text: and gold is enough for you and enough to throw at your crew and the crews of these dead captains to ensure their loyalty under your new command of two more ships now?" you ask.
  "Um...sure! Yeah! That's more than enough for me and my...larger crew now!"
  "Glad to hear it. I suggest you go tell everyone of your good fortune and meet me at Nightfall in a day for your payment."
  
  Captain Elias and grovels gratitude before leaving. You snort a bit of laughter before walking over to the mayor and the woman who have been watching the entire time.
  
  "Now as I was saying, this isn't a game. You think I really want to run the boring day to day shit of a city, even a half destroyed one? I barely like doing it for the little town I run. No, better to leave that in the hands of someone with experience, someone like you. Of course this place will have to have new security now that all yours are dead, but I can provide that. Of course if you don't want the job..." you say and then look at the woman.
  "Fine. I'll do it." The mayor says probably rethinking everything after what everything he's seen.
  "Glad to hear it and don't worry, you'll have as much help as you need to rebuild this place. Come to think of it, we do have a surplus of slaves. Maybe Jicol could start using such cheap labor on a regular basis. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to see an old woman who has probably been wondering where her supply shipment has been for months."
  
  People have been suggesting it for years, but Jicol is finally under the grip of the Nocturnal League, meaning this entire island is under your control. If the Ebony Claw Syndicate sets foot on here now, you'll be in a stronger position to deal with them.
  
  At least that's the general idea.
  
  > Time passes...
  Year 35
  
  Talking to two Syndicate representatives isn't exactly what you want to be doing right now, but this day was coming one way or another.
  
  The well-dressed man with a thin mustache is Percy and has been the more talkative of the two. The other by the name of Toz is some sort of greenskin halfbreed also well dressed. Probably of orc heritage since he's much bigger than Warts was. He also doesn't talk much and mainly just stands around looking intimidating.
  
  Unsurprisingly the pair of them have shadow magic powers. However you anticipated that which why you had Grayhaze enchant something that would at least even up the odds. A ring. Not quite an anti-magic field, but something to dull the shadow magic around you.
  
  Probably wouldn't be enough to stop them if they really wanted to kill you, but along with all your more mundane security, it's enough to give them pause if they tried. However if that were the intent, you probably wouldn't be having a conversation at all.
  
  "I have to say, I wasn't quite sure what to expect when the Syndicate sent me here, but I am a little impressed with what your organization has accomplished in such a short amount of time. You certainly have not just carved out this little island for yourself, but much of sea paths on this side of the world. You're practically like your own nation." Percy remarks.
  "Never thought about it that way, but I suppose you might be right. I also suppose I should be wondering if the Delantium Kingdom will be declaring war on me to put an outpost here." You say with a mild chuckle.
  "I believe they have their hands quite full still with Nichan, though I hear you're starting to have more trouble with Hessla nowadays. I imagine you would be major competition for their once near monopoly on business for this part of the world."
  "Hm, I guess you could say relations are strained with Hessla, but we offered them a fair deal. Their Governor is the one that decided to be greedy and reject it. His unwillingness to embrace in a positive manner change is what is causing people to do less business there. He probably fears that I'm going to come there with a fleet and take his city like I did with Jicol, but it's not even the same situation. The Nocturnal League doesn't seek to expand past our reach. This island is more than enough territory for us."
  "They say it's a wise man who knows his limitations. Perhaps by making your home in an old temple once dedicated to Fel has resulted in him providing that wisdom. Ah, tis a shame that the Syndicate only just started sending people this way. Reclaiming a lost temple to his great shadow would have been not just a boon to the Syndicate, but to the glory of Fel."
  
  You always hate how intertwined the Syndicate is with the whole Fel religion. Makes dealing with them always uncertain. Are they interested in profit or are they interested in spreading faith?
  
