A Slap

[00:00:00] The Thieves Guild by Jake Kerr

[00:00:10] Episode 71

[00:00:15] A Slap

[00:00:24] The lower quarter was a mess, but Karch wasn't concerned about that.

[00:00:29] He had to hand it to Patis and Larson.

[00:00:32] They had burned the will out of the Harvest Guild in the flats and the lower triangle the night before.

[00:00:38] Clearing out the Harvest Guild members was turning out to be surprisingly easy, as Patis had noted.

[00:00:45] It was everywhere else that was a problem.

[00:00:49] Karch had done everything he could, but he was still nervous.

[00:00:53] He had just returned from Trader's Bridge.

[00:00:56] It was heavily defended by the guild's best troops,

[00:01:00] but he was dismayed that no one had taken his command to prepare to destroy the bridge seriously.

[00:01:06] It was stone and destroying it would be difficult,

[00:01:10] so he had hoped that they would have procured some craft guild masons to dismantle some keystones,

[00:01:16] but nothing was done.

[00:01:18] North Fork was well defended with night guild ships, so that was good,

[00:01:23] but Sax had practically laughed at Karch when he recommended reinforcing the defenses of the Night Watch.

[00:01:30] The Night Watch was a fortified tower at the end of the Great Wall to the east,

[00:01:35] overlooking the outer and inner fields and Harvest House.

[00:01:39] Karch's fear was the Harvest Guild troops would overpower the White Guard

[00:01:44] and rush along the top of the Great Wall, and then descend into the lower quarter from the north,

[00:01:50] with deadly archers stationed on the wall.

[00:01:53] Your ludicrous idea is insulting, Karch. Insulting.

[00:01:57] Sax had declared from his stone throne he and Polo were the only guildmasters who sat on thrones

[00:02:04] and not behind desks, and Karch found it crass.

[00:02:08] I am merely making a recommendation, Guildmaster.

[00:02:11] The Harvest Guild has the advantage of numbers.

[00:02:14] Their assault could continue until the Night Watch runs out of arrows.

[00:02:17] That is madness, Karch.

[00:02:19] Why would the guild be willing to lose so many to take the wall?

[00:02:23] Sax waved a jewel-encrusted goblet, spilling some wine.

[00:02:28] Because they have lost so many in the lower quarter already, Karch thought.

[00:02:33] Sax was on the verge of drunkenness, a weakness of his that Karch found intolerable,

[00:02:40] as it made Sax even more unpredictable.

[00:02:43] Be that as it may, sir, if they choose to assault the Watch, would it not be wise to be prepared?

[00:02:49] Are you telling me I'm not prepared?

[00:02:52] Sax yelled out, tossing his goblet to the ground, which landed with a thud

[00:02:57] as it hit a thick carpet, adding yet another wine stain.

[00:03:01] As Sax's face turned red, Karch held up his hands.

[00:03:06] Not at all, Guildmaster.

[00:03:08] I am merely outlining that Polo may be desperate and irrational.

[00:03:11] Polo is cowering like a rabbit in Harvest House, Karch.

[00:03:14] Sax shook his head, his demeanour changing to one lecturing a child.

[00:03:19] I understand your fear, but it is unfounded.

[00:03:22] My knights are capable of withstanding an assault from a bunch of farmers.

[00:03:27] And with that the meeting was over, and Karch's concerns over the Night Watch increased.

[00:03:34] The arrogance of Sax and Larson will be their undoing, Karch thought as he returned to Merchant Tower.

[00:03:41] Trader's Bridge and the Night Watch were well defended,

[00:03:45] but they were not defended well enough to withstand a desperate enemy,

[00:03:50] and Karch was positive that Polo was both desperate and angry.

[00:03:56] As he walked through the giant gates of the tower,

[00:03:59] Karras, the annoying nephew of Orion, rushed over.

[00:04:03] He was a runt of a boy with an ever-present sneer of privilege and arrogance.

[00:04:08] Karch could not believe that Larson named the boy Apprentice Guildmaster,

[00:04:13] even if the title meant nothing and it helped with Orion.

[00:04:18] Karch! I've been looking for you all day!

[00:04:21] The boy stopped in front of Karch,

[00:04:24] his fists resting on his hips like he was going to throw a temper tantrum.

[00:04:29] I was busy, Karch said coolly.

