September 29, 2023 • 5 mins
Raef's daring disruption earns him a painful awakening and a trip to the Knight dungeons. His defiant claim of joining the Thieves Guild only brings mockery and threats, forcing him to confront the brutal reality behind his romantic notions of rebellion.
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
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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.
----
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
Jake's Theatre of the Mind
Nebula Award nominee Jake Kerr narrates short stories twice a week.
----
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.
Episode 12:
Off to Prison.
(00:23):
(dramatic music plays)
Rafe regained consciousness while being draggeddown the steps of the Merchant Tower.
The first thing he noticed when he opened his eyeswas the second-floor tapestry that featured an
old shopkeeper selling a tapestry of an oldshopkeeper selling a tapestry.
The scene repeated itself over and over within thethreads in a masterwork of weaving.
(00:45):
It had been months since he had visited Raylan inthe Merchant Tower and passed the
amusing scene. Rafe doubted he'd ever see theinside of the Merchant Tower
again.
His attention was wrenched to his captors, as oneof them adjusted his grip by
yanking his arm forward. He cried out in pain atthe force on his
shoulder. "Looks like the brown cloak is awake,"someone said from ahead of Rafe.
(01:10):
He was dragged down a few more steps and thendumped on the marble floor.
Rolling into a sitting position, Rafe rubbed hisshoulders.
They were stiff and sore, but didn't seem damaged.
He lifted his hand to feel where Sacks had kickedhim in his head, but moving
his arm above shoulder height was too painful.
(01:32):
"Maybe I'm hurt worse than I think," Rafeconsidered as he looked
up.
Two knights stood above him. They were in theirformal armor with the bright white
leather and the thicker white robes with thegolden trim.
"The bruises seem an improvement, Jace," the oneon the left said.
He was smiling as he said it.
(01:54):
The one on the right nodded. "There's at leastsome blue.
Much better than that filthy brown shirt."
Without looking at Jace, he added, "Maybe weshould remove the shirt and cover him with more bruises."
Rafe clenched his fists, remembering the previousFounder's Day when he had
faced the same line of commentary from knights,right before they humiliated and
(02:15):
beat him. Unlike then, he didn't remain quiet.
"You have no authority to punish me. I am awaitingmy guild colors, and my guildmaster will
decide my punishment."
He hoped his words sounded forceful and confident.
The two guards looked at each other and then beganlaughing.
"You just humiliated every guild in the city atthe banquet.
(02:37):
What guild would possibly have you now?" the onenamed Jace said.
The other added, "And whichever guild was foolishenough to accept you, I'm sure they have kicked
you out by now." "I am a member of the ThievesGuild."
Rafe's voice was louder and more confident.
The unnamed one to the right chuckled.
"It really doesn't matter what guild you inventfor yourself.
(02:59):
Guildmaster Sacks is going to deal with youhimself. So get up.
We're taking you to the dungeons, and I don't feellike dragging you there." Rafe didn't
move. Finally realizing that he didn't intend ongetting up, Jace
stepped forward and kicked Rafe's leg.
As Rafe cried out and grabbed his shin, the knightleaned down and grabbed the front of his
(03:20):
shirt and pulled him up slightly. Rafe could smellthe wine on his breath.
"Listen, brown cloak. We're supposed to take youright to the dungeons, but if you don't
cooperate, Sam and I may have to take some timeteaching you obedience.
We may get disciplined for being late, but ifyou're going to make us late anyway, at least we'll have some
fun out of it."
(03:40):
He clenched his fist and pressed it firmly againstRafe's cheek.
Nodding, Rafe scrambled to his feet.
They secured his hands with manacles, and withJace in front of him and Sam behind,
they escorted him through the front gate ofMerchant Tower.
There was a white wagon of the Knight Protectorswaiting at the road.
It was the kind they used for drunks and the poorpeople that wandered into the north part of the
(04:05):
city from the flats.
Jace opened the wooden door, and Sam shoved Rafein.
A few slits in the wood let in meager light.
The coach itself was nothing but bare wood. Therewere no stools or benches.
Rafe sat in the corner of the wagon as it starteddown the road.
He could feel every bump as the wheels pounded onthe cobblestones.
