text: [Themes: fantasy, humor]
  
  Warts can stay and get drunk here if he wants, but you're not sticking around. You're also not leaving without something for your trouble, you take Wart's pack on a table stuffed with bottles and leave.
  
  "Ey! Dat's my shit!" Warts shouts and immediately begins to follow you.
  
  You make your way back through the sewers as quick as you can, while Warts is complaining.
  
  "Look, I knows ya didn't wanna stick around, but some of dose bottles is my cut!" Warts says.
  "As far as I'm concerned, you drank more than your cut back at the house! Besides, you told me you looted some body you found in one of the barrels, I'd say you came out ahead." You respond.
  "Alright, alright, but can ya at least gimme my pack back?!"
  "I'll give it back to you when we get to safety, staying around here is just not a good idea...shit!"
  
  You suddenly hear the sounds of multiple footsteps heading your direction and you immediately find an alcove to hide in and pull out your pistol. Warts of course crowds your hiding spot, you just hope the smell of the sewers masks his own odor from whoever is approaching.
  
  And it's not just one either, it's a whole group of them.
  
  "Reginald said we need to get another sacrifice for the next ritual to Neroth. You know Reginald is very particular about these things." A red robed individual says passing by.
  "Then Reginald can stop buttfucking the baron's son for one second and start doing his own dirty work. I know he likes to think he's some sort of high priest of Neroth and all, but he's a fucking dabbling ponce. Him and his noble boyfriend have no real idea of how this shit works." Another one says.
  "Say that to his face."
  "Don't worry I will when the time comes. The only reason why I'm following this fool, is because he's got connections. When this city is in our grasp, then all bets are off, and you, ALL of you had best know what side you stand on. A true believer in the ways of Neroth or a fucking pretender. Neroth isn't about sacrifices and decadent orgies. It's about fucking chaos. It's about bringing ruin to civilization. To spit in the eye of all things dedicated to order and good, even to the smallest degree. The Baron's son is free to take over this city if he wants, but I guarantee the only thing he's going to be ruling over is a smoldering pile of rubble. I suggest you ALL remember that."
  
  The group of red robed folks don't say much to their more passionate comrade, but a couple give some quieter acknowledgements of agreement. Meanwhile you're still hiding in the darkness wondering if you'll get lucky and get a kill with every bullet before they take you down. Fortunately they move on past you without seeing you.
  
  After waiting a bit, you leave your hiding spot and make your way back even quicker than before. Even Warts isn't complaining anymore and is focused on escape.
  
  You don't stop to rest until you get back up top.
  
  "Shit...thank Yag we got outta there when we did." Warts says catching his breath.
  "Thank ME, that we got out when we did. I can only imagine the shit we would have been in had we still been in the house when they got back to it."
  "Yeah, suppose that was good thinkin' on yer part. Guess you do deserve most of the loot."
  "I was taking it anyway, such as it is. Damn, guess Yinen was right about Neroth cultists though. Just one more fucked up thing in this city. Probably best if I don't tell him where I got these bottles of wine."
  
  You transfer the bottles out of Wart's pack and into your own and after a few exchanged words, you and he parts ways. You can't say this was the best night out, though you'd be lying if a small part of you didn't get a minor thrill out of it all. You might have even enjoyed all this, if you made out with more stuff.
  
  You return to Hell's Own and take the rest of the night off. Hopefully you can get a good price for the wine otherwise it really will have been all pretty pointless.
  
  The next morning as soon as you make your way down stairs to go see Yinen, you're approached by two figures.
  
  One of them is very non-descript and oldish looking man, probably not a bad quality to have for blending in with the crowd during a quick getaway actually. The other you can't tell due to the hood, but judging from the smaller body type with more curves, and long white hair peeking out from the hood they're probably female.
  
  "Hi, friend." The older one says.
  "Okay, I already know anyone who starts calling me friend as a greeting is probably the exact opposite." You say.
  "My, you're a suspicious one. Though understandable and smart. However, if you give the pair of us time, you will soon see there is no need for animosity."
  "Don't see why I should give you time at all."
  "Well maybe it's because you've been operating on our turf for quite some time now."
  
  Your hearts sinks when you hear this and then you instinctively start to go for your weapon. However the older man backs off and raises his hands.
  
  "Relax. That wasn't a threat. That was just to get your attention. We're not the Ebony Claw if that's what you're worried about." He says.
  "Thieves Guild. Thought you guys didn't have turf." You say not really relaxing too much.
  "Officially we don't, but ever since the ECS, well it helps to label things. At least until they're gone anyway. In any case my name is Garrick and your recent exploits, along with your ongoing ones have caught our attention, so if you don't mind, can we sit down to speak?"
  
