Coming home

Disclaimer: Don't own Altair. I wish though….

It was almost sunset whet the city of Masyaf came into view. It would take me two hours to finally reach the gates. My horse was walking slowly, exhausted from the pursuit that took place earlier. I noticed them following me since I left Acre. Four of them. Templars. Those filthy bastards! I don't know how they managed to inform those ahead of me but they set an ambush. If it wasn't for my bleeding shoulder I would have taken them all down.

Since I was a woman they thought I wouldn't be much of a threat, won't put up a fight. Hmp… all those idiots! I managed to take three of them, though, with my throwing knives, when I felt the dagger going through my shoulder. The sharp burning pain clouded my vision for a couple of seconds. One of those scums tried to use this as his advantage and charged at me, trying to kick me on the right. I dodged quickly and spun around, making him land on the ground. With not much effort I pulled the dagger from my shoulder and threw it at one of the templars, hitting him in the chest. I was aiming for the head but, oh well… it worked anyway. His life ended before he hit the ground.

More were coming now and were trying to trap me in a circle. Most of my left side was covered in blood so without much thinking I jumped over the dead templar and headed for my horse. I was strong enough to take them all but I wasn't insane. I couldn't fight them like this.

They all came after me eventually, seeing that I was in a vulnerable state. I kicked my horse and he ran as fast as he could. It was necessary for me to divert from my path to Masyaf in order to shake them off me. It didn't take them much time to quit chasing after me for they were of foot. I was finally able to return on my main road to Masyaf.

So here I am, covered in blood, making my way to the city of the assassins. To my home. To my father. As he entered my mind I started to think about what I am going to tell him. I learned a lot about the item he is so interested in. Three weeks ago he sent me on a mission to go to Damascus, Jerusalem and Acre and learn as much as I could about this so called piece of Eden. I didn't know what part of the information is important and what is useless so I decided to tell him everything I heard and red. He will probably know half of it anyway. The throbbing in my shoulder was becoming more painful as every step the horse was taking. I just hopped the wound didn't get infected or something. I wanted to heal as quickly as possible so I can be in shape for my next mission.

The sun was nowhere to be seen when I reached the gates. Seeing me from afar one of the two guards abandoned his post to inform my father of my return. Judging by the look on his face I assumed he saw the condition I was in.

I went through the city and up the road to the fortress. Feelings of safety and peace filled my soul as I entered the yard. I was home. Finally! Several of the men around the training ring turned to look at me as I got off my horse and let a guard lead it to the stables. Their faces showed surprise and some sort of aggravation. Hmp… men! Most of them are so proud and arrogant. Six years have past and they still can't accept the fact that there is a woman in their Brotherhood. And is as strong as any of them. I answered by giving them some of my "mind your own fucking business" glare.

Our little battle was interrupted by several men running down the stairs, leaded by my father. I immediately straightened up and held my head high. As much as it hurt I would never show weakness in front of these men. No matter what goes inside of you, you must never show weakness to anyone. They will always use it as their advantage.

- My Master, I have returned from my mission. – I side bowed to my father due to my injured shoulder.

I avoided calling him father in front other assassins for I did not wish to use his name as a tool to gain respect or trust. I wanted to be treated like the rest of them, an equal.

Al Mualim stopped a few feet away from me.

- Asimah, I'm glad you have returned to us, my daughter. I see you've encountered trouble. – he said looking at my shoulder.

My expression remained the same, my eyes never leaving him.

- Nothing I can't handle.

His face saddened.

- Then let's hope it stays nothing. – he murmured more to himself than to me. After a moment of silence he straightened up and said:
- Very well then. I'll be hearing your report after your wound has been taken care of. Go now. Rest.

And with that he turned away and left. I bowed my head in respect and crossed the yard, making my way to the hospital wing. Everyone turned away and started minding their own business.

After the wound was treated I made my way to my room for a quick bath. I had blood and sweat all over me I just couldn't stand it. My straight black hair was a mess. I always held it up in a ponytail so it doesn't get in my way, but now couple of strands were sticky from the sweat and were all over my face. Ugh, I really needed a bath.

Al Mualim was in his study as usual so I didn't bother asking the guards about him. He was looking through his big glass window when I walked to him.

- Master, I am ready to report to you the information that I've gathered from the three cities.

- How is your shoulder? – father asked almost interrupting me. He still had his back to me.

