1
00:00:01,620 --> 00:00:02,900
The Thieves Guild

2
00:00:04,380 --> 00:00:05,860
by Jake Kerr

3
00:00:09,979 --> 00:00:11,919
(dramatic music plays) . Episode 106:

4
00:00:16,159 --> 00:00:18,200
A Disastrous Mistake.

5
00:00:24,119 --> 00:00:28,799
Raelan badly wanted the clip-clop of Callisto, his
mighty

6
00:00:28,879 --> 00:00:33,720
stallion, to be the pounding of a gallop but he
knew that the Rangers would shoot him

7
00:00:33,759 --> 00:00:36,520
out of his seat with a precise arrow shot.

8
00:00:37,119 --> 00:00:40,040
They were not a guild that welcomed surprises.

9
00:00:40,479 --> 00:00:44,639
So Raelan worked his way through the hills slowly
but

10
00:00:44,939 --> 00:00:48,340
steadily, waiting for a Ranger to approach him.

11
00:00:49,239 --> 00:00:53,919
He worked his way toward the camp where he had met
Captain Jesser but after an hour of

12
00:00:53,979 --> 00:00:56,379
trotting, no one had confronted him.

13
00:00:56,979 --> 00:01:01,839
It was possible they were watching him from a
distance so Raelan just kept

14
00:01:01,919 --> 00:01:05,459
going, using the time to think over what Rafe had
said.

15
00:01:06,059 --> 00:01:10,859
The entire concept of a magic guild seemed so
ridiculous but Rafe

16
00:01:10,859 --> 00:01:15,599
was adamant about what he read. These were not
stories and they were not

17
00:01:15,659 --> 00:01:19,679
lies. It was a secret history that Rafe had
uncovered.

18
00:01:19,979 --> 00:01:24,779
Raelan had asked him about what role the magic
guild had played and whether they

19
00:01:24,819 --> 00:01:29,159
were related to the Thieves Guild. At that, Rafe
sighed and

20
00:01:29,239 --> 00:01:32,199
complained about the many gaps in the records.

21
00:01:32,639 --> 00:01:37,119
He was quite sure that the Thieves Guild
originated as the magic guild,

22
00:01:37,459 --> 00:01:42,339
and he referenced a line from a book he read
implying it but he wasn't

23
00:01:42,419 --> 00:01:43,139
positive.

24
00:01:43,819 --> 00:01:48,699
The few facts he had were that the magic guild
existed, the wizards fled

25
00:01:48,719 --> 00:01:52,899
through the mountain and after they did, they
brought the mountain down

26
00:01:53,319 --> 00:01:57,939
closing the road. Somehow and someway, the magic
guild had

27
00:01:57,959 --> 00:02:01,319
disappeared from memory and been replaced by the
Thieves Guild.

28
00:02:02,039 --> 00:02:04,179
Raelan looked at his guild seal.

29
00:02:04,859 --> 00:02:07,939
Could it really be the seal of the magic guild?

30
00:02:08,539 --> 00:02:13,159
It all seemed so unbelievable. "Halt, Blackguard."

31
00:02:14,159 --> 00:02:18,959
The voice came from Raelan's left. He immediately
stopped his horse and

32
00:02:19,019 --> 00:02:23,659
held up his hands. "I am no threat." "We'll be the
judge of

33
00:02:23,699 --> 00:02:28,359
that," another voice said. There was a shuffling
noise and Raelan

34
00:02:28,459 --> 00:02:33,099
glanced to his left. Two rangers approached, one
of which held a

35
00:02:33,139 --> 00:02:37,919
bow aimed at Raelan's chest. "State your business
and why you

36
00:02:37,959 --> 00:02:42,739
aren't manning the wall." "I have a message for
Captain Jesser," Raelan

37
00:02:42,779 --> 00:02:47,259
replied. At the mention of Jesser's name, the
rangers looked at each other.

38
00:02:47,259 --> 00:02:49,479
"How do you know Captain Jesser?"

39
00:02:50,179 --> 00:02:54,539
The taller of the two who was holding a
wicked-looking knife asked.

40
00:02:54,539 --> 00:02:58,819
"I traveled through here before on a mission and
he assisted me."

41
00:02:58,819 --> 00:03:03,739
"He assisted you?" "He did. He saw the value of my

42
00:03:03,799 --> 00:03:04,199
mission."

43
00:03:05,159 --> 00:03:09,899
The one with the bow added, "And what is your
mission today?"

