Glorious Flames

[00:00:00] Episode 65, Glorious Flames

[00:00:24] The only thing that bothered Larson was that from his office he couldn't see the fire that was destroying the green belt.

[00:00:31] It was just out of his line of sight to the left. He could, however, see the flames billowing into the air throughout the flats and they were glorious.

[00:00:41] Patys had just left with an assessment and things could not have gone better.

[00:00:46] The grale and iron side families were deep in the Merchant Guild dungeons, while the other minor families that lived near the river were being shuttled across the Great Bridge and dumped in the Wretched Quarter.

[00:01:00] He had one more night to clear out a few more troublesome families and then resistance would be minimal as he, Sax and Oryan cleared out the Harvest Guild from everywhere but the Harvest District.

[00:01:14] He returned to his desk. He had not heard from Karch in days and that worried him.

[00:01:20] Patys was the blade. He was not the one to organize the work that needed to be done to clear the flats and lower triangle. For that he needed someone with a sense of authority, not just ruthlessness.

[00:01:35] That is Karch, Larsen thought as he drummed his fingers. People will listen to Karch. The trouble was that Karch was late from his mission to the Outlands.

[00:01:47] Larsen cursed himself. He had no more need of the Outlanders and Karch's mission was irrelevant.

[00:01:54] What Larsen needed was Karch back in Ness. With a slam of his fist, Larsen rose. He marched to the door to his office exiting with a comment to the guard.

[00:02:05] Wake me immediately when Karch arrives.

[00:02:07] The guard saluted as Larsen turned and paced to his quarters. He had one more night of burning and then Karch or he himself would have to organize his captains.

[00:02:20] They would listen to him but Larsen didn't know their strengths as well as Karch did. He'll be here tomorrow. Larsen hoped.

[00:02:29] As he set his head on his pillow, Larsen couldn't help but smile as the scent of burning wood drifted in through the window.

[00:02:38] A Council of Thieves

[00:02:41] Despite reassurances from Alad and Rafe, Raelyn was nervous about his first Guild Council meeting.

[00:02:48] He had spent time with each captain but each meeting was short and many were awkward at least in Raelyn's mind.

[00:02:56] Kud, the captain of the Old Quarter, was almost rude in how he peppered Raelyn with questions about governance that Raelyn was ill-equipped to answer.

[00:03:06] As he stammered, Alad stepped in and said,

[00:03:10] If the Guildmaster knew the answers to all those questions, what need would he have for you?

[00:03:15] It shut Kud up but Raelyn still felt foolish. Mio seemed angry that Raelyn travelled through the plains without difficulty

[00:03:24] and even angrier over the fact that Raelyn had successfully dealt with the Outlanders.

[00:03:30] It was like his success in the same way that Pietro was successful was somehow an insult.

[00:03:37] Rafe had warned Raelyn that Rogers appeared to be trouble but Rogers for some reason had not yet arrived.

[00:03:45] You look like a Guildmaster.

[00:03:47] Alad said as he entered Raelyn's study. His hood was down but his usual intimidating outfit of robe and armour was on display.

[00:03:56] He always appeared ready for combat.

[00:03:59] I feel too young to be a Guildmaster.

[00:04:02] You look like a Young Guildmaster.

[00:04:04] Alad replied his broad smile making Raelyn feel more at ease.

[00:04:09] I'm just afraid that they won't take me seriously. They'll listen to you but how can I elicit their respect if they are actually going to be listening to you?

[00:04:20] You don't elicit respect Guildmaster.

[00:04:22] Alad said walking over and putting his large hand on Raelyn's shoulder.

[00:04:28] You earn it.

[00:04:29] But how do I earn it?

[00:04:31] Well let's see shall we?

[00:04:33] And without saying anything more Alad led Raelyn into the council chambers.

[00:04:38] Raelyn slid into his chair at the head of the table.

[00:04:42] Eight of his captains were staring at him with two empty chairs those for Maila and Rogers.

[00:04:49] He cleared his throat and started on his prepared first words which he had chosen to lift their morale.

[00:04:56] Um so it appears you all have done a good job and things are going well.

[00:05:02] Raelyn paused expecting nodding heads or even some smiles but everyone was quiet.

[00:05:09] Before he could attempt to get things on track Zal the captain of the wealthy upper triangle broke in.

[00:05:16] Going well?

[00:05:18] Our blade is missing possibly imprisoned by the Harvest Guild.

[00:05:22] We don't know if our threat to the Guildmaster merchant will be effective at him not trying to assassinate Guildmaster Polo and may I add,

[00:05:30] Karch just came through the great gate from the Outlands. Who knows what he's arranged with the Outlanders?

