The Thieves Guild Monthly Binge - September 2023 - The Thieves Guild

Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
The Thieves Guild by Jake Care episode four. Off to
see the guild.

Speaker 2 (00:13):
Master, Raylan lifted his head and almost threw up his aile.
He set it back down on the seat and kept

(00:35):
his eyes closed.

Speaker 3 (00:37):
I didn't expect you to wake so soon, Raylan. Although
I must say the night showed admirable restraint. I would
have tossed a few more punches. There's nothing like a
split lip to teach your respect. As you try to eat.

Speaker 2 (00:50):
Raylan didn't move and kept his eyes closed. He wasn't
missing any teeth, and he didn't think he had any
broken bones, just a pounding headache.

Speaker 4 (01:00):
You know this is an overreaction there, even for you,
Deputy Carch. I was just practicing for Founder's Day.

Speaker 2 (01:08):
One of the oldest traditions of Founder's Day was for
the guild Master thief to take part in the parade,
riding in a cage on a cart at the rear
as the symbolic representative of all that was selfish and
evil in ness. The tradition demanded that the populace hurled
garbage at him. Tomatoes were a popular projectile. Carch's voice

(01:33):
pierced the clatter of hoofs and the sound of wheels
rolling over cobblestone.

Speaker 3 (01:38):
The guilds prepare all year for their Founder's Day celebrations,
he paused, and you prepare to throw tomatoes at the guildmaster, thief.

Speaker 4 (01:49):
It's part of the tradition.

Speaker 2 (01:51):
Raylen had to fight back his desire to be more disrespectful.
Something was different and he needed to take much more
care in how he interacted with his brother's deputy. He
opened his eyes, thankfully. The carriage was enclosed and the
light was dim. Karch sat across from him with his

(02:11):
legs crossed. His hands were in his lap. Yes, Carch
sneered for children. Before Raylan could think of a retort,
Karch continued.

Speaker 3 (02:22):
This is quite amusing.

Speaker 2 (02:24):
Actually, he smiled, and Raylan was again nervous, as he
found out earlier. When Karch smiled, that could only mean
that bad things were about to happen.

Speaker 4 (02:37):
What do you mean?

Speaker 2 (02:38):
Raylan could have kicked himself for asking the question. It
revealed his uncertainty to Karch, and he couldn't afford to
show him any more weakness.

Speaker 3 (02:48):
Oh, you'll find out soon enough.

Speaker 2 (02:50):
Karch didn't say anything more. The smile hadn't left Karch's face,
and Raylan couldn't take it.

Speaker 4 (02:58):
Did my brother say what he wanted?

Speaker 5 (03:00):
Did?

Speaker 3 (03:01):
Why?

Speaker 2 (03:01):
Yes?

Speaker 3 (03:02):
He did?

Speaker 4 (03:03):
And what was that?

Speaker 2 (03:04):
Raylan knew that his questions were bordering on impertinence, and
he expected a slap or worse before Karch could reply
with an answer or a slap. However, the carriage ground
to a halt. Raylan pulled himself up, taking care not
to jostle his stomach. They emerged near a dock. The
Merchant guild tower was nowhere to be seen. This isn't

(03:27):
the guild tower, Raylan noted, as he stumbled out of
the carriage.

Speaker 3 (03:32):
Of course not. The streets are too busy with preparations
for tomorrow's parade. Were taking a guildboat.

Speaker 2 (03:38):
Raylan looked towards the river and there was a small
Merchant Guild transport boat at an old fishing dock. A
sailor stood in front of it waiting for them. Karch
seemed practically joyful as he waved him to the boat.

Speaker 3 (03:53):
Hurry now, the guildmaster await.

Speaker 2 (03:55):
The boat wasn't one of the smaller rowboats used for
casual trips on a summit. It was wide but sleek,
with a broad sail. The deck was polished wood, and
there was a small cabin for privacy and shelter. The
sail was the royal blue of the Merchant Guild. Made
to seat a dozen or more, it was used for

(04:16):
official guild business. The captain stood at attention as Raylan
gingerly took a seat at the back of the boat.
Raylan watched as Carch sat down and straightened his robe.
The boat set course up river to the Merchant Guild tower.
Raylan closed his eyes as the boat swayed and rocked.

(04:37):
It felt comforting, but the more Raylan considered his day,
the more he felt vulnerable and afraid. He had been
beaten before, he had been hauled off to his brother before,
he had faced Carch's abuse before, but this all felt
so different, and it was starting to scare him. Figuring

(04:59):
he had nothing to look o, Raylan spoke up again.

Speaker 4 (05:03):
Deputy Carch, I understand that it was disrespectful to assault
a member of the Night Guild, even with a tomato,
but surely that's not deserving of a severe punishment.

Speaker 2 (05:14):
Karch was the type of person to ignore the pleading
and focus on Raylan's statement that he wasn't deserving of punishment.
Raylan stilled himself for the worst, whether it was a
confirmation of some dreadful punishment or a physical reminder that
he should only speak when spoken to. But the slap

(05:37):
Raylan expected didn't arrive. Rather, Karch looked over to him
with the same annoying smile he had worn since he
had arrived at the Four Triangles.

Speaker 3 (05:47):
My dear master Raylan, whatever makes you think you are
facing punishment?

Speaker 2 (05:52):
And with a chuckle, Karch turned his back on him.

Speaker 3 (05:56):
Ha ha ha.

Speaker 1 (06:40):
The Thieves Guild by Jake Carer, Episode five, The Guild
Master Merchant.

Speaker 2 (07:00):
It was evening, so the two of them had to
wait at the front of the Merchant Guild Tower as
its massive doors opened. As befitting the most powerful guild
in the city, the Merchant Guild Tower was the tallest
and mightiest in Nesse. Although the Night Guild compound was
much larger than the Merchant guilds. The Merchant Guild Tower

(07:22):
dwarfed the Knights, which stood next to the Great Gate
and loomed over the entrance to the city. Although he
had not apprenticed to any guild, Raylan lived in the
tower with his brother, so the process of waiting for
the great doors to open, and walking the stone halls
was a familiar experience. This time, however, there was an

(07:42):
ominousness to his arrival, as if the giant moor of
some monster was opening to consume him. He rubbed his
temples as the doors came to a stop. His headache
was thankfully starting to fade. Raelan had tried to find
out more about his fate as they exited the boat,
but that was the moment Carch's smile left his face.

(08:04):
He hissed at Raylan to be quiet, and he did
not wanting to risk a slap or to make his
fate any worse than it already was. Although Raylan loved
to insult and demean his brother's guild, he couldn't help
but feel awe every time he entered its tower, and
this time was no exception. He took note of the
majestic main staircase, the marble under his feet, the great

(08:27):
tapestries at the landings, and the art that lined the walls.
As they climbed to the sixth floor, Krch led Raylan
down a short hall to the polished and elaborately carved
oak door that marked his brother's office. Karch rapped on
the door twice, opened it, and then led him in.
The room was large. On one side was a bookcase

(08:50):
behind a small table with two chairs. It was full
of similar looking books. There were papers scattered on the table.
Across the room from the bookcase was a fireplace, which
was empty with the warm spring weather. Facing the door,
beyond a large, colorful rug was a formidable, dark wood
desk with a massive window behind it. The window presented

(09:12):
a panoramic view of the north end of the city
and the planes beyond. They stopped in front of the
desk and stood waiting. Raylan's brother sat behind it, his
head down as he signed one document after another. His
hair was straight and fine and dark like Raylan's, although
it was thinning on top, and also like Raylan, Larsen

(09:34):
was thin and gaunt, as he always did. Raylan noted
his brother looked serious. His blue merchant gild robe hung
on a stand next to the desk. Raylan smiled hello Larsen.
Larsen looked up at Raylan and raised his eyebrow, then
glanced at Karch and nodded. Carch turned and slapped Raylan

(09:55):
hard across the face with the back of his hand.
Raylan staggered backward and brought his ha and up to
his face. He wasn't bleeding this time, but his headache
returned with a fury.

Speaker 5 (10:06):
In this room, you are not to call me Larsan,
lars or even brother. I am the guild master, merchant,
and you will treat me as such. He peered at Raylan.
I'm sorry, sir. Raylan bowed his head. He had lost
count as to how many conversations with his brother ended
with those words. That this was how the conversation was

(10:28):
beginning did not bode well much better. Larsen folded his
hands on the desk and looked at Raylan. He smiled
for a moment, then sighed. He leaned back and ran
his fingers through his hair. I tried so hard to
provide you a future, Raylan, an apprenticeship with the countsman,
the shopkeepers, even with the White Guard.

Speaker 2 (10:50):
He shook his head.

Speaker 5 (10:52):
I can't even remember the number of opportunities I've presented
to you at this Larsen slammed his fist on his desk.
But you spat him my face at every step. Larson's
face was turning red, and Raylan already knew that the
best case scenario for him was a thrashing, and then
probably some time in the gild Dungeon that Larsen and

(11:13):
Karch had something worse in mind.

Speaker 2 (11:14):
Chilled him.

Speaker 5 (11:16):
Your attitude and actions mock the very guilds that offered
you a home.

Speaker 2 (11:20):
Larsen continued marking each point by stabbing his desk with
his finger. He then stood up his chair, nearly falling
as it flew backward. Starting with this one, Larsen stared
at him for a moment. Raylan didn't move. Larsen clasped
his arms behind his back and walked around the desk
and over to him. He took the fabric of Raylan's

(11:42):
shirt between two fingers, rubbed them, and then pulled his
fingers away, as if he had touched the corpse of
a diseased.

Speaker 5 (11:49):
Animal, the brown of the guildless Raylan, haven't you ever
tired of people looking down on you? Wondering why no
guild would have you?

Speaker 2 (11:58):
Raylan remained quiet. He knew the question was rhetorical, and
his cheeks still hurt from his last show of independence.
Larsen paused and smiled when Raylan didn't reply, what do
you know of Guildmaster? Pietro. It was a direct question,
so Raylan answered the guild master thief. Larsen nodded.

Speaker 4 (12:21):
He seemed a good sport. I got a few tomatoes
through the protective cage during the last founder's parade, and
he just smiled at me.

Speaker 2 (12:29):
Raylan shrugged.

Speaker 5 (12:31):
Ah, yes, you take particular delight in abusing the guildmaster thief,
do you not.

Speaker 4 (12:36):
It's the tradition.

Speaker 2 (12:37):
Do you know why it's a tradition, My dear brother
Larson started to smile. Raylan didn't know where this was heading,
but he knew it wasn't going to end well, so
he just went with it in the hopes of getting
any unpleasantness over with sooner rather than later.

Speaker 4 (12:53):
I don't know every profession needs a guild, so I
guess that includes the thieves.

Speaker 2 (12:59):
Oh it is much more than that, Raylen.

Speaker 5 (13:01):
Larsen leaned back against his desk. The thieves are the
greatest plague of ness. They hidel like rats in dark
corners and alleys, only to come out and steal from
all of the other guilds. Do you know how much
of a problem theft has become? Brother Raylan shook his head.
Let me put it this way, while you have been
tossing things at the guild Master thief out of childish joy.
There are hundreds of citizens taking out their anger at

(13:23):
having lost their clothing, their food, their precious savings, their
entire lives to these vile thieves.

