Treville’s Report to the Regency Council

Mutters under his breath as he approaches the impressive council room, decked in its flamboyant ostentatiousness. He gives a sweeping bow to Queen Anne, the head of the regency council and a curt nod to the other peacocks that call themselves her councillors. Clearing his throat with a short rasping cough he looks around and pauses ensuring he has the attention of all before commencing his war report.

“Your majesty… councillors, I have the following information regarding the war with Spain.” Now looking less confident as all eyes turn on him and, he takes a deep breath.

“The Spanish have encroached another 200 leagues into French territory taking over all main towns and sacking them as they head towards Paris. Our noble forces have taken a severe beating, mainly due to their strategic use and sheer numbers of enemy cannon. And I have therefore taken action to reduce the harm caused by these killing machines and despatched a small contingent of Musketeers to seek the manufacturing of cannon and cannonballs and to destroy them at source.”

Shuffles uneasily at the mention of the Musketeers whose real role is to protect the king at all costs, but as Athos had pointed out this was a dangerous mission and could only be trusted to someone with the right skills and Porthos, with his swarthy Moorish looks was less likely than anyone else to be seen as an agent of France. Porthos and Treville’s trusted niece, the enigmatic Red Rose, would both provide information and destroy Spain’s mighty artillery, with Porthos carrying out the physical work of destruction.

Treville continues…

“Furthermore we have had privateers harrying Spanish treasure ships and relieving them of their cargo which not only weakens Spain’s economy but helps finance our costs and investment in superior cannons and weaponry.” Treville grimaces, always having hated the indiscriminate killing of cannon, preferring the one on one use of musket or a sword. At least you gave your enemy the curtesy of looking at him before killing him.

“Our next actions are as follows…”  Treville talks over the disgruntled rumblings within the council by a few of the older members.

“To increase the number of military outposts encircling Paris. These are to be manned by the younger trained soldiers and aided by older veterans from the villages too old to march south or in specialised occupations, specifically the village blacksmiths who will be tasked with making ammunition for muskets and cannon for self-defence and for the fighting forces at the front.” Treville continues,

“We are also sending agitators back into the Netherlands to cause unrest and split the Spanish forces. If the Spanish are made to fight on too many sides then they weaken their forces against us”

A cough rasps through his voice again before continuing,

“There is evidence from England that the training of new recruits into the Army should be more regimented to form a consistency of approach. Therefore, all new combatants will follow the training similar to Cromwell’s New Model Army” Treville holds up a hand to quell the growing murmurs of discontent…

“This does not mean we support or condone any Protestant, Puritan or Huguenot army … only that we recognise soldiers should be trained and not just sent to their deaths”

Having efficiently dealt with that thorny issue concludes with the most troublesome concern… the young king.

“And finally…” Treville’s eyes nervously seek the queen’s… “His majesty the king, has decided he should lead his troops into battle and will therefore be leaving Paris to head for the encroaching Spanish Armies. He will at all times be accompanied by Musketeer Aramis who will send back reports as  to his majesty’s no doubted heroism and the outcomes of any battles.”

Treville gives a nod to the queen who tries to sit impassively at the news she fought so hard not to hear. Her belief that the king, her young son should be a figurehead of support safely within the confines of Paris and not at the whim of a stray musket ball. Morale or no morale, France needs a stable monarchy and to lose him would send shockwaves throughout history.

Treville meets every councillor’s eye with his own  and awaits their response.

Written by @CaptainTreville

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Marie describes life at the Palace whilst France is at war with Spain