The Prologue

Charles II has just lost the battle of Worcester. He can’t flee to Scotland because Cromwell’s forces have cut him off. He flees to France instead. Mazarin, the head of the French government, wants to secure Charles because of the many Royalist sympathizers who support him and his claim to the English throne. Mazarin sends out his French special forces, called the Archangels to reach Charles before Cromwell gets to him first.

One member of Mazarin’s special forces named Ariel secures Charles, but Cromwell’s naval fleet in the Caribbean discovers the nucleus of a zombie army that they then deploy to France to destroy Charles and his Royalist sympathizers.

The Lord Protector and the Spy

“Major-General Lambert we have decoded the message from our spy in France.” Major-General Skippon said, handing the deciphered letter to Lambert.

“Come with me as I take this to the Lord Protector.”

“Lord Protector, our spy’s message in France has been deciphered.” Lambert said entering the large audience chamber.

“Read it.” Cromwell, The Lord Protector commanded.

“Nicolas Fouquet  

Louvre Fortress, Christmas Day 1654

To Your Highness, Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland,

Your floatilla successfully landed and deployed your undead agents in France at Le Havre. The rumor is Charles is under the protection of Marshal Currie’s platoon and is barricaded in Rouen Cathedral because a large infected horde of walking dead prevents them from returning to the safety of Paris. The Principal Minister Mazarin is preparing a large force to send to rescue them. You should deploy a force as soon as possible to reach Currie and Charles before Mazarin’s force gets to them first. It has been snowing heavily here and the Winter storm will slow the rescue effort. Also Marshal Turenne and Prince Louis, the Duc de Bourbon have defeated Mercy at Nordlingen and are expected to be heading back to Paris. You need to hurry lest Turenne’s and the Duc’s forces join up with Mazarin’s rescue force and Marshal Currie’s force and together you will have no chance of destroying Charles.” 

Nic.Fouquet

“Have three warships with marines sent out to cross the Channel and instruct them to storm Rouen Cathedral and blow it to pieces with the ships cannons. You must pick the right people to get the job done!” Cromwell said to his major-generals Fleetwood, Skippon and Lambert.

“Charles is a traitor like his father. He took up arms against the good citizens of England. We will get to Charles before Mazarin’s rescue mission!” Lambert said.

“Lord Protector, one of our spies from France has just arrived to see you.” Major-General Fleetwood said.

“Send him in.” Cromwell said.

“My Lord Protector, I saw the traitorous Charles II arrive in France. He is being protected by a French assassin named Ariel. It was she who killed two of our agents and delivered Charles to Marshal Currie.” Peregrine, the English spy said.

“Show me where on the map this happened.” Cromwell said.

“Here Lord Protector, at Le Havre.” Peregrine said.

“The spy here says he is protected by a French assassin. What are your recommendations?” Cromwell asked his Major-Generals.

“Who is the French assassin?” Charles Fleetwood asked.

“She calls herself Ariel.” Peregrine said.

“Special forces.” John Lambert said.

“Yes. All the French special forces are named after Archangels.” Fleetwood said.

“She is tough. We need more men.” Peregrine said.

“Are you all in agreement, major-generals?” Cromwell asked.

“Mazarin will deploy a full regiment to rescue Charles and Marshal Currie’s platoon and take the road to Paris.” Lambert said.

“Lambert is right. If the Seine river is frozen and my sources tell me it is they will take the road to Paris from Rouen. Otherwise the French would have transferred Charles to a ship and sailed him from Le Havre to Paris. Our only chance is to stop Charles and the assassin is at Rouen.” Fleetwood said.

“Especially before Turenne and the Duc de Bourbon arrive back in France with their large armies.” Skippon said.

“Is it at all possible that Charles will not take the road to Paris and instead take some long circuitous detour to Paris?” Cromwell asked.

“Possible Lord Protector but not very likely. The Rouen road to Paris is easier for a large regiment of soldiers to travel by.” Peregrine said.

Arrival of the Zombies to France

Cromwell’s flotilla crossed the Channel overnight and arrived at the French coast early in the morning hours while it was still dark. The English captain of the flotilla signaled his English watchman ashore with three raised lanterns. The English watchmen replied in kind.

Approaching the ships the four English watchmen on reconnaissance patrol under Corporal Peters noticed sixty-six cages with a  few persons inside each of the cages on the barges.

“Say what’s this Captain? Are you delivering prisoners?” Corporal Peters asked.

“Lord Cromwell is going to use terror tactics to beat Charles and his royalist sympathizers.” Captain Bryce-Sully said coming down from his ship.

“They look sick.” Corporal Peters said pointing to the men in the cages.

“Help me get them out of the cages!” Captain Bryce-Sully ordered his sailors.

“Corporal it would be best for you and your men to stay well back. Maybe leaving the area would be best.” Bryce-Sully said.

