Two Prisoners

[00:00:01] The Thieves Guild by Jake Kerr Episode 113 Prisoners, The First Prisoner

[00:00:26] Allard awoke on his side and as he attempted to pull himself up he grimaced in pain. Everything was dark. It was darker than dark. Pitch black.

[00:00:37] The pain was intense as Allard pushed up with his arm and slowly sat awkwardly. Everything hurt. And Allard wondered how grievously he was wounded.

[00:00:50] He was beaten into unconsciousness, but there was no saying how much more damage was done while the beating had continued.

[00:00:58] He did an assessment starting with his feet. He was barefoot, but his feet were just bruised, probably from a few random kicks.

[00:01:09] His legs were covered in what felt like burlap. Each touch caused him to wince. He touched his knee and let out a small grunt of pain.

[00:01:19] It was dislocated. A voice from off to Allard's right said, Allard reflexively pulled himself into a defensive posture, but all it did was rack him with so much pain he became nauseated.

[00:01:34] Your knee. It was dislocated. I put it back in place.

[00:01:39] Who are you? was all that Allard could get out as he held his body steady to avoid any more stabs of pain.

[00:01:46] Ah, thank you would be nice.

[00:01:49] Thank you. Now, who are you?

[00:01:53] Better. I'm Alexio.

[00:01:55] He paused and then added,

[00:01:57] You're Allard, aren't you?

[00:01:58] I am.

[00:02:00] No wonder they beat you so badly. There's nothing broken, by the way.

[00:02:03] I don't think they were trying to break any bones, but I don't think they were trying not to break any bones.

[00:02:09] If you get my meaning.

[00:02:11] Allard ignored the response.

[00:02:14] Where am I?

[00:02:15] Your eyes are swollen shut, by the way.

[00:02:18] Allard reached up and felt his face.

[00:02:20] His lips were split open in multiple places, but the blood had dried.

[00:02:25] He also suddenly noticed that he was missing a few teeth.

[00:02:29] As his fingers touched his eyes, he winced again.

[00:02:33] Alexio was right.

[00:02:34] Both his eyes were shut tight behind badly swollen tissue.

[00:02:40] Alexio, I appreciate your updates on my health, but it would be helpful if you let me know where I am.

[00:02:45] I don't know.

[00:02:46] What do you mean you don't know?

[00:02:48] I woke up the same way you did.

[00:02:50] Beat to near death and dumped here.

[00:02:52] I think we're somewhere in the mines, but that's just a guess.

[00:02:56] We could be in some cell under Harvest House.

[00:02:59] So the Harvest Guild has us?

[00:03:01] Aye.

[00:03:01] Then it's the mines.

[00:03:03] Polo is too smart to imprison me within the city.

[00:03:06] If you say so.

[00:03:08] Is there water?

[00:03:09] Allard asked, realising that he was weak not just from the beating.

[00:03:14] He must not have eaten or had a drink in many hours.

[00:03:18] There was a shuffling sound, then a clink, and then soft padded footsteps.

[00:03:24] Alexio's voice came from directly in front of Allard.

[00:03:28] Hold out your hand.

[00:03:29] Allard held out his hand, and a tin cup was placed in his palm.

[00:03:34] Allard drank, the pain of the cool metal against his split lip,

[00:03:39] well worth the refreshing water that quenched his thirst.

[00:03:42] So, my friend, what brings you to this hole?

[00:03:45] Allard didn't know who Alexio was, but he was fairly certain that his future depended on having him as an ally.

[00:03:52] Mercy.

[00:03:53] Mercy brought you here?

[00:03:55] Indeed.

[00:03:56] I was certain of my date with death.

[00:03:58] But as I said, I was beaten and awoke here.

[00:04:02] And what was your crime?

[00:04:04] Allard wondered if Alexio was an outlander,

[00:04:07] or perhaps a merchant guild member who had cheated a harvest guild member or something similar.

[00:04:13] He knew that Alexio wasn't a thief, or he would have known who Allard was immediately,

[00:04:19] and treated him with more respect.

[00:04:21] I killed Polo.

[00:04:23] Allard jerked his body up, the pain ignored, as he tried to look at Alexio through his swollen face.

[00:04:30] Impossible.

[00:04:31] Apparently not.

[00:04:33] Alexio replied with a laugh.

[00:04:35] Polo was isolated.

[00:04:37] In Harvest House, it is impossible to reach him there.

[00:04:40] Apparently not.

[00:04:41] Alexio repeated, again with a laugh.

[00:04:45] How?

[00:04:45] Allard asked, refusing to believe what Alexio had said.

[00:04:50] Polo's death was not only impossible, it would create chaos within Ness.

[00:04:56] I usually would not answer out of professional discretion.

