The handle of the main door turns and it starts to open. Pushing aside the kneeling form of the half orc and the unconscious Darius, a large form struggles into the room. Dressed in a leather apron, all recognize the visitor as the innkeeper from downstairs.

He casts his eyes round the room. It is a certifiable disaster area.

All around them are dead bodies, smashed furniture, pools of blood and other body parts, spilt beer, spilled food and groaning injured.

The innkeeper is not happy!

'OH MY GOD!' the innkeeper cries, closing and opening his eyes, hoping that he is just imagining the scene. 'WHAT THE HELL HAS BEEN GOING ON IN HERE?!'

'THAT IS DEFINITELY THE LAST TIME I EVER LET YOU REBELS USE THIS ROOM AGAIN. NOW WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH THESE DEAD BODIES AND ALL THIS MESS?' he bellows at them.

Colin chooses this exact moment to execute the blubbering half -orc, deciding to make the decision himself after not being able to get a consensus from the others regarding whether or not to allow the half-orc to live. As he does so, the others give their opinion of Colin's actions, some giving their approval, while others are furious. The innkeeper is not one of those that approved of the action. He puts his hands over his face and shakes his head:

'I don't believe you did that! I just don't believe that you did that! As if there hasn't been enough carnage in this room already, you have to add to it!. What the hell do you expect me to do?'

Corrow suggests that the inn keeper leaves with them and accompanies them upon their journey

As he listens to this suggestion, he carries on shaking his head.

'My grandfather built this place in the time of Karen the Great and my father ran it until his final days. It's all I know. What else would I do if I came with you? I am not a soldier or a rebel. I'm just a simple innkeeper.'

He is now no longer angry. Rather he is feeling sorry for himself. He appreciates the fact that Maire's magickal helper is doing something to help clean up the chaos, but he is rather nervous about the use of magic around him.

As everyone is wondering what to say to the innkeeper next, Heimlin pipes up. He gives angry looks towards Yaz and Darius for their insults, but then moves on to more pressing matters.

'Look mate' the gnome says. 'I know things look pretty bad, but we've been 'ere for a while now discussin' what we should do next, an' we ain't been invaded by the Nyemetz yet. An' even if they did come, who's to say that you was involved?'

He thinks for a moment and then moves over to the innkeeper and whispers something in his ear. The others then notice the unmistakable glitter of a large handful of gold coins being produced from Heimlin's bulky leather purse and put into the innkeeper's hands. Without saying another word, the innkeeper leaves the room and walks back down to the bar.

'Alright' says Heimlin, rubbing his hands 'That's 'im sorted out. By the way Colin, I'm behind you all the way for gettin' rid o' that orc spawn. It was easy for 'im to make promises in this situation, but I couldn't really see any way that we could spare 'im. Now let's get the bleedin' 'ell out of 'ere!'

As planned, Corrow puts the plans together for a diversion. Nervously, he peeps out of the window to check out the situation, ensuring that he cannot see hordes of Nyemetz making their way to the inn, or other musketeers waiting to get another shot in. The coast seems to be clear. There is not a soul outside at the moment.

'In order for this to look realistic, I need someone to go down and open the door.'

Winnacer volunteers for this duty.

While Winnacer is moving down the stairs, Corrow rummages around in his backpack and produces a piece of lamb's fleece. He looks out of the window until he hears Winnacer gently opening the door. As quiet as he can be, Corrow begins to speak a strange incantation, and forms images with his hands.

At the door, Winnacer is quite alarmed to see a group of eight people materialize in front of him, each of which bears an uncanny resemblance to a member of the party. He utters an oath to his god in order to protect him from these arcane forces. He looks on as the illusion of the group slowly begins to creep quietly out of the doorway.

All can all see the intense concentration on Corrow's face as he guides the illusory party from outside the inn and down the street. Everyone holds their breath to hear whether the illusion garners any reaction from outside. But all seems to be quiet.

The same thought runs through everyone's mind. Is there really nobody out there, or do they see the illusion for what it really is?

Corrow holds the illusion for several minutes, carefully guiding the 'party' down the road. He ensures that the party is seen to be moving silently to disguise the fact that the illusion is making no noise. As the illusion comes to the edge of Corrow's range, he moves the 'party' down a narrow, dark side street, and then the illusion vanishes.

'It's time for us all to go now.' says Corrow 'Quickly everyone, down the stairs. I take it that we are going to your friend Luther's home, Xavier?'