Speaker 2 (13:30):
Larsen spoke the word thieves with a sneer on his face,
Returning to his seat behind his desk. Larsan added he
called Pietro a good sport. How generous of you.

Speaker 5 (13:40):
Others feel the same way, I'm sure, But should we
not hate him? Do you know why he exists? Why
we allow this symbol of all we despise to live
among us.

Speaker 2 (13:51):
Raylan tried to figure out how to answer the question,
but he had no idea what answer his brother wanted.

Speaker 4 (13:57):
I don't know it walked around, people laughed at him,
and then he always took part in the Founder's Day parade.

Speaker 2 (14:06):
Rayland glanced at Karsh for a hint as to how
to answer, but Karch stood by impassively.

Speaker 4 (14:11):
I guess we make some poor sap the guild Master thief,
and he represents all the thieves who are too cowardly
to work in a real guild exactly.

Speaker 2 (14:21):
Larson brought his hands together in a small clap.

Speaker 5 (14:24):
He is a symbol, a symbol of everything we in
nessa bor. Unfortunately, the fact that everyone liked Pietro tells
us that he wasn't the correct man for the job.
We need someone irresponsible, someone young and without the respect
that age provides, someone that all the guilds can collectively despise.

Speaker 2 (14:42):
His brother's intentions were suddenly clear. Rayland's jaw dropped as
Larsen continued.

Speaker 5 (14:48):
My dear brother, I am so glad you understand as
I'm sure you're aware. Grandmaster Pietro died several days ago,
and Larsen leaned forward, pointed at him, and whispered, you
are the new Guildmaster thief.

Speaker 2 (15:02):
Raylan didn't move as he tried to make sense of
what his brother had just told him. He thought of
Guildmaster Pietro, who wandered around Ness in his black robe,
smiling at everyone and occasionally grabbing fruit off of produce
stalls in the market district, telling the merchants that he was,
after all, the guild master thief. They would laugh and

(15:23):
let him wander on without making him pay. Everyone liked him,
but no one took him seriously. Raylan fought through the
pain in his head and discovered the flow in his
brother's plan.

Speaker 4 (15:36):
Only guild members can vote for a new guild master.
You can't just name me the guild master, Thief.

Speaker 2 (15:42):
No, I can't, but the council can. Larson waved his hand.

Speaker 5 (15:46):
But I'm short before the Founder's Day parade, and well,
let's be honest. No members in the thieves guild. It
was prudent of us to take action right away. And
after all, this is, as you so astutely noted, a
symbolic position.

Speaker 2 (15:58):
Larsen smiled again.

Speaker 5 (16:00):
I should note that each guild master seemed particularly delighted
in voting for you. Some even considered you overqualified. Carch laughed.
Larsen stood up. I'm sure you were overwhelmed with gratitude, brother,
so I'll let Deputy Karch take you to your new quarters.

Speaker 3 (16:15):
There is one more thing, Sir Carch added, your brother
needs to name a deputy.

Speaker 2 (16:21):
Ah. Yes, my brother gets an official stooge. Raylan immediately
thought of Raife, but he was certain that Rafe would
rather die than be in a guild as hated as
the Thieves.

Speaker 5 (16:33):
What about the current deputy. Did Pietro even have a deputy.
Before Raylan could object, Karch spoke up.

Speaker 3 (16:40):
That would be Old Alerd, a disgraced former member of
the Night Guild.

Speaker 6 (16:44):
Karch shrugged, he is universally loathed. Larsen tapped his chin. Oh, yes,
I forgot about him. He always wears his hood up.
Looks like death in that awful black robe of theirs.
Larsen smiled. Why it is a perfect match.

Speaker 5 (16:58):
Is it not a disgrace former Night and a guildmuster
that disgraces the Knights.

Speaker 2 (17:03):
Larsen waved a hand.

Speaker 5 (17:05):
Deputy Couch, let Alard know that, out of respect to Pietro,
he will be retained as deputy. In the meantime, take
Raylan to the Guildmuster's quarters.

Speaker 2 (17:14):
Raylan didn't know Alard, but he resented being told who
to name as his deputy.

Speaker 4 (17:20):
What if I don't agree to take Alard on as
my deputy, and.

Speaker 5 (17:24):
I'll go to the council and will make you take
him as a tribute to Guildmuster Pietro. Not even you
are so stupid as to object to that. Larsen's face
had reddened a bit at Raylan's objection. He waved his
hand and then peered at Raylan, who could tell his
brother's patience was wearing thin. Now get out of my
sight and scurry down to your new quarters in the basement.

Speaker 4 (17:43):
Deputy, you can't tell me what to do.

Speaker 2 (17:46):
Larson's jaw fell open at Raylan's words. He stood up
slowly from his desk, staring at Raylan with pure malice
in his eyes. What did you say, Larson asked through
clenched teeth. I'm a guild master. Raylan nodded his head.
Sure he had been appointed to the most reviled and
unpopular position in ness, but he was still a guild master.

(18:10):
Raylan's mind started to work through the possibilities. If he
was going to be humiliated, he would at least have
fun in the process. Larson looked to Karch. Raylan turned
and faced Karch before the deputy could act or his
brother could say anything.

Speaker 4 (18:25):
And you'd better not strike a guild master. I don't
know the rules yet, but I'm sure that's not acceptable.
Larson stared at Raylan for a moment and then spoke up.
I should have expected this. You were always too clever
for your own good brother, he smiled. Yes, you will
find a few benefits to your new position. But let's
see how far your lack of respect gets.

Speaker 7 (18:46):
You, shall we.

Speaker 2 (18:48):
He sat back down in his chair and folded his hands.

Speaker 5 (18:51):
In fact, founders Days tomorrow, Let's see how well you
enjoy sitting on your wagon having the citizens hold their
garbage at you. In fact, I believe I shall take
part in the fund this. Yeah, I may not throw
as well as you, Raylan, but I at least will
be the one doing the throwing.

Speaker 2 (19:05):
Raylan tried to hide his horror at the thought of
the Founder's Day parade. He had forgotten that he would
be the one sitting in the wagon at the end
of the parade, protected by a cage, while the population
of nests took their anger out on him. It may
have been symbolic, but as Raelan knew the thrown tomatoes
and garbage were real. He turned without saying anything and

(19:27):
walked toward the door. Karch raised his voice.

Speaker 3 (19:30):
The guild Master did not dismiss you.

Speaker 2 (19:33):
Without stopping or looking back, Raylan exclaimed.

Speaker 4 (19:36):
I am the guild Master.

Speaker 1 (20:20):
The Thieves Gilled by Jake Carer.

Speaker 7 (20:26):
Episode six.

Speaker 2 (20:30):
A lad Raylan set a brisk pace down the hallway
as he struggled to figure out whether he was angry, scared,
or thrilled. He reached the top of the staircase and paused.

(20:53):
What was he to do next. He had to find
his new quarters, which were presumably in the basement. But
what about his future? Could he walk the streets openly
like Pietro, Would the people see him as a symbol
and not an actual thief, or would he be hated
by everyone, a target for abuse and anger. He also

(21:15):
considered that this could turn out to be the best
possible result for him. He wouldn't have to worry about
harvesting the crops or smelting iron, or keeping accounts or
guarding the wall. He could just wander the city like
old Pietro. The final thought made Raylan smile. He was
thinking that his brother may have unintentionally done him a favor.

(21:39):
Of course, that didn't include the Founder's Day parade. Some
people took the ritual punishment of the thieves a bit
too seriously, and Pietro had been injured several times. In
the end, he didn't have much choice, so he started
down the steps, wondering where Guildmaster Pietro had lived. Larsen

(22:00):
had said that his quarters would be in the basement,
but that could have just been another way for him
to humiliate Raylan. Still, the Thieves were the only guild
without a tower, and Raelan wasn't sure where Guildmaster Pietro lived.
He only saw him at the parade and a few
times in the market district. It was possible, however, that

(22:22):
Pietro lived in the Merchant Tower. It was huge, with
plenty of ways in and out of the various attached buildings.
Plus Raylan did remember hearing once that Pietro lived under
the sufferance of the Merchant Guild. He figured that the
guard on duty would know, so he hurried down the
final steps and approached the guard watching the front doors.

(22:46):
It was Essel who glared at Raylan coldly as he approached.

Speaker 4 (22:51):
Excuse me, h Essel, but can you tell me where
Gilmaster Pietro's quarters are.

Speaker 7 (22:56):
Gilmaster Pietro left this well two days ago.

Speaker 2 (23:00):
Raylan bowed his head, figuring that respects would get him
further than demands. eSeL frowned. He didn't seem disturbed by
the news.

Speaker 4 (23:10):
Ah, yes, I'd heard that. I was wondering where his
living quarters are. Looking to step from the dead, are we?

Speaker 2 (23:16):
Esseel walked toward him, placing his hand on the pommel
of his sword.

Speaker 7 (23:21):
You wear the brown. I think that puts you outside
the rich of the gilts.

Speaker 2 (23:25):
He slid his sword out a few inches.

Speaker 7 (23:27):
But it doesn't It makes you less than all of them.

Speaker 2 (23:30):
We could all crush you like that. eSeL shoved his
sword back into its sheath, a sharp clang when the
pommel hit the metal lip, underscoring his threat. Raylen would
normally have slunk away. He had felt the flat of
Essel's sword on his back and legs enough times to
know not to provoke him. But things were different now,

(23:52):
and he needed to learn more about his new position.
He couldn't afford to let Essel bully him around when
he needed answers, and besides, he was a guild master.
Now you should watch yourself, Essel, Raylan stood tall and
squinted at the armed guildsman. I won't be wearing brown
much longer. Essel threw back his head and laughed.

Speaker 8 (24:15):
Ha, ha, Did your brother finally get your position cleaning manure.

Speaker 2 (24:19):
As quickly as he had laughed, his face went cold,
and he unsheathed his sword.

Speaker 7 (24:25):
I don't care what color you'll be wearing.

Speaker 8 (24:28):
You'll never be anything more than a pathetic insect.

Speaker 2 (24:31):
He raised his sword enough a deep, booming voice from
the staircase behind them echoed through the entry. It was
a voice used to giving commands and used to having
them followed. Esseel lowered his sword and Raylan turned. A
tall figure in a flowing black robe, his face lost
in the shadows of the hood, stood with his arms crossed.

(24:52):
This is not your business, lads, Esseel said, but his
voice was weak and tentative in the face of the visitor.
The figure said nothing, but approached with deliberate steps. He
stopped in front of Vessel. It is deputy, alert, Merchant.
Essel slouched, and the man in black kicked his sword,
which had dropped down and was pointing to the floor.

Speaker 7 (25:13):
Now put your toy away before I beat you with it.
The man pointed at Raylan, and don't ever speak that
way to the guild master again.

Speaker 2 (25:21):
His voice sounded like a clenched fist. Guild Master, The
man put his hand on the hilt of his sword.

Speaker 7 (25:29):
Do I need to tell you again?