  You didn't plan on this, but it would probably be better if you didn't cause a scene, so you, Garrick and his quiet friend all sit at table.
  
  "So, this is Thieves Guild territory now? I always thought this place was supposed to be neutral." You say.
  "It is for the most part it is, though officially it's ours. Really it just gets spread around that this is neutral territory to keep the new non-aligned thieves feeling safe. You're not exactly the only new one that's come through here thinking they don't have to join a side if they want to continue to ply their trade. You've just lasted longer and shown more skill than most."
  "Wait a minute, is Warts part of the Thieves Guild?"
  "Heh, Warts is more of a outside ally. He's actually spoken highly of you. As has Yinen. That's why I've come to see you for myself."
  
  Well this just goes to show how wet behind the ears you still are that you never thought that you'd been in a Thieves Guild haven the whole time. Even Warts managed to fool you. Though it does explain a few things. Maybe this whole thing was a test.
  
  "So are you the leader of the Thieves Guild?"
  "I'm more of its...yes, well I guess leader would be the term, but honestly I hate it. You're probably thinking I'm here to press gang you into joining, but I'm not. In fact there was a time when this place was filled with freelance thieves. The city is a big thriving place after all, plenty of loot to go around. Our Guild is more of a club of sorts rather than some sinister octopus organization. People join because they want to, well that and the fact that we do tend to pull off the more lucrative jobs and get better deals on selling stolen merchandise. You have to do a job for the good of the Guild every now and then, but even then you still get a cut of the money. But I'm sure to some extent, you're aware of some of this."
  "Yeah, I am, but this still feels like recruitment."
  "Times are harder since the Ebony Claw moved in, and I won't lie, there is a war going on. And there is also strength and protection in numbers.
  "So which do you think is more necessary? Your protection or my strength?"
  "Why not both? Look I can see you're in a bit of a hurry to sell off your loot, so how about this token of good will, I'll give you five platinum pieces what you got in your bag."
  "Five plat?"
  
  Garrick dumps the coins in front of you, which you immediately inspect. They're real and a lot more than what you were expecting to get for your trouble. Garrick's friend turns her head a bit towards him, but doesn't say anything. You get the impression she doesn't approve.
  
  Meanwhile, you waste no time in handing over the bottles to Garrick.
  
  "So, you're really not here to force me to join you? This isn't a trick?" you ask.
  "If it was, do you think we'd tell you? However, if you think you can handle the Syndicate all by yourself good luck. I'm sure if you haven't caught their attention by now, you soon will. The ECS is fairly efficient that way. In any case, we're reaching a hand out to you because we think you'd be an asset to the Guild. If you don't like it, you can always leave the city entirely. That's already better than the Claw. Once you join them, it's for life." Garrick remarks.
  "Wasn't planning on joining them either."
  "Glad to hear it, but will you at least think about our offer? If you change your mind, just let Yinen know. In any case, pleasure meeting you and doing business. Hope we can do it again on a regular basis."
  
  And with those last words, Garrick and his associate get up and make their exit, leaving you to ponder your next decision. Which of course is to go spend your new wealth.
  
  You spend the next few days not doing much of anything other than buying some things you need and spending a little extra on better quality food than you normally do.
  
  You also visit one of the better brothels in the city and as it turns out when you enter you're met with a lot of positivity by the madam and some of the other ladies. At first you figure they're just being nice to get more money out of you, but as it turns out the girl you set free back in Reginald's house was a worker here. (She's thoughtfully been given a couple days off so she can get her head back in the game again)
  
  As a result of your actions, you get a discount, which you take full advantage of. You leave the brothel feeling like robbing that cultist's house wasn't a bad thing after all. You even entertain the idea that Yag has blessed you a bit.
  
  Then not five minutes later after leaving the brothel you're attacked on the street by three thugs catching you slipping.
  
  A crushing blow to your head is felt, though fortunately not enough to knock you out completely, just enough to cause you to fall to the ground.
  
