Year 32

"I just paid you! Dolan exclaims.
"Yeah and you know the damn rules Dolan, you can get Numb AFTER you give me the information as well!" you say.
"But I don't know any more! I swear! I'm got my ass chewed out by Marco already for asking too many questions! Hasn't all the other information I've given you in the past been good?"
"Hmmm, fine. But I'd advise you to start going easy on this stuff. It's not as simple to acquire anymore. So unless you want to go risk getting that inferior Green Lotus shit that got your buddy killed due to getting a bad batch, I suggest you not even come back unless you got a lot of coin or some information I can actually use. Now you better get out of here before some other Black Hooks come in to sell something and overhear that you're spying on all of them."

Dolan meekly takes his small container of Numb and scampers away like the low life he is. The boy had no idea that it was going to lead up to this, though you planned that it would. A somewhat reliable mole in the Black Hooks just so you can keep an ear out on what they're doing, though it's still more to keep a check on Mara who apparently is doing well in her position with Black Hooks though that doesn't surprise you for several reasons.

In some ways you're actually proud of her, but as always there is still concern. Especially with what you've been hearing lately and the Jicol Watch is the least of potential problems. A few members of the infamous Ebony Claw Syndicate have been seen in the city.

You've already heard the many tales of the Ebony Claw Syndicate. They're a huge organization with a shitload of resources behind them and when they start showing up regularly in a city that usually means it's currently in their sights for expansion. And if they do expand, there isn't much that is going to stop them, as most of the criminal here are unorganized. Anyone who they don't bother to incorporate into their organization is going to just get eliminated.

This development has got you slightly more concerned for Mara since as a member of the only potential "organized resistance" to an ECS take over the Black Hooks could very be on the list for elimination.

You aren't really sure what you can do though. You haven't spoken to Mara since she left two years ago and she's made no effort to contact you.

Of course you haven't really made the effort to speak with her either and it's not like you couldn't meet her alone given the eye you keep on her with your drug addled spy. You suppose you haven't since you aren't sure if she'd want to see you.

For a couple days you seriously mull over the idea of going to see her or not and that's when you get a visit from members of the ECS.

"Figured it wouldn't be long before you guys showed up." You say when they come through the door.

The pair of them are about the sort you'd expect from the ECS, a couple of intimidating muscular guys with tattoos. They don't answer you right away and just briefly look around before addressing you.

"I take it you're the fence of this city?" one of them asks.
"Well I'm hardly the only one." You reply.
"Yes, but we've heard that you're probably the best one."
"Really? Glad to hear my reputation is in good standing with the underworld I suppose. Never can quite tell in this line of work as I'm sure you well know."
"Hmm, can't say I'm impressed with the Jicol underworld if you're considered the best, but looks can be deceiving I suppose especially since you seem to have even eluded being under suspicion by the Jicol Watch here. It at least shows you know how to keep a low profile, which displays signs of professionalism. In any case my name is Nathan and since you already seemed to know we were going to show up I'm going to go ahead and assume you know why we're here." Nathan says.
"Well I can take a guess, but for all I know you might be here to kill me." You reply.
"Oh we don't have nearly enough information about this city and it's major players to start killing anyone yet. However it doesn't seem like there are any major players unless we count the actual government…or have we missed someone?"
"Are you asking me?"
"I don't know, am I? Surely an important man as you knows things. Of course if you're saying you don't know anything, maybe we should talk to someone else…"
"Hold on. I didn't say that I didn't know anything. It's just that you're fairly correct about the situation in Jicol. The underworld element here has no real uniting entity and I don't have much to add."
"Interesting. So what about this other group I've heard about in passing, the Black Hookers or something?"
"Um, the Black Hooks. Yes, mostly an unruly gang of amateur teenagers who think they're tough. Not really that important."
"I see. Though from what I hear their numbers are sizable and the youth are easily molded if given the proper motivation and training."

You don't respond to Nathan's last response. Nathan at this juncture makes a few eye and hand gestures to his less talkative comrade. Nathan's friend nods and stands by the door while Nathan addresses you again.

"Okay friendo, I'm going to tell you this because quite frankly I don't want to be bothered running around speaking to every little two copper thug that's in this city and you seem to deal with most of them anyway. Even if you don't then you know enough of them that they'll spread the word to the rest."
"And that word is exactly?"
"The ECS is taking over ALL operations here. A pocket isn't going to be picked in this city without us guiding the hand and getting our cut. This might not be today, this might not be tomorrow, it might not even be next year, but we are coming and nobody here is going to stop us."
"Anything else?"
"Yeah, let everyone know that the ECS isn't unreasonable. If they seek us out for official membership we will consider them. Even if they aren't quite up to our standards, we'll find something for them as an associate. One thing we WILL NOT tolerate however is resistance. So let everyone know, defying the Ebony Claws won't be in their best interest if they wish to continue their choice of careers in the future."

You don't have much to add to that, save for a nod.

