1 00:00:01,620 --> 00:00:02,900 The Thieves Guild 2 00:00:04,380 --> 00:00:05,779 by Jake Care. 3 00:00:11,880 --> 00:00:13,819 Episode 124: 4 00:00:15,639 --> 00:00:17,280 Blood and Vermin. 5 00:00:24,420 --> 00:00:29,340 Mailer and Dala knew the journey would be grueling even with their preparations. 6 00:00:29,799 --> 00:00:34,079 The two had agreed that food was important, but not as important as 7 00:00:34,159 --> 00:00:39,040 torches. Their previous experience taught them that there were at least rats that 8 00:00:39,059 --> 00:00:43,619 lived under the mountain. Water was also important but, once 9 00:00:43,700 --> 00:00:46,740 again, not as important as light. 10 00:00:47,360 --> 00:00:52,179 They were uncertain if the blood of the rats could sustain them for long, nor 11 00:00:52,259 --> 00:00:56,900 did they want that to happen. But all things being considered, only one 12 00:00:56,979 --> 00:00:59,019 thing would certainly kill them: 13 00:00:59,759 --> 00:01:00,619 darkness. 14 00:01:01,339 --> 00:01:06,179 They had traveled for two days with Catrina and Prosper when they discovered just 15 00:01:06,199 --> 00:01:08,359 how poor their planning had been. 16 00:01:08,359 --> 00:01:10,399 "You can create light?" 17 00:01:10,579 --> 00:01:13,479 Mailer tried to be calm as she confronted Prosper. 18 00:01:13,979 --> 00:01:18,579 He'd just been off investigating a side tunnel and as he returned, an unlit 19 00:01:18,639 --> 00:01:23,579 torch was in his left hand and a bright, glowing ball of light hovered above his right. 20 00:01:24,259 --> 00:01:25,399 Prosper shrugged. 21 00:01:25,399 --> 00:01:27,439 "I dropped the torch and it went out." 22 00:01:28,019 --> 00:01:30,979 Dala had heard the conversation and walked over. 23 00:01:30,979 --> 00:01:35,619 "Look at that cart. Half of it is made up of torches because we need light to survive 24 00:01:35,859 --> 00:01:37,879 and you can just create it?" 25 00:01:38,599 --> 00:01:41,459 At this point, Catrina had also wandered over. 26 00:01:41,459 --> 00:01:45,479 "It's magic. There is much that I can do that you don't understand." 27 00:01:45,479 --> 00:01:48,199 "Then why did you let us bring all these torches? 28 00:01:48,599 --> 00:01:50,519 We could have added more food and water." 29 00:01:50,519 --> 00:01:54,919 "It is magic. It should only be relied on for emergencies." 30 00:01:54,919 --> 00:01:58,119 "And you don't think making your way through a mountain is an emergency?" 31 00:01:59,159 --> 00:02:04,119 Dala stood next to Mailer, both of them united in their disbelief over 32 00:02:04,119 --> 00:02:09,079 their prioritizing torches when Prosper could have solved that problem easily. 33 00:02:09,079 --> 00:02:11,839 "It is a challenge, not an emergency. 34 00:02:12,399 --> 00:02:14,819 Us running out of torches would be an emergency." 35 00:02:14,819 --> 00:02:19,579 Catrina stood next to Prosper and the two couples faced each other, 36 00:02:19,859 --> 00:02:24,339 tension thick in the air. The first two days had gone well. 37 00:02:24,719 --> 00:02:28,799 Catrina and Prosper had taken their turns pulling the cart, and the 38 00:02:28,879 --> 00:02:33,579 conversation, while minimal, was full of pleasant stories of their respective 39 00:02:33,619 --> 00:02:38,459 youths. Mailer and Dala learned more about Catrina and Prosper's 40 00:02:38,459 --> 00:02:43,239 early days, although Prosper would frown and withdraw at times, which 41 00:02:43,259 --> 00:02:46,959 Mailer understood to be memories he had lost due to his magic. 