Back in the Saddle is one of the early main quests in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 that decides the fate of Lord Jaromier Nebak. The quest seems straightforward and easy enough at first glance, but there is much more to it. This guide will help you uncover all the secrets of the quest and get the Old Raven trophy/achievement.
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2: Back In The Saddle Quest Guide
You will be automatically assigned this quest after you save Hans from the gallows during “For Whom The Bell Tolls”. Once you have finally met Lord Von Bergow, he will ask Henry and Hans to go to Nebakov Fortress and ask its lord for reinforcements to drive out the bandits menacing the region. You are also given your bed, a few equipment, and a choice of horse if you wish. Talk to Hired Hand Kabbat at the entrance of the outer courtyard if you want a new horse.
Once you have made your choice, talk to Sir Hans Capon and set for Nebakov. During the conversation, you can use the “I care about you” option if you wish to romance Hans later. You might need to visit the herbalist Bozhena now, if you haven’t already done so and paid her back for her help. Head outside with Hans and he will challenge you to a race. You can accept or deny, but losing has no consequences here, so why not have a bit of fun and practice Horsemanship at the same time?
From here, you will periodically get the option to either fast travel to Nebakov, or take the scenic route. Once you reach there, you will be shown around the castle a bit while Hans negotiates terms with Lord Jaromier. You can play dice and explore this small but beautiful fortress, but to reveal its secrets, you need to follow these steps:
1. Talk With Adjutant Michael
Sit down with Adjutant Michael and talk to him about the fortress. Suspiciously enough, he seems very interested in Von Bergow’s army and his motives. During the conversation, you need to ask him about the horses around the area. He will tell you they are a part of the inheritance from Jaromier’s relatives. You can now accept his challenge of a duel, after which you meet Klara for the first time.
Accepting the duel is up to you, but I don’t recommend meeting with Klara just yet, as it can lead up to a romance opportunity, and it takes up a lot of your time. You also get the opportunity to do so in a later quest.
2. Talk to Groom Pretzel
Head outside in the stables to see Groom Pretzel watching over the horses. Talk to him about the horses as well, but he tries to change the subject and challenges you to a race. You can accept it, or use skill checks to know more. He comes up with an entirely different story for the horses, saying they got them from a group of bandits. Confront him about Michael’s story and proceed.
3. Talk to the Dodgy Villager
While you are around the stables, a villager will ask you to follow him ‘to get firewood’. Choose “I understand”, and then go with him into the forest. Once he stops, talk to him and he tells you that these new men-at-arms have taken over the castle claiming to be Jaromier’s friends. After the conversation ends, a guard will come your way, so sneak past him and go back to the castle.
4. Explore the Castle
Go up the ramparts and enter the room directly above Guard Hertel. Once inside, head up the stairs into the attic. You will see a few guards resting and a lot of equipment around them. Remember to examine one of the equipment, and Henry will mention it is enough for a small army. Also, keep in mind you will be trespassing in this area, so it is best to sneak in and out.
Talk to the Blacksmith
The blacksmith Steer is just right of the entrance of the fortress, seemingly working hard. Interact with him, and use skill checks to gain reputation. He will mention he has a brother working down in the tower, where a lot of work needs to be done. If you passed the skill check earlier, Henry will offer to help him, but the blacksmith stutters at first and denies it, saying he can’t make his guests work.
5. Find Out the Truth
All the information you gain make things here seem a bit fishy. To find out what, talk to Guard Hertel. With enough Speech skill, you can lie to him to make him get out of your way, or use another method. Go inside the kitchen, and into the door to your left. You will be trespassing again, so be careful while you navigate through the narrow path here. At the end of the path, you will end up behind Guard Hertel. Use distractions to get him out of everyone’s sight, and knock him out.
Loot the keys off him, and enter the door he is guarding. You might need to lockpick this door if you used skill check earlier. Once inside, talk with the prisoner, who reveals that he is the real Lord of Nebakov, and the people outside are a group of an organized bandit group. This is where you get the Old Raven trophy/achievement. However, the quest is yet to be finished.
With concrete proof, all you need to do now is wait till their meeting is over. You can engage in a duel with Michael, take up Mark in an archery challenge, race with Pretzel, or simply skip time ahead 1-2 hours. Talk with Sir Hans when he returns, and you will tell him about everything you found. You automatically fast travel to Trosky to inform Von Bergow about your findings.
When you tell him about Nebakov, Von Bergow is surprisingly pleased, as he now knows where to attack. Additionally, choose “Stay Silent” > “You can count on us” > “Young Semine left his own wedding” for a positive reputation. After the conversation, ends the quest is completed. You can visit Black Bartosch in the outer courtyard to get your reward.
