text: dead, you just walk into Flame's tent and when inside, you sit down and just think about everything that transpired.
  
  Meanwhile Annah looks around to see if there are any more enemies and fortunately it looks like you both killed them all. The pair of you ironically just made the roads a lot safer from thievery and murder.
  
  By the time Annah comes back to check on you, you've managed to gather yourself enough that you've got your clothes back on. You're still sort of sitting and staring into nothing though.
  
  "You um...all...nevermind that's a stupid question. Of course you're not alright." Annah says.
  "I'm not. But I will be eventually. I just...got a lot on my mind right now."
  "I'm really sorry I couldn't get here sooner. Fucking bum leg..."
  "It's okay Annah. Better that you came late, rather than not at all. I'm guessing you were spying on me again?"
  "Well, after our exchange in your shop a few days ago, I was still in Hessla pondering whether or not to try to win you back or at least give you back your savings and take the Blue Dream off your hands so you didn't have the hassle. When I saw you leave the shop and then heading towards out of town looking like you had a grim purpose, I knew something must be wrong, so I followed. Hell of a time keeping up. Thankfully Checkers is an excellent tracker. Again, my apologies."
  "And again, it's a good thing you did. Fuck..."
  
  You begin to feel the weight of what happened to you and you put your head in your hands desperately trying not to cry, but you can't help it.
  
  Seeing that you're distressed, Annah goes over to try to comfort you, but you stop her.
  
  "Don't. Annah. Just don't. I'm probably fucking crawling with disease and you don't need to be around that. Not to mention that my mind is in a very dark place right now."
  "Okay. I understand and I get it. I just want you to know though; I went through something similar so I'm here, okay? I'm going to leave you alone and I'll just be outside looking around again. I'm not going anywhere."
  
  You nod and Annah leaves.
  
  While what Flameflower did to you was certainly traumatic enough, what you're really upset about is Zalmora. She's dead, and you don't even know where the body is, not that you'd probably want to see it after what Flameflower described.
  
  Though the worst of it is, was Flameflower telling the truth or just fucking with your head?
  
  Not about what they did before killing her, though that's terrible enough, but did Zal really offer to trade you to Flameflower in a desperate attempt to survive?
  
  You have a hard time believing that and yet Flame was right about one thing, nobody ever truly knows anybody. Who knows what the hell happened. Maybe the agony was just so great for Zal that she did something so desperate and unthinkable to survive. You nearly did and would have if Annah hadn't showed up when she did.
  
  In the end, does it really matter if she did? She's dead and you'll never really know the truth. You're fairly certain that it was bullshit, but even it wasn't...well you guess you can live with the idea that you understand. You never experienced any betrayal by Zalmora, so you'll remember her as your relationship was with her. A pleasant one with many happy memories.
  
  Because that's all you got of her now.
  
  You slowly gather the rest of your belongings and briefly go through Flameflower's tent. You're not really in the mood to loot, but it's a habit and it's not like you're going to come back here ever again.
  
  You don't find much of actual value except a bit of coin, however what you find more interesting is a few more notes laying on a table. Out of curiosity you read some of them and put one in your pocket before exiting the tent.
  
  Outside, you find Annah sitting on the ground with an overstuffed bag and petting Checkers. They both look in your direction and Checkers even trots over to you as if to greet you. Hard to believe the little furball is friendly with you, though she probably has contributed to saving your life on more than one occasion.
  
  "You ready?" Annah asks.
  "Yeah." You answer giving Checkers a quick pet.
  "Okay, my apologies if the trip to Hessla takes awhile due to my leg."
  "It's fine, but I was going to Klyton."
  "Klyton? Why?"
  "Because I got a fire down below, I'd like something that's sure to cure it and Klyton has better medical facilities. I'm not worried about the store right now."
  "Ah. Yeah I get it. Well I understand if you need to go on ahead. I can meet you in Klyton if you want."
  "Yeah...I don't think I'm going to be good company Annah. Not for a long while. I got a shitload of baggage I need to work out and go through. Last thing I want to do is drive you away because I'm in a dark mood."
  "Isn't that what you're doing now?"
  "No. You know why? Because despite every shitty thing that's happened, I have learned one thing, we always find each other somehow. Maybe we'll part ways now, but I know we're going to see each other again. I dunno, maybe that's how our relationship works best. You have saved my life multiple times now. I doubt if I'm ever going to be able to repay that debt no matter how much you take from my savings. I look at you and I really wish I'd been there to help you with the Syndicate."
  "It's okay. You would have just gotten us both killed."
  
