[S] The Shadow Figure

Thsi wiil be an ongoing saga (don't you love that word) about a - Well actually if you want to find out just read it. Feel free to leave feedback between chapters.

The rain fell heavily.
A shadowy figure crept along the castle wall. He tilted his head upwards, trying to gauge when the guards on top would be the farthest away position so he could get up on the wall in one piece. He could hear his breath as he slowly exhaled and see his breath float up in a mist of steam. He wished fervently for a clap of thunder but also prayed there wouldn’t be, since it only followed the lightning that gave him away. He looked up and took a sharp breath. Standing right above him, looking down, was a guard, holding a bow with an arrow notched. The shrouded figure pressed closely to the wall, trying to remain as still and invisible as possible. The guard drew back his bowstring and took aim. The prey stood helplessly, hoping for a quick death. He could hear the guard chuckling as he unleashed the deadly missile.
THUD!
The man slowly opened his closed eyes. What happened, he wondered. Surely the guard couldn’t have missed from this range. He looked at where the arrow lay, a few feet away form him, and understood. For there, with the arrow piercing its body, lay a pigeon. Laughing the guard walked towards more of his kind, no doubt to tell them of this. But for the hidden one it was both a relief to be alive and yet a troubling turn of events. If the guards were so bored that they were shooting fowl he could never make it over the all without eight arrows in him. As he thought of what to do he happened to glance upwards. And there, like a portal into the riches of the world, was an open window. He couldn’t believe his good fortune as he took out his climbing hook and gave it an experimental twirl. Than, being careful not to raise the alarm of the watchmen, he delicately slung the hook into the hole. He waited a moment to be sure that nothing was suspected, than climb the rope into the room. As soon as he set foot into the chamber he knew that the easy part was done. Now came the real work.

You really know how to create tension, don't you? :) This seems quite an interesting story so far. I'm eager to read more about this mysterious shadowy figure. Keep it going! :D

Well, 12 days later and the next chapter is done. Actually I completed it in this last hour :D. Anyway here it is.
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Rase carefully peered around the doorway. The hallway was dark and there didn’t appear to be any guards. He gingerly took a step out, pausing to listen for any sounds he made. After he was satisfied that his presence was not known he began to traverse to dim path.
As he moved he tried to find the map the former butler had drawn for him. He paused to take a look at the chart and immediately broke out into a smile. The treasure, whatever it was, was right above on the third floor, behind a false fireplace back. There was even a staircase that lead to that room nearby. This was going to be such an easy job he almost felt sorry for the poor guy whose riches he was stealing. Almost.
He as reached the end of the hall. Rase peered around the corner, fervently hoping that there would be no one there. His prayers were not answered though, as a guards stood at the base of a staircase. He paused, thinking of what the best way to eliminate this mere annoyance. He slowly took out a smoke bomb and began to try and quietly light it with flint and steel. It took a while but he soon had it smoking, and he launched it toward the guard, mentally counting the seconds until it unleashed its gas.
“Eh, what’s this” said guard, whose voiced seemed deliberately slow and drawn out. Rase kept his laughter in as he slowly drew out his blade. Suddenly he heard a faint puffing sound and flew around the corner. The guard was in a slight shock from all the confusion and this made him easy prey for the ninjas sharpened blade. He fell like the perfect kill, quite and quick. Rase turned toward the stairs and began to climb them. He reached the top in no time but waited a moment to make sure no one had heard a noise. When all was clear he stepped up to the door. Ready for whatever was on the other side.