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They pricked up their ears, grunting andnoises deep in their throats A few of them shuffled off, unnerved by the intrusion, but Kurt and Joe were long past theh the dark

As he continued up the slope, Kurt felt the ache in his shoulder fronored it and continued on

Three-quarters of the way up the slope they caht of the compound walls A quiet whistle

got Joe’s attention They huddled together

“What do you think?” Kurt asked

“The wall looks rough, unfinished”

“Probably hard to get stonemasons out here”

“Front gate has ca the layout “Can’t see any others”

Kurt glanced along the dirt road that led up to the gate “If a pizza delivery guy ca that isn’t likely to happen, I say we climb the wall”

“I can see a spot over there where a tree is growing up beside the wall,” Joe said

“Too inviting,” Kurt replied “Let’s just use our hands and feet”

Joe nodded again and Kurt began tofarther upslope Joe followed, and the two ain at the base of the stone wall In athey caes

Unlike the gentle slope of the hill outside the walls, the grounds inside had been excavated and flattened The entire compound was built on a series of terraces, with the lowest by the front gate, then two intere s, and finally the hest of the four terraces

Unlike the rest of the grounds, the house ell lit Kurt studied what he could frouards milled around the main entrance At least one other man stood near the far side

“Not exactly girded for battle,” Kurt said