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'm glad you brought up the post length because I definitely took it into consideration as you guys would know more about that than I would. So thank you.

Yes, Jak definitely saw what happens when he tries to be overprotective of Fina, which is ironic because she truly could beat both Jak and Marcurio in a sword fight, she could take both at the same time and still win. Assuming Marcurio can't use magic of course. Fun fact, the creator of the mod for Fina made her so that she is deadly when dual wielding, so I kept that in the story, she actually kicks ass despite being so young.

Some drink and jobs is exactly what Jak needs, Fina is his only real friend as he was always a loner and they have known each other for years, she is his best friend. So naturally he cares about her and wants her safe, so her safety weighs on his mind. But nothing some good old fashioned jobs to keep his mind busy.

I'm glad you picked up on the murder being Fina's quest because that was what I was going for.


Darkness Eternal: Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed the unpredictability. I think Jak has awhile to go before he ends up getting in Vex's good graces, she's also a good 10 years older than he is so that doesn't help his case.

Jak is definitely knew to trying to look tough, I mean he has grown up working for the Riften Fishery how tough can he really be? Haha. He could use the candlestick, but Jak isn't much of a fighter, he prefers any form of resolution that isn't violence unless he knows he is in danger.

Chapter 5

The strange woman tightened her grip on the hilt of her sword and slowly started to unsheathe it as to not make much noise.

"Whoa whoa, you don't need to do that!" Jak whispered in a frantic tone.

"Why not?" The woman asked with her hand still on the hilt.

"I am not here to hurt you... I just need that golden candlestick you stole from upstairs."

"You're crazy if you think I'm going to give this to you. No way, I took it, go find something else of value to steal."

"Alright, we can settle this, but lets go outside first. Okay? I promise I am a friend, a fellow thief like you."

The woman nodded her head and followed Jak out of the house and around the corner where no one would see them. Jak turned around to make sure she wasn't making a run for it only to have the woman pull her blade out and point it at him.

"I don't trust you. So no funny business or your head will be rolling on the ground, got it?"

Jak agreed and pleaded his case, "Please, I really need that candlestick. I was sent here by the Thieves Guild to retrieve three items and that is one of them. I have been doing so well with the Guild so far, I don't want to disappoint them now."

The woman looked Jak over and thought for a moment, "What will you give me in return if I give it to you?"

Jak shook his head, "I don't really have anything of value to give you, but I'll make a deal with you. I'll give you half of what I make from this job if you give me the candlestick... And let you tag along with me on any jobs and give you half the gold I make."

The woman slowly lowered her sword and sheathed it, "You have yourself a deal... but don't think this makes us friends, we are business partners, nothing more... My name is Arissa."

Arissa handed over the golden candlestick and Jak introduced himself and shook her hand then the two made their way to the gate. While Jak wanted to leave Arissa wanted to stay and he didn't feel like arguing so they headed inside Candlehearth Hall. Jak went to pay for the rooms while Arissa looked around.

"Would you like to rent a room?" The innkeeper asked.

"Yes... make it two please." Jak walked back over to Arissa, "So you aren't going to try to kill me and take my stuff are you?" he asked jokingly.

"I'm not really the killing type..." Arissa replied sarcastically, "But I'll think about it." Arissa smiled and then the two headed off to their separate bedrooms.

After several hours of sleep the two met back up and left the city. Much to Jak's surprise Arissa had her own horse, but didn't want to ask how she got it, so the two set off for Riften. Along the way they came across a fellow thief who protected them from a wolf, they nodded at each other and went their separate ways. It was night time when they arrived in Riften, after stabling the horses they entered the city. Jak stopped to show Arissa his home, but she did not care and made fun of the fact that he lived with his mother, so they moved on towards the Guild secret entrance.

"I think you should wait out here while I turn in my jobs."

