Meili hugged the branch tightly, shimmying upwards until she could grip the bricks of the balustrade that ran along the top of the wall. She was very grateful she had discarded her cumbersome dress and shoes…
She pulled herself up and over the brick wall, dropping into an awkward heap on the walkway.
She crouched down, peering around the curve of the wall to the south. There were some guards on the wall guarding the eastern gate, but they were quite some distance away and they hadn't seen her yet. If she kept her head down, she didn't think she would be spotted unless they left their post.
She cast about for her court dress and shoes, finding them strewn on the path, and quickly redressed herself before peeping back into the tree.
The small maid was nearing the top of the branch that met the wall, her eyes so wide Meili thought that she really did look like a little monkey.