42 00:02:47,679 --> 00:02:52,499 More than anything, the two days of conversation had made her more sympathetic to the 43 00:02:52,599 --> 00:02:55,059 price magic brought on those who used it. 44 00:02:55,059 --> 00:02:59,959 "Losing whole parts of your life must be awful," she had whispered to 45 00:03:00,019 --> 00:03:01,899 Dala just a few hours before. 46 00:03:01,899 --> 00:03:06,799 "This will be a long journey. It took us many days, perhaps even a couple weeks to 47 00:03:06,819 --> 00:03:10,039 make it through previously, and we were traveling on a paved road. 48 00:03:10,499 --> 00:03:15,379 At some point, we will run out of food and we will survive on rats or even less appealing 49 00:03:15,399 --> 00:03:20,079 vermin. We will also run out of water at some point and we will be drinking droplets of rat 50 00:03:20,139 --> 00:03:20,539 blood." 51 00:03:21,219 --> 00:03:23,059 Mailer threw up her hands. 52 00:03:23,059 --> 00:03:25,659 "We had hoped to delay that as long as possible." 53 00:03:25,659 --> 00:03:27,819 "And we could have." 54 00:03:28,419 --> 00:03:30,479 Dala waved a finger at Prosper. 55 00:03:30,479 --> 00:03:34,019 "We will gladly drink the blood of rats to avoid losing." 56 00:03:34,079 --> 00:03:37,739 Catrina pointed to her heart, but did not say more. 57 00:03:38,239 --> 00:03:42,719 Mailer remembered how Catrina relayed how magic worked when Prosper was 58 00:03:42,739 --> 00:03:45,739 sleeping. Perhaps he didn't want them to know. 59 00:03:46,099 --> 00:03:48,719 Perhaps it was a secret amongst the wizards. 60 00:03:49,359 --> 00:03:54,119 Whatever the reason, Mailer suddenly understood Prosper's reticence to use 61 00:03:54,179 --> 00:03:58,819 magic. He had just lost the memory of his early years with Catrina. 62 00:03:59,439 --> 00:04:03,219 Who among those that have loved would risk losing more? 63 00:04:04,099 --> 00:04:08,599 Mailer glanced at Dala, who has always looked fierce and beautiful. 64 00:04:09,059 --> 00:04:13,299 She remembered Dala's tentative advances while Mailer was a prisoner. 65 00:04:13,839 --> 00:04:16,359 Those thoughts always broke her heart. 66 00:04:17,019 --> 00:04:20,019 Dala was so quiet and tentative back then. 67 00:04:20,719 --> 00:04:24,999 It had changed Mailer in ways that she still didn't completely understand. 68 00:04:25,419 --> 00:04:29,479 She felt more connected, more alive, and more joyful. 69 00:04:30,279 --> 00:04:33,179 Losing that memory would be more than heartbreaking. 70 00:04:33,179 --> 00:04:35,099 "I understand." 71 00:04:35,379 --> 00:04:37,299 Mailer grabbed the handle of the cart. 72 00:04:37,299 --> 00:04:41,119 "We have more pressing problems, like finding the accursed road." 73 00:04:42,839 --> 00:04:44,899 They found the road three days later. 74 00:04:44,899 --> 00:04:46,179 "This is it." 75 00:04:46,399 --> 00:04:50,939 Dala fell to her knees and slapped her palm against the paving stones. 76 00:04:50,939 --> 00:04:52,559 "Just as we left it." 77 00:04:52,779 --> 00:04:57,599 She turned and looked at Prosper, who stood in the flickering light of the torch in his left 78 00:04:57,639 --> 00:04:58,019 hand. 79 00:04:58,019 --> 00:05:02,419 "Did the wizards build this? It goes under and through the entire mountain." 80 00:05:03,259 --> 00:05:06,259 Mailer loved the awe in Dala's voice. 