Once a Soldier

by Mary Jo Putney

  The young man grimaced. “The Portuguese are no fonder of the French than the Spanish are. San Gabriel is my best chance for life. I will not betray my vows to you.”

  A sensible young man, Will thought. He guessed that in six months, Jean Marie would be fluent in the Gabrileño dialect. He was also good-looking, or he would be when he wasn’t all bones. When the time came, he should have no trouble finding a wife and creating the home he longed for.

  “While we discuss our plans,” Will continued, “scout around the area to see if you can find a place that can be easily used to bury your fellow soldiers. I don’t want to leave their bodies to be eaten by wild beasts, but neither have I time for digging graves. Find something suitable for their final resting place.”

  Jean Marie looked stricken. “You alone killed all the others?”

  Will glanced at Athena. “I had help. I’m sorry if they were your friends, but they attacked us without warning and sought to kill us out of hand. Except for the princess, whom your leader wished to capture and . . . dishonor.” Will gestured to where Justin was resting a few feet away. “My friend was injured saving her.”

  Jean Marie paled. “I was circling your camp and did not hear that. The lieutenant who commanded our squad was a . . . a coarse man.”

  “Justice was visited on him and the others,” Sofia said coolly. “As children of God they deserve a proper burial, but I will shed no tears for them.”

  “You are generous not to leave their bones for wolves to gnaw on.” The corporal stood. “I will find a decent burial place. With your permission?”

  Will nodded and the Frenchman left the clearing, his face determined. Sofia asked quietly, “Do you think he will return?”

  Athena said, “Yes, with nowhere else to go and on his own and without a horse or weapons, he’d never survive the trip across Spain to France. It was wise of you to offer him new hope, Sofi. You turned him from an enemy into an ally.”

  “I did not want to see him executed, and we needed that information,” Sofia said practically. “But Holy Mother of God, Will! What can we do against hundreds of well-trained and well-armed enemies? Our militias are small, we haven’t enough firearms, and we have only a handful of seasoned soldiers.”

  “Since we know the when and where of their invasion, we’ll ambush them,” Will replied. “I came over the mountains on the road from Spain, and there is a sizable stretch of sunken road at the crest of the route into San Gabriel.”

  Seizing on the idea with relief, Sofia said, “That sounds like an excellent plan! Will, may I appoint you commander in chief of San Gabriel’s military forces? I can make you a general if you like. Or a field marshal—that’s an even higher rank, isn’t it?”

  Will smiled a little. “I never had the ambition to be a general, but I will accept the temporary appointment of commander in chief, since I’m best qualified. I’d like to make Gilberto Oliviera and Tom Murphy brevet captains, since they’re both experienced and very capable.”

  “Do as you think best, Will.” Sofia smiled ruefully. “My contribution to the defense of San Gabriel will be prayers. First to give thanks that you’re here and willing to help, and then even more fervent prayers for victory.”

  “What are the chances of success?” Athena asked quietly. “We have at best half the men and less than half the weapons, and only the veterans you led back from Toulouse have faced combat.”

  Will hesitated, not liking what he had to say, but Sofia and Athena needed to know the truth. “The odds may be about even.” At best.

  Sofia asked hopefully, “Might Colonel da Silva and the rest of the Gabrileño army return by then?”

  “It’s not impossible,” Will replied. “But they must march the full width of Spain with men recovering from wounds. I don’t know how much they’ll be slowed down.”

  Sofia raised her chin. “I shall pray for their swift journey home, and I’ll remember Will’s instructions on the best way to knife a man in case Baudin tries to bed me.”

  “It won’t come to that, Sofi,” Athena said. “You are the golden prize that would legitimize Baudin’s conquest. If he gets close, you’ll be out of the castle by tunnel and hidden safely away in a cave.” She laughed a little. “All the work that was done to clear the wine caves! We did it too soon.”

  “Speaking of swift passages home,” Will said, “will Justin be in any shape to ride hard back to Castelo Blanco tomorrow?”

