A Thief's Ascension, The story of Jak's life from small beginnings Options

[BretonBlood]

I am by no means a writer, in fact I am horrible but figured I'd post a story I wrote on the Bethesda Forums here. I fully expect to be picked apart for my bad writing, this was also written about 2 years ago. I also like to include pictures to somewhat show what is going on since it kind of helps take away some of the burden of creating the scene through writing.

Chapter 1

"Oh wait, aren't you going to eat something before you go to work?"

"I can't I slept in, sorry mom." Jak said as he quickly rushed out the door to head to the Riften Docks.

Once at the docks Jak got to work quickly with the daily chores he was assigned when he got the job. Luckily he had been doing it for so long that even starting late he could get his work done in time, and after a few hours he took a break to relax watching the lake. It was peaceful for awhile until...

"Hey Jak! What are you doing?" The young Breton came up from behind and sat down beside Jak.

"Hello, Fina..." She stretched her legs out across his lap. "Alright then... well I am on my break, I got all my stuff done and before I get back to work I wanted to relax over the lake."

"Oh, that sounds like fun, I mean I can't imagine working here is all that fun."

"It isn't bad, it can get boring but it pays okay. Plus I get to rest here every now and then and take in the view and fresh air."

"It is beautiful, isn't it? "

"So what are you doing here, Fina?"

"I don't have anything to do since I haven't gotten any jobs from the Jarl or anyone, so I decided I would come see you today."

"Lucky me." Jak smirked and Fina smacked his arm.

Jak eventually stood up and explained he had to get back to work, so Fina hugged him and said good bye. Once the sun began set Jak finished up his remaining work, and headed home where his mother cooked a meal while he recovered from another day of working for the Riften Fishery.

As usual Jak worked a long day at the Riften Fishery and decided to go to the Bee and Barb for an afternoon drink. He sat the bar drinking several mugs of mead trying to take the edge off.

"By the gods, Fina? Is that you?"

"Marc?"

"That's right. Wow it has been years, what are you doing in Riften?"

"I live here, in fact I just got back from a job the jarl gave me to go take care some smugglers. What about you?"

"I have been travelling Skyrim looking for potential patrons, and ended up here. It is great to see you, want to get a drink?"

"Umm, sure." Fina and Marcurio headed to the bar to order some mead when Fina noticed Jak sitting at the bar and walked up to him.

"Jak, how are you?" She stood beside him at the bar and Jak nodded his head as Marcurio walked up to the bar. "Marc, this is Jak... Jak this Marc, he is an old friend of mine."

Marcurio greeted Jak, but Jak gave a quick hand gesture and took another drink of his mead. "Jak are you drunk?" Fina asked.

"Not drunk enough." he replied.

"I'm going to change out of my armor. Marc watch him for me and make sure he doesn't get into trouble." Marcurio laughed and agreed to the request.

"She is great isn't she?" Marc gave a sigh, "It's been so long since I've seen her."

"Yeah, she is great..." Jak replied.

Marcurio leaned forward onto the bar, "So what's the story between you two? Are you?"

"We're just good friends." Jak explained.

"Oh. Interesting."

Marcurio began small talk with Jak and explained how he knew Fina from when they used to study magic in Cyrodiil when they were younger. Then he began to rant about how he was a master of the arcane and his skill in battle was unmatched. He also hinted that if Jak ever needed him he could be hired. Jak didn't pay much attention, he instead noticed the coin purse he had hanging from his belt. After a couple minutes Jak went to get up from the bar, but stumbled and Marcurio caught him before he fell.
"I think you have had enough to drink, at least until Fina gets back."

"Fine. Maybe you are right, I'll just go home now. Tell Fina I said bye." Jak made his way to the door, "Sucker." Jak smirked and put the coin purse in his pocket.

[BretonBlood]

Acadian: I think he let it go since Brynjolf gave him some coin to make up for it... Otherwise Jak may not have gotten off so easy.


Darkness Eternal: No his mother would not be proud of him, but he is willing to do anything to give a better life to his mother, even if it means a life of thievery. They have scrapped by his whole life and he wants more.

Chapter 3

Jak returned home to rest before he would leave for Solitude.

"Jak, where have you been I've been worried sick about you? And where did you get that armor?"

"Oh... Brynjolf gave it to me as it's a gift, he wanted me to work for him and I agreed."

"What about your job at the Fishery?"

"This job will pay more than the Fishery ever did, mom. Trust me, it will be great for both of us."

