La Chanson de la Victoire (The Song of Victory): La Petite Arpenteuse (Non, SV, you are a General of France in the Napoleonic War!)

8.4: Se soulever; Rise UP!


"General Auclair," Tallyrand spoke with calm authority, but he was very… hidden. "There are things a woman cannot understand."

"I am not just a woman." You replied. "I am a Générale of the French Army. And someone who deserves to know if I am being sent to die. That I am politically inconvenient for our current government, for whatever reason."

"Despite that… your orders should all you should care about." Robespierre stated.

And despite those words, you couldn't help but feel his anger, at Brian, at Napoleon…

Directed solely at you.

Anger, fear, and hatred. Gone was the man who viewed you as a hero. That man was gone, replaced by something that brought thousands of people to the Guillotine.

"You are a heroine of France. Something the Revolution needs." Robespierre stated.

"I am reminded of Jeanne d'Arc. That great heroine of France who became a Martyr for her nation." You stated. "When she no longer had a use for the Nation's leaders."

The two men looked at each other, with a sense of… something, you couldn't tell.

"Perhaps my companion's words are not entirely… obvious," Tallyrand stated. "You have disobeyed orders for your entire career, despite your great victories that justify them. But we cannot trust you with any more information that we deem necessary."

"Then perhaps my time is wasted, so get out Minister, I have work to do." You replied… anger bubbling in your voice, "So either explain the information so I may plan… or leave and stop trying to interfere with my campaign."

Failure: No one will tell you anything.
In the Next Rumor Mill, there will be a Reaction roll against you.
If the roll is less than 5, you are arrested for Treason and mutiny. Less than 10, There will be commissioners joining you. There are more, but these are the only two that we will tell you about.
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The map that you were given was utter shit! You had seen better maps from yourself, when you were a child, barely considered an apprentice of surveying, nevertheless now, when you were an able cartographer and surveyor.

The inaccuracies on it… it was an old map, maybe two hundred years old. Not something that will assist you in an invasion. Many of the settlements that you could be invade

"What the hell is this?" You asked the messenger who had delivered the map.

The messenger sighed, clearly not wanting to be there to answer your question. "The maps that you requested were… destroyed when the revolutionaries took the palace and its library."

You narrowed your eyes. That was a lie… you knew it was a lie because the palace was not razed to the ground when the citizens stormed it. Hell, you managed to get one of Cassini's maps to Napoleon at your request?

You had seen a few of the maps, maps that you had helped Brian, your father, and Cassini create, masterful maps that took years of surveying to create.

So someone was withholding information, the maps, and other documents that were vital for an invasion in Sicily.

And you did not like the thought. But it was a very powerful possibility.

Failure:

Someone is trying to sabotage your campaign… but you have no idea who might act against you.

You and all your corps will suffer a roll malus of -10 to campaign rolls in Sicily for one battle due to the lack of accurate maps.
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Adam Serre was a man you had expected the impossible from. Harassing ships of the Royal Navy while he was outnumbered, outgunned, and in some cases, out commanded would have made any sailor wish for odds to be better, and wish for better command.

Yet the captain from Haiti as he called it, like the rest of his countrymen who had joined him, had impressed you with his activity in the Mediterranean. For the last six months, he and his squadron of ships had harassed the Royal Navy, in such a way that they were never found after the raids, and any fleets or communication that tried to follow or track them, they could not.

You had expected him to return with maps when he wrote he was returning to Tulon post haste. You had expected maps, and other sorts of information that could help you in this daring and still, in your mind, impossible campaign.

You did not expect an Ottoman Général among his… guests. Freed Prisoners from Pirates who wished to join the revolution, Americans and Frenchmen... And you most certainly expect him to join you with such enthusiasm. With the information that could change your opinion on this invasion.

