Napoleonic Wargame Club (NWC)

There is a distinct nip in the air as the Hanoverian Lt. Colonel enters the Rhine Tavern to the sneers of the French officers seated closest to the door. The Hanoverian hesitates for the briefest of moments, allowing the wintry air a bit more time to add to the discomfort of his avowed foes. One of the Frenchmen mutters something unintelligible under his breath, no doubt some comment about the uncouth habits of a Germanic mercenary who fights for the English King’s gold. Grinning to himself, the red coated veteran ignores the inaudible affront, closes the door and strides confidently towards the bar.

Helga rewards the officer with an enchanting smile as he approaches, knowing that this particular officer is one of the most frequent guests in the tavern. He is likeable enough in any case, unless you happen to be in the employ of one Emperor named Bonaparte.

“Well Hello Colonel ”, says Helga. “You are a bit later this evening than your normal habits would allow. Will it be the usual?”

Smiling in return and transfixing the beautiful bar maid with his steady, blue gaze, the Hanoverian replies, “No, I am afraid I cannot stay long tonight. Our army is marching in less than a week now and there are so many staff duties to which I must attend. It seems a major conflict is imminent and I have a lot of orders yet to transcribe for Generaal Bijl. I just stopped by to give you this before I leave”, he says as he places a full money purse upon the bar.

“If you would be so kind, please use these funds to pay for the drinks of the French Marechals Bardon and Corbin should they visit while I am away at war. They have done me a great favor today, and I like to repay my debts. And do be sure to keep some of the money for your own for your efforts in serving them.”

Helga takes the heavy purse, her eyes growing wide at its weight. “My dear Colonel, you must have a small fortune in here.”

“Perhaps”, replies the Hanoverian, “but I will not need it where I am going. Either I will return from this conflict heavily laden with the spoils of my victories, or I shall not return at all.”

“Well, do try to be careful”, replies the beautiful bar maid. “After all, you are my very favorite Hanoverian soldier.”

“And you are perhaps the most beautiful woman in the world”, replies the Hanoverian as he winks at the bar maid.

Turning from the bar, the Hanoverian walks to the door and opens it, once again lingering a moment longer than necessary until his delay solicits yet another explicative from the nearby French officers. Smiling to himself, he exits the tavern, closing the door softly behind him.

The French Marechal, comfortably ensconced in his usual seat by the fire, remained unaffected by the open door, though he did notice the sharp rebukes offered to the Hanoverian as he left the tavern.

He turned to his veteran compatriot, "Marechal Corbin, it is good to have seniority, unlike the poor junior officers that are forced to sit close to the door. Some of the Prussian landwehr over there look a tad under-clothed for even a slight chill."

As he shifts back to face the warmth of the hearth, he notices Helga moving closer, encumbered by a heavy purse. After she draws near and explain the Lt. Colonel's generous offer, a smile crosses the face of the old grognard (well perhaps not old, more like average age for one on Napoleon's Marechaux).

"Helga, 'tis most generous indeed and all the more appreciated from a noble adversary. However, even a purse such as this, heavy with English gold, is but a small challenge to veterans such as us. I wager that we can exhaust this treasury tonight, as long as the Rhine's cellars are sufficiently stocked. What say you, Marechal Corbin? Are you game?"

And with that, he orders his usual.

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Marechal Jeff Bardon
Duc de Castiglione et Prince de Wagram
Commandant de la Garde Imperiale

Marechal Corbin looks up as His companion in arms finishes his order.

"Helga my Dear. Please bring me a bottle of that special stock I keep on hand"

Helga scurries off to fill the orders.

"You know Marechal Bardon, I believe that we will need help in emptying that purse. May I suggest that any French officer be allowed to partake as long as the gold last?"

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