Under the Swann

His first mission as a Collector for the Archives was an easy one. They said it was meant to test his ability to be resourceful and capable. Jak thought it more a test of whether or not he would leave and skip town forever. Admittedly, Jak thought about it. Leave everything behind…. Start fresh. But, Swannport was his home. And, this new job intrigued him. And more importantly, they paid his rent. Granted, Jak's apartment was in a struggling neighborhood with a nightlife that required one to be heavily armed, but it was his home. What he wasn’t sure about was the work of being a collector.
 
His first important collection was to take a sack of 500 gold coins to a small dwelling a good few days outside of Swannport. Making the trek was easy enough. Nothing in those two days wanted to eat a scrawny rogue, so he had luck on his side. At the small cottage, a mysterious robbed figure who answered to the name Brathson, peeked through the door. The figure never invited Jak in. In fact, he held the door just open enough to allow for a hand to hand transfer of the coins for the item Jak was assigned to collect. After a few seconds of realizing he was not going to be welcomed into a nice warm hearth, he held out the back of coin to Brathson. Brathson grunted and grabbed the bag. As Branson pulled back with the coin, he realized Jak's hand had not let go. Brathson tugged on it again... and again! Until finally Jak let go of his one opportunity to run off with a fortune. Brathson took the coin then turned briefly out of sight to gather that ever it was Jak was to collect. Jak turned around to check and make sure there was nothing lurking behind him. As he heard this Brathson come back to the door, he looked to see what it was he gave 500 gold coins for. Brathson held out his wrinkled hand and dropped a small box in Jak's hand. As quick as he completed the transaction, Brathson slammed the door with only a few words of instruction, "DON'T PUT IT ON!"
 
Jak stood there holding the small box. An awkward minute passed until he finally turned back toward the direction of Swannport. Looking down the path he could feel the tingling of curiosity start to devour him. Looking at the box he finally gave in and opened it. He was shocked to see a rusty old iron finger ring. Examining it further, he finally came to the conclusion that the Archives just got ripped off. Closing the box, he tucked it away and started his two day trek back home. As he mad his way back to the main road, he heard the sound of distant thunder. It looked like his luck of easy travel was now a think of the past.
Enjoying a day of heavy rain and another of muddy roads, Jake was glad to be back. Smiling, he made his way through the northwestern gate of Swannport. Veering towards the Archives with his five hundred gold piece iron ring, he passed by familiar vendors and town folk. He grew up here and knew a number of folks by face, many by name, and few as strangers. Before he had become a Collector for the Archive, Jak was a self made business man. And, it was good for business to know who was who and the wheeling’s and dealing of Swannport. On the streets, it was known that if there was some crazy deal going on, Jak Ravenfall was involved.
 
But now! Word on the street was, young Jak had a legitimate gig! Jak knew this knowledge had it's perks. But it also had it's reservations. He now found that the honest business folk of Swannport treated him with more respect! Nice even! Folks like the Halowfax the Smithy! Or, Deatrah the Tanner! However, those who's reputations were not so untarnished, they saw Jak's situation as an opportunity. Even if Jak did not think so. So, Jak made his way to the Archives with a quiet hum at his lips. Approaching the entrance and pulling out the ring box he was suddenly shocked to have the main door open! Standing before him was the irritable Lord Brathson! Jak stood their with an obvious look of confusion. But, before Jak could ask the obvious question before him, Brathson grabbed the box from Jak. And, with a quick puff he blurted,
 
"Good! You passed!"