Short Story: Empire Island

The four of them sat around a table in a private room at the rear of the inn. Ralan talked mostly to Raef as they ate a late breakfast, while Maela described to Alard the parts of the escape that he didn’t know.
Ralan couldn’t help but listen as Maela described the various people she enlisted for the plan and how she had plotted out various scenarios. To his shock, what seemed like a chaotic run for freedom was almost entirely organized by Maela.
She had known that there was an entrance to the sewers in the basement of the Merchant Tower. She had organized their walk through the Flats—in broad daylight no less—by having others distract the knights and merchant guards. The help in the kitchens, the horses, even the mass of people who would

end up escorting Ralan across the Great Bridge—it was all part of Maela’s plan, which she hastily put together as Ralan waited in the tunnel into the sewers.
“Okay, it is time for us to make immediate plans.” Alard’s hood was tossed back, and while he didn’t look his normal ominous self, his face was serious.

“Guildmaster,” he turned to Ralan. “I recommend that you establish yourself in the Thieves Tower. You need to get to know the Captains and all of the complexities of your new position.”
Ralan nodded. “That sounds wise, but will I be safe there? I am still uncertain that my brother doesn’t want me dead.”
“Oh, he wants you dead,” Maela replied. “But you are very safe in the Tower. Anyone coming for you would have to get through the whole Quarter.” Ralan nodded. The fact that his brother wanted him dead didn’t surprise him, but it was still disheartening to hear. “Besides, you are dead to him here anyway. To those across the river, the Old Quarter is akin to living in misery, so he is perhaps gladder you are here than dead.”
“That’s comforting,” Ralan replied.
“What about me?” Raef replied. Raef was happy that it turned out that he was actually was in a real guild and not a ceremonial one, but he expressed fear to Ralan that he would have trouble fitting in. Everyone in the Old Quarter seemed to live there. Raef was an outsider, whose only claim was being friends with the

Guildmaster.
Alard smiled. “The spark that created the coming conflagration.”
“Excuse me?”
“Why without you none of this would have occurred, Raef. Larsen would already be the emperor of Ness, and we would all be helpless under his consolidated power. But you threw that tomato, and that led to a vote that changed everything.” Alard’s eyes glinted as he looked at Raef. “Everything.”
“But where does that leave me now?”
“You will be my apprentice,” Ralan interjected. Quickly turning to Alard, he asked, “I can have an apprentice?”
Alard shrugged. “You’re the Guildmaster. You can do whatever you like.”
“So there you have it. You will be my apprentice.”
“What’s that mean,” Raef asked.
“I don’t know. We’ll make it up as we go along.” Ralan tossed a piece of bread at Raef. “We’re good at that.”
“There is one outstanding item that requires your immediate attention, Guildmaster.” Alard’s voice returned to its serious tone.
“Yes?”
“Larsen has turned his attention to Polo.”
“I’m afraid I don’t know what that means, Alard. Is Polo in trouble?”
Alard rubbed his chin. “The spies have only said that—his attention has turned to Polo. It is up to us to interpret it.”
“He will be assassinated.” Maela said the words with a grim confidence. “Larsen and Saxe’s plan passes with one vote against, not two. They cannot get to Ralan, so who is the other vote?”
“Polo,” Raef whispered.
“Yes,” Alard replied. “It seems likely.”
“Does he know?” Ralan couldn’t quite believe his brother would assassinate anyone, let alone Polo. He was almost as beloved as Pietro.
“He knows he is at risk. He is in Harvest House surrounded by his most trusted men,” Maela shrugged. “That should be enough. Larsen isn’t foolish enough to attack another guild. They would have to kill him in a way that didn’t appear obvious, and with him locked up that’s impossible.”
Ralan shook his head. “Karch would see that as a challenge he’d enjoy, I bet.”
“Karch!” Maela exclaimed. Everyone looked at her. “He left on an unknown mission to the Outlanders today. I assumed it meant that Larsen was punishing him over Ralan’s escape. But what if…”
“What if what?” Ralan asked.
“What if he is going to negotiate an assassination.” Maela nodded. “Oh, that’s devious.”
“Karch is devious, but I’m not sure I understand.”
Alard frowned. “If Karch can have an assassin from the Outlands assassinate Polo, it will open the door for Larsen to take over the city while rallying the city against the Outlanders under his leadership.”
Raef replied, “I don’t get it. The Outlanders would never go for that. What do they have to gain?”
Alard looked over at Raef. “What if Larsen negotiated some kind of treaty that punished the rogue assassin while ceding the Outlanders some of the Plains?”
“The Ranger Guild would never go for that!” Ralan replied.
“They wouldn’t have a choice,” Maela replied.
“Okay, we need to send someone to warn Polo and someone to shadow Karch to the Outlands. We aren’t even sure that this is what Karch has in mind.”
“It is,” Maela stated. No one disagreed.
“Mio should be the one to shadow Karch,” Maela replied.
“Who is that?” Ralan asked.
“The Captain of the Plains,” Alard replied. Turning to Maela, he added, “We don’t have time to get a message to anyone. Karch is already on the way. I’m afraid you’ll have to do it. No one else is nearby or ready.”
“I’m not a good enough horseman, Alard. You know me. I’m good in dark corners and shadows. I walk silently. I don’t ride quickly.”
Alard’s voice took on a commanding tone. “There is no other.”
“Yes. There is.” All eyes looked at Ralan. “I’m an excellent horseman. I’m the Guildmaster of Ness. The Outlanders will have to treat me with respect. I know Karch.” Both Alard and Maela were shaking their heads, “And I’m difficult to catch!”
“It is too dangerous, Guildmaster.”
“Alard, go to the Tower. Prepare the Captains. Things are changing. We must take risks or it will be our ruin.”
“Sir—”
“It is a command, Alard. Not a request.” Alard lowered his head and didn’t say anything.
Ralan stood up. “Raef, get me the best horse within a ten minute run of here.”
The others stood up but didn’t say anything as Raef ran off. “Take this, Guildmaster.” Alard undid a sheathe on his right leg and handed it to Ralan. Ralan pulled out a long dagger from the sheathe. Alard was so tall that the dagger was more the size of a long sword to Ralan. “May you not need it.”
Ralan couldn’t read Maela’s face as he fastened the sheathe to his hip. Finally, she shook her head. “You’re either an idiot or incredibly brave. Take a guess as to which I’m leaning toward.”
Ralan couldn’t help himself and laughed.