Rangers at Roadsend
Page 21
Kim sighed and pushed her empty plate away. For a while, she watched the amber firelight reflected on the side of her tankard. “I wonder where we’ll be dumped next.”
“Somewhere cold, surrounded by lots of things with big teeth,” Chip answered.
“You’re just guessing,” Kim said mock-seriously. Then she scrutinized her friend more earnestly; there had been a faint undertone in Chip’s voice. “Or are you?”
“Pardon?” Chip’s best attempt to look innocent did not fool Kim at all.
“Come on; don’t do the wide-eyed bit. It doesn’t suit you. What do you know?”
“I don’t strictly know anything, but I have this feeling about the east.”
Kim leaned forward and dropped her voice. “East?”
Chip flexed her fingers like a cardsharp. “Maybe.”
“East,” Kim repeated. “And from that look on your face, it’s not just gossip. Have you been pulling strings?”
“What’s the point of doing favors if you don’t call them in from time to time?” Chip said, grinning. “Winter struck early this year. The border divisions will all have put in requests for extra hands. If they decide to send one of our squadrons out to Eastern, I’ve merely suggested to an acquaintance on staff to consider offering the 23rd.”
“But why ea—” Kim stopped and became far more serious. “Katryn?”
Chip’s shrug said yes.
“You’re not planning some sort of confrontation with the 12th, are you?”
“Of course not. Well, not until I’ve worked out which one of them killed the sergeant.”
“How?”
“I’m not sure yet. I’m going to need to visit Roadsend and talk to people there. But hopefully, if we do get loaned to Eastern, we’ll be running up and down the border, and I’ll get the chance to visit the place.”
“And you’re sure that’s wise? You don’t want to be reminded of phrases about leaving well enough alone?”
Chip was about to reply, but at that moment four figures, all heavily muffled with scarves and Ranger’s cloaks, flitted past the window, moving too quickly for identification. A second later, the tavern door was shoved open, allowing a cold draft to swirl down the room briefly. Kim was sitting with her back to the door. However, she did not need to turn her head to know that one of the new arrivals was Katryn. The look in Chip’s eyes was unmistakable.
“It must be nice to be on sergeant’s pay and be able to afford to eat away from the mess.” Lee Horte’s tone was conversationally deadpan as she walked past the table, but the corners of her lips twitched up. The others merely smiled a greeting and settled around the bar. Kim was not surprised when Chip caught Katryn’s eye and beckoned her over.
When Katryn was seated with her drink, Chip said, “I was talking to Captain LeCoup this morning—”
Kim interrupted on Katryn’s behalf. “Oh, no! You’re not going to discuss work now?”
“Well, only semiofficially.” Chip turned back to Katryn. “I said we should get you certified as a marksman. And LeCoup agreed. Your archery is easily up to it. That way, you’ll only need to do one year as a private before you’re eligible for promotion to Leading Ranger, which will be…?” She broke off with a query on her face.
“Start of February.” Katryn provided the information, though she did not look too confident. She frowned. “It seems a bit like cheating.”
“Hardly.”
“Won’t people who did two years as private mind?”
“No one complained when Carma took certification as a healer,” Chip said, referring to the Ranger in D Patrol who possessed enough of the healer-sense to function as an effective medic—a real asset to the squadron. “As a Leading Ranger, you wouldn’t be so conspicuous.”
“Seeing as how I’m so old and haggard?” Katryn suggested lightly.
Chip pursed her lips. “Or you could hang a sign around your neck, telling people you’re younger than you look, but you’ve had a hard life.”
The two continued talking, soon drifting to other subjects. Kim shifted back in her seat and watched them thoughtfully, playing little part in the conversation. However, she soon found it necessary to rest her chin on her hand, with her fingers over her lips to hide her grin. She wondered whether the message in their animated faces and body language was as obvious to everyone else in the tavern as it was to her. Chip’s response, she had come to expect. However, for the first time, Kim realized that Katryn was also giving out signals, which Chip was utterly failing to pick up on. The next few months promised to be rather amusing.
