Rumours were circulating of a dead raker found in the gutter, but this did not deter the procession or crowds. At Aldhelm’s Pharmacy: Natascha Leicht showed up, ostensibly to thank him for their release. She also offered for sale ‘under the counter’ pharmacy wares. He was aggressive and dismissive, though he did set up a meet with Hugo Bosch.

Unfortunately, a number of the party spent the time in court. Most of the remaining members were awarded light sentences (relatively), but Johan decided to sign the confession drafted up for him by Brother Archimedes, admitting to heresy. He was sent to the prison hulk to await burning. Fortunately, somehow, a release warrant was signed and he was released. He was still left penniless on the wrong bank along with the dwarf. Trying to get a lift failed, and they walked along the bank. Eventually, Rita Manstein who operates the ferry opposite the Palace District, was persuaded by the youthful and vigorous Johan to take him across and he would pay her later. He successfully cashed in the favour owed you by coachwoman Christa Jungel, and the two eventually made it into the city.

Back to the procession, everything went well until a small section of the crowd attacked the Woodworkers Guild participants. Little damage was caused and the procession continued. Pieter was unsuccessful in finding out anything, but puzzled as to why anyone would do this.

Aldhelm continued to push is (lack of) weight around, falling foul of a local protection racket. Not only did he go out of his way to look for trouble, he was mouthy with it. Needless to say, everyone else suffered the repercussions. Taking refuge in a tavern, Aldhelm bribed his way out the back and ran. To save a few coins, Agneta refused to do so, and ended up getting tortured. She coughed up Aldhelm’s address. He then persuaded the gypsies to help him out, by relying on their protection. The irony after the morning was lost on no one - except Aldhelm.

The night of Mitterfruhl found our heroes in an old haunt, the River Pilot, close to the Docks. Some travellers were there, including a travelling wizard and her newly acquired husband. These two tried to placate Johan, who rejoined our happy band seething at being left to himself, by buying everyone expensive drinks. Whilst the party realised that something strange was going on in the tavern, they decided to ignore everything and leave. As they left they passed a group of hired thugs, hanging around.

A few days passed, with the part carrying out their normal mundane lives. A few things of note happened.

Hans got himself a job working for the Defenders promoting sustainable environment, protecting the forests, defending the Old Ways, the ancient rights of tenants, the illegal aristocracy stealing the land in common and behaving as money-grubbers raping it for their own pockets.

Walking down the street one day, it suddenly became deserted. You also hid variously, leaving a “knight” alone in the street. This was Walter von Blomberg, who had an interesting tattoo of a wolf’s head with the letter hanging out its maw. Six men, all dressed in orange robes with gold epaulets and wide-brimmed triangular hats, accosted him. Their leader introduced himself as "the venerable Henri Foillaut, soldier, spy, bon vivant, raconteur, renegade, traitor, confidant and … paid assassin." He took out a parchment, a bounty permit sentencing Walter to death by the Comte de L’Anguille for the defilement of his ward, the Vicomtesse Melissa de la Boule. And crimes against "the Natural Order." His only reply was "Ah, Melissa. The dear girl. How is she?" The result was three dead Bretonnians. Walter then picked a woman at random out the crowd that were returning, gave her two minutes to strip the dead and then to accompany him into the nearest tavern.

A ragged man adorned with candles, mostly unlit, accosted Agneta, and warned her to beware the influencing machine.

Oscar Hochval’s house was blown up, through something thrown down the chimney. Flying stones badly injured two people.

Hugo Bosch burnt a part of his laboratory down in his experiments on the mysterious vials. He requested more. Apparently the substance is highly flammable when brought into contact with water. Aldhelm decided that perhaps his parents was not the best place for them! Unfortunately, the rightful owner managed to trace Agneta and threatened her. When he left she went straight to Aldhelm’s pharmacy! Aldhelm then received a visit. He was his usual lippy self, and then went straight to see Hugo. Both Hugo and Aldhelm’s mother were beaten up. When the next promise was killing her, the vials were returned. Aldhelm is no longer welcome at Hugo’s.

Helmut Rautenberg, a small time smuggler and fence, is wanted for the murder of Siggi Kolmann, a baker on the Docks. We left the session with you investigating this. Nicolaus Leitdorf, assistant, found body at 3am when he went into work. Siggi does his pastry specials first, then Nicolaus helps him with the ordinary breads. Rautenberg was seen arguing with him last night, before he left. He had also een engaged in a Trader Guild dispute with Albert Hoerth, the other Dock baker, regarding overselling in weight. This is the morning of 8th Wellentag. The following day you are to depart for Felsenheim.

It has been agreed that you should all travel to Wellentag. The two apprentices are bringing too much heat onto their masters at "this difficult time". Both are in danger of being dumped. Aldhelm is causing far too much trouble for everyone, and definitely needs to lie low for a while. His colleagues might want to put him six feet under, in their own interests. Pieter is also being sent away “from some political troubles” with a group calling itself "the Defenders". He is to lead the party, ostensibly representing the Woodworkers’ Guild. You are to bring supplies and act as advisers with your various specialist knowledge. Johan is going because the wages are good, and his family is starving, or would be if his older sister wasn’t prostituting herself. Unknown to everyone else, Hans freely offered his services to the Defenders to report on what the party is up to. Don’t you just love a united party!

We restart on the morning of the 8th. You depart tomorrow, on the 9th to Carrolhof. This is a journey of around 5 miles along the river to Dunkelbild, and then 3 miles into the forest. It should take about 4 hours, so you expect to leave by about 1100.