A Thieve's Life (Jin's Saga)

A Stormcloak?!

Aurthor's Note: OK, I made a pretty long chapter. I was pretty interesting on this piece and it felt good now that I'm done with this chapter. I'm going to stop talking and let you guys enjoy.

Chapter 2

Captured. There goes my 'fearsome' reputation as the Dragonborn.
I fidgeted on the uncomfortable wooden seats of the cart as it trundled down the dry bumpy road, cursing. The rag tied over my mouth stopped all my attempts at using my Shouts, and the shackles around my wrists and ankles didn't help either. After about a day of being shackled, tortured and questioned, I was growing angrier by the second. Someone was going to pay when I was freed... if I was ever freed.
A memory flashed into my mind, a memory from a few years back. I'd remember one of the Graybeards told me of a book that the previous Dragonborn been arrested too, sat in the same cart as Ulfric Stormcloak, a few other captured Stormcloaks and a general criminal as they headed for Helgen for their executions. Fortunately, the Dragonborn's death had been prevented by Alduin's attack.
But that was all in the past now.
Alduin, the most powerful dragon in the world, was long dead, and the Stormcloak Family was probably sitting cozily on their throne, still feeling content with the new title of High King hanging above their families head. The Imperials had been beaten years ago, largely due to the previous Dovahkiins. There were some Imperials, like the ones holding me prisoner, which remained, hiding out in the vast countryside of Skyrim and waiting to get revenge.
I didn't think anyone expected the Dovahkiin to return and that they're more of us, this time. As more I mean my other 2 brothers who kept 'studying' at the crappy temple.
I narrowed my eyes at the soldier sitting opposite me, proudly wearing his Imperial armor. He smirked as he noticed my glare.
"Now you know that taking on a whole camp of Imperial soldiers alone isn't the best idea," He chuckled, and his comrades laughed too. Apparently, I was so dangerous that I needed a whole precession of Imperial soldiers to escort me to ... wherever they were taking me. The thought did make me feel a bit better.
"I wouldn't aggravate him too much, Engar, he is the Dragonborn after all," one Imperial soldier chipped in, looking slightly nervous. She hadn't joined in the laughter.
"What can he do, Elesis? He can't even speak through that cloth, let alone Shout," The first man, Engar said confidently.
When I heard him say "Elesis", it remind me of this girl that I liked, when I stared at the soldier they called "Elesis". The Elesis that I knew had black hair and theirs had black hair as well.
Suddenly, the cart lurched over a particularly big bump, and I winced as I hit the floor hard knees first.
"We're here. Prepare the prisoner," The Imperial driver called back pulling the horses to a stop. I looked up, and cringed when I saw where we were. We were on the road leading up to Whiterun, which was clear and daunting in the daylight. A group of soldiers stood in front of Whiterun stables, watching us.
I hadn't been to this town in such a long time. I wasn't really sure whether I regretted not coming here more often. I'd spent the last six years with the Greybeards, away from the public eye, learning the dragon tongue and the Way of the Voice.
"Get up, Dragonborn," Engar commanded grabbing hold of the chains.
With one last wistful glance at the chest behind the driver, which contained all of my things, I was pulled to my feet. Shuffling behind the Imperials in my ragged clothes, I felt stupid and embarrassed. I should have known that it was a bad idea to storm that blasted camp just after six years of non-violence. Had I only listened to my brother, Erik, I could have been making my way back to Riften now, so that I could finally go home after these years spent on top of the Throat of the World. It was shame that I, Jin, the Prince of Thieves, is in this situation.
"Keep moving!" The Imperial sneered, yanking on the chains. I don't know why but I really hate some Imperials, just because of the fact they thought this land belong to them.
Finally, after a humiliating and difficult walk of shame, the Imperial soldiers stopped, and pushed me in front of them. Someone shoved down on my shoulders, making me fall to my knees painfully.
I looked up, and gasped mutely. In front of the soldiers stood my one friend, Raven Stormcloak, watching me with concerned but angry dark eyes. His normally neatly black hair was tussled, looking like he'd run his fingers agitatedly through it a few times. His face portrayed no emotion, and his stance was one of power and annoyance. I couldn't help but notice his right hand hovering over the hilt of his sword. He scratched his goatee with his other hand nonchalantly.
Helen Stone-Fist, Raven's right hand man and my friend, stood nearby, looking angry. Her arms were crossed, showing her beautiful charm, intimidating all who looked at her. Even I was astonished to see her looking like she is today. Back then she was this shy little girl who didn't pay attention and the reason why I wield a sword today, to protect people. I wondered how she never wavered in the harsh sun, as she wore the trademark Stormcloak officer's uniform, which was all thick fur complete with a bear-head cap. Her gray eyes revealed just how she was doing in the years, but her attitude rivaled that of any fiery Nord for a Breton.
Behind them stood a troop of Stormcloaks, all ready for a fight.
"We have your prized friend, Stormcloak. If you want him to live, you'll listen to our conditions," The Commander Tirsis said, stepping forward and pointing the tip of his sword at my throat.
Raven said nothing, and merely watched, while Helen growled something incomprehensible.
"Firstly, you are to give the city of Markarth to us. The city will be controlled by the remaining Imperials. The other condition we have is for you to allow all Imperial soldiers safe passage to Markarth," The Commander finished, looking smug.
