Chapter VI
At the end of the evening, Maurice bid everyone a good night and began to walk to the room he was to stay in that night. When he got to the base of the stairs he felt a hand grab at his, he turned to see Aimee, "Ahh, are you going to bed also mademoiselle?"
She replied with a short nod, "I'm sorry about dinner Maurice, I didn't mean to make you look bad," The look on her face was one of shame, she no doubt had waited all evening to get him alone to apologize.
He put a soft smile on his lips, "It's alright Aimee. This is all new to you. I expect you to stumble," He began to lead her up the stairs, "that is how we learn not to fall. And you look exquisite in that dress."
Immediately her demeanor changed, she put on a beaming smile, "Really? You like it. One of Fernando's servants just showed me a wardrobe and told me to pick a dress to wear to dinner. I wasn't sure if you'd like it, but I guess I chose correctly," It was a red satin dress, very beautiful and complimented her perfectly.
His smile grew, "That you did," He led her to the door of her room, "Now, get some sleep. We're leaving tomorrow and it's going to be a long ride. I'll get you a horse more suitable for the journey and one fit for a lady such as yourself," He watched her blush a little. She still was not used to being treated this way, "If there's anything else you need make sure to tell me or Fernando, okay?"
She gave a happy nod, stood on her tip-toes, and pecked him on the cheek before running into her room. He stood there for a moment; his cheeks tinged a little red, before walking to his own room
Opening the door he stepped into a lavish bedroom with a large bed. To the side was his saddle bag with riding clothes neatly folded next to them. Before falling into his bed he put the clothes in his bag.
Falling into the down bed, he smiled comfortably as he settled into sleep. He began dreaming he was in an exquisite garden of a Château in southern France. In light spring attire he moved through the gardens, smelling the aroma of the roses and violets when he heard a familiar giggle. Chasing the sound, he caught a fleeting glimpse of a red dress disappearing around the corner. Turning the corner, he saw her standing in the middle of the aisle, a teasing smile on her face. He took a step forward and she ran to her left. Sighing, he chased after her once again.
Turing the corner he was in luck to see that it opened into a circular courtyard with only one path in or out. He spotted her gleefully running around the base of a tree, "Come sit with me Maurice," Aimee shouted playfully, patting the grass next to her.
Not hesitating at all, he sat right next to her. He looked shyly at her, "There's something I want to say…but I don't know how to say it," In response, Aimee cocked her head to the side and gave him a questioning glance, "I love you Aimee."
She caressed his face, "I know Maurice, I…" they were interrupted by a loud knocking on the tree. Looking up, Maurice saw the brightness of the sun.
Shooting straight up, he glanced about nervously. Somebody was pounding feverishly at his door, "I'm coming," he grumbled, not happy with being removed from happiness. He trudged to the door, throwing it open to reveal a very frantic Fernando which caused Maurice to instantly become alert.
"Gendarmes are coming now. Twenty of them and they're heavily armed and riding in fast. You have about ten minutes to pack everything onto the horses. My servants are delaying them," Fernando rushed into the room, helping Maurice gather up his belongings. Maurice threw on his sword and pistols, regretting that his blunderbuss was on his horse. Once they gathered up the bags, they ran to the horses.
Once in the stables, Maurice asked the obvious question, "Why help me? They're after me. Why not turn me in and save your home, job, life?"
Surprisingly, Fernando smiled, "My friend, this means nothing. All of this, including my life, I'd be willing to trade for the return of our emperor. Now then, I want you to have this," A servant ran up to Fernando and handed him a rifle, which Fernando promptly handed to Maurice, "This is a Ferguson Rifle. A British weapon, but an effective one. It's fast to reload and plenty accurate."
There was a roll of musket fire outside the stables as Aimee and Stefano were rushed in. Fernando began to run towards the sounds of the guns. Maurice ran after him, "Let me help."
