The Apprentice

[00:00:00] The Thieves Guild by Jake Kerr Episode 85 The Apprentice

[00:00:18] Larson couldn't find the little wretch and was getting annoyed.

[00:00:27] He had put up with more from Kerris than he had ever handled before,

[00:00:31] solely in the interest of keeping Orion happy.

[00:00:35] But now with Orion about to be removed from the picture,

[00:00:39] his annoying nephew could be dealt with.

[00:00:42] Frustrated, he grabbed a guard by the arm.

[00:00:45] Where is Kerris?

[00:00:47] He asked brusquely.

[00:00:49] The guard turned with a scowl, which instantly turned to fear as she saw who it was.

[00:00:55] Guildmaster!

[00:00:57] She bowed her head.

[00:00:59] He was disciplining the captain of the gate, sir.

[00:01:01] What? Why?

[00:01:03] Larson knew.

[00:01:05] He was supporting his position as assistant guildmaster

[00:01:08] and ordering people around for no reason than the joy and the power.

[00:01:12] It made Larson sick.

[00:01:15] I know not, sir.

[00:01:17] Shaking his head, Larson muttered,

[00:01:20] Why would he distract the captain of the gate when we are in a state of war?

[00:01:24] He is needed there.

[00:01:26] Turning his attention to the guard, he snapped.

[00:01:29] Bring him to my office now.

[00:01:31] Yes, sir.

[00:01:32] It was a full hour later when Kerris strode into Larson's office,

[00:01:35] an arrogant smile on his face.

[00:01:37] Larson stared at some papers on his desk,

[00:01:40] and in his most intimidating voice, and without looking up, said,

[00:01:44] Sit down.

[00:01:46] Kerris sat down but didn't say anything.

[00:01:49] After a delay that Larson felt was long enough to let Kerris know that his time belonged to Larson,

[00:01:56] the guildmaster looked up while pushing the paper aside.

[00:02:00] I'm going to give you an opportunity that you don't deserve.

[00:02:03] Larson said, his voice emotionless.

[00:02:06] Yeah? What's that?

[00:02:08] Kerris was lounging in the chair, slouched to the side and looking at Larson with his head tilted.

[00:02:15] He looked as if he was entertained and was simply waiting to hear what kind of foolishness Larson was going to say next.

[00:02:23] Let me outline your accomplishments first.

[00:02:26] Larson said through clenched teeth.

[00:02:28] His instincts were to just kill the boy,

[00:02:31] but he didn't want to do anything until he confirmed Orion was dead.

[00:02:36] Instead, he'd send Kerris off on a mission where he would do no harm,

[00:02:41] or, just as likely, die.

[00:02:45] You have angered the guildguards with your disdain for the rules.

[00:02:49] You have angered every one of my captains with your disregard for their authority.

[00:02:53] You have the entire guild talking of your impertinence,

[00:02:55] and you have angered my deputy guildmaster with your disrespect.

[00:02:59] Kerris shrugged.

[00:03:00] I'm the assistant guildmaster. They should respect me.

[00:03:04] The boy's arrogance triggered Larson's temper.

[00:03:07] Listen, whelp. You are here for one reason and one reason alone, as a favour to your uncle.

[00:03:12] You are a useless little piece of refuse,

[00:03:14] whose luck is solely due to being shut out close enough to the river

[00:03:18] so that it can pretend it's a ship as it floats along the waves.

[00:03:23] Kerris clapped his hands slowly.

[00:03:25] That's an amusing image. Did you just come up with it now, or have you used it on others?

[00:03:31] Larson took a deep breath.

[00:03:33] He realised that the boy's arrogance was so absurd

[00:03:37] that he didn't realise who he was dealing with.

[00:03:40] His options were to simply jail him,

[00:03:42] or find a new way to redirect his troublesome nature.

[00:03:47] Still unsure of how the Orion scenario would play out,

[00:03:51] Larson decided to go with the route that seemed the most likely to succeed.

[00:03:56] So you want to prove yourself? You feel like your authority rivals mine?

[00:04:00] Kerris shrugged while not moving from his casual position on the chair.

[00:04:05] Fine. I have been friends with your uncle for a long time.

[00:04:08] Perhaps I owe him a chance for you to prove your abilities with real authority.

[00:04:12] It was a lie, of course, but Kerris straightened up in his chair, looking curious.

[00:04:19] I'm not going to be Captain of the Money Counters!

[00:04:22] Larson stared at him. He didn't know which was worse,

[00:04:26] the boy's lack of appreciation for the importance and difficulty of that job,

[00:04:31] or the boy's telling Larson which job he would, or would not take.

[00:04:36] Shaking his head, Larson forced a smile.

[00:04:39] No, I am not going to name you Captain of the Money Counters.

[00:04:43] I have a much more important job for you, one related to the ongoing mission with your uncle.