"So I trust I can count on you for this task?" Nathan asks.
"Sure, I'll spread the word, though I'm wondering about my place in this new order you're proposing." You say.
"Oh I'm not worried about you. You seem intelligent enough to know to step aside when a storm is coming. For now you can continue your business as usual. We can discuss your future when things are more settled. I'm sure we'll talk again many more times soon."

Nathan smiles and bids you good day. As he and his friend start to walk out the door, you realize that now you really do have to speak with Mara personally.

Later on in the week you go to seek her out, though you stay out of sight until you can get her alone which isn't really a long wait since you find out that she mostly works alone and at night when she's not socializing with her fellow Black Hooks.

You follow her for a while as she creeps into a couple closed businesses, and then make your presence known when she's sneaking out of a bakery of all places.

"Didn't realize the bakeries were doing so well." You say.
"Shit! Oh damn it, there goes my evening snack!" Mara exclaims when she gets startled by you and then drops the pastry she stole.

Mara composes herself and then looks at you. She's grown a bit. Granted you knew that and you've seen her from afar, but this the first time in two years you've spoke to her and seen her this close.

You sort of expect Mara to either walk away from you or get nasty, but she doesn't, instead you get:

"Hey…dad." She says.
"So, you're my daughter now?" you ask
"Well what would you call us?"
"I dunno, you made a pretty damning accusation before you left two years ago."
"Yeah…I really shouldn't have said that. Always sort of thought I should apologize to you, but…I dunno…guess I was just too stubborn."
"Well I could have apologized as well. I was stubborn too, though I also thought that you'd just yell at me and walk away."
"Maybe in the beginning I suppose, but I haven't really been angry at you for a long time. Honestly, I probably shouldn't have gotten as mad as I did, but…"
"Yeah I know. You needed to have friends your own age. That's another reason why I just let you be."

Mara smirks a bit.

"Bullshit. You've still been keeping an eye on me all this time. Even when you stopped physically spying, you got those two idiots Dolan and Addison when he was still alive to spy for you." She replies.
"Guilty. So when did Dolan confess his guts to you?" you ask with a bit of a smile.
"Actually Dolan and Addison never told me anything directly, but they became so obvious as time wore on that I knew they weren't just being horny guys staring at me and trying to eavesdrop on me. When I found out that several of the Black Hooks would do business with you, I sort of drew my own conclusions after following them around a bit." Mara remarks.
"So any reason why you kept it to yourself and didn't tell Marco or even confront me about it?"
"Well like I said, I was too stubborn to go see you in person again, and I figured why mess up perfectly good business between you and the Black Hooks? That wouldn't benefit anyone and I didn't want to see you possibly get hurt since I know that you were just concerned about me."

Mara then walks forward towards and touches your hand.

"You stepped up and looked after me when I was well on my way to an orphanage. At least you taught me skills to survive and were nice. Who knows what would have happened in the orphanage. I won't ever just forget that and I'm sorry we parted the way we did."
"Like I said, that's all in the past. Don't worry about that now."
"That's good to hear you say that, though I feel like you didn't just come see me to reconnect again."
"There's trouble coming for everyone in this city and maybe the Black Hooks most of all."

You and Mara go some place more private (And less near some place she just broke into) and you explain the situation with the Ebony Claw Syndicate. While she's definitely listening to you, you don't think she quite appreciates the situation.

"The Black Hooks will fight back against these Ebony Claws if they start showing up and throwing their weight around." Mara says.
"No, no, that's exactly what you DON'T want to do with these guys. Look Mara, I'll acknowledge that the Black Hooks are more skilled than I originally gave them credit for and they've lasted longer than I thought too. But when it comes down to it, you're all still a bunch of teenagers that don't know shit. The ECS has been around for…shit I dunno even know how long. These guys aren't just a gang like your Black Hook friends or even the Crimson Talons, they're a powerful organization that rivals fucking governments at times. Jicol is a prime meat for them and they aren't going to be denied their dinner."
"I hear what you're saying, but how do we really know all this? What I mean is, how do we know it isn't all just stories? Have you really ever had to deal with them in before? They never had a presence in Klyton, maybe their rep is exaggerated."
"I won't argue that maybe it is to some degree, but I also don't see the need for a pointless risk. Honestly, the Black Hooks would probably be incorporated into the EBS, you'd probably be fine if you complied."
"Perhaps, but I doubt if Marco would agree to it. He's got some plans of his own and getting assimilated or pushed around by a rival group isn't part of it."
"Well you better convince him otherwise then, because it won't end well for the Black Hooks if you go to war with the Ebony Claws."

Mara has her own suggestion.

