Fel might be uncover all secrets, but he can't find you if you keep one step ahead by piling on more bullshit to hide under.

"This is Lloyd?" you ask.

Your question catches Rook and Lloyd off guard. Bolt just remains stoic.

"Yes, that's fucking Lloyd, but how is that fucking relevant t to your situation?" Rook exclaims.
"It's very relevant, because apparently this asshole has been skimming money for himself for years." You say.

Now Rook and Bolt both look over at hapless Lloyd who is now on the verge of shitting his pants and you haven't even gotten started.

"Wha…what?! That's absurd!" Lloyd says.
"That's not what Mr. Dream said. He said you've been ripping off the Syndicate for years and just shuffling the book around or whatever it is you do. I don't quite understand all that mathy stuff myself, but I guess you're good at it, if you got away with it for so long…" you say.
"This asshole is lying Rook!"
"In fact Mr. Dream said he wouldn't have known if you hadn't caved in to take a hit of Blue Dream on a dare two years ago when you were getting the take and they dared you to try a hit of Blue Dream. You ended up caving in and got so high you started bragging to him and Dreamweaver about your genius system. Where upon they blackmailed you into giving them a cut…"
"ROOK! You're not seriously listening to this?! This man has told a story about Mr. Dream and Dreamweaver being snitches! Now he's claiming we were all ripping you off!"
"No, I never said the Dreams were snitches, I said they were loudmouth assholes that blabbed so much they let a Neroth spy catch wind of all our operations so they could fuck them up. And as for you lot ripping off the Syndicate, well why the hell else would this chapter be hemorrhaging coin as you put it? I work at that Blue Dream House and I know damn well we make more than THIS."

At this point you empty your pockets and coin pouch of some of the gold you took from the Blue Dream House and dump in all on the floor.

"That is all I found in the safe after I killed those two idiots. I looked all over for a hiding place, thinking they might have it elsewhere, but I guess they weren't dumb enough to hide it on the premises. In any case it's pretty obvious Rook should be getting way more coin than he's been getting and you're obviously trying to get him killed by the directors…"
"ROOK! I swear to Fel I am NOT doing that! This…"
"Lloyd. Calm yourself and sit the fuck down before you have a heart attack. Have drink or something while you're at it." Rook says.

While Lloyd pours himself a glass of some sort of liquor and sits down, Rook steps out from behind his desk and approaches you.

"Okay, this is a very elaborate story you're telling. My question is this though. How do you know all this shit in the first place? I mean I only have your word on this. I can't obviously interrogate Mr. Dream or Weaver about this, because you fucking killed them. Lloyd here is obviously hysterical and going to plead his innocence. I'm NOT even saying what you're saying is a lie because we ARE all a bunch of fucking criminals when it comes down to it, but I'm gonna need a little more convincing." Rook says.
"Well, I'm not sure what else I can do."
"That's not a great start, however let me help you. For instance, if Mr. Dream and Weaver were these loudmouths that you claim they were, why the hell didn't you report any of this sooner?"
"Well for one thing, I was always kept in the fucking courtyard for the most part. I didn't really catch wind of a lot of this until recently and I still didn't know what was bullshit and what wasn't. Mr. Dream once bragged that he shut down a brothel once because he wore out all the women that night, and I know damn well that didn't happen because he barely could last five minutes with the Blue Dream whores if the jokes were any indication. I wanted to collect more information first before moving forward on it."
"They were potentially fucking stealing money and talking about sensitive information, what the fuck else were you waiting for?!"
"Okay fine. I fucked up. Maybe I should have moved sooner. That's on me and I'll take whatever punishment you decide. However as soon as I found out about the Neroth spy skulking about, I acted. I mean maybe I should have come to you first, but I was so pissed after I interrogated that dickhead that I just lost it. I cut off that fuckers feet and hands and he was still laughing about how stupid we were for letting our secrets slip so easily."
"Okay, but that's the other part of your story I don't entirely understand. Why the hell are the Neroth cultists have such a damn hard on for us anyway? I mean granted we aren't buddies, but it's not like we've gone out of our way to fuck with them."
"From what I can tell they see us as the biggest threat to control over the city. The spy admitted it and I mean their previous actions over the past few months have proven that due to all their attacks. Not to mention the Syndicate is allied with the Temple of Fel which is a rival god, so it makes perfect sense to take out two enemies so closely linked. And I suppose perhaps maybe I am to blame as well. The cult of Neroth and I have sort of a history and it probably doesn't help the Syndicate that they have a personal vendetta against me. I still get the odd cultist trying to assassinate me every now and then."
"Hm, I suppose that makes sense. Didn't realize there were that many left though. Figured we killed them all by now."
"Um, yeah that's the other bit and the main reason why I came to warn you directly. There aren't many of them left and so they're desperate. One of the things the cultist laughed about before he died was the fact that all this chaos has allowed them to summon a greater infernal or something. He didn't say what it was exactly, just that it was coming to wreak havoc on the Syndicate. And I hate to step out of line here, because I know I've already probably pissed you off, but the more time we waste with trying to determine if I'm a liar or not, is less time we have preparing for this attack."

