Parno's Destiny: The Black Sheep of Soulan: Book Two (38 page)

He knew by now that everyone was aware that they would be in combat in the morning. Even if announcements hadn't trickled down, the fact that they weren't standing their regular picket posts would be enough to alert most of his men that something was in the wind. It wouldn't take much thinking to make the leap forward to imminent combat in the offing.

By dusk Wilson had quietly ridden the length of his lines and turned for his own headquarters. The men looked good, looked ready for battle. There was nothing else to be done except to execute his plan well and give his men the opportunity to give him the victory he needed.

He was fairly confident he could do that. A few hours would prove him right or wrong, he knew.

*****

On one side, the men knew they were going into battle with the coming of the sun. On the other, they knew that their officers were antsy with anticipation, which meant they knew something was in the offing.

For their part, the officers on the Imperial side of the field knew they would be heading into battle in a few hours, while the Soulan officers knew only that their new Marshal suspected they would soon face an attack. For several that was enough, though for others they scoffed, determined to wait and see.

But one group was already gone from the lines, creeping out into the dark in twos and threes, making their way across the distance between the two armies. Royal scouts formed a basket weaver pattern between the two armies making it impossible for any Nor soldiers to make it across without alerting someone.

The most adventuresome scouts crept to within actual seeing distance of the enemy, crawling on their bellies to the point where they could see the winking of camp fires and often hear raised voices. Beyond that point the scouts risked colliding with Imperial picket posts, so they stopped there for the evening, making themselves as comfortable as possible in the dark while maintaining their watch.

Some slept in place, the way a hunter would sleep while waiting for a deer to enter his area, listening even as he slumbered for something out of place. Others thought of home, or family. Of women, left behind in one fashion or another. Of where they would be right that moment if not for the Imperial attack on their homeland. Of what they might do if they survived the war unharmed.

The Imperial pickets cursed the luck that had them guarding posts all night, though at the same time thankful that the duty would see them in the reserve tomorrow. While not a guarantee of safety, it was a lot better than being in the front lines.

Two groups of men, separated in some cases by only a hundred yards. Uniforms, lifestyles, people so much different one from another, yet with surprisingly similar thoughts on their minds as they waited for the sunrise that would be the last many men on that field would see.

Neither side imagining for a moment that his opponent was anything like himself.

*****

“Oh goodness!” Stephanie exclaimed as she got down from her carriage. Winnie was behind her but wasn't nearly as tired.

“That wasn't so bad,” she shrugged.

“Not for you perhaps,” Stephanie nodded. “I felt every bump those last few miles. I'm glad we're here.”

'Here' was a small inn just off the mountain, one that also doubled as a courier station for Parno. Two of Stephanie's escort had ridden ahead to secure lodging for the two women and ensure that the stable was prepared to care for four dozen horses. As the two entered, stable hands were already leading the ambulance team to the barns while the escort saw to their own mounts.

The station had obviously been forewarned that Lady Stephanie was a person of importance to the Lord Marshal since a good meal was waiting for the two women, along with a hot bath and private room. They would share a room for the night, Stephanie seeing no reason that the two of them needed more than one. Part of her escort would sleep inside as a guard while the rest bunked in the barn.

After a meal and good bath, both women were feeling the fatigue of the trip, even though Winnie was too excited to feel very sleepy.

“We'll get an early start tomorrow,” Stephanie said as she prepared for bed. “It will still take two more days to make it into Nasil. I wish we were going straight to the field, but that will look a bit suspicious,” she sighed. Winnie chuckled softly as she polished her bow.

“What's so funny?” Stephanie demanded, though not with any heat. “Do you carry that thing everywhere?” she added, pointing at the bow.

“Yes,” she said simply.

“Why?”

“Why do you carry your doctor bag?” Winnie shrugged in reply.

“Point,” Stephanie nodded. Winnie was a woman, but she was mountain raised by a father who was all but a living legend when it came to a bow. Winnie was good enough to train even the best archers in the army. She might not be a physician, but Stephanie could recognize a professional when she saw one.

“You enjoy what you're doing?” she asked thoughtfully.

“Yes, though I wish I was making a more adequate contribution,” Winnie nodded.

“How is it you think you can do that?” Stephanie asked. She had thought about how to approach this for a while now and this might be just the opportunity.

“By fighting of course,” Winnie replied at once.

“And do you think one bow, no matter how good, will make that difference?” Stephanie questioned.

“I can't know until I see.”