"I have friends in the guild you know, like Sapphire, so this place isn't a secret to me. Besides you don't get to tell me what to do in this business partnership." Jak just sighed and the two entered the cistern. Luckily Arissa saw Sapphire and the two of them began talking so Jak took the opportunity to head to the Ragged Flagon. He turned his jobs into Vex and Delvin, both praised him and suggested he talk with Brynjolf about Goldenglow. Jak knew it was time to tackle Goldenglow estate and so with a deep sigh he approached Brynjolf.

"Ready to do Goldenglow, lad?" Brynjolf paused and raised an eyebrow as if expecting a witty response, but none came, "Goldenglow is a bee farm owned by a wood elf named Aringoth. We have a very important client who wants to send him a message. It's a difficult task, are you sure you are up for it?"

"I'm ready, just tell me what I need to do, and I won't disappoint." With that Brynjolf gave Jak all he needed to know on Goldenglow and how he had to make sure to only burn down three of the hives, unless he wanted to end up on Maven Black-Briar's bad side. He also told Jak to check in with Vex who could give him some useful tips since she had previously gone to Goldenglow. Jak did as he was told and found Vex, she told him about a secret tunnel that she used and mentioned it should be unguarded. Arissa was waiting for Jak when he got back into the cistern and the two left; Jak took her to the Bee and Barb and paid for a room for her to stay in and then Talie-Jei escorted them to the room.

"Don't get any funny ideas now that we are alone..."

"What? No, that's not why I brought you in here...." Jak continued, "I have a very important task to do and I am going to need your help, so I got you this room so you have a place to stay tonight."

"Oh... Thanks." He then explained to her the whole situation with Goldenglow and how they would meet up tomorrow outside of Riften to go scout out the area and then sneak onto the island at night.

Arissa agreed to help saying it would be an easy job and Jak left to return home. He was welcomed by his mother who had not seen him in days and so he helped her cook dinner and the two sat down to enjoy their meal they cooked.

"This is wonderful mom, you are the best cook in all of Skyrim."

"Thank you, Jak. I'm glad you like it." Just then there was a knocking at the door and both looked at the door, then each other, so Jak got up and went to the door. He asked who the person and to his surprise it was Arissa. Jak muttered a few curse words under his breath and rolled his eyes.

"Jak, don't be rude let the person in, I raised you better than that." Jak opened the door and let Arissa in, who also surprised Jak's mother.

"I hope I am not interrupting anything." Arissa mused.

"We were just about to have dinner, so maybe you should come back tomorrow..." Jak replied.

"Jak hush! Show some manners to our guest. She didn't interrupt and she can join us if she likes. And who might you be?"

"She is just someone I met in Windhelm recently, she travels Skyrim and decided to come to Riften after I told her about some of the stuff going on here." Jak spoke up.

"Really? How come you didn't mention her to me earlier, she sounds so interesting. Please, join us for dinner, there is more than enough. And your name is?"

"Arissa, ma'am. Thank you for the invite, and can I say this is a lovely home you have." Jak stood there thinking to himself, By the gods, why is this happening?

"Why thank you, Arissa. I am Lanier, Jak's mother, now please come sit. You too, Jak."

They ate their meals and Arissa talked with Jak's mother about her travels and how she had seen most of Skyrim and threw in more compliments every now and then making Lanier blush.

"Jak, you should have her over more often, she is so delightful."

Jak looked up from staring at the table, "I wish I could mom, but she is only in town for a little while, it's unfortunate really." He gave Arissa a look telling her not to say anything so she didn't and once dinner was over Jak's mother said goodbye and Jak walked Arissa back to the Bee and Barb. He explained how he was impressed with her antics, but also asked for no more surprise visits in which she just laughed. The two eventually agreed to meet outside Riften the next day and then went their separate ways to get some sleep.

The next day Jak left the city in the afternoon to wait for Arissa, and about an hour passed before she finally showed up.

"What took you so long?" Jak grinned.

