September 22, 2023 • 17 mins
Seated amongst resentful peers, Ralan learns the Thieves Guild is far older and more significant than he knew. Armed with this knowledge and a newfound respect for his predecessor, he makes a decision that saves one guild but puts his own life in immediate danger.
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
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 10:
The Founders Day Banquet.
(00:24):
Raylan and Allard arrived at Merchant Tower 45minutes after they left the
parade float. They were both in their dress robes,walking briskly to the door to the
banquet hall when Raylan stopped suddenly. Helooked up at Allard.
How do I look?
Like a guild master.
Raylan smiled.
And how do I smell?
(00:44):
There was a pause, and then Allard replied-
Better than you did earlier.
Good enough.
Allard entered first. A knight moved to blocktheir access to the banquet hall.
Allard stopped and swiped his robe behind hisscabbard, revealing his mammoth
broadsword.
You can either move aside for the guild masterthief, or we will step over your body.
(01:05):
In either case, we will enter the banquet hall andthe guild master will join the meeting.
The knight slowly moved to the side, and Allardignored him as he strode
forward and threw open the double doors.
Allard straightened his robe, and Raylan followedhim into the room.
As Raylan followed behind Allard, he was met by along, narrow
(01:28):
room with servants resetting the tables andcarrying out bins full of broken
glass, food, and towels stained with wine andother drink.
The guild masters milled about as their placesettings were restored.
Raylan was going to ask where they should sit, butAllard strode straight to a dais at the
end of the hall with a table upon it. The guildmasters knight, Harvest,
(01:51):
Craft, and Merchant were milling about talking,their deputies close by.
Allard stopped at the base of the steps leading upto the dais.
The guild master thief requires a place setting.
Sax glared at him, but didn't move. The otherguild masters seemed amused.
Larson walked over, his face turning red.
What are you doing here?
(02:12):
He whispered through clenched teeth as he lookeddown at them from the top of the stairs.
I'm here for the banquet. I'm a guild master, am Inot?
Raylan decided to keep a serious tone.
He knew he belonged, and mocking his brotherwouldn't achieve anything.
He wanted to make a statement, and his presence,not his words, would be that
(02:32):
statement.
The Thieves Guild isn't even a guild, Raylan. Youknow that.
Have you forgotten the parade?
Larson was trying to keep his voice down, butRaylan could tell he was losing his temper.
You disrespect Guild Master Pietro.
Larson's jaw dropped at the deep voice of Allard,interrupting their conversation.
(02:52):
Just because he chose not to attend the banquetdoes not mean that he wouldn't have been welcome, or that his
peers would not have recognized him.
Allard glanced back at the guild masters millingabout.
Raylan marveled at how Allard was able to evokethe beloved Pietro to establish
respect for the guild, and Raylan himself.
Sax, the portly guild master knight, walked over.
(03:13):
You're a fine one to discuss disrespect, youcoward.
He pointed at Allard with a finger extended from awine goblet, which
spilled as he waived his hand while he talked.
But you live with that shame all year long as youscurry around in your black.
He turned to Larson.
Let the pathetic boy and his lackey enjoy thebanquet, Larson.
(03:34):
He took a drink from his goblet.
It's one day in the year.
We'll go back to abusing them tomorrow.
(laughs)
He laughed and turned back to the other guildmasters.
Larson walked down the stairs and stood next toRaylan.
He stopped so close that their toes nearlytouched.
He leaned forward and whispered through grittedteeth.
(03:55):
I know it was your friend, Rafe, in here earlier.Look around.
You can see the damage he did.
Are you happy? You've had your fun. Now, leave mebe for another year.
Raylan shook his head.
I'm not leaving.
What more damage could you possibly do? Justleave.
Larson spat out the words, venom dripping from hisvoice.
(04:17):
This is the guild master feast as part of FoundersDay.
Raylan said the words loudly as he smoothed thefolds of his black robe.
I'm a guild master.
People looked their way, and the other members ofthe council stared at
them.
Raylan said nothing else as Larson's face turnedredder and redder.
(04:38):
He opened and closed his mouth as if about to saysomething, but nothing came out.
Finally, he shook his head and announced-
Of course, we're not used to having the guildmaster thief attend this event, but that does not mean we
cannot find room for him.