“Consider how many soldiers you've trained to be better archers so far, Winnie,” Stephanie pressed on. “Five hundred? A thousand? More?”

“I don't know, to  be honest,” Winnie said after a moment to think. “A lot,” she admitted.

“And could anyone you've met so far, aside from your father, have trained them as good as you? Let alone any better than you have?”

Winnie was longer considering that question, as it was something she hadn't thought about before. Finally, she shook her head.

“I suppose not,” she finally answered.

“So how do you think you can top that contribution to the war effort, then?” Stephanie challenged. “Yes, your bow might come in handy at the front, but how many men will fight better because they've had you to train them? How much of an impact can a thousand or more bows that have been taught by a real expert make on the outcome of a battle?”

“I. . .I hadn't considered it like that,” the girl admitted thoughtfully.

“I thought not,” Stephanie carefully kept any hint of victory from her voice. “That was the point made to me when I wanted to be at the front, too,” she added. “That the surgeons I trained would ultimately save more lives that I could on my own if I were to leave them and go myself. While I don't like it,” she admitted, “I have come to see the truth in it. I've already trained many medics and army surgeons to a much higher standard than the army has enjoyed to this point. They will do much better work because of the work I've done with them in the school we've established at Cove. So, while it's not what I wanted, I'm still doing a great deal for the army even though I'm not actually with them in the field.”

“That's true,” Winnie mused. “Maybe you're right,” she said after another minute. “I just wanted to go so badly I never thought about that. All I could see was that I was a far better archer than any of the men I'd sent to the army so far. That was all I was looking at.”

“You are better,” Stephanie nodded firmly. “And that's what makes you so valuable to Parno, and your father, right where you are. Do you think your father could be away assisting Roda if he didn't have you to carry on the training at Cove? If you weren't there, who could he leave in charge while working off site?”

“True,” Winnie agreed. “All true, Lady Freeman,” she smiled brightly. “I know you planned that a while. I appreciate you showing me my worth without belittling my desire to serve.”

“I respect your desire, Winnie,” Stephanie told her plainly. “And your bravery. It's simply that we're in a terrible spot at the moment. Literally against the wall with nowhere to go. Parno needs archers that only you can train. He needs you where you are for now. He needs men trained to the level that you can train them so that he can use them to defeat the Nor and drive them from our homeland. There are thousands who can serve in the army. There are very few who can train them as well as you can. Only a handful.”

“I see why he likes you so much,” Winnie teased slightly, causing Stephanie to blush, but she grinned.

“Well, let’s put that away and get some rest,” she ordered. “We've a long day ahead tomorrow.”

“Yes, milady,” Winnie grinned when Stephanie sputtered.

*****

“We'll leave with the light,” Callens ordered his assembled officers. “We have to assume that the word has gone out by now, so we'll be hunted if we're seen. I'll take a small force and head into the palace to try and free her ladyship. Warren, you'll take the regiment south and wait for us here,” he indicated a spot just out of the city. “We'll join you as soon as possible. Stay out of sight and send a man here,” he indicated a meeting place, “to lead us to you. We'll wait for night to make our move so it will be late when we arrive. Be ready to move out as soon as we get there in case we're pursued. Any questions?”

There were none.

“All right then, make sure we're ready to go as soon as the sun is up. I need to meet with my team and let our inside man brief us. Carry on.” Warren waited until the others were gone before speaking.

“Big gamble, sir,” he said softly. “What if this goes wrong?”

“Then it falls to you to find Prince Therron and free him,” Callens said flatly. “He is depending on us.”

“Yes sir,” Warren nodded. “Any idea where he may be?”

“No, but I suspect Her Ladyship will know, or be able to find out,” Callens replied. “If we can get her out and meet up with you then we'll leave straight away and go to him. If you can find a carriage and horses along the way, bring it with you. Her Ladyship will need one if this is a long trip.”

“Slow us down,” Warren pointed out.

“There's no help for it,” Callens sighed. “She'll never make it on horseback. And we can use the carriage or wagon for a few supplies as well, so it's not a wasted effort. We won't be able to depend on much help.”

“I'll see to it, sir,” Warren promised. “I'll make sure everything is in order,” he added and departed to check on the rest of the command, leaving Callens to plan his 'rescue' of Princess Sherron, and eventually Prince Therron.

*****

Memmnon McLeod paced up and down the hallway outside his offices late into the night. Hands locked behind him, head down, he made the trip so many times that if he'd been counting he would have given up at some point. Two guards stood at each end of the hallway, allowing the Crown Prince space to be alone, yet not unprotected.

