La Chanson de la Victoire (The Song of Victory): La Petite Arpenteuse (Non, SV, you are a General of France in the Napoleonic War!)
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The Long Road Home (AvidFicReader)
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The Long Road Home
Everything itched. It was impossible to scratch beneath his casts, and if he ruined them, it would take days for them to dry to stiffness again. The memory of days on end of forced inactivity itched at Severin's mind. Another thing he was unable to scratch. Not that he could, with both arms in casts and his bandaged leg jostling against the saddle. 'Surely there must be better and faster ways of treatment? Certainly less boring ones.'
"General Baguette, are you... comfortable?"
"Cheeky little shit. I'll manage. I've had worse. After all, Mon Soleil left such deep scratches on my back when Charlie was conceived-"
"Shut up! Shut up! Nope! Not listening!"
With that, Julian rides off to join Louis and Charlie, his teasing aborted as Severin shared too much information.
"Haha, the kid ought to know not to mess with me, for I lack any form of restraint!"
"That certainly is true, you mud-stained footman."
"Oh, Murat, over your fainting spell, already?"
"I'll have you know I had been gravely wounded and bleeding out from this hideous scar marring my face!"
"Sure, sure, have you considered armor? You are the 'First Knight of France,' or so says the news from back home. You can play into the reputation and have better protection. I thank God every day for inspiring me to commission my old vest. Must've saved my life a dozen times over by now. Besides, you can join the 'Shot in the face' club. It'll be a hell of a story to tell when you're rubbing elbows with those high society types."
"Perhaps I shall. You do come up with a good idea from time to time. A stopped clock is right twice a day, after all."
"Oy! I have plenty of good ideas! Nick even had me write them down for High Command to look over!"
"Your brain does seem to work when it comes to military matters, I must grudgingly admit."
"And the rest of the time, it might as well be filled with clouds. Denis, light duty means stay in your room and rest, not go haring off on patrol and getting ambushed by the last competent Austrians in Italy."
"Hey there Nick! And sitting still for days waiting for casts to dry is its own special hell. We should get someone to work on that."
"The surgeons will have had much practice with all of the wars these past few years. Perhaps I shall commission some armor for myself as well. The cost of steel has dropped quite a bit, now that our Empress' foundries have begun operation."
"Right, heard about that from my father. Turns out he was the one in charge of setting everything up for her. I guess he left an impression on her."
"Severin, you've been with the Empress the longest, do you have any insight on what she many have in store for us?"
"Not really, a lot of what she's probably dealing with is the politicking in Paris, on top of taking care of her new children. Twin boys, according to the news."
"Alexander and Roland, was it? A great king and conqueror, and the greatest paladin of France. May they lead France well in the future."
"Hear hear!"
"Denis, were you acquainted with the empress before the war? You were rather accepting of a female general before she built a reputation."
"No, but my wife is one of the deadliest people I know, so I was well aware women could be extremely capable. She had more kills to her name than I did before Mayence! As for Therese, I had met her father back at Yorktown. My father spoke with him more than I, but he did some fancy surveying and positioned our earthworks in such a way that we were practically immune to the British guns. So I recognized the name and the shared profession and figured she'd be decent enough. She's only gotten better since!"
"Remarkably fortuitous. General Davout, what is in store for our glorious army now?"
"We return to France to be reconstituted. While far from combat ineffective, we've lost nearly a quarter of our strength to casualties. While some may recover in time, we will need to recruit or transfer in more men. Massena will receive the Italian volunteers."
"Hope they do better than old Ferd the Third's boys. They folded like pasta at Messina."
"Is everything about food for you, Severin? Italians are pasta, Germans are schnitzel, English are crumpets? Is that about right?"
"Close enough. But Prussians are the wurst! Get it?"
"That was awful. Have you no shame? Your sense of humor has been shot too many times."
"Fuck you, I'm hilarious!"
"So Italians fold like wet noodles, Germans get pounded flat, what about the English?"
"The British are to be treated with the utmost caution."
"What? Nothing derogatory to say about them?"
"Oh, I have plenty to say about them. But my father fought at Minden in Regiment Touraine during the Seven Years' War. Nothing like seeing six regiments of fusiliers in line formation break down three waves of French cavalry."
Silence reigned between the three generals for a long moment, the joking mood gone at Severin's unusual seriousness.
"The way I understand it, the British army only takes volunteers or criminals who choose the army over prison. That means they have the most motivated and hardened men in their army. Whether they be cream or scum, they rise to the top. My father once said, "You can mock the British for the size of their army, but you can't mock them for the quality of their men." I can't disagree, and at Yorktown, they were tenacious opponents. Despite being outnumbered, surrounded, and wracked by disease, they still raided our earthworks in an attempt to drive us off. Killed one myself as we pushed them back."
"Hopefully, we won't have to fight the English in Spain. I would not like to test my cavalry against them if they can do that in line formation. In any case, I hope my visage will not be hideous. Bad enough there was scarring at all."
"Hold your horses, dandy man, ladies love scars. They show character, and you can regale them with the story of how you earned it. Knowing you, it will only make you look more handsome. In fact, you should go explode. That'll give you plenty of scars!"
