WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:24.240 Music. 00:00:24.327 --> 00:00:29.827 Rogers sat in the guildmaster's chair. A few fragmented reports from the captain 00:00:29.827 --> 00:00:31.887 spread before him like a war map. 00:00:32.347 --> 00:00:38.587 Order was returning to the tower, but it was still piecemeal and not happening fast enough. 00:00:38.947 --> 00:00:44.247 Rogers was doing everything he could, but for every problem he solved within 00:00:44.247 --> 00:00:47.747 these walls, another festered outside them. 00:00:48.687 --> 00:00:54.427 Zal's confidence was a breath of fresh air in the fetid confines of the unknown, 00:00:54.807 --> 00:00:57.907 the chaotic, and the outright hostile. 00:00:58.667 --> 00:01:03.067 The trouble was that Rogers had too many priorities to handle. 00:01:03.307 --> 00:01:08.947 As Zal said, he needed to stay in the tower and navigate the politics of Ness 00:01:08.947 --> 00:01:10.327 as the leader of the guild. 00:01:11.127 --> 00:01:16.927 But he also had to report to Polo, not to mention Karch, who had inexplicably 00:01:16.927 --> 00:01:18.747 named him a captain as well. 00:01:19.367 --> 00:01:25.467 Rogers was a captain of three guilds now, a fact that was as absurd as it was dangerous. 00:01:25.867 --> 00:01:31.327 He stared at the name Polo on a dispatch from one of his Harvest Guild contacts. 00:01:32.387 --> 00:01:37.907 His authority in the Thieves' Tower was built on presence. His authority with 00:01:37.907 --> 00:01:42.467 Polo was built on a lie that would fray with each passing hour. 00:01:42.747 --> 00:01:48.047 Of the two responsibilities, Polo's was clearly the one that couldn't wait any longer. 00:01:48.367 --> 00:01:53.527 He found Felos in the main hall, overseeing a guard rotation with quiet, 00:01:53.747 --> 00:01:55.207 intimidating efficiency. 00:01:56.007 --> 00:01:59.807 Felos, I have to leave. It will not be for long. 00:02:00.407 --> 00:02:06.067 Felos turned, his expression unreadable as always. Another guildmaster leaves 00:02:06.067 --> 00:02:08.687 the tower on a mission. It seems to be a new tradition. 00:02:09.107 --> 00:02:16.147 The words were spoken evenly, without a hint of sarcasm, which only made the jab sharper. 00:02:16.707 --> 00:02:21.027 Rogers felt a flash of hot anger. This isn't an adventure, Philos. 00:02:21.347 --> 00:02:24.607 It's a duty. Keep the tower secure until I return. 00:02:25.207 --> 00:02:31.287 As you command, Captain. Philos offered a slight, almost imperceptible bow. 00:02:32.609 --> 00:02:38.269 Rogers grabbed the Guildmaster's horse, by the gods it was a magnificent beast, 00:02:38.609 --> 00:02:40.749 and galloped to the old quarter. 00:02:41.649 --> 00:02:48.189 There, Captain Coode outfitted him in green, to which Rogers added his captain's rank. 00:02:48.689 --> 00:02:54.149 Coode, at least, was in good spirits. The Harvest Guild guests turned out to 00:02:54.149 --> 00:02:56.429 be both thankful and respectful. 00:02:57.349 --> 00:03:01.469 Coode noted that he honestly felt that a new era for the Guild, 00:03:01.869 --> 00:03:05.129 one born of respect, was in their future. 00:03:05.729 --> 00:03:11.969 Rogers said the right things, but he felt that Coode was being naive and foolish. 00:03:12.649 --> 00:03:17.889 With little delay, Rogers grabbed a seat on the harvest ferry to the upper quarter, 00:03:18.209 --> 00:03:20.849 which was secretly arranged by Coode. 00:03:21.149 --> 00:03:23.949 The North Fork was a gauntlet of chaos. 00:03:24.909 --> 00:03:30.549 Rogers observed aggressive Merchant Guild patrols, their blue cloaks stark against 00:03:30.549 --> 00:03:36.189 the grey water, cut across the paths of nervous Harvest Guild ferries. 00:03:37.049 --> 00:03:41.409 Night protectors in their own vessels tried to maintain a semblance of order, 00:03:41.789 --> 00:03:43.709 their shouts lost in the wind. 00:03:44.289 --> 00:03:47.369 The air tasted of smoke and fear. 00:03:48.189 --> 00:03:53.589 Twice the ferry had to veer sharply to avoid being swamped by the wake of a larger ship. 00:03:53.949 --> 00:03:59.549 Every face he saw was tense, every boatman's hand rested on a weapon. 00:03:59.889 --> 00:04:04.729 This wasn't a river, it was a borderland between warring nations. 00:04:05.749 --> 00:04:10.129 He finally reached the upper quarter, mooring in the silo district. 00:04:10.489 --> 00:04:15.049 He had inquired about a horse, but even with his captain's rank, 00:04:15.269 --> 00:04:21.429 none seemed available. He rushed toward Harvest House, his mind racing faster 00:04:21.429 --> 00:04:25.169 than his legs, rehearsing the excuses for his absence. 00:04:26.209 --> 00:04:32.729 He was organizing relief efforts, quelling riots, securing the safety of Guild members. 00:04:33.229 --> 00:04:38.749 Rogers just hoped Polo would believe him and be more grateful than angered over his delay. 00:04:39.169 --> 00:04:44.049 All he wanted to do was check in, let Polo know things were progressing, 00:04:44.349 --> 00:04:50.929 and then leave. His visit was to buy time, nothing more, nothing less. 00:04:51.269 --> 00:04:57.489 He reached the gate to Harvest House, slowing his pace to appear calm and purposeful. 00:04:57.709 --> 00:05:04.389 The guard, a hulking man Rogers recognized from Polo's personal retinue, saw him approaching. 00:05:04.749 --> 00:05:10.809 His tense, suspicious stance immediately softened, replaced by a look of profound relief. 00:05:11.089 --> 00:05:13.509 Captain Rogers, thank the gods. 00:05:14.209 --> 00:05:19.629 The guard unlatched the gate and swung it open. Guildmaster Polo has been asking for you. 00:05:19.920 --> 00:05:44.080 Music. 00:05:44.321 --> 00:05:46.241 A podcast alchemy production.