You can't go back to those "good old days" even though you might wish to. Really, the good old days were long over the day you got chased out of Teckleville, and perhaps they were over even before that when your sister left. You hope she's doing well.

Zal isn't the only one that's gotten older. True you're still relatively young in comparison and perhaps the roguish streak hasn't quite left you yet, but her transformation and everything else that's gone on...well quite frankly it is time to start thinking about a more stable future that doesn't involve criminal endeavors.

As for being married...well you could do worse than being married to a woman who's been giving you sound advice for over a decade, even if she has been a bit manipulative at times. You'd be lying if you didn't like that quality slightly. She obviously cares about you on some level and the feeling is mutual. After all, if you didn't, you would have divorced long ago.

You grab Zal's hand, squeezing it while nodding silently. It's all you have to do to give an answer. Zal seems pretty happy with your answer and hugs you which you return.

"(Sigh) Considering I'm actually allowing myself to submit to this, I guess it's just as well I'm getting out too. I'm obviously too soft to be a crime lord anymore." You say as Zal smiles.
"Oh you're not going soft, you're just playing the odds and the odds are in favor of a better life if you get out of this game now." Zal says in an attempt to reassure you.
"I suppose. I do hope you know that this isn't going to be as easy as you believe though. Good thing we've got a lot saved up, because if we're going totally legit, we're probably going to be taking a major loss for awhile."
"I know, but I truly think this is going to be for the best in the long run."
"It's not just that though, we've got other people to think about. I mean the folks who aren't Talons aren't going to be a problem, like some of the waitresses. Even some of the Talons aren't going to be a problem. Hell, I can see someone like Vaughn being completely okay with this direction, but there are a few of the younger more ambitious members that aren't going to go along with this."
"Well that's tough shit."
"Perhaps, but they're going to be pretty mad about this and when they are, I can't say I'm going to entirely blame them. Still, we can deal with that later. Right now, priority is making this place respectable before the Klyton militia sweep."

You and Zal get back to that task at hand.

Later on in the week after the noise has died down from Klyton's most recent repressive tactics, you call a meeting to address everyone of the new changes that are going to be taking place.

It goes well for the most part, but predictably there are complaints.

"So wait, if this place is going legit, does that mean we can't fuck the merchants that come in here anymore?" A whore asks.
"You ladies can fuck anyone you want, but if you're going to be doing it here, you better be doing it for fun rather than profit. There is to be no more whoring here. If you want to pursue that line of work, you do it elsewhere. Better yet, the Klyton Kitty is hiring right now. You ladies could go there and be completely legal prostitutes at that establishment."
"What?! They wouldn't hire me and I can't compete with the bitches that hoity toity place! They're all twenty years younger, got all their teeth, magically enhanced tits, and don't have a rash on their..."
"Hey look, that's not my fucking problem! The best I can do is if any of you want jobs as waitresses, I can accommodate in that respect, but you if you want to go whore, you do it on your own time and away from this place!"

As the whores grumble, one of the more unkept employees raises their hands.

"Um, does this mean those of us who owed gambling debts don't have to work here anymore?" One of the "indentured servants" asks.
"No! You deadbeat fuckers still owe! I'm not absolving anyone of their debts and don't think I won't still enforce that! However, only part of it will be taken out of your pay. If and when you finish paying off your debt, you can either continue working here for your full pay or go on your way." You say.

Finally, there is the group that you were expecting the most trouble from.

"This a bunch of fucking bullshit." Camid exlaims.

Camid is one of the younger Crimson Talons. He's always been a bit outspoken about how things should be run, but he's more or less always complied. A few other Talons with his mindset also express their dissatisfaction.

"Which part?" You ask humoring this asshole.
"All of it. How fuck are we just going to walk away from all the money we're making and become regular blue collar bums? The working man is a sucker and this is just fucking stupid." Camid says.
"Yeah, I figured some of you would feel that way, so think of this as my retirement as head of the Crimson Talons. Camid, if you want the job you got it. If not, well I'm sure those of you who still want to go out and do illegal shit can decide who's going to run the organization. Good luck to you."
"I gotta say, I never agreed with all your decisions, but I never thought I'd see the damn day when you'd go fucking limp dick soft. What, so the Klyton militia assholes come sweep the place and you lose your damn balls?" Camid remarks.
"Pfft, he didn't lose them, he knows exactly where they are. In his old bitch of a wife's purse!" Another Talon remarks.

At this point Zalmora, Vaughn and a couple of the ex-Talons on your side begin to yell, but you calm everyone down.

