A Message in the Streets

[00:00:00] The Thieves Guild by Jake Kerr, Episode 80

[00:00:12] A Message in the Streets

[00:00:19] With Rafe and Allard gone and Maela imprisoned by Polo,

[00:00:27] Raelyn had not felt so lonely in a long time.

[00:00:31] He stood on his balcony looking out on his guild lands,

[00:00:35] an entire half of the walled city.

[00:00:38] In the distance he could see smoke, but no fires.

[00:00:42] There was the suggestion of movement near the Great Bridge,

[00:00:45] but the distance was too great for him to see more than that.

[00:00:49] It was odd. He was one of the most powerful men in Ness at the moment,

[00:00:54] yet he felt like there was little for him to do.

[00:00:57] He missed running through the night tower to rescue Allard,

[00:01:01] galloping toward Goutland to reach Karch,

[00:01:04] and even the Founders Day Parade that left him gagging and covered in filth.

[00:01:10] At least it was something.

[00:01:12] But what could he do in that moment?

[00:01:15] It was, as his brother had said when he first informed Raelyn,

[00:01:19] that he was the guild master thief.

[00:01:21] He was but a figurehead.

[00:01:23] Of course for Larson, the guild master thief was a figurehead of Scorn.

[00:01:29] Now he was a figurehead of a real guild, with real responsibilities,

[00:01:34] but he was still a figurehead.

[00:01:37] Raelyn wanted more. He wanted to do something.

[00:01:42] Marching back into the tower, Raelyn entered his quarters

[00:01:46] and put on his travelling clothes, leather breeches,

[00:01:50] and a black shirt with black boots.

[00:01:52] Flowing behind him was a black cape made of liquid cloth,

[00:01:57] the rarest of materials in Ness.

[00:02:00] There would be no mistaking he was the guild master.

[00:02:04] Striding out, he approached Phylos.

[00:02:07] I am going to Founders Square to meet and talk to the Harvest Guild refugees.

[00:02:13] Phylos was too experienced to even think of contradicting the guild master.

[00:02:18] That was Allard's job.

[00:02:20] He simply nodded and replied,

[00:02:22] Will you require a carriage?

[00:02:25] I am riding my horse.

[00:02:27] As you wish, I shall attend to it, sir.

[00:02:30] Very good, I'll meet you in the stables.

[00:02:33] Raelyn knew Phylos would be escorting him,

[00:02:36] and while he wanted his outreach to the Harvest Guild refugees

[00:02:40] to be his personal mission,

[00:02:42] he knew it was wise to have his guard with him.

[00:02:45] Thinking of his guard also reminded Raelyn that he should arm himself.

[00:02:50] Returning to his quarters,

[00:02:52] he secured the long dagger that Allard had given him to his waist and thigh.

[00:02:57] He doubted it would do any good against a formidable opponent,

[00:03:01] but its presence made him feel better.

[00:03:06] The stables had come a long way since their former unused and collapsed state.

[00:03:12] Raelyn's horse, the majestic beast gifted to him by Lord Wilhelm,

[00:03:17] stood proudly in front, Phylos holding his reins.

[00:03:21] He is a mighty steed, Guildmaster.

[00:03:23] He was a gift of the Outlanders. He was raised on the plains.

[00:03:28] Raelyn rubbed his hand along the horse's neck.

[00:03:31] I've named him Callisto.

[00:03:34] It was the name of a city that Rafe said was far to the west beyond the Outlanders.

[00:03:39] It sounded exotic and wild to Raelyn, and it seemed to fit the horse.

[00:03:45] Like the glittering prize, Phylos replied.

[00:03:48] Glittering prize?

[00:03:50] Yes, the children's verse.

[00:03:52] Do your work and focus your eyes, and you too can make it to Callisto, the glittering prize.

[00:03:58] Phylos shrugged.

[00:04:00] I figured it was some ancient treasure of some sort.

[00:04:03] Your horse is definitely a treasure.

[00:04:06] The city and treasure.

[00:04:09] I wonder if they are the same thing.

[00:04:11] More hints of our past hidden in plain sight, Raelyn thought.

[00:04:16] It is indeed the source of his name. A glittering prize indeed.

[00:04:22] Phylos handed the reins to Raelyn and vaulted onto his horse.

[00:04:27] Phylos was surprisingly nimble for a large and muscular man wearing chainmail.

[00:04:33] He had been installed by Allard, and Raelyn was certain that Phylos was one of the deadliest fighters in all of Ness.

[00:04:42] Raelyn climbed onto Callisto, and they spurred their horses out of the stables and onto the old quarter and Founders' Square.

[00:04:53] Green tunics, robes, shirts and cloaks were everywhere as the flow of harvest guild members across the bridge didn't seem to be abating even a full day or more after it had started.

[00:05:06] They are clearing the entire quarter!

[00:05:09] That they are, Guildmaster.

[00:05:11] Raelyn hadn't truly believed that Larson could do any such thing, so it helped him focus on the scale of what he was seeing.

[00:05:19] The crowds were enormous.

[00:05:21] It took a moment, but Raelyn discovered that there was order to the crowds he was seeing flowing through the streets.

[00:05:28] Thieves' Guild members in black were guiding groups to various houses and down various alleys.

[00:05:35] Each group was organized and escorted by a member of the Thieves' Guild.

[00:05:40] Despite the chaos of humanity, everything seemed to be moving with an orderly flow.

[00:05:46] Raelyn pushed his horse forward and through the people so that he could be in the center of Founders' Square, a large open area at the center of two intersecting major thoroughfares in the old quarter.

[00:06:00] At the center was the base of a statue with nothing upon it.

