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00:00:01
The Thieves Guild
00:00:04
by Jake Kerr
00:00:10
(dramatic music plays) . Episode 65:
00:00:16
Glorious Flames.
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The only thing that bothered Larsen was that, from his office, he couldn't see the fire that
00:00:29
was destroying the Greenbelt. It was just out of his line of sight to the
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left.
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He could, however, see the flames billowing into the air throughout the flats
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and they were glorious. Pattis had just left with an assessment and
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things could not have gone better. The Grell and Ironside families were deep in
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the Merchant Guild dungeons while the other minor families that lived near the river
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were being shuttled across the Great Bridge and dumped in the Wretched Quarter.
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He
00:01:00
had one more night to clear out a few more troublesome families and then
00:01:04
resistance would be minimal as he, Sacks, and Orion cleared
00:01:09
out the Harvest Guild from everywhere but the Harvest District.
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He returned to his desk. He had not heard from Karch in days and that
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worried him.
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Pattis was the blade. He was not the one to organize the work that needed
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to be done to clear the flats and Lower Triangle.
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For that, he needed someone with a sense of authority, not just
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ruthlessness. "That is Karch," Larsen thought as he
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drummed his fingers. "People will listen to Karch." The trouble was
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that Karch was late from his mission to the Outlands.
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Larsen cursed himself. He had no more need of the Outlanders and Karch's
00:01:52
mission was irrelevant. What Larsen needed was Karch back in Ness.
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With a slam of his fist, Larsen rose. He marched to the door to
00:02:02
his office, exiting with a comment to the guard.
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"Wake me immediately when Karch arrives."
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The guard saluted as Larsen turned and paced to his quarters.
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He had one more night of burning and then Karch, or he himself,
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would have to organize his captains.
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They would listen to him, but Larsen didn't know their strengths as well as Karch did.
00:02:25
"He'll be here tomorrow," Larsen hoped.
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As he set his head on his pillow, Larsen couldn't help but smile as the scent
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of burning wood drifted in through the window.
00:02:38
A Council of Thieves.
00:02:40
Despite reassurances from Allard and Rafe, Raylan was nervous about his
00:02:45
first guild council meeting. He had spent time with each captain, but
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each meeting was short and many were awkward, at least in Raylan's
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mind. Khud, the captain of the Old Quarter, was almost rude
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in how he peppered Raylan with questions about governance that Raylan was
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ill-equipped to answer. As he stammered, Allard stepped in and said,
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"If the guild master knew the answers to all those questions, what need would he have for
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you?"
00:03:15
It shut Khud up, but Raylan still felt foolish.
00:03:19
Miyo seemed angry that Raylan traveled through the plains without difficulty
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and even angrier over the fact that Raylan had successfully dealt with the
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Outlanders. It was like his success, in the same way that Pietro
00:03:34
was successful, was somehow an insult.
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Rafe had warned Raylan that Rogers appeared to be trouble but Rogers, for some
00:03:42
reason, had not yet arrived. "You look like a guild master," Allard
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said as he entered Raylan's study.
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His hood was down but his usual intimidating outfit of robe and armor
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was on display. He always appeared ready for combat.
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"I feel too young to be a guild master." "You look like a young guild
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master," Allard replied, his broad smile making Raylan feel more at
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ease. "I'm just afraid that they won't take me seriously.
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They'll listen to you, but how can I elicit their respect if they are actually going
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to be listening to you?" "You don't elicit respect, guild master," Allard
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said, walking over and putting his large hand on Raylan's shoulder.
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"You earn it." "But how do I earn it?" "Well, let's see, shall we?"
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And without saying anything more, Allard led Raylan into the council
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chambers. Raylan slid into his chair at the head of the table.
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Eight of his captains were staring at him with two empty chairs, those
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for Maylor and Rogers. He cleared his throat and started on his prepared
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first words which he had chosen to lift their morale.
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"Um,
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so it appears you all have done a good job and things are going well."
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Raylan paused, expecting nodding heads or even some smiles,
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but everyone was quiet. Before he could attempt to get things on track,
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Zall, the captain of the wealthy Upper Triangle broke in.
