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 00:00:09,000 --> 00:00:09,940 Season 3. 4 00:00:12,880 --> 00:00:14,579 Episode 39. 5 00:00:18,719 --> 00:00:20,100 Six Armies. 6 00:00:24,439 --> 00:00:29,179 They weren't armies, not really, but they weren't mobs of people either. 7 00:00:29,579 --> 00:00:32,839 They were all organized with a singular mission. 8 00:00:32,839 --> 00:00:37,580 "Armies it is," Rafe thought as he looked out from the 9 00:00:37,659 --> 00:00:39,179 Thieves Tower balcony. 10 00:00:39,860 --> 00:00:44,499 The fact that everything was so clear from his spot miles away was almost 11 00:00:44,579 --> 00:00:48,099 magical. "Who am I kidding? Of course, it's magic." 12 00:00:48,700 --> 00:00:53,659 The reality was so obvious, Rafe spoke the words out loud even though he was alone. 13 00:00:54,259 --> 00:00:59,239 He'd learned much over the past few weeks, and even the things that weren't written down 14 00:00:59,259 --> 00:01:01,059 were as clear as ink on paper. 15 00:01:01,879 --> 00:01:06,519 Magic infused the Thieves Guild. Magic was the 16 00:01:06,599 --> 00:01:07,679 Thieves Guild. 17 00:01:08,359 --> 00:01:10,939 The tower was the most obvious example. 18 00:01:11,339 --> 00:01:16,259 It was massive, and while far from the city across the river, it still should have been 19 00:01:16,279 --> 00:01:20,499 as clear as the mountain, but it was so well-camouflaged as to be 20 00:01:20,559 --> 00:01:21,439 invisible, 21 00:01:22,539 --> 00:01:24,399 camouflaged by magic. 22 00:01:25,279 --> 00:01:29,459 And the balcony upon which Rafe stood was another piece of magic. 23 00:01:30,059 --> 00:01:35,039 By all indications, it was simply well-crafted stone, but if you wanted to 24 00:01:35,119 --> 00:01:40,059 see something within the city, really see something, it somehow was 25 00:01:40,159 --> 00:01:41,199 just within sight. 26 00:01:41,959 --> 00:01:46,399 Not like one of the extremely rare spy glasses where you could focus on the 27 00:01:46,479 --> 00:01:51,359 distance. More like a vision from the distance that was just close enough that 28 00:01:51,399 --> 00:01:52,719 you knew what was happening. 29 00:01:53,779 --> 00:01:57,979 Such was the case as Rafe surveyed the war spread across the city. 30 00:01:58,499 --> 00:02:03,059 There was the Thief army, driving into the rear forces of the Outlanders 31 00:02:03,279 --> 00:02:05,859 after having emerged from the Gate Sewer. 32 00:02:06,499 --> 00:02:10,819 Within the city were the Harvest Guild members, overwhelming the 33 00:02:10,879 --> 00:02:13,899 Outlanders through pure desperation. 34 00:02:14,859 --> 00:02:19,699 And in a surprise to Rafe, the Merchant Guild had sent forces, which 35 00:02:19,739 --> 00:02:24,319 were squeezing the Outlanders with the Harvest Guild members like a vice. 36 00:02:25,099 --> 00:02:29,859 And then there was the wall, forces of White rushing from left to right, 37 00:02:30,159 --> 00:02:33,959 and forces in brown marching from right to left. 38 00:02:34,559 --> 00:02:36,819 The only guild missing was the Craft Guild. 39 00:02:37,699 --> 00:02:42,359 Rafe couldn't find them anywhere within the city, even with the assistance of 40 00:02:42,559 --> 00:02:43,319 magic. 41 00:02:44,399 --> 00:02:48,879 There was a flash of red near the Great Gate which drew Rafe's attention. 42 00:02:49,399 --> 00:02:52,999 Red? Who would be wearing the red of the Magic Guild? 43 00:02:53,719 --> 00:02:58,339 Rafe peered ahead, but it was gone. Was there an Outlander in 44 00:02:58,359 --> 00:03:01,359 red? Now that would have been interesting. 45 00:03:02,419 --> 00:03:06,919 What secrets were there in Gautland, in Calysto, and the other 46 00:03:06,999 --> 00:03:09,699 cities no one had visited in centuries? 