Muhammad Ali Parsha was a man of Arab descent, with far darker skin color than a man from North-Western Europe, but not like a man from Spain or the Italian peninsula… however, despite the regal bearing in his glare, a bearing that you had seen in many a man. But he spoke a few eastern words. Serre said it was Albanian… or Turkish, he hadn't figured it out, speaking to the man in Arabic, or French.

He had been captured by Barbar's during a mission to secure a coastal port in Albania, a town that Adam could not really say properly, to suppress Christian rebels and against bandits who had been stealing the tax money from the region.

And that same ship that held him, was hired by the British to raid French shipping.

As luck would have it, once he had been… rescued by Adam… he started offering things that seemed impossible.

You saw the cheerful smile on his face, with his brownish-black beard shaved close, as a man who was… inconvenienced. Or believed it was a joke. "Ah, I see that I am brought before a woman…" He spoke in a good enough French for a man from the east. And despite his smile, he seemed confused. "Is this a jest, I was told I would be meeting a Générale of the Great French Army of the Orient? Not some girl who looks more a man than a woman, with small breasts and a boyish-"

You took a deep breath. Allowing him to speak was one thing. Insults were another. "You have. I am Générale Therese Auclair, of the Army of the Orient." You stated quite clearly for the man to understand.

For a moment, there was silence, before the man let out a laugh. "A woman Générale?" His laughter was stopped when the doors opened and your officers arrived. "I had heard drunken Frenchmen we took as slaves for two years praying and drinking to your health like you were some queen, how you were going to save this wretched world from the evils of monarchs and reclaim the natural rights that all men have." His smile was vanquished from his face. "I had heard you were taller than two men standing on top of one another, with eyes of gold and you spoke like an oaf, galavanting off on adventures while your officers did all the work?"

"Générale Auclair?" Chamans asked as he stepped in behind the Arab. "Shall I remind him of the arrangement of our captives' rescue and his offer, should he keep insulting you and your honor?"

"That will not be necessary Colonel." You replied. "While such words are appropriate for an ungrateful Buffon who firmly believes that I have no power, and makes such crass remarks from uncultured infidel…" You found yourself getting a nod of approval from Birther. "He will listen, and he will say words that we... want to hear."

Muhammad Ali Parsha once again seemed to quiet himself. "I suspect you wish for me to give everything I have, for my life?"

"We would never wish to kill you, for you are not a prisoner." You replied, making Beirther's face fume red with anger. "You offered something, and I wish to ask for your price for that information."

The man shifted his feet. "My information is everything that I know about the Egyptian defenses, I had learned from the Barbar's, and my own colleagues in the region. Troop movements, patrols, paymasters, armories, maps of the region."

"Yes." you replied. "Name your price?"

The man and your officers seemed shocked. "Générale!" Dumas raised his voice. "You cannot be serious!?"

"That man is a heathen!" Berthier shouted. "A snake of contorted lies and falsehood, you cannot buy anything from him without verifying-!"

"Perhaps… but right now, he has given me no reason to doubt him." You replied with a cold glare that made the hardened soldier… not shiver, or shrink in his boots. But feel very uncomfortable. A Gaze of true power. "And he has every reason to profit from the information he may give to us.

Parsha nodded "Treason is not something I particularly agree with."

"Perhaps. But the alternatives that may befall you are far worse than simple treason. Because I know ambitious men… and you are ambitious."

Parsha nodded. You seemed to speak in his language. The Language of favors. "I agree… you are far more than I imagined Générale Auclair. And that is something rare indeed."

" Général Dumas… see to it our guest is given a suitable quarter, and make sure he is under guard. Until I can verify the maps, and we will have no idea about the information until we are closer to Egypt." You ordered.

A Crisp salute followed from Dumas, and Parsha smiled as he was escorted out of your office. "Baraka Allahu Fika Thérèse Auclair." he stated.


Reward: The Maps are indeed accurate. And the information… well the information is priceless.

You have gained completely accurate maps of all cities, supply depots, armories, patrol routes, and water sources for a campaign in Egypt, including weaknesses in defenses in major forts and defenses.

