1
00:00:01,620 --> 00:00:02,900
The Thieves Guild

2
00:00:04,380 --> 00:00:05,759
by Jake Kerr.

3
00:00:11,159 --> 00:00:12,999
Episode 85:

4
00:00:16,600 --> 00:00:17,759
The Apprentice.

5
00:00:23,619 --> 00:00:27,299
Larson couldn't find the little wretch and was
getting annoyed.

6
00:00:27,799 --> 00:00:32,779
He had put up with more from Karris than he had
ever handled before solely

7
00:00:32,779 --> 00:00:35,359
in the interest of keeping Orion happy.

8
00:00:35,880 --> 00:00:40,400
But now, with Orion about to be removed from the
picture, his annoying

9
00:00:40,439 --> 00:00:42,019
nephew could be dealt with.

10
00:00:42,700 --> 00:00:45,159
Frustrated, he grabbed a guard by the arm.

11
00:00:45,159 --> 00:00:48,360
"Where is Karris?" he asked brusquely.

12
00:00:48,959 --> 00:00:53,839
The guard turned with a scowl, which instantly
turned to fear as she saw

13
00:00:53,879 --> 00:00:54,799
who it was.

14
00:00:54,799 --> 00:00:56,479
"Guildmaster."

15
00:00:56,899 --> 00:00:58,159
She bowed her head.

16
00:00:58,159 --> 00:01:00,699
"He was disciplining the captain of the gate,
sir."

17
00:01:00,699 --> 00:01:05,679
"What? Why?" Larson knew the boy was flouting his

18
00:01:05,779 --> 00:01:10,759
position as assistant guildmaster and ordering
people around for no reason than the

19
00:01:10,879 --> 00:01:11,959
joy and the power.

20
00:01:12,599 --> 00:01:14,319
It made Larson sick.

21
00:01:14,319 --> 00:01:16,099
"I know not, sir."

22
00:01:17,379 --> 00:01:22,259
Shaking his head, Larson muttered, "Why would he
distract the captain of the gate when

23
00:01:22,299 --> 00:01:24,739
we are in a state of war? He is needed there."

24
00:01:25,739 --> 00:01:30,219
Turning his attention to the guard, he snapped,
"Bring him to my office now."

25
00:01:30,219 --> 00:01:31,239
"Yes, sir."

26
00:01:32,159 --> 00:01:37,079
It was a full hour later when Karris strode into
Larson's office, an arrogant smile on

27
00:01:37,079 --> 00:01:41,479
his face. Larson stared at some papers on his
desk, and in his most

28
00:01:41,499 --> 00:01:45,979
intimidating voice, and without looking up, said,
"Sit down."

29
00:01:46,739 --> 00:01:49,639
Karris sat down but didn't say anything.

30
00:01:50,199 --> 00:01:55,139
After a delay that Larson felt was long enough to
let Karris know that his time

31
00:01:55,139 --> 00:01:59,679
belonged to Larson, the guildmaster looked up
while pushing the paper

32
00:01:59,719 --> 00:02:04,479
aside. "I'm going to give you an opportunity that
you don't deserve," Larson

33
00:02:04,539 --> 00:02:06,539
said, his voice emotionless.

34
00:02:06,539 --> 00:02:07,259
"Yeah?

35
00:02:07,979 --> 00:02:08,579
What's that?"

36
00:02:09,279 --> 00:02:14,219
Karris was lounging in the chair, slouched to the
side and looking at Larson with

37
00:02:14,239 --> 00:02:19,139
his head tilted. He looked as if he was
entertained and was simply waiting

38
00:02:19,159 --> 00:02:23,379
to hear what kind of foolishness Larson was going
to say next.

39
00:02:23,379 --> 00:02:28,039
"Let me outline your accomplishments first,"
Larson said through clenched

40
00:02:28,099 --> 00:02:32,779
teeth. His instincts were to just kill the boy,
but he didn't want to do

41
00:02:32,979 --> 00:02:35,899
anything until he confirmed Orion was dead.

42
00:02:36,579 --> 00:02:40,959
Instead, he'd send Karris off on a mission where
he would do no harm,

43
00:02:41,639 --> 00:02:43,879
or just as likely,

44
00:02:44,539 --> 00:02:49,079
die. "You have angered the guild guards with your
disdain for the rules.

45
00:02:49,579 --> 00:02:53,019
You have angered every one of my captains with
your disregard for their authority.

46
00:02:53,639 --> 00:02:57,899
You have the entire guild talking of your
impertinence, and you have angered my deputy
guildmaster with

47
00:02:57,919 --> 00:02:58,699
your disrespect."

48
00:02:59,499 --> 00:03:00,519
Karris shrugged.

49
00:03:00,519 --> 00:03:03,759
"I'm the assistant guildmaster. They should
respect me."

50
00:03:04,299 --> 00:03:07,259
The boy's arrogance triggered Larson's temper.