81 00:05:06,819 --> 00:05:11,539 They were running low on food and water, but still, the wonder of Dragon Road 82 00:05:11,559 --> 00:05:16,319 created a hushed wonder in her, and she had to admit, in herself as 83 00:05:16,379 --> 00:05:21,219 well. This was the same extraordinary road they had stumbled down weeks before, 84 00:05:21,719 --> 00:05:25,339 or was it months? She had lost all concept of time. 85 00:05:25,339 --> 00:05:28,179 "Is it like this all the way to Your Ness?" 86 00:05:28,559 --> 00:05:32,059 Mailer turned to Catrina as Dala climbed to her feet. 87 00:05:32,059 --> 00:05:35,599 "Yes, at least until we hit the point where the mountain collapsed. 88 00:05:36,019 --> 00:05:38,959 There we will need to find a way around it, but I'm sure there are many." 89 00:05:38,959 --> 00:05:41,119 "The mountain didn't collapse." 90 00:05:41,599 --> 00:05:43,299 Everyone turned to Prosper. 91 00:05:43,299 --> 00:05:46,999 "Our mightiest wizard stood at the entrance and brought the mountain down. 92 00:05:47,519 --> 00:05:50,479 He then returned to Your Ness and cleansed the city." 93 00:05:51,179 --> 00:05:53,799 This was not what Catrina had said earlier. 94 00:05:54,019 --> 00:05:58,759 She had mentioned something about the circle of three blocking the retreat of the wizards from 95 00:05:58,819 --> 00:06:03,539 Ness. Mailer was going to say something to that effect, but to her surprise, 96 00:06:03,539 --> 00:06:04,839 Catrina spoke up. 97 00:06:04,839 --> 00:06:08,959 "No, my love. Perhaps this is a memory you have lost." 98 00:06:09,357 --> 00:06:14,337 "It is well-known that the Circle of Three saved the wizards by bringing the mountain 99 00:06:14,437 --> 00:06:15,298 down behind them." 100 00:06:15,577 --> 00:06:19,897 Prosper walked over to Katrina, took her hand, and kissed it. 101 00:06:19,897 --> 00:06:24,577 That is what they want you to believe, but the Great Library has too many 102 00:06:24,718 --> 00:06:27,537 saved memories for it to be hidden from those that study there. 103 00:06:28,477 --> 00:06:33,198 The greatest of our wizards stayed behind and sacrificed himself for our freedom. 104 00:06:33,617 --> 00:06:38,077 He brought the mountain down, and legend has it that he alone erased the memories of the entire city. 105 00:06:38,737 --> 00:06:42,977 He hid our entire existence solely through his extraordinary magical skill. 106 00:06:42,977 --> 00:06:45,517 I didn't know. 107 00:06:45,517 --> 00:06:49,618 Because it doesn't serve the interest of the council to not be seen as heroic. 108 00:06:49,618 --> 00:06:54,417 Wait, so a wizard used his or her magic to bring down the mountain, then 109 00:06:54,417 --> 00:06:58,697 wandered back into Ness and completely removed all evidence of the wizard's existence from the entire 110 00:06:58,758 --> 00:06:59,137 city? 111 00:06:59,137 --> 00:07:00,797 Prosper nodded. 112 00:07:01,377 --> 00:07:02,297 That's impossible. 113 00:07:03,037 --> 00:07:03,718 That's magic. 114 00:07:04,357 --> 00:07:05,277 When did this happen? 115 00:07:05,938 --> 00:07:10,757 Centuries ago. The wizard most likely died without a shred of his memory left, 116 00:07:11,257 --> 00:07:13,357 wandering the streets as a mindless beggar. 117 00:07:13,997 --> 00:07:18,197 Prosper walked over and grabbed the handle of the cart with his right hand. 118 00:07:18,197 --> 00:07:21,777 We must go if we're going to undo the damage he wrought to your city's memory. 119 00:07:21,777 --> 00:07:26,417 Their food ran out two days later, and their 120 00:07:26,437 --> 00:07:28,557 water ran out the day after that. 121 00:07:29,217 --> 00:07:33,517 To their credit, Katrina and Prosper ate and drank very little. 122 00:07:33,897 --> 00:07:36,257 They had taken Mailer's warning seriously. 