47 00:03:10,579 --> 00:03:14,779 Turning from the balcony, Rafe walked back toward his quarters. 48 00:03:15,399 --> 00:03:20,379 As much as the unfolding violence would change the city of Ness, it wouldn't 49 00:03:20,439 --> 00:03:25,399 even begin to affect things as much as the mysteries that Rafe had discovered 50 00:03:25,599 --> 00:03:26,939 hidden in the many books. 51 00:03:27,579 --> 00:03:32,159 One mystery most of all, one that even Rafe was struggling to believe: 52 00:03:33,279 --> 00:03:37,639 Quiet old Pietro was much more than anyone had ever thought. 53 00:03:39,439 --> 00:03:44,379 They wore black and swarmed out of the sewers like rats, covered in filth, 54 00:03:44,739 --> 00:03:49,719 with the only color to be seen being the white of their teeth behind vicious snarls. 55 00:03:50,279 --> 00:03:55,059 To his delight, Wilhelm's forces had easily marched into Ness, but now, 56 00:03:55,279 --> 00:03:59,799 as he and his rearguard passed the gate, a large force attacked, 57 00:04:00,119 --> 00:04:03,059 crawling from dark holes with grates removed. 58 00:04:03,799 --> 00:04:08,739 Wilhelm was surrounded by his personal guard, and his heavily armed and well-trained 59 00:04:08,799 --> 00:04:13,179 men repulsed the attack despite taking heavy losses. 60 00:04:13,179 --> 00:04:17,879 "Into the city. The thieves will scurry into dark corners to attack again. 61 00:04:18,379 --> 00:04:22,919 We must get to the open terrain beyond the gate." His men escorted Wilhelm 62 00:04:23,039 --> 00:04:27,719 deeper into the city, down the paved road that was all too familiar to 63 00:04:27,759 --> 00:04:31,179 him, as it was the same road that entered his own city. 64 00:04:31,879 --> 00:04:35,459 At this point, Wilhelm realized he was in dire straits. 65 00:04:35,839 --> 00:04:40,739 Knights in black upon the wall rained arrows upon them, and the road full of bodies made 66 00:04:40,759 --> 00:04:45,179 it clear that his invading force had faced similar death from above. 67 00:04:45,859 --> 00:04:49,459 His only hope was to move out of range of the archers. "Don't stop. 68 00:04:49,699 --> 00:04:54,419 Follow the road along the river. We will sweep into the city and establish defensive positions. 69 00:04:55,079 --> 00:04:59,039 Captain?" Wilhelm addressed the captain of his personal guard. 70 00:04:59,039 --> 00:05:01,799 "The thieves in black will return. Guard our rear." 71 00:05:02,779 --> 00:05:07,679 Wilhelm had a vague plan of taking the entire city and repulsing the rangers 72 00:05:07,679 --> 00:05:10,679 and knights that were amassed in the outer fields. 73 00:05:11,359 --> 00:05:15,939 He immediately saw a major mistake in his plan: the city behind the wall 74 00:05:16,159 --> 00:05:17,159 was huge, 75 00:05:17,899 --> 00:05:22,879 much larger than he anticipated. He would need to establish a position within the 76 00:05:22,959 --> 00:05:27,799 city and do it quickly. His force moved forward, and as they 77 00:05:27,819 --> 00:05:32,319 left the gate and wall behind, they started to catch up to the main invading 78 00:05:32,419 --> 00:05:36,939 force. Wilhelm stood up in the stirrups of his great horse, peering 79 00:05:36,959 --> 00:05:39,839 ahead. A messenger was running toward him. 80 00:05:40,239 --> 00:05:43,019 He sat down and impatiently waited. 81 00:05:43,019 --> 00:05:47,279 "Crown, a force in green has stopped our advance." 82 00:05:47,279 --> 00:05:50,759 "Are they well-armed? The knights here wear white and black." 83 00:05:50,759 --> 00:05:52,399 "They are not. 84 00:05:53,059 --> 00:05:56,359 They bear clubs and pitchforks, but they are countless. 85 00:05:56,799 --> 00:06:00,239 They came across a giant bridge like insects and attacked from everywhere. 