Corporal Peters moved his squad back some distance but still close enough to watch what was going on.

The sailors pulled the long iron rods away which were holding the cage doors locked. As the cages opened the sailors dropped the iron rods and ran quickly back to the ships as if in terror. Once all cages were opened Captain Bryce-Sully gave the order to sail away back to England.

Corporal Peters noticed the sick prisoners all started running in all different directions. There was something about the haste Captain Bryce-Sully was leaving in that frightened him. He led his squad back to the safehouse.

The Cathedral

“I hear rifle fire. It is coming from Rouen Cathedral.” Charles said.

“That is where we are going. My orders are to deliver you to Marshal Currie and his platoon at Rouen Cathedral.” Ariel said.

As Ariel and Charles got closer to the fighting they could see Currie’s soldiers she was to make contact with.

“Stay low and stick close to me. We are going into the Cathedral.” Ariel said.

Using cover around the perimeter of the Cathedral Ariel and Charles managed to reach Currie's post.

“We are here to see Marshal Currie. I am Ariel. I am the contact. Here is the package.” Ariel said to a posted sentry.

“Follow me closely and step where I step and I will take you to see Marshal Currie.” The sentry said.

Ariel and Charles followed the sentry’s command and looking around at the fighting up close it appeared the regiment was fighting against civilians many times their number.

“Marshal Currie, sir, the package has arrived, sir.” The sentry said saluting.

“Ariel you are right on time and what a hell of a time you picked.” Currie said.

“It is good to see you too Marshal. I’d like you to meet His Majesty Charles the Second, King of England, Scotland and Ireland.” Ariel said.

“I am honored. It was tragic what happened to your father. What happened at Worcester?” Currie asked.

“Thank you Marshal. The key to the defeat at the battle of Worcester was when Essex’s men captured Fort Royal and turned the Royalist cannons to fire on the city, and how Thomas Wentworth, the Earl of Cleveland persuaded me to escape by St. Martin’s gate whilst he led a Royalist cavalry charge as a diversion.” Charles said.

“Is there anything we can do to help?” Ariel asked.

“Sit down both of you. We were expecting Cromwell would give battle between here and Paris. Once your majesty is in Paris Cromwell can’t touch you because you will be safe in the Louvre Fortress with many royalist sympathizers. My men expected this skirmish. At first there were a dozen English marines against us. Then some strange, sick civilians started to attack them as well as us. They carried no weapons. They just started to bite and tried to eat the soldiers. We wasted a good deal of ammunition on them. It seems one has to fire at or bash their heads or blow them up to pieces to kill them. After a while we were fighting twice as many infected civilians as we were the English because those that got bitten, even a few of our own soldiers became infected and started trying to cannibalize their fellow men at arms. It is The Devil’s business. Fortunately I feel we have now the situation under control, however with the snowstorm and how deep the snow is, we would be slowed down and in an exposed position. I cannot take Charles to Paris today. We will have to barricade ourselves in here and wait out the storm.” Currie said.

“Does Paris know to send you reinforcements?” Ariel asked.

“No.” Currie said.

“It is 70 miles to Paris. I can go and tell Mazarin to send help.” Ariel said.

“This Cathedral keeps ski and snowshoe equipment in the Winter for their parishioners. I will give you two of my men to go with you.” Currie said.

“Thank you.” Ariel said.

“I need two volunteers?” Currie asked.

Two soldiers raised their hands, Pierre and Jean-Marc.

“Do both of you know how to ski?” Ariel asked.

“Yes.” They both said.

“Let’s go. It will take us about eight hours to reach Paris. It will be dusk as we arrive. We are going to ski back to Le Havre and get to the Seine. We then will ski on the river as it is frozen over to Paris. Here take some of these.” Ariel said.

“Grenades! These will come in handy.” Pierre said smiling.

“Don’t mind if I do.” Jean-Marc said.

Ariel nodded to Marshal Currie that they were ready.

“Open the doors and let them through.” Currie ordered.

The large ornate doors of Rouen Cathedral were opened.

“Good luck!” Charles yelled.

As the doors shut behind them there was heard immediately the sounds of grenades going off in rapid succession.

“Bon chance Archangel.” Currie said.

Once Ariel, Jean-Marc and Pierre reached the harbor at Le Havre and the frozen mouth of the Seine river they made faster time but many more hundreds of the zombie horde were chasing after them. However zombies could not get traction on the iced over river and more often than not slid off their feet and onto their faces. Ariel, Pierre and Jean-Marc treated them as skiers on a slalom course by just skiing around them.

“I see Notre Dame!” Pierre said.

“We’re almost there.” Jean-Marc said.

The Battle for the Louvre

The trio reached Paris very tired and hungry. They headed for the Louvre, a fortress converted into a palace, and where the Ministry of State, Defense and Intelligence was located, and also where the young and as yet uncrowned French king to be Louis XIV and his mother Queen Anne lived. 

