The Thieves Guild
by Jake Kerr
(dramatic music plays) . Episode 106:
A Disastrous Mistake.
Raelan badly wanted the clip-clop of Callisto, his mighty
stallion, to be the pounding of a gallop but he knew that the Rangers would shoot him
out of his seat with a precise arrow shot.
They were not a guild that welcomed surprises.
So Raelan worked his way through the hills slowly but
steadily, waiting for a Ranger to approach him.
He worked his way toward the camp where he had met Captain Jesser but after an hour of
trotting, no one had confronted him.
It was possible they were watching him from a distance so Raelan just kept
going, using the time to think over what Rafe had said.
The entire concept of a magic guild seemed so ridiculous but Rafe
was adamant about what he read. These were not stories and they were not
lies. It was a secret history that Rafe had uncovered.
Raelan had asked him about what role the magic guild had played and whether they
were related to the Thieves Guild. At that, Rafe sighed and
complained about the many gaps in the records.
He was quite sure that the Thieves Guild originated as the magic guild,
and he referenced a line from a book he read implying it but he wasn't
positive.
The few facts he had were that the magic guild existed, the wizards fled
through the mountain and after they did, they brought the mountain down
closing the road. Somehow and someway, the magic guild had
disappeared from memory and been replaced by the Thieves Guild.
Raelan looked at his guild seal.
Could it really be the seal of the magic guild?
It all seemed so unbelievable. "Halt, Blackguard."
The voice came from Raelan's left. He immediately stopped his horse and
held up his hands. "I am no threat." "We'll be the judge of
that," another voice said. There was a shuffling noise and Raelan
glanced to his left. Two rangers approached, one of which held a
bow aimed at Raelan's chest. "State your business and why you
aren't manning the wall." "I have a message for Captain Jesser," Raelan
replied. At the mention of Jesser's name, the rangers looked at each other.
"How do you know Captain Jesser?"
The taller of the two who was holding a wicked-looking knife asked.
"I traveled through here before on a mission and he assisted me."
"He assisted you?" "He did. He saw the value of my
mission."
The one with the bow added, "And what is your mission today?"
Raelan pondered how to reply and decided on honesty.
"I am to warn him of a threat from the outlanders." "What
is this threat?" The taller one demanded.
"It is not a message for your ears," Raelan replied
calmly, "but I am sure that Captain Jesser will tell you."
The two rangers grumbled but put away their weapons.
The one who was sliding his bow over his shoulder said, "You know the way?"
"I do." "We will follow behind then. Do not be
foolish and try to flee or engage with us."
Again Raelan wanted to gallop to Jesser but with the two rangers following him,
he had to keep a steady pace. When he finally arrived at Jesser's camp, it was
already late in the day. There were further delays when they took his horse and
searched him and his saddle bags.
Finally, they started walking toward Jesser's large tent.
The camp appeared much smaller than the last time he had visited.
In fact, it appeared nearly deserted.
Glancing left and right and not quite understanding what he was seeing, Raelan
asked, "Where is everyone?" "It is not information for
your ears,"
the tall ranger said. "But I am sure Captain Jesser will tell you,"
the other one added as the two of them laughed at their wit in using Raelan's own
words against him.
The walk was uneventful and when they arrived at Captain Jesser's tent,
Raelan was in for another surprise. There were no guards and the
people who hovered around Jesser in his previous visit were nowhere to be found.
In fact, as Raelan was escorted in, Jesser was alone at his desk.
He didn't even look up as the guards announced that they had a Blackguard with a
message. The two fidgeted a bit until Jesser looked up.
He made no indication that he recognized Raelan but he immediately commanded,
"Leave us."
Without saying a word, Raelan's two escorts turned and left.
After the tent opening flapped closed behind them, Jesser smiled.
"So was your mission successful?" Raelan nodded.
"You were right. He was attacked outside Gaultland.
I saved him."
Jesser shrugged. "It was a foolish mission of his."
Leaning back and stretching, Jesser added, "So what brings you back to me?"
Raelan put his hand on a wooden chair facing Jesser's desk.
"May I sit?"
Jesser nodded and Raelan sat down.
