1 00:00:01,620 --> 00:00:02,900 The Thieves Guild 2 00:00:04,380 --> 00:00:05,679 by Jake Kerr 3 00:00:09,979 --> 00:00:11,819 (dramatic music plays) . Episode 30: 4 00:00:13,659 --> 00:00:15,279 The Golden Apple. 5 00:00:24,199 --> 00:00:26,619 Mailer liked the Harvest Guild members. 6 00:00:27,039 --> 00:00:31,759 They weren't arrogant like the Merchant Guild members, jerks like the Knight Guild members, or 7 00:00:31,859 --> 00:00:34,220 self-righteous like the Craft Guild members. 8 00:00:34,799 --> 00:00:39,619 Harvest Guild members got their hands dirty, and then treated everyone else 9 00:00:39,639 --> 00:00:44,560 like they had also put in an exhausting day of work, and that a smile would remove at 10 00:00:44,599 --> 00:00:46,379 least some of the weariness. 11 00:00:47,840 --> 00:00:52,839 Wearing the green tunic of the Harvest Guild, Mailer looked around the Golden Apple. 12 00:00:53,159 --> 00:00:56,219 It was a sea of green, even early in the evening. 13 00:00:56,639 --> 00:01:01,439 There was no more popular tavern for Harvest Guild members than the Apple, it 14 00:01:01,479 --> 00:01:04,239 being a stone's throw from Harvest House. 15 00:01:04,799 --> 00:01:09,599 She was on her mission to warn Polo of the plans for his assassination at the hands 16 00:01:09,719 --> 00:01:14,299 of an outlander, as well as the larger risk of Larsen using a failed 17 00:01:14,339 --> 00:01:17,159 attempt to galvanize the city to his side, 18 00:01:17,799 --> 00:01:20,019 something the thieves considered likely. 19 00:01:20,519 --> 00:01:23,539 Of course, Mailer would not admit to being a thief. 20 00:01:24,279 --> 00:01:28,279 No matter what her message, admitting to being a thief would get her tossed in prison. 21 00:01:28,699 --> 00:01:33,239 What she needed to do, was to warn him as an alarmed citizen who had 22 00:01:33,259 --> 00:01:38,099 overheard credible rumors. Convincing him of the threat would be hard enough, 23 00:01:38,339 --> 00:01:43,139 but to even get to that point, she had to actually meet him, and that was 24 00:01:43,159 --> 00:01:44,359 proving to be difficult. 25 00:01:45,019 --> 00:01:49,559 After the Founder's Day Guildmaster banquet, Polo had retreated deep into 26 00:01:49,639 --> 00:01:54,479 Harvest House and had not emerged. Tapping her mug on the bar, Mailer 27 00:01:54,499 --> 00:01:57,459 wondered if she had missed the house guard she was waiting on. 28 00:01:57,699 --> 00:02:01,359 Her plan depended on meeting him via a chance encounter. 29 00:02:01,699 --> 00:02:03,779 Of course, there was no chance involved. 30 00:02:04,159 --> 00:02:09,099 She had asked the right questions of the right people, and knew the guards who could get her into 31 00:02:09,119 --> 00:02:13,619 the inner rooms of Harvest House, which would allow her to finally talk to Polo. 32 00:02:14,179 --> 00:02:18,359 Those conversations had led her to this moment, but where was he? 33 00:02:18,579 --> 00:02:23,379 She had trailed him for days, and every night he ended up at the Golden Apple around this 34 00:02:23,439 --> 00:02:23,859 time. 35 00:02:24,619 --> 00:02:29,539 The bartender filled her mug with some more ale, and Mailer took a sip as she kept her 36 00:02:29,579 --> 00:02:34,219 eyes on the door. The guard was about 15 years older than her, rather 37 00:02:34,339 --> 00:02:37,579 plain looking, and more importantly, single. 38 00:02:38,079 --> 00:02:41,139 He was also one of the senior guards at Harvest House. 39 00:02:41,379 --> 00:02:45,459 All she had to do was convince him to give her a tour while Polo was around. 