After deceiving his mother about his new job Jak ate dinner and turned in for the night. He got up early the next morning and made his way to the carriage to catch a ride to Solitude. After finally arriving in Solitude very late in the night, almost morning, Jak entered the city to find a ceremony was being held for a man's execution. It was a lucky break because this would most likely keep the guards busy so he made his way through the city quickly, but silently and arrived at the house. Jak took a look around to make sure no one was around and then picked the lock. Once inside he crept slowly and quietly to find the golden horn he needed to steal. He was relieved when he found it, but petrified as the horn was next to its sleeping owner. Jak held his breath and time seemed to slow down as he moved as slow and stealthily as possible until he grabbed the item.

With the horn in his possession Jak left the house and made his way back through the city. He had never felt more alive in his life, but he also never felt more afraid as he walked past guards thinking they knew what he had done. As soon as he exited the city he took a sigh of relief and headed down the road to the carriage. Before reaching the carriage, Jak noticed a caravan of Khajiit and how they were staring at him with strange expressions until one motioned for him to come over. The others stared as he walked into their camp, and what looked like the leader began talking, "Come join us young one. You have nothing to fear from Khajiit, this one knows that armor very well."

Jak's nerves grew even worse and he almost made a break for the carriage, "I don't know what your talking about, my father gave me this armor."

"You can't fool this one, I know that armor when I see it. I too was once in the guild back in Elsweyr, granted our armor was a tad different. Sit with us Breton, this one can share stories and give advice."

Jak agreed and sat down to listen to the Khajiit's stories. He gave useful tips and tricks to being a good thief and even through in some lockpicks for free. Jak thanked the Khajiit and made his way to the carriage where he paid to head back to Riften.

Jak arrived in Riften early in the morning and immediately headed for the secret entrance to the guild, his confidence was through the roof after completing his first job so he walked with a certain arrogance as he arrived in the Ragged Flagon. He found Vex eating breakfast.

"I completed the job. Here is the drinking horn you asked for."

"Good job, now what do you want a prize? We're thieves, not children."

"I just thought I did a good job since it was my first burglary."

"You'll be amazed at what people just leave laying around, sometimes it won't be that easy though."

Jak's confidence had been lowered after talking with Vex and decided to instead take a job from Delvin. He offered him a bedlam job to go to Windhelm and steal 500 gold worth of items, and told him not to let Vex get to him she was once a beginner as well. So after taking the job Jak returned to the cistern and took a nap to get some rest after his long journey across Skyrim. He awoke a couple hours later and left the cistern to return home to see his mother. He made his way past the steps of the Temple of Mara, but was caught by an old friend.

"Jak? Where have you been, it's been days since I've seen you?" Fina ran down the stairs.

"Oh you know the usual, always busy. What are you doing outside of the Temple?"

"I was just relaxing thinking about Lady Mara because I have begun worshiping her." She showed Jak her amulet.

"Worshiping her? Why now?" Jak was perplexed.

"Because I believe in all that she stands for, love and compassion. We could use more of that around here. Anyways, I talked with your mom and she said you quit your job at the Riften Fishery?" She paused, " And I like the new armor where did you get it?"

"I did quit my job at the fishery, something better came along. And you like it? Brynjolf offered me a job and he gave me this armor."

"Brynjolf? I noticed you talking with him the other day in the market... the day Brand-Shei got arrested."

"Yeah that was when he offered me the job, with Brand-Shei out of business he asked me to be his assistant to help with his business since more people would likely buy his merchandise."

"Okay. Just be careful Jak, I've heard some things about Brynjolf... not good things, and I don't want you apart of it if they are true..." She stepped forward and hugged him.

"Me?Come on, I'd never do such a thing."

Jak returned home and spent the rest of the day with his mother. The next morning Jak got up early to leave for Windhelm, but was stopped on the way by Shadr who asked him for some help regarding Sapphire. He explained the situation how Sapphire conned him and now he didn't have the money to pay her. Jak agreed to help and headed to the Bee and Barb where Sapphire hung out.

"Hey Sapphire, I need to talk to you."

"Oh, if it isn't the new guild member. What do you want?"

"I want to you to drop Shadr's debt."

"Why would I do that? I have already made enough from him, anything else is just a bonus."

"Exactly, you made enough from him, so you don't need to extort him for more."

"I see what this is, you want a cut don't you? Or do you plan to rat me out?"

"I guess you leave me no choice. I'm telling Brynjolf about this."

"Okay, let's not do anything rash like that. Just tell Shadr the debt is off and leave it at that."