Rook looks at you for a while. You know that he's trying to see if you're lying about all this. You maintain your composure. He looks over at Bolt who seems to shrug, then he looks over at Lloyd who continues to nervously drink.

Rook finally turns his attention back to you.

"Okay, I'll have more of the members brought here to protect the place." Rook remarks.
"No! That's not what you should do!" you exclaim.
"Why the fuck not? You just said there's a fucking demon coming to attack us."
"There is, but think about it. I mean this is your home, there's no business conducted here or at least not in the direct sense. That demon is probably going to hit our Blue Dream Houses, our brothels, whatever businesses we're collecting protection on and what about that brand new slave market that opened up in the old Thieves Guild?"
"So you're saying we need more protection on all of our interests. Well that's great and all, but we don't exactly have that many more people. Any extra we do have are protecting this place."
"Well…"
"Wait, are you seriously telling me I should lower my own fucking security? What the hell happens if the demon does strike here?!"
"Well I mean you're skilled at fighting, you can do all that shadow magic stuff. Bolt here obviously has his talents as a marksman. I mean I'll help too, granted I'm not as good as you two, but I HAVE had experience in fighting a demon before…okay she was a half demon and I got lucky, but who knows I might lucky again. I'm just saying that the three of us are better equipped to fight a demon than the regular Syndicate members at other locations. I think they could benefit with at least some help from a Shadow Blade assigned to them."

Rook is rubbing his face at all the information you've been dropping on him. On top of all his other concerns, this is all a bit overwhelming. Meanwhile Lloyd has managed to calm himself down long enough for him to start talking again.

"Rook, I don't understand why you're listening to this man. He was KILLING us for years before he joined and he hasn't stopped! He just walked in here with the heads of two of our best people and is accusing me of ripping off the Syndicate! I've dedicated my LIFE to this organization and you should know that because you've known me for a lot longer than you've known this fucking liar!" Lloyd says.
"Lloyd, I've honestly only known you only a little longer than I've known this guy. YOU were sent here from the Delantium Kingdom as so called help with the money matters and all that other shit. For all I know you've been sent here to spy on me and setting me up to fail."
"WHAT?!"
"You heard me! I get absolutely no fucking support from the directors when I need it the most. You claim we don't have enough money to send back when we should damn well have a surplus! At this point I'm less inclined to trust YOU than I am him."
"Rook! I know you're under a lot of stress right now, but listen to reason! I…"
"Bolt."

Without another word, Bolt shoots Lloyd in the throat, who clutches his neck and gurgles a bit before he slumps down dead.

"Bolt, tell our Shadow Blade friends outside that each one of them needs to go to our most profitable locations. Probably not enough of them to cover them all, but we got what we got." Rook says.
"What about the members at the gate?" Bolt asks.
"Oh, they can stay. If the demon does show up here, maybe they can hurt it a bit before it kills them."
"Okay Rook."
"And get this man's weapons back while you're at it."

Bolt walks out the door and now it's just you and Rook.

"As for you, make yourself useful and dispose of Lloyd's body, I don't care what you do with it, just get it out of my office." Rook orders.
"You got it." You say.