  Annah starts to smile and then you chuckle a bit.
  
  "Probably right." You say.
  "So this is goodbye again." Annah replies.
  "Just for a little while. Maybe next time...maybe next time we'll get it right."
  
  Annah goes to hug you, and despite you reminding her of your carrying of three hundred sexual diseases, she hugs you anyway. She then says she's going to head back to Hessla since it's closer and less of a strain on her legs. She then says she'll probably book passage on a ship to Holgard, since she hasn't been there yet.
  
  The two of you then part ways.
  
  You make your way to Klyton trying hard to ignore your pain. You really hope you can get something before your dick falls off.
  
  When you finally get to Klyton, you nonchalantly nod at the guards and ask where the closest and cheapest medical facilities in the city as you just got robbed and barely escaped with your life.
  
  Given how you look and the serious tone of your voice, the guard has no reason to disbelieve your story and tells you how to get to the nearest apothecary and says they really need to do more to start keeping the nearby roads safe from bandits.
  
  You enter Klyton and from there you immediately know where to go.
  
  You head to Klyton hospital and while you might not have done this in awhile, you never really forget. Fortunately the medicine for curing dick rot is a lot easier to acquire than Numb and the rest of the shit you used to sell, so security isn't as strong.
  
  You grab a couple bottles of the strongest stuff you can find and make haste out of the hospital. You down one bottle of the medicine which tastes terrible, but hopefully it works.
  
  In the meantime you pay for a cheap inn and try to get some rest, which you fail at since you have nightmares the whole time.
  
  A couple days pass and your dick starts to feel better, though still not a hundred percent. The rest of your body still aches as well, but your mind is still dealing with the shit that happened. You weep over Zal a bit despite already having come to grips with it. Your mind always goes back to anger and hate though. You half wish Flameflower was alive so you could kill her slower this time.
  
  You "support" your stay at the cheap inn, the old way. Klyton may have tightened their security, but people remain oblivious idiots that don't watch their coin purses. If anything, they seem to be less observant. Must be due to feeling safer.
  
  After about two weeks, your body is more or less healed and your dick is no longer burning like a blacksmith's furnace. Your mind still isn't quite right, but then was it ever?
  
  Still, you're in a better frame of mind of what you're going to do.
  
  You catch a carriage and head back to Hessla. When you arrive and get back to the shop, you're actually surprised it hasn't been looted or burned down or something. Then again hasn't been the end of the month for the Governor to take a cut yet.
  
  You look around and see everything still in place. When you go to your safe though, you get a bit of a surprise. You find all your savings inside. The Blue Dream bag is gone. You guess Annah broke in the store (along with cracking the safe! Another thing she must have learned) and returned everything.
  
  You just hope Annah doesn't get into any trouble trying to sell that Blue Dream, but then again if she does, she'll probably get out of it.
  
  You look around the shop remembering the good times you had here with Zal, then load your savings into your pack and take the silver whistle Zalmora first gave you and leave the shop for good.
  
  You book passage on a ship, which is leaving for Jicol. You've always heard about opportunities there and you've never been there before. Might as well try some place new.
  
  Before you leave however you make one more visit.
  
  You enter Little Lorenzo's shop. Lorenzo's shop as usual is empty. Even without you as direct competition, he's not doing any better.
  
  The halfling's eyes widen when he sees you. Obviously he thought you weren't coming back. You draw your pistol.
  
  "Wait! We can..."
  
  You fire and hit the Halfling in the head. His body slumps over with unspectacular thud.
  
  "Next time, don't put shit in writing."
  
  You throw the crumpled correspondence between Lorenzo and Flameflower near his body before walking back out.
  
  > Time passes...
  Year 30
  
  None of your dealings with gangs has ever been positive which is why its odd that you inadvertently became looked up to one.
  
