WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:19.440 Music. 00:00:24.537 --> 00:00:29.577 Vesper listened intently to Mela's story as they made their way to Harvest House. 00:00:29.957 --> 00:00:35.557 They decided to walk as their disguises, as displaced Harvest Guild members 00:00:35.557 --> 00:00:41.577 from the inner fields, would draw attention if they did something so extravagant as ride horses. 00:00:42.137 --> 00:00:47.097 She was modest and mentioned that she had only been Raylan's blade starting 00:00:47.097 --> 00:00:49.937 at that mission, and didn't know what she was doing. 00:00:50.257 --> 00:00:56.257 But Vesper saw the underlying power in her having operated in the shadows for so long. 00:00:56.437 --> 00:01:02.517 She was able to use a broad range of knowledge and a variety of methods to achieve her goal. 00:01:02.957 --> 00:01:08.917 Vesper, who fancied himself as modest, admitted he was much more of a blunt object. 00:01:09.337 --> 00:01:13.737 Here's where the challenge lies, though. The tree seemingly allowed you to reach 00:01:13.737 --> 00:01:18.117 Polo due to it knowing you were intending on helping him, not hurting him. 00:01:18.617 --> 00:01:22.377 Yes, I'm not sure it would have taken me to his quarters if I had whispered, 00:01:22.617 --> 00:01:26.097 please bring me to the gillmaster, I want to assassinate him. 00:01:26.717 --> 00:01:32.537 They walked in silence some more, both thinking over what was a seemingly impossible 00:01:32.537 --> 00:01:39.257 mission, reaching Polo to assassinate him for killing someone they both loved, Allard. 00:01:39.957 --> 00:01:44.217 They had reached the other side of the river and turned right to head toward 00:01:44.217 --> 00:01:47.637 Trader's Bridge when Mailer finally broke the silence. 00:01:48.057 --> 00:01:50.637 We will just have to assess things when we get there. 00:01:51.097 --> 00:01:53.797 Vesper did little more than nod his head. 00:01:54.437 --> 00:01:59.917 Reaching Polo appeared to be a suicide mission, and he didn't mind that as long 00:01:59.917 --> 00:02:01.497 as the mission was accomplished. 00:02:02.437 --> 00:02:08.417 Their mission was badly delayed with the shocking discovery that Trader's Bridge had been destroyed. 00:02:09.277 --> 00:02:13.317 Vesper was in a foul mood. We can't afford a boat. 00:02:14.157 --> 00:02:19.097 Look, Vesper waved toward a chaotic array of boats filled with armed guards 00:02:19.097 --> 00:02:23.297 and a handful of private boats that had to be earning a king's ransom, 00:02:23.577 --> 00:02:26.717 escorting rich upper-quarter residents across. 00:02:27.077 --> 00:02:33.697 And I doubt we could steal one. There wasn't a single boat without an armed guard standing nearby. 00:02:34.117 --> 00:02:37.617 We could kill them, of course, but I fear there's too much activity. 00:02:37.977 --> 00:02:42.337 We would be at risk of being caught the moment the alarm went up and we were on the river. 00:02:43.077 --> 00:02:45.397 Vesper turned back the way they had come. 00:02:46.497 --> 00:02:50.737 Regardless, I will not give up. We can exit the great gate and walk around the 00:02:50.737 --> 00:02:53.537 wall and through the outer fields if that's what it takes. 00:02:54.493 --> 00:02:59.533 Mela patiently listened to Vesper, but didn't say anything. She seemed to be 00:02:59.533 --> 00:03:01.593 suppressing a smirk. What? 00:03:02.073 --> 00:03:04.333 Which is the most powerful guild in Ness? 00:03:05.053 --> 00:03:11.893 Vesper pondered the question. He had learned that Mela was the personification of maddening chaos. 00:03:12.513 --> 00:03:17.153 When she asked a question, it could be the start of a philosophical discussion, 00:03:17.553 --> 00:03:21.193 the first hint to a complicated solution she had discovered, 00:03:21.193 --> 00:03:26.033 or the start of her unleashing, biting mockery. The Thieves' Guild? 00:03:26.813 --> 00:03:28.593 No, it's the Harvest Guild. 00:03:29.433 --> 00:03:33.353 Vesper started to get annoyed. Was this heading to mockery? 