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"I don't really know all that much about vengeance but I will help you with yours. If you go back to your company, I could join you. Like starting a new life. Being a carpenter is boring.", Hans answers and only grins about the comment of his trustworthiness.

"It all depends on what your plan is and how I can contribute. If you need to get over that wall or something like that, I'm your man. If you need to get inside a locked room, I'm your man. If you need a coffin, I'm your man."

The bounty hunter looks at Hans with a mix of shock and hate visible on his face - but he keeps his mouth shut.

Ruthard eyes them both and smirks (which is more like a snarl) when Hans says "coffins", but says nothing. He turns to Karl.

• "And you old friend? I see that you carry yourself like a soldier. What do you have to say?"

Karl shrugs a little.

"I spent some time in the army while you were gone. But I'm done with that now. At least I thought I was."

Karl appears a bit sullen at the whole situation.

"We *he motions to his family* have little else but this place, and Georgius threatens to take it all away. I know some of the people under his sway are better people than he has made them. I want to get to the root of this, and kill it where it starts. I don't want to kill my fellows if we can avoid it. Let us get to the manor now."

The manor is protected by a wall. There is an iron gate barring the way. Behind the gate there are four guards, currently trying to hide under an improvised roof. Nevertheless they keep an eye on the road and the surrounding areas, at least one of them at a time.

- Sir, we need to... I'll go with Dietmar and check the walls. Do you agree?
- Yeah, whatever - an older man, probably commanding here, doesn't even care. When they leave he asks his remaining companion:
- Why Erich wanted four of us to guard the gate? And today is raining as hell... Eh. Look! There's someone coming! - he points at the road - hey, who are you? What are you looking for? - he shouts.
The second guard checks if the gate is closed and prepares his weapon.

Karl realises he had best say something to the guards challenging the group.

"Uh, we have captured this white devil for Father Georgius. He has already killed some of us, and said he wanted to kill Father Georgius too. He had an ally as well who must only be moments behind us. Quickly, please let us in!"

- Don't trust them, they're dangerous! - a man with familiar voice says. He leaves his shelter under the improvised roof and joins the guards. When he lifts his hood, you can recognize him: it's Gunther. He was hiding here for the whole time!
- Alarm! Alarm! Dietmar, get back here! - the guard shouts.

"Gunther, you snake! I should have let you be killed!"

Gunther takes a step back and hides behind the guards.
"See? I've told you. Don't let them in!" Gunther looks at the solid gate and smiles, feeling confident.

Suddenly, you can all hear Dietmar screaming from pain, somewhere behind the corner of the building. He swears loudly, and the next second everything is quiet again, except the heavy rain sound. The guards and Gunther look that way and hesitate, what to do next, but looks like they would prefer to retreat to the manor.

Ruthard grabs his hammer from Karl and takes a mighty swing at the gate lock. He hits the lock so hard it opens instantly, shattered to pieces. Next he kicks the gate open and rushes in, attacking the stunned guards. Karl follows with his spear in hands.

The albino thrusts low with his sword, piercing the shin of the older guard, who loses his balance and falls down. Next attack hits his groin causing so much pain he passes out.

Meanwhile, Karl tries to hook the spear of the second guard. His opponent succeeds in his parry and tries to disengage, but Karl is faster and hooks his leg, tripping him.

Gunther tries to run to the door, but Hans is faster - he moves closer and throws a dagger, which hits the little rat in the face. Surprisingly, Gunther doesn't stop, reaches the door and desperately knocks, crying for help.

- Let me in, let me in! - but when he sees Hans advances with his messer in hand, he turns to face him and pleads for mercy - I didn't do anything, please spare me! - he almost cries, clutching his face and smearing his own blood all over.

The guard on the ground surrenders too, but he doesn't say a word, just looks at Karl and Ruthard.

Ruthard points his blade towards the prone guard.

• "Stay down and answer my questions fast if you want to live boy. How many guards are in there? Is the priest inside? What is he doing to the villagers?"

His voice shakes, but he answers:
- There are 10 guards total, so... so, six inside. And our c-captain. And Georgius too. But I don't know anything, please!

Hans grabs Gunther by the collar of his shirt and drags him from the door to the cover.

"Shut up, rat!", he snaps. "Get down and keep your mouth shut if you want to live through this.", Hans continues keeping his messer in ready.

Ruthard disarms the guard at sword point, kicking away the spear and taking his dagger.

• "Now listen carefully boy. Flee this place as if all the legions of Hell were after you. Leave and don't look back. Otherwise I'll kill you where you lay."