There was a small bakery near the Louvre and it was open. There Ariel bought pastries, sweets and coffee and shared these with Pierre and Jean-Marc. What they did not finish eating they filled Ariel’s satchel which was now nearly empty of grenades and ammunition.

At the Louvre fortress the three checked in with the guards on duty. Most knew Ariel already. They were allowed to proceed with an armed escort to the Ministry of Defense where Armand-Jean, Secretary of Defence greeted them.

“Ariel, Marshal Currie never returned with the English heir. Charles” Armand-Jean said puzzled.

“Marshal Currie is barricaded in Rouen Cathedral with the English heir Charles who I delivered to him. We have to deploy a rescue mission immediately as Currie has almost no ammunition, no food, and has lost more than half of his men.” Ariel said, barely able to stand any longer.

“Come sit down all of you over here.” Armand-Jean waving them to a large table with many chairs.

“Bring wine, bread and meat at once.” Armand-Jean said to a guard as he poured large glasses of Cognac for Ariel, Pierre and Jean-Marc.

“Do you know which English General has Marshal Currie surrounded?” Armand-Jean asked.

“No English army. Cromwell has used a biological weapon. A flotilla landed from England with infected individuals who infected our citizens. The infection causes madness and cannibalism. Cromwell has resorted to terror tactics.” Ariel said after she drained the glass of cognac.

“Bring me the Principal Minister at once. Tell him it is urgent.” Armand-Jean ordered a guard nearby.

“It has not reached Paris but the infected horde grows.” Ariel said.

“The zombie army.” Jean-Marc said.

By this time Mazarin, the Principal Minister and head of the government had entered the room.

“It has reached the outskirts of Paris. The terror has reached Paris just not yet the Louvre. The residents of the outskirts of the city are rushing here now. All of you follow me to the roof now.” Mazarin commanded.

They all climbed up the stairs to the roof of the Louvre fortress as dusk was turning to night.

“Because of the snowstorm it will take these creatures longer to reach us but it is only a matter of time.” Mazarin said.

“Astonishing the chaos going on at the outskirts of the city.” Ariel said looking through a spyglass.

Jean-Marc told Mazarin and Armand-Jean what he witnessed while stationed in the Caribbean and of Cromwell’s quest to create a zombie army.

“I was stationed in the Caribbean. Once Cromwell had sent an expedition fleet but we defeated it. Only later we learned that Cromwell’s men were interested in some ancient beliefs and wanted assistance to create a zombie army. His fleet captured Jamaica but it was a diversion and not the real purpose why they were there.” Jean-Marc said.

“Zombies?” Mazarin asked incredulously.

“Yes, that is the native term for them. They are the dead who feast on the living and recreating more living dead.” Jean-Marc said.

“Cromwell really has sided with the Devil!” Mazarin said.

Ariel, Pierre and Jean-Marc were shown to their rooms, though they preferred to all sleep together in Ariel’s room. Ariel had all the meats, bread and wine sent to her room. After the three ate they went and bathed together. Then the three got on Ariel’s bed and made love. This bed they found was very comfortable.

“Get up! Get Up! Get dressed and follow me.” A guard commanded the three sleeping in the bed.

This rude awakening startled Ariel, Pierre and Jean-Marc. They dressed quickly, still half asleep.

“What happened? What time is it?” Ariel asked.

“How long were we asleep?” Jean-Marc asked.

“Not long enough.” Pierre said.

They followed the guard up the stairs that led to the rooftop.

“Look!” Mazarin said to them pointing at the zombie horde below.

They saw in disbelief as over a million zombies had the Louvre Fortress surrounded down below at street level.

“This is what you were talking about Ariel. The infected dead horde have arrived.” Mazarin said stunned.

“We will need to fight our way out of Paris to get to rescue Marshal Currie and Charles.” Ariel said.

“Can it be done?” Mazarin asked.

“Yes. Have you brought all the weapons and ammunition from the supply depots around the city into the Louvre before the zombie horde arrived?” Ariel asked.

“Yes.” Mazarin said.

“Have your grenadiers position themselves on every balcony and every corner of the rooftops and unleash the thousands of explosive fire bombs at the heads of the zombie horde below. Light them up on fire and burn them back to hell.” Ariel advised.

Mazarin gave the order.

Ariel, Pierre, and Jean-Marc joined the soldiers in the battle for the Louvre, against the zombie horde by throwing fire bombs and raining grenades at the zombie horde below. There was nothing of them left at sunrise except piles of charcoal corpses.

“Principal Minister you must send the French Navy into the Channel to destroy all of Cromwell’s commercial and military vessels from perhaps delivering even more of the infected zombies to our shores!” Ariel said.

“Agreed. Who do you want to command the rescue operation for Marshal Currie and Charles?” Mazarin asked.