As you're dragging Lloyd's carcass away all you can do is thank Yag that Rook's paranoia was placed in a direction other than yourself.

Eventually you dump Lloyd's body somewhere in the backyard and turn around to return to the mansion only to find the Shadow Blade leader standing before you.

You try to be taken too much by surprised, but you can't help be a little startled.

"Here are your weapons. Bolt told me that Rook said it was okay to give them back to you. I guess you'll be needing them anyway if this place comes under attack by demons and all." He says handing them over to you.

You cautiously take them while the Shadow Blade just continues to study you.

"I suppose I will be bidding you goodbye and off to defend your distasteful slave market, apparently Rook wants the best of us there. Pity, you seem fairly more interesting now that you're still alive. I can only imagine what story you must have told Rook for him to believe you as well killing one of his top advisors. Very impressive."

You don't reply.

"Bolt seems to have more doubt judging by his demeanor, but then dwarves tend to be skeptical by nature. Fortunately for you, dwarves are also very loyal and he won't deviate from Rook's orders too much."

You continue to not respond and just walk past the Shadow Blade.

"Tell me, do you think you could take them both?" he asks.
"What?" you ask.
"Simple question. Do you think you could take them both? I mean I'm not counting those idiots at the gate, they wouldn't get to the fight in time before you or the other two were dead anyway. But without us here, it would be a perfect opportunity to assassinate them. True, they both weld a bit of shadow magic, but let's be honest…they pale in comparison to a true follower of Fel. And if anything this life has taught me, it's that anyone can be killed at anytime by anyone. Just need the right combination and the perfect time to strike."
"Are you trying to tell me something?"
"I don't know. Am I? I thought I was merely asking a question."
"Your question is accusatory and I don't know what you're talking about with all this assassination business. If you believe that my intentions are not what they seem then why not act?"
"Just as Bolt follows his orders loyally, I do as well. Not to Rook, but to the Temple and ultimately to Fel. My immediate superior told me to perform a task and that's to help the Ebony Claw against its enemies wherever possible. It so happens that Rook is the head of the EC so if he wants us elsewhere and for you to stay here, who am I to argue? Perhaps I have misjudged you, if so then apologies my friend."

The Shadow Blade leader gives a small bow and leaves.

You really don't know what to make of that one. It seems as if he probably knew you were lying, but ultimately didn't give a shit because he doesn't really want to be helping the Ebony Claw anyway.

Of course this leave you with the question of whether you SHOULD kill Rook and Bolt now while you have the element of surprise or if you should wait for Tanya because you know it won't be that long before she decides to attack anyway.

You wait for Tanya

Very tempting, but while you think you could get the drop on one, you don't think you'd be able to get both of them, which you suppose answers the Shadow Blade's question earlier.

When Tanya is here though, you'll better be able to take advantage of the situation. You just hope you haven't misjudged her and she'll actually rethink her position on attacking Rook, though if enough time passes, you're going to just have to risk acting on your own anyway.

You return to Rook who is currently going through a few of Lloyd's books. Bolt is nowhere to be found, though for all you know he's around somewhere in the room.

Rook is just shaking his head as he tosses one of the books aside.

"I can't even be bothered to go through this shit right now." Rook says.
"Probably all bullshit anyway considering Lloyd was stealing from the Syndicate." You answer.
"Yeah well at this point I'm starting to think if Lloyd had just cut me in on that deal as well he might still be alive, because I'm seriously starting to wonder why I'm bothering anymore. It's obvious that I am not getting the support I need and it's almost like Holgard is an afterthought for them. I mean if they don't even want a fucking chapter here then fine with me, I got other interests."

Rook doesn't elaborate on that, but you stay silent. Rook watches you for a moment and then speaks again.

