July 1632

[huillaume]

“Damn it, troops again, and that means problems...” the Bailiff thought as he looked to road as troops were advancing. Suddenly an officer (apparently a high rank one) left the formation and moved to him. “What the hell?” the Bailiff though.

-Good morning, Jaques – the officer said.- Still trying to keep this town quiet?

-Lagarde? – said the Bailiff as the officer closed. –I heard you left for Paris, and now a general? So young? Where’s the brat that pursued the local girls?

-He’d grown up, Jaques – the officer said as he dismounted his horse. His aide took the horse and stood close-.And, yes, I’m Brigadier now. I’ve heard you have arrested the old shepherd known as Bearslayer... Is that true?

-Shepherd you say? Well, I guess there might be sheep among what he moves through the border... Yes, he’s arrested.

-I’d like him free. Those shepherds know the mountains well, and I need guides. And you know he has always been loyal to the Béarne house...

-This time he’d botched it, Lagarde, and he has pissed off the Count of Foix. It won’t be easy to avoid taking him to the magistrates..

-Even in the Commissioner orders you to forget it? Would the Count accept this?

-Those are great words... I guess I’d have to obey and the Count would shut up, but when have you seen the Commissioner worrying about here? I have doubts he even knows this town exists...

-Excuse me, Sir, you don’t receive many news from Paris, do you? – the aide stepped in

-Not really –said the bailiff, surprised for the comment.- Why do you ask?

-The Brigadier is the Commissioner, Sir, and I’m quite sure he knows the place and cares for it –answer the aide

-Yes, Jaques – said the Brigadier.- And as such I order you to release him. Tell the Count the Commissioner has ordered that he serves in the Border Regiment to attune his deeds.

-Aye, Sir- the Bailiff said-. In fact the count saves his face with this, and I guess we all win... I’ll bring it to you at once.

-Let him a while more while you tell me the gossip before a glass of pacharan, Jaques. I guess some more hours will teach him to behave, after all

[Valerie Valanon]

First Voice: "Damn, you´ve heard?"
Second Voice: "What heard?"
First Voice: "The colonel!"
Second Voice: "The colonel? We don´t have a colonel..."
First Voice: "No, you blockhead. I mean the former colonel. Baron d´Avranches!"
Second Voice: "Oh, you mean Guy... what about him?"
First Voice: "He got shot."
Second Voice: "He what?"
First Voice (gravely): "He died at the front."
Second Voice (shocked): "He... oh my god..."
First Voice: "Yes."
Second Voice: "How...?"
First Voice: "It was an unlucky shot out of the blue."
Second Voice: "That´s hard to believe. Guy has always been so optimistic and encouraging."
First Voice: "Obviously luck has run it´s course."
Second Voice: "I really thought we would see him as a Marshal de France in the future."
First Voice: "Me too."
Second Voice: "He shouldn´t have left."
First Voice: "Maybe. But such things may happen anytime."
Second Voice: "I know."
First Voice: "At least he should have gone to an infantry brigade."
Second Voice: "True at that. But maybe he didn´t have the chance then. Such decisions often are made by..."
First Voice: "You better hold your tonge."
Second Voice (haltingly): "You may be right."
First Voice: "I think he missed us too."
Second Voice: "Why do you think so?"
First Voice: "His last words."
Second Voice: "What were they?"
First Voice: "Place a la Bannière!"
Second Voice: "Oh my... although he was a Norman, he had become a Picard by heart."
First Voice: "Indeed..."

[Boudoir Chitchat]

First Voice: Sophie?
Second Voice: Oui, mademoiselle?
First Voice: Why aren´t the new curtains in place yet?
Second Voice: They first have to arrive I guess...
First Voice (slightly amused): Sophistry again?
Second Voice (demurely): Excuse moi, mademoiselle...
First Voice: It must be the name...
Second Voice (in a shocked voice): Mademoiselle?!
First Voice (sighs theatrically): It is hard to find a worthy chambermaid...
Second Voice (pointedly): Shall I advertise for one?
First Voice: Mon dieu, no. What a thought. I will rather endure those little outbreaks of such unladylike behaviour than to get accustomed to a new chambermaid ...
Second Voice: You´re too kind, mademoiselle.
First Voice: I know.
Second Voice laughs wickedly.
First Voice (looks herself up in a mirror): What do I look like, Sophie?
Second Voice: Like a lady?
First Voice: That´s kind of the idea.
Second Voice: What´s your plan?
First Voice: To impress a man.
Second Voice: Any man? Or a particular man?
First Voice: A very particular man. The chef of the best troupe in town, of the King´s Men.
Second Voice: Kingsmen? That sounds like a kind of secret order or the like.
First Voice: Actually it is a kind of order, although they don´t work in secrecy. At least I think so. Anyway, after this month´s play at the theatre is cancelled due to some illness, i would like to introduce myself to this troupe. Maybe they are in need of an actress.
Second Voice: They should be glad to be considered worthy by mademoiselle.
First Voice: Men sometimes are a little secretive. You remember the invitation to the wedding of Sieur d´Blancheur? He forgot to mention that at the stag party women were not invited. Not that I would have wanted to go there, but it is another proof of men being secretive.

Second Voice: Mademoiselle knows what to expect of such venues. If I remember correctly, your late husband had held his stag party at a vinery down in the Valle d´Aronne. To which you knew the secret access. With the peephole to the back room.

First Voice: And if I remember correctly, you were very curious, since you´ve had a crush on one of the guests, Pierre...?

Second Voice (blushing): Please...

First Voice: I told you, you should have just asked his sister. That would have been the proper way.

Second Voice: But it´s so stupid. Why can´t we just tell a man that we like him and want to be invited to the theatre or the like. Those rules of convenience are so idiotic sometimes...

First Voice: Naturally. But back to the stag party. It is one thing to know what men do, eat, drink and smoke. But something totally different to be among them when they... do their men things.
Second Voice: You really want to go there? Under disguise?
First Voice: It´s tempting, but no. Let them have their share of fun for themselves.
Second Voice (murmuring): A wise decision.
First Voice: Did you say something?
Second Voice: Only that mademoiselle looks splendid.
First Voice: Thank you, Sophie...
Second Voice: i have to say so. I did your hair and relaced your bodice twice.
First Voice: And I struggled for breath twice...
Second Voice: The side-effects of being a lady...
First Voice: Sophistry and sarcasm... you´re in a rare mood today, Sophie.
Second Voice: That´s the side-effect of being your chambermaid, mademoiselle...