1
00:00:00,500 --> 00:00:02,979
(mysterious music plays) The Thieves Guild,

2
00:00:04,400 --> 00:00:05,759
by Jake Kerr.

3
00:00:10,659 --> 00:00:12,639
Episode 105:

4
00:00:16,500 --> 00:00:18,020
Truth and Lies.

5
00:00:24,100 --> 00:00:28,920
Their horses were very fast, but Rogers was not a
very good rider, and

6
00:00:28,959 --> 00:00:33,419
thus, he and Velo had to travel much slower than
they otherwise would.

7
00:00:33,639 --> 00:00:38,200
In fact, after Rogers had once again nearly fallen
out of the saddle during a

8
00:00:38,259 --> 00:00:39,960
gallop, Velo muttered...

9
00:00:39,960 --> 00:00:42,779
"You are hopeless. We will trot the rest of the
way."

10
00:00:42,779 --> 00:00:47,719
Velos didn't seem to mind, and it soon became
clear why.

11
00:00:48,399 --> 00:00:52,540
They had worked their way east, the wall of Ness
far in the distance.

12
00:00:52,860 --> 00:00:57,500
The plains were very flat and Rogers took
advantage of the light pace to take in the

13
00:00:57,559 --> 00:01:01,879
lands he had never seen before. The mighty
mountains

14
00:01:01,919 --> 00:01:06,599
dominated the horizon, and stood tall and sheer as
far as Rogers could

15
00:01:06,699 --> 00:01:10,799
see, curving around Ness and continuing to the
north.

16
00:01:11,459 --> 00:01:14,799
Everything else was scrub and plains.

17
00:01:15,459 --> 00:01:20,199
As Rogers looked over his shoulder to strain his
eyes to see if there was anything to the

18
00:01:20,259 --> 00:01:22,119
west, Velo spoke up.

19
00:01:22,119 --> 00:01:23,419
"What do you see?"

20
00:01:24,459 --> 00:01:27,039
Rogers turned to Velo and shrugged.

21
00:01:27,039 --> 00:01:28,299
"Nothing much.

22
00:01:28,939 --> 00:01:29,859
Scrub, brush, grass.

23
00:01:30,579 --> 00:01:32,039
Flat land as far as I can see."

24
00:01:33,239 --> 00:01:34,339
Velo nodded.

25
00:01:34,339 --> 00:01:37,499
"Indeed. Now tell me what you don't see."

26
00:01:37,499 --> 00:01:42,359
The clip-clop of the hooves were all that could be
heard as Rogers

27
00:01:42,459 --> 00:01:45,219
pondered the question. Finally, he answered...

28
00:01:45,219 --> 00:01:46,259
"People,

29
00:01:47,139 --> 00:01:47,599
crops,

30
00:01:48,419 --> 00:01:49,119
buildings.

31
00:01:49,799 --> 00:01:52,999
It appears a wasteland." "Are you surprised?"

32
00:01:53,579 --> 00:01:58,419
Without thinking, Rogers nodded, and that's when
he realized why Velo

33
00:01:58,439 --> 00:02:01,639
was okay with them trotting along at a slow pace.

34
00:02:01,999 --> 00:02:06,579
He was going to pepper Rogers with questions. But
to what end?

35
00:02:06,579 --> 00:02:08,619
"I thought as much,"

36
00:02:09,059 --> 00:02:11,139
Velos replied to Rodgers nod.

37
00:02:11,139 --> 00:02:15,259
"Very few in the city know what happens outside
the walls."

38
00:02:15,799 --> 00:02:17,539
Velo pointed to the north.

39
00:02:17,539 --> 00:02:21,019
"What is different about that than that?"

40
00:02:21,239 --> 00:02:26,079
Velo then pointed toward their destination, the
outer fields.

41
00:02:26,759 --> 00:02:31,739
Rogers spent a significant amount of time studying
the terrain, but finally

42
00:02:31,759 --> 00:02:32,279
answered...

43
00:02:32,279 --> 00:02:33,419
"I know not."

44
00:02:34,139 --> 00:02:36,459
With a nod, Velo replied...

45
00:02:36,459 --> 00:02:41,119
"It is higher terrain. The mountains drop to a
flat section of land across the north

46
00:02:41,159 --> 00:02:44,579
fork. On this side, the terrain slowly rises
again.

47
00:02:45,179 --> 00:02:50,079
Ness is nestled in a valley, and all the water
from the mountains flow down

48
00:02:50,139 --> 00:02:52,499
through the city, avoiding all of this."