*
By Midwinter’s Day, the entire squadron was back together. Captain LeCoup summoned a general briefing in the mess, the only room big enough to hold everyone. When all thirty-four women had taken their places, the captain began. “We’ve been given our orders. The 23rd has been seconded to Eastern Division for three months. It’s a bit unusual, but as you know, winter came on early this year, and by February, they expect to be up to their necks in snow lions.”
LeCoup scanned her audience before she continued. “By my reckoning, it’s eleven years since we last did a winter stint with Eastern, and there aren’t too many of you familiar with the setup there. So a quick summary is in order.” She folded her arms in a declamatory pose. “There are seven squadrons in the division and seven main barracks. This doesn’t include the divisional HQ at Eastford, where there’s just a staff admin building. Their summer deployment goes from May to October, with one squadron based in each barrack town. In winter, the southern half of the region is quietish, while the northern section is a bit livelier. So the four southern barracks go on half muster—which, for those of you who can’t do the math, means they have two squadrons free. One squadron, they send north to provide backup for dealing with the snow lions; the other squadron is held on reserve in Eastford. This year, since they’re expecting trouble with snow lions, they want to put both spare squadrons in the north. They want us to do the general-reserve bit based in Eastford. Does everybody follow that?”
If anyone did not, she was not admitting it, and the briefing went on, covering some administrative matters in more detail. Eventually, LeCoup wound up. “They want us in Eastford on the fifteenth of January. We ride out tomorrow, so you’ve got one night to say goodbye to anyone in Fort Krowe who’ll miss you. Okay, meeting over.” As the women started to shuffle toward the door, LeCoup raised her voice again. “And Sergeant Coppelli, I’d like a word with you in my office.”
As she squeezed out the door, Chip caught Kim’s eye and exchanged a worried grimace with her. There had been something ominous in LeCoup’s tone, but they would have no chance to speak. Chip headed straight to the captain’s office with a nasty cold lump forming in her guts. LeCoup arrived a few seconds later and ushered her in.
Chip came smartly to attention in the middle of the room; it seemed the sensible thing to do. LeCoup slowly paced the length of the floor; then she fixed a long, critical stare on her. At last, she spoke. “Were you surprised to learn just now that we were seconded to Eastern Division?”
Chip hesitated, but lying was very unwise. “No, ma’am.”
“Why not?”
“I…er…I had discussed the possibility with a member of divisional staff, ma’am.”
“Discussed the possibility? That’s a frigging euphemism. What you mean is you talked her into fixing it for you.” LeCoup’s voice had acquired a snarl. She walked closer until she was glaring directly into Chip’s eyes. “Okay, Sergeant. Why?”
Chip managed to keep control of her voice. “I was hoping for a chance to visit Roadsend, ma’am. I wanted to see if I could learn more about the murder of Private Nagata’s ex-sergeant.”
“That’s not your job.”
“No, ma’am, but I wanted to clear her name.”
“I’ve already dealt with that. The reports I received showed that her record in the Militia was exemplary, and there’s no evidence to support claims that she was the one who mu
rdered her ex-sergeant.”
“Yes, ma’am. The reports you got were very helpful.”
“Helpful?”
Chip judged that she had little to lose by continuing. “As long as the murder is unsolved, there are always going to be doubts...in Private Nagata’s mind, if nowhere else. Until she knows that she has been proven innocent, she’s always going to be wondering just how much her comrades trust her.”
“So you decided to fuck about with the squadron’s posting?” LeCoup increased the intensity of her verbal offensive. Chip swallowed, hoping that the question was rhetorical. To her relief, after a long pause, LeCoup continued, “The deployment of squadrons is a matter of life or death, not a damned game of tiddlywinks. The 23rd is my squadron, and I am responsible for it. I will not have a shit-assed sergeant tossing it around the Homelands for her amusement.” The volume of LeCoup’s voice rose several levels. “If you want to make arrangements for the squadron, you don’t go behind my back. Either you go via me, or you keep your fucking hands out of it. You don’t take it on yourself to play games, or Himoti’s statue in the chapel will be wearing your tits for earrings. Understood?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Don’t you ever dare do anything like this again.”
