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The Thieves Guild

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by Jake Kerr.

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Episode 72.

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Messengers.

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Raylan sat at the large wooden table in the center
of his library, with Rafe's

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head in a book to his right, and Allard sitting
with his hands folded on the

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table to his left.

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The library had become Raylan's favorite spot in
the entire tower,

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even more than the more elaborate rooms or his
balcony, with its

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extraordinary view of the city. The library was
simple and unadorned,

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just books and furniture designed to service
either research or

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reading.

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It had a quiet calmness about it, while the smell
of the ancient books gave it an air

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of solemnity. The fireplace, the walls of books,
all of it

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made Raylan feel like he was in a home that was
uniquely his.

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The privacy of the library also allowed Raylan to
relax and give voice to

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his insecurities and uncertainty. He was thrust
into a

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role he still felt he was unprepared for, and in
the library, he didn't need to

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act the part of the strong, confident guild
master.

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He wasn't a pretender, he was just the boy,
Raylan.

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Allard always treated Raylan as guild master, but
in the privacy of the

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library, Raylan could ask him difficult and
sometimes embarrassing

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questions, knowing that Allard would respond with
an openness that he

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wouldn't while with guild members.

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Their current discussion was a good example.

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Raylan was discussing the fact that Rogers had not
arrived to report.

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Rogers had missed the meeting of the guild
captains, which Raylan excused due to

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Rogers needing to help with some kind of emergency
in the flats.

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But to not report back by the next day was
surprising, and Raylan was starting

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to think that Rogers had an agenda.

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Do you think he is sending a message about my
being the guild master?

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The idea made sense to Raylan. He was forced upon
the

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guild, and his reputation as an irresponsible and
immature delinquent

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had made its way to the captains. Still, the
council had gone well.

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Allard's steadying hand was helpful, but what
generated the most

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attention and positive commentary was the
explanation of his mission to the

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Outlands.

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That the Outlanders gave Raylan the same respect
they gave Pietro appeared

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to matter a lot, yet Rogers had not attended the
council.

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Why?

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He's a proud man and stubborn, but he is not
irresponsible or the type to challenge his guild
master.

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But does he consider me his guild master?

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Raylan replied, somewhat glumly. Allard reached

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over and squeezed Raylan's arm.

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At moments like these, he was the invaluable
mentor that Raylan needed.

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He does.

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We all do. Our guild has always done things that
seem to make no sense, but then

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in hindsight, appear as wise.

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But I was not the guild's choice.

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Enough, Raylan.

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Allard called Raylan by his name, which he did
extremely rarely, and

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only when he wanted to make an important point in
private.

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We have discussed this. Do you really think I
would have allowed things to proceed if I

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thought you would damage the guild?

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It

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was not the first time that Allard had insinuated
that he knew how

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seemingly random and unconnected events would fit
together.

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Rather than push his valued friend and deputy for
details that he hadn't volunteered,

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Raylan took it in stride and moved on.

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Could he have been hurt? Should we send someone to
investigate?

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I appreciate and respect your concern, guild
master, but I would recommend

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giving him more time. We don't know the nature of
the challenge he was facing.

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There was a knock and one of the tower guards
entered.

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Captain Cude to see you, guild master.

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Of course, Raylan said, standing up.

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Send him in.

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A few minutes later, Raylan met Cude, the captain
of the old

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quarter, at the entrance to the library.

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Cude looked haggard, and marched in after a quick
shake of Raylan's hand.

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His previous uncertainty and borderline disrespect
for Raylan were

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gone.

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We are getting overrun, guild master,

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Cude said breathlessly.

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He walked over and grabbed a glass from the table
before filling it with a pitcher of

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water.

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Overrun?

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Allard asked, pushing his chair back and standing
as if he would personally

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resolve the problem.

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Are we being attacked?

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No.

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Cude raised his hand as he took a drink.

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Sitting down, he added...

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There is an enormous number of people entering the
core from over the bridge.

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Not an attack or an invasion so much as...

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Cude threw up his arms.

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I don't know what. It started overnight and is
continuing as we speak.

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Are they fleeing the fire?

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Rafe asked.

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I wondered the same thing.

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I have personally asked several of them what was
happening,

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but they appeared to be in shock.

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They outlined that they were fleeing a fire, but
with the numbers I was seeing, the whole lower
quarter

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would have to be in flames.

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Is that possible?

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Raylan asked, remembering the comment of Rogers
dealing with a fire.

