This is my first ