Loaves and fishes

Set amid the bitter winter of 1809, when French forces are trapped in the second siege of Saragossa, the narrative follows the daring Captain Eugène Ducos. Tasked by a volatile general to locate a hidden source of salt for the starving army, Ducos volunteers to go alone, trusting only his wits and a restless spirit for company. The story paints a vivid picture of the rugged Pyrenean landscape, where stone ridges and chestnut groves become the backdrop for a lone soldier’s perilous quest.

Along his solitary march, Ducos encounters a striking young goatherd and the haunting voice of a village girl who sings of love and longing. Their fleeting interactions hint at the human cost of war, weaving together moments of lyrical beauty with the stark urgency of the battlefield. The opening promises a blend of historical drama and tender, almost magical, encounters that will test the captain’s resourcefulness and his heart.