With the good news Jak returned to Shadr at the Riften Stables. "You're no longer in debt to Sapphire." Jak held out his hand to shake Shadr's. He was ecstatic that he no longer had to pay Sapphire and rewarded Jak by giving him a horse that he had found wandering around Riften. Shadr brought the horse out saddled and Jak let her sniff his hand and he stroked her mane. And with his own horse Jak no longer needed to hire the carriage and left for Windhelm on horse. His journey was uneventful other than coming across another khajiit caravan and some Vigilants of Stendarr. Eventually, he arrived in Kynesgrove with Windhelm in the distance, so he stopped to rest a little and then continued to Windhelm where he stabled his horse and walked the bridge to the city.

Once inside Windhelm he came across a woman being harassed by two Nords, so Jak stepped in to defend her.
"Oh, look, our spy has a little protector."

"How about you leave her alone, and be on your way."

"Are you looking for trouble, Breton?"

"No, I just don't like your attitude."

The Nord bet Jak he could beat him in a fight for 100 gold and Jak accepted. He got a few good hits on in before Jak retaliated, but then the man pulled a dagger out. "You cheating bastard!" Jak yelled. The Nord would swing his dagger, but Jak was faster and would move and land a few punches. He sliced Jak once, but in the end the Nord took one wrong jab and Jak took the opportunity to grab his arm and pull him close while elbowing him in the face with all his strength causing the Nord to fall to the ground. Jak stood over him demanding he pay before he ended up in the river outside Windhelm. Afterwards, Jak approached the Dunmer woman to ask if she was okay.

"Yes I'm fine young man, but you are wounded."

"I'll be fine, it's just a scratch."

"Nonsense, here take this healing potion, I was going to sell it in the market, but I can always make another one. Please." She handed Jak the potion and he drank it.

Jak thanked the women and asked where the inn was. She directed him to the building behind her and he headed inside Candlehearth Hall to rest and wait for nightfall. It was the middle of the night when Jak left Candlehearth Hall. He stepped out into the cold night air of Windhelm, shivering he was surprised by how cold it had gotten. Jak began walking the streets of Windhelm to find a good house to rob, avoiding being seen by guards that patrolled. He finally came to a house and decided it was the one and within seconds he had picked the lock and entered. Jak was a little disappointed that the house looked so empty, but started his burglary by taking some potions he had found on the shelf, and next he went upstairs. He had hit the jackpot when he noticed a lone silver jeweled necklace sitting on a table, it was almost too easy, but Jak picked it up and knew it would be all he needed to sell for more than 500 gold.

So with the necklace Jak left the house and hurried through Windhelm. Staying in Windhelm would be too risky in case the owners of the house went to the guards about their missing necklace, so Jak left Windhelm and mounted his horse. He knew it was unwise to travel through the night back to Riften and since Kynesgrove was close enough to Windhelm, but far enough that guards might come looking he stopped there and rented a room. Although he had a room, sleep was hard to come by as Jak was nervous about the theft, he still had not adjusted completely to his new life of larceny. In the morning, he left Kynesgrove and on the way came across a strange Khajiit that talked nonsense and practiced his blade skills by killing wolves that attacked him on his way back.

Back in Riften Jak stabled his horse and then made his way into the city and to the secret entrance. Delvin was walking around the Flagon talking with Tonilia when Jak stopped him.

"So you're back. I suppose you have completed that bedlam job."

"I did complete it, here this necklace should be more than 500 gold, along with these potions." Jak handed over the necklace.

"I'd say you did a bloody good job, this necklace is worth about 800 gold. You keep this up and you'll be rich in no time."

"Thanks. If you have any more jobs I'll take one."

"Sorry Jak, I don't have any, but you might want to check with Vex."

"Alright, thanks Delvin."

Jak checked in with Vex who did have a job for him. Vex wanted him to go to Windhelm and place a stolen garnet in one of the residence's homes. Jak reluctantly accepted the job as he was not excited to go back to Windhelm so soon. After leaving the guild, Jak headed back home, and the next day got up to return to Windhelm. He saddled his horse, and prepared to leave when he heard someone clear their throat behind him.

"So, where are you off to today? And since when have you owned a horse?" Jak turned around.

"Just a job in Windhelm. You like her, Shadr gave her to me after I helped him out, but I still don't know what to name her." Jak paused, "I take it you got a job from the Jarl since you are all geared up." Marcurio walked up as Jak finished talking.

"I did get a job, and Marc is coming with me. We are actually going to Windhlem too. Do you want to travel with us?"

"Uh, no I'll be fine just riding there myself."

"But it will be fun, I'll pay for the carriage.."

"Fina, if he doesn't want to come with us he doesn't have to." Marcurio cut in.

"Shh!" Fina waved her hand at Marcurio, "Come on Jak, please."

