Cherchez la Femme

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Cherchez la Femme is a side quest in Kingdom Come: Deliverance. It begins at the end of either Hare Hunt or Sheep in Wolf's Clothing if the player tells Hanekin Hare that they believe his story and want to help him seek justice.

Background

I promised Hanekin Hare I'd help him. This aristocrat, outlaw and poacher hasn't had the last word yet. I don't know what he has in mind, but I expect the Master Huntsman and his wife will play leading roles in his plan.

Simple walkthrough

• Meet Hanekin Hare by the mine gallery.
  • Abduct Margaret, whatever it takes.
    • Bring Margaret to the mine gallery.
• Make Nicholas sign the document.
  • Bring the document to Hanekin Hare.

Detailed walkthrough

Once the player finds Hare, whether through Hare Hunt or Sheep in Wolf's Clothing, they can agree to hear him out. Hare will explain what really happened that left him on the run.

Hare's story of betrayal

Fifteen years ago, Hare and Nicholas both loved Margaret, but he did not realize at the time that she truly loved Nicholas. Instead, Hare believed her father would have given her to him for his respected position and noble status. After all, Nicholas had no such honors to his own name.

Hare's hideout in the abandoned mine gallery.

Despite his status, Hare's family, the house of Zaluzh, had lost all their money at the hands of the Lords of Leipa. When Henry of Leipa passed through Talmberg, one of his guardsmen mocked Hare about it, starting a public argument. When the guard turned up dead the next morning in a ditch with his neck broken, Hare was naturally blamed for foul play.

To make matters worse, Nicholas bribed some villagers to say they saw Hare fighting with the guard, when in reality, Hare was with Margaret. Worst of all, Margaret denied that Hare was with her, even while knowing it would destroy his alibi. Hare was consequently thrown into prison, but Sir Divish himself helped Hare to escape. Now, fifteen years later, Hare is back - not for revenge, but to clear his name and restore honour to his family.

Hare's plan

Henry listens to Hanekin Hare's scheme

If the player is not already there, Hare asks that Henry meet him again at his hideout north-east of Talmberg, where he will explain his plan. As it turns out, Hare had a scribe write up a confessional document which he needs Nicholas to sign. His plan is simple - he will distract Nicholas by blowing the horn, while Henry kidnaps Margaret. They will then use her as leverage to force Nicholas to sign the confession, forcing him to flee the county or be charged with perjury.

The two agree to wait until the next morning at dawn - Hanekin will set off from his hideout shortly after 04:00, walk to the nearby road, and blow the horn at 05:00, luring Nicholas out of the lodge.

Kidnapping Margaret

As Henry heads to the hunting lodge, he will notice it is now locked and guarded by a single Talmberg guard. Margaret will however regularly leave it to collect water at the nearby river, allowing the player to confront her directly.

Intimidate Margaret into coming with you

If the player speaks to Margaret, they can attempt to persuade her into coming along willingly. Succeeding will immediately transport both her and Henry back to Hare, while failing will cause Henry to automatically knock her out. The player will then need to carry her body through the forest to Hanekin Hare's hideout without getting seen by witnesses - this option will also be required if Margaret is directly knocked out with a stealth takedown.

Kidnapping Margaret

If Margaret is successfully persuaded, the player may ask her for more details about Hare's arrest before bringing her to him. Unfortunately, she doesn't know who actually killed the guard so many years ago, and is adamant that betraying Hare was the only way she could get out of obeying her father's order to marry him. Clearly, she does truly love Nicholas - enough to condemn an innocent man to die in order to be with him.

Securing Nicholas's confession

Nicholas is furious to hear Margaret has been kidnapped.

Regardless of how the player retrieves Margaret, Hare will ask if Henry is alright before they continue with the plan. When ready, return to the lodge, where Nicholas is frantically searching for his wife. Speak to him and give him the document. Nicholas however will be furious at Hare's boldness, and the player will need to either persuade him to comply or beat him into submission.

Hare and Henry meet with Sir Divish

Eventually, the huntsman agrees to sign the testimony. He will then head to the clearing and leave the county with Margaret forever. Meanwhile, Hare will have moved back to the camp where he first met Henry. Give him the signed document, and Henry will accompany him to Talmberg to meet with Divish and present him with Nicholas's testimony. After some initial surprise at Hare's return, Divish is pleased that he can formally clear his old friend's name. Hare also confirms that there is no need to pursue Nicholas, as he likely already fled the county with the lead that they gave him.

Hare agrees to join the service of Sir Vincent rather than stay where he is a known poacher. Divish however is chagrinned when he realizes that leaves no one to take over as Master Huntsman. Hare is quick to nominate Henry for the esteemed role. The player can decline, but accepting will unlock Henry the Master Huntsman, as well as the Hunting perk Gamekeeper Rules the Woods and Nicholas's old hunting lodge as a new home.

Strategies

• While Hare will blow the horn at 05:00, it may take some time for Nicholas to respond and leave his hunting lodge.
• The player does not need to retrieve Margaret the same day Hare baits Nicholas. They may do so at any time by catching her unguarded.
• If the player opts to break into the hunting lodge to confront Margaret, they will need to get past a Very Easy lock on the doors.

Notes

• "Cherchez la Femme" translates to "find the woman."
• Killing Margaret, Hare or Nicholas will automatically fail the quest.
• If the last stage overlaps with Rattay Tournament day, despite the handover of confession happening in early morning, the player will automatically fail to show up in time to register.
• If the player completes this quest, denies becoming the Master Huntsman, and starts the activity Skin, both Brada and Henry will have the same lines despite the Master Huntsman being gone.
• The player will receive some Huntsman equipment in a chest in the upper level of the huntsman lodge.
  • Weapons: Hazel hunting bow, Master huntsman's sword, 40 Ordinary arrows, and 2 Piercing arrows.
  • Armour: Brown hood (squared riff Variant), Coif, Green tunic (47/40 Vis/Con variant), Hunter's gloves, Hunting boots, Pointed green hat, and Tight olive hose.
  • Nicholas's old merchant chest will also be unlocked, containing all his usual wares.