A Walk in the Park

0:00The Thieves' Guild. Written by Jake Kerr. Chapter 26. A walk in the park. Besper looked down at the blood pooling around Rodgers' body. In the past, he would have been satisfied with a job completed well. There was a surprise attack and the attacker lay dead. There was a pleasing aspect to that kind of resolution. But in this moment, Besper felt disappointment over an opportunity lost. He had not lied, he knew of Rodgers, he had done his research on the politics of the guilds to prepare for his position, and the guild vote naturally came up, and that vote centered around two people, Besper and Rodgers. Rodgers was a true hero and he was a legitimate force in the Thieves' Guild, perhaps one of the best thieves of all time.

1:06He had been a captain of the merchant guild and the harvest guild. Polo even trusted him. Quinto knew of him and respected him. As a thief, Besper couldn't think of anyone more accomplished. He lifted the rug up with his shoe so that Rodgers' blood wouldn't stain it. Brettle. Before he had taken two breaths she stood by his side, she looked down at Rodgers' body. Are you sure you even need me at all, sir? It was a rare bit of humor from his guard, Besper laughed. I need you more than you know. Here's the thing. I need to know if Rodgers' here was sent by Polo to kill me or if he was acting on his own. I strongly believe it's the latter, but I need to know if it's the former. So I will be needing to send a message to Pete. Brettle knew that Pete was his blade. In fact, she and Odo were the only other ones that knew. She bowed her head in acknowledgement. I will have our fastest messenger at the ready.

2:07I will also need to send a message to our odd visitors, the scholar and the dwarf. If they are beyond the gate, then track them down to deliver it. It is not as critical a message, but time is a factor. Brettle bowed her head again. I will have our second fastest messenger also at the ready. Besper laughed. The presence of dead bodies seems to have infused you with a sense of humor, Brettle. Besper took a few steps back and waved at Rodgers' body. And have someone clean this up. I want the floor as clean as it was this morning, and I want this body removed to a place where it will never be found. It shall be done, sir. Besper walked around the rear of his desk. I'm going for a walk through founders' park. You will, of course, join me, so assign this work as quickly as you can. I'll meet you in the foyer. I will compose my messages when we return. Yes, sir. Besper walked down to the foyer and waited patiently as guild members came and went,

3:11ailing him with well wishes and greetings as he stood. Brettle arrived shortly later. It is done, sir. Your office should be clean within an hour. Brettle stood at attention, her hand on her sword. Let us visit the founder statue. And Besper walked out the front gate, and the brisk walk into founders' park, and to the large statue of the founders, which was made of a single block of stone. The work to get the stone to that spot, let alone the carving, was remarkable. The founder statue was the least visited and most out of the way statue in the park, despite its size. Much more popular were the individual statues of each founder, with the thieves guild statue, oddly the most popular. But Besper walked far off the main park path to the statue of the six founders, which depicted them standing in a row and overlooking founders' park. Do you ever consider the founding of Ness Brettle?

4:11I do not, sir. I'm more of a consider the here and now type of person. What I find remarkable is that they included a thief among the founders. Look at him standing at the end, his face in shadow under a hood. Why do you think that is? Brettle looked up and appeared genuinely interested in founder representations. Thieves live in the shadows, and perhaps the statue is representing that. No, I mean, why do you think they included a thief among the founders? It appears to be an odd choice, don't you think? I couldn't hazard a guess, sir. I think of that sometimes. Besper turned and walked toward the individual statues, which were surrounded by people. Come, let's pay tribute to our craft guild founder with a visit. Besper walked the park and greeted those that approached. Brettle kept an eye on everyone, and the whole experience was quite delightful. Besper realized he liked dealing with people. It was another thing he was discovering about himself from the moment Rayland freed him.

5:15They returned to the guild and, as promised, Besper's office was even cleaner than when he arrived in the morning. Every surface was dusted, and his floor was mopped to a sheen. He sat down at his desk and wrote two messages. The first was for Pete. Captain Pete, I hope you're outposted to your liking. Do not hesitate to let me know if you require anything. Navigating the upper quarter appears an exercise in luxury, but that facade hides the worst kind of rot. I care more for you avoiding the rot and hiding who you are than spending the money to achieve it. Remember that. I write to you with an adjustment to your mission. It is possible that Polo sent his own captain Rogers as his assassin and possibly his blade. I would like you to find out as quickly as possible if that is true. I will provide you with information Polo will not know. Rogers is dead.

6:15Use that information however you see fit. Vesper grabbed the wax and sealed the letter, placing it to the side. Next he wrote his letter to Rafe and Kray. Rafe, I apologise, but I must interrupt your journey no matter how far along you are. I need you to return to the Guildmaster and tell him that Rogers is dead. He attempted to assassinate me and was not successful. I know nothing more than that and will attempt to meet with the Guildmaster directly as soon as I can. But for now he needs to know this information. And I fear I am too new to the Guild and distracted by my own duties to know who else to call on. May the gods grant you speed in my request and greater speed in your delayed journey. Vesper sealed the message the same way but he placed this letter within a second folded piece of larger paper sealing the entire thing in wax. The messengers were dispatched and Vesper looked down on his shiny floor.

7:15The assassins had died on it within a year and an assassin now sat in the chair behind the desk. Vesper had perhaps the most violent office in all of Ness and he felt entirely at home. The podcast alchemy production.