Speaker 2 (25:30):
Essel scrambled back, sheathing his sword. He turned and returned
to his position near the great wooden doors, mumbling as
he went. Allerd reached up and tossed the hood of
his robe back. His skin and eyes were a dark brown,
almost black. He was bald, which made telling his age difficult.
He had some wrinkles, but not enough to mark him

(25:53):
as ancient. His smooth pate was interrupted by a thick
scar that ran from the top of his head down
to his left eyebrow. His brows were furrowed, and his
lips were turned down in a slight frown. Raylan wasn't
sure he had ever met a more intimidating man in
his life.

Speaker 7 (26:12):
I'm sorry I was not present at your meeting with
the Guildmaster Merchant, Sir.

Speaker 2 (26:16):
He folded his arms across his chest and stood up straight.
It seems that they neglected to inform you of it.
He smiled, and his face was transformed. His eyes sparkled
and his face glowed with kindness. You are my deputy,
Raylan asked, not quite believing what he was seeing. Indeed,
I am. The smile remained.

Speaker 4 (26:37):
I'm pleased to meet you, Deputy Allard.

Speaker 2 (26:39):
Raylan grinned and made one of his rare bows. The
deputy nodded in return, but otherwise didn't move.

Speaker 4 (26:46):
Larson mentioned that Guildmaster Pietro lived in this tower. Is
that true?

Speaker 2 (26:51):
Do you mean Guildmaster Larson. The deputy's smile faded a bit.
Raylan immediately understood his lapse in respect, and he appreciated
a Lad's understated correction.

Speaker 4 (27:04):
I'm sorry, Yes, I meant guild Master Larson.

Speaker 7 (27:08):
Allard nodded, indeed, Sir, the guild quarters are in the
basement of the north Wing. That was where the kitchen
and various service personnel lived and worked. Raylan had never
even been there. I didn't even know the guild had
a basement, Raylan replied, more to himself than to Allard.
The North Wing is the only part of the tower

(27:28):
the basement, and it is rarely used. Can you take
me there as you come on, sir?

Speaker 2 (27:33):
Allard pulled the hood over his head and started walking
to the east, where a number of hallways from various
wings of the building merged. Raylan still couldn't quite believe
what was happening, but every time he rubbed his eyes,
the tall, ominous man in the black robe was still there.
It was hard to keep up with Alad's brisk pace,

(27:55):
and the fact that each step jarred Raylan's aching head
only made things worse. They turned down the hallway that
led to the north wing and the kitchens. Just inside
the archway that marked the entrance to the north wing
was a wooden door to the left. It looked like
a closet. It was unlocked, and Allard pulled it open
and stepped aside, motioning for Raylan to enter first. Raylan

(28:19):
shook his head.

Speaker 4 (28:20):
This is all new to me. Please lead the way.

Speaker 2 (28:23):
Allard nodded but said nothing. Raylan followed him through the door,
which opened to cramped and rough hewn stone steps leading down.
The stairway was well lit with torches, and the floor
and walls were dry. There were bits of wood and
paper in the corners of each step. Although it wasn't
very dusty, it looked clean, just unkempt. Their footsteps echoed

(28:45):
against the walls in the quiet. It didn't feel like
the enforced quiet you experienced in a church or a library. Rather,
the walls were so close that Raylan felt like he
had to keep his voice down to avoid having it echo.
The quiet walk to the quarters did have a certain
solemnity about it, and it reminded Raylan of the old guildmaster.

Speaker 4 (29:07):
I'm sorry about Guildmaster Pietro.

Speaker 2 (29:10):
Ballard stopped and turned to face him. He was on
a lower step, and yet his face was still above Raylan's.
He stood motionless for a moment, his face lost in
the shadows of his hood, before replying.

Speaker 7 (29:23):
That was very kind of you, sir, and I thank
you for saying so. He was one of the greatest
of the guild master thieves.

Speaker 4 (29:29):
I'm not sure I even understand what that means, to
be honest, Alard. Allard leaned close, and for a second
Raylan thought that he had angered him. However, the deputy's
voice dropped to a whisper as he stated in a
soft voice, few.

Speaker 7 (29:42):
Know of his achievements or his greatness.

Speaker 2 (29:44):
Raylan didn't want to be disrespectful, but he was at
a loss as to what a lad could mean.

Speaker 6 (29:50):
But I thought it was a ceremonial position. Allard reached
out and Raylan flinched, But all he did was pat
him on the shoulder. Making the city believe that a
guild of thieves doesn't exist. It's quite an achievement, don't you.

Speaker 2 (30:02):
Think, Raylan relaxed a little.

Speaker 4 (30:05):
Well, we know thieves exist, but there's no such thing
as a thieves guild.

Speaker 2 (30:10):
Ballard turned back to the steps before adding exactly The
steps ended at a stone hallway. Like the staircase, it
was littered with broken pieces of wood, along with paper
and what looked like bits of pottery. More than anything,
it looked like the entrance to one of the warehouses
near the craft Guild. Along its length were plain wooden

(30:32):
doors on each side. What is this place, Raylan asked,
looking around at the bare hallway.

Speaker 7 (30:39):
This is a small basement that is used for storage,
mostly things that have only been used once and are
wrongly considered too precious to dispose of. That room holds
the embroidered linens from Guildmaster Galway's elevation ceremony.

Speaker 2 (30:52):
Raylan shook his head. Galway was the guild master before
his brother. He was elevated over twenty years before, and
here we are. They reached the end of the hall.
A broad door faced them. It appeared to be solid
wood and was different than the other doors along the hall,
but it lacked the decorative pretension of the door to

(31:14):
the guildmaster merchant office. A wooden stool sat next to
it in the corner. These are my quarters, Allard pointed
to a smaller door set in the wall to the right.
He reached into the folds of his robe, pulled out
a ring of keys and flipped through them. He unlocked
the door and ushered them in. It was a single room.
It looked comfortable enough, and it was quite large, but

(31:38):
it was closer to an apprentice dorm than guildmaster quarters.
There was a fireplace in the back wall and a
pair of reading chairs set near. They faced each other,
with several books sitting on a table next to the chair.
On the left, the floor was flagstone with a threadbare
black rug imperfectly covering it. To the left were bookshelves

(32:00):
that stretched from floor to ceiling and wall to wall.
To the right was a small bed with black linens.
To the immediate left of the entry door was a
replica of the thief statue from Founder's Park, two thieves
reaching into each other's pockets, with the inscription Honor among
Thieves on the base below. An empty work table was

(32:21):
shoved into the corner to the right with two chairs
pushed under it. After taking it all in, Raylan muttered,
seems a bit austere for a guild master.

Speaker 7 (32:30):
We could move you to the Thieves Tower if you prefer.

Speaker 2 (32:32):
Raylan's jaw dropped and he turned to his deputy.

Speaker 4 (32:36):
There is no thieves tower, A lad.

Speaker 7 (32:38):
Laughed, Huh, of course there is. It has fallen from
memory of a time which I believe was Pietro's goal
when he moved his living quarters here.

Speaker 2 (32:46):
Raylan simply couldn't believe it. He had been over practically
every part of ness, and he knew there was no
such thing as a thieves tower.

Speaker 4 (32:55):
How long ago was that?

Speaker 7 (32:56):
It was seventy five years ago. Pietro moved into tower
the same year he was elevated. Pietro was guild master
for seventy five years. Raylan didn't even know anyone seventy
years old. Indeed, your brother was the fourth guild master
merchant he had served with.

Speaker 2 (33:13):
Raylan walked over and sat on the bed. He knew
Pietro was ancient, but he had trouble comprehending someone what
nineteen ninety five years old. He looked up at Allard,
who stood just inside the doorway.

Speaker 4 (33:27):
Where's the thieves Tower?

Speaker 7 (33:29):
It is at the base of the mountain, where the
old quarter meets the ashfields.

Speaker 2 (33:33):
No wonder he or anyone he knew, had never heard
or seen the tower. It was between the two most
wretched areas of the city, both across the Great River.
No one from any guild crossed the river and wandered
through the desolate and dangerous wretched quarter, and the ashfields
were just that, fields of dead crops and trees from

(33:54):
over farming during Ness's youth. The other side of the
Great River wasn't even considered out of the city anymore,
even though it was inside the walls. Raylan shook his head.
He badly wanted to visit his guild tower, even with
its unfortunate location, but that would have to wait until later.
He looked around the room. It didn't look like anyone

(34:16):
had ever lived there.

Speaker 4 (34:17):
I assume Pietro's things have been removed.

Speaker 7 (34:20):
Yes, Gilmaster Pietro's belongings were removed this morning. Unfortunately, we
haven't had time to bring in fresh linens, which reminds
me we will need to procure you linen's clothing and robes.
From the clothes, it would probably do well to address
that immediately, as you write in the Founder's Day parade tomorrow,
and you will need blankets for tonight.

Speaker 2 (34:42):
Raylan nodded and looked around again. The books were an
interesting site. He had never actually seen a book that
wasn't used for settling accounts, and there must have been
dozens on the shelves. The rest of the room was
decidedly shabby, though, and he couldn't help but feel disappointed.
Knew that his brother was punishing him, and that the

(35:03):
guildmaster thief was nothing more than a laughing stock. But
certainly he could at least have a bed that was
better than the one he was leaving behind. All in all,
any hope that being a guild master would provide him
with luxury were dashed. Raylan's head still hurt, so he
dropped it to the pillow and stretched out on the bed.

(35:23):
He was starting to rethink his initial excitement over his
new position. He had a title, but one that was
a source of amusement and scorn throughout ness. He had
some new clothes, but they would be black, a color
possibly worse than the brown of the guildless. He had privacy,
but the price was rather depressing. Living quarters in the
basement of his brother's guild tower, and while he had

(35:46):
never had particular luck with girls, he doubted he'd have
any chance now. He sighed, thinking of the parade. Raylan
had forgotten that Allard was still there. The deputy stood
straight in motion near the door. His arms were clasped
behind his back, his hood remained up. Raylan laughed, but
it was a laugh full of bitterness.

Speaker 4 (36:09):
No, I hadn't yet gotten to that on my list
of things to be concerned about.

Speaker 2 (36:13):
He thought about the Founder's parade and the tradition of
the populace taking their frustration out on thieves by pelting
their guild master. Few took as great a pleasure in
that tradition as he had, But now it didn't seem
quite so amusing. He looked at Allard.

Speaker 4 (36:31):
So I guess I just sit in the cage and
smile as I get showered in fruit and vegetable pulp.

Speaker 7 (36:36):
That was how guild Master Pietro handled it.

Speaker 2 (36:39):
Raylan realized he was being rude relaxing while his deputy
stood at attention, so he pulled himself up. The movement
sent waves of pain through his head, however, so he
remained seated. There's another way, Raylan pictured a straw man
wrapped in the black robe of the thieves guild.

Speaker 7 (36:58):
You could stand on the wagon without a cage.

