text: Year 32
  
  "So yeah, they're going to start rebuilding that old Fel temple in the jungle and turning it into a headquarters soon." Marco tells you.
  "So Annah told me." You answer.
  "All the Black Hooks might soon be incorporated into the Syndicate proper as well, rather than just as associates. I don't think we would have been considered as quickly without you and your wife's input."
  "Good. You guys certainly deserve it, after all the hard work you've put in."
  "Um yeah, so are you going to join the Syndicate too?"
  "Me? I dunno. Been pretty preoccupied what with the family and all."
  "Yeah, yeah I know, but um... well its just if you don't become a full member, I'll probably have more authority than you in certain matters. I mean I don't think it'll come to this, but they could even have me take over this major operation here."
  
  You smile a bit.
  
  "Is that right? Who said this?" you ask.
  "Nathan, the Syndicate leader here." Marco says.
  "Of course he did."
  "I mean I wouldn't want to do it of course, but I mean order are orders. I mean you know how I really respect everything you've done and shit."
  "Don't worry about it Marco, because I'm not. You do what you gotta do and worry about your own future."
  "Um, okay boss."
  
  Marco leaves your shop and shake your head at Marco's almost apologetic warning. The boy would probably hesitate if he actually ever had to go against you. Long enough for you to get the advantage anyway, but you doubt if it would ever come to that.
  
  The Syndicate has mostly been happy with what you've been doing, though they do bring up the fact that you really should become a full member. You think Annah already would have, if not for you dragging your feet on the issue.
  
  You aren't sure why you are since you're practically ECS at this point. You suppose there's just a part of you that doesn't want to have that final binding agreement since if you do; it really would be for life.
  
  You suppose the choice might have been easier had you not just had one baby, but twins with Annah. That really complicated everything. (Especially when after they were born, the resemblance to you was unmistakable, so there was no getting out of it)
  
  Annah at first seemed fine to take a step back from her "job" to be a mother, and she still doesn't mind it, but over time she's been getting antsy. You think it started soon after Checkers died of old age last year. She's been going on about wanting to get back into things.
  
  In fact when you return home, you find Annah waiting up for you in the front room. This can't be good.
  
  "We need to talk. And I mean talk without raising our voices because I just got Emma and Evan to sleep." Annah says.
  "Okay... " you respond.
  "I need to get back to work."
  "Well I said you could help me at my shop, bring the kids along and keep them in the back and... "
  "No. Maybe you're content to sit around and letting your Black Hook kids do your legwork, but I want to be more active than that. Shit, you used to be more active too once."
  "Well its not like with the Syndicate around I can just go breaking into homes anymore, not that I need to. Besides, as you said, I got the Black Hooks doing shit for me."
  "Yeah that's another thing. I know a lot of them look up to you like some weird surrogate father figure, but those teenagers are not your children and as loyal as you believe them to be, the Syndicate's influence is only going to grow and eventually they might not be as reliable as you think they are. Besides, YOU now have real children you need to think about."
  "So what are you getting at exactly Annah?"
  "We need to make some really big fucking changes in our lives or we're going to be fucked over by the Syndicate."
  "I might remind you that being all hooked up with the Syndicate was your idea in the first place."
  "Yeah, because I see it as an opportunity for both of us. Especially now."
  "An opportunity to be indebted to a powerful merciless organization that will punish you severely if you fuck up? I mean I'm really not seeing it as a beneficial thing."
  
  Annah rubs her temples with some exasperation before continuing.
  
  "You're REALLY not seeing the benefits we have if we fully commit." Annah says.
  "Then why don't you explain it to me slowly because I know you've tried before and I still just don't get it." You reply.
  "Rook said this whole operation could be ours."
  "Oh yes, your buddy in Holgard. That's why he sent that Nathan guy to oversee things."
  "He only sent Nathan because neither one of us are proper ECS members! Of course he's still going to give preferential treatment to an actual member no matter how much he might like us."
  "He might like you, but I'm guessing that stopped when you showed up last time pregnant. And as for me he doesn't know me so I doubt if he gives a shit."
  "Okay first off, pretty sure Rook likes men. He's got some friend called Bolt he's really close with. I dunno. In any case as I said before, I did many assassin jobs for him in the past successfully so I've always had his respect. When I told him just in passing about Sneaks, the guy nearly broke into song and dance. I mean he REALLY hated that guy apparently. His only complaint is that he didn't get to kill Sneaks himself. I mean just based on THAT deed alone he was ready to hand operations of Jicol over to me. But I've explained that before."
  "Sorry, but I just don't have as much trust in this Rook as you do okay? I mean I hardly believe he's going to just hand Jicol over to us... or rather you for nothing."
  "Well of course not for nothing, obviously money would have to be kicked up to him, but shit we're already doing that now to Nathan. I mean if we're going to be in this position, we might as well have a whole island to run."
  "Yeah well I don't think Nathan's going to just step aside."
  "Well that's why we kill him and take over."
  