  "This the one Mantis mentioned. Quick, let's finish him off." One says.
  "You idiot, we were supposed to drag him someplace quiet and not draw a fucking crowd in front of us." The second remarks.
  "What difference does it make? Not like any of the people around are going to stop us anyway." The third adds.
  "The difference is we're supposed to be at least somewhat discreet."
  "Fuck that. This sends a message to everyone not to fuck with us!"
  "Okay then how about this? The Holgard Watch might look the other way every now and then, but they'll stop doing that if we're blatantly murdering people in the streets. Only they get to do that. You want to answer to Mantis when he's bitching about one of our Blue Dream houses getting raided suddenly?"
  "Eh, fine. Better disarm this...ARGH!" one of the thugs shouts as you jam your dagger into his leg up to the hilt.
  
  You scramble away and manage to get back up, but one of the thugs is already upon you. The whole time slack jawed gawkers either just watch in silence or they run off not wishing to be caught up in this.
  
  You feel a punch to the face sending to back to the ground, but fortunately away from the pair of them. The two thugs ignore their companion still screaming with a dagger in his leg and advance on you again.
  
  You aren't completely drained of energy, and you probably could try to run, they were arguing about not killing you in the street and given all the commotion going on, they may abandon their task if you prove to be too much trouble right now.
  
  Of course you don't have a pistol for nothing.
  
  > Shoot
  These people are already trying to kill you in broad daylight in front of people, all bets are fucking off.
  
  You sit up and pull out your pistol which causes the closest thug's eyes to widen.
  
  "Shi..." is all he utters before you blast him in the chest.
  
  As he falls, his comrade has already turned and ran, but you fire off another shot as soon as you stand back up and land a hit to the back of his skull.
  
  The one you hit in the chest lies bleeding, clutching his blood soaked shirt and still convulsing. He's dying, but you're not waiting that long and shoot him in the head.
  
  You pass by the other one you shot in the back of the head and towards the one still screaming about his leg. Except now, he's not crying about his leg now so much as he's begging for mercy.
  
  "Wait! Stop! If you kill me, the Ebony Claw Syndicate will continue to hound you! Let me live and I can..." he says before you interrupt.
  "Fuck you. You're nobody important and I'd wager the ECS would look MORE favorable on me by culling their ranks of pieces of shit that can't even do their job right." You say, and then shoot him twice in the head.
  
  With your last assailant dead, you grab your dagger out of his leg and get the hell out of the area since you've become more aware of your surroundings which are people screaming, yelling and generally running away. While this place might be a crime cesspit, the fact that you openly killed three Ebony Claw members in front of everyone (Which is something at least one of them was trying to avoid doing to you) you probably look crazier than the usual type of criminal around here, especially since you aren't even in the worst part of the city.
  
  Besides all that, you don't exactly have any protection from the Holgard Watch so they aren't likely to just look away in your case.
  
  You take several side streets and even backtrack a few times, before you eventually just go down one of the sewer openings in the hopes of hiding for a while.
  
  You actually wander down there for a while since it isn't like you're an expert in navigating your way around in the sewers. You run into a few bums, some really destitute Blue Dream junkies, and some oversized fauna, but nobody of any major importance.
  
  Eventually you get to a part of the sewer that seems familiar from the last time you were here and you make your way back up.
  
  When you exit, you find that you're not too far from Hell's Own Inn, so you get back there as soon as possible since you think you need to reconsider an option you were given earlier.
  
  You head straight to Yinen who assumes you're to meet him for business as usual.
  
  "Hey, I got those bullets and that cleaning kit you wanted." Sinin says.
  "Yeah, that's great, I might be needing that soon, look I gotta talk to you. Garrick approached me a couple days ago." You say.
  "Yeah I know, I told him that I didn't think you'd be interested in joining...wait I hope you're not mad at me for not telling you about having connections to the Guild. I assumed you probably knew somewhere in the back of your mind and I wasn't supposed to be announcing that anyway."
  "Shut up for a minute, I'm trying to tell you that I want to join."
  "You do?"
  "Yeah, Garrick told me to talk to you if I changed my mind."
  "Oh, okay. Yeah sure, what caused you to change your mind?"
  "I dunno, I guess the safety in numbers thing. So when do I get to go to the big hideout?"
  "Hold on there! Just because you join doesn't mean you get to go to the main base of operations. If every new recruit got to go there after they joined, the ECS probably would have discovered its location by capturing and torturing one of them. There's also a process of weeding out potential spies. Certainly hope you didn't run off and join the ECS and then hope to get in good with them by doing that."
  "I don't think the ECS is going to let me join anytime soon considering I just shot three of them."
  "You what?"
  "Three of them jumped me and I had to defend myself."
  "Are they dead?"
  "I certainly hope so since I shot them all in the head to make sure."
  
