The Thieves Guild
by Jake Kerr.
Episode 109.
Trust.
To his shock, Captain Jesser not only didn't ask further questions, he
provided an escort so that Raylan wouldn't be accosted by other
rangers until he was past where they guarded.
Raylan was a good rider and Calysto was an exceptional horse,
and the miles flew behind them.
Raylan again marveled at the road, it was stone, set the width of two
wagons, and went all the way to Gautland.
Rafe had told him that the road continued through the mountain to cities on the other
side. "Dragon Road," Raylan thought.
"A Craft Guild marvel that once united cities."
But was it the Craft Guild? It went through the mountain, maybe the
hard-to-believe Magic Guild created the road.
The history of Ness seemed purposefully hidden for some reason.
Raylan hoped that Rafe was uncovering it. It seemed important.
After a short stop for rest during the night, Raylan arrived at the gates of
Gautland in the morning. He galloped directly to the gate, his black
cape billowing behind him, while Calysto breathed heavily from the effort.
He stopped at the gate but remained on his horse. A guard approached.
Guild master.
The guard said simply.
Greetings, I have important news for Lord Wilhelm.
I fear I need to see him immediately.
Of course.
The guard waved his hand and another guard came over.
Take the guild master's horse and provide it with food and water.
Raylan bowed his head and dismounted.
The second guard took Calysto, and Raylan followed the original guard to the
gate. He waited a few moments while the guard went and brought someone to take
him to Wilhelm.
It was a young woman who looked very stern.
She said very little other than, "Follow me."
The portcullis was open and the city looked similar to his last visit,
smaller but full of life. Raylan wondered if he could someday stop in a
Gautland tavern to just sit back and watch and listen.
Maybe someday.
They arrived at the seat and Raylan once again climbed the steps.
The young woman stopped at the top of the steps.
We sent word. Lord Wilhelm is waiting for you.
Before Raylan could reply, she turned and went back down
the steps, leaving him alone before the imposing seat of the Crown of
Gautland.
Raylan entered.
Guards peered at him but said nothing as the echoes of his leather boots
stepping across the marble filled the corridor.
Not knowing what else to do, Raylan simply walked straight to where he last
met Lord Wilhelm. He opened the door and Wilhelm sat
alone on his throne.
Two guards framing the door were the only others there.
He looked thoughtful as Raylan approached.
Wilhelm was in formal clothes and looked regal.
His great age giving him an air of gravitas.
Once again, Raylan marveled at how the leader of the Outlanders, the brigands
who raided the noble city of Ness, appeared more like a leader than any of the
guild masters he knew,
and that certainly included him. Raylan glanced at his own clothing.
His cloak was dusty. His face and hair were dirty.
He didn't look at all like someone worthy of meeting the old and wise crown in front of
him.
Lord Wilhelm, it is an honor to see you again. I apologize for my appearance.
I have ridden a long way at great speed.
Raylan bowed.
It isn't the outside that matters, young guild master.
It is what is in here.
Wilhelm tapped his chest.
You are, of course, welcome here.
Please,
sit down.
Wilhelm motioned to the two simple chairs that stood in front of his dais.
Raylan sat, leaving his hands resting on his legs.
He never knew how to behave when meeting authority, and he hoped that his rather
stiff pose was appropriate.
"So, young Raylan, I must admit that I am curious what
brings you to me."
Wilhelm scratched his chin.
"And with such urgency."
He leaned forward, his gaze intense and brooding.
"I told you not to return until you had plans on opening the trade routes."
"My hand in Ness tells me of your plan to weaken the
Knights."
Wilhelm's thin mouth formed a smile. "That is what I had hoped to hear.
Oh, you are strengthening your own hand."
Wilhelm nodded his head. "Old Pietro would never be so brazen.
Uh, it was to his detriment, I believe."
It was odd hearing the ancient Crown of Gautland describe Pietro as old.
It only reinforced for Raylan that whatever Pietro had planned, he had spent decades putting the
pieces in place. But what pieces could they possibly be?
