...Is a Friend Indeed is a side quest in Kingdom Come: Deliverance. Henry assists his friends Fritz and Matthew at their job after they have a spat with their boss.
This is a timed quest. It will fail after a few days (less than a week).
Synopsis[]
I got Fritz and Matthew a new job at a mill. Now it's time to find out how they're getting on.
Objectives[]
- Find out how Fritz and Matthew are getting along.
- Talk to Matthew.
- Talk to Fritz.
- Sort out Fritz and Matthew's problems with Old Thomas.
- Tell Fritz and Matthew the bad news.
- Talk to Matthew.
- Arrange a fight with Old Thomas.
- Get ready for the ambush.
- Get ready for the fight.
- Negotiate peace at the mill.
- Talk to Matthew.
- Tell Fritz and Matthew the bad news.
Walkthrough[]
Several days after finding them work in A Friend In Need..., you travel to the Ledetchko mill to see how Fritz and Matthew are getting on. Miller Oliver will tell you the duo seem to work well when he's there, but the minute he's not got his eye on them, the foreman Old Thomas can't get them to do a lick of work - he's always yelling at them. Strangely, Old Thomas claims it's only because he's put in a good word for them that the miller keeps them around.
Fritz and Matthew complain about Old Thomas
Speak to Matthew, who will tell you nothing they do seems to be good enough for Old Thomas, as he's always complaining they're too slow, too lazy, and their work is inferior. Irritatingly, the mill does need a lot of work, and Matthew enjoys being there (the miller's pretty daughter Jane might be a factor), but Old Thomas is so arrogant and incompetent that he's thinking of leaving.
Fritz is also sick of Old Thomas, who threw him in the river after an argument even though Fritz can't swim. He's less subtle about his plans, and thinks beating the stuffing out of the foreman would be a better approach. He also remarks that Old Thomas often goes off to play dice with Laurence "The Wren", a millhand at Budin mill.
The quickest way to resolve the issue is to speak to Old Thomas ("Those new carpenters..." option), who is concerned the two men have bad intentions towards Jane and are taking advantage of the miller's generosity by not doing the work properly. Tell him that if he could see his way to giving Fritz and Matthew a few extra groschen and stop yelling at them for awhile, they'll complete the necessary work at the mill and be on their way. Matthew isn't too happy about being forced out, but gives you 175 
.
Henry, Fritz, and Matthew beat up Old Thomas
Otherwise, tell Old Thomas that Laurence wants to meet for a game of dice ("I hear there's a dice game going..." option) - correct him that Peshek is from Rattay, not Budin, and be sure to name "The Wren", or he'll become suspicious. After that, go see Fritz and tell him you're going to arrange an ambush. Matthew is not pleased with the idea but agrees to come along. At the 18th hour, return and tell Fritz you're ready. The three of you will attack and beat Old Thomas to a pulp. He will agree to treat his workers better, and Matthew will give you 175 .
Alternatively, you can provoke the foreman ("I heard people call you the town fool!" option) and agree on a meeting place to sort the issue with fists. Old Thomas agrees to bring two of his friends and meet you that night at the nearby quarry. This is a slightly more honorable approach than the ambush, as three-on-three is a lot fairer than three-on-one. At the 17th hour, tell Fritz you're ready to go, then travel to the designated spot just west of Ledethcko and fight Old Thomas and his two friends. Once again, Matthew will give you 175 .
The miller and Old Thomas
However, if you discuss the option "I'd never have guessed it." with Matthew, then talk to the miller, he'll let slip he knows Old Thomas isn't much of a miller. Taunt Old Thomas about the miller's confession and he'll attack you in a fury. If you win, he'll leave the mill. Fritz is annoyed because he wanted to thrash Old Thomas himself, but Matthew is satisfied and gives you 175 .
Finally, you can decide to get to the bottom of whatever is rotten at the mill. Discuss the option "I'd never have guessed it." with Matthew, then speak to the miller and learn about how his son Martin, the previous foreman, died while transporting some goods with Old Thomas when the wagon overturned on top of him. Since then, they've had a terrible time keeping workers - it seems Martin was too soft on them, and they left when Old Thomas was promoted and started demanding they work harder. Even Jane's sweetheart absconded, which you find odd. After all, she's a kind, pretty girl of marriageable age, and stands to inherit the whole mill.
The miller won't hear a word against Old Thomas
Eventually, the miller will become upset when you imply Old Thomas may be driving the workers away intentionally, and will refuse to speak with you. As it happens, Jane overheard your conversation. Although she can't help you, she agrees Old Thomas is up to no good and tells you more about her brother's death. Old Thomas ran to get help once the wagon overturned, but before he returned, Martin had died - and someone had even stolen a scarf Jane had given him.
Now that you know there's more than meets the eye, talk to Old Thomas. His story doesn't quite align with what the miller and Jane have told you, so wait until he's asleep, pickpocket him, and take the grubby scarf he's carrying. It's obvious the scarf was the same one stolen from Martin - clear evidence that Old Thomas was involved in his death with the aim of getting control of the mill by marrying Jane.
If you want, tell Old Thomas you know what he's done. He still desperately claims he took the scarf as a reminder of his promise to Martin to take care of the mill and his sister. Now you know he's lying, as he originally said the scarf must have been lost in the accident. Threaten to reveal his secret to either demand he leave the mill or order him to leave Fritz and Matthew alone.
2
1
15
Jane realizes what Old Thomas has done
You can also blackmail him for 175 (or another 225 ), but if you tell him you're going to tell someone anyway, he'll attack you. You can still tell Jane you found the scarf even after you gave it to Old Thomas, but without proof, you can't do anything about it.
The obvious choice is to instead give the scarf to Jane - the miller won't even speak to you. She will take it and confront Old Thomas, who will immediately flee when he sees she has the scarf. Finally, tell Fritz then Matthew the problem is solved and Old Thomas won't be bothering them again.
Notes[]
- Don't kill Old Thomas at any point before or during the quest.
- If you haven't learned to pickpocket yet, you can try to knock out Old Thomas while he's asleep and loot his body instead. Old Thomas won't behave any differently after he wakes up.
Quest Rewards[]
| Name | Amount | Type | Condition | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Thomas | - 0.35 | 
|
Choose "Let's forget about it. (Leave)" when talking to Old Thomas | ||||
| Fritz | + 0.20 | 
|
Complete the objective "Get ready for the fight." | ||||
| Matthew | |||||||
| Fritz | + 0.10 |
|
After talking to Millmaid Jane, complete the objective "Talk to Matthew." | ||||
| Matthew | |||||||
| Groschen | + 175
|
Money | |||||
| Fritz | + 0.20 |
|
Complete the objective "Get ready for the ambush." | ||||
| Matthew | + 0.10 | ||||||
| + 0.10 |
|
Complete the objective "Negotiate peace at the mill." | |||||
| Groschen | + 175
|
Money | |||||
| Fritz | + 0.10 |
|
Choose "No thanks. Someone else might be more interested in it. (Leave)", or fail the skill check after choosing "I want you to get out of here!" when talking to Old Thomas | ||||
| Fritz | + 0.05 |
|
Choose "I didn't do it for the money…" when talking to Fritz and Matthew | ||||
| Matthew | |||||||
| Groschen | + 175
|
Money | Choose "Thanks!" when talking to Fritz and Matthew | ||||
| Groschen | + 175
|
Money | Choose "I want money." when Old Thomas says
or choose "I'll trade you some silver for it…" when Old Thomas says
| ||||
| Groschen | + 225
|
Money | Choose "Demand more." after Old Thomas already gave you some money |