44
00:03:11,339 --> 00:03:15,699
Raelan pondered how to reply and decided on
honesty.

45
00:03:15,699 --> 00:03:20,619
"I am to warn him of a threat from the
outlanders." "What

46
00:03:20,639 --> 00:03:23,599
is this threat?" The taller one demanded.

47
00:03:23,599 --> 00:03:28,319
"It is not a message for your ears," Raelan
replied

48
00:03:28,419 --> 00:03:31,979
calmly, "but I am sure that Captain Jesser will
tell you."

49
00:03:32,759 --> 00:03:35,999
The two rangers grumbled but put away their
weapons.

50
00:03:36,339 --> 00:03:41,119
The one who was sliding his bow over his shoulder
said, "You know the way?"

51
00:03:41,119 --> 00:03:45,739
"I do." "We will follow behind then. Do not be

52
00:03:45,859 --> 00:03:48,959
foolish and try to flee or engage with us."

53
00:03:50,499 --> 00:03:55,419
Again Raelan wanted to gallop to Jesser but with
the two rangers following him,

54
00:03:55,679 --> 00:04:00,559
he had to keep a steady pace. When he finally
arrived at Jesser's camp, it was

55
00:04:00,579 --> 00:04:05,439
already late in the day. There were further delays
when they took his horse and

56
00:04:05,619 --> 00:04:08,019
searched him and his saddle bags.

57
00:04:08,839 --> 00:04:12,699
Finally, they started walking toward Jesser's
large tent.

58
00:04:13,159 --> 00:04:16,719
The camp appeared much smaller than the last time
he had visited.

59
00:04:17,199 --> 00:04:19,539
In fact, it appeared nearly deserted.

60
00:04:20,099 --> 00:04:24,959
Glancing left and right and not quite
understanding what he was seeing, Raelan

61
00:04:25,019 --> 00:04:29,959
asked, "Where is everyone?" "It is not information
for

62
00:04:30,019 --> 00:04:30,799
your ears,"

63
00:04:31,439 --> 00:04:36,199
the tall ranger said. "But I am sure Captain
Jesser will tell you,"

64
00:04:36,899 --> 00:04:41,739
the other one added as the two of them laughed at
their wit in using Raelan's own

65
00:04:41,839 --> 00:04:43,059
words against him.

66
00:04:43,679 --> 00:04:48,179
The walk was uneventful and when they arrived at
Captain Jesser's tent,

67
00:04:48,519 --> 00:04:53,499
Raelan was in for another surprise. There were no
guards and the

68
00:04:53,559 --> 00:04:58,339
people who hovered around Jesser in his previous
visit were nowhere to be found.

69
00:04:59,159 --> 00:05:04,019
In fact, as Raelan was escorted in, Jesser was
alone at his desk.

70
00:05:04,379 --> 00:05:09,219
He didn't even look up as the guards announced
that they had a Blackguard with a

71
00:05:09,259 --> 00:05:13,339
message. The two fidgeted a bit until Jesser
looked up.

72
00:05:13,779 --> 00:05:18,699
He made no indication that he recognized Raelan
but he immediately commanded,

73
00:05:18,699 --> 00:05:19,759
"Leave us."

74
00:05:20,439 --> 00:05:24,959
Without saying a word, Raelan's two escorts turned
and left.

75
00:05:25,679 --> 00:05:30,219
After the tent opening flapped closed behind them,
Jesser smiled.

76
00:05:30,219 --> 00:05:34,099
"So was your mission successful?" Raelan nodded.

77
00:05:34,099 --> 00:05:37,539
"You were right. He was attacked outside
Gaultland.

78
00:05:37,799 --> 00:05:38,639
I saved him."

79
00:05:39,519 --> 00:05:42,279
Jesser shrugged. "It was a foolish mission of
his."

80
00:05:42,939 --> 00:05:47,039
Leaning back and stretching, Jesser added, "So
what brings you back to me?"

81
00:05:47,799 --> 00:05:51,459
Raelan put his hand on a wooden chair facing
Jesser's desk.

82
00:05:51,459 --> 00:05:52,559
"May I sit?"

83
00:05:53,419 --> 00:05:56,319
Jesser nodded and Raelan sat down.

84
00:05:57,079 --> 00:06:01,199
After taking a deep breath, Raelan said, "I lied
to you."

85
00:06:01,919 --> 00:06:06,799
At that, Jesser leaned forward. "That's
unfortunate." "It was

86
00:06:06,859 --> 00:06:11,157
necessary,"Jesser didn't say anything, and Raylan

87
00:06:11,197 --> 00:06:11,958
continued.

