I’m starting to dislike this guy. I mean, he’s a villain and I don’t actually want my villains to win. The problem is, he was a sneaky bastard in real life and totally got away with it all.
…
The expeditionary force arrived at Alençon early the next morning. They had made good time, despite the broken wagon. But then, Joseph had made it known that if the workers were not done reasonably soon, they would be welcome to catch up later. If they could. That promise seemed to have a very good effect on their zeal and speed.
The Revolutionary camp at Alençon had grown since Joseph had taken out his force to commandeer the harvest a month before. Even more than he had expected, or feared. The Convention was still struggling with recruitment and supply, but luckily: so was the enemy.
Citizen Captain LeGume was practically ecstatic. “There must be two, three battalions here! Easily enough for a demi-brigade.” Then his face fell, slightly. “Which likely means a General. So much for my independent command.”
Joseph chose not to point out that Legume had never actually had one. “Cheer up, Citizen Captain! There are still a few more villages that need to be reminded of their duties to the Revolution. Surely they will give you another battalion column to command before the snow falls!” And may I be back in Paris by then. This is useful work, but I can find better in the capital.
