Invasion

Grande Armee were spread out in an immensity beyond counting, covering the swelling heights of the hills and valleys around the port as far as the eye could see.

This, then, was the reality, the reason for their being: a tidal wave of the finest troops in Europe arrayed in plain sight against them.

The sloop reached Actaeon and passed out of sight around her lee. After half an hour a general signal was hoisted: 'All captains repair on board.'

Kydd wasted no time in complying and convened with the other captains in the great cabin. 'I'll be brief, gentlemen,' Savery opened, his features grave. 'It does appear that the final act is at last upon us. We have intelligence that the Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte himself is at this moment in Boulogne.'

There was a stir of apprehension, which was brusquely cut short. 'This is not the first time he has been here— he likes to show himself to his army and to inspect preparations. This is not exceptional. What is unique and disturbing is that this time not only the Emperor but his entire military staff has come. Paris is left without a single marshal's baton!'

This was received in utter silence.

'Marshal Ney is here with his corps as are Soult and Davout. The Grande Armee is now complete and I don't have to remind you that tomorrow is a new moon, with spring tides, the winds fair for England and the weather holding. Bonaparte has even sent for his brothers Louis and Joseph, now styled princes, and columns are said to be on the march for Boulogne, to a total of at least twenty cavalry squadrons and sixty regiments.' He concluded soberly, 'I can see no reason for this sudden descent on Boulogne other than . . .'

'Lord Keith has been informed, sir?' Kydd asked.

'Of course. He is making his dispositions, but I fear it will be a little time before we might see any reinforcements. Meanwhile, our duty remains as it always has. Should the Grande Armee sail, we place ourselves between it and England. Do I make myself clear?'

There was a murmur of assent, and Savery finished, 'We have an agent of the first calibre in Boulogne who will attempt to reach me tonight under cover of dark with the final details, which naturally you will share at first light. I wish you well for the rencontre, gentlemen.'

It was no longer high strategy or studied tactical manoeuvring that would be needed tomorrow: it would be nothing less than a frenzied fight to the finish, a sacrifice for the very highest stakes. Teazer was as ready she could be and everyone aboard knew their duty. While her company was issued a double tot of rum, Kydd and Renzi took a quiet and reflective dinner together.

Later, in the privacy of his sleeping cabin, Kydd drew out his fighting sword. In the flickering candlelight it gleamed with a fearful lustre, the blued Toledo steel blade at a razor's sharpness and the gold damascening catching the light with a barbaric glitter. His hand caressed the ornamentation, a pair of choughs that he had insisted on to remind him of his uncle in far distant Canada, a noble lion-head pommel chased in gold. Would this blade taste enemy blood tomorrow or must he shamefully surrender it when Teazer was overwhelmed—or worse?

Dawn came: there was no news. Instead there was a sight that caused the whole ship to fall quiet: the Grande Armee was on the move. The martial glitter of bayonets and breastplates showed in the wan morning sun as the dense columns of soldiers marched over the slopes like giant caterpillars. They converged on one vast open area in a sea of plumes, helmets and banners. More and more appeared over the line of hills to join the immense horde.

It was happening.

'Boat approaching, sir,' said Tawse, matter-of-factly. The little midshipman was clearly not about to be overawed by anything Frenchy.

It was a pinnace under a press of sail. It rounded to, hooked on by the side steps and a lieutenant bounded breathlessly on board. 'Captain, sir?' he said excitedly. 'From Cap'n Savery, his compliments and believes you should want to know what is afoot.'

'I do,' Kydd said drily. 'My cabin?'

'No need, sir, I'm hard pressed. Sir, this is the Emperor Napoleon and he's called the Grande Armee to—'

'We know this, sir. Get on with it, if you will,' Kydd ordered. Hallum's apprehension was plain and others came up anxiously to hear.

'Well . . .' Kydd prompted.

'Er, sir, our agent was able to get out to us during the night with news of Bonaparte. Sir, he's called the Grande Armee to a parade only and—'

'To a parade!' Kydd choked. 'You're telling me he's mustered those hundreds o' thousands of soldiers just for —'

'Yes, sir, I am. This is no ordinary parade. It's something of an historical day, for Napoleon wants to be sure of the army when he's finally crowned, the people having had a revolution to get rid of the aristocrats, and he desiring to start a parcel o' new ones from his own family. More'n that, he's creating a whole new order o' chivalry to honour the new French Empire, as will have himself at its heart. This day he's to award a new medal to the soldiers to replace the Croix de Saint Louis. He calls it the Legion d'Honneur.'

Kydd's mouth dropped open.

The officer became animated. 'One hundred thousand men, captured banners, massed salutes and all the glory t' be wished for! And for his throne—'

'Hard pressed, you said?' Kydd reminded him.

'Um, yes, sir. And I'm to say that Cap'n Savery conceives that no action of any kind will take place these three days on account of no Frenchman would dare to risk being bested before the Emperor. He'll be falling back to the Downs and hopes to see us all in the Three Kings to raise a toast of damnation to the new Emperor.'

The shipwright had been right: the timbers for Teazer's wounds were not so easily to be acquired. For days now Kydd had had the galling sight of the stripped-back bulwark with naked top- timbers protruding from the deck where new timberheads had been scarphed into the stumps, awaiting their cladding. As well, the fore-chains still lacked its channel and was unable to take the fore-shrouds.

Unfit for sea duties, Teazer could only lie to her moorings until she was made whole