Captain Rogers returns to the Thieves Tower to find the leadership scattered and new faces in charge. But his reunion with Maela brings the biggest shock: she's changed, wearing enemy colors, and has a new, deadly mission.
Some secrets are worth dying for. Some are worth killing for.
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The world has abandoned magic, but magic hasn’t abandoned the world.
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No one can be trusted when nothing is real.
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00:00:00
Rogers was quickly escorted to the Thieves' Tower, with plenty of his colleagues
00:00:04
recognising him and asking about him.
00:00:07
He had been gone a long time.
00:00:10
His only extended pause was when Captain Coode rushed over to him as his horse was prepared.
00:00:16
Rogers, where in the four quarters have you been?
00:00:20
It would take me too long to tell you, my friend, but I've been practically
00:00:23
over the entire city, pulled, not entirely by my own devices,
00:00:27
from one challenge to the next.
00:00:30
How are things over the bridge? We get precious little information these days.
00:00:35
Karch is the Guildmaster merchant. Allard has been imprisoned by Polo.
00:00:39
And, well, there is just too much to explain.
00:00:43
Rogers patted the flank of his now readied horse.
00:00:46
We will need to have a meeting of the captains. Things are resolving,
00:00:49
but there is still too much uncertainty. Ah, we are aligned.
00:00:54
Guildmaster Raylan has returned from his trip to the Outlanders.
00:00:57
There is rumour he escaped their capture thanks to a beautiful woman in red.
00:01:01
Coode scratched his chin. But I am not one to traffic in rumours.
00:01:06
Talk to Raylan about a council of captains. It is long overdue.
00:01:10
I shall, my friend. Until then, my thanks to you for managing this all so well.
00:01:15
You have truly helped save Ness.
00:01:17
Coode bowed as Rogers kicked his horse and sped off. His arrival to the tower
00:01:23
was not at all what he expected.
00:01:25
First of all, the stables looked extraordinary. They were minimally used in
00:01:31
the past, with most horses kept in the old quarter, and those near the tower
00:01:36
kept in a small field outside the gate.
00:01:39
However, as Rogers rode up, they looked pristine.
00:01:44
The wood was either new or cleaned and freshly stained.
00:01:48
The smell of hay, horse sweat, and manure was strong, and filled the building
00:01:54
with a feeling of utilitarian comfort for the horses.
00:01:58
A young woman walked up to him. She was short and thin, but not frail.
00:02:04
She had long black hair that was tied in a braid down her back.
00:02:08
She was not a maiden by any stretch, but nor did she look boyish,
00:02:13
even dressed for dirty horsework.
00:02:16
She looked serious and hard, which to Roger's eye had a beauty all its own.
00:02:21
He immediately liked her.
00:02:23
You are a stable girl. I'm the stable master.
00:02:28
She immediately frowned and looked annoyed. And you are presumably a Harvest Guild captain.
00:02:35
She looked him up and down as he dismounted. I am Captain Rogers,
00:02:39
the Guild Captain of the Lower Quarter.
00:02:41
The woman's face immediately transitioned into a softer face of a bashed shock.
00:02:47
I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean any disrespect.
00:02:52
None taken, if this is your doing. Rogers waved around the stables.
00:02:57
If so, you have earned your confidence in dealing with others.
00:03:00
He handed the reins to the girl. But what is your name? Bryn, sir.
00:03:06
She nodded her head. This is my work.
00:03:10
It is nice to meet you, Bryn. And no more of this, sir, nonsense.
00:03:14
I shall consider you captain of the stables and appear. You are clearly accomplished.
00:03:19
Don't call me sir or captain. Please, just call me Rogers.
00:03:25
Thank you, sir. Er, Rogers. I hear the guildmaster has returned.
00:03:33
Alas, he has left on a new mission to the upper quarter with Rebecca.
00:03:39
Rebecca? She's an outlander. Bryn leaned forward. I don't trust her, Rogers.
00:03:45
Our guildmaster, however, seems enamoured with her.
00:03:50
Rogers smiled. He's young and needs guidance. We can address that.
00:03:55
Thank you for your honesty. What about his friend Rafe?
00:03:58
He has left for the outlander's city.
00:04:02
By the gods, what's going on? Our leadership spends more time with the Outlanders than our own city.
00:04:08
Rogers looked at Bryn, but was clearly more talking to himself.
00:04:13
Do they not realise all the problems we face on the other side of the river? I know not.
00:04:19
No Guildmaster, no Deputy Guildmaster, and no whatever Rafe is.
00:04:24
Is there anyone here I can report to?
00:04:27
Phelos is here, as is Mailer.
00:04:31
Mailer will be helpful. Why is Phelos not with the Guildmaster?
00:04:35
It appears he wanted to do a stealth mission with Rebecca.
00:04:39
That boy will be the downfall of the Guild. I don't know what Allard sees in
00:04:43
him, and now he's off sneaking away with his love interest. Love interest?
00:04:49
Use your eyes, Bryn. At least Mailer is here. She has a practical mind.