“No, ma’am.”
LeCoup stomped away. “Dismissed.”
Chip did not start breathing normally until she was outside the building. She sucked in a deep lungful of air and began walking back to her room. Kim intercepted her on the way.
“Trouble?” Kim asked.
Chip scrunched her nose. “A bit. LeCoup found out I was the one who rigged the posting.”
“How?”
“She didn’t say.” Chip shrugged. “How does she find out half the things she does?”
“Was she angry?”
“She threatened to remove some of my body parts.”
Kim laughed. “With fatal results?”
“No, but I’m still rather fond of them.” Chip thought for a moment. “And it’s not as though the statue has pierced ears.”
*
Dusk was less than an hour away as the squadron rode over the brow of the last hill and saw the town ahead. Snow lay thick on the surrounding countryside. The river cut a black line through it. Lanterns were beginning to be lit, and their light glinted off the rows of icicles dangling from the lintels of windows. Eastford spanned the two sides of the Little Liffey River. The ford of its name had long since been replaced by an arched stone bridge. Apart from the divisional HQ, there was also a temple in Eastford. It was the tallest building by far; its dome raised a dark mass against the sky.
Captain LeCoup led the way along the main road into town and called a halt outside a flat-fronted building on the edge of the market square. The green and gray banner of the Rangers hung above the only door. LeCoup slipped from her saddle and went inside with Lieutenant Ritche. The other Rangers milled around in the deserted square.
“Where’s the barracks?” one voice asked loudly.
Ash overheard. “Didn’t you hear what the captain said in the briefing? There isn’t a permanent squadron based in Eastford, just a few divisional staff, so they don’t have purpose-built barracks here.”
“We’re not going to be camping out all winter?” It was more a protest than a question.
Ash merely smiled at the speaker and urged her horse away. The Ranger went on a fruitless search for another veteran from the squadron’s last posting to Eastford.
Before long, Captain LeCoup reappeared in the doorway. “Okay!” Her shout got everyone’s attention. “As you may have heard, the bad news is that they don’t have barracks here in Eastford. They don’t have troops stationed here year-round to make it worthwhile. The good news is that Eastford is on a major trade route, so in this season, there are lots of inns with lots of vacant rooms. We’re to be billeted in them. I’ve got the allocations here.” She waved some papers in the air and beckoned the four sergeants over.
*
By nightfall, C Patrol was happily installed in the Three Barrels. The inn staff cleared away the remains of a meal that outdid anything ever served in a mess hall. The Rangers were in high spirits. Some settled down by the fire with a drink, while others prepared to go in search of the other patrols to see how they had fared.
Chip was building her resolve to brave the cold and call on Kim when her friend beat her to it, appearing in the doorway of the taproom, knocking snow from her boots. “Very cozy.” She gave her assessment, smiling broadly.
The two sergeants picked a couple of comfy chairs in a warm corner. In response to a wave, one of the inn staff indicated that drinks would be with them shortly.
“It isn’t bad, is it?” Chip said, her gesture taking in the whole inn.
“No, it’s not,” Kim agreed, laughing. “The squadrons in Eastern must fight pitched battles over who gets this winter posting.”
“What’s your inn like?”
Kim looked around, sizing it up. “A bit bigger; not so homelike. We’ve all got rooms to ourselves.” Her grin got wider. “With a town full of interesting women who haven’t seen a serving Ranger for months and a bed in crawling distance of the bar, I overheard one of my patrol wonder if she’d been killed in action and gone straight to Ranger heaven.”
“I just hope we get to spend some time here. It would be awfully sad to be sent off tomorrow to the ass-end of nowhere, chasing some farmer’s hallucinations.”
“I thought you wanted a trip out to Roadsend,” Kim said, feigning surprise.
“Oh, I do.” Chip sighed and sank farther into her chair as two tankards arrived. “But there’s no rush. I won’t mind if I have to wait here a few days first.”
