text: [Themes: fantasy, serious, humor]
  
  Year 32
  
  It's been awhile, but it's good to see Vera again even if she's just here for a visit. She's got some strong opinions on some of the changes that have happened recently though.
  
  "I'm not sure if staying neutral was the best decision. We probably should have directly helped the Felians. They were our allies after all and now we don't have any." Vera says.
  "We still have an understanding with the Baroness. So, we're not that bad off." You say.
  "I suppose, but..."
  "But what?"
  "Well that's something I need to talk to you about because it could possibly affect the League."
  "Well guess I better hear it then."
  
  Vera takes a drink of the rum she's brought with her from Jicol before continuing.
  
  "Okay, I guess I'll start at the beginning. Let's see...what do you know of Peter Varsakken? Youngest son of Vlad." Vera asks.
  "Um, nothing actually. Didn't know there was another one of Vlad's spawn running around. Wait, is this another one of his bastards, like you?" you ask with a smirk.
  "Oh no. He's very much legitimate. It's just that after he had a disagreement with his father and fled the city, all records were pretty much erased of him. He's basically been living in exile in the Delantium Kingdom. Peter's disagreement with his father involved the whole breaking away from the Delantium Kingdom in the first place. Peter was the only one who saw it as treason and remained loyal to Delantium. Over the years Peter has been trying to amass an army to take back the city."
  "It's my understanding that the Delantium Kingdom hasn't exactly been in a big hurry to retake this place. I mean it's been decades hasn't it?"
  "Well they've been sort of busy with other things, like their recent war with Nichan for example. While the ruling class over there doesn't want to spend their resources and treasury to take this place back, they certainly won't turn down someone else willing to do the job, and that's where Peter comes in. He's of noble birth, loyal to the kingdom and would be an excellent governor for this city and absorb it back into Delantium's fold."
  "I see, and how do you know all this?"
  "The captain who brought me here, Zamed has been privateering for the Delantium Kingdom. He was contacted by Peter who is still trying to amass a conquering force of men and ships to take back his birthright. In fact Zamed is supposed to be organizing the majority of a flotilla of Hessla privateers"
  "And you trust this pirate?"
  "Of course not, but I trust the fact that I know how to lay it down good enough that he told me all this stuff in the bedroom without me even asking."
  "Okay, I don't need details on that part."
  "Anyway, Peter's been at this for years ever since he got exiled. He's suffered many set backs in his quest to retake Holgard. Every time he's been on the verge of being ready, something has happened. This was partially thanks to the Ebony Claw Syndicate sabotaging his efforts in Delantium, and sometimes even the Temple of Fel would hinder his efforts as well. However, since things have changed drastically over the years in this city, he's in the best position he's ever been in to retake this place."
  "What makes you think he won't get sabotaged again by either group? I mean the Ebony Claw might not have a direct presence here, but they're still making some coin from us. Same is somewhat true of the Felians, though different reasons. They're allies with the ECS, so they tend to help them and it isn't like the Felian Temple here is our enemy even if they aren't aligned or in any position to do anything in the first place."
  "Perhaps, but I'm just not sure if the Baroness is a sure thing in the future. If Peter invades and assuming the League here survives the chaos of it, from what I've heard Peter is lot more of a law and order fanatic than his father and siblings. He's going to re-establish Delantium law here and that means a whole lot less freedom."
  "So you think I should make a deal with this Peter Varsakken?"
  "Heh, if I thought that might help, I might suggest it, but even if that was successful, you're still kicking a hell of a lot of coin to not just the Holgard government in bribes, but to the ECS for their cut as well. And that will be true even if Peter doesn't invade Holgard or fails."
  "So what are you suggesting?"
  
  Vera touches you hand.
  