Including the names of men who would assist you, if you promised an independent Egypt.

For any Army/Battle Action within Mainland Egypt, you gain a +10 to all rolls for 4 turns, or until you take part in an action that will take your army out of Egypt, whether it be returning to France, or into the Levant, or onwards to India.

Surveying rolls gain a +30, for 4 turns, and +10 for the remainder of your campaign in Egypt.

You have gained accurate information on the Egyptian Garrison that is stationed in Egypt, and where their forces are currently.

Garrison of Egypt:

Mamluk Forces (Active forces in Egyptian cities, Alexandria):
5,000 Infantry (Untrained)
10,000 Cavalry (Veterans)
25 Guns/ 1000 Artillery (Untrained)

(In Cairo)
5,000 Infantry (Experienced)
2,000 Cavalrymen (Veterans)
44 Guns/ 2000 Artillerymen (Veterans)

(Nile Delta Defense Force):
10,000 Cavalry (Untrained)
22 Guns/1,000 Artillerymen (Untrained)

(Naval Forces Defending Egypt):
25 Ships (none of them ships of the Line)

The Main Ottoman Forces are North, in Greece and Anatolia, in the Levant, their composition unknown, but they number around 200,000. However, Parsha only knows about Jerusalem Garrison forces.

The Ottoman Garrison in Jerusalem:
10,000 Infantry (Experienced)
5,000 Cavalry (Experienced)
44 Guns/ 2000 Artillerymen (Veterans)

The Map:Google Image Result for https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a6/3b/43/a63b43af784d2672e3e559d14bdaf76f.jpg
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Général de Brigade Louis-Nicholas Davout, stood at attention as you looked at the letter from General Dumouriez

He had been quite a soldier in his short career in the army. Commissioned in the Royal-Champagne Division before the revolution, he willingly followed the revolution and paid the price in prison time and in the loss of his rank.

But he rebounded and served with a volunteer brigade from his home, and served with distinction.

Dumouriez could not say anything bad about the man… literally everything that Davout did was exceptionally delicate and brilliant.

And privately, Dumouriez confided that he wished to protect the young man, for his noble birth, and his disdain and hatred for the civilian commissioners who nearly killed him during the Belgium campaign had made the man bitter, and angry at the direct oversight from Paris.

He believed that, with a chance to get away from the spotlight and the commissioners, and the possibility to prove himself in a more… independent battlefield with other young generals.

Under natural conditions and with your own experience with France's current government (Or rather members within it) you assumed that the Directory was trying to get rid of him like you. For reasons, you were not entirely sure.

Well then...let us take this opportunity by the horns and run with it.

He was skilled… hopefully, he wouldn't mind some sun in Egypt.

"I'm glad you volunteered." You stated.

"Thank you." He replied with a small bow of his head."

Reward: Louis-Nicholas Davout has joined your officer's corps for the Army of the Orient.

Currently, he is serving as your aide-de Camp and assisting you with numerous activities once the battle begins, along with taking over command if you are indisposed.

+5 to all army actions.

Next turn, you can assign him to a corp, and replace one of your other officers.
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Failure: It seems that trusting in new technology without proper testing is foolish.

Or rather, the General refuses to sacrifice skilled operators, and Balloons for a foreign expedition thousands of miles away from home.

And he seems to be stepping away from active duty, and taking a more administrative role within the Army, taking command of a new Training Camp in Paris.
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"I assumed he would be coming back?" You said looking at the pile of letters from Napoleon you had been at least trying to read. The Dozens of letters were mainly love poems and well wishes before he railed about your mind… your beauty and your staggering height.

It was quite embarrassing, and you honestly wondered how in the world he managed to write all of them. And where he found the time to write them all.

Hopefully, it didn't speak ill of the campaign in Italy.

"It appears that he took it like a duck to water." Severin said calmly as he put the letter on your desk.

