Acting On Their Own

The war room in the Elysean compound was silent, but the air was thick with anticipation. General Armand Roux stood at the head of the table, his hands gripping the edge as he stared at the assembled officers and ministers. The decision had been made.

There would be no surrender. No negotiations. No retreat.

Foreign Minister Charles Dufort ran a hand through his graying hair, exhaling sharply. He looked up at Major Baptiste Laurent, who had been one of the most vocal supporters of war.

"This is madness," Dufort muttered. "We are acting without the King's direct orders."

Roux scoffed, his expression cold. "The King sent us here to secure Elysea's future. I don't need a written letter from Bruno to tell me that we are not handing over our men to be executed."

Laurent nodded, arms crossed. "And even if we send a message now, by the time the King replies, the Tunisian army will have already surrounded us."