  You explain in a little more detail about what happened and Yinen starts to look more concerned.
  
  "Shit. Man, you're going to definitely be marked now. I'm surprised you didn't just leave the city." Sinin says.
  "I thought about it as I was stomping around the sewers, but what good would that do? If the ECS is going to be as pissed at me as I think they'll probably be, it's not like they won't send assassins after me elsewhere. If I'm here and join you guys at least there's a chance." You respond.
  "Honestly, sometimes I wonder, but I guess I shouldn't talk like that. Shit, I can't believe that you...well I'll definitely inform Garrick. I can't say if this is going to get you into the Guild lair itself, but it probably will make Garrick look favorably upon you. Just stay in this inn for a while, , all your food and drink will be taken care of. Someone more important than me will contact you. Here, take your bullets and kit while you're at it."
  
  You take your stuff and head to your room where you immediately reload your pistol and start organizing your belongings and items, just in case you need to leave in a hurry.
  
  You spend a lot of time in your room basically pacing the floor, wondering if you've made the right decision, but you try not to think about it too much since it's done now and you'll hopefully have new allies that will at least watch your back.
  
  Eventually you get tired of being in your room and decide to go take advantage of your free food and drink.
  
  You find an empty table, put your back against the wall and partake in your meal. You constantly watch the door expecting trouble to come in.
  
  Of course while you were so busy watching the door, you completely didn't notice the person coming up to your table and sits down across from you.
  
  It's the woman that was with Garrick earlier. You still can't quite make out her face, it's as if the hood completely shrouds it in darkness. The white hair still peaks out though.
  
  As she sits across from you, she says nothing. She just stares. Or at least you assume she's staring at you, you can't see her eyes.
  
  "Hey. I remember you. You're Garrick's friend. Guess you're the one he sent to contact me." You say.
  
  You get no answer.
  
  You take a drink and try again.
  
  "Um, never did get your name."
  
  No answer.
  
  You wait for a little while expecting something, but just silence. You're a little on edge as it is, so you fall back to mild churlishness.
  
  "So...is this silent act supposed to shed more light on whether or not I'm in the Guild or not or are you just fascinated by my good looks?"
  
  Suddenly a dagger comes short of severing the finger from your hand while the woman reaches over the table to grab you by your shirt. She's a lot stronger than she would appear since you're partially yanked out of your seat towards her.
  
  You finally see her face due to being so close to her now. She's quite pretty. Unnaturally alluring might be a more accurate word, but obviously she isn't entirely human. Besides her hair being pure white, her eyes now give away an otherworldly appearance and right now her eyes are glowing a reddish color and look like they could twist mithril with the stare they're giving you.
  
  "Listen up, because I'm only saying this once! Maybe Garrick thinks you're an asset to the Guild, but I'm not convinced. You better show me something better than the pitiful displays you've shown since you got here." She says.
  
  Every logical fiber of your being tells you that you should just shut the fuck up, but maybe it's your nerves or you feel like this is some sort of test or maybe its this woman herself...but whatever the reason... you don't shut the fuck up.
  
  "So, been watching me since I got here huh? Good to know."
  
  You see her roll her eyes and she releases you and sits back down.
  
  "Please, I didn't even know about you until recently and that's only because you and that lowly halfbreed foolishly went and half assed robbed a rich Neroth cultist." the woman says.
  "Hey that wasn't my idea." You point out.
  "Well then you're shit at picking a partner and I question your wisdom."
  "Okay, fair, but I'd say I made the best of the situation AND got out of there without getting caught."
  "So what? You ended up saving a whore who then blabbed to her fellow whores about the so-called noble thief that saved her life! You do realize that you're probably not JUST on the ECS hit list, but you've probably just made enemies with certain members of what passes for the aristocracy around here along with a cult of fanatics."
  "So what you're saying is I should have just left the girl to get tortured and killed. I'll remember that for next time."
  "What I'm saying is it was fucking sloppy and you're not half as good as you think you are."
  "Okay, but I know I can't be as bad as you're making out either. If I was so horrible, your boss wouldn't be considering me."
  "First off, Garrick is NOT my fucking boss. I don't have a boss. Second, if you were any worse, I'd seriously be questioning Garrick's decision on this. Arguably the ONLY thing in your favor as far as I'm concerned is the fact you killed three ECS members. And you did that sloppy as well and it isn't making me inclined to impress me any more than when I first had the displeasure of laying eyes on you."
  
