Georgiana had brought only around twenty guards with her this time, and they had been drinking, which was why they had been caught off guard.
But Napoleon had once said that an individual French soldier was no match for a Mamluk. After firing once, a smoothbore musket took time to reload, and without cover during that interval, cavalry could easily close in. The Mamluks also carried lances and scimitars as secondary weapons... In short, the scene was far too bloody for women and children to witness.
Pairs of glowing green eyes surrounded the manor. She could not tell what animals they belonged to. At that moment, Laget raised his pistol and fired toward them. She did not know whether he had hit anything, but all the eyes beyond the railings vanished.
"I used to hunt with Joseph often," Laget said to Georgiana. "I'm going to check on Philippa. You..."
"I can take care of myself," she said calmly.
Laget watched her for a while. It was impossible to tell what his pale eyes could actually see. Then he turned and left.
Georgiana drew her wand.
Snow had not yet accumulated on the ground. Blood dyed the mud red, and she smelled that scent again, mingled with the smell of crushed grass. There was also the odor of alcohol. Drunken Mamluks looked like a pack of wolves, lunging and biting everywhere.
Georgiana neither stopped nor encouraged them. She stepped into the courtyard and cast a Transfiguration Charm on the iron fences, turning the bars that had merely served as barriers into ones covered in sharp outward-facing spikes.
Then she headed toward the gate. Whether they intended to hold their ground or charge out, they needed control of the entrance. Several raggedly dressed people occupied it. At first, they were somewhat nervous