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Unlikely, but it is possible. The homes are mostly
wood in the

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flats and they are close together, but the fire
protectors have a lot of experience with fires

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and are well-trained for this type of thing.

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There was a great fire in the old quarter before
the Great Migration.

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... Rafe replied, looking up and closing the book
he was reading.

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It destroyed the northeast part of the city.

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We must help.

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You are missing the point,

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(music) Kood exclaimed, shaking his head. We are
overrun with refugees.

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The secrets of the old quarter are no more.

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What do you mean? Raelin asked. But as soon as he
asked the question, he knew

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the answer.

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There are hundreds of people streaming into the
quarter.

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We are taking care of them, and in doing so, can't
help but reveal ourselves.

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They are moving through the square and into the
residential areas.

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We can't stop them, and they see that it is far
from a wretched quarter.

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As Kood spoke, the room remained in a stunned
silence.

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Furthermore,

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we had not had time to prepare.

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They have seen the Black Guard. They see their
fellow guild members wearing black.

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Raelin glanced at Allard, but he was staring at
Kood, his face

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inscrutable. So you are saying we are revealed?

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Raelin finally asked, although the answer was
obvious.

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Yes. Even now, we are trying to avoid rioting as
citizens realize they are surrounded by

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thieves.

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Allard's deep voice filled the library.

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We knew this day would come. Pietro and his
predecessors have done their best to avoid

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it until the time was right, but even Pietro knew
that our secrecy was a house built on

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sand.

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Raelin had no idea what to say, let alone do.

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As silence filled the room in the wake of Allard's
comment, Raelin glanced

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at Allard, wondering if he would follow his
comment up with some advice.

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Allard was staring directly at Raelin and nodded
slightly.

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It was a small thing, but it meant the world to
Raelin.

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Allard was awaiting his guild master's command.

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Confidence filled Raelin. He was young.

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He was ill-prepared to lead a small group, let
alone a guild, but

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Allard had faith in him as he had from the start.

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It was enough.

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We don't have enough information,

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Raelin said, his voice louder than necessary,
which caused everyone to

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jolt and look at him. "But that's not an immediate
problem."

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Raelin looked at Kood. "Captain Kood?"

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Yes, Guild Master?

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Kood was respectful and intent as Raelin spoke,
which filled him with

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even more confidence.

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We no longer have the luxury of secrecy.

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Our first priority is to create goodwill and trust
with our new friends.

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Do we have lodgings to handle them all? Food?

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Water?

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Yes, Guild Master.

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The old quarter is vast and mostly unpopulated as
you move away from the river, yet

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there are homes and buildings there.

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They have not been occupied for centuries, but
they are well-built and will serve the

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purpose.

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Excellent. We cannot be blamed for providing dusty
lodgings.

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It is at least shelter.

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And food?

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We can feed them, but our stores will not last
long.

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We'll need to raid the silo district soon to
replenish them.

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Raelin shook his head. "No.

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Remember, our secrets are revealed. We must come
up with new methods.

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However, we will worry about that later. For now,
that is your mission.

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Make our new citizens welcome. Provide for them
with no expectation of

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payment, and let them know that the thieves are
their friends."

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So, I am to explain who we are?

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"Yes. If we are out in the open, we need

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to change Ness's opinion of us as quickly as
possible, and that will be easiest with these

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homeless citizens who will need our help.

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So don't wait for the whispers to define the
message.

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Be proud and open about our role in Ness."

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Guild Master Raelin speaks wisdom. Do you need
help to fulfill this mission?

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"No,

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it will be a challenge and a bit chaotic, but we
can handle it."

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Kood stood up.

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May I be dismissed, sir? I fear that any delay
will just make things worse.

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"Yes,

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but one last thing."

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Kood nodded his head toward Raelin. "Is there any
additional information about the

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situation of these fire refugees? Even something
that seems incidental may be

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important."

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Tapping his chin with a finger, Kood replied.

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Not that I can recall.

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There was talk of a fire and naught else.

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I left as soon as I realized the number of people
was more than we could handle.

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"Thank you, Captain. Return to your post and send
us

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progress reports by messenger."

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Kood bowed and walked toward the exit, pausing
when he got to the door.

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Turning around, he added.

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"There is one thing. Nearly all the refugees
appear to be Harvest Guild members, which

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is unsurprising knowing the size of the guild,

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but it still might be wise to contact Guild Master
Polo."

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As Kood's steps echoed from the staircase, Rafe
spoke up.

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I thought Polo hated us.

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He doesn't hate us. He fears assassination, and
rightfully so.

