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: Losing Arissa was a hard blow for him, she was his first girlfriend and all. Luckily for him he has Brynolf to support him like a mentor, and help keep him on track by doing work for the guild as that will help keep his mind off of Arissa.

Indeed, if not for Gulum-Ei's offer, then Jak most definitely would have walked out of their with a new pair of lizard skin boots. He is a little bit more testy and angry after Arissa left so he isn't as lenient.


Darkness Eternal: It was meant to be read as either, you laugh at him causing a ruckus, but at the same time feel sorry for him knowing he is only acting that way from pain.

And yes... he was lucky Tonilia wasn't the one to knock him out, or kill him, instead of Dirge after that comment.

But yes, him being back to work is the best way to keep his mind focused and not on Arissa's sudden departure.

Chapter 12

After a long journey from Solitude back to Riften, Jak headed to the Guild to tell Mercer about what he discovered.

"So, did you find out anything from Gulum-Ei?"

"He said the buyer was a woman named Karliah." Jak replied and saw Mercer's face instantly go white.

"Karliah... I haven't heard that name in decades." Mercer was quite disturbed by this finding and explained how Karliah had killed Gallus and then disappeared, "Did you find out where she is?"

"Uhh." Jak had to think for a moment, "Gulum-Ei said she said something about 'where the end began', whatever that means."

"I know exactly what she means, she is at Snow Veil Sanctum. We can't let her get away, we may never find her again... however, she is smart, we can't go there without a plan. Give me a week and I'll think up something and then we are going after her. In the meantime do some more jobs and earn us some more gold."

Jak was confused as to why he had to go, but he did not want to question Mercer since he was still worried that he might be kicked out of the Guild. So after leaving Mercer to think he went to the Flagon to get a job from Delvin and Vex, both gave him a job in Markarth. With his jobs accepted, he returned home where he caught up on some reading while his mother prepared dinner.

"Jak, I don't like that you are going to Markarth, the Reach is a dangerous place with those barbaric Forsworn. Can't you go anywhere else?"

"I will be fine mom, I'll be sure to stick to the roads so I shouldn't have any problems." Suddenly Lanier winced in pain and dropped her ladle, "Mom, are you okay?"

"Yes yes, I am fine. I just burnt my hand, I'll be okay."

"Why don't you let me take over so you can rest? I can finish dinner."

"Jak, I said I am fine."

"Okay..." Jak sat back down and began reading his book again.

The next day Jak got up and left for Markarth, he saddled his horse and made his way west. He made his way through the Rift and then up through the passage leading to Falkreath. Along the way he came across Helgen, where he was almost thrown off his horse when a large black dragon flew out of the fort... a dragon, something Jak had only heard legends and stories about. He snapped himself out of his awe and continued his journey not knowing what to think of seeing a dragon. After a few hours he arrived in Falkreath at dusk, he decided it was best to stop as it would be unwise to travel through the Reach at night once he got there. He headed to the Dead Man's Drink and rented a room for the night, then ordered a couple drinks and warmed himself by the fire. Jak squatted by the fire and warmed his hands when he looked up from the fire towards the bard. "Arissa?" Jak saw her standing behind the bard. He quickly stood up and bumped into a man walking behind him,apologizing and then turning around, though as he turned around Narri walked in front of where Arissa stood and she was gone. I have had too much to drink, I am seeing things, Jak thought to himself so he retired to his room and slept until the morning.

He gathered his things and left the inn, but before making his way out of Falkreath heading west one of the guards told him to keep a look out for a dog that the blacksmith was looking for. He did not see a dog anywhere as he traveled through Falkreath hold, and eventually he made his way into the Reach. Jak was cautious as he rode through the Reach as it was intimidating with the high mountains, not knowing if he was being watched as he traveled the road, and the thick fog that hovered over the area. He moved as fast as he could along the road, and luckily only came across a Khajiit caravan that startled him. Eventually he made it to Markarth and as he approached the city he had an uneasy feeling about it, even though it was his first time there he felt unwelcome.