He looked around, pointed at the other end of theroom, and then
added-
I believe there is room at the end of the tablenear the guild master pig's herd.
(05:02):
With that, Larson spun on his heels and returnedto the council table.
Raylan made his way past guild masters draped inyellow, blue, and
green. They all looked up at him, their facesrevealing a mixture of curiosity,
bemusement, and condemnation.
At the end of the table, a place was being set forhim between a stout man with a
(05:25):
misshapen nose and thick brown hair, and a thinwoman with wiry
brown hair.
They both wore the green robe of the HarvestGuild.
The man's was edged with a brown, black, andyellow pattern that Raylan assumed
indicated the pigs herders. The woman's robe waslined in an elaborate
pattern of yellow and blue. She refused to look atRaylan and kept her back to him.
(05:50):
Raylan sat down and Allard stood guard behind him,his hand resting on the pommel
of his sword. While Raylan took a long drink ofwater, the man leaned toward
him.
I'm Percy, sir guild master.
He had a big smile on his face, which revealedseveral missing teeth.
Nice to meet you, Percy, but you can call meRaylan.
(06:11):
He shook the man's hand with a firm grip.
No need for this sir business between guildmasters, don't you think?
Ah, I'm not a guild master, sir.
The herdsmen haven't had a guild since we joinedthe farmers all those years ago.
He grabbed his robe at its edge.
This is all just for show. The real guild masteris up on the stage there.
He nodded toward Polo, the Guild Master Harvest.
(06:34):
After Saxe and Larson, Raylan was surprised bysuch humility.
Don't be so humble, Percy. You still lead yourfellow herdsmen, providing food and skins
for the city.
Aye, sir, but my voice is about as important as mypigs' when it comes to making
decisions.
He laughed and took a long drink from a glass ofale.
Raylan looked around. The feast appeared to havesettled down.
(06:57):
All the thrown food and broken tableware had beenremoved, and servers were bringing
around greens and soup. On the dais, Saxe andLarson were laughing while
Orion looked quiet and pensive. Polo, the GuildMaster Harvest,
looked depressed.
You should be on the dais.
It was Percy, who spat bits of greens out of hismouth as he spoke and ate at the same time.
(07:20):
That's where the true guild masters belong.
I'm just the guild master thief, Percy. We're notexactly a guild.
Raylan stabbed some greens the moment the bowl wasplaced in front of him.
He was famished.
Not true, sir. Not true at all. Look around.
Percy used his fork to point to the various guildmasters in the room.
How many of these folks have deputies standingbehind them?
(07:43):
It was true.
The four guild masters on the dais each had adeputy standing at attention
behind them.
The only other person with a deputy was Raylan,with Allard standing
behind him.
Percy continued.
Besides, you've seen the thieving statue inFounders Park.
Only the founding guilds have statues in FoundersPark.
(08:06):
Raylan lowered his fork. Was this true?
Were the thieves one of the founding guilds?
He had never studied history and found the ideaabsurd. He turned to Allard.
Is this true?
Yes, the Thieves Guild is actually thethird-oldest guild in Ness,
although why that is so is lost to history.
(08:26):
Still, I don't recommend you marching up anddemanding to sit between your brother and Guild Master
Saxe if that's what you were thinking.
With a laugh, Raylan picked up his fork again.
No, I think not. Besides, this is better company.
Raylan raised his cup of ale to Percy, whoreturned the toast.
There was a loud thud from the other end of theroom, and Raylan looked up to see Karch
(08:50):
standing before the table on the dais.
He stomped his boot onto the dais again
(footstomp) and the room quieted down.
He moved off to the side when there was silence,and Larson stood up.
Fellow guild masters, as the host of this year'sFounders Day banquet, I welcome
you.
He looked around the room.
I see some new faces,
(09:11):
which is bittersweet,
as it means that while we have new friends, wehave also lost some old friends.
So let us raise a toast to those that we havelost.
Larson glanced at his palm, and then continued.
Guild Master Marchand, Guild Master Sagan, and ofcourse, Guild Master Pietro,
you will be missed.
"You will be missed," the room rang out as glasseswere raised and then
(09:35):
drained. Larson put his glass down on the tablebehind him, and then
continued.
But life must go on as it has during our city'slong and wonderful history.
So welcome, new guild masters.
Today you will bear witness to our debate anddecisions on important guild business, a
tradition that goes back to the founders.