  You give a brief chuckle in disbelief.
  
  "So wait, not only are you suggesting that we join the Syndicate fully, but that we also kill one of its leaders? How the hell does that work?"
  "Very easily. Its not like Rook particularly likes Nathan. He only sent him because I never fully committed. Ultimately Rook isn't going to care if Nathan dies via an accident. If we get rid of him and those most loyal to him, then boom. We got control of this entire island and all we have to do is send coin back to Rook every once in awhile."
  "You do realize that it's not going to be just be a simple matter of shooting Nathan right? The guy is all wrapped up in that Fel shadow magic shit. And I still don't see how we can just get away with killing him. I mean I know the Syndicate is ruthless and people get executed for fucking up all the time, but if murdering your immediate superior was so commonly accepted the organization wouldn't last very long."
  "And you're right, but again Nathan really isn't favored and we've got the benefit of being far enough away that we can sort of operate differently around here."
  "Oh right, all of this is supposed to be Rook's private money making operation so he can gain more power and influence with the Syndicate to shake up the organization or something. Still not keen on being part of that big scheme either. Add the whole increase in Fel worship and it all just seems pretty risky."
  "Our whole lives have been risky. I mean every time you broke into a home and stole something you were taking a risk. Every day you spend being a criminal is risky. We don't live nice safe lifestyle in case you hadn't noticed."
  "Yeah, I get that, but there's still a fucking limit."
  
  Annah reaches out to you. You know she's really trying to convince you now.
  
  "You say that if we commit that we're running a high risk. You might be right. However, I'd propose that if we don't, we'll run an even higher risk. I mean maybe I've never really said this before, but you've got more potential than you ever give yourself credit for. I mean look what you did with the Black Hooks. If it wasn't for the Syndicate you'd be kingpin of Jicol. Hell, you were for a while. I know you partly did everything because this was my idea, but there's a part of you that still had the desire."
  "Maybe... "
  "However, I get that you've always had concerns about all this. And I know we've gone back and forth about this a few time before. So, I think if you're not willing to make that next step, then we need to do something that I believe you've probably thought about many times."
  "Which is?"
  "We relocate. I don't know where though, I assume you've had some thoughts on that matter."
  "Well you're not wrong about relocating. Though unfortunately I don't have a good idea of where. Preferably a place without any Syndicate influence, though Hessla and Klyton are sort of out of the question in that regard for other reasons. Maybe some place farther north, I'm just not as familiar with many of the settlements that way though. I know they tend to be smaller. Probably more dwarves."
  "Hm. Not exactly ideal."
  "I know. That's one of the reasons why I haven't really mentioned it to you. I mean I don't really want to have to start all over again either. I've done it about three times already. And right now, even with the Syndicate looming over us, this has probably been the best set up I've had. I just can't ignore that threat though, even if I do see the logic and benefits in your plan."
  
  You and Annah are silent for a moment and then she speaks again.
  
  "Well, I just want you to know, whatever you decide, I'll follow your lead. I was serious when I said that I want us to work this time. So if that means if we stay here or go north, or if I get back to what I want to do or I have to continue playing full time mom, then that's what I'll do." Annah says.
  
  That's quite the sacrifice for Annah who has traditionally always done her own thing. Granted she's changed a lot since being a teenager, but still sort of a switch considering she started this conversation with the desire of wanting to be more active in the business both of you have chosen.
  > relocate
  It's not ideal, but maybe it's been a long time coming. You need to get out of here before you're unable to.
  
  "We've got coin saved up. Not as much as I'd like, but enough for us to be comfortable for a while. I've heard of a port town far to the north on the mainland called Yiktolv that's supposed to be experiencing a growth boom. Lots of opportunities and such, but apparently very much still a frontier type environment meaning there shouldn't be much law crawling all over the place. Fairly certain two enterprising people like us could find something to do in such an environment." You say.
  "Okay, I guess we better make the preparations then. I'm sure we'll be fine. Well, it's late and we probably should both get some sleep." Annah says,
  
  You both head to bed, though you don't sleep much for several reasons. There's so much shit you need to get done.
  
  You spend the next month fencing as much as you can and selling off items that have been in your possession for awhile now at a slightly lower rate. You also start giving Marco a bit more responsibility with the whole debt-collecting thing. At one time you just gave him orders on what you needed, but you start allowing him to see the actual books and lists.
  
  Marco's smart enough to know something must be up if you're doing this. You give him a short explanation, which of course he's not exactly overjoyed to hear you leaving, but he's grateful that you're passing your business on to him.
  
