Parno's Company (The Black Sheep of Soulan Book 1)

by N. C. Reed

  “Good thinking,” Darvo nodded. “I’ll see to that. You see to yourself.”

  “I think I’ll take that deal.” Parno replied.

  They rode on toward the fort in silence.

  *****

  Parno left his horse with the farriers of his own command, with orders to see to all the horses as they came in. He went next to his tent, gathered clean garments, and went straight away to wash the dust and grime of several days from his body.

  Thus refreshed, his next stop was a good hot meal which Lander’s had ordered prepared for all the men under Chad’s command. Landers approached the prince as he sat on a wagon’s end board to eat.

  “How was your trip, milord?”

  “Tiring,” Parno smiled. “But informative. I think we’ve got a better than even chance of frustrating the Nor commander. He isn’t, at first glance, a very inventive thinker. We’ll have to see if it stays that way, of course,” he cautioned.

  “Can you make sure that Colonel Chad’s men have the chance to clean up and get them bedded down? If there’s fighting tomorrow I want to keep them out of it, if possible, but they should be rested just in case. I’d prefer they not be assigned any duties for at least tomorrow as well.”

  “Already taken care of, milord,” Landers smiled. “They’ve been in the field since the war started. A few days before hand, in fact. I’ve made arrangements for them to have two days of rest and refit, enemy plans permitting.”

  “You’re a good man, Colonel,” Parno said quietly.

  “I get by,” Landers smiled. “I’m a fair administrator, milord. That’s all. I’ve never been a particularly good soldier, I guess. Too much of a stickler for the rules. Of course,” he chuckled lightly, “I’ve lost much of that, these last weeks.”

  “I think we all have, Colonel,” Parno assured him, “and don’t sell yourself short. You’re a good soldier and a good commander.”

  “Thank you, sir,” Landers tried not to beam too much at the praise.

  “What’s our count, by the way?” Parno asked, eating his food with a relish. It was his first hot meal in several days.

  “We’re mustering just under five thousand men at present, milord,” Landers informed him. “Not counting Colonel Chad’s command. Several Militia and Home Guard units have reported here during your absence. We’ve had a fair number of retired or former soldiers report here looking to serve. I’ve formed them into an auxiliary unit for now.”

  “It seems like you have things well in hand, then,” Parno finished off his meal. Rising, he left his tray on the wagon board. “I think I’ll get some rest, Colonel.”

  “Milord,” Landers rose, looking at the young prince. “There’s been no decision made on who will command tomorrow, nor on an effective chain of command as yet. This is my post, but in light of your presence. . . .” he trailed off expectantly.

  “I’ll be in command,” Parno assured him. “I want you to command your normal forces, Colonel, and be available to me for input. Darvo will be my second, while Willard commands the Sheep. Chad will retain his command of course. Should Darvo and I both fall, command will rest with you and with Colonel Chad.”

  “Both of you know what’s at risk, here, Colonel. Both of you are good men. If I pass, I expect you to give a good accounting of yourselves in my absence.”

  “We will, milord,” Landers nodded gravely. “I look forward to serving under your command.” With a nod of respect, Landers turned and departed. Parno watched him go, wondering if the Colonel resented being usurped.

  “He is glad you are to lead the defense,” Cho Feng said softly from behind him. By force of will Parno managed not to start, turning slowly to face his teacher and friend.

  “Think so?” he asked. “I admit it looked that way to me. Not that I blame him. I don’t really want to be in command either.”

  “It is the way it must be,” Feng shrugged. “Your destiny is upon you, Parno McLeod. Time for you to become the man you are meant to be.”

  “You keep saying things like that,” Parno complained. “and never explaining them. If you know so much about what I’m supposed to do, why aren’t you telling me?”

  “It isn’t my place,” Feng shrugged philosophically. “Each man follows the path Destiny lays before him, or he flees from it. You have chosen to follow. The rest is in your hands, Parno.”

  “Tomorrow, day after at the latest,” Parno sighed, “we’ll be attacked by a force at least ten times our size, Cho Feng. I didn’t choose that. My men will likely be slaughtered before any real help gets to us, and once we’ve fallen, the Nor will flood into the heartland and the war likely be lost. I didn’t choose to be at the center of that.”

  “Yes, you did,” Feng replied. “You didn’t have to come here, Parno. You aren’t even supposed to be here,” he added, grinning. “Yet here you are because you see it as your duty. Your responsibility. That was your choice.”

  “So it was,” Parno sighed wearily. “At any rate, if I don’t get some sleep, I won’t be much good tomorrow. Goodnight, Cho.”

  “Good night, My Prince,” Cho bowed. “Sleep well.” He watched as Parno walked toward his blankets.

  “Sleep well,” he repeated to himself. “You will surely need it.”

  *****

  Parno was shaken awake before dawn.

  “Milord,” Sprigs looked as he’d only just been awakened himself. “Milord, Captain Jerrolds’ company has just returned. The Nor are approaching.”

  “What?” Parno worked his way out of his warm blankets and began dressing.