'I have not heard any better suggestion' replies Xavier. 'I shall lead the way'.

Colin puts his arm around Darius in order to support him through the journey to the other side of Mnyesto.

''Keep your hood down over your face' whispers Colin to him. 'And pretend that you are so drunk that you are nearly comatose.'

Darius nods his head in agreement. Heimlin also puts a large hood over his face. They can all tell that he is used to disguising his identity.

Quickly but silently, the group makes its way down the stairs to where Winnacer is waiting for them impatiently. They all take a deep breath and set foot outside the inn, half expecting to hear the crack of a musket shot emerging from the gloom. But it is not to be.

*Everyone move briskly, but confidently and silently* whispers Xavier to the rest of them.

The journey to the other side of Mnyesto seems to take forever. They all get the feeling that the sound of their hearts beating would be enough to attract the attention of every Nyemetz guard in Bohavia . Every step they take, they wonder whether they will be ambushed by Nyemetz, or a group of thugs that plague the town after dark, who cut in the guards on their ill gotten gains. Some of them also wonder about more natural dangers like the giant rats that often emerge from their riverside burrows during the night. And could the stories of the living dead and lycanthropes really be true, or are they just stories told to frighten children?

*Just round the next corner now* whispers Xavier.

Everyone's heart is beating so fast that they start to take deep breaths of cool air in order to calm themselves.

*Here it is* whispers Xavier excitedly *Don't fail me now*

Xavier reaches the door to a nondescript two story building in the North side of town. He produces a large iron key and unlocks the door. One by one, the party members file into Luther's house. As Yaz is the last to walk through the door, Xavier locks the door behind him.

People collapse on the floor in relief, gasping for air and thanking their gods for protecting them during the journey, as the bells of midnight, curfew time, ring out.

Xavier lights torches around the room, and the others see that the house is sparsely furnished, but comfortable enough.

Heimlin is the first to speak.

'Bleedin' 'ell' he pants 'I wouldn't like to go through that again in an 'urry! What's the plan now then, folks?'

With the imminent threat from the Nyemetz now gone, many people decide that it is time to get a few answers from the mystery gnome. Xavier is the first to start looking for some answers. He asks Heimlin what he knows about Svatopluk and his plans for revolution.

'Although it's pretty late, an' I've 'ad a bit more excitement than an old man really wants this evenin', I'll tell you everythin' that I knows about Svatopluk an' the deal that we made, although it prob'ly ain't as much as you'll be 'appy with.'

'I've known Svatopluk a while, but it ain't like he's one of me best mates, nor nothin'. Still he did tell me, from time to time, that he dreamed of seeing Bohavia free before his soul departed 'is mortal frame. Somethin' about a penance for the wrongs he 'ad committed in 'is life. I dunno whether 'e 'ad the whole plan worked out proper like. I guess 'e was 'opin' that it would work itself out as it went along. I remember 'im mentionin' the name of Yiri of Podyebrad on a number of occasions. But everyone with a rational mind knows that 'e's just a legend, isn't he? I think that Svatopluk 'oped for such a savior so badly, that 'e started to believe the legends.'

'So, in short, I ain't got no idea what Svatopluk's big plan was. What 'e did realize, 'owever, is that revolutions need fundin'. A bunch of peasants with pitchforks ain't much use against ranks of musketeers now are they? The money is 'ow I comes into the frame. I've done alright in my time an' I got a bit o' coin to spare, so I told Svatopluk that I would make a very 'ealthy donation to 'is cause if he could get me out o' Mnyesto and back to me family 'ome.'

'Exactly how healthy would the donation be' asks Colin.

'The sum we agreed is 5000gp. It's a lot for me, an' it would be a lot for a bunch like you, but it ain't gonna buy a huge amount to start a revolution wiv. But it's a start, ain't it? I gave my word to Svatopluk that I would do the deal, an' I'm a gnome of my word. But, for the sake of the departed Svatopluk, I wants to make sure that the money is used for the cause.'

Heimlin thinks for a moment.

'I'll make this deal wiv you. For escortin' me to me 'ome. I'll give you 10%, 500gp, for the bunch of you to do wiv what you like. If you believe that you can find a worthy use for the rest, 4500 gp, I want to know what you plan to spend it on to further your cause, and your word of honor that you will keep to your plans. From what I've seen of you, I can see that you are all honorable people.'