Even Allard didn't seem to know.
"Is there something else? Uh, something that requires your presence here before me?"
Wilhelm's question brought Raylan's mind back to the
present situation. Clearly, the hand had arrived and delivered his
message. Raylan hoped that it wasn't too late to fix things.
"Crowned Wilhelm, I appreciate your confidence in my plan."
Indeed, weakening the knights would provide me the time and distraction to remove
those who would both tear Ness apart and continue to block our trade with
Gautland.
Wilhelm nodded approvingly.
But there has been a new complication, and that is what necessitated my
rushing here as I did.
And what is this complication?
Without my knowledge, the Rangers have sided with the Harvest Guild and
march on the knights. They plan on removing the current guild master from power and
replacing him with someone more worthy.
Wilhelm's eyes went wide, but he didn't say anything.
My plan to have you feint with forces to the south and then do the same with a greater
force near the outer fields to the north appeared good.
Saxe would have abandoned the politics of Ness entirely for the battle outside the
wall.
It was indeed a good plan, young Raylan, and I was prepared to help you.
But tell me more of this complication.
Your main force was to amass in the north, but that is where the Rangers are launching their
attack.
I fear your forces will unwittingly rush into certain death.
The outer fields will not just be guarded, they will be heavily fortified with nearly the
entire Ranger Guild.
Interesting. Wilhelm nodded his head as he thought.
And what of the foothills to the south and the great gate?
They are but lightly defended as your activity has been much less
since my last visit,
for which I thank you.
Wilhelm waved off Raylan's compliment.
It appears that my kindness has borne fruit.
To Raylan's surprise, Wilhelm stood up and started pacing along his
dais.
I have started amassing my forces.
They were to do as you requested: move to the north, frighten the knights into action, and then
retreat.
Wilhelm stopped and looked at Raylan.
I thank you for this information as I now have a new plan.
The tone of Wilhelm's voice was ominous, and his thin smile was
cruel.
Raylan tried to sound strong as he replied.
And what is this new plan, Crown Wilhelm?
Wilhelm waved his hand and two guards started walking toward the dais
from the entry to the room.
I will take the entirety of my forces and send them to attack Ness via the main gate,
approaching from the southern foothills.
What?
Yes, it is a wonderful plan.
Thanks to your guild, there are no knights manning the southern wall.
We will easily overrun the Rangers as their forces will be near the outer fields.
We will ford the river and enter Ness via the dragon trail.
But why? You can see that things are already moving in a direction I outlined.
I am making progress.
Raylan stood up.
This is wrong.
Do not deign to lecture me on right or wrong, citizen of Ness.
Wilhelm's voice was threatening.
I cannot let this happen.
Raylan turned to leave.
Pray tell, how will you stop me?
The guards stopped, one on each side of Raylan. The fact is, you cannot.
Wilhelm sighed. I do like you, young guild master.
You are full of the same earnest enthusiasm that made me like Pietro.
Wilhelm nodded, and each guard grabbed one of Raylan's arms, holding him
with grips of iron.
For that reason, I will not have you killed.
Perhaps when we have control of Ness, I may even offer you a place of leadership.
But before that happens,
I believe you will need to learn some bitterness.
You can't do this, Wilhelm. We can achieve your goals without bloodshed
and with a supportive populace.
There you go with your delightful naivete again.
Wilhelm turned and said, his back to Raylan and the guards, Take him to
the dungeon.
Raylan knew better than to fight, even if he evaded their grip.
Where could he go? He was trying to think of something that would make Wilhelm
reconsider when the old crown of Gautland suddenly turned around.
Looking directly at Raylan, he asked.
Do you know the one mistake Pietro never made but which you must learn?
Raylan shook his head.
He never trusted me.
I doubt he trusted anyone.
You would do well to ponder that as you sit in darkness.
And without further comment, Raylan was dragged out of the throne room of the
crown of Gautland, leaving a smiling Wilhelm behind.
(dramatic music)