Vesper's Judgment

0:00The Thieves' Guild. Written by Jake Kerr. Chapter 25. Desperate Judgment. Fespistude, which Rogers expected. What Rogers didn't expect was the short, sharp, and forceful kick up through his legs and into his groin. Rogers doubled over in the most intense pain of his life, and he had once been stabbed years earlier. Vespa picked up a blunt object, a metal statue that was a replica of the statue in Founders Park, and had a heavy square base and brought it down on the back of Rogers' head. And that was the last thing he remembered before he woke sitting on the floor with his hands tied behind his back. Vespa had turned his chair to face Rogers,

1:00and his legs were crossed. His guards stood behind him with a drawn sword and a look like all she wanted in the world was to use it. He awakened, sir. Leave us, brittle. Vespa reached over to his desk and grabbed a glass of water. Sir, he attacked you. And you secured him. It is a testament to my faith in you that I trust your binding. Now leave us. Vespa calmly took a drink from the glass of water, brittle grumbled, but she sheazed her sword and marched out, each footstep a violent blow aimed at the floor. Rogers looked up at Vespa. Vespa's visage had turned serious while Rogers was just trying to not think about his throbbing head and sore loins. He felt nauseated when he moved his head too fast. I expected your anger, Rogers. I expected you to slam your fist or even upend my desk. Those were understandable and I could forgive them. But you have betrayed the wishes of our guildmaster and betrayed the guild.

2:04Vespa leaned forward. And that is unforgivable. Rogers mind-raced. Our guild, what was the madman talking about? He was the guildmaster of the craft guild, adorning comprehension filled Vespa's face. Ah, you don't know. Of course you don't know. There was no reason for you to know. But knowing how Rayland voted, you should have been able to figure it out. The bricks were starting to lay themselves in a line in Rogers' groggy mind. Vespa was a thief. Yes, I'm a member of the thieves guild, as are you. Vespa placed his glass on his desk and nodded his head as he thought. Rogers was still grasping with the meaning of it all. Yes, it is clear now. You are a snake, perhaps more of a snake than a carch. You curried favor with Polo. And rather than used that position to help the guild, you did it to feed your ambition. Vespa looked entirely casual as he waived a dismissive hand at Rogers.

3:08But this is speculation. Explain yourself. Rogers tested his binds. They were clearly tied by an expert. They were loose enough for him to forget about the ropes, while tight enough that he couldn't manipulate them with his fingers or wrists. It was clear that Vespa knew more about Rogers than he knew about Vespa. That left little room for invention or stories that would dismiss Vespa's suspicions. And the main one was that he was a traitor. Rogers own lack of knowledge. Yes, that was the angle. I'm glad I wasn't successful as I'm glad and honored you're a thief. Rogers looked Vespa directly in the eyes. He felt it allowed lies to land more successfully. You are correct, I was angry. I was angry with Raylon as he is the type who makes rash choices that can hurt the guild. I see now that he wanted me to be the one to infiltrate closer to Polo. Yes, that was wise. But I felt by putting a stranger in the role of a guildmaster

4:09when that was a much more powerful path for the guild was foolish. Rogers' mind scrambled for more explanations. He was angry after the vote. Yes, that clouded his thinking. He could be both the confidant of Polo and the guildmaster craft. Vespa was just a stranger in the way of both ghouls. As Rogers prepared that next part of his argument, Vespa spoke. Your perception of guildmaster Raylon does not match my own. Vespa's words were direct and without accusation and Rogers was once again put on the defensive. Everyone knew that Raylon was not but a mischievous child who made rash and chaotic decisions. Certainly a few felt differently, but those were people who did so more out of respect of Allard than Raylon. It was the right moment to go on the attack Rogers decided. Of course Vespa would support Raylon. You were only saying that because he made you guildmaster. Of course you would have a biased perception of Raylon's wisdom.

5:11It was the wrong thing to say. Vespa's casualness fell away immediately. He leaned forward and Rogers could see the muscles of his jaw tighten as he prepared to speak. My understanding of Raylon is not based on his vote. It is based on his wisdom in handling someone as deadly and hopeless as me. I was a man without a future, working for a man who was as ambitious as you clearly are. Deadly and hopeless? What was Vespa saying? He was some random craft guild captain that Karch had discovered. Rogers had questions, but he decided not to speak. He had learned at least that much from L. Vespa opened a drawer in his desk and pulled out a knife. It was an odd blade, short like a knife, with a thinner blade like a stiletto. It was plain, with a simple steel guard and the leather grip. Vespa placed it on the desk. When I provided a Ryan the poison to kill the merchant guild blade, he allowed me to watch from that corner.

6:11Vespa pointed to a corner near the entrance to his office. The blade died with a Ryan mocking him. Ah, you understand who you're dealing with now. Yes, I was a Ryan's blade. Vespa picked up the knife and looked at it. Vespa was a Ryan's blade. It all started to make sense to Rogers. Was he perhaps sent to kill Raylin and was caught and turned to the thieves? The thoughts came one after another as Vespa stood up. Vespa was a deadly and valuable asset that Raylin and Allard must have nurtured. But how? Rogers looked up as Vespa stood next to him, the blade in his hand and his blue eyes looking like judgment. I know of you Rogers, you did heroic things, you helped to others. But I, perhaps alone in Ness, can see the real Rogers lurking behind that heroic facade. You are a traitor to the guild and I fear that cannot be forgiven.

7:12I will not mock you as my predecessor did as he killed the person who came to kill him. But the punishment will be the same. Vespa took a step behind Rogers and Rogers attempted to roll away and fight somehow, some way. But Vespa's fingers grabbed Rogers' hair and yanked his head back. He could feel the cold of steel, followed by a sharp burn, much less painful than the kick. But much more deadly. The podcast alchemy production.