“Give the command to Lefleur.” Ariel said.

The Zombie Attack

“We are about to head out Ariel.” Marshal Lefleur said.

“Wait one minute!” Armand-Jean said.

“Where is Marshal Turenne and the Duc of Bourbon now?” Mazarin asked.

“Near the Ardennes and close to the river Meuse.” Lefleur said.

“While you are extracting Marshal Currie, you must make contact with Turenne and the Duc telling them they must accompany you back to Paris.” Mazarin said.

“Why?” Lefleur asked.

“Because we are going to blow up the bridges to the city.” Mazarin said.

“We are sending our Navy to do a sea evacuation of you, Currie, Turenne and the Duc de Bourbon.” Armand-Jean said.

“The Seine is frozen over. How will we be able to sail to Paris?” Lefleur asked.

“The storm has lifted and the ice is melting. By the time Turenne and the Duc reach you and Currie, which could take a few days and the Seine will be navigable.” Mazarin said.

“I would like to send Ariel to find Turenne?” Lefleur said.

“A wise choice.” Mazarin said.

Marshal Lefleur’s regiment mustered out of Paris, and left the Louvre fortress going past the Parliamentary Gate and the Bastille.

“This is where the Duchess of Montpensier had the guards turn their cannons on Turenne, allowing the Duc de Bourbon to escape. They were on opposite sides then during the Fronde rebellion.” Lefleur said to Ariel who was riding beside him.

“Turenne and Mazarin do not get along?” Ariel asked.

“They don’t really like one another.” Lefleur said.

As they talked they saw the estimated million charred bodies of the zombie horde everywhere they looked from the night’s battle.

“Have you ever served under Turenne?” Ariel asked.

“I was with him at Mergentheim. The only defeat Turenne has ever suffered.” Lefleur said.

“Who defeated the great Turenne?” Ariel asked.

“Field Marshal Franz von Mercy.”

“Is he facing Mercy now?” Ariel asked.

“Yes, the dispatches came back that Mercy was killed in battle and Turenne and the Duc de Bourbon won at Nordlingen. They’re on the way back by now. He and the Duc together would have had 7,800 infantry and 9,200 cavalry and 27 guns.” Lefleur said.

“They should be invited to the king’s coronation. I want to be invited to the coronation of Louis XIV.” Ariel said.

“That won’t be for some years yet but you probably will.” Lefleur said.

“You think so?” Ariel asked.

“Yes as staff on security duty.” Lefleur said and they both had a good laugh. 

After reaching near Rouen Cathedral the zombie horde appeared in great numbers, first out of the tree lined road on Lefleur’s flanks.

“Rifle squadrons form a square. Fire at will.” Lefleur commanded.

“Marshal Lefleur, we have an enemy at our rear!” Ariel said.

“They’re trying to surround us. Grenadiers split up to flanks and rear. The rest of you fire at will.” Lefleur commanded.

“Keep the cannons hot and the bombs flying! I am going now to find Turenne.” Ariel yelled over the din of war as she took her horse and sped north-eastward into the forests.

“Incoming!” Lefleur screamed as the zombie horde crashed into the square formation and all sides.

“Cavalry secure the rear!” Lefleur ordered.

Lefleur’s two cannons blasted hundreds of the zombie horde into bits of flesh scattered all over the field of battle. Lefleur finished off any of his wounded soldiers who would turn into the undead. He would either shoot them in the head or take his sword and chop off their heads. Ariel stopped and turned her horse around for one last look at the mayhem. She saw through her spyglass that Pierre was badly bitten, and was turning. Just about when Lefleur was raising his blood stained sword to dispatch Pierre a bullet struck through Pierre’s forehead coming from the woods.

“Goodbye dear friend.” Ariel said. 

The Bombardment

“Ahoy Captain, three English Warships ahead sir!” The lookout way up on the mast yelled.

Captain D’Argent looked through his spyglass and saw for himself the enemy.

“Beat to quarters!” D’Argent ordered.

“All to battle stations!” The First Officer Lezle said.

The English warships, The Witch, The Hours and Spectre, anchored in the Port of Rouen began a cannonade bombardment of Rouen Cathedral, their primary target.

D’Argent and his French fleet maneuvered in for the kill.

“Ahoy Captain English rowboats with marines rowing ashore.” The lookout yelled.

“We’ll just continue to sail behind them while their ships are anchored and blast them to the bottom of the sea.” D’Argent said to Lezle.

“How did the English know to get here before us?” Lezle asked.

“Because they have very good spies in very high places in the French court.” D’Argent said.

D’Argent’s ship, the Le Mort, now in range and behind the three English warships struck, killing blows, causing massive loss of life and damage. Unable to raise their anchors and move away, the English sailors began jumping into the sea.