"Before we go to the official report." You paused, taking a moment to pour a glass of wine, and handed the glass over to him. "You need this before the day is over."

"Actually that's not exactly the reasoning, his drilling has been superb, he's taking to his marching orders effectively and he's not complained once since he signed on," Severin noted as you looked at him for a moment. "He's almost strong enough to march with half a kit and a rifle."

"Good. I expect to see more in the written report?" you asked.

"He also seems to have focused on his studying, if he's going to be doing his duty in the Grenadier's he's going to be the best officer he can for it."

Wait...did he say...he must be joking?

"Ensign Capat wishes to join... the Grenadiers?" You asked.

Severin nodded. "He's hoping to be in the Vanguard of our operation when he's older..and…" You tried to not look at him like you wanted to scream. "You're giving me that look General, what is troubling you?"

You hadn't noticed. "A Grenadier… and he wishes to lead men in the Van?"

"Yes." He stated. "He has shown remarkable bravery to even volunteer for such a role knowing-"

"He is a child." you stated.

"And boys his age have led men into certain death." Severin started with a bitter taste in his mouth. "Though only a few years older." He paused, a memory in his mind causing him to look down at the wine bottle. "He will not think himself immortal, or proud. He will be reminded that a bullet makes them all equal."

"God made gunpowder to make us all equal." You said. "Though I assume men will make it even worse, and more equal."

"Indeed...I only hope he has a greater fear of death, that will keep him alive."

"We can only hope...but given what you've said of his progress I can only assume good things."

Reward: Louis Capet gains +3 to all stats and Skills.

STATS

Military: 5 (I do not know anything in the way of war… only that men are fighting for me, and now I am fighting for you.)

Charisma: 7 (I…. am going to be better.)

Decorum: 15 (As A Prince of France, you have learned many things about Fine dining, and dressing well.)

Stewardship: 7 (You are now budgeting the coin you earn.)

Intelligence: 13 (You are remarkably bright, now in a stable location, you are flourishing.)

Education: 8 (Your education is making progress, most of it military in nature.)

Subterfuge: 8 (You know that there are bad men in the world.)

SKILLS

Combat: 14 (A Bullet makes all men equal, and you are a very good shot)

Oratory: 8 (You can maintain a conversation with people, it's a miracle.)

Calvary Command: 5 (You know that riding a horse is important)

Infantry Command: 5 (You are now an Ensign… the lowest rank in your nations officer corps )

Artillery Command: 5 (They are loud and big guns… that civilize things with long-range artillery)

Manual Labor: 10 (The Mounsiour forced you to work in his shop, even as the army forces you to work you learn to bear with it.)

Law: 3 (You know the law of your lands… only the republican ones, and even then only the basic ones )

Administration: 3 (You are not an administrator… you are a child, though you know how to stack paperwork now.)
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By god, he was insistent on this…






Oh for the Love of God and the Pope...he really WAS a romantic.






WAIT...WHAT!!! Brian you Traitor!







From the Sun of your Heart to the Moon of my Life…





Napoleon Boneparte.




You hoped that you could… meet the man, and if he was so insistent to court you, he must at least try to treat you as an equal like your officers tried to do.

What was the worst that could happen with a man like him on a courtship?

Reward: You may now judge Napoleon's Character and Court him. Hopefully, his manners and Character are as good as his Military Skill.

New Action Available.
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"It's terrible." You stated.

"It's far better than my first poem was. It will come with time, you will enjoy writing it, and it will come naturally to you." De Lisle stated.

"But you've been working on that sheet for years now…"

You looked at the poetry you had written and that of De Lisle… or rather the song he had written when you were on the Rhine. A Song he had been fixing for the last two years.

"Why are you so scared of sharing it?" You asked.

De Lisle smiled. "I don't really know. Every time I read it, I sing it, I try to make it better."

"Then let me read it." You stated.

De Lisle was quiet. "Sing it."

"Sing it?" You asked, feeling strange.