"Well…can't we all just unite?" Mara asks.
"What do you mean?" you ask.
"I mean don't you have connections with a lot of the other independent thieves and such? I mean surely they wouldn't want the ECS coming in, pushing them around and taking a cut of their money either."
"Well some of them wouldn't be pleased. Others I'd wager would just throw their lot in with ECS thanks to their reputation alone."
"But couldn't we convince enough of them to repel this invasion?"
"That's a tall order, but…I suppose it could be possible. We'd have to act fast though and we'd have to track down the current ECS outpost here and eliminate them all. I mean leave nobody left. With some luck MAYBE with nobody reporting back to the mainland, the ECS will just assume the worst and not bother sending anyone else. If not, well we just continue with the united front and kill the ECS as they arrive until they stop. I don't have to tell you though how dangerous that's all going to be."

Mara seems more receptive to that plan, though you're usually more for anything that's going to result in less risk for life and limb, but you've also got the long term to think about which is do you really want to answer to the ECS?

You resist

You got run out of your home town, you got run out of Klyton, you're sick of running even if the ECS aren't driving you out in the traditional sense. Plus you just reunited with Mara, it would probably be best if you stuck by her if you want to continue a good relationship with her.

"Mara, maybe you're right I think we need to fight." You say.
"I agree, though I'll admit I'm a little scared." Mara replies.
"Well good. You should be scared, because this is going to be dangerous. However, think of it this way. Right now we've got a numerical advantage and the element of surprise. The guy that spoke to me, Nathan seems to labor under the impression that I'm going to comply with his wishes to tell everyone to join them. Obviously I'm going to do the opposite."
"Do you think it will work?"
"Like I said, it's not going to be easy. I'm going to put out feelers for the ones who I know will resist first. In the meantime, I want you to go tell your boyfriend AND urge to him how serious this is. We need to all coordinate an attack plan and strike only when the time is right. If we go in half assed on this, we're all going to hang. Now are you absolutely sure he and the rest of the Black Hooks aren't going to be likely to join the ECS?"
"Very sure. I certainly don't want to and Marco isn't my boyfriend."
"…he's not? Hm, guess my information is severely out of date and Dolan isn't as thorough as he claims."
"Well… things change, and it hasn't been long. In fact nobody in the Black Hooks really knows yet."
"Oh. Um, you okay? I mean is there something really bad that happened that you're not telling me?"
"Yeah. It wasn't a bad split or anything like that. Just wasn't working out. Anyway, I think we got more important things to worry about with the Claws."
"So we do. Okay, you know what to do and I'm sure we'll be speaking again sometime in the near future. Oh and I suppose you can go ahead and tell Dolan that he doesn't need to worry about spying anymore."
"Okay."

Before you part ways, you hug Mara who returns it. You tell her to be careful and that you're glad to be speaking with her again.

You get to work immediately and eventually you manage to get together a group that you're sure is going to be receptive to opposing the ECS, however a few of them have other concerns.

"So who's leading this resistance? You?" one of them asks.
"Well I'm more of an organizer, but I suppose we can all contribute ideas." You say.
"A council? That sound like a terrible idea. Things like this a lot better with a defined leader." Another says.
"I dunno, isn't this the sort of thing we're trying to avoid? I mean we're essentially forming a gang to oppose the ECS. And say we actually succeed, then what? We just avoided getting assimilated or eliminated at the cost of being independent in the first place." yet another responds.
"And what about those Black Hook bastards? You said they're going to be involved? Can't say I'm looking forward to that." A fourth says.
"I'm telling you one thing right now if that little shit Marco is supposed to be in charge of this, I'm out right now." A fifth says.

You can see how difficult is going to be already.

"Okay, people, people! I understand all these concerns, but let me address some right now! First, this isn't going to be a gang, its not even going to be a guild. This is just going to be a mutually beneficial alliance. We ALL agree to work together to oppose the ECS or any other threat to our interests. After said threat is gone, we can all go back to being little special grains of sand. As for the Black Hooks, we're going to be allying with them as well, even if they're their own separate entity. We just all need to coordinate and get as many people on board with this as possible." You say.
"Can I just say something?" an older man you only know as "Sneaks" asks.
"Go ahead."
"I faced the ECS on a regular basis many years ago back in Holgard. I belonged to the Thieves Guild there that opposed them. We tried our best, but ultimately they wiped us out. I dare say I'm one of the few that got away to my knowledge. Now I already knew they were in this city before you even called this meeting. I actually planned on catching first ship out of here just because I didn't want to go through this mess again. However, while they might be powerful the ECS tends to abandon places if it's going to cost them more effort than it's worth."

The old thief stands up from his chair to continue his speech.

"So I think you're correct in that if we do act now before they get entrenched like they did in Holgard, we might just stop them. I'm going to go try to convince a few others that respect my opinion to join us in this task. I urge you all to do the same because if we just let the ECS come in here, it's going to be worse than you think if we just comply."

Between you and Sneaks' speeches the rest seem more convinced of this cause. You realize it's still going to take some hammering out all the details, but this is a good start.

A bit more discussion goes on and eventually the group breaks up for the night. You tell Sneaks to stick around though since you want to speak with him a little more.