"Fuck it, you've been one of the few that's actually been useful to me. How do you feel about starting something new?" Rook asks.
"New how?" you ask.
"I'm talking a new organization. I mean this revolution is going to be over eventually and frankly after everything that's gone on, I'm not seeing a good reason to even stay with the Ebony Claw Syndicate anymore."
"If we went out on our own, aren't we going to have to worry about retaliation?"
"Yeah, but fuck. How is going to be any different than any other rival? They obviously don't even give that much of a shit about this place anyway and we'll have a complete monopoly on the underworld here. We will definitely be entrenched and they'll have to send an army which I don't see them doing."
"What about the Temple of Fel? I mean I'm still hazy on how what the ECS and their temple's relationship is, but aren't they allies?"
"Not as close as you think and as I am a dedicated follower to Fel, I believe my strong relationship to them would help me more. At worst they would stay neutral. At best, well let's just say I've got very strong ties to the temple here and I know for a fact that being aligned with Fel is going to be the way of the future here in Holgard. I don't take it you're a believer yet though."
"Well not as such no, but I certainly wouldn't be one to piss any of his faithful off."
"Heh, well that's a start…"

Suddenly the large window behind Rook shatters as two small fireballs break through. Still being near the doorway, you're not in immediate danger, but you duck behind the entryway anyway.

You peek around the corner and see Rook's desk full of books on fire, and Rook himself has fallen flat on the ground, but otherwise unhurt.

Then you see her fly in.

It's Tanya and her transformation is now complete. Gone are any vestiges of "modesty" as she's completely naked. Her skin has become a deep red, she has shiny black wings, and her horns are certainly prominent through her long white hair.

She has sharp teeth that now accompany her deadly seductress face and sharp talons far superior to any manmade weapon she might've used at one time.

Not that she necessarily needs them because apparently she can create little fireballs from her palms and is preparing to throw another at Rook.

Rook rips off his eye patch revealing a black gem which he then directs his attention to Tanya and blasts her with a beam of black energy. Halting her fireball attack for a moment.

Wasting no time, you enter the room and shoot Rook several times with your pistol. He doesn't even know what hit him as the bullets hit his body and he slumps to the floor.

You then feel a bolt going into your back and then another one just narrowly grazing the back of your head. You fall to the floor and you probably would be dead right there if not for Tanya who has already recovered from Rook's attack.

You don't see what happens next, but you certainly hear it when a guttural scream is heard followed by the sound of flesh being ripped, bones being cracked and then a piece of arm being tossed over your head.

Then you soon feel the bolt in your back being forcefully pulled out, followed by her hand touching the wound and burning it, causing you to yell out. You close your eyes and breathe hard for a moment trying to ignore the pain and then you're suddenly lifted up.

"Foolish mortal, you could have gotten yourself killed." Tanya growls and then with you in her arms, she takes flight back out the window. You look down on the city from the sky and it's a surreal feeling. You might even appreciate it if you weren't in a lot of pain right now.

You fly around for a bit and eventually she starts her decent downward. Because you're not quite used to this sensation you close your eyes again almost thinking you're going smash in the ground.

Instead however, she lands near the abandoned and semi-ruined inn the Lighthouse and places you on one of the empty beds there.

"Can you move around? Can you feel anything?" Tanya asks.
"Fuck, of course I can feel, my whole fucking body hurts, especially my back. As far as moving around is concerned, yeah, I can, but I don't fucking want to. See? I'm moving my foot!"
"Okay, good. At least you're not paralyzed then. I would have hated to have to put you out of your misery."
"Wouldn't have been fun for me either. Sheesh. You couldn't just heal me you're your new infernal magic abilities instead?"
"As far as I know I don't have that ability and I doubt healing magic is something that most infernals have anyway given their destructive nature."
"I suppose you're right."

You wince in pain as you attempt to shift position on the bed. Tanya just looks at you with a stare that feels very oppressive.

"I'm guessing you're just looking on me with distain of how weak of a human I am right about now." You say.
"No…well partly that, but I was thinking more of how this was where we spent our first time of intimacy together. That was such a special moment for me, in more ways than one I think." Tanya says.
"What do you mean?"
"I dunno, I think it became a turning point in my reluctance to accept my heritage. I started to realize that I really should be embracing my potential not hiding from it. Something definitely changed that's for sure, but I suppose not everything did."

Tanya holds your hand, which is very warm to the touch. When you look at her face again, you can still sort of see the old Tanya there. You still feel very close to her, though you're a little worried about what might come next.

