Taking French Leave is the 18th main quest in Kingdom Come: Deliverance II. It begins immediately following the conclusion of Via Argentum.
Synopsis[]
I've managed to uncover the crimes of Mint Master Vavak, fulfilling my side of the agreement with Sir Kunzlin Ruthard. For that he promised to help me get to Maleshov, where Sir Hans Capon is imprisoned.
Walkthrough[]
Kuttenberg phase[]
Go back to the Ruthard palace and speak with Ruthard himself. After that, Vavak walks back into the courtyard to confront you. If you succeed any check, he's willing to settle the matter peacefully. Failure triggers combat. Whether it's due to the silver of your tongue or the steel of your sword, you're holding Vavak by his jewels. Ruthard is happy about that and informs you that Rosa will explain the secret passage to you. Offering to pick up the book Rosa requests triggers the task Rosa's Book wherein the successful retrieval and return of the book are one of the conditions for romancing Rosa. The book is a unique item available only during this quest.
Rosa instructs you to go to a wayside shrine, from which you see the remains of a church. Through a window, you catch a glimpse of ruins, in which there's a cross, with its top pointing in the direction of another cross, which similarly to the first one points to the correct direction of the final destination, a suspiciously flat area overlooking the spring.
Countryside phase[]
Talk with Hashtal in order to persuade him to lend you horses for a quick getaway. There are likely no consequences in telling him or refusing to tell him about the location of the secret passage. Follow the directions given by Rosa: return from Hashtal's onto the main road, turn right, and walk towards some boulders. Notice a window behind those boulders, press your interact button or crouch to look through it and see the ruins on the other side of the small valley. There's a stash of some hunting gear at the ruins. On their front side and to the left from the POV of the window, you'll find a white cross on the ground with its tip pointing down towards the spring. Follow it and find the next cross somewhat next to the spring, which will again point you with its tip in the direction of the correct spot. This is a good place to dismiss Mutt and change into your dirty clothes if looks matter to you, because your items will get muddy during the dig. Walk through the tunnel.
Maleshov phase[]
Emerging out of the tunnel and walking up, you trigger a cutscene where you overhear von Bergow, von Aulitz, and Erik. Resist the urge to drink Nighthawk. Quickfinger is very useful here.
Hans is in the tower in the middle of the courtyard. All the locks on your way should be possible to lockpick at this point, but if not, walk into the kitchen on the far side of the courtyard, and pickpocket or knock out the cook to take her keys. In the highest room of the tallest tower you'll find Hans - be especially careful right at the entrance to the tower,taking the right, and waiting for the two guards to sit down at the main room. You don't have to knock them out, simply avoid them. They will be asleep on your way out.
On the next floor, in the room with the woman, is Rosa's red book on the windowsill. You can either knock the woman out, or sneak behind her by walking on the bed. Walk up the stairs and either unlock the doors, or lockpick them to trigger a cutscene where you reunite with Hans. During the dialogue, taking any other option than "We'll manage it together" locks you out of later romancing Hans.
Getting out[]
Hans insists on not walking through the tunnel. That leaves you three options:
- knock him out and sneak with Brabant towards the tunnel entrance at the back of the tower
- fight your way out - don't forget to give Brabant and Hans swords!
- knock out/kill every guard that could catch you, walk to the stables, and light a torch there to signal that the way is clear.
If combat ensues, Hans and Brabant will help you, but you will get a game over if Hans dies. Whichever option you take, you get a timeskip to the three of you on horseback in the forest, burning your retinas out if you ignored the advice in this article and drank the Nighthawk. The options you choose in the discussion are just flavor text and have no bearing on your reputation with the other two men. After a while, a cutscene plays where you meet back with Radzig, Hanush and Godwin. No matter what dialogue options you choose here, you are tasked with spying on the council meeting in Kuttenberg and the quest The King's Gambit starts.
Notes[]
Note that this quest contains one of the switches for the Capon romance: you have to take the heart option when trying to persuade him to go through the tunnel.