"Hey, a lot of your words really helped I think. Pretty sure some of them would have left otherwise." You say.
"Well you put all this together so I think you're more responsible than anyone else for this resistance." Sneaks replies.
"Funny enough I was seriously considering in just complying when the ECS first approached me, it was someone else who felt fighting was a more worthy pursuit. Glad she did now."
"Mmm, glad she did too. I think you would have found life under ECS yoke far less desirable than even fighting them. I was thinking that while it's been well established that this is just a temporary alliance, a couple people were correct in that we probably should have a single leader instead of all of us just shouting ideas. More will get accomplished quicker if you just become the leader. I doubt if anyone is going to have any major objections."
"Oh. Well I guess it probably makes the most sense. You seem to have genuine experience in fighting the ECS though, sure you don't want to do it?" you half joke.
"Nah, I've never been a leader. I have been an advisor on more than one occasion though, so I'll do that if you need."

A few days after you've had your meeting with the independents, you meet up with Mara who has brought Marco with her. You haven't been looking forward to this meeting.

You only met him in person once before the first time Mara brought him around two years ago, but he's grown as well. He still has that tone of arrogance in his voice like he knows everything of course. If anything he's even worse.

"I don't see why we're waiting around for a bunch of old fucks before striking at these assholes. Word has it, that they've been setting up in a general store on Typhoon street. Me and my Black Hooks could easily take them out! We've been waiting for something like this, we got the gear and we're ready!" Marco says.
"Yeah? Well you'll be even more ready if you're just a bit more patient Marco. We need to coordinate plans, not go in half assed. I figured Mara explained this already to you." You reply.

Marco scowls a bit.

"Hey look, I know this guy is your dad and he deals fairly with us with fencing shit, but he needs to know he can't just tell me what to do. I'M the leader of the Black Hooks and after we're done wiping out these Ebony Claw assholes, we're going to be stepping things up to run this entire city!"
"Great, so Mara have the Claw been in contact with any Black Hooks?" you say already getting sick of talking to Marco and deciding to speak with Mara instead.
"HEY! I'm the fucking leader! You supposed to be fucking talking to ME about this shit, not my girlfriend!"
"First off, I'll talk to who the fuck I want, especially my daughter. Second, I thought you guys broke up."

Marco's face drops and he looks more scared than angry.

"You…you told him?! You promised you wouldn't say anything!" Marco says.
"No! No! I just told him we broke up!" Mara says.
"I think I'm missing something here." You say.

The rest of the short meeting mostly consists of Mara trying to calm Marco down. You don't know what it's all about, but you've gotten the impression that it's something embarrassing.

By the time Marco does calm down, he's even pissier with you and now he's upset with Mara (Though he doesn't get outright angry) Ultimately he grudgingly accepts the plan of waiting until everyone is ready.

You nearly ask Mara what that was all about after he leaves, but you figure maybe it should wait for now. You just tell her to continue to be the rational influence in the Black Hooks.

You have another meeting later on that week with Sneaks who has already gathered a bit of information on the ECS. He tells you contrary to what Marco believes, they are NOT all gathered in a general store on Typhoon Street. He mentions that's just some front they're already starting to set up. He mentions their real base isn't even in the city; it's in some small ruin on the island.

"You followed them outside the city?" you ask.
"Yeah, looks like an abandoned temple of Fel. I'm really not surprised given their history."
"What do you mean?"
"Some of the ECS, mostly the higher ranking ones, have connections to Fel. You're aware of who that is right?"
"Sure, god of shadows. Some rogues are into him though most pray to Yag."
"Well that's probably because most rogues aren't actively religious and it's easier to say few half assed praises to a god who's just rolling the dice anyway. Dedication to Fel, and I mean true dedication to Fel is a little more involved, but it does seem to have benefits and I've seen those unfortunately in action when I was in Holgard."
"Shit. Are you telling me these folks have divine powers?"
"No, not all of them, not even most of them. In fact I doubt if any of the ones sent here do. I'm just saying there is a history for high ranking leaders to have shadow powers. In any case, I believe there about thirty or so of them here. It's definitely going to be a fight whenever we attack."
"Thirty is a lot more than I expected."
"Yeah well they probably were keeping stuff like that secret so if anyone tried anything now, they could determine who was going to be a problem and retaliate in force if they needed to."

Sneaks goes on to suggest that perhaps the Black Hooks should lead the assault since Marco is so eager. In fact he actually goes so far to not so subtly suggest that something should happen to Marco in particular.