'I guess you wants to know where I lives, don't ya? Well, my home is some five miles from the dwarven city of Dvur Kralovye, which is 75 miles from Mnyesto, as the crow flies, it's direction bein' north east of here. It's situated in the rocky peaks that make up the northern border of Bohavia an' it's off the beaten track. That's why it's pretty safe from the Nyemetz.'

'That's where I want to go, an' I'll give you the 500gp between you all for takin' me there, and the other 4500 gp if you think of 'ow you can use it for the cause.'

'Have you got any more questions for me? If not, then I'd like to get some sleep now. I'm 'orribly tired after all the goin's on this evenin'

Winnacer looks around Luther's house for any items which might prove useful on the journey. He finds a hammer without too much difficulty, and a bag containing some 30 nails, but they could not be described as spikes. There is no oil, as the house is lit by torches. There are 14 torches available. A pot is also found without too many difficulty. Winnacer decides to take a small cooking pot rather than the chamber pot that Darius has just 'done his business' in!

Winnacer tries to come up with a plan to leave the city, but forgets a key factor because of his tiredness. Heimlin interrupts him:

'I'm afraid that leavin' Mnyesto ain't quite so simple as walkin' out o' the city. Mnyesto is surrounded by high thick walls which used to keep enemies out, but now keeps us citizens in. There are four gates in and out of the city, but all are closely guarded by the Nyemetz who stop and check everyone coming in and out very carefully. The only other access in and out of the city is by boat. As I see it there are just three ways of gettin' out o' the city. We could try an' go out by one o' the gates, tryin' to disguise me in some way. Another way would be by scalin' the walls, although this would be even more dangerous, or the third way would be to get out by the river, the only problem bein' that we ain't got a boat.'

'Once we's solved that problem, then we needs to get to my home somehow. There is a decent enough road that goes through some villages and then to Hradetz Kralovye, after which it's just a very short journey by road to Dvur Kralovye. Or we could try an' go cross country. It means that we'd be unlikely to meet any Nyemetz, but the journey would take two or three times longer. Another way again would be by boat, if we could get hold of one, as one of the tributaries of the Vltava rises not far from Dvur Kralovye. Those are all of the options that I can think of unless anyone else has any better ideas. I'm afraid that our friend Yaz's woodland experience is not goin' to be a great deal of assistance to us on the journey ,as the great forests are all to the south. The first two thirds of our journey will take us through agricultural land, while the final third will be through hilly and then slightly mountainous terrain.'

'So which route do you all reckon is the best?'

There is quite a bit of a debate regarding the best way to go. Both Darius and Yaz strongly object to trying go out by river as neither of them have any experience on water. They also come to an agreement about not using main roads. None of them have any desire to risk facing Nyemetz at every step of the way. The cross-country route is chosen by default.

Maire' then asks Heimlin what he knows about Yiri of Podyebrad who he said Svatopluk had referred to on occasions.

'So you want to know about Yiri of Podyebrad? Well, who doesn't! ' says Heimlin. 'According to popular legend, Yiri is a great grandson of Karen I, who is supposedly a great paladin who will one day overthrow the Nyemetz and return Bohavia to independence and its former greatness. These rumors started about ten years ago and seem to get more and exaggerated by the month. If you want to hear some of the stories, then find yerself a bard. There's enough stories about Yiri of Podyebrad for a good bard to sing for a whole evening! It's my belief that it was a bard that started the whole story in the first place. There's many a Bohavian who would pay a bard well for tellin' an interestin' an' heroic tale of hope'

'Well, like I said' I've 'ad enough for today, I'm off to sleep.' says Heimlin ' We's all got another big day ahead of us tomorrow, so I suggest that the rest of yers gets some shut-eye too.'

With that Heimlin takes off his thick cloak and places it close to the fire and lays down. Within a few minutes, he is snoring soundly. The rest of the party organizes a watch system and then everyone finds a place on the floor and falls into deep slumber.

 

2 SEPTEMBER 3460

The night passes without incident. Everyone starts to come out of their slumber at around 8.00 am. Looking out of the window, they can all see that the weather is clear, and it's going to be a pleasantly warm late summer's day.

Heimlin is the first to speak:

'Orright, so we need to finalize our plan as to gettin' out o' the city. So the only plan I've 'eard so far is the one to go through one of the gates with the lot of yers carryin' me on a stretcher sayin' that I got the pox. Sounds like a pretty good 'un to me. No-one's goin' to wanna get too close to me if they thinks I's got the pox. 'as anyone got any better suggestions? If not, then we should make sure the plan is fully worked out proper.'