Larson looked around the room, and then continued.
(09:58):
The council will vote on four items this evening,but the most important will be the first.
Larson turned back to the table.
Guild Master Saxe will present the first item forvote. Guild Master...
Saxe stood up and bowed toward Larson, who movedback behind the table and sat down.
Saxe cleared his throat.
In the past, as Ness has grown and become moreunified, we have seen fit to
(10:22):
consolidate guilds. This has been a tremendousboon to all of us.
The city runs better, and our leadership is moreefficient.
Saxe looked somewhat nervous, and Raylan wonderedwhere he was leading with his
preamble.
Guild consolidation has a long history at Ness,and has always been well-received.
Your council hopes this will again be the case, asour first vote is to unite the Harvest and
(10:46):
Merchant Guilds.
Raylan's jaw dropped. Such a decision would prettymuch destroy the guild
system.
Now his brother would be the undeniable leader ofNess.
The Craft Guild's voice would be powerless, andthe Knights Guild, what about them?
Why was Saxe going along with this?
There was a loud murmur across the room,punctuated by some raised voices.
(11:10):
No one shouted however.
Raylan couldn't believe it. "Are they all going togo along with this?"
He turned to Percy.
"What do you think, Percy?"
Bah, we've been through this before.
Does it matter if he's leading us?
Percy pointed his fork toward Polo.
Or him?
He then pointed it at Larson.
(11:33):
Saxe stomped his foot.
(footstomp)
It is time to vote.
Raylan turned back to Allard.
"This can't be good, can it, Allard?"
His deputy shook his head.
No, and I cannot believe that Saxe would betrayhis own guild like this.
Council,
Saxe raised his voice.
the matter of uniting guilds is a serious one, andour founders made it clear that we cannot
(11:56):
do so if more than one of us objects. So in thematter of uniting the Harvest and Trade
Guilds, how do you vote, yea or nay?
"Yea," Larson replied. "Craft?" "Yea," answered
Orion, although there wasn't much enthusiasm inhis voice.
"Guild Master Harvest, how do you vote?" "Nay."
(12:18):
Polo sounded utterly defeated. "And I vote for theKnight Guild with a
yea." Larson had a big smile on his face, as didKarch behind him.
"It is settled then, with only one objection.
The Harvest Guild and Merchant Guilds are hereby-"
It is not settled.
The booming voice of Allard echoed through thehall.
(12:38):
Everyone turned to face him, including Raylan.
The guild master thief has not voted.
Raylan stared at Allard. Saxe had a sneer on hisface as he
replied. "That is amusing, Deputy,
and with how this evening has begun, it certainlyis not surprising, but I'm afraid the Thieves Guild does
not have a vote in these proceedings."
(12:58):
That is not true.
A firm voice from the dais broke through the buzzin the room.
Saxe turned to face Polo, who suddenly seemed moreanimated than he had the
entire evening. "What do you mean by this, Polo?
You have lost. Don't make this difficult."
The old guild master replied with a laugh.
(13:20):
It would do well for you to learn your guildhistory, Saxe.
The Thieves Guild has always been a guild on thecouncil.
Just because Pietro had no interest in guildmatters doesn't change that fact.
Polo took a bite of a piece of bread as Saxe juststared at him.
It is true, you know.
Guild Master Orion added. "Shut up, Orion," Larsonstated as he fell back
(13:44):
into his chair. He looked across the room atRaylan.
Raylan pushed back his chair and stood up.
He walked along the side of the hall toward thedais, every eye on him.
As Raylan walked onto the stage with Allard closebehind, Saxe looked like he was
about to explode, while his brother had neverlooked angrier, his suppressed
(14:04):
rage given no outlet. Larson stared hard at Raylanas if
he could will him to vote yea. Raylan turned andfaced the room.
The thieves vote nay.
Larson lowered his head while Saxe growled andgrabbed at Raylan.
Allard pulled Raylan away with one hand and shovedSaxe back toward the
(14:26):
table with the other.
Dinner is over, sir.
Allard said as he dragged Raylan toward the frontof the room.
There were shouts from the podium, and as Raylanlooked back he could see Polo's deputy
struggling with Saxe's deputy. The entire hall wasin an uproar.