[00:05:37] Murmers from both sides of the table filled the room until a clear and strong voice cut through the noise.

[00:05:44] I do.

[00:05:46] All eyes turned to Raelyn. He had only discussed his mission with Mio so he was not surprised at the concern.

[00:05:53] I know what happened with Karch as I was there. At the bridge to Goutland his guards were slain by a rain of arrows.

[00:06:01] Karch was spared by the crown of the Outlands and fled on my horse.

[00:06:06] I passed him during my return on a mighty steed that was gifted to me by the crown.

[00:06:13] Murmers of a different sort filled the room as Raelyn paused.

[00:06:18] Telling the story filled him with a confidence that didn't exist when he entered the room.

[00:06:24] He had faced the crown of the Outlands and not only lived, he procured a promise of a temporary peace.

[00:06:31] The Outlanders are not a concern at least not now. They desire the trade route from Ness to reopen and I promise to do that.

[00:06:39] More Murmers.

[00:06:41] In the meantime he has promised a temporary peace which will reinforce my respect with the Ranger Guild.

[00:06:48] Raelyn peered at Zal.

[00:06:51] But I appreciate your other concerns. I will address one and you shall report to me on the other.

[00:06:58] Raelyn was quiet as he looked at Zal who lowered his head and replied

[00:07:03] Understood, Guildmaster.

[00:07:06] You have asked about the assassination risk toward Guildmaster Polo.

[00:07:10] If this risk originated with my brother I assure you it is no longer a concern.

[00:07:16] I know him better than anyone.

[00:07:19] He is a coward and the threat that was left in his room has shaken him.

[00:07:25] Raelyn looked around the table.

[00:07:27] Who is the captain of the district that includes Merchant Tower?

[00:07:31] That would be me sir.

[00:07:33] A portly man with blond hair slicked back and tied in the style of Karch raised his hand.

[00:07:40] Captain Tass, there is no true merchant district as you know but I oversee the area.

[00:07:46] Founders Park, Merchant Avenue and the banks of the North Fork.

[00:07:50] Very good.

[00:07:52] Raelyn stood up. He was nervous and excited and he was finally able to do what he had wanted to do.

[00:07:59] Get and share information he started to pace back and forth.

[00:08:04] Captain Tass, explain to me what has changed in regards to Larsen and Merchant Tower.

[00:08:10] Larsen has not been seen in days.

[00:08:13] He generally will visit the leading merchant account handlers along Merchant Avenue

[00:08:16] or visit Guildmaster Orion or Sacks.

[00:08:19] He is not active but he is not inactive either but of late he has not left Merchant Tower.

[00:08:25] Raelyn nodded.

[00:08:27] And the defences around the tower.

[00:08:30] Escalated sir, the doors are usually closed whereas before they were usually open.

[00:08:35] Lots of guards are monitoring the area.

[00:08:37] Raelyn stopped pacing and turned toward his captains.

[00:08:41] It is as I predicted. Larsen is frightened.

[00:08:45] He doesn't know where the threat came from so he is reacting without focus increasing defences everywhere.

[00:08:52] Tapping his hand on his chair Raelyn added.

[00:08:56] The outlander is not engaged and Larsen frightened.

[00:08:59] I consider the assassination risk of Polo no longer our concern.

[00:09:03] He is safe in Harvest House.

[00:09:06] Not a single voice in the room objected.

[00:09:09] Raelyn was pleased.

[00:09:11] He was doing well.

[00:09:13] However before he could continue Captain Tass cleared his voice.

[00:09:18] Excuse me sir.

[00:09:20] Yes?

[00:09:21] I should probably add that the suspicious activity not just at the tower but in the whole district has increased.

[00:09:27] What do you mean by suspicious activity?

[00:09:30] For us thieves suspicious activity is a higher concentration of guards and armed citizens.

[00:09:34] The activity in the guild docks on the North Fork and up and down Merchant Avenue is disturbing.

[00:09:39] There are merchant guards everywhere.

[00:09:41] Nodding his head Raelyn replied.

[00:09:44] Thank you but I consider that just an extension of my brother's paranoia.

[00:09:49] It would not surprise me for him to have armed guards patrolling all the way up to Kraft Tower with what we threatened him with.

[00:09:58] Tass nodded his head.

[00:10:00] Deputy Allard do you have any thoughts on the matter?

[00:10:04] Allard stood behind Raelyn and as Raelyn turned to him he shook his head.

[00:10:09] No sir I trust your interpretation of Captain Tass's report.

[00:10:13] Captain Zal you did mention one thing that concerns me greatly and that is the fate of Mela.