So far Grey had turned up nothing in his investigation into Sherron. Her servants were fanatically loyal to her, just as Therron's had been. How had the two of them been able to keep all this a secret for so long? Probably because everyone was always so focused on Parno, he admitted. That wasn't much of an excuse though. The truth was that no one would dare investigate a member of the Royal family except someone else in the Royal Family. His father hadn't thought Therron a threat until it was almost too late, and Memmnon hadn't thought his sister a threat at all until news of Callens' departure from the front had reached him.

Now, just when the kingdom needed order the most, things threatened to descend into chaos. Tammon's health was continuing to deteriorate, leaving Memmnon with increasingly more burdensome duties without the actual power to rule as yet. He knew that his father was considering an abdication due to his health issues, but this was not a good time for the kingdom to see weakness in the king.

Still, something would have to give soon. Things simply could not continue like this for much longer. And atop all of this intrigue and betrayal was the fact that a huge Imperial Army was encamped on Soulan soil with another threatening invasion from the west. Memmnon once more cursed the weakness in his father that had allowed Therron to live without denouncing him as a traitor. At least then everyone would know that his brother was a lout and not to be trusted.

As it was, however, he was simply ill. Now he could return at a time of 'great need', sacrificing in service to his people, a great hero for all to dote upon. Memmnon shook his head as anger threatened to undo him.

General Brock, the Inspector General of the Army, had already dispatched an additional company of IG soldiers to Therron's home of exile in the Key Horn, but there were precious few troops of any kind to send away at the moment. Tammon and Memmnon's own personal regiments were also serving as security for the city as well as helping the Palace Guard secure the palace and its grounds. Manpower was in short supply and would continue to be for the foreseeable future.

Hopefully the moves Parno was making would give them some breathing room soon, even if it wasn't much. Any relief at all would be welcome at the moment. But with so many pieces in motion, Memmnon had to worry and wonder if that relief would come in time to matter. He continued to pace long into the night, his mind swirling over all of this and so much more.

No answers would come, however.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

-

“Milord.”

Parno was instantly awake, a very pleasant dream of Stephanie Corsin fading from view as he saw Harrel Sprigs' intense face looking down at him.

“Scouts are returning milord,” Sprigs said without fanfare. “Movement front. All along the line.”

“What time is it?” he asked, rising to a sitting position and rubbing his face to try and come completely awake.

“Half of four, milord,” Sprigs replied. Parno nodded, getting to his feet.

“Give me a minute and I'll be out and about.” Sprigs nodded and withdrew, leaving Parno to attend matters and dress. Less than five minutes later Parno was before the fire in his small camp, a bowl of oatmeal thrust into his hands. He took it gratefully and began to eat as Enri Willard filled him in.

“Scouts began returning about a half-hour ago, milord, reporting mass movement within the enemy camp. Bonfires were lit on their way in and some scouts are still out between the fires and our own lines to give us whatever warning they can.”

“Your opinion?” Parno asked around a mouthful of oatmeal.

“Sir, this much activity at this time of the morning almost has to indicate an attack forming,” Enri replied reluctantly. “It's possible it's merely a drill, but. . .I can't see it, sir.”

“Nor I,” Parno nodded. Before he could speak further Generals Davies and Graham arrived.

“Gentlemen,” Parno nodded to them. “How goes it?”

“We're ready for battle, milord,” Davies reported for both of them as Army commander. “Men are eating, but on post and ready. Scouts are still out and sending reports in relays every five minutes or when anything happens. No changes as yet since initial reports of movement in the enemy camp. We're ready to receive them all along the line.”

“Very well,” Parno sighed as he scraped the last of his oatmeal from the bowl. “We'll await their pleasure, then. Enri, please ask Mister Parsons to have a few of his men investigate and patrol our far left. If the Imperial Cavalry are out there, I don't want them being able to get into our rear.”

“I'll see to it at once, sir,” Enri nodded and set off to find the scout master. Parno turned to his two generals.

“I suspect they will try to move closer before sunup. That was the tactic they used at the Gap and I suspect you've seen it so yourself, General,” he said to Davies, who nodded. “We'll try to let them think they've caught us unawares for as long as possible. Maybe they'll get careless. With our special weapons, we'll use the mines first, then the arrows, and finally the artillery. You may engage with standard artillery at your discretion, but allow me to initiate the special weapons fire. I want to make the maximum impact possible with it. Once we start using it, we'll hammer them pretty steadily. Our supply is far greater here than at the Gap. We should have at least three day’s worth of supply, barring any misfortune.”

