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“I’m sure it’s lock—” Graham started but cut himself off when the click of the gate proved him wrong.
I smiled. “Lucky.” I swung the gate open just enough to let us through.
Graham held back hesitantly. “What if there are guards inside?”
“It can’t be worse than what’s behind us.”
I turned back and shifted the bolt on the gates before darting around the hedges. The Stroud house dominated the center of the grounds, its windows dark except one. Graham and I ducked behind a row of prickly bushes just as the Enforcers’ torches lit up the night. Their shouts cut through the quiet, and the rattle of the gates was sure to wake everyone within a mile.
“Where have the guards gone?” asked an Enforcer.
I crouched behind the bushes and pushed Graham toward the wall that kept us from freedom.
“What are we doing here?” he whispered, resisting my prodding.
“Just go.”
We ran alongside the hedge. The gates clanked and groaned as if the Enforcers were climbing them.
“What isthis?” A booming voice cut through the calamity.
My heart thudded against my rib cage. I stopped in my tracks and lifted my head to peer over the hedge. A man faced the gates from inside the grounds, his figure broad and imposing.
“Sir Stroud,” said an Enforcer, bowing. The others joined him after a moment’s delay. “Forgive our intrusion, but we believe curfew breakers may be hiding on your property.”
“All I hear are Law Enforcers trying to unhinge my gates!” he shouted.
“But sir—”
Curfew breakers. So they didn’t know who we were. I tore my eyes from the scene and ducked below the hedge. We ran on, sticking to the shadows and keeping our heads low.
The argument from behind rose in volume, and I doubted even an angry nobleman could keep the Enforcers from demanding entry. One last sprint across the grounds took us to the base of the looming wall where a large tree grew. We ran behind the tree and I brushed my hands across the stones, confirming that the hidden pair of ropes I’d tied at the top of the wall still hung there. I grabbed the one on the right and handed Graham the other.
“No,” he said, shaking his head furiously. “Are you insane? I’m notclimbingit.”
“Yes, you are. Grab the rope.”
“No.” His expression turned to panic, and he backed away, refusing to touch the rope. “I can’t. You don’t understand.”
I knew he wouldn’t like the idea of climbing the wall, especially with his fear of heights. No one would. “Graham.” I spoke calmly to keep him from running away. “Graham. You can do this. The rope is secure and there are knots all the way up. It will be simple.”
He shook his head stubbornly. “There must be another way. What if I go through the city gates and meet you on the other side—”
“There’s no time. And no one can see you leave.”
“Does it really matter?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“I can’t.”
I grasped at any argument I could. “If we stay here, they’ll find out you’re conspiring with a criminal and you’ll never be king.”
“I’d rather be alive.”
“If you don’t do thisnow, I’ll get captured.” My voice rose in desperation. “And they’ll never let me out this time!”
He dropped his hands from his face and looked up at the wall.