He couldn't argue and instead agreed to ride with Fina and Marcurio to Windhelm so he unsaddled his horse and put her back into the stables while Fina paid for the trip. Jak let Fina get in the carriage first and then Marcurio stepped up and sat next to her, so Jak got in and sat across from Fina. The trip was awkward as Jak didn't have much to say and felt like a third wheel, even though Fina wanted him there. Marcurio talked with Fina most of the time and Jak would glance over, but would look away and watch the scenery, and Fina would try to include him in the conversation. After a long trip they arrived in Windhelm and they walked up to the gate where a guard told them not to make any trouble due to recent events in the city. Jak wanted to rent rooms at the inn that way they could rest, and so he could go complete his job, but Fina wanted to walk around the city and explore instead.

After walking around the Grey Quarter they walked across the plaza and came across a gruesome scene causing Fina to gasp.

"We should go to the inn now, we don't need to get involved in what is going on here."

"No, we should see what is going on, maybe we can help." Fina said stubbornly.

"I actually agree with Jak on this." Fina gave a quick look to Marcurio and Jak and then went down the stairs and the two looked at each other and then followed her.

"Hold it, this is a crime scene, just keep it moving."

"What happened here?" Fina asked.

"We had another murder, that's the third one. Poor Suzanna, she just served me a drink at Candlehearth Hall a few nights ago, but I can't say I knew her."

"This is the third murder? Aren't the guards doing something about this?" The guard explained how they were trying to investigate, but with the war they were spread thin and Fina continued to question him. Jak noticed an old man watching Fina who then looked at him so Jak looked back at Fina. The guard then told Fina if she wanted to help she should question the witnesses since he had to clean up the body before the rats got to it.

So after talking to the guard Fina went to each witness, and questioned them about what happened and what they saw. She returned to the guard who was not surprised they had not witnessed anything useful and told her that if she wanted to help any further she needed to talk to the Jarl's steward, Jorleif, in the Palace of the Kings. Fina gathered with Jak and Marcurio to tell them their next move, but Jak insisted that they go to the inn to rest, it had been a long trip and they hardly be any help if they were exhausted and could not think straight. Fina finally agreed and they all went to Candlehearth Hall and rented rooms and slept most of the day. Fina awoke before the others, much to Jak's displeasure as he wanted to finish his job without the other two around, and so they headed to the Palace of the Kings to talk with Jorleif. He was glad to accept Fina's help with finding the murderer since most of his guards were stretched thin, and with his approval Fina wanted to go back to tell the guard and investigate the crime scene.

"Fina, wait. We can't do this yet."

"What are you talking about, Jak?"

"I need to complete my job I was sent here for, but I don't want you investigating this murder alone. So while I go make my delivery can you go stay at the inn until I return."

"No way! There is a murderer on the loose here and we can't wait and hope he doesn't strike again. Besides I still have Marc with me. We can continue without you for now." Jak had a look of fear and disappointment on his face as he stared at Fina.

"Don't worry Jak, I'll take care of her. You go make your delivery, and I'll keep her safe." Marcurio smiled and put his arm around Fina.

"See, I'll be fine Jak, just go do your job and then meet back up with us, it shouldn't take you that long."

After a few moments Jak agreed to the plan, "Alright, just be careful."

Jak watched as the two of them headed off in the direction of the crime scene and then went his own way to the house he had to place the stolen garnet. He noticed one of the Thieves Guild symbols, from the book Shadowmarks, outside the house and then he began to pick the lock. Jak was nervous about breaking into the house in the afternoon as he was much more conspicuous, but he pushed the feeling aside since he wanted to finish as fast as possible and get back to Fina. So once he finally picked the lock and was inside he found a chest and placed the garnet inside and then made his way out without anyone noticing. Jak made his way to the crime scene, but Fina was not there, and upon asking the guard he said they had gone to talk to Helgrid in the Hall of the Dead. The guard pointed Jak in the direction of the Hall of the Dead and once there he only found Helgrid, who told them they had left a little while ago, so Jak was at a lost as he stepped back outside into the cold air of Windhelm. As he stood wondering where Fina had gone he noticed a blood splotch on the ground; Jak leaned down and examined it and noticed that there was a trail. He followed the trail carefully and as fast as he could not knowing whose it was, or where it ended up, because nightfall was coming quickly.

Eventually the trail ended outside of a home. Assuming that the source of the blood was taken inside the house Jak went to the door and was surprised to find it unlocked, so he quietly slipped inside, where he found even more blood. The feeling of dread was beginning to set in and Jak feared the worst when he heard a scream from the back of the house.