Chapter 59

The English soldiers advanced, their heavy armors reflecting the setting sun's light as they held their imposing shields in front of them. With dedication and skill, they planned to protect themselves from the approaching hail of arrows. The shields, large and robust, rose like defensive walls, ready to face the enemy's attack.

At the forefront of the French army, mounted on his majestic horse, was the commander, exuding an aura of imposing leadership. His eyes sparkled with determination as he guided his cavalry towards the battle. This was Gilles de Rais, ready to fight alongside Jeanne.

François, mounted on his fearless steed, positioned himself strategically with his bow in hand. His keen eyes attentively scanned the battlefield, searching for precise targets. With singular dexterity, he pulled the bowstring to its limit and released it with lightning speed. The sound of the shot echoed through the air, as if the arrow itself tore through the fabric of time.

One of the soldiers, protected by his imposing armor, failed to notice the deadly arrow approaching at a dizzying speed. With a precise strike, the arrow found its way, penetrating the warrior's only vulnerable point in his helmet and cruelly hitting his eye. The soldier fell to the ground, causing a mixture of shock and fear among his comrades in arms.

Tension spread across the battlefield, and the soldiers quickly raised their shields in a defensive position. Although their legs were somewhat exposed, the upper part of their bodies was protected by the imposing shields, forming an impenetrable wall against danger.

"Prepare yourselves!" shouted Lord Suffolk, his voice echoing with authority. His eyes scrutinized the horizon in search of answers, unable to identify the archer responsible for the attack. The distance between the enemy armies made the lethal precision of that arrow even more surprising.

"It's not just Jeanne we should be concerned about. There are other challenges ahead of us, like this skillful archer. Have you noticed who is leading?" Lord Salisbury questioned, with a serious look and intense expression.

Lord Suffolk's eyes turned to the approaching French forces. A glimpse revealed the leader among them, and he immediately recognized Gilles de Rais. Although it wasn't surprising to see Gilles fighting alongside Jeanne, the presence of the French commander added an extra layer of challenge to the imminent battle.

"Prepare for impact!" ordered Lord Suffolk firmly, as the soldiers prepared for the impending collision. With their heavy armors and secure shields, they were ready to face the fury of the approaching French forces.

"Archers and crossbowmen, prepare for the right moment! When the enemies breach the golden barrier, shoot without hesitation!" instructed Lord Suffolk, conveying his confidence to the archers and crossbowmen. They held their weapons with tenacity, feeling the tension increase with each passing second, waiting for the exact moment to unleash their lethal projectiles.

A metallic sound reverberated in the air as Lord Salisbury drew his sword from its sheath. The shining blade captured the light, reflecting the determination in his eyes. His restless feet trembled, ready to give the signal to his brave steed, unleashing a surge of adrenaline as he prepared for the imminent clash.

A dense atmosphere enveloped the battlefield, where the only audible sound was the silence filled with tension. The afternoon sun, almost setting on the horizon, cast its last rays of light upon the scene. The golden glow reflected on the gleaming armors of the English soldiers, who prepared to face the challenges that lay ahead.

As the tall grass swayed in the wind, the trees rustled their canopies, creating unsettling shadows. The English soldiers, with their heavy armors, felt the gravity of the moment and swallowed hard, knowing that the imminent battle could determine their fate.

The archers and crossbowmen, positioned strategically, kept their gaze fixed on the horizon as if fearing to miss a single moment of that war spectacle. Their dilated pupils denoted intense concentration, while anxiety made their hands sweat and sweat dripped down their tension-marked faces. Every muscle in their bodies was tense, ready for the moment the French would break through the golden barrier.

The English cavalry, mounted on their powerful horses, tenderly stroked the animals' manes. Those warriors and their faithful steeds were united in one purpose: to fight courageously and determinedly against the enemy.

Lord Suffolk, with his eyes fixed on the movements of the French, seemed to count the steps that separated them. His mind worked at a frantic speed, calculating every strategic detail to avoid fatal mistakes. His serious and determined expression reflected the responsibility he carried as the leader of the English army.

Gilles de Rais, advancing ahead of the French, swiftly drew his sword from its sheath. His eyes gleamed with a mixture of fierce determination and anticipation for the approaching battle. As he crossed the golden barrier, his cry echoed through the fields like thunder, summoning his troops to action.

"Charge!" Lord Suffolk's order joined Gilles' cry, echoing in the air and stirring the English soldiers. In an instant, archers and crossbowmen shot their arrows toward the enemy, like a deadly storm. The cavalry, in an explosion of energy, charged forward with their swords raised, ready for close combat.

Gilles, with impressive dexterity, struck the shield of a heavily armored knight, whose lance was about to deliver a deadly blow. The impact of the strike was so powerful that the shield crumpled, launching the soldier into the air and causing him to crash to the ground with a thunderous noise.

"Warriors, protect yourselves from the arrows!" Gilles' shout resonated among his troops as he raised his shield to protect his body. The horses, protected by their armor, avoided being easily hit by enemy projectiles. The French soldiers, already beyond the golden barrier, raised their shields above their heads, seeking protection against the rain of arrows falling from the sky.

