A Disastrous Mistake

[00:00:01] The Thieves Guild by Jake Care, Episode 106, A Disastrous Mistake.

[00:00:24] Rayland badly wanted the clip-clop of Calisto, his mighty stallion to be the pounding of a gallop,

[00:00:31] but he knew that the ranges would shoot him out of his seat with a precise arrow shot.

[00:00:36] They were not a guild that welcomed surprises, so Rayland worked his way through the hills slowly, but steadily waiting for a rangeer to approach him.

[00:00:49] He worked his way toward the camp where he had met Captain Jessa, but after an hour of trotting, no one had confronted him,

[00:00:56] it was possible they were watching him from a distance, so Rayland just kept going, using the time to think over what Rayford said.

[00:01:05] The entire concept of a magic guild seemed so ridiculous, but Rayford was adamant about what he read.

[00:01:13] These were not stories and they were not lies. It was a secret history that Rayford uncovered.

[00:01:20] Rayland had asked him about what role the magic guild had played, and whether they were related to the Thieves Guild.

[00:01:27] At that, Rayford sighed and complained about the many gaps in the records.

[00:01:32] He was quite sure that the Thieves Guild originated as the magic guild, and he referenced a line from a book he read in playing it, but he wasn't positive.

[00:01:43] The few facts he had were that the magic guild existed, the wizards fled through the mountain, and after they did, they brought the mountain down, closing the road.

[00:01:54] Somehow, and some way, the magic guild had disappeared from memory and been replaced by the Thieves Guild.

[00:02:02] Rayland looked at his guild seal, could it really be the seal of the magic guild? It all seemed so unbelievable.

[00:02:12] Holt Blackguard. The voice came from Rayland's left, he immediately stopped his horse and held up his hands.

[00:02:20] I am no threat.

[00:02:22] Will be the judge of that.

[00:02:24] Another voice said, there was a shuffling noise and Rayland glance to his left. Two Rangers approached.

[00:02:32] One of which held a bow aimed at Rayland's chest.

[00:02:35] State your business, and why you aren't manning the wall?

[00:02:40] I have a message for Captain Jessa.

[00:02:42] Rayland replied, at the mention of Jessa's name, the Rangers looked at each other.

[00:02:47] How do you know Captain Jessa?

[00:02:50] The taller of the two who was holding a wicked-looking knife asked.

[00:02:55] I travelled through here before on a mission, and he assisted me. He assisted you. He did. He saw the value of my mission.

[00:03:05] The one with the bow added, and what is your mission today?

[00:03:11] Rayland pondered how to reply and decided on honesty.

[00:03:15] I am to warn him of a threat from the Outlanders.

[00:03:20] What is this threat?

[00:03:22] The taller one demanded.

[00:03:24] It is not a message for your ears.

[00:03:27] Rayland replied calmly, but I am sure that Captain Jessa will tell you.

[00:03:32] The two Rangers grumbled but put away their weapons.

[00:03:36] The one who was sliding his bow over his shoulder said,

[00:03:40] You know the way. I do.

[00:03:43] We will follow behind them. Do not be foolish and try to flee or engage with us.

[00:03:50] Again, Rayland wanted to gallop to Jessa, but with the two Rangers following him,

[00:03:55] he had to keep a steady pace. When he finally arrived at Jessa's camp,

[00:04:00] it was already late in the day. There were further delays when they took his horse

[00:04:04] and searched him and his saddle bags.

[00:04:08] Finally, they started walking toward Jessa's large tent.

[00:04:13] The camp appeared much smaller than the last time he had visited.

[00:04:17] In fact, it appeared nearly deserted.

[00:04:20] Glancing left and right and not quite understanding what he was seeing, Rayland asked.

[00:04:26] Where is everyone? It is not information for your ears.

[00:04:31] The tall Ranger said,

[00:04:33] But I am sure Captain Jessa will tell you.

[00:04:36] The other one added, as the two of them laughed at their wit in using Rayland's own words against him.

[00:04:43] The walk was un-eventful and when they arrived at Captain Jessa's tent,

[00:04:48] Rayland was in for another surprise. There were no guards

[00:04:52] and the people who hovered around Jessa in his previous visit were nowhere to be found.

[00:04:59] In fact, as Rayland was escorted in, Jessa was alone at his desk.

[00:05:03] He didn't even look up as the guards announced that they had a black guard with a message.

[00:05:10] The two fidgeted a bit until Jessa looked up.

[00:05:13] He made no indication that he recognized Rayland, but he immediately commanded.

[00:05:19] Leave us.

[00:05:20] Without saying a word, Rayland's two escort's turned and left.

[00:05:25] After the tent opening flapped closed behind them, Jessa smiled.

[00:05:30] So was your mission successful?

[00:05:33] Rayland nodded.

[00:05:34] You were right. He was attacked outside Gautland. I saved him.

[00:05:39] Jessa shrunked.

[00:05:41] It was a foolish mission of his.

[00:05:43] Leaning back and stretching, Jessa added,

[00:05:45] So what brings you back to me?

[00:05:48] Rayland put his hand on a wooden chair facing Jessa's desk.

[00:05:51] May I sit?

[00:05:53] Jessa nodded and Rayland sat down.

[00:05:57] After taking a deep breath, Rayland said,

[00:05:59] I lied to you.

[00:06:02] At that, Jessa leaned forward.

[00:06:04] That's unfortunate.

[00:06:06] It was necessary.

[00:06:08] Jessa didn't say anything and Rayland continued.

