A Thieve's Life (Jin's Saga)

Family Letter

Author's Note: Hey guys, sorry for the delay for the story. I just got caught up with school, job, and army stuff. But since Winter Break is slowly appoarching I will have enough time to show you guys more of this story. Enjoy.

Chapter 3

"You can do better than that!" I grumbled as I easily sidestepped a predictable swing from Elesis.

She looked awkward in her new Stormcloak armor and kind of cute, and she loathed the two-handed claymore that I forced on her. It was an unspoken rule for a Stormcloak to have a two-handed weapon as opposed to the Imperial's favor of a one- handed blades. The only exception to this rule was me, as I couldn't abide fighting with a clunky sword which was nearly the same length as my whole body. In the case of her actually hitting her target, aka me, the claymore she held was made entirely out of wood, courtesy of Beirand, the local blacksmith. It would hurt, but wouldn't kill me ... hopefully.

We stood in the center of Solitude's training yard with the midday sun beating down on us. I wore my light Hide armor, feeling uncomfortable in the heat. I'd managed to tame my wild dark black hair into a messy ponytail too, so I felt and looked like a trainer should. To give my outfit some individuality, I wore my lucky Amulet of Mara- not that I was looking for marriage anyway.

Elesis lunged forward, attempting and failing to catch me off guard. I ducked, and as the blade sailed past my head, I swiped my leg around, tripping her legs from under her. She fell to the floor, landing heavily as I jumped on her again, but every time I do she wiggles around and it feels weird. The sun reflected the auburn strands in her black hair as she lowered her head in defeat.

"Get up, Elesis, and try again," I said, using my best commander voice.

She stood slowly, looking bored. As I looked up, I was pleased to see that I could easily meet her bright green eyes with my own cold blue ones. It was a refreshing change to find someone who I can bully for a change; I can see why Lisa likes her job.

A thought occurred to me as I thought of Imperials. I wondered how the army had grown again. It was clearly nowhere near as big as it used to be, but someone must round the old Imperial soldiers up again. Hopefully it had been Commander Herecus III who had been expanding the rival army, because if it was then he wouldn't be doing it again unless someone brought him back from the dead. I studied Elesis, and then decided against asking her any questions about the Imperial Army. That could wait for another day.

"Did you come from Cyrodiil?" I asked casually, dodging, as she swung the claymore again.

"Yes, I did, when I was a baby," She said simply, stepping back.

"Which part?"

"Bruma," Elesis said, swinging again halfheartedly.

"Really? So it mustn't have been such a big climate change when you came to Skyrim then."

Elesis stopped and stared, looking surprised.

"You know Cyrodiil?" How many times have you been there?" She asked curiously.

I stayed silent for a moment, not wanting to answer.

"Oh, I see," She said suddenly, shattering the silence.

"You see what?" I said suspiciously with my eyes narrowed.

"You still don't trust me, do you, Jin?" She replied smugly, having sassed me out.

"That’s Officer Jin to you," I shoved her, smiling.

She smiled back crookedly, and it occurred to me just how cute she was. Instantly, I pushed that thought to the furthest and darkest corner of my head. I touched the Amulet of Mara around my neck absently, and shook myself mentally.