123 00:07:36,757 --> 00:07:41,637 Still, they stood in the middle of the road, drinking the last few drops of water 124 00:07:41,817 --> 00:07:43,957 from their last ceramic jug. 125 00:07:43,957 --> 00:07:46,057 It's blood and vermin then. 126 00:07:46,777 --> 00:07:48,557 Prosper held up his torch. 127 00:07:48,557 --> 00:07:52,237 I would prefer not to hunt them with magic, but I will do so if necessary. 128 00:07:52,237 --> 00:07:57,017 It turned out that they indeed had to hunt the vermin by any 129 00:07:57,097 --> 00:08:02,037 means necessary. While the rats appeared often enough on Mailer and Dala's initial 130 00:08:02,117 --> 00:08:06,217 trip through the mountain, they were rarely seen by their group of four. 131 00:08:06,217 --> 00:08:11,177 Hungry, thirsty, and desperate, Dala finally stopped the 132 00:08:11,177 --> 00:08:13,157 group and pulled out a knife. 133 00:08:13,157 --> 00:08:15,277 "I'll wander into the dark over there." 134 00:08:15,737 --> 00:08:18,697 She pointed to a wider part of the cavernous tunnel. 135 00:08:18,697 --> 00:08:21,877 Perhaps the rats are hiding, or perhaps there is larger game. 136 00:08:22,137 --> 00:08:24,157 We need to do something, or we will starve. 137 00:08:24,157 --> 00:08:27,377 Before Mailer could object, Prosper said- 138 00:08:27,377 --> 00:08:28,517 "I will join you." 139 00:08:29,217 --> 00:08:34,077 The two were already securing knives and torches when Mailer walked over and 140 00:08:34,177 --> 00:08:35,537 grabbed Dala's shoulder. 141 00:08:35,537 --> 00:08:40,277 "It is better if I go. Katrina can wield a bow, but if some creature comes in 142 00:08:40,297 --> 00:08:45,157 close, someone with your skill with knives will be necessary. You saw Prosper in the pass. 143 00:08:45,557 --> 00:08:47,437 All he needs is someone to hold a torch. 144 00:08:47,777 --> 00:08:48,437 That will be me." 145 00:08:49,317 --> 00:08:54,077 Dala was going to object, but Mailer reached out and squeezed her hand. 146 00:08:54,077 --> 00:08:55,877 "You know this is right." 147 00:08:56,577 --> 00:08:58,597 Mailer motioned toward Katrina. 148 00:08:58,597 --> 00:09:00,377 "She needs you more than me." 149 00:09:01,157 --> 00:09:02,677 Okay, but don't you die on me. 150 00:09:02,677 --> 00:09:05,417 "That would get in the way of my goal of lying on you." 151 00:09:05,877 --> 00:09:09,617 Dalah playfully punched Mailer in the arm and turned away. 152 00:09:09,617 --> 00:09:12,057 "You are such a romantic." 153 00:09:12,997 --> 00:09:16,457 Prosper and Mailer had agreed on 500 steps out. 154 00:09:17,097 --> 00:09:21,917 They had no way to track time, and no way to measure distance other than their own 155 00:09:22,017 --> 00:09:26,817 footsteps. 500 steps seemed both reasonable and 156 00:09:26,897 --> 00:09:27,397 safe. 157 00:09:28,437 --> 00:09:33,357 When they had reached 500 steps, Mailer was stunned that they still hadn't reached 158 00:09:33,377 --> 00:09:34,437 the edge of the tunnel. 159 00:09:34,437 --> 00:09:36,317 How wide is this road? 160 00:09:36,317 --> 00:09:38,737 This isn't a road. This is a cavern. 161 00:09:39,457 --> 00:09:39,777 Look. 162 00:09:40,137 --> 00:09:42,857 Prosper took a step and pointed to the floor. 163 00:09:43,417 --> 00:09:48,397 It was uneven stone that was flat enough to stop them from stumbling, but clearly not 164 00:09:48,397 --> 00:09:51,437 the even path that they had been on. He turned. 165 00:09:51,437 --> 00:09:53,217 "200 more steps." 