Defeat Is All But Inevitable

The hawk and Sindbad exchanged looks, as if communicating an unspoken message.

Jafar frowned at the bird. " The Prince's hawk? Why is it here?"

Sindbad too looked uneasily at the hawk presenting its leg and awaiting his approach. He walked up to the window and took the piece of paper before sending the bird off.

" What's the matter?" Jaber asked, realizing his friend stiffened when his eyes fell upon the content of the letter. With a deep sigh, Sindbad folded it back and stowed it in the folds of his clothes.

" He's saying that the scouts spotted the bandits moving due East and heading towards Baghdad." He turned back with a grave expression.

" They're attempting to attack it head-on?" Even Jaber seemed at a loss for words at what the bandits were thinking.

" That would be impossible. They can't make it past the walls' defenses," Jafar piped in.