text: [Themes: fantasy, fantasy]
  
  Year 34
  
  "Shit, that's the fifth patrol down here this week!" you say.
  "I know, the militia has actually managed to round up a few of our guys too recently. Really hoping nobody is going to snitch us out at this point." Vaughn remarks.
  
  While your members are generally pretty loyal, it's always a bit of a concern and you're not exactly filled with confidence. The last few years have just been getting worse with the militia patrols, you don't understand why since you were keeping a low profile. That was the whole point of getting out the drug trade.
  
  Your gambling game room hasn't gotten raided yet, but you're getting the uneasy impression that it won't be long if this keeps up.
  
  "Okay, we're going to have to make some changes maybe. I dunno. Maybe we need to hire another..."
  
  Before you can complete this thought, one of your other members comes rushing into the room.
  
  "Boss! Someone is knocking at the wall and they keep saying in a taunting voice that they know we're in here. They also say they want to speak to you directly. They said that he's coming to YOU with a deal this time." Dorian remarks.
  
  You don't even need to know who that might be.
  
  "Shit, fucking Reynolds. Okay, we're going to let him in..."
  "What?!" Vaughn exclaims.
  "He's already here and knows. If we just ignore him he'll just make things worse for us. I never like dealing with him either, but I usually at least hear him out. However, we're not going in this unprepared. Everyone in this place get yourself armed and ready. Load up any crossbows and firearms and keep them close! Dorian, I want people by the front entrance AND I want them in the escape tunnel just in fucking case. I wouldn't put it past Reynolds to know about that shit."
  "Got it boss, anything else?" Dorian asks.
  "Yeah, ONLY let him in. If he's got a creepy ass guy with a goatee or a weird looking ogre with him don't let them in. Vaughn you better go with him."
  "On it." Vaughn says and the pair of them leave, while you're rechecking your flintlock and grab your spare.
  
  You practice a few times pulling your pistols as quick as you can along with drawing your sword because you have no idea how this is going down.
  
  Eventually Vaughn enters with Mr. Reynolds who looks smug as usual.
  
  "Mmm, this isn't a bad little place. Your dwarven friend did a nice job. I assume that's what all those dwarves were really doing down here years back. Certainly couldn't be fixing the sewers. I swear if you took the Council's collective intelligence together you might have enough brains to put your shoes on the right feet assuming you didn't drool all over yourself first. Well, things are going to change when I get elected." Mr. Reynolds remarks.
  "Elected? Wait? YOU'RE running?" you say.
  "Oh yes, I feel it's time someone started doing things right in this city for a change. I mean sure Klyton is better off than a place like Holgard or definitely Hessla, but we can always do better you know? I've lived here a long time and I think the only way things are going improve is if I can be in a better position. Of course I'll have to give up my old business, but Henry is willing to take that over. He's come along nicely in that regard."
  "Okay, so what's all this got to do with me?" you ask.
  "Quite a bit actually...you seem tense. Everyone here seems tense. Relax everyone, I came here alone and my presence here is a good thing." Mr. Reynolds reassures you.
  "I find that hard to believe...but state your agenda."
  "Always to the point. That's why I think I've always enjoyed not just doing business with you, but your family in general. Anyway, the Crimson Talons are a black eye on this good city. Now granted I understand you aren't really hurting anyone and you do keep a relatively low profile, but well...you guys need to go. Getting rid of you lot would really help show I'm dedicated to cleaning up scum. No offense of course."
  "...I see..."
  "Now wait, before you start threatening violence, I have a proposal. Instead of just reporting your exact location to the militia and being active in your execution or incarceration, it would be even better for me, if I could...what's the word...tame...no civilize...no... ah assimilate you lot instead. It would prove that this city doesn't need to waste most of its money on security. I mean come on, they hardly need half the force they employ to even take you guys out to begin with." Reynolds says with a chuckle.
  
  You're hardly amused.
  
  "Yes, I can see you want me to get to the point. Fine. I'm not unsympathetic to the plight of the poor folks. I understand that there needs to be an entertainment place that caters to the lesser clientele. You and your Talons do provide that service a bit. So what I'm proposing is you guys do it legitimately. I'm opening up a new gambling hall as part of my Council election and I want all you lot to work there. And you m'boy get to run the place. Now how's THAT sound to you?" Reynolds says.
  "Sounds too good to be true and that there has to be a catch." You answer.
  "Well...you lot WOULD have to vote for me. And in your case you'd need to go register as a proper Klyton citizen. Don't believe you were actually born here were you? Other than that? None at all. I mean I would get some of the profits obviously since I would own the place, but really what's that compared to your freedom?"
  