[00:05:00] But it doesn't look like I'll be leaving this cell any time soon.

[00:05:04] So why not tell you?

[00:05:05] It was poison.

[00:05:08] Allard took the news in.

[00:05:10] Of all the ways to assassinate Polo, poison actually seemed like the most doable.

[00:05:16] There were layers of people Alexio would have had to get past.

[00:05:19] But it was much more doable than getting past his guards and reaching Polo in his quarters.

[00:05:26] Why?

[00:05:28] Because my guildmaster told me to.

[00:05:30] Allard nodded, which Alexio must have seen, as he stated.

[00:05:36] Yes.

[00:05:37] I am a blade.

[00:05:38] The blade of the Merchant Guild.

[00:05:41] Before Allard could comment, Alexio added.

[00:05:44] I obviously don't need to explain to you why the guildmaster wanted him dead.

[00:05:50] Larson or Keris.

[00:05:52] It was annoying Allard that all he was doing was asking questions.

[00:05:56] But he had little to go on, and at least Alexio was answering them.

[00:06:01] Yes.

[00:06:03] I see.

[00:06:04] With nothing to lose, Allard decided to be blunt.

[00:06:07] And your guildmaster wants you to kill me as well?

[00:06:10] He does.

[00:06:12] And yet I'm alive.

[00:06:14] Well, you may be useful in helping me escape.

[00:06:18] I see. And after you escape?

[00:06:20] I haven't decided.

[00:06:22] Alexio laughed.

[00:06:23] Kill you.

[00:06:25] Throw a party for you.

[00:06:27] Imprison you.

[00:06:28] Join you.

[00:06:29] Who knows?

[00:06:30] I'll make up my mind later.

[00:06:32] First we have to escape.

[00:06:35] How difficult will it be to escape?

[00:06:37] Allard asked, figuring he too could make up his mind later on how to deal with his would-be assassin.

[00:06:44] More difficult than killing Polo.

[00:06:47] The second prisoner.

[00:06:49] Prisoner.

[00:06:50] The door slowly closed behind Raylan and was followed by the scratch of a key and a click.

[00:06:56] Just for amusement, Raylan checked the door.

[00:06:59] It was locked with no way to unlock it on his side.

[00:07:03] That was of course expected.

[00:07:06] What Raylan didn't expect was the prison that surrounded him.

[00:07:10] It was a room larger than his guildmaster quarters back in Ness.

[00:07:15] As he walked down the centre of the room, he was further shocked.

[00:07:20] While not as luxurious as his guildmaster quarters, it was close.

[00:07:25] In the rear was a large bed with bedposts and a canopy.

[00:07:29] It was almost too royal for Raylan's comfort.

[00:07:32] Along the wall with the door were shelves with knick-knacks and on the wall were landscape paintings of fields, one of a river, and a majestic piece of goutland.

[00:07:45] The walls were stone, as was the floor, but the floor was covered with thick rugs.

[00:07:51] The rugs were soft but faded and threadbare in places.

[00:07:55] To his left as he faced the bed was a large opening to another room.

[00:08:00] To his right was a large empty fireplace.

[00:08:04] To his shock there were fireplace tongs, which he could easily use as a weapon.

[00:08:10] What is this?

[00:08:11] Raylan thought.

[00:08:12] It's like I'm a guest, not a prisoner.

[00:08:14] The nightstands next to the bed were covered with dust.

[00:08:19] In fact, everything was covered in dust, including the bed covers.

[00:08:24] The room hadn't been disturbed in a very long time.

[00:08:28] Walking through the arch and into the adjoining room, Raylan smiled.

[00:08:34] Rafe would consider this an escape, not a prison.

[00:08:38] He was surrounded by books.

[00:08:40] From floor to ceiling, the shelves were filled with bound volumes.

[00:08:45] They covered every wall.

[00:08:48] In the centre of the room was a dark wooden desk, so dark that Raylan didn't think that the wood was real.

[00:08:56] A quill and an empty inkwell were all that occupied it.

[00:09:01] Opening one of the books, Raylan was surprised to see that it wasn't like the books he saw in Ness, with elegant words in straight lines.

[00:09:10] The contents of the book looked handwritten and, in some ways, rushed.

[00:09:16] He gently put the book back and looked at another one.

[00:09:20] He found the same thing.

[00:09:23] He had just returned a third book with the same scrawl, all of which seemed to be by the same hand when he heard a click and the door to his prison opening.

[00:09:35] Raylan walked out to be greeted by a familiar face.

[00:09:37] Joseph, Lord Wilhelm II.

[00:09:40] He stood rigidly, with his arms behind his back.

[00:09:44] The door behind him was open, and he had no guard.

