The Outcasts

Chapter 1 continued

Dorren instinctively kicked the baker into one of his stands,

grabbed another loaf of bread and made a run for it.

"Guards!" The voice – probably the baker's – sounded and faded

as Dorren ran. He turned a corner into a side street where a guard was

waiting for him. As the guard swung his sword Dorren ducked

underneath it, took out his knife and jammed it into the soldier's leg,

causing the man to collapse. He then ran past the man and managed

to get round the corner before the guard hit the ground. As Dorren ran

he could hear footsteps from behind that obviously belonged to other

guards giving chase. He weaved round another corner, and then another

and another, avoiding guards here and there while trying to avoid detection.

The footsteps from behind gradually diminished until it was clear

that he had lost them. However, after many corners and alleyways he

was now hopelessly lost.

Forget the three plans now – the alarm was sounded and there

was absolutely no chance of succeeding. It wouldn't be long until

an armed force would be out and looking for him. A new plan was

needed, and this plan was simply to find a way out of the town. This

was going to prove difficult because for one there was a brick wall

surrounding the town with guards stationed all over, and Dorren was

lost so would likely blunder into the nobles' hall where he would not be

greeted so kindly. From this point on he would never try something like

this again. It was clear this was not his greatest strength. This could

be the only chance he got, as he might not see past today. So instead

of going round corners, he would have to try and maintain a straight

path until he could reach the edge of the town.

Eventually after another minute of walking Dorren could finally

see a wall at the end of a street. If he could run for it, climb the steps

and head back down the other side without being noticed he would

be completely free, and with enough food to get home. He would be

a failure but he would be safe. No doubt Severa and Pagar would not

let this go. Pagar especially was going to have a fit. Not because Dorren

had failed, but because he had left his home when he was not supposed

to. Dorren at least wanted to say he was successful, but apparently

this was not going to be the case. He could not help but feel despair.

Whichever way this played out he was not going to be happy.

When Dorren reached the clearing at the end of the street the wall

expanded and suddenly stopped. This confused him for a moment

before he realised that it was not the wall at all, but the keep. He cursed.