To the esteemed Captain Jean de Lacey (JdL), Royal Foot Guard
 
Mon cher capitaine
 
I am recovering well, mon ami, after my recent duelling debacle with Lieutenant Colonel Doutron (JBD). As you are aware, I was expecting to duel Doutron with rapiers, according to the accepted legal conventions and customs of this fine city. I'm still unsure what happened! To be fair to Doutron, he certainly knows how to handle a sabre in a duel. I'm okay with it from the back of my horse when swinging at a Spaniard, but this was very different. I'm ashamed to say that I panicked, and tried kicking Doutron, though I'd never ever intended using such a move in a duel. That was a big mistake! I'm just so annoyed that I never got a chance to use all those fine moves I'd planned with my rapier. Still, c'est la vie, as they say.
 
Anyway, I regret that I am going to have to leave this glorious city of lights, for what I hope will be a short period. Without wanting to bore you with too much of my family's history, I have a great may half-brothers and sisters, scattered throughout the French empire and beyond. When my mother died, my heart-broken father exhausted the family fortune, travelling the world and fathering a dynasty of his own! Still, since we all keep in touch, this can be a useful source of information (although disclosing this in the past has got me into some trouble!).
 
Anyway, one of my half-brothers, Ashur Edly, is sick, and my even die. I will be writing to my superior officer later today, to ask for leave on compassionate grounds. I will return as soon as possible. In the meantime, mon ami, take care. I wish you every success against Doutron, should you eventually meet him on the field of honour. Be assured that you will be in my prayers, day and night, until I return.
 
Ton ami
 
Henri
 
Captain Henri Serf-Edly, Regimental Adjutant, Grand Duke Max Dragoons.
 
[OOC: Real-life circumstances have meant I haven't been able to post to this (or any other EG) game for a while, and rather than drop out, Greg has kindly let HSE take a month or two out "coasting". Hopefully it won't be too long, though. Best wishes to everyone. Peter].

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