  "Remember, I'm handing this to you. Try not to let that asshole Nathan reassign you or some shit. You've got a crew. I mean maybe you're all going to be Syndicate one day, but I assume you had your closest ties with your fellow Black Hooks, so it isn't like you don't have any back up." You say.
  "I understand and thanks." Marco replies.
  
  After about two months, you and Annah are pretty much set and you have already made arrangements to board a ship mostly carrying fabric to Yiktolv. Normally such a cargo ship wouldn't take any old passengers, but enough coin talks. You really only want to take such a ship mainly because its potentially less of a target for pirates. After all you've got a trunk full of valuables, along with your family.
  
  As concerned as you were in beginning about all this, you're starting to feel more hopeful about this new beginning. Even Annah is sort of looking on the bright side of this endeavor.
  
  The day you're scheduled to leave, you, Annah and the twins make your way to the ship with a cart carrying your belonging, but you can't help have a feeling of unease.
  
  The ship's crew takes your things and you board the ship with no problems, but you're still feeling anxious. You just sense something wrong.
  
  And then it happens.
  
  Just as the ship is about to leave, a bunch of shouting for it to stop along with threats occurs and then you glance over the side and see Nathan, along with several of his Syndicate men begin making their way up the gang plank. Behind them are Marco and several Black Hooks. He looks a little cowed.
  
  Nathan just gives a intimidating glance at the captain of the ship who slinks away to his cabin while the rest of his crew also find a way of making themselves scarce.
  
  Annah shields Emma and Evan and tells them to get behind her. Annah's good, but you're not sure with Nathan's shadow magic powers. And while Marco is here with some of his people, you can't really be sure he'd help if it really comes down to it. Pressure by a powerful organization can be effective.
  
  "You planning on leaving before saying goodbye Annah?" Nathan addresses her as if you're not even around.
  "Didn't know we needed to." You remark.
  "I'm sorry, I didn't realize you wore the pants in the relationship."
  "What?"
  "Oh come on, while you may have run your petty crime ring of snot nosed teens before we arrived, everyone knows that Annah's the real threat here. Shit, I remember how Rook used to love telling stories about her in Holgard. If he wasn't a pillow biter I would have sworn he was in love with her. Of course that was before she decided to become a brood sow."
  "Nathan, you call my wife a brood sow again, you're going to see just how dangerous I AM."
  "Ohh! You hear that? The sound of a wounded ego. What do you think of your mentor Marco? You think he could take me?"
  
  Marco doesn't answer and just looks down. Causing Nathan to get annoyed and walk over to him.
  
  "Hey! I'm talking to you boy! Answer the fucking question!" Nathan says smacking Marco upside the head.
  "Um, no sir." Marco answers meekly.
  "You see that? Not even your star pupil thinks that highly of you, but as fun as all this is, let's get to why I'm here. Coin. Coin that belongs to the Syndicate."
  "What're you talking about Nathan? I left instructions and lists with Marco about who owes coin. Not to mention I put aside this month's cut for the Syndicate and left it at the shop. Shit, I even left a little extra since I figured it would be a gesture of good will."
  "Yeah? Well that's thoughtful. Wasn't that thoughtful lads? The problem is, your good will don't mean shit. Now you're not Syndicate and obviously you're too much of a pussy to join so honestly I don't give a shit if you leave. Saves me the hassle of having to kill you later since I never thought much of you anyway. In fact the only reason why I'm being THIS generous is despite Annah being a... mother now, I know she's still deadly with those pistols. I imagine right now, she could take out several of us if this turns unpleasant."
  
  Nathan then turns to walk back towards your direction.
  
  "However, as good as she is, she's not faster than me and more importantly she's not fast enough to save YOU. So to prevent this from turning unpleasant, all I'm requesting is you hand over ALL your coin. I know you've probably got a chest full of it. Call it your exit tax. Do that, and you can be on your way to wherever the fuck you're scurrying off to."
  
  You are feeling an anger right now that you nearly can't contain. You almost aren't thinking straight. You look at Nathan's smug face and you just want to shoot it. You know the reputation of shadow magic and how effective it is. Even Annah has told you some of the things she's witnessed.
  
  You're about to pull your pistol and he looks so eager for you to try. Still, he can't be THAT fast can he? Even if you missed, sure Annah would be able to... 
  
  You feel a hand on your shoulder, and you turn to look at Annah who just shakes her head a bit.
  
  "We'll be fine." She says.
  
  And those words seem to calm you enough to drop your hands to your side.
  
  "Take your tax. It's in a black trunk below us." You say.
  "Smart move listening to your woman. She knows all too well the penalties of trying to fuck over the Syndicate. That's how she got that lovely eye patch isn't it? Marco, go make yourself useful and go get the fucking trunk." Nathan says snapping his fingers at him.
  