"You didn't tell me where to meet you outside the city. I had to walk along the wall of the city to find you, so you are lucky I even showed up at all." Jak laughed lightly and shrugged.

They headed for Goldenglow estate, and followed along the river bank until they were able to see the bridge leading to the island. Jak pointed to Goldenglow and said that was their target, but Arissa explained how she already knew where Goldenglow estate was.
"Well then, I hope you don't mind getting wet because we are going to have to swim over there to avoid being seen." Arissa was not happy about it, but she agreed to do it. They swam across the lake and ended up on a small island close to Goldenglow; Jak realized that Brynjolf and Vex were not exaggerating about Aringoth tripling his guards as mercenaries were all over the the island. Jak and Arissa continued around the island as the sunset and eventually found a sewer grate which they assumed was the one Vex had told Jak about it.

"Alright, I need you to wait here while I go burn the hives."

"No way! I'm not going to miss out on all the fun, I'm going too." Arissa whispered.

"Arissa, please. I need you here in case I get seen. I can make a quick getaway without them knowing about you."

"Fine." Arissa rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.

Jak continued onward until he found a spot where he could climb up the rocks easily to the hives. He snuck around the wooden wall guarding the hives and then quietly lit a torch. He moved quickly as he burned all the hives with his torch and it wasn't long before the mercenaries noticed the fire and smoke rising, but by the time they had arrived Jak was already gone. He met back up with Arissa and the two of them entered the sewer grate. It didn't take long for them to come across some skeever, but they dealt with them easily enough and moved on. Where there is one or two skeever, there are about a dozen more and as they continued through the sewers they came across more, but this time Jak noticed oil on the floor and a lantern that was hooked up to a tripwire. So he sliced the tripwire and backed up quickly with Arissa as the floor and the skeevers were set ablaze. Once the fire died down they continued and found a locked door with a chest inside, Jak showed off his lockpicking skill by picking both the lock on the door and the chest which impressed Arissa. They reached the end of a hallway and they entered another room with skeever and began to kill them. As Jak killed one skeever, Arissa killed the last one and without noticing the body broke a tripwire causing a flail to come hurling towards her.

"Look out!" Jak grabbed her and pulled her backwards causing the them to fall to the floor.

"Whoa, that was close. Thanks Jak, I owe you one...." She paused, "Jak?"

"I'm glad you're okay, but I'm going to need a minute..." Jak rolled onto his side holding his lower region after being at the receiving end of the hilt of Arissa's blade.

After Jak recovered, they continued through the sewer and found a ladder that led back up to the island, and luckily right next to the entrance to the manor. So while Jak picked the lock Arissa kept watch, and in no time they were inside Goldenglow estate. They both decided that rather than going and getting the key from Aringoth and risk having all the mercenaries on the island knowing where they were, they would instead just go straight for the safe and just pick the lock. They moved silently through the house and Jak picked a lock of a door that led to the basement while one of the mercenaries walked to the other end of the hall to talk to a group of mercenaries eating at a table. Once in the basement, Jak and Arissa sneaked by two more mercenaries, but came across another that could not be passed without him noticing, but just like in the sewer there was oil all over the floor so Jak lit a torch and quickly dropped it on the oil setting the mercenary on fire. With him dead it was a clear shot to the safe, and when they got to it Arissa wanted to show off her skill in lockpicking so while she unlocked the safe Jak unlocked the chest next to it.

Arissa handed Jak the content that was within the safe and the two left through a sewer grate that was in the basement. It was the same one they had used previously, so it brought them right back outside of the house and they snuck to the boat that was docked on the island and stood there looking at Riften in the distance.

"I think this is the start of a great partnership." Jak nudged Arissa.


Author Note: Sorry this one ran long again. I swear I had checked prior and it was only 1600 words but this ended up being 2300. Geez.. sorry your guys.

This post has been edited by BretonBlood: Jul 12 2016, 04:05 AM