𝙲𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚝 - 𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝟺
July 01st, 1797
"My dear, my beloved:
After arriving in Roman, we found out things weren't as peaceful as our superiors made us believe beforehand. Some Royalists that were hiding in the woods created a small trench between the city and the tree-line, and started shooting at us from there. We still don't know who is in charge of the group, how many of them there are, or where their resources are coming from, but thus far the battle hasn't ended.
Because of the rocky landscape, our army couldn't hold formation whilst advancing. It was impossible to do so. Therefore, most of our men were scattered around the area in small groups, walking forwards at their own rate. Holding a line was impossible.
The cavalry was exterminated as soon as they approached the trench. Many cuirassiers were thrown forwards as their horses got hit with bullets and grapeshot. Some of them remained trapped under their animals for hours. Only a handful survived to tell the tale.
Captain Laupin said that cannons are coming from Villene to aid the poor unfortunate soldiers that will remain stationed here. He also said, to my relief, that we are to keep walking towards Mosella at all costs; we can't let that city remain in the hands of the royalists for too long. Because of this, our company was able to walk away from that terrible scene without having to play a big part in it. We just saw the carnage from afar and shot at our foes from a distance. We were spared.
Right at the time I'm writing this letter, I'm sitting next to a small bonfire we lit under the roots of a dead tree —that way we can reduce the smoke and avoid being seen by our enemies—, in a small forest that precedes the Onix river. The stars are beautiful tonight. I wish you could be here, sitting next to me, so we could watch them together. It is a marvelous sight.
How can the sky be so big? I know this is a childish question, but it's one I frequently ask myself when I look up at that marvelous scenery. And I feel as if the Lord is looking back at me from these tiny white dots in the cosmos. As if his many eyes are watching over me.
I hope they are. I want to come back home to you.
Also, I should mention how happy I am that you followed my advice and met with M. Suzannet. I know you are afraid of making friends at the moment —since your title can stir up a lot of resentment when announced out loud—, but I assure you, she is trustworthy. She won't see you as the Duchess of Alvern, but as Laura, my dearest, greatest friend. If you ever need help you can go to her with no fear in your heart, she will lend a hand without asking you for anything in return.
I'll send you another letter when I arrive at Mosella. I hope this one gets to your hands soon —although I can't make promises about the next one, since it can take from three days to four weeks to arrive—. It all depends on how fast the message boys do their work, but knowing just how lazy these fellows can get, I believe it will take longer than that.
I love you with all of my heart. Please take care of yourself.
- Francis."
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