The Thieves Guild
by Jake Kerr.
(dramatic music plays) Episode 28:
The Outlanders.
The four of them sat around a table in a private room at the rear of the inn.
Raylan talked mostly to Rafe as they ate a late breakfast while Mayla
described to Allard the parts of the escape that he didn't know.
Raylan couldn't help but be enthralled as Mayla described the various people she
enlisted for the plan and how she had plotted out various scenarios.
To his shock, what seemed like a chaotic run for freedom was almost
entirely organized by Mayla. She had known that there was an entrance to the
sewers in the basement of the merchant tower.
She had organized their walk through the flats, in broad daylight no less, by
having others distract the knights and merchant guards.
The help in the kitchens, the horses, even the massive people who would end up
escorting Raylan across the great bridge, it was all part of Mayla's plan which
she hastily put together as Raylan waited in the tunnel into the sewers.
"Okay, it's time for us to make immediate plans." Allard's hood was tossed back
and while he didn't look his normal ominous self, his face was serious.
"Guildmaster," he turned to Raylan, "I recommend that you establish yourself in
the Thieves Tower. You need to get to know the captains and all of the complexities of your new
position."
Raylan nodded, "That sounds wise but will I be safe there?
I'm still uncertain that my brother doesn't want me dead." "Oh, he wants you dead," Mayla
replied, "but you are very safe in the tower.
Anyone coming for you would have to get through the whole quarter."
Raylan nodded. The fact that his brother wanted him dead didn't surprise him but it was still
disheartening to hear. "Besides, you are dead to him here anyway.
To those across the river, the Old Quarter is akin to living in misery, so he is perhaps gladder you are
here than dead." "That's comforting," Raylan replied.
"What about me?" Rafe replied.
Rafe was happy that it turned out that he actually was in a real guild and not a ceremonial one,
but he expressed fear to Raylan that he would have trouble fitting in.
Everyone in the Old Quarter seemed to live there.
Rafe was an outsider whose only claim was being friends with the guildmaster.
Allard smiled, "The spark that created the coming conflagration."
"Excuse me?" "Why, without you, none of this would have occurred, Rafe.
Larsen would already be the emperor of Ness and we would all be helpless under his consolidated
power. But you threw that tomato and that led to a vote that changed everything."
Allard's eyes glinted as he looked at Rafe.
"Everything." "But where does that leave me now?" "You will be my
apprentice," Raylan interjected. Quickly turning to Allard he asked, "I
can have an apprentice?"
Allard shrugged, "You're the guildmaster, you can do whatever you like." "So there you
have it, you will be my apprentice." "What's that mean?" Rafe asked.
"I don't know. We'll make it up as we go along." Raylan tossed a piece of bread
at Rafe. "We're good at that." "There is one outstanding item that requires your
immediate attention, Guildmaster,"
Allard's voice returned to its serious tone.
"Yes?" "Larsen has turned his attention to Polo." "I'm afraid I don't
know what that means, Allard. Is Polo in trouble?"
Allard rubbed his chin, "The spies have only said that his attention has turned to Polo.
It is up to us to interpret it." "He will be assassinated."
Mayla said the words with a grim confidence.
"Larsen and Saxe's plan passes with one vote against, not two.
They cannot get to Raylan, so who is the other vote?" "Polo," Rafe whispered.
"Yes,"
Allard replied, "it seems likely." "Does he know?" Raylan couldn't quite
believe his brother would assassinate anyone, let alone Polo.
He was almost as beloved as Pietro. "He knows he's at risk.
He is in Harvest House surrounded by his most trusted men."
Mayla shrugged. "That should be enough. Larsen isn't foolish enough to attack another guild.
They would have to kill him in a way that didn't appear obvious and with him locked up, that's impossible."
Raylan shook his head, "Karch would see that as a challenge he'd enjoy, I bet."
"Karch?" Mayla exclaimed. Everyone looked at her.
"He left on an unknown mission to the Outlanders today.
I assumed it meant that Larsen was punishing him over Raylan's escape but what if..."
"What if what?" Raylan asked. "What if he is going to negotiate an
assassination?" Mayla nodded. "Oh, that's devious." "Karch is
devious, but I'm not sure I understand,"
Allard frowned. "If Karch can have an assassin from the Outlands assassinate Polo,
it will open the door for Larsen to take over the city while rallying the city against the
Outlanders under his leadership."
Rafe replied, "I don't get it. The Outlanders would never go for that.
What do they have to gain?"
Allard looked over at Rafe. "What if Larsen negotiated some kind of treaty that punished the rogue
assassin while seeding the Outlanders some of the plains?" "The Ranger Guild would never
go for that," Raylan replied. "They wouldn't have a choice," Mayla replied.
"Okay, we need to send someone to warn Polo and someone to shadow Karch to the
Outlands. We aren't even sure that this is what Karch has in mind." "It is,"
Mayla stated. No one disagreed. "Meo should be the one to shadow Karch," Mayla
replied. "Who is that?" Raylan asked.
"The captain of the plains," Allard replied.
Turning to Mayla he added, "We don't have time to get a message to anyone.
Karch is already on the way. I'm afraid you'll have to do it.
No one else is nearby or ready."
I'm not a good enough horseman, Allard. You know me. I'm good in dark corners and shadows.
I walk silently. I don't ride quickly.
Allard's voice took on a commanding tone.
There is no other.
Yes, there is.
All eyes looked at Raylan.
I'm an excellent horseman. I'm a guild master of Ness.
The outlanders will have to treat me with respect.
I know Karch.
Both Allard and Maelor were shaking their heads.
And I am difficult to catch.
It is too dangerous, Guild Master.
Allard, go to the tower. Prepare the captains. Things are changing.
We must take risks or it will be our ruin.
Sir.
It is a command, Allard, not a request.
Allard lowered his head and didn't say anything.
Raylan stood up.
Rafe, get me the best horse within a ten-minute run of here.
The others stood up but didn't say anything as Rafe ran off.
Take this Guild Master.
Allard undid a sheath on his right leg and handed it to Raylan.
Raylan pulled out a long dagger from the sheath.
Allard was so tall that the dagger was more the size of a long sword to Raylan.
May you not need it.
Raylan couldn't read Maelor's face as he fastened the sheath to his hip.
Finally, she shook her head.
You're either an idiot or incredibly brave. Take a guess as to which I'm leaning toward.
Raylan couldn't help himself and laughed.
(dramatic music)