"Both of you, enough! There's a long road ahead of us, and we generals may have to make the trip to Paris. There were instructions for most of the high officers to make their way there for some reason. Perhaps a debriefing, and delivering reports in person."
"Or perhaps to bestow awards and honors? We all performed exemplary achievements, and I am certain many more generals on the other fronts served with distinction."
"Yeah, we bailed Massena's ass out of the fire at Genoa. We're big damn heroes!"
Davout tosses something at Severin, who fumbles to catch it with his cast-wrapped arms.
"Save your energy to recover, Denis. Have something to keep your mouth occupied."
"What the hell, Nick? Don't go throwing things at a man with both arms in casts!"
"I thought you liked onions?"
"Sure, but not raw! I'd much rather eat them cooked. Eating them raw once was one time too many!"
Everything itched. It was impossible to scratch beneath his casts, and if he ruined them, it would take days for them to dry to stiffness again. The memory of days on end of forced inactivity itched at Severin's mind. Another thing he was unable to scratch. Not that he could, with both arms in casts and his bandaged leg jostling against the saddle. 'Surely there must be better and faster ways of treatment? Certainly less boring ones.'
"General Baguette, are you... comfortable?"
"Cheeky little shit. I'll manage. I've had worse. After all, Mon Soleil left such deep scratches on my back when Charlie was conceived-"
"Shut up! Shut up! Nope! Not listening!"
With that, Julian rides off to join Louis and Charlie, his teasing aborted as Severin shared too much information.
"Haha, the kid ought to know not to mess with me, for I lack any form of restraint!"
"That certainly is true, you mud-stained footman."
"Oh, Murat, over your fainting spell, already?"
"I'll have you know I had been gravely wounded and bleeding out from this hideous scar marring my face!"
"Sure, sure, have you considered armor? You are the 'First Knight of France,' or so says the news from back home. You can play into the reputation and have better protection. I thank God every day for inspiring me to commission my old vest. Must've saved my life a dozen times over by now. Besides, you can join the 'Shot in the face' club. It'll be a hell of a story to tell when you're rubbing elbows with those high society types."
"Perhaps I shall. You do come up with a good idea from time to time. A stopped clock is right twice a day, after all."
"Oy! I have plenty of good ideas! Nick even had me write them down for High Command to look over!"
"Your brain does seem to work when it comes to military matters, I must grudgingly admit."
"And the rest of the time, it might as well be filled with clouds. Denis, light duty means stay in your room and rest, not go haring off on patrol and getting ambushed by the last competent Austrians in Italy."
"Hey there Nick! And sitting still for days waiting for casts to dry is its own special hell. We should get someone to work on that."
"The surgeons will have had much practice with all of the wars these past few years. Perhaps I shall commission some armor for myself as well. The cost of steel has dropped quite a bit, now that our Empress' foundries have begun operation."
"Right, heard about that from my father. Turns out he was the one in charge of setting everything up for her. I guess he left an impression on her."
"Severin, you've been with the Empress the longest, do you have any insight on what she many have in store for us?"
"Not really, a lot of what she's probably dealing with is the politicking in Paris, on top of taking care of her new children. Twin boys, according to the news."
"Alexander and Roland, was it? A great king and conqueror, and the greatest paladin of France. May they lead France well in the future."
"Hear hear!"
"Denis, were you acquainted with the empress before the war? You were rather accepting of a female general before she built a reputation."
"No, but my wife is one of the deadliest people I know, so I was well aware women could be extremely capable. She had more kills to her name than I did before Mayence! As for Therese, I had met her father back at Yorktown. My father spoke with him more than I, but he did some fancy surveying and positioned our earthworks in such a way that we were practically immune to the British guns. So I recognized the name and the shared profession and figured she'd be decent enough. She's only gotten better since!"
"Remarkably fortuitous. General Davout, what is in store for our glorious army now?"
"We return to France to be reconstituted. While far from combat ineffective, we've lost nearly a quarter of our strength to casualties. While some may recover in time, we will need to recruit or transfer in more men. Massena will receive the Italian volunteers."
"Hope they do better than old Ferd the Third's boys. They folded like pasta at Messina."
"Is everything about food for you, Severin? Italians are pasta, Germans are schnitzel, English are crumpets? Is that about right?"
"Close enough. But Prussians are the wurst! Get it?"
"That was awful. Have you no shame? Your sense of humor has been shot too many times."
"Fuck you, I'm hilarious!"
"So Italians fold like wet noodles, Germans get pounded flat, what about the English?"
"The British are to be treated with the utmost caution."
"What? Nothing derogatory to say about them?"
"Oh, I have plenty to say about them. But my father fought at Minden in Regiment Touraine during the Seven Years' War. Nothing like seeing six regiments of fusiliers in line formation break down three waves of French cavalry."
Silence reigned between the three generals for a long moment, the joking mood gone at Severin's unusual seriousness.
"The way I understand it, the British army only takes volunteers or criminals who choose the army over prison. That means they have the most motivated and hardened men in their army. Whether they be cream or scum, they rise to the top. My father once said, "You can mock the British for the size of their army, but you can't mock them for the quality of their men." I can't disagree, and at Yorktown, they were tenacious opponents. Despite being outnumbered, surrounded, and wracked by disease, they still raided our earthworks in an attempt to drive us off. Killed one myself as we pushed them back."