"I composed the music when we were on the Rhine, but I wanted to be our anthem, but we were always on the move, and I never got the chance to bring it to your attention." He replied. "This is a song that I think is meant for you… and for France itself."

You felt flattered. "I can't accept such gratitude De Lisle. I have never done anything to be worthy of such praise."

De Lisle shook his head. "Then don't think of it like that, then… think of it as a poem, to be told in a beautiful voice."

You gave a nod… hummed a short hum… and sang.






Reward: You have discovered that De Lisle has dedicated a song for you, and for France itself, to serve as the Anthem for the Army of the Orient.

La Marseillaise

Your own poetry skills are middling at best, but you can write a decent poem. De Lisle is encouraging it.

New Action Available.
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Décembre 15, 1794

You looked at your glass of wine and sighed. "What am I to do...when the world wishes me to fail time and time again?"

You swished the wine a bit as you looked at the red rain of wine and the sweet aroma of grapes and the hint of wood from its wine casket, a rare smell that denoted its quality and its aged grace.

"At least now… I have you to enjoy because wine doesn't plot to betray you for being loyal to a nation." You continued.

"You know Générale, that's a remarkably bitter way of looking at your job." It was Chamas, and as he entered, he was smiling. "All Générales are met with some fear from their government when they are popular, competent, and even… disobeying when that general feels that they need to move, to act."

"They think of Caesar when he invaded Gaul?" you replied.

"Vercingetorix perhaps. He rallied his people who had no right to fight together, to stand side by side against overwhelming odds. Even when he lost." Chamans stated as he took a seat across from you, taking the bottle and looking at it. "Drinking this swil? There is far better wine for you."

"I prefer to drink cheaply." you stated as you swirled the glass of wine.

Chamans smiled. "Perhaps. The weight of command is a heavy burden to wear. And we are lucky to have one as capable as you Générale."

"I hardly think that as a compliment." You shot back. "The men are counting on me to succeed, otherwise we all die."

"Générale...You are not alone in this madness...men understand your struggles and strife as well as the uncertainty of commanding thousands of men to die for something they can scarcely understand at times." He continued. "Look at Dumas, his skin is black as mud, he's considered an outsider in a land he fights for and he sees something more...something better than we can at this time. Beirther is a man who has been slighted because believes himself superior, from his skill, experience, and grasp at logistical command, one that is even Greater than De Lisle." Chamans paused. "Kléber is a man who believes in the revolution and who has seen you before you became such a hero to our people, and Severin will follow you into hell because he believes in you. Same with me and De Lisle, because you have earned that from us."

"And I will admit that I'm in some ways hesitant to truly get to know them all." You stated.

"And whose fault is that Générale Auclair? This world is not kind to those who fight against the tide. Especially one who is scared that emotions will be viewed as weakness. We are all terrified of our death, but we have you to lead us to victory." Chamans replied. "Talk to them, learn that they are flawed souls like yours. Or allow them to see the flawed soul whom they are trusting their lives to, and see that they have nothing to fear."

"And how will I make them listen...I'm a woman, barely respected as it is." You said feeling your self-hatred.

"You have led men to victory, survived war and great odds time and time again. They respect that at least, and that respect will let you go far in many ways..all you need to do is let your own insecurities not control your mind." He said.

"I don't-" You started.

"You are letting your self conciseness on your sex control your way of speech, showing weakness and insecurity on your sleeve. You must show it...but contain it, master it and let it become an armor that you own, not let it be used as a weapon against you." He said with a small smile as he took your glass.

"Show them you are a worthy Générale." He said as he drank the wine. "In the same way, I believe you are."
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Général Dumas was in an apartment, with a woman you most assuredly believed was his wife. There was a comfort between the two that showed so much of their relationship. The trust, the longing, the honesty that can only be found in the union of a man and wife. Even through the poor window, it was clear to you… and as you knocked on the door, you waited with patient breath.