86 00:06:00,679 --> 00:06:02,699 More were coming as I left to inform you." 87 00:06:03,597 --> 00:06:08,357 Wilhelm shook his head. He should have considered that desperate citizens would 88 00:06:08,378 --> 00:06:13,317 provide a defense, even if the Rangers and Knights were off at the outer fields. 89 00:06:13,737 --> 00:06:18,098 His two needs came together. They had to establish a defense 90 00:06:18,458 --> 00:06:22,237 and they had to secure their forces in a way to make attack difficult. 91 00:06:22,237 --> 00:06:25,417 "We shall establish a defense there." 92 00:06:26,178 --> 00:06:30,838 Wilhelm pointed to his left and the part of the city that was clearly full of 93 00:06:30,857 --> 00:06:35,817 homes and cottages. He could see the ravages of a great fire and even 94 00:06:35,917 --> 00:06:37,878 smell the smoke that was ever present. 95 00:06:38,397 --> 00:06:42,718 But there were many blocks of houses that were untouched by flames. 96 00:06:43,358 --> 00:06:47,758 Perhaps he could take advantage of an empty part of the city recovering from 97 00:06:47,777 --> 00:06:52,717 disaster. "Yes," Wilhelm thought. A well-armed force 98 00:06:52,737 --> 00:06:57,217 could establish a base within the residential area, and then he could send out 99 00:06:57,277 --> 00:07:02,158 scouts to look for ways to halt any eventual attack by the Rangers or Knights. 100 00:07:03,017 --> 00:07:07,937 As word spread among the Outlander forces that they were to turn from the road and 101 00:07:07,937 --> 00:07:12,518 into the lower quarter, loud shouts came from somewhere among the houses. 102 00:07:13,037 --> 00:07:18,017 And then the oddest thing happened. A large and well-armed force 103 00:07:18,158 --> 00:07:22,937 in blue rushed from behind and among the houses and slammed into 104 00:07:22,997 --> 00:07:24,258 Wilhelm's forces, 105 00:07:24,898 --> 00:07:29,857 only to be joined by shouts from behind, where the force in black renewed its 106 00:07:29,898 --> 00:07:30,457 attack. 107 00:07:31,257 --> 00:07:36,037 Green in the front, blue to the left, black to the rear and a raging 108 00:07:36,098 --> 00:07:40,658 river to the right, Wilhelm knew he only had one chance. 109 00:07:40,658 --> 00:07:45,118 "To the Knight Tower. We must find our way in to take the wall." 110 00:07:45,857 --> 00:07:50,737 The wall would be easy to defend, and if nothing else, Wilhelm could rain 111 00:07:50,837 --> 00:07:55,758 death upon the city that cursed his people's existence for as long as anyone 112 00:07:55,837 --> 00:07:56,657 could remember. 113 00:07:58,437 --> 00:08:01,817 Rogers knew Dervish. Everyone knew Dervish. 114 00:08:02,317 --> 00:08:06,957 He was a cranky old man, but one of the few merchant guild captains that 115 00:08:06,997 --> 00:08:11,677 people liked. He enforced order and oversaw the merchant tower with an iron 116 00:08:11,757 --> 00:08:13,697 fist, but he was fair. 117 00:08:14,377 --> 00:08:19,097 So when Dervish approached Rogers from behind along the North Road 118 00:08:19,278 --> 00:08:23,917 with a truly impressive force of merchant knights, he knew what he had to 119 00:08:23,957 --> 00:08:24,337 do. 120 00:08:25,038 --> 00:08:29,777 Rogers checked his outfit. He looked awful, but there was no real 121 00:08:29,897 --> 00:08:34,197 visible green, which was more important than him looking impressive. 122 00:08:35,037 --> 00:08:39,538 In fact, he looked in sad shape, perhaps like he had just been in 123 00:08:39,597 --> 00:08:40,117 battle. 124 00:08:40,798 --> 00:08:43,717 Luckily, Dervish didn't know Rogers. 