A tankard of ale glanced against Raylan's shoulderwhen they were almost to the end
(14:47):
of the hall. The clattering of the tankard on thefloor appeared to ignite the rest of the
room, and Raylan again found himself the target offood and projectiles.
Shouts of anger followed him. A few men in theyellow of the Craft Guild blocked the
door.
Don't be foolish.
Allard growled, unsheathing his sword.
The men fell back, but Raylan couldn't ignore thehatred on their faces.
(15:13):
They were well beyond the hall when Raylan glancedback. No one was following them.
Why was everyone so mad at me, Allard?
Raylan couldn't understand how the lesser guildmasters couldn't see that their
own guild masters were selling them out to hisbrother.
Their guild master voted yea, and you voted nay.
(15:33):
That's enough for most of them.
Raylan nodded.
Even when he was doing the right thing, he wasmaking enemies.
So what do you think Larson will do next?
Allard stopped, turned, and leaned toward Raylan.
He will either give up or assassinate you.
His voice was low and intense.
Which do you think?
Allard didn't move.
(15:53):
I think I should relocate to the thieves tower.
Allard nodded.
A wise choice.
He turned to lead Raylan on, but stopped andturned again.
He reached his hands up and lowered his hood.
His newly uncovered eyes flickered in thetorchlight as he stood straight.
May I ask you a question, sir?
Raylan looked up and nodded.
(16:14):
Why did you attend the dinner tonight?
Raylan tried to gauge Allard's motivations forasking the question, but he could tell
nothing from his face and Allard's voice was, asalways, even and
businesslike. He decided to just be honest.
Because even if Larson felt that he could treat mewith disrespect, he should not
(16:35):
treat the guild that way.
I thought a lot of Guild Master Pietro as I sat inthat cage today.
As the stones struck me and the piss splashed onmy head, I realized that I've
never seen a nobler man in my life. He took theabuse and smiled.
He took the ridicule in the streets and crackedjokes.
He didn't deserve that, and the guild deservesmore respect than it receives.
(16:59):
Raylan laughed.
(laughs) I guess they learned that today.
Allard didn't say anything for some time, but juststared at Raylan.
Finally, he replaced his hood and bowed his head.
You are an honorable young man, Guild MasterRaylan.
Raylan smiled.
Well, as much honor as there is among thieves.
(17:19):
(dramatic music)
The Thieves Guild
by Jake Kerr.
Episode 10:
The Founders Day Banquet.
(00:24):
Raylan and Allard arrived at Merchant Tower 45minutes after they left the
parade float. They were both in their dress robes,walking briskly to the door to the
banquet hall when Raylan stopped suddenly. Helooked up at Allard.
How do I look?
Like a guild master.
Raylan smiled.
And how do I smell?
(00:44):
There was a pause, and then Allard replied-
Better than you did earlier.
Good enough.
Allard entered first. A knight moved to blocktheir access to the banquet hall.
Allard stopped and swiped his robe behind hisscabbard, revealing his mammoth
broadsword.
You can either move aside for the guild masterthief, or we will step over your body.
(01:05):
In either case, we will enter the banquet hall andthe guild master will join the meeting.
The knight slowly moved to the side, and Allardignored him as he strode
forward and threw open the double doors.
Allard straightened his robe, and Raylan followedhim into the room.
As Raylan followed behind Allard, he was met by along, narrow
(01:28):
room with servants resetting the tables andcarrying out bins full of broken
glass, food, and towels stained with wine andother drink.
The guild masters milled about as their placesettings were restored.
Raylan was going to ask where they should sit, butAllard strode straight to a dais at the
end of the hall with a table upon it. The guildmasters knight, Harvest,
(01:51):
Craft, and Merchant were milling about talking,their deputies close by.
Allard stopped at the base of the steps leading upto the dais.
The guild master thief requires a place setting.
Sax glared at him, but didn't move. The otherguild masters seemed amused.
Larson walked over, his face turning red.
What are you doing here?
(02:12):
He whispered through clenched teeth as he lookeddown at them from the top of the stairs.
I'm here for the banquet. I'm a guild master, am Inot?
Raylan decided to keep a serious tone.
He knew he belonged, and mocking his brotherwouldn't achieve anything.
He wanted to make a statement, and his presence,not his words, would be that
(02:32):
statement.
The Thieves Guild isn't even a guild, Raylan. Youknow that.