“Sharpshooters shoot those sailors trying to get away!” D’Argent yelled over the din of the cannon fire.

Cromwell’s three warships were sunk to the bottom of the sea.

“Cheers for the Captain!” Lezle said and D’Argent received the cheers of his sailors and officers.

“We still have a job to do. We have to transport soldiers under Marshal Currie, a regiment under Marshal Lefleur, the army of Turenne and Prince Louis Duc de Bourbon, and the heir to the English throne.” D’Argent said to his crew.

“Lezle take some marines and go ashore and see if Turenne and the Duc have arrived. If they have secured the English heir, and tell them to come aboard at once as ordered by Mazarin. Then you take charge of the evacuation and get those soldiers off the beach.” D’Argent said.

The Great Turenne

Marshal Lefleur pressed on after his serious skirmish with the zombies which had killed half of his troops. He was now close enough to Rouen Cathedral to see perhaps sixty thousand zombies surrounding the Cathedral.

“Look there off to the side of the Cathedral, a French cavalry officer is signalling to come over.” Jean-Marc said to Lezle.

“I will go.” Lefleur said as he spurred his horse and trotted over into the woods.

“We need to be very quiet. We will go indirectly in case of spies.” The French cavalry officer under Turenne’s command said to Lefleur.

Lefleur followed the cavalry officer who led him to Turenne and his camp of 5,600 infantry and 7,100 cavalry.

“Marshal Lefleur, how good it is to see you again. I am so relieved you made it here.” Turenne said.

“I am glad you made it through too!” Ariel said.

“Ariel told me about the fight she saw you and your men were in with the zombies and she told me she did not think you or your men would survive it.” Turenne said.

“I lost half of my soldiers. We almost did not survive the zombie surprise onslaught.” Lefleur said.

“Ariel has filled me in on the rescue mission to get Charles, Currie and his men, out of the Cathedral. Also Mazarin’s plan to blow the bridges to the city and for us to use a naval sea evacuation to get back to Paris.” Turenne said with the slight speech impediment that was familiar to Lefleur.

“The bombardment stopped! I don’t hear the bombardment anymore.” Ariel said.

“The English warships have been defeated by the French fleet!” Turenne said. 

“So we have our naval transport standing by.” Ariel said.

“But the size of the zombie horde, how do we get through them?” Lefleur asked.

“Here is the plan. We have dug a long deep trench that we will draw the zombies to. Once the zombies fall on the spikes in the trench we will light the trench on fire. Meanwhile our cannons will blast the zombie’s flank. Lefleur your men will go down to the beach and secure the harbor. Once we have cleared the zombie horde Ariel and her team will enter the Cathedral and extract any survivors. We will all meet at the harbor for transport.” Turenne said.

“What of the Duc’s army?” Lefleur said.

“The Duc de Bourbon left right after our victory at Nordlingen. I have no idea where he is. I sent several scouts out to find him. None have come back. If he is smart once he sees he cannot ride into Paris because the bridges are gone he will go to our allies in Bavaria and wait out the Winter there.” Turenne said. 

Lefleur made his way back to his men accompanied by Ariel. Turenne sent out his decoys to draw in the zombie horde.

“The zombie horde has taken the bait!” Ariel said.

“Turenne is the greatest general in Europe!” Lefleur said.

One hundred and fifty of the fastest running soldiers in Turenne’s camp were now being chased by the undead. 

“Planks down!” Turenne ordered.

The soldiers ran back over the deadly trench by way of the planks.

“Planks up!” Turenne yelled as the last soldier crossed to safety.

Now thousands of the undead fell into the trench and became impaled on the spikes.

“Not too bright are they.” Turenne said to himself.

“Turenne’s cannons are coming next.” Ariel said to Lefleur.

The wait was not long as Turenne launched a withering cannon fire that mowed down the remaining zombie horde to absolute obliteration. 

Ariel noticed Turenne had his cannons named after the Erinyes in Greek mythology.

The cannons stopped and the signal for Lefleur to secure the evacuation site was given.

“Bon chance!” Ariel said to Lefleur as Lefleur led his soldiers to the port and beach, Ariel led her team into the Cathedral to get Charles and Currie. 

The trench with the impaled zombies was set ablaze.

The Sea Rescue

Captain D’Argent looking through his spyglass and seeing the disembarked 700 English marines and the remainder of the English sailors who abandoned ship on the beach now could see the French occupying the harbor and moving down to the beach once the cannon fire stopped. Lefleur moved his men cautiously. Limbs and body parts, hands, legs, heads could be seen strewn in all directions, remnants of the zombie horde. 

“Marshal Currie! Charles!” Ariel shouted pounding on the cathedral door.

Slowly the barricade was removed and the doors opened.

“Ariel!” Charles said as he hugged her strongly.

“Charles! Where’s Marshal Currie?” Ariel asked.