Despite defending themselves from the deadly shower, Gilles did not slow down the pace of his attacks. His sword moved with impressive speed, striking with precision and strength, toppling most of the enemy soldiers in their heavy armor. A heavily armored soldier advanced with his lance, about to strike Gilles, but was interrupted by an arrow that pierced his eye, passing through his head until it was stopped by the helmet at the back.

Gilles looked gratefully at François, who had provided crucial support in that critical moment. François simply nodded, holding his position firmly, removing arrow after arrow from the golden barrier. He and the other archers and crossbowmen continued to shoot skillfully, oblivious to the rain of arrows falling upon them.

As Gilles prepared to face another heavily armored soldier with his sword, a shout tore through the air. Before he could react, a horse charged at him, forcing him to quickly step back to avoid the blow. The enemy's charge caught him by surprise, forcing him to reassess his strategy and find a new opening to counterattack.

"I thought you had the necessary courage to stand your ground," Lord Salisbury taunted, casting a disdainful glance at Gilles, who stared back at him with determination, firmly gripping his sword. "Don't be so tense. Come on," Lord Salisbury taunted, slapping his horse's belly, urging it to charge towards Gilles.

In an agile movement, Lord Salisbury struck with a swift attack of his sword, aiming to hit Gilles, who demonstrated great skill in defending himself, causing sparks to fly from the blades upon impact. Gilles then took advantage of his shield and counterattacked with a strike aimed at Lord Salisbury's face, but the latter skillfully used his shoulder to block the blow.

Surprise appeared on Gilles' face as he did not expect such a defense from his adversary. Lord Salisbury seized this opportunity to slash the neck of Gilles' horse, eliciting a cry of pain from the animal and causing it to collapse to the ground, bringing Gilles down with it. With impressive speed, Gilles promptly rose and ran towards Lord Salisbury's horse.

Lord Salisbury expected a direct attack from Gilles, but to his surprise, Gilles skillfully evaded the strike and, with a precise motion, struck the neck of his opponent's horse. A sharp cry of agony echoed through the air before the animal fell, taking Lord Salisbury down with it, whose attire was now stained with the horse's blood.

"Now we are on equal terms," declared Gilles challengingly as he saw Lord Salisbury rising from the ground. He couldn't resist the temptation to mock his opponent.

"Do you think you deserve a prize? I cherished that horse," lamented Lord Salisbury, his expression conveying sadness for the loss of his faithful companion. Determined, he advanced towards Gilles with an elegant swing of his sword. Gilles quickly used his shield for defense, taking advantage of the cessation of arrow rain, as the allied soldiers were no longer in danger. This advantage granted Gilles the freedom to not worry about protecting himself from the arrows.

Despite Gilles' efficient defense, Lord Salisbury remained undeterred. He delivered a precise and swift kick like a whip, an impressive feat considering the heavy metal armor he wore.

Gilles reacted quickly, using his sword for protection. The shield acted as a barrier, preventing Lord Salisbury's kick from reaching him directly. Sparks illuminated the air, indicating the friction between the blades and the strike.

Gilles momentarily stepped back, but Lord Salisbury wasted no time. He advanced again with determination. Gilles positioned his shield in front of him for defense, but to his surprise, Lord Salisbury anticipated the move.

"What?" Gilles expressed his surprise as he didn't feel the impact of the sword. In an agile movement, he realized that his opponent had swiftly crouched down and, with impressive speed, launched a surprise attack. Fortunately, Gilles reacted quickly enough to defend himself from the blow using his own sword. If he hadn't been able to defend in time, that strike could have killed him instantly.

Gilles stared at his enemy with seriousness, while Lord Salisbury displayed a wicked smile. He was surprised that Gilles managed to defend himself, but it only strengthened Lord Salisbury's determination, as he found the adversity made the battle even more thrilling in his mind.

With resolute steps and determination shining in his eyes, Lord Salisbury ruthlessly advanced towards Gilles, his hands tightly gripping the sword's hilt. Facing the challenge head-on, Gilles held his own sword firmly, his fingers clenched around the handle, while the shield protected his body.

Duke Salisbury lunged with a swift attack, a precise and aggressive strike. Gilles, agile and attentive, raised his shield to meet the force of the attack. Sparks danced in the air as the blades clashed, in a deadly dance of steel against steel. However, Gilles was not content with just defending. With skill and courage, he countered the attack, directing his sword accurately towards the adversary's unprotected rib. The impact caused the armor to yield, and blood gushed out as a reminder of the inflicted wound.

In a cunning and calculated move, Lord Salisbury released one of his hands from the sword's hilt before Gilles could react. With surprising agility, he trapped Gilles' arm under his armpit, exerting force. Simultaneously, his malicious eyes met Gilles' gaze while the weight of his body focused on one foot pressing against the adversary's foot.

Gilles felt surprise and concern blend within him, but his determination did not waver. With the enemy's sword dangerously close to his neck, he knew he had to act quickly to escape the mortal strike. Employing his agility and razor-sharp reflexes, Gilles evaded with a swift and precise movement. However, the sword still left its mark, scratching his neck and causing a scarlet trickle of blood to trickle down his skin. The sharp pain and the metallic taste of his own blood heightened the intensity of the moment.

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