"I'm sort of wondering where this conversation is going Sneaks." You say.
"Okay, we both know the Black Hooks are a potential problem in the future. I mean yeah they won't be the ECS, but they could start getting pretty territorial really fast if left unchecked. I'm just saying that the rest of us do a little less to help them and let them take most of the casualties. And if some of them just happen to accidentally get shot by a stray bullet or bolt…well shit happens." Sneaks remarks.
"That's…pretty damn shady. Though I have to admit, I do see the logic in it, and I might actually consider it except for one major thing."
"What's that?"
"Mara is in the Black Hooks and I'm not exactly keen on using her as fodder."
"Okay, so I'll just let everyone else know that your daughter is off limits and is not to be targeted."
"I dunno. I mean its one thing to let the Black Hooks take the brunt of the casualties, but it's completely another thing to actively kill them in the middle of the fight when we're supposed to be on the same side. Also while Mara might get spared, it's going to be awfully suspicious if she's the only Black Hook survivor. We may not be fond of them, but some of these people are her friends. She isn't a stupid girl and will make her own conclusions."
"Well, I suppose it's up to you, but I just don't see it as a bad idea."

You deal with the Black Hooks fairly

While the Black Hooks are mostly a bunch of dumb obnoxious teenagers, they're still exactly that, a bunch of dumb obnoxious teenagers. Other than Marco, most of the ones you've had dealings with haven't really been hostile towards you. Most of them are probably going to get themselves kill during this fight anyway, no need for any sort of treachery.

"No, we can't afford to start stabbing our allies in the back, especially in this situation. I'm fairly certain the ECS is going to be doing a good enough job of whittling their numbers down anyway."
"Probably right. Just providing alternatives. So should we go over when and how we're going to plan this attack?"

You and Sneaks first go over the plans a few times, then you share this information with the rest of the Jicol Alliance, after sharing it with them, you share it with the Black Hooks.

You still aren't sure of when to attack since you want to make sure to get most if not all in one area and not have to chase any down, given how impatient Marco is getting and the fact that you're really never going to know for sure when the best time is, you just decide to do it sooner rather than later, especially since you're as ready as you all are going to get.

You spend the day before the attack mostly getting yourself mentally prepared for this. You haven't killed anyone since Klint and murder in general wasn't really something you ever wanted make a habit of doing. However, you do know it's within you to do it and you're going to have to do it multiple times soon. You just take into consideration that Mara is going to be in danger the whole time and you're going to have to kill in order to make sure she doesn't die.

Not that you think she's going to be helpless, but it's a better frame of mind to put yourself in if you're thinking that way for this task.

Your forces attack the ECS hideout at night. You actually tell the Black Hooks to stay back a bit since they're more likely to be sloppier and you're trying to keep this attack as silent as possible before an alarm is raised.

You and some of the others sneak around and take out a few of the Claws on the perimeter. After about taking care of the ones outside, that's when you signal for the Black Hooks (and everyone else) to follow you in.

You actually manage to make it down to the lower level of this temple before on of the Black Hooks' lack of experience start calling attention to the attack and before you know it, the alarm is at last raised. It was good while it lasted.

The underground level to this place is almost maze like, with Ebony Claws coming out from behind every corner. You actually manage to stop a few of the Black Hooks from getting killed by pointing out traps that they nearly step on or trip. In fact, they start sticking close to you, Marco or the other more experienced thieves rather than just going off half assed.

The whole time this is going on, you're still trying to keep an eye on Mara who you've seen take out at least one person. You aren't sure if she's done that before or this is her first time. You guess you'll ask after this is all over.

Bullets, bolts, arrows, blades and traps of all kinds are dodged or blocked many times in this battle. The Ebony Claws fight back with everything they got, which includes several, fire powder bombs that take out a large part of your forces, enough to even up the odds.

For your own dislike of the arrogant prick, Marco is actually being a deciding factor in keeping most of the remaining Black Hooks from just turning away and running. You sort of expected him to just be full of bravado and shit his pants when things got bad, but he's really stepping up.

Eventually you, Mara, Marco and a few others reach what you believe to be an altar room of some sort. You see Nathan and his friend that came with him when they first met you.

"You fucking idiots. You have no idea of the deep shit you're all in. You really think even if you some how manage to kill all of us this day, that you're going to get away with it? Kill them all except that fucker right there, I wanna take my time with him." Nathan shouts while pointing at you.

Nathan at this point spout some sort of gibberish and become blurry and you're having a hard time focusing on him. It would seem that Sneaks wasn't entirely correct about none of their number having access to shadow magic.

"Marco, you and me deal with the magic asshole, the rest of you cut the other one down and then help us!" you shout.

Nathan is moving at a speed that you can barely defend against. If it wasn't for Marco providing an extra target, you might very well be losing badly though given how it's going, you still aren't doing too well.

Nathan slashes you across the face with his knife, kicks you in the balls and then slams you to the floor. He then punches you multiple times in the face before Marco manages to recover from his own previous beating and get Nathan off of you by stabbing him in the back.

"Bastard!" Nathan grunts and backhands the teen to the floor. Nathan still has more than enough fight in him. He begins cutting up Marco who is desperately trying to cover himself. He manages to roll away and quickly stand up, but he's losing a lot of blood from all the cuts.

Meanwhile Mara has finally finished off Nathan's friend and is the only one left from that combat. She rushes in to help you and Marco.

