Sharpe's Enemy

Richard Sharpe, Christmas 1812

***

Sergeant Obadiah bloody Hakeswill! A band of deserters from all the local armies (British, French, Portuguese, Spanish) has taken up residence in some castle ruins high in the lonely mountains. They have hostages. They are behaving abhorrently. They have demanded ransom; from both the French and British sides, in order to release a number of high ranking women.

Sharpe, of course, is tasked with the job of delivering the requested gold and escorting the ladies back to safety. The barbarous deserters invite both French and British representatives at the same time. The peaceful negotiations don't work. The bad guys, including one Obadiah bloody Hakeswill, wish to keep both the gold and the women. Sharpe is then tasked with kicking some; its to be a daring night-time raid rescue mission.

The problem is, the French have a similar idea. They arrive in the region intent on using the high mountain pass as an entry point into Portugal (after they destroy the deserters in the old fortifications blocking said path). To bad, Frenchies, ol' Sharpe has already beaten them down. Here's your hostages back (and a large group of French deserters). Now go home.

Afraid we can't do that, Mr. Sharpe. We outnumber you, and we're going through that pass, mon ami.

Wanna bet?

A great read, as usual. Adventure! Intrigue! Great sadness. I won't spoil who dies.