  Granted it's made up of a bunch of snot nosed teenagers, but they've been trying to emulate you for years since they were snot nosed kids.
  
  The Black Hooks have been unofficially looking to you for guidance ever since you easily caught a couple of them trying to pick your pocket a couple years ago and scolded them for their sloppy technique. Some of them seem to have potential, others just seem like they're just in it to cause trouble and be rebellious. Their "leader" Marco talks a big game and even seems to resent the fact that so many in his gang speak positively of you, but in the scheme of things, he seems like he wants to be like you on some level.
  
  Still, as teenagers are want to do, they don't always listen very well. You certainly didn't.
  
  "Marco, I know you and your little friends are really proud about your recent string of break ins, but you lot still have a lot to learn about stealth. I've told you the story about the Bloody Talons haven't I?" you remark.
  "Yes! A million times!" Marco says exasperatedly.
  "And you'll hear it a million more until you fuckers get it right or you're going to end up just like the Bloody Talons! More importantly, you're making shit unnecessarily more difficult for the rest of us trying to make a living out here. The more reckless you are, the more the Jicol Watch starts actually cracking down on everyone. We don't need that shit. We got it good here thanks to Jicol tending to worry more about pirates than us land based criminals."
  "I think I'd rather be a pirate."
  "Pfft, no you wouldn't. You like the IDEA of being a pirate because you hear all about their glorious tales of raping and pillaging whenever they dock here. Trust me, I've dealt with enough pirates for them to tell me some of their stories to know that that life isn't all that glamorous. Most of the time it's a lot of waiting around on a ship fighting off scurvy and other crew members trying to do harm to your fucking asshole by shoving a dick it in. You want to get fucked in the ass?"
  "Um, no?"
  "You didn't sound so sure about that. Because if that's what you want, I'm pretty sure there are a lot of pirate captains that would like a cabin boy like you."
  "No! Fuck no."
  "Alright then. In any case, stop immediately breaking windows when you're struggling with a lock. Locks are like women and sometimes you gotta take a little time with them before they open up and give you the goods. It's a pain in the ass, but most of the time it's worth it and you'll feel a better sense of accomplishment. Understand?"
  "Yeah, I suppose so."
  "So what are you trying to sell this time?"
  
  After doing a little bartering and taking advantage of Marco's lack of knowledge of the value of his stolen goods, you bid him and his buddies goodbye and remind him to remember what you said.
  
  As you make your way back to your humble home, halfway there you get the sense that you're being followed and watched. It isn't he Black Hook either.
  
  "Alright, you lot might as well come out, unless you intend on shooting me from the shadows that you're hiding in."
  
  A single older man steps out from said shadows.
  
  "Nope, just me." He says.
  "Who are you?" you ask.
  "Oh I go by the same name I have for years now. Sneaks. Though apparently not sneaky enough seeing as you sensed me. Such is the failing of once superior skills with getting old."
  "You won't be getting too much older if you keeping following me around, now what do you want?"
  "No need for hostility friend, though I suppose it would have been better to just approach you directly. Honestly, I've known about you for a year or so now, but seeing as I do my own fencing like most others like myself around here, never really needed to speak with you before."
  "Oh? So do you have something then?"
  "Oh no. It's not that. It's more of a concern that...well let's just say the underworld community has."
  "Underworld community? First I'm hearing of an organized gang here."
  "That's because there isn't one and we're all hoping it stays that way. Nothing good comes from monolithic organizations. I should know I had to directly fight the Ebony Claw Syndicate back in Holgard and ultimately lost."
  "Well you'll get no argument from me. I've never been part of a gang and never had any positive experiences with them."
  "Interesting. Then one wonders why you're actively encouraging and acting as a mentor of sorts to one."
  
  You nearly chuckle at what Sneaks is getting at.
  