  This girl REALLY dislikes you to a point where you're almost wondering if you did something to her personally or something. Then again you've had people try to kill you for less.
  
  Yet...you can't help it...there's something about her that just...
  
  "Well I hope I can impress you in the future since now that I have laid eyes upon your lovely face, I can definitely say that it has not been a displeasure."
  
  The hooded woman sits back a bit as if you've actually succeeded in making her slightly uncomfortable.
  
  "Maybe you feeble charm works on whores, but you'll find that I'm unimpressed by such attempts." She says dismissively.
  "Maybe I need to try harder then." You respond.
  
  At this point you succeed in making her angry again, she actually sits up and snatches her dagger out of the table and waves it at you.
  
  "And maybe you need to learn your limitations." she exclaims.
  "Maybe I'm just setting my sights higher. If I'm joining your Guild, I'm going to have to be better than I am. That means taking more risks even when there is potential danger."
  
  You look at her dead serious when you say this. You actually don't even know where all this is coming from honestly. It's almost like you're under a spell. The hooded woman doesn't even acknowledge what you're saying.
  
  "Tomorrow night, be prepared to go on a job with a Guild member. A REAL Guild member. He will meet you here and from there we'll see if we need to waste anymore time with you." She says.
  "It won't be you? A pity, well I'll be looking forward to the day when we can do a job together." You respond.
  
  Without even realizing it, you've touched her other hand that's on the table.
  
  She of course immediately notices this and for a split second she probably considers breaking or stabbing your hand, but instead she just pulls her hand away and then steps back from the table altogether.
  
  "You...you are not going to last that long." She says and then leaves.
  
  As soon as she steps out of the inn, you sit there in a daze for a while, but then you suddenly snap out of it.
  
  "What the fuck was wrong with me? I could have gotten myself killed, flirting like that."
  
  You briefly wonder if maybe you drank too much, but that definitely wasn't it. You'd say it was the woman herself that was causing you to do that, but she didn't seem like she wanted anything to do with you on that front.
  
  You head back to your room and you can't get your mind off of her. You'd visit a brothel, but that didn't work out so well last time. So you take the matter in hand...
  
  By the time the tomorrow night rolls around, you're sort of glad to meet up with the other Guild member since you're hoping it will clear your mind.
  
  The Guild member in question calls himself Sneaks. He's an older man, though certainly still younger than Garrick. Says he's been friends with Garrick for a long time and also mentions that he hopes you're as promising as he's heard.
  
  The job that you and Sneaks are to perform doesn't sound all that difficult, which is just as well since you're still having problems focusing. When he asks if you have any questions, you just have one and that's what's the name of the hooded woman who spoke to you yesterday.
  
  Immediately Sneaks shakes his head.
  
  "Oh for...you saw her face and looked straight into her eyes didn't you? Fuck. Well that explains why she came back all pissed off and not very talkative yesterday. Though she's surly at the best of times. It's a temporary effect kid, try to just focus on the job okay?"
  "I don't understand."
  
  Sneaks sighs a bit.
  
  "Okay, real quick. Her name is Tanya and if you want to make yourself happy, you will NOT pursue that one. Just forget about her. I know it's difficult right now, but you'll be better off. Trust me." Sneaks says.
  "Is she involved with someone else?" you ask.
  "Not exactly, but...look she's got some demon blood in her. I mean surely you realized that she wasn't quite human right?"
  "Well yeah, but demon didn't come to mind, but so what? I don't care, I want to get to know her..."
  "Hah! I know how YOU want to get to know her! Trust me, you aren't the first to try, and you probably won't be the last, but so far every guy I've seen try has failed. Just walk away. Now get your mind off her ass and back to business."
  
  While Sneaks' advice is well meaning, it wasn't exactly Tanya's ass that was clouding your mind, but rather her face. Fortunately Sneaks is also correct in that the effect does seem to dissipate.
  
  As for the job, it goes a lot better than the one you did with Warts that's for sure.
  
  Sneaks says that it'll still be awhile before you're allowed to actually go to the Guild proper, he says that as long as you keep up the good work, you'll eventually get to see it.
  
  However, at this point you just want to see Tanya again. Looks like she didn't leave your thoughts completely.
  
  Probably for the best that she's still lingering in your mind, because if you really thought about just how deep of shit you probably are as far as powerful enemies you've made, you'd probably be a lot more depressed.
  
