You are led down into The Gutters, among the still-flickering flames from the conflagration which was used to stop the plague's advance. Looking down the length of the former riverbed, you see hundreds, if not thousands, of charred corpses strewn about. Infected and unaffected alike lay where they fell, as they desperately tried to scale the south wall of the riverbank. Further down, you can see a fresh wave of the infected throwing themselves at the defenses and being pushed back by fire and waves of flaming arrows. The siege at the riverbank is by no means over, but at least its defenders seem to be holding the barricade for now.

You then watch as the Asset pries open a large stone slab in the riverbank's wall, revealing a hidden access door. You soon learn the portal takes you through a labyrinth of dark passages and wet corridors, heavy with the smell of mold and rat droppings. After several minutes, you emerge at an open park-like area which very much looks like the great courtyards of the palace estate. Hundreds of tents and makeshift tenements have been hastily erected and the scene is bustling with men, women and children, all of whom seem to be either survivors or soldiers from north of the river. Every open bit of space is now packed with refugees. In a rare show of unity, it seems the nobility have opened their gates to the people, allowing them to camp in the gardens and courtyards of their district. The King surely has something to do with this. The nobles would never offer such charity to their neighbors of their own accord.

The Asset finally stops beside a large tent with a sign you know all too well hanging from the top. The edges of the wooden sign are charred somewhat, but it still clearly reads, "The Broken Oak". A welcome sight after everything you have been through. As you turn to address the Asset, you find him already gone, having disappeared once again into the crowd. Drawing back the canvas door of the large tent, you enter the new home of The Broken Oak.

"How can I run a tavern without ale?" you hear Bram protest as he stands behind the salvaged plank of wood that has become the new bartop.

"That swill you brewed back at the old Oak could hardly be called ale, but that never stopped you before. Besides, it's that winning smile of yours people come to see," Greycane replies. Bram tries to scowl but is betrayed by the corners of his mouth that begin to turn up in a suppressed grin.

Greycane winks at the barkeep and then spots you. "Oathsworn!" he beams as he instinctively moves to embrace you, but stops short. "You made it south of the river? What about your infection?" You tell him of the elixir and he relaxes, resheathing a dagger you had not noticed him draw. Only then does he embrace you. "You're a sight for sore eyes, you know that?" he says.