Have you forgotten the parade?
Larson was trying to keep his voice down, butRaylan could tell he was losing his temper.
You disrespect Guild Master Pietro.
Larson's jaw dropped at the deep voice of Allard,interrupting their conversation.
(02:52):
Just because he chose not to attend the banquetdoes not mean that he wouldn't have been welcome, or that his
peers would not have recognized him.
Allard glanced back at the guild masters millingabout.
Raylan marveled at how Allard was able to evokethe beloved Pietro to establish
respect for the guild, and Raylan himself.
Sax, the portly guild master knight, walked over.
(03:13):
You're a fine one to discuss disrespect, youcoward.
He pointed at Allard with a finger extended from awine goblet, which
spilled as he waived his hand while he talked.
But you live with that shame all year long as youscurry around in your black.
He turned to Larson.
Let the pathetic boy and his lackey enjoy thebanquet, Larson.
(03:34):
He took a drink from his goblet.
It's one day in the year.
We'll go back to abusing them tomorrow.
(laughs)
He laughed and turned back to the other guildmasters.
Larson walked down the stairs and stood next toRaylan.
He stopped so close that their toes nearlytouched.
He leaned forward and whispered through grittedteeth.
(03:55):
I know it was your friend, Rafe, in here earlier.Look around.
You can see the damage he did.
Are you happy? You've had your fun. Now, leave mebe for another year.
Raylan shook his head.
I'm not leaving.
What more damage could you possibly do? Justleave.
Larson spat out the words, venom dripping from hisvoice.
(04:17):
This is the guild master feast as part of FoundersDay.
Raylan said the words loudly as he smoothed thefolds of his black robe.
I'm a guild master.
People looked their way, and the other members ofthe council stared at
them.
Raylan said nothing else as Larson's face turnedredder and redder.
(04:38):
He opened and closed his mouth as if about to saysomething, but nothing came out.
Finally, he shook his head and announced-
Of course, we're not used to having the guildmaster thief attend this event, but that does not mean we
cannot find room for him.
He looked around, pointed at the other end of theroom, and then
added-
I believe there is room at the end of the tablenear the guild master pig's herd.
(05:02):
With that, Larson spun on his heels and returnedto the council table.
Raylan made his way past guild masters draped inyellow, blue, and
green. They all looked up at him, their facesrevealing a mixture of curiosity,
bemusement, and condemnation.
At the end of the table, a place was being set forhim between a stout man with a
(05:25):
misshapen nose and thick brown hair, and a thinwoman with wiry
brown hair.
They both wore the green robe of the HarvestGuild.
The man's was edged with a brown, black, andyellow pattern that Raylan assumed
indicated the pigs herders. The woman's robe waslined in an elaborate
pattern of yellow and blue. She refused to look atRaylan and kept her back to him.
(05:50):
Raylan sat down and Allard stood guard behind him,his hand resting on the pommel
of his sword. While Raylan took a long drink ofwater, the man leaned toward
him.
I'm Percy, sir guild master.
He had a big smile on his face, which revealedseveral missing teeth.
Nice to meet you, Percy, but you can call meRaylan.
(06:11):
He shook the man's hand with a firm grip.
No need for this sir business between guildmasters, don't you think?
Ah, I'm not a guild master, sir.
The herdsmen haven't had a guild since we joinedthe farmers all those years ago.
He grabbed his robe at its edge.
This is all just for show. The real guild masteris up on the stage there.
He nodded toward Polo, the Guild Master Harvest.
(06:34):
After Saxe and Larson, Raylan was surprised bysuch humility.
Don't be so humble, Percy. You still lead yourfellow herdsmen, providing food and skins
for the city.
Aye, sir, but my voice is about as important as mypigs' when it comes to making
decisions.
He laughed and took a long drink from a glass ofale.
Raylan looked around. The feast appeared to havesettled down.
(06:57):
All the thrown food and broken tableware had beenremoved, and servers were bringing
around greens and soup. On the dais, Saxe andLarson were laughing while
Orion looked quiet and pensive. Polo, the GuildMaster Harvest,
looked depressed.
You should be on the dais.
It was Percy, who spat bits of greens out of hismouth as he spoke and ate at the same time.
(07:20):
That's where the true guild masters belong.
I'm just the guild master thief, Percy. We're notexactly a guild.
