The Rogue // 1D //

Chapter One: Intruders

"Intruders!"

The sound of the yelling of the guards echoed off the brick walls of the mayor's quarters. They were loud enough for Liam to run faster and hide the sound of his feet slamming the floor. And though he couldn't hear Louis behind him, and he was a little too preoccupied to turn around, Liam knew that he was getting ready to climb out an open window and drop down to the dying grass three stories below. That was the one trait of Louis's that he was envious of: his cat like reflexes, his ability to come out from nowhere and always land on his feet. Liam's own exit was just a floor away, past the angry guards and through a passageway that Harry swore was big enough for him to fit through, even with his bow and arrow.

There was a guard up ahead, running straight towards him as he fiddled with a sword still tucked inside it's case. In one quick motion, Liam grabbed his bow from off his shoulder and an arrow from out of his pouch. The guard was now drawing out his sword, the light of the moon outside reflecting off it's silver blade. He took a deep breath, aimed for his right shoulder, and released. The arrow whirled through the aired and landed right on target. The sword fell from the guard's hands, clinking on the floor, and was soon followed by the fall of the guard. Liam ran past him, stopping for a brief second to consider if he should grab the sword. There was always use for a new weapon at camp, but he then decided against the added weight and continued running down the hall.

If everything was going as planned, Louis should already be on his way to where Harry was hidden among the trees. Niall should be joining them soon.

Niall. That was who Liam was most worried about. He had only joined the team just a few months ago, and other than occasional raids on carriages this was the first big mission he has participated in. He had been given a simple job, create a mild distraction in the courtyard of the village to attract most of the guards. He wasn't sure what kind of distraction Niall chose to do, and honestly he wasn't really sure if he wanted to know, but it could be worst then what Louis would have done. Louis used to be in charge of that kind of thing, but he always caused more damage than what Liam intended. He was glad when Niall came along and was able to pawn the task off to him.

Liam passed the entrance to a large library, and, according to Harry's instructions, he was close to his getaway. The hallway was beginning to turn silent, a sign that there were no guards anywhere close. Still, he had to be cautious, for he never knew who was around each corner. He slowed his feet and moved slowly, placing his right hand on the wall to feel for the hidden door of the passageway. How did Harry ever find such a place? Liam, believing he was safe from the guards, lowered the hood that covered his head, hoping that without it he could see the walls in his peripheral vision better. Minutes past, the only sounds filling the air where that of his heart beating rapidly, until he heard a click and felt the wall being pushed back.

Liam open the small, brick door, and though it was skinny and dark, he was thankful to see that Harry was right and he would be able to barely fit through it. He wondered why such an exit would be included in the building. Throughout his childhood, this place was always called the castle, though no royalty ever did live in it. It was built like one and served the same purpose: to tower over the county and intimidate all into following the law. He remembered the stories his father used to tell him back when he was just a kid, about how some ancient king had ordered it to be built for a summer home but had passed on before he could ever travel to see it, and about the ghosts that haunt its halls. Now, it served as the fortress for the vulgar mayor of the town, who ruled over the surrounding villages as if he was King John himself.

The sheriff, an older man by the name of Irving, lived somewhere around the castle too. To be honest, Liam liked the sheriff. He was way past the age of retirement and always seemed to forget that he had to lock up the valuables that the Rogue always ended up taking. Though it wouldn't really be that hard to break any locks, it always made the Rogue's mission easier.