  Marco and the other Black Hooks head to the lower decks without another word. Meanwhile you go over to be closer with Annah and your children. Nathan of course takes this opportunity to continue to mock you both, presumably to still try to goad you into fight.
  
  Soon, Nathan begins to get more irritated by the fact that Marco hasn't returned yet.
  
  "Fucking hell, what is taking so damn long? Go see what those fucking idiots are doing." Nathan says to his men who head down below.
  
  Next thing you know, the sounds of shouting followed by fighting can be heard. You can't believe it.
  
  "What the fuck... " Nathan says and moves towards the stairway leading to below decks.
  
  And that distraction is all the time Annah needs.
  
  Without a word, she pushes you to the side, pulls her pistol and unloads it into Nathan. Three of the shots turn his head into a bloody mess before his lifeless body hits the deck.
  
  "Quick, go help your minions, they might need it." Annah says and starts reloading.
  
  This wasn't part of the plan, but you have to take advantage where you can. You go down below where you find the Black Hooks fighting it out with the Syndicate. Fortunately for the Hooks, they had the advantage of ambushing them, but it's still a good thing you're there to help.
  
  After it's all said and done, you've killed them all, though not without casualties. Marco himself is wounded, but alive.
  
  "You alright?" you ask.
  "Yeah... ah... fuck." Marco replies.
  "Hm. You realize you just dug a deep hole and jumped waist deep in shit right?"
  "I know, but I just couldn't stand by and let him horse fuck you like that."
  "Appreciated. I knew who you'd side with if it came down to it."
  "Is that asshole dead?"
  "Yeah, Annah filled him full of holes as soon as the fighting down here occurred. Turned his attention away just for a few seconds and that was it."
  "Good. But what happens now? Are you still leaving?"
  "Good question."
  
  You motion for the remaining Black Hooks to help Marco and you head back to the upper decks where you find Annah trying to calm down a very worried captain. (Though oddly, your two children just stand by unaffected by the situation other than maybe curiosity)
  
  "Relax captain, the Syndicate isn't going to take it out on you. This will all be taken care of. Just head back in your cabin and when you come back out in a few hours, everything will be fixed and you can be on your way." Annah says which the captain doesn't necessarily believe, but he's scared enough to be hopeful, so he does exactly what Annah says.
  
  You approach Annah as she's then asking if Emma and Evan are okay.
  
  "They seem disturbingly calm about all this, obviously going to grow up to be unfeeling killers like their mother." Annah remarks to you.
  "I sure hope so. I know I'll feel safer." You respond.
  "Speaking of safety, How exactly are we proceeding with all this? I mean what just happened is what you wanted to avoid."
  "Yeah, I know, but shit happens. Guess we're staying now."
  "What? You mean you want to stay and not head to Yiktolv?"
  "What's the fucking point now? I mean we just carried out your plan, we might as well risk it now. If we go running off, I doubt even Rook would look kindly upon killing his representative here without at least replacing him. Not like Marco would be up for that task and the last thing I want to wake up one night in Yiktolv with Syndicate assassins surrounding me. If we get ahead of this, and Rook likes you as much as you and even Nathan said he does, well maybe we'll be okay."
  "Oh, I think I can spin all this in a message to Rook. We might need to kick a little extra coin up to him this coming tribute though, just on the safe side."
  "Well I figured, but we're sure as shit not paying all of it. Marco and his lot can contribute half that considering he got us into this in the first fucking place. I'd have them pay all of it, but I know those fuckers are still poor for the most part."
  
  You and Annah look at one another.
  
  "Well we tried to walk away didn't we?" Annah asks.
  "Yeah. But things probably would have been the same in Yiktolv. I mean I suppose this way we don't need to start all over after all. Wasn't looking forward to that, let me tell you." You say.
  "Maybe it sounds strange, but I feel more positive about our future than I did."
  "Yeah, that sounds strange since we could very well be in more danger, but that's why I love you. Anyway come on and let's throw this asshole overboard. We're probably going to have to take care of any other Syndicate members that were loyal to him soon. They'll probably all be at the temple."
  
  After a few month's time of "clean up" and coercion, things are settled on Jicol. When news finally reached Rook, he didn't mind Nathan's death and was glad to have Annah on board as his new representative on Jicol running things there. (You've always been seen as just part of the package even if you're actually handling more of the business side of things)
  
  You officially become Ebony Claw Syndicate. You're supposed to get the tattoo, but you never do since you have the luxury of running things in Jicol and things are a little more lax there as far as "gang formalities" go.
  
  While in the scheme of things, you might just be one cog in a larger organization; your simple days as common rogue are definitely over. In any case it doesn't seem so bad, and besides the fact that you have to split more time with Annah looking after your children, things run more or less smoothly and you're doing fairly well.
  
  In fact you wonder why the hell you didn't just go with Annah's plan in the first place.