125 00:08:44,357 --> 00:08:49,198 Dervish's force was on foot and he paused as Rogers waved his arms. 126 00:08:49,198 --> 00:08:50,938 "What is your name, young man?" 127 00:08:51,618 --> 00:08:56,338 He looked Rogers up and down. "You have seen battle." "Yes, 128 00:08:56,357 --> 00:08:59,677 sir. My name is Rogers. I was there when the Outlanders breached the gate. 129 00:08:59,677 --> 00:09:04,597 I held ground, but it was hopeless. I fled on foot to find help." "Help is here. 130 00:09:05,397 --> 00:09:08,777 What guild do you call home?" "I am a merchant like you, sir. 131 00:09:08,977 --> 00:09:13,957 A modest shop in the flats." "Well met, guild mate." Dervish called over his 132 00:09:13,997 --> 00:09:16,917 shoulder. "Get this man a cloak and some arms. 133 00:09:17,457 --> 00:09:21,077 You will join us." It was a command, not a request. 134 00:09:21,077 --> 00:09:25,097 "I will happily defend Ness, sir." Rogers looked around. 135 00:09:25,097 --> 00:09:26,517 "But where are the Knights, 136 00:09:27,437 --> 00:09:31,377 sir?" "They have betrayed Ness." "The craft guild guards?" "The same. 137 00:09:32,037 --> 00:09:36,957 Guild Master Karch informed Guild Master Orion of the invasion and Orion ordered his 138 00:09:37,017 --> 00:09:37,937 men to ignore it. 139 00:09:38,577 --> 00:09:40,777 They are ferrying men into the upper quarter." 140 00:09:41,697 --> 00:09:46,657 Dervish spat. "They appear more interested in defeating the Harvest Guild than defending the 141 00:09:46,717 --> 00:09:47,077 city." 142 00:09:47,677 --> 00:09:51,157 There was loud grumbling from behind Dervish after he spoke. 143 00:09:52,017 --> 00:09:53,517 Guild Master Karch. 144 00:09:54,157 --> 00:09:58,077 Now that's interesting, Rogers thought. "But enough dawdling. 145 00:09:58,357 --> 00:10:03,197 Do you have any guidance on where the force may be?" "I recommend we leave the North Road 146 00:10:03,337 --> 00:10:06,417 and cut to the Thruway and head toward River Road through the flats. 147 00:10:06,837 --> 00:10:10,817 We will be well hidden and the force won't expect to be attacked from a difficult-to-navigate residential 148 00:10:10,837 --> 00:10:11,317 area." 149 00:10:11,917 --> 00:10:15,677 Dervish nodded. "That's a wise plan, Rogers. Stay with me. 150 00:10:16,297 --> 00:10:20,797 We will do as you say and surprise these vile Outlanders from the cover of the flats." 151 00:10:21,537 --> 00:10:24,497 Dervish then added, almost to himself. 152 00:10:24,497 --> 00:10:28,037 "And then we will do the same to the Knight and craft guilds." 153 00:10:29,637 --> 00:10:34,137 Raylin had to give Rebecca credit. Despite her regal nature and arrogant 154 00:10:34,217 --> 00:10:38,797 bearing, she waded through the shit and piss of the sewers without complaint, 155 00:10:39,017 --> 00:10:41,737 and indeed seemed unbothered by the smell. 156 00:10:42,717 --> 00:10:47,197 When Felos held up his hand at the large sewer grate near the Great Gate, Rebecca 157 00:10:47,317 --> 00:10:51,397 unsheathed a long knife that must have been hidden under her black dress. 158 00:10:51,397 --> 00:10:53,737 "They are still passing through the gate. 159 00:10:54,017 --> 00:10:57,297 We will await the last of the forces and then attack from behind." 160 00:10:57,977 --> 00:11:01,477 Everyone nodded. Rebecca turned to Raylin. 161 00:11:01,477 --> 00:11:05,097 "Have you ever killed anyone?" "No." 162 00:11:06,237 --> 00:11:11,057 Rebecca seemed nervous, and Raylin couldn't tell if it was from excitement 163 00:11:11,077 --> 00:11:15,717 or uncertainty or fear. "You have?" "Only 164 00:11:15,837 --> 00:11:17,177 people I have known." 165 00:11:18,077 --> 00:11:22,077 Raylin was too stunned to reply. People was plural. 166 00:11:22,517 --> 00:11:26,417 She had killed multiple people, and only those she had known. 167 00:11:26,957 --> 00:11:31,357 What did that mean? Before he could even consider a follow-up question, 168 00:11:31,597 --> 00:11:33,697 Felos shouted, "Now." 169 00:11:34,297 --> 00:11:38,037 The grates came down and their forces rushed forward. 