Through the side streets

The Rider Captain clearly had not expected the chaos that was developing on the boulevard. You consider the side streets. Every city had them and you spent a lot of time in the side streets of Heliopolis, they are always narrow and sometimes turn in unexpected ways even ending in sudden dead ends, but at least they will not be defended by any trained forces. Taking a final look at key landmarks you order your squad into a likely looking street.

At first you are confident in your choice. The only people you see take one look at the well armored troops trotting towards them in close formation and disappear like rats in the daylight. After a few minutes of fairly easy going, you get to a T-in the road as the street ends against a wall ten paces high with sharp spikes pointing down from the top. The luxurious city mansion of a noble, you decide noticing the orange trees that can be seen on the far side of the wall.

The alley to the left looks even smaller and darker than the narrow street you've been on so far. Your squad would have to march in single file occasionally bending over to get through low overhangs, but the alley to the right looks like it curves back towards the way you have been coming. You sense your squad's growing frustration and know you need to make a decision quickly.