Walking through the alleys Kurtz looked up between the brownstone buildings, through the fire escapes toward the sky. He watched as afternoon sun cast long reaching shadows like fingers down the warmly coloured walls. There was a warm breeze in the air and the smell of kitchens firing up for the evening meals. The bustle and the noises all added to the ambience as he wandered out into the streets.

A lot had happened recently. Being summoned from his family home and relative safety, called to these cities with their turbulence and trials. It was no life any parent would wish for their children. But he was no longer a child and his father now lay dead. It was time to walk into the world those seemingly endless journals had taught him about. It was time to emerge from the shadows and take up the work he knew he was born for.

He had been taken to Gaius headquarters in Detroit and, in no uncertain terms, been told what was expected of him. His father had left a great work unfinished and now it was for him continue. Gaius assigned Naenia, one of his finest mobsters to oversee the development of the emerging prospect and sent him into the streets to make his way.

Walking into a known square, he approached a group of mobsters gathered there. Standing tall, without shame or arrogance he looked into the eyes of the gathered.

Hi.

Looking at the few raised eyebrows, Kurtz smiled and went on.

I know there are many mixed opinions on bloodlines. People say all sorts of things about them. I stand here today, a member of a long run line. I am not ashamed of that heritage nor am I here to jump up and down about it. It is how we live our life right now that defines us. This life that sets us apart as either worthy and strong or worthless and weak.

My father, as his father before him and back through the generations, always believed that each name should be made on its own merits, off its own hard work and hard earned respect. I am no different. He walked a quiet enough line while he was here and was sadly killed in an absurd act of attention seeking by a weak man unable to muster the balls to do anything worthy of note. As such I will not go into that any further.

I only raise it as he was considered an easy target. He was unprotected at the time of his death. Now, looking at me you can clearly see I have an insane amount of protection for someone in my position, so, the question then becomes, if I have this then why didn't my father? I will tell you and in so doing, hopefully make my point.

My grandfather was a wonderful man. A heavily connected man. He was born in New York and taken in by Godfather Deimne. He lived a fine life. As Deimne's Left Hand Man he worked tirelessly for the city and the community as a whole. He established himself on his own merits and earned the respect and love of those around him. Now, as New York fell and his time passed, his son entered this world. He would have been perfectly within his rights to approach the powerhouse mobsters his father knew and ask for help. But he did nothing of the sort.

Why? because he had character. Internal fortitude, courage, dignity and bravery enough to forge his own way. With no help and without contacting the many people that could have made life easier for him. Lord knows the contacts and journals were there. His father was the LHM in the Godfather crew that housed Roman. He spent most days exchanging laughs with Premier's grandfather, talking constantly to Whatsername's grandmother. Godfathers SpaceMountain, Robert Guiscard and Gwarble were very close friends. He received promises of reward and unrestricted assistance from the proud Godfather that killed him. Both he and other Godfathers appearing at his funeral stating their own sadness at having to remove him in order to achieve their aims. The lists goes on and on.

All this openly on offer, all given so freely and still my father stayed away. Taking a quiet roll in a old brother's family. Doing quiet work with his head down and asking no reward. Just making his own way in his own way. You may ask why? When he had all that on offer, why? Because he was his own man! He was strong! Not strong in suits and flash cars, not strong in popularity or public applause. No. My father was strong inside. He was a real man. Strong enough and deep enough in character to stand alone and not rely on names from the past.

He was a powerful man and a greater example of stoic dignity, I will never find. Rest in peace dad.

Dipping his head for a moment in silent remembrance, Kurtz regained his composure and looked back into the eyes of the surrounding crowd.

Now he is gone. Now I am here. I have been given his work to continue and I will do my level best for my family, my city and our closest associates. I may be more forward and more vocal than he but the principals of his life and the lessons he left me with are far from being ignored.

Thank you for your time and I bid you all good day.

Macho walks up beside his new-found friend, Kurtz, and places a hand on his shoulder.  In a soft voice, he speaks to the man.

Brother, if anyone has not truly had the pleasure of associating or even knowing your ancestry, then I truly feel for them, as they do not understand the true definition of a great man.  Our ancestors have shared the same side in many of battles and they've also had the misfortune of standing on the opposing sides.  Either way, there is not one person that I've ever heard of that does not command the respect as my Great-grandfather's friend, Tyrion.

Coming out here and saying that I am eager to be working along side of you again would be false.  I can not even begin to put together the proper sentence in elaborating the start of your new journey.  I am only glad to witness it.

Macho tips his hat and exits down the nearest alley.  Upon heading the first corner, he yells back to Kurtz.

You've always been the better man.

Kurtz I believe that your grandfather was the same man who killed my grandfather last year after he saw red in the streets. The silly man never knew to keep his mouth shut after a few drinks. I know that my father held no ill will towards him and I know that I hold no ill will towards you.

For you are right we are all each our own man, trading on dead relatives is something that disgusts me personally. When I joined The Morningwood Elite I did not wish it to be known who my bloodline was, as I wanted to see what I could do as my own man. Your father while I did not know him personally did just that and made his own mark.

Now you are here to continue this work and I feel that the amount of protection you have can only show that your father did everything the right way, he left things in position so that you could take up his mantel when he passed.

I wish you the very best in what you do with your life.

Naenia silently strolled up behind Kurtz and leaned against him, grinning ear to ear.

I am quite pleased to hear you out here. Your father would be too. I know you are made of the same stuff your father had. The iron determination and fiery nature that made him a beloved and respected member of Detroit. Not only do I look forward to great things by you, I expect them.

Know that my door is always open to you, lad. I hope we can have many a good conversation in the future.

I also have something for you. Reaching inside the leather bag she always carried with her, she pulls out an old and worn book. Gently rubbing the cover which was slightly faded, she gave it to Kurtz. Your grandfather once gave my grandfather a book. This very book actually. It is now yours. Then with a small giggle, she elbowed Kurtz in the side

Now go earn me some money and stop yapping.

Angel gently lays her hand on Kurtz's shoulder and says softly,

Even though your father and I only spoke a few times, it was obvious that he was a great man, and cared about his family and city very much. May he rest in peace. From your speech, it is obvious that you inherited that from him, and I wish you the bet of luck in this world. Please stay in touch.

Gian walks into the samall group now around Kurtz and starts to clap

It's only recently that I have got to know you bloodline and I felt like my blodline missed our by not being associated with your Grandfather Tyrion. I remember one of his speeches and his actions after that and it made an impression on my bloodline straight away and I can only think of only a few other that I have read about.

It is refreshing to see people's bloodlines come back and not ask friends of their bloodlines for help. As LHM and a sponsor and from journals that I have read, too often have I and my ancestors before me spoke to potential recruits are they say will you pay for a bodyguard or two as my bloodline was a leader once. So what? That means nothing to me and now, you have to earn the right for protection as I did and as everyone before me. The they say well I go somewhere else then. My reply little boy run along and do that.

People need to remember that after their ancestors have died they are a new person who has achieved nothing in this world. A few pettys under theor belt to earn the right to protection and to rank they need to show something that makes them stand out and show their loyalty.

Kurtz it's good to have you in Detroit and speaking in the streets.

Glad to see another branch of your Family Tree has made it ashore, Kurtz. Knowing the gene pool you come from I look forward to seeing you around, as I see you've already started making a presence here in these streets. Salut.