and then Wiggins,” Parno said around a mouthful of breakfast. “She accused me of forcing Mrs. Downs to be her ‘servant’. Was in the middle of dressing me down for it...and I didn’t like it,” he added, almost sulking.

  “Did you explain - ?”

  “I did better than that,” Parno grinned in triumph. “I had Mrs. Downs do it. Showed her,” he muttered, stabbing at his food. “I told her to see you when she was ready to build her hospital, if she decided she wanted to stay. I don’t want anything to do with that woman from now on, Darvo. You deal with her and see to it that she gets whatever she needs. If she stays.”

  “You think she won’t?” Darvo asked, surprised. It wasn’t like Parno to be so angry over a misunderstanding like this.

  “I don’t know,” Parno shrugged, “or care, right this minute. If her attitude stays so piss poor, then she can go and be damned for all I care. We’ll get someone else if she wants to go home, and be thankful for it.”

  “You know she graduated top of her class from Nasil School of Physicians, don’t you?” Darvo asked, studying his charge with interest. “Not likely find another so smart as her, lad, willing to even come and take a look.”

  “We’ll get by,” Parno muttered.

  “I’ll see her after breakfast then,” Darvo sighed. “See what she intends.”

  “Just keep her away from me,” Parno ordered.

  *****

  Darvo left the mess hall, heading to Doctor Corsin’s residence. He shook his head in wonder. Despite everything that had happened
as they worked to bring things together, Parno had taken it all in stride, never getting angry, or rattled. Now, one pretty woman comes to camp and he was stiff necked enough that if he fell, Darvo was sure the Prince would break somewhere.

  “Every time I think I have that boy figured, he goes and changes on me,” he muttered under his breath. As he approached the cabin, he saw Maureen Downs emerge, taking a seat on the porch. She stood again as Darvo made his way up the walk.

  “Good morning, Colonel,” she smiled. “What can I do for you?”

  “Wanted to see was the good doctor up and about, ma’am,” Darvo answered. “See what she was going to do about staying with us or not, and if so, what she needed doing.”

  “She’s at breakfast, Colonel,” Downs told him. “If you’ll wait, I’ll see. . . .”

  “Maureen, who is. . .oh, good morning, Colonel,” Stephanie said from behind the screen door. “Won’t you come in? I was just eating my breakfast.”

  “Don’t want to interrupt, ma’am,” Darvo told her. “My business can wait until your meal is finished.”

  “Oh, don’t be silly,” Stephanie told him, swinging the door open. “Please, come in.” Darvo paused only a minute before entering the small house. Mrs. Downs resumed her place on the porch as the two made their way to the small dining area.

  “Please, sit,” Stephanie waved to a chair opposite herself. “Coffee?”

  “No thank you, ma’am,” Darvo shook his head. “Just left the mess, myself.”

  “So, what can I do for you?” Corsin asked, returning to her meal.

  “I just wanted to see had you decided whether or not you would be staying on with us, Doctor,” Darvo replied. “And if so, what you might be in need of. We’re ready to build, of course, if you already know what you need in the way of a hospital building.” The young woman paused, looking at him.

  “I don’t know, Colonel,” she admitted. “I’m afraid I put my foot in my mouth rather nicely with the Prince yesterday. He left here rather angry at me. I don’t know that he wants me to stay.”

  “He does, if you want to,” Darvo assured her. “He told me this morning to see that you get whatever you need and to start constructing a hospital as soon as you laid out how you want it.”

  “So he isn’t angry with me?” Stephanie asked. Darvo fidgeted a bit.

  “He is, isn’t he?” she pressed, seeing the older man’s discomfort. Darvo nodded.

  “Aye, lass, that he is,” Darvo admitted. “Your notion that he had forced Mrs. Downs to serve you left him winded. At the moment he wants nothing to do with you, unless it’s absolutely needful.”

  “Oh,” the young woman replied quietly. “I tried to apologize, of course, but. . . .”

  “But he was mad, and kept walking,” Darvo nodded. “I know the lad all too well, Miss. You hit a raw nerve within him with your notion of ‘servitude’. Parno McLeod isn’t one to engage servants at all, Miss Corsin. He allows others to do some things, like caring for his horses when he returns from a ride because his time is needed elsewhere, but when he’s training, he does his own work. He takes mess, meals that is, with his men on most days. If they’re out training, sleeping on the ground, then so is he. When they march, on foot, he goes as well.”

  “Really?” Corsin’s eyes widened at that information. “But. . .he’s a Prince of the Realm for God’s sake! Why is he behaving like that?”