170 00:11:38,037 --> 00:11:41,557 "It is but difficult only the first time, dear Raylin. 171 00:11:42,117 --> 00:11:46,297 But then you realize your actions are for the greater good and it becomes 172 00:11:46,357 --> 00:11:47,177 easier." 173 00:11:48,017 --> 00:11:52,617 She smiled at him, and it wasn't the sarcastic smile or arrogant 174 00:11:52,717 --> 00:11:57,697 smile he was used to. It was one of warmth and understanding. 175 00:11:57,697 --> 00:12:00,657 "Be strong. This will be over soon." 176 00:12:01,397 --> 00:12:05,597 And with that, Rebecca rushed out, Raylin following close 177 00:12:05,677 --> 00:12:10,336 behind.Carol Miller, old but not frail, 178 00:12:10,796 --> 00:12:13,495 rushed over the great bridge wielding a shovel. 179 00:12:13,955 --> 00:12:18,275 She was not as fast as the young ones nor as strong as the field workers. 180 00:12:18,796 --> 00:12:23,316 She simply picked apples. She didn't even carry the baskets to the 181 00:12:23,375 --> 00:12:28,035 wagon. She was a modest apple picker, but modest or not, 182 00:12:28,275 --> 00:12:33,115 she was from an old and respected family and was proud of her guild and loved 183 00:12:33,115 --> 00:12:37,835 her city. So she grabbed a shovel and joined the force that was racing 184 00:12:37,855 --> 00:12:42,516 across the great bridge to attack the invading Outlanders. 185 00:12:43,275 --> 00:12:48,235 She thrilled at the enormous wave of green, the thousands of people that 186 00:12:48,275 --> 00:12:51,036 the other guilds had forced into the Old Quarter. 187 00:12:51,316 --> 00:12:56,035 Yes, even this elder Harvest Guild member from the Inner Fields 188 00:12:56,055 --> 00:12:58,176 now called it the Old Quarter. 189 00:12:59,055 --> 00:13:03,636 Those people forcibly escorted in large groups over days were now 190 00:13:03,656 --> 00:13:07,855 rushing back across the bridge in an enormous force, all at the same 191 00:13:08,215 --> 00:13:12,275 time. The river of green filled Carol with pride. 192 00:13:12,695 --> 00:13:17,555 She was older and still should have had many years left in her, but she knew the 193 00:13:17,555 --> 00:13:20,555 cost. She was most likely going to die. 194 00:13:21,455 --> 00:13:23,775 It was a decision she was at peace with. 195 00:13:24,315 --> 00:13:29,115 Dying on a ladder against an apple tree or in a bed with an illness didn't seem quite 196 00:13:29,215 --> 00:13:32,815 so worthwhile as being part of this river of green. 197 00:13:33,515 --> 00:13:38,455 A river of green. What a lovely thought it is to be one with a 198 00:13:38,575 --> 00:13:43,355 flowing river. And as she approached the horrific sounds of battle ahead, 199 00:13:43,775 --> 00:13:47,635 she grimly smiled and gave out a snarling shout of her own. 200 00:13:48,035 --> 00:13:52,415 This wasn't just a river of green. It was a raging river, 201 00:13:52,715 --> 00:13:55,775 dangerous to anyone who dared to attempt to tame it. 202 00:13:57,675 --> 00:14:01,755 When Sax first heard of the Ranger Guild betrayal, he grinned. 203 00:14:02,215 --> 00:14:06,795 He never liked that whiny little Quinto, who seemed to obsess over pointless 204 00:14:06,835 --> 00:14:10,915 details when all he had to do was kill whoever approached the city. 205 00:14:11,415 --> 00:14:14,795 Simple, bloody and gets the point across. 206 00:14:15,335 --> 00:14:20,155 Sax was now personally going to do the same thing to Quinto and his weakling 207 00:14:20,215 --> 00:14:20,915 forces. 208 00:14:21,675 --> 00:14:26,615 Yes, they had taken the night watch, but they had the element of surprise and the 209 00:14:26,675 --> 00:14:29,795 night watch was historically lightly defended. 