Raylan stabbed some greens the moment the bowl wasplaced in front of him.
He was famished.
Not true, sir. Not true at all. Look around.
Percy used his fork to point to the various guildmasters in the room.
How many of these folks have deputies standingbehind them?
(07:43):
It was true.
The four guild masters on the dais each had adeputy standing at attention
behind them.
The only other person with a deputy was Raylan,with Allard standing
behind him.
Percy continued.
Besides, you've seen the thieving statue inFounders Park.
Only the founding guilds have statues in FoundersPark.
(08:06):
Raylan lowered his fork. Was this true?
Were the thieves one of the founding guilds?
He had never studied history and found the ideaabsurd. He turned to Allard.
Is this true?
Yes, the Thieves Guild is actually thethird-oldest guild in Ness,
although why that is so is lost to history.
(08:26):
Still, I don't recommend you marching up anddemanding to sit between your brother and Guild Master
Saxe if that's what you were thinking.
With a laugh, Raylan picked up his fork again.
No, I think not. Besides, this is better company.
Raylan raised his cup of ale to Percy, whoreturned the toast.
There was a loud thud from the other end of theroom, and Raylan looked up to see Karch
(08:50):
standing before the table on the dais.
He stomped his boot onto the dais again
(footstomp) and the room quieted down.
He moved off to the side when there was silence,and Larson stood up.
Fellow guild masters, as the host of this year'sFounders Day banquet, I welcome
you.
He looked around the room.
I see some new faces,
(09:11):
which is bittersweet,
as it means that while we have new friends, wehave also lost some old friends.
So let us raise a toast to those that we havelost.
Larson glanced at his palm, and then continued.
Guild Master Marchand, Guild Master Sagan, and ofcourse, Guild Master Pietro,
you will be missed.
"You will be missed," the room rang out as glasseswere raised and then
(09:35):
drained. Larson put his glass down on the tablebehind him, and then
continued.
But life must go on as it has during our city'slong and wonderful history.
So welcome, new guild masters.
Today you will bear witness to our debate anddecisions on important guild business, a
tradition that goes back to the founders.
Larson looked around the room, and then continued.
(09:58):
The council will vote on four items this evening,but the most important will be the first.
Larson turned back to the table.
Guild Master Saxe will present the first item forvote. Guild Master...
Saxe stood up and bowed toward Larson, who movedback behind the table and sat down.
Saxe cleared his throat.
In the past, as Ness has grown and become moreunified, we have seen fit to
(10:22):
consolidate guilds. This has been a tremendousboon to all of us.
The city runs better, and our leadership is moreefficient.
Saxe looked somewhat nervous, and Raylan wonderedwhere he was leading with his
preamble.
Guild consolidation has a long history at Ness,and has always been well-received.
Your council hopes this will again be the case, asour first vote is to unite the Harvest and
(10:46):
Merchant Guilds.
Raylan's jaw dropped. Such a decision would prettymuch destroy the guild
system.
Now his brother would be the undeniable leader ofNess.
The Craft Guild's voice would be powerless, andthe Knights Guild, what about them?
Why was Saxe going along with this?
There was a loud murmur across the room,punctuated by some raised voices.
(11:10):
No one shouted however.
Raylan couldn't believe it. "Are they all going togo along with this?"
He turned to Percy.
"What do you think, Percy?"
Bah, we've been through this before.
Does it matter if he's leading us?
Percy pointed his fork toward Polo.
Or him?
He then pointed it at Larson.
(11:33):
Saxe stomped his foot.
(footstomp)
It is time to vote.
Raylan turned back to Allard.
"This can't be good, can it, Allard?"
His deputy shook his head.
No, and I cannot believe that Saxe would betrayhis own guild like this.
Council,
Saxe raised his voice.
the matter of uniting guilds is a serious one, andour founders made it clear that we cannot
(11:56):
do so if more than one of us objects. So in thematter of uniting the Harvest and Trade
Guilds, how do you vote, yea or nay?
"Yea," Larson replied. "Craft?" "Yea," answered
Orion, although there wasn't much enthusiasm inhis voice.
"Guild Master Harvest, how do you vote?" "Nay."
(12:18):
Polo sounded utterly defeated. "And I vote for theKnight Guild with a
yea." Larson had a big smile on his face, as didKarch behind him.
"It is settled then, with only one objection.
