"Ugh! Has Mary sent that simian looking man to arrest me?

"Hush, boy!" That was Robert Cecile, The Earl of Salisbury. He's an agent provocateur, but it's not him you have to worry about." Walsighman knew the hidden corridor like the back of his hand, moving with ease through the dark tunnel, he lead Neville far from the searching guards.

"Who should I be worrying about now?" Neville smelled fresh earth under his, cold bare feet. He was careful where he stepped as rats scurried out of their path.

"Your cousin, Thomas Howard, the 4th Duke of Norfolk.

"Tis a lovely family I have! They all want to have me murdered, imprisoned, or to fornicate with me."

"Get this through your ale lad-den head. You're in a precarious position, and they're ambitious. At one time or another their ancestors sat on the throne. They will smile while they lavish their praise on you, then plot to your murder. However, if you know their game, you'll be well prepared to deal with them."

"What is your part in all of this ambitious plotting? Do you want the crown too?"

Walsingam answered patiently. "I know what I want, but I understand the limits to what I can have. That's the difference between myself and Norfolk. Ruling a Kingdom is more than scheming to acquire power. The royal subjects must support the Crown or the Monarchy will fail."

"I'm in a nest of insane vipers."

Walsignham involuntarily barked a short laugh. "Quite accurate, boy. You'd do best not to forget that sentiment, Neville."

The cloaked figure suddenly stopped. A sliver shaft of light pierced the dark tunnel. Neville felt a draft of cold air pass over him as he heard Walsigham move a lever hidden from view. A counter weight opened a small door, and they both exited into the center of the castle's acre of outdoor garden maze. The older man handed Neville his black hooded cloak.

"You'll need your wig and appropriate dress before anyone sees you. Use this to cover your head while you return to your room. Don't speak to anyone."

"What should I tell Mary?"

"Tell her you're sorry for your behavior. Beg her forgiveness. Do whatever is necessary to keep her as an ally."

With those parting words, Walsigham disappeared from the hedge maze, slipping back through the mysterious green door. Neville heard a click as the door shut seamlessly behind the master spy.

Snow had fallen through the night, turning  the puzzle maze into a frozen winter wonderland. As Neville tramped barefoot through the snow, he anticipated returning to his warm room within a few minutes. After an hour of twists, turns, and dead ends, he had retraced his steps back to the center of the maze. He realized he was in trouble when his toes started turning blue from the cold. He was barely able to move his fingers. If only I could climb over the bloody hornbeam.

For the umpteenth time, he came upon his own footprints in the snow. I've just traveled in a circle, back where I've started!" Just when he was about to sink into the snow and surrender to the cold, he heard excited barking.

"How now, Elizabeth. Daughter what in the heavens are you doing out here in the hedge?" It was the King, walking Edward's dog.