"I can't stay here." Tanya says.
"I can see how a flying demon might very well attract attention in a civilized area." You say.
"Not just this city. This…world. I'm feeling very drawn to my roots as it were. Never thought I'd be longing to go to such an awful place, but I feel I must, if only to learn more about myself."
"I see. So you're going home then? Can you do that?"
"I feel like I should be able to soon. When I do leave, you'll probably experience a bit of a longing, but I think it shouldn't be too crippling. The further away I am from you physically the better you'll be able to get over it and move on."
"I didn't get over it when I first saw you. You really think I'm going to now? You said we bonded."
"I suppose we did…though I don't believe this is going to impact you as much as it will me. My bond with you is only supposed to be temporary so I can access you better at which point I should be draining your life force and eating your soul, or whatever it is I'm supposed to do. I can't very well go around being a proper succubus if I'm monogamous."
"I sort of was afraid you'd say something like that."

Tanya's hand releases yours and moves over you to your face. You fully expect her to do something violent, but instead she just caresses your cheek.

"You worry too much, I'm severely broken anyway. If I had embraced all this years before when my mother first approached me, then you might have cause for concern. However, there's still too much ugh…mortal in me. I am forever going to be at war with myself, though perhaps it's this internal struggle and late blooming that's causing my rapid transformation and surge in power. I look at you for example and still feel love. I shouldn't, but I do. I even hate myself a little for being so weak, but at the same time I don't care. All these conflicting thoughts and torment are probably helping me be a better infernal because hatred, even self-hatred is a great quality to have as an infernal."
"So…you're not going to kill me?"
"Not today, probably not ever. I shall learn to live with this weakness and I'll refocus my energy into other worthy endeavors. Fucking men and leading them astray isn't something I find all that appealing anyway. Besides, you're human and your kind have pitifully short life spans. You'll live, what? Sixty more years at most and in your case of being a professional criminal, it is doubtful you'll live to old age. Then after you're dead, there will be no more weakness. I can be patient. It's a good trait for an infernal anyway."

You nearly laugh at how matter a factly Tanya says this.

"Well I appreciate your patience Tanya, and it's certainly better than the alternative."

Tanya sits next to you on the bed and now her eyes look less hard, the non-infernal side is showing.

"Our time together wasn't long enough." She says with sadness.
"Maybe, but I enjoyed what time there was. Besides, you said it yourself that we're bonded. So our time together isn't really over, it's just different I suppose." You say.

Tanya hugs you, and you ignore the pain you feel when she applies her squeeze around you. She then carefully kisses you on the lips. You don't even feel the drain.

She then wipes her eyes and stands up.

"Move on from me. Goodbye my love." She says and leaves.

You continue to lie on the bed mostly motionless just thinking about how she's really gone now and allow yourself to weep a bit. Eventually enough time passes that you get ahold of yourself and you feel a little rested enough to sit up.

You reach into your small bag still on your person and check to see if you've still got your water skin or food since you're getting a little hungry and thirsty

As you're rummaging through, you find something you definitely didn't put in there. A large black gem. Actually it's a little sticky from blood on it, but this could only be from Rook's eye socket.

Tanya must have ripped it out while you had your eyes closed from after she pulled the bolt from your back. You never felt her put anything in your bag though, then again you weren't exactly paying attention.

You smile at this parting gift from Tanya.

"Goodbye Tanya."

You time passes...

Year 23

You take a moment to catch your breath after running from the guards. Warts soon joins you, though he's got more on his mind than just catching his breath.