Speaker 2 (37:01):
Raylan laughed. He knew that some citizens threw rocks. The

(37:46):
Thieves Guild by Jake Caerr Episode seven, Back to the
Four Corners. Rafe had assumed Raylan was dead. He watched

(38:12):
from a dark corner as the guard slammed his friend's
forehead again and again into the heavy wooden table, all
for something that Raife had done. He was ashamed that
he didn't jump in and let them all know the truth.
He had thrown the tomato. It was all his fault.
What made him feel worse was that his perception of

(38:32):
Raylan was all wrong. He had been seething as Raylan
recounted the story of his heroic toss at the night. Somehow,
Raylan always got the credit when nothing went wrong, and
Rafe got the blame when they were caught. He was
on the verge of breaking off their friendship when Deputy
Karch walked in, and even as he was having his

(38:53):
head slammed against a table, Raylan didn't once say that
it was Raefe who had thrown the tomato. There was
a honor in Raylan that Rafe had never recognized. Sure,
it was easy to see his brashness and his hatred
for authority and his joy in driving his brother mad,
but Rafe was starting to think that underneath it all

(39:15):
was some kind of noble pursuit. He didn't know what
that pursuit was, but the moment that Rafe discovered that
Raylan was alive, he knew he wanted to be a
part of it. He had returned to the Four Corners
that evening, feeling depressed and helpless. All he wanted to

(39:35):
do was drink some ale, remember his friend, and see
if anyone had any news. The entire atmosphere of the
inn changed in the evening, with older apprentices and masters
from various guilds relaxing after a day of labor, replacing
the younger apprentices and guildless who inhabited the inn during
the day. One thing hadn't changed, however, Raylan was the

(39:59):
center of attention this time. However, it wasn't his storytelling,
but rather the news that he had been elevated to
guild master Thief. At a table near the back, Rafe
noticed several of the young apprentices who had been listening
and laughing to Raylan earlier. He hurried over for news.

Speaker 9 (40:19):
And my brother has a slingshot with the cage. It
will be difficult, but I swear I'm going to hit
him in the eye with a piece of gravel. How
great will it be to have a guild master thief
with an eye patch?

Speaker 2 (40:29):
The whole table laughed as the harvest apprentice covered his
eye with his hand and squinted with his other one.
Rafe stood in the background listening to them all. Kirol,
the young apprentice who cheered the loudest at Raylan's story,
discussed how he had saved up some rotten tomatoes to

(40:50):
throw at Raylan. Another apprentice talked about how they should
donate crowns to a pot and whoever drew blood first
would win the entire prize. He had debated storming in
and embarrassing them all, berating them for their childishness and
lack of support for their friend. Even if Raylan wasn't
a friend to them, he shared a story with them

(41:12):
that caused him to get beaten severely. Certainly that counted
for something, but he couldn't rave cursed himself as he
shuffled out of the inn. He just couldn't stand confrontation
at such a personal level. He could incite chaos, and
he had done so many times at Raylan's goading, but
he just couldn't stand arguing with someone or a group

(41:34):
of people.

Speaker 7 (41:35):
Hit and ron, Yeah, that's how I operate.

Speaker 2 (41:38):
While Rave considered it a somewhat demeaning strategy, it was
what he knew best. Now he just needed to find
a way to help Raylan by hitting and running. Of course,
before he could do that, he had to find him,
and he had no idea where Raylan was. He asked
everyone he knew, and no one had ever considered where
Pietro lived. As far as they knew. He just wandered

(42:00):
the streets. It was deep into the night before he
gave up. He returned to his quarters with a simple plan.
He would wait for Raylan at the end of the
Founder's Day parade. He couldn't help his friend get through
that ordeal, but he would be there for him at
the end. As he lay his head down on his
straw mat and closed his eyes, an exciting possibility entered

(42:22):
Rafe's mind. He could join the Thieves Guild. He thought
of dashing feats of robbery where he would steal from
the mansions in the upper Triangle and give the proceeds
to the poor folks in the flats, or even the
Old Quarter. He pictured himself roaming the streets in his
ominous black robe, the knights hunting him down while citizens

(42:45):
cheered him on. He fell asleep and dreamt of countless adventures,
all involving a black robe and plenty of daring. Could
being a thief really be that bad?

Speaker 1 (43:39):
The Thieves Guild by Jake Caerr, Episode eight, The Founder's
Day Parade.

Speaker 2 (44:02):
The Founder's Day parties didn't begin in Ernest until the
parade ended, but that didn't mean that half the populace
wouldn't be out dancing and drinking the night before. Raylan
used to like to watch the flickering lights of the
flats from his brother's office on the night before Founder's Day,
but since Raylan was made guild Master, Thief Larsen wouldn't

(44:23):
even talk to him. Raylan wanted to walk down to
the Painted Sheep or the Four Triangles, find Rafe and
just enjoy the festivities, but he was still feeling too
sick and nervous to do anything more than just rest,
So while Allard finished gathering his gild robes and clothing,

(44:43):
Raylan spent a quiet night underground in his quarters. The
next morning he stood outside the craft Gild tower as
Allard secured the cage on the wooden wagon. The wagon
was painted black, but was otherwise unadorned, just the large
cage surrounding a wooden stool. The cage was strong, comprised

(45:06):
of metal bars about the thickness of a thumb. It
would stop stones and bricks and would easily withstand fruit
and vegetables, but that wasn't the point. As fruit exploded
against the cage, juices and pulp would spray the guild
master within, showering him with the anger of a populace
that lived in a rigid society of guild order, yet

(45:28):
still had to deal with the outrage of thieves. Raylan
watched as the various harvest guild floats made their way
onto the brick road that led from the Craft Tower
to the Merchant Tower Merchant Avenue. The parade would end
at the Merchant Tower and the parties would then flow
into Founder's Park, but that wouldn't happen until the single

(45:49):
black wagon at the rear of the parade made its
way down the road. It is time, Allard stated. Raylan nodded,
jumped onto the wagon and climbed into the cage. He
sat down on the wood stool. It was nailed to
the floor and offered good support. He arranged his freshly
made black robe as Alard checked the latch. Raylan reached

(46:14):
to pull up his hood, but Alard shook his head.

Speaker 4 (46:17):
They have to see your face, you mean, they have
to see the garbage dripping down my face?

Speaker 7 (46:22):
That too.

Speaker 2 (46:23):
Raylan looked ahead. His wagon would join the parade in moments.
He saw the youngsters pushing to get to the front
of the crowd's rotten produce in hand.

Speaker 7 (46:33):
Where will you be, Allard, I'll be right behind. No
need to fear anything worse than a good pelting.

Speaker 2 (46:39):
Looking over his shoulder, Raylan replied, there's a danger of
worse than that. Allard didn't reply, and the wagon started
to move. The wagon hadn't even made it to the
official parade route when the garbage started to fly. He
had expected to feel juice and bits of fruit and
vegetables hit him, and he had planned on a dignified

(47:00):
response worthy of guild Master Pietro. He would wipe his eyes, smile,
and wave. His actual response was to cover his mouth
with his hands as he bent over, doing his best
to stop from wretching. The first deluge was of rotten vegetables.
The cage stopped the vegetables, but not the brown, sticky goo,

(47:21):
which sprayed Raylan in the face. He made the mistake
of breathing in while wiping his face, and the noxious
smell of rot filled his nose. It only got worse
from there. While the bars stopped larger rocks, Raylan never
realized that some boys used slingshots to launch smaller stones
and pebbles. Many of them ricocheted off the bars, but

(47:42):
several got through their impact, leaving welts on his entire body.
At one point, he felt a small stone hit his ear,
and when he reached up, he was sure that it
had sliced through and he was bleeding, But it was
only a bit of tomato. He had given up any
pretet men of smiling and waving less than a quarter

(48:03):
of the way down the parade route. His goal was
simply to get through the experience with a modicum of dignity.
Every so often he would glance around, and the faces
he saw disturbed him. He had always approached the parade
with an eye toward drenching. Guildmaster Pietro with tomato juice.
For Raylan, it was always with a sense of fun.

(48:25):
In fact, he often used his tosses toward the Guildmaster
thief as an excuse to hit the knights lined up
across the road. Getting hit and the crossfire was to
be expected, but Raylan took particular joy in just missing
the cage, only to hit a night squarely in the chest.
So as he looked around, he couldn't understand the numerous

(48:46):
scowls and faces contorted with rage. Screams about stolen items
were added to the violess, names imaginable, all aimed at him.
At one point, Raylan turned to Alad to ask why
everyone was so angry. The sight shocked him. While not
the target Raylan was, Allard's black cloak was thick with debris.

(49:07):
Even as Raylan watched an apple bounced off of Alard's shoulder.
He ignored it, however, and walked onward, his face lost
in the darkness of his hood. It got worse halfway through.
The route to the north was found as park and
the crowds were thickest. At the point the wagon had
just reached, Raylan could barely keep his eyes open as

(49:28):
the rotten fruit stones and vegetables rained down on him.
Up ahead, a group of boys wearing the green of
the Harvest Guild was gathered. They started chanting piss on
thieves as Raylan approached. As his wagon passed, they let
loose a volley of what looked like animal skins at him.
These exploded as they hit the cage, showering Raylan with urine.

(49:52):
There were so many thrown at once that Raylan couldn't
stop some from getting up his nose and into his mouth.
He spat and coughed to the sounds of ricas seeding laughter.
By the time the parade ended, Raylan's eyes, nose, and
mouth burned, His body was covered with welts and bruises,
and he smelled worse than the barn district. He wiped

(50:12):
off as much of the debris as he could as
he watched Allard climb onto the wagon. Despite being covered
in filth, Allard carried himself with the same military grace
and solidity he always did. He opened the cage and
handed Raylan a towel. You did well, Raylan looked up
at him through bleary eyes. Well, I didn't throw up.

(50:34):
Both of them turned to the sound of clapping. Larson
stood beside the wagon with Karch. They both wore their
formal deep blue robes. Raylan was tempted to flick a
urine soaked orange rind at his brother.

Speaker 5 (50:47):
All hail the guild master of filth, Larsen bowed, my
dear brother. I never thought you would ever look worse
than in that awful, guildless brown but I dare say
right now you look like you were born and raised
in the wretched quarter.

Speaker 2 (50:59):
He tapped his chin with a finger. But still I
must say it is an improvement, even with the stent.
Carch snickered. Raylan reached down to pick up some rotten vegetables,
but a lad put his hand on Raylan's shoulder. Dignity
guild Master, he whispered. Raylan stood up straight and looked
down at Carch.

Speaker 4 (51:18):
What was it you told me, Kuch that hurling filth
and abuse at the guild master thief is the practice
of a child. Then look at your guild master acting
like the child you described.

Speaker 2 (51:30):
Kruch's jaw clenched while Larsen frowned. Raylan rubbed the towel
through his hair and laughed.

Speaker 4 (51:37):
Do you have anything important to tell me, Larsen, I
have enough garbage to deal with at the moment.

Speaker 2 (51:43):
Larsen sneered, No, I and.

Speaker 5 (51:46):
The other guild masters have real business to attend to
over dinner. You and your disgraced night can go get
cleaned up and crawl back under your rock. I don't
believe we need to hear from you for another year,
which is about the best news I've heard today.

Speaker 2 (51:58):
He started to walk toward the merchant, but stopped and
turned back to face them.

Speaker 5 (52:03):
I forgot to tell you that we found a problem
with the pipes leading to the north wing of the tower,
so you'll have to get washed in the upper Triangle
bath house.

