Chapters 13, 14, and 15 Summary

Ducos and the local military commander, General Calvet, rendezvous, and Ducos orders a massive attack on Teste de Buch. Calvet is a veteran of the Russian front and has not yet fought the English. He is a vicious man of great appetite who, like Sharpe, has risen through the ranks. Calvet's wife is rumored to sleep on a pillow stuffed with the hair taken from men Calvet has personally killed in combat. Although Calvet outranks Ducos, Ducos' political influence is considerable and puts him in charge of the situation. As they meet, a powerful storm system moves over the area. Meanwhile Sharpe has his men scavenge powder and armament and establish defensive positions within the fortress. Harper manages to repair one cannon. Killick then calls on Sharpe and the two men have a brief conversation. Killick tells Sharpe there is a...