00:03:33.893 --> 00:03:38.533 Before he could say anything else, Mailer pointed up River. But the Harvest 00:03:38.533 --> 00:03:40.873 Guild has weaknesses that the Thieves' Guild do not. 00:03:41.293 --> 00:03:45.493 This is true of every guild. So while the Thieves' Guild is not the most powerful, 00:03:45.853 --> 00:03:47.053 we're the most resourceful. 00:03:47.453 --> 00:03:53.813 Do you have a point? We have a long walk ahead of us. and if you keep this up, you may not survive it. 00:03:54.153 --> 00:03:56.493 There is a sewer nexus in the warehouse district. 00:03:56.833 --> 00:03:58.833 It is under a warehouse where goods are dyed. 00:03:59.873 --> 00:04:04.233 Vesper's eyes went wide and he spun around and grabbed Mela by the arms. 00:04:04.733 --> 00:04:06.853 Yes, how could I have forgotten? 00:04:07.593 --> 00:04:11.293 Kalos mentioned there was a path under the North Fork to the upper quarter. 00:04:11.953 --> 00:04:18.133 Mela looked shocked. You know Kalos? Alad took me to meet with him before sending me on my mission. 00:04:18.433 --> 00:04:23.093 How could I forget the smell of the dye near the entrance? It made my eyes water. 00:04:23.633 --> 00:04:25.373 It's time to meet with Kalos then. 00:04:26.073 --> 00:04:30.233 Vesper nodded, already excited about continuing their mission. 00:04:30.713 --> 00:04:35.493 As we walk, tell me about the mission Allard set you on. I doubt you failed him. 00:04:35.973 --> 00:04:40.473 I failed him but not on this mission. I will spoil the ending by telling you 00:04:40.473 --> 00:04:45.773 that it involved me beating Karch until he had trouble breathing and his one eye was swollen shut. 00:04:46.333 --> 00:04:51.773 This is a story I must hear. Vesper smiled at Mailer's sudden glee. 00:04:52.293 --> 00:04:54.353 Everyone hated Karch. 00:04:55.889 --> 00:05:01.189 Kalos was distributing clothing to people in the flats and was not at the dyehouse. 00:05:01.769 --> 00:05:06.609 Everyone recognized Mela, however, and they were quickly escorted down a small 00:05:06.609 --> 00:05:12.169 hole with a rickety ladder to a natural cavern deep below the warehouse. 00:05:12.869 --> 00:05:17.149 The other passageways are above us and cleaner. They have been chiseled and 00:05:17.149 --> 00:05:18.429 maintained for many years. 00:05:18.709 --> 00:05:23.249 They can flood, but are not waterways or sewers, simple caves like this one 00:05:23.249 --> 00:05:24.949 that have been turned into a tunnel system. 00:05:25.889 --> 00:05:29.769 I see. And how do you transport stolen goods to the upper quarter? 00:05:30.269 --> 00:05:36.629 Why would we transport goods to the upper quarter? The obviousness of the question was its own answer. 00:05:36.949 --> 00:05:41.249 The thieves took so they could give. They took from the upper quarter. 00:05:41.469 --> 00:05:42.889 They didn't give to them. 00:05:44.389 --> 00:05:49.809 Vesper and Mela decided to push on and rest at an inn Vesper knew of called 00:05:49.809 --> 00:05:56.269 the Golden Apple, that this is where Vesper beat Karch only made the location more amusing. 00:05:57.009 --> 00:06:02.069 Vesper was quite pleased that Mailer laughed heartily as he described Karch's 00:06:02.069 --> 00:06:04.889 shock and cries as Vesper kicked him. 00:06:05.629 --> 00:06:08.129 She has the heart of a blade, he thought. 00:06:09.449 --> 00:06:14.569 They awoke the next day, had a quiet breakfast in the tavern fronting the inn, 00:06:14.829 --> 00:06:17.769 and then made their way to Harvest House. 00:06:18.809 --> 00:06:22.149 There was a lot of activity, and the mood appeared joyful. 00:06:22.769 --> 00:06:27.409 Eavesdropping and asking questions led to an enormous amount of new information. 00:06:27.969 --> 00:06:30.489 Quinto was the new Guildmaster Knight. 00:06:31.209 --> 00:06:37.229 Karch was the Guildmaster Merchant. There were already plans to rebuild Trader's 00:06:37.229 --> 00:06:41.729 Bridge with craftsmen who had abandoned the now reviled Orion. 00:06:42.149 --> 00:06:47.689 There was nearly universal appreciation for Polo, who everyone acknowledged 00:06:47.689 --> 00:06:50.989 was the only guildmaster in the city of any merit. 00:06:51.709 --> 00:06:56.509 That thought made Vesper smile. He won't be in that role for long. 00:06:57.509 --> 00:07:02.649 It was a rumor, however, that made both Vesper and Mailer take notice. 