Immediately, the soldiers and Helen began to shout in anger and complain, as Markath was the best source of income for Skyrim, but on look from Raven quieted them all.
"This is a big price, Imperial," Raven said slowly, in his traditional Nordic drawl.
The Imperial brushed the sword against my neck warningly.
"But ... I shall comply with your request," Raven continued, looking at him in a disappointed way, as if he expected more from the Imperial.
"Now hand over Jin," Helen interjected in her soft voice.
"Of course," The Commander complied, and grabbed the collar of my shirt and pulled me upright.
I heard a satisfying click as the shackles were unlocked from around my ankles and wrists. Roughly, he pulled the cloth away from my mouth, and I choked slightly on the clean fresh air.
Don't forget my things," I managed to choke out, and a couple of soldiers threw the belongings chest in the direction of the Stormcloaks.
Someone was still gripping my wrists tightly behind my back, and they walked me to the middle of the two sides, in no man's land. Raven walked forward too, meeting us in the middle.
Behind me, the soldier pushed me harshly, sending me staggering into Raven's ready arms.
"Jin, how’s it been?" He greeted, steadying me, and I smile weakly.
"Not bad, you Raven,"
He took hold of my arm to keep me upright as I turned back to the Imperial soldiers, who were walking back to the cart in silence.
Suddenly, I had this feeling that my dragon blood was getting intense, and so the silence was broken by my cold laughter, as I entered Dragon's Wraith. Back in the temple me and my brothers were working on a new technique that fueled the Dragonborn’s power and then doubling it release its power in one shout. We called it, Dragon's Wraith. But, there is one drawback; we let our madness, get the best of us. Sometimes we can control it and other times, people might get hurt...
"You don't honestly believe that you're going to live after what you did to me?" I asked seriously, stopping my laughter in a split second.
Raven's hand tightened on my arm for a brief moment, telling me that this is not a good idea. I smiled at him saying you have to trust me. He agreed what I was going to do.
The Commander spun around, snarling and drawing his sword, and the Imperials behind mirrored him. I heard the clink of metal as the Stormcloaks did the same.
"We had a deal, Stormcloak!" He roared at Raven, who shrugged unconcernedly.
"You didn't make a deal with the Dragonborn," He pointed out wisely.
I danced forward slightly as Raven let go, and felt the dragon blood inside me go wild as I called upon it.
"Yol-toor-shul!" I shouted, sending a wave of fire at the Imperials.
The weak ones quailed as the wave hit them, killing them almost instantaneously. Twenty soldiers remaining- the Imperial soldiers left alive had been the ones following behind the cart, and so were too far back to be hit by the wave of death. The Commander had unfortunately survived, and he charged at me with understandable rage. I could see the blood lust in his eyes. I had none of my duel-wield weapons to protect myself as he swung at me.
But I wasn't the only person who could use a Shout.
"Fus-ro-dah!" Raven shouted, sending the Commander and a wave of soldiers flying back. In a flash, I ran back to the chest on the floor. I cursed as I tried to open it. Locked tight.
"Bex!" I shouted impatiently, pointing at it, and the lid flew open. I smiled triumphantly, glad that I had remembered a trick from Lloyd.
I donned my light armor quickly, taking only mere seconds to fasten it on, which was what I liked about this outfit. Pulling on my boots, I looked up just as an Imperial soldier took a swing, trying to cut my head clean off. I fell backwards onto the floor, feeling the blade rush over the top of my head.
The soldier swung at the floor, and I rolled to the side, narrowly escaping death again. Fortunately, his two handed sword stuck in the ground, leaving him defenseless. In a heartbeat, I gripped my sword. CoDex, which was a present from a dear friend and made my death blow, before joining the fray.
Fifteen minutes later, the Imperials lay dead on the floor, and the Stormcloaks were searching the bodies for anything valuable. I ambled over to where Helen and Raven stood, looking pleased with their small victory.
"Jarl," I greeted him in the traditionally way when we're kids, bowing slightly with a fist over our hearts.
"Jin. It's good to see you again. And that's High King. My sister runs Windhelm now. You should go by visit her, then again, I should visit too," He joked, smiling slightly.
"It has been a while..." I admitted, shame-faced.
"Six years to be exact," Helen added, seemed annoyed.
"Did you miss me, Helen?" I asked lightly, and Raven chuckled.
"Shut up or else I'll shove your sword up your...," Helen was interrupted by Raven.
"Helen," Raven looked at her with disappointment.
"Of course I did - it's no secret that I cared for you, and besides you did took my first kiss. After you left me, to go on your little 'adventure' I took sword lessons from my father to kill you personally." Helen said.
"First of all I didn't take your first kiss. That wasn't even a kiss; I fell on you by accident and our lips just so happens to touch each other." I said with a serious look.
"Keep lying to yourself, if you like me, just say so. Every time I wait its annoying. But I'm more annoyed with the rumors that you had a relationship with an Imperial girl. If those rumors tend to be true, don't be surprised if I kill you," Helen said, and I flinched under her harsh gaze.
Are you talking about Elesis," I said looking at her with concern.
"So the rumors are true, you kiss her," Helen said looking battle-ready.
"I didn't... kiss... her. She kiss me. Wait how you get this information anyway," I said with fear and curious look.