Parno's Destiny: The Black Sheep of Soulan: Book Two

by N. C. Reed

  “Opiates would have thinned his blood and made it harder to stop the bleeding,” Stephanie noted in disapproval.

  “It was that or watch him tear his bandages loose and bleed more heavily from the wound, Lady Freeman,” Spurgeon nodded. “It was a poor choice either way, I admit. Not knowing that you might be nearby, I chose to keep him somewhat comfortable and try to minimize the damage. I wanted to give him as much chance as possible.”

  “You've done well,” she agreed. “I'll need you to assist me,” she informed him. “Have you a nurse?” she inquired.

  “I'd be honored, milady, and yes. Two of them, one a well-trained surgical assistant, though not able to perform the surgery herself of course. The other is a general nurse, but a good one.”

  “Get them, and get me a gown at once,” Stephanie ordered briskly. “We've no time to spare.”

  Fifteen minutes after she had walked into the room, Stephanie Corsin-Freeman was operating on Prince Memmnon in an attempt to save his life. It did not cross her mind at the time that this surgery was all that stood between Parno and the throne.

  *****

  Govan had heard the news and ran to the Prince's apartments only to be told that the surgery had begun already. He could do nothing but wait with the rest to hear what happened.

  Sebastian Grey was relieved to hear that Lady Freeman had arrived, unexpectedly, and was now working with others to try and save the Prince. It still irked him to have had this happen, but he took some comfort in knowing that Tammon McLeod's insistence on how the entire affair had been handled was the root cause of this trouble. That didn't make him like it any better, but it did ease any pangs of guilt at the failure of his own people to prevent what had happened.

  Colonel Mason Stang, commander of Tammon McLeod's personal regiment, arrived soon after Grey and joined the other senior men in waiting to hear if the surgery would be successful. In less than ten minutes their number grew again as Colonel Robert Moore, the commander of Memmnon's regiment arrived, followed by the changing of the guard. He frowned at the two men from Parno's regiment, but both ignored him, confident in their place as combat soldiers assigned to Prince Parno's Own. There was very little either of the other commanders could do to them, especially when following orders.

  And so the small group filled the hallway, hoping against hope that the talented young 'lady doctor' could indeed save the life of the Crown Prince.

  *****

  Inside, Stephanie worked quickly but skillfully, knowing that time was against her in more ways than one. Memmnon had lost entirely too much blood for her liking and now she was forced to cut him open in order to repair the damage done by the stab wound. As she literally pulled his insides apart in order to get to his kidney, she realized right away what had happened.

  “The knife missed the kidney,” she told Spurgeon and the others with no small relief. “The blood is coming from a slice in the main vein into the organ, see here?” she allowed Spurgeon to see. “What we must do is collect the blood that has pooled inside his body cavity, while repairing that vein to insure that it stops losing blood. Can you see to cleaning him?” she asked the surgical nurse.

  “Yes milady,” she nodded firmly. “I've done that work before.”

  “Excellent,” Stephanie nodded. “Have the other nurse assist if necessary. Meanwhile, Doctor Spurgeon would you assist me in caring for the Prince's wound?”

  “I'd be honored Lady Freeman,” Spurgeon said gently. “And thank you so much for being here,” he added.

  “I'm glad I was here as well,” she assured him.

  The two sewed the vein's damaged area closed, with Stephanie adding two additional cross stitches of sterilized cat gut to the work to strengthen it while it healed. As the wound healed, the stitches would slowly dissolve and be absorbed by Memmnon's body, eliminating any need to remove them later. She allowed Spurgeon to place two of the stitches himself under her supervision, and then inspected Memmnon's innards to make sure all the lost blood was cleaned. Using distilled water, they carefully washed his insides, cleaning the residue from the blood as well as any foreign material from the weapon used to stab him.

  Finally, she allowed Spurgeon to close Memmnon's wound while she supervised. The man's hands were steady and quick, and his eye sharp. By the time they were finished she was impressed with his ability and said so as they all changed from their bloody smocks.

  “Thank you, milady,” Spurgeon almost glowed. “I sincerely appreciate that, and the wonderful opportunity to assist you. I've never had such an opportunity before and like as not won't again. Thank you,” he repeated.

  “Don't thank me, you performed very well and earned whatever opportunity you received here, I promise you.” She turned to the nurses.

  “I want someone trained with him at all times. The slightest hint of a fever and I want to be informed at once. Likewise, any scent of infection or sign of continued internal bleeding. And well done, both of you,” she smiled tiredly. “I appreciate your efforts sincerely. Prince Memmnon is fortunate indeed to have you in his household.”

  Both women flushed at the praise and bowed slightly before working out a schedule between them to ensure that Memmnon had someone with him all the time.

  “I believe you should remain in the palace for the time being, Doctor Spurgeon,” she added. “You are quick thinking and well read, obviously. You did well and the Prince could do far worse than have you caring for him. Speaking of which, I have to wonder why my uncle wasn't doing this. Do you know where Physician Smithe is at? Was the king injured as well? I cannot imagine him not coming to the Prince's aid unless. . .what is it?”

  *****

  “Dead?” Stephanie felt her face grow pale as Sebastian Grey explained what had happened to her uncle.

  “Yes, milady, I'm afraid so,” he nodded. “He was killed the same time the king was, and just before the Prince was injured. Apparently he was checking on the king's health before retiring for the evening. I am so sorry,” he added sincerely.

  “I. . .I don't know-,” she stammered a bit, then asked; “Does my mother know? Have you informed his family?”

  “We have not, milady,” Grey admitted. “I'm afraid we've all been a bit consumed with finding someone to help the Prince. Please forgive me.”

  “Of course,” she nodded absently, thinking of how her mother would react to this news. She and her brother had been very close, despite their age difference. “The living always take precedence, Constable.”

  “Thank you,” Grey bowed slightly. “Now, if I may, Lady Freeman? You need rest. You look as if you are about done it, and you've done a great deal of work after a long trip and now I've given you quite the shock.”

  Grey had quite a gift for understatement Stephanie noted. Shock was hardly the right word to find out that one of your mentors had been killed, as had your liege. Even in time of war you expect some places to be safe, and if the Royal Family's apartments on the palace grounds weren't among them. . .she shook her head at the thought.

  Parno was right to be fearful, she thought bleakly. He was right to be fearful and I was wrong, or at least terribly naive, to brush those concerns aside. And he worried about his age, she shook her head again. He seemed to be more mature than all of them put together.

  “Where do we go from here, Lady Freeman?” Winnie asked softly.

  “Winnie, for goodness sake call me Stephanie,” she managed to smile. “And I have no idea.”

  “We should be nearby in case the Prince needs you,” Winnie pointed out. “You have to be close by until he is out of danger. He. . .he's the king, now.”

  Stephanie hadn't considered that until this very moment. She nodded absently as she thought about it. An idea hit her of a sudden and despite the gravity of the situation around her the thought brought an almost sinister smile to her face. She schooled her features and grabbed a passing servant.

  “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 d
one. “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?