  "Freedom"
  
  You're sure that Mr. Reynolds finds the use of that word amusing considering you're essentially at his mercy.
  
  He's probably been planning this for a while. Makes sense now that he wanted you completely out of Klyton the last time you nearly dealt with him.
  
  Still it's not a bad deal considering your time as a rogue is obviously coming to an end here in Klyton. You sometimes feel more like a manager than a crime boss nowadays anyway. What's one more step to legitimacy?
  
  Though it also rubs you the wrong way of getting forced into this situation and part of you just wants to kill Mr. Reynolds for his presumption. You don't doubt that he's more than he appears, but he's also over confident and he's in here with not just you, but several others ready to do your bidding.
  
  > Work for Mr. Reynolds
  While it might be satisfying to kill Mr. Reynolds, it's hardly the smart play and you're just going to bring more trouble on yourself. Maybe you've gotten like Zal did, you're starting to question whether to go on with this lifestyle. It was fun in the beginning and now its just work.
  
  And if you're going to work, you might as well not worry about getting arrested or killed by the militia or slinking about underground where even if you aren't walking around in shit as much, you still have to do it more than the average person.
  
  You're done. You want something better and while you aren't convinced that this is it. It will at least be better than what you have now.
  
  "Alright Reynolds, I'll agree to all this, but under two conditions. I want to at least name this new place." You say.
  "Hah. Fine. I was never the best with names anyway." Mr. Reynolds says.
  "And I want to be able to walk away at any time."
  "By the gods son. This isn't some life binding contract I'm holding you under."
  "Yeah, well I never know with you."
  "Fine, if it will put your mind at ease, you're personally free to leave if you like. Not sure why you'd want to, but as I said, you're free to do so."
  "Okay then, so where is this new place and when do we make the transition?"
  "Oh I think you'll like it. It's your family's old inn. It'll be converted a little of course, but that's where it's going to be."
  
  You let out a little chuckle at that bit of information.
  
  Mr. Reynolds says you can continue your activities down here until the renovation on your family's old inn is finished. He says you shouldn't have to worry about militia patrols anymore though.
  
  After Mr. Reynolds explains a bit more information he bids you goodbye. Vaughn approaches you immediately.
  
  "Boss, are you sure about this? I mean are we really trusting him?"
  "Yes, I'm sure. It's what's best for the organization. Just because we're going legit doesn't mean we've suddenly disappeared. We'll probably all be making a better living than we are now anyway. And as far as trusting him? Sure why not? We trusted Zal and you see what happened there. Reynolds is a fucking snake, but if he's lying at least I won't be disappointed. Fairly sure he's been direct though, besides he's very careful about making deals and not breaking them."
  
  A few months pass and eventually you and your people move to your family's old inn. You knew it had been abandoned ever since it shut down, so you never saw what it looked like originally. What it looks like now however is fairly nice though. Lot nicer than sewers or underground tunnels at any rate.
  
  As you and your people get set up, you find that the private rooms upstairs where your father and grandparents must have lived weren't changed much. Some of the furniture is even still around. You might as well live here.
  
  You sit down on a nearby dusty chair and just think on how you got here. You can only imagine what your parents or sister would say if they could see you now.
  
  "Well, it took me a long time, but I'm finally a working man with a real job and I hope you're all doing well right now." You say to yourself.
  
  > Epilogue
  Epilogue 3: Crimson Casino
  
  Year 36
  
  Another busy day at The Crimson Casino.
  
  Then again it's always a busy day here. If it isn't the day-to-day operations, it's the occasional "unofficial" operations that Mr. Reynolds has you perform. Though to be honest, you knew as soon as you dealt with him he was going to tack on more conditions.
  
  That was never more apparent during the election where you went around strong-arming and blackmailing folks. But that was okay.
  
  The Crimson Talons might officially be "gone" but most folks know better than to really believe that. If anything, you lot are stronger than ever, even if you aren't really in charge anymore.
  
  But that's okay, it's why you insisted on being able to leave free of consequence if you ever got tired of his shit.
  
  Still, sometimes you miss the old days when you were a little more independent and directly active, like breaking into a shop or pick pocketing some unsuspecting merchant, but things change and the best way to deal with that is by adapting.
  
  And that's what you did. You adapted and thrived.
  
  "Hey boss, there's some woman out here insisting that she's your sister." Vaughn says suddenly entering your office.
  "My sister? Here?" you ask a bit surprised.
  "That's what she claims. She's got long blonde hair, dressed very colorfully and is carrying a mandolin or lute or something. I mean from how you've described her in some of your stories about her, it seems like her."
  "Well send her in, I'll soon know."
  