“Dead. The bombardment we took knocked down some roof beams and stones and Currie was hit in the head. We could not save him.” Charles said sadly.

“We are leaving but before we leave I want all of you to drink water and eat something we brought for you to get your strength back.” Ariel said.

The soldiers began eating and drinking ravenously.

Ariel passed out the last of the ammunition.

“We are heading to the evacuation site. There are boats that will row us to the ships ready to take us to the safety of Paris.” Ariel said.

The soldiers got their things and headed out of the cathedral where Turenne was waiting on horseback. Turenne’s horse had a beautiful coat of gun metal grey.

“Let’s go.” Turenne said.

“I hear gunfire.” Ariel said.

“Lefleur is in trouble.” Turenne said, spurring his horse towards the action.

The 700 surprised English marines and a number English sailors attempted to repulse Lefleur’s men off the beach and out of the harbor.

“Cavalry attack!” Turenne ordered.

“Attack!” Lezle yelled as he led his French marines in support of Lefleur in a counter-attack against the English forces on the beach.

D’Argent could see the English marines caught in a vice between Turenne’s cavalry, Lefleur’s soldiers and Lezle’s marines. Then something strange caught his eye. A very large bear came running out of the treeline and onto the beach. A zombie bear.

“Kill it!” Lefleur yelled.

The large zombie bear ferociously attacked and killed any French or English soldiers within reach, who then reanimated as zombies.

“Sharpshooters fire on the beach.” D’Argent ordered.

“We are out of range Captain!” A marine sergeant said.

D’Argent looked at his maps. He saw the shoals were right in front of him and he could not get any closer to shore to help the situation.

“Ariel duck!” Charles said he swung the butt of the rifle at the bear’s head.

The infected bear met the swing with one of his own shattering the rifle.

“Move!” Lefleur said, pushing Charles out of the way while firing a pistol shot at the bear’s head. The shot went through its head as the bear rose up on its two back legs. No time to reload Lefleur reached for his sword and thrust it upwards through the lower jaw and up into the skull killing the monster bear, who fell forward. Lefleur sidestepped out of the bear's mammoth fall.

D’Argent could see Turenne’s cavalry was now in control of the harbor.

“Marshal Turenne, I am first officer Lezle on the ship Le Mort. I and my marines are here to escort you, Charles II, and the Duc, Prince Louis to Captain D’Argent on the orders of Principal Minister Mazarin. Captain D’Argent destroyed three English warships and we must leave this area at once.” Lezle said.

“Turenne, you, Charles and Ariel go now and I will cover the evacuation.” Lefleur said.

“Royalty before an old relic like me.” Turenne said to Charles.

“Talent before royalty. I want your soldiers to see you were the one who led me to safety. I will follow you Turenne.” Charles said.

“Ariel can you change his mind?” Turenne said.

“I will go first and then the two of you can fight over who will help me into the boat. How’s that for chivalry?” Ariel asked.

“Come Charles we both will help Mademoiselle Ariel into the boat.” Turenne said.

“Chivalry! I like it!” Charles said laughing.

“Lefleur you have command of the evacuation. You will be the last to leave.” Turenne said.

“Please tell me you are going to add a bear to your escutcheon.” Ariel said to Charles as they reached Le Mort.

“What a monster that was. That was close. Lefleur will get an honor for it. I will see to it!” Charles said.

“Welcome aboard! I am Captain D’Argent.”

“Thank you Captain!” Charles, Ariel and Turenne said.

“Ariel we meet again!” D’Argent said hugging Ariel.                  

“Your Majesty, King Charles II you are most welcome...” D’Argent began speaking but stopped. Taking out his spyglass he surveyed the evacuation site, and saw another general on horseback, just coming out of the woods with his large army. A zombie army.

“Turenne who is that?” D’Argent asked.

“It is the Duc de Bourbon. Prince Louis.” Turenne said surveying the beach.

“It appears the Duc is engaging against your forces.” D’Argent said.

“He is a zombie! Prince Louis, Duc de Bourbon is among the undead! Damn him and his army with him!” Ariel said looking through her spyglass.

“It appears he does have both infantry and cavalry. The horses are as dead as the men riding them.” D’Argent said.

“The Duc has brought wolves with him?” Ariel asked.

“No. His hunting dogs.” Turenne said.

“The dogs are zombies too.” Ariel said.

“Row me back ashore. I need to command my men!” Turenne said.

“The Duc de Bourbon is attacking Lefleur with his zombie infantry and cavalry!” Ariel said.

“Let Lefleur handle this. We are nearly done with the evacuation. We need to leave this area now before more English warships come.” D’Argent said.

“Being too timid Captain D’Argent can lose you battles. Be wary of being too timid. I need to be back on the beach. Order your man to row me back D’Argent that is an order!” Turenne said.

“The undead soldiers fight and unlike the undead civilians they know how to use weapons!” Ariel said.

