((Joint IC between me and
@Eid3r )).
Sometime during the house arrest of Lothaire Lécuyer, Tolouse 1815.
Upon learning about the unrest and the violent episode in Toulouse, the Bishop of the neighbouring see of Montauban had quickly taken the road to assist the fidèles, certainly looking for spiritual guidance in front of this impossible bloodshed. His good friend, the Archbishop of Toulouse being ill, he had immediately reached out to offer his services, knowing far too well that the clergy could be stretched very thin in such occasions.
While visiting families in Toulouse, the Bishop was appraised of the difficult situation of a certain Captain Lothaire Lécuyer, the initial founder of the veteran's league whose presence had led to the outburst of violence. Some were quick to point him as a naïve victim, while others saw in him the Bonapartist devil. Always a profound believer in natural justice and the need for audi alteram partem, the Bishop decided to visit the man, who was assigned to residence until further notice.
He arrived in front of the said house, which was guarded by two soldiers. Smiling softly, he said, with a firm voice full of authority : "The Bishop of Montauban for Capitaine Lécuyer. Surely he is entitled to confession and religious guidance during this ordeal?"
The soldiers looked at first reluctant. They were under strict orders to not let anyone in, but surely a servant of God were allowed? After much deliberation they would let the Bishop in. Lothaire were surprised to see this old man enter. He had for days been in his most luxurious "cell" and had done nothing but drinking excessie amounts of wine of all types. He had so much sparetime he had started to develop all kind of theories and reforms he wished to implement.
"Bonjour!"
Lothaire said and looked at the man. "I am Captain Lecuyér, but I am sure you know. Pardon me, but who are you? Would you like a seat and a glass of wine?"
Lothaire gestured at a chair of his and poured a glass before the man got the chance to reply.
The old Bishop entered in the house, while maintaining a severe gaze toward the guards as a reproach for their hesitation. His first impression was to be overwhelmed by the smell of the place. Clearly, the despondant soldier was trying to take his life by drowning in wine, a situation more related to anguish and despair rather than to sin and gluttony.
"Capitaine Lécuyer, I am Henri-Charles du Bourget, Bishop of Montauban. I have been told by half the families of this city that you are the devil, and by the other half that you are a gentle soul. I came here to hear your plight, and should you required some religious assistance, I will be most obliged."
A Bishop wanting to see Lothaire? Lothaire knew had heard the name somewhere. But he was quite not sure. He sat down and pondered for a while and had a vague recollection that this Bishop might have written some rather.. conservative essays. Were this a trap?
"Ah, a pleasure to meet you your Excellency. Now please be seated. Now yes some may call me the Devil, but I can assure you I am not. Alltough this place may seem like a place of sin, it is to be honest a place of boredom. I have been waiting in vain for my interview on what transpired".
Lothaire played with his moustache he had kept since he were a Grenadier and were in deep thoughts. "Now why do I owe the honor of having assistance with a Bishop! I am humbled, that is for sure, but I am just a mere man. Why should a man of great stature as yours seek me out? Yes I have sinned, but most I have confessed already. When it come to the day in Tolouse where the Lord must have spilled tears, my sin is that I took too great pride in myself. I believed that my presence were enough to calm the marginalised veterans, but it only antagonised the Verdets".
Lothaire lowered his voice and became suddenly all the more serious: "Know that I had no part in the killing. Nor was that my intention. I simply want to do my christian duty to look after those who are not as unfortunate as us. To steer the wayward brother back to his home. I want to look after the men who were under my command and my fellow brothers".
Lothaire looked at the Bishop and were eager for an reply.
The Bishop listened intently the tale of the Captain, his gaze fixed on the eyes of the men.
"The title of Bishop is but a mere responsibility to a greater number of parishionners. It does not, at least in my case, cut the most necessary ties between a pastor and his flock. To answer your question, I was must struck by your case and felt you might be in need of a friendly visit given the seriousness of your plight."
" I certainly believe your intentions, which emanates from a noble heart. Let us keep this episode as a reminder to proceed with the utmost care for these are the strangest of times."
"Meanwhile, I came with this counsel. As a Deputy of the Chamber, are you aware that the Charter of the King strictly forbid your imprisonnement? I can certainly petition the authorities on this matter."
Lothaire were put at ease by the Bishop, and would open up a bit more.
"Ah, thank you Bishop. I do appriciate you wanting me to be released. But fear not, I am not imprisoned. I was summoned and came here on my free will to clear up what have happened. It is my duty as a citizen and a Christian. But if you have the time once you return, I would be grateful if you make such a request. Also it is good to see an Ultra as you, pardon me if you are not, to help a Doctrinaire as me - who also support veterans. It is good to see that we can put our differences aside, and move forward".
"And thank you for your visit. It is interesting how being solitary like this affect one's mind. I have been in many battles, but the battle against lonelyness the sanity is often a casualty. I ask you, what do you think of this matter? What is your take on the plight of the Veterans and the slaughter at Tolouse? I am also to be questioned, got any advice for approach?"
