The Outcasts

Chapter 1 Thief

The wall was high, certainly higher than it looked from a distance. But

then again, everything looked smaller from a distance.

Dorren sighed as he gazed up at the daunting obstacle. This was

going to make things harder for him. It had to be at least thirty feet

high. However, due to the age of the stone, it had eroded a little and

this left places he could use as hand holds to climb. At least that made

the job easier.

Dorren stuck one hand into a hole in the wall that had been

slowly created by the elements and used his other hand to feel around

for another grip. Once he found one he began to climb. It was a slow

process but at least it was possible. A new wall, or a repaired one,

would have made this job impossible.

After a couple of feet, he looked up. A while to go yet, he thought

as he made out the top. Why did there have to be a wall? he asked

himself with frustration. Why not an open plain, or even just a small

fence that could easily be vaulted over? These people had to make things

harder for him. However, he did know the reason for it. The wall was

there to keep intruders such as him out of the town which lay beyond,

and to protect it from any invaders. After all, the town of Sarden was

right next to the Outcasts' Land and was prone to the occasional theft.

A robber was going to steal from them right now – him!

Dorren was nearly at the top now. It was a shame there was no

possibility of using the front entrance, he mused to himself. But the

idea was to avoid being noticed, and for a thief he was not very good

at it. He would reach the gates and either overact or not even attempt

to pretend that his motives were sincere. Lying was not something

Dorren was good at, and acting was just another form of lying.

He looked down at the drop below. For some reason heights never

bothered him, although he knew his fair share of people for whom

they did. As he glanced down he looked at what he was wearing. His

trousers and shirt were made from a very tough material, though it

was worn away a little at the knees and elbows, which confused him

because he couldn't remember ever falling on his elbows. Well, once

he was safely back home he could change into something that was not

wearing away.

Apart from those items, and leather shoes, he also had a katana

strapped to his back and a bag which would soon be filled with stolen

food for the journey back home, and whatever else he could find. The

only items held within the bag were two syringes with sufficient doses

of potions to knock out the toughest man for at least a day. He also