A shot rang out throughout the courtyard, followed by the breaking of ceramic. Julien nodded with satisfaction at his shot as he began to load another shot. One of the many perks about being the Marquis (and for having a home so far out of the way any villages) is that you can have your own shooting range. Many of Julien's fellow nobles would look down on both owning a shooting range and using a musket, but that has never stopped Julien, or anyone else in his family. Many military officers frown on firearms, as their considered unsporting and potentially dangerous in the hands of a common soldier. Julien's family, the Guesclins, have been advocates for the use of such weapons for years, and Julien himself was nearly raised on them.

Julien had just begun to ram a bullet home when one of his houses servants spoke from behind him. Like many of the help in Julien's home, the servent was a former soldier in Julien's regiment, so he snapped to attention as though Julien were still in uniform.

"Message for you, sir." the man said, handing Julien an envelope before giving a salute, which Julien returned. [color=1a7b30]"Thank you. Dismissed."[/color] After the man left, Julien opened the letter. To Julien's surprise, it was an invitation to a royal ball in a few days. Julien breathed a heavy sigh, he really didn't want to go, but it would seem antisocial if he didn't. [color=1a7b30]"It seems as though I have no choice."[/color] he said to himself as he went back into his house in order to get his dress uniform ready.