“Did you miss me?”
The proximity of the familiar voice so close to his ear startles the General of Chassuers, although outwardly he does not even flinch. A Guardsman of his fine caliber never flinches.
“Look under the table for me indeed!” continues the grinning Hanoverian Brigadier. Glancing at the map that General Knox has spread out on the table top, a look of recognition passes the Hanoverian’s face. “Ah, sir, I remember that field”, he says in a voice that sounds perfectly confident to all officers in the tavern.
Only the venerable Commander of Le Tondu’s Guard senses the nearly imperceptible tremor in his adversary’s voice. Unable to contain a grin in light of this revelation, the Peacock of France smiles warmly back at his respected German opponent and replies, “Yes, I thought you would. It was on this very field that I relieved you of your sword, the first as I recall, and your tattered, Major’s epilate as well.”
“All true, I fear, all true” says the Hanoverian with a sigh. “Your performance on the field that day was exceptional. Your martial prowess was far superior to anything that I had ever seen from any other French officer that I ever faced, either before or since. It is a shame, in a way, that the Commander of the Black Menace has picked up your proffered sword. Had he not done so, I was fully prepared to do the honors myself. You are correct that I do intend one day to at least attempt to recover my original blade. You are a most formidable opponent, sir, so I will take nothing for granted. I have witnessed, first hand, the destruction you wreak on an enemy army. I have the hope that forewarned will be forearmed in our next engagement”, says the Hanoverian as he grins at perhaps the most dangerous French officer in the entire Grande Armee. “And now, if you will excuse me, I have a present for the brave, General Peters.”
Turning from the French table, the Commander of the Hanoverian Brigade walks over to his usual table and scoops up three clean shot glasses and a full bottle of Jagermeister. He then proceeds to the table where the Commander of the Black Menace and the General Ludwig are seated. “Gentlemen”, says the Hanoverian as he sets the bottle and the glasses on the table and pulls up a seat, “a gift for your great bravery, Herr Peters.”
General Peters gives his Hanoverian ally a funny look. “Why Brigadier Jones, it is a most kind offer, but surely you are aware that I do not partake in any form of alcoholic beverage.”
“That I am”, replies the Hanoverian officer as he unstops the bottle and carefully pours two shots of Jager. Sliding one glass toward Herr Ludwig, and taking the other as his own, the Hanoverian Commander grins at the stalwart leader of the Black Menace, “but you also have never faced the Peacock of France on the field of battle. You are in for quite an experience, and I find it always best to be prepared for every possibility.”
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