Parno's Destiny: The Black Sheep of Soulan: Book Two Read Free Page B

despised from the moment he was born. They all had. The entire royal family, and by extension the entire household, had ostracized Parno his entire life, blaming him for the death of their much loved Queen who had died due to complications of childbirth minutes after Parno was born.
    The only exception had been Darvo Nidiad, Parno’s military retainer and trainer. The old soldier had served as Parno’s surrogate father, giving him the love and attention that should have rightfully come from the rest of them.
    And now Darvo was gone. Killed in action at the Gap.
    Memmnon hoped that Parno would be able to cope without the steady influence of Nidiad’s hand. True, he had other loyal retainers, including the foreigner Cho Feng and now both the Willard brothers. And his men, those who remained of Parno’s own Black Sheep regiment, were loyal to the death. Memmnon was convinced that the entire group would charge the gates of Hell with nothing but a bucket of water if Parno commanded it.
    At least partly because they knew Parno would lead the way.
    And there was the difference , Memmnon nodded to himself, between Parno and Therron . Where Therron had led from the rear, traveling in a caravan of servants, escorts and hangers on, Parno rode with his men. One officer as an aide, one enlisted man as a runner and an escort of eighteen hand-picked men selected by Darvo Nidiad himself. When Parno’s men slept on the ground, so did Parno.
    That was the kind of leader that fighting men respected. The army was badly in need of such a leader and Memmnon hoped that Parno would have the time needed to gain the confidence of the two army corps now engaged in trying to hold against the Nor advance into the Tinsee valley.
    Abruptly he stopped, drawing in a deep, cleansing breath. Today’s walk hadn’t worked. His head was still full of trials and troubles, but it was time for him to get to work. He paused for one more minute, looking north. North to where Parno would be approaching the army in the field.
    “Good luck, brother.”

 
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER TWO
    -
    It was the second morning after the departure of the Inspector General with Prince Therron that Parno arrived at Soulan Field Army Headquarters at the head of his column. By now word had spread that Therron had been taken back to Nasil in ‘ill health’. Parno’s arrival was expected by the army.
    General Davies stepped outside his tent at the call of his sentry and snapped to a salute as the young prince stepped down from his mount.
    “We can dispense with any amenities and niceties, General,” Parno said at once, offering his hand. “I’m Parno McLeod.”
    A stunned Davies dropped his salute and shook the much younger man’s hand.
    “Welcome, sir,” Davies said.
    “Thank you. Do you have time to brief us on the current situation?” Parno asked as Enri and Karls Willard stepped to Parno’s side, along with Cho Feng.
    “O. . .of course, sir,” Davies nodded, indicating the tent he’d just stepped out of. “Step inside if you will.”
    “Sergeant Berry, detail,” Karls ordered and Berry nodded, posting his men around the tent.
    “Major, have the men tend their horses and get them chow. Have fresh mounts saddled for the staff and the escort,” Karls ordered Seymour, who nodded and set about carrying about his orders. Enri watched, proud of his younger brother though he would die on the end of a pike before admitting it. At least to Karls.
    The four men entered the large tent and gathered around a large table where maps of the area were spread.
    “At the moment milord the Nor lines stretch from the river east of Pari, to just west of Dreeden. Their line basically occupies an old trade route. We have managed to hold them there these last two days, but. . .I have to admit, sir, that’s more their doing than ours.”
    “How so?” Parno asked, eyeing the map.
    “The Nor haven’t pushed very hard, sir, these last three, now four days,’ Davies reported.