• Hunched down, I weaved my way through the crowd that was to watch my beloved Jehanne be burned at the stake. No, Jehanne can't leave me, for I was young and she was young. We were meant to live out our days together, growing old after Charles was crowned king. I believed in her when everyone told her she imagined the voices of her fine saints. I was her noble knight and shall remain so even in her death. With these words set upon my heart, I picked up my pace, breaking through the crowd of Jehanne's tormentors. I was nearly there, and I stood but ten paces before her. I could clearly see her, though I doubted she could see me. She was bound but looked out across the crowd, seemingly unperturbed by what was about to occur.
    “Halt, boy,” commanded a soldier of the dark Armagnac, “What be thou business here? Are thou not thee lover of the Jehanne D’Arc?"
    “Fine soldier,” I spoke, rising now to my full height revealing my true age, twenty-two, “I shall not attempt to hide my true identity. I am indeed the lover of Jehanne, but I shall save her and thou will allow me to pass, unmolested.” With that, I saw myself around the soldier. I was now five paces away from Jehanne. I kept walking. No sooner had the flames began to lick the post upon which she stood, that I felt the cold hard fingers of death plunge into my heart. In a cry that soon turned to a sick laughter, the crowd drew apart, attracting the attention of my beautiful Jehanne.
    I did not scream, for the screaming of Jehanne was enough pain for me. I was her noble knight and shall remain so even in our heavenly birth. I saved her not from death but a lonely one.
    I am Cassius. I do only the will of God. heart heart heart heart heart ......