40 00:02:46,479 --> 00:02:51,339 Mailer caught a flash of green at the door, and there he was, tall with thinning 41 00:02:51,359 --> 00:02:56,119 brown hair. The man wasn't very handsome, but he had an air of confidence as he 42 00:02:56,139 --> 00:02:59,439 smiled and acknowledged someone at a table near the door. 43 00:03:00,119 --> 00:03:02,899 She hoped he liked her closely cropped hair. 44 00:03:03,619 --> 00:03:08,559 The popular style for those with darker skin was longer, fuller hair, while 45 00:03:08,679 --> 00:03:10,579 Mailer kept hers closely cropped. 46 00:03:12,079 --> 00:03:17,019 Mailer had a vague idea that she was pretty, and her hope was that it would be enough to 47 00:03:17,039 --> 00:03:21,139 elicit interest from the older and hopefully lonely man. 48 00:03:21,799 --> 00:03:26,739 He sat at the bar, which was good, but he took his seat further down at a spot with no empty 49 00:03:26,819 --> 00:03:29,159 seats next to it, which wasn't so good. 50 00:03:29,799 --> 00:03:34,239 Grumbling to herself, Mailer stood up and relocated next to the man, 51 00:03:34,519 --> 00:03:39,059 squeezing past a patron to the guard's right, and waving her hand vaguely toward the 52 00:03:39,079 --> 00:03:39,759 bartender. 53 00:03:40,839 --> 00:03:45,759 She bumped the guard. "Oh, excuse me," she said, looking at him with a smile, 54 00:03:46,199 --> 00:03:51,079 and she then turned away. Her plan was to be interested and alluring, yet 55 00:03:51,079 --> 00:03:55,979 aloof. The goal was to snare him into being interested in her, but 56 00:03:55,979 --> 00:04:00,799 be distant enough that when she asked him for a tour of Harvest House, he would 57 00:04:00,839 --> 00:04:05,719 jump at the opportunity to warm her up. "No problem," the guard replied. 58 00:04:06,119 --> 00:04:10,979 She had hoped that he would scan the bar and then sit right next to her, but she could work with the 59 00:04:10,999 --> 00:04:14,659 awkwardness of squeezing between two occupied stools as well. 60 00:04:15,499 --> 00:04:20,399 Mailer didn't get to be the captain of the flats at the age of 20 without being resourceful. 61 00:04:20,679 --> 00:04:22,859 She turned to the guard and raised a finger. 62 00:04:22,859 --> 00:04:27,459 "I'm sorry, I hate to be rude, but I have to ask you..." Mailer lowered her 63 00:04:27,499 --> 00:04:30,079 eyes. "This is going to sound so stupid, 64 00:04:31,259 --> 00:04:36,059 but do I know you?" The man looked at Mailer's face, stared at it for a few moments, and 65 00:04:36,079 --> 00:04:39,379 then looked her body up and down. "Perhaps." 66 00:04:40,259 --> 00:04:42,039 That was better than a no. 67 00:04:42,699 --> 00:04:46,739 Mailer held out her hand. "I'm Mailer. I'm sure I've seen you before. 68 00:04:46,859 --> 00:04:49,599 Do you work in the Silo District?" "I'm Tim." 69 00:04:50,199 --> 00:04:52,739 The man shook her hand. "You must be mistaken. 70 00:04:52,859 --> 00:04:54,379 I'm a captain in Harvest House." 71 00:04:55,079 --> 00:04:58,479 The bartender interrupted them, and Tim ordered a powerful drink. 72 00:04:59,379 --> 00:05:04,199 The bartender took Mailer's order, giving her an odd look as she already had a full drink 73 00:05:04,239 --> 00:05:08,979 further down the bar. "Good. I can use your drunkenness against you." 74 00:05:09,679 --> 00:05:12,579 Mailer thought of Tim's potent choice of spirits. 75 00:05:12,579 --> 00:05:16,999 "Wow, a guard at Harvest House? This is embarrassing to admit, Tim." 76 00:05:17,359 --> 00:05:22,059 Mailer looked left and right, and then moved closer to Tim. Their bodies touching. 77 00:05:22,059 --> 00:05:25,539 "I've never been in Harvest House," she whispered. 78 00:05:25,539 --> 00:05:27,159 "You must be kidding," 79 00:05:27,839 --> 00:05:30,819 Tim exclaimed. "Not even for one of the celebrations?" 80 00:05:31,639 --> 00:05:36,539 Mailer's eyes went wide in embarrassed shock at Tim's loud voice in reply to 81 00:05:36,539 --> 00:05:39,099 her whispered confession, and he noticed. 82 00:05:39,099 --> 00:05:42,979 "Oh, I'm sorry," he added in a lowered voice. 