The knights of Longincane

After a few days travel North, the group is met by a Knight of Longincane and his men. He introduces himself as Sir Douglas Hathaway, knight of the Realm and Paladin of Noram. He questions the group about the letter he received stating the Gilded keep has been destroyed by Ion and the need to travel to the south east border. They are able to pass the test of lying to the Paladin of Noram. He wishes them safe travels and invites them to stay at his keep as his honored guests. He gives them a seal and key to the guest house.
The group arrives at Hathaway keep and gains entrance to the estate. They gather all of the servants and pay them 100 gold a piece for them to keep silent and a blind eye to their affairs. But even with all of their planning, two Knights arrive and quickly see through the ruse. The group quickly kills them. After great discussion of how to proceed, it is decided to come clean to the authorities ( a little). They send word for the law and it arrives a half hour later in the form of a knight and 20 men.
The parlay and ruse are unsuccessful and a massive battle ensues. Rollin Alwishus Picklweel is cut down dead by the Knight. But not before entangling half of his men with hoards of rats preventing their attack for some time. Eventually, the group prevails and slays the last one. The group contemplates how they can best get to the Duke of Hillshire...