Sparrow by Michael Morpurgo

Author:Michael Morpurgo [Morpurgo, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 1998-12-09T11:00:00+00:00

There was a rainbow over Orléans when she first saw it. The roofs of the city shone across the river under the distant sunshine. But as she stood there on the river bank, she was not completely happy. She sent for La Hire and the other marshals at once. “There is the river between us and the English,” she said, quite unable to hide her anger and her disappointment. “Tell me, how are we to fight the English if we are here and they are there? Why did you not tell me how things were?” La Hire tried to explain that it was safer to approach from the south, that the English were stronger to the north of the city, that they would wait for the Governor of Orléans, the Bastard of Orléans, as he was called, to come across with his boats, then the army could cross. It would be safer that way, he said.

“Safe!” she blazed. “In God’s name, are we here for our safety? I am no one’s poodle, La Hire. I am the envoy not just of the Dauphin, but of God. Remember that. Never forget it.” And she stormed off leaving him lost for words. All he could do was marvel at her. “When he comes,” he whispered under his breath, “my friend the Bastard of Orléans is in for a hell of a surprise, I think.” Fully fifty paces away by now Joan whirled around pointing her sword at him. “Yes, indeed he is. And you mind your language, La Hire!”

That afternoon the Bastard of Orléans came across the river to greet Joan. Her reputation, her fame, had gone before her. Like everyone else in Orléans he had been longing to meet this miraculous peasant girl who seemed to be rallying an entire nation, who had come to lift the siege of his city. But it was not quite the meeting he had been expecting.

“I suppose,” said Joan eyeing him darkly. “I suppose you must be the one they call the Bastard of Orléans. You’re the one who hatched up with La Hire and the marshals this silly notion of coming south along the river to avoid a fight with the English. Are you frightened of them too?”

No one in all his life had ever dared accuse the Bastard of Orléans of cowardice, until now. He should have been furious with indignation, but instead found himself being conciliatory.

“We thought it wisest, Joan, not to be caught out in the open by the English, with all the beasts and the baggage. We thought it more important to first supply the city – the people are in dire need of what you bring. Then we can march the army in afterwards. After that we can sally out to fight the English whenever we like.”

Joan could see the sense in it and calmed at once. “Well you thought wrong not to tell me,” she told them all. “That’s all. Remember that I bring you the finest help that ever was brought to a city, since it is the help of the King of Heaven himself.

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