The Chef de Battalion accepts his Military Star from Marechal Corbin with great pride.
His proud countenance breaks into a broad grin as he recognizes across the Tavern room a grizzlied veteran, a fantassin he knew from the battlefield for which he has just received the fine medal.
It was at the village of Caldiero, in sunny Italy (though that day the fog had been quite thick in the morning, rendering all observations of the enemy positions useless), Oct 30th, 1805, where the Chef had been assigned to the headquarter's staff of Marechal Massena, that wily campaigner, one of Le Tondu's oldest, and most able of commanders.
The veteran who now stood at attention in the common room had been one of the Marechal's guides , and was attached to the Chef's person, charged with keeping him safe as he conducted his duties.
Such duties as they were involved the very dangerous mission of delivering the battle orders to the officers in the front lines.
It was apparent that at first this fantassin had chafed at such a task, "chaperoning" he had said.
But in the heat of the battle, their bond as brothers-in-arms was cemented when, at a crucial moment, as they were picking their way forward, dodging the artillery fire from the Austrian batteries a top the rising ridge before them, a regiment of cavalry had suddenly loomed ahead of them.
Forunately there had been a villa near to hand, and upon reaching it, the guide and chef had barricaded themselves in, and using their muskets, kept the riders at bay.
Even as the enemy cavalry swarmed about their small bastion, seemingly unable to decide whether to dismount and storm the place, or simply ride off, before too many saddles were emptied by the well aimed shots from within, a column of French soldiers advanced from another point, and the issue was decided for them... Off they went.
As they sank back in relief at surviving the close call, the guide had told him, "You did good, sir. Kept your head about you when the sabres were swirling all about."
The commander of the battalion that had rescued them also heaped praise upon the two lone men, who had kept the enemy cavalry so occupied that they lost the impetus of their surprise.
Yes, it is with much bonhomie, that the Chef strides over to greet his friend, and welcome him to share this proud moment.
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Vell done, meinen Herrn! 
I have it.......