"Hopefully, we won't have to fight the English in Spain. I would not like to test my cavalry against them if they can do that in line formation. In any case, I hope my visage will not be hideous. Bad enough there was scarring at all."
"Hold your horses, dandy man, ladies love scars. They show character, and you can regale them with the story of how you earned it. Knowing you, it will only make you look more handsome. In fact, you should go explode. That'll give you plenty of scars!"
"Both of you, enough! There's a long road ahead of us, and we generals may have to make the trip to Paris. There were instructions for most of the high officers to make their way there for some reason. Perhaps a debriefing, and delivering reports in person."
"Or perhaps to bestow awards and honors? We all performed exemplary achievements, and I am certain many more generals on the other fronts served with distinction."
"Yeah, we bailed Massena's ass out of the fire at Genoa. We're big damn heroes!"
Davout tosses something at Severin, who fumbles to catch it with his cast-wrapped arms.
"Save your energy to recover, Denis. Have something to keep your mouth occupied."
"What the hell, Nick? Don't go throwing things at a man with both arms in casts!"
"I thought you liked onions?"
"Sure, but not raw! I'd much rather eat them cooked. Eating them raw once was one time too many!"
Just the Army of Naples boys sharing some banter and reflecting on recent developments on the road back to France. Severn doesn't know the meaning of holding back, and Julian goes: TMI! I actually looked up the history of orthopedic casts for this. The plaster cast we know todays came out of the Napoleonic Wars, but this is a little too early for those developments. The casts in use before the plaster cast was made with cardboard, fabric, wax and parchment, stiffened with a starch solution that took 2-3 days to dry. That's way too long for our favorite hyperactive man-child, thus his musing at the start. Also, obligatory memes and references abound.
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I would like to make a correction regarding Austria, at this point in time only thing it controls in the Balkans is Dalmatia i believe (former Venedik territory), otherwise? It's mostly in central Europe.
As for Balkans they are mostly controlled by Ottomans at the time and coveted by Russia (And i don't think they will let Austria to have whole thing, otherwise this is excellent opportunity for us to cooperate with Russia).
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Magoose
SV's Questing Fanatic
- Location
- California USA
- Pronouns
- He
Will fix, thank you.
For Change or Death. (Azeazyazitgetz)
For Change or Death.
Fredrick was Determined.
"FIRE!"
Musket fire cracked in the daylight.
"RELOAD! FASTER! IMAGINE! You are under attack by the French, here in the heart of the fatherland! They outnumber you and your squad, they will show you and the rest of Prussia, Your Friends, FAMILY, LOVED ONES, NO MERCY!"
He could see and hear the pips of ramrods slamming down faster and faster.
It was almost humiliating to lower themselves to using FRENCH Military Tactics, and ordinarily, we Prussians would have perished the thought.
But things weren't.
Prussia- No WE had been beaten.
"AGAIN!"
ALL RANKS, FIRE!"
The Musket fire puffed out stronger this time, more coordinated.
Fredrick nodded this time "Good! Tomorrow we will do this again until we perfect it. Dismissed!"
Things weren't normal. Twice, the once-proud Prussian Army had been forced into defeat.
This wasn't the time for petty pride. Clearly what we had been doing was wrong. This was the time for Reform.
But perhaps this was what Prussia needed. A lesson that humbled it. Humiliating it may be, but this was what Prussia needed.
What Prussia needed was a Challenge. A challenge found in the game of innovation and survival between nations. The Game that Spain may find itself on the losing side. Fredrick pitied the Spanish. No matter what they had done in the past, nothing would ever truly justify the dissolution of a nation. Especially not the Spanish. They had been once the masters of the world but they had never been given the opportunity to know they needed reform until it was too late.
Prussia however, was given that opportunity. The only thing Prussia needed to justify reform was a challenge; And France delivered that challenge.
If Prussia was to Survive as a nation, they should not, will not, must not lose this game.
AN: Say hello to my first written Omake on this thread
Fredrick was Determined.
"FIRE!"
Musket fire cracked in the daylight.
"RELOAD! FASTER! IMAGINE! You are under attack by the French, here in the heart of the fatherland! They outnumber you and your squad, they will show you and the rest of Prussia, Your Friends, FAMILY, LOVED ONES, NO MERCY!"
He could see and hear the pips of ramrods slamming down faster and faster.
It was almost humiliating to lower themselves to using FRENCH Military Tactics, and ordinarily, we Prussians would have perished the thought.
But things weren't.
Prussia- No WE had been beaten.
"AGAIN!"
ALL RANKS, FIRE!"
The Musket fire puffed out stronger this time, more coordinated.
Fredrick nodded this time "Good! Tomorrow we will do this again until we perfect it. Dismissed!"
Things weren't normal. Twice, the once-proud Prussian Army had been forced into defeat.
This wasn't the time for petty pride. Clearly what we had been doing was wrong. This was the time for Reform.
But perhaps this was what Prussia needed. A lesson that humbled it. Humiliating it may be, but this was what Prussia needed.
