Gerard decides not to take the risk and enter the house by himself, and meets up with the others.
Further contact with the Catholic rebels inside the city gains information about two likely gates that would be optimal for an entry point. The Catholics assure them that they can overcome the guard at the gates but will need immediate support once the gate is opened, but a swift action by a dedicated group is necessary, as the raising of any alarm will also alert the artillery, which is positioned on the walls. A signal needs to be agreed on. The Catholics also agree to place observers around the Suchet house.
The decision is made to head back to the house and see what can be done about the spies. The group enters the house and starts sneaking around, finally spotting a wounded man being attended to by one of the servants. They retreat to discuss a plan, but when they return to attack him, they are ambushed instead. Henri is shot in the back, while the wounded man opens fire on Jean and Gerard as they burst through the door. A short but fierce fight breaks out in which both heroes are seriously injured, but still able to overcome the (well-trained) spy. Searching the house reveals that Madame Suchet has been able to escape through a secret passage into the sewers. All papers are gathered, and the group disappears into the sewers as well, avoiding detection this way.
Returning to their accommodation, they find that a few of the other delegates that they shared a room with have died. Closer inspection reveals a case containing twelve bottles of a rare vintage of wine to the heroes for their gallantry and friendship, and begs them 'toast the memory of a good man.' It is unsigned.
When they report their findings to Rochefort, he is willing to put this plan to Richelieu. If the Cardinal agrees, two white flares will be sent up on the second day after their departure of the delegation, two hours after midnight. A strong attack will be made ready to capture the gate held by the Catholics, a small dedicated group of soldiers will make their way to assist the local Royalists in holding the gate.
When they are ready for the attack, they will launch two white and a red flare on the night before the actual attack. At that stage, bot Royalists and soldiers are set to capture the gate at midnight the following night, until relieved by the main force, who will be notified by the vanguard by waving a lantern in the gateway. Anything more elaborate might raise the alarm.
The group returns to the Catholics with this news, as well as leaving the poisoned wine behind, to use to take care of the gate defenders.
After some discussion – as the Marquis de Toiras would not put his trust in a traitor – Cardinal Richelieu declared that he himself would lead troops under cover of night to the entrance.
Over the following weeks, engineers start to dig towards the city’s defences and 5.000 men are assembled, who will try to break the defences of La Rochelle.
On March 12th, the 2 white and red flares are shot up. The group, joined by a number of Jean's veterans and a Musketeer, make their way through the tunnels. They break through the wall, into the tunnel of Huguenot defenders, followed by a short but savage fight in the tunnels. Once they clear the tunnel, they quickly overcome the other engineers at the entry.
The gate is opened by the rebels, and now complete, they want to give the signal to the troops, but notice that the surrounding area in covered in a low mist, covering the marshland between them and the troops. This may cause a problem to give the signal to Richelieu’s troops, hidden in the marshland, to advance upon the gate, so they decide to try and get higher into the bastion and signal from above.
The guardroom upstairs is quickly captured, as well as the platform at the top of the gate. From there, they can hear sudden screams from the fog. It is very hard to pinpoint and may be closer or further than it seems. The screams multiply and intensify, then muskets are being fired haphazardly, muzzle flashes lighting up the areas in front of the volunteer, but also alerting the defenders of La Rochelle to their presence. A rocket is launched and briefly lights up the surrounding fields. The attacking force is at the wrong gate!
Among the dispersed troops, vaguely human forms are seen: bodies gaunt, with sagging skin. Their faces looked like grimaces of hate and hunger, long teeth snapping bones and rending flesh. Then, the artillery strikes. Hard.
At this stage the Huguenot force starts to take positions to fend off the attack. The Forlorn Hope tries to make a difference by running along the curtain wall to capture the next gate, but even though they are successful, they see in the surrounding marshland that the attack has failed and the artillery fire has decimated the Cardinal's force.
They quickly retreat back to their entry point and, joined by the Catholic rebels, make their way back through the tunnels, fighting off the Huguenots during their withdrawal. As they reach their own tunnel, Jean and the musketeer hack down the supporting struts and make the tunnel collapse. Only Jean is able to join the other survivors.
Returning to the army camp, they notice the huge number of casualties the attack force has sustained. Richelieu is seen mounting his carriage and leaving the battlefield, joined by de Rochefort. The group is summoned to Lieutenant Fernand's tent, who is fuming, blaming them furiously for the failure, insisting they gave the presence of the main force away.
He discharges them from the regiment, telling them to disappear at once or risk execution.
A few nights after, in the Cochon Sifflante (where there is no sign of the innkeeper), the group is licking its wounds and venting their anger about their dismissal. They are joined by a musketeer, who wants to hear their story. He knows that they are being blamed for the failure, but also knows that something strange happened: all the survivors have been sworn to secrecy. Why would that be? He believes that they probably are being scapegoated by the Cardinal’s troops (someone had to be blamed after all). the rumour goes that Richelieu led his men through the swamplands north of the city, guided by a local, who lost his way in the darkness and fog and led the troops dangerously close to the city walls
He offers to accompany them to Paris and introduce them with the Musketeers.
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