(mysterious music plays) The Thieves Guild
by Jake Care.
Episode 54:
Books and Signs.
Allard leaned forward and looked closely at the ring that was on the frontispiece of
the Book of Guild Items and Icons. Rafe was sitting across from him,
and could see every detail of Allard's scarred and smooth head.
Everyone could see the large, wicked scar that extended from the top of his
head to his eyebrow. But up close, Rafe could see dozens of
small healed nicks and cuts. The corresponding scars
practically covered Allard's whole head. The implication was unsettling to Rafe.
Allard had been in many fights or had been beaten badly in his past, probably
both.
He was a violent man.
Rafe turned awkwardly away as Allard looked up, but he was certain Allard had caught
Rafe staring at him. "This is interesting." Allard's finger was
pointing at the ring. "How so?"
Rafe leaned down, taking a closer look, just as Allard had.
He could see nothing interesting about it.
It was a rather plain ring with a red stone.
There was a simple design of three circles intersecting along the band on each
side of the stone, but it was otherwise just a ring.
"This is the Thieves Guild seal." "It is?"
Rafe took another look. "But how can it be a seal? There is no seal.
It is just a plain stone." "It is a good question.
I asked Guild Master Pietro that same one, and he replied by telling me that the seal was featureless and
indistinguishable from that which is plain, just as our guild is." "Ah, as a
symbol. That makes sense to me." "But that's not what I find interesting.
The stone in our guild seal is black. This illustration shows the stone as red."
"Then this isn't the guild seal. Do you have the ring that we can use to compare?"
"Uh, I gave it to Raylan. The seal is used to identify the guild master."
Allard reached down to turn a page. "Perhaps there is more information on other pages."
Rafe grabbed Allard's hand, stopping him from touching the book.
Allard paused his movement, but looked at Rafe.
The look was one of curiosity, not anger. "It's an old book, Deputy Allard.
One must be gentle with the pages."
Allard nodded as he withdrew his hand.
Gently turning pages, Rafe looked for the ring.
There was a section on architecture unique to each guild, printed designs,
armor, weapons, clothing, and more.
Rafe turned the pages as quickly as he could, not paying much attention to the content.
He would go back and read the book closely later.
"Ah, here we are."
Allard leaned forward. "What does that say?"
It was a chapter heading with a collection of badges, pins, and rings sketched beneath.
"Guild master icons."
Nodding, Allard said, "Yes, there are seals for each guild, but also rank badges and
similar things that have been created for various ceremonies through the years."
Rafe turned the page, and the first section was of various thrones that were unique to
each guild master. He continued turning pages. "Here we go.
Guild seals." "Yes, that ring is the one Sax wears." Sax was the guild
master knight. There were seals for guilds that no longer existed or were
absorbed by other guilds, the Mining Guild, the Livestock Guild, even
something called the State Guild. "Here it is, but I'm afraid that isn't the
Thieves Guild seal," Rafe said, pointing to an illustration on the page with a label written in
a beautiful swirling style. "This is the seal of the Magic Guild."
"What foolishness is this?" Allard said, leaning back and looking up at
Rafe. For the first time, his face showed a tinge of anger.
"I will not allow you to mock me, Rafe." "It is true."
Rafe ran his fingers under the words.
"I've seen a mention of the Magic Guild in some of the ancient history books of the city.
Uh, perhaps the word meant something else back then, and not what we think of as a fantastical wielder of
magic." "You are sure of this?" "Yes.
I haven't done enough research yet to know more, but the Magic Guild, whatever it was, was eliminated
centuries ago.
I have a book outlining its history, but I haven't examined it yet.
However, here's the interesting thing.
The guild's entire existence was erased from the history of Ness."
Rafe pushed his seat back. "Here, let me show you.
There are only snippets in all of the other books I've read.
I can only assume that whoever tried to erase knowledge of the guild couldn't find every reference."
"Sit, Rafe. I believe you, but this is knowledge of questionable importance right
now."
Allard looked around the library. "Your efforts here are valuable.
I see that now." Rafe pulled his seat forward.
"Are you saying that I'm to continue my research?" "Yes, it has little value
now, but I can see it having value in the future."
Allard smiled. "So I think that we should request Raylan to change your title to
guild historian." "I would like that," pointing back at the book.
"So if this is not the Thieves Guild seal, can you find it in the book?
And perhaps we can compare them and see if there is a reason written for why they are so similar."
Rafe nodded and turned the pages. After a few turns, the section on
guild seals ended. "It's not listed here."
Furrowing his brows, Rafe turned the pages back.
"Perhaps I missed it." "No, I, I don't believe you did.
Page through more sections and look for other Thieves Guild items."
Rafe continued turning page after page, but while all of the other guilds
had several items, including many that no longer existed, the Thieves Guild
was nowhere to be seen. "The Thieves Guild is not included in this volume,"
Rafe stated as he closed the book. "Does it say it is the first of multiple
volumes?"
Rafe examined the cover, the spine, and the first few interior pages.
"No, this is not a multi-volume series, unless they added another volume later,
not knowing that this one was unfinished."
Allard nodded. "Our guild has always been well-hidden," Allard said as he
pushed his chair back and rose. "Keep up your research, Rafe.
I'll have someone else manage tower preparations." "Thank you, Deputy Allard.
I will."
The sound of Allard's heavy boots retreating across the stone floor filled the room.
The sound stopped and Rafe looked up.
Allard stood at the entrance to the library. He had turned and was facing Rafe.
"And, Rafe, please keep your findings secret until the guild master returns.
We will discuss them then."
Rafe was going to reply that he would, and that he could be trusted, but
Allard had already turned and exited the room.
(dramatic music plays)