Eventually their shadows disappeared, and with it went any crispness from the morning air. It was now hot, muggy, and the horses began to lag in their traverse. The day had remained relatively quiet, apart from the two assassins occasionally barking directions at one another to avoid a guard confrontation or to point out a (supposed) shortcut. Malik, for the most part, had relented his teasing.

Several miles later, they arrived in their target city. There was a small market set outside the city gates populated with merchants dressed in middle-class garb. They sold a variety of crafts and crops, and added color to the otherwise dry scenery with their dyed goods. There were guards interspersed among the droves of people, but none seemed too alert. Altair and Malik were able to make their way to the stables with ease.