17th May - After the Review.

"I would not know either way," he said gruffly. "But I have told you my decision for now; you may stay, unless you wish to sell your commission."

'I do not, sir.' For now. George's gaze swept over the General. 'If we are still speaking plainly, sir... Those stones would be useful in the coming months.'

Wellesley expression hardened somewhat at the change of supject.

"Yes, they would be," he said tonelessly. "And Von Dorn knows they would be, which is why the wretched man has brought them. He knows how desperate I am."

He balled his fist pushed it against the desk top in frustation.

George, snorted lightly.
'He does not know anything of the kind, sir. He is not a military man, sir.'

"He does not have to be military to know that I need credit," Wellesley said gruffly. "Running any army is expensive; but an army which has sworn to pay its way... We cannot force these people for our supplies, we must trade on our good name and appearance, and when those aren't enough on our coin. Three quarters of running an army is administration, Hunter, and the other quarter is reserved for fighting the battles. Von Dorn doesn't have to know a damn thing about soldiering."

George thought for a few moments.
'What I meant, sir, he does not know that you are desperate, sir. Giving those stones to you, I believe, has more significance for him in his mind than for you.' Running a hand through his hair George mumbled: 'I hope I am expressing myself clearly, sir.'

Wellesley gave Hunter a Look.

"No," he said. "I am afraid you are not."

'Well, let me put it this way. I think, he does not care how important the stones might be for you, in fact maybe he does even truly realise that they would be important, but just having you accept them is what matters for him, sir.' Since George was really thinking outloud now, then trying to explain himself, the 'sir' came almost as an afterthought, as he started to pace a little. 'Giving away those stones to you is important.'

"That is what I have been saying, Hunter. It is vital for him that I take those stones; so vital that my mind is disturbed by what his motive might be."

'No, sir, what you have been saying is that he is counting on your desperation to accept them so that you are trapped into a disastrous situation of one kind or other.' George stopped and tugged at a lock of his hair. 'His motives are selfish, I do not doubt that, but he is... Hm... well, his outward 'iron mask' is just that, a mask. He is the kind of person who cares too much, who is disturbed by the evils of this world more than an ordinary person. The mask is a protection.' George waved a hand dismissively at his own words. 'Not that I would trust him implicitly...'

Wellesley narrowed his eyes.

"How perceptive of you. And what is it that has brought you to this conclusion?"

'I have talked to him outside of bussiness surroundings, so to speak, I did mention it, sir,' George gave an amused look to the General.

'It is obvious for anyone who is observant. He hides it well, yes, but the way he speaks of certain things, the way he treats his servant. No, no, it is all in the face and even the hands. When he mentioned Napoleon, for example, his fingers would twitch as if wanting to make a fist or clamp around a weapon, and his lips would thin just a little as if he was angered. And yet he is not a military man, and I do think he dislikes killing a lot. I spent my years among people of different upbringing and cultures, but human emotion is rather universal, it is good thing to be able to distinguish it.'

"Or else he is a very good actor," Wellesley said. "They are a very universal phenomenon, be they professional or not."

'He is a good actor in that he succeeds in acting like he does: all ice-cold and prickly' George shook his head. 'He is as much an actor as he is a banker, sir.' And then a thought struck George: the man did not care for his opinion, Christ, what was he doing giving it? He stiffened and straightened. 'But, of course, you right, sir.'

The General raised an eyebrow.

"It is rather clear to me that you are of the opinion that I am not."

He removed his hand from the desk and folded it behind his back.

"There is a motive of some kind; that I know. He has not asked me for any political position, nor for guarantees of protection or property - he has not even asked me for a receipt! There is no such thing as truly free gift; not when dealing with funds on this scale."

'Erm, of course, you are right, sir, it is just that sometimes, mmm, well, surprisingly enough, gifts may be given, just as you proved it, sir.' George blushed slightly. 'Have you considered who it will profit, should your army be successful against Napoleon?'

"Basically every power on the Continent," Wellesley said. He found it odd and somewhat unsettling how Hunter referred to the army as 'his'... "Some of which we have fought before and probably will fight again after Bonaparte is deposed."

George nodded.
'Indeed, and yet, God only knows how long it will take to defeat Napoleon. More than likely any trace of the stones would be gone by then. Besides, sir, should any other nation try to dirty Britain's reputation with this fact after Napoleon is defeated, how do you think it is going to look like to most of the world, sir?'

Wellesley snorted in disgust.

"Any nation willing to pull such a trick will not care what the world thinks of them afterwards. But the real concern is what will our countrymen say of us? That is where the danger lies."

'They might not care indeed, but for the rest it would look a lot like simple jealosy, wouldn't it? Of course, some will believe them, but those who win wars are those in the best position to withstand any attack.' George paused. 'But in the end of the day sir, this is your army, and this is your decision, I am just playing the devil's advocate.' George the General in the eyes. 'I would only say one thing, sir, and forgive me if it sounds rude. Don't choose the easy way, rather a better one.'

Well that helped a lot...

"It is not my army, Hunter, it is His Majesty's. And I will do what I judge is best for it."

George studied the General for a long time in silence.
'It is his army in name. Ask any soldier who he fights for and he will, no doubt, say for the King of Britain. But do you really think, sir, that is who they really fight for? The King is back in England, dining on delicacies and dancing at the balls without a care in the world, except maybe who his next mistress should be. You are here and it is you they will die for, not some... not the King.'

George grimaced. 'I apologise for making this speech, bad influence of time spent at Oxford, sir. It is just that..., ah, never mind. I think it is better that you rescind your permission for me to speak plainly, sir.'

Sir Arthur's face bore a stony expression.

"I believe I had better," he said levelly. "Before you say something more that could be construed as treason. This army belongs to the King, Hunter, and I will not have anyone say otherwise; and seeing it is the only army we have it is my responsibility to take care of it - and I must not let it fall foul of others who may wish it harm in the longterm."

George looked away from the General, something very like disappointment briefly fleeting over his face. If the General chose to take his words in the worst possible way, who was he to argue with that?
'Of course, sir. Very good, sir.'

Wellesley sighed, wiping a hand across his forehead. The day was becoming quite warm now - either that or it was him.

"That will be all, Hunter; unless there is anything else you wish to discuss?"