[00:04:32] He hated the boy more than Raylan, if that were possible.

[00:04:35] Well, you're not busy now and I need you to pick up my new garments from the warehouse.

[00:04:40] Karch stared at Karras.

[00:04:42] I'm not your servant. Pick them up yourself or find someone else to do it.

[00:04:46] He took a step to the side to continue past Karras when the boy moved in front of him.

[00:04:52] How would you like to end up in the dungeon, Karch?

[00:04:55] Karras nodded his head in the direction of the Guild dungeon.

[00:05:00] You may have forgotten I'm the Apprentice Guildmaster.

[00:05:03] You report to me.

[00:05:04] So are you going to get my garments or am I going to call the guard to haul you away for impertinence?

[00:05:10] I report to Guildmaster Larson, Karras.

[00:05:12] I recommend you talk less and listen more if you know what's good for you.

[00:05:16] Karch used every bit of his self-control not to berate the boy like the child he was.

[00:05:23] He once again stepped to the right and started towards the steps up the tower.

[00:05:29] Karras grabbed Karch's arm to stop him.

[00:05:32] Spinning around, Karch grabbed Karras's arm with his left hand, twisting it.

[00:05:37] With his right hand, he slapped Karras hard across the face, staggering him and leaving a red mark.

[00:05:44] You do not touch me, boy.

[00:05:46] Karch let go of Karras's arm and shoved him away.

[00:05:50] Listen, I will only say this once.

[00:05:52] You are here as a favour to your uncle.

[00:05:54] That favour will only go so far.

[00:05:56] So play your games of power with others, but I don't have time for them.

[00:06:01] As Karch walked away, Karras shouted towards him.

[00:06:05] You'll be sorry for that, Karch. No one touches me, no one.

[00:06:08] Karch resisted the urge to go back and slap the boy again.

[00:06:13] A messenger had just left, delivering to Karch an update from the lower triangle.

[00:06:19] The green belt was ash, and the Harvest Guild members were as demoralised there as they were in the flats.

[00:06:26] The clearing of the Harvest Guild continued to go well.

[00:06:30] An earlier messenger had provided even better news, but it was the nature of that good news that worried Karch.

[00:06:38] That message noted that there was no movement from the Harvest Guild near Traders Bridge or the Night Watch.

[00:06:45] As far as anyone could tell, the Harvest Guild was doing nothing as their Guild members were being swept into the wretched quarter.

[00:06:53] Karch knew that Polo was planning something, and the fact that Karch still had no idea what that was worried him.

[00:07:02] A third messenger arrived.

[00:07:04] Larson demands your presence, was the entirety of the message.

[00:07:09] I wonder if Larson has received word on movement of the Harvest Guild outside the wall?

[00:07:15] It was the only option that Karch would not have any view into.

[00:07:19] If it was happening, then Polo would have chosen the riskiest option with the highest likelihood of failure.

[00:07:27] As he made his way to Larson's office, Karch considered if Polo was that foolish.

[00:07:33] He entered to a view he was long accustomed to, Larson at his desk looking angry.

[00:07:39] As Karch approached slowly, he could tell that Larson's temper had spilled over into irrationality as Larson stood up the moment he saw Karch enter.

[00:07:50] He stood there with his hands on his desk, confrontational and ready to lash out.

[00:07:56] I wonder if the Harvest Guild has made their move?

[00:08:00] From behind his desk, Larson growled.

[00:08:03] Are you trying to ruin all my plans, or are you just that incompetent Karch?

[00:08:07] He's going to blame me for the Harvest Guild marching outside the wall, Karch thought as he stopped in front of Larson.

[00:08:14] Sir, I have been your faithful assistant for years. I have made my mistakes, but I believe I have been a valuable asset.

[00:08:21] Your plan with Raylon. A disaster. Your mission to the Outlanders. A failure that cost me some of my best men.

[00:08:28] And now this.

[00:08:52] Karch, who is my most important ally?

[00:08:58] Perhaps the correct answer depended on Larson's mood.

[00:09:01] The question he had just asked could have been answered as Sax, for his help in managing the clearing of the Harvest Guild.

[00:09:09] Or it could have been Orion, for just staying out of the way when he could have caused great difficulty.

[00:09:15] Or it could have been some random person who caught Larson's eye by helping in some specific way, such as Patis.