  “He’s a soldier, ma’am,” Darvo pointed out to her, his own voice a bit stiff now. “These men, many of them, are outlaws, convicted criminals. Yet they are loyal to him to a fault. He’s done more for them than anyone they’ve ever encountered, Royal or otherwise, and they respect him for it. They also respect him for sharing their hardships even though he’s of no obligation to do so. He asks nothing of his men that he’s not willing to do, or endure, himself.”

  “One of the arrangements he made when he brought these men here, along with their families if they had them, was that jobs here at Cove Canton would go to dependents of the soldiers on the post. Wives, children, what have you. Many of the soldiers have sons and they work in the stables, storerooms, and warehouses. Wives and daughters run the store, the canteen, and the recreation hall. All paid positions, ma’am, including the Board of Wives, which handles the selection process for jobs on the post.”

  “I know about that,” Stephanie nodded. “Now, anyway. I didn’t when I spoke so harshly. I’m afraid I let what others had said of Parno McLeod form my opinion for me, long before I ever received an invitation to come here.”

  “You aren’t the first, nor likely the last, to do that, Miss,” Darvo nodded, his look grim. “But if that’s how you feel, then perhaps it’s best you don’t stay. I won’t say we’ll be better off, because I don’t think we will. But if you can’t be open minded, then it’s likely best you don’t stay. You won’t last long here, anyway, with a poor opinion of the Prince. There’s very few in this encampment who don’t look up to him. They aren’t likely to take kindly to harsh words about ‘their’ Prince, if you take my meaning.”

  “I. . .I didn’t mean it that way,” Stephanie blushed, “and I would never say anything about a member of the Royal Family in public,” she said more forcefully.

  “I wouldn’t recommend saying it in private, either,” Darvo cautioned. “Word travels. There are few secrets on an Army post.” He leaned forward.

  “We need you, or someone like you, Miss Corsin, This unit was formed to bear the brunt of any Nor invasion. Their casualties are likely to be horrendous should war break out. We need trained field surgeons and we need someone like you to train them, to show them things not normally taught that might help save the lives of our troopers and to promote good health here in the camp, for that matter.”

  “But we aren’t at war!” Stephanie objected. “And we aren’t likely to be with things so good between us and Norland. Aren’t you really training for something that won’t happen?”

  “I’d like to hope so,” Darvo admitted. “I’ve seen war, and would not like to see it again. But trusting the Nor isn’t something that I can do, Doctor Corsin, nor can the Prince. It is our job to be ready for anything and that includes an attack by the Nor. If we failed to prepare and an attack did come, then we would be as guilty of treason as anyone who ever betrayed the throne. It’s that simple.”

  Freeman-Corsin studied the Colonel for a long time, weighing his words against her own thoughts. While it seemed ridiculous that anyone would be thinking of war when relations between Soulan and Norland had never been better, the Colonel had a point. It was their job to prepare and be ready for such an event should it occur, just as it would be her responsibility to ensure that the men who defended the Kingdom had the best care possible. But, she had to consider how effective she could be here after she had so completely alienated the Prince. That had been no one’s fault but her own, she admitted. Her mother’s words came back to her then, ‘just a high spirited boy, caught in a world that has no place for him’.

  Like many high spirited men, Parno McLeod had his pride. Talking with the Colonel she could see that the stories everyone told about the youngest Prince, while probably true in themselves, meant nothing when stacked against his actions here. She herself certainly had no right to assume some of the things she had when speaking with him the day before.

  If she returned to Nasil, she would simply continue her own practice, seeing rich and influential patients, treating people for various ailments, real and imagined. But if she remained in Cove Canton, she would have time to study more of the ancient art of medicine, applying what she knew, and what she could learn, where it would do a great deal more good. She would also be training field surgeons to care for wounded men in the field.

  Everything she might do here would matter. She looked at Colonel Nidiad.

  “I will stay, I think, Colonel,” she said at last. “I’ll run your hospital, and I’ll train your surgeons, and care for your people.”

  “I’m glad to hear
it,” Darvo smiled. “We’ll start on your building as soon as you are ready.”

  *****

  Within a week, the shell of the new hospital was standing. Parno had selected a good site for it, and Freeman-Corsin had seen no reason to change it. Prevailing winds would help keep the air fresh in the hospital and the slight rise would be good for drainage.

  Darvo had kept the crews at it long and hard, wanting the building to be up well before the worst of winter hit. Another crew was beginning on a smaller building to be used by Professor Pearl to teach his engineering studies. His first class would be Parno’s own Pioneer Company, men who would need experience in bridges, buildings, road laying, map making, surveying, and more. Once Pearl was finished with them, they should be able to do anything Parno required.