After taking a deep breath, Raelan said, "I lied to you."
At that, Jesser leaned forward. "That's unfortunate." "It was
necessary,"Jesser didn't say anything, and Raylan
continued.
It was a lie of omission.
I am the Guildmaster thief.
As he said the words, Raylan held up his hand and showed Jesser the guild
seal. To his surprise, Jesser smiled.
You're Larsen's brother?
Raylan nodded.
I've heard of your actions.
Jesser nodded approvingly.
We are distant from our brothers and sisters in the city, but we aren't isolated.
You have done well.
Thank you.
So, why are you here, Guildmaster?
You are not isolated, but you are distant.
Do you know what is happening within the walls?
We have heard.
So you know that Saxe has allied with the Craft Guild and the Merchant Guild to betray
Ness?
Jesser nodded.
We must help Polo, and to do so, we need Saxe's support to be lessened.
Raylan wasn't sure if he went too far, as Jesser peered at Raylan with an
odd look. The Rangers were essentially part of Saxe's guild,
even if they did hate each other. Was Jesser upset over Raylan's
positioning of Saxe's betrayal?
We are aware, Guildmaster, so I ask you again,
what brings you to my camp?
Jesser's mood definitely had chilled.
That made Raylan's message that much more difficult to relay.
Still, he had to make sure that everything was clear.
I lied by omission again.
It appears this has become a habit.
A necessity, not a habit.
So what is this lie?
I did save Karch, but after doing so, I met with the Crown of the
Outlanders.
Jesser looked completely shocked, but before he could object, Raylan continued.
Just as Pietro visited him, I did so. We discussed a few things, and one of
them was for him to reduce his raids after my visit.
Raylan leaned forward.
Did he?
Jesser was clearly rattled, but he replied.
Yes. I didn't make the connection, but after your visit, raiding significantly lessened.
In fact, that's one of the reasons you see fewer here.
We felt that we could use them in our forces moving to the Outer Fields.
It was Raylan's turn to be shocked. What forces? The Outer Fields?
Guildmaster Raylan, you will obviously be delighted to hear that the Rangers have amassed a mighty force,
marching to the Night's Watch and the Outer Fields.
We will overthrow Saxe and return honor to the Night Guild.
Raylan had to hold onto the side of the chair as he went weak.
Jesser's news could not have been worse.
A small force of Outlanders was about to attack Jesser's Rangers, and there were so
few left that the Outlanders were very likely to overrun them,
despite their goal of just drawing attention.
And the larger force of Outlanders sent to attack the Outer Fields to
draw out Saxe, they would be decimated by the army of Rangers who would be
gathered there without the Outlanders knowing what they were facing.
His plan delivered to Wilhelm would have been seen as a trap and a betrayal.
All trust would be lost, and bringing peace to the broader world outside of
Ness would be impossible. The decades of effort by Pietro and Allard
would collapse in dust, all due to Raylan's ineptitude.
Wait, he had time. Not a lot of time, but time.
The Gauntland hand would need to return with his message, Raylan thought.
Depending on how fast he traveled, he may not even have arrived in Gauntland yet.
Then the Outlander forces would need to be organized.
At the same time, they would have to be supplied.
That would take time as well. "I can fix this," Raylan
thought, "but I need to leave immediately."
You don't seem happy.
I'm sorry, Captain Jesser.
Raylan stood.
Your news is indeed wonderful. You are putting your honor and lives on
the line for the good of Ness. For that, I salute you.
Raylan bowed his head.
But your news complicates one of my own plans.
More lies of omission, Guildmaster?
Raylan paused, considering telling the truth, but in the end he knew
that of all guilds, the Rangers would not understand using the Outlanders as
allies. That is a fair observation, but it is not a fair criticism,
Raylan replied.
Let me ask you a question. Do you feel like I can be trusted to have the best
interests of Ness at heart?
Jesser took a bit too long to answer, but he finally did.
I
do.
Then I ask you to trust me, but to also have my horse ready immediately.
I will also need supplies for a multiple-day journey.
I need to travel swiftly across the plains.
It shall be done.
Captain Jesser stood up.
Are you traveling to the Outer Fields?
No.
I am traveling to Gauntland.