49
00:02:53,339 --> 00:02:57,879
Velo waved his hand across all the land to the
north and west.

50
00:02:57,879 --> 00:03:00,299
"It is essentially a desert."

51
00:03:01,259 --> 00:03:03,419
Rogers nodded, finally getting it.

52
00:03:03,419 --> 00:03:08,279
"Ness is in a fertile plain, between three rivers
and the mountains, and everything else is starved
for

53
00:03:08,359 --> 00:03:10,079
water and thus, fertile land."

54
00:03:11,039 --> 00:03:14,479
Velo reached over and gave Rogers a hard pat on
the shoulder.

55
00:03:14,479 --> 00:03:19,379
"And now you will be able to pass much more easily
as a

56
00:03:19,379 --> 00:03:20,399
Harvest Guild member,

57
00:03:21,239 --> 00:03:21,819
thief."

58
00:03:22,579 --> 00:03:25,719
Rogers looked over at Velo, hiding his alarm.

59
00:03:26,119 --> 00:03:30,859
But Velo was smiling. Rogers probably should have
denied being a thief,

60
00:03:31,179 --> 00:03:34,619
but he was too stunned by Velos casual assertion.

61
00:03:35,539 --> 00:03:37,419
Finally, Rogers replied...

62
00:03:37,419 --> 00:03:42,319
"If I'm a thief, then why am I not dead?" "The
main reason is because

63
00:03:42,379 --> 00:03:46,619
Quinto believed you. He knew immediately you
weren't a Harvest Guild member.

64
00:03:46,899 --> 00:03:48,839
I had my doubts, but Quinto just knew.

65
00:03:49,179 --> 00:03:54,139
But, he also believed that your information was
accurate, and I told him how you had

66
00:03:54,199 --> 00:03:57,979
helped a group of Harvest Guild members escape
Saxe's tyranny.

67
00:03:58,939 --> 00:04:02,599
We both believed that." "I see."

68
00:04:02,599 --> 00:04:07,419
"But, the biggest reason is that everyone knows
that no one has

69
00:04:07,479 --> 00:04:10,099
done more to help the Rangers than the Thieves
Guild."

70
00:04:11,359 --> 00:04:16,139
Rogers nearly fell off his horse. He had no idea
what Velo was talking

71
00:04:16,179 --> 00:04:19,239
about. The Thieves Guild helped the Rangers?

72
00:04:19,879 --> 00:04:24,499
How? He knew that Meo, the thief captain in charge
of the plains

73
00:04:24,499 --> 00:04:29,359
outside the wall, had nothing but bad things to
say about the Rangers.

74
00:04:29,979 --> 00:04:34,919
Of course, Rogers spent nearly all his time in the
lower quarter, so there

75
00:04:34,939 --> 00:04:39,359
was no reason for him to know anything that
happened outside the gates.

76
00:04:39,899 --> 00:04:44,459
Despite his racing thoughts, Rogers hid his
ignorance well by quickly

77
00:04:44,479 --> 00:04:45,299
replying...

78
00:04:45,299 --> 00:04:47,539
"Of course." "Still..."

79
00:04:48,199 --> 00:04:50,039
Velo continued frowning.

80
00:04:50,039 --> 00:04:54,959
"While we are disgusted by executioners' hollow,
we are no fans of

81
00:04:54,979 --> 00:04:58,439
the thieves. You man the wall, and we honor you
for that.

82
00:04:58,839 --> 00:05:01,959
You calm the outlanders, and we honor you for
that.

83
00:05:02,279 --> 00:05:04,819
But you are still thieves and take what isn't
yours."

84
00:05:04,819 --> 00:05:09,799
"Of course," Rogers thought. "The southern part of

85
00:05:09,819 --> 00:05:12,279
the wall is guarded by the Thieves Guild.

86
00:05:12,779 --> 00:05:17,339
Of course the Rangers would know that." As to the
stealing, Rogers

87
00:05:17,339 --> 00:05:18,779
simply replied...

88
00:05:18,779 --> 00:05:20,859
"We take so we can give."

89
00:05:21,819 --> 00:05:26,599
Velo didn't ask for clarification, but instead
made a clucking noise,

90
00:05:26,619 --> 00:05:28,059
increasing their pace.

