by N. C. Reed
“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.
“I have no desire to hold a peerage, and have no plans to raise a family,” he told his father, seemingly in the verge of handing the scroll back. “Not that I do not appreciate the thought,” he added, seeing the look on his father's face. “It is simply that I do not expect to live through the war. And I have no prospects with which to raise said family. No father worthy of the name would want his daughter married to me,” he grinned wryly.
“I have heard that said myself,” Tammon chuckled. “I think you will find that changing now days.”
Parno thought of Evelyn McKenzie's efforts to keep her daughter from him at Shelby and wondered how true that was. Not that he had designs on the younger McKenzie female.
“Perhaps,” he allowed with the same wry grin. It cost him nothing to appease his father in this, and it might make him feel better.
“Take it,” Tammon ordered gently. “Do not assume that you will not survive, or that you will have no life outside of war. No man knows what tomorrow brings before the sun sets upon him, Parno. You are young and may have a very long life.” He paused, studying his youngest son. “There was a saying that came down to us from the old world,” he continued at last. “That saying was that some people walked between raindrops.”
“What does that even mean?” Parno asked, grinning.
“I don't know what it originally meant,” Tammon admitted. “But I always thought of it as someone who could move through the storm without suffering from it. There is no doubt that a storm is upon Soulan right now, Parno. The worst perhaps since the Burning. But do not surrender your hopes and dreams to that storm, my son. The storm may take them, that is true. But make it take them. Make it work for them. Don't just give them up.” He looked intently at his son.
“Walk between the raindrops, Parno.”
Parno considered that for a moment before nodding slowly.
“I will remember, father,” he promised. “Now,” he said, pulling a blanket up closer to his father's head. “You should rest. And I should get some rest as well, since I'll be riding again in the morning. When next we meet I hope to tell you that the Imperial Army is in retreat, heading to its own lands. Or better still that it lies in ashes upon our own. I'll settle for either.”
“Luck in battle, my son, and fortune smile on you,” Tammon said, his eyes fighting to stay awake.
“Thank you, father.”
Parno waited until his father closed his eyes before leaving the bed chamber. Smithe was sitting outside, waiting.
“I intend to speak to the Prince about your threats,” he said at once.
“Go right ahead,” Parno shrugged. “Keep in mind that I'm the one who is safe guarding his kingdom for him right now. He may just side with me, considering that.” Parno continued on his way without a backward glance for the surly old doctor.
He was sure he would get an earful from Stephanie over this, but that was fine. It might make her come to her senses.
*****
The morning was clear. It was still early enough in the year that a chill permeated the air. Steam from the nostrils of hundreds of horses created a false fog around the assembled men of Parno's Company as they awaited their leader.
Parno walked out of the palace accompanied by his brother, stopping to look at his sibling in the light of the lamps at the door.
“Take care of yourself, Parno,” Memmnon said quietly. “Remember that we cannot afford to lose you now.”
“My loss will not make or break the kingdom, Memmnon. That much I know if nothing more.” Parno's grin was almost infectious.
“Do not sell yourself short, brother,” Memmnon refused to be humored. “You have produced our only victories to date. Whatever else you may or may not be, you are a leader. One we desperately need right now.”
“I'll keep that in mind,” Parno nodded. “We'll stay in Cove a few days, see that things are going well, then return to Davies' Headquarters. Herrick and Freeman should be arriving soon after I hope. Watch yourself with Sherron. She would put a knife in your ribs if the chance presented itself.”
“You know, I think she might,” Memmnon said seriously. “But she would bury it in your head,” he grinned.
“Without hesitation,” Parno agreed. “Farewell for now, brother,” Parno shook hands with his brother. Memmnon almost tried to embrace him, but thought better of it. Instead he merely placed a hand on his brother's shoulder and squeezed gently.
Parno swung easily into th
e saddle, taking the reins from his enlisted runner.
“Karls, are we ready?” he asked.
“That we are, milord,” Karls replied as always.
“Then let's ride.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
-
The ride to Cove took two hard days. Normally it would take three, but the column was eager to reach home and pushed as much as their horses would bear. As a result, it was a weary column of men who straggled into Cove Canton late into the night. Their arrival created something of a stir among the camp, initially among the guard and then among the soldiers there for training, and finally among the families awakened by the noise.