"It's fine, it's fine. You done?" You ask.
"No, I'm not fucking done. This inn is a fucking Crimson Talon business! Now if you want to step down and live like some regular jerk off fine. But YOU don't get to take this with you! This is OUR place." Camid remarks.
"That's not what it says on the deed, and last time I remember I wasn't married to your ass. Look Camid, you got the damn sewers. You're gaining the bum fights, you can run whores and gambling there. Shit, you can even sell Yellow Devil again or whatever else you want, but YOU don't get this place. I was the one who scratched and worked for it. You want someplace that doesn't smell like shit and covered in slime, well you're going to have to work for it too."

At this point Camid and you are face to face and it's half expected that someone is going to go for a weapon. Camid is obviously severely tempted, but he's not quite confident enough to believe he'll survive the exchange.

"You're going to regret this." He says and then backs away slowly towards the door as likeminded folks follow.

You wave your hand away dismissively and tell your remaining people to go on with their work. You head to your office, though Zalmora and Vaughn follow you.

"I hate to say this, but I don't think Camid's going to just go away." Zalmora says.
"Yeah, I got that impression. (Sigh) This is why I didn't think this was going to just go smoothly." You say.
"Do you think we could just make a one time pay off for him to forget about us?" Vaughn asks.
"Vaughn you know damn well that isn't going to work. That fucker will just see that as weakness and start demanding payment on a weekly basis. Besides, we're already going to be losing money in the near future, I'm not parting with any more than I have to."
"Well, there's always the obvious solution." Zal suggests.
"But I thought the whole point was to get away from doing shit like that. I mean I'm with you guys on going legit, but if we start making exceptions, we're not really changing are we?" Vaughn says.
"So what are you suggesting?" You ask.
"We get the law to work for us for a change. Look, we all know Camid isn't going to be inventive enough to pick a new location to do business. He's probably going to go right back to that old location in the sewers. All I have to do is tell Gregory about the large Crimson Talon hideout there and boom. The militia takes care of our problem. Plus you know Camid, he'll probably go down fighting."
"Who's Gregory?" You ask.
"Vaughn's militia man. Got to admit, that's not a bad plan. Just...I dunno. Seems weird ratting them out like that to solve the issue." Zal remarks.
"What difference does it make as long as it gets the job done? Besides, as I said, I thought we weren't Talons anymore. There's no code of silence being broken." Vaughn remarks as Zal reluctantly agrees.

Seems that Zal hasn't quite gotten all the "rogue" out of her system despite everything she's claimed. You can certainly relate, but not so much because you're against ratting them out, but more because killing them is a more final solution to a potential problem.

You wipe out the Crimson Talons

No point in taking chances...

"I appreciate the input Vaughn, but I believe a more permanent solution is needed here." You say.
"Well okay, but how are we going to do it? Camid just left with a little more than half the old gang. Besides us three, we only got a couple guys left and honestly I don't really have confidence in them if it's going to be a knock down drag out fight."
"There are more around guns nowadays you know. Don't need to be a good fighter to just shoot someone. I acquired one myself soon after I bought the inn." You say.
"Yeah, but Camid and his group could have the same idea. Pretty sure Camid owns one and will probably acquire more for the rest of the Talons. Plus most of them are one shot weapons. If anyone misses, it's going to come down to a real fight and we're going to be out numbered."
"Well, I guess we better make sure our aim is true shouldn't we then? Look, if this is going to be a concern, we could always go get some of those repeating crossbows. They cost a damn fortune, but..."

Suddenly Zal speaks up.

"Maybe we shouldn't risk our lives on this. It would be kind of tragic to get this far only to get brought down at the finish line." Zalmora says.
"So what are you saying? You saying you want to go with Vaughn's plan now?" You ask.
"No, I'm for getting rid of them, but I just don't think we should be the ones to do the deed if we don't have to."
"Okay. So you're saying you want a hired assassin? Great. You know any? Because I sure don't."
"Yes we do. In fact you hired him already once."

You exhale deeply.

"And in order to hire THAT guy again, I'm going to have to deal with Mr. Fucking Reynolds and who knows what damn price he's going to ask for." You say.
"He was actually pretty reasonable last time." Zal remarks.
"He also didn't tell me everything last time. There's always a catch with him. In fact weren't you against dealing with him last time?"
"I was, but that was a different time under different circumstances. I mean can it hurt to even inquire?"
"No, but I wish there was another alternative."
"We could always look for Scales." Vaughn jokes in an attempt to lighten the mood.
"I don't think Scales is even alive anymore, if he was even lurking down in the sewers to begin with. I think Tom was the only one who was ever convinced of it. I mean we were in the sewers for years and never ran afoul of a supposedly territorial lizard. (Sigh) Alright, I'll go see Mr. Reynolds tomorrow and see what the price is."

The next day you walk into Mr. Reynolds' office.

As soon as you walk in, you see a strange ogrish looking creature, but much shorter than one. In fact if it wasn't for the oversized teeth and general monstrous appearance, you might mistake it for a very muscular dwarf.

