The Storm

[Korbel]

- Innocent? yes, and my name is Edward the Third Plantagenet, King of England. Call me Eddy - laughs Maciej.

Gunther, who's crouching in the corner cluthing his arm, speaks:
- That sickle, uhm... it was Karl! - Gunther points at him.
- I have no idea what's going on... I'm... I was just sitting here, and everybody was gone to the hills... I was thinking maybe I should go there and check, but they came back at last. Father Georgius was leading in his red robes, our smith beside him, all the village people behind. There was something strange in their behavior. And later I approached Agathe and Agnethe to talk, and suddenly she took this staff and... and than came Karl and we fled. What do we do now?

Outside, people are still trying to destroy the doors with axes and hammers.

[Marras]

"Well, Eddy. We all know how it goes and don't much care until it hits you. You manage to anger a noble or rich merchant and suddenly there is bounty on your head. I don't know how it goes in England or wherever you are from, but that's the way it goes here.", Hans answers Maciej.

Hans looks at Karl a bit surprised. "Why the hell did you do that? You almost killed me there and then! Are we really sure you are not with those others?". Hans lets his gaze wander from man to man and leaves the question to hang in the air when he fixes his eyes on Gunther.

"So, are you saying that this Father Georgius led the whole village, except you two to hills and then people went nuts? Doesn't sound like any priest I have met..." and gets interrupted by especially loud banging on the door.

"Let's fortify this door to buy us some time and think of a way to escape this mess, shall we? Perhaps we should head to the manor house as it must be a much better to defend.".

Hans begins to look for possible hammer, nails and some planks that he could use to make the door and hinges more durable.

[Korbel]

Maciej makes an expression "oh, not this shit again".
- Stabbing a man works wunders when it comes to angering his family... I'm here not to discuss with you, Hans. How did you get inside? Speak now.

[Marras]

Hans rolls his eyes like hearing total bullshit. "Ah, that kind of story this time. Tell you what, it's total bollocks. I have not stabbed anyone. If someone stabbed your patron or his kin, then it was someone else who has pinned it on me." and shrugs.

Seeing that there are no tools in sight, Hans continues.

"I got here from up there.", he points to general direction of the hole he crawled in. "It should be large enough for us to get through.". Hans takes a quick look around before speaking again.

"It is not an easy climb, but here are some materials that might make the climbing easier. Why don't you keep watch on the door while me and the others build something to help us all get out of this mess alive. What do you say?"

[Korbel]

Another exit? This is the kind of information Gunther was waiting for. He is instantly up and ready to go, forgetting about the pain. He looks up.

- Is it here, is it here? - he asks Hans - Help me with these boxes, let's pile them up and I will be able to climb up there!

[Marras]

"Yes, it's here!", Hans shows towards the wall where the hole is and helps Gunther to get the boxes there.

[Korbel]

Soon, a simple construction is ready. Now it should be much easier to reach the place where Hans entered the barn. Obviously, Gunther wants to go first...
He climbs up, squeezes in to the hole and looks outside, only to ask:
- But how do I get down there now?!?

[Marras]

"Hold on Gunther.", Hans answers and looks for a rope and finds it at the Eddy's waist. He grimaces at the idea but approaches the bounty hunter.

"Hey, Maciej! We finished our stairway to exit point but Gunther can't get down without hurting himself and I guess the same goes for each of us. We need that rope of yours to get out safely. I'll go and tie it so we can use it to get down fast and safely. Okay?"

[Korbel]

- And than you are free and I stay here? No way.

[Marras]

"You're coming with us! We can use another pair of hands if things get hairy out there. Your call.", Hans answers and feels his adrenaline pumping.

[Korbel]

- And how do you think I get through that hole? It would have to be much bigger. Don't play with me, Hans.

[Marras]

"Shit! How the hell did he notice it when Gunther didn't even see the whole hole?", Hans thinks.

"Think for a minute. It's dim in here, we are so low down here that the hole looks smaller than it really is. Quickly, hand me the rope or we all die here when those lunatics get through that door and it won't take much longer!", Hans finishes his speech getting mentally ready to act.

[Korbel]

Maciej wants to say something, but Gunther interrupts:

- Ha! I've solved your problem! This hole can be made bigger - as a proof, he removes one plank and shows it.

- Keep an eye on him - Maciej warns Karl, pointing at Hans, and climbs up. Using his rope he works his way down outside the barn. Next is Gunther... but half-way down he loses his grip and drops to the ground, making much noise. And it seems that it didn't go unnoticed...

- Here they are! - one peasant shouts and soon the rest of them go there.

- I'll draw them away! - shouts Maciej and sprints towards the fields. Gunther seizes the opportunity and flees the other way. Soon, everything is silent, Karl and Hans are left alone in the barn.

[Marras]

Hans slides the rope quickly waving Karl to follow all the time cursing in his mind that the Slab managed to get out, too.

As Maciej volunteers to draw the mob's attention, Hans follows Gunther stopping him as soon as possible. "Gunther, wait a second. What's the strongest building in here? Church doesn't count because that's where that crazy priest must be. I'll say we head that way but we must be careful not to get noticed.". Hans takes a look and see if Karl followed them and what's the situation with villagers and bounty hunter.

[Korbel]

"There's a smith's workshop nearby" Gunther points in the general west direction. "Or the manor house, but I'm not sure lord Erich will let you in..."