Akos, Odon, Virag, and Miklos had lost their race against the sun. By the time the towering walls of Alamut came into view over the lip of the nearby cliffside, the sun had finished its passage across the sky and dipped below the horizon. No matter how hard they pushed their horses now, the gates would still be locked when they arrived, not to open again until dawn.
Such were the laws in the city of peace. Once dark covered the land, the gates remained shut.
Urging his steed to a stop before the final descent, Akos took in as much of the city as possible before all light disappeared. Everyone spoke of the majesty of Alamut's architecture. The city was legend for its beauty, yet with the gates locked for the night, Akos's eyes saw only the formidable walls that stood between him and the enemy.
Dirt billowed up into the air as Miklos pulled his horse to a stop next to Akos. "Do you think he made it in?"
Akos gave a curt nod. "He knows the walls of Alamut are his only hope to survive the night. He's in there."
The two men studied the city below in silence until Odon and Virag joined them on the lip of the cliff. No one spoke. There was no need. They all knew their roles once they reached the walls of the city. The only thing left to do was get there.
Virag turned the head of her horse first. "Race you."