Général Dumas answered the door, a calm casual smile. "I'm sorry, but I requested no visitors-"

You timidly cleared your throat. " Général Dumas. May I speak with you."

Your presence caused Dumas to stand at attention. "Générale!" He saluted. "I did not expect-"

" Général please, I am here on a personal matter, and I have a few questions for you if you would be so kind to answer them." You replied. "May I enter?"

"Ahh, enter…" He said "My wife Marie-Louise Élisabeth Labouret Dumas."

Glancing at a young woman that looked...well, plain and well from what you could tell the dress fit her. The woman herself looks up, down at your feet, and then upwards, across your entire uniform. "I see that you are wearing trousers.

You looked at the woman and stammered for a moment "Hello Madame Dumas."

"Those pants look uncomfortable." She said as you awkwardly sat down.

"What they're very comfortable." you shot back.

"Women wearing pants? Rather barbaric." She said letting her mind be known.

"Better to be practical and barbaric..then impractical and civil." You snarked.

"Well...I have some Chocolate and coffee." Dumas said offering you a cup of brown liquid and to stop the argument that was brewing. "I put some cream and a lump of sugar in it, helps with the taste."

You smiled as you took it. "Thank you." You had never had chocolate before, and you had heard it was… well, it had a positive effect on people.

You tasted it… and it was better tasting than anything you had ever drank before… you felt amazing.

"You had something to ask of me, Générale?" Dumas asked as he sat next to his wife.

"I'm a bit surprised you treat your wife with such respect?" There were other questions that floated in your mind, but that sign of respect and trust was foreign to you. Most married men did not have such a caring relationship with their wives. They wanted heirs, children, and possibly land from his wife, that could be gained by wedding her.

Marie smiled and gave a chuckle. "Perhaps it is because most marriages are built on faulty foundations, I don't need to explain our previous ruler's tortuous wedded life. Or my husband… relationship with his father, and how he came to be born."

You felt a ping of guilt, you were more a positive figure in their lives than she was, entirely undeserved...your government made them orphans entirely for political reasons.

"I'm happy for you...I hope I find someone I genuinely enjoy both as a person, and as a husband." You said shifting your feet as you moved uncomfortably in the chair.

"I have the firm belief you shall find a man who will trust you. But it never comes without trust and communication." Dumas said calmly.

"And how will I communicate with a man when I have…" You looked down and felt a terrible chill as you remembered the words from Robespierre and Tallyrand. "Certain Weaknesses for rushing off into danger without thinking of the consequences."

Marie and Thomas looked at each other for a moment, silently engaging in conversation unspoken as you felt like an unwanted wheel.

Dumas then smiled and put a hand on your shoulder. "Petit général, You believe that only the Army and the States will be more important than your own personal happiness."

You lowered your head in shame. "It is all that matters, without the state's authority and protection of the army, I would have been hanged for my actions in Valmy. I committed crimes and treason to get where I am and I have to prove that I am still reliable, knowing I am tied to the whims of the state…"

You felt yourself start to cry, the tears, an unfamiliar feeling that you haven't felt since you were broadsided. But this was not the pain of the body...this was the pain of the soul.

A pain you had failed to manage ever since you'd risen to prominence. "THEY DON'T NEED ME...ALL I am is just something they can use and throw away. All they wanted was a dumb idealistic fool to use as a weapon against his political enemies and then dispose of as they saw fit!"

"Are you a dumb idealistic fool, Générale?" Dumas asked, his voice calm.

"I'm the fool leading an army of fools." You replied with mirth. "You all haven't tried to kill me yet, or mutiny."

Dumas gave a chuckle. "I believe that, despite the fools in power who think the best way to remove you, is by sending you far away… That they make a most grievous mistake, depriving the republic of their most loyal general."

You stood up and offered a hand. "Thank you Générale."