Family members streamed out of their houses in hastily donned clothing to welcome home husbands, sons, brothers and friends. Lt. Colonel Dory Leman, formerly the commander of the 8th Tinsee Mounted Infantry, was now the commander of Cove Canton, what remained of his unit having been absorbed into Chad's command. His lesser wounded men were now part of the staff at Cove Canton and would, when recovered, go through the same training Chad's men would endure before officially becoming Black Sheep.
Leman had men out working in minutes to care for the column's horses so that the tired troopers could go home to their families. He was watching the activity when Parno limped up to him.
“You look lame, milord,” Leman said straight faced.
“If I was a horse you might have to have me put down,” Parno nodded. “How are things going?”
“Well, sir,” Leman assured him. “Training is on schedule and the men look good. Brigadier Taylor is also participating in the training alongside his men,” Leman fought off a grin. “He is less than enthusiastic about that, sir. Or about someone of lower rank commanding the post.”
“Well, life is tough all over these days,” Parno grinned. “He'll live. Probably,” he added. “I'll be in my house. My men are officially on leave as of this moment. Three days, starting tomorrow. After that we'll work up a day or so, refit, and probably be gone again in six to ten days.”
“Sir,” Leman nodded.
“If any messengers arrive for me, send them to Captain Sprigs. He can decide if they need to see me. I may sleep for two days, myself.”
“Understood, sir,” Leman grinned.
“You'll carry on as usual, Colonel,” Parno said as he walked away. “This is your post. We're just visiting.”
“Very well, milord.”
*****
Parno was reclining in a bed of grass near one of the many streams in the area around Cove Canton, reading various reports that only half-registered, his mind wandering all over the kingdom reviewing military deployments.
Who would have imagined even a year ago that he would be in command of the entire Royal military apparatus? He knew that he lacked the real training for this post, and certainly lacked the experience. Experience he wasn't likely to get, at least not the easy way. This job was strain enough without the incredible burden of assuming command during war time. More so when the war was not going your way.
Those troubles were far away for the moment, however. The sun was beaming today, bringing the warmth of late spring to Parno's shoulders as he leaned against the large rock he'd thrown his saddle blanket over. At times like these he could place the war and it's concerns aside, at least temporarily, and take time to recharge.
A rumble of thunder came out of nowhere, surprising him. He looked to the sky but could not see a cloud anywhere. Odd. Still, thunder usually meant rain, and he was a twenty-minute ride from Cove. He'd managed to give Berry the slip this morning, though he was sure to get a lecture from Enri Willard when he got back, not to mention a tongue lashing from Karls and a frown of disapproval from Cho.
Thunder rumbled again and he looked once more for the source as he stood and prepared to head back. Still nothing, but perhaps the storm was out of sight, blocked by the trees along the creek.
“Parno! Parno McLeod!”
He heard the voice, calling as if far away. Apparently someone had finally noticed him missing and was now searching for him. He sighed, not really angry, but a bit disappointed. He would have rather rode back alone, having just a bit more time to himself. It was odd that he had to literally steal time for solitude.
“Parno McLeod!” More thunder as the voice continued to call. “Open this door!”
Door? What the hell was that about? And was that a woman's voice? There shouldn't be any women looking for him, should there? Those days were long gone, left behind him when he'd taken command of Cove Canton. He'd been a good boy for most of a year now-
“Parno!”
Parno shot straight up from his bed, blinking away sleep, trying to get his bearings. Slowly he realized he was in his own house, in his own bed for that matter. The thunder hit again, only this time he recognized it as someone literally beating on his front door.
“Parno, open this door right now!”
He groaned as he realized that Stephanie was at his door, no doubt beating her fist raw. Where the hell was Sprigs? He was supposed to keep people away from here, at least until Parno could get some sleep. He stumbled from his bed and pulled a robe on as he made his way down the stairs, accompanied by the continued beating of his door.