[00:09:24] Sax, sir. Clearing the Harvest Guild would have been impossible without his cooperation.

[00:09:33] Sax.

[00:09:36] He isn't an ally. He is an utterly predictable puppet. All he cares about is his comfort.

[00:09:41] Larson shook his head.

[00:09:43] No wonder you made such an idiotic mistake, threatening our most important ally.

[00:09:47] The pieces fell into place, and Karch suddenly realized why Larson was angry.

[00:09:52] Orion? Yes, Orion!

[00:09:55] Larson roared, his temper boiling over.

[00:09:59] The same guildmaster you offended by slapping his nephew.

[00:10:02] Larson's voice rose even higher.

[00:10:05] His vote and his support are critical. He doesn't care about anything but the security and success of Ness and his simple-minded sense of duty.

[00:10:12] And Karch, do you know a key element of that duty? His family!

[00:10:17] Larson screamed the last word while slamming his fist onto his desk.

[00:10:22] I understand, sir.

[00:10:24] Do you, Karch?

[00:10:26] Do you?

[00:10:27] If you understood that Orion sees me as the future of Ness's security, and that his nephew was his way of connecting his own family to my success,

[00:10:34] then why would you strike him?

[00:10:36] Larson sat down while he shook his head.

[00:10:39] Idiocy.

[00:10:41] Karch couldn't quite believe what he was hearing.

[00:10:44] To keep Orion happy, Larson was going to let Orion's nephew run roughshod over the guild.

[00:10:51] Based on the arrogance of the brat, Karch could see Larson losing the support of his guild in his effort in trying to appease Orion.

[00:11:01] I understand the boy's importance, but is it wise to let him terrorize the guild members?

[00:11:06] Karch knew better than to contradict Larson when he was in one of his rages.

[00:11:11] But Karch's patience was running thin, from Larson's disaster of a plan to the reaction to Karch's own concerns from Sax, Patis and others,

[00:11:21] and now to Keris's impertinence.

[00:11:24] Is that what you call it when someone requests you run an errand for them, being terrorized?

[00:11:29] The sarcasm dripped from Larson's voice.

[00:11:32] Why, you must think I terrorize you all the time.

[00:11:35] Karch knew better than to respond.

[00:11:38] I don't know what has happened to you, Karch. You were my most loyal and accomplished deputy.

[00:11:43] But you continue to make mistake after mistake.

[00:11:46] If I weren't so patient and understanding, I would probably have thrown you in the dungeon already for planning against me.

[00:11:51] Sir.

[00:11:53] Shut up, Karch. I don't need to hear any more excuses.

[00:11:56] I have decided to give you one more chance. You will go directly to Keris and apologize.

[00:12:01] Whatever punishment or demand he makes, you are to fulfill.

[00:12:05] You will make it clear that you are sincere in your sentiment.

[00:12:08] If I don't hear from Keris that he is pleased with your behavior, I will toss you in the dungeon and leave you there forever.

[00:12:14] I must object.

[00:12:16] One more word and you go in the dungeon.

[00:12:18] Larson held up a single finger. Karch knew he was serious and simply bowed his head.

[00:12:24] You are dismissed.

[00:12:26] Karch turned and marched the length of the room, his anger barely contained.

[00:12:31] The arrogant, self-deluded Larson was blaming Karch for Larson's own mistakes.

[00:12:38] And now, with the worst mistake of all happening at that very moment,

[00:12:43] Larson was demanding that Karch apologize to a brat who was yet another mistake,

[00:12:50] one that was undoubtedly alienating the guild leadership.

[00:12:54] The door to Larson's office closed behind him and Karch walked directly to his own office.

[00:13:00] He had to think over what he was going to do.

[00:13:03] His path, troubled as it was over the past few weeks, was now even less clear.

[00:13:09] Did he want to commit his loyalty to a guild master full of such delusion and leading Ness to civil war?

[00:13:17] And if he did, could he manage things in a way that he would be the one to swoop in

[00:13:22] and save things as Larson was hanging from a rope in Founders Park?

[00:13:27] Whatever path he took, there was only one that avoided him apologizing to Keris,

[00:13:33] abandoning the guild. Karch was prepared to do that, but was that the right path?

[00:13:39] Not entirely sure of anything, Karch entered his quarters and locked the door behind him.