A Cornered Rat

The Thieves Guild written by Jake Kerr, Chapter seventy six, The Cornered Rat. Karch's tower was busy and full of armed guards and desperate men. He's preparing for another war or an escape, Vesper thought. He announced himself, and he and Raylan were immediately escorted upstairs. When they arrived outside Karch's office, Vesper stopped Raylan wait outside. I thought time was of the essence. Raylan didn't look annoyed so much as confused. Trust me, and with a confident stride, he entered Karch's office. Karch looked awful. He clearly hadn't slept. His eyes were bloodshot, his fine tunic rumpled. He was a cornered rat, a look of dangerous desperation in his eyes. You're late. Karch finally noticed the absence of Raylen, and it looked like his entire life had left his body as he slumped into his chair. Where's Raylen? Karch looked like he didn't want to hear the answer. Vesper stood in the doorway, enjoying the moment immensely. To toy with the person's future wasn't something he took lightly, But Karch was party to all this chaos, and Vesper wanted to watch him squirm. He was quiet for such a long time that Karch sat up straight and peered at him. He'll vote, Vesper enjoyed delivering a promise without the man. He knew it would increase Karch's tension even more. Karch's eyes narrowed. His vote, his promise. Where is he? How do I know this isn't a trap? He can't vote if he's not in the room. He was spiraling his gaze, darting from the boarded window to the door, as if expecting Polo's men to burst in. Vesper found the display amusing, but Karch was right earlier. They had little time and this game had come to its end. He was simply awaiting your invitation out of respect. Vesper smiled. But I will call for him as you said. We are late, guild Master Raylan, guild Master Karch is ready for you. Raylan entered through the half open door, and Vesper had to do a double take. For all of Kartch's wired tension and disheveled desperation, Raylan was the opposite. He walked in with a calm grace, his black guild master clothes almost shining in the dim light of Cart's office. Vesper looked over at Karch and he found the man's reaction satisfying. It was a silent, violent cascade. First pure, unadulterated shock, then a wave of abject fear. The guild master, thief, the miscreant boy was here in his office, and he looked more like a guildmaster than Karch himself. Finally, Karch's mind caught up, and the mask of the guildmaster bruised and cracked, slammed back into place. Guildmaster Raylan Karch stood up an unexpected honor. Let's skip the pleasantry's catch. Raylan's voice was steady, clinical, even commanding. Vesper had seen it since their first meeting, but still he marveled over it. The boy was a born leader. Whoever thought to put him in a position of leadership as a punishment was beyond incompetent. We don't have time. Carche's eyes flicked from Raylan to Vesper and back again. The suspicion was rolling off him in waves. Pardon my immediate doubts, Raylan, But why why would you help me? He jabbed a finger toward Vesper. And why do you trust him. He's a craft blade. His goals may be in neither of our interests. Vesper almost smiled. Karch had no idea. He saw two separate people, unable to imagine they were part of the same puzzle. He thought Vesper was just a tool. Karch had convinced to take a position of power and would then show appropriate gratitude, and Raylan's trust simply didn't make sense to him. Vesper doubted Kartch truly trusted anyone in his life. I trust him, Raylan nodded to Vesper, because we have a mutual interest. You me. Karch looked from Raylan to Vesper and back. I'm here for one reason. Raylan walked confidently to Karch's desk. Polo, he has allared my deputy. He's holding him prisoner. He's crippled. Karch seized on the word, his eyes lighting with the old familiar gleam of calculation. Prisoner, crippled. Good, that's leverage, that's a motive. I can understand you hate Polo more than you hate me. Raylan didn't reply, and again Vesper realized the power of Raylan. Raylan had been truthful. He wanted to help his deputy. Karch distorted that into a leverage that Krch had over him. If Raylan wanted to help a lad, then he had to help Karch and thus had to trust him. That Raylan didn't think in those terms was entirely alien to Kutch. Vesper smiled. Raylan wanted to simply do the right thing. He doubted Raylan thought more of Karch other than how could he deal with him in a way that would be best for everyone. Vesper watched as Karch realized Raylan wasn't going to reply. He nodded a jerky, angry motion. Good. As long as we all know where we stand, this alliance will hold. Vesper stepped forward. You said we were late. How late are we standing up? Karch immediately marched around his desk. The guildmaster dinner is tonight. Then we vote. We have ours. He waved toward the door. We need to head to the merchant dock. Immediately he turned and walked out, Raylan falling into step behind him. Vesper followed, enjoying every moment and for how much joy it was watching Catch squirm. He couldn't even consider how much more fun it would be watching Catch and Polo squirm as he controlled the Craft Guild A podcast, Alchemy production