GALLIAN NEWS
Port Of Le Havre:
A powerful squadron has entered the roadstead. Some think ice remnants aboard all vessels tells of a return journey from near Arctic climates. The Shetlands? Surely yes because little Alerte, the dispatch vessel for l’Chevalier du Nord whose route was between Le Havre and The Shetlands is with the squadron. We note some of the Gallian vessels are en-flute and riding higher in the water than previously. The Chevalier du Nord boards a river galley for a voyage up the Seine to Versailles to report to The Foreign Ministry about events far to the north.
Channel Isle de Pettygree:
Shrouded in wintry winds and snow squalls, news is nil. We only know that General Pettygree (forced to retire by Parliament) remains ill but is recovering. His decade long exile to Rose Manor remains in effect given his sympathy for the Jacobites in the ’45. He is reconciling himself to the status quo and the fait accompli of Cumberland’s victory. His children, Lady Diana, for one, remain vexed by their father’s exile. This accounts for their meanderings on the continent within and without Gallian events and personalities.
Fortress of Louisbourg In The New World:
No news. Blockaded no doubt by Britannian ships of war. But winter will break the blockade.
Germania (See the “Friedrich” board game map, if you please):
Marshall de Broglie left Minden and the Britannian Army of the Marquis of Granby there for the magazine at Koblenz. A garrison of 10,000 men was left there while the rest of the Army removed itself to the west of the Rhine to rest and recuperate.
L’Duc De Poyanne formerly at Frankfurt Am Main marched to the westward of the Rhine River taking 10,000 Gallians with him to join Marshall de Broglie. De Poyanne left 10,000 men under the command of Intendant Bastille at the magazine at Frankfurt Am Main and sent 2,000 to reinforce Lt. General Chevert.
Lt. General Chevert has encamped his entire Army at the fortress of Gemünden where refitting continues in preparation for the Spring Campaign. Some think he will be ordered into Bohemia (Saxe-Bearstein) when the Armistice between The Imperium and Germania falls to pieces. Should there be trouble in Frankzonia he is within two days march of Frankfurt Am Main.
Intendant Bastille in charge of the Gallian magazine at Frankfurt Am Main has accepted the withdrawal of so many Gallian soldiers with an ulcer or stomach ailment of some kind. Still, he does command 15,000 Gallians in the town, has trebled the guard and locks the gates every night. He has allowed a small number of partisans and malcontented prisoners out of the jail to return to their families for Christmas. The worst remain under lock and key. On his mind, if peace remains in the city, he will release more. He awaits fate.
Versailles:
Foreign Minister Prince de Charade has informed the Frankzonian delegation that Gallian forces have initiated a first step in satisfying two Frankzonian demands. #1 Gallian military forces in the region are reduced. #2 Gallian military forces remain near in case the Hurtshog finds himself in some trouble for his support of Gallian interests. The Hurtshog plays a dual role and perhaps a dangerous one with his subjects so contrarily divided between support of Gallia on the one hand and the Marquis of Brandenburg (Frederick II) on the other. Charade has also informed the delegation that Intendant Bastille has been ordered to release some prisoners as a gesture of good faith with the hope nothing further will affect peaceful relations between Frankzonia and Gallia.
Lady Diana Pettygree, her particular friend Lady Cherish Masquerade and her confidant Lady Belle Silhouette just back from the Channel are rehoused in their apartments in Versailles.
Lt Gardier of the de Saxe Lancers has returned to Versailles as well to resume guarding Lady Diana there. He has companioably welcomed the supernumerary Monsieur Briege into the unit. Tonight they dine to get to know each other and from there discuss the rules of engagement.
That Woman:
No sign of her. All must be well.
Dunkettle Castle (Two weeks ago):
L’Comte de Albany now ashore in his homeland briefly addressed the assemblage of warriors aforrrrrrrre him.
“My brothers. Today I have returned to my homeland and my birthright that you have so gallantly and loyally supported this past decade. You see behind me the Royal Standard raised once more for my restoration and for the return of your rights. I have. We have powerful allies in Tradgardland and King Louis of Gallia. As proof my people, you see my Royal Écossais being rowed ashore from the Gallian squadron thither.” [He turns pointing to seaward. The crowd loudly shout their approval tossing bonnets high into the air. When the din subsides the speaker continues.]
“Now my brothers, let us welcome home your exiled soldiers and friends. We shall feast tonight and tomorrow we will speak of the future and what is next." [l’Comte de Albany raises his bonnet, turns to bow momentarily to Gallian l'Chevalier du Nord and sweeps his eyes left and right at his subjects as the assemblage resumes it accolades and applause amidst deafening shouts of Long Live Charles Edward Stuart!]
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12 hours ago
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At the offices of the Intendant:
The Intendant stands by the fire, observing the work of his shivering staff. A guard enters and presents a small note to the Intendant:
Intendant: (reading the note), so, a merchant wants to sell us something? At least this might be useful, he swears that we will be kept much warmer. Admit him. Watchfully.
The guard steps out and returns soon with another guard, a merchant, and some laborers carrying a large crate. They place it on the floor with care, as the item is obviously heavy. The Intendant recognizes Philippe as one of the laborers.
merchant: My Lord, Gentlemen, have you perhaps heard of that young American genius, Franklin?
(A very few of the men look interested as the laborers open the crate. )
Behold! the Franklin Stove! With this item, one need no longer suffer with a frigid room where only the tiny space near the fire is liveable. With this marvelous innovation, the fire and its heat can be safely brought into the middle of the room and its generous warmth enjoyed by all! If you would graciously allow my stout fellows here to install this device, within the hour, you will be able to work with only one set of gloves and your mufflers can hang on the wall! I promise that if you are not pleased with this product, its very nature means that I can soon remove it and place elsewhere at your convenience!
Intendant: Perhaps this experiment would be worthwhile gentlemen. If you all would withdraw to the outer rooms, perhaps you would enjoy a pipe and a goblet of mulled ale while these men do their work.
(the staff rises to leave, while the merchant beams excitedly)
Master, perhaps you’d care to join my staff? I’m sure your crew knows what it’s doing, and I’d like to observe.
(Merchant follows staff outside, as the black iron pieces, bricks, and sand of the stove pile up on the floor)
Intendant to Philippe: Come, good fellow, and explain what your compatriots are doing to me.
(both go aside)
Intendant: Well?
Philippe: At least you still outnumber the Frankszonians, my Lord ... and you’re even stronger locally than your staff reports.
Intendant: What? Has the mercantile party finally named its price?
Philippe: Well, that Frankszonian army to your south ...
Intendant: Yes?
Philippe: It’s well sited, has more artillery than Frankfurter is supposed to own, and quite ready to slog down on Offenbach whenever the cavalry returns.
Intendant: Returns?
Philippe: The Frangipani Hussars and the noble Reiters aren’t in their camp. Nor are any of their light carts.
Intendant: A flying column, but where?
Philippe: I suspect that they are going to try to intercept any Stagonian attempt to interfer, but I’ve not found any evidence that they turned back to the Main once they slipped south yet.
Intendant: Those reiters don’t like us.
Philippe: Neither are they excessively fond of the Hurtshog, but Frangipani has a good reputation, and his force is the stronger element.
Intendant: None the less, I shall alert Gen. Chevert immediately. I think he has special orders regarding this Stagonian / Frankfurter affair.
Philippe: Another thing ...
Intendant: yes?
Philippe: This merchant tells me that the Hurtshog has ordered several of these stoves for the new barracks just north of the town.
Intendant: New barracks?
Philippe: If you’ll excuse me, m’Lord, they need my help now in assembling this thing and putting its iron chimney in place.
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