Taking French Leave is the eighteenth main quest in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. It starts right after finishing the Via Argentum main quest (Via Argentum).
Before going to the first objective (Report to the Ruthards), now is a good time to go side questing.
In Taking French Leave, your main objective is to infiltrate the heavily fortified 
Maleshov Fortress and rescue Sir Hans Capon.
This guide provides a complete breakdown of every optional optimization, stealth route, and missable prerequisite required for a perfect completionist run. We consider Taking French Leave to be one of the most complex quests in the game, after Wedding Crashers.
Part 1: Mint Master Vavak & Rosa Ruthard
Your journey begins during the day at the Ruthard palace located in the southern district of Kuttenberg. Approach the main gate and inform the guard that Lord Ruthard is expecting you.
You will be handed off to Shimek, who guides you directly into an audience room where Kunzlin Ruthard is conversing with Martin Oderin, who is the father to Father Godwin.
Wait for the natural gap in their conversation to chime in. When speaking to Martin, choose the line stating that you have his ring. This revelation astonishes him, securing his cooperation despite your ongoing association with Godwin, who he disavowed.
Shortly after this exchange, Mint Master Vavak enters the courtyard (again) with his personal guard (10 armored soldiers) to threaten the Ruthard family (again). How easily you handle Vavak depends entirely on your actions in Via Argentum.
Defend Against Vavak
The first dialogue check does not matter, but then comes the decision point.
Peaceful approach: You need to pass any of the skill checks to resolve the conflict peacefully.
There is a lot of depth to this. If you successfully uncovered the full extent of the silver crimes during Via Argentum, your accumulated evidence lowers the difficulty of the required Scholarship stat of the third option, so you should select this.
Do not select the first option "Christian of Pisek knows everything!" While Vavak will back off, Christian of Pisek will become unavailable in a later mission, if you agreed to keep Vavak's illegal mint a secret during Via Argentum.
After succeeding in the skill check, Vavak will send the guards away and will negotiate with Ruthard indoors.
Combat approach: If you fail the dialogue checks, Vavak orders his soldiers to attack. Flank the soldiers and strike them from behind while they are distracted by the Ruthard guards. Fight until Vavak is forced to surrender.
Regardless of whether you use words or steel, Vavak will be defeated. Kunzlin Ruthard will express his gratitude and offer to help you break into Maleshov. He reveals the existence of an old secret passage and directs you to his daughter, Rosa, for the exact directions.
Speaking with Rosa
Head upstairs to locate Rosa Ruthard. To maximize your local reputation gains, progress through her dialogue using this specific sequence of responses:
- Dialogue choice does not matter
- "A clever solution"
- Dialogue choice does not matter
- "Come with me!"
- "You wouldn't be a burden"
- "I'm listening"
- You can optionally try to pass the Scholarship check here asking about the book
- "I'll bring the book, fear not!"
By agreeing to look for her book, you automatically trigger the missable task Rosa's Book (
Rosa's Book). Successfully retrieving this unique item during your infiltration is an absolute requirement if you intend to romance Rosa later in the game.
The book needs to be stolen during this very quest. We mention it in this guide, but you should also read our Rosa's Book guide for full information.
Rosa will also hand over the Map of Maleshov Tower and the Maleshov Fort Map. You can talk to her one additional time to exhaust any remaining flavor dialogue for an extra reputation boost.
Part 2: Maleshov Heist Preparation
Before rushing toward the secret passage, you must prepare for the heist.
Even though The Devil's Pack might make it seem that Zizka, Adder, Kubyneka and Janosz will help you, this is actually a solo mission and you have to free Hans on your own.
Required infiltration gear: Torch, Spade, and a Dagger, also preferably some dark stealth inconspicuous clothing. Nighthawk potion is also recommended.
Visiting Groom Hashtal
Travel southwest from Kuttenberg toward the designated horse farm located northwest of Maleshov to find Groom Hashtal.
Talk to him and state that the Ruthards sent you, then ask him to get horses ready for a quick getaway. When he asks about the secret passage, you can choose to tell him or withhold the information. This choice has no consequences.
After talking to Hashtal, he will prepare the horse and you can go search for the passage.
Part 3: The Secret Passage
To find the passage, you must follow Rosa's environmental clues. Travel a bit south to locate an old, square chapel below the road.
Peer through the ruined chapel window facing south to spot some ruins. Walk over to these ruins to examine the white cross on the ground.
Its top points directly north, so follow that direction down into the valley toward the local stream. You will encounter a second stone cross positioned right next to a tree.
Line yourself up with this second cross and head northeast across the water. You will eventually hit a third stone cross, although this one looks different.
Use your spade to dig up the soil, exposing the tunnel entrance. If you are trying to dig and keep seeing the "Something is in the way" error message, make sure to move Mutt at least 10 metres from the spot.