What Prussia needed was a Challenge. A challenge found in the game of innovation and survival between nations. The Game that Spain may find itself on the losing side. Fredrick pitied the Spanish. No matter what they had done in the past, nothing would ever truly justify the dissolution of a nation. Especially not the Spanish. They had been once the masters of the world but they had never been given the opportunity to know they needed reform until it was too late.
Prussia however, was given that opportunity. The only thing Prussia needed to justify reform was a challenge; And France delivered that challenge.
If Prussia was to Survive as a nation, they should not, will not, must not lose this game.
AN: Say hello to my first written Omake on this thread
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Looks good...but "Germany" wasn't really a thing back then. Soldiers would either think of their specific Duchy/Kingdom/whatever or at most themselves overall as Germanic People. The Idea of Germany as a united Nation only became widespread among the common People after the Napoleonic Wars.
Huh. Well. I will keep that in mind for next time. Also will edit
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Magoose
SV's Questing Fanatic
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- California USA
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So I did a roll for the turn, just to see what would happen.
Who sacrificed to the dice gods?
WHO!
Who sacrificed to the dice gods?
WHO!
Thebigpieman
I've got this, I think.
- Location
- United States
But what was the follow up roll?
Magoose
SV's Questing Fanatic
- Location
- California USA
- Pronouns
- He
...
I'm not going to show you it.
Even though you fools may say otherwise.
Sir_Travelsalot
Never wakes up tired.
- Location
- At Home
It was me! I unwittingly absorbed all the terrible dice and the wrath of RNG to myself, and then gradually released it over the last few sessions of D&D I've played. It all makes sense now!
- Location
- 47° 09′ S, 126° 43′ O
We are all very grateful to you for your sacrifice.It was me! I unwittingly absorbed all the terrible dice and the wrath of RNG to myself, and then gradually released it over the last few sessions of D&D I've played. It all makes sense now!
I just had a thought: Given that in OTL, Dumas' Son Alexandre would go on to write 'The Three Musketeers'...might it be possible that, depending on what happens, he may take inspiration from some of our Dudes for these Characters?
Just saying, I could definitely see fictional Versions of Severin and Murat being part of these Guys...
Just saying, I could definitely see fictional Versions of Severin and Murat being part of these Guys...
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Magoose
SV's Questing Fanatic
- Location
- California USA
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I wouldn't be surprised given our closeness with Dumas and his family, that Alexandre dosent take inspiration from us.
And since Napoleon hasn't left Dumas to die in an Italian prison, denied him his pension and otherwise fucked him over, he might even like Napoleon
In fact cyber said that Severin himself might inspire Dumas to write a thirty years war epic.
Is vote called
Alright. Since now should also be the time to hand out our Omake-Boni...
I give +30 to Demobilization, +10 to the Laws of Wives and Women and +10 to Of Devils and Families.
I give +30 to Demobilization, +10 to the Laws of Wives and Women and +10 to Of Devils and Families.
Magoose
SV's Questing Fanatic
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- California USA
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Le son de la liberté (Alexander Sturnn)
Le son de la liberté
Fireworks rose into the night sky, exploding and shining their clorful lights on the City below. Cheers and celebrations sounded through the streets of Port-au-Prince. Former Slaves, Free People of Color, Big and Small Whites alike could be seen in the streets, drinking, laughing and cheering as one to the News that had reached them today, as the Royal Navy lifted their blockade and their Admiral informed the Garrisons of the Island per Signals what had happened.
The War of the Second Coalition was over. France and the Revolution once again reigned victorious. And the British, defeated for a second time in less then a decade, had been forced to return any gains they had made in the Caribbean back to Haiti, having never even managed to set a foot on the Island, despite repeated landing attempts and a months-long blockade.
This was Victory. And it felt like a Victory for all of Haiti, Black and White alike, former Slaves and former Masters. They all had managed to defend their home and their freedom. And now, for the first time in History, all of the Islands groups openly mingled together, united in celebration and festivity.
François-Dominique Toussiant L'Ouverture, former General of the Haitian Slave-Revolt and now Governor-General of not just Haiti but all of the French Caribbean, could not help but smile as he looked at this display of Unity, fleeting as it may yet prove to be, from the Window of his Office.
For all the Power he wielded, nothing made him feel more satisfied then the Feeling of Victory and the Pride of Unity. However, there was still moments of doubt, moments of strife that plagued his mind.
The Motherland had won the war, won by the power of arms and the Personality and skill of it's leaders.
They had held to their promises for now and things were good, a victory well earned and respected.
For Now...
It was a simple fear, that the present Unity will give way to the Future strife and more things yet unknown.
The Uncertainty of Tomorrow...the only constant in this age.
Toussaint's thoughts where interrupted by someone knocking on the door of his Office.
"Come in", he said, already knowing who it was.
And indeed, General Andre Rigaud entered the room, placing a stack of Papers on the desk.
"The reports are finished, Governor-General", he reported dutifully. "Your rationing Plans fulfilled their purpose well. Despite the British's best efforts to starve us out, we have enough food supplies to last us until the first shipments arrive."
