magic-as-military-intelligence

The chapter is set in June 1815 during Napoleon Buonaparte's return from exile on Elba, focusing on the anticipation of his invasion of Belgium. Jonathan Strange arrives in Brussels with the Duke of Wellington and observes the surprisingly lighthearted atmosphere despite the looming threat of war. Strange is tasked with using magic to monitor the western border for French troop movements, ultimately discovering through his visions that the Allied armies are poorly positioned for the impending French attack.