  Before Athena could answer, Justin replied in a thready voice, “He will. Tie me to the damned horse if you must. There is no time to waste. If I bleed, I bleed.”

  “We’ll ride as fast as we can without actually killing you,” Will promised. “San Gabriel needs you alive for shipping Gabrileño wine.”

  Sofia winced, but Justin gave a laugh that turned into a cough. “I’ve always liked your common sense, Will,” he managed when he regained his breath. “But don’t make me laugh again! It hurts.”

  With her brow furrowed, Sofia suggested, “Perhaps you should ride ahead, Will, since you’re vital for San Gabriel’s defense. The rest of us can follow at a slower pace.”

  He shook his head. “We travel together. None of us can be spared, and as we found out today, this country is more dangerous than we thought.”

  To his relief, no one argued the point. He’d had quite enough combat for one day.

  Chapter 26

  Jean Marie Paget found a water-scoured hole in the stony landscape that was a good fit for five bodies; next to it was a pile of stony scree. Together he and Will wrapped the fallen Frenchmen in their blankets and carried them to their final resting place.

  Though the burial site wasn’t visible from the clearing, Athena could hear the sounds of earth and stones falling on the grave. It was another reason to be grateful that Sofia had persuaded the young Frenchman to change his loyalties. If he’d been killed, Athena would have had to help Will, since Justin wasn’t up to the effort and it was unthinkable to ask a princess to bury bodies. Though Sofia would have helped if asked, honorable princess that she was.

  After the burial came a brief service for the dead. Jean Marie spoke their names and told a little about each man. Will gave a quiet soldier’s requiem. Sofia prayed for their souls. Justin didn’t go to the graveside, saying he needed to preserve his strength. Though Athena attended, she didn’t speak, but mentally she damned the old men who created wars in which young men died.

  She was grateful that by the time they returned to their campsite, the sun was setting on the long summer day and they could retire for the night. Jean Marie was wrapped up in a ragged blanket a tactful distance away from the others, near the horses. Sofia dug her two blankets from her saddlebags and said defiantly, “I’m going to sleep by Justin.”

  Athena smiled. “I wouldn’t dream of arguing about it. If his condition worsens during the night, wake me, but I hope you both sleep well.”

  Justin laughed, then coughed again. “I hope so, too. And you needn’t worry, I’m in no shape to compromise anyone, even if she is the most beautiful girl in the world.”

  Sofia’s tension dissolved into a giggle. “There is nothing wrong with your flattery, Mr. Ballard.” She fussed over Justin’s blankets until they were smooth and even, then lay down on her own blanket within touching distance.

  Justin took Sofia’s hand and said in a soft voice that wasn’t meant to be overheard, “No matter how long I live, I shall never forget the night I slept with a beautiful princess.” His words elicited another giggle.

  Athena moved out of hearing range so she couldn’t discern their soft voices over the rush of the waterfall. They would have a simple breakfast of bread and cheese and head out in the morning as soon as there was enough light to ride, so she packed away everything that wouldn’t be needed.

  After she’d done the essential packing, she glanced around for Will and saw that he’d settled against the boulder nearest the fire and was feeding wood to the flames. Wondering if his nerves were as frayed as hers,
she approached and said, “I was thinking of making tea. Would you like some?”

  He gave her a tired but welcoming smile. “Indeed I would. After the day we’ve had, we’re all in need of a soothing cup of tea.”

  The last light of sunset had gone and they seemed to be alone in the night, even though three other people were resting nearby. The constant low roar of the cataract made their location seem even more private. As she hung the small water pot above the fire to heat, she said, “I gather you’re standing guard tonight?”

  He nodded. “Jean Marie said he didn’t think any other French scouting teams were in this area, but there might be other brigands around.” He gestured to the stack of French rifles to his left. “Cleaning those weapons, as well as mine, is a good way to pass the time.”

  She frowned. “My carbine needs cleaning. Ordinarily, I would have done it by now, but it’s been a distracting day.”

  “Bring it over and I’ll do the cleaning while you make tea.”