51
00:03:07,259 --> 00:03:12,159
"Listen, whelp, you are here for one reason and
one reason alone: as a favor to your

52
00:03:12,179 --> 00:03:16,999
uncle. You're a useless little piece of refuse
whose luck is solely due to being shat out

53
00:03:17,039 --> 00:03:21,959
close enough to the river so that it can pretend
it's a ship as it floats along the

54
00:03:22,019 --> 00:03:22,579
waves."

55
00:03:23,299 --> 00:03:25,379
Karris clapped his hands slowly.

56
00:03:25,379 --> 00:03:30,259
"That's an amusing image. Did you just come up
with it now, or have you used it on

57
00:03:30,279 --> 00:03:30,779
others?"

58
00:03:31,619 --> 00:03:36,319
Larson took a deep breath. He realized that the
boy's arrogance was so

59
00:03:36,319 --> 00:03:39,699
absurd that he didn't realize who he was dealing
with.

60
00:03:40,219 --> 00:03:44,419
His options were to simply jail him or find a new
way to

61
00:03:44,459 --> 00:03:46,699
redirect his troublesome nature.

62
00:03:47,379 --> 00:03:51,819
Still unsure of how the Orion scenario would play
out, Larson

63
00:03:51,839 --> 00:03:56,159
decided to go with the route that seemed the most
likely to succeed.

64
00:03:56,159 --> 00:04:00,099
"So you want to prove yourself? You feel like your
authority rivals mine?"

65
00:04:00,699 --> 00:04:04,779
Karris shrugged while not moving from his casual
position on the chair.

66
00:04:04,779 --> 00:04:05,799
"Fine.

67
00:04:06,419 --> 00:04:08,399
I have been friends with your uncle for a long
time.

68
00:04:08,779 --> 00:04:12,019
Perhaps I owe him a chance for you to prove your
abilities with real authority."

69
00:04:13,079 --> 00:04:17,959
It was a lie, of course, but Karris straightened
up in his chair, looking

70
00:04:18,059 --> 00:04:18,699
curious.

71
00:04:18,699 --> 00:04:21,739
"I'm not going to be captain of the money
counters."

72
00:04:22,379 --> 00:04:27,279
Larson stared at him. He didn't know which was
worse, the boy's lack

73
00:04:27,299 --> 00:04:32,039
of appreciation for the importance and difficulty
of that job, or the boy's

74
00:04:32,099 --> 00:04:35,699
telling Larson which job he would or would not
take.

75
00:04:36,499 --> 00:04:39,239
Shaking his head, Larson forced a smile.

76
00:04:39,239 --> 00:04:43,299
"No, I am not going to name you captain of the
money counters.

77
00:04:43,659 --> 00:04:48,119
I have a much more important job for you, one
related to the ongoing mission with your uncle."

78
00:04:48,879 --> 00:04:53,479
Of course, Orion had recently outlined his concern
over Larson's

79
00:04:53,479 --> 00:04:57,319
strategy, but he doubted Karris was aware of that.

80
00:04:57,319 --> 00:04:58,879
"Go on."

81
00:04:59,539 --> 00:05:02,659
By the gods, Larson hated the boy's arrogance.

82
00:05:03,179 --> 00:05:06,119
Taking another breath, he outlined his plan.

83
00:05:06,119 --> 00:05:09,879
"As you are aware, your uncle and I are
consolidating our power over Ness.

84
00:05:10,259 --> 00:05:14,839
This involves us creating suffering among the
Harvest Guild members, for which they will blame
Polo.

85
00:05:15,319 --> 00:05:19,319
They will then remove Polo, and our path to ruling
Ness will be secure."

86
00:05:20,839 --> 00:05:21,799
Karris nodded.

87
00:05:21,799 --> 00:05:23,659
"This is my uncle's plan?"

88
00:05:23,659 --> 00:05:28,479
"It is our plan. We will rule Ness together."
Larson slapped

89
00:05:28,499 --> 00:05:32,079
his hand on his desk impatiently. "But you know
this.

90
00:05:32,539 --> 00:05:34,179
You are here as a sign of our friendship."

91
00:05:34,939 --> 00:05:39,399
His temper rising again, Larson spoke through
clenched teeth.

92
00:05:39,399 --> 00:05:43,639
"As I noted, you have abused the kindness I have
shown Orion, but..."

93
00:05:44,299 --> 00:05:48,999
Larson held up his hand. "I have a way that will
allow you to not only contribute to your

94
00:05:49,039 --> 00:05:53,079
uncle's plan, but to do so while earning the
respect of the entire city."

95
00:05:53,819 --> 00:05:57,699
Larson forced a smile. "You may even be called a
hero."

96
00:05:57,699 --> 00:06:02,639
"And what is this heroic job?" The tone of Karris'
voice

97
00:06:02,659 --> 00:06:04,059
was the last straw.

98
00:06:04,685 --> 00:06:08,605
Larsen's anger had reached the point where he was
eerily calm.

99
00:06:08,946 --> 00:06:13,405
He moved with an exaggerated slowness as he spread
his hands on his

100
00:06:13,405 --> 00:06:18,365
desk. He stared at Kerres who smiled his arrogant
smile as he returned

101
00:06:18,385 --> 00:06:23,286
the stare. "It is simple. You will travel across
Traders' Bridge to the inner fields.