  "The Black Hooks? I mean yeah I guess they're a gang, but they're hardly the Ebony Claw Syndicate. They're mostly a bunch of dumb teenagers." You say.
  "Well I'm sure the Syndicate started as a bunch of dumb teenagers too, until someone molded and lead them to be a powerful organization." Sneaks replies.
  "I am NOT the leader of the Black Hooks nor do I have any desire to be. That dubious honor belongs to their mildly more intelligent member, Marco. I can't help it if some of them look to me for tips and shit. If anything, my guidance as you call it, is making things better for the rest of us. I just told them to knock it off with their smash and grab routines and other shit that brings the heat down on everyone."
  "Yes, I can see that would be a good thing, however I don't think you're looking at the greater picture. You are correct in that they're mostly dumb teenagers and their actions draw more attention. However, I also imagine that they wouldn't last very long. Sooner, rather than later, the Jicol Watch would wipe out most of them and things would be harder for the rest of us for awhile, but eventually the status quo would return since Jicol has always been more concerned with a potential pirate attack rather than anything else."
  "Your point?"
  "My point is, YOU are teaching them to be better criminals. Basically, more of them are going to survive and even thrive because of you. Not only does this mean more competition for all of us, it also means the Black Hooks are likely to survive as a gang. This organization is going to eventually realize that they outnumber the independent competition and take steps to eliminate said competition, or force them to join. Since some of us aren't likely to go quietly, some of the independents are going to form their OWN gang for protection and before you know it, there's a war going on. As I said, I've read that tale before and it didn't end well."
  "So you're telling me who I can or can't associate with?"
  "Look, I'm not saying to not continue to do whatever business you have with them. I wouldn't dream of doing something like that. Anyway I said my piece. Do what you want obviously. I'm just suggesting that helping them as much as you have been, might not be in any of our best interests in the long run."
  "Duly noted."
  
  With those words, Sneaks nods and takes his leave. You have to admit, he does have somewhat of a point, but on the other hand some of it sounded like a threat with that last bit.
  
  You continue on your way home and then you see a figure near it. The figure isn't even hiding. They're just casually sitting on your front step. Seems you're popular today.
  
  As you approach a little cautiously, the notice the figure is female and a little furry animal pop out from around her then...
  
  "Annah?" you call out.
  "I was wondering when you'd get home. I would have let myself in, but who knows what traps you've rigged and I'm not quite as nimble anymore. Besides, wouldn't be polite right?" Annah replies.
  "Glad to see you've at last respected my boundaries. Not just for me, but for yourself. That door doesn't even lead inside, come on, I'll take you the real way."
  "Oh, a secret way in. Nice, but aren't you concerned about me knowing?"
  "Not at this point. Besides, I don't keep anything of actual value in here anyway."
  "Of course you don't."
  
  After leading Annah in the real way to your home (with Checkers slowly following behind), she asks you how you've been and what you've been up to. You give a brief answer that you've been doing better since the last time you saw her (physically and mentally) and how it's mostly been back to the standard burglary for you along with some fencing for the Black Hooks.
  
  "Black Hooks huh? They Jicol's version of the Talons?" Annah asks.
  "They wish. It's mostly a bunch of teenagers being wild. Though I've been mildly trying to direct them away from what led to the Talons' demise in Klyton." You say.
  "That's rather altruistic of you."
  "It's more like covering my own ass in the long run so Jicol doesn't turn into another Klyton. However, someone recently told me that I should just let these kids twist in the wind and get themselves killed by the law since it gets rid of a potential greater threat in the future, like the Black Hooks actually becoming competent and powerful united force."
  "I can see a logic in both approaches actually. So what were you planning to do?"
  "Nothing. I'm going to continue to go about my life and if anyone gets in my face about what I'm doing, I'll deal with it then."
  "Sounds like you. Sooo...the Black Hooks the only gang in the city?"
  "If you can call them that. Yeah. Everyone else is more or less independent though I'm sure a few work together at times. Nobody really has any turf though as far as places being off limits to others. Not even the Black Hooks are like that, though they do have a location where they all hang out that they probably consider their own."
  "Would you say there is a strong disregard for authority here in the underworld community?"
  "Isn't there always?"
  "Well yes, but I meant it sounds like other than the Black Hooks, nobody is really organized and probably would resist against such a thing."
  "Annah, this is an odd line of questioning you're going for...out with it."
  
  Annah looks down a bit, before looking at you again. You have to say, you still aren't used to that eye patch she has.
  