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"Going well?
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Our blade is missing, possibly imprisoned by the Harvest Guild.
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We don't know if our threat to the guild master merchant will be effective at him not trying to assassinate
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Guild Master Polo and, may I add, Karch just came through the great gate from the
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Outlands. Who knows what he's arranged with the Outlanders?"
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Murmurs from both sides of the table filled the room until a clear and
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strong voice cut through the noise. "I do."
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All eyes turned to Raylan.
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He had only discussed his mission with Miyo, so he was not surprised at the concern.
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"I know what happened with Karch as I was there.
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At the bridge to Gautland, his guards were slain by a rain of arrows."
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"... Karch was spared by the Crown of the Outlands and fled on my horse.
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I passed him during my return on a mighty steed that was gifted to me by the
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Crown."
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Murmurs of a different sort filled the room as Relan paused.
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Telling the story filled him with a confidence that didn't exist when he entered the
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room. He had faced the Crown of the Outlands, and not only lived,
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he procured a promise of a temporary peace.
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"The Outlanders are not a concern, at least not now.
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They desire the trade route from Ness to reopen, and I promise to do that."
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More murmurs.
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"In the meantime, he has promised a temporary peace, which will
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reinforce my respect with the Ranger Guild."
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Relan peered at Zarl.
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"But I appreciate your other concerns.
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I will address one, and you shall report to me on the other."
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Relan was quiet as he looked at Zarl, who lowered his head and replied...
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"Understood, Guildmaster."
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"You have asked about the assassination risk toward Guildmaster Polo.
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If this risk originated with my brother, I assure you it is no longer a
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concern.
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I know him better than anyone.
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He is a coward, and the threat that was left in his room has shaken him."
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Relan looked around the table.
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"Who is the captain of the district that includes Merchant Tower?"
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That would be me, sir.
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A portly man with blonde hair slicked back and tied in the style of
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Karch raised his hand.
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Captain Tarse.
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There is no true merchant district, as you know, but I oversee the area, Founders Park,
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Merchant Avenue, and the banks of the North Fork.
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"Very good."
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Relan stood up. He was nervous and excited, and he was finally able
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to do what he had wanted to do: get and share information.
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He started to pace back and forth.
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"Captain Tarse, explain to me what has changed in regards to Larsen and
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Merchant Tower."
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Larsen has not been seen in days. He generally will visit the leading merchant account handlers along
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Merchant Avenue or visit Guildmaster Orion or Sax.
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He is not active, but he is not inactive either.
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But of late, he has not left Merchant Tower.
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Relan nodded. "And the defenses around the tower?"
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Escalated, sir. The doors are usually closed, whereas before they were usually open.
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Lots of guards are monitoring the area.
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Relan stopped pacing and turned toward his captains.
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"It is as I predicted. Larsen is frightened.
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He doesn't know where the threat came from, so he is reacting without focus, increasing
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defenses everywhere."
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Tapping his hand on his chair, Relan added...
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"With the Outlanders not engaged, and Larsen frightened, I consider the
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assassination risk of Polo no longer our concern.
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He is safe in Harvest House."
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Not a single voice in the room objected.
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Relan was pleased. He was doing well.
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However, before he could continue, Captain Tarse cleared his voice.
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Excuse me, sir.
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"Yes?"
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I should probably add that the suspicious activity not just at the tower, but in the whole district has
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increased.
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"What do you mean by suspicious activity?"
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For us thieves, suspicious activity is a higher concentration of guards and armed citizens.
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The activity in the guild docks on the North Fork and up and down Merchant Avenue is disturbing.
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There are merchant guards everywhere.
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Nodding his head, Relan replied.
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"Thank you, but I consider that just an extension of my brother's paranoia.
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It would not surprise me for him to have armed guards patrolling all the way up to
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Craft Tower with what we threatened him with."
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Tarse nodded his head.
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"Deputy Allard, do you have any thoughts on the matter?"
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Allard stood behind Relan, and as Relan turned to him, he shook his head.
