To All: The preludes will start coming to an end soon, in, I suspect, about 2 updates and we will move into Varna which I will move past somewhat quicker than Malta. However, due to public exams for the next two weeks, I will not be able to update in that time schedual. Awful sorry but that is how it goes. However, do, in the meantime, vote in the ACAs and perhaps give me a thought while doing so
Kurt_Steiner, demokratickid, stnylan: The British and French don't really have a history of getting on, so don't expect them to fling at each other with open arms. However, they will work better in combat than you might imagine. Do remember the who the two British officers are here also, though. Buckle is awkward in any conversation and Grant is suffering from depression (no you Americans please don't get confused), so they don't exactly represent the best tag team to be presented to the French as the 'Perfect Allies'
Enewald: If only I had a clue what you were on about. The Bonapartes are allies now, no killing them. For goodness sake, the Emperor's son leads one of the Divisions of the French Empire's Corps d'Expeditionaire.
phargle: I didn't mention it, but the
Terrible was harbouring in Oran and came out into the straits to meet the
Valorous. Despite the alliance, a frog in Gibraltar would, as you say, not seem quite right. The French officers are drilled, but they do not lack in ability. Juliann is young, and will most likely have not served long in Algeria, but the large part of the French troops and staff we will meet will be battle hardened by years of guerilla fighting in Algeria, and as such is a much more professional and well organised force that the British 'Army of the East', as we shall see.
I'm glad you enjoyed the update, and writing of the sea is not a speciality of mine. Most of the terminology I know is fromm repeatedly watching Hornblower if nothing else, but I wanted to invole the navy very much, as they will have a big role in this story and the era of sail into steam is just interesting, at least I find. And yes, we will see the
Valorous later, but not where you expect it.