Battle of Herrings!
While the Siege of Orleans ensued, the English troops were desperate. The siege was at a stalemate, and the French were holding their ground. A convoy of supplies was sent from Paris, led by Sir John Fastolf.
A relief force led by Charles of Bourbon wanted to cut off this attempt and set a trap for Sir John. The French had about four thousand soldiers and a really strong Quill at Charles of Bourbon’s side: A Flame Quill named Pyros and a Scottish lord named John Stewart of Darnley.
Lord Stewart was against the usage of Quills and a strong adversary on this point since the days of Agincourt. He uttered these concerns to the lord, but Charles of Bourbon was adamant and wanted to continue this offense despite the Lord Steward’s wishes. This created a subtle conflict around them. A silent dispute, a slowly growing displeasure. Charles de Bourbon was unaware of it at that time, and he trusted the Scottish lord’s enmity towards the English, their long-time rivals.
When Sir John was near the town of Rouvray, he heard through his scouts about the approaching army. Against four thousand men, he had only one thousand and six hundred. He knew about the Quills and their power. Although outnumbered, he conducted a brilliant plan and informed Lord Arthur, and attempted to make a deal of his own with a powerful Quill.
In the meantime, he had to be on the defensive. Nearby towns weren’t fully fortified and would trap him against the enemy army. So, he conducted a desperate plan: A fort made with wagons. They tied the wagons together and created a standing point against the French. This newly-found fort proved to be a challenge against the French.
On a nearby pond, Sir John did what Lord Arthur taught him: Step into a realm where power was waiting. A Radiant Quill named Celestial came to him. Offered a hand and promised for destruction. Sir John took the deal, and when Pyros rained fire on them with his magic and artillery backing up this hell, Sir John was steady. He waited for them and baited them into attacking, waiting for an opportunity.
Amidst the blast, with the help of Celestial, Sir John learned the subtle problems between Lord Steward and Charles of Bourbon. With the cover of the night and some protective magic from Agravaine, a spy infiltrated their ranks. This spy was successful enough to boil the waters among their ranks, and the Scottish men launched an assault despite the orders of Charles of Bourbon.
English longbowmen wounded them greatly and killed many men in the first strike. The fort of wagons held, and when the Scottish were overwhelmed, Sir John unleashed the power of Celestial and smites from heaven rained on the enemy troops.
The French had no choice but to back the attack and unleashed their power as well. Blood that spilled that day was legendary. Sir John’s plan worked, and the French slowly retreated back to where they came. Sir John slowly but surely advanced to the Siege of Orleans to deliver a fresh breath of air to the besieging English.
However, a young woman named Joan was already on her way to Orleans and was ready to change with the tides of war.
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