  She brought him her weapon and he cleaned it while she relaxed and waited for the tea water to heat. “It’s hard to remember that we set out from the castle just this morning,” she mused. “The day seems to have lasted a week.”

  “A long, hard week at that,” he agreed. “I have bruises I don’t remember acquiring.”

  “So do I!” The water came to a boil, so she added tea leaves and set the pot on the ground to steep.

  Will caught her hand and tugged her back to sit on the folded blanket beside him. “Your day has been particularly beastly,” he said in a low, serious voice. “How are you faring?”

  She started to say she was fine, then stopped, unable to speak. She tried again to talk and began shaking violently. Will’s right arm wrapped around her shoulders and he drew her close against him.

  “I . . . I hope you don’t mind me having strong hysterics,” she said in a choked voice. “When I think of how close we all came to dying . . .” Her voice broke.

  Will’s arm tightened, lending her warmth and strength and support. “You’ve earned the right to strong hysterics,” he said firmly. “What you did today was quite extraordinary, you know. If not for your courage and quick thinking, we’d all be dead. Or worse.”

  Athena thought of what the French wanted to do to Sofia and barely refrained from throwing up. “It all happened so quickly, I’m not quite sure what I did.”

  “Let me remind you.” He exhaled roughly. “I was a damnable fool and allowed myself to be lulled by the apparent peacefulness of this country, and that almost got us killed. I barely avoided being shot by that sniper up on the boulder. I managed to get out of the way and take him down, but I would have been killed by that other fellow while I was reloading if you hadn’t thrown your hot griddle into his face.”

  “Sheer instinct.” Her screaming nerves were starting to ease thanks to Will’s warmth and closeness. “I grabbed and threw without even thinking.”

  “Thank God you have good instincts! You would have made a superb soldier. Though that would have been a great waste.” He began stroking his palm down her right arm. She felt like a cat being petted.

  “I went after the other attackers, which had to be done, but you’re the one who saved Sofia from being dragged off.”

  “Justin is the one who saved her. I just took advantage of a clear shot when he managed to free her from her captor.” Athena shivered again at the memory.

  “I don’t think it’s the first time you’ve killed a French soldier to protect the ones you love,” he said softly. “But that doesn’t make it easier to do, or to live with after.”

  She remembered the French soldier she’d killed in Porto when he invaded the convent, and buried her face against Will’s shoulder. “I’d rather not get in the habit of killing marauders,” she said, her voice muffled against him. “But with what lies ahead for San Gabriel, who knows?”

  “Who knows indeed?” he said wryly. “I give thanks for your courage and quick thinking because you may need them.”

  His words confirmed her earlier suspicions. “How bad is the situation? I suspected you were simplifying earlier when we had our war council.”

  He frowned. “It’s hard to predict how well the ambush will work. We’ll have to be in position at the right time and place, which will mean good scouting to know the exact time. Our men will have to arrive early, and likely they’ll have to lie in wait for hours through a chilly night. They’ll need to be very still and very quiet. The French are seasoned troops and they’ll be wary of the sunken road precisely because it’s an obvious ambush hazard. The least sound or sight of one of our men will put them on full alert and ruin the advantage of surprise.”

  Reluctantly she moved away from his comforting arm and poured the tea in pewter mugs, then added chunks of sugar. Handing him his mug, she said, “You know the troops you have to work with. What do you think is the most likely outcome?”

  “If all goes well, we’ll reduce the numbers of French troops substantially, but as they fight back, there will be serious casualties on our side. Some of the militiamen will flee because they’ve never been in battle. They’ll be terrified,” Will said bluntly. “The worst case is that virtually the whole militia breaks and runs and the retreat will turn into a bloodbath.”

  Athena gripped the pewter mug between both hands, needing the warmth. “If that’s the worst, what do you consider the most likely?”

