The thief named Jacob

Jacob Eagle, once assassin now a thief and leader of the underground thieves guild. His tone always a mix of dry sarcasm and enthusiasm. There wasn't that was enough for him, he didn't take contracts anymore that wasn't his schtick. Now he was a high class pick pocket that no-one would mess with for fear of death, or being marked for death. He wondered around the capital on the daily dodging the military and magic knights while still fitting in time to scheme, plot and have a drink, until he didn't. As he bumped into a little girl who'd recognised him. She would walk over and tug on his trouser leg he stopped and looked at the little girl.

"What can I do yer for missy?"

He asks kneeling down to get on her level tipping his hat up to look at her. In response she said nothing at first and just held up a handful of copper coins. She was holding up no more than six if not seven copper pieces at first glance, Jacob piqued his brow and looked at her. They stared at eachother for a moment before she built up the courage to say anything.

"Cou-could y-yo-you k-k-kill m-m-my uncle..."

Jacob took a moment before closing the little girls hands on the coin and smiled at her happily.

"How about you keep this coin fer yerself ey? You'll need it more than me."

The thief smiled at the little girl who at first confused slowly nodded, with that he reached out a hand an offering not a request. She pocketed the coin and took his hand. Jacob stood up and started to walk along with her.

"How about ya start telling me about this uncle o' yours and I'll get you some ice cream. Sound good?"

She didn't hesitate, her face lighting up that he was offering her kindness to this degree. No one had been nice to her for a long while now. As such Jacob took the little girl for ice cream, as she told him all about her uncle. A truly despicable man, his name was Roland Clark a local lowlife. He helped smuggle in illegal items such as counterfeit magic batteries. The girl talked about how he'd always hit her and make her to all the menial labour. How he'd always curse at her and put cigarette butts out on her body. Those marks he'd already spotted, Jacob was disgusted with what he heard. How this child found him however, how could she of known he was once an assassin. The military had long forgotten the days of Jacob the assassin since he became the leader of the thieves guild. After the ice cream and their talk Jacob had to think of a safe place to leave her. Best bet was the church of Luna. or maybe even the big bird who keeps preaching about Dorvon. Damn Avinol was loud but could hold his own in a fight no problem. Though the priests of Luna were more than likely the safer choice.

"C'on kid, let's get ya somewhere to stay a little while while I go deal with the bastard."

She quickly nodded and stood up looking up and him with wide eyes. Those eyes were filled with reassurance, pleased that this was finally happening. Jacob soon dropped her off at the Church of Luna, they took care of orphans already having a small orphanage attached to the back of the church. The priests were weary of Jacob, for good reason of course but he wasn't there to stir trouble thus after giving the head priest the long and short of it left the little girl in their care for the time being. The head priest stopped Jacob before he left and asked.

"What will you do now?"

"It ain't clear? There's some bastard out there who thinks he can get away with laying 'ands on a little girl in my city. Besides, this is a gig. Can't turn down a gig now can I?"

Jacob replied as he took the flat cap off his head and pulled up a hood.

"You have in the past have you not? What makes this so different?"

He took a moment and placed his hands in his pockets before turning around before replying, you wouldn't see it but under the hood was a look of determination and of pure anger. Evie knew that look, I meant he wouldn't back down from this. There might be honour among thieves but with assassin's, contacted kills were just another job. He would clutch his fist and speak up.

"I ain't a monster, I ain't like those bastards from the bloody guild! if this man if doing these kinds of things and he's still breathin' 'cause I didn't listen to a little girl who had no where else to go. I wouldn't be able to live with myself."

"So it's your own warped sense of morality? Is that it?"

The two looked at eachother after the exchange of words and emotions. They didn't have it great growing up, but this girl, this little girl who's no older than ten. She doesn't have to go through anything like they did and likely never will due to what they did all that time ago. But what she won't have is a family, especially if Jacob goes through with this. They both know this, but whether it's his own warped sense of morality and justice. One thing is certain now, Jacob gave his word, although it may be lost on him consciously. He lies steals and cheats as part of his everyday life always has.

"I have a duty to a job."

Jacob says

"Your duty is to the guild."

Evie would reply

"I can't go back."

Jacob mentions

"And why not?!"

Evie says now with a tired, exasperated look in her eyes as she looked dead at him.