00:10:08
No, sir. I trust your interpretation of Captain Tarse's report.
00:10:12
"Captain Zarl, you did mention one thing that concerns me greatly,
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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 Callias, you gave me an update earlier.
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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.
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Sadly, the word from Harvest House is that there was an attempt on
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Polo's life, and the assassin was a Guildmaster Blade.
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The assassin was taken to their guild prison.
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As voices raised, Callias held up his hand.
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Yes, this is a lie.
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I believe that Mela was captured in her attempt to warn Polo.
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The Guildmaster is using her capture to illustrate his strength.
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Not even a Guild Blade can reach him.
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Relan had heard the report earlier, but his heart still fell.
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He missed Mela's sharp tongue and her talent in the field, something he
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had experienced firsthand. And he had to admit, he was also
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attracted to her. She was a challenge, and that made her exciting to
00:11:26
him.
00:11:27
"Where is the guild prison?"
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Relan asked, although again, he already knew the answer.
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"It is in the mines.
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It is the most secure prison in Ness, with cells carved out of rock.
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There are no sewers or walls with passages leading to them."
00:11:45
Callias shook his head.
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"It is the one prison in Ness, um, where we have no real access."
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He looked around the room, but no other captain contradicted him.
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"Who is the captain of the mines?" Relan asked.
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No one said anything.
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"We don't have a captain in the mines. Do we have a deputy?
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Anyone?"
00:12:08
Guild Master Pietro did not consider the mines a priority.
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Allard said from behind Raylan.
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Okay, the mines are a priority now.
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Callias, the mines are under the stewardship of the Harvest Guild.
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Work with Allard and find a captain who will oversee them for the guild.
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Yes, Guild Master.
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And do what you can to find out about Maylor, if she's okay, where she's
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held, what the defenses are like.
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Yes, Guild Master.
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The room was quiet, and Raylan felt like he had done a good job.
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He had addressed the key issues, even if it had started in a way he had not
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anticipated. He would talk to each of the captains individually again before
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they left, and things did seem to be stable.
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With that in mind, Raylan decided to cut the meeting short and end
00:13:02
on a positive note.
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Raylan started to pace, only his walk was casual and
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introspective, not tense or on-edge.
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Okay, we have the unfortunate situation with Maylor, but we are addressing that.
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Larson's plot seems to have been thwarted, and to reiterate what I said before,
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things seem to be going well.
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It appears our biggest challenge is simply to remain hidden.
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We need to continue Pietro's mission, and we appear to have the luxury of
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secrecy while achieving it.
00:13:36
Raylan stopped and looked around.
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Does anyone disagree?
00:13:41
Everyone was quiet, and the only motion was the
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shaking of a few heads.
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Very well. I know I still have a lot to do to earn your respect and trust,
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but I promise you, I take this position seriously.
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I will honor all of you, and I will honor my predecessor.
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He was greater than any of us realize. I truly believe that.
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Leaning forward with his hands on the back of his chair, Raylan added.
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Thank you. You are all dismissed. There is food in the reception room.
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Let us relax there as friends.
00:14:18
Voices rose and chairs scraped across the stone floor.
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Raylan heard the words, "Good show," and smiled.
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He realized he had forgotten something, however, and raised his voice.
00:14:32
One more thing.
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The silence was immediate, and Raylan was awed by his ability to command
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the room of experienced thieves.
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Why is Rogers not here? Has anyone heard anything?
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I had heard there was a fire in the flats, and he was helping.
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Kalos, the stout captain of the Warehouse District, said.
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That is good. He is prioritizing helping others over a meeting.
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I would not have it any other way.
00:15:01
Of course. We are talking of Rogers.
00:15:03
Mio exclaimed with a smile on his face.
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When he says he is fighting fires, it probably means he is fighting a hangover.
00:15:11
(laughs)
00:15:11
The room rolled with laughter, and as the group headed down to the meats,
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cheeses, and ale of the reception, they cracked jokes about Rogers,
00:15:21
who let the minor inconvenience of a fire keep him from the first council
00:15:25
under their new guild master.
00:15:27
(dramatic music)