Jak entered Markarth, it was a grand looking city and unlike anything he had ever seen. Luckily the two places he needed to go for his job were right on top of each other, so with his targets scoped out he headed to the local inn to wait for nightfall. The inn was owned by a family known as the Silver-Bloods, they bickered while Jak sat by the fire and talked to a mercenary who told him of his many adventures. Once night had fallen Jak left and waited outside of Arnleif and Sons Trading Company where he needed to change some of their numbers in their book. He waited and watched the guards patrolling paths unnoticed and when the time was right quickly picked the lock and entered. The book was easy enough to find as the owners left it out in the open, he quickly changed the numbers and made his way out as fast as possible; Jak couldn't help but feel a cold chill run up his spine being inside the shop, as if something was off about the place...

Back outside Jak headed to the upper level of the city where he quietly slipped into Ogmund's house to steal the three items Vex requested. As soon as he entered, he noticed the house was rather small, as well as disorganized, and so after quickly grabbing the items he left. Upon stepping out into the night a guard came walking by and looked directly at Jak causing his heart to stop as he thought he was caught, but the guard nodded and walked away. Jak had the sneaking suspicion that the guard knew he was a thief yet he let him go, Jak also was beginning to get a strange feeling about Markarth and he didn't like it, so he stayed the night and got up early the following morning to leave.

Jak was happy to leave Markarth behind him, and as he traveled the Reach he came across an interesting scene, an Orc standing on the side of the road with two dead sabre cats, Jak stopped and asked the Orc if he was okay or needed any assistance but the Orc only mentioned how he wanted to have a good death. When Jak refused to give him a good death the Orc told him to leave and so he olbiged and got back on his horse and continued on. As he rode Jak couldn't help but take in the beauty of the Reach. The journey was uneventful until Jak reached Falkreath hold, as he rode along the road he was ambushed by a lone assassin who jumped off the cliff and tackled him off his horse. Jak kicked the assassin off him and drew his dagger, the assassin stood up and charged, and the fight began. "You will die here, Jak!" The assassin hissed as she slashed her swords trying to slice Jak's stomach. However, The assassin missed one too many times and tired herself so Jak took the opportunity to stab the assassin in the chest. With the assassin dead, Jak searched the body for any clues as to who the assassin was and why they were after him, unfortunately all he found was a note that said someone wanted him dead, but not who the person was.

Who ever it was, they must of hired a cheap or novice assassin, Jak thought to himself, why would the assassin make herself known rather than kill me when I least expect it? Either way luck is on my side as I am no fighter so I fight with a skilled assassin would have ended differently.

While Jak won the fight it was not without sustaining wounds of his own, and without any healing potions he needed to find help as soon as possible. Not far from where he was attacked was a mill, so he stopped there to ask for assistance. The owner of the mill saw him approach on his horse and instantly ran across the bridge to see what Jak wanted.

"Excuse me, I was attacked down the road and I don't have a healing potion, could you help?" Jak held his side where he could feel blood starting to wet his armor.

"Oh, certainly." The woman smiled, "We don't get many visitors these days, and we would love for you to stay awhile. We will patch you right up."

She lead Jak to the house and told him to wait outside as she needed to make sure her husband wasn't sleeping, she entered the house and Jak leaned against the wall as he was now starting to feel the aftermath of the attack. While waiting for the woman to return Jak overheard a conversation inside the house, it was muffled but he heard slight yelling and mention of easy prey since they had not eaten in weeks. Jak didn't like what he heard and didn't want to find out what they were talking about so he walked as fast as he was able back to his horse and hopped on to continue to Falkreath. He finally arrived with his strength draining, he went to the general goods store and asked the owner if he had any healing potions. The owner handed over his best potion as he could see Jak was injured and needed it, he sympathized with Jak as he said he used to be a Stormcloak and saw his comrades suffer from wounds all the time. He thanked the owner and drank the potion; the effects were felt almost immediate, and so after selling some of his extra goods Jak left the store to continue his journey back to Riften.