  "Oh well, the Syndicate's loss for being too slow when opportunity called I suppose. Doesn't happen often, but we hope to correct that by hopefully having a working relationship with your organization." Percy remarks.
  "Well I certainly want an amicable relationship with the Syndicate and as I said, I have no intention on expanding into your territory."
  "Yes, so you've said. However, your island is becoming very popular in terms of the slave trade. It's just one of the big reason why Hessla is so angry with you. The Syndicate has never relied on the slave trade as our main source of income, indeed for whatever reason it's just never been a cornerstone. One of the few things we're just dabblers in. We're trying again however, and while Hessla in the past has always been a stubborn partner in such thing in the past, we're hoping the League's rising status in this part of the world will be more open in such matters."
  "So basically what you're saying is instead of you having to deal with independent slavers all the time, you want to just deal with us."
  'We find that it's always better to deal with a single reliable source rather than all these unwashed disorganized types. We would of course bring our own ship here for pick up. Also we've notice that the drug of choice here on this island is either Green Lotus or that very poor substitute of Blue Dream, Purple Wish. As part of our new arrangement we could provide Blue Dream for you to distribute here. Makes a lot of money, we should know after all."
  
  And here it is, the Syndicate trying to get their foot just enough in the door.
  
  "Yes, I suppose you've given me a lot to think about as far as business is concerned." You say.
  "Oh sure, we understand. We're going to be in Jicol for awhile so we can sort out details then. Honestly, I'd prefer to stay here in Nightfall closer to the temple, but Toz here is a little on the paranoid side and doesn't wish to sleep in the heart of... let's just say, an unproven ally's home, but I'm sure that will change soon! Besides, Fel's shadow is everywhere after all and his dark blessing is with his faithful always." Percy remarks.
  
  At this point Percy says a few more pleasantries and then remarks about looking forward to the meeting with you in a few days. Toz on the other hand just stares at you with the typical hostile greenskin eyes and follows Percy.
  
  After they leave, several of your people escort them out of the room and anyone else left, seems to relax slightly.
  
  "So that's the average Syndicate member, boss?" Marco asks.
  "Not the average. They wouldn't send their average. They send their more threatening to talk to someone like me. They also sent an extra one, which I guess means I'm really special. Lucky me." You say.
  "So you think we should just kill them?"
  "Ideally that would be the safest move in the short term, but not in the long term and if we are going to war with them, I'd like to be sure that it's necessary. So far they haven't given any indication that they're planning anything other than an aggressive business exchange that would have them visiting here on occasion...which granted could lead to problems in the future. In any case, we'll wait for now."
  
  You tell Marco to keep everyone extra alert while the Syndicate is visiting and then go see Vera who is down in the slave den as usual. Right now she's speaking with one of her overseers.
  
  "What the hell have you been doing with these elves, Halford? They look like shit and nobody wants elven bitches that look like shit, they want them to look like they just came out of the fairy kingdom farting rainbows and sunshine." Vera remarks.
  "Apologies Countess, some of the new recruits thought to take advantage of a few of them last night. They've already been dealt with, even sold the ringleader this morning." Halford replies.
  "Hrm, well release the rest then, and remind them that these slaves are not their personal fuck toys unless they're actually going to be paying for them out of pocket. As for these elves, well have them cleaned as much as you can and hopefully some of the buyers aren't picky about bruises."
  
  Halford nods and complies with Vera's orders and as he's leaving he also nods in respect to you.
  
  "I see you weren't joking about wanting to be called countess." you remark.
  "Well we do run an entire island, seems perfectly reasonable to declare ourselves the rulers of it." Vera says.
  "True, though interesting you've picked a royal title though."
  "Well I don't know about you, but a title like governor or mayor doesn't sound nearly as impressive. Besides if you remember I do have royal blood in my veins."
  "Ah yes. Your father may have been the late Baron Varsakken. Still, even if true, you've given yourself the title of countess rather than baroness."
  "Well unlike the rest of that Varsakken clan, I'm actually in control of an entire island rather than just a city. I think that calls for a higher title status."
  "Heh, well why not queen then?"
  "Too predictable and self-important. I'm still grounded enough to know who and what I am."
  "Well glad to see you're staying grounded. Where is Kol?"
  "He's studying from that book you got him in my office and Layla is watching him."
  
  You shake your head especially since this seems very familiar.
  
