The Thieves Guild
by Jake Kerr.
Episode 72.
Messengers.
Raylan sat at the large wooden table in the center of his library, with Rafe's
head in a book to his right, and Allard sitting with his hands folded on the
table to his left.
The library had become Raylan's favorite spot in the entire tower,
even more than the more elaborate rooms or his balcony, with its
extraordinary view of the city. The library was simple and unadorned,
just books and furniture designed to service either research or
reading.
It had a quiet calmness about it, while the smell of the ancient books gave it an air
of solemnity. The fireplace, the walls of books, all of it
made Raylan feel like he was in a home that was uniquely his.
The privacy of the library also allowed Raylan to relax and give voice to
his insecurities and uncertainty. He was thrust into a
role he still felt he was unprepared for, and in the library, he didn't need to
act the part of the strong, confident guild master.
He wasn't a pretender, he was just the boy, Raylan.
Allard always treated Raylan as guild master, but in the privacy of the
library, Raylan could ask him difficult and sometimes embarrassing
questions, knowing that Allard would respond with an openness that he
wouldn't while with guild members.
Their current discussion was a good example.
Raylan was discussing the fact that Rogers had not arrived to report.
Rogers had missed the meeting of the guild captains, which Raylan excused due to
Rogers needing to help with some kind of emergency in the flats.
But to not report back by the next day was surprising, and Raylan was starting
to think that Rogers had an agenda.
Do you think he is sending a message about my being the guild master?
The idea made sense to Raylan. He was forced upon the
guild, and his reputation as an irresponsible and immature delinquent
had made its way to the captains. Still, the council had gone well.
Allard's steadying hand was helpful, but what generated the most
attention and positive commentary was the explanation of his mission to the
Outlands.
That the Outlanders gave Raylan the same respect they gave Pietro appeared
to matter a lot, yet Rogers had not attended the council.
Why?
He's a proud man and stubborn, but he is not irresponsible or the type to challenge his guild master.
But does he consider me his guild master?
Raylan replied, somewhat glumly. Allard reached
over and squeezed Raylan's arm.
At moments like these, he was the invaluable mentor that Raylan needed.
He does.
We all do. Our guild has always done things that seem to make no sense, but then
in hindsight, appear as wise.
But I was not the guild's choice.
Enough, Raylan.
Allard called Raylan by his name, which he did extremely rarely, and
only when he wanted to make an important point in private.
We have discussed this. Do you really think I would have allowed things to proceed if I
thought you would damage the guild?
It
was not the first time that Allard had insinuated that he knew how
seemingly random and unconnected events would fit together.
Rather than push his valued friend and deputy for details that he hadn't volunteered,
Raylan took it in stride and moved on.
Could he have been hurt? Should we send someone to investigate?
I appreciate and respect your concern, guild master, but I would recommend
giving him more time. We don't know the nature of the challenge he was facing.
There was a knock and one of the tower guards entered.
Captain Cude to see you, guild master.
Of course, Raylan said, standing up.
Send him in.
A few minutes later, Raylan met Cude, the captain of the old
quarter, at the entrance to the library.
Cude looked haggard, and marched in after a quick shake of Raylan's hand.
His previous uncertainty and borderline disrespect for Raylan were
gone.
We are getting overrun, guild master,
Cude said breathlessly.
He walked over and grabbed a glass from the table before filling it with a pitcher of
water.
Overrun?
Allard asked, pushing his chair back and standing as if he would personally
resolve the problem.
Are we being attacked?
No.
Cude raised his hand as he took a drink.
Sitting down, he added...
There is an enormous number of people entering the core from over the bridge.
Not an attack or an invasion so much as...
Cude threw up his arms.
I don't know what. It started overnight and is continuing as we speak.
Are they fleeing the fire?
Rafe asked.
I wondered the same thing.
I have personally asked several of them what was happening,
but they appeared to be in shock.
They outlined that they were fleeing a fire, but with the numbers I was seeing, the whole lower quarter
would have to be in flames.
Is that possible?
Raylan asked, remembering the comment of Rogers dealing with a fire.
Unlikely, but it is possible. The homes are mostly wood in the
flats and they are close together, but the fire protectors have a lot of experience with fires
and are well-trained for this type of thing.
There was a great fire in the old quarter before the Great Migration.
... Rafe replied, looking up and closing the book he was reading.
It destroyed the northeast part of the city.
We must help.
You are missing the point,
(music) Kood exclaimed, shaking his head. We are overrun with refugees.