[00:10:20] Allard filled me in on her mission and her new role as my blade.

[00:10:25] Captain Kallius you gave me an update earlier would you mind sharing it with all of us?

[00:10:32] An old man with white hair and a tanned and wrinkled face spoke up.

[00:10:37] Sadly the word from Harvest House is that there was an attempt on Polo's life and the assassin was a Guildmaster blade.

[00:10:45] The assassin was taken to their guild prison.

[00:10:48] As voices raised Kallius held up his hand.

[00:10:53] Yes this is a lie.

[00:10:55] I believe that Mela was captured in her attempt to warn Polo.

[00:11:00] The Guildmaster is using her capture to illustrate his strength. Not even a guild blade can reach him.

[00:11:07] Raelyn had heard the report earlier but his heart still fell.

[00:11:12] He missed Mela's sharp tongue and her talent in the field.

[00:11:16] Something he had experienced first hand and he had to admit he was also attracted to her.

[00:11:23] She was a challenge and that made her exciting to him.

[00:11:27] Where is the guild prison?

[00:11:29] Raelyn asked although again he already knew the answer.

[00:11:34] It is in the mines.

[00:11:36] It is the most secure prison in Ness with cells carved out of rock.

[00:11:41] There are no sewers or walls with passages leading to them.

[00:11:45] Kallius shook his head.

[00:11:47] It is the one prison in Nessum where we have no real access.

[00:11:52] He looked around the room but no other captain contradicted him.

[00:11:57] Who is the captain of the mines?

[00:11:59] Raelyn asked. No one said anything.

[00:12:03] We don't have a captain in the mines. Do we have a deputy? Anyone?

[00:12:08] Guildmaster Pietro did not consider the mines a priority.

[00:12:11] Alard said from behind Raelyn.

[00:12:14] Okay, the mines are a priority now.

[00:12:17] Kallius, the mines are under the stewardship of the Harvest Guild.

[00:12:21] Work with Alard and find a captain who will oversee them for the guild.

[00:12:26] Yes, Guildmaster.

[00:12:29] And do what you can to find out about Mela.

[00:12:32] If she's okay, where she's held, what the defences are like.

[00:12:37] Yes, Guildmaster.

[00:12:40] The room was quiet and Raelyn felt like he had done a good job.

[00:12:44] He had addressed the key issues even if it had started in a way he had not anticipated.

[00:12:50] He would talk to each of the captains individually again before they left.

[00:12:55] And things did seem to be stable.

[00:12:58] With that in mind, Raelyn decided to cut the meeting short and end on a positive note.

[00:13:05] Raelyn started to pace. Only his walk was casual and introspective, not tense or on edge.

[00:13:13] Okay, we have the unfortunate situation with Mela but we are addressing that.

[00:13:18] Larsen's plot seems to have been thwarted and to reiterate what I said before, things seem to be going well.

[00:13:25] It appears our biggest challenge is simply to remain hidden.

[00:13:29] We need to continue Pietro's mission and we appear to have the luxury of secrecy while achieving it.

[00:13:36] Raelyn stopped and looked around.

[00:13:39] Does anyone disagree?

[00:13:42] Everyone was quiet and the only motion was the shaking of a few heads.

[00:13:48] Very well. I know I still have a lot to do to earn your respect and trust but I promise you, I take this position seriously.

[00:13:56] I will honour all of you and I will honour my predecessor.

[00:14:00] He was greater than any of us realise, I truly believe that.

[00:14:05] Leaning forward with his hands on the back of his chair, Raelyn added.

[00:14:10] Thank you, you are all dismissed. There is food in the reception room. Let us relax there as friends.

[00:14:18] Voices rose and chairs scraped across the stone floor.

[00:14:23] Raelyn heard the words, good show and smiled. He realised he had forgotten something however and raised his voice.

[00:14:32] One more thing.

[00:14:34] The silence was immediate and Raelyn was awed by his ability to command the room of experienced thieves.

[00:14:42] Why is Rogers not here? Has anyone heard anything?

[00:14:46] I had heard there was a fire in the flats and he was helping.

[00:14:50] Kalos, the stout captain of the warehouse district said.

[00:14:54] That is good. He is prioritising helping others over a meeting. I would not have it any other way.

[00:15:01] Of course, we are talking of Rogers.

[00:15:04] Mio exclaimed with a smile on his face.

[00:15:07] When he says he is fighting fires it probably means he is fighting a hangover.

[00:15:11] The room rolled with laughter and as the group headed down to the meats, cheeses and ale of the reception,

[00:15:18] they cracked jokes about Rogers who let the minor inconvenience of a fire keep him from the first council under their new guildmaster.