At Orléans, the commander Dunois and his page sit beside the Loire river while a banner shows that the wind is blowing east. Dunois composes a poem about the west wind, comparing it to an unfaithful woman. His young page points out a blue kingfisher, irritating Dunois, is waiting for The Maid to arrive. The page wants to catch the kingfisher, but Dunois threatens to put him in a cage to teach him what that would be like. Dunois continues to compose poems, asking the blue kingfisher to bring the west wind and comparing its color to the Virgin Mary’s cloak.

Joan arrives in her armor, angry because the troops have brought her to the wrong side of the river, not the Orléans side. Dunois explains that they cannot cross the river because the English are holding two forts that block the bridge to the city. Joan impatiently decides to lead her soldiers to retake the forts, impressing Dunois with her bravery. He admits that he also loves war. After telling him that she wants to be a soldier and never take a husband, Joan recommends that he use larger artillery to take the forts. She promises to lead the military charge and explains that her sword is sacred because she found it after a revelation from St.