The secrets of the old quarter are no more.
What do you mean? Raelin asked. But as soon as he asked the question, he knew
the answer.
There are hundreds of people streaming into the quarter.
We are taking care of them, and in doing so, can't help but reveal ourselves.
They are moving through the square and into the residential areas.
We can't stop them, and they see that it is far from a wretched quarter.
As Kood spoke, the room remained in a stunned silence.
Furthermore,
we had not had time to prepare.
They have seen the Black Guard. They see their fellow guild members wearing black.
Raelin glanced at Allard, but he was staring at Kood, his face
inscrutable. So you are saying we are revealed?
Raelin finally asked, although the answer was obvious.
Yes. Even now, we are trying to avoid rioting as citizens realize they are surrounded by
thieves.
Allard's deep voice filled the library.
We knew this day would come. Pietro and his predecessors have done their best to avoid
it until the time was right, but even Pietro knew that our secrecy was a house built on
sand.
Raelin had no idea what to say, let alone do.
As silence filled the room in the wake of Allard's comment, Raelin glanced
at Allard, wondering if he would follow his comment up with some advice.
Allard was staring directly at Raelin and nodded slightly.
It was a small thing, but it meant the world to Raelin.
Allard was awaiting his guild master's command.
Confidence filled Raelin. He was young.
He was ill-prepared to lead a small group, let alone a guild, but
Allard had faith in him as he had from the start.
It was enough.
We don't have enough information,
Raelin said, his voice louder than necessary, which caused everyone to
jolt and look at him. "But that's not an immediate problem."
Raelin looked at Kood. "Captain Kood?"
Yes, Guild Master?
Kood was respectful and intent as Raelin spoke, which filled him with
even more confidence.
We no longer have the luxury of secrecy.
Our first priority is to create goodwill and trust with our new friends.
Do we have lodgings to handle them all? Food?
Water?
Yes, Guild Master.
The old quarter is vast and mostly unpopulated as you move away from the river, yet
there are homes and buildings there.
They have not been occupied for centuries, but they are well-built and will serve the
purpose.
Excellent. We cannot be blamed for providing dusty lodgings.
It is at least shelter.
And food?
We can feed them, but our stores will not last long.
We'll need to raid the silo district soon to replenish them.
Raelin shook his head. "No.
Remember, our secrets are revealed. We must come up with new methods.
However, we will worry about that later. For now, that is your mission.
Make our new citizens welcome. Provide for them with no expectation of
payment, and let them know that the thieves are their friends."
So, I am to explain who we are?
"Yes. If we are out in the open, we need
to change Ness's opinion of us as quickly as possible, and that will be easiest with these
homeless citizens who will need our help.
So don't wait for the whispers to define the message.
Be proud and open about our role in Ness."
Guild Master Raelin speaks wisdom. Do you need help to fulfill this mission?
"No,
it will be a challenge and a bit chaotic, but we can handle it."
Kood stood up.
May I be dismissed, sir? I fear that any delay will just make things worse.
"Yes,
but one last thing."
Kood nodded his head toward Raelin. "Is there any additional information about the
situation of these fire refugees? Even something that seems incidental may be
important."
Tapping his chin with a finger, Kood replied.
Not that I can recall.
There was talk of a fire and naught else.
I left as soon as I realized the number of people was more than we could handle.
"Thank you, Captain. Return to your post and send us
progress reports by messenger."
Kood bowed and walked toward the exit, pausing when he got to the door.
Turning around, he added.
"There is one thing. Nearly all the refugees appear to be Harvest Guild members, which
is unsurprising knowing the size of the guild,
but it still might be wise to contact Guild Master Polo."
As Kood's steps echoed from the staircase, Rafe spoke up.
I thought Polo hated us.
He doesn't hate us. He fears assassination, and rightfully so.
Still, the effect is the same. He won't accept an audience with anyone but a trusted
Harvest Guild member.
Rogers.
Rafe exclaimed. Raelin and Allard peered at him.
He must be dealing with this. It is why he didn't come and hasn't sent a messenger.
I had thought of that, Rafe. It is the latter comment that concerns me.
Whatever is happening must be overwhelming, as we would have been informed by now.
If they are that big, shouldn't we be able to see the fires from the balcony?
Of course! Raelin exclaimed, pushing his seat back.
He hadn't been on his balcony since the night before when he and Rafe had seen
exactly that, a fire in the flats.... as the other two stood.
