She tells him: We need better maps, so find the mapmakers. How does it serve us if we don’t know what our own kingdom looks like? Also, scout out among the artillerymen and siege engineers those who are skilled at blowing things up and knocking them down. If you want new ideas, you have only to look. Talent isn’t rare in this kingdom, and ability can be found in the most unexpected places. Is she herself not proof of this? Her squire is already halfway out the door, but she calls him back. Also, will you make an appointment for me to meet with the royal treasurer? She wants to know what everything costs, how quickly armorers can work, the price of a gambeson, a mule, a barrel of arrows, a shirt of mail, a helmet, a cut of beef, the value of this season’s grain. And she wants lists made. She wants to know the name of every sergeant-at-arms and understand who is in charge of what, which carts hold the Dauphin’s portable ovens, his wardrobe, which bear the poleaxes and the pavises, the large wooden boards crossbowmen take shelter behind as they are reloading their weapons, and which wagons carry the barrels of salted fish and meat. Oh, and the royal treasurer, whoever he is, can come here to me.

She eats supper with her guests and her guests’ guests. To accommodate the growing number, two tables must be pushed together. Trenchers are set out for the usual personages: Dunois, La Hire, le Maçon, and, very often, the Dauphin will wander from his own better-stocked table and arrive around the hour of supper like a vagrant following the scent of fresh bread. The only two noblemen who never visit are La Trémoille and the Archbishop of Reims.

At Joan’s table, the talk is always business. If the Dauphin does not come, discussion revolves around supplies and methods for raising funds. She will share new ideas and stories the soldiers have told her: accounts of mistreatment among the ranks, of going hungry.

“I would like changes to be made,” she says.

“What changes?” La Hire asks, his mouth full.