  As Vaughn leaves to go get her, a sense you haven't felt in a long time starts to well up inside you. Like a nervousness. You don't know why either. You hastily try to clean up some of your area and make yourself presentable.
  
  A woman soon enters and no matter how much time has passed, you'd never forget that face. It's her.
  
  "By the fucking gods! Is it really you I see there before me?" You ask.
  "Yep, it's your sister from the same mister! Well don't just stand there, give me a hug!" Your sister responds.
  
  You practically leap over the desk to embrace her. This is definitely a reunion you never thought would come. Vaughn sees that this is a private moment so he leaves you and your sister alone.
  
  "It's good to see you after what twenty years?" You say.
  "Too damn long bro. Too damn long. Hey don't squeeze too tight, I got my mandolin on my back and it's pretty unique." Your sister says.
  "Well you look good anyway. I see you're still into colorful clothing, but then you always were the flashy one."
  "Just glad I can still fit into my clothing from twenty years ago. You doing okay though? You got a lot more gray than I would expect." Your sister remarks picking at your hair a bit.
  "Yeah, I know. Age hasn't been kind to all of us sis."
  "Oh, I was joking. Don't worry, you're not as bad as all that."
  
  You and your sister sit down and catch up.
  
  Your sister goes first and briefly goes into some of the places she's been. She says she actually came to Klyton when she first left home, but didn't stay long due to her not finding it very interesting. Seems as if you two just missed each other when you arrived here. When you ask how she found you in the first place she just says, as a bard she's always got her ear to the ground on various bits of information, plus it helped that you own a well known casino and that it used to be your family's old inn.
  
  She also mentions that she recently visited your parents and besides being glad to see her, they also told her what happened with you a few months after she left. What's fascinating to you though is apparently you were cleared of murder months after you left!
  
  Your father managed to save Annah's life and with her statement and a few others who saw everything reluctantly stepped up to tell the truth, your actions were considered a justified crime of passion rather than outright murder.
  
  "So wait, am I still wanted there?" You say.
  "Well...a lot of time has passed and that sheriff who hated you is long dead now. Klint's father also isn't there anymore, so I think you're in the clear legally, but I wouldn't exactly say you're wanted if you know what I mean. Though Annah apparently still thinks highly of you."
  "Heh, I'm glad she survived. Really glad. What about mom and dad?"
  "They're fine. I suppose this would be a good time to tell you, we got a new brother."
  "WHAT?! They had another child?! When?!" You exclaim.
  "I guess shortly after we both left. I think he's about twenty or around that age. He's okay, a bit on the straight-laced side. Guess mom and dad finally got the well behaved child they always wanted."
  "I guess so...sheesh...do you think they'd even want to see me?"
  "I'm sure mom wouldn't mind seeing you. Dad, well he probably wouldn't mind either seeing as you're not a criminal anymore. You aren't are you?"
  
  You sit back and chuckle a bit.
  
  "Well sis, that's a complicated question. Technically I'm not...but shit sometimes happens. And if dad knew who I was working for, he REALLY wouldn't want to see me. Guess I'll pass on the visit, but if you see them again, you can tell them I'm okay and I'm glad to hear they're okay." You say.
  "Alright and of course I'll be sure to not go into great detail." Your sister responds.
  "So sis, sounds like you've had all the exciting adventures. Did I hear you mention something about being a pirate?" you ask.
  "Not exactly, but I was travelling with some. I'm sort of trying to write a song about it. Well actually I have, but I just haven't performed it in front of an audience yet." Your sister replies.
  "Well why don't you do that here?"
  "What? You mean at this casino?"
  "Sure, there are plenty of regulars here that appreciate a good tale accompanied by music. Also it would be nice to book a proper bard here for a change. Most of the time, we got this pathetic asshole who sings horribly and plays equally as bad about the latest mishap that occurred in his life."
  "Sheesh, why do you still book him?"
  "His tales of woe essentially make everyone else feel better about themselves and they like to laugh at him. But anyway I think you'd be a nice change of pace. You can stick around right?"
  "Sure I'm in no hurry. Do you have some place I can stay?"
  "Yeah, there are some rooms upstairs, where dad and our grandparents used to sleep back when they owned this place. You can stay there."
  "Sounds good to me."
  
  You smile and pat your sister's hand who returns the smile back. You're really glad to see her again. It's comforting to know that despite all the changes your life has gone through, there are still some things are remain constant.
  
  "So, what about your adventures of how you became this successful casino owner? At the same building our family's inn used to be no less." your sister asks.
  "Oh that. Well that's a long story."
  "The best ones usually are I've found. You might as well go ahead and tell me, I'm apparently going to be here awhile."
  
  You begin your tale...