Mara attempts to stab Nathan, but he anticipates the move and rather than just dodging it, he spins behind Marco causing her to run him through instead. Mara is in so much shock at what she's done, Nathan takes advantage and pushes Marco's dying body towards her, causing them both to fall to the floor with her partially trapped underneath.

Fortunately for you, Nathan is a bit of a gloater and hasn't been paying attention to you like he should. While he was kicking Marco's ass and spouting how stupid it was to oppose the ECS to Mara, you've managed to reload your flintlock.

Even with your face half beaten and Nathan already a bit blurring from his shadow magic shit he's using, you're not missing at this range.

You fire and you hit Nathan squarely in the kneecap. He screams in agony and collapses. You always heard it was the most painful place to get shot, you never quite believed that before now, because Nathan isn't just screaming he's actually crying and praying to Fel to rescue him.

If Fel was listening, he apparently didn't give a shit, because while Nathan was crying and screaming, Mara recovered from her shock rolled out from under Marco and starts stabbing the shit out of him.

By the time you stagger over to Mara, Nathan is a bloody mess.

"Mara, Mara, I think he's dead." You say touching her shoulder. She looks at you with tears and blood over her face and then stands up to hug you.
"I…I'm so glad you're still alive! I couldn't bear to lose you too! So many…so many of my friends…" she says.
"I know. I know. But we're alive. That's the important thing. Other than the obvious, are you okay?"
"Physically I guess. I mean I feel better than you look right now."
"You also look better than I look too." You attempt to joke.
"I always did." Mara says with a faint smile.
"Hah. Shit, Let me just lean up against this altar for a moment." You say and start reloading your flintlock with another shot.

"Do you know if we won?" Mara asks.
"I believe we might have won this particular battle. Hopefully none of them got away because I'm not really in any condition to go chasing them down." You say.
"Now what?"
"Well that is the question I suppose. I imagine we're really not going to know if we're in the clear or not for a while. As I said, the ECS may or may not send more folks here eventually to check on what happened. I'm gonna bet that they will and hopefully not many. If and when that day comes we're going to have to deal with them too. We may even be looking over our shoulder for the rest of our lives if they find out exactly who wiped out everyone, but then again how is that different from how it is now right?"

Your conversation with Mara is interrupted by Sneaks who wanders in cautiously. He notes the carnage in the room and nods.

"Phew, looks like I missed quite the battle here." Sneaks says.
"Yes, but is there still fighting going on elsewhere?" you say.
"I don't think so, in fact I'm pretty sure we got them all. I counted thirty-six bodies, not counting these two on the floor."
"Looks like there were more than you previously thought."
"Yeah, apologies. Curse these old eyes."
"You know this one had those shadow magic powers you mentioned."
"He did? Shit. Again, my apologies. I really didn't think they would bother to send someone like that here. At least not initially, they usually hold back their heavies for more important tasks."
"I dunno, establishing a new base of operations and taking over new territory seems pretty important to me."
"Yeah I guess so. But in any case we won. We probably should clean up the bodies and make it seem like nobody was ever here. Also need to hit that storefront in town. There are probably a few there as well. "
"Shit, nearly forgot about that. We still have people left in fighting condition?"
"Not many, but I think the few that we do will be more than willing to go now."
"Good, send them over then."

Sneaks nods and tells you he's glad to see you and your daughter made it through this alive before leaving. Mara noticing you frowning a bit.

"What's wrong?" Mara asks.
"I dunno. Maybe nothing. I mean Sneaks has been pretty helpful…it's just…bah maybe I just have trust issues."
"No need to explain to me. It's not like you can trust too many people in this line of work."
"Hey, you can always trust me." You say.
"I suppose I can."

You and Mara leave the bloody room with several bodies behind you. You aren't quite sure what the future holds next, but you survived this day and that's enough for now.

You time passes...

Year 35

A hand reaches for the pouch on your nearby dresser; you grab it and open your eyes.

"Nope, still not quick or stealthy enough." You say and let go of Mara's hand.
"How the hell do you do that? I know I was dead silent that time!" Mara remarks.
"Just comes with natural talent I suppose."

Mara at this point playfully punches your arm and sits on the side of the bed, as you sit up.

"A little early to be harassing me like this don't you think?" you say.
"It's the afternoon as usual." Mara tells you.
"Well unless the Ebony Claws have been sighted, you know I don't like getting up early…they haven't have they?"
"Not that I've heard. Though Sneaks wants to talk to you about a matter concerning that."
"Yeah, yeah, he's been wanting to talk for a few days now. Guess I better get over to him today. He's been acting sort of odd lately. Well I guess I better get going…um…Mara?"
"What?"
"I gotta get dressed."
"So don't let me stop you."
"Well what I mean is, I sort of need privacy, I mean I'm covered by the sheets right now."
"Oh, it's nothing I haven't seen before."
"Okay…don't really want to hear or know about any little boyfriends you've been seeing."
"I wasn't talking about boyfriends." Mara says with a smirk.

