Dunois sees this as evidence that Joan is sent from God, and they prepare to fight the English. Shortly after this, Dunois’s page announces, with awe, that the wind has changed. Dunois has prayed incessantly for a west wind, but to no avail. Dunois tells her the English are across the river, but he is hesitant to strike before the wind changes directions, as they must travel up the river and attack the English from the rear.
Joan is impatient to begin fighting, which Dunois regards as overconfident and foolish.
On the river Loire, she meets Dunois, the Bastard of Orleans. Joan and her army reach Orleans on April 29, 1429. The Dauphin is skeptical, having little interest in warfare and knowing that the English are more adept at fighting than the French, but things are so dire that France really has nothing to lose, and Joan eventually convinces him to let her command his army. She informs him that she has been sent by God to drive the English out of France and crown him king. Sometime later, Joan reaches the Dauphin at his castle in Chinon, in Touraine. After they leave, the steward rushes in to inform de Baudricourt that the hens have begun to lay eggs again, which de Baudricourt sees as proof that Joan really was sent by God. Joan and her soldiers depart for Chinon to meet with the Dauphin. Reluctantly, De Baudricourt yields to Joan’s demands. She tells him that two soldiers, Bertrand de Poulengey and Monsieur John of Metz, have promised to support and accompany her in her journey. De Baudricourt balks at being ordered around by a young girl, but Joan won’t be refused. She informs De Baudricourt that he must give her a horse, armor, soldiers, and send her to the Dauphin: she is on a mission to raise the siege of Orleans, acting on the word of God as it is conveyed to her through the voices of saints she hears in her head. Reluctantly, De Baudricourt sends for her: she is Joan of Arc, a simple country girl of 17 or 18 years, dressed in men’s clothing and with a persuasive confidence about her. The steward is convinced that the hens won’t lay eggs until De Baudricourt agrees to see “ The Maid” who called on De Baudricourt two days ago and is still outside, speaking with soldiers and praying as she waits to be seen. Captain Robert de Baudricourt sits at a table and berates his steward for the fact that there are no eggs. Saint Joan begins in 1429 at the castle of Vaucouleurs.
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