00:04:55
Rogers turned to leave, but quickly turned back. Thank you, Stablemaster.
00:05:00
You are welcome, Captain.
00:05:03
And with a smile, Rogers left to see Mailer.
00:05:07
Philos intercepted Rogers as he made his way up the wide stairs of the tower.
00:05:12
Rogers, everyone has been wondering what's up with you.
00:05:16
Philos grabbed Rogers' forearm as Rogers grabbed his,
00:05:20
a traditional greeting that was almost exclusively used by thieves,
00:05:25
no one knew its origin, and it was rarely used lest it reveal the Guild,
00:05:30
but it was a part of the Guild culture, nonetheless.
00:05:34
Let me just say I've travelled more over the past few weeks than I had my entire
00:05:38
life. The story is long. Come with me as I visit with Mailer.
00:05:43
Philos looked Rogers over. You perhaps need food first. You look rough.
00:05:50
Rogers nodded. I'm fine. Philos gave him a sceptical look.
00:05:56
Yes, I will indeed need rest and food soon enough, but let me check in with Mailer first.
00:06:01
Ah, she will be interested in your report. She is on the third floor,
00:06:05
down the hall on the left. Thank you, old friend.
00:06:10
Rogers was tiring of this journey and the many questions, but he was interested
00:06:15
in what Mailer had to say. He was very curious of her mission to warn Polo.
00:06:20
He had considered reaching Polo an impossible task, but she'd escaped even if she had failed.
00:06:26
The process itself would be valuable, even in failure.
00:06:31
There was one door on the left, and Rogers knocked on it.
00:06:35
The door opened to a woman who looked completely different than Rogers had expected.
00:06:40
She looked much older, more drawn. Her trademark short hair that everyone hated
00:06:45
was longer and yet just as unfashionable in its wildness.
00:06:51
But, more than anything, Mailer looked content.
00:06:56
The ever-present scowl or twist of her mouth in a sarcastic comment about to be spoken were gone.
00:07:03
Why if it isn't the missing Captain Rogers?
00:07:07
Two things then shocked Rogers. The first was that Mailer stepped forward and gave him a hug.
00:07:13
The second was that she was wearing Harvest Guild colours.
00:07:17
You seem a bit different. As do you. It appears we have a lot to talk about. Come in.
00:07:23
Mailer waved Rogers into her quarters and he entered.
00:07:27
The single door hid a large apartment with many rooms, all of which looked simple but clean.
00:07:35
The hearth of the fireplace was empty, filled instead with a single dried flower,
00:07:40
in an ornate and thin vase.
00:07:43
It appears we are both Harvest Guild members. Mela walked over to a table with a pitcher of water on it.
00:07:49
As Rogers sat down, she walked through the door to an adjoining room.
00:07:54
I am about to depart on a mission.
00:07:57
Mela re-entered with a glass.
00:07:59
Perhaps I can help. Polo has named me Captain of the Lower Quarter.
00:08:03
Mailer paused in her pouring of water to stare at Rogers. How did that happen?
00:08:09
As Mailer sat down and pulled her chair close, Rogers outlined his long story,
00:08:16
from his defence of the pit, to his mission with Velo, to his new role as captain
00:08:21
and his instruction to meet with the Thieves Guild.
00:08:25
By the gods! So the Captain Rogers mentioned in Polo's letter to Raelynn really is you.
00:08:31
Rogers smiled and nodded. And Karch named you Captain as well.
00:08:36
Rogers smiled and shrugged. I'm disappointed, Rogers.
00:08:40
Mailer smiled widely. You haven't been named the Captain of the Craft or Knights Guild.
00:08:46
Give me time. Mailer laughed and then outlined her own story,
00:08:50
which shocked Rogers at every turn. and this Prosper can do magic.
00:08:55
Dala and he are apparently assessing how much magic he will need to do to clear
00:08:59
Dragon Road under the mountain as we speak.
00:09:02
And what of Raelynn? I hear he's gone off with his girlfriend on an adventure,
00:09:06
probably to woo her at the Golden Triangle.
00:09:09
Mailer gave Rogers a stern glance. What do you know of Raelynn?
00:09:15
Rogers paused. The truth was that he didn't know much at all.
00:09:20
Apparently not as much as you. He is wiser than his years. His heart is good.
00:09:26
He is brave, and his decisions have meaningfully made managing this horrible situation better.
00:09:32
Rogers couldn't help but look shocked. I know, Allard vouched for him to me,
00:09:37
but I had to see him work myself, and the truth is that without his efforts,
00:09:42
Allard would still be imprisoned under the night tower.
00:09:45
His plan was sound, and he was willing to sacrifice himself to free Allard.
00:09:50
The mention of Allard made the mood grim. Rogers had outlined his final meeting with Allard,
00:09:57
the last stand at the pit, and Mailer explained that Allard had died after attempting
00:10:03
to escape after Polo imprisoned him.
00:10:06
Mailer tugged at her yellow tunic. That's my mission, which begins shortly.
00:10:12
And what mission is that? I'm going to assassinate Polo.
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