A/N: I still make no money from the wonderful world of Avernum/Exile, which remains the property of Jeff Vogel and Spiderweb Software. I promise to return to the game unharmed the following persons: Erika, King Micah, Meena, and the guards; and the city of Spire.
After returning from their sojourn to the surface, the companions went to King Micah, telling him of their exploits and requesting recognition as a governing council for the city of Spire, with continued freedom to leave the Abyss as needed. Micah told them that such a declaration from him would mean little to the people of the Abyss, but he granted the request, and as a sign of fealty, Ansel turned over Demonslayer to the king of Avernum.
From there, they moved on to the Abyss, reporting to Erika and their Scimitar contacts in Bargha, and explained that they would be taking things over in Spire, and making the Abyss a better place in which to live, even if Brynja had not returned from the trip with them.
"So, you really want to settle down in Spire?" said Duncan.
"Yes," said Jynx. "Just think—being truly free. It'll be worth it."
"And closer to Erika, for further study," said Rudel.
"Well, there is that consideration, too," said Jynx, grinning.
"Not to mention," said Ansel, "I can't wait to see Meena's face when we tell her we're the ones who swiped her circlet."
Grinning at this thought, they went in to see Meena, who looked quite furious.
"Hello, why are you so upset?" asked Ansel.
"Something was stolen from me, something very valuable," replied Meena, examining them carefully. "Do you know anything about a silver circlet?"
"No," said Ansel. "But we found evidence that you're sending thieves to raid the Great Cave."
"You fool. If I had any fear of you, I would have you struck dead where you stand," said Meena. "But, because I pity your idiocy, I will let you live. Get out of my sight."
"Well, actually," said Ansel, signaling his companions to get ready, "We stole your circlet. And there's nothing you can do about it!"
"Oh, really?" said Meena. "Guards!"
The battle was joined, but Meena and her guards were hardly a challenge for the champions of Avernum who had defeated demons, slain an emperor, and fought through many more challenges that the guards of this city would never have survived. Nor did they survive their challenge to the companions, but after Meena's death, a few of them offered their sword in the service of the new masters of the city of Spire.
Many of the people of Spire did not care, and others were actually glad that Meena was dead. Stepping outside the city hall, Ansel hacked down the sign that declared Meena mayor.
Using their tremendous prestige, the remaining companions settled into the home of the former mayor, turning the room where the circlet had been into a bedroom for Duncan and Rudel and a church with quarters for Brother Theo, and began squashing bandit activity and enabling merchants to bring ore to the city of Bargha in order to help with the continued fighting against the remaining giants.