  "Promise you won't get mad?" Annah asks.
  "Well that doesn't sound good. (Sigh) Fine. I promise I'll TRY not to get mad." You reply.
  "Okay. Well, since we last saw each other, I've been in Holgard and I've sort of had dealings with the Ebony Claw Syndicate."
  "Oh for..."
  "No, no, it's okay. I'm actually on good terms with them now. Well at least the chapter in Holgard. Apparently the head there Rook. Isn't too pleased with some of the leadership decisions in the Delantium Kingdom and he's been making a few moves of his own. To cut a long story short, I've been working with the Syndicate."
  "You joined the fucking Syndicate?!"
  "No! I'm more like a hired gun. Literally, most of the time. I...uh...accept a lot of contracts on people."
  "...Wow. Okay then. Still, I would have thought the Syndicate would have had people like that on their payroll."
  "Eh, that's sort of the problem with the Holgard chapter. It doesn't get much support from the top. It's almost seen as more of a money-making outpost. Enough to keep a presence in, but not important enough to put extra manpower into. This might not be a problem if Holgard didn't suffer shit like civil rebellions and religious faction fights every five years or so. As a result the Syndicate chapter in Holgard has had to make more use of independents than they would like. Though they tend to REALLY want you to join. I've gotten the sales pitch several times. Fortunately I'm good enough at what I do that I've been able to decline and still remain unaligned."
  "Seems like a dangerous game you're playing Annah. I mean this is the same organization that...well did THAT to you."
  "Same organization, but different people and different circumstances. Besides, I'm not trying to rip them off this time. I'm legitimately doing work for them, which is why I'm here actually."
  
  Annah goes into an explanation that the head of the Syndicate chapter in Holgard, Rook is looking to expand his own power base here on Jicol. Since Annah has done such good work for him in the past he's sent her here to scout the place rather than sending his own people.
  
  She says that her main job is to make a note of all the major players in the city. She says that when she learned you were living here, she figured she could save some of the legwork by directly speaking to you about it.
  
  "So...what then? Is the Syndicate just going to take this entire city over?" you ask.
  "Well that's the plan, unless it turns out to be too much trouble, but based on even what little you've told me and what little I've seen, this place seems pretty ripe for a Syndicate takeover. Or at least Rook's takeover." Annah says briefly petting Checkers who is asleep by her feet.
  "There's nothing I can do to stop this?"
  "Well no, not really. The Syndicate is really looking to branch out here. Nothing that can be done about that unless you're going to try to unite everyone against them, but it would be pretty stupid to try that. The Syndicate pretty much always gets what they want. I should know."
  "It still surprises me that you'd be working for them, given what happened. You never did tell me exactly."
  "Okay. I get what you mean. But shit happened and I wound up in bed with the Syndicate again. Fortunately it's been in my favor this time. It's sort of an amusing tale, maybe I'll tell you about it when I'm not currently so busy." Annah replies.
  "Still never told me about how you managed to get a room in the Klyton university dorms either."
  "Heh. Well I'll tell you that story too. I want to tell you everything. I mean...shit...I still miss you, y'know? When I found out you lived here I was looking forward to seeing you again. Last time we parted company you said we'd meet again as we seem to be destined to always do."
  "Yeah I remember. Just thought it might be under less complicated circumstances this time."
  "I don't think that's how our relationship goes."
  "Obviously not."
  
  Annah takes a deep breath and continues.
  
  "The Syndicate is coming, but it probably won't be immediately. In the meantime, I can speak positively about you when I get back to Holgard and you could probably become an associate much like I am. I could even relocate here while we prepare this place and we could work on tasks together like in the old days. Lots of coin to be made and we both know how much you like that." Annah says.
  
  While you wouldn't mind such a thing under normal circumstances, you really aren't keen on Annah's Syndicate involvement.
  
  > fully help Annah
  Annah's ultimately always done what she's wanted to do so trying to talk her out of this is probably pointless. However, you know you want Annah back in your life since you've missed her, so you'll help her completely in her task. That's from the emotional standpoint.
  
  From a pragmatic standpoint, it sounds like the Syndicate is coming whether Annah works for them or not. As dangerous as it might be to get involved with the Syndicate, you do see the benefit potential and with Annah around at least you won't necessarily have to change your life around too much or possibly relocate again.
  
