Thus it was that, at virtually the same instant Prince Ahmad, Umar bin Ibrahim, Hakem Rafi, and the urn of Aeshma left the city of Ravan under great ceremony from the north gate, Jafar al-Sharif and Selima fled through the walls amid great chaos, heading almost due east.
Chapter 13: The Escape From Ravan
Jafar al-Sharif and Selima bent low against their horses’ necks as they rode at top speed away from the Holy City. Neither was an expert rider; they just pressed their knees firmly against the horses’ flanks, held tightly to the reins, and let the horses do what came naturally.
They encountered little traffic along the road at this hour. Most farmers bringing produce into the city came up the southern roads to either Peasant’s Gate or Beggar’s Gate. Merchants and pilgrims coming to Rava
