The Raven's Black Shadow

Chapter 11 - Rescue and Escape

The following morning Altaïr and Nasira decided they were to try and take to the streets again. If either one experiences any immediate aggressive advances from the guards they were to return immediately to the Bureau. They decided to split up and thoroughly search the Poor district first. If nothing was found they would then move to another district.

Nasira whispered to Hadi and upon flinging her arm into the air, the great bird unfurled his wings and took flight. She watched from upon the rooftops, beside the entrance to the Bureau below. Altaïr climbed up and stepped to her. Nasira turned to him as he approached.

"Please be careful out there. And no reckless actions either." He said, standing directly in front of her.

Nasira rose a brow and placed her hands on her hips, "I know how to stay out of trouble. Let's see if you can withstand getting yourself injured."

Altaïr smirked at her comment, "We'll see."

He placed a hand under her chin and looked directly into her eyes, "Promise me Nasira."

"I promise." She said, slightly rolling her eyes sarcastically.

Altaïr leaned forward and kissed her upon the lips, a gesture she returned. He stepped back and with a final smirk, he pulled his hood over his head and took off at a jog across the rooftops heading east. Nasira laughed lightly before she too pulled her hood over her head and began in the opposite direction.

Nasira descended easily down a building and onto the streets. She kept to the shadows, walking the alleyways. Her sharp hearing scanned the many conversations, including those of the guards. She did this for over an hour, even moving out into the open, testing the guards. They watched her warily, their hands on their swords but they made no move to approach her. Nasira glided unnoticed through the growing crowds, even stopping once to sit upon a bench to listen, but to no avail.

Several hours passed by, the sun now rising and beating down heavily. She could feel the heat boiling through her uniform, sweat forming on her brow but she ignored it. The day grew on and as she was just beginning to lose hope of finding anything in this district, something caught her eye.

Nasira stopped abruptly and glanced quickly to her left. A short distance away, a beggar woman was doing her regular begging for coins from the passing citizens. Around the waist of the woman was a bright blue sash. Nasira's eyes flew wide and she made her way over to the beggar. As she approached the woman, the beggar instantly turned to Nasira.

"Please kind sir. Can you spare a single coin?" Begged the woman.

"Perhaps. But first tell me where you acquired that sash." Nasira said, pointing to the sash around the woman's waist.

The woman was rather surprised to hear a feminine voice from within the hood. She tilted her head, "Why, I found it lying in the dust."

Nasira thought for a second before reaching into a satchel and removed four gold coins, "How about I offer you this in return for the sash."

The beggar woman's eyes flew wide as her gaze fell greedily upon the coins. She quickly removed the sash without a word and placed it in Nasira's hand. Nasira then placed the coins within the woman's palms.

"Thank you." Nasira said plainly and turned away, gripping the sash in her hands.

She cared not for having to pay for the sash. Now, she had a small clue to Sabriyah's disappearance. Nasira melted back into the shadows and moved into a secluded area boxed in by several buildings. A few large crates sat against a wall off to the side and Nasira leaned back against them, sighing heavily. She felt a presence approach but never started in alarm. She glanced up at the white robed man only steps away as he approached.