Toussaint nodded. One issue from the Slavery Era that they still struggled with was Haiti's reliance on food shipments from other Caribbean Islands and Europe, since the Bourbons had wanted the Colony of Saint Domingue, as it was called back then, to be entirely dependent on the Motherland and had thus prohibited the farming of any Plants other then Sugar, Tobacco and Coffee. They were already working on solving this Problem, now that this Prohibition was no longer in effect. Taking the Spanish side of the island had helped with that, but it would still take a while before enough Farmland was available for the Colony to be self-sufficient, making the rationing of food during the Blockade a vital necessity.
"As for Arms and Ammunition, the fighting against the British depleted our stocks quite a bit, but overall, we should still have enough to deal with any...surprises coming our way", Rigaud finished his summarizing of the reports.
Despite everything...it seemed that they had weathered the Storm of War.
The Ration riots had been small, the freed Blacks and the Whites hadn't killed each other at this critical juncture...or worse.
And now, with the matter of the war resolved, came the battle for Peace.
A Peace few had really failed to see and even comprehend.
"The Demobilization of the Malita's?" Toussaint asked calmly. "That is the surprise I'm waiting to see now, not our own issues. The British are close, but they are far enough away for now that we don't need them armed."
"Ahh...that is more complicated, Sir", the General said.
"Is it because of the Spanish?"
Rigaud nodded. "With what happened in New Spain, many of the Officers fear that the Spanish Royalists may get...Ideas to retrieve their former Caribbean Colonies and more."
Toussaint looked at Rigaud. "...And you share this concern." It was a Statement, not a Question.
Rigaud said nothing, but the look in his eyes told Toussiant that he was right.
The Governor-General turned around to Rigaud, looking over the man and musing how they had gotten to this Point. Like Toussaint, Andre Rigaud had grown up chafing under the Racism of the White Slave Owners. However, while Toussaint had been born into Slavery with no familial ties to any Elites and had only been freed some years prior to the Revolution, Rigaud had been born as a Free Man of Color. His Father had been one of the Free Black Men to own a Plantation himself and his Mother had been one of his Fathers Slaves. He had been raised and educated as a political Champion of the Free People of Color's Rights, but not those of the Slaves. In fact, when the Slave Revolt had first started, he and his Militia Troops had fought the Rebels as well as the White Elites. However, when the War of the First Coalition began and the Commission sent from France to administer the Colony had abolished Slavery and gotten Toussaint and the Rebels on their side, Rigaud and his Army of Free People of Color had sided with them as well.
Toussaint knew that Rigaud and he had disagreed on many Issues in the past and still did on some. While they both were of black skin, that did not make them automatic Allies. Rigaud was the political Leader of the Free People of Color, who had always tended to see themselves as separate from and above the Black Slaves. In fact, he knew that Rigaud, while he was not necessarily pro-Slavery, had envisioned a Caste-System for Haiti that placed the Free People of Color on top. Toussaint on the other hand had grown to envision a free and peaceful Haiti, where Whites, Free People of Color and Former Slaves alike could live together as equals. At first, their views had seemed irreconcilable.
Still, over the War, they had become unlikely Allies. While leading Campaigns across the Caribbean, taking Spanish and English Colonies for France, they had grown genuine respect for each other, as well as a sense of Brotherhood amongst their Soldiers. Rigaud had even accepted the Orders from France placing Toussaint as his Superior without issues, dutifully continuing his Work as his Subordinate.
Toussaint was not sure if Rigaud was entirely trustworthy, but he did believe that the General had earned himself the benefit of the doubt by now. He had made no move so far to undermine the Governor-General or his attempts to build this new, equal Society he envisioned. Fighting side by side in a War could change ones outlook on many things. Perhaps Rigaud truly had been convinced that Toussaint's way was the right one.
The Governor-General sighed. "For now, we must adhere to the Peace that we have slowly built. The Spanish are still in disarray and cannot truly begin to force itself upon the Carribian at this time, they don't even have a firm grip upon their own homeland and former colonies. They would be hard pressed to do much of anything if they can't even maintain their holdings now."
He then grabbed the bridge of his nose. "Its not that I don't share your fears, Rigaud, it's that I see what Spain is now: Insecure and struggling to maintain dignity when it lost so much. It makes them dangerous, yes, but also predictable."
Rigaud nodded reluctantly. "...I see your point, Sir."
"Good. ...That said, we should not lower our Guard completely either. Demobilization will continue, but I can promise you that we will keep our eyes open." Toussiant looked out of the Window. "We fought hard to win our freedom. We won't lose it now. Not to Spain, not to Britain...or anyone else."
"...You are worried that the Emperor will go back on his promise?"
Toussaint nodded. "He is a man of Ambition, and ambitious men work for their own interests. While he has yet to interfere with our rights, we are still at his mercy...that's the issue with Emperors that rule in far away lands."
Rigaud remained silent for a while. "...I cannot say your fears are unfounded. But who knows...he has kept the promise so far. And if the rumors one hears about his wife and her influence on him are true..."
Toussaint sighed. He wanted to believe Rigaud. But ultimately, Rumors were just Rumors. Neither of them had ever met the Emperor or the Empress face to face. He knew what kind of People they appeared to be...but was that really what they were? Or had France and by extension Haiti only exchanged one tyrannical Regime for another?
