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 Ravan from the east would have spent the night at the next caravanserai along the road, and wouldn’t reach the city until late in the afternoon. Outgoing traffic had been slowed to a trickle by the searches at the gate. Jafar and Selima could easily steer their horses around t
