Chapter 1: Thieving Is Wrong.

Raven's POV:

Thieving is wrong. But then, it's how I've survived. I've become an expert. Even the local Ranger can't track me. My name is Raven. I'm a girl of 16. I have jet black hair that ends at my shoulders. I am a descendant of the Exiled. The Exiled are an ancient group of Araleuns, skilled in many forms of weaponry, silent movement and tracking. All these work to my advantage.

I stirred, sunlight streaming through the leafy canopy above me. My ever-present companion, a black wolf named Shadow, licked my face. I sat up, and was greeted by a black shafted arrow whizzing past my ear. I jerked sideways, leaping to my feet. They seemed to have sent someone other than the local Ranger. The first shot was a warning shot. I dodged another arrow, and caught the next one, hoping to discourage this Ranger. However, there was one discouraging him. Abandoning my initial plan, I grabbed my cloak off of the ground, commanded Shadow to go hide in the woods, and took off running, right at the Ranger. I clasped the cloak about my shoulders, hoping to hid my feminine frame. When I could, I disguised myself as a boy. I flipped the cowl up, shrouding my face in shadows. All this took about three seconds. The Ranger discarded his massive longbow for his saxe knife. I ran past him, twisted, and brought my blade to his throat, my cowl falling back, revealing my face.

"You're a girl," he stated more than asked.

"Would you have those be your last words?" I hissed in his ear, then frowned. He shouldn't be smiling. I realized my mistake. I had assumed there was only one Ranger tracking me. An arrow was already sailing through the air, aimed at my upper arm. I withdrew it quickly, but not before it could graze my lower arm. I cried out in pain, dropping my saxe. The Ranger closest to me grabbed my wrist and twisted it behind my back. I groaned softly in pain. Utilizing my injured arm, I brought my elbow up to his ribs, hard. He released me, and I dropped to one knee, gasping for breath. The other Ranger strode toward me. He was much different then the one that just dislocated my shoulder. He had brown hair and brown eyes, which, at the moment were dark and foreboding. His mottled grey-green cloak caused him to shimmer in and out of focus. He stopped in front of me and stared down me. I glared defiantly up at him, desperate for an opening. Suddenly, I surged upward, my good fist connecting with his jaw. I whistled for Shadow, leaping onto his humongous back. I straddled him like a horse and sped away, my shoulder length hair streaming out behind me.

Will's POV:

I can't believe she got away. I caressed my bruised jaw. Halt walked up to me, watching the thief grow smaller.

"That wasn't bad, for a girl," he commented. Will shook his head. "She still got away."

"Then we'll have to go after her."

"I suppose so."

Halt raised an eyebrow. "You suppose so?" I grimaced.

"I mean, yes, we most certainly go after her. Definitely." I added for emphasis. The eyebrow returned to it's original position. I walked several feet in to the forest to retrieve Tug and Abelard. We mounted, then began riding into town, with every intention of tracking the theif.

Authors note: Well, this is my first Ranger's Apprentice Fanfic, so let me know what you think! Please review, it motivates me! Hint hint. ? if you would like to know more about the Exiled, or about Raven, just ask in a review. See ya!