He shook his head. "In the end, we can only go forward and hope for the best...while preparing for the worst."
He gave a gesture to Rigaud, dismissing him. The General saluted and turned to leave. But before he left the room, he hesitated and looked back.
"...Sir, if I may say this..." He took a deep breath. "I know the two of us have not always seen eye to eye. For a while, I only saw you as a Rival for Power. But, after fighting these last two Wars side by side with each other and defending our home from Invasion...after our People bled together on the field of Battle...I trust you more then I do anyone over the Sea in France."
He looked straight at Toussaint. "If it really comes to the worst...then I promise that me and my Soldiers will not stand by and watch as you and your men are forced back into chains. We'll have your back as fellow Haitians...even if it's against the Motherland."
That made Toussaint smile. "Haiti could stand against the entire world with that confidence, Rigaud. Let us hope it is not misplaced."
Rigaud nodded, saluted once more and left the room. Toussaint turned back around, looking over the celebrations in the streets.
He watched as a Free Man of Color, recognizable by his fancy clothes, had a friendly talk with a former Plantation Owner sitting on Chairs outside of a Cafe. He saw black Children, likely former Slaves laugh and play Games with white Children as they ran across the street. Through the window of a Tavern, he could see a group of Whites and Blacks sitting at a table, raising their glasses in cheers for their Victory in this War. He saw a white Woman pulling a black Man into a hug and kissing him on the lips at a street corner. And he saw the Crowd of People from all walks of life, Soldiers and Civilians, black and white, former Slave Owners and former Slaves, standing on the Plaza, cheering at the Fireworks above.
Toussaint L'Ouverture smiled brightly. No matter what the future would bring...this one moment of Unity, even if it was brought about by the overall joy and sense of Victory and may not last for much longer beyond this Night, had been worth all of his struggles so far.
And as the People on the streets began to sing a certain Song that had recently become very popular in Haiti, Toussaint could not help but join in the choir of Voices ringing up into the sky...
Do you hear the people sing?
Singing a song of angry men?
It is the music of a people
Who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart
Echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes!
A.N.: Written by both @Cyberphilosipher and me in cooperation. I hope you all like it.
Toussaint L'Ouverture's worries are not unfounded. In OTL, the French Revolutionary Governments infamously flip-flopped on the Rights of Black People in the Colony of Saint Domingue and later Haiti. First only a few Free People of Color got full rights, then those were stripped away after the Slave Revolt began, then ALL FPoC got full rights again and lastly, Slavery was abolished entirely...until Napoleon brought it back, mostly for economic reasons.
And while Haiti's Situation is MUCH better here then it ever was in OTL, making Nappy reinstating Slavery and thus losing the Colony unlikely, it still is a worry that would Plague the Governor-General's mind.
At least he has Rigaud on his side ITTL. While in OTL, the two were bitter Rivals for Power in Haiti, I figured after the massive Successes Haiti enjoyed and after they all conquered much of the Caribbean together, they now see each other as fellow defenders of Haiti and all of it's People. Come what may and no matter who they will have to fight...Haiti will remain free. Or die standing.
Let's hope they can keep the ball rolling...and make the Dream of a truly equal mixed Society in Haiti a reality.
Also, I really love the "Do you hear the People sing?"-Song that was written for a Theater-Play of Les Miserables in the 90's. It's an amazing Song. So, in this Timeline, I declare it to be written almost two centuries earlier by the former Slaves of Haiti, where it soon became a popular Song and spread across the French Dominion, an Anthem for Freedom.
Fireworks rose into the night sky, exploding and shining their clorful lights on the City below. Cheers and celebrations sounded through the streets of Port-au-Prince. Former Slaves, Free People of Color, Big and Small Whites alike could be seen in the streets, drinking, laughing and cheering as one to the News that had reached them today, as the Royal Navy lifted their blockade and their Admiral informed the Garrisons of the Island per Signals what had happened.
The War of the Second Coalition was over. France and the Revolution once again reigned victorious. And the British, defeated for a second time in less then a decade, had been forced to return any gains they had made in the Caribbean back to Haiti, having never even managed to set a foot on the Island, despite repeated landing attempts and a months-long blockade.
This was Victory. And it felt like a Victory for all of Haiti, Black and White alike, former Slaves and former Masters. They all had managed to defend their home and their freedom. And now, for the first time in History, all of the Islands groups openly mingled together, united in celebration and festivity.
François-Dominique Toussiant L'Ouverture, former General of the Haitian Slave-Revolt and now Governor-General of not just Haiti but all of the French Caribbean, could not help but smile as he looked at this display of Unity, fleeting as it may yet prove to be, from the Window of his Office.
For all the Power he wielded, nothing made him feel more satisfied then the Feeling of Victory and the Pride of Unity. However, there was still moments of doubt, moments of strife that plagued his mind.
The Motherland had won the war, won by the power of arms and the Personality and skill of it's leaders.
They had held to their promises for now and things were good, a victory well earned and respected.
For Now...
It was a simple fear, that the present Unity will give way to the Future strife and more things yet unknown.