  “Captain Jerrolds says that the enemy began a heavy push a few hours ago, milord,” Sprigs explained, helping Parno with his gear. “Apparently their commander, knowing how close they are to us, decided to simply absorb any further casualties as the price of doing business and simply pushed his men forward as quickly as possible.”

  “Captain Jerrolds predicts that we’ll see the Nor shortly after sunrise.”

  “Damn it,” Parno muttered. He’d hoped for late today at the earliest. He hurried toward the forward command post, situated along the second line of defense. When he arrived, Darvo, Landers, and Chad were already there. He met Karls Willard coming in as well.

  “Morning, milord,” Karls smiled. “Looks like it’s that time.”

  “So it does,” Parno nodded. He walked up to the command group where Captain Jerrolds was in the process of giving his report. All the men stiffened as Parno walked up, but he waved it aside.

  “We’ve no time for that these days, gentlemen. Tell me the situation.”

  “We were keeping an eye on the Nor, milord,” Jerrolds told him quietly. “We had managed to ambush two of their patrols, killing all hands in each.” He reflected for a moment. “In hindsight that may have been what pushed them to this.”

  “About five hours ago, not long after midnight, the entire camp rousted. Heavy patrols screened the van and flanks in company strength. We clashed with the leading van troops, but they had ready support and we were forced to withdraw.”

  “Once we had reformed, and that took perhaps twenty minutes, I searched for a way to impede their progress but there was none, milord. Their flank security was tight. Not just horsemen, but also foot soldiers and also I think every scout that they have that is worthy of the name is out, screening around their advance.”

  “I am sorry, milord,” Jerrolds finished quietly. “I have failed.”

  “No, you haven’t,” Parno smiled encouragingly, “and your actions did slow them, at least some. You weren’t there to fight the horde on your own. Just to keep an eye on them and I doubt your attack on their patrols sparked this advance. Something like this is in keeping with their current strategy.”

  “Make us think they’re bumbling around in the dark then suddenly, when they’re in knife range, they strike. Don’t worry, we’re ready for them.”

  “Aye, milord,” Jerrolds looked slightly less crestfallen.

  “See to your men, Captai
n,” Darvo ordered. “You’ll be in the reserve for today so that you can rest and regroup.” Jerrolds saluted and moved away.

  “Estimates on when we’ll see them?” Parno asked at once.

  “According to Jerrolds’ information, they’re still about ten miles distant, give or take,” Landers replied, looking at a map. “At their pace, especially with the terrain worsening and with darkness still upon them for another three or so hours, I don’t think they can make it before two, perhaps three hours after sunup. Even then it won’t be all their forces, just the van.”

  “And they’ll be some fatigued, I’d guess,” Darvo put in. Chad nodded.

  “That they will,” he agreed. “My men and I noted that the last few miles getting here was worse than most all the terrain we’d operated in during our time in the field. It’s rough going and they’re at it in the dark. I don’t see how they can keep organized without the light of day to see by.”

  “We must assume they can,” Parno disagreed. “I’m not questioning your judgment, Bret,” he smiled, “but we can’t afford to think like that. Let’s always, from this minute forward, assume that if we can think of it, they can do it. We’re far less likely to be surprised that way.” Darvo Nidiad studied his former ward proudly and nodded.

  “Alright, then,” Parno sighed, still rubbing the sleep from his eyes. “Let’s get the artillery set. Darvo are the mines in place?”

  “They are,” Darvo frowned. He wasn’t a fan of Roda Finn’s gadgetry, “and marked as you requested.”

  “Then I want the sharpshooter company on the line, but in reserve. We’ll use the mines first, I think.”

  “Mines?” Chad asked, confused. “As in, mining?”

  “As in explosives,” Parno smiled. “Something our resident genius cooked up for us. Literally.”

  “Is that the disagreeable little man we built that bunker for?” Landers asked.

  “Yes, he is somewhat hard to get along with, I’m afraid,” Parno smiled. “but he means well. He’s just not used to being around so many people and it’s his inventions, the work he’ll do in that bunker, that will help us survive this battle. So try and allow him some leeway if you can.”

  “This I have to see,” Landers murmured. Chad looked interested, however.

  “Explosive,” he sounded out the word. “That isn’t anything new in mine country. Gases are released from the ground all the time that a spark can set off, but to be able to control when and where something explodes. . . .” He trailed off, weighing the implications.

  “Indeed,” Parno grinned. “We’re about to put that theory to the test, I’m afraid.” Parno looked at the sky. Still a while till dawn.

  “Gentlemen, return to your units and make sure your men are fed and ready. We’ll likely have a while before our next decent meal. I want five runners from each unit sent here to the command post. Men who will know where you are should I need to send a message. My own men will have left from center on the main line. Colonel, have your regulars take from center right and place one militia battalion in reserve, between the first and second lines. Have the other battalion man the second line in the event of a breach. Have the smaller units who have come in during the week organized on their flanks, under the overall command of the Battalion commander for now. If we have time we’ll organize those men into one unit later today and establish a proper chain of command. Karls, I want Parsons and his men out in front of us, watching. They’re to withdraw at the first sign of the Nor and are not to engage. Questions?” There were none. “Let’s see to our preparations, then,” Parno ordered.

