The new orders of the day were to march towards Montpierre. They had to capture and kill General Bautzen. It was their top priority at this point. Because everyone with more than two working brain cells knew that, without his support, the bulk of the royalist army would fall. He was the man in charge of their strategy and organization. If he was gone, their main pillar of stability and strength would disappear.

Killing the Duke of Alvern was also beneficial. Because although he wasn't the chief of the royal army before the revolution, he still was a general, and a brother of the King. Therefore, he was a threat. Any possible successor of the latter, for the matter, was a threat.

But, to get to Montpierre, it was necessary for the revolutionary army to take over the city of Marsan first —which had already been the background of three very difficult and long battles, led by general Tuffin, general Rossignol, and general Santerre, respectively—. Now, it was the turn of general Obermann to try his luck at invading and conquering it. For this feat, he'd solicited the help of general Munsch, general Zolovsky, general Hessler, commander Arquette, commander Labastide, commander Laupin, commander Gérard, and captain Luckner —who'd now ascended to the rank of major of cavalry—.

The operation would be massive, compared to the previous ones. 16.000 men, all lined up to fight against the nearly 10.000 royalists guarding Marsan.

—It's going to be a long day —Laupin said to Francis, as they exited Obermann's tent and strolled towards their own, to get properly geared up and ready for battle. It still was dark outside, so they could afford to be slow as they moved—. Which is why I asked our general permission to promote you.

—Again?

—Yes... Wait, aren't you happy? Others would be happy to hear that.

—No, monsieur... I am.

—Drop the monsieur, Francis... It's just me —the older man insisted, with a friendly smile—. And I can see that you are lying through your teeth. I get it though... You like being a squadron leader. But I need you as a captain. I need you in charge of a battalion. I have four on my regiment, and one is leaderless. The only man I would trust with such a task is you. Your leadership is natural... And I... —he sighed—. I need your help.

—Wait... You want me to return to the infantry?

—Yes. I do.

Francis stopped walking. Laupin did too. Took a deep breath in.

—I can't... who will take care of my men if I'm?...

—Major Luckner will.

—But...

—Please. Be a part of the infantry... You're one of the few men I trust in the whole army. The only one who I know, could be my missing captain right now, and could do a great job while at it —Laupin stepped closer to him—. I am begging you.

—Begging? Monsieur...

—You'd be working alongside your friends too. Jacques is one of my subordinates, and Charlie now is Arquette's. We'd be exceptional as a team.

Francis took a deep breath in, then out, before crossing his arms and asking:

—How many men would I be in charge of? If I were to say yes to your proposal?

—A thousand.

—Lord...

—But you'll have the help of four lieutenants. Each one of them, in charge of 250 soldiers each. And underneath the lieutenants, five sergeants, in charge of 50 soldiers. You wouldn't be alone.

—Yes, but that still is a huge responsibility...

—I know you can handle it.

—Monsieur...

—No, I am sure of it! If anyone can do it, it's you! I know it, and squadron leader Rouen knew it too —Laupin insisted—. He asked me, before his final battle began, to take care of you. He didn't know he would perish that day, of course... But he wanted you to be fine, and well cared for, in case he did die. He knew, as you and I know, that anything can happen in the battlefield. And he worried about his men... but specially about you. He asked me, in person, to give you a fair shot at being the great soldier you are... And I know you are brilliant as a hussar, I won't deny that. But I need you right now, as my infantry captain. I need you, to help me guide our troops into what I'm sure will be a slaughter... I need you, to help me win this tough fight. So... would you accept my proposition? Because I have to be honest... I am not sure I can do this alone. Marsan will be a harsh conflict. It will be bloody... and Francis, I've seen how you've acted in combat before. If someone can help me reach victory on this horrible day of uncertainty and anxiety, it's you. There's no one else in our lines who looms quite as large.

The former gardener, visibly touched by his superior's gentle tone and sincere speech, lost the battle against himself and his ideals.

—I'll help you.

—Thank God.

—As long as you put a man by the name of Roger Verdi as my substitute. Let him be my squadron's leader for now. I trust him. He's a good man. Great leader too.

—As you wish, Francis. And thank you. On my behalf, on my family's, and on the republic's.

—No need to thank me... I'm only doing my job —he smiled at his commander, and then shook his hand—. But, I have a sincere question.

—Yes?

—What uniform do I wear? I can't use my hussar clothes today, can I? —the younger officer gestured to his current outfit.

—Come with me, Francis —Laupin grinned back—. I'll lend you one of my own uniforms.