"What da hell? Youz wuz just gonna leave me there?!" he says.
"Warts, they didn't even see you, they only saw me, and I figured you'd be fine anyway. And look, I was right, you're here to bitch at me." You say.
"Bullshit. Anyways, youz wouldn't have alerted the guards if youz wuz a better thief!"
"Fuck you, I'm a fucking fantastic thief! I was part of the Guild AND the Syndicate!"
"Yeah? And where are they now?"
"Both gone, while I outlasted both organizations."
"Hm, from what youz told me, sounds more like you destroyed them both. No wonder nobody else wants to work with you. Youz a jinx."
"Then why are you still willing to work with me?"
"Cuz I got Yag wit me always. Sides, it's usually more profitable than working with the Spider Fangs nowadays. Idjits too busy warring with da elves rather than simple banditry. Not hangin' around for dat."
"What about your guide gig?"
"Bah, nobody gets lost like they used to. Dat Baroness has mades effort to chop a lotta trees in da surrounding area and make a road as opposed to the simple dirt path it once had."
"Yeah Baroness Varsakken is unfortunately a lot more efficient than her father was. Been a steady increase in security in the city making life harder in general. Miss the days when they wouldn't even bother you or you could easily just bribe them."
"Dat's becuz there's no organizations anymore. Without da Syndicate or even the Guild around, the criminal element here is easy pickin' for da guvment. No need to appease or even profit from them. Easier ta just execute or toss 'em in prison."

Warts never appears to be bright a lot of times, but it's insight like that which always reminds you that he isn't as stupid as he tries to pretend.

He's right of course. The criminal element has been disorganized ever since the city pulled back from anarchy and Baroness Ludmilla Varsakken took power from her father Vlad and brother Farad (And most certainly had a hand in killing them both).

The Ebony Claw Syndicate chapter here never regrouped. None of the members who survived (And were mostly the lower ranks anyway), ever tried to reform and seemed to just go their own way. The ECS leadership back in the Delantium Kingdom never came back to "reclaim" their chapter either. You assume that they wrote this place off as a loss and moved on.

Initially this all seemed pretty ideal, as you were no longer under their threats or watchful eye and at the time the Holgard Watch was still fairly weak and recovering from the anarchy.

In time though, it turned out Ludmilla was far more competent and more pragmatic than her father and started actually focusing on making the city safer and less of pit of crime and disorder that it's become known for. Which in turn is making your profession a bit harder.

The more you think about it, you're starting to wonder about what the hell you're doing with your own life and it isn't exactly as good as it could be.

This living day to day without thinking about the future was okay before, but now you're starting realize that maybe you should be rethinking your simplistic approach to life. Because even if you're still a good enough thief to evade the law and trouble most of the time, you're getting a little bored of doing it. Something different might be in order.

You think again back to just a few years ago and the fact that you were part of not one but two criminal organizations. You didn't give it too much thought at the time, mainly because you were thinking more about Tanya, but sometimes you wondered what it would be like to be running said organizations.

Given how Garrick and Rook ended up, you have to believe that you'd do just as good of a job as they did, maybe even better.

Maybe YOU could form a new organization. If you did, you'd certainly bring in more money and strengthen the underworld here again. Maybe you could even influence the government like the Ebony Claw Syndicate and the Guild once did.

"Warts, I think I should form an organization." You say.
"Wut? Dat's a terrible idea." Warts says.
"Why?"
"Cuz, more people around, more problems, dat's why! I mean you should know dat better than anywun! Besides, I know too, Spider Fang tribe, full of idjits, why you think I stay to myself a lot?"
"Because they don't truly accept you from what you told me, and besides didn't you tell me the Spider Fang tribe survived when others didn't because they worked together the best?"
"Tru…but they probably gettin' demselves killed by warring with da elves. Sides, ain't nobody gonna follow youz. Youz a jinx remember? Anyone left from the Syndicate isn't likely ta like ya."
"Yeah? Well they don't need to like me, they just need to fear and believe in me. You forget, I was known as a Claw killer before I joined. I mean that should still count as a serious reputation."
"Maybe…but I dunno…seems like ya just invitin' trouble."
"Can't be any worse than what I've already been through."
"Hm, so whatcha callin' it?"
"Calling what?"
"Yer gang, ya idjit. Geez."
"Oh. Shit, guess I should come up with a name. Fuck. Can't think of one right now."
"Sounds like a great start."
"Forget the name for now, what we need to do is gather up everyone."
"We? I didn't agree ta dis."
"Warts, you'll fucking help me, because I've saved your damn life on more than one occasion."
"Sheesh, if I'd known you'd become such a fucking asshole, I woulda left ya ta rot in the woods years ago. Alright, fine. I'll help, but only becuz I ain't got anything better ta do right now. I ain't getting' tied down in dis little organization of yers either, assumin' it even gets off da ground to begin wit. So whatcha need?"