(04:29):
Surrounded by darkness, dust, and the smell ofvomit, Rafe closed his eyes
and wondered if Raylan would save him.
(dramatic music plays)
The Thieves Guild
by Jake Kerr.
Episode 12:
Off to Prison.
(00:23):
(dramatic music plays)
Rafe regained consciousness while being draggeddown the steps of the Merchant Tower.
The first thing he noticed when he opened his eyeswas the second-floor tapestry that featured an
old shopkeeper selling a tapestry of an oldshopkeeper selling a tapestry.
The scene repeated itself over and over within thethreads in a masterwork of weaving.
(00:45):
It had been months since he had visited Raylan inthe Merchant Tower and passed the
amusing scene. Rafe doubted he'd ever see theinside of the Merchant Tower
again.
His attention was wrenched to his captors, as oneof them adjusted his grip by
yanking his arm forward. He cried out in pain atthe force on his
shoulder. "Looks like the brown cloak is awake,"someone said from ahead of Rafe.
(01:10):
He was dragged down a few more steps and thendumped on the marble floor.
Rolling into a sitting position, Rafe rubbed hisshoulders.
They were stiff and sore, but didn't seem damaged.
He lifted his hand to feel where Sacks had kickedhim in his head, but moving
his arm above shoulder height was too painful.
(01:32):
"Maybe I'm hurt worse than I think," Rafeconsidered as he looked
up.
Two knights stood above him. They were in theirformal armor with the bright white
leather and the thicker white robes with thegolden trim.
"The bruises seem an improvement, Jace," the oneon the left said.
He was smiling as he said it.
(01:54):
The one on the right nodded. "There's at leastsome blue.
Much better than that filthy brown shirt."
Without looking at Jace, he added, "Maybe weshould remove the shirt and cover him with more bruises."
Rafe clenched his fists, remembering the previousFounder's Day when he had
faced the same line of commentary from knights,right before they humiliated and
(02:15):
beat him. Unlike then, he didn't remain quiet.
"You have no authority to punish me. I am awaitingmy guild colors, and my guildmaster will
decide my punishment."
He hoped his words sounded forceful and confident.
The two guards looked at each other and then beganlaughing.
"You just humiliated every guild in the city atthe banquet.
(02:37):
What guild would possibly have you now?" the onenamed Jace said.
The other added, "And whichever guild was foolishenough to accept you, I'm sure they have kicked
you out by now." "I am a member of the ThievesGuild."
Rafe's voice was louder and more confident.
The unnamed one to the right chuckled.
"It really doesn't matter what guild you inventfor yourself.
(02:59):
Guildmaster Sacks is going to deal with youhimself. So get up.
We're taking you to the dungeons, and I don't feellike dragging you there." Rafe didn't
move. Finally realizing that he didn't intend ongetting up, Jace
stepped forward and kicked Rafe's leg.
As Rafe cried out and grabbed his shin, the knightleaned down and grabbed the front of his
(03:20):
shirt and pulled him up slightly. Rafe could smellthe wine on his breath.
"Listen, brown cloak. We're supposed to take youright to the dungeons, but if you don't
cooperate, Sam and I may have to take some timeteaching you obedience.
We may get disciplined for being late, but ifyou're going to make us late anyway, at least we'll have some
fun out of it."
(03:40):
He clenched his fist and pressed it firmly againstRafe's cheek.
Nodding, Rafe scrambled to his feet.
They secured his hands with manacles, and withJace in front of him and Sam behind,
they escorted him through the front gate ofMerchant Tower.
There was a white wagon of the Knight Protectorswaiting at the road.
It was the kind they used for drunks and the poorpeople that wandered into the north part of the
(04:05):
city from the flats.
Jace opened the wooden door, and Sam shoved Rafein.
A few slits in the wood let in meager light.
The coach itself was nothing but bare wood. Therewere no stools or benches.
Rafe sat in the corner of the wagon as it starteddown the road.
He could feel every bump as the wheels pounded onthe cobblestones.
(04:29):
Surrounded by darkness, dust, and the smell ofvomit, Rafe closed his eyes
and wondered if Raylan would save him.
(dramatic music plays)
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