166 00:09:53,877 --> 00:09:58,657 Mailer was going to object, but after Prosper took a few steps, there was a 167 00:09:58,677 --> 00:10:02,777 rushing sound in the distance, then the echo of clattering feet. 168 00:10:02,777 --> 00:10:04,577 That does not sound like a rat. 169 00:10:04,917 --> 00:10:09,577 It may be a pig, or something larger, which would be a true blessing from the 170 00:10:09,637 --> 00:10:10,177 gods. 171 00:10:10,737 --> 00:10:15,597 Prosper took a few more steps, which took him further from Mailer's torch and 172 00:10:15,617 --> 00:10:17,097 closer to the shadows. 173 00:10:17,817 --> 00:10:22,437 As Mailer went to follow, a huge dark shape lunged out of the darkness 174 00:10:22,657 --> 00:10:26,157 and landed on Prosper, knocking him to the ground. 175 00:10:26,677 --> 00:10:30,017 He screamed out in pain, and Mailer ran to him. 176 00:10:30,657 --> 00:10:35,477 It was some kind of wolf or bear or unholy underground version of the 177 00:10:35,577 --> 00:10:39,377 two, and its mouth was clamped on Prosper's arm. 178 00:10:39,797 --> 00:10:44,317 He had just turned and attempted to beat the creature with his other arm when it 179 00:10:44,357 --> 00:10:48,797 started shaking its head so violently that Mailer could hear the bones in 180 00:10:48,897 --> 00:10:51,617 Prosper's arm breaking and crunching. 181 00:10:52,077 --> 00:10:57,037 She did the only thing she could do. She swung the torch and brought it down on 182 00:10:57,057 --> 00:11:01,637 the creature's head. The force was strong enough and the flames hot enough 183 00:11:01,917 --> 00:11:05,517 that the creature let go and turned toward Mailer. 184 00:11:06,217 --> 00:11:09,577 She backed up as the creature focused entirely on her. 185 00:11:09,977 --> 00:11:13,357 The creature tensed, and Mailer knew it was about to jump. 186 00:11:13,717 --> 00:11:17,397 She leapt forward, swung the torch, and connected again. 187 00:11:17,857 --> 00:11:20,357 To her relief, the creature let out a yelp. 188 00:11:20,777 --> 00:11:25,237 But to her horror, the flames on the torch went out with the second impact. 189 00:11:25,697 --> 00:11:30,577 They were in complete darkness with a mad and deadly animal ready to finish the 190 00:11:30,637 --> 00:11:35,437 job it started. Mailer kicked her leg out to where she had last seen the 191 00:11:35,497 --> 00:11:40,357 wolf beast and connected. It withdrew and didn't move, perhaps not 192 00:11:40,397 --> 00:11:42,317 realizing they couldn't see it. 193 00:11:42,957 --> 00:11:47,697 Mailer maneuvered over to Prosper, swinging the unlit torch in front of her 194 00:11:47,737 --> 00:11:48,557 like a club. 195 00:11:48,557 --> 00:11:51,697 "Can you cast light or some spell to kill that thing?" 196 00:11:51,697 --> 00:11:56,377 Prosper just groaned. There was a shuffling noise, and then a 197 00:11:56,437 --> 00:12:00,017 heavy weight landed against Mailer, knocking her to the ground. 198 00:12:00,497 --> 00:12:05,057 She turned to pull the torch forward to protect herself, and that saved her 199 00:12:05,137 --> 00:12:10,123 life, as she heard snapping jaws right next to her left ear.She 200 00:12:10,223 --> 00:12:14,543 swung the torch, but it just thudded against the side of the creature. 201 00:12:15,143 --> 00:12:18,264 It was enough to give her room to scramble back, however. 202 00:12:18,863 --> 00:12:20,904 She heard panting right in front of her. 203 00:12:21,463 --> 00:12:24,563 She knew the beast was sizing her up again. 204 00:12:25,063 --> 00:12:29,703 She waved the unlit torch in front of her, but she knew it was hopeless. 