Trust

[00:00:01] The Thieves Guild by Jake Kerr Episode 109 Trust

[00:00:23] To his shock, Captain Jessa not only didn't ask further questions, he provided an escort so that Raylan wouldn't be accosted by other rangers until he was past where they guarded.

[00:00:36] Raylan was a good rider and Callisto was an exceptional horse and the miles flew behind them.

[00:00:43] Raylan again marveled at the road. It was stone set the width of two wagons and went all the way to Goutland.

[00:00:52] Rafe had told him that the road continued through the mountain to cities on the other side. Dragon Road, Raylan thought.

[00:01:00] A craft guild marvel that once united cities. But was it the craft guild? It went through the mountain.

[00:01:09] Maybe the hard to believe magic guild created the road. The history of Ness seemed purposefully hidden for some reason.

[00:01:18] Raylan hoped that Rafe was uncovering it. It seemed important.

[00:01:23] After a short stop for rest during the night, Raylan arrived at the gates of Goutland in the morning.

[00:01:30] He galloped directly to the gate, his black cape billowing behind him, while Callisto breathed heavily from the effort.

[00:01:39] He stopped at the gate but remained on his horse. A guard approached.

[00:01:44] Guildmaster. The guard said simply.

[00:01:48] Greetings! I have important news for Lord Wilhelm. I fear I need to see him immediately.

[00:01:54] Of course.

[00:01:56] The guard waved his hand and another guard came over.

[00:02:00] Take the guildmaster's horse and provide it with food and water.

[00:02:04] Raylan bowed his head and dismounted.

[00:02:07] The second guard took Callisto, and Raylan followed the original guard to the gate.

[00:02:13] He waited a few moments while the guard went and brought someone to take him to Wilhelm.

[00:02:18] It was a young woman who looked very stern.

[00:02:21] She said very little other than, follow me.

[00:02:25] The portcullis was open, and the city looked similar to his last visit.

[00:02:31] Smaller, but full of life.

[00:02:34] Raylan wondered if he could someday stop in a Goutland tavern to just sit back and watch and listen.

[00:02:41] Maybe someday.

[00:02:43] They arrived at the seat, and Raylan once again climbed the steps.

[00:02:47] The young woman stopped at the top of the steps.

[00:02:51] We sent word. Lord Wilhelm is waiting for you.

[00:02:54] Before Raylan could reply, she turned and went back down the steps,

[00:02:59] leaving him alone before the imposing seat of the Crown of Goutland.

[00:03:05] Raylan entered.

[00:03:07] Guards peered at him but said nothing as the echoes of his leather boots stepping across the marble filled the corridor.

[00:03:14] Not knowing what else to do, Raylan simply walked straight to where he last met Lord Wilhelm.

[00:03:21] He opened the door, and Wilhelm sat alone on his throne.

[00:03:27] Two guards framing the door were the only others there.

[00:03:30] He looked thoughtful as Raylan approached.

[00:03:34] Wilhelm was in formal clothes and looked regal, his great age giving him an air of gravitas.

[00:03:40] Once again, Raylan marvelled at how the leader of the Outlanders, the brigands who raided the noble city of Ness,

[00:03:48] appeared more like a leader than any of the guildmasters he knew.

[00:03:52] And that certainly included him.

[00:03:55] Raylan glanced at his own clothing.

[00:03:57] His cloak was dusty, his face and hair were dirty.

[00:04:01] He didn't look at all like someone worthy of meeting the old and wise crown in front of him.

[00:04:07] Lord Wilhelm, it is an honour to see you again.

[00:04:11] I apologise for my appearance.

[00:04:13] I have ridden a long way at great speed.

[00:04:16] Raylan bowed.

[00:04:17] It isn't the outside that matters, young guildmaster.

[00:04:20] It is what is in here.

[00:04:23] Wilhelm tapped his chest.

[00:04:25] You are, of course, welcome here.

[00:04:29] Please, sit down.

[00:04:32] Wilhelm motioned to the two simple chairs that stood in front of his dais.

[00:04:37] Raylan sat, leaving his hands resting on his legs.

[00:04:41] He never knew how to behave when meeting authority,

[00:04:44] and he hoped that his rather stiff pose was appropriate.

[00:04:49] So, young Raylan, I must admit that I am curious what brings you to me.

[00:04:54] Wilhelm scratched his chin.

[00:04:56] And with such urgency.

[00:04:58] He leaned forward, his gaze intense and brooding.

[00:05:02] I told you not to return until you had plans on opening the trade routes.

[00:05:07] My hand in Ness tells me of your plan to weaken the knights.

[00:05:12] Wilhelm's thin mouth formed a smile.

[00:05:14] That is what I had hoped to hear.

[00:05:16] You are strengthening your own hand.

[00:05:19] Wilhelm nodded his head.

[00:05:21] Old Pietro would never be so brazen.

[00:05:23] It was to his detriment, I believe.

[00:05:26] It was odd hearing the ancient crown of Gautland describe Pietro as old.

[00:05:31] It only reinforced for Raylan that whatever Pietro had planned,

[00:05:34] he had spent decades putting the pieces in place.

[00:05:37] But what pieces could they possibly be?

[00:05:40] Even Allard didn't seem to know.

[00:05:43] Is there something else?

[00:05:45] Err, something that requires your presence here before me?

