Unexpectedly, Hippolyte received a letter addressed to him. Its contents caused a shock and would change Hippolyte's life and his role in history.
When he told Josy that he had been called up for the army, her legs gave out and Hippolyte was barely able to catch her.
Josy begged Hippolyte to stay, to talk to his friends, his acquaintances, and even General Leclerc...but he had his own problems. With a heavy heart, the two parted ways.
But Josy decided not to leave it there. She contacted the military attaché she'd met at one of the parties. But he couldn't do anything; he lacked sufficient influence to submit a request to the First Consul.
Whereupon she wrote a letter to Neo. She swore her loyalty and love to him, but also pleaded for Hippolyte's life because he wasn't made to be a soldier and could entertain her while Neo was away on campaign. She called Neo a dozen pet names and shed a tear on the ink so he could read her grief. But no reply ever came.
Finally, she turned to the only hope left to the desperate: the gods. She swore precious oaths and wept bitter tears, but also from the gods, no reply ever came.