From Nebula nominee Jake Kerr comes a daily, full-cast audio serial following Ralan, a street rat turned Guildmaster, as he navigates civil war, political intrigue, and forgotten magic. This pulp-inspired epic weaves a tale of secret societies and ancient dragon lore into a rapidly expanding adventure.
📍 Episode 1 and more information: https://podcastalchemy.studio/...
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Some secrets are worth dying for. Some are worth killing for.
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CREDITS
✍️ Writer: Jake Kerr
🎙️ Showrunner: Jake Kerr
Production Note
This production utilizes the latest technology in content creation, including audio, visual, and production tools powered by AI under the design and direction of showrunner Jake Kerr.
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Want to binge The Thieves Guild with fewer ads? Every Friday night we release a bonus episode of the week's previous five chapters, with fewer ads in between chapters and a seamless listening experience!
Perfect for a weekend binge!
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If you would like to view a map of Ness, you can find it here.
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00:00:23 --> 00:00:28 The sun beat down on the stone, making Wraith wonder which was worse,
00:00:28 --> 00:00:32 the direct searing sun or the reflective and oppressive heat from the rock.
00:00:33 --> 00:00:38 He shifted his legs, the sound of his boot scraping against gravel unnaturally
00:00:38 --> 00:00:39 loud in the tense silence.
00:00:39 --> 00:00:43 The guards at the gate of Goutland had returned to their posts,
00:00:43 --> 00:00:49 but their bored indifference was gone, replaced by wary sideways glances. They were waiting.
00:00:50 --> 00:00:54 Cray was waiting. The whole world seemed to be holding its breath.
00:00:55 --> 00:00:59 More footsteps approached from the gate, heavy and purposeful.
00:01:00 --> 00:01:05 Two more guards, their leather armor creaking, were marching directly toward them.
00:01:05 --> 00:01:09 What do you think will happen? He whispered, his eyes fixed on the approaching
00:01:09 --> 00:01:12 men. Hopefully they imprison us.
00:01:12 --> 00:01:20 Cray didn't turn. His gaze remained on the endless horizon. His voice was a low, calm vibration.
00:01:21 --> 00:01:23 Rafe stared at him, bewildered.
00:01:23 --> 00:01:27 Imprisonment was the thing to be avoided, the failure state of any mission.
00:01:28 --> 00:01:32 Before he could question the absurd statement, Cray leaned closer,
00:01:32 --> 00:01:37 his voice dropping even lower, a conspiratorial whisper against the wind.
00:01:37 --> 00:01:42 Wilhelm will not see me, at least not immediately. The order is to him a bunch
00:01:42 --> 00:01:45 of dwarves chasing ghosts, a waste of time.
00:01:45 --> 00:01:49 So we must give him a reason to deal with us that is not of his choosing,
00:01:49 --> 00:01:51 a challenge to his authority.
00:01:52 --> 00:01:57 Something that annoys him but also commands his respect. The guards were getting closer.
00:01:58 --> 00:02:03 But why imprisoned? What will we do in a prison? You said to me that your friend
00:02:03 --> 00:02:05 Raylan was imprisoned in Pietro's library.
00:02:05 --> 00:02:08 I hope to receive the same fate.
00:02:08 --> 00:02:15 The lead guard stopped a few paces away. His face was a mask of practiced indifference,
00:02:15 --> 00:02:18 but his eyes held a flicker of triumphant disdain.
00:02:18 --> 00:02:21 The crown is occupied with matters of state.
00:02:22 --> 00:02:26 He does not have time for you. Kray turned his head slowly, fixing the guard
00:02:26 --> 00:02:29 with his ancient ice-blue gaze.
00:02:29 --> 00:02:33 The air grew cold. Then the crown is a fool.
00:02:33 --> 00:02:37 You will return and tell him that the wrath of the Order of the Dragon is a
00:02:37 --> 00:02:40 patient thing, but it is not an endless one.
00:02:41 --> 00:02:44 Tell him the mountains remember those who forget their debts.
00:02:44 --> 00:02:50 The guard swallowed hard, his professional calm crumbling under the weight of Kray's words.
00:02:50 --> 00:02:53 He knew the legends. Every planesman did.
00:02:53 --> 00:02:58 He took an involuntary step back, gave a jerky, uncertain nod,
00:02:58 --> 00:03:01 and retreated toward the gate without another word.
00:03:01 --> 00:03:07 Cray turned his back to the city once more. Now we wait. The wait was not long.
00:03:07 --> 00:03:13 The same guard returned, a smug, insolent smirk now plastered on his face.
00:03:13 --> 00:03:18 We have a room for you, he announced, gesturing for them to follow.
00:03:19 --> 00:03:23 Rafe looked at Kray, his heart leaping with a surge of triumph.
00:03:23 --> 00:03:27 He leaned in, whispering with unconcealed excitement.
00:03:27 --> 00:03:31 It worked. The dwarf's only reply was a noncommittal grunt.
