L'Arbe En Feu, January 1672
SdW applies for Horse Guards Brigadier
JdL applies to join CPC
JdL asks npc_HdA to resign his regimental post as D Troop Captain, CPC
BJ asks LtC npc HHV of the 27M to resign from the regiment
QdC requests Major N resign from ALC
HdB applies for the position of Aide to Crown Prince
OB announces that his squadron of the DG will be at the front for the season
AdM asks npc_GdL4 to resign command of RNHB Brigade
Good morning, sir! I have the month's briefing for you now, if you are
ready? I saw the chambermaid leaving, and assumed that you had finished
screw...tinising the documents I sent over last night. There really isn't
too much to report, what with the annual Christmas and New Year hangovers to
deal with, but I will begin with the military situation:
Brigadier de Success is due to take up the position of Guards Brigadier this
month, despite a plainly scurrilous attempt to scupper his chances, almost
certainly generated by a Spanish spy: Lt. General Inzebox's aide 'fell ill'
and 'forgot' to send the papers to headquarters. I believe that the CPS'
department is looking into the matter, and I will let you know what happens
as I find out more from the grapevine. The Brigadier is a victim of his own
*cough* success, so to speak, and has apparently come to the notice of the
enemies of France as someone who should categorically not be in command of
major military units, as he is likely to thrash them soundly. De
Mylcandonai has asked the commander of the RNHB to resign, citing his record
and the fact that he has apparently been 'promoted way beyone his abilities'
as evidence that he should quit forthwith. In the meantime, Brigadier
d'Wich has applied for the position of Horse Guards Brigadier and is being
considered by Lt. General de Mylcandonai, although again his chances looked
dubious for a while thanks to the rebellious and suspect nature of one of
his subordinates, that well-known t-wit Grosscanard. Speaking of the devil,
he has been seen in Paris, again, despite still being confined to the front
under the conditions of his trial from last year. The man is simply asking
to be arrested again and sent to the Bastille...
Anyway, there's a new gentleman in Paris, son of the Baron de Lacey if you
know him? He has applied to join the Crown Prince Cuirassiers, although he
is having some problems finding a 'decent' tailor and cobbler. Perhaps I
should write to him and recommend your man? He does such a good job, it
would only be right to give him more business...hm, I _had_ forgotten about
that episode with the lace cuff and the lady's cleavage...perhaps just the
cobbler then? Very good, sir. De Lacey has also written to the CPC Colonel
about Captain d'Arminio and his approaching retirement; the Colonel has
promised to speak to the man and see if he can hasten matters in order to
smooth de Lacey's entry into the regiment. Captain de Cooper of the
Archduke Leopold's Cuirassiers has also recommended some major or other to
the Military Academy as a tutor, apparently in the hope of buying his
promotion. Captain du Bois has applied to the Crown Prince as his aide,
with the hearty recommendation of the present aide, Captain Zilvain - a good
post for a good officer. We shall see whether Prinny considers him capable
of keeping up when he is out carousing until dawn, eh?
Brigadier de Success has announced that the Guards Brigade will be going to
the front in December...uhh...*rustle*...oh no, my apologies, that was
announced at the big Christmas Party just after the bar closed. He released
a statement the following morning from his offices, pointing out that as it
was already the middle of December, and he is getting married in January,
the campaign would be delayed until February. However, Lt. Colonel
Brouilles will be taking his Dragoon Guards squadron for a ride in the
country to shake out the post-party hangovers. Expect them back by the
beginning of March, as he apparently isn't noted for his mapreading skills.
And, of course, the final note is about Du Pain. The trial reconvened
yesterday, and found him guilty of contravening standing orders, but not
guilty of disobeying a direct order. So he has been busted back to Captain
for six months and fined an amount equal to that already paid to the
regiment by him, but no further action will be taken. Hopefully, he will be
relieved that nothing more serious has befallen him, the regiment will be
relieved that the Majority is now vacant for the next in succession, and the
entire matter can be closed without any investigation into this ridiculous
allegation of him having a double. Does the man think that _anyone_ else
could duplicate those...unique features that he calles a face? Honestly, if
I saw another nose...oh, sorry sir, yes, that's the end of the business for
today. Certainly, sir, I'll see myself out and send in Nicolette to stoke
your fire. I will see you next month, sir.