“Very well, sir,” Davies nodded.

“Back to your commands then, and Godspeed,” Parno said gently. The two saluted and were gone into the dark. Parno stood in silence for a minute before turning to look at Cho Feng.

“Well, I guess we'll see what happens now,” he remarked.

“You have a good plan and your men are in a good position,” Feng replied. “All you can do is all you can do,” he added philosophically.

“That's true enough,” Parno nodded. “Let's head over to the tower, I guess,” he blew out with a breath. “It's likely to be a long day.”

“That it is,” Feng agreed as he fell into step with Parno. Berry and the rest of Parno's guard formed a shell around him as they moved to the tower Parno had ordered constructed upon his return. He had learned firsthand how important it was that he be able to see. Davies had one of his own further down from which to command the Army. Parno would not have to be responsible for everything today.

Just the outcome.

Lars joined him along the way, still stuffing his shirt into his trousers.

“Late start Major?” Parno grinned. Lars snorted in the dark as he, too, fell into step with his commander.

“Late night is more like it, milord,” he admitted. “Any last minute instructions?” he asked.

“Not that I can think of,” Parno admitted. “We'll let the mines go first, then the arrows. Watch for the pennant to fall and then you can unload on them. I'll leave it to you to fix ranges, but remember what happens when the rounds fall short,” he cautioned.

“Won't likely ever forget that, milord,” Lars admitted ruefully. “Will you be wanting to try the trick with the pitch again?”

“I don't think we can reach anything that will burn that well from here,” Parno admitted, remembering the lay of the land. “I'll leave those decisions to the commanders of the regular batteries I imagine. And to their generals. I'll depend on you to watch the two special units and how they fire.”

“I'll see to it, milord,” Lars promised, sketching a salute before he moved away into the dark.

“Harrel, get our runners into place,” Parno ordered Sprigs. “We'll need mounted runners today.”

“Already on the way milord,” Sprigs assured him as they arrived at the tower.

“Wait here for General Willard, then, and bring him up when he arrives.” With that Parno started up to the platform, Cho Feng following. It was cooler on the tower where the slight breeze was more noticeable. From here he could see the faintest bit of light back to the east.

It wouldn't be long.

*****

“All commands report on line and ready to advance, sir,” Wilson's aide reported softly into the dark. “Awaiting your orders.”

“We start off on the hour,” Wilson nodded. “As ordered. No changes. Advance in silence to contact. Have the artillery standing by to fire as soon as contact is made.”

“Yes sir.”

Wilson couldn't see anything yet, but soon the light would be rising and his men would be visible. He wanted them to close with the Soulan Army before that, to get as near them as possible before being discovered. Surprise, coupled with their superior numbers, should give them the advantage.

Wilson needed a win, and he needed it today. Even if the Soulanie forces were just forced to surrender more ground, that was a report he could send to the Emperor without fear of reprisal. And it would be a boost to his men's morale as well. Something he hadn't needed up until now, but found himself in need of after a serious round of setbacks.

“Good morning General,” Daly's voice came out of the dark and Wilson bit back a curse. The annoying bastard hadn't been around much since he'd been cut down to size, but it was foolish to think that a member of the Imperial family wouldn't turn up at a time like this. And Daly was still, technically, his chief of staff even if he'd been effectively cut out of any significant role the last few weeks.

“Morning, General,” he managed to reply amiably. “We're about to set off. Glad you could join us.”

“Oh, I wouldn't miss it, General,” Daly's oily voice wore on Wilson, but he took it in stride. “I assume we know what we're facing?” he continued.

“We do,” Wilson replied abruptly. “The southerners have stripped their cavalry from their army to try and raid our rear areas, so they have little or no support behind their line. One good break and we'll pour through into their rear and at the least force them to withdraw. With any luck, we'll be on them so quickly that it will become a rout.”

“I see,” Daly's smug voice made Wilson want to slap him. “You're certain the southern cavalry is out of play? I understand it's been quiet in the rear areas for several days now.”

“We believe they are laying low for the moment, adjusting to the changes we've made in our routes and security. It would not surprise me if they tried to attack us somewhere today, in fact. But General Stone will be ready and waiting for them if they do, and that will be the end of that.”

“Assuming Stone does better there than he did here,” Daly's reply was still smug.

“He will,” Wilson bit out. “He knows the penalty for failure.”