Now the conversation has really gotten strange.

"Wait a minute, you haven't been spying on me have you?" you exclaim.
"Relax, I accidently walked in on you asleep once and you were, shall we say less covered up." Mara says.

You feel sort of weird. Slightly embarrassed even. This causes some amusement from Mara.

"Okay, I'll leave. You're oddly reserved at times." Mara says and then kisses you on cheek before she leaves.

Honestly, you've been getting some weird vibes from Mara lately. Sometimes it feels like she's flirting with you.

Which under normal circumstances, you'd probably be perfectly fine with some pretty nineteen year old girl doing that, however in Mara's case you have severe mixed feelings about it.

Of course maybe you're just reading too much into things, and you're just the pervert thinking dirty thoughts. Which doesn't make it much better because that's been also increasing lately.

Trying not to think about any of that too much longer, you get dressed and head to where Sneaks likes to drink. He tends to be in there a lot so you figure you've got a good chance of catching him there.

You're in luck and you do in fact see him. He sees you and waves you over.

Ten minutes later…

"Are you fucking serious Sneaks?" you exclaim.
"Sorry it had to come to this, but after that devastating ECS attack last year, it was decided that you shouldn't be in charge of the Jicol Alliance anymore." Sneaks remarks.
"I wasn't really in charge of it before as I remember. It was just supposed to be a loose agreement that we unite whenever the Ebony Claws attack. All I did was organize shit."
"Yeah well it was also decided that the Jicol Alliance should be a more permanent institution given the constant threat that the ECS poses."
"What?! And when was all this decided?"
"I don't really think that's relevant. What is relevant is it's done and you're out. Now of course you're allowed to continue to help in the unified defense of our interests in this city. You and your girlfriend…"
"Daughter!"
"Yes, of course, my mistake. As I was saying you of course will be allowed in contributing to help when the ECS inevitably comes to attack again. I believe forty percent of your earnings monthly should provide an adequate sum to go towards our defense. Perhaps it could be used to bribe the Captain of the Watch. Get the law to work for us for a change…"

You knew it. You knew all those years ago you should have just shot this asshole in that altar room. He's built up his own little circle of friends and turned the Jicol Alliance into a thieves's guild with himself as head of it of course.

Angered by what Sneaks is trying to pull here, you stand up and point you finger in his face. Nearby tavern dwellers take notice and you also notice some of them look ready to pull their weapons. Some are new but many are familiar faces. Part of the new Jicol Alliance of course.

"Look, you want to form your own guild with yourself as leader, fine. You can have that fucking headache. You want me to help out when the ECS shows up, fine, I'll help. What you're NOT going to do however is start trying to fucking extort me." You say.
"Hm, sorry you feel that way, but I'm afraid that this isn't up for negotiation. This is unfortunately for you this is a with us or against us situation. Of course your other option is to leave, I certainly wouldn't stop you. I respect you enough to do that at least." Sneaks responds.
"Yeah, thank you and fuck you."

Sneaks' expression now turns to one of irritation.

"Okay, I'm going to let that slide because I know this is all pretty upsetting for you." Sneaks says.
"Upset? Upset? We're pretty much past fucking upset! I should just fucking kill you right now, and don't think I wouldn't be fast enough." You respond.
"You're completely right of course, but you'd never make it out of here alive. Even if you somehow did, you'd be on the run from the Jicol Watch for killing me in public."
"At least I'd have the satisfaction of killing you."
"Y'know while I'm sure you're not probably not interested I could try to explain why I did what I did. Wasn't like I had this planned from the beginning."
"Oh great the rationale to clear your guilt. Pfft. Well fine, might as well hear it. I could use a good laugh after all this."

"Have I ever told you about my friend Garrick?" Sneaks asks.
"Yeah maybe, said you and he ran the thieves' guild in Holgard." You answer in exasperation.
"Garrick was a thief, but he had a strong sense of honor, probably too much in our line of work. You actually reminded me of him when you first came proposing the Jicol Alliance to take the fight to the Ebony Claws. Guess that's another reason why I stuck around. I always was a bit too idealistic, even in my old age now. You, much like him, made it really sound like we would win and drive out the Claws. I was ready to follow and I did for many years."
"So what did you do? Stab him in the back too?"
"As a matter of fact I didn't, though I always wondered if I shouldn't have been so loyal and blindly accepting of his orders as he made one foolish decision after another that eventually got himself and almost everyone else wiped out by the ECS. Maybe if I had, I'd still be in Holgard, perhaps even running things there."
"So that's what this is all about? Your boring desire for power?"
"That's more of a side benefit and if I THOUGHT you were still the leader you were the first time we opposed the Ebony Claws, I wouldn't have even done this. Each year they've attacked, we've suffered more losses. I don't even know if we're going to survive another, but I know if YOU'RE in charge we won't, so you had to be removed. Look, I'm probably older than I have any right to be in our line of work, but I've learned this. I like living, I like surviving, and the only way I'm going to feel like I'm going to continue doing that is if I have complete control over my fate, rather than it being in your hands."
"If you wanted to be in charge, you could have just fucking asked. Instead of all this shit you've pulled and extorting me on top of all of it."
"I dunno, maybe you're right. Maybe I've handled this poorly, but it's been my experience that men in power, no matter how reluctant or how miniscule, do not give it up willingly. Garrick certainly wouldn't have and he wasn't a power hungry man, just like you're not. However, a good leader needs to be focused and much like Garrick, you are not focused."
"Oh well apologies that my life doesn't revolve around you all the damn time."
"That's not exactly what I mean…"
"I don't give a shit what you mean, I'm done listening to your long winded story about your excuses."