The Uncertainty of Tomorrow...the only constant in this age.
Toussaint's thoughts where interrupted by someone knocking on the door of his Office.
"Come in", he said, already knowing who it was.
And indeed, General Andre Rigaud entered the room, placing a stack of Papers on the desk.
"The reports are finished, Governor-General", he reported dutifully. "Your rationing Plans fulfilled their purpose well. Despite the British's best efforts to starve us out, we have enough food supplies to last us until the first shipments arrive."
Toussaint nodded. One issue from the Slavery Era that they still struggled with was Haiti's reliance on food shipments from other Caribbean Islands and Europe, since the Bourbons had wanted the Colony of Saint Domingue, as it was called back then, to be entirely dependent on the Motherland and had thus prohibited the farming of any Plants other then Sugar, Tobacco and Coffee. They were already working on solving this Problem, now that this Prohibition was no longer in effect. Taking the Spanish side of the island had helped with that, but it would still take a while before enough Farmland was available for the Colony to be self-sufficient, making the rationing of food during the Blockade a vital necessity.
"As for Arms and Ammunition, the fighting against the British depleted our stocks quite a bit, but overall, we should still have enough to deal with any...surprises coming our way", Rigaud finished his summarizing of the reports.
Despite everything...it seemed that they had weathered the Storm of War.
The Ration riots had been small, the freed Blacks and the Whites hadn't killed each other at this critical juncture...or worse.
And now, with the matter of the war resolved, came the battle for Peace.
A Peace few had really failed to see and even comprehend.
"The Demobilization of the Malita's?" Toussaint asked calmly. "That is the surprise I'm waiting to see now, not our own issues. The British are close, but they are far enough away for now that we don't need them armed."
"Ahh...that is more complicated, Sir", the General said.
"Is it because of the Spanish?"
Rigaud nodded. "With what happened in New Spain, many of the Officers fear that the Spanish Royalists may get...Ideas to retrieve their former Caribbean Colonies and more."
Toussaint looked at Rigaud. "...And you share this concern." It was a Statement, not a Question.
Rigaud said nothing, but the look in his eyes told Toussiant that he was right.
The Governor-General turned around to Rigaud, looking over the man and musing how they had gotten to this Point. Like Toussaint, Andre Rigaud had grown up chafing under the Racism of the White Slave Owners. However, while Toussaint had been born into Slavery with no familial ties to any Elites and had only been freed some years prior to the Revolution, Rigaud had been born as a Free Man of Color. His Father had been one of the Free Black Men to own a Plantation himself and his Mother had been one of his Fathers Slaves. He had been raised and educated as a political Champion of the Free People of Color's Rights, but not those of the Slaves. In fact, when the Slave Revolt had first started, he and his Militia Troops had fought the Rebels as well as the White Elites. However, when the War of the First Coalition began and the Commission sent from France to administer the Colony had abolished Slavery and gotten Toussaint and the Rebels on their side, Rigaud and his Army of Free People of Color had sided with them as well.
Toussaint knew that Rigaud and he had disagreed on many Issues in the past and still did on some. While they both were of black skin, that did not make them automatic Allies. Rigaud was the political Leader of the Free People of Color, who had always tended to see themselves as separate from and above the Black Slaves. In fact, he knew that Rigaud, while he was not necessarily pro-Slavery, had envisioned a Caste-System for Haiti that placed the Free People of Color on top. Toussaint on the other hand had grown to envision a free and peaceful Haiti, where Whites, Free People of Color and Former Slaves alike could live together as equals. At first, their views had seemed irreconcilable.
Still, over the War, they had become unlikely Allies. While leading Campaigns across the Caribbean, taking Spanish and English Colonies for France, they had grown genuine respect for each other, as well as a sense of Brotherhood amongst their Soldiers. Rigaud had even accepted the Orders from France placing Toussaint as his Superior without issues, dutifully continuing his Work as his Subordinate.
Toussaint was not sure if Rigaud was entirely trustworthy, but he did believe that the General had earned himself the benefit of the doubt by now. He had made no move so far to undermine the Governor-General or his attempts to build this new, equal Society he envisioned. Fighting side by side in a War could change ones outlook on many things. Perhaps Rigaud truly had been convinced that Toussaint's way was the right one.
The Governor-General sighed. "For now, we must adhere to the Peace that we have slowly built. The Spanish are still in disarray and cannot truly begin to force itself upon the Carribian at this time, they don't even have a firm grip upon their own homeland and former colonies. They would be hard pressed to do much of anything if they can't even maintain their holdings now."
He then grabbed the bridge of his nose. "Its not that I don't share your fears, Rigaud, it's that I see what Spain is now: Insecure and struggling to maintain dignity when it lost so much. It makes them dangerous, yes, but also predictable."
Rigaud nodded reluctantly. "...I see your point, Sir."
"Good. ...That said, we should not lower our Guard completely either. Demobilization will continue, but I can promise you that we will keep our eyes open." Toussiant looked out of the Window. "We fought hard to win our freedom. We won't lose it now. Not to Spain, not to Britain...or anyone else."
"...You are worried that the Emperor will go back on his promise?"