[00:06:12] It was a lie of a mission.

[00:06:14] I am the Guildmaster thief.

[00:06:17] As he said the words, Rayland held up his hand and showed Jessa the Guild seal.

[00:06:23] To his surprise, Jessa smiled.

[00:06:26] Your lotons, brother.

[00:06:28] Rayland nodded.

[00:06:30] I've heard of your actions.

[00:06:31] Jessa nodded approvingly.

[00:06:34] We are distant from our brothers and sisters in the city,

[00:06:36] but we aren't isolated.

[00:06:38] You have done well.

[00:06:41] Thank you.

[00:06:42] So why are you here, Guildmaster?

[00:06:44] You are not isolated, but you are distant.

[00:06:48] Do you know what is happening within the walls?

[00:06:51] We have heard.

[00:06:52] So you know that Sax has allied with the craft guild

[00:06:55] and the merchant guild to betray Ness.

[00:06:59] Jessa nodded.

[00:07:01] We must help Polo and to do so, we need Sax's support to be lessened.

[00:07:07] Rayland wasn't sure if he went too far as Jessa appeared at Rayland with an odd look.

[00:07:13] The ranges were essentially part of Sax's guild,

[00:07:16] even if they did hate each other.

[00:07:18] Was Jessa upset over Rayland's positioning of Sax's betrayal?

[00:07:24] We are a where guildmaster, so I ask you again.

[00:07:27] What brings you to my camp?

[00:07:30] Jessa's mood definitely had chilled.

[00:07:33] That made Rayland's message that much more difficult to relay.

[00:07:38] Still he had to make sure that everything was clear.

[00:07:41] I lied by a mission again.

[00:07:43] It appears this has become a habit.

[00:07:45] An necessity not a habit.

[00:07:48] So what is this lie?

[00:07:49] I did save Karch, but after doing so, I met with the crown of the Outlanders.

[00:07:56] Jessa looked completely shocked, but before he could object, Rayland continued.

[00:08:01] Just as Piet tro visited him, I did so.

[00:08:04] We discussed a few things and one of them was for him to reduce his raids after my visit.

[00:08:11] Rayland leaned forward.

[00:08:12] Did he?

[00:08:14] Jessa was clearly rattled but he replied.

[00:08:17] Yes, I didn't make the connection, but after you visit,

[00:08:20] Rating significantly lessened.

[00:08:22] In fact, that's one of the reasons you see fewer here.

[00:08:24] We felt that we could use them in our forces moving to the Out of Fields.

[00:08:29] It was Rayland's turn to be shocked.

[00:08:31] What forces? The Outer Fields?

[00:08:34] Guildmaster Rayland, you will obviously be delighted to hear that the Rangers have a master mighty force,

[00:08:39] marching to the Knights Watch and the Outer Fields.

[00:08:42] We will overthrow Sax and return honour to the Knightkill.

[00:08:47] Rayland had to hold onto the side of the chair as he went weak.

[00:08:51] Jessa's news could not have been worse.

[00:08:54] A small force of Outlanders was about to attack Jessa's Rangers,

[00:08:58] and there were so few left that the Outlanders were very likely to overrun them,

[00:09:04] despite their goal of just drawing attention.

[00:09:06] And the larger force of Outlanders sent to attack the Outer Fields to draw out Sax,

[00:09:13] they would be decimated by the army of Rangers who would be gathered there

[00:09:18] without the Outlanders knowing what they were facing.

[00:09:21] His plan delivered to Wilhelm would have been seen as a trap and to be trailed.

[00:09:27] All trust would be lost and bringing peace to the broader world outside of Ness would be impossible.

[00:09:33] The decades of effort by Pietro and Allard would collapse in dust, all due to Rayland's ineptitude.

[00:09:42] Wait, he had time, not a lot of time, but time, the Outland hand would need to return with his message, Rayland thought,

[00:09:52] depending on how fast he traveled, he may not even have arrived in Gautland yet.

[00:09:57] Then the Outlander forces would need to be organised, at the same time they would have to be supplied.

[00:10:05] That would take time as well.

[00:10:08] I can fix this Rayland thought, but I need to leave immediately.

[00:10:14] You don't seem happy.

[00:10:16] I'm sorry Captain Jessa.

[00:10:18] Rayland stood.

[00:10:19] Your news is indeed wonderful.

[00:10:21] You are putting your honour and lives on the line for the good of Ness.

[00:10:26] For that I salute you.

[00:10:29] Rayland bowed his head.

[00:10:31] But your news complicates one of my own plans.

[00:10:35] More lies of a mission, Guild must.

[00:10:38] Rayland paused considering telling the truth.

[00:10:41] But in the end he knew that of all guilds the Rangers would not understand using the Outlanders as allies.

[00:10:48] That is a fair observation, but it is not a fair criticism.

[00:10:53] Rayland replied.

[00:10:55] Let me ask you a question.

[00:10:56] Do you feel like I can be trusted to have the best interests of Ness at heart?

[00:11:02] Jessa took a bit too long to answer, but he finally did.

[00:11:06] I do.

[00:11:07] Then I ask you to trust me, but to also have my horse ready immediately.

[00:11:12] I will also need supplies for a multiple day journey.

[00:11:15] I need to travel swiftly across the plains.

[00:11:19] It shall be done.

[00:11:20] Captain Jessa stood up.

[00:11:23] Are you travelling to the Out of Field?

[00:11:25] No.

[00:11:26] I am travelling to Gautland.