Our mission got off to a dubious start and a bit earlier than anticipated. Just as we woke and were beginning to prepare things Musketeers surrounded our inn with arrest warrants for us. How they tracked us here I do not know. I told Laurent to go make the horses ready, my plan being to leap from the window to them. I underestimated how well we were surrounded and he was stopped in the stable yard by guards. There was no choice then. Rather than beginning this mission by riding proudly out the city gates we began by leaping from the windows to the neighboring buildings like squirrels whilst the innkeeper delayed them at the door. I am afraid his actions on our behalf cost him some time in the Bastille.

The first to separate from us was the Highlander. Our flight had obviously distracted the guards from Laurent and he managed to keep one from shooting at us by smashing a bottle of wine over his head. Poor Laurent, it must have been a good vintage, I could see how it pained him to waste it so. The last I saw he was again being surrounded by guards. He did what he did to let us escape and so my thought was to keep going so that his valiant effort would not be in vain. The highlander did not think the same obviously and he dropped down to help him. Someone will have to tell that fellow if he keeps stopping to help those who are helping him escape he will never get anywhere.

This rooftop avenue of escape worked well for a bit but one building proved a bit too much of a stretch for me and I only managed to grab the ledge. Reynaldo the Vodacce turned to help me and paid a dear price. One of the musketeers obviously touched by god managed to get off a shot over the three buildings away and hit Reynaldo in the shoulder. I sent the Castillian on and stayed then with Reynaldo.

We dropped through the building and went out the back door. Going back a few blocks and then cutting back. We were stopped at one point by a guard who I quickly dispatched. Passing by the back alley of the inn we noticed the Captain of the guard had all the inn staff lined up and was "talking" with them. I also noticed the Laurent was not among them.

We continued on. It was slow going as the streets were rife with guards and musketeers. But when I saw an opera house with music coming from it I had an idea. Disguises! It was obviously an early morning rehearsal and we walked in and made our way to the back like we knew what we were doing. That was when things started going wrong. Someone there took us for actors and put us in costumes. Musketeers tabards! How convenient. But then we were rushed on the stage and I realized we were expected to perform. "Follow my lead" I told Reynaldo. After all as a man of culture I had seen many plays and operas. Alas when the music began I did not recognize it at all and stared out stupefied at the sea of faces below. Unfortunately my first stage experience must be remembered as a dismal failure. All I could think to do was to storm off the stage as a disgruntled actor. It worked though and we managed to walk out the door the tabards still on our backs. I am afraid though we cost the play's director a backer or two.

Outside in the light we could tell that the tabards were not very convincing but they would pass at a distance. We could now walk a bit more openly and directly toward the gates. I admit that once we got there I had no idea what we would do. As we approached though I could tell that the guard was preparing for something big. They were becoming more numerous and I knew we would have to abandon our disguises soon.

As we continued on down a side street I noticed a disgruntled looking merchant coming up behind us in a cart and spied my opportunity. I stopped him and commandeered his vehicle in the name of the Emperor! It is fortunate that the populace of Charouse is used to obeying the Musketeers without question for he readily relinquished his vehicle to us. We quickly stripped the tabards off and covered ourselves with a blanket we found in the back of the cart, for if we were caught impersonating musketeers we would surely be hanged.

As we made our way to the gate we picked up a passenger the Castillian hoped on the back of the wagon along with a woman whom I did not recognize. Then we spied the Highlander riding headlong for the gate. Muskets were being fired on him and I saw him take a few hits but he did not waver. I think William lacks that desire for self-preservation that is common to most men, for I swear I have never seen a more reckless spirit. When his horse stumbled he leapt from it to another cast, off the rider, and continued on.

Seeing this as our opportunity I whipped the horses on and charged after him. At some point though it seems that our Castillian friend and his female friend decided they could do better on their own and did not stay in the wagon. Curse the man!

Regardless we made it through and did not take quite as many musket balls as I feared I would. Thanks in part I am sure to Reynaldo. The man has a fine eye with an apple I'll warrant you.

Waiting outside the gates was the ever-faithful Laurent with our horses. He caught up to us as we got out of musket range. No sooner had we transferred however than they began shooting at us with canons!

My host summons me to dinner so I must lay down my pen for now.