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(mysterious music plays) The Thieves Guild

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by Jake Care.

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Episode 54:

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Books and Signs.

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Allard leaned forward and looked closely at the
ring that was on the frontispiece of

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the Book of Guild Items and Icons. Rafe was
sitting across from him,

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and could see every detail of Allard's scarred and
smooth head.

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Everyone could see the large, wicked scar that
extended from the top of his

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head to his eyebrow. But up close, Rafe could see
dozens of

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small healed nicks and cuts. The corresponding
scars

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practically covered Allard's whole head. The
implication was unsettling to Rafe.

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Allard had been in many fights or had been beaten
badly in his past, probably

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both.

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He was a violent man.

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Rafe turned awkwardly away as Allard looked up,
but he was certain Allard had caught

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Rafe staring at him. "This is interesting."
Allard's finger was

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pointing at the ring. "How so?"

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Rafe leaned down, taking a closer look, just as
Allard had.

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He could see nothing interesting about it.

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It was a rather plain ring with a red stone.

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There was a simple design of three circles
intersecting along the band on each

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side of the stone, but it was otherwise just a
ring.

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"This is the Thieves Guild seal." "It is?"

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Rafe took another look. "But how can it be a seal?
There is no seal.

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It is just a plain stone." "It is a good question.

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I asked Guild Master Pietro that same one, and he
replied by telling me that the seal was
featureless and

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indistinguishable from that which is plain, just
as our guild is." "Ah, as a

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symbol. That makes sense to me." "But that's not
what I find interesting.

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The stone in our guild seal is black. This
illustration shows the stone as red."

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"Then this isn't the guild seal. Do you have the
ring that we can use to compare?"

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"Uh, I gave it to Raylan. The seal is used to
identify the guild master."

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Allard reached down to turn a page. "Perhaps there
is more information on other pages."

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Rafe grabbed Allard's hand, stopping him from
touching the book.

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Allard paused his movement, but looked at Rafe.

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The look was one of curiosity, not anger. "It's an
old book, Deputy Allard.

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One must be gentle with the pages."

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Allard nodded as he withdrew his hand.

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Gently turning pages, Rafe looked for the ring.

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There was a section on architecture unique to each
guild, printed designs,

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armor, weapons, clothing, and more.

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Rafe turned the pages as quickly as he could, not
paying much attention to the content.

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He would go back and read the book closely later.

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"Ah, here we are."

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Allard leaned forward. "What does that say?"

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It was a chapter heading with a collection of
badges, pins, and rings sketched beneath.

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"Guild master icons."

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Nodding, Allard said, "Yes, there are seals for
each guild, but also rank badges and

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similar things that have been created for various
ceremonies through the years."

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Rafe turned the page, and the first section was of
various thrones that were unique to

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each guild master. He continued turning pages.
"Here we go.

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Guild seals." "Yes, that ring is the one Sax
wears." Sax was the guild

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master knight. There were seals for guilds that no
longer existed or were

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absorbed by other guilds, the Mining Guild, the
Livestock Guild, even

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something called the State Guild. "Here it is, but
I'm afraid that isn't the

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Thieves Guild seal," Rafe said, pointing to an
illustration on the page with a label written in

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a beautiful swirling style. "This is the seal of
the Magic Guild."

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"What foolishness is this?" Allard said, leaning
back and looking up at

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Rafe. For the first time, his face showed a tinge
of anger.

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"I will not allow you to mock me, Rafe." "It is
true."

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Rafe ran his fingers under the words.

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"I've seen a mention of the Magic Guild in some of
the ancient history books of the city.

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Uh, perhaps the word meant something else back
then, and not what we think of as a fantastical
wielder of

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magic." "You are sure of this?" "Yes.

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I haven't done enough research yet to know more,
but the Magic Guild, whatever it was, was
eliminated

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centuries ago.

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I have a book outlining its history, but I haven't
examined it yet.

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However, here's the interesting thing.

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The guild's entire existence was erased from the
history of Ness."

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Rafe pushed his seat back. "Here, let me show you.

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There are only snippets in all of the other books
I've read.

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I can only assume that whoever tried to erase
knowledge of the guild couldn't find every
reference."

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"Sit, Rafe. I believe you, but this is knowledge
of questionable importance right

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now."

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Allard looked around the library. "Your efforts
here are valuable.

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I see that now." Rafe pulled his seat forward.

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"Are you saying that I'm to continue my research?"
"Yes, it has little value

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now, but I can see it having value in the future."

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Allard smiled. "So I think that we should request
Raylan to change your title to

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guild historian." "I would like that," pointing
back at the book.

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"So if this is not the Thieves Guild seal, can you
find it in the book?

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And perhaps we can compare them and see if there
is a reason written for why they are so similar."

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Rafe nodded and turned the pages. After a few
turns, the section on

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guild seals ended. "It's not listed here."

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Furrowing his brows, Rafe turned the pages back.

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"Perhaps I missed it." "No, I, I don't believe you
did.

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Page through more sections and look for other
Thieves Guild items."

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Rafe continued turning page after page, but while
all of the other guilds

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had several items, including many that no longer
existed, the Thieves Guild

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was nowhere to be seen. "The Thieves Guild is not
included in this volume,"

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Rafe stated as he closed the book. "Does it say it
is the first of multiple

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volumes?"

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Rafe examined the cover, the spine, and the first
few interior pages.

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"No, this is not a multi-volume series, unless
they added another volume later,

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not knowing that this one was unfinished."

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Allard nodded. "Our guild has always been
well-hidden," Allard said as he

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pushed his chair back and rose. "Keep up your
research, Rafe.

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I'll have someone else manage tower preparations."
"Thank you, Deputy Allard.

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I will."

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The sound of Allard's heavy boots retreating
across the stone floor filled the room.

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The sound stopped and Rafe looked up.

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Allard stood at the entrance to the library. He
had turned and was facing Rafe.

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"And, Rafe, please keep your findings secret until
the guild master returns.

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We will discuss them then."

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Rafe was going to reply that he would, and that he
could be trusted, but

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Allard had already turned and exited the room.

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(dramatic music plays)