The city watch had doubled its patrols after news from Volga Bulgaria reached Ryazan. Siban spent his first week in the city studying the changes before attempting anything else.
The adjustments revealed themselves once he watched long enough. Two-man patrols now covered each gate instead of one. Guards at the near river crossing had begun questioning travelers, something they had not done before autumn. The eastern market slowed badly at midday, when the largest crowds pushed through the streets, which also made it the easiest place for a watch commander to concentrate manpower.
That meant Siban needed routes that drew no attention without looking chosen for that purpose.
He moved through the lower commercial district a block east of the main thoroughfares, walking with a steady pace. The cloth wrapped around his jaw and lower face protected against the autumn cold, a similar one that half the city wore, which made it camouflage as well.
