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

by N. C. Reed

  Hiram Wiggins required no building of his own, merely an office in which to work. His trade was helpful within the second week of arrival, as he warned Darvo of coming rain within two days. Fore-warned, Darvo had his crews work long hours the next two days, and when the rain hit, everything was covered, protected from the weather.

  Darvo was forced to admit, things were looking fairly well, for once.

  *****

  Parno was at his desk when Sprigs tapped on the door. Looking up, Parno waved the young man in.

  “Courier message for you, sir,” Sprigs informed him, laying the sealed message in Parno’s hand. The Prince noted at once that the seal was Memmnon’s.

  “Thanks, Harrel,” he nodded. As the secretary retreated from the office, Parno broke the seal. As he read, his face grimaced a bit.

  Inside, Memmnon, in terse language, called him to Nasil to explain his recent expenditures and costs. Blunt and to the point, the message conveyed Memmnon’s anger quite well, Parno decided. Sighing, he stood and walked outside. Sergeant Berry was standing just outside the Headquarters Building with two troopers from Parno’s escort.

  “Sergeant, we’ll ride for Nasil on the morrow,” Parno informed him. “Plan to stay for two, possibly three days. See to preparations for the trip. I want to be in the saddle at sunrise.”

  “Yes, sir,” Berry saluted, then started giving orders to his two subordinates. Parno walked out to where Darvo stood supervising the building process. He saw Parno coming and walked a short way to meet him.

  “I have to go to Nasil,” Parno told him. “Memmnon wants an ‘accounting’ of the money I’ve spent so far. I knew this would come, of course, but I had hoped to be a bit further along when it happened. To have something to show, so to speak.”

  “Hospital will be done before you return,” Darvo promised, “and it’s a legitimate expense on a post this size as is the doctor and her staff. The school may be more tricky, mind you,” the older man observed. “To say nothing of Roda Finn’s gadgetry.”

  “I know,” Parno nodded, “but I’m confident that Memmnon will at least give me a fair hearing. Whether he allows me to remain, that’s something else again. I need a readiness report from you on the progress of the troops, to show that their training is on course.”

  “Ahead, really,” Darvo nodded¸ “the men are actually far above where a similar unit of recruits would be by now.”

  “You seem surprised,” Parno commented.

  “I am surprised,” the older man admitted. “Pleasantly so, mind you, but surprised none-the-less.”

  “Make sure that’s in the report,” Parno chuckled grimly. “I need all the help I can get.”

  *****

  “If I’m not on trial for regicide, I should be back in a week. Ten days at most,” Parno said. Darvo looked up at his charge, scowling.

  “That’s enough o’ that fool talk, lad,” he ordered stiffly. Parno just laughed.

  “Very well, old man,” he chided in good humor. “Seriously, I think this is just going to be a simple meeting. Once I show him our progress I don’t think Memmnon will have any serious objection to our operations here. We’ve justified most everything very well.”

  “Just don’t get your dander up lad is all I’m saying,” Darvo warned him. “You know they’ll try to rile you. Master Feng, I’m depending on you to see to it that the lad minds his manners. What he has of ’em, at least,” he added with a wicked chuckle.

  “I shall, indeed, good Colonel,” Feng grinned, eying Parno with much the same wicked look. “He shall be as tame as a lamb in the pens, I assure you.”

  “We’ll see how likely that is!” Parno guffawed. He reached down to embrace Darvo’s arm with his own.

  “Take care, old friend,” he said quietly. “I’ll see you soon.”

  “Be safe, and good journey, lad,” Darvo nodded, “and don’t forget my daughter!” Darvo was finally ready for Dahlia to come to Cove Canton and Parno and his escort would bring her back on their return trip.

  “I won’t,” Parno promised. He whirled his horse and nodded to Berry.

  “Let’s move out, Sergeant.”

  “Sir!” Berry saluted and bellowed for his scouts to head out. Three men headed out at a gallop, while the others followed along at a more stately pace.

  Darvo watched them go, then headed for his own office. He had work to do before morning assembly.

  *****

  Parno’s trip to Nasil took only two days thanks to good weather. It was unseasonably warm with winter so near and their travel was comfortable. They exchanged mounts at a courier station near the half-way point. Parno had sent a good selection of horses to the station as soon as he could and provided them with two extra men to help care for them. The Regiment’s horses weren’t used by the couriers and were always ready for use. Parno had thought that if he ever needed to reach Nasil in a hurry, this was a good way to see to it.

  They had passed the night at the station, making camp under the stars, then started toward Nasil the next morning on fresh mounts. By dark they were in Nasil, though both men and horses were worn down from the ride.

  Parno and his detail left their horses at the Palace stables with instructions that the horses be seen to after the long ride. Berry and his men then headed to the Transient Barracks, while Parno and Cho Feng made their way into the palace and Parno’s apartments there. Parno had not yet fully undressed for a bath when a messenger summoned him to Memmnon’s office as soon as possible.