As you start to stand up to leave, Sneaks suddenly shouts at you to stop. Sneaks usually never shouts so actually gets your attention (along with several other people in the tavern)

"You wanna know another thing you and Garrick had in common? You both had a young girl in your care. A daughter of sorts if you will. One that you do your best to try treat as adult, but always have that streak of overprotective fatherly love for her. It's an admirable trait, but it's at odds for that other emotion in you. And that's a love for her as a regular woman, because that's what she is now. Maybe young, but she's a woman nonetheless given what's she's seen and done. I see it and you REALLY see it." Sneaks says.
"Sneaks, you don't want to go there…"
"Yeah, and neither do you. Garrick didn't either and it compromised his ability to lead. Besides all the inner turmoil the man probably felt about the morality of the situation, he constantly tried to make sure his little girl was safe…never mind that in his case she was half fucking demon in question, but the problem you both have is the same. You're always going to place your girlfriend over the organization. Last year that was never more apparent."
"How the fuck can you say that? She's risking her life along with everyone else!"
"Yes, but only in a limited capacity. You always make sure she's on the less dangerous tasks. I'm not even mad about it. As I said, it's completely understandable that you want to protect your girlfriend."
"You call her my girlfriend one more time and you're going to have a short lived reign as Alliance leader." You say leaning forward into the table.

Sneaks leans forward as well, meeting your gaze.

"I'm not judging you. She's not really your…y'know what? This isn't my business. Sort out your own personal issues on this situation, but I think your real fear is the girl might just feel the same way. In any case, I'll be expecting my cut by the end of this month. If I have the coin, then I'll know I have your cooperation, if I don't receive the payment, then I'll know that I don't."

Sneaks then motions for you to leave as if now you can leave. You gladly do so, swearing the whole time.

Your mind races about what you can do, what you need to do, what you should do. You really didn't need this right now. Not when your mind has been preoccupied with other things. Other things that Sneaks also got in your head about.

You've got an incredible headache by the time you make it home. You just hope Mara isn't lingering around, because you don't think you have the energy to deal with all this yet. She's probably going to want to fight rather than leave.

As you open the door to your home, you suddenly feel the sharp jab of a crossbow pointed right at your lower back.

"Don't turn around, just get inside." A low voice says to you.

You raise your hands and slowly walk inside your home where you see a man completely dressed in black leather and wearing an eye patch. You don't know who this person is, but you can guess where they're from.

"Ebony Claw…great. Perfect end to a fucked up day." You say.
"Hm, seems I caught the leader of the Jicol Alliance at a bad time? Well too bad, we've got shit to discuss. Bolt, you can leave, I'll take it from here." The man says.

You feel the pressure taken off of your lower back and then the front door closing behind you.

"Gotta say, figured the Alliance leader would have a better place than this, but then I guess you're not doing too badly. Anyway have a seat, as I said we've got shit to discuss."

This asshole no doubt has shadow powers like Nathan and a couple of the other ECS lieutenants you've faced in the past. Still, like all of their type he's arrogant enough to not even relieved you of your weapons and doesn't even have another person with him save for the guy that just left.

Whatever he's going to say is most likely going to just be some sort of lie or unreasonable offer. Not to mention the fact that you aren't exactly the leader of the Jicol Alliance anymore and if he knows that, then he's going to wonder what the point is with dealing with you.

Still, he could be more powerful than what you've usually faced, or he might even have some advantage like say having Mara hostage somewhere. He seems to know something about you after all. You could at least listen to him while you figure out a better plan than just trying to be quicker on the draw than he is.

You shoot him

No sooner have you pulled your pistol, when the man quickly speaks something and waves his hand making all your surroundings go pitch black.

You fire wildly and miss him of course. Then you feel a blade going into your neck.

The unnatural darkness lifts hen you fall to the ground and see the man standing over you as you choke on your own blood

"That was a very silly thing to do. I was going to offer you a deal. Now your rashness has doomed your precious Alliance when you might have saved it." He says shaking his head.

It hardly matters that he doesn't know the truth since you're dead before he walks back out the door to methodically murder the rest of the Jicol Alliance himself.