Fernando turned and flashed his perfect smile once more, "Don't worry about it my friend, they're Royalists, no match for us Bonapartists. You rescue our Emperor and when you do, extend an invitation to me to join him at his table. Good luck Sergeant Tabor."
"Good luck Lieutenant Covas," Maurice shouted. Both men knew that the invitation would never be extended. Both men knew that Fernando was going to die. They both knew he was going to die that night, and all Maurice could do was admire the man's courage to defend three people he only knew for a few hours with his life.
Mounting up, he noticed Gaston among the riders. The Butler spoke, "Lord Covas apologizes, but he is only able to spare me to help lead you out of his lands."
Maurice gained some of his spirit back, "That's all we'll need. Lead the way my friend," Gaston spurred his horse, followed by Stefano, then Aimee, and Maurice covered the rear. The night sky was made darker by the overcast above. Their hooves beat the ground, crunching leaves and sticks as they went. Stealth was of little concern to them so long as the guns kept firing.
The first indication they were about to be ambushed was the abrupt stillness of nature around them. Usually birds would flutter away, squirrels scurrying. Now though, there was nothing. Maurice shouted, "Everyone, STOP!!" and they complied, all except Gaston, who rode straight into the guns.
It was a single loud burst, six muskets going off at once. In horror they watched as the old servants body twisted and contorted with the impact of the volley on either side. Maurice was enraged. Picking up the Ferguson he aimed at one shadow and fired, receiving a satisfactory yip. Quickly loading another round, he fired at another shadow before leading the other two away from the fight.
Tucking the Ferguson away, he drew his blunderbuss and pushed his animal hard through the thick forest. I must find a way out! Looking over his shoulder he was relieved to see his two companions following close behind.
The Blunderbuss barked, taking out a Gendarme running out of the woods. Holstering the empty sidearm he drew a long pistol and kept riding. He was disoriented, he didn't know where anything was so he just kept riding.
The rolling sound of musket fire was gone, replaced now by individual pops of fire. Maurice prayed once more before realizing that they were heading closer to the gunfire, not farther from it. Preparing to turn his horse, he saw Fernando ride towards them. Both sets of eyes locked and Maurice waved telling Fernando to follow.
There was a crack of a pistol shot, which caused everyone to stiffen. Maurice looked at his Spanish friend smile and mouth, "Napoleon!" The body slid off the horse and revealed the shooter, a Gendarme Captain who permeated pure evil.
He leveled his pistol, hand shaking with rage, and pulled the trigger missing completely. Holstering the pistol he drew his saber and began a mad, one soldier charge at the Captain who had drawn his own sword. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a cursed soldier rush him from the side so Maurice swung his blade low, slashing the man's throat.
A horrendous yell could be heard of the din of musket fire as Napoleon's Sergeant raised his saber high, fire in his eyes. The blood covered blade swung down hard and fast at the calm Gendarme Captain who just lifted his own blade to block it. The Captain seemed to shrug off the attack and mumbled, "Sergeant Tabor, you will die. I am Captain Gregory Chirac, the man who will kill you," and he drew back his saber to lunge at Maurice, but was interrupted by a musket round that shattered the blade. Gregory looked at Maurice, whose arm was being held by a petite woman, and gave him a customary dueling salute with his broken blade, "You live today Bonapartist, but I will kill you," with those words he rushed off into the night.
Aimee could feel Maurice's surging rage, "Come on Maurice, we need to leave. Fernando would not like you sacrificing yourself," She tugged at his arm.
Stefano rode up holding a freshly fired musket, "She is right my friend, we can do no more good. Fernando died happy and may God see his soul to heaven, but he died to let you live, don't waste it," the voice was harsh, scolding even.
Maurice slowly lowered his arm and turned the horse about, taking a final look at the man who saved them all, a true saint. A single tear fell upon the body, "I promise you Fernando, Captain Chirac will pay for this. I will fight for your memory. I shall tell Napoleon of your bravery," He saluted him and rode away, tears now flowing freely…