The Harvest Guild and Merchant Guilds are hereby-"
It is not settled.
The booming voice of Allard echoed through thehall.
(12:38):
Everyone turned to face him, including Raylan.
The guild master thief has not voted.
Raylan stared at Allard. Saxe had a sneer on hisface as he
replied. "That is amusing, Deputy,
and with how this evening has begun, it certainlyis not surprising, but I'm afraid the Thieves Guild does
not have a vote in these proceedings."
(12:58):
That is not true.
A firm voice from the dais broke through the buzzin the room.
Saxe turned to face Polo, who suddenly seemed moreanimated than he had the
entire evening. "What do you mean by this, Polo?
You have lost. Don't make this difficult."
The old guild master replied with a laugh.
(13:20):
It would do well for you to learn your guildhistory, Saxe.
The Thieves Guild has always been a guild on thecouncil.
Just because Pietro had no interest in guildmatters doesn't change that fact.
Polo took a bite of a piece of bread as Saxe juststared at him.
It is true, you know.
Guild Master Orion added. "Shut up, Orion," Larsonstated as he fell back
(13:44):
into his chair. He looked across the room atRaylan.
Raylan pushed back his chair and stood up.
He walked along the side of the hall toward thedais, every eye on him.
As Raylan walked onto the stage with Allard closebehind, Saxe looked like he was
about to explode, while his brother had neverlooked angrier, his suppressed
(14:04):
rage given no outlet. Larson stared hard at Raylanas if
he could will him to vote yea. Raylan turned andfaced the room.
The thieves vote nay.
Larson lowered his head while Saxe growled andgrabbed at Raylan.
Allard pulled Raylan away with one hand and shovedSaxe back toward the
(14:26):
table with the other.
Dinner is over, sir.
Allard said as he dragged Raylan toward the frontof the room.
There were shouts from the podium, and as Raylanlooked back he could see Polo's deputy
struggling with Saxe's deputy. The entire hall wasin an uproar.
A tankard of ale glanced against Raylan's shoulderwhen they were almost to the end
(14:47):
of the hall. The clattering of the tankard on thefloor appeared to ignite the rest of the
room, and Raylan again found himself the target offood and projectiles.
Shouts of anger followed him. A few men in theyellow of the Craft Guild blocked the
door.
Don't be foolish.
Allard growled, unsheathing his sword.
The men fell back, but Raylan couldn't ignore thehatred on their faces.
(15:13):
They were well beyond the hall when Raylan glancedback. No one was following them.
Why was everyone so mad at me, Allard?
Raylan couldn't understand how the lesser guildmasters couldn't see that their
own guild masters were selling them out to hisbrother.
Their guild master voted yea, and you voted nay.
(15:33):
That's enough for most of them.
Raylan nodded.
Even when he was doing the right thing, he wasmaking enemies.
So what do you think Larson will do next?
Allard stopped, turned, and leaned toward Raylan.
He will either give up or assassinate you.
His voice was low and intense.
Which do you think?
Allard didn't move.
(15:53):
I think I should relocate to the thieves tower.
Allard nodded.
A wise choice.
He turned to lead Raylan on, but stopped andturned again.
He reached his hands up and lowered his hood.
His newly uncovered eyes flickered in thetorchlight as he stood straight.
May I ask you a question, sir?
Raylan looked up and nodded.
(16:14):
Why did you attend the dinner tonight?
Raylan tried to gauge Allard's motivations forasking the question, but he could tell
nothing from his face and Allard's voice was, asalways, even and
businesslike. He decided to just be honest.
Because even if Larson felt that he could treat mewith disrespect, he should not
(16:35):
treat the guild that way.
I thought a lot of Guild Master Pietro as I sat inthat cage today.
As the stones struck me and the piss splashed onmy head, I realized that I've
never seen a nobler man in my life. He took theabuse and smiled.
He took the ridicule in the streets and crackedjokes.
He didn't deserve that, and the guild deservesmore respect than it receives.
(16:59):
Raylan laughed.
(laughs) I guess they learned that today.
Allard didn't say anything for some time, but juststared at Raylan.
Finally, he replaced his hood and bowed his head.
You are an honorable young man, Guild MasterRaylan.
Raylan smiled.
Well, as much honor as there is among thieves.
(17:19):
(dramatic music)
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