'Ow's ya feelin' Darius?' Heimlin says looking at the goblin. Heimlin looks at the wound. 'Well I ain't no expert, but it looks like you can walk OK, although you're still a couple of days away from feelin' yer normal self.'

Darius turns to Marie "Thank you for after Darius look." He smiles, then turns to the Gnome who points and prods and comments, Darius yelps then moans, "Ugly gnome! Go stick fingers and eyes in own wounds! Or need you some first?!

'Cheeky little bastard!' mumbles Heimlin. 'That's the last bleedin' time I spend my value time thinkin' 'bouts your well-bein'! If you keel over an' die on the way to Dvur Kralovye, then I'll have the bleedin' last laugh.'

'We also needs to work out our route to Dvur Kralovye., Heimlin continues. ' If we wants to avoid the main routes, then I reckon that we should follow the south side of the River Vltava all the way. There ain't many bridges over the Vltava an' what there is are 'eavily guarded by the Nyemetz. It might take a little longer not crossing the Vltava a couple of times, but if it's safety we wants, then this is the best route.'

'Which gate we goin' out of? The East gate will take us straight in the right direction. Otherwise, if we were afraid of bein' followed, then we could go out the North East or South East gates. I wouldn't recommend either of the other two, as they would put us on the wrong side of the Vltava, which would give us more problems in crossin' it later.'

'So what's the plan then, folks?'

"As to the gate we leave from, we should pick a gate that would be in the direction of a real location that somebody would bring a pox victim. Again, my knowledge of local geography is too poor to be an aide here." suggests Winnacer.

'Nice idea, Winnacer' replies Heimlin. 'In this case, the South East gate would be the most appropriate, as this is the one that leads to the elves of Shumava, who are the finest herbalists of Bohavia. We can then circle round and pick up the right direction once we are out of sight of the city wall.'

'Right, let me see if I got the plan straight' says Heimlin, after listening intently to the conversation.

'So, the first group is made up of Xavier who will forge his paper work to say that he is a bounty hunter sanctioned by the Nyemetz, who will be leading Yaz who will be tied up as his bounty. Darius will be disguised as a dwarf, accompanying him as his henchman, and Corrow as his interpreter. My recommendation is that this group sets of first and leaves through the East gate.'

'Second group will consist of me lying on a pallet and made up to look like I got the pox and pretending to be a young 'un. Colin an' Winnacer will drag the pallet and Maire' will be me elder sister. I reckons that the second group should leave by the South East gate in the middle of the afternoon.'

'I suggest a place for our meeting point. If you follow the river Vltava south for five miles, you will come to a Temple of Laska. We don't have to worry about any problems with them. Those servants of the Goddess of Love ain't gonna hurt no-one! Don't worry Darius. It's on THIS side of the river, so no-one's gonna get their feet wet!

'Anybody got any problems with this?'

Everyone confirms that this is the plan. Heimlin beckons Corrow and Colin over and then rummages around in his large leather purse. He hands 30gp to them both.

'If we run any problems with the guards, then it MIGHT be possible to bribe them. However, you've gotta know how the game is played, as the Nyemetz are crackin' down on this type of thing, so it could easily get us into more trouble if you mess it up. Whatever you do, make sure that no one can see you bribe someone or else it will certainly fail.'

'OK, let's do it' says Colin.

Corrow starts to work on adding a couple of more names to Xavier's officially sanctioned letter as a bounty hunter, while Maire' helps Darius to put on a 'beard' made from horsehair pasted on to his face. Xavier ties Yaz's hands behind his back in such a way that Yaz can remove the bonds quite easily if he needs to. After around half an hour, the party is ready to move out.

The second party wishes them all good luck and the first party set off towards the East gate, nervously.

The other party still has much work to do. Winnacer and Colin take one of the sleeping pallets and chop off two of the legs so that it can be dragged easily. Vinegar is poured onto the bedding and cloves of garlic crushed in order to create a suitable smelling protection against the plague. Meanwhile, Maire' is preparing an obnoxious mixture of paste and soot which she brushes all over Heimlin's exposed flesh. Once the mixture is applied, she carefully wraps him up in sheets and places him on the pallet. Winnacer and Colin then start to drag the pallet in the direction of the South East gate.