The Thieves Guild
by Jake Care.
Episode 22:
The Safe House.
Knights were everywhere in the flats, and Maela knew it was only a matter of time before the
alarm would be raised that Raylan's attempt to free his friends hadn't failed, and the
knights' attention turned to them.
They worked their way down one street and then over to another one.
Each turn revealed more knights looking here and there.
Maela was shocked that none of the knights even gave them a second glance, despite the fact
that the knights were looking around and peering at everyone.
"They are looking for Raylan," she thought.
"Follow me," Allard whispered as he ushered them into a
nondescript house with a large hedge in the back, which provided the house with
more privacy than most.
They were met by a rotund man who wore the green of the Harvest Guild.
Allard grabbed his forearm. "Deely, you're a sight for sore eyes.
What word?" "Strange times, Allard," Deely replied as he walked them into his
drawing room, which had wing-back chairs and a large couch.
Rafe sat down on the couch next to Maela, while Deely and Allard took the chairs
facing each other. "I was sitting in this very chair reading when there was a pounding on
my front door. I was confronted by knights looking for the guild master."
Deely leaned forward. "He was seen in these parts on horseback.
Any word on him?" "Ah, that is good news, my friend.
We have no word on the guild master. As you may be aware, I have been framed for the deaths in the
Merchant Guild. Maela and Guild Master Raylan freed me, and he escaped on
horseback, which I hope means he is safe." "We can only hope."
Deely looked at Rafe. "And who is this?" "I'm a new member of the Thieves Guild,"
Rafe replied, sitting up straight. Deely peered at Rafe, and then replied,
"There is no such thing as the Thieves Guild.
It is purely ceremonial."
Rafe smiled widely. "Sure, and I was captured and beaten at the founder's banquet
helping the guild master thief for ceremonial reasons."
A broad smile filled Deely's face. "You did that?
Good show, boy. Jolly good show."
He turned to Allard. "I had a delivery today and will be returning to the Warehouse District
tomorrow. I can carry you in the back of my wagon.
You can cross the wall and make your way back to the tower through the plains."
"That is very kind of you, my friend, but we need to get to the Old Quarter and the guild
tower immediately.
We should be there to help the guild master."
Maela spoke up. "I agree. We need to get to Raylan as quickly as possible.
He has no idea who will help him. We don't even know if he'll get across the Great Bridge.
My fear is that he'll be overwhelmed as he attempts to cross."
Rafe snorted. "I would like to see anyone try to get their hands on Raylan in the open with him
prepared.
Why do you think I'm the one who always ends up getting beaten?
Raylan escapes, and I get caught."
Maela raised an eyebrow. "One possibility is that our new guild master has a talent for
blaming others for his misdeeds."
Rafe's eyes went wide. "I am not saying that.
He is just resourceful." "Enough, you two."
Allard's deep voice filled the room.
"Being able to redirect attention is a critical part of the duties of the guild
master thief, so your description of Raylan is hardly an insult, Rafe."
Maela nodded, and then replied, "Even if he is the most talented escape
artist in history, we should assist him.
Assuming he makes it to the Old Quarter, how many will even know who he is?
I've spread the word, but I don't know how widely it has traveled.
Without knowing him, they may mislead him, or worse."
Maela stood up and started pacing. "We could make Deely's wagon appear to be fully loaded,
and then we could sit in the back as he heads up River Road.
He could tell the night protectors that he has a delivery." "That is a good plan,"
Allard replied. "And I agree with you about Raylan.
Even if he gets across the bridge, there is much that could cause us problems on the other side, since the
citizens there are unprepared." Allard cleared his throat.
"Things have moved too fast." "Fair enough, Deputy.
I'll get my wagon ready." Maela wasn't sure when or even if they would ever
see Raylan again, but the more she heard and saw of him, the more she thought he may
actually turn out to be an important asset to the guild.
As she climbed into Deely's wagon and under the tarp, she thought of her sadness over
Pietro's passing. He was the closest she had ever had to a father, and
his death hit her hard. So when she met the new guild master, she
instinctively hated him since he was filling Pietro's position, and yet he
wasn't Pietro.
But not being Pietro was an unfair criticism to lay at Raylan's feet,
even if he was an idiot.
(dramatic music)