  "Leave here and come to Jicol." Vera says.
  "What? I can't do that, I got shit to run here. Who am I going to leave in charge? Warts?"
  "Leave whoever you want in charge. I'm suggesting that you completely abandon Holgard. I dunno, maybe make a deal with the Syndicate. Hand Holgard over to them as a one time pay off to not be taxed anymore. Our territory can be Jicol and they can have the rest. Seems like they might go for that."
  "That would be severe pay cut and I'm not fond of the idea of running away."
  "Oh come on, that's pride talking. Fuck pride. I mean this place is potentially standing in the way of a shitstorm and I'd rather pull you out of its direction. And while it might be a drop in coin, trust me we do just fine in Jicol. We'll do even better if we aren't paying off the Syndicate anymore too."
  "Hmm, I'm interested in just HOW well you're doing in Jicol. I mean I figured you were always holding back a bit."
  "What?! I'll have you know that I've NEVER skimmed off the top! While it is true much coin has been made under my management of the League, you've always gotten your cut! However...if you decide to come to Jicol, you may as well know, I do have a side business for my own independent of the League."
  "Of your own, what would..."
  
  You suddenly know immediately what Vera is engaged in.
  
  "...oh wait. Shit. You're in the slave trade again aren't you?"
  
  Vera's hand doesn't move away from yours, instead she just squeezes yours a bit more.
  
  "I know! I know! I should have told you sooner, but it seemed cowardly in a letter and I felt I should at least tell you in person! I know you're not fond of slavery, but the location and demand was too good to pass up in Jicol. I'd be a fool if I didn't excel in something I was skilled in."
  "Well I suppose I can't fault you for that. (Sigh)"
  "You aren't yelling and screaming, I trust you're not mad?"
  "No. I mean I'm hardly in a position to judge on any moral grounds and I don't even give a shit about the extra coin you're making. It's just...I dunno. Slavery is just one of those things I feel...icky about. Don't ask me why."
  "How is it any different than making some dumb ass addicted to Purple Wish? They basically become a slave to the drug."
  "The dumb asses getting addicted to Purple Wish have a choice. Look, as I said, I'm not pissed or anything like that, but if I was to come to Jicol, I'd have some strong feeling about you continuing your slave trade business. In any case I'm still not convinced that I should just run away. Speaking with Peter Varsakken would at least be a better idea, though I'm not exactly sure how I'd go about setting up a meeting with him...wait a minute, that pirate of yours Zamed. He wouldn't happen to be meeting him anytime soon would he?"
  "I believe he's going to meet him after he leaves. In fact he tried to convince me that I should go with him, but I didn't see much point with the League attempting to ally with Peter for the same reasons I told you."
  "Hmm, maybe I should go with him and try to meet with Peter. Feel him out and see if there is any potential there."
  "I dunno. That really seems like a bad idea. I really wish you would just come to Jicol instead."
  
  It's apparent that Vera's desire for you to go to Jicol is more than just pragmatic reasons. The girl is obviously carrying feelings for you. Always has most likely. If things were different, you might be more inclined to jump at the chance, but this fucking curse is sort of preventing you from such a thing, but that's not really your immediate concern right now.
  
  Still, you aren't totally dismissing that idea. Vera usually has good instincts about this sort of thing so it might very well be a good idea to get the hell out of Holgard.
  
  Then again, there's no certainty that Peter's even going to win, assuming he even invades in the first place. It would be pretty wasteful to just abandon everything you built here.
  
  > stay in Holgard
  As much as your current situation isn't exactly the most ideal, you're not really ready to just cut and run just yet. Not to mention you doubt if the Syndicate is going to just let you walk away even if you offered them Holgard. It's like they say, you can't just walk away from this life unless you're planning on going into hiding in a far away land.
  
  In any case, Peter's invasion is probably going to be sabotaged again by the Syndicate since they're going to want to protect their business here.
  