Speaker 2 (52:10):
Raylan cursed his brother under his breath. The one thing
he was looking forward to was a hot private bath.
Oh don't worry with that stent. I'm sure you'll have
your privacy. No one would want to be in the
same room with you. Larsen smiled and started walking toward
the entrance to his tower. He stopped one more time
and turned around.

Speaker 5 (52:30):
I would offer my private bath, but my guild has standards.

Speaker 2 (52:34):
Raylan jumped off the wagon and watched his brother retreat.
As he looked over he almost didn't recognize Alad. He
had removed his robe and was handing it to a
boy standing next to him. He was wearing a full
suit of chain mail, with his large sword in a
sheath strapped to his back. Anyone would have mistaken him
for one of the Night Protectors, except instead of white,

(52:57):
his armor was accented in black.

Speaker 4 (53:01):
Why wasn't I invited to the guild Master dinner.

Speaker 2 (53:03):
Raylan asked, through clenched teeth. Allard shrugged. Guildmaster Pietro declined
to attend every year. He probably just stopped sending an
invitation to the guild. I am not Pietro, his deputy
said nothing. Raylan ran his fingers through his dirty hair.
Where is the guild master dinner?

Speaker 7 (53:22):
I believe it is being hosted by your brother this year.

Speaker 4 (53:25):
That seals it. We will be attending this year, Allard.

Speaker 2 (53:30):
Before Allard could respond, Raylan was slapped hard.

Speaker 7 (53:33):
On the back Jarley, Good show.

Speaker 3 (53:34):
Guild Master.

Speaker 2 (53:36):
Raylan turned to see Rafe, a wide grin on his face.

Speaker 4 (53:39):
Rafe, how are you?

Speaker 2 (53:41):
Raylan stepped forward, but then stopped. I'd hug you, but
he waved his hand across his filthy robes.

Speaker 4 (53:48):
That's okay, I'm fine. I figured this would be the
best place to find you. Are you okay? I'm fine,
just a little bruised.

Speaker 2 (53:55):
Before either of them could continue, Allard spoke up, guild Master,
if you would like to attend the guildmaster dinner, I
recommend we get moving. The bathhouse is a twenty minute walk.

Speaker 4 (54:06):
Okay, Allard, But first I want to introduce you to
my friend Rafe.

Speaker 2 (54:11):
Allard nodded his head but said nothing. Rafe looked Allard
up and down.

Speaker 4 (54:16):
I've seen you before. I always thought you were death
wandering the streets of ness. Raylan punched Rafe in the arm.
Show some respect, Rafe. This is my deputy, guild Master Allard.
I'm sorry, Deputy. I did not mean offense, although I
doubt I'm the only one who has that opinion. Heck,
I bet you scare Karch.

Speaker 7 (54:35):
A pleasure to meet you, Raefe.

Speaker 2 (54:37):
He bowed his head again and then turned to Raylan.

Speaker 7 (54:40):
We should be going, can I help?

Speaker 2 (54:43):
Rafe blurted out, I'm sorry.

Speaker 4 (54:45):
We're just gonna get washed up before we go to
the guild master dinner as uninvited guests. Raylan grinned, we're
probably going to be an hour late. As it is.

Speaker 2 (54:56):
Raylan handed his robe to the same boy who took Alard's.
Raylan really didn't want to miss anything, and he wondered
how bad the hour delay would be. He turned to.

Speaker 4 (55:08):
Allard, Allard, how bad is it for us to be late?
Do they make any significant decisions? Raylan didn't know how
it would go or what he would do. He just
wanted to experience what his brother had over the past
five years. The prospect of missing out on anything was
almost more than he could stand.

Speaker 7 (55:27):
The major decisions are always made at the Founder's Day dinner.
It is the only time that the Council of guild
Masters meets with all of the junior guild masters. Your
brother's banquet hall will be full.

Speaker 4 (55:37):
Will we miss that? Or do they do official business
after dinner?

Speaker 2 (55:41):
Raylan was committed. Now if there was a major inter
guild decision, he wanted to take part.

Speaker 7 (55:48):
I'm afraid they pretty much discuss and vote by they
They tend to start with the big decisions first, so
that they aren't made with wine addled minds.

Speaker 2 (55:56):
Later in the evening, Raylan stamped his foot.

Speaker 4 (55:59):
It's going to start any minute now, Allard. We'll never
get back in time. I'm afraid, so I can help.
Both Alad and Raylan turned to Raife, who was grinning.
I'll go in and cause a big distraction, something that
will take them a while to clean up. I bet
they won't talk major business until things calm down. Raylan
turned to Alad. Do you think that would work?

Speaker 2 (56:22):
He shrugged. Before Raylan could give his friend the go ahead,
Rafe blurted out.

Speaker 7 (56:28):
But I won't do it unless you apprentice me to
the thieves guild.

Speaker 2 (56:31):
Raylan shook his head and smiled.

Speaker 4 (56:33):
You're crazy. You want to be a thief. His friend nodded,
I guess that makes three of us. The two shook hands,
as Alad added, we must all get moving if this
has any hope of succeeding. He turned to Raife.

Speaker 7 (56:48):
Apprentice, you will find access to the dinner rather difficult.
I recommend you disguise yourself as one of the weight stuff.
I have an even better idea than that.

Speaker 2 (56:58):
He slapped Raylan on the shoulder and then sprinted toward
the Merchant Tower. We must hurry, Ballard noted, walking briskly
toward Trader's Bridge and the upper Triangle. Raylen followed closely behind.
Everyone gave them a wide berth.

Speaker 1 (57:55):
The thieves gilled by Jake Carer Episode nine, More Mischief.

Speaker 2 (58:17):
Larsen surveyed the gathering of dozens of lesser guild masters
from his vantage point in front of the council table,
which stood on a dais overlooking his large banquet hall.
The results of months of politicking and bribing and blackmailing
were arrayed in front of him. Clearly, two thirds of
those in the hall were adorned in the green of

(58:40):
the Harvest Guild, the largest guild in Ness, and in
mere moments that guild would no longer exist. Wait, it
would exist, Larsen corrected himself. He must not gloat, but
the guild would now be a sub guild of his.
Its existence merely ceremonial, the Merchant Guild would soon be
the most import ortant and powerful guild in all of Ness.

(59:02):
In fact, Larsen had no doubt that his power would
be absolute for all intents and purposes. He looked at Sachs,
the guild master. Knight, the arrogant fool, took the money
and agreed to Larsen's plan, thinking that his soldiers guaranteed
his power. But Larson would now control the food supply
and the money. Sas noticed his attention and gave him

(59:27):
a conspiratorial grin. Larsen smiled back and looked back out
at the green robes, soon to be replaced by royal blue.

Speaker 3 (59:35):
The banquet is prepared, Sir.

Speaker 2 (59:37):
It was Karch who had returned after checking the kitchen.
Very good, Kutch, his deputy didn't smile, but remained at attention.
Larsen's mood was so light in the moment that he
decided to thank his deputy, something he never did. Let
his ego get too big. He turned to his deputy
and put his arm on his shoulder. Kuch His face

(01:00:00):
was impossible to read, but Larsen liked to think he
saw concern. He liked that.

Speaker 5 (01:00:06):
I wanted to thank you for the idea on handling
my brother.

Speaker 2 (01:00:10):
Larson allowed himself a chuckle watching.

Speaker 5 (01:00:13):
The garbage fall off him as he exited That wagon
was worth it enough, but knowing that his laziness and
embarrassing behavior will now be tarnished with a useless guild
like the thieves rather than my own, has taken a
huge weight off my shoulders.

Speaker 2 (01:00:27):
Carch bowed.

Speaker 3 (01:00:29):
I was merely taken advantage of Pietro's demise. It was
as much luck as anything.

Speaker 2 (01:00:35):
Larson appreciated Karch's humility. False as it may have been.

Speaker 5 (01:00:40):
Nonsense, it was a master stroke. My impertinent brother can
do whatever he likes, and the council will now have
to deal with him. I don't care if they throw
him in chains. At this point, my familial duty is over.

Speaker 2 (01:00:53):
It was at this point that an apple flew past
Larson's ear and landed on the council table. There was
a commotion near the other end of the hall, and
Larsen's eye caught someone in a brown cloak running down
the top of one of the long banquet tables. He
was kicking over carafts and bowls and picking up food
to throw, which he aimed toward the council table. Larson

(01:01:18):
dodged a roll and then shouted, someone grab him. A
number of the lesser guild masters were attempting to do
just that, with little success.

Speaker 5 (01:01:27):
Sachs, aren't your knights good for anything? That guildless bastard
is destroying the banquet hall?

Speaker 2 (01:01:33):
Sax and his deputy had already rushed toward the man,
while his other knights left their posts at the exit.
To assist. As the miscreant got closer, Larson noticed that
he was more of a young man or an older
boy than an adult. In fact, he looked familiar. As
Sax approached with his sword, unsheathed the older boy. Yes,

(01:01:56):
it was definitely a boy dropped some food and held
out his hands.

Speaker 4 (01:02:00):
I surrender to the guildmaster, Knight. If my bit of
Founder's Day fun has offended, I do apologize.

Speaker 2 (01:02:07):
The moment the boy spoke, Larson knew who it was,
his brother's friend, Raife. Sax lifted his sword, and Larsen
realized that Dolt intended to dispatch the boy right then
and there.

Speaker 5 (01:02:21):
Sacks, have you lost your mind? Larsen shouted, we have
a banquet to attend to feel free to bruise the boys.
You deliver him to your guild members, but don't spill
his blood.

Speaker 7 (01:02:31):
I Larsen.

Speaker 2 (01:02:33):
Sax sounded disappointed. We'll take care of him in the dungeons,
far from the light of day. He turned to Rafe.
You hear that boy, That bit of bread you dropped
may be the last food you'll ever touch. Sax approached
the boy, who didn't say anything, Just as Sachs was
almost within arm's reach and the other knights had relaxed.
The boy ducked and leaped onto a different table, where

(01:02:56):
he proceeded to kick the place settings and carafts of one.
He was a third of the way toward the entryway
when one of the lesser guild masters grabbed his leg,
tripping him. Sax reached him before he could fight off
the arms holding him, not bothering to ask him to
come peacefully, Sax grabbed him by his cloak and roughly

(01:03:19):
pulled him down off the table. The boy stumbled to
the ground, landing hard on his hands and knees. Sax
then kicked him in the head and the boy fell unconscious.
You men clean up this mess, Sax yelled to his knights,
who grabbed raife and dragged him away. Sax sheathed his
sword and walked back to the dais. He had a

(01:03:39):
large smile on his face. Larson looked out at the
boy being dragged away and the chaos he left behind.
Why did he do such a stupid stunt? Was this
connected to his brother? Larson couldn't see how his brother
didn't even know of the banquet until after the parade.
It didn't matter, it would take away while to clean

(01:04:00):
up the mess, but once it was done, things would
continue as planned. Larsan smiled, it would take a lot
more than a delay to ruin this night. The Thieves Guild.

Speaker 1 (01:04:57):
By Jake Carer, Episode ten, The Founder's Day Banquet, Raylan

(01:05:17):
and Allard arrived at Merchant Tower forty five minutes after
they left the parade float.

