Escape

Alone in the depths of the Knight Tower's prison, Maela finds the path to Alard's solitary cell isn't clear. Faced with unexpected encounters and the final guard, she must weigh the mission's needs against her instincts, forcing a critical choice.

Some secrets are worth dying for. Some are worth killing for.

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Intimidated that you're dozens of episodes behind and afraid to start listening? Don't be. Here's a handy Listener's Guide that let's you know spots where you can start listening further in the story.

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Interested in the development of the complex story and want to know how writer Jake Kerr puts it together every week? Want an ad-free experience? Subscribe to his Patreon. Love world building? Want ongoing updates? Free members get ongoing story updates with interesting reference material about the guild hierarchy, geography, and history. 

Free Patreon members also receive copies of the first two Thieves Guild ebooks. The next book will be released in 2025 and Patreon members will also receive that book (and all subsequent books!) for free, too. Want to go directly to get your free books? Click here.

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If you would like to view a map of Ness, you can find it here.

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Check out our other drama podcasts!

Artifacts of the Arcane
A historical urban fantasy set at the beginning of World War Two. 
The world has abandoned magic, but magic hasn’t abandoned the world.
https://podcastalchemy.studio/arcane

Thursday
A cyberpunk VR thriller.
No one can be trusted when nothing is real.
https://podcastalchemy.studio/thursday

Jake's Theatre of the Mind
Nebula Award nominee Jake Kerr narrates short stories twice a week. 

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Find out more about writer Jake Kerr: https://www.jakekerr.com
Follow Jake on Bluesky @jakekerr.com

Episode Transcript

(00:01):
The Thieves Guild,
by Jake Kerr.
Episode 18.
Escape.

(00:24):
The moment Raylan told Maela to save Rafe andAllard, she grabbed at him, but he
was too fast. She considered jumping out andcutting down the two guards before they could
grab him, but to her shock, Raylan was quick,agile, and
incredibly resourceful. "Like a thief," Maelathought,
smiling.

(00:44):
Two things struck her when Raylan tripped a knightfurther down the hall, turning him into
a small yet tangible barrier to those pursuinghim.
One, he had attracted everyone's attention, andtwo, he might actually escape.
With all eyes on Raylan, Maela sprinted down thehall and quickly picked the lock of the
iron door leading to the catacombs.

(01:06):
As she closed it behind her, she had to shake herhead. Raylan had done it.
Now, she didn't have to rush as she navigated thecatacombs and freed Allard and
Raylan's friend. Her only concern was how manyguards awaited her downstairs.
Pulling a wicked-looking dagger from herwaistband, Maela started down the steps.

(01:27):
To her surprise, there were no guards at thebottom.
In fact, as she stepped into the long hall ofcells, there were no guards at
all.
It was very dark with the only light coming fromweak and sparse torches.
There was a brighter light that came from thebottom of another set of steps leading down in the
distance. The very first cell on the leftcontained a shadow, and

(01:49):
Maela whispered, "Allard?" There was the sound ofshuffling and then a young man
walked over.
He was bruised, but looked healthy. "Who are you?""Shh." Maela held a
finger to her lips. "Are you Rafe?" "Yes.
Who are you?" Maela started to work on the lockwith her picks.
"I'm a thief, and I'm here to free you." There wasa click and Maela tugged

(02:13):
the prison door open. "Now, shut up and wait here.
When I come back, be prepared to run up the stepsand out the exit.
On the circle, there is a wagon. Jump on one ofthe horses in front of it and just give it a kick.
Can you ride well?" "Well enough not to fall off.""That works.
The horses are trained to just gallop to the oldquarter, so you'll be fine."

(02:35):
Maela started down the hall. "Wait," Rafewhispered, urgency in his
voice. "What?" Maela asked, walking back.
"We don't have time for chit-chat." "Is Raylanokay?" "He's fine.
He's probably already on his way to the oldquarter." 'I hope,' Maela thought.
Rafe nodded and smiled. She left him and paused atthe top of the stairs.

(02:58):
She couldn't see down into the lower hall, so shekept her head low to see what
faced her as she silently crept down thestaircase.
As the hall opened up to her view, she could see asingle guard sitting on
a stool. He was in the middle of the hall with hisback to Maela,
facing a single thick iron door at the end.

(03:20):
There were no bars and no windows, just the door.
"Allard is alone and in darkness," Maela thought,clenching
her teeth.
She wondered how badly he had been hurt.
If he would be unable to walk on his own, shewould have to abandon saving him.
She glanced at the guard. She could easily sneakup and kill him, either by slitting his throat or

(03:41):
a well-placed stab between his chainmail links.
He would never know what happened to him.
Her instincts were to do just that,
but thinking over Raylan's plan to have him blamedmade her think twice.
A professional would slit his throat. A stupidfriend would just try to knock him out.
Maela twirled the dagger in her hand.

(04:03):
It had a convenient hard steel pommel.
Of course, knocking people out was more art thanscience.
You have to use the right force on the right spot,right above the back of the neck.
Risky, but a good risk.
Maela snuck forward, twirled the dagger in herhand as she approached, and at the last
second, grasped it pommel-down and slammed it intothe back of the guard's head.

(04:26):
He slumped to his left and slid off the woodenchair to the floor.
Maela kissed her dagger, spun it again, and thensheathed it in her waistband.
(dramatic music)