88
00:06:12,338 --> 00:06:13,657
It was a lie of omission.

89
00:06:14,437 --> 00:06:16,257
I am the Guildmaster thief.

90
00:06:17,297 --> 00:06:22,197
As he said the words, Raylan held up his hand and
showed Jesser the guild

91
00:06:22,277 --> 00:06:25,978
seal. To his surprise, Jesser smiled.

92
00:06:26,538 --> 00:06:27,537
You're Larsen's brother?

93
00:06:28,157 --> 00:06:29,277
Raylan nodded.

94
00:06:29,958 --> 00:06:31,197
I've heard of your actions.

95
00:06:31,697 --> 00:06:33,558
Jesser nodded approvingly.

96
00:06:34,097 --> 00:06:38,138
We are distant from our brothers and sisters in
the city, but we aren't isolated.

97
00:06:38,837 --> 00:06:40,217
You have done well.

98
00:06:40,217 --> 00:06:42,117
Thank you.

99
00:06:42,777 --> 00:06:44,218
So, why are you here, Guildmaster?

100
00:06:44,757 --> 00:06:47,757
You are not isolated, but you are distant.

101
00:06:48,277 --> 00:06:50,897
Do you know what is happening within the walls?

102
00:06:50,897 --> 00:06:52,497
We have heard.

103
00:06:52,997 --> 00:06:57,897
So you know that Saxe has allied with the Craft
Guild and the Merchant Guild to betray

104
00:06:57,978 --> 00:06:58,477
Ness?

105
00:06:59,497 --> 00:07:00,477
Jesser nodded.

106
00:07:01,277 --> 00:07:06,097
We must help Polo, and to do so, we need Saxe's
support to be lessened.

107
00:07:07,097 --> 00:07:11,857
Raylan wasn't sure if he went too far, as Jesser
peered at Raylan with an

108
00:07:11,877 --> 00:07:16,337
odd look. The Rangers were essentially part of
Saxe's guild,

109
00:07:16,717 --> 00:07:21,257
even if they did hate each other. Was Jesser upset
over Raylan's

110
00:07:21,277 --> 00:07:23,437
positioning of Saxe's betrayal?

111
00:07:23,457 --> 00:07:27,117
We are aware, Guildmaster, so I ask you again,

112
00:07:27,837 --> 00:07:29,377
what brings you to my camp?

113
00:07:30,677 --> 00:07:33,237
Jesser's mood definitely had chilled.

114
00:07:33,737 --> 00:07:37,477
That made Raylan's message that much more
difficult to relay.

115
00:07:38,017 --> 00:07:40,937
Still, he had to make sure that everything was
clear.

116
00:07:41,517 --> 00:07:43,337
I lied by omission again.

117
00:07:43,857 --> 00:07:45,437
It appears this has become a habit.

118
00:07:45,637 --> 00:07:47,717
A necessity, not a habit.

119
00:07:48,517 --> 00:07:49,517
So what is this lie?

120
00:07:49,517 --> 00:07:54,257
I did save Karch, but after doing so, I met with
the Crown of the

121
00:07:54,317 --> 00:07:55,057
Outlanders.

122
00:07:56,037 --> 00:08:00,977
Jesser looked completely shocked, but before he
could object, Raylan continued.

123
00:08:01,577 --> 00:08:06,457
Just as Pietro visited him, I did so. We discussed
a few things, and one of

124
00:08:06,517 --> 00:08:09,957
them was for him to reduce his raids after my
visit.

125
00:08:10,877 --> 00:08:12,397
Raylan leaned forward.

126
00:08:12,857 --> 00:08:13,397
Did he?

127
00:08:14,257 --> 00:08:17,157
Jesser was clearly rattled, but he replied.

128
00:08:17,697 --> 00:08:21,917
Yes. I didn't make the connection, but after your
visit, raiding significantly lessened.

129
00:08:22,197 --> 00:08:24,397
In fact, that's one of the reasons you see fewer
here.

130
00:08:24,817 --> 00:08:27,917
We felt that we could use them in our forces
moving to the Outer Fields.

131
00:08:29,237 --> 00:08:34,117
It was Raylan's turn to be shocked. What forces?
The Outer Fields?

132
00:08:34,857 --> 00:08:39,397
Guildmaster Raylan, you will obviously be
delighted to hear that the Rangers have amassed a
mighty force,

133
00:08:39,777 --> 00:08:42,417
marching to the Night's Watch and the Outer
Fields.