00:07:02.929 --> 00:07:07.729 It was a conversation that took place amongst a group of Harvest Guild members 00:07:07.729 --> 00:07:10.769 walking along the road in front of Harvest House. 00:07:10.989 --> 00:07:15.109 I heard that he talks to Allard every day. At the name Allard, 00:07:15.249 --> 00:07:18.709 Vesper looked at Mailer, who caught the comment as well. 00:07:18.969 --> 00:07:23.869 They walked behind the two people having the conversation. Do you think he taunts him? 00:07:24.129 --> 00:07:29.809 The man was dressed in fairly shabby clothes and appeared to be a laborer. I don't know. 00:07:30.089 --> 00:07:32.889 Maybe he is getting information from him about the thieves. 00:07:33.229 --> 00:07:38.049 His partner was dressed similarly, but had additional gear that made it clear 00:07:38.049 --> 00:07:43.389 he worked in some kind of specialized harvest guild role. Allard is alive. 00:07:44.448 --> 00:07:50.688 I had heard he died in the mines. Vesper looked at Mela, who had briskly walked up to the two men. 00:07:51.028 --> 00:07:55.748 They welcomed her to the conversation without hesitation. Where did you hear that? 00:07:56.008 --> 00:08:00.308 No, everyone knows what happened. He and some thief had almost escaped, 00:08:00.468 --> 00:08:01.588 but the guards stopped him. 00:08:01.968 --> 00:08:05.488 The other man interrupted. Perhaps you mean his wound. 00:08:05.768 --> 00:08:09.828 I heard it was grievous and would have killed a normal man, but who knows? 00:08:10.008 --> 00:08:12.948 It was perhaps a scratch. He is indeed mighty. 00:08:13.288 --> 00:08:17.668 He was stabbed in the back nearly to the hilt. Vesper couldn't help himself. 00:08:17.868 --> 00:08:21.868 His awe of Allard had just increased, if that was possible. 00:08:22.228 --> 00:08:26.208 It was an injury that would have killed anyone else. How do you know this? 00:08:26.488 --> 00:08:32.488 The question wasn't so much an accusation as a query as to whether Vesper was 00:08:32.488 --> 00:08:35.548 just sharing a rumor or had direct knowledge. 00:08:36.048 --> 00:08:40.148 Vesper backpedaled, knowing any other answer would raise suspicion. 00:08:40.608 --> 00:08:42.508 It is but a rumour I heard. 00:08:43.148 --> 00:08:46.328 The first man nodded. I guess it is possible. 00:08:46.648 --> 00:08:50.948 I heard he was badly injured and confined to a chair, as he has lost the use 00:08:50.948 --> 00:08:54.188 of his legs. Perhaps he lost the use of his bowels too. 00:08:54.468 --> 00:08:57.808 Having him shit himself as he can't move would be justice for the traitor. 00:08:59.268 --> 00:09:03.768 Mela knew Vesper well enough by then. As he stepped forward, 00:09:04.088 --> 00:09:06.028 she subtly stepped in front of him, 00:09:06.508 --> 00:09:12.608 stopping any violence, and Vesper intended violence, even if it was but a cuff 00:09:12.608 --> 00:09:14.268 to the side of the man's head. 00:09:14.728 --> 00:09:16.928 We certainly live in interesting times. 00:09:17.428 --> 00:09:22.928 And with that, Mailer turned away, grabbed Vesper's arm, and practically dragged 00:09:22.928 --> 00:09:25.308 him down the street in the opposite direction. 00:09:26.548 --> 00:09:30.308 To her credit, she didn't mention his violent intent. 00:09:30.788 --> 00:09:36.828 Allard is alive. I saw his wound. I would say it's impossible, but I cling to the hope. 00:09:37.448 --> 00:09:41.668 As do I. I recommend we change our mission. We rescue Allard. 00:09:42.448 --> 00:09:46.668 If he's in the lower rooms or a basement prison, such a mission would be a lot 00:09:46.668 --> 00:09:48.148 easier than reaching Polo. 00:09:49.188 --> 00:09:54.168 Easier doesn't mean easy. Indeed it does not, but I would like to note that 00:09:54.168 --> 00:09:56.648 this does not change our mission. It adds to it. 00:09:56.848 --> 00:10:01.388 Let's scout and find a way to free Allard, and then we kill Polo. 00:10:02.188 --> 00:10:06.228 Mailer's wide smile was all the answer Vesper needed. 00:10:12.560 --> 00:10:29.040 Music. 00:10:28.508 --> 00:10:30.588 A Podcast Alchemy production.