  Parno had taken the message, then taken his bath, dressing in clean attire. Leaving Cho Feng behind, Parno made his way to Memmnon’s office, valise in hand, wondering what he could expect.

  *****

  “Have you any idea how much money you’ve spent?” Memmnon seethed in way of greeting.

  “I’m fine, brother,” Parno replied sarcastically. “Yes, it was a hard trip, but we managed to make it in two days. I had no desire to keep you waiting.” Memmnon gaped at that a bit, then visibly calmed himself.

  “You’re right,” the older Prince nodded. “That was uncalled for. A two day ride is fairly quickly.”

  “I keep horses at the courier station outside Cenevil,” Parno shrugged. “We made camp there and came directly in today on fresh mounts. I received your message day before yesterday, well after noon. I departed at sunrise yesterday.”

  “You must be tired,” Memmnon nodded. “Please, sit down.” Parno nodded, taking his seat gratefully.

  “I’m sorry I was so abrupt,” Memmnon said, more calmly. “But you have been spending a good deal of money, Parno. I want to know why.”

  “I’m building a military post, Memmnon,” Parno shrugged. “There’s a good deal involved.”

  “I know that,” Memmnon managed not to snap. “But the costs…what are you spending so much money on?”

  “It’s all here,” Parno pulled a ledger from his valise and handed it over. “Every dime is accounted for, Memmnon. The post is entirely finished, save for two buildings. They will be finished before I return, weather permitting. Building materials, consumables, and of course payroll, are the top three expenses.”

  “How much is it costing to erect these buildings?” Memmnon asked.

  “Nothing, save the material needs,” Parno surprised him. “The men do the work, under supervision from carpenters and such. Any civilian labor is hired from the families that live on the post. Their houses were likewise built by the men.”

  “What sort of house did you build for yourself?” Memmnon asked with a snort.

  “I didn’t,” Parno managed to say calmly. “There was an old house already on the grounds. I had the roof fixed, three broken windows replaced, and added a few furnishings as I hold most staff meetings there. My office is rather small,” he added. Memmnon looked surprised, but nodded, continuing his perusal of the ledger.

  “I have a hospital under construction,” Parno continued. “I managed to get a young woman doctor, named Stephanie Freeman-Corsin, to
attend the hospital. She is from here in. . . .”

  “Who?” Memmnon looked up sharply. “Who did you say?”

  “Doctor Stephanie Freeman-Corsin,” Parno repeated.

  “That’s Physician Smithe’s niece!” Memmnon almost shouted. “What in God’s name is she doing on an Army Post in the middle of nowhere?”

  “She’s overseeing the construction of the hospital at present,” Parno made the calm reply. “After that, she will begin training field surgeons and she will supervise the hospital as well.”

  “Parno, her family has served the Crown since Tyree!” Memmnon looked as if he would faint. “She’s one of the most noted surgeons in Nasil, one of the best doctors in the Kingdom!”

  “So I’m told,” Parno nodded. “She came highly recommended,” he added. Memmnon looked so aghast that Parno thought for a moment he’d be ill.

  “Parno, I. . . .” Memmnon trailed off, unable to find words to sufficiently express his concern. His outrage. His disbelief.

  “How did you manage to get her there,” he finally managed.

  “Just asked her to come take a look at the post and see if she would be interested in serving as the post physician. She studies a good deal of ancient medicine, as well, and I told her she would be free to pursue that study, so long as anything useful she found was shared with everyone. I think that was a major selling point, but I’m not sure of it.”

  “Parno, if anything happens to her - ” Memmnon began.

  “Like what?” Parno was puzzled. “I mean, her quarters are near mine, and there’s a constant guard posted. Not to mention that the wives and children like her, which means the men like her. She’s in less danger there than anywhere in the Kingdom.”

  “In a fort full of criminals?” Memmnon’s voice was growing louder.

  “They aren’t all criminals, Memmnon.” For the first time annoyance crept into Parno’s voice. “And those that are wouldn’t dare do anything that would result in their families being sent away. Some of them have it better than they ever have in their lives.”

  “What else have you done?” Memmnon asked, almost fearfully.

  “I have engaged a number of civilian teachers, or instructors. One is an engineer, who is currently supervising the construction of a small school for military engineers. He will train my Pioneer Company, then, with your approval, he can start bringing others to Cove as well, training engineering officers in all manner of things. Bridge building, surveying, anything you like. Our ultimate goal is to establish a school where military engineers will be instructed in standard practices useful to military units on the move, or in camp. With military instructors who both have experience and have the advantage of Professor Pearl’s training program.”

  “Really?” Memmnon showed real interest for the first time. “That’s. . .that’s not a bad idea, Parno.”

  “I thought not as well,” Parno managed not to gloat. “As part of his salary, I have agreed to acquire permission for Professor Pearl to access any Royal Library for texts about ancient engineer practices and use the Royal Residence in any of the Provincial Capitals he travels to in order to do his research. Again, with the proviso that anything useful he gleans be made available to all.”