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Still, the effect is the same. He won't accept an
audience with anyone but a trusted

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Harvest Guild member.

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Rogers.

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Rafe exclaimed. Raelin and Allard peered at him.

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He must be dealing with this. It is why he didn't
come and hasn't sent a messenger.

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I had thought of that, Rafe. It is the latter
comment that concerns me.

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Whatever is happening must be overwhelming, as we
would have been informed by now.

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If they are that big, shouldn't we be able to see
the fires from the balcony?

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Of course! Raelin exclaimed, pushing his seat
back.

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He hadn't been on his balcony since the night
before when he and Rafe had seen

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exactly that, a fire in the flats.... as the other
two stood.

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More footsteps could be heard from the stairwell.

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I fear that these interruptions will be a regular
occurrence with what we now know.

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Allard muttered as a thief wearing the blue of the
Merchant Guild stumbled into

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the room. His face was covered in soot, and his
clothing was

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dirty and torn. Raylan was surprised to see a
thief not wearing

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black in the Guild Tower, and the disguise was
disarming.

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Their visitor looked like a sickly boy who worked
for the Merchant Guild a couple of

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years younger than Raylan.

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Guildmaster,

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he said, practically collapsing onto the floor in
front of Raylan.

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He dropped his hands to his knees and took in
large gulps of air as he was bent

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over.

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By the gods, you look exhausted. Here, have some
water.

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Raylan poured water into a glass and handed it to
the boy, who took

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it and gulped it down.

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Pharos

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sent

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me.

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The boy said between drinks of water.

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His hands shook.

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Pharos? I don't know who that is.

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Raylan replied. He looked at Allard, who shook his
head.

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He

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was on a mission for Captain Rogers.

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Rogers, what is your message? We've been awaiting
word.

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I've come as fast as I could, Guildmaster.

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The boy looked petrified standing in front of the
mighty Allard.

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The river is blockaded by the Knights, and the
Great Bridge is awash in

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refugees. It was faster to run than try to
navigate by horse.

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You ran all the way from the Great Bridge to here?

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Raylan couldn't comprehend such a sprint.

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It was nearly a 10-mile run.

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No, sir, I ran all the way here from the Green
Belt.

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00:14:02,248 --> 00:14:02,687
Wow,

236
00:14:03,307 --> 00:14:04,628
Rafe blurted out.

237
00:14:05,307 --> 00:14:10,267
It was a trip of at least 15 miles, and the boy
did it all on foot.

238
00:14:10,968 --> 00:14:13,227
Sit down and tell us your message.

239
00:14:13,867 --> 00:14:18,727
Raylan replied, taking the boy's arm and moving
him to Raylan's own

240
00:14:18,827 --> 00:14:21,827
chair, which had a padded seat and armrest.

241
00:14:22,488 --> 00:14:26,948
As the boy sat down, Raylan asked his name, which
was Terris.

242
00:14:26,948 --> 00:14:29,407
Here is what I was told, Guildmaster.

243
00:14:29,948 --> 00:14:31,968
The Merchant Guild has attacked the Harvest Guild.

244
00:14:32,227 --> 00:14:36,788
They have burned the Green Belt, Ironsides, and
several other homes and businesses to the

245
00:14:36,847 --> 00:14:37,287
ground.

246
00:14:37,927 --> 00:14:42,587
The Guild Guards are rounding up every Harvest
Guild member in the Lower Quarter and are driving
them

247
00:14:42,587 --> 00:14:44,687
across the Great Bridge. That is all I know.

248
00:14:44,687 --> 00:14:47,667
The Merchant Guild attacked the Harvest Guild?

249
00:14:47,667 --> 00:14:51,787
Rafe cut in, his voice not so much full of outrage
as

250
00:14:51,847 --> 00:14:52,807
curiosity.

251
00:14:53,507 --> 00:14:54,388
Is attacking.

252
00:14:56,108 --> 00:14:57,167
This cannot be true.

253
00:14:57,487 --> 00:14:58,927
Allard interjected.

254
00:14:59,987 --> 00:15:02,728
The Knight Protectors would stop such madness of
Larsen's.

255
00:15:04,448 --> 00:15:08,907
Raylan could tell that Allard was troubled as he
rarely failed to use the

256
00:15:08,967 --> 00:15:13,747
Guildmaster honorific when discussing Larsen, even
when Larsen was

257
00:15:13,767 --> 00:15:15,407
plotting great evil.

