At the Palace of the Dey, two hours after Ahmed confirmed that the Dey would agree to the French terms.
Marshal Davout and his aides arrived at the palace under mounted escort. French infantry lined the outer courtyard in controlled intervals.
The western gate stood open.
Broken stone from earlier bombardment had been cleared from the entrance. Algerian guards stood unarmed along the inner passage, hands visible at their sides.
Davout dismounted from his horse and his foot touched the ground.
Colonel Valence followed, carrying a leather folio under his arm. Two staff officers trailed behind them. Ahmed el-Kebir stepped forward from the stairwell and bowed slightly.
"This way, Marshal," he said.
They crossed the main courtyard. The fountain at its center still ran, though dust floated across the water's surface. Servants stood back against the colonnade.
