July 1st, 1799. Salwa Palace.
Napoleon Bonaparte and his generals found themselves seated at a lavish dining table in the presence of Emir Abdulaziz bin Muhammad Al Saud of the Emirate of Diriyah. The room was adorned with opulent decorations, reflecting the wealth and grandeur of the Arabian palace.
As the guests settled into their seats, a procession of servants entered, carrying trays laden with a variety of tantalizing dishes. The air was filled with the aroma of exotic spices and flavors, enticing the senses of all those present.
The first course was a platter of succulent lamb kebabs, perfectly grilled and seasoned to perfection. The tender meat, infused with aromatic herbs and spices, elicited a collective murmur of appreciation from the diners. Next came a dish known as "Kabsa," a fragrant rice delicacy cooked with tender pieces of chicken and an assortment of vegetables. The rice grains were infused with a medley of spices, such as saffron, cardamom, and cinnamon, creating a symphony of flavors that delighted the palate. Accompanying the main course was a dish called "Mamoul," small pastries filled with a mixture of dates, and nuts, and sweetened with a touch of rosewater. The delicate pastries melted in the mouth, releasing a burst of sweet and nutty flavors.
Emir Abdulaziz bin Muhammad Al Saud smiled warmly at Napoleon as he replied,
"You may call me Emir Abdulaziz, or if you prefer, simply Abdulaziz. I am delighted to have you and your generals here, General Bonaparte."
"Very well, Abdulaziz. This lunch is a symbol of our growing alliance and the mutual benefits we can derive from our cooperation. As outlined in the treaty we signed, we will respect the autonomy of your country while providing support for its defense and modernization."
Napoleon and his generals began eating their dishes and exchanging pleasantries with Emir Abdulaziz as they savored the delectable flavors of Arabian cuisine. Ten minutes later, Napoleon was approached by Murat, slipping a note into his hand discreetly. Napoleon unfolded the note and read its contents with a furrowed brow.
It was a telegram from Cairo. France had just suffered another coup in 30 Prairial Year VII. Not only that, the Directory rejected his request for reinforcements to support his expedition to India.
Napoleon clicked his tongue, frustration is evident on his face. The Emir immediately noticed.
"Is something wrong, General Bonaparte?" Abdulaziz asked concernedly.
Napoleon let out a smile, before setting down the fork and spoon on the tabletop.
"Excuse me for a moment, Abdulaziz, I have some important matters that require my immediate attention," Napoleon said politely as he rose from his seat. He gestured for his generals to do the same, their chairs scraping against the marble floor.
The generals exchanged quick glances, recognizing the seriousness in Napoleon's expression. They nodded in unison, rising from their seats and following their leader out of the dining hall.
They made their way through the grand corridors of Salwa Palace and seconds later, reached their designated quarters, the generals settled into comfortable seats.
Kleber leaned forward in his chair. "So, what is it, General Bonaparte?"
Napoleon sighed. "There has been another coup in Paris." He paused, letting the news sink in. "Our country is in a state of turmoil. And the Directory's rejection of our request for reinforcements only adds to the challenge we face."
Menou gasped. "They rejected it? How can we conduct our operations in Basra, Persia, Afghanistan, and Balochistan?"
Napoleon shook his head. "We have no choice but to scrap them. Our forces are stretched too thin at this point." He paused, his eyes scanning the room as he contemplated the weight of his decision. "I hate this, gentlemen. I really do hate this. When we are so close to capturing India, our government continues to remain ineffective. This must stop now."
Kleber spoke up again. "What are you planning, General Bonaparte?"
Napoleon took a deep breath. "I am thinking of returning to Paris. See if there is anything I can do to stop the internal chaos."
Kleber's eyes widened. "What are you planning on doing, General Bonaparte?"
Napoleon hesitated. "To be honest, I don't know. I have to assess the affairs of the government first and then formulate a plan. But one thing is certain: I cannot sit idly by while France falls into further chaos and the enemy nears its borders."
Menou and Kleber nodded in agreement.
"Thank you, Kleber, Menou," Napoleon said. "In that regard, I shall appoint someone to be the Commander of the Army of the Orient while I am gone." He shifted his gaze between the two generals.
Kleber and Menou glanced at each other, furrowing their brows.
"Who will it be?" Kleber asked.
"That will be you," Napoleon replied.
"Yes, Kleber," Napoleon affirmed. "You have proven your military prowess and leadership abilities throughout our campaign in the Middle East. I trust that you will continue to command our forces with the same determination and strategic acumen in my absence."
"When are you going to leave, General Bonaparte?" Menou inquired.
Napoleon pondered for a moment, considering the urgency of the situation. "Within a week," he finally responded.
Menou nodded. "We will make the necessary arrangements and preparations for your departure, General Bonaparte. The Army of the Orient will be in capable hands under General Kleber's command."
Menou maintained a composed expression as he looked directly at Napoleon. "General Bonaparte, I have no objections to your decision. I fully support your appointment of General Kleber as the Commander of the Army of the Orient in your absence."
Napoleon studied Menou's face, searching for any signs of discontent or disappointment. Satisfied with Menou's response, he nodded approvingly.
"That'll be all, let's return to the table," Napoleon said and they began to exit the room.
Outside, Napoleon was startled slightly as he didn't expect to see Dumas outside.
"Dumas…what are you doing here?" Napoleon said, chuckling. "You scared me."
"General Bonaparte…uhm…there is something I want to say," Dumas said, his expression somber.
"Gentlemen, you may go ahead," Napoleon said, glancing over his shoulder.
Napoleon's dismissal gave Dumas a moment alone with his leader. The two generals nodded and continued down the corridor, leaving the two men standing face to face.
Napoleon's smile faded as he noticed the melancholy in Dumas' eyes. "What is it, Dumas? You seem troubled."
Dumas nodded gratefully. "Yes, General Bonaparte.
Dumas took a deep breath, his voice trembling slightly. "General Bonaparte, my heart is heavy with grief. I have received devastating news. My two-year-old daughter, Marie, has passed away."
Napoleon's expression softened and eyes widened. "I'm deeply sorry to hear that, Dumas. My condolences to you and your family."
Dumas nodded, his eyes welling up with tears. "Thank you, General. My wife is devastated, and I feel the need to be by her side during this difficult time. I kindly request your permission to return to France."
Napoleon's face displayed a mixture of understanding and compassion. He reached out and placed a hand on Dumas' shoulder. "I wouldn't say perfect timing because it doesn't fit in these circumstances but nevertheless, you can come with me back to Paris, I too have decided to return to France."
"You are returning to France? But who will be leading the Army in our absence?"
"That would be Kleber…so you are coming with me?"
Dumas nodded gratefully. "Yes, General Bonaparte.
Napoleon patted Dumas' shoulder reassuringly. "Very well…the journey is going to take three months, would that be okay for you?"
Dumas let out a forced chuckle. "It's not like I have a choice, General Bonaparte."
Napoleon scoffed softly. "Yeah…"
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