  > Time passes...
  Year 18
  
  "Yep, Garrick's been very impressed with you. I'd say a few more jobs and you'll finally get invited to where all the magic takes place." Sneaks says.
  "I can hardly wait." You say.
  "Well geez son, don't sound so enthusiastic. Last year you kept asking me if you were any closer to getting into the Guild headquarters."
  "Last year, I was still a bit more optimistic about my choice in joining the guild."
  "Oh? And how exactly did we fail you your majesty?"
  "That's not exactly what I mean, but if we're going that route, I just thought I'd be doing slightly better while aligned with you lot."
  
  Sneaks starts laughing.
  
  "Well that's your first problem right there. Joining a criminal organization that's currently feuding with another one isn't exactly a stable future son." Sneaks says.
  "I know that too, it's just...okay...I'm just a little concerned that we aren't doing too much directly against the Ebony Claw Syndicate. I mean shouldn't we be doing something more to decrease their power? Their presence hasn't exactly decreased in the city and if anything it has only gotten stronger." You respond.
  "I dunno about that, I'd say they're probably struggling like everyone else currently. If they were truly stronger in presence they'd be directly attacking us and some of our hangouts more often."
  "Well that's still a problem since it's still not progress, it's just keeping the status quo."
  "So, what are you going to do? Shoot them all?"
  "Well considering how many I have shot, I'd say it's not a bad plan. Not to mention it's something I could have easily done on my own."
  "And you would have been dead already on your own. But if you really feel like you could do better on your own then nothing is holding back from leaving. Why stay?"
  "Because obviously I'm still an optimistic idiot."
  "I don't believe that, I believe its MORE likely you're just sticking around because you're an infatuated idiot."
  "What?"
  "Don't play dumb with me, I know you still got a thing for Tanya after I told you to just walk away. I remember when we all had to work on that job together three months ago, I swear at one point with how hard you were starin' at her, I thought you were going to whip your dick out and start wackin' it right there."
  
  You laugh at that remark.
  
  "You laugh because you know it's true." Sneaks says.
  "Yeah well it certainly is a better reason than anything else I could come up with, and I'm not totally convinced that goal isn't at least as possible as wiping out the ECS as a force in this city." You respond.
  "I dunno about that. You've at least killed Ebony Claw members, you haven't even gotten a kind word from Tanya yet."
  "Yes I did! She said she couldn't believe I was still alive and that I had to be the idiot bastard son of Yag eternally blessed with more luck than actual ability."
  "Hm. Well actually coming from her that IS a kind word. Congrats. At the risk of inflating your ego even more...and she'd probably kill me if I told you...she actually would somewhat agree with you on your views about the Ebony Claw. She sort of wishes we took the fight more to them too. Actually you could probably count me in that group as well."
  "So why the hell aren't we doing more then and why isn't Garrick being pro-active?"
  "He actually is, just not in the way you think. He thinks an all out gang war would be a mistake due to them having the numbers. He might be right, I don't know. But all that shit we steal and the Guild gets a cut of? That doesn't all just go towards equipment and extra casks of booze for the headquarters. Some of that money goes towards more important things like bribes, paying off the Watch and getting a few underpaid bean counters on our side to muddle paper work on occasion."
  "Well that's great and all, but how's that fuck up the Ebony Claw?"
  "It doesn't, but it keeps a balance. You don't think they don't do the same thing? Try to manipulate the law in their favor? The only reason why the Holgard Watch doesn't mess with either side much is because they're taking bribes from both sides. They got best racket in this city. They practically never even have to do their fucking jobs! Garrick HOPES that one day he'll be able to manipulate the right people that will cripple the EC, but I can say right now, he's doomed to failure, because at his core, he's too fucking nice. Bribery only gets you so far. To do what he wants to do, he'd need to rely more on blackmail and extortion, which isn't something he's too fond of getting heavily into."
  "Surprised nobody's tried to kill him and take power from him."
  "I said he's nice, not a pussy. There have been a few who have tried over the years, mostly before the EC established a greater presence, but the man isn't unskilled in the ways of defending himself. Besides the Thieves Guild isn't the Ebony Claw and because Garrick is so fucking nice, people generally like him enough that they'd rather keep him as head of the organization. Not to mention we don't exactly have the most ambitious bunch in the Guild. Most of the really ruthless, kill their own mother types to get ahead join the EC. We're not Joachimites, but I'd still wager that most of us in the Guild have just a few more scruples than the average EC member."
  "Yeah, well scruples doesn't win wars."
  "No argument there. Look kid, I'm not sure what to tell you, except I do hope you stick with us. I don't care what your reasons are, whether its for safety, or riches or you