Altair's p.o.v

The sun was rising as Altair was getting ready for this 'special' day. He wasn't bothered about it, it was just induction for all the novices in Masyaf but, to his dismay, he had to go because Al Mualim put him up to the job. He didn't know who he was going to get. Once he had put on his robes, trousers and leather boots, he walked to the other side of his room. He went onto his knees as he looked at his own reflection in the water bowl that he used to wash his face. His eyes were looked terrible as he didn't get much sleep the night before. Tossing and turning, trying to get comfortable. He didn't know when he got off to sleep, but it must've happened quickly, for he couldn't remember going to sleep. He stood up and let out a sigh. He walked out his chambers and made his way down the spiral staircase. There were novices talking about the day like they were small children going outside of their home for the first time. He wanted to order them to shut up, but he was kind enough to let them continue their conversation. He became out of ear shot when his tummy rumbled. He decided that it was time he went to the dining hall.

Soon, Altair reached the dining hall. He opened the doors and one of the tables went completely silent. He walked over to the far end of the hall and grabbed something to eat. It wasn't much, but it was enough to get him through the morning. He sat at a table by himself and he could feel someone watching him. He turned around and he saw one of the novices looking at him. The novice looked around twenty and his facial features reminded him of a young woman's. Altair thought he recognized him from somewhere. The novice turned away and Altair looked back at his plate. On it was a handful of grapes and a slice of bread with a glass of Coconut milk to wash it down. He was about to eat a grape when there was a fist banging the table at the front where all the important figures of the creed sat.

"Quiet please!" Al Mualim called out. The room became silent. "As you all know, the novices have their first contract to assassinate in order to be a fully fledged Assassin!" He waited for it to sink in, "And each novice has their own 'mentor' to accompany him. The longest contract is where you need to go to Acre, Damascus and Jerusalem!" A novice put their hand up, it was the one that Altair recognized, "Yes Mahir."

"Is it in that order?"

"Who knows? It might be, it might not be. Does that help you?"

"Yes sir. Thank you."

"I will call your names and you will come up and receive your scrolls." Al Mualim picked up the six scrolls and called out, "Amir!" A young assassin strode out and took his seal. He stood in front of the main table and faced Al Mualim.

"Azzam!" Al Mualim continued, "Yasir!, Nasser!, Marid!" All the novices that had been called out were stood in an orderly line. There was only one left to join them, "Mahir!" Mahir stood gingerly and made his way towards Al Mualim. He took his scroll and joined the line, "You may now break the seals. However, once you have found out who your mentor is, look at him straight in the eye. Unless it's Altair."

Altair laughed, "Thanks. I'll take that as a complement."

"I was only joking Altair. You may now," Al Mualim started laughing, "Break the, hahaha, seal on your scrolls."

The assassin's did as they were told. Altair did not want to know who he had, but he did guess. And his guess was correct, for Mahir turned around and looked at him. Mahir quickly turned around and told his friend, Nasser, that he had Altair. Nasser just said "Good luck".

Al Mualim banged on the table again, "Make your way to your mentors and he will take you to your chambers. I will see you off in one hour. What I would do if I was your predicament, is get to know your mentor. Good luck."

Mahir made his way towards Altair. Altair sighed and he rolled his eyes. He had to speak with Al Mualim. But it could wait for an hour.

"Follow me." He said and he walked out of the hall with Mahir, "I'll take you to your room and let you pack and get ready. Whilst you are doing this, I will do the same and I will meet you at the stables. Then, once we have said goodbye to Al Mualim, we will leave for Jerusalem."

"How do you know we are going to Jerusalem?"

"Al Mualim tells the Mentors the day before. Only I was busy so he told me early this morning." He didn't look at Mahir as he was speaking. He just kept his eyes forward. He saw the tower that they needed to go up. He walked towards it and opened the door. Then they climbed up the spiral staircase until they got to the fourth floor. Altair turned to his right and left Mahir to turn to his left. Altair entered his room and quickly put on his leather armour, belt, bandolier and sheath. Then, he walked to his weapon stand and put his long sword into his sheath, throwing knives into his bandolier and dagger into the sheath on his back. He packed enough food for a day, two people. Complete with fresh fruit, bread, coconuts, and a goblet. He left the tower and made his way to the stables. He picked up an apple from one of the stands in the village and walked away. He always took an apple with him if he going to the stables. It always made his horse well behaved.

When he reached the stables, one of the horses opened it's door and galloped to Altair. It was sleek and it's coat was dark brown. A classical build of the Arab breed. The horse nuzzled Altair's hand.

"What is it Adira? Hmm. What can you smell?" Adira looked into his eyes, neighed, then went back to nuzzling his hand. "Okay. You can have your apple." He opened his hand and Adira ate it, "Good girl."

"Altair!" He turned and saw Mahir, "I'm here!"

"I can see that!" He scowled and he turned back to Adira, "Where did I put your saddle?" He walked into Adira's stable, "There it is." He walked out again and equipped it onto his horse. He mounted and saw that Mahir was still putting the saddle on. A few seconds later, he gave Altair his food pack and went back to his horse, put his food pack on the horses back and mounted.

"Ahhh Altair and Mahir, I see you're the only ones ready." Altair and Mahir turned and saw Al Mualim.

"You'll feel sorry that you spoke just then." Altair mumbled. As soon as he said that, his horse turned and made for Al Mualim, nuzzling him.

"Hello to you too. Here's half an apple for your long journey." Al Mualim said, "Now then, go to your contract Mahir and, Altair, please don't do anything stupid to make him lose his arm. Please."

"That was an accident. The wall collapsed when I was on the other side and -" He saw Al Mualim's icy glare, "I won't. You have my word."

"Well then, what are you waiting for, leave!"

Altair and Mahir spurred their horses and they rode off into the distance.