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"Then we're leaving," I said.

I caught his hand and pulled him toward the trees.

We reached the eastern woods with all nine of our people, four documents, and nobody dead.

Considering the circumstances, I thought that was an excellent outcome.

If anyone ever gave me a proper headstone, I intended to have it mentioned.

Little John came running through the trees a moment later.

"More soldiers," he announced, struggling to catch his breath. "Coming from the west."

"How many?" I asked.

"Forty at least. Mounted."

Guy looked back toward the estate.

"He knew we'd come here."

I nodded slowly.

"He knew we'd come as soon as he sent those men into the graveyard."

The more I thought about it, the angrier I became.

"He didn't send twenty-three soldiers just to dig. He sent them somewhere we'd be certain to see them. Then he stationed another forty on the road, waiting for us to come looking."

Guy held out his hand.

"Give me the financial record."

I frowned.

"Why?"

"Because we're carrying every piece of evidence against Fitzwalter, and forty mounted soldiers are about to start searching for us."

He pulled the documents from his coat.

"If they capture one of us with everything, we've lost the entire case."

I understood immediately.

"Split them up."

"Exactly. Different couriers. Different roads."

I hated the thought of letting those documents out of my sight.

But he was right.

"The warrant record goes to Prior Aldwin at Blyth," Guy said. "He's seventy, has served through two kings, and holds a seal recognized throughout England."

He handed the document to Little John. "He can make an authenticated copy and keep the original secured at the priory."

John looked at me and I nodded.