A hot bath. Hmm, I can’t remember when a bath felt so good. Now where is that wench. I could use a massage. Pain. Every muscle in my body aches. Last night did not go well. It did not go well at all.

Things started out okay. We managed to find the sight of the meeting without any trouble, and very little in the way of bickering. I think that was more because no one wanted to talk. The more you talk, the more you breath, and the stench of this place was overwhelming already.

We did not have long to wait before our mysterious caller, the Lady Dominique, none other than the wife of General Montegue himself, and the youngest daughter of Le’ Empereur, arrived. Anna was, of course, with her, and this time, not attempting to hide her "status." I was almost in awe. Almost, it didn’t take long for me to remember that her husband had destroyed my country. At that point, it was all I could do to hold back the rage, beginning to build.

The gall of the woman. I understand she is a princess, but to ask me to travel to Ussura, and play delivery boy to the one man every Castillian despises. Montegue has virtually brought Castille to it’s knees, and she wants me to deliver a message that might save his life. Rage, hate, frustration, fear. My emotions swirl like a maelstrom.

Vallierre, the fop, of course was eager to please his little princess. William and Reynaldo, were also willing to help. I, however, am torn. I asked her why I should consent to help her. Shock. Everyone turned on me. Vallierre vehemently declared that I would help. Insolence. How dare he tell me what I would and would not do. Who in Legion does he think he is. I don’t care if he is a noble and childhood friend of the princess or not. Self control. Self control alone kept my blade sheathed and Vallierre alive. I should have killed him. Note to self. When this is done. KILL VALLIERRE! Anna, aghast that I would even consider refusing her mistress’s request glared daggers at me. Suddenly, I don’t find her beauty so appealing anymore. William and Reynaldo, too turned on me. This I do not understand. It was a simple question. Why should I help Montegue. He invaded and practically destroyed my country. If I help to save him, and Le’ Empereur decides to send him back to Castille, what then. I would be responsible for more Castillian deaths as the stalemate would likely end. I think not. I will not allow another San Juan. They don’t know. The don’t understand. They can’t understand.

Calm. Through the commotion, came the calm and soothing voice of the princess. My anger starts to recede as the beast in me subsides. Looking into my eyes, her eyes pleading, she asked me, to help her. She gave me some sort of syrneth artifact, and with it, entrusting me with her husband’s life. I looked into her eyes. Soft, beautiful eyes. Seeing them, I thought of another woman, far away. Pain and longing. I will help her. I can only pray to Theus that Montegue can in some way help to save Castille. May Legion take my soul and damn me for eternity if I have made the wrong decision.

Shouts. Suddenly we are accosted by musketeers. Their numbers are unknown, but they certainly outnumber our small party. I start to draw my sword, when William grabs my arm and says run. At least I think that is what he said in that mongrel native tongue. We run, quickly disposing of our torches in vain attempts to hide. Damn this place is a maze, and the musketeers are gaining. I shout for a stop, and out little fellowship actually listens. Surprise. We hid in a side corridor as the musketeers went rushing past.

We waited a moment to catch our breath, before heading back in the opposite direction. Finally we lose our pursuers, or so we thought. We ran right into a party of three, taking them by surprise. Vallierre and Reynaldo each drop one, just as William barrels over the third. I raise my blade for the killing blow, when I hear William shout NO and he grabs my arm. The others echo his sentiments not to kill the musketeer as that would anger them. Bah. I am forced to sheathe my blade and continue. I think I do not like my companions. Who was there to stop the Montaigne and the emperor’s musketeers from killing the women and children of San Juan?

After what seems an eternity we finally find a vent, which opens into the street above. Time is critical. The vent is too high and distant splashing warns of eminent danger. Reynaldo jumps, or rather is thrown up by William. After several attempts the vent is finally open. Too late, the musketeers are almost upon us. Escape. Reynaldo is free. Myself. Then William. Last came the fop. His "valiant" efforts to guard our escape are almost successful. Just as we are pulling him up, a musketeer grabs his leg, but succeeds in only capturing a boot.

Throwing the vent shut, to slow the musketeers, we all disperse. I take to one of the alleys, stopping and pretending to be a beggar, I easily throw off pursuit. The fact that I now smell like a typical Montaigne beggar I’m sure helped my disguise.

Finally back to the Inn and relative safety. It was a very long night.