You also see Henry, or at least you assume it's Henry. He hasn't changed much since the last time you saw him, though he's sporting a few scars across his face now.

Finally you see Mr. Reynolds and he certainly hasn't changed. Once again he stands up smiling at his desk.

"Well what do I owe the pleasure of this unexpected visit from the head of the infamous Crimson Talons this fine day?" Mr. Reynolds says.
"I need some people killed." You say.
"Hm, straight to business I see. Okay then, I assume there is some reason why you aren't having your own people taking care of this?"
"Let's just say, most of my so called people are the ones I want to have killed."
"Ah, an internal struggle? Interesting. Well, I'm not sure what you want me to do about it."

You haven't been here five minutes, and he's already playing mind games...

"What the hell do you think..." You start to shout, but then you stop and then calm yourself before continuing.

"Mr. Reynolds, with all due respect, I have come here asking for assistance on this matter as I once did in the past. Your son did a marvelous job last time even if... I didn't quite appreciate its thoroughness last time. I have now come to respect it much more and I would like to implement his magnificent skills again on others that would see harm to me and my business."

Mr. Reynolds listens intently and smiles.

"I'm glad to see that wisdom has come with your age. That's good. Last time our business together was less than cordial. That's okay though, I still got paid. As I said, I would love to help you again in this matter, but I'm afraid, this isn't my call this time. Last time when Henry worked for you, you insulted his work and I'm afraid, my son takes things a bit more personal than I do. He won't work for you again."
"What?! But isn't he your employee? Can't you just order him?"
"Yes, but he's also my son! Really now sir, would YOU force your son to do something he doesn't want to? Yes, business is always important, but sometimes, just sometimes family comes first. Now if Henry wants to work for you on this, I suppose we can start coming up with a price, but I don't think it's likely."

You look over to Henry who just gives you a cold glance before walking away altogether.

"I think there's your answer." Mr. Reynolds says.
"Great. So I guess you can't help me." You say.
"Well now, I wouldn't say that exactly, I still have one employee willing to cause mayhem on your behalf."

Mr. Reynolds points over to the ogre looking creature.

"And who is that?" You ask.
"Who is that? Don't you see the family resemblance? This fine gentleman is the late great Olaf's son!" Mr. Reynolds exclaims.
"The late Olaf?"
"Yes, it was a sad day when Olaf passed a few years ago. Died right here in the office in his sleep in fact. He will be missed. But anyway his son Olaf Jr. has been following in his father's large footsteps and I don't mind saying he's been doing a fine job for me and his own mother is very proud of him."

You remember that Mr. Reynolds once said Olaf was married to a halfling. You can't imagine how that birth was even possible let alone how she survived the process. It does however explain Junior's strange appearance by ogre standards. (Or any standards actually)

Mr. Reynolds goes on to explain that while Junior doesn't have the same size as his father or quickness that Henry has, he assures you that he has more than enough skill to do the job you require. However, unlike last time Mr. Reynolds asks for a thousand gold coins in advance.

It's a hell of a lot of money and you have no real certainty. You're starting to think you might have more piece of mind investing in some weapons and doing this yourself.

You hire Junior

As crazy as this is, you know Mr. Reynolds values his word. If he says Junior will wipe out all the targets, then he'll do it. There's also the fact that you haven't completely dismissed what Zal said about failing at the finish line.

You could be as prepared as possible and still get yourself killed in the battle or perhaps even Zal would get killed. You have to admit you'd be pretty upset if that occurred. Maybe you are in love after all.

So it's with a slight reluctance that you once again take Mr. Reynolds up on his offer...

"Okay, it's deal, but I'll have to come back later with the money. I also have to do a little reconnaissance so I know where exactly to have Junior go find his targets. I'll be giving you a list of names and physical descriptions as well." You say.
"Sure. Sure. Take all the preparations you need, we'll be here. And as usual, it's been a pleasure doing business with you." Mr. Reynolds says.

You return to the inn and explain the situation to Zal and Vaughn. Vaughn says it shouldn't be any problem to locate where Camid and the rest finally settle down at, though he says once again that it will most likely be the old sewer location.

"Why couldn't you get the other guy?" Zal asks.
"I told you, personal differences. I don't doubt that this ogre...or ogrfling isn't capable of doing the job. Mr. Reynolds prides himself too much on his word." You say.
"Thousand gold pieces is a lot of money."
"Yeah, well if it keeps you...I mean us safe, it's a good investment." You say.

Zalmora smiles a bit.

"Wait, were you more worried about me?" Zal asks.
"Well you are my wife. I'm not going to live like a regular jack off alone. Especially since it was your idea in the first place." You respond.
"I'll take that as a yes." Zal responds and kisses you.

You return to Mr. Reynolds' office in the next few days with the money and all the necessary information.

