A Familiar Ranger

[00:00:00] The Thieves Guild by Jake Kerr Episode 82 A Familiar Ranger

[00:00:18] Hey, you there.

[00:00:26] Rogers called out to an old man with a bald head and graying beard who was tending to a young boy nursing an arm in a sling.

[00:00:34] What lies behind there, there and there?

[00:00:36] Rogers pointed to the three rows of houses that surrounded the cul-de-sac.

[00:00:41] There was no hope of defeating the night protectors, and fleeing was their only option.

[00:00:47] They had defended the pit against merchant guild guards.

[00:00:51] But night protectors on horses were a different matter.

[00:00:55] They would retreat to fight another day.

[00:00:58] The circle, the pit wall and Sally's Lane.

[00:01:03] The pit wall, what is that?

[00:01:05] Rogers knew the other two locations.

[00:01:08] The circle was the road that ran along the wall.

[00:01:12] That would be deadly.

[00:01:14] Sally's Lane was some old road that ran through the flats while it would provide some safety.

[00:01:20] It was undoubtedly broad enough to offer little protection.

[00:01:24] It is the stone wall that blocks the west side of the pit from the rest of the flats.

[00:01:32] The old man shrugged.

[00:01:34] It runs along the houses but doesn't make for a proper wall as it ends at the circle and Sally's.

[00:01:42] Rogers nodded.

[00:01:44] He was hoping for some unknown path or little-known alley that they could run through before fleeing into the anonymity of the flats.

[00:01:52] A wall was exactly what he didn't need.

[00:01:56] Coming up the road and past the pile of dead bodies,

[00:01:59] Rogers came to the grim conclusion that everyone around him was about to face a similar fate.

[00:02:05] It was his dumb luck that he had chosen to help those at the pit make a last stand.

[00:02:11] It was the one place where the thieves had no real influence or knowledge.

[00:02:16] The sewers, safe houses, the rest of the flats had resources he could use.

[00:02:22] But the pit? No one cared about the pit, including the thieves.

[00:02:27] Shaking his head at Mailer and her predecessors' inattention to this important part of the flats, Rogers muttered.

[00:02:35] You would expect a place called the pit to have more secrets.

[00:02:39] As he was about to put together a plan to split into groups and escape via the circle and Sally's lane,

[00:02:46] the older man spoke up.

[00:02:48] We have our secrets.

[00:02:52] Rogers walked right up to him.

[00:02:55] We need to escape. Is there a secret tunnel? A path? An alley?

[00:03:00] Rogers waved his arms around.

[00:03:02] A place to hide. Anything. We are facing an insurmountable force. Retreat is our only option.

[00:03:10] The old man nodded.

[00:03:12] Death's sewer.

[00:03:14] Death's sewer? What is that?

[00:03:16] Sewers ran all under Ness, but the places where you could enter were well hidden.

[00:03:22] Rogers assumed that this was one of those entrances, but why call it Death's sewer?

[00:03:28] It is a sewer tunnel. A natural one that leads under the wall to Executioner's Hollow.

[00:03:35] The boys go down there to watch the knights execute thieves, although we discourage it. Still...

[00:03:42] The man shrugged.

[00:03:44] They're thieves.

[00:03:47] Rogers knew better than to take issue with the man's attitude.

[00:03:51] The Thieves Guild was secret out of necessity, and the fact that they were the ones defending the Harvest Guild members

[00:03:58] who snuck out to enjoy the execution of thieves was just part of the deal.

[00:04:04] Every thief knew of Executioner's Hollow.

[00:04:07] Rogers was not one of those who would go on rescue missions, but he knew of the secret path there.

[00:04:13] It was a noxious sewage tunnel that ended north of the Hollow at the base of the wall.

[00:04:19] The iridescent mixture of clotted shit and piss landed in a brown pool that seemed to seep into the ground.

[00:04:27] The knights avoided it at all costs, and even the knights guarding the wall walked past the pool briskly.

[00:04:35] Wait, Rogers thought. The sewer the thieves used was an artificial one, not a natural one.

[00:04:41] Could there be a second path to the Hollow?

[00:04:44] This sewer, does it carry waste? How close to the Hollow does it exit the wall?

[00:04:49] No, it carries a stream of water. It is a natural cavern, not even a sewer. We just call it that.

[00:04:59] Quickly, where does it end?

[00:05:02] Behind the Hollow, there is a pit where the knights toss the bodies of the dead thieves. It ends there.

[00:05:09] The boys climb a ledge up from the pit. You can imagine why the knights don't investigate there.

[00:05:16] Rogers nodded, a pit full of decomposing bodies and skeletons. No wonder it was still secret, and no wonder it was called Death Sewer.

[00:05:27] We must gather everyone to make the trip through Death Sewer. It is our only hope.

[00:05:32] We will exit the sewer and make our way through the plains to the north and get to the safety of the outer fields.

[00:05:39] The entrance to the sewer was through a caved-in portion of the pit wall, behind one of the houses at the end of the cul-de-sac.

[00:05:47] Running around and gathering healthy men and women, Rogers spread the word that everyone would need to escape that way.

[00:05:55] His goal was to get everyone into the tunnel, and then somehow block it from the inside.

