It was six o'clock in the evening, and the sun over the horizon began its descent, casting long shadows that stretched across the war-torn landscape.
General Lafões walked around the City of Elvas to check the aftermath. It was worse than he had expected. The city was leveled, all the buildings were turned into rubble, and casualties were in the thousands, injured or dead. The morale was at an all-time low with the Portuguese troops just sitting there on the floor, shivering, and staring blankly in front of them.
"The troops are shell-shocked, General," his officer said. "I don't think we'll be able to repel the invasion if they are in that state."
General Lafões, nodded grimly, not only the soldiers, but the officers were shocked at the firepower of the French new artillery. It was their first time seeing it.
