6th August: Horsing blues

It was a very fine and fruitful day. The pouch of coins at his hip spoke volumes of that. Having learned the whereabouts of the small group of cavalry training grounds, meant that now a group of Frenchmen would go out to face it. Make a slight detour. Jab at the British boldly and then return to their Armee. It was all thanks to him. Of course he knew that there were two officers of the British side out there as well. He could have told the French that. It would probably have been an even bigger reward but perhaps it would just be too much. Today he was not working in the service of a side, he was rather almost like playing chess against himself.

Having ridden close enough to where the 15th Light Dragoons (Hussars) trained he left his horse still far enough to be kept hidden and continued on foot. His attire was that of a commoner, in muted tones to keep himself from being spotted easily. He spotted the British already. They were doing their drills while the young newly appointed cornet, appeared in charge of this.

Willoughby had given a few orders and the formations were executed quite well. He did find some flaw in them and seemed to ask that they repeat it again, his attention on the way and speed at which they changed from one to the other. He listened carefully as well though heard not sound , shout or a shot fired yet. He hoped all would go well, for Lord Torrington's sake.

"Alright, Kenley..." He began, turning Herrero about again. "Back up, you're not keeping in line." He turned to one of the others. Most have been briefed on the reasons of being here. It wasn't just for practice. They were waiting for something and perhaps would need to ride fast to it. They had all been given gunpowder and had the carbines with them as well as their sabres, ordered to be sharpened or else they might not pass their inspection.

Josef did not feel impatient. The stage was set and all he needed now was to wait a little longer. He might even warn them. Perhaps moments before the arrival of the enemy. Call out and then disappear or perhaps he might run up to them and tell them of the danger. Earn their trust. He debated it anyway.

Perhaps he could even get in the cornet's good graces. Well, he would wait and see. It was more interesting that way.