"You are still in need of guidance and It is my duty as a Teacher and as an Officer to see it thoroughly to the end...both for your sake and mine." He said, taking your hand and shaking it without hesitation. "And despite that, I trust your judgment. You have made several choices to protect France, and have never once wavered to chase glory or honor in the field. You won't get us all killed for a chance at eternal glory. And for that, I believe, most men would follow you into hell, knowing that they will not die in vain."
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You found Kléber and Severin in a tavern, drinking with nearly half a dozen other junior officers from the Second Corps.

As you entered the tavern, the officers saw you, and you stood before them.

"Company!" Kleber shouted and every one stood at attention.

You looked to the Tavernkeeper and smiled "Have they been giving you any trouble?"

"No one's bleeding on the floor...so it's a quiet night." He said.

"At ease, I'm not your mother." You said letting out a sigh as you sat across from Kléber and Severin.

The two men sat, and the officers went back to their revelry, looking and wondering how and why you were with the common man once again, and not...worrying about the many many details that would get them all killed.

"Why are you all so relaxed?" You said feeling out of place in this...mad tired of revelry and debauchery.

It reminded you of Brian's twenty-first birthday...when some of his friends and he burned down a tavern to celebrate at the end of the night. You were...somehow dragged along for that mad carriage ride and surprisingly the only one left standing outside of the massive burning inferno.

Brian was in Jail for three weeks after that...and still said it was worth it to this day.

Kléber nodded "Because we know exactly what we are doing?!"

Sevrin continued "WE ARE GOING OFF TO A FOREIGN LAND!! WITH WOMEN!! AND WINE!! WITH OUR BROTHERS!! AND SISTER IN ARMS!! AND THEN LOOT THE FUCK OUT OF IT! BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW THE GOVERNMENT WON'T PAY US FOR THIS LITTLE ADVENTURE!! SO WE HAVE TO MAKE SOME KIND OF MONEY FOR OUR FAMILIES!!"

You didn't know how much Severin had drunk before Kléber looked at him to shut up...and you didn't want to know, Severin was going to be a Viking at this point with what he was screaming all the pillage and plunder rhetoric he could muster.

It was a free country, he's entitled to his opinion.

"Severin...Kléber if you both follow me out of loyalty. I must ask...why? I'm a woman, that shouldn't give me the most confidence in your eyes." You said.

"Outside of Bonaparte, your brother, Dumouriez, Kellerman, Davout, and a few others I can't remember right now, there aren't many Générals I trust with my life, much less with the lives of my men." Kléber stated.

"AND WE TRUST YOU MORE THEN THE PANSIES IN GOVERNMENT!! WHO HAVE NOT BLED WITH US AND DIED WITH US AND HARDLY PAID US!!" Severin shouted.

You realized that Sevrin was so drunk, you couldn't imagine him standing… much less continuing on, drinking the beer being brought to him.

Kléber nodded. "Indeed...Now...have some fun General...for the love of France, unwind a little, you've been high-strung since we got here. LIVE A Little...at least pretend that all your planning has god's grace on it and remember you've got a hundred thousand brothers who trust you and care for you as much as you care for them."

It was comforting...and above all, sincere. When was that common in your life?

No...the love letters did not count. Napoleon...was…

A complicated matter you did not know how to deal with.

Oh well, you'd deal with it tomorrow...today was for living.

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You looked at Berthier as you sat with him in the Cafe. He was composed of reading a newspaper and making a note in a ledger he was filling out. Settling affairs he said...a good habit to have, and a good habit to master.

"Go on and ask?" He said not even looking up from his newspaper or his ledger.

"I wasn't going to say anything?" You said defensively.

"You wanted to say it...that's why you came to sit near me with chocolate and are waiting for a proper opportunity to ask properly so as not to seem rude. So ask away." He said.

"Am I...worthy of your trust?" You asked.

He looked up with an amused eyebrow. "You are my commanding officer, if I did not have a modicum of trust in your abilities I would have requested a transfer and left your company long ago."

He was so blunt about it, where was the man of decorum and nobility?