I tightened my jaw, feeling offended. Isn't the information more important than my shoulder? If it was anyone from the other assassins he would have never bothered asking them about their well fare. I answered anyway:
- It has been taken care of. No infection. – in that moment he turned around and my emerald eyes met his light brown ones. – Like I said: nothing I can't handle.

Al Miualim let out a sigh and whispered a quiet "of course", showing that he wasn't very convinced. This angered me even more but I maintained my composure.

I loved my father, I really did. He was the one person I could come to when I felt lost from my path. He taught me everything the other assassins know: to wield a blade, sword, throwing knives, climbing, fighting. Everything that I know came from him. I remember the time when I got my hidden blade. When I was about to get my ring finger cut off. It hurt me more to look at my father's face than the physical pain. I didn't even cry. The only sound that left my mouth was a loud gasp as the blade went all the way through my finger, cutting it off. The second it happened, my father turned and quickly made his way to the fortress. In the evening he sent someone to call me over. With my hand bandaged I went to his study where he started saying how proud he was of me. That I was an assassin now and could be of great help to the brotherhood. That was when he entrusted me with his secret. He told me about the piece of Eden. Ever since that day he has been sending me on mission, connected with the ancient artifact. I was the only one among the assassins who knew about it and the connection between my father and the item. It made me feel some sort of special. He sees me as who I really am and how strong I can be, not just a girl who by her father's mercy made her an assassin. Al Mualim and I share a special relationship. One of respect, trust and love. But still, he worried about me too much.

- Father, trust me. I can take care of myself. – I assured him and offered a smile.

In return he came closer and pulled me in his embrace.
- My child, you know how much I trust you. – he pulled away still smiling.

My face then became serious and I went straight to business.
- Yes, father. Over the centuries, the Pieces of Eden resurfaced, and were mostly seen as religious artifacts or holy relics. However, as time went on, groups of individuals began to see the Pieces of Eden for what they truly were and sought to exploit them. The Templars were actively seeking and obtaining numerous Pieces of Eden,(at that my father's head shot up) in the hopes of forcibly uniting the world in peace much like Those Who Came Before had done. I was always suspicious that other people knew of the existence, father, so I started digging for their names. After two weeks of investigations I was able to learn all their names. They are to be Robert de Sable, Talal…

- Yes, I am already informed of the other nice people who know about the artifact. – he interrupted me and turned his back on me. I was a little taken aback. Just as I was about to say something he beat me to it.

- I also sent a man after them. He has eliminated two already.

Wow, I didn't know that my father could move so fast. It took me two weeks to find out the names of these men and he has already sent and assassin after them who killed two so far. Disappointment showed on my face as I felt like I didn't completed my mission.

- Your mission wasn't for nothing, my dear. – My head shot up, only to see my father's kind smile. - Pease don't blame yourself for anything. You have brought me so much needed and vital information. – he then seemed deep in thought. – Yes, very needed.

I tried to study his face, but failed. After a moment of silence he turned to look at me.

- Thank you, Asimah. Now you can go. I will inform you of your next mission in a few days. – My father said in his usual ordering tone and smiled. – I'm glad your home.

I felt happy at that moment. I really was home. No place like it. As I was about to leave something came to my mind.

- Um, father?

- Yes? – he turned his attention to me once again.

- I know it isn't any of my business but who exactly did you send after those men?

Al Mualim smiled at my curiosity but decided to answer me.
- It was Altair who I chose for this mission. – he answered matter-of-factly.

My face remained the same.
- Of course. Well then, I'll be off now. Peace be with you father.

- As with you my child. Good night.

It was already dark when I exited then fortress. The cool evening wind cleared my mind a bit and I felt exhausted. I made my way to my room then, locking the door as I entered. One question kept bothering me all night and I just couldn't find a logical explanation. Why did Al Mualim send Altair exactly? He was the assassin who broke all three tenants of the creed. The most skilled of us all but also the most arrogant. It clouded his judgment and caused the death of one and the arm of another. Yes, I was far away from Masyaf when it happened, when Altair what striped off his position but new of it reached even my ears. It had happened two days after my departure. It didn't surprise me though. I always knew he was too damn proud for his own good. Although, I expected that my father would banish him from the grounds. So why? Why did Al Mualim gave him this important mission? What if he turned against us? I fall asleep late that night, my curiosity not yet been satisfied.

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So I need reviews to know if it is worth continuing the story. Tell me watcha think :)