  “I admit, that’s rather long sighted of you, brother,” Memmnon said quietly. “What else are you doing?” Sensing that he might be winning Memmnon over, Parno went on, describing in detail the projects he had in the works.

  “This Roda Finn,” Memmnon asked, once Parno was finished. “What is it, exactly, that he’s doing? I don’t know if I caught the gist of it well enough.”

  “Basically, he’s working on ways to make our artillery weapons more effective,” Parno replied. “Through his own research, he has discovered an ancient formula to make a blasting powder, what he calls ‘gunpowder’. It has explosive qualities that, if we can harness them, will make our weapons far more deadly and effective on the battlefield. You told me when you gave me this assignment that we must use every means we have. I’m pursuing that from every angle I can think of.”

  “So it appears,” Memmnon nodded, clearly impressed. “I. . .I’m impressed Parno, really I am, but with all this time devoted to these things, what about your Regiment?” Parno reached into his valise again, pulling forth Nidiad’s report.

  “Here is a readiness report from Darvo,” he said simply. “Darvo told me before he left that the men are actually ahead of their training schedule and doing quite well. That is especially true when you consider that we started with men who had not even had basic training. Most couldn’t even ride a horse very well. Now, they can.” Memmnon perused the report, noting that Darvo had praised the men for their hard work and the instructors as well. Never one to pull punches, he also noted that Nidiad had likewise berated certain areas of training that needed improvement and described what he was doing to correct the deficiencies. All in all, however, the report seemed more than satisfactory.

  “Are you satisfied that I’m not wasting the Crown’s money?” Parno asked finally.

  Memmnon looked up at him.

  “Yes,” he answered after several seconds. “I admit, I didn’t even conceive that you were doing so much, especially in so short a time. I was worried that you were just sitting there, milking the treasury.”

  “I have paid for a great many things from own pocket to avoid just such an accusation,” Parno told his older brother quietly. Memmnon’s eyebrows rose.

  “Parno, that isn’t necessary,” he scolded. “I told you I would approve your expenses, so long as they were justified…and they are,” he noted, laying Nidiad’s report aside.

  “Some things require hard money,” Parno shrugged, not quite evasively. “Mine is all that I have, so I used it. I don’t mind.”

  “Well, I do,” Memmnon told him. “We are not a poor country, Parno, and I am not a skin flint. I expect you to be frugal, yes, but to me that simply means avoiding waste and getting the Crown’s money’s worth. You are clearly doing that.”

  “Thank you,” Parno nodded.

  “Let us continue this tomorrow, Parno,” Memmnon stood, having noted how tired Parno seemed. “You’ve had a hard day’s ride and the hour grows late. Get some rest, and come and see me tomorrow, when you’ve eaten. Fair enough?”

  “Thank you,” Parno repeated, standing. He was tired.

  “I’ll see you in the morning, brother.”

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  “It looks as though you’ve done a remarkable job so far, brother,” Memmnon told Parno the next morning, having looked over the remainder of Parno’s valise contents after sending the younger McLeod to bed.

  “Thank you, Memmnon,” Parno replied, pleased with the compliment.

  “I admit, I’m curious to see what develops with this Finn person,” Memmnon continued. “And I am. . .I don’t know the right word for it, awed, perhaps, at the people you have assembled to help build your command. On a side note, I have noted those individuals that are assisting you and have sent a memo in my name to all libraries and to the residences in each capital that all possible assistance be rendered to them, or their agents or representatives. That should cover most anything they need. I have likewise prepared personal letters for each person named,” Memmnon handed over a small sheaf of papers.

  “I. . .I don’t know what to say, Memmnon,” Parno took the proffered letters. “Thank you doesn’t seem to cover it.”

  “It’s I who should likely thank you,” Memmnon smiled. “I intend to look into this society myself. There are likely more of them that would welcome royal backing and the funding to continue their research. I had no idea that so much of what was lost before could possibly be reclaimed.”

  “Nor did I,” Parno admitted. “There is one thing. . . .” Parno trailed off, unsure of whether to continue. He had spoken to no one about this as yet and was unsure of himself.

  “Yes?” Memmnon’s eyebrows rose.

  “Well, this may be a complete waste of time even to study
,” Parno admitted lamely. “But. . .the idea of sending messages by other means than courier is something that would benefit the Kingdom.”

  “Of course it would,” Memmnon snorted. “So would flying, if we could manage it.”

  “Well, I can’t do anything about flying,” Parno’s face reddened slightly, “but I do have an idea about messaging.” Parno briefly outlined his idea. He had thought about the idea for some time, spurred by the need for better communications for his ‘weatherman’.

  “Lights and towers, hmm?” Memmnon considered that. “The messages would need to be short, seems like.”

  “Well, perhaps,” Parno agreed. “But what if there were a code established? Certain signals to cover entire phrases, things of that sort. I know I’m out of my depth here, but the idea seems workable, at least in theory.”