The prelate smiled at the flurry of questions coming from the young captain.
"I am quite at ease to learn that you are here on your own volition, since the rumour in Paris was more to the effect of a dark dungeon. As for the difference you state between so called Ultraroyalist and Doctrinaires, I must say I am at a loss to their meaning, being not attuned to the usual political verbosity. I see only Christians, to be quite frank."
"I shall certainly petition the necessary autorities for your release, and might I also add that you had a strong advocate of your cause in the person of the mellifluous Deputy of the Nord, who sang your praises in the Chamber."
"With regards to the moments of loneliness you refer too, I must tell you, as a priest, that you are never trully alone. These moments are priviledge for meditating one's action and their conformity to the tenets of our Faith. Solace is also a prime opportunity to communicate with God in search for a glimpse of his divine wisdom"
He took a slight moment, pondering the question of the military.
"I believe great care must be found for those who flocked under the flags of their nation animated by duty and sacrifice. Likewise, I bear no sympathy for those who did so for evil reasons and who took part in atrocities against their countrymen. My belief is that the former are few, and the valiants are numerous."
"Finally, in regards to your interrogation to come, the truth is the best option, candour is to be avoided. Say enough, but do not trust blindly in the justice of those who seek your ruin."
"Thank you. It will be good to come out again, to feel the grass of our beautiful country on my hands again, and meet my wife again. Now, I have a question for you. Something I have wondered. Remember that I am a literal child of the revolution, I am a Christian, but religion were not central in France when I was a child. Is it true that you can't have a woman? How are you able to get through life if I am not rude? Also can you drink wine? I have seen you have not drinked, and I have heard others saying drinking is a sin. But is wine not the blood of our Lord?"
"And yes, for meditation" Lothaire started to laugh "I have had plenty of time! I have written many papers for my school tasks, essays and sent letters for law proposals. Some are more fleeting than others and are really just mirages, a mirage like when Napoleon tried to conquer Egypt. But yes, I will remember what you said and take it to my heart. Perhaps during hard times I should seek counsel with God and not wander too deeply into my own thoughts?"
"Yes that is good Bishop. But who did it for evil? Who did it for good? Some would say that just because they served during a certain time they are evil by default. I say they felt a great duty to their people and motherland, and would have followed our current King too".
Lothaire drank some more wine and hope he were not speaking a hole in the mind of the Bishop. "Now yes I will be true. And the truth is indeed that I did nothing wrong. Or I was wrong in believing that I a mere man could install hope to end the veterans's fear for life and future. But my conscious is clear, in my opinion it was the Verdets who did this. If you were to come home after serving loyally for your country or church, as you do now, an when you come home you only meet prejudices, violence and no hope for the future?"
The eyes of the prelate darkened for a moment.
"It is the gravest sin of the revolution to have sought to erase both God and the King from this country. Such a disservice to our country paved the way to the Calamity we now find ourselves in. As regards the celibacy of the clergy, it is true indeed that we renounced the pleasure of such intimacy and love with the fair sex. It allows us to devote all our time and energy to the parishionners put in our trust. We are, after all, fathers of very large families."
"As for your question about the wine, it is true that I rarely drink. I do not find it beneficial nor economical and its lure toward sin is well known. As for the blood of Christ our Saviour, only during mass does the Transubstantiation of the wine into blood occur."
"The counsel of God is universal and always accessible to every man. We clergymen are merely the interpreters of God's way and humble guides for our parishioners. Feel free to seek advice whenever something weighs heavily on your mind."
"Only the Lord has a window into the hearts of men and can aptly judge their sins. We mere mortal must do with the tools at our disposal. Deeds speaks volume. The soldiers who murdered their fellow brethren, those who looted monastries, burnt convent and raped nuns are not to be mistaken with the humble men defending his family and country."
"Finaly, as regards the Verdet, I am afraid we shall never know the whole story. Let us rather work to make your name as clean as your conscience, it is the best we can salvage from such tragedy."
Seeking the time on a little clock, the prelate concluded.
"Time flies when in good company. I am afraid it is now a rather unappropriate time for our visit and I shall, with you permission, retire to my prayers. I shall petition the authorities on your behalf in the morning, my dear young friend. Shall you find yourself in Paris, you can always call on me at the Hôtel de Neuilly, rue Vaugirard."
"I thank you for your time, counsel and visit Bishop. I will, if needed, seek your counsel again. And once more thank you for your visit and your petition. May God watch over your journey back to Paris and guide you there".
Lothaire were surprised of the visit, yet he were pleased. It was nice to have someone to talk to, and to know that there were forces that wanted his release. As the Bishop left Lothaire looked to the untouched wineglass, drank it whole and went to bed thinking grandious and naiive thoughts of himself and the future. 
