August 25, 2023 • 6 mins
The stained robe is more than evidence; it's an opportunity. Karch, the ambitious Deputy Guildmaster, sees Ralan's prank as the perfect leverage to manipulate his own Guildmaster and remove a long-standing irritation. A dangerous plan begins to form.
Some secrets are worth dying for. Some are worth killing for.
---
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.
---
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.
---
If you would like to view a map of Ness, you can find it here.
----
Grab some Thieves Guild merch!
https://store.podcastalchemy.studio
----
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
----
Find out more about writer Jake Kerr: https://www.jakekerr.com
Follow Jake on Bluesky @jakekerr.com
Some secrets are worth dying for. Some are worth killing for.
---
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.
---
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.
---
If you would like to view a map of Ness, you can find it here.
----
Grab some Thieves Guild merch!
https://store.podcastalchemy.studio
----
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
----
Find out more about writer Jake Kerr: https://www.jakekerr.com
Follow Jake on Bluesky @jakekerr.com
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:01):
The Thieves Guild
by Jake Kerr.
Chapter Two,
Karch.
(00:24):
Karch squeezed the robe in his fist until hisknuckles turned as white as the material.
He didn't enjoy being the second-most importantperson in one of several powerful guilds
in Ness. He wanted to be the second-most powerfulperson in the most
powerful guild.
And someday, the most powerful man, period.
(00:45):
It was a timeline and plan he had helped nurturefor years, and yet now
Lassen's irresponsible and maddening littlebrother was about to ruin everything.
Raylan.
If it had been up to Karch, the disrespectfulwhelp would have been banished years
earlier. He flaunted his lack of gild as if it wasdue to his rebelliousness
(01:06):
and not his ineptitude. He insulted Karchregularly, knowing that his
brother would protect him.
And perhaps worse than anything, he was constantlycausing problems, for he and Lassen's
intricately laid plans.
This was just one more example of that.
Karch scowled. This mischief would be the last.
(01:27):
He knocked on the polished wooden door with hisfree hand.
He caught a glimpse of his reflection in the brassplate that said "Lassen
Miller, Guildmaster Merchant."
Karch softened his features. When it came toLassen's brother, he had to take
care not to be too aggressive or insulting.
"Come in,"
(01:48):
came the tired voice of his guildmaster.
Karch turned the knob with his left hand while heslid the stained robe in his right hand behind his
back.
He entered, closed the door, and approached, bothhis hands behind him.
He bowed his head. "Guildmaster. I'm afraid wehave a new problem with the Knight Guild." He
looked up just as Lassen dropped his head againsthis hand, rubbing his temples with his
(02:12):
fingers. "Will this never end? What do they wantnow? More money?
Does Sachs want me to apprentice more of hisrelatives?
Do they want me to pay for the masons to buildtheir tower higher?"
Lassen slammed his fist to the table. "I'm stilldealing with Pietro's death.
I swear, Karch, this has to end. Doesn't Sachsknow we haven't yet eliminated the Harvest Guild?
(02:32):
I'm just trying to avoid strikes or, gods forbid,bloodshed." Karch did his best not to
smile. He had arranged everything so perfectly.
He paid the bribes, apprenticed the rightchildren, gave the right gifts, that he didn't
have to worry about any other complications thanthe one in his right hand, and that
complication was about to be removed.
(02:52):
"Sir, this is an entirely different kind ofproblem." He brought his hand forward and laid the
robe on Lassen's desk. A reddish-brown stainmarred the pure white of the
rest of the robe. "Your brother insulted theKnight Guild by tossing a
tomato at a member of the White Guard while he wason duty." Karch shook his head in an
attempt to display a shocked sadness. Lassengrabbed the robe and examined the stain.
(03:16):
He looked up at Karch. "Are they positive it wasRaylan?" "Indeed, sir.
The knight saw him clearly in the midst of a fieldat the base of the north wall.
He had presumably been practicing his throws forthe Founder's Day Parade."
Karch shrugged. "I'm sure he meant no harm."
Lassen's face turned red. His temper was famousacross the city, and
(03:37):
Karch had said the perfect thing to set it off."'Meant no harm'?
I've told him again and again that he had to stopthese insults to my position as guildmaster and to the
reputation of his own family."
Lassen started to drum his hand on his desk as hisvoice increased in volume.
"I've had to protect Raylan from every guildmasterin the city over his continued
misbehavior, and this is how he thanks me, byassaulting the guards who defend our
(04:02):
walls."
Karch leaned forward. "Not to mention,Guildmaster, that he has offended the one guild that could
cause problems for your plan to merge the Merchantand Harvest Guilds."
Lassen's eyes opened a bit wider. "My patience isat an end, Karch." He grabbed
the robe and threw it at him. "Find my brother andbring him here.
My days of protecting him are over. We'll deliverhim to Sachs and let the knights take care of him." The
(04:26):
moment came for Karch to spring his trap.
He would finally be able to rid himself of theimpertinent Raylan.
Karch almost couldn't restrain his smile as heconsidered Raylan living the rest of his
life in degradation and isolation. And the beautywas that it brought his
entire plan together. Raylan would no longer be anissue, and the last
(04:47):
potential stumbling block to their plan to controlNess would be removed.