Now if you plan to loot in Maleshov, make sure to move most of your inventory to your horse to free some space.
Crouch down, follow the stone tunnel to its end. The secret passage is pretty linear: you will pass a ladder, underwater pond and then a large wooden door on your right. Interact with it and then choose to go straight at the next fork until you reach a sturdy wooden door.
Go through the door and continue following the tunnel. You will encounter a wall with movable stone bricks. Interact with them and you will arrive at Maleshov Fortress.
Clearing the basement triggers an important cutscene. Henry overhears a secret meeting between Otto von Bergow, Markvart von Aulitz, and Erik. During this sequence, Erik loses his temper after a messenger arrives from Trosky and explains that Istvan Toth is dead.
Part 4: Inside Maleshov Fortress
Now, welcome to the most difficult question of this quest. Once the cutscene ends, you will find yourself crouching on the battlements.
The Plan
Stand up and look around. Maleshov Fortress is thankfully very small and your goal is right in front of you.
Hans Capon is being kept at the top floor of the central tower. You must move through the garrison silently, because failing stealth means you must fight the entire garrison simultaneously.
Also do not forget about Rosa's Book. Good news: the book is located in the exact same tower where Hans is held, just a floor lower.
We first need to get to the courtyard, then we focus on the tower itself.
Maleshov Courtyard
After the cutscene, a group of six soldiers are talking near the campfire, but will soon disperse. In the meantime, go right and open the door on the battlements. Kill the one soldier there.
Go down one floor, where there is a hard-locked chest. Now you have two options: the main door leads out to the courtyard, or you can choose to continue down the stairs to find two doors.
On the bottom floor, the right door leads to a small alcove with armored loot. The left door leads to a longer passage that will take you to the other side of the courtyard.
We recommend using the bottom floor only for the loot, then you should return to the middle floor and use the main door to go out.
Get Keys from the Cook
As soon as you enter through the door, head left inside a wooden house. There is Cook Drahomira working there, who has the Door and Chest keys, the Maleshov Chambers key, the Maleshov Fortress key, and the Maleshov Tower key, letting you bypass every single locked door in the keep.
Getting the keys is not necessary, but will help you significantly.
Back on the Courtyard
Now that we have the keys, let us get to the central tower.
The courtyard is patrolled by five soldiers, as well as Hired Hand Vitek.
If Vitek spots you, you can pass some Speech and Charisma checks (or bribe him) and he will give you information instead of reporting you to the guards. However if he sees any dead bodies, he will immediately run to the guards.
Therefore, generally try to avoid and not kill or knock down any guards patrolling the courtyard. Or if you have to, you should carry them back to the battlements entrance.
Enter Maleshov Tower
The door you used to enter from the battlements is in the opposite corner of the large central tower.
Sneak around the tower from the right side, until you find wooden stairs going up. Do not go through a door on the bottom level of the tower; it is a dead end. You need to use the stairs.
You are likely to see at least four guards along the way. If they are moving, wait until they find their position and only then move. For example, there are three total guards right next to the stairs. Do not kill them; just sneak behind them to the stairs.
Inside Maleshov Tower
Congratulations, now you are inside the tower. Continue until you reach a fork with three doors. Go left; you should see these stairs. Remember them, especially the hiding spot below the stairway:
If you go directly up the stairs, you will run into Lady Ofka of Maleshov arguing with the guards. Do not go there yet.
Instead, crawl to the hiding space below the stairs and patiently wait until their dialogue is over. While waiting, you can also pick up the Strong Quickfinger Potion sitting directly in the hiding spot.
After they are finished with their dialogue, the guards will leave the tower and you can continue up the stairs. If you would like to ensure your progress, now is a good time to pop a mid-progress Saviour Schnapps.
Lady Ofka's Chamber and Rosa's Book
Up the stairs, turn around and enter the second door on the right to find Lady Ofka. This room is important, because it also has the book for Rosa.
You can sneak behind her or talk to her directly. If you choose to speak with her, you can bypass her suspicion by winning a hard Charisma check or a medium Intimidation check to make her think you are an unexpected guest of von Bergow. Trying to bribe her will fail.
Look at the window nook on her right to find the unique red book labeled A Book of Humourous Anecdotes. Pick it up to secure your objective for Rosa's Book.
Before leaving the room, look in the corner to pick up two physical swords, which you will need for your allies you will soon meet. The cabinet on the left has great loot too.
Free Sir Hans Capon
Now head up to the highest floor of the tower.
First, go to the room on the right and steal the Life in the Saddle III skill book on top of a cabinet.
Exit the room and enter the adjacent room to trigger the rescue cutscene with Hans Capon and his fellow prisoner, Vauquelin Brabant.