  "I know you spoke to me about this before, but I'm not convinced having a slave looking after our son is the best idea."
  "Well you said, you had to meet with those ECS assholes and didn't want Kol around during that. And I couldn't supervise Kol's studies. This isn't like Gertrude, Layla was from some well to do family that Elias' crew apparently slaughtered on a transport ship. From the moment she was brought here she's basically been willing to do anything from getting sold as a fuck hole to some rich pervert or something similar."
  "Sort of surprised Elias didn't use her as a personal fuck hole if he was the one that brought her here."
  "Elias likes dick."
  "Really? Huh, didn't know that. Well anyway, compliant frightened slave girl or not, I'm wary about this."
  "Fine, if you're that concerned they're in the next room, you go speak with them both and get a feel for her. And when I say feel, I don't mean fucking her."
  "What?"
  "Oh relax. I know you aren't really going to fuck her! She's a slave after all not royalty like me. She is very pretty though and the image of fucking her is probably going to pass through your mind. I'll be expecting you to lay it down really good tonight."
  "Uh...okay..."
  "In any case, as I said speak with her yourself and if you still don't think she's a suitable sitter then we can sell her ass. Anyway tell me about your meeting with the ECS afterwards, I'll be free soon. Just have to check on one more slave shipment."
  
  Vera kisses you goodbye and heads off to the next group of cages while you head to her office.
  
  Upon opening the door, you see your son fidgeting in his seat his in front of his spell book. He looks up and over at you before quickly returning to his book. Glad to see he knows that you really want him to focus on his studies.
  
  The girl who you're guessing is Layla doesn't look that old. She looks to be in her late teens and is probably from some far off land given her darker complexion and some of her facial features. She's also still dressed in clothing that doesn't match her current slave status. (At least for most of them around here)
  
  Vera was right though, she is pretty.
  
  "Um, you're the Count right?" Layla utters.
  "Count? Oh. Right, Vera, Countess, whatever. No, unlike my wife, I see no need for formal titles. You're my son's new sitter from what she's told me."
  "Yes, I have been doing my best in seeing to it that Kol here is practicing his...erm, shadow magic."
  "Can I play with my shadow creatures dad?" Kol asks.
  "Has it been three hours yet?"
  "I don't know..."
  "You know that it hasn't. You have to learn other magic, not just the shadow stuff even if you find it easier. Layla, has he been practicing?" you ask, while Kol goes back to his book.
  "Um, yes I think so."
  "You think so? Either he has or hasn't."
  "Erm, I just mean I don't know much about this magic stuff. I've just been making sure he's been reading this book. I did see him create a small ball of light briefly though."
  "Hm, okay. So Layla, do you have any other family? I mean besides the ones that those pirates killed?"
  "Yes, I have an uncle back in Harazan."
  "Where the hell is that?"
  "Far to the south and west."
  "He rich?"
  "I imagine he is now. He's wanted my father's business and fortune for years. With everyone dead, and me stuck here, he's next in line to get everything."
  "I'm guessing he won't be looking for you anytime soon."
  "...no..." Layla says looking downward.
  "So tell me Layla, what is your plan?"
  "My plan?"
  "Yes, I mean surely you're not content on being a slave. Who would be? And I can tell even in your less than perfect condition, you obviously came from wealth. You certainly look more royal than my wife. You're probably at least of noble birth. In any case, you are definitely not cut out to be a slave of any kind."
  "What you say is partly true I suppose. I very much would not like to be a slave, but I fear I have little choice in the matter. I was raised...not sheltered, but very much protected. I don't have many skills that would be of practical use. I suppose its of some blessing that the pirate captain who spared me saw me as fetching a good price rather than to be something passed around by his crew."
  "Hm, Yag certainly threw a seven for you."
  "Your wife probably would have sold me until I noticed how she was struggling with looking after your son while conducting her business. I quickly begged to help her by explaining I looked after my own little brother many times. I'm still not sure how I convinced her, but here we are."
  "Yes, here we are."
  "If you're concerned that I'm plotting to escape, I'm not sure how I could without you knowing and I do not believe I'd make it very far. I fear that this is my life now and can only hope that you and your wife are merciful masters."
  "You're surprisingly resigned and calm about all this."
  "I have already mourned over my family and continue to do so in the night when I cry myself to sleep. However, it is said that Ahamed has a reason for every event. I am hoping that I might see and understand this one and from there gain greater wisdom. My own family owned a few slaves for basic tasks, perhaps I am to learn how they felt."
  "Ahamed?"
  "Yes, he who burns brighter than the sun and shows the way of peace."
  "Oh, a god."
  "The only true god."
  "Yeah, I've heard that one before, just not that particular one. Great. Well at least you aren't a Felian I guess."
  "Did you say Fel?"
  "Felian, followers of Fel, god of shadows."
  "Are you a worshipper of this...god?"
  "No. I just said I was glad that you weren't, why the hell would I be?"
  "Oh, because your son was telling me before you came in that this Fel was speaking with him and..."
  