Speaker 2 (01:05:22):
They were both in their dress robes walking briskly to
the door to the banquet hall when Raylan stopped suddenly.
He looked up at Allard. How do I look like
a guild master? Raylan smiled, and how do I smell?
There was a pause, and then Allard replied, better than
you did earlier.

Speaker 4 (01:05:41):
Good enough.

Speaker 2 (01:05:43):
Allard entered first. A knight moved to block their access
to the banquet hall. Allard stopped and swiped his robe
behind his scabbard, revealing his mammoth broadsword.

Speaker 7 (01:05:53):
You can either move aside for the guild master, thief,
or we will step over your body. In either case,
we will into the banquet hall and the Guildmaster will
join the meeting.

Speaker 2 (01:06:03):
The knight slowly moved to the side, and Allard ignored
him as he strode forward and threw open the double doors.
Allard straightened his robe and Raylan followed him into the room.
As Raylan followed behind Allard, he was met by a long,
narrow room with servants resetting the tables and carrying out

(01:06:24):
bins full of broken glass, food and towels stained with
wine and other drink. The guildmasters milled about as their
place settings were restored. Raylan was going to ask where
they should sit, but Allard strode straight to a dais
at the end of the hall with a table upon it.
The Guildmaster's Night, Harvey's Craft and Merchant were milling about

(01:06:46):
talking their deputies close by. Allard stopped at the base
of the steps leading up to the dais.

Speaker 7 (01:06:53):
The guildmaster, thief requires a place setting.

Speaker 2 (01:06:56):
Sax glared at him but didn't move. The other guildmasters
seemed amu used. Larsen walked over, his face turning red.
What are you doing here, he whispered through clenched teeth
as he looked down at them from the top of
the stairs.

Speaker 4 (01:07:09):
I'm here for the banquet. I'm a guild master, am
I not?

Speaker 2 (01:07:13):
Raylan decided to keep a serious tone he knew he belonged,
and mocking his brother wouldn't achieve anything. He wanted to
make a statement, and his presence, not his words, would
be that statement.

Speaker 5 (01:07:26):
The thieves Guild isn't even a guild, Raylan, you know that?
Have you forgotten the parade?

Speaker 2 (01:07:31):
Larson was trying to keep his voice down, but Raylan
could tell he was losing his temper. You disrespect Guildmaster Pietro.
Larson's jaw dropped at the deep voice of Allard interrupting
their conversation.

Speaker 7 (01:07:45):
Just because he chose not to attend the banquet does
not mean that he wouldn't have been welcome, or that
his peers would not have recognized him.

Speaker 2 (01:07:51):
Allard glanced back at the guildmaster's milling about. Raylan marveled
at how Allard was able to evoke the beloved Pietro
to establish respect for the guild and Raylan himself. Sachs,
the portly guildmaster Knight, walked over. You're a fine one
to discuss disrespect, you coward, He pointed at Allard with
a finger extended from a wine goblet, which spilled as

(01:08:14):
he waved his hand while he talked. But you live
with that shame all year long, as you scurry around
in your black. He turned to Larsen. Let the pathetic
boy and his lackey enjoy the banquet. Larsen, he took
a drink from his goblet. It's one day in the year.
We'll go back to abusing them tomorrow, he laughed, and

(01:08:35):
turned back to the other guild masters. Larsen walked down
the stairs and stood next to Raylan. He stopped so
close that their toes nearly touched. He leaned forward and
whispered through gritted teeth. I know it was your friend
Raefe in here earlier. Look around. You can see the
damage he did. Are you happy? You've had your fun?

(01:08:56):
Now leave me be for another year. Raylan shook her head.

Speaker 4 (01:09:00):
I'm not leaving.

Speaker 2 (01:09:02):
What more damage could you possibly do? Just leave? Larson
spat out, the words venom dripping from his voice.

Speaker 4 (01:09:10):
This is the guild master feast as part of Founder's Day.

Speaker 2 (01:09:14):
Raylan said the words loudly as he smoothed the folds
of his black robe.

Speaker 4 (01:09:19):
I'm a guild master.

Speaker 2 (01:09:21):
People looked their way, and the other members of the
council stared at them. Raylan said nothing else. As Larson's
face turned redder and redder. He opened and closed his
mouth as if about to say something, but nothing came out. Finally,
he shook his head and announced.

Speaker 5 (01:09:39):
Of course, we're not used to having the guildmaster thief
for tend this event, but that does not mean we
cannot find room for him.

Speaker 2 (01:09:45):
He looked around, pointed at the other end of the room,
and then added.

Speaker 5 (01:09:50):
I believe there is room at the end of the table,
near the guildmaster pigs Hurd.

Speaker 2 (01:09:55):
With that, Larsen spun on his heels and returned to
the council table. Raylan made his way past guildmasters draped
in yellow, blue, and green. They all looked up at him,
their faces revealing a mixture of curiosity, amusement, and condemnation.
At the end of the table, a place was being

(01:10:15):
set for him between a stout man with a misshapen
nose and thick brown hair and a thin woman with
wiry brown hair. They both wore the green robe of
the harvest gild. The man's was edged with a brown,
black and yellow pattern that Raylan assumed indicated the pigs herders.
The woman's robe was lined in an elaborate pattern of

(01:10:38):
yellow and blue. She refused to look at Raylan and
kept her back to him. Raylan sat down, and Allard
stood guard behind him, his hand resting on the pommel
of his sword. While Raylan took a long drink of water,
the man leaned toward him. I'm Percy, sa guild master.
He had a big smile on his face, which revealed

(01:10:59):
several missing teeth.

Speaker 4 (01:11:01):
Nice to meet you, Percy, but you can call me Raylan.
He shook the man's hand with a firm grip. No
need for this, serve business between guild masters. Don't you
think ah, I'm not a guild master, sir. The herdsmen
haven't had a guild since we joined the farmers all
those years ago. He grabbed his robe at its edge.
This is all just for show. The real guild master

(01:11:22):
is up on the stage there.

Speaker 2 (01:11:23):
He nodded toward Polo, the guild master harvest after Saxon Larsen.
Raylan was surprised by such humility. Don't be so humble, Percy.
You still lead your fellow herdsman, providing food and skins
for the city.

Speaker 8 (01:11:37):
Aye, sir, But my voice is about as important as
my pigs when it comes to making decisions.

Speaker 2 (01:11:43):
He laughed and took a long drink from a glass
of ale. Raylan looked around. The feast appeared to have
settled down. All the throne food and broken table where
had been removed, and servers were bringing around greens and
soup on the dais. Sax and Larsen were laughing, while
Ryan looked quiet and pensive. Polo, the guild master Harvest,

(01:12:04):
looked depressed. You should be on the dais. It was
Percy who spat bits of greens out of his mouth
as he spoke, and at at the same time.

Speaker 7 (01:12:13):
That's where the true guild masters belong.

Speaker 4 (01:12:15):
I'm just the guild master thief, Percy. We're not exactly
a guild.

Speaker 2 (01:12:19):
Raylan stabbed some greens the moment the bowl was placed
in front of him. He was famished.

Speaker 7 (01:12:25):
Not true, sir, not true at all. Look around.

Speaker 2 (01:12:28):
Percy used his fork to point to the various guild
masters in the room.

Speaker 8 (01:12:33):
How many of these folks have deputies standing behind them?

Speaker 2 (01:12:36):
It was true. The four guild masters on the dais
each had a deputy standing at attention behind them. The
only other person with a deputy was Raylan, with allied
standing behind him.

Speaker 8 (01:12:50):
Percy continued, besides, you've seen the thieving statue in Founder's Park.
Only the founding guilds have statues in Founder's Park. Raylan
lowered his four Was this true? Were the Thieves one
of the founding guilds? He had never studied history and
found the idea absurd. He turned to Allard.

Speaker 4 (01:13:10):
Is this true?

Speaker 7 (01:13:12):
Yes, the Thieves guild is actually the third oldest guild
in Ness, although why that is so is lost to history. Still,
I don't recommend you marching up and demanding to sit
between your brother and guild Master Sachs, if that's what
you were thinking.

Speaker 2 (01:13:26):
With a laugh, Raylan picked up his fork again.

Speaker 4 (01:13:29):
No, I think not. Besides, this is better company.

Speaker 2 (01:13:33):
Raylan raised his cup of ail to Percy, who returned
the toast. There was a loud thud from the other
end of the room, and Raylan looked up to see
Karch standing before the table on the dais. He stomped
his boot onto the dais again and the room quieted down.
He moved off to the side when there was silence,
and Larson stood up.

Speaker 5 (01:13:55):
Fellow guild masters as the host of this year's Founder's
Day banquet, I welcome you.

Speaker 2 (01:14:00):
He looked around the room.

Speaker 5 (01:14:02):
I see some new faces, which is bittersweet as it
means that while we have new friends, we have also
lost some old friends. So let us raise a toast
to those that we have lost.

Speaker 2 (01:14:14):
Larson glanced at his palm and then continued.

Speaker 5 (01:14:17):
Guildmuster, Marshon, Guildmuster Sagan, and of course, guild Master Pietro,
you will be missed.

Speaker 2 (01:14:23):
You will be missed. The room rang out as glasses
were raised and then drained. Larson put his glass down
on the table behind him and then continued.

Speaker 5 (01:14:33):
But life must go on as it has during our
city's long and wonderful history.

Speaker 2 (01:14:38):
So welcome new guild masters.

Speaker 5 (01:14:40):
Today you will bear witness to our debate and decisions
on important guild business, a tradition that goes back to
the founders.

Speaker 2 (01:14:48):
Larson looked around the room and then continued.

Speaker 5 (01:14:51):
The Council will vote on four items this evening, but
the most important will be the first.

Speaker 2 (01:14:56):
Larsen turned back to the table.

Speaker 5 (01:14:59):
Guild Master Sachson will present the first item for vote.
Guild Master Sax stood up and bowed toward Larsen, who
moved back behind the table and sat down. Sax cleared
his throat.

Speaker 2 (01:15:10):
In the past, as ness has grown and become more unified,
we have seen fit to consolidate guilds. This has been
a tremendous boon to all of us. The city runs
better and our leadership is more efficient. Sax looked somewhat nervous,
and Raylan wondered where he was leading with his preamble.
Guild consolidation has a long history at Ness and has

(01:15:32):
always been well received. Your Council hopes this will again
be the case, as our first vote is to unite
the Harvest and Merchant guilds. Raylan's jaw dropped. Such a
decision would pretty much destroy the guild system. Now his
brother would be the undeniable leader of Ness, the Craft
Guild's voice would be powerless, and the Knight's Guild What

(01:15:53):
about them? Why was Sax going along with this? There
was a loud murmur across the room, suctuated by some
raised voices. No one shouted, However, Raylan couldn't believe it.
Are they all going to go along with this? He
turned to Percy.

Speaker 8 (01:16:12):
What do you think, Percy, Bah, We've been through this before.
Does it matter if he's leading us?

Speaker 2 (01:16:18):
Percy pointed his fork toward Polo or him. He then
pointed it at Larsen Sax stomped his foot. It is
time to vote. Raylan turned back to Alad.

Speaker 4 (01:16:32):
This can't be good, can it, Allad, his deputy, shook
his head.

Speaker 7 (01:16:36):
No, and I cannot believe that Sax would betray his
own guild like this, Council.

