Year 34

"Shit, that's the fifth patrol down here this week!" you say.
"I know, the militia has actually managed to round up a few of our guys too recently. Really hoping nobody is going to snitch us out at this point." Vaughn remarks.

While your members are generally pretty loyal, it's always a bit of a concern and you're not exactly filled with confidence. The last few years have just been getting worse with the militia patrols, you don't understand why since you were keeping a low profile. That was the whole point of getting out the drug trade.

Your gambling game room hasn't gotten raided yet, but you're getting the uneasy impression that it won't be long if this keeps up.

"Okay, we're going to have to make some changes maybe. I dunno. Maybe we need to hire another…"

Before you can complete this thought, one of your other members comes rushing into the room.

"Boss! Someone is knocking at the wall and they keep saying in a taunting voice that they know we're in here. They also say they want to speak to you directly. They said that he's coming to YOU with a deal this time." Dorian remarks.

You don't even need to know who that might be.

"Shit, fucking Reynolds. Okay, we're going to let him in…"
"What?!" Vaughn exclaims.
"He's already here and knows. If we just ignore him he'll just make things worse for us. I never like dealing with him either, but I usually at least hear him out. However, we're not going in this unprepared. Everyone in this place get yourself armed and ready. Load up any crossbows and firearms and keep them close! Dorian, I want people by the front entrance AND I want them in the escape tunnel just in fucking case. I wouldn't put it past Reynolds to know about that shit."
"Got it boss, anything else?" Dorian asks.
"Yeah, ONLY let him in. If he's got a creepy ass guy with a goatee or a weird looking ogre with him don't let them in. Vaughn you better go with him."
"On it." Vaughn says and the pair of them leave, while you're rechecking your flintlock and grab your spare.

You practice a few times pulling your pistols as quick as you can along with drawing your sword because you have no idea how this is going down.

Eventually Vaughn enters with Mr. Reynolds who looks smug as usual.

"Mmm, this isn't a bad little place. Your dwarven friend did a nice job. I assume that's what all those dwarves were really doing down here years back. Certainly couldn't be fixing the sewers. I swear if you took the Council's collective intelligence together you might have enough brains to put your shoes on the right feet assuming you didn't drool all over yourself first. Well, things are going to change when I get elected." Mr. Reynolds remarks.
"Elected? Wait? YOU'RE running?" you say.
"Oh yes, I feel it's time someone started doing things right in this city for a change. I mean sure Klyton is better off than a place like Holgard or definitely Hessla, but we can always do better you know? I've lived here a long time and I think the only way things are going improve is if I can be in a better position. Of course I'll have to give up my old business, but Henry is willing to take that over. He's come along nicely in that regard."
"Okay, so what's all this got to do with me?" you ask.
"Quite a bit actually…you seem tense. Everyone here seems tense. Relax everyone, I came here alone and my presence here is a good thing." Mr. Reynolds reassures you.
"I find that hard to believe…but state your agenda."
"Always to the point. That's why I think I've always enjoyed not just doing business with you, but your family in general. Anyway, the Crimson Talons are a black eye on this good city. Now granted I understand you aren't really hurting anyone and you do keep a relatively low profile, but well…you guys need to go. Getting rid of you lot would really help show I'm dedicated to cleaning up scum. No offense of course."
"…I see…"
"Now wait, before you start threatening violence, I have a proposal. Instead of just reporting your exact location to the militia and being active in your execution or incarceration, it would be even better for me, if I could…what's the word…tame…no civilize…no… ah assimilate you lot instead. It would prove that this city doesn't need to waste most of its money on security. I mean come on, they hardly need half the force they employ to even take you guys out to begin with." Reynolds says with a chuckle.

You're hardly amused.

"Yes, I can see you want me to get to the point. Fine. I'm not unsympathetic to the plight of the poor folks. I understand that there needs to be an entertainment place that caters to the lesser clientele. You and your Talons do provide that service a bit. So what I'm proposing is you guys do it legitimately. I'm opening up a new gambling hall as part of my Council election and I want all you lot to work there. And you m'boy get to run the place. Now how's THAT sound to you?" Reynolds says.
"Sounds too good to be true and that there has to be a catch." You answer.
"Well…you lot WOULD have to vote for me. And in your case you'd need to go register as a proper Klyton citizen. Don't believe you were actually born here were you? Other than that? None at all. I mean I would get some of the profits obviously since I would own the place, but really what's that compared to your freedom?"

"Freedom"

You're sure that Mr. Reynolds finds the use of that word amusing considering you're essentially at his mercy.

He's probably been planning this for a while. Makes sense now that he wanted you completely out of Klyton the last time you nearly dealt with him.

Still it's not a bad deal considering your time as a rogue is obviously coming to an end here in Klyton. You sometimes feel more like a manager than a crime boss nowadays anyway. What's one more step to legitimacy?

Though it also rubs you the wrong way of getting forced into this situation and part of you just wants to kill Mr. Reynolds for his presumption. You don't doubt that he's more than he appears, but he's also over confident and he's in here with not just you, but several others ready to do your bidding.

You work for Mr. Reynolds

While it might be satisfying to kill Mr. Reynolds, it's hardly the smart play and you're just going to bring more trouble on yourself. Maybe you've gotten like Zal did, you're starting to question whether to go on with this lifestyle. It was fun in the beginning and now its just work.

And if you're going to work, you might as well not worry about getting arrested or killed by the militia or slinking about underground where even if you aren't walking around in shit as much, you still have to do it more than the average person.

You're done. You want something better and while you aren't convinced that this is it. It will at least be better than what you have now.

"Alright Reynolds, I'll agree to all this, but under two conditions. I want to at least name this new place." You say.
"Hah. Fine. I was never the best with names anyway." Mr. Reynolds says.
"And I want to be able to walk away at any time."
"By the gods son. This isn't some life binding contract I'm holding you under."
"Yeah, well I never know with you."
"Fine, if it will put your mind at ease, you're personally free to leave if you like. Not sure why you'd want to, but as I said, you're free to do so."
"Okay then, so where is this new place and when do we make the transition?"
"Oh I think you'll like it. It's your family's old inn. It'll be converted a little of course, but that's where it's going to be."

You let out a little chuckle at that bit of information.

Mr. Reynolds says you can continue your activities down here until the renovation on your family's old inn is finished. He says you shouldn't have to worry about militia patrols anymore though.

After Mr. Reynolds explains a bit more information he bids you goodbye. Vaughn approaches you immediately.

"Boss, are you sure about this? I mean are we really trusting him?"
"Yes, I'm sure. It's what's best for the organization. Just because we're going legit doesn't mean we've suddenly disappeared. We'll probably all be making a better living than we are now anyway. And as far as trusting him? Sure why not? We trusted Zal and you see what happened there. Reynolds is a fucking snake, but if he's lying at least I won't be disappointed. Fairly sure he's been direct though, besides he's very careful about making deals and not breaking them."

A few months pass and eventually you and your people move to your family's old inn. You knew it had been abandoned ever since it shut down, so you never saw what it looked like originally. What it looks like now however is fairly nice though. Lot nicer than sewers or underground tunnels at any rate.

As you and your people get set up, you find that the private rooms upstairs where your father and grandparents must have lived weren't changed much. Some of the furniture is even still around. You might as well live here.

You sit down on a nearby dusty chair and just think on how you got here. You can only imagine what your parents or sister would say if they could see you now.

"Well, it took me a long time, but I'm finally a working man with a real job and I hope you're all doing well right now." You say to yourself.