“All right!” he yelled as he got to the bottom of the stairs. “I'm coming, for Crown's Sake!” He stomped over to the door and unlocked it, yanking it open just in time to get a small fist in his eye.
“Ow!” he stepped back, covering his left eye. “What was that for?”
“Parno, I'm so sorry!” Stephanie Freeman's hand shot to her mouth in shock. “I was trying to knock on the door!”
“Knock it down, you mean?” Parno shot back crossly. “What is so important that I can't wait for me to get some sleep?”
Stephanie's shock at hitting Parno was instantly gone, her anger returning in a flash.
“So important?” she repeated. “What's so important?” her voice rose slightly. “How dare you not tell me you were back!”
“What?” Parno was trying to blink away the tears from having his eye almost poked out. “What are you talking about? I just got here!”
“You got here last night!” Stephanie shot back, entering the house and slamming the door so hard that the glass rattled.
“You know, that glass is hard to come by up here,” Parno noted. “I'd appreciate it if you could not break it while you are abusing my house and myself ooophh-” His mini-tirade was cut off as Stephanie's mouth cover his in a deep kiss, her arms circling his neck. Somewhat shocked by that, Parno responded almost automatically, wrapping his own arms around her and kissing back.
Just as suddenly as she had kissed him, Stephanie broke the kiss, pulled back slightly, and slapped him across the face.
“What the hell was that for?” Parno yelled, ears ringing.
“That's for not coming to see me the minute you got here!” she told him hotly. “How dare you not at least send someone to get me when you arrived!”
“Two days ago I was in Nasil,” Parno told her, still rubbing his jaw. “I rode here in two very hard days and was exhausted when I got here. We all were. The only thing on my mind last night was sleep. I'm very sorry that my being on the verge of falling from the saddle is such an inconvenience to you, Doctor.” His voice was brittle as he finally began to shake off the sleep stupor he was in. Now he was leaning toward angry.
“You could have at least had someone come and tell me,” she shot back, sounding more hurt than angry now. “I would have welcomed that news, just knowing you were all right.”
Parno opened his mouth to retort, but held it as he noted the dampness in Stephanie's eyes. She was on the verge of crying, something he didn't know she was capable of.
“Hey, now,” he soothed, placing his hands on her shoulders. “There's no call for that. I'm fine. Surrounded by hundreds of baby-sitters who never let me out of their sight. There's no need to worry about me.”
“There's every reason to worry!” she replied shar
ply. “You are entirely too prone to involving yourself in the combat around you, Parno,” her voice softened. “I. . .I would die if something happened to you,” she added softly. “I couldn't bear it.”
Parno studied her for a long moment of silence, not knowing exactly what to say.
“Come and sit down,” he settled for saying at last, guiding her into the small sitting room and leading her to the couch. She sat, grasping his hand as if it were a rope and she a drowning victim.
“I'm sorry,” Parno told her with genuine contriteness. “I was so tired, we were all so tired, that all I was thinking about was rest. Being able to sleep in my own bed again, in my own house. I'm sorry if that seemed selfish. I didn't mean it to be.”
He really didn't know what to do or say in a situation like this. He'd never had anyone show this kind of concern for him. Not like this. It was a new experience for him, and he wasn't sure what to do at this point.
“I'm sorry I over-reacted,” she said finally, wiping at her eyes carefully with a small handkerchief. “When I awoke this morning and saw all the commotion, I didn't think much of it. There are thousands of men here, after all, and hundreds of women. I'm used to seeing large numbers of people. But when I went to the hospital, I overheard others talking about your being on the post, and I. . .I'm sorry,” she settled for saying.
“It's okay,” Parno shrugged. “I always enjoy waking up to be punched by a beautiful woman,” he grinned, and in spite of herself, Stephanie laughed.
He pulled her into an embrace and she fell against him. Suddenly he felt her shaking and realized with a start that she was crying. He held her tighter, one hand rubbing her hair along the back of her head.
“It's all right, Stephanie,” he whispered to her gently. “I really am fine. And like I said, I'm surrounded by people who rarely allow me the dignity of the latrine without benefit of an escort.” Her giggle at that comment warmed him.
She pulled back, looking at him now with a smile.