[00:06:05] Raelyn assumed that back in the migration from the old quarter, the statue had been stolen or destroyed.

[00:06:12] Stopping, Raelyn yelled out,

[00:06:15] Welcome to your new home and shelter! The Thieves' Guild welcomes you.

[00:06:19] We are here to help, to heal, to feed and to shelter you.

[00:06:23] We are your friends. If you have questions I will answer them. You have nothing to fear.

[00:06:30] Raelyn crossed his arms, not expecting anyone to say anything, although he hoped his words were calming.

[00:06:37] A large number of Harvest Guild members had looked at him while he spoke and one of them yelled out,

[00:06:43] You are thieves! You have stolen from us! Why should we trust you?

[00:06:48] Raelyn looked at the woman. She appeared older and from her clothes looked like the kind of Guild member who would not need the assistance of the thieves.

[00:06:58] She would see them solely as just that, thieves.

[00:07:02] We take so that we can give. The food and clothing we have stolen will now feed and clothe you. It is as it has always been.

[00:07:11] Raelyn looked around.

[00:07:13] Anyone else? We are here to help, but if you would like to know our history or more about our Guild, you can simply ask any of us.

[00:07:23] We no longer have any secrets. Your well-being demands our openness.

[00:07:29] While the refugees had listened to him intently, none of them seemed to have any further questions.

[00:07:36] As groups made their way through the square, Raelyn would greet them and introduce their benefactors as the Thieves Guild.

[00:07:44] He was not naive and Raelyn knew that his words would not change anyone's opinion of thieves,

[00:07:51] but he hoped that his words would provide the proper context for the kindness that the Guild was showing everyone.

[00:07:58] They may not believe the words, but they couldn't help but believe the actions.

[00:08:04] As the hours drifted by, Raelyn enjoyed himself.

[00:08:08] He spoke to fellow thieves, asking of their health and applauding their efforts.

[00:08:14] He answered questions from Harvest Guild members, wishing them well and offering to listen if they had any concerns or problems with their treatment.

[00:08:24] He listened as many would angrily condemn Larson or Orion or Sax or all three in one expletive-filled sentence.

[00:08:33] As he considered whether it was time for him to return to his tower, a middle-aged Harvest Guild member approached.

[00:08:40] Raelyn looked down at him and smiled.

[00:08:42] You are a difficult man to approach, Guildmaster.

[00:08:45] The man stated,

[00:08:47] I'm right here.

[00:08:49] Raelyn spread his arms and smiled.

[00:08:52] You are here now, but previously you have not left the tower in days.

[00:08:57] What is this? Raelyn thought.

[00:09:00] Philos moved his horse forward and unsheathed his sword, laying it across his saddle.

[00:09:06] The man held up his hands.

[00:09:09] I mean no harm.

[00:09:11] The man lowered his voice and took a step toward Raelyn.

[00:09:15] One more step and you die.

[00:09:17] The blunt statement was delivered with the precision of an executioner's swing.

[00:09:22] I have a message for the Guildmaster from the Crown of Goutland.

[00:09:27] Lord Wilhelm, the leader of the Outlanders.

[00:09:31] Raelyn looked closer at the man.

[00:09:34] He had pale blonde hair and striking light blue, almost white eyes.

[00:09:39] This is an Outlander spy in Ness.

[00:09:43] Speak your message.

[00:09:45] You have lost control of the city.

[00:09:48] You are to open the trade routes.

[00:09:50] If you do not restore order soon, Lord Wilhelm will do it for you.

[00:09:56] Raelyn stared at the man who appeared bemused more than anything.

[00:10:00] A threat then?

[00:10:02] The man shrugged.

[00:10:04] His face was inscrutable.

[00:10:06] Alas, your message is a lie.

[00:10:09] You forget that I have travelled to Goutland.

[00:10:12] This horse was a gift from Lord Wilhelm himself.

[00:10:16] It is a multi-day journey.

[00:10:18] There is no way that Lord Wilhelm would know of the violence in Ness

[00:10:22] and respond to it via messenger.

[00:10:27] There is no time.

[00:10:30] Raelyn turned to Phelos.

[00:10:32] Phelos, I believe the dungeon has room for another resident, a liar.

[00:10:37] Looking completely unperturbed, the Outlander laughed.

[00:10:42] You are a sharp one.

[00:10:44] I will give you that.

[00:10:45] You are correct, of course.

[00:10:47] I am Lord Wilhelm's hand in Ness.

[00:10:50] I have the authority to speak in his name.

[00:10:53] A hand, probably akin to what guild masters called captains in Ness.

[00:10:59] Raelyn wondered if he could embed a captain in Goutland without discovery.

[00:11:05] He filed the thought away.

[00:11:07] So he doesn't know what is happening here?

[00:11:10] Not yet, but he will soon.

[00:11:13] The man spoke in a jovial tone.

[00:11:16] You have time to...

[00:11:18] The man waved an arm across the square, encompassing all the refugees.

[00:11:23] Fix this problem.

[00:11:25] What if this isn't a problem to be fixed?

[00:11:28] What if this is the first step in the path to opening the trade routes?

[00:11:32] Raelyn peered at the man, challenging him with nothing more than his force of will.

[00:11:38] The man ran his fingers through his hair.

[00:11:41] You're clever, Raelyn.

[00:11:42] I admit that the paths forward may not be as clear as I have outlined.

[00:11:46] I will amend my message and provide you with time.

[00:11:49] Let us hope that it is enough to get the job done.

[00:11:53] I will await your progress.

[00:11:55] The man went to turn, but stopped and looked back at Raelyn.

[00:12:01] Do not look for me.

[00:12:03] I will contact you.

[00:12:04] Raelyn was going to object, but the man had already blended into the crowd.