[00:09:49] Clearly the outlanders didn't think Raylan would be foolish enough to try to escape.

[00:09:54] Even if he got outside the city, how would he return to Ness?

[00:10:00] Gilmaster, it is a pleasure to meet you again.

[00:10:03] Joseph bowed, and Raylan nodded his head, which seemed like the right thing to do, but he was unsure of the outlander customs.

[00:10:12] I wish I could say the same, Joseph, but it appears that I am imprisoned.

[00:10:16] Joseph brought his hands forward and waved them in denial.

[00:10:21] Imprisoned is perhaps too strong a term. Do you not like your quarters?

[00:10:24] My cell appears comfortable, Raylan replied, presenting as stern a countenance as he could muster.

[00:10:32] Er, yes, be that as it may, I am glad you are comfortable. I am here to provide you with some guidance.

[00:10:40] His hands returned to being clasped behind his back.

[00:10:44] You will be served food and drink in the morning, midday, and evening.

[00:10:48] You are free to talk to the guards that bring your food, but they will not answer or reply.

[00:10:53] Have you considered that I could perhaps engage their interest and convince them to free me over time?

[00:10:59] Raylan smiled. It was a performance, of course, but he enjoyed taunting the uptight outlander second.

[00:11:06] I have not considered that, as we have cut their tongues out.

[00:11:11] Joseph then added,

[00:11:12] But you are certainly welcome to try.

[00:11:15] The words were spoken with such nonchalance that Raylan couldn't discount them as Joseph attempting to shock him.

[00:11:22] Were the outlanders so vicious that they removed the tongues of prison guards?

[00:11:28] Shaken a bit, Raylan simply nodded in reply.

[00:11:32] You may partake in whatever pursuit you desire.

[00:11:36] Simply ask the guard. They can hear, of course.

[00:11:39] We do respect your position, Guildmaster.

[00:11:41] If you desire a man or woman for company, it can be provided,

[00:11:44] but it will only be for one evening and never the same person.

[00:11:48] Raylan was going to reply that it wouldn't be necessary, but instead he decided to push Joseph.

[00:11:54] And will their tongues be cut out? That would limit their usefulness, no?

[00:12:00] Joseph replied, and again his casual cruelty left Raylan speechless.

[00:12:06] I want to be clear, Guildmaster. Yes, you are imprisoned here,

[00:12:09] but we respect you and your guild. We want you to be comfortable and not suffer.

[00:12:14] Do you have any questions?

[00:12:16] How long will I be imprisoned?

[00:12:18] Raylan assumed the answer would be forever,

[00:12:21] but he was shocked when Joseph thought for a moment before answering.

[00:12:26] That is, of course, up to the crown,

[00:12:28] but I would say that it will depend on how our attack on Ness goes.

[00:12:33] If successful, you may be useful as a servant to Lord Wilhelm there.

[00:12:37] If not, you may be useful to limit the damage.

[00:12:40] But what that means, I know not.

[00:12:43] It is possible that your use to us ended with your inability to open the trade route.

[00:12:48] And in that case, you will never see sunlight again.

[00:12:53] The comment from Joseph made Raylan realise that the room had no windows.

[00:12:58] Perhaps it truly was a prison, converted into a room.

[00:13:02] It was all such an odd arrangement.

[00:13:05] Without thinking, Raylan muttered,

[00:13:07] What is this room? The room?

[00:13:11] Realising he could simply ask Joseph, Raylan decided to do so.

[00:13:15] Yes, this room.

[00:13:18] Someone lived here, but clearly very long ago.

[00:13:21] It is a prison, yet there are beautiful paintings on the wall,

[00:13:25] and someone filled dozens of volumes with writing at a lonely desk.

[00:13:30] This room was Pietro's cell for many, many years,

[00:13:34] but that was before my time and before he was released.

[00:13:38] He presumably spent the entire time filling pages with his writing.

[00:13:43] Joseph shrugged.

[00:13:45] He is still referred to as the scribe by the older guards

[00:13:49] who heard stories from their parents about Pietro's time here.

[00:13:52] Pietro was young then, and there is no one left alive from that time.

[00:13:57] Pietro was imprisoned here.

[00:13:59] Raylan couldn't hide his shock.

[00:14:01] Joseph shook his head.

[00:14:03] You really do know nothing of the world you live in.

[00:14:06] Do you, Guildmaster?

[00:14:08] And with a crisp nod of his head, Joseph turned and exited the room,

[00:14:14] locking the door behind him.

[00:14:15] you can see a word from the E密'ae in the Dine in the view which you noticed.

[00:14:16] And Joseph's present at the Pico to the Pico.

[00:14:16] You've also seen that Upper and Pico to the Pico is a compressed shot.