91
00:05:28,839 --> 00:05:33,719
Before long, they reached the north fork, which
was a much wider and violent river

92
00:05:33,739 --> 00:05:38,599
outside the city than it was inside. In fact, it
was immediately

93
00:05:38,659 --> 00:05:43,519
clear to Rogers why the outer fields could be
maintained without much concern for an

94
00:05:43,519 --> 00:05:46,339
attack. They were protected by the river.

95
00:05:46,339 --> 00:05:51,059
"We will cross north of here. It is not a short
journey, uh, but

96
00:05:51,399 --> 00:05:56,199
there is no other safe way across the river." "Is
it a bridge?"

97
00:05:56,559 --> 00:06:01,459
Rogers asked. To which Velo replied with a hearty
laugh and

98
00:06:01,479 --> 00:06:03,699
another slap on Rogers shoulder...

99
00:06:04,909 --> 00:06:09,869
The path along the river was worn smooth, and it
was clear that many horses

100
00:06:09,869 --> 00:06:12,869
and people had rode up and down the river.

101
00:06:13,530 --> 00:06:18,009
Rogers assumed it was due to the Rangers guarding
the river, but it struck

102
00:06:18,089 --> 00:06:22,490
Rogers that it very well may have been outlanders
constantly looking for a way

103
00:06:22,589 --> 00:06:26,389
across. The river widened and Velo stopped.

104
00:06:26,389 --> 00:06:27,489
"We're here."

105
00:06:27,990 --> 00:06:31,929
Rogers looked up and down the river, and didn't
see anything.

106
00:06:32,289 --> 00:06:36,969
No ferry, no bridge, not even a worn path leading
up to a

107
00:06:37,069 --> 00:06:38,530
shallow part of the river.

108
00:06:39,150 --> 00:06:43,629
The only thing that Rogers noticed was that the
river looked much calmer.

109
00:06:44,569 --> 00:06:48,009
Velo noticed Rogers' confusion and added...

110
00:06:48,009 --> 00:06:50,469
"There is a drop to the bottom of the river here.

111
00:06:51,029 --> 00:06:54,429
It is very deep, but it also slows the river down.

112
00:06:55,150 --> 00:07:00,109
We believe there is some underground river that
may lead to the outer fields that

113
00:07:00,150 --> 00:07:01,189
originates here."

114
00:07:02,150 --> 00:07:04,149
Velo waved toward the river.

115
00:07:04,149 --> 00:07:08,849
"So, it is calm." "How do we cross?" "We

116
00:07:08,969 --> 00:07:09,469
swim."

117
00:07:10,389 --> 00:07:11,709
Velo smiled.

118
00:07:11,709 --> 00:07:14,869
"Don't worry. The horses are good swimmers."

119
00:07:15,989 --> 00:07:20,149
Rogers tried to hide his fear. "Unfortunately, I
can't swim."

120
00:07:20,149 --> 00:07:22,549
"I expected as much.

121
00:07:23,229 --> 00:07:26,169
Just hold onto your horse's saddle, he'll pull you
across."

122
00:07:27,449 --> 00:07:31,269
Velos again slapped Rogers on the back before
dismounting.

123
00:07:31,269 --> 00:07:35,249
"Just don't let go." "But how do they not sink?"

124
00:07:35,689 --> 00:07:39,629
Rogers was trying to think of a way out of having
to get into the water.

125
00:07:40,089 --> 00:07:42,749
Before Velo could answer, he looked north.

126
00:07:42,749 --> 00:07:45,089
"Isn't there a bridge or shallow crossing?"

127
00:07:45,089 --> 00:07:49,849
"There are rumors of a wide and shallow crossing
far to the

128
00:07:49,889 --> 00:07:50,409
east."

129
00:07:51,429 --> 00:07:54,529
Velo started to secure his stirrups to the saddle.

130
00:07:54,529 --> 00:07:55,869
"How far east?"

131
00:07:55,869 --> 00:07:58,269
"On the other side of the mountain."

132
00:07:58,989 --> 00:08:01,009
Velo smirked and then added...

133
00:08:01,009 --> 00:08:05,089
"And to answer your question, their lungs are
large and allow them to float."

134
00:08:05,569 --> 00:08:10,249
Rogers was not quite terrified, but he fully
expected that death was a

135
00:08:10,289 --> 00:08:11,129
possibility.

136
00:08:11,789 --> 00:08:16,629
Still, he had a mission, and he would fulfill it
had he not faced

137
00:08:16,649 --> 00:08:17,649
death in the pit.

138
00:08:18,889 --> 00:08:22,809
The last thing Velo did oddly made Rogers feel
better.