258
00:15:16,547 --> 00:15:21,447
They are nowhere to be seen, Deputy. The Fire
Protectors did not arrive to help fight the flames
in the Lower

259
00:15:21,507 --> 00:15:26,187
Quarter, and the Knightships guarding the river
were doing nothing but stopping any boats from
departing

260
00:15:26,207 --> 00:15:26,727
the docks.

261
00:15:27,807 --> 00:15:31,107
Sax is in league with Larsen, Allard. You know
this.

262
00:15:31,107 --> 00:15:36,067
Yes, and I am guessing that Orion is letting
Larsen pursue this, knowing it will be

263
00:15:36,107 --> 00:15:36,787
his downfall.

264
00:15:37,307 --> 00:15:42,147
Raylan remembered the conversation with Vesper.
The pieces all came together.

265
00:15:42,667 --> 00:15:47,607
Sax worked with Larsen out of a naive belief that
Larsen was destined to lead

266
00:15:47,647 --> 00:15:51,307
Ness, while Orion played them both from the
background.

267
00:15:51,647 --> 00:15:55,167
Raylan couldn't believe he hadn't understood
Orion's role earlier.

268
00:15:55,587 --> 00:16:00,187
It was all so clear now after hearing it from the
mouth of Orion's former

269
00:16:00,287 --> 00:16:00,827
blade.

270
00:16:01,327 --> 00:16:03,547
Philos, take Terris to the guest lodgings.

271
00:16:03,907 --> 00:16:07,547
Provide him with a comfortable bed, new clothes,
and food.

272
00:16:08,267 --> 00:16:13,047
Philos, Raylan's bodyguard, and the second most
intimidating warrior

273
00:16:13,107 --> 00:16:17,927
Raylan had ever seen after Allard, walked in from
his ever-present post

274
00:16:18,027 --> 00:16:20,547
outside the room that Raylan occupied.

275
00:16:21,247 --> 00:16:22,367
Yes, Guildmaster?

276
00:16:22,847 --> 00:16:24,247
Thank you, Terris.

277
00:16:24,887 --> 00:16:25,887
You have done well.

278
00:16:26,967 --> 00:16:31,727
The boy nodded and bowed in an awkward show of
abeyance as Philos motioned him

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00:16:31,767 --> 00:16:32,787
toward the door.

280
00:16:33,407 --> 00:16:36,267
As the two exited, Rafe spoke up.

281
00:16:36,687 --> 00:16:39,487
This is eerily similar to what happened when the
Thieves Guild was founded.

282
00:16:40,547 --> 00:16:44,327
Rafe pulled a book over from across the table and
opened it.

283
00:16:44,947 --> 00:16:47,547
Allard and Raylan returned to their chairs.

284
00:16:48,107 --> 00:16:48,767
How so?

285
00:16:49,527 --> 00:16:52,867
I don't know all of the details. The books of the
founding of the guild are missing.

286
00:16:53,107 --> 00:16:55,907
I know they must be somewhere, but those books
aren't here.

287
00:16:56,227 --> 00:16:58,987
Rafe shook his head as he spoke.

288
00:16:59,507 --> 00:17:03,627
Anyway, the history of our guild's finding is tied
into a civil war between the Merchant and Harvest

289
00:17:03,667 --> 00:17:06,167
Guilds, with the Knight Guild helping the Merchant
Guild.

290
00:17:07,567 --> 00:17:10,887
I remember you mentioning that. Yes, it was before
the Great Migration.

291
00:17:10,887 --> 00:17:12,427
How did it end?

292
00:17:13,227 --> 00:17:17,207
The Knight Tower was torn to the ground. The gate
to the plains was destroyed and closed.

293
00:17:17,547 --> 00:17:20,767
The bridge linking the golden fields to the new
inner fields was destroyed.

294
00:17:21,287 --> 00:17:26,067
Harvest House was somehow killed, and the
population fled to the north side of the river,
abandoning the

295
00:17:26,107 --> 00:17:26,807
Old Quarter.

296
00:17:27,807 --> 00:17:30,347
That's all? I thought it was supposed to be bad.

297
00:17:31,387 --> 00:17:32,727
Raylan shook his head.

298
00:17:32,847 --> 00:17:34,187
We need to stop this.

299
00:17:34,407 --> 00:17:37,067
Allard said, his voice deep and grim.

300
00:17:37,087 --> 00:17:40,827
Well, we must take the Harvest Guild's side.

301
00:17:40,827 --> 00:17:44,927
This isn't about taking sides. There will be too
many needless deaths.