Turenne attempting to climb down to the rowboats was stopped by Charles and Ariel.

“Lefleur is a good general and he can beat the Duc. He still has plenty of infantry and cavalry.” D’Argent said.

“What are you saying?” Turenne asked.

“We are leaving. Lift anchor and bring the boats in. Hoist the main. Full sails.”  D’Argent commanded.

“How will Lefleur get back to Paris?” Turenne asked.

“The extent of my orders was to secure you, Charles and the Duc. Obviously the Duc is dead. Now undead. I have you Turenne and I have Charles. That is my mission. We are heading back to Paris before more English warships arrive in this area. Do not argue with me on this.” D’Argent said.

“Ahoy Captain, two English warships approaching fast.” The lookout yelled down from way up on the mast.

“I spoke too soon. Take us into the wind!” D’Argent said.

Turenne watched the action on the beach.

“Lefleur is retreating.” Turenne said.

“He must have seen that we were leaving the area.” Ariel said.

“Who is that covering the retreat?” Turenne asked.

“Jean-Marc. One of Currie’s men.” Ariel said.

“A fine officer. It is sad that we could not have saved Currie.” Turenne said.

“I am very grateful to Currie and his men protecting me and keeping me safe. I will never forget their sacrifice.” Charles said.

“Where will Lefleur go?” Ariel asked.

The Battle on the Seine

“We’ve entered the mouth of the Seine.” Turenne said to D’Argent.

“Yes, and we will learn two things. First how far down the Seine is navigable after freezing, and second are we still being pursued by the two English warships.”

“We should slow our speed down in case of any submerged ice which could tear a hole in the ship’s hull.” Ariel said.

“We slow down and I guarantee those two ships following us will tear a hole in the ship’s hull.” D’Argent said.

“Ahoy captain, the English ships have entered Le Havre and are following us!” The lookout on the mast said.

“As we are slowed down by the ice those warships chasing us, we  will soon be in range of cannon fire. Decisions will have to be made.” D’Argent said.

“You know, all you have to do is draw those ships close enough to the shore batteries and the problem is solved.” Turenne said.

“Because the larger cannons of the shore batteries fire further and with more firepower.” D’Argent said.

Turenne nodded.

“Captain you will want to see this!” Lezle said.

“Excuse me.” D’Argent said as he went to join Lezle.

“Take a look.” Lezle said.

D’Argent looked through his telescope at the fast approaching ships.

“The undead are manning those ships!” Lezle said.

“Beat to quarters!” D’Argent ordered. 

“Man battle stations!” Lezle yelled.

“Lower boats! Marines escort Turenne, Ariel and Charles off the ship and into the boats and row them like the devil to Paris.” D’Argent ordered.

Ariel went down into the boats, followed by Charles, and the marines began to row away to Paris. 

“Wait! Where is Turenne?” Ariel asked.

“He is coming in the boat following us...I think?” Charles said.

“Turenne why are you still here?” D’Argent asked.

“To give you some advice. Draw the enemy ships in closer to the shore batteries and you can do that now. You have clear sailing by going around the pack ice in front of you. Sail around the pack ice and draw your enemies into a trap.” Turenne said.

“I value your opinion, but at sea and in cannon fire range I will not show the stern of my ship to the enemy. Go now Turenne! Marines, get Turenne to his boat.” D’Argent said.

Turenne was escorted off the ship with the marines.

The marines rowed Turenne furiously to safety, pushing with their oars any ice that was in their way.

“Fire!” D’Argent ordered.

The two English warships returned fire before one, The Witch, broke off to outflank the Le Mort.

“Cannon fire on the Seine! It must be D’Argent.” Mazarin said and both Mazarin and Armand-Jean raced up the stairs onto the roof of the Louvre fortress to witness the action.

“I see the French flag, it is the Le Mort and D’Argent is firing at two English warships.” Armand-Jean said looking through his spyglass.

“I want our shore batteries firing on those two English warships once they are in range!” Mazarin said.

“There are some rowboats heading for the city. I see marines and I see Ariel and Charles are with them!” Armand-Jean said.

“Thank heavens they found Charles alive. What about Turenne? What about the Duc?” Mazarin asked.

“I don’t see them. The smoke from the cannon fire is obfuscating them. It appears D’Argent has successfully sunk one of the English warships, but the other warship has outflanked the Le Mort and the zombies are engaged in boarding her.” Armand-Jean said.

“Get the artillery captain and his men on the shore batteries to start firing at that English warship.” Mazarin said.

The palace guard brought Charles, Ariel and Turenne up to the roof where Mazarin was.

“Charles! Thank heavens you are alive and safe. Ariel, you deserve so much credit. I don’t know how to begin to thank you.” Marzarin said.

“Turenne saved us. A zombie horde had Charles surrounded and Turenne destroyed them all.” Ariel said.