Speaker 2 (01:16:42):
Sax raised his voice. The matter of uniting guilds is
a serious one, and our founders made it clear that
we cannot do so if more than one of us objects.
So in the matter of uniting the Harvest and Trade guilds,
how do you vote?

Speaker 10 (01:16:55):
Yay or nay?

Speaker 2 (01:16:56):
Merchant Yeah, Larson replied Craft yay, answered Orion, although there
wasn't much enthusiasm in his voice. Guild Master Harvest, how
do you vote? Nay? Polo sounded utterly defeated, and I
vote for the Night Guild with a YEA. Larsen had

(01:17:16):
a big smile on his face, as did Karch 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 Vallad echoed through the hall. Everyone
turned to face him, including Raylan.

Speaker 7 (01:17:34):
The guildmaster Thief has not voted.

Speaker 2 (01:17:37):
Raylan stared at Allard Sax had a sneer on his
face as he replied, that is amusing, Deputy, and with
how this evening has begun, it certainly is not surprising.
But I'm afraid the Thieves Guild does not have a
vote in these proceedings. That is not true. A firm
voice from the diis broke through the buzz in the room.

(01:17:58):
Sax turned to face Polar, who suddenly seemed more animated
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.

Speaker 10 (01:18:13):
It would do well for you to learn your guild history, Sax.
The Thieves Guild has always been a guild on the council.
Just because Pietro had no interest in guild matters doesn't
change that fact. Polo took a bite of a piece
of bread as Sax just stared at him. It is true,
you know, guild Master, Ryan added. Shut up, Oriyan Larson

(01:18:35):
stated as he fell back into his chair, he looked
across the room at Raylan. Raylan pushed back his chair
and stood up. He walked along the side of the
hall toward the dais every eye on him. As Raylan
walked onto the stage with Allard close behind, Sax looked
like he was about to explode, while his brother had
never looked angrier. His suppressed rage given no outlet last night,

(01:19:00):
and stared hard at Raylan as if he could will
him to vote yeah. Raylan turned and faced the room.
The thieves vote nay.

Speaker 2 (01:19:09):
Larson lowered his head while Sax growled and grabbed at Raylan.
Allard pulled Raylan away with one hand and shoved Sax
back toward the table with the other. Dinner is over,
Sir Allard said, as he dragged Raylan toward the front
of the room. There were shouts from the podium, and
as Raylan looked back, he could see Polo's deputy struggling

(01:19:31):
with Sax's deputy. The entire hall was in an uproar.
A tankard of ale glanced against Raylan's shoulder when they
were almost to the end of the hall. The clattering
of the tankard on the floor appeared to ignite the
rest of the room, and Raylan again found himself the
target of food and projectiles. Shouts of anger followed him.

(01:19:52):
A few men in the yellow of the craft gild
blocked the door. Don't be foolish, Allard growled, unsheathing his sword.
The men fell back, but Raylan couldn't ignore the hatred
on their faces. They were well beyond the hall when
Raylan glanced back, no one was following them.

Speaker 4 (01:20:11):
Why was everyone so mad at me?

Speaker 7 (01:20:12):
Allard?

Speaker 2 (01:20:14):
Raylan couldn't understand how the lesser guild masters couldn't see
that their own guild masters were selling them out to
his brother.

Speaker 7 (01:20:22):
Their guild master voted yea, and you voted nay. That's
enough for most of them. Raylan nodded. Even when he
was doing the right thing, he was making enemies.

Speaker 4 (01:20:33):
So what do you think Larson will do next?

Speaker 2 (01:20:35):
Allard stopped, turned and leaned toward Raylan.

Speaker 7 (01:20:38):
He will either give up or assassinate you. His voice
was low and intense. Which do you think? Allard didn't move.

Speaker 4 (01:20:47):
I think I should relocate to the thieves tower.

Speaker 2 (01:20:50):
Allard nodded, A wise choice. He turned to lead Raylan on,
but stopped and turned again. He reached his hands up
and lowered his hood. His newly uncovered eyes flickered in
the torchlight as he stood straight. May I ask you
a question, sir, Raylan looked up and nodded, why did
you attend the dinner tonight? Raylan tried to gauge Allard's

(01:21:12):
motivations for asking the question, but he could tell nothing
from his face, and Allard's voice was as always even
and business like. He decided to just be honest.

Speaker 4 (01:21:23):
Because even if Larsen felt that he could treat me
with disrespect, he should not treat the guild that way.
I thought a lot of guild Master Pietro as I
sat in that cage today, as the stones struck me
and the piss splashed on my head, I realized that
I've never seen a nobler man in my life. He
took the abuse and smiled. He took the ridicule in

(01:21:45):
the streets and cracked jokes. He didn't deserve that, and
the guild deserves more respect than it receives. Raylan laughed, ha,
I guess they learned that today. Allard didn't say anything
for some time, but just stared at Raylan. Finally he
replaced his hood and bowed his head.

Speaker 7 (01:22:04):
You are an honorable young man, guild Master Raylan.

Speaker 4 (01:22:08):
Raylan smiled, well, as much honor as there is among thieves.

Speaker 7 (01:22:53):
The Thieves Guild.

Speaker 11 (01:22:55):
Written by Jacoberr, Season four, episode eleven, The Path to Assassination.

Speaker 2 (01:23:15):
Vesper listened intently to Mailer's story as they made their
way to Harvest House. They decided to walk as their
disguises as displaced Harvest Guild members from the inner Fields
would draw attention if they did something so extravagant as
ride horses. She was modest and mentioned that she had

(01:23:36):
only been Raylan's Blade starting at that mission and didn't
know what she was doing, but Vesper saw the underlying.

Speaker 3 (01:23:43):
Power in her.

Speaker 2 (01:23:44):
Having operated in the shadows for so long, she was
able to use a broad range of knowledge and a
variety of methods to achieve her goal. Vesper, who fancied
himself as modest, admitted he was much more of a
blunt object.

Speaker 4 (01:24:00):
Here's where the challenge lies.

Speaker 7 (01:24:02):
Though.

Speaker 6 (01:24:02):
The tree seemingly allowed you to reach Polo due to
it knowing you were intending on helping him, not hurting him.

Speaker 12 (01:24:10):
Yes, I'm not sure it would have taken me to
his quarters if I had whispered, please bring me to
the Gillmaster. I want to assassinate him.

Speaker 2 (01:24:18):
They walked in silence some more, both thinking over what
was a seemingly impossible mission, reaching Polo to assassinate him
for killing someone they both loved. Allad They had reached
the other side of the river and turned right to
head toward Trader's Bridge. When Maeler finally broke the silence, we.

Speaker 12 (01:24:39):
Will just have to assess things when we get there.

Speaker 2 (01:24:42):
Vesper did little more than nod his head. Reaching Polo
appeared to be a suicide mission, and he didn't mind
that as long as the mission was accomplished. Their mission
was badly delayed with the shocking discovery that Trader's Bridge
had been destroyed. Vesper was in a foul mood. We

(01:25:03):
can't afford a boat look. Vesper waved toward a chaotic
array of boats filled with armed guards and a handful
of private boats that had to be earning a king's
ransom escorting rich upper quarter residents across.

Speaker 6 (01:25:18):
And I doubt we could steal one.

Speaker 2 (01:25:20):
There wasn't a single boat without an armed guard standing nearby.

Speaker 6 (01:25:25):
We could kill them, of course, but I fear this
too much activity. We would be at risk of being caught.
The moment the alarm went up and we were on
the river, Vesper turned back the way they had come regardless,
I will not give up. We can exit the great
Gate and walk around the wall and through the outer fields,
if that's what it takes.

Speaker 2 (01:25:45):
Maeler patiently listened to Vesper but didn't say anything. She
seemed to be suppressing a smirk.

Speaker 12 (01:25:52):
What which is the most powerful guild in nas?

Speaker 2 (01:25:56):
Vesper pondered the question. He had learned that Maeler was
the personification of maddening chaos. When she asked a question,
it could be the start of a philosophical discussion, the
first hint to a complicated solution she had discovered, or
the start of her unleashing biting mockery. The Thieves Guild, No,

(01:26:18):
it's the Harvest Guild. Vesper started to get annoyed. Was
this heading to mockery? Before he could say anything else,
Maeler pointed up river.

Speaker 12 (01:26:28):
But the Harvest Guild has weaknesses that the Thieves Gild
do not. This is true of every guild. So while
the Thieves Guild is not the most powerful, we're the
most resourceful.

Speaker 6 (01:26:38):
Do you have a point? We have a long walk
ahead of us, and if you keep this up you
may not survive it.

Speaker 12 (01:26:45):
There is a sewer nexus in the warehouse district. It
is under a warehouse where goods are died.

Speaker 2 (01:26:50):
Vesper's eyes went wide, and he spun around and grabbed
Mailer by the arms.

Speaker 6 (01:26:55):
Yes, how could I have forgotten? Callos mentioned there was
a path under the north fork to the upper quarter.

Speaker 2 (01:27:03):
Maeler looked shocked.

Speaker 6 (01:27:04):
You know, Callos al had took me to meet with
him before sending me on my mission. How could I
forget the smell of the dye near the entrance. It
made my eyes water.

Speaker 12 (01:27:15):
It's time to meet with Callos.

Speaker 2 (01:27:16):
Then, Vesper nodded, already excited about continuing their mission.

Speaker 12 (01:27:22):
As we walk, tell me about the mission Allard set
you on. I doubt you failed him.

Speaker 6 (01:27:27):
I failed him, but not on this mission. I will
spoil the ending by telling you that it involved me
beating cart until he had trouble breathing and his one
eye was swollen shut.

Speaker 12 (01:27:37):
This is a story, I must hear.

Speaker 2 (01:27:40):
Vesper smiled at Maeler's sudden glee. Everyone hated KRT. Callos
was distributing clothing to people in the flats and was
not at the die house. Everyone recognized Maeler, however, and
they were quickly escorted down a small hole with a
rickety ladder to a natural cavern deep below the warehouse.

Speaker 12 (01:28:04):
The other passageways are above us and cleaner. They have
been chiseled and maintained for many years. They can flood,
but are not waterways or sewers. Simple caves like this
one that have been turned into a tunnel system.

Speaker 6 (01:28:17):
I see, and how do you transport stolen goods to
the upper quarter?

Speaker 12 (01:28:21):
Why would we transport goods to the upper quarter.

Speaker 2 (01:28:24):
The obviousness of the question was its own answer. The
thieves took so they could give. They took from the
upper quarter, they didn't give to them. Vesper and Maeler
decided to push on and rest at an inn Vesper
knew of called the Golden Apple. That this is where
Vesper beat Karch only made the location more amusing. Vesper

(01:28:48):
was quite pleased that Mahler laughed heartily as he described
Carch's shock and cries as Vesper kicked him. She has
the heart of a blade, he thought. They awoke the
next day, had a quiet breakfast in the tavern fronting
the inn, and then made their way to harvest house.

(01:29:09):
There was a lot of activity, and the mood appeared joyful.
Eves dropping and asking questions led to an enormous amount
of new information. Quinto was the new Guildmaster, Knight Carch
was the Guildmaster Merchant. There were already plans to rebuild
Trader's Bridge with craftsmen who had abandoned the now reviled Orion.