139
00:08:23,069 --> 00:08:26,729
He secured the letter for Polo on the top of his
horse's head.

140
00:08:27,289 --> 00:08:31,869
Rogers figured if Velo and Quinto trusted that the
horse wouldn't ruin the letter,

141
00:08:32,269 --> 00:08:35,309
he could trust that the horse wouldn't ruin him.

142
00:08:35,309 --> 00:08:39,549
"Go first and I'll keep an eye on you," Velo said.

143
00:08:40,289 --> 00:08:44,029
Rogers was grateful, but also not sure what to do.

144
00:08:44,029 --> 00:08:48,889
"Just hold onto the saddle," Velo added, as if
reading his

145
00:08:48,949 --> 00:08:49,469
mind.

146
00:08:50,089 --> 00:08:54,369
Rogers followed his horse into the water, which
was bitterly cold.

147
00:08:54,789 --> 00:08:59,249
In fact, the cold of the water almost made him
forget his fear.

148
00:08:59,609 --> 00:09:04,589
The horse clearly had made this journey before,
for he strode forward until the

149
00:09:04,609 --> 00:09:09,109
water was too deep, and then began to swim,
pumping his

150
00:09:09,169 --> 00:09:09,709
legs.

151
00:09:10,369 --> 00:09:15,089
Rogers clung to the saddle and was surprised how
calm it actually was.

152
00:09:15,649 --> 00:09:20,489
The calm water helped and the horse's pumping legs
moved them across at a

153
00:09:20,529 --> 00:09:25,249
slow but steady pace. There were moments where the
horse would struggle a bit to

154
00:09:25,289 --> 00:09:30,209
maintain its trajectory to the opposite shore, but
it never made a violent twist

155
00:09:30,509 --> 00:09:31,349
or movement.

156
00:09:32,289 --> 00:09:36,989
By the time he could feel the muddy gravel of the
opposite shore, Rogers felt

157
00:09:37,109 --> 00:09:39,329
confident he could make the journey again.

158
00:09:40,169 --> 00:09:45,109
The real issue was the cold. The water must have
originated in the snow-capped

159
00:09:45,189 --> 00:09:49,869
mountains, and as he walked up the shore, Rogers
couldn't

160
00:09:49,949 --> 00:09:51,689
stop his teeth from chattering.

161
00:09:51,689 --> 00:09:53,449
"Time for a fire,"

162
00:09:54,349 --> 00:09:57,649
Velo said as he led his horse up to Rogers.

163
00:09:58,069 --> 00:10:01,449
He walked over to a pile of rubble and moved some
rocks.

164
00:10:01,789 --> 00:10:04,349
Underneath were some dry wood and a flint.

165
00:10:04,889 --> 00:10:09,869
Before too long, they had a fire going and their
clothes were drying on rocks.

166
00:10:10,469 --> 00:10:15,249
The sun had recently set, and the two of them sat
in the flickering firelight.

167
00:10:15,829 --> 00:10:19,749
Velo held the dry letter for Polo between two
fingers.

168
00:10:20,329 --> 00:10:23,609
He slapped it against his other palm again and
again.

169
00:10:23,989 --> 00:10:28,429
Rogers wasn't sure if Velo was just nervous or
thinking.

170
00:10:30,109 --> 00:10:34,229
Finally, Rogers spoke up. "What do you think it
says?"

171
00:10:34,229 --> 00:10:36,269
"I know what it says."

172
00:10:37,569 --> 00:10:41,529
Rogers wasn't sure if he had the right to ask, but
he did anyway.

173
00:10:41,529 --> 00:10:42,729
"What does it say?"

174
00:10:42,729 --> 00:10:47,429
"It says that the Rangers will be crossing the
North

175
00:10:47,549 --> 00:10:50,189
Fork to join in an attack on the Night Watch.

176
00:10:51,069 --> 00:10:54,409
We will take the wall and then see how Saxe
reacts."

177
00:10:54,409 --> 00:10:57,549
"I thought you said there was no easy way across
the North Fork."

178
00:10:57,549 --> 00:11:02,169
"I lied," Velo said, smiling and nodding across
the

179
00:11:02,209 --> 00:11:02,609
river.

180
00:11:03,509 --> 00:11:06,269
Far across the plains were pinpoints of light.

181
00:11:06,769 --> 00:11:11,429
Many, many pinpoints of light, as if from the
fires of a gathering

182
00:11:11,489 --> 00:11:11,949
army.

183
00:11:15,049 --> 00:11:43,429
(instrumental music plays)