Man at War – Excerpt No. 187

16 March 2026

“I started out as a basic private,” Marc began. “I worked my way to Sergeant. After that I returned to claim my title after my father’s death.”

This was the most he ever said to anyone about his early life. Even Evelyn had little idea about his past. Marc had no desire to burden anyone with his truth.

“I returned to war as a Lieutenant and worked my way to Captain,” Marc said. “We were assigned to a small garrison defending a French town along the border with Spain.”

“That explains your sharp drill and how you handle your blade.”

a surreal and vibrant cinematic photo of a black-haired teenager with piercing brown eyes and smooth olive skin doing drill with seasoned soldiers wearing 16th-century French military attire, set against a backdrop of a rustic stone castle and lush green forests of 1570 France, with a warm golden light casting long shadows, clothing and setting meticulously detailed to resemble the Renaissance era, surreal photography blended with photorealistic elements, subtle film grain texture adding a sense of nostalgia and timelessness to the image.

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.