  You give Annah a rundown on every underworld contact you have of relative importance, along with the strength and numbers of the Black Hooks. You then also give Annah an approximate guess on the strength of the Jicol Watch and how effective they are.
  
  "Would you say they're susceptible to working with the Syndicate? The Holgard Watch has never been too much of a problem in that regard." Annah says.
  "Well, the Jicol Watch isn't adverse to a bribe here and there, but the Mayor of Jicol tends to pay them well enough for them to not to make a habit of it." You say.
  "Mayor of Jicol? Anything like the Governor of Hessla?"
  "He's ten times more reclusive. Apparently most haven't seen him in decades. About the only descriptions that exist are that the Mayor is male and human, but who knows? In any case, while this place is no stranger to corruption, it still adheres to law and order fairly strongly. Not Klyton level, but that's probably due to more emphasis on their fleet rather than land force which is thankfully smaller."
  "I see. Anything else?"
  "Not really. So...you going to go assassinate them all now?"
  "Heh. Well, based on everything you've told me, doesn't seem like I need to bother. I suppose I could anyway. You said you spoke to someone called Sneaks that used to belong to the Thieves Guild in Holgard recently? I bet Rook would want to someone like that taken care of. Maybe the leader of the Black Hooks as well just to keep that group from getting too organized."
  
  You think for a moment.
  
  "Well, how about something to make your job a lot easier. I'll invite most of the more well known rogues to a gathering and get them all in one location. I'll say it's something that's going to affect everyone and that it's really important. Shouldn't be too hard, Sneaks already came to me saying a lot of the independents are bitching about the Black Hooks so they'll probably be willing to speak especially if I'm seemingly alone." You say.
  "Well that would simplify things. Um, don't you do business with most of them? Isn't this going to affect that?"
  "Probably for the better since they're more competition than anything else. I don't give a shit about any of them. Especially if they're already complaining about how I interact with the Black Hooks. Speaking of which let's leave Marco and the rest out of this. The Black Hooks can ultimately be incorporated into the Syndicate, I can help in that regard."
  "Hm. Well if you say you can do it, then that sounds fine to me. You know them better than I do. It certainly would go a long way to have a force here that's already asset to the Syndicate."
  "Okay, I guess I'll start setting all this up tomorrow."
  "Very well. So um, you don't mind me staying here while we take care of all this do you?"
  "Of course not. I only got the one bed though."
  "Well good, you know how I always like you to cuddle with me after sex anyway."
  "Hm, I was going to build up a bit more to it, but glad to see you're on board with that."
  "Pfft, its probably the main reason I came to speak with you in the first place. Well that and to see if we still had a chance together. I know these circumstances aren't the most ideal, but when have things ever been normal for us? There's so much time that we've missed together. I just really want to make it work this time."
  "So do I."
  
  Annah immediately goes to kiss you.
  
  "Then let's get started." She says and continues to kiss you while trying to strip off her clothing.
  
  You proceed to rekindle the old flames.
  
  Next day...
  
  "Hey, wake up. I know I'd love for you to sleep next to me naked all day, but sadly we've got some business to take care of." Annah says while nudging you awake, meanwhile you feel something wet on your hand, which is hanging over the side of the bed causing you to pull it away.
  "Ah! Something...oh it's Checkers. She was licking my hand." You say.
  "She likes you, though it's probably hard for you to believe."
  "Well the furry beast has assisted in saving my life a few times, so not that hard I suppose. Okay, well I'm up. Guess I'll get started on that thing. Thinking I'll hold the meeting just outside Jicol. There's a small clearing that's been used sometimes for such things."
  
  You proceed to get dressed and then give Annah a kiss before you leave.
  
  You seek out every rogue you know that could potentially be trouble in the future and explain that Sneaks recently spoke to you and after sleeping on it a bit you decided that everyone is right and the Black Hooks have to go, but you can't do it alone and you want to have a meeting to coordinate an attack.
  
  Surprisingly everyone you speak to is receptive to this idea and agrees to come to this meeting. Granted you have a fairly "honest" reputation and nobody really likes the Black Hooks, but you thought you were going to have a few suspicious folks hesitate. Even Sneaks is glad to hear you listened to him.
  
  "Somehow I knew you were a man of reason." Sneaks s