Seeing as you don't want to be bothered hunting down every petty criminal in Holgard, you assign Warts that task. As strange as it may seem, he can be fairly convincing to those of similar low status.

As for you, you're of the mind that you need to find a suitable headquarters. You suppose you could just "take over" the current inn you're living at. It wouldn't take much to intimidate the owner, though your bigger concern is visibility. Gone are the days where organizations like the ECS could just sit out in the open and the Watch would turn a blind eye. You'd have to be more careful to keep up the appearance of legitimacy.

Ideally, you'd like to use the old Thieves' Guild location. The problem with that is it's currently an underground slave market and run by the closest thing to a "criminal organization" still left in Holgard.

When word of Rook being dead spread, remnants of ECS members that had been assigned to the slave market just stayed there and went into business for themselves. Some of the other members joined soon after. It's one of the few things that the Holgard Watch has not been efficient in eliminating. Though the location never was known to general law enforcement anyway.

From what you know, they're little more than a gang of thugs, but they're organized enough that they've lasted this long and even have ties to certain pirate groups based in Hessla.

You can't imagine that convincing them is going to be easy, in fact you might have to wait a bit before trying. Go there when you've built up a bit more muscle as a show of force.

Of course you could just go in now and shoot everyone. Probably a lot more dangerous and you'd be depriving yourself of possible followers, but if you're successful, you'd certainly establish yourself as the big swinging dick of the underworld, along with taking over the territory you wanted in the first place.

You patience and Diplomacy

If you're really serious about doing this, then going in guns blazing might be counter productive, even fatal if you're attempting to do it alone.

Better you should at least make some other alliances first before taking on the slavers.

While you're mentally preparing yourself for this potential problem for later, Warts is still around asking you questions.

"Ay, youz still with me?" Warts asks.
"Huh? Yeah, just deep in thought." You answer.
"Hm, never had dat problem. Anywayz I was askin' where ya gonna hold dis meetin' of Holgard's most wanted, an when?"
"Oh. Just tell them to come to the Blackheart Inn, where I'm currently staying by the weekend. That should give you enough time to scout the streets, taverns, and wherever else. Oh and let them know that the drinks will be on me, so that should help entice them as well."
"Blackheart Inn…why the hell don't these inns ever have invitin' names? Like I dunno, the friendly titties, or sumthin."
"Because that name was taken by one of the brothels presumably. Anyway, I leave you to it. I probably should start preparing what I'm going to say. Ugh, wish my sister was here, she'd probably be able to write an inspiring speech for me or something."

You leave Warts and head home to the Blackheart Inn. On your way to your room, you toss a bag of coins to the innkeeper stating that you're going to be having a "gathering" on the weekend and you need . He doesn't ask questions since he knows by now what sort of man you are and more importantly all the coin you've given him is understanding enough.

Days pass and eventually the time has come for you to convince everyone that they need to join you. You aren't sure if it's going to be entirely successful, but hopefully you can convince most of them if only to mount an assault on the slavers.

"Ay, I gotz a lotta people here. Aren't ya comin ta make a speech 'bout a glorious future or sumthin?" Warts says.
"Yes, but I'm establishing how things are going to work already. THEY will wait for ME. They're at my beck and call, not the other way around." You reply.
"Yeah? Well I still say ya betta hurry up. A lot ain't dat patient."
"Duly noted. I'll be there soon. Just let them know."

You head to the large back room of the inn, where you're met by several criminal types. A lot of them have already been drinking heavily. Some nod at you with respect, while others not so much.

"Oh 'ere he is. Fuckin' thought you'd never show up." One says.
"Yeah, you drag us all here sayin' it's important and then don't even show up on time for yer own meeting." Another remarks.
"Hell, if it wasn't for him payin' for da ale, I wouldn't even be here. So what's dis all about?" A third says.
"Glad you asked. You see, while Warts was inviting you all here in a civilized manner to join me, I was planning for all of our futures." You say before you're interrupted.
"Wait a minute, did you say join you?"
"Yes, I'm rebuilding an organization for us and you're all invited to join and get richer than you are."

