The Price of Glory by Seth Hunter Page B

man of strong opinions and his political views, that is … I believe he is not entirely in sympathy with the Royalist cause—at least as it is represented at Quiberon.”
    Nathan waited patiently.
    â€œHowever, he reports that there is dissent in the Royalist command. Some are for marching inland; others for remaining at Quiberon until there is more welcome news.”
    â€œNews?” Nathan screwed up his face. “News of what?”
    â€œOf what is happening elsewhere. In Paris, in particular.”
    â€œIn Paris? Paris is two hundred miles from here and unless I am misinformed it is ruled by the Republicans. What has Paris to do with the situation here in Brittany ?”
    â€œI am only reporting what we heard, sir.”
    â€œI am sorry. Go on.”
    â€œWe were told that the invasion was timed to coincide with an uprising in Paris, and the overthrow of the Republican government by Royalists in the capital.”
    â€œI see.” Nathan wondered if he did. Was the invasion meant to draw troops from the capital? A mere diversion to the main thrust of the attack? But this was political work and it was too much to expect that the people fighting on the ground would be informed of it.
    â€œI take it nothing further has been heard of this ‘uprising’?’ “
    â€œNo, sir. Charette—and those of his followers we spoke with—I had the impression they do not look to Paris for relief. Or much else in this world. For them, Paris is the source of all evil. A Hell on Earth, entirely occupied by demons.”
    A knock came upon the door and Gabriel entered with two of his lackeys bearing coffee and a large skillet of ham and eggs, pork sausage and hunks of fresh-baked bread. At Nathan’s invitation the two officers fell upon it as if they had not eaten for days. Nathan held back though his stomach growled wolfishly.
    â€œSo.” He was battling to come to terms with all of this, and what it meant for him and his small force in the Gulf of Morbihan. “Tell me about the situation in Auray, when you arrived?”
    Howard paused in the act of forking half a sausage into his mouth and laid it down with reluctance. “The Chouans held the town right enough. I would say there were above a thousand of them posted about the place.” He looked to Whiteley who confirmed this estimate with a nod. “But no more than half were armed. That is, with proper weapons: muskets or fowling pieces. Most had no more than a scythe or a pitchfork. Or a sling. We saw a lot of slings. They are very good at using them. They can bring down a bird in flight.” His voice had resumed its familiar sardonic tone but he caught Nathan’s eye and changed his tune. “They are not lacking in spirit, though they could use a little discipline. I would not care to lead them on an open field but I understand that is not their way, to fight in the open.”
    Nor would it be mine, reflected Nathan privately, if all I had to fight with was a sling and a scythe. He thought with regret of all the modern muskets stored in the holds of his gunboats.
    â€œWell, they are a peasant army,” he reminded Howard. “We knew this—that is why we came here. And what of the force that is opposed to them?”
    â€œAbout twice that number. Well-armed and equipped. And well-disciplined so far as we could tell. They have a number of field pieces. And they say more troops, including regulars, are closing in from Vannes.”
    â€œWho says?”
    â€œWell, the Republicans. They sent a deputation, under flag of truce, to demand the town’s surrender. On terms. Or there would be no quarter, they said. Charette declined. Just after that he made the decision to break out—and we took our chance on the river.”
    â€œSo Auray is not cut off entirely ?”
    â€œThey had covered the river with field pieces but it was dark and we went with the current. And they were