  “Milord,” Landers, Chad and Willard all echoed, saluting. The men eased away, heading for their various commands. Parno looked at Darvo Nidiad.

  “If I’ve missed something, now would be an excellent time to bring it up.”

  “You’ve done well, lad,” Darvo smiled. “It’s too bad - ”

  “Yeah,” Parno sighed softly. “It is. But we’ll give a good accounting of ourselves at least, and if we can hold them long enough perhaps Memmnon, or Father, or even Therron, can come up with a way to stop this lot.”

  “Best get some breakfast yourself, Parno,” Darvo ordered. He rarely used the Prince’s first name like that and Parno looked at his old teacher carefully.

  “It’s been a grand thing, watching you grow into a man, lad,” Darvo placed a huge hand on the younger man’s shoulder. “It’s been my honor to teach you.”

  “Thank you, Darvo,” Parno smiled, “but don’t make it sound like a eulogy just yet. We might win, you know.”

  “Aye,” Darvo nodded, looking toward the tree line where the Nor would emerge, “and even if we do, one or both of us may not see it. No sense leaving things unsaid, lad. Off with you, now,” he added, shooing Parno. “Eat. See to your plans. I’ll watch things here for you.”

  “Okay, pa,” Parno laughed and had to duck a large fist as it whistled through the air over his head.

  “Ungrateful, insolent whelp!” Darvo’s bellow followed a still laughing Parno into the dark.

  *****

  The first Nor troopers appeared roughly three hours after sunup. A cavalry battalion, from the looks of it, emerged from the tree line already formed in a ragged line of battle. Observers higher on the ridges above the gap had spotted them minutes before and everyone was in place.

  Parno watched the enemy horsemen as they milled around at the tree line, looking at the earthworks surrounding the Fort. The Prince smiled at their consternation. They’d likely been expecting to find some troops guarding the pass, but not this.

  “Surprise,” Parno smiled, looking at the enemy through his glass.

  “Orders, milord?” Darvo asked.

  “Nothing yet,” Parno ordered. “Pass the word, my orders remain unchanged. No one fires until I give the word. No sense letting them see how few of us there are until we get a chance to bleed them some.”

  “Aye,” Darvo nodded and sent runners on their way. Parno continued to watch the enemy horsemen. After nearly ten minutes a small party of them began to move cautiously forward, waving a white flag.

  “Seems our neighbors want to chat,” Parno smiled at Darvo. For some reason that Parno could not explain he felt good. Alive. Blood was coursing through his veins so strongly that he could almost feel it. The air he breathed was clean, invigorating.

  “Seems so,” Darvo nodded. “I’d not let them get close enough to see anything,” he advised.

  “I won’t.” Parno moved forward to the front line and gave an order. A flaming arrow arched through the air, sticking deep into the ground near the approaching riders.

  “That’s far enough!” Parno called. “Say your bit!”

  “In the name of the Emperor of Norland and by order of Major General William Brasher, 3rd Norland Field Army, you are ordered to lay down your weapons and surrender yourselves to the rightful rulers of this land!” The words boomed across the open field and was met with a chorus of derisive hoots and jeers all along the line.

  Parno laughed, waiting for the noise to die down.

  “I think you’ve your answer, right there!” he called back. “You and your men are invaders in our land. Turn back now, and live. Stay, and we’ll put you to the sword!”

  A mighty cheer rose from the ranks at that answer, Soulan Troopers clanging sword and shield to make even more noise. The enemy captain seemed at a loss. After a moment of bickering among his own men, he tried again.

  “Your King has deserted you!” he called. “You’ve been left here to die, alone. Unaided. See reason, and surrender! There’s no need for bloodshed if you will accept the rule of the Emperor of Norland!”

  “Our King,” yelled a voice from down the line before Parno could speak, “has sent his son to fight you! And he’ll soon be kicking your ass all the way home to your bloody emperor!”

  If the cheering before was loud, it now became deafening. Men all along the line took up the same chant.

  “PARNO! PARNO! PAR
NO!” The chant rolled off the hills around the Gap, bouncing back in endless waves of echoes. Parno, caught off guard by it all, didn’t reply to the challenge.

  “Lad,” a smiling Darvo Nidiad shook him. “Need to tell these lot off,” he nodded to the Nor party. Parno nodded.

  “Leave this place and never return or face the consequences! No more parley, no more talk! You want our weapons, then come and take them!”

  The Nor party whirled their horses and headed back to their own, unable to gallop due to the stumps and trees that had been felled but left. Parno watched them go, laughing.

  “Well, that’ll put a bee in their bonnet, I’d say.” He turned to Darvo. “I don’t think that bunch will try to attack us on their own, but make sure that my orders are understood. I don’t want someone tipping our hand on nothing more than a raiding party.”