Dialogue with Hans
To preserve your ability to romance Hans Capon later in the story, you must select the specialized heart icon dialogue option during this conversation. Hans will share that he is claustrophobic and cannot return through the secret passage.
If you did not trigger the prerequisite heart option earlier at Trosky Castle, select the phrase stating that you will manage it together, rather than suggesting the passage is the only option.
Immediately hand over the two swords you gathered from Lady Ofka's room to Hans and Brabant.
If you neglect to give them weapons, you will be tasked with an optional objective to look for gear while navigating the fort. When prompted, choose the line stating that you will scout out the route yourself so they stay put.
Part 5: Escape the Fortress
Hans completely refuses to escape through a muddy tunnel, forcing you to use an alternative exit strategy. We have found three different methods on how to escape Maleshov to satisfy the quest. The method the developers intended for most is Option 3.
Option 1: The Stealth Knockout Route
If you want to use the tunnel anyway and skip the courtyard entirely, walk up behind Hans Capon, punch or choke him into unconsciousness, and carry his body down into the basement.
You and Brabant can then easily carry him out through the muddy secret passage without dealing with any courtyard guards.
Option 2: Fight Your Way Out
You can choose to fight your way out through the front gates alongside Hans and Brabant.
Make sure they are armed with swords before stepping outside. Keep a close eye on their health bars during the chaotic battle, because if either Hans or Vauquelin dies in combat, you will receive an immediate game over screen.
Option 3: Stealth Escape (Intended)
Leave the two prisoners in the tower and continue on your own. On the floor with the hideout below the stairs, you will likely find one of the guards from earlier, asleep on the table. Knock him out or kill him to make your life easier. The room has a Master's Studies III skill book.
Now go outside. The simplest approach is to execute everyone you see. Most of the guards will be asleep now and the battlements may be empty, but there still are a few guards patrolling the area.
You need to cross this stone archway with a drawbridge to reach an open area with a large white tent:
Spot two patrolling guards on the image above. First execute the soldier on the right.
Ignore the largest tent in the middle. It has a third sleeping guard. Attempting to remove him will make just enough noise to alarm the third guard.
The wooden house to the left of the gate has a sleeping commander inside, but also a chest with fantastic armor to sell worth thousands of Groschen. Make sure to check it out before leaving.
There is no loot up the ladder, but Hired Hand Vitek sleeps there. If he reported you earlier, you may choose to enact vengeance. Outside, you can also spot the poor dog Erik has slaughtered in rage.
After you are ready to leave, make sure to hold a torch in the marked area, which will signal to Hans and Brabant. Then, interact with the large wooden gate to open it.
This will trigger the cutscene where you will finally escape Maleshov on horseback.
Quest Conclusion, Rewards & Next Steps
As the last step, you will enjoy a long minute horseback ride through the woods with your companions. You can converse with them freely along the path through Burnt Mesoles, as these choices do not impact your standing with either man.
Eventually, a cutscene plays as you meet up with Sir Radzig Kobyla, Hanush of Leipa, and Father Godwin. Recount your adventures to the lords by selecting truthful responses:
- "It went downhill from the start"
- "At first, von Bergow received us kindly"
- "He's quite a character, but he helped us"
- "Let's all go to Raborsch"
The party will divide their forces. Radzig, Hanush, and Hans ride directly to Raborsch to attend an official gathering of King Wenceslas' regional loyalists. Henry is ordered to head back to the city to find a clever way to infiltrate Sigismund's council meeting.
This officially closes the quest, unlocking some new side content you should do. You should now return to Kuttenberg. We recommend this:
- Rosa's Book: If you have the book, go visit Rosa and continue with the task.
- The King's Gambit (main quest): Automatically starts now. Be aware that this is a time-sensitive mission and you only have 3 days before the council starts, so you should begin tracking it immediately after finishing with Rosa's Book.
- Attila (task): Unlocked and available at the Maleshov Inn.
- Victimised: Other sources report that the side quest
Victimised becomes available after Taking French Leave, but this is wrong and the quest can be started earlier.
This finishes the Taking French Leave main quest in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.
Taking French Leave FAQ
What must you finish first?
Via Argentum and ideally The Devil's Pack. Side quest in Kuttenberg before reporting to Ruthards.
Best peaceful Vavak check?
Third Scholarship option with full mint evidence. Avoid "Christian of Pisek knows everything."
Where is Rosa's book?
Lady Ofka's room, one floor below Capon. See our Rosa's Book guide.
Recommended escape route?
Option 3: stealth clear, loot commander house, torch at gate. Or knock out Hans for the tunnel.
What to do immediately after?
Rosa's Book, then The King's Gambit (3-day timer). Attila at Maleshov inn.