[00:04:48] Of course, Orion had recently outlined his concern over Larson's strategy,

[00:04:54] but he doubted Kerris was aware of that.

[00:04:57] Go on!

[00:04:59] By the gods, Larson hated the boy's arrogance.

[00:05:02] Taking another breath, he outlined his plan.

[00:05:06] As you are aware, your uncle and I are consolidating our power over Ness.

[00:05:09] This involves us creating suffering among the Harvest Guild members,

[00:05:13] for which they will blame Polo.

[00:05:15] They will then remove Polo, and our path to ruling Ness will be secure.

[00:05:20] Kerris nodded.

[00:05:22] This is my uncle's plan?

[00:05:24] It is our plan. We will rule Ness together.

[00:05:27] Larson slapped his hand on his desk impatiently.

[00:05:31] But you know this, you are here as a sign of our friendship.

[00:05:35] His temper rising again, Larson spoke through clenched teeth.

[00:05:40] As I noted, you have abused the kindness I have shown Orion, but...

[00:05:44] Larson held up his hand.

[00:05:46] I have a way that will allow you to not only contribute to your uncle's plan,

[00:05:50] but to do so while earning the respect of the entire city.

[00:05:53] Larson forced a smile.

[00:05:56] You may even be called a hero.

[00:05:58] And what is this heroic job?

[00:06:01] The tone of Kerris' voice was the last straw.

[00:06:04] Larson's anger had reached the point where he was eerily calm.

[00:06:08] He moved with an exaggerated slowness as he spread his hands on his desk.

[00:06:13] He stared at Kerris who smiled his arrogant smile as he returned the stare.

[00:06:18] It is simple.

[00:06:20] You will travel across Traders Bridge to the inner fields.

[00:06:23] You will examine the intentions of Polo's guards.

[00:06:25] Are they organizing?

[00:06:27] Are they planning on attacking us over Traders Bridge?

[00:06:30] You will then return to me and let me know what you find.

[00:06:33] Larson leaned forward as if daring Kerris to turn down the mission.

[00:06:38] Simple.

[00:06:39] My family is well known in the upper triangle.

[00:06:42] It would be difficult for me to disguise myself.

[00:06:45] Who said anything about a disguise?

[00:06:47] Have you lost your mind?

[00:06:50] Kerris stood up and to Larson's shock he looked angry.

[00:06:54] Pointing behind Larson, Kerris continued.

[00:06:57] Look out on the city!

[00:06:58] Do you see the results of your idiotic plan?

[00:07:01] What are you doing?

[00:07:02] Larson exclaimed as Kerris marched around Larson's desk.

[00:07:07] Grabbing his knife, Larson watched as Kerris ignored him

[00:07:11] and strode over to the large plate glass window behind Larson's desk.

[00:07:15] It overlooked the lower quarter.

[00:07:18] Fires! Battles! Refugees! Who in their right mind thought this was a good plan?

[00:07:24] Larson clenched the knife in his hand and stood up.

[00:07:28] Your uncle.

[00:07:29] My uncle?

[00:07:30] Kerris spun around and looked at Larson.

[00:07:33] This is all you're doing, Larson.

[00:07:35] Kerris shook his head.

[00:07:37] The inner fields? Have you lost your wits?

[00:07:40] The moment I'm recognised the Harvest Guild will hang me from a tree.

[00:07:44] Larson approached Kerris, not quite sure if he would stab him right there

[00:07:49] or have the boy dispatched deep into the Guild prison.

[00:07:53] Your cowardice does not become you.

[00:07:56] The Guild members know why they are being driven off.

[00:07:59] Their Guild Master betrayed them.

[00:08:01] They have no issue with me.

[00:08:03] Larson was about to give his ultimatum.

[00:08:06] Take the mission to the inner fields or die in the dungeon.

[00:08:10] But before he could say anything, Kerris pushed past Larson

[00:08:14] and took a step toward the door.

[00:08:17] He paused however and turned.

[00:08:19] I will not hang Guild Master.

[00:08:21] Larson sighed.

[00:08:22] The relentless arrogance and annoyance of Kerris had sapped all his anger.

[00:08:27] Torture and death in the dungeon it would be.

[00:08:30] No, but I'm sure you were going to inform me.

[00:08:33] Because I will be Guild Master and fix your mistakes.

[00:08:36] And with the suddenness and violence that Larson could not have predicted,

[00:08:41] Kerris took a step and planted a half-baked sword into Kerris's head.

[00:08:46] As he was about to say something,

[00:08:48] Kerris took a step and planted a hard high kick

[00:08:52] directly into the center of Larson's chest.

[00:08:55] Larson flew backward.

[00:08:57] As he spun his arms, Larson slammed into the window,

[00:09:00] which shattered behind him.

[00:09:02] His momentum carried him through the window

[00:09:05] and then down a long fall

[00:09:07] that ended on the smooth hard cobblestones below.