This response is met with a lot of derision.

"Join you?! I see you've been drinking too!" one laughs.
"Not that I'm not flattered by the offer, but weren't you part of the Syndicate AND the Guild? Seems suspicious that both were destroyed while you're still here." Another adds.
"Yeah, and I was part of the Syndicate once too. Not for very long, but long enough to remember that you were killing them at one time. Some of those guys were my fucking friends! Okay, maybe not friends, but a couple owed me money which I'll never fucking get back now!" a third says.
"You'll get that money back and more if you just follow me. I have a vision for this city and if we unify we could be greater than the Guild or the Syndicate ever was!"
"Yeah an maybe the elf queen will let me fuck her in the ass while we're at it. This is a lot of bullshit. I'm doing fine on my own."

At this point you try to go into the benefits of uniting, but barely anyone is listening. Even the ones that are more receptive have their issues.

"Look, I'm not saying it isn't a nice idea, but I'm still not seeing why we should be following you. I mean I know you've got a bit of a reputation as a skilled killer and I'm certainly not going to fuck with you, but there's a difference between being a killer and a leader. I haven't seen any evidence that you're a leader." One of them says.
"Yeah, I mean I'd sooner join up with Elias who runs the slave market. The only reason why I haven't is because he's a fucking asshole." Another remarks.
"Glad you brought that up, because Elias' days are numbered. I intend on taking him out." You say.
"Oh yeah? You and what army?"
"Us! I mean that's what I've been saying this whole time! If we join forces, nobody can stop us! Taking out Elias and taking his wealth and his place is just the first step in getting this new organization up and running. So? Who's with me?"

Not many apparently, as most of them don't even bother replying and just leave.

"What seriously? We could fucking take him together!" you exclaim in anger.
"Maybe, maybe not, but again, I don't see why we should be following you to do it. A lot of us are still going to get killed and for what? There's no profit in this."
"I just explained there's a shitload of profit in this!"
"Well I'm not convinced and I don't think most of us are either. I mean if you got the balls to go take him out yourself, then I'll be the first one to sign up afterwards."
"If I take him out myself, then you might want to worry about your future in this city for rejecting my offer now."
"Yeah, well I guess I'll have to deal with that when it comes to pass."
"You'll deal with it now!"

You pull out your pistol and shoot the man you were speaking to in the back. This is soon followed by several other people pulling their own weapons and others just outright running away. You put down those that attack you and probably scared everyone, but you don't think you convinced anyone. Even Warts apparently ran off during the shooting.

You curse that this didn't go better. The owner of the Blackheart is pissed enough that he yells about you ruining his place with a mess of bodies. He surprisingly even has the courage to say you're no longer welcome to stay in his establishment and possibly bringing heat down on his place.

You don't bother arguing; you already know what you have to do. You need to just take out Elias and after you do that, you'll have your own place, everyone else will fall in line and that will be that. Patience and diplomacy have failed.

You go to your room and pack all your shit. In particular all the firearms you've acquired and head to another inn to get a night's rest before taking on the slavers.

The next night, with all your gear, you head to the nearest sewer entrance and descend down. You still remember the way to the Thieves Guild so it doesn't take long.

When you get closer to where the entrance would be located you start to wonder where anyone is since surely there would be guards or lookouts posted outside to let people in (or keep people out).

You approach the entrance and then you hear footstep behind you.

You turn around and open fire managing to hit one of your assailants while the others duck behind the walls.

The door to the slave market then opens up and you just narrowly avoid getting blasted with a musket. You fall to the floor and manage to put another attacker down with your pistol, but it's apparent that someone from last night's meeting tipped off Elias because his people were waiting for you.

You scramble back to your feet, but you're in a very bad position. You're trapped in a narrow corridor with people shooting at you behind and ahead. Even with your skills, you have no cover and you soon take a couple shots that put you down.

Refusing to give up you manage to get off one more shot before Elias' people finally finish you off.