Chapter Seventeen—Scene of the Murder
Apart from the snow, the barracks at Roadsend looked exactly the same as they had the last time Katryn had been there. The eight women of C Patrol dismounted at the gates and walked the short distance to the central parade ground. Katryn had to force her legs to move smoothly, matching her pace to that of the others. Her eyes took in the scene, and she tried not to flinch as they skimmed over the latrine block. The 12th Squadron was no longer there. It had moved at the end of October to its winter posting, the Clemswood barracks—information Chip had made a point of finding out. Currently, half of the 8th Squadron was stationed in Roadsend, under the command of its lieutenant.
Katryn watched Chip bounce up the steps to the main office and stick her head around the door. Immediately, Chip ducked back out, and the lieutenant appeared, smiling a welcome. In the cold weather, the horses were the first priority. With only half a squadron on-site, two stable blocks were free, as were two bunkhouses. Katryn bit her lip as she tended her horse. She knew that all four buildings were identical, in some cases right down to the graffiti scratched inside the lockers, but she found herself praying that the patrol would not be assigned to the same dormitory she had slept in before.
Fortunately, the B Patrol bunkhouse was taken, and they were put in the next one along. Even so, being back was disorienting. Katryn kept expecting Ellis to appear around each corner. Figures she saw out of the corner of her eye looked like Jan or Tina. She found herself waiting to hear Sal’s voice from the bunk below hers.
Katryn took a grip on her imagination. She knew where it was headed. Next, I’m going to want someone to hold my hand when I go to the latrine. At that thought, Katryn set her jaw. It was something that she was going to have to face, and the sooner, the better.
The others were waiting for Chip to return from her talk with the lieutenant. Katryn strode out of the bunkhouse and along the edge of the parade ground. Despite her resolve, it was impossible not to hesitate. An irrational urge to back away almost overcame her, but somewhere, she found the courage to push the door open and step inside. She stood by the water troughs and looked around. Of course, there were no bloodstains left on the tiles. Slowly, her racing pulse began to ease, only to jump when the door was pushed open again.
“Yes.”
Chip studied her. “Are you okay?”
Katryn forced a smile and nodded. Chip reached out a hand to squeeze her shoulder. Instantly, every other thought in Katryn’s head scattered. The effect of the touch jolted through her, shooting down her spine and rippling over her scalp. She turned her face away while fighting to control her expression.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” The level of concern in Chip’s voice had gone up a notch.
Perhaps if I act totally pathetic, she’ll give me a hug. The thought was ridiculously tempting, but on a scale of maturity, it scored in negative numbers. Katryn forced herself to stand up straighter and move away slightly, breaking the physical contact between them. “Yes, ma’am, I’m fine. Really, I am.” It was not a complete lie. Her shoulder was throbbing, but the bad memories were utterly routed.
Chip stood awkwardly, seemingly unsure what to do with her arm. “I’ve…er...” Then she gathered strength. “I’ve been talking to the lieutenant. We’ve got half an hour before dinner, so I’m going to give a quick briefing. Are you all right to come along?”
“Yes, of course.”
The two reentered the bunkhouse. The iron stove had been lit, and the members of C Patrol were gathered round. Chip and Katryn took a place in the huddled group, holding their hands out to the warmth.
“Okay, girls. In the circumstances, I’m going to make this a very informal briefing. Feel free to interrupt.” Chip grinned at the circle of faces and went on. “I’ve got a few more details on the reasons for our little jaunt here. The first report was right; it is mountain cats—supposedly. The lieutenant was quite honest and admitted she didn’t put much faith in the tales, but she doesn’t want to risk ignoring them. She’d like to take two patrols out to get the hunt over with quickly, but she doesn’t want to leave the barracks empty. In a month’s time, when things get busy, she won’t have the option. But she guessed rightly that there’d be a spare patrol available at the moment. I also got the feeling she wanted the chance to show us the local scenery, so if there’s a crisis later, there’ll be some of us in the 23rd who are familiar with it.”