Rogers was quickly escorted to the Thieves' Tower, with plenty of his colleagues
recognising him and asking about him.
He had been gone a long time.
His only extended pause was when Captain Coode rushed over to him as his horse was prepared.
Rogers, where in the four quarters have you been?
It would take me too long to tell you, my friend, but I've been practically
over the entire city, pulled, not entirely by my own devices,
from one challenge to the next.
How are things over the bridge? We get precious little information these days.
Karch is the Guildmaster merchant. Allard has been imprisoned by Polo.
And, well, there is just too much to explain.
Rogers patted the flank of his now readied horse.
We will need to have a meeting of the captains. Things are resolving,
but there is still too much uncertainty. Ah, we are aligned.
Guildmaster Raylan has returned from his trip to the Outlanders.
There is rumour he escaped their capture thanks to a beautiful woman in red.
Coode scratched his chin. But I am not one to traffic in rumours.
Talk to Raylan about a council of captains. It is long overdue.
I shall, my friend. Until then, my thanks to you for managing this all so well.
You have truly helped save Ness.
Coode bowed as Rogers kicked his horse and sped off. His arrival to the tower
was not at all what he expected.
First of all, the stables looked extraordinary. They were minimally used in
the past, with most horses kept in the old quarter, and those near the tower
kept in a small field outside the gate.
However, as Rogers rode up, they looked pristine.
The wood was either new or cleaned and freshly stained.
The smell of hay, horse sweat, and manure was strong, and filled the building
with a feeling of utilitarian comfort for the horses.
A young woman walked up to him. She was short and thin, but not frail.
She had long black hair that was tied in a braid down her back.
She was not a maiden by any stretch, but nor did she look boyish,
even dressed for dirty horsework.
She looked serious and hard, which to Roger's eye had a beauty all its own.
He immediately liked her.
You are a stable girl. I'm the stable master.
She immediately frowned and looked annoyed. And you are presumably a Harvest Guild captain.
She looked him up and down as he dismounted. I am Captain Rogers,
the Guild Captain of the Lower Quarter.
The woman's face immediately transitioned into a softer face of a bashed shock.
I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean any disrespect.
None taken, if this is your doing. Rogers waved around the stables.
If so, you have earned your confidence in dealing with others.
He handed the reins to the girl. But what is your name? Bryn, sir.
She nodded her head. This is my work.
It is nice to meet you, Bryn. And no more of this, sir, nonsense.
I shall consider you captain of the stables and appear. You are clearly accomplished.
Don't call me sir or captain. Please, just call me Rogers.
Thank you, sir. Er, Rogers. I hear the guildmaster has returned.
Alas, he has left on a new mission to the upper quarter with Rebecca.
Rebecca? She's an outlander. Bryn leaned forward. I don't trust her, Rogers.
Our guildmaster, however, seems enamoured with her.
Rogers smiled. He's young and needs guidance. We can address that.
Thank you for your honesty. What about his friend Rafe?
He has left for the outlander's city.
By the gods, what's going on? Our leadership spends more time with the Outlanders than our own city.
Rogers looked at Bryn, but was clearly more talking to himself.
Do they not realise all the problems we face on the other side of the river? I know not.
No Guildmaster, no Deputy Guildmaster, and no whatever Rafe is.
Is there anyone here I can report to?
Phelos is here, as is Mailer.
Mailer will be helpful. Why is Phelos not with the Guildmaster?
It appears he wanted to do a stealth mission with Rebecca.
That boy will be the downfall of the Guild. I don't know what Allard sees in
him, and now he's off sneaking away with his love interest. Love interest?
Use your eyes, Bryn. At least Mailer is here. She has a practical mind.
Rogers turned to leave, but quickly turned back. Thank you, Stablemaster.
You are welcome, Captain.
And with a smile, Rogers left to see Mailer.
Philos intercepted Rogers as he made his way up the wide stairs of the tower.
Rogers, everyone has been wondering what's up with you.
Philos grabbed Rogers' forearm as Rogers grabbed his,
a traditional greeting that was almost exclusively used by thieves,
no one knew its origin, and it was rarely used lest it reveal the Guild,
but it was a part of the Guild culture, nonetheless.
Let me just say I've travelled more over the past few weeks than I had my entire
life. The story is long. Come with me as I visit with Mailer.
Philos looked Rogers over. You perhaps need food first. You look rough.
Rogers nodded. I'm fine. Philos gave him a sceptical look.
Yes, I will indeed need rest and food soon enough, but let me check in with Mailer first.
Ah, she will be interested in your report. She is on the third floor,
down the hall on the left. Thank you, old friend.
Rogers was tiring of this journey and the many questions, but he was interested
in what Mailer had to say. He was very curious of her mission to warn Polo.
He had considered reaching Polo an impossible task, but she'd escaped even if she had failed.
The process itself would be valuable, even in failure.
There was one door on the left, and Rogers knocked on it.
The door opened to a woman who looked completely different than Rogers had expected.
She looked much older, more drawn. Her trademark short hair that everyone hated
was longer and yet just as unfashionable in its wildness.
But, more than anything, Mailer looked content.
The ever-present scowl or twist of her mouth in a sarcastic comment about to be spoken were gone.
Why if it isn't the missing Captain Rogers?
Two things then shocked Rogers. The first was that Mailer stepped forward and gave him a hug.
The second was that she was wearing Harvest Guild colours.
You seem a bit different. As do you. It appears we have a lot to talk about. Come in.
Mailer waved Rogers into her quarters and he entered.
The single door hid a large apartment with many rooms, all of which looked simple but clean.
The hearth of the fireplace was empty, filled instead with a single dried flower,
in an ornate and thin vase.
It appears we are both Harvest Guild members. Mela walked over to a table with a pitcher of water on it.
As Rogers sat down, she walked through the door to an adjoining room.
I am about to depart on a mission.
Mela re-entered with a glass.
Perhaps I can help. Polo has named me Captain of the Lower Quarter.
Mailer paused in her pouring of water to stare at Rogers. How did that happen?
As Mailer sat down and pulled her chair close, Rogers outlined his long story,
from his defence of the pit, to his mission with Velo, to his new role as captain
and his instruction to meet with the Thieves Guild.
By the gods! So the Captain Rogers mentioned in Polo's letter to Raelynn really is you.
Rogers smiled and nodded. And Karch named you Captain as well.
Rogers smiled and shrugged. I'm disappointed, Rogers.
Mailer smiled widely. You haven't been named the Captain of the Craft or Knights Guild.
Give me time. Mailer laughed and then outlined her own story,
which shocked Rogers at every turn. and this Prosper can do magic.
Dala and he are apparently assessing how much magic he will need to do to clear
Dragon Road under the mountain as we speak.
And what of Raelynn? I hear he's gone off with his girlfriend on an adventure,
probably to woo her at the Golden Triangle.
Mailer gave Rogers a stern glance. What do you know of Raelynn?
Rogers paused. The truth was that he didn't know much at all.
Apparently not as much as you. He is wiser than his years. His heart is good.
He is brave, and his decisions have meaningfully made managing this horrible situation better.
Rogers couldn't help but look shocked. I know, Allard vouched for him to me,
but I had to see him work myself, and the truth is that without his efforts,
Allard would still be imprisoned under the night tower.
His plan was sound, and he was willing to sacrifice himself to free Allard.
The mention of Allard made the mood grim. Rogers had outlined his final meeting with Allard,
the last stand at the pit, and Mailer explained that Allard had died after attempting
to escape after Polo imprisoned him.
Mailer tugged at her yellow tunic. That's my mission, which begins shortly.
And what mission is that? I'm going to assassinate Polo.