"I thought you were, well, more composed when it came to talking to people you trusted?" You said noting the lack of tact you had seen him carry with other officers.

"You look like you need an honest assessment of your life from a better person in certain areas." He said.

Oh...there was the tact, he didn't call you a complete incompetent buffoon as he implied in his...other interactions.

"Just get on with it...we both know you don't want to waste your time unnecessarily." You said. "And why the change of tone... you hate me."

"I hate your brother...a distinct difference that one should not forget...most of all you." He said. "I distinctly recall you and De Lisle trusting my judgment, even when I am not the Chief of Staff."

"De Lisle is someone I trust to handle the logistical-"

Berthier shook his head. "Yes, and I am well aware of that, now that the temper of mine is cooled by the logic you have presented. A rare thing indeed, especially from-" He paused, and you narrowed your eyes as he seemed to change his words. "A General with such youth behind her. Campaigns far from home are certainly different than those fought in France."

"Which is why I chose you as part of this campaign." You said. "If nothing else your judgment on the matter of long term logistics and commanding a staff that is inexperienced would in fact lead to our long term success."

Berthier nodded. "At least you're smart enough to recognize talent when you see it...many men I knew failed to see it and have suffered the consequences for that mistake."

You then drank the coffee. "I merely hope it won't kill us."

"It won't." He replied.
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Reward: The Officers have a great… unyielding (or just bog-standard Trust in Beirther's case). They see you as someone who has proven time and time again to have the wisdom to make the right call.

Chamans, De Lisle, and Severin have gained +2 to relation (Not relationship) status.

Dumas, Kléber, and Berthier, have gained a +1 to relation.

You have lost the Trait: Stressed, due to realizing that you are not alone in this ordeal, and that, despite the stress, you feel. The men trust you enough to lead them to victory.

During Campaign: All officers will have a +5 roll bonus when working with you, or each other in addition to previous bonuses for the remainder of the campaign.
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Décembre 21st, 1794

General Dumas smiled as he brought two Practice Sabers to your neck. "I am happy that you took my advice and are taking the hits rather well."

"It hurts…" You complained.

"You are correct and you should be thankful and feel thankful that you can feel everything at all. The Real thing isn't nearly as pleasant." Dumas said calmly, as he flipped the blade over onto two of his fingers, before sliding down into your hands.

"Again…" You said fearing the dread.

"Again!" Dumas said with a smile.

"AHHHHHHH" You screamed. As you took the blade with a firm grip and stood in a defensive stance.

"ARMS TRAINING...WE NEED to BEAT your Womanly Heart out of you!!" He said smiling as you felt the urge to run like hell from the large man with the wooden sword around the boarding house.

"Is there something wrong with a womanly heart?" You asked with a snarl.

"A womanly heart is not strong enough to fight for multiple days on end, without sleep and rest. You need a soldier's heart. And no offense Générale… you do not have one yet." Dumas smiled as he followed close behind you. "But do not worry. If you continue like this, you will have one."

You panted, breathing through your mouth, gasping for air. "By making me run like a madwoman?"

"By making you run like a soldier!" He bellowed. "And a Générale!"

It lasted nearly half a day and Alexander was very proud of you that you kept running with the heavyweight of the practice blade for the entire time, even after you tried to defend yourself, getting knocked down to the ground by his fitness and skill.

It helped...and after a few weeks, you felt yourself getting stronger, and could even defend yourself

Then he made you do it all again on your non-dominant hand.

Reward: +1 to Combat Skill.

Dumas is now your fencing instructor. You will now gain +2 to 3 Combat skill during training until you are at 18 Combat skill


AN: @Cyberphilosipher you are a godsend.

Finally helping after so much time just planning and making Character sheets.

But anywho...

We have spent a long time writing this update and we have spent... two days editing this and actually cut out quite a bit so we could actually get some sleep last night.

But we thank you all for your patience, and... Well.

Try not to scream at the rolls.