Toussaint nodded. "He is a man of Ambition, and ambitious men work for their own interests. While he has yet to interfere with our rights, we are still at his mercy...that's the issue with Emperors that rule in far away lands."
Rigaud remained silent for a while. "...I cannot say your fears are unfounded. But who knows...he has kept the promise so far. And if the rumors one hears about his wife and her influence on him are true..."
Toussaint sighed. He wanted to believe Rigaud. But ultimately, Rumors were just Rumors. Neither of them had ever met the Emperor or the Empress face to face. He knew what kind of People they appeared to be...but was that really what they were? Or had France and by extension Haiti only exchanged one tyrannical Regime for another?
He shook his head. "In the end, we can only go forward and hope for the best...while preparing for the worst."
He gave a gesture to Rigaud, dismissing him. The General saluted and turned to leave. But before he left the room, he hesitated and looked back.
"...Sir, if I may say this..." He took a deep breath. "I know the two of us have not always seen eye to eye. For a while, I only saw you as a Rival for Power. But, after fighting these last two Wars side by side with each other and defending our home from Invasion...after our People bled together on the field of Battle...I trust you more then I do anyone over the Sea in France."
He looked straight at Toussaint. "If it really comes to the worst...then I promise that me and my Soldiers will not stand by and watch as you and your men are forced back into chains. We'll have your back as fellow Haitians...even if it's against the Motherland."
That made Toussaint smile. "Haiti could stand against the entire world with that confidence, Rigaud. Let us hope it is not misplaced."
Rigaud nodded, saluted once more and left the room. Toussaint turned back around, looking over the celebrations in the streets.
He watched as a Free Man of Color, recognizable by his fancy clothes, had a friendly talk with a former Plantation Owner sitting on Chairs outside of a Cafe. He saw black Children, likely former Slaves laugh and play Games with white Children as they ran across the street. Through the window of a Tavern, he could see a group of Whites and Blacks sitting at a table, raising their glasses in cheers for their Victory in this War. He saw a white Woman pulling a black Man into a hug and kissing him on the lips at a street corner. And he saw the Crowd of People from all walks of life, Soldiers and Civilians, black and white, former Slave Owners and former Slaves, standing on the Plaza, cheering at the Fireworks above.
Toussaint L'Ouverture smiled brightly. No matter what the future would bring...this one moment of Unity, even if it was brought about by the overall joy and sense of Victory and may not last for much longer beyond this Night, had been worth all of his struggles so far.
And as the People on the streets began to sing a certain Song that had recently become very popular in Haiti, Toussaint could not help but join in the choir of Voices ringing up into the sky...
Do you hear the people sing?
Singing a song of angry men?
It is the music of a people
Who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart
Echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes!
A.N.: Written by both @Cyberphilosipher and me in cooperation. I hope you all like it.
Toussaint L'Ouverture's worries are not unfounded. In OTL, the French Revolutionary Governments infamously flip-flopped on the Rights of Black People in the Colony of Saint Domingue and later Haiti. First only a few Free People of Color got full rights, then those were stripped away after the Slave Revolt began, then ALL FPoC got full rights again and lastly, Slavery was abolished entirely...until Napoleon brought it back, mostly for economic reasons.
And while Haiti's Situation is MUCH better here then it ever was in OTL, making Nappy reinstating Slavery and thus losing the Colony unlikely, it still is a worry that would Plague the Governor-General's mind.
At least he has Rigaud on his side ITTL. While in OTL, the two were bitter Rivals for Power in Haiti, I figured after the massive Successes Haiti enjoyed and after they all conquered much of the Caribbean together, they now see each other as fellow defenders of Haiti and all of it's People. Come what may and no matter who they will have to fight...Haiti will remain free. Or die standing.
Let's hope they can keep the ball rolling...and make the Dream of a truly equal mixed Society in Haiti a reality.
Also, I really love the "Do you hear the People sing?"-Song that was written for a Theater-Play of Les Miserables in the 90's. It's an amazing Song. So, in this Timeline, I declare it to be written almost two centuries earlier by the former Slaves of Haiti, where it soon became a popular Song and spread across the French Dominion, an Anthem for Freedom.
Last edited:
Magoose
SV's Questing Fanatic
- Location
- California USA
- Pronouns
- He
+10…
So that's why Cyber isn't helping out with the update.
I had asked him to help me write this and we finished yesterday. Um...sorry?
Magoose
SV's Questing Fanatic
- Location
- California USA
- Pronouns
- He
I just wondered why he wasn't helping with the update.
Now I know.
Also we're doing someone just slightly different.
since there are a few very big actions this turn, we're making several interludes so that there can be votes.
and because one event needs to be an interlude because, holy shit!
Now I know.
Also we're doing someone just slightly different.
since there are a few very big actions this turn, we're making several interludes so that there can be votes.
and because one event needs to be an interlude because, holy shit!
Lemme guess, it's the one that got the Nat100?
Magoose
SV's Questing Fanatic
- Location
- California USA
- Pronouns
- He
Let me just say this. Marshal is now a rank and Title is now… very much something you can shape.
you can shape it into whatever you want, with minimal input from Nappy B.