302
00:17:45,167 --> 00:17:49,967
We need to discover Larsen's plan and disrupt
that. It is not to create a civil war that we win.

303
00:17:50,607 --> 00:17:55,407
Raylan was tempted to just blurt out that he had
no idea what to do when

304
00:17:55,447 --> 00:17:57,287
he had an outrageous idea.

305
00:17:57,327 --> 00:18:00,847
This seems to all revolve around Orion in some
way.

306
00:18:01,327 --> 00:18:06,187
I mean, my brother is leading this with Sax's
help, but he wouldn't do this if Orion

307
00:18:06,227 --> 00:18:07,507
wasn't standing by.

308
00:18:08,387 --> 00:18:09,547
Allard nodded.

309
00:18:10,167 --> 00:18:12,947
Vesper said he was dangerous, playing us all for
fools.

310
00:18:13,287 --> 00:18:17,947
Orion's sitting on the sidelines while Larsen and
Sax set fire to the Lower Quarter.

311
00:18:18,261 --> 00:18:22,321
... certainly indicates that he knows how to be
involved just enough not to get dirty.

312
00:18:22,321 --> 00:18:23,682
"Vesper,"

313
00:18:24,521 --> 00:18:29,442
Relan muttered, not at all liking the idea that
their fortunes were tied to the

314
00:18:29,522 --> 00:18:33,921
traitorous blade. "Do we have anyone close to the
Craft Guild and Orion?

315
00:18:34,662 --> 00:18:35,582
Who is the captain?"

316
00:18:36,322 --> 00:18:41,021
Relan cursed himself. He had tried hard to
remember all the captains'

317
00:18:41,041 --> 00:18:45,461
names and assignments, but there were too many and
he was still too new.

318
00:18:45,501 --> 00:18:48,281
Kalos is the captain of the Warehouse District.

319
00:18:48,521 --> 00:18:53,482
He coordinates our efforts with the Craft Guild,
but he is overwhelmed with the logistics of taking

320
00:18:53,541 --> 00:18:55,901
craft supplies without it being noticed.

321
00:18:56,162 --> 00:18:59,961
We haven't made a significant effort at
infiltrating Orion's Circle.

322
00:19:00,561 --> 00:19:02,541
It is an unfortunate oversight.

323
00:19:02,541 --> 00:19:06,942
"So, our immediate source of information is
Vesper,

324
00:19:07,401 --> 00:19:10,841
and we don't know if he's trustworthy or when
he'll report back.

325
00:19:11,621 --> 00:19:13,401
Any other concerns I'm missing?"

326
00:19:14,201 --> 00:19:18,401
Well, Guildmaster, we have to prepare for the
possibility of being invaded.

327
00:19:19,241 --> 00:19:24,121
Now that we're in the open, it is possible that
Larsen will change tack

328
00:19:24,581 --> 00:19:28,141
and put his effort into uniting Ness against the
thieves."

329
00:19:28,561 --> 00:19:31,661
It's the Outlanders plan all over again, only we
are the bad guys.

330
00:19:31,661 --> 00:19:33,961
We've always been the bad guys.

331
00:19:33,961 --> 00:19:38,621
"Okay, what do you think of this? Cude will handle
the refugees,

332
00:19:39,061 --> 00:19:41,101
Dirk will handle guild defenses..."

333
00:19:41,781 --> 00:19:46,621
Dirk was the captain of the guard. "And Allard,
you will travel to the Lower

334
00:19:46,721 --> 00:19:50,141
Quarter to gather information and contact Vesper."

335
00:19:50,961 --> 00:19:54,361
Sir, may I remind you that I am wanted and will be
arrested at first sight.

336
00:19:54,361 --> 00:19:58,441
"You are known for your appearance, your hood
especially.

337
00:19:58,961 --> 00:20:02,921
You will wear a white suit of chain mail, with a
coif that covers your skull.

338
00:20:03,561 --> 00:20:06,341
As a knight, you won't stand out with your size."

339
00:20:07,921 --> 00:20:12,301
I will not wear the white. Allard's voice was a
growl, and spoken with an

340
00:20:12,301 --> 00:20:14,101
intimidating forcefulness.

341
00:20:14,841 --> 00:20:19,721
Relan looked at Allard in surprise. He had never
had Allard outright refuse

342
00:20:19,741 --> 00:20:24,361
a command. He would gently lead Relan to a better
idea, or he would

343
00:20:24,381 --> 00:20:29,121
explain why Relan's command was mistaken, but he
never answered

344
00:20:29,441 --> 00:20:30,701
as he just did.