"Because it's just who I am. I kill, I lie, I steal and I cheat. I'm a thief with bloody hands. Some of us can't just turn over a new leaf. Not me not you not Drathe. Our past will always find a way to catch up with us Evie. I'm going to go find this sorry bastard and end him. Whether you approve or not."

"What about the kid? she'll need a place to stay. The church of Luna already has enough orphaned kids to take care of as it is. They just don't have enough to afford to keep another month to feed."

"We'll talk about it when I'm back. I need time to think."

"Fine then. I'll wait."

Evie replies exhausted and frustrated with Jacob, he was always like this. Or at least for as long as she cared to remember that is.

Jacob left Evie with the little girl and went across the city, to the commoners district of the city just before the slums nearer the edge of the city. He counted doors and buildings until he found the right one. Though the whole thing took him two hours to find this one house. it was nice enough for a small family to live. Rent in the area wasn't too harsh but taxes were heavy as one would guess. Big city class based districts the ones higher up get to decide the fate of those below. Things were changing, slowly. But they were nonetheless. One at the door of the house Jacob stood with his hands in his pockets as he kicked in the door like some kind of gangster or military unit and walked in drawing one of his throwing knives from his jacket. As a man comes out from the other room of the house, disheveled and looks at Jacob.

"Roland Clark, you've outstayed your purpose in this city. time to die."

He says before throwing one knife at the man, hitting his upper right leg almost immediately making him kneel to the floor from the pain. He gritted his teeth and looked at Jacob.

"I didn't think you were taking these kinds of gigs anymore Eagle-"

Before he could anymore Jacob and punched him in the jaw with a knuckle duster. Blood now dripping onto the wooden floor. A loud thump would be heard to anyone nearby as the man hit the floor. However Jacob was not nearly done.

"I forgot to mention, this is personal. A little girl came and found me today. She was looking rough. Bruises all up her arms and some on her body. Your one sick bastard to do that to a kid, not to mention your own niece."

"She was a useless pice of shit. Always was. When mommy and daddy kicked it I thought I'd put her to some use. She did nothing but get in the-"

Once again Jacob cut off Roland by punching him in the gut winding him and breaking some of his bottom ribs in the process.

"Thanks for obliging me with that knowledge, now I know all I have ta do is make this hurt even more."

Jacob says then kneeing him in the chest and pushing him to the floor. That was it he was done. Jacob wasn't a fan of torturing the guy, just making sure he felt the pain before he stopped breathing. Finally with one simple motion Jacob drove a blade through Rolands back and into his heart. After picking up his throwing knife he left.

Jacob would leave a note on the body as he left and headed towards the church of Luna. He would pull down his hood and walk through the city he'd make sure clean up was done after he checked on the little girl. Once there the sun was setting on the horizon the sky was an deep orange colour then three knocks could be heard on the door of the church. One of the Sisters answered and took a moment as she looked at Jacob.

"I'm here to pick up the little girl I dropped here earlier."

Jacob says

"You mean you wish to adopt her?"

The sister replies a curious look befalling her, by all means Jacob didn't look the type to adopt a kid.

"No, no no, I mean. I. I'd just like ta see her."

"Fine, but you'd best be quick Mr. Eagle. The Father doesn't like you around here for longer than you need to be."

"Works by me."

Jacob says walking in past the nun to enter the church, the little girl immediately ran up to him wide eyed with a look of, did he do it? Jacob smiled as he knelt down and held out his hand. As she was gripping onto his hat.

"All done kid, nothing to worry about."

She smiled and jumped onto Jacob hugging him tightly and her soft voice rung in his ear as she spoke to him quietly.

"Thank you mister"

Those three little words out a small smile of Jacobs face as he stood holding her.

"It's alright kid. Y'know I've been thinking. Would you wanna come and stay with me? I can give you a nice warm bed, food and maybe even a family."

She pondered it a moment as she pulled away to look at him. Jacobs face was a but dirty and he had a light stubble his hair was kept but a bit greasy. She placed the flat cap back onto his head and gave a small nod.

"It's settled then"

Jacob says tired followed with a sigh he smiled and looked to the nun. Who simply gave an exasperated sigh followed with a nod of understanding and waved Jacob out the church. The two left and went back to His house where Evie would be waiting. This would not be easy to explain.