Man at War – Excerpt No. 148

5 February 2026

“Have you decided, miss?” Cecil asked.

“Breast of capon à l’impératrice,” Evelyn answered. “Unless I’m back at the bar, have it sent to her at the table.”

“Very good miss,” Cecil said. “Good luck,”

That last part is what she assumed the men would say before going over the top. Marc did not delve into the battles, since he sought to shield her from the cold reality of battle. He should have tried his hand at the cold reality of prostitution.

a cinematic photo of a poorly dressed courtesan with long black hair and piercing green eyes standing on a dimly lit street in a bad neighbourhood of Paris in 1645 at night, dressed in tattered clothing, with a mixture of dirt and determination on her face, soliciting men on the street, with a faint glow of lanterns and candles illuminating the dark alleyways, the Eiffel Tower not yet built, with old medieval buildings looming in the background, the atmosphere is tense and foreboding, captured in a photography style reminiscent of a 17th century oil painting, with muted earthy tones and deep shadows, the courtesan's facial features are defined by high cheekbones, a small nose, and a resolute expression, her skin is pale with a subtle sheen of sweat, as she navigates the treacherous streets of 17th century Paris.

Disclaimer: This novel is an work in progress and readers may encounter grammatical errors and inconsistencies. Please view this a draft and not a published work.