  Your eyes immediately widen and your whole body tenses up.
  
  "WHAT?!" you exclaim causing Layla to cringe in her chair, but your attention is towards Kol. You immediately start interrogating the boy and her.
  
  After five minutes Kol and Layla are both in tears from your demanding questioning, however you have learned a few things.
  
  Apparently Kol's medallion has been coming off in the middle the night and for the past week Fel has been speaking to Kol. Not to a great extent, but he's definitely been visiting your son and remarking about how great shadow magic is compared to all other forms of magic. He's also been trying to convince Kol of keeping the medallion off as soon as he goes to sleep.
  
  However the most alarming part is Fel asking your son if he would like to go be with Felians as he could see to it that they treat him very well. He even mentions possibly having agents that would come get him.
  
  Now you're wondering if this means Percy and the other one are here to take away your son...or is Fel referring to other agents that he hasn't sent yet?
  
  Kol was apparently afraid to tell you or Vera this since he thought you'd both be angry, but he opened up to Layla since she seemed nice. Meanwhile your mind is racing on how to handle all this.
  
  > Have the ECS representatives killed
  You've got all the information you need. No need to prolong this and besides, this was always a possibility anyway. Looks like you'll be going to war with the Syndicate.
  
  You figure it'll take them at least a month or two before they figure out something has gone wrong when they don't return. You'll have time to prepare at least.
  
  In the meantime you need to calm your son (and Layla) down.
  
  "Alright, alright, Kol. I'm not mad. Calm down. In fact, you calm down as well, you're not getting sold anytime soon Layla." You say addressing the both of them.
  
  "Dad, I'm sorry I didn't tell you or mom. I'll make sure the medallion is around my neck good." Kol says.
  "Actually might be time to get you a ring, but don't worry about that right now. Just go back to your studies for now."
  
  You then turn to Layla.
  
  "And I trust you aren't going to speak of this." You say.
  "Of course not! I don't even talk much with the other slaves! I swear to Ahmed as I do not want my situation to become even worse." Layla remarks.
  "Good, that's the proper way to feel."
  
  You immediately leave and call for Marco who arrives shortly.
  
  "I want you to gather the best and most skilled assassin types we have and send them to kill those two ECS fuckers. Then I want you to send a group of twenty more of the next best along with them. I don't care how they're killed, just do it quickly. Also I want all ships to not leave this fucking island until they're dead. We are not fucking this up."
  "We're going to war with the Syndicate? I thought everything was going well, boss."
  "Shit changes. Now do what I tell you. Oh and I want their heads as proof."
  "Okay boss, I'll get right on it. Um, what if any of them are currently helping the Countess?"
  "I don't give a shit, you reassign them anyway, if my wife has a problem she can come talk to me."
  
  Marco takes his leave and you begin to mentally make preparations of how you're going to have to prepare your defenses. You figure you'll have a few months before the Syndicate realizes something has happened to their people and get their shit together to send a force after you.
  
  Doesn't take long before Vera comes to see you.
  
  "What the hell is going on? Marco just came in and took a few of my best slave minders and said if I had any complaint, I need to see you because he's just following orders." Vera says.
  
  You explain the situation to Vera who is probably more concerned about Kol than any war with the Syndicate. She even asks you where Kol is and how he's doing. After giving your answer about that, she gets a little pissed that you haven't made the arrangements to get a ring enchanted for him and goes off to see Kol immediately.
  
  Doesn't take long before the task is underway. You eventually get a report from Marco that unfortunately despite the unexpected attack and all the people you sent, you only managed to get one of them, and it was the orc since they tried to take him out first believing he'd be a tougher target, turned out to be true since he killed most of the people you sent before succumbing to the multiple shots to his body and head in the initial attack.
  
  Percy apparently didn't even try to help his friend and just ran off. He still cut down a few people along the way, but nobody can guess where he is now.
  