"Ah, quite a few of them I see. Henry really should have taken this job, he would have loved it, but there's no getting through to the boy at times. (Sigh) Anyway, yes Junior will have no problems with this. Probably can get it done tonight. Come back tomorrow and we'll have proof."

Lacking anything else to do, you head back to the inn and get back to work, which still feels weird to you. Though more than anything else your mind is preoccupied with if that ogre freak is going to be successful. You have a little anxiety that he's not going to get the job done and one of those assholes gets away only to shoot you in the back a year later just when you think everything is going good.

Zalmora senses your concern and later that night you try to find reassurance and comfort in her embrace. It helps.

The next morning you wake up and you head over to Mr. Reynolds' place. You notice a lot of Klyton militia patrolling about. You also come across a young boy with a bunch of papers shouting about a vigilante.

"Hey mister, you need to buy the paper today! It's special edition!" The boy shouts.
"What's so special about it?" You ask.
"It's a breaking story that happened just last night! Some vigilante wiped out the infamous Crimson Talons!" The boy exclaims.
"Really?"
"Yeah! My boss suddenly got the scoop in the middle of the night! Anonymous tip or something. Anyway, the details are inside!"
"I don't have any money on me right now, but I might be back to get one later."
"Okay mister, but you better hurry up, these are selling fast!"

You leave the boy and continue on your destination. When you enter Mr. Reynolds' office, he's reading the paper.

"There you are. You didn't happen to see this morning's paper did you?" Mr. Reynolds asks.
"No, but I heard what the headline is." You respond.
"Heh, yes. I thought it would be the best way to deal with this one. After Henry disposed of the Bloody Smiles, people thought there was a blood stalker lurking in the woods for years. It's amazing what people's imagination can come up with."
"Mm, the imagination is a powerful thing. So where's Junior?"
"Oh I gave him a much needed day off. He was up all night fighting crime I'm sure you're aware. He even took a bullet or two. Still, nothing serious for a strong young creature like himself. He did leave the proof of his deed, do you want to see?"
"I can only imagine what he took as proof, but what the hell, I did pay for all this."
"It's over in the chest over there."

You look over to your left and see a medium sized chest. You cautiously open it and cough a bit when a smokey smell of charred flesh hits your nose. You then see a bunch of what looks to be blackened ears. Well some of them are a little more than just blackened ears and still have some of the side of the faces attached.

"(Cough cough) Shit! What did Junior do exactly?" You ask.
"Well according to the paper it says the vigilante used a hellfire thrower to wipe out the Talon enclave, but there is also evidence that firebombs were also used." Mr. Reynolds says.
"Wait, he burned everyone?"
"Yes, and blew them up with explosives. What? Did you think that he was just a simple brute that was going to bludgeon them all with a club?"
"Well, sort of."
"Oh no my dear boy. Junior isn't his father. He's very much into technology that causes the most amount of casualties in the quickest time possible. Though I believe he probably did bludgeon a few that didn't die right away."
"Judging by the number of ears here, I'm going to guess he didn't just stop at the assigned targets."
"Yes, I think there was one of those classless bum fights going on at the time when he arrived. Large crowd, but don't worry, he got them all."
"Yeah, I believe it." You say closing the chest.

You face Mr. Reynolds who stands up from his desk.

"So I trust our business is concluded and you're satisfied with the results?" Mr. Reynolds asks.
"You said he'd get the job done and as usual, you're a man of your word." You answer.
"Well I certainly try to be and I guess this closes the chapter on the Crimson Talons?"
"Guess so, or it does for me at any rate."
"Hm, well I wish you well on your new endeavor of running your inn successfully like your family once did and being just an average Klyton citizen...but then you never did officially become a citizen of this great city did you?"
"Nope, never got around to it."
"Well you really should, there's a Klyton Council election coming up in a few years and I'm thinking about running. I'll need all the votes I can get."
"You're running for the Klyton Council? Why now?"
"Oh I've been doing this job for so long and I think it's time to move on to bigger things. Just time for a change. Maybe you even inspired me a bit. How about that eh? Anyway, my son will be taking over this old business. He's more than qualified. Don't worry, if you ever need a loan for your inn, I've already told him that he can't refuse to do proper business with someone just because he doesn't like them. If that was the case, I wouldn't have done business with anyone at all!"

Mr. Reynolds laughs, and you make a mental note that you're NEVER going to take out any sort of loan from this place no matter what the circumstances.

As you leave Mr. Reynolds calls to you one more time about how you should go register as a citizen of Klyton soon. You get the strong impression that it wasn't a suggestion so much as it was an order.

Looks like you know who you'll be voting for in the future. You knew there was going to be a catch, still you suppose it's a small price in the scheme of things. Well at least you hope so.

You'll worry about it later; right now you have more immediate if mundane concerns.

Your days as a rogue are over.