  “Each small militia unit is built around one of the soldiers who served with da Silva. I hope there are enough such men to steady the others so there won’t be a mass retreat,” Will said slowly. “But the French will fight back hard and well. They’ve marched a long way to take San Gabriel, and they will not easily turn and run. Like Jean Marie, where do they have to go? Since they didn’t lay down their arms with the abdication, they’re now outlaws in the eyes of the Allies. They’ll fight like cornered rats.”

  Athena took a deep swallow of the half-cooled tea as she thought about the possibilities. “Surely, there will be opportunities to use that black powder you’ve been yearning to explode.”

  Will chuckled. “Yes, and after I’ve surveyed the ambush territory, I’ll know how to use it to maximum effect. But five or six hundred troops marching along a narrow mountain road will be strung out a great distance. I haven’t anywhere near-enough black powder to blow them all to hell at once. I can improve our odds, but explosions alone won’t be enough to win the battle.”

  “What if enough French soldiers survive to overrun the country?”

  Will shrugged his broad shoulders. “We pray that the safe houses and caves will protect most of the population until Colonel da Silva returns. My best guess is that the army will arrive in two to three weeks.”

  Athena wished it would be sooner. “So the situation isn’t good, but it isn’t hopeless.”

  Will swallowed the last of his tea. “Prospects are better than when you were fleeing the French across the collapsing bridge of boats and I was in a cellar waiting to be executed at dawn. We both survived then against the odds, and we’ll do the best we can to survive this time. It’s all anyone can ever do.”

  “Hear, hear!” Athena swallowed the last of her tea, then covered a yawn. “All of a sudden I can barely stay awake. I need to sleep for a few hours, and so do you. Wake me up when we’re halfway to dawn and I’ll take over.”

  “If necessary, but I don’t need a lot of sleep.” He smiled with quiet intimacy. “Lie down beside me, Athena. My thigh will make a tolerably good pillow.”

  “That’s an offer that I should but won’t refuse.” She covered another yawn. Then she rolled into her blankets, resting on her side with her head on his right thigh. “You really are comfortable,” she murmured. “But I can be relocated if you need to move. And wake me up so you can get some rest!”

  He rested his hand on her shoulder and could feel her muscles relax as she slid quickly into slumber. Part of his mind listened for any sounds that didn’t belong to the river or the stealt
hy creatures that moved through the night, but mostly he thought of how very peaceful it was to be here with Athena sleeping trustfully against him.

  She was a remarkable woman who would have made a superior soldier, but it was so much better that she was female. Under her blankets, he could see the lovely length of her strong, graceful body. Such wonderful, long legs. Such courage and resilience. So little confidence that they could build a life together.

  Tonight the possibility of a life together seemed moot. San Gabriel was going to war, he was commander in chief of its very limited forces, and a good officer did not lead from the rear.

  If he’d refused Duval’s request to come to San Gabriel, he could have been safely back in England by now. But then he wouldn’t have met Athena, and he could not be sorry to have her in his life, even if it was for too short a time.

  “Sleep well, little owl,” he whispered. “Sleep well.”

  Athena slept soundly and woke early enough to force Will to rest for a couple of hours. She also made a good pillow, he informed her before dozing off.

  She loved having his head on her lap, though it was a powerful temptation to caress every part of him within touching distance. The man needed his rest.

  In the dark hours before dawn, she thought of the brief, magical days she and Will had known each other. Her resistance to his courtship had deep, anguished roots. But now the two of them faced an invasion that was a mere four days away. Life was fragile. A single lead ball could have destroyed the bright spirits of Will or Sofia. The ball that had grazed Justin’s skull would have been lethal if it had struck half an inch closer.

  They had survived today, yet they might be dead in a week.

  She studied Will’s handsome face, weary with responsibility even in sleep, and swore she would not waste any of the precious moments remaining.

  Chapter 27

  The long ride back to the Castelo Blanco was agony for Sofia—not for herself, but for Justin. He was clearly in pain, yet being an abominably stoic Scot and refusing to admit that anything was wrong. Not that much could be done to ease his pain when they needed to return to the castle as quickly as they could. Sofia rode at his side and prayed that his wounds wouldn’t reopen and begin bleeding again.