83 00:05:42,979 --> 00:05:46,799 "I'm just surprised. It's open to members to visit. 84 00:05:47,299 --> 00:05:50,459 I mean, everyone visits." "Well, I work in the mines. 85 00:05:50,699 --> 00:05:52,239 I don't get to Harvest House very often." 86 00:05:53,119 --> 00:05:57,739 The Harvest Guild had a large number of guild members who worked outside the wall 87 00:05:57,839 --> 00:06:02,479 and in the mines. The mines were deep, and it was quite believable that 88 00:06:02,559 --> 00:06:06,999 guild members who worked there would not have made it all the way to Harvest House, 89 00:06:07,339 --> 00:06:10,799 which was in the middle of the city and far from the mountain. 90 00:06:10,799 --> 00:06:15,577 "I have to admit that I don't see many miners."Maela took a sip of her 91 00:06:15,577 --> 00:06:17,077 drink and held it up to Tim. 92 00:06:17,077 --> 00:06:20,717 You should visit. The stone is beautiful in its own way. 93 00:06:21,957 --> 00:06:22,598 To miners. 94 00:06:22,598 --> 00:06:24,698 He said, taking a long drink. 95 00:06:25,417 --> 00:06:26,278 And guards. 96 00:06:26,598 --> 00:06:31,597 Maela added, which elicited a smile and another long drink from Tim, who emptied his 97 00:06:31,617 --> 00:06:36,238 glass. Placing her mug on the bar, Maela ran her finger around the 98 00:06:36,298 --> 00:06:36,658 rim. 99 00:06:36,857 --> 00:06:39,818 I was escorting a shipment to the east watch. 100 00:06:40,558 --> 00:06:41,898 Tim raised an eyebrow. 101 00:06:41,978 --> 00:06:46,037 You take iron ore to the knights? I thought we've processed the ore. 102 00:06:46,177 --> 00:06:49,378 He didn't sound suspicious so much as curious. 103 00:06:49,818 --> 00:06:51,877 Maela saw that as a good sign. 104 00:06:52,478 --> 00:06:54,197 Coal, not iron ore. 105 00:06:54,617 --> 00:06:56,398 Maela replied with a smile. 106 00:06:57,138 --> 00:06:59,617 Oh, of course, that makes sense. Sorry. 107 00:07:00,397 --> 00:07:02,977 With Tim off balance, Maela pushed onward. 108 00:07:03,837 --> 00:07:07,357 What is Harvest House like? Maybe I can visit tomorrow if I have the time. 109 00:07:07,818 --> 00:07:10,437 Tim tapped his glass as the bartender passed. 110 00:07:11,417 --> 00:07:12,258 Oh, you must. 111 00:07:13,017 --> 00:07:17,617 I haven't been to any of the guild towers, but I doubt that they're as beautiful as Harvest House. 112 00:07:18,057 --> 00:07:22,917 I'm told the towers are marble and stone. Uh, Harvest House is wood and full of flowers. 113 00:07:23,297 --> 00:07:26,197 There is even a living tree that is the centerpiece of their guild hall. 114 00:07:26,197 --> 00:07:27,877 Bingo. 115 00:07:27,877 --> 00:07:30,277 Oh, I would love to see that. 116 00:07:31,277 --> 00:07:33,097 Maela lightly touched Tim's hand. 117 00:07:33,697 --> 00:07:34,317 Tell me more. 118 00:07:35,017 --> 00:07:36,477 Tim cleared his throat. 119 00:07:36,477 --> 00:07:39,957 Well, as you probably know, it's not really a tower. 120 00:07:40,657 --> 00:07:44,237 It has three levels, and the second is mostly offices, 121 00:07:44,897 --> 00:07:47,497 while the third floor is the Guildmaster residence. 122 00:07:48,337 --> 00:07:52,777 Unfortunately, some of the most beautiful rooms are on the second and third floors. 123 00:07:52,777 --> 00:07:55,657 Why, unfortunately? 124 00:07:56,577 --> 00:07:59,097 Well, there are security measures in place. 125 00:07:59,437 --> 00:08:02,517 I'm afraid you'd only be allowed to visit the public rooms on the first floor. 126 00:08:03,357 --> 00:08:08,337 Maela pulled her hand away and focused her attention on the wall behind the bar. 127 00:08:08,997 --> 00:08:13,897 Oh, well, that doesn't sound very interesting. Maybe I should just head back to the mines instead. 128 00:08:13,897 --> 00:08:17,297 She turned back to Tim with a slight smile. 