210 00:14:30,355 --> 00:14:32,815 Such a victory would be Quinto's last. 211 00:14:33,955 --> 00:14:38,615 When Karch personally delivered the message that the Harvest Guild and Rangers were 212 00:14:38,635 --> 00:14:42,875 amassing in the Upper Quarter but the trader's bridge was destroyed, 213 00:14:43,415 --> 00:14:48,275 Sax's plan was simple: use every boat on the river to get his forces 214 00:14:48,315 --> 00:14:49,695 into the Upper Quarter. 215 00:14:50,375 --> 00:14:55,155 It would be a mighty mission and Sax was certain he would be celebrated far into the 216 00:14:55,235 --> 00:14:57,335 future for his decisiveness. 217 00:14:58,315 --> 00:15:03,075 And Karch even noted that there was an Outlander incursion, but the merchant 218 00:15:03,135 --> 00:15:04,895 guards would helpfully handle it. 219 00:15:05,535 --> 00:15:10,515 Of course there was. The cowardly rangers had abandoned their posts. 220 00:15:10,955 --> 00:15:14,175 The Outlanders would be foolish not to raid at this time. 221 00:15:14,995 --> 00:15:19,935 Sax was grateful for Karch and the merchants for leaving him alone to handle 222 00:15:19,975 --> 00:15:20,695 the rangers. 223 00:15:22,075 --> 00:15:27,035 As Sax made his way up the tower steps, he could hear the screams of battle from the 224 00:15:27,115 --> 00:15:31,515 gate and grinned again. Outlanders dying always made him 225 00:15:31,595 --> 00:15:32,195 smile. 226 00:15:33,555 --> 00:15:35,955 He patted the hilt of his enormous sword. 227 00:15:36,455 --> 00:15:38,955 He would personally retake the wall. 228 00:15:40,195 --> 00:15:43,715 The corridors were wide but still restricting to a force. 229 00:15:44,255 --> 00:15:47,455 His idea was simple but would be brutally effective. 230 00:15:47,735 --> 00:15:52,615 He and John and his personal guard would just march forward, killing every 231 00:15:52,715 --> 00:15:54,015 ranger in their path. 232 00:15:54,855 --> 00:15:59,715 Sax climbed the tower steps to the top of the wall with John beside him. 233 00:16:00,335 --> 00:16:05,255 He was perhaps a little heavy in the middle, but Sax was still strong as 234 00:16:05,295 --> 00:16:08,735 an ox. So what that he had to catch his breath at the top? 235 00:16:09,215 --> 00:16:13,035 In the heat of battle, his sword would shatter shields. 236 00:16:13,035 --> 00:16:15,895 "I had forgotten how long this damn wall is, John." 237 00:16:16,495 --> 00:16:19,215 It had been hours of marching and walking. 238 00:16:19,215 --> 00:16:22,775 "Aye." John looked tense as they peered ahead. 239 00:16:23,215 --> 00:16:25,915 Nothing but a barren corridor ahead of them. 240 00:16:26,695 --> 00:16:31,135 The march was so long that for the first time Sax noticed two odd 241 00:16:31,235 --> 00:16:33,475 things about the battlements on the wall. 242 00:16:33,935 --> 00:16:38,795 The first odd thing was that they were on both sides of the wall, providing 243 00:16:38,815 --> 00:16:43,255 protection to attacks not just from outside, but inside as well. 244 00:16:43,835 --> 00:16:48,735 But the oddest thing about them was that they were capped with stone projections that 245 00:16:48,735 --> 00:16:51,195 acted almost like a shield above the wall. 246 00:16:51,815 --> 00:16:55,375 It was as if the wall needed protection from attacks from above. 247 00:16:56,275 --> 00:17:01,015 Before Sax could give the matter more thought, however, one of his men shouted. 248 00:17:02,015 --> 00:17:06,875 A group in brown in the far distance was approaching. "What foolish men, eh, John? 249 00:17:07,335 --> 00:17:11,575 Thinking they can defeat our broadswords and iron with their puny daggers and wooden shields?" 250 00:17:12,595 --> 00:17:17,575 But John couldn't answer. He'd fallen to the ground, the feathered end 251 00:17:17,595 --> 00:17:20,295 of an arrow protruding from one of his eyes. 252 00:17:20,655 --> 00:17:42,715 (dramatic music) 253 00:17:42,715 --> 00:17:44,435 A Podcast Alchemy production.