  "Vera, thanks for the information and I'll take steps to prepare just in case, but I'm not just abandoning Holgard unless it's really hopeless." You say.
  "(Sigh) I figured you'd say that. Well I don't suppose there is much more I can convince you then since you seem to be immune to my other charms. Um... sorry about touching your hand like that, I sometimes forget our boundaries. I just...worry sometimes." Vera remarks.
  "It's fine. Anyway, looks like I'll need to get some more hobs on the payroll."
  "What? You can't seriously be considering hiring more hobs."
  "Well if an invasion does occur then they're going to be my best personal defense. You wouldn't happen to know how long before Peter gets his shit together do you?"
  "The rumor is at least by next year."
  "Okay should be plenty of time to prepare. Guess that's it then."
  "Guess so.
  "You going to leave with your pirate boyfriend?"
  "Who Zamed? He's not my boyfriend, he was just a convenient dick. He's on his way to meet with Peter anyway so I'm leaving on another ship in a few days. Tried to convince me to do so as well, but I saw no reason for that and even if I did I'd at least bring it to your attention first. I suppose you might be right about all this possibly not even panning out anyway. I probably could even help on that front by convincing some of the pirates I do business with to not join Zamed's flotilla."
  "Certainly couldn't hurt."
  
  You and Vera talk a bit more about less important matters before you eventually part ways due to having business to take care of. You see Vera one more time before she leaves where upon she says that she tells you to be careful and hugs you goodbye.
  
  A few months pass and besides hiring more hobs, it's pretty much business as usual. About a week after the latest visit by the Syndicate rep to pick up their cut, you get a surprising request from the Temple of Fel to meet with you. Apparently Dusk wants to speak about re-establishing an alliance.
  
  Since it seems like a good time to boost your ranks you agree to meet though you do it on your own territory since you're not fool enough to meet with a shadow priest with no back up.
  
  Honestly, you don't know much about Dusk other than he's significantly younger than both of his predecessors that took power. When he arrives you intend on expanding your knowledge on him and what his temple has been up to lately.
  
  As it turns out, not much. He states that he thought inward reflection might help them find greater meaning of Fel's plan, which in turn made him realize that without allies the Temple is doomed to die a slow lingering death.
  
  "What makes you say that? It isn't like there are anymore religious factions in this city anymore." You ask.
  "True, but it isn't like there are flocks of people stepping up to join us either. Religion, perhaps even the gods themselves have seemingly abandoned this city. I suppose with all the strife I can't really blame them either. I try to keep the faith, but it's getting harder every day."
  "So what are you getting at?"
  "What I'm getting at is that while what remains of our temple may still hold Fel's dark wisdom, the truth is, we cannot possibly continue as a congregation here. Our temple has started to fall into decay. The baroness who once was a dabbler in our faith has even abandoned us. We got a message not too long ago about a new law taxing religious organizations, which we can't pay of course. Of course if we don't, the government is going to just demolish our temple to build a new inn there or something."
  "Wait, are you asking the Nocturnal League for a loan?"
  
  Dusk's face turns to one of embarrassment.
  
  "Sad to say, but in a sense yes. Honestly, we're asking for a little more than that. We want you to take over our temple's taxes just so we still have a roof over our heads. The temple has been our home for quite awhile along with having special meaning spiritually for the remainder of us, so we are very reluctant to leave it. In exchange, we will act as soldiers for the Nocturnal League. Whatever you need done, we'll do it. I'm sure you could use our talents in your line of work. If you wish, we will even teach shadow magic to those willing to learn and have the talent.
  
  Well this is a little different than you were expecting. You thought this was going to be a negotiation, not begging for a hand out. The temple of Fel really has fallen on hard times if they've been reduced to this state.
  
  While the whole point of being a criminal is to not pay taxes to begin with, you do see the potential here. It really couldn't hurt to have some shadow priests indebted to you especially if Peter invades.
  
  Plus that temple could very well be used for other things.
  
  You ask how much the taxes are which Dusk tells you and you find a little on the high side, but you're able to do it. You actually give them the stipulation that you're turning the temple into a new brothel (though they will still have their own living quarters) and you don't want them preaching about Fel to any League members. You still don't want your organization being mixed too much with religious fanaticism.
  
  Dusk doesn't even blink at your request, he just agrees. Truly a beaten man from a beaten organization.
  
  In any case at least this gives you a bit of magic leverage if trouble comes your way in whatever form.
  
  Year 33
  
  Peter Varsakken's invasion has been going on for a few weeks now, and so far the he's succeeded in is destroying Ludmilla's fleet and Holgard's docks.
  
  The one time you want the Ebony Claw to be effective, they slack off. So much for protecting their own interests.
  
