chapter 52

The sunlight was beginning to fade when the group of soldiers returned. Rémy, the group leader, had been leaning against his horse since morning, and upon seeing Pierre approach, he immediately asked, "Any news?"

"I found nothing," Pierre replied, looking tired and discouraged.

François, who was right behind Pierre, nodded in agreement. "I couldn't find anything useful either."

Griffin, the most confident and perhaps the most arrogant of the group, didn't miss the chance to boast. "Too bad. They must have heard my name and ran away in fear."

Pierre couldn't hold back. "I don't think they're afraid of you."

Griffin approached Pierre with a cynical smile on his face and holding his own hair with his hands said, "True, maybe they're afraid of your bald head? They must be afraid of going bald like you."

Griffin's taunt was enough to anger Pierre, who tried to punch his fellow soldier. However, Griffin quickly dodged and the other soldiers had to intervene to prevent a fight.

Guillaume approached Rémy and reported, "Sir Rémy, I didn't see any sign of enemy soldiers."

Rémy thanked him for the information and pondered for a moment before speaking. "All right. You two, stop fighting!" But his firm and authoritative voice was enough to make it clear that he was serious.

"Let's go back to camp and inform Jeanne," Rémy suggested as he mounted his horse. The other soldiers followed him, except for Griffin, who was still shaken by the taunt he had received and followed behind Rémy looking at his back.

Pierre was annoyed. "I got called out because of you."

Griffin stared at him seriously. "You started it, not me."

They arrived at the camp. Rémy dismounted and headed towards where Jeanne should be.

"They've returned too," said one of the soldiers who was in the camp when Rémy and his group arrived.

"Is it for the same reason as Sir Gilles?" asked another soldier standing next to the first.

"Gilles, tell them to start fortifying faster. I'm sorry about this, but make the workers work faster," said Jeanne, holding a large piece of paper in her hands. She had drawn the map on the ground in her tent right there.

"Tell them to create fortifications here too," said Jeanne to Gilles, indicating where she wanted the workers to build fortifications.

"I'm going, Miss Jeanne," replied Gilles, leaving the tent they were in.

Rémy had just arrived at the tent when Gilles passed him, just nodding his head. He seemed to be in a hurry for something. Rémy entered the tent and saw Jeanne looking at the map she had drawn on the paper on top of the wooden table.

Beside her were her uncle and Jean, both looking tense.

"I'm here, Jeanne," said Rémy. Jeanne looked at him and then told her uncle and Jean, "Start preparing the soldiers, it looks like this day will be tough."

The two got up and left the tent to warn the soldiers to prepare.

"You didn't find any English soldiers, did you?" Jeanne asked Rémy, trying to confirm if that was the reason for his presence there or if there was another reason.

"Unfortunately, no," Rémy replied, giving an answer that Jeanne hoped he wouldn't give.

"Rémy, it's time to prepare for battle. Soldiers, from this moment on, we will attack with all our might!" Jeanne said with a serious and determined voice. Rémy nodded, ready to fulfill his mission alongside his leader.

As they prepared, Rémy approached Jeanne and gently touched her head, worried about her health. "Don't forget to rest, do you hear me?" he said lovingly. Jeanne looked into his eyes and replied, "I'll do my best."

Rémy realized she had no intention of resting for even a minute. He knew Jeanne was doing her best to lead the team to victory, and her words were only to reassure him.

Meanwhile, Jeanne kept the map she had drawn on paper, carefully planning their next steps. "Rémy, today we're going to the city," she said, determined in her mission.

Rémy left the tent and joined the other soldiers, including Guillaume, who noticed his companion's serious expression. "Sir Rémy, you seem worried," he said curiously.

"We're going to Orleans," Rémy said directly, without beating around the bush. The soldiers were surprised by his order, but they knew there was no time to waste. Jeanne and her men quickly prepared for the next mission, ready to face any challenge that came their way.

Jeanne left the tent she was in and walked towards Gilles, who immediately interrupted the conversation he was having with the workers to approach her. When she found him, Jeanne stared into his eyes and, with a firm and determined voice, said:

"Gilles, we need to hurry. Take all the materials and food we can carry. We're leaving for Orleans right now."

The determination in her voice and posture was clear. She was ready to face any challenge that came her way in pursuit of her mission. Gilles, sensing the seriousness in her words, did not hesitate to obey her immediately.

As Jeanne's men hurried to pack everything they could carry with them, she approached Rémy and asked, "Rémy, what do we know about the situation in Orleans? What do we need to face there?"

Rémy quickly replied, "Orleans is surrounded by the English, who are led by John Fastolf and the Duke of Bedford. They have a well-trained and armed army, and Orleans is running out of supplies and help. Our mission is to break the siege and bring food and supplies to the city."

Jeanne nodded, knowing the challenge would be great. But she was determined to fulfill her mission and liberate the city of Orleans from the English siege.

With Rémy's information in mind, Jeanne began giving orders for her army to prepare for the march towards Orleans. She knew the task would not be easy, but she was confident that she could lead her men to victory.

As they prepared to leave, Jeanne's soldiers gathered around her, listening to her words. She encouraged them, speaking about the importance of the mission they were about to undertake.

"My brothers in arms, we are going to fight for a just and noble cause. The city of Orleans has been surrounded by the English for too long, and our people are suffering. They need our help, our supplies, and our courage. I am confident in our victory, for we do not fight just for ourselves, but also for our brothers and sisters in Orleans. Forward, brave soldiers! Freedom awaits us!"

With her inspiring words, Jeanne led her army out of the camp. The sun was beginning to set.

With her courage and determination, Jeanne managed to overcome the barriers imposed by the soldiers and finally enter the city of Orleans. With the help of her uncle and Gilles, she quickly began mobilizing her men, ordering them to organize and prepare for the defense of the city.

Jeanne's soldiers followed her orders with obedience and readiness, while the French soldiers who were inside Orleans began to recognize her as their leader and also began to follow her commands.

The tension in the city was palpable, and everyone was aware of the gravity of the situation. Jeanne, with her firm and courageous posture, ordered the cannons to be armed to protect the city against the imminent enemy.

Adrenaline rushed through everyone's body as the anticipation grew. The battle was about to begin, and Jeanne led her troops with bravery and confidence, ready to fight for the defense of the city and the freedom of her nation.

-----------------

38 advanced chapters on my Patreon: patreon.com/Louisdg