The Lion's Den

Ashayabat gives with one hand and takes away with the other. The city treats you well if you have the coin. If you ask a traveler who happened to spend a night or two here, many would call it the City of Opportunities. "Everything is possible!", you will hear them say. Yet, nothing is.
 
. . .
 
[Malik] "Barb! You are early this week habibi! Have you robbed a bank finally?!" smirks
[Barbaros] "I've told you a thousand times already, you slimy piece of shit, it's not for me. Believe it or not, seeing your filthy face is not the highlight of my week." grumbles
[Barbaros] "I need it early this week, she is getting worse." with a depressed voice
[Malik] "Whatever dude, I don't give a shit. Do you have the coin? If you don't, you better piss off." shows the grip of a well-worn flintlock
[Barbaros] "What now, are you gonna shoot one of your regulars?! I would like to see the Lion make an example of you." sarcastically chuckles
[Malik] "spits the chewing tobacco on the ground Well, you wouldn't see that if I shot you, would you? Now, where is my coin?"
[Barbaros] .... pulls the small coin pouch and hands it over
[Malik] "You know, next time, you can save both of us sometime if you show the coin first." takes the coin hastily, opens the pouch, looks satisfied
[Malik] pulls a small vial from his chest pocket "Here ... You know the drill. Same day next week?"
[Barbaros] takes the vial and pockets it "... We will see about that ..." turns around and walks away
 
In Ashayabat, your power is measured by the number of people depending on your services. And I depend on these scumbags, like every single one of us who has the misfortune to call the Keys home...