205 00:12:30,104 --> 00:12:32,983 Without light, she and Prosper were doomed. 206 00:12:33,663 --> 00:12:38,624 It moved, and she could see the dull light shining in the creature's eye as it slowly turned its 207 00:12:38,663 --> 00:12:42,244 head and opened its jaws in a snarl. Wait. 208 00:12:42,943 --> 00:12:45,284 Light. Where is that coming from? 209 00:12:45,983 --> 00:12:50,584 There was a thud, a yelp, then two more thuds, and the creature 210 00:12:50,643 --> 00:12:55,143 scrambled away, only to stumble and fall at the edge of Mela's vision. 211 00:12:55,603 --> 00:13:00,243 The light. She turned. Running toward them was Catrina holding a bright 212 00:13:00,344 --> 00:13:04,444 torch, and Darla holding a knife at the ready in her right hand. 213 00:13:04,864 --> 00:13:09,544 Catrina went to Prosper and held him in her arms, doing her best to 214 00:13:09,603 --> 00:13:11,143 protect his shattered arm. 215 00:13:11,143 --> 00:13:15,304 My love, my love, what has happened to you? 216 00:13:15,963 --> 00:13:18,604 Darla walked over to Mela and smirked. 217 00:13:18,604 --> 00:13:21,423 I told you I should have been the one to accompany him. 218 00:13:21,903 --> 00:13:23,743 Mela scrambled to her feet. 219 00:13:24,123 --> 00:13:26,103 When did you become so insufferable? 220 00:13:27,183 --> 00:13:27,943 When I met you. 221 00:13:27,943 --> 00:13:32,623 And without saying anything else, they grabbed each other into a deep 222 00:13:32,723 --> 00:13:36,083 hug of love and gratitude that they were both safe. 223 00:13:36,623 --> 00:13:41,283 Prosper groaned, and Mela pulled herself away from Darla and hurried 224 00:13:41,323 --> 00:13:42,183 over to him. 225 00:13:42,183 --> 00:13:43,984 Can you heal yourself? 226 00:13:44,463 --> 00:13:48,783 His arm was a mess of blood and twisted bone under skin. 227 00:13:49,263 --> 00:13:52,363 To Mela's shock, Prosper started to cry. 228 00:13:52,363 --> 00:13:52,383 I 229 00:13:53,143 --> 00:13:54,423 will lose so much. 230 00:13:54,923 --> 00:13:58,063 He held his left hand over his ruined arm. 231 00:13:58,823 --> 00:14:00,323 So much. 232 00:14:01,064 --> 00:14:06,043 As his tears flowed from his eyes, not from pain, but from loss of some 233 00:14:06,083 --> 00:14:10,723 important part of his life, Prosper's arm began to straighten and 234 00:14:10,783 --> 00:14:11,263 heal. 235 00:14:12,024 --> 00:14:16,783 The healing took almost five minutes, but Prosper didn't stop crying the 236 00:14:16,803 --> 00:14:17,844 entire time. 237 00:14:18,623 --> 00:14:20,283 Every so often, he would mutter... 238 00:14:20,683 --> 00:14:21,763 I'm losing so much. 239 00:14:23,083 --> 00:14:27,923 Prosper dropped his arms to his side, his right arm presumably healed. 240 00:14:28,364 --> 00:14:32,104 Mela couldn't tell, however, and turned to Darla, who shrugged. 241 00:14:32,623 --> 00:14:35,003 Catrina held Prosper in her arms. 242 00:14:36,323 --> 00:14:41,023 Finally, Prosper's eyes opened, and there was a shadow there, a grim 243 00:14:41,144 --> 00:14:44,323 darkness that didn't have any room for joy. 244 00:14:45,103 --> 00:14:46,203 He stood up. 245 00:14:46,603 --> 00:14:47,583 We have food. 246 00:14:47,983 --> 00:14:52,683 Without saying anything else, he walked toward the dead animal at the edge of the 247 00:14:52,743 --> 00:14:56,823 torchlight, punching his thigh with his formerly shattered arm. 248 00:14:56,823 --> 00:15:19,963 (dramatic music plays) 249 00:15:19,963 --> 00:15:22,003 A Podcast Alchemy production.