  Being more paranoid than ever, you order that everyone from Nightfall to Jicol be on the look out. You also make sure Kol is kept under watch as all times.
  
  A few days pass and several of the pirates, merchants, slavers and sailors begin to protest that you won't let them leave the island, but in order to somewhat alleviate their complaints you wave any costs they might have. This helps somewhat, but many of them still aren't very happy. The slavers especially since they feel like they're being held captive and of course they know all about doing that to others.
  
  Meanwhile you're getting increasingly agitated with the fact that Percy still hasn't been found. He could be anywhere. You even order searches of the deeper jungle areas, which doesn't do much except get some of your people killed by dangerous wildlife. Even if he was hiding in the jungle, they probably wouldn't find him anyway.
  
  You insist on Kol being kept locked up in his room at all times. Vera isn't sure if that's the best idea, but she doesn't have a better one. She's mainly just as frustrated about this situation as you are and you're both lashing out at each other a lot.
  
  Another week passes and still no sign of him at all. There haven't even been any "mysterious" deaths. However, you soon get some not so mysterious deaths when a couple of the pirate captains kill some of your people while leaving the island.
  
  You manage to sink one of the ships, but one manages to sail away. This situation is getting bad for business because opening fire on your usual partners is a sure way to have them never come back or worse seek revenge.
  
  Though you half wonder if Percy eventually got to these folks anyway. Perhaps promising a reward from the Syndicate if they got him off the island. If that's the case, you can only hope he was on the ship you managed to sink.
  
  With things also starting to get restless in Jicol, you don't really have much choice but to ease up on the restrictions. One way or another he's probably getting off the island if he hasn't already and you'll just have to be prepared quicker.
  
  A month passes and the entire island feels like it's under the shadow of the Syndicate. Everyone is on edge expecting a Syndicate attack even if it is a little too early. You still keep Kol locked up for his own safety, but he's obviously not happy about it. At this point he's wearing an anti-magic ring to nullify any potential contact with Fel since the last thing you need is a god whispering in your son's ear.
  
  Vera becomes concerned about you and tells you that you need to relax even if the situation isn't ideal because the last thing the Nocturnal League needs right now is an unstable leader.
  
  You take her words under advisement, which is much more reasonable than she hoped for. You know she's right after all; it isn't going to do anyone any good if you're in the state you're in now.
  
  Another month passes and things have settled down slightly. You constantly ask for news updates from the mainland, but nothing of major importance is reported. No rumors of the Syndicate preparing for an attack or anything.
  
  By the middle of the year, things are almost back to normal on the island. You've still got a lot of extra security around the temple, but restrictions have loosened a bit to the point where you're not keeping Kol locked up anymore. You still have not heard a single thing about the Syndicate. No threats, no rumors, nothing. Or at least nothing concerning you.
  
  True they could be playing it close to the vest, but you think you would have gotten at least something by now. Either the Syndicate is just making you sweat or they've decided it wouldn't be worth their time or resources in going to war with you.
  
  While things are still pretty tense, you continue to try to get on with your business.
  
  While you're going over some of your expenses, you hear a knock at your office door.
  
  "Marco, I told you just come in if you got something important to report." You remark.
  "It's not Marco, he's been killed!" a voice says from the other side of the door.
  "What?!"
  "He's been killed! A lot of people have, you need to come this! I think it's an attack!"
  "Are Vera and Kol safe!?" you say starting to get up.
  "I'm not sure about Vera, but Kol is definitely safe."
  "Hold on...fuck..." you mutter realizing that today must be the fucking day that the entire Syndicate declares war.
  
  However, you were wrong.
  
  You open the door and immediately you see a familiar face staring at you and before you can do anything a blade strikes quickly across your throat. You manage to raise your pistol before Percy easily grabs it from your hand as you fall to the floor choking on your own blood.
  
  It was just one.
  
  "You know, it would have been easy to kill you months ago, but I think my time here in hiding has provided me with all the necessary information to give to the Syndicate to best effectively attack your organization. Well that and it was nice to see the shocked look on your face when you saw me again. Didn't have to be this way, but you can take solace in the fact that your son will not be harmed. His destiny with Fel is greater than what fate will befall the rest of this island."
  
  With that last cold response of a man who was determined to take away everything important to you, your vision goes dark.