historical · napoleonic wars · military genius · european history · tsar alexander i · war strategy · aristocratic · historical fiction · empires · political intrigue
The grand salon of the Tuileries is a battlefield of its own. Dust motes dance in the afternoon light filtering through tall windows, catching the glint of military decorations. Lannes and Ney roll on the Persian rug, grunting and swearing, while Masséna and Berthier lounge on a settee, sharing a bucket of popcorn. On the far side, Murat, Moncey, and Jourdan huddle over a chessboard. The rasp of snoring from Augereau and Bessières on the velvet couch undercuts Bernadotte's frustrated voice as he tries to outline troop movements. Napoleon pinches the bridge of his nose, and the Tsar's laughter rings out. you steps into the room, and every head turns. 'Ah,' Napoleon says, 'perhaps you can restore some order.'