“Well I could not have got out of the mess without Lefleur and D’Argent.” Turenne said.

“Where is Lefleur and Currie?” Mazarin asked.

“Currie was killed in action in the Cathedral during a English naval bombardment.” Charles said. 

“The Duc? Where is Prince Louis?” Mazarin asked.

“Lefleur was defending us on the beach against the Duc. You see, Principal Minister, the Duc was infected, as well as his whole army, and joined the ranks of the zombie horde.” Ariel said.

“So Lefleur defeated the Duc de Bourbon and killed him?” Mazarin asked.

“We don’t know. Lefleur was in retreat with the Duc in pursuit and that was the last we saw of them as we sailed away.” Turenne said.

Just then Armand-Jean came back after speaking with the artillery captain of the shore batteries.

“The artillery captain says he cannot fire the shore batteries because our French ship and the English warship are too close together. That they are actually in hand to hand combat on both ships.” Armand-Jean said.

“Send a ship full of marines to come to the aid of D'Argent.” Mazarin said.

“No. Listen carefully. You tell that artillery captain to fire the shore batteries and to sink both D’Argent’s and the enemy’s ship. The enemy warships were manned by the infected. The zombies fighting in close quarters combat will have infected the crew of D’Argent. We sadly must say goodbye to Captain D’Argent.” Turenne said.

“That is why D’Argent rushed us off his ship because he saw the enemy ships he was up against were manned by a crew of zombies!” Charles said.     

“No Turenne I will not do it. This is why you and I never see eye to eye. You never have any trust in anything except yourself. How do you know D’Argent will not dispatch any of his crew who are infected if he emerges victorious?” Mazarin asked.

“I do not clutch at straws. The risk is too great. All of us need to say our thanks and our goodbye to the brave and talented Captain D’Argent.” Turenne said.

“Turenne you are wrong in this matter. Wrong!” Mazarin said.

“Turenne is correct. The risk of D’Argent’s men being infected and coming into the city is too great.” Ariel said.

“We have Charles! That was the mission! Remember that!” Turenne yelled in a staccato fashion.

“Give the order to fire the shore cannons.” Mazarin said to Armand-Jean.

D’Argent realised his mistakes and regretted not taking Turenne’s advice. With the zombies now charging aboard his ship he steered his ship to break away and sail towards the shore batteries. The zombie sailors carrying cudgels, knives, swords, hammers and pistols cut, shot, maimed and ate their way through D’Argent’s sailors and those injured sailors were immediately feasted upon with a chomp on the neck, stomach, arms, face, hands, groin, feet, buttocks, legs and their entrails ripped out of their bodies. The deck of the ship was now crimson in color.

 Another mistake D’Argent thought he made was sending off all the marines to guard Charles and Turenne.

Without the marines to protect captain D’Argent, Lezle gathered a group of officers to protect D’Argent from the zombies.

Lezle was bitten at the achilles tendon by a zombie crawling on the deck while another zombie raced forward to take a bite out of his face. Lezle’s pistol shot misfired and the zombie’s bite grinded deep into Lezle’s lips into his upper palate and cheekbone.

D’Argent shot the murderous zombie culprit through the head. Next he severed the heads off of three zombies with his sword. Without the marines to help with the fighting D’Argent could see his sailors struggling as the zombie surge went on. The defense of him broke down as his officers fell one by one.

A zombie with a sword made a slash that cut D'Argent above his right eye. The next slash D’Argent parried and with a slash of his own took off the zombie’s head.

There was now such a crush around him of zombies he could not swing his sword arm as he felt bites being taken out of his legs. His right hand was gnawed to the wrist. His thought was to get his pistol with his left hand and shoot himself in the head but his left arm was already eaten up to the elbow. He then heard loud heavy artillery fire.    

“The shore batteries! Now go back to hell where you came from!” D’Argent screamed at the zombies. 

A massive shell hit the Le Mort midship and the explosion sent deadly wood splinters rocketing in all directions through both the seamen and the zombies. D’Argent’s ship and the English warship, The Witch were sunk in minutes.

Charles, Ariel, Turenne, and Mazarin watched from the roof of the Louvre fortress as the ships sank below the water.

The Second Letter of the Spy

To the Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland

Greetings,     

“Paris is an isolated island though the Seine is still in the hands of the French navy. The left and right banks are in the hands of the zombie army. Charles survives and continues to be a source of inspiration to the Royalist. Turenne is now there as well. Marshal Lefleur escaped and reportedly was on his way to Antwerp and his nemesis Prince Louis, the Duc de Bourbon followed him with his zombie army. Recent reports are being received that Antwerp is being sacked as I am writing this and suffers terribly from attacks by the zombie horde. Lefleur may be assumed to have been destroyed in the sack of Antwerp.”

Nic.Fourquet

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