“We shall see, I suppose.” With that Daly rode on forward, followed by his retinue of ass-kissers, all of whom Wilson would be pleased to see dead at the end of the day should it happen. But then, he didn't have that kind of luck. And he wouldn't waste any he might have on Daly and his followers.

That he would save for his men.

*****

“Time to-” Stephanie stopped in mid-speech as she realized that not only was Winnie already awake, she was up and dressed, ready to go.

“Well,” she temporized as Winnie grinned at her.

“Have to get up early on post,” Winnie shrugged. “Not that I ever slept in before then. When you have to work to get your meals, you don't spend a lot of time laying around,” she laughed.

“I suppose not,” Stephanie agreed. For all that she worked hard and felt like she did not allow herself to be coddled, Stephanie had never once had to worry if there would be food on the table when she awoke. She was seeing now that wasn't always the case for others.

“I'll be ready shortly,” she settled for saying and quickly set about preparing to resume their journey. Winnie departed with her bags, saying she would see her below for breakfast.

Fifteen minutes later Stephanie was downstairs, her bags being loaded by a member of her escort. She took a seat at the table and fixed herself a much smaller plate than her friend, eating quickly so that they could set off. The sun was not yet up but would be soon and she didn't want to waste a minute of it.

Winnie ate with the hearty appetite of someone accustomed to working for a living. Stephanie couldn't help but envy the younger woman a metabolism that allowed her to eat so well and still maintain a nice figure. Maybe she should start doing some manual labor herself. Or at least some type of physical training . . .

Soon that was forgotten as they prepared to set out. It was still a two-day trip to Nasil.

*****

“Sir, those fires are not in the Soulanie camp,” Wilson heard from out of the dark.

“What?” he turned to see the figure of a runner in the growing light. “What did you say?”

“The fires, sir,” the man's arm raised to point to the points of light in the distance. “Those are bonfires, set to the front of the Soulanie lines, sir. At least one to two hundred yards. Our men will be spotted moving against them.”

“Why didn't we know that?” Wilson demanded harshly.

“Orders were not to approach the enemy lines, sir,” the runner shrugged helplessly. “So as not to give away our intent.”

Wilson stifled a curse as he recognized his own orders, given for that exact reason.

“There's no help for it now,” he said at last. “Orders are unchanged. Continue the advance.”

“Sir,” the runner sketched a salute and returned with the orders. Wilson watched him go, unease spreading though him. This was a bad start to the day.

*****

“And there they are,” Parno said softly as his glass swept the bonfires to his front. He lowered his glass.

“This is going to be close,” he declared. “Runners to all crow-bow companies targeting the mines; Fire as soon as you can target the mines with the enemy even with them. They have to get their licks in before the Nor envelop the mines and they can't see them clearly enough to shoot.”

“Sir,” Sprigs nodded and relayed the order to the waiting runners below. Soon riders were hurrying across the field to issue new orders.

“It's going to be close,” he said again, this time to himself more than anyone on the tower.

“It will have to be enough,” Enri shrugged. “Their aim will be true.”

“Won't help if they can't see,” Parno reminded him. “I should have thought of this. At the Gap we were out of mines by the time they tried this,” he admitted. “I should have considered that today. I did consider the likelihood of this being their strategy, just not how it would affect our using the mines.”

“All you can do is all you can do,” Enri shrugged again, echoing Cho Feng's earlier statement.

Parno resisted the urge to snap, knowing it wasn't helpful. He returned his glass to the field, trying to get an idea of what he faced in the dim light of the fires. In the distance he could see at least three lines of enemy troops that ran the length of his vision right to left, moving slowly but steadily forward. He couldn't begin to estimate their number.

“How many do you think?” he asked those assembled around him.

“No way to say in this light, milord,” Enri admitted. “I'd estimate at least thirty thousand that we can already see, but that's a guess.”

“A conservative one,” Feng agreed softly. “This general has many more troops than the one at the Gap, and he will not commit them piecemeal. Expect him to maintain a small reserve to exploit any breach in our lines, but to commit the rest to the battle without hesitation.”

“What I'd thought,” Parno nodded thoughtfully. He raised his glass again.

“Their front rank is approaching about where the mines should be,” he said aloud.

*****

Major Seymour watched through his own glass as the Nor army crawled through the growing light. He could only just make out the mines along the front and didn't know if the crossbowmen could do so yet or not. He lowered his glass and picked up his own bow. His orders were to fire as soon as the first mine went off.