[00:06:02] The knight and merchant guild members would search the pit and find it empty. It would be if everyone had just disappeared.

[00:06:11] The trouble was that there were so many people injured that family members wouldn't leave them behind.

[00:06:17] He cannot walk. You must trust that the knights will show him mercy and provide him with care.

[00:06:22] Rogers' comment led to incredulous stares. Everyone knew that the injured would simply be slaughtered.

[00:06:30] With no other option, Rogers simply denied the possibility.

[00:06:34] We will free him from prison when the time comes.

[00:06:37] Most of the citizens had left for the sewer, but there were still many others who were lacking in the urgency to leave for one reason or another.

[00:06:47] Some were looking for some hidden family heirloom to take. Others stayed with injured relatives.

[00:06:53] While some simply refused to leave and swore they would defend their homes to the death.

[00:06:59] As he went to a group of men who were carrying and assisting injured friends, a shout filled the air.

[00:07:05] A knight approaches!

[00:07:07] Rogers cursed. So many would die needlessly. He understood the desire to assist friends and family, but it was foolish.

[00:07:17] And now the first of the knights was approaching.

[00:07:20] How many?

[00:07:21] Rogers shouted to the young girl who ran up to his group.

[00:07:25] It is but one.

[00:07:27] She replied, but her response was unnecessary as the knight had already turned into the lane and was in clear view.

[00:07:35] He was large and imposing, yet there was something odd about him.

[00:07:40] He is...guildless?

[00:07:43] The girl asked.

[00:07:45] No, he is a ranger.

[00:07:47] Rogers unsheathed his sword.

[00:07:50] He is the first of many. You all must flee in quickly.

[00:07:53] Please do not delay. I will take care of him and then be behind you.

[00:07:58] The appearance of a real threat, and one that looked imposing and frightening, spurred the remainder of the citizens of the pit to flee.

[00:08:08] The injured were left in remote rooms to wait for their chance to beg for mercy.

[00:08:13] Without waiting for a response, Rogers strode forward.

[00:08:18] The ranger took long steps, almost jogging forward.

[00:08:22] He was in a hurry but refused to allow himself to run, which would sacrifice some of his awareness and responsiveness for speed.

[00:08:33] He is a formidable one.

[00:08:36] This ranger, Rogers thought.

[00:08:40] As he prepared to clash with the ranger, multiple realizations hit Rogers at once.

[00:08:46] The ranger had not unsheathed his sword.

[00:08:49] He looked familiar, even though his face was covered with a brown cloak.

[00:08:54] And he wasn't just tall, he was huge.

[00:08:57] In fact, he reminded Rogers of...

[00:09:00] Allard?

[00:09:01] Rogers.

[00:09:02] Rogers sheathed his sword and grasped the deputy guildmaster's hand with a firm shake as he looked him up and down.

[00:09:10] A ranger?

[00:09:11] Allard shrugged.

[00:09:13] We have not the time to discuss my journey or mission.

[00:09:15] Do you have a force?

[00:09:16] Thirty-eight knights approach, with four on horseback.

[00:09:20] They are clearing the houses one by one, but we do not have much time.

[00:09:24] Before Rogers could reply, Allard nodded at the pile of bodies.

[00:09:29] This will put them on guard. How much surprise will you need?

[00:09:32] Perhaps we should attack first.

[00:09:34] Allard, they are fleeing.

[00:09:36] Look around you.

[00:09:37] Yes, there are plenty of blue dead, but there are many more green soaked in red.

[00:09:41] They fight with broomsticks and pitchforks. Two dozen knight protectors and cavalry will leave none alive.

[00:09:47] Allard's eyes looked odd, as if he had some fire within that had been missing for a long time.

[00:09:54] He closed his eyes as if knowing that he was revealing something he did not want to be known.

[00:10:00] Finally he nodded and opened his eyes again.

[00:10:04] Do you have an escape?

[00:10:06] Yes. There is a natural sewer that leads to executioners' hollow.

[00:10:10] You should follow me. You can help lead them to safety in the outer fields.

[00:10:14] That is a wise plan, but I will never enter executioners' hollow.

[00:10:18] As if assuming Rogers didn't understand the depth of his commitment, Allard repeated.

[00:10:24] Never.

[00:10:25] Before Rogers could say anything else, Allard continued.

[00:10:29] I will buy you time. Gather as many as you can.

[00:10:32] How would you buy us time?

[00:10:34] Allard reached over his shoulder and slid his mammoth broadsword out of its sheath across his back.

[00:10:41] The sword was the most enormous weapon Rogers had ever seen.

[00:10:45] That is not your concern.

[00:10:47] The tone of Allard's voice made it clear that he was in charge, and there was no more room for conversation.

[00:10:54] Be safe, Deputy Guildmaster.

[00:11:03] With one last glance he looked over his shoulder.

[00:11:06] Allard stood like a statue in front of the pile of dead, facing the end of the lane where the knights would approach.

[00:11:13] He appeared like nothing more than death, preparing to add more trophies to the growing pile behind him.

[00:11:20] Rogers shuddered, not sure whether he should worry about Allard or feel sorry for the approaching knights.