129 00:08:17,977 --> 00:08:20,997 Which is too bad. I had hoped to see you at work. 130 00:08:22,037 --> 00:08:23,277 She looked him up and down. 131 00:08:23,277 --> 00:08:26,617 You have this kind of commanding presence, and I like that. 132 00:08:26,617 --> 00:08:31,557 He swallowed hard, and for a second, Maela wasn't sure if she had 133 00:08:31,577 --> 00:08:35,437 made a mistake by adding the final bit of flirtatiousness, 134 00:08:37,017 --> 00:08:38,117 but then he replied- 135 00:08:39,097 --> 00:08:39,357 Well, 136 00:08:40,157 --> 00:08:41,357 they're not open to the public. 137 00:08:42,097 --> 00:08:44,317 So close, Maela thought. 138 00:08:45,417 --> 00:08:47,057 Well, I'm the public, Tim. 139 00:08:47,177 --> 00:08:48,877 Not if I escort you. 140 00:08:49,537 --> 00:08:50,997 I could take you to see the guild hall. 141 00:08:51,817 --> 00:08:54,097 Maela stared into Tim's eyes. 142 00:08:54,117 --> 00:08:56,037 You would do that for me? 143 00:08:57,097 --> 00:08:58,877 His smile sealed the deal. 144 00:08:59,817 --> 00:09:00,477 She was in. 145 00:09:01,797 --> 00:09:04,597 Well, I may ask you to join me for lunch as payment... 146 00:09:05,557 --> 00:09:10,097 The last word trailed off, and Maela felt confused with her feelings over how 147 00:09:10,117 --> 00:09:14,877 awkward Tim had suddenly become. On the one hand, he had fallen perfectly into her 148 00:09:14,957 --> 00:09:19,577 trap, and she now had a path to meeting Polo, but that bit of good news 149 00:09:19,777 --> 00:09:23,937 was tempered by her feeling guilty over how sad and pathetic he had become, 150 00:09:24,357 --> 00:09:28,977 especially when she was acting out a lie and had no intention of ever spending 151 00:09:29,157 --> 00:09:30,777 any personal time with him. 152 00:09:31,517 --> 00:09:36,317 Then there was the fact that he was asking her out for a lunch date with the Harvest House tour 153 00:09:36,697 --> 00:09:41,617 as a kind of bargaining chip. That was kind of unsavory and distasteful on his 154 00:09:41,697 --> 00:09:42,037 part. 155 00:09:42,737 --> 00:09:44,037 Lunch would be wonderful. 156 00:09:44,717 --> 00:09:47,377 Maela replied with a smile, playing the part. 157 00:09:48,077 --> 00:09:52,157 As the first Blade of the Guildmaster in 50 years, she felt an extra 158 00:09:52,197 --> 00:09:54,837 responsibility in completing the mission. 159 00:09:55,517 --> 00:09:58,497 Dealing with Tim was ultimately a minor thing. 160 00:09:58,777 --> 00:10:03,477 There would be many more difficult, dangerous, and even unsavory 161 00:10:03,517 --> 00:10:05,217 missions in her future. 162 00:10:05,317 --> 00:10:08,037 There's a spot in the upper triangle. 163 00:10:08,717 --> 00:10:10,897 You'll love it, Tim added. 164 00:10:11,717 --> 00:10:16,397 Maela's response must have emboldened Tim, as he put his hand on hers and 165 00:10:16,517 --> 00:10:21,257 smiled with the confidence of a hunter who had ensnared his prey. 166 00:10:22,357 --> 00:10:25,897 Maela quickly downed her drink and backed away from the bar. 167 00:10:25,897 --> 00:10:29,277 If I'm spending tomorrow with you, I better finish my work tonight. 168 00:10:29,337 --> 00:10:34,197 Tim looked annoyed, but nodded and smiled after Maela put her hand 169 00:10:34,217 --> 00:10:35,497 on his arm, and added- 170 00:10:36,177 --> 00:10:40,697 I really can't wait to spend time with you, Tim, my host, the brave guild guard. 171 00:10:40,857 --> 00:10:44,657 They arranged a time to meet and Maela left. 172 00:10:45,637 --> 00:10:50,417 As she made her way back to the thief safe house near the north fork, she considered 173 00:10:50,437 --> 00:10:53,377 her first mission as the Blade of the Guildmaster. 174 00:10:53,377 --> 00:10:54,837 (dramatic music) 175 00:10:55,777 --> 00:10:56,577 So far, so 176 00:10:56,677 --> 00:11:28,657 good.