'The Nap at the Palace' by Jose Triado Mayol N ot much in the way of hobby-related activity happening here in the Grand Duchy lately. Sigh. And no surprise there really since there are only so many hours in the day, only so much mental and physical energy to spare, and you sometimes simply just have to give in and know when to say, um, "When!" A glass of wine and/or evening yoga by the hearth with the Grand Duchess (who has practiced for over 20 years), and then off into la-la land. Zzzzzzzzz. More immediately, I'm recovering, mentally speaking, from a grueling Friday in which I was involved with three (online) conference sessions, one right after the other, followed by a 90-minute meeting at the end of the day. Also virtual. My brain has been mush ever since, so an easy, completely unproductive Saturday watching intermittent snow fall outside (no accumulation however) and drinking coffee while the visiting handymen completed some repair work down h...
Move Four saw the artillery and musketry duel along the road between the villages of Instettin and Effibriest continue with the leading two companies of Colonel von Adalnowski's Flickenhoffer Fusiliers (in white) getting the brunt of it. "You aren't using loaded dice there, are you von Topfsange?" asked the Colonel half jokingly.
Meanwhile, at the western end of Teodorstal Valley, the cavalry on both sides had managed to shake themselves out and reform. "Never mind, my boy," said von Adalnowski brightly, "my horse grenadiers will soon be on your right flank and roll it up in no time!" 
Refusing to take the bait, Major von Topfsange nevertheless took the opportunity to issue new orders during Move Four, sending an ADC to the commanding officer of the 11th Engineer Battalion with special instructions to change position during Move Five. "It won't help, old boy," chided von Adalnowski. "You might as well raise the white flag now."
"And I see you've also sent another courier in the direction of Crampas Farm," observed the Colonel with more than a hint of irony in his voice. "What have you got up your sleeve there, eh?" Across the table, the young Major von Topsange simply smiled and puffed patiently on his clay pipe.
"Well, two can play at that game, old sport!" exclaimed von Adalnowski, clapping his hands together enthusiastically. "Very well, I'm dispatching a couple of my own aide de camps to my units at the western end the valley. We'll just see what you're on about during Move Five!"
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best wishes
Alan
-- Allan
Paul.