00:03:32 --> 00:03:36 They were led not into the seat, but to a squat stone building near the wall
00:03:36 --> 00:03:38 that smelled of urine and rotten straw.
00:03:39 --> 00:03:44 An iron-barred door was pulled open, and they were shoved into a small, dark cell.
00:03:45 --> 00:03:49 The door slammed shut behind them, the sound of the heavy lock clicking home,
00:03:50 --> 00:03:53 echoing with a grim finality. It was a stone cell.
00:03:53 --> 00:03:58 A simple, filthy room with a straw-covered floor and a single bucket in the corner.
00:03:59 --> 00:04:02 Not a study. Not a library. The plan hadn't worked.
00:04:03 --> 00:04:09 Cray had miscalculated. The triumphant thrill in Rafe's chest curdled into a cold knot of dread.
00:04:10 --> 00:04:15 They weren't honored prisoners. They were just problems that had been swept into a hole.
00:04:15 --> 00:04:19 Cray surveyed the cell, his expression unreadable.
00:04:19 --> 00:04:24 He walked to the center of the room, lay down on the dirty straw with a soft
00:04:24 --> 00:04:25 grunt, and looked up at Rafe.
00:04:26 --> 00:04:30 I will lie on the floor. you will call the guard, you will tell him you do not
00:04:30 --> 00:04:32 know what is wrong with me.
00:04:32 --> 00:04:37 Before Rafe could process the command, Kray let out a low, pained moan.
00:04:37 --> 00:04:42 It was a dreadful grating sound that seemed to come from the depths of the earth.
00:04:42 --> 00:04:45 He curled onto his side, his body trembling.
00:04:46 --> 00:04:51 Rafe, his mind reeling, stumbled to the bars. Guard, guard, help.
00:04:52 --> 00:04:55 Something's wrong with him. The smirking guard ambled back to the cell,
00:04:56 --> 00:04:58 his expression one of annoyance.
00:04:58 --> 00:05:01 What is it now? I don't know. He just collapsed.
00:05:01 --> 00:05:04 The guard peered through the bars at the moaning dwarf.
00:05:05 --> 00:05:10 Then, with a sigh of profound irritation, he unlocked the door and cautiously stepped inside.
00:05:10 --> 00:05:14 He knelt beside Cray, keeping a weary distance.
00:05:14 --> 00:05:19 What is it, old man? My back, the stone. I am an old dwarf.
00:05:20 --> 00:05:27 My bones are not made for this. I need a bed. A real bed. My back is breaking.
00:05:27 --> 00:05:32 He let out another pitiable groan, so convincing that for a second,
00:05:32 --> 00:05:34 Rafe himself believed it.
00:05:34 --> 00:05:38 The guard stared, then shook his head in disgust.
00:05:38 --> 00:05:43 He stood up, locked the cell door, and walked away without another word.
00:05:43 --> 00:05:46 The silence that followed was heavier than before.
00:05:47 --> 00:05:52 Hours passed. Torches were replaced in the corridor, the light shifting and
00:05:52 --> 00:05:54 painting long, dancing shadows on the wall.
00:05:55 --> 00:05:59 Rafe sat with his back against the cold stone, watching Cray lie motionless
00:05:59 --> 00:06:03 on the straw, the occasional theatrical moan the only proof he was still conscious.
00:06:04 --> 00:06:07 Rafe's hope dwindled with the light. They had forgotten them.
00:06:08 --> 00:06:10 Or worse, they simply didn't care.
00:06:10 --> 00:06:15 Finally, the sound of heavy boots approached. It was the same guard,
00:06:15 --> 00:06:20 but his smirk was gone, replaced by a look of grim resignation.
00:06:20 --> 00:06:27 He unlocked the door. Stand up. The guard crossed his arms as Kray slowly got to his feet.
00:06:27 --> 00:06:31 Come with me. Kray stumbled to the guard, finally leaning on him heavily groaning
00:06:31 --> 00:06:34 with every step as he was led out of the cell.
00:06:34 --> 00:06:39 Rafe started to follow, only for the iron-barred door to be slammed in his face.
00:06:39 --> 00:06:44 He rushed to the bars, watching as Cray was slowly, painfully escorted down
00:06:44 --> 00:06:46 the dark corridor and out of sight.
00:06:46 --> 00:06:50 Was he being taken to a different cell? A healer?
00:06:50 --> 00:06:55 Or was this part of the plan? Was Cray, at this very moment.
00:06:56 --> 00:07:00 Being led to the quiet, dusty room filled with Pietro's books?
00:07:00 --> 00:07:05 Rafe pressed his face against the cold iron, staring into the empty hallway
00:07:05 --> 00:07:08 and wondered if he would ever see the old dwarf again.
00:07:08 --> 00:07:21 The End.
00:07:38 --> 00:07:38 Thank you.
00:07:42 --> 00:07:45 A podcast alchemy production.