(01:29:33):
There was nearly universal appreciation for Polo, who everyone acknowledged
was the only guild master in the city of any merit.
That thought made Vesper smile. He won't be in that
role for long. It was a rumor, however, that made
both Vesper and Mailer take notice. It was a conversation

(01:29:55):
that took place amongst a group of Harvest Guild members
walking along the road in front of Harvest House.

Speaker 7 (01:30:02):
I heard that he talks to Allard every day.

Speaker 2 (01:30:04):
At the name Allard, Vesper looked at Mahler, who caught
the comment as well. They walked behind the two people
having the conversation.

Speaker 7 (01:30:13):
Do you think he taunts him?

Speaker 2 (01:30:15):
The man was dressed in fairly shabby clothes and appeared
to be a laborer.

Speaker 6 (01:30:20):
I don't know. Maybe he is getting information from him
about the thieves. His partner was dressed similarly, but had
additional gear that made it clear he worked in some
kind of specialized harvest guild.

Speaker 12 (01:30:32):
Roll Allard is alive. I had heard he died in
the mines.

Speaker 2 (01:30:37):
Vesper looked at Mahler, who had briskly walked up to
the two men. They welcomed her to the conversation without hesitation.

Speaker 6 (01:30:45):
Where did you hear that? No, everyone knows what happened.
He and some fief had almost escaped, but the guards
stopped him. The other men interrupted, Perhaps you mean his wound.
I heard it was grievous and would have killed a
normal man. But who knows? It was perhaps a scratch.
He is indeed mighty. He was stabbed in the back,

(01:31:05):
nearly to the hilt. Vesper couldn't help himself. His awe
of Allard had just increased. If that was possible, it
was an injury that would have killed anyone else.

Speaker 7 (01:31:16):
How do you know this?

Speaker 2 (01:31:17):
The question wasn't so much an accusation as a query
as to whether Vesper was just sharing a rumor or
had direct knowledge. Vesper backpedaled, knowing any other answer would
raise suspicion.

Speaker 6 (01:31:32):
It is but a rumor, I heard. The first man nodded.
I guess it is possible. I heard he was badly
injured and confined to a chair as he has lost
the use of his legs. Perhaps he lost the use
of his bowels too. Having him shit himself as he
can't move would be justice for the traitor.

Speaker 7 (01:31:49):
Ha ha.

Speaker 2 (01:31:50):
Mahler knew Vesper well enough by then. As he stepped forward,
she subtly stepped in front of him, stopping any violence.
And Vesper intended violence, even if it was but a
cuff to the side of the man's head.

Speaker 12 (01:32:06):
We certainly live in interesting times.

Speaker 2 (01:32:08):
And with that, Maeler turned away, grabbed Vesper's arm, and
practically dragged him down the street in the opposite direction.
To her credit, she didn't mention his violent intent.

Speaker 12 (01:32:21):
Allard is alive.

Speaker 6 (01:32:23):
I saw his wound. I would say it's impossible, but
I cling.

Speaker 12 (01:32:27):
To the hope, as do I I recommend we change
our mission.

Speaker 6 (01:32:31):
We rescue Allard if he's in the lower rooms or
a basement prison. Such a mission would be a lot
easier than reaching Polo.

Speaker 12 (01:32:40):
Easier doesn't mean easy.

Speaker 6 (01:32:42):
Indeed it does not. But I would like to note
that this does not change our mission, it adds to it.
Let's scout and find a way to free Allard, and
then we kill Polo.

Speaker 2 (01:32:53):
Maeler's wide smile was all the answer Vesper needed. The

(01:33:20):
podcast Alchemy production.

Speaker 1 (01:33:40):
The Thieves Guild by Jake Carer, Episode eleven, Blame.

Speaker 2 (01:34:04):
It took all of Kasch's willpower not to rush off
the dais and command the Merchant guild guards to hunt
down Raylan and toss him in the dungeons, but Larsen
snapped at him to stand still and be quiet when
Karch brought up the idea, so he clenched and unclenched
his fists behind his back as he stood at attention,

(01:34:24):
staring at the back of Larson's head. As the banquet
progressed with awkward silences between courses and the various votes
on lesser guild business, Karch knew that Larsen could barely
restrain his fury. Polo, the old Guildmaster Harvest, took every
opportunity to mock the result of the vote, commenting at

(01:34:45):
one point after agreeing to a vote on a minor issue,
we don't need the wisdom of the guild master Thief
to do the right thing here. While Polo laughed, Larsan
was punching his own leg under the table. Karch just
gritted his teeth. Halfway through the meal, he couldn't wait
any longer. He leaned forward and whispered into Larsen's ear.

Speaker 3 (01:35:06):
Sir, don't you think we should grab your brother before
he can cause any more mischief?

Speaker 2 (01:35:11):
Larsen turned a scowl on his face.

Speaker 5 (01:35:14):
And what, pray tell, would that mischief entail Karch? He's
already ruined the plan I've been working on for over
a year.

Speaker 2 (01:35:21):
Larsen's eyes narrowed.

Speaker 5 (01:35:23):
Or should I say? You have ruined the plan I
had been working on for over a year? As this
was your idea?

Speaker 2 (01:35:29):
Karch considered his words before he spoke them. He had
to be careful. Larsen was obviously still livid and not
thinking straight. That he was blaming Karch for the failure
was obviously wrong, but perhaps not surprising. As ruthless as
Larsen could be, perhaps he still had a soft spot
and couldn't blame his brother.

Speaker 3 (01:35:50):
Sir, I don't know what you are implying, but how
could we predict this outcome.

Speaker 5 (01:35:55):
That we could not predict? This is entirely the problem, Karch?
Larsen hissed, Shut up and take your position. It was
hard to pass Larsen's intentions, Karch thought, as he stepped
back and stood straight. On the one hand, he was
expressing nothing but anger and resignation. But Karch knew him
well enough to consider that if there was some alternative solution,

(01:36:17):
Larsen would jump at it. The dinner progressed and Karch
thought over their options. They could hold another vote. While
the tradition was to hold the votes at the Founder's
Day banquet, the council could vote at any time. With
Polo and Sax, they had the support to call a
special vote. All they needed was to get rid of Raylan. Raylan,

(01:36:40):
Karch's brilliant solution to two of their problems turned out
to be the biggest problem of all. But he could
fix things. There were ways to change someone's mind, and
Karch was quite effective at many of them, and if
he couldn't change that someone's mind, he could remove them.
He looked down at Larsen. He was unimaginative, a trait

(01:37:02):
that stopped him from solving the thicket of complications in
consolidating his power. He had Cauch for that, and he
had done so efficiently and well, so why should this
be any different? Yes, Couch thought, he would solve the
problem one way or another.

Speaker 1 (01:38:02):
The Thieves Guild by Jake Kerr, Episode twelve, Off.

Speaker 2 (01:38:14):
To Prisoner, Rafe regained consciousness while being dragged down the
steps of the Merchant Tower. The first thing he noticed
when he opened his eyes was the second floor tapestry

(01:38:35):
that featured an old shopkeeper selling a tapestry. Of an
old shopkeeper selling a tapestry. The scene repeated itself over
and over within the threads in a master work of weaving.
It had been months since he had visited Raylan in
the Merchant Tower and passed the amusing scene. Rafe doubted
he'd ever see the inside of the Merchant Tower again.

(01:38:57):
His attention was wrenched to his captors as one of
them adjusted his grip by yanking his arm forward. He
cried out in pain at the force on his shoulder.
Looks like the brown cloak is awake, someone said from
a head of Raithe He was dragged down a few
more steps and then dumped on the marble floor. Rolling

(01:39:18):
into a sitting position, Raife rubbed his shoulders. They were
stiff and sore, but didn't seem damaged. He lifted his
hand to feel where sax had kicked him in his head,
but moving his arm above shoulder height was too painful.
Maybe I'm hurt worse than I think, Raife considered as

(01:39:38):
he looked up. Two knights stood above him. They were
in their formal armor with the bright white leather and
the thicker white robes with the golden trim.

Speaker 7 (01:39:48):
The bruises seem an improvement, Jason.

Speaker 2 (01:39:50):
The one on the left, said, He was smiling as
he said it. The one on the right nodded, there's at.

Speaker 7 (01:39:57):
Least some blue, much better than that filthy round shirt.

Speaker 2 (01:40:01):
Without looking at Jayce, he added.

Speaker 13 (01:40:03):
Maybe we should remove the shirt and cover him with
more bruises.

Speaker 2 (01:40:06):
Rafe clenched his fists, remembering the previous Founder's day, when
he had faced the same line of commentary from knights
right before they humiliated and beat him. Unlike then, he
didn't remain quiet. You have no authority to punish me.
I am awaiting my guild colors, and my guild master
will decide my punishment. He hoped his words sounded forceful

(01:40:29):
and confident. The two guards looked at each other and
then began laughing.

Speaker 13 (01:40:35):
You just humiliated every guild in the city at the banquet.
What guild would possibly have you now.

Speaker 2 (01:40:40):
The one named Jay said.

Speaker 14 (01:40:42):
The other added, and whichever guild was foolish enough to
accept you, I'm sure they have kicked you out by now.

Speaker 7 (01:40:49):
I am a member of the Thieves Guild.

Speaker 2 (01:40:51):
Rafe's voice was louder and more confident. The unnamed one
to the right chuckled.

Speaker 14 (01:40:58):
It really doesn't matter what guild you invent for yourself.
Guild Master Sachs is going to deal with you himself.

Speaker 7 (01:41:03):
So get up.

Speaker 14 (01:41:04):
We're taking you to the dungeons, and I don't feel
like dragging you there.

Speaker 2 (01:41:08):
Rafe didn't move. Finally realizing that he didn't intend on
getting up, Jace stepped forward and kicked Rafe's leg. As
Raf cried out and grabbed his shin, the Knight leaned
down and grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled
him up slightly. Rafe could smell the wine on his breath. Listen,
brown Cloak.

Speaker 13 (01:41:28):
We're supposed to take you right to the dungeons, but
if you don't cooperate, Sam and I may have to
take some time teaching you obedience. We may get disciplined
for being late, but if you're going to make us
late anyway, At least we'll have some fun out of it.

Speaker 2 (01:41:41):
He clenched his fist and pressed it firmly against Rafe's cheek. Nodding,
Rafe scrambled to his feet. They secured his hands with manacles,
and with Jase in front of him and Sam behind,
they escorted him through the front gate of Merchant Tower.
There was a white wagon of the night Protector's waiting
at the road. It was the kind they used for

(01:42:02):
drunks and the poor people that wandered into the north
part of the city from the flats. Jase opened the
wooden door and Sam shoved Rayf in a few slits
in the wood let in meager light. The coach itself
was nothing but bare wood. There were no stools or benches.
Rafe sat in the corner of the wagon as it

(01:42:24):
started down the road. He could feel every bump as
the wheels pounded on the cobblestones. Surrounded by darkness, dust,
and the smell of vomit, Rafe closed his eyes and
wondered if Raylan would save him.

Speaker 1 (01:43:00):
Hey

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The Thieves Guild Monthly Binge - September 2023

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