Word Count: 78,143
Summary of Events:
Aline's excursion with her niece, nephew, and Adrien was discovered by Joanne, who got upset and made Aline stay home and do all the housework while Joanne did all the errand-running, which left Aline unable to find out what the latest fire claimed as soon as she wanted to. Étienne and Commandant Bouchard were participating in matins at the chapel tent, although Étienne was starting to get bored and wishing it was almost over . . .
Excerpt of the Day:
Over the murmur of about a hundred men praying, though, Étienne heard the sound of running feet.
“Dieu forgive me for interrupting,” came a loud voice. “It is necessary that Commandant Bouchard come at once.
Étienne lifted his head and looked at Commandant Bouchard, who murmured a few more words before Étienne heard a quiet amen.
Getting to his feet, Étienne put a steadying hand around Commandant Bouchard’s upper arm before walking alongside Commandant Bouchard out of the tent, following the chevalier who’d interrupted them.
“I am sorry Commandant,” the chevalier said.
“There is no need to worry,” Commandant Bouchard replied. “Not on my part, but you may want to ask Père Trudeau if some penance would aid your disquiet.”
“I go at once mon Commandant,” the chevalier said.
“Very good,” Commandant Bouchard said.
Immediately the chevalier turned and departed while Étienne and Commandant Bouchard continued to Commandant Bouchard’s tent; inside they found a well arrayed man Étienne quickly recognised as the Comte de Marieveuve, in whose Comté Sécurniché was within; Sécurniché being the town over which Gisèle’s father Athanase was Seigneur.
“Comte de Mariveuve,” Commandant Bouchard said, bowing low. “What brings you to my camp?”
“What has happened to you Bouchard?” the Comte asked.
“L’Hérétiques have been attacking regularly, and I was wounded deeply,” Commandant Bouchard replied. “It was noticed and tended to swiftly, for which I am very grateful, although I still shan’t be able to use it for a long time.”
The Comte nodded. “And who is this?”
“Chevalier Étienne Beaugenièvre,” Étienne replied, bowing low. “I am Commandant Bouchard’s aide until he is well enough to resume his regular activities.”
“Chevalier Étienne Beaugenièvre,” Étienne replied, bowing low. “I am Commandant Bouchard’s aide until he is well enough to resume his regular activities.”
“You are married to Seigneur de Sécurniché’s daughter, are you not?” the Comte asked.
“Oui mon seigneur,” Étienne replied.
“You are more youthful than I expected,” the Comte said. “But I am pleased to see this humility you are displaying.”
“Mon seigneur,” Commandant Bouchard said. “May I ask why you have come?”
“I was sent by Duc Louis to perform an inspection,” the Comte replied. “He is troubled that reinforcements are being requested again, although considering the lack of men I have seen so far, I am not altogether surprised, yet already once in these last months this camp was already destroyed. What is going on?”
“L’Hérétiques mean to take Beaudroit,” Commandant Bouchard replied plainly. “At our last estimate their strength is about one thousand five hundred, while ours has been depleted to about one thousand two hundred by repeated skirmishes with them, for they were at two thousand five hundred strong when I came.”
“It is strange for them to go over the hills instead of taking the flats,” the Comte said.
“I agree,” Commandant Bouchard replied. “But it is clear that their intent is to take Beaudroit, and we cannot hold it. Not with this force.”
“If you have one thousand two hundred men, though, why is this camp so empty?” the Comte asked.
“It is matins,” Commandant Bouchard replied.
“Ah, I am sorry,” the Comte said.
“It was nearly finished,” Commandant Bouchard replied. “I am sure you will be forgiven.”
Pronunciations:
Marieveuve: mahreevuhv
Comté: cohmtay
Sécurniché: sehkuhrneeshay
Athanase: ahthahnahz
Seigneur: sehnyer
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