[00:05:49] Wilhelm's question brought Raylan's mind back to the present situation.

[00:05:54] Clearly the hand had arrived and delivered his message.

[00:05:58] Raylan hoped that it wasn't too late to fix things.

[00:06:01] Crown Wilhelm, I appreciate your confidence in my plan.

[00:06:05] Indeed, weakening the knights would provide me the time and distraction

[00:06:09] to remove those who would both tear Ness apart

[00:06:12] and continue to block our trade with Gautland.

[00:06:17] Wilhelm nodded approvingly.

[00:06:19] But there has been a new complication,

[00:06:22] and that is what necessitated my rushing here as I did.

[00:06:25] And what is this complication?

[00:06:29] Without my knowledge, the rangers have sided with the Harvest Guild

[00:06:32] and march on the knights.

[00:06:34] They plan on removing the current guildmaster from power

[00:06:37] and replacing him with someone more worthy.

[00:06:41] Wilhelm's eyes went wide, but he didn't say anything.

[00:06:45] My plan to have you feint with forces to the south

[00:06:48] and then do the same with a greater force near the outer fields

[00:06:51] to the north appeared good.

[00:06:54] Saks would have abandoned the politics of Ness entirely

[00:06:57] for the battle outside the wall.

[00:07:00] It was indeed a good plan, young Raylan,

[00:07:02] and I was prepared to help you.

[00:07:04] But tell me more of this complication.

[00:07:08] Your main force was to amass in the north,

[00:07:10] but that is where the rangers are launching their attack.

[00:07:13] I fear your forces will unwittingly rush into certain death.

[00:07:17] The outer fields will not just be guarded,

[00:07:19] they will be heavily fortified with nearly the entire ranger guild.

[00:07:25] Interesting.

[00:07:26] Wilhelm nodded his head as he thought.

[00:07:29] And what of the foothills to the south and the great gate?

[00:07:32] They are but lightly defended as your activity has been much less

[00:07:36] since my last visit, for which I thank you.

[00:07:40] Wilhelm waved off Raylan's compliment.

[00:07:42] It appears that my kindness has borne fruit.

[00:07:46] To Raylan's surprise, Wilhelm stood up and started pacing along his dais.

[00:07:52] I have started amassing my forces.

[00:07:54] They were to do as you requested.

[00:07:56] Move to the north, frighten the knights into action, and then retreat.

[00:08:01] Wilhelm stopped and looked at Raylan.

[00:08:04] I thank you for this information as I now have a new plan.

[00:08:08] The tone of Wilhelm's voice was ominous, and his thin smile was cruel.

[00:08:14] Raylan tried to sound strong as he replied,

[00:08:18] And what is this new plan, Crown Wilhelm?

[00:08:22] Wilhelm waved his hand,

[00:08:23] and two guards started walking toward the dais from the entry to the room.

[00:08:28] I will take the entirety of my forces and send them to attack Ness via the main gate,

[00:08:34] approaching from the southern foothills.

[00:08:37] What?

[00:08:38] Yes, it is a wonderful plan.

[00:08:40] Thanks to your guild, there are no knights manning the southern wall.

[00:08:44] We will easily overrun the rangers, as their forces will be near the outer fields.

[00:08:50] We will ford the river and enter Ness via the dragon trail.

[00:08:54] But why?

[00:08:55] You can see that things are already moving in a direction I outlined.

[00:08:59] I am making progress.

[00:09:01] Raylan stood up.

[00:09:03] This is wrong!

[00:09:04] Do not deign to lecture me on right or wrong, citizen of Ness.

[00:09:09] Wilhelm's voice was threatening.

[00:09:11] I cannot let this happen.

[00:09:14] Raylan turned to leave.

[00:09:16] Pray tell how will you stop me?

[00:09:18] The guards stopped one on each side of Raylan.

[00:09:21] The fact is you cannot.

[00:09:24] Wilhelm sighed.

[00:09:25] I do like you, young guildmaster.

[00:09:27] You are full of the same earnest enthusiasm that made me like Pietro.

[00:09:32] Wilhelm nodded, and each guard grabbed one of Raylan's arms, holding him with grips of iron.

[00:09:39] For that reason I will not have you killed.

[00:09:42] Perhaps when we have control of Ness I may even offer you a place of leadership.

[00:09:47] But before that happens, I believe you will need to learn some bitterness.

[00:09:53] You can't do this, Wilhelm.

[00:09:55] We can achieve your goals without bloodshed and with a supportive populace.

[00:10:00] There you go with your delightful naivete again.

[00:10:03] Wilhelm turned and said, his back to Raylan and the guards,

[00:10:08] Take him to the dungeon.

[00:10:09] Raylan knew better than to fight.

[00:10:12] Even if he evaded their grip, where could he go?

[00:10:15] He was trying to think of something that would make Wilhelm reconsider

[00:10:19] when the old crown of Gautland suddenly turned around.

[00:10:24] Looking directly at Raylan, he asked,

[00:10:27] Do you know the one mistake Pietro never made but which you must learn?

[00:10:32] Raylan shook his head.

[00:10:34] He never trusted me.

[00:10:36] I doubt he trusted anyone.

[00:10:39] You would do well to ponder that as you sit in darkness.

[00:10:44] And without further comment, Raylan was dragged out of the throne room of the crown of Gautland,

[00:10:51] leaving a smiling Wilhelm behind.