345
00:20:30,701 --> 00:20:35,261
"It is necessary. You cannot go as a Harvest Guild
member,

346
00:20:35,521 --> 00:20:40,341
as they are being removed. It would be too
dangerous for you to pose as a merchant

347
00:20:40,381 --> 00:20:43,281
or Craft Guild member while in the Lower Quarter.

348
00:20:44,101 --> 00:20:47,021
The danger of being recognized would be too high."

349
00:20:47,921 --> 00:20:50,921
Come on, Allard. We all have to do difficult
things sometime in our life.

350
00:20:50,921 --> 00:20:54,001
How dare you make that comment to me, Rafe?

351
00:20:54,221 --> 00:20:58,501
Allard frowned as he turned to Rafe. He looked
frightening.

352
00:20:58,501 --> 00:21:02,461
"How dare you? You know nothing of the difficult
things and decisions I've had to make.

353
00:21:02,921 --> 00:21:06,701
Nothing." Allard's words were all restrained fury.

354
00:21:07,301 --> 00:21:12,101
Turning to Relan, his voice returned to a steely
calm, which was

355
00:21:12,161 --> 00:21:17,141
frightening in its own way. "I will never wear the
white again." Allard lowered

356
00:21:17,141 --> 00:21:17,701
his head.

357
00:21:17,701 --> 00:21:22,441
"Your history with the Knight Guild is widely
commented upon, but no one

358
00:21:22,481 --> 00:21:24,221
appears to know the details."

359
00:21:25,381 --> 00:21:28,241
It is a story I will share with you when the time
is right.

360
00:21:28,701 --> 00:21:33,581
Relan was going to reply that Allard always
answered that way, but he saw

361
00:21:33,661 --> 00:21:35,901
little benefit in saying so at the moment.

362
00:21:36,281 --> 00:21:39,741
Allard was, in many ways, the true leader of the
guild.

363
00:21:40,181 --> 00:21:45,161
Relan depended on him for major decisions, and
even keeping control of the

364
00:21:45,221 --> 00:21:48,381
many people who would reject Relan outright.

365
00:21:49,021 --> 00:21:52,801
Beyond that, Relan considered the old man as a
friend.

366
00:21:52,801 --> 00:21:55,001
"I respect your decision.

367
00:21:56,261 --> 00:21:57,581
Would you wear the brown?"

368
00:21:58,921 --> 00:22:02,541
Of the Guildless? No one would believe that. Relan
smiled.

369
00:22:02,941 --> 00:22:07,341
It wasn't often that he had a subtler knowledge of
guild politics than Allard.

370
00:22:07,341 --> 00:22:11,761
"No, of the Ranger Guild. We will outfit you as a

371
00:22:11,821 --> 00:22:16,181
ranger, and you can answer questions that you are
on a mission for Quinto."

372
00:22:17,081 --> 00:22:21,601
That is brilliant, Allard replied, his tone moving
from anger to

373
00:22:21,621 --> 00:22:26,561
appreciation. "Rangers are rarely seen, so no one
would be surprised at not knowing me.

374
00:22:27,121 --> 00:22:32,081
With the chaos, it makes sense that Quinto would
send someone to meet with the guildmasters to see
what is

375
00:22:32,121 --> 00:22:36,661
going on. And the chain mail coif would hide my
features." Allard

376
00:22:36,701 --> 00:22:40,361
smiled, and his face glowed. "Thank you,
Guildmaster.

377
00:22:40,541 --> 00:22:42,761
I will wear the brown and appreciate your
understanding."

378
00:22:42,761 --> 00:22:43,961
"So, what will you do?"

379
00:22:43,961 --> 00:22:48,861
"I'll find Vesper and see if the judgment of our
guildmaster to

380
00:22:48,921 --> 00:22:50,681
show him mercy has paid dividends."

381
00:22:51,701 --> 00:22:56,541
Relan thought of all the things currently outside
the control of the guild: the

382
00:22:56,621 --> 00:23:00,821
influx of Harvest Guild refuges, the decisions of
the other

383
00:23:00,881 --> 00:23:04,501
guildmasters, and the potential of an attack on
the guild.

384
00:23:04,861 --> 00:23:09,641
That the one thing under their control was a
traitorous blade, that merely days

385
00:23:09,681 --> 00:23:13,401
earlier was intent on killing Relan, did not bode
well.

386
00:23:13,401 --> 00:23:45,061
(dramatic music)