May 23rd. Jeanne went to Compiègne to hold off the advancing English and Burgundian forces.
The fighting had raged for over ten days, ever since May tenth.
This time, the English had brought significant reinforcements. At first, Jeanne's forces managed to hold their ground, but as more enemies arrived, even she found it harder and harder to resist.
"All troops, fall back into Compiègne! We'll regroup and strike again once our position is stable!"
Standing at the very front, Jeanne gave the order to retreat, personally covering their rear.
They were outnumbered nearly five to one now—victory was impossible. Their only option was to withdraw into the city and defend it from within.
"Gilles, take the men back. I'll stay behind with the others to hold the line!"
"But if we do that—"
"Gilles!"
Her voice snapped like steel—an order, not a suggestion.
"I understand!"
At once, Gilles de Rais shouted, "Everyone, fall back into Compiègne! We'll defend the city from inside!"
"Yes, sir!"
As the troops retreated, the English and Burgundians pressed closer, relentless in pursuit.
Jeanne plunged back into the fray, fighting desperately to buy her soldiers time.
Inside the city, the retreating soldiers were already preparing defenses.
"Open the gates—hurry! The English will be on us any second!"
"Everyone inside, move it!"
Gilles stood at the gates, directing the men.
Several tense minutes passed before Jeanne finally came into view.
Relief flashed across Gilles's face. From atop the gate, he shouted, "The Holy Maiden is here! Get ready to—"
But someone beside him cut in, panicked:
"The English are too close! Close the gates, now! If they breach the city, we're finished!"
"It's the English! Close them! We can't lose Compiègne!"
At those words, the soldiers below sprang into action.
"Who gave you that order?!" Gilles roared, leaping down to stop them.
But even as he moved, the massive gates began to drop.
"Are you insane?! The Holy Maiden is still outside!"
"What Holy Maiden? She's nothing to us! Will you take responsibility when the English butcher everyone here?"
"You worthless cowards!"
Enraged beyond reason, Gilles drew his sword and struck down the man lowering the gate, trying to force it open again.
"He's gone mad! Restrain him—don't let him move!"
A group of soldiers rushed him, pinning him to the ground.
"The Holy Maiden is still outside! You wretches—open the gates!"
"Shut up! That 'Holy Maiden' is your saint, not ours! Our duty is to protect the people inside!"
"The Holy Maiden is—!"
But his screams were drowned out as the heavy gates slammed shut.
...
Outside, Jeanne and the last of her soldiers saw the city's gates descending.
"Hurry! They're closing the gates!" she shouted, charging forward with everything she had left.
Boom.
The gates hit the ground with a thunderous crash, sealing her off from within.
Jeanne slowed to a stop before the barred entrance. Beyond it, those inside watched in silence, safe behind their walls.
She stood still for a moment, a faint, lonely smile curving her lips. On the other side, Gilles's voice still echoed—hoarse, broken—but to her, even that seemed far away. The whole world had fallen quiet.
Jeanne turned toward the oncoming Burgundians, weapons raised and closing fast.
Her left hand found the cross at her chest. She kissed it softly, and memories of Laurent—those peaceful days on the haystacks back home—washed over her.
"I'm sorry, Laurent... I won't be able to stay with you until the end."
In the end, was it always you who stayed by my side...?
She tucked the cross back beneath her armor, raised her banner high, and her voice rang out, fierce and unshaken:
"We have not been abandoned! We have always fought for our country! Soldiers—fight to your last breath!"
"For France, we fear no death!"
Even now, Jeanne's light did not fade.
"You think we've been forsaken? If we give in to despair, we're no better than those cowards hiding inside!"
"Fight! Peace is built on blood! I won't deny my sins, but my heart is clear!"
"I know what I fight for, and I know what I'm doing!"
"This cruel world knows no other way."
"Fight! Scream your fury!"
"Fight! Roar your rage!"
"Fight! Give everything for our homeland!"
"We are soldiers—the ones who will save this country!"
Her cry spread across the battlefield. The soldiers abandoned outside—their faces pale with fear and doubt—felt something reignite within them. One by one, they raised their weapons and charged, shouting with her.
Jeanne turned and led them, plunging straight into the enemy lines.
The Burgundians faltered, stunned by the suicidal charge.
"It's the French Holy Maiden! Form up—capture them alive! There's only a few hundred!"
"They really locked their own saint outside? Hah! How could they ever hope to win?"
Jeanne cut through their ranks without hesitation. Blood burst like red petals in her wake.
An arrow struck her ankle, and she fell hard—but still she rose, eyes blazing.
Spears thrust toward her from every direction. She blocked what she could, slashed what she couldn't. Blades tore into her arms, forcing her to drop her lance. Switching to her sword, she fought on, refusing to yield.
Until, at last—her body covered in wounds, surrounded by the enemy, a dozen spearpoints leveled at her throat—
The battle ended.
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everyone is on vacation so no character notes this week
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