134
00:08:43,157 --> 00:08:46,657
We will overthrow Saxe and return honor to the
Night Guild.

135
00:08:47,497 --> 00:08:51,417
Raylan had to hold onto the side of the chair as
he went weak.

136
00:08:51,877 --> 00:08:54,197
Jesser's news could not have been worse.

137
00:08:54,617 --> 00:08:59,477
A small force of Outlanders was about to attack
Jesser's Rangers, and there were so

138
00:08:59,557 --> 00:09:03,897
few left that the Outlanders were very likely to
overrun them,

139
00:09:04,297 --> 00:09:07,037
despite their goal of just drawing attention.

140
00:09:07,477 --> 00:09:12,237
And the larger force of Outlanders sent to attack
the Outer Fields to

141
00:09:12,357 --> 00:09:17,197
draw out Saxe, they would be decimated by the army
of Rangers who would be

142
00:09:17,197 --> 00:09:20,897
gathered there without the Outlanders knowing what
they were facing.

143
00:09:21,617 --> 00:09:26,537
His plan delivered to Wilhelm would have been seen
as a trap and a betrayal.

144
00:09:27,057 --> 00:09:31,897
All trust would be lost, and bringing peace to the
broader world outside of

145
00:09:31,937 --> 00:09:36,817
Ness would be impossible. The decades of effort by
Pietro and Allard

146
00:09:36,817 --> 00:09:41,737
would collapse in dust, all due to Raylan's
ineptitude.

147
00:09:42,597 --> 00:09:47,477
Wait, he had time. Not a lot of time, but time.

148
00:09:47,877 --> 00:09:52,397
The Gauntland hand would need to return with his
message, Raylan thought.

149
00:09:52,777 --> 00:09:57,577
Depending on how fast he traveled, he may not even
have arrived in Gauntland yet.

150
00:09:58,197 --> 00:10:01,617
Then the Outlander forces would need to be
organized.

151
00:10:02,017 --> 00:10:05,037
At the same time, they would have to be supplied.

152
00:10:05,757 --> 00:10:10,317
That would take time as well. "I can fix this,"
Raylan

153
00:10:10,397 --> 00:10:13,237
thought, "but I need to leave immediately."

154
00:10:13,977 --> 00:10:14,897
You don't seem happy.

155
00:10:14,897 --> 00:10:17,477
I'm sorry, Captain Jesser.

156
00:10:18,237 --> 00:10:19,337
Raylan stood.

157
00:10:19,337 --> 00:10:24,317
Your news is indeed wonderful. You are putting
your honor and lives on

158
00:10:24,357 --> 00:10:28,377
the line for the good of Ness. For that, I salute
you.

159
00:10:29,317 --> 00:10:30,877
Raylan bowed his head.

160
00:10:31,497 --> 00:10:34,297
But your news complicates one of my own plans.

161
00:10:35,557 --> 00:10:37,577
More lies of omission, Guildmaster?

162
00:10:38,297 --> 00:10:43,117
Raylan paused, considering telling the truth, but
in the end he knew

163
00:10:43,177 --> 00:10:47,857
that of all guilds, the Rangers would not
understand using the Outlanders as

164
00:10:47,897 --> 00:10:52,597
allies. That is a fair observation, but it is not
a fair criticism,

165
00:10:53,297 --> 00:10:54,497
Raylan replied.

166
00:10:55,057 --> 00:10:59,417
Let me ask you a question. Do you feel like I can
be trusted to have the best

167
00:10:59,497 --> 00:11:01,237
interests of Ness at heart?

168
00:11:02,197 --> 00:11:06,037
Jesser took a bit too long to answer, but he
finally did.

169
00:11:06,037 --> 00:11:06,057
I

170
00:11:06,757 --> 00:11:07,037
do.

171
00:11:07,557 --> 00:11:11,817
Then I ask you to trust me, but to also have my
horse ready immediately.

172
00:11:12,297 --> 00:11:15,297
I will also need supplies for a multiple-day
journey.

173
00:11:15,677 --> 00:11:18,217
I need to travel swiftly across the plains.

174
00:11:18,217 --> 00:11:20,237
It shall be done.

175
00:11:20,657 --> 00:11:22,277
Captain Jesser stood up.

176
00:11:23,337 --> 00:11:24,817
Are you traveling to the Outer Fields?

177
00:11:24,817 --> 00:11:25,677
No.

178
00:11:26,397 --> 00:11:27,857
I am traveling to Gauntland.