102
00:06:23,645 --> 00:06:27,305
You will examine the intentions of Polo's guards.
Are they organizing?

103
00:06:27,705 --> 00:06:29,946
Are they planning on attacking us over Traders'
Bridge?

104
00:06:31,025 --> 00:06:33,245
You will then return to me and let me know what
you find."

105
00:06:33,926 --> 00:06:38,045
Larsen leaned forward as if daring Kerres to turn
down the mission.

106
00:06:38,045 --> 00:06:39,165
"Simple."

107
00:06:39,165 --> 00:06:42,186
"My family is well-known in the Upper Triangle.

108
00:06:42,426 --> 00:06:44,626
It would be difficult for me to disguise myself."

109
00:06:44,626 --> 00:06:47,025
"Who said anything about a disguise?"

110
00:06:47,025 --> 00:06:49,565
"Have you lost your mind?"

111
00:06:50,426 --> 00:06:54,165
Kerres stood up, and to Larsen's shock, he looked
angry.

112
00:06:54,786 --> 00:06:58,765
Pointing behind Larsen, Kerres continued. "Look
out on the city.

113
00:06:58,946 --> 00:07:01,266
Do you see the results of your idiotic plan?"

114
00:07:01,266 --> 00:07:06,205
"What are you doing?" Larsen exclaimed as Kerres
marched around

115
00:07:06,305 --> 00:07:11,025
Larsen's desk. Grabbing his knife, Larsen watched
as Kerres ignored him

116
00:07:11,465 --> 00:07:15,865
and strode over to the large plate glass window
behind Larsen's desk.

117
00:07:16,365 --> 00:07:18,165
It overlooked the lower quarter.

118
00:07:18,165 --> 00:07:22,805
"Fires, battles, refugees. Who in their right

119
00:07:22,845 --> 00:07:24,825
mind thought this was a good plan?"

120
00:07:25,525 --> 00:07:28,965
Larsen clenched the knife in his hand and stood
up.

121
00:07:28,965 --> 00:07:30,145
"Your uncle."

122
00:07:30,145 --> 00:07:31,645
"My uncle?"

123
00:07:32,405 --> 00:07:35,025
Kerres spun around and looked at Larsen.

124
00:07:35,025 --> 00:07:38,765
"This is all you're doing, Larsen." Kerres shook
his head.

125
00:07:38,765 --> 00:07:41,725
"The inner fields? Have you lost your wits?

126
00:07:41,985 --> 00:07:45,665
The moment I'm recognized, the Harvest Guild will
hang me from a tree."

127
00:07:46,385 --> 00:07:50,985
Larsen approached Kerres, not quite sure if he
would stab him right there

128
00:07:51,385 --> 00:07:55,125
or have the boy dispatched deep into the guild
prison.

129
00:07:55,125 --> 00:08:00,065
"Your cowardice does not become you," Larsen
replied, walking up to

130
00:08:00,085 --> 00:08:04,385
the window and looking out. "The guild members
know why they're being driven off.

131
00:08:04,705 --> 00:08:06,005
Their guild master betrayed them.

132
00:08:06,725 --> 00:08:07,965
They have no issue with me."

133
00:08:08,805 --> 00:08:13,325
Larsen was about to give his ultimatum: take the
mission to the inner

134
00:08:13,385 --> 00:08:18,345
fields or die in the dungeon. But before he could
say anything, Kerres pushed

135
00:08:18,425 --> 00:08:21,485
past Larsen and took a step toward the door.

136
00:08:22,205 --> 00:08:24,345
He paused, however, and turned.

137
00:08:24,345 --> 00:08:27,965
"I will not hang, guild master, and do you know
why?"

138
00:08:28,625 --> 00:08:33,585
Larsen sighed. The relentless arrogance and
annoyance of Kerres had

139
00:08:33,685 --> 00:08:37,965
sapped all his anger. Torture and death in the
dungeon it would be.

140
00:08:37,965 --> 00:08:40,225
"No, but I'm sure you were going to inform me."

141
00:08:40,225 --> 00:08:43,605
"Because I will be guild master and fix your
mistakes."

142
00:08:44,205 --> 00:08:49,165
And with a suddenness and violence that Larsen
could not have predicted, Kerres

143
00:08:49,205 --> 00:08:54,005
took a step and planted a hard, high kick directly
into the center of

144
00:08:54,045 --> 00:08:55,105
Larsen's chest.

145
00:08:55,705 --> 00:09:00,145
Larsen flew backward. As he spun his arms, Larsen
slammed into the

146
00:09:00,205 --> 00:09:02,305
window, which shattered behind him.

147
00:09:02,725 --> 00:09:07,525
His momentum carried him through the window and
then down a long fall that

148
00:09:07,525 --> 00:09:10,865
ended on the smooth, hard cobblestones below.

149
00:09:10,885 --> 00:09:52,365
(dramatic music)