More footsteps could be heard from the stairwell.
I fear that these interruptions will be a regular occurrence with what we now know.
Allard muttered as a thief wearing the blue of the Merchant Guild stumbled into
the room. His face was covered in soot, and his clothing was
dirty and torn. Raylan was surprised to see a thief not wearing
black in the Guild Tower, and the disguise was disarming.
Their visitor looked like a sickly boy who worked for the Merchant Guild a couple of
years younger than Raylan.
Guildmaster,
he said, practically collapsing onto the floor in front of Raylan.
He dropped his hands to his knees and took in large gulps of air as he was bent
over.
By the gods, you look exhausted. Here, have some water.
Raylan poured water into a glass and handed it to the boy, who took
it and gulped it down.
Pharos
sent
me.
The boy said between drinks of water.
His hands shook.
Pharos? I don't know who that is.
Raylan replied. He looked at Allard, who shook his head.
He
was on a mission for Captain Rogers.
Rogers, what is your message? We've been awaiting word.
I've come as fast as I could, Guildmaster.
The boy looked petrified standing in front of the mighty Allard.
The river is blockaded by the Knights, and the Great Bridge is awash in
refugees. It was faster to run than try to navigate by horse.
You ran all the way from the Great Bridge to here?
Raylan couldn't comprehend such a sprint.
It was nearly a 10-mile run.
No, sir, I ran all the way here from the Green Belt.
Wow,
Rafe blurted out.
It was a trip of at least 15 miles, and the boy did it all on foot.
Sit down and tell us your message.
Raylan replied, taking the boy's arm and moving him to Raylan's own
chair, which had a padded seat and armrest.
As the boy sat down, Raylan asked his name, which was Terris.
Here is what I was told, Guildmaster.
The Merchant Guild has attacked the Harvest Guild.
They have burned the Green Belt, Ironsides, and several other homes and businesses to the
ground.
The Guild Guards are rounding up every Harvest Guild member in the Lower Quarter and are driving them
across the Great Bridge. That is all I know.
The Merchant Guild attacked the Harvest Guild?
Rafe cut in, his voice not so much full of outrage as
curiosity.
Is attacking.
This cannot be true.
Allard interjected.
The Knight Protectors would stop such madness of Larsen's.
Raylan could tell that Allard was troubled as he rarely failed to use the
Guildmaster honorific when discussing Larsen, even when Larsen was
plotting great evil.
They are nowhere to be seen, Deputy. The Fire Protectors did not arrive to help fight the flames in the Lower
Quarter, and the Knightships guarding the river were doing nothing but stopping any boats from departing
the docks.
Sax is in league with Larsen, Allard. You know this.
Yes, and I am guessing that Orion is letting Larsen pursue this, knowing it will be
his downfall.
Raylan remembered the conversation with Vesper. The pieces all came together.
Sax worked with Larsen out of a naive belief that Larsen was destined to lead
Ness, while Orion played them both from the background.
Raylan couldn't believe he hadn't understood Orion's role earlier.
It was all so clear now after hearing it from the mouth of Orion's former
blade.
Philos, take Terris to the guest lodgings.
Provide him with a comfortable bed, new clothes, and food.
Philos, Raylan's bodyguard, and the second most intimidating warrior
Raylan had ever seen after Allard, walked in from his ever-present post
outside the room that Raylan occupied.
Yes, Guildmaster?
Thank you, Terris.
You have done well.
The boy nodded and bowed in an awkward show of abeyance as Philos motioned him
toward the door.
As the two exited, Rafe spoke up.
This is eerily similar to what happened when the Thieves Guild was founded.
Rafe pulled a book over from across the table and opened it.
Allard and Raylan returned to their chairs.
How so?
I don't know all of the details. The books of the founding of the guild are missing.
I know they must be somewhere, but those books aren't here.
Rafe shook his head as he spoke.
Anyway, the history of our guild's finding is tied into a civil war between the Merchant and Harvest
Guilds, with the Knight Guild helping the Merchant Guild.
I remember you mentioning that. Yes, it was before the Great Migration.
How did it end?
The Knight Tower was torn to the ground. The gate to the plains was destroyed and closed.
The bridge linking the golden fields to the new inner fields was destroyed.
Harvest House was somehow killed, and the population fled to the north side of the river, abandoning the
Old Quarter.
That's all? I thought it was supposed to be bad.
Raylan shook his head.
We need to stop this.
Allard said, his voice deep and grim.
