Ring of Fire III by Eric Flint Read Free Book Online Page A

the hitch—”
    “There’s just one?”
    “Very well: here’s the first hitch in that project: the companies joining me in Amiens must transfer over the border in one group.”
    “But the archduchess is seeing to that, no?”
    “She’s seeing to each unit’s release from service, yes. Moving ourselves and our gear: that has to be up to us. And we have to make the transfer without any Spanish-owned equippage.”
    “Well, that will make the regiment look like the beggar’s army on parade, but I can put a good face on it. We’ve enough of our own equipment that if we spread it out one weapon per man, there’d only be a few empty hands. And we’ll keep those few in the middle of the formations. Also, we can march the swords and pieces separately to make it all look intentional—if absurd.”
    “Good. Then there’s the approach to the border.”
    “The French know we’re coming, right?”
    “Yes, but the lads need to understand their weapons will have to go into French hands during the march to Amiens. And they won’t like it.”
    “They don’t have to,” grumbled O’Rourke.
    “That’s the tick, O’Rourke: I’m sure there’ll be no problems with you in charge of—”
    But O’Rourke leaned far back. “In charge? Me? Not by Christ Almighty’s toenails, m’lord.”
    “Who better to be in charge?”
    “Someone who’ll be with the regiment, sir.”
    “And so you shall be.”
    “With respect, I shan’t. I’ll be with you.”
    “With me? Now see here, O’Rourke—”
    “ ‘O’Rourke’ me no ‘O’Rourkes,’ Hugh O’Donnell. You’ll not be leaving me in France to tend a bunch of turnip-pullers while you sail into high seas and perdition.”
    “Sergeant O’Rourke, you are a man I can trust and a man who enjoys the respect of the entire regiment. You will see our men safely over the border, and then through their stay in France.”
    “With respect, sir, I will not. There’s many as can baby-sit them better than I. Shane Connal is the one you’ve been grooming for this kind of work. Most of the men will hear and heed his voice almost as if it were your own. And m’lord, if fair speech is required in dealing with our French hosts, then let’s speak plain and admit I’m not the man for that. But Shane’s got your way with words and manners—and he’ll oversee a just and proper succession of your title here, should something ill befall us out there.”
    Hugh considered the arguments. “You rehearsed that speech earlier, didn’t you, O’Rourke?”
    “I thought I might have occasion for words such as those, m’lord. I figured a man of genius like yourself often lacks a bit in the common sense department; he might leave his right hand at home if the right hand wasn’t determined to stay attached all by itself.”
    Hugh smiled. “You’re a pain in my neck, O’Rourke.”
    “And other parts of the body as well, I’d wager.”
    “Another bet you’d win. Now, for our trip to the New World, we’ll need about a half of a company for the landing and defense—as well as repelling pirates, if we’re unlucky. Recommendations?”
    “I’ve been thinking about just that, m’lord, and the men that seem best suited to those purposes—”
    O’Donnell clapped a hand on his shoulder. “I trust you, O’Rourke—in all things. Go get your list—and while you’re at it, fetch Shane Connal from the blockhouse, as well. Let’s not keep him in the dark on this any longer.”
    O’Rourke rose quickly. “In a trice, m’lord.” And he was out the tent flap in a rush.
    He had gone half the way to the blockhouse when a suspicion began to churn in his gut. Bt the time he had turned and sprinted back up the low rise to the commander’s tent, his misgiving had become a certainty. Pulling the flap aside, he burst into the dim interior.
    One orderly looked up from his tasks, startled.
    He was the only person in the tent. Of course.
    O’Rourke smiled and shook his head; it was sad to think