  Still, on the plus side, Peter's failed miserably on getting much further mainly because he doesn't have enough men to hold this place. Most of his mercenaries have been killed and while he does have two wizards to help him, they are literally the only thing that's keeping him in the fight.
  
  Ludmilla's palace might as well be impregnable. She's using her own elite troops and magic to protect it, which is probably a mix of shadow and whatever she managed to learn from the Dornans before they got wiped out.
  
  As for you, you've mostly managed to keep away from the majority of the fighting. You've only taken a bit of collateral damage from a couple of your businesses getting destroyed, but that was to be expected. All in all, you've been doing okay.
  
  Since it's in your interest to not have Peter win, you've ordered Dusk and his friends to take out Peter's wizards. With them out of the way things can go back to normal or as normal as they get here.
  
  In the meantime you mostly wait around in your headquarters getting reports from people while the chaos goes on above. Warts surprisingly has stuck by your side rather than running off though he says he was sorely tempted. Things just aren't quite grim enough for him to do it yet though.
  
  "Hey boss, dat Dusky shadow iz at the door sayin he's got important news about the task you sent him on." Warts says.
  "Yeah, I sent him and his people to kill Peter's wizards. Did he do it?" you ask.
  "I dunno, but he's the only one standing outside in da sewers and he looks half dead."
  "Shit, that doesn't sound good. Well send him in here, maybe he killed at least one of them."
  
  Eventually Warts returns with Dusk who indeed looks very battle worn. The robe he wears is in tatters making him look more like a begger and his skin that's exposed is obviously burned. His face even has several fresh wounds on it.
  
  "Shit, Warts wasn't lying, you do look half dead." You say.
  "Better half than all." Dusk replies while wincing a bit from his pain.
  "The other Felians?"
  "Yes, dead. All of them. I'm the only one who survived. I can only hope my lost brothers and sisters are with Fel now."
  "Fuck, did you at least kill one of the bastards?"
  "Killed both of them. They are no longer an issue. I anticipate that Peter will have no choice but to abandon his invasion now."
  
  A weight is lifted when you hear this news. You were expecting Dusk to tell you something bad, so you have to ask again.
  
  "Wait, so you were successful? You killed them both?" you ask.
  "Wouldn't be here if I didn't." Dusk says.
  "Hell yeah! This is fucking great! Warts, take the rest of the hobs here go on a street cleaning mission. There probably shouldn't be too many of Peter's men at this point, but the quicker these shitheads are gone, the better. Also make the rounds at all of our businesses too."
  "You want me to take even them?" Warts asks pointing at your hob bodyguards.
  "Yeah, I want to speak with Dusk privately anyway."
  
  Warts shrugs and waves the two hobs standing nearby to come with him leaving you and Dusk alone.
  
  "You need medical attention or something? I thin we've got someone with some minor skills in that field around here." You ask.
  "No, I'm good really. Shit...I just need to rest for awhile. Gather my strength again." Dusk replies.
  "Sure. Sure. Take your time. You certainly earned it. Why don't you tell me what happened, I'm sure it was a difficult battle."
  
  Dusk with some effort tells you about his conflict with both of the wizards. The way he tells it is actually pretty impressive. You doubt if you could have faced two wizards like that.
  
  As he gets towards the end of his tale he starts to sound a little better.
  
  "That's one hell of a tale Dusk." You say.
  "And it's not even over yet." Dusk says.
  "Yeah, but it soon will be. Like you said, Peter will probably realize he can't hold this place."
  "That wasn't what I was talking about."
  "What did you mean then?"
  
  Dusk puts one finger to his lips and says "Shhhhh"
  
  At this point the candle light in your office goes out, immediately causing you to yell out, but no sound is made and instead you feel a blade going into you several times before you can even draw your weapon.
  
  As you collapse on the floor, wheezing and coughing up blood, Dusk's whispering voice can be heard.
  
  "Fel will now forgive the transgressions of my temple for breaking away from the true faith and embrace me as a proper member of the fold. Fel will become a power once again in this city."
  
  You feel one more sharp stab into your body before footsteps run off and out your office door. By the time any of your people realize something is amiss, you're dead.