Well, we must take the Harvest Guild's side.
This isn't about taking sides. There will be too many needless deaths.
We need to discover Larsen's plan and disrupt that. It is not to create a civil war that we win.
Raylan was tempted to just blurt out that he had no idea what to do when
he had an outrageous idea.
This seems to all revolve around Orion in some way.
I mean, my brother is leading this with Sax's help, but he wouldn't do this if Orion
wasn't standing by.
Allard nodded.
Vesper said he was dangerous, playing us all for fools.
Orion's sitting on the sidelines while Larsen and Sax set fire to the Lower Quarter.
... certainly indicates that he knows how to be involved just enough not to get dirty.
"Vesper,"
Relan muttered, not at all liking the idea that their fortunes were tied to the
traitorous blade. "Do we have anyone close to the Craft Guild and Orion?
Who is the captain?"
Relan cursed himself. He had tried hard to remember all the captains'
names and assignments, but there were too many and he was still too new.
Kalos is the captain of the Warehouse District.
He coordinates our efforts with the Craft Guild, but he is overwhelmed with the logistics of taking
craft supplies without it being noticed.
We haven't made a significant effort at infiltrating Orion's Circle.
It is an unfortunate oversight.
"So, our immediate source of information is Vesper,
and we don't know if he's trustworthy or when he'll report back.
Any other concerns I'm missing?"
Well, Guildmaster, we have to prepare for the possibility of being invaded.
Now that we're in the open, it is possible that Larsen will change tack
and put his effort into uniting Ness against the thieves."
It's the Outlanders plan all over again, only we are the bad guys.
We've always been the bad guys.
"Okay, what do you think of this? Cude will handle the refugees,
Dirk will handle guild defenses..."
Dirk was the captain of the guard. "And Allard, you will travel to the Lower
Quarter to gather information and contact Vesper."
Sir, may I remind you that I am wanted and will be arrested at first sight.
"You are known for your appearance, your hood especially.
You will wear a white suit of chain mail, with a coif that covers your skull.
As a knight, you won't stand out with your size."
I will not wear the white. Allard's voice was a growl, and spoken with an
intimidating forcefulness.
Relan looked at Allard in surprise. He had never had Allard outright refuse
a command. He would gently lead Relan to a better idea, or he would
explain why Relan's command was mistaken, but he never answered
as he just did.
"It is necessary. You cannot go as a Harvest Guild member,
as they are being removed. It would be too dangerous for you to pose as a merchant
or Craft Guild member while in the Lower Quarter.
The danger of being recognized would be too high."
Come on, Allard. We all have to do difficult things sometime in our life.
How dare you make that comment to me, Rafe?
Allard frowned as he turned to Rafe. He looked frightening.
"How dare you? You know nothing of the difficult things and decisions I've had to make.
Nothing." Allard's words were all restrained fury.
Turning to Relan, his voice returned to a steely calm, which was
frightening in its own way. "I will never wear the white again." Allard lowered
his head.
"Your history with the Knight Guild is widely commented upon, but no one
appears to know the details."
It is a story I will share with you when the time is right.
Relan was going to reply that Allard always answered that way, but he saw
little benefit in saying so at the moment.
Allard was, in many ways, the true leader of the guild.
Relan depended on him for major decisions, and even keeping control of the
many people who would reject Relan outright.
Beyond that, Relan considered the old man as a friend.
"I respect your decision.
Would you wear the brown?"
Of the Guildless? No one would believe that. Relan smiled.
It wasn't often that he had a subtler knowledge of guild politics than Allard.
"No, of the Ranger Guild. We will outfit you as a
ranger, and you can answer questions that you are on a mission for Quinto."
That is brilliant, Allard replied, his tone moving from anger to
appreciation. "Rangers are rarely seen, so no one would be surprised at not knowing me.
With the chaos, it makes sense that Quinto would send someone to meet with the guildmasters to see what is
going on. And the chain mail coif would hide my features." Allard
smiled, and his face glowed. "Thank you, Guildmaster.
I will wear the brown and appreciate your understanding."
"So, what will you do?"
"I'll find Vesper and see if the judgment of our guildmaster to
show him mercy has paid dividends."
Relan thought of all the things currently outside the control of the guild: the
influx of Harvest Guild refuges, the decisions of the other
guildmasters, and the potential of an attack on the guild.
That the one thing under their control was a traitorous blade, that merely days
earlier was intent on killing Relan, did not bode well.
(dramatic music)