"Guildmaster."
Karch began to fold the robe. "I'm afraid justgiving Raylan to the knights will only anger him.
They won't hold him for very long for such a minoroffense, and when they let him go, he will be even more
uncontrollable."
Karch looked at Lassen and was pleased to see himlistening intently, his hands spread on the
(05:10):
table. "I have a plan that I think will solve twoof your problems at once." Lassen
leaned back, his face emotionless. "I'mlistening."
The Thieves Guild
by Jake Kerr.
Chapter Two,
Karch.
(00:24):
Karch squeezed the robe in his fist until hisknuckles turned as white as the material.
He didn't enjoy being the second-most importantperson in one of several powerful guilds
in Ness. He wanted to be the second-most powerfulperson in the most
powerful guild.
And someday, the most powerful man, period.
(00:45):
It was a timeline and plan he had helped nurturefor years, and yet now
Lassen's irresponsible and maddening littlebrother was about to ruin everything.
Raylan.
If it had been up to Karch, the disrespectfulwhelp would have been banished years
earlier. He flaunted his lack of gild as if it wasdue to his rebelliousness
(01:06):
and not his ineptitude. He insulted Karchregularly, knowing that his
brother would protect him.
And perhaps worse than anything, he was constantlycausing problems, for he and Lassen's
intricately laid plans.
This was just one more example of that.
Karch scowled. This mischief would be the last.
(01:27):
He knocked on the polished wooden door with hisfree hand.
He caught a glimpse of his reflection in the brassplate that said "Lassen
Miller, Guildmaster Merchant."
Karch softened his features. When it came toLassen's brother, he had to take
care not to be too aggressive or insulting.
"Come in,"
(01:48):
came the tired voice of his guildmaster.
Karch turned the knob with his left hand while heslid the stained robe in his right hand behind his
back.
He entered, closed the door, and approached, bothhis hands behind him.
He bowed his head. "Guildmaster. I'm afraid wehave a new problem with the Knight Guild." He
looked up just as Lassen dropped his head againsthis hand, rubbing his temples with his
(02:12):
fingers. "Will this never end? What do they wantnow? More money?
Does Sachs want me to apprentice more of hisrelatives?
Do they want me to pay for the masons to buildtheir tower higher?"
Lassen slammed his fist to the table. "I'm stilldealing with Pietro's death.
I swear, Karch, this has to end. Doesn't Sachsknow we haven't yet eliminated the Harvest Guild?
(02:32):
I'm just trying to avoid strikes or, gods forbid,bloodshed." Karch did his best not to
smile. He had arranged everything so perfectly.
He paid the bribes, apprenticed the rightchildren, gave the right gifts, that he didn't
have to worry about any other complications thanthe one in his right hand, and that
complication was about to be removed.
(02:52):
"Sir, this is an entirely different kind ofproblem." He brought his hand forward and laid the
robe on Lassen's desk. A reddish-brown stainmarred the pure white of the
rest of the robe. "Your brother insulted theKnight Guild by tossing a
tomato at a member of the White Guard while he wason duty." Karch shook his head in an
attempt to display a shocked sadness. Lassengrabbed the robe and examined the stain.
(03:16):
He looked up at Karch. "Are they positive it wasRaylan?" "Indeed, sir.
The knight saw him clearly in the midst of a fieldat the base of the north wall.
He had presumably been practicing his throws forthe Founder's Day Parade."
Karch shrugged. "I'm sure he meant no harm."
Lassen's face turned red. His temper was famousacross the city, and
(03:37):
Karch had said the perfect thing to set it off."'Meant no harm'?
I've told him again and again that he had to stopthese insults to my position as guildmaster and to the
reputation of his own family."
Lassen started to drum his hand on his desk as hisvoice increased in volume.
"I've had to protect Raylan from every guildmasterin the city over his continued
misbehavior, and this is how he thanks me, byassaulting the guards who defend our
(04:02):
walls."
Karch leaned forward. "Not to mention,Guildmaster, that he has offended the one guild that could
cause problems for your plan to merge the Merchantand Harvest Guilds."
Lassen's eyes opened a bit wider. "My patience isat an end, Karch." He grabbed
the robe and threw it at him. "Find my brother andbring him here.
My days of protecting him are over. We'll deliverhim to Sachs and let the knights take care of him." The
(04:26):
moment came for Karch to spring his trap.
He would finally be able to rid himself of theimpertinent Raylan.
Karch almost couldn't restrain his smile as heconsidered Raylan living the rest of his
life in degradation and isolation. And the beautywas that it brought his
entire plan together. Raylan would no longer be anissue, and the last
(04:47):
potential stumbling block to their plan to controlNess would be removed.
"Guildmaster."
Karch began to fold the robe. "I'm afraid justgiving Raylan to the knights will only anger him.
They won't hold him for very long for such a minoroffense, and when they let him go, he will be even more
uncontrollable."
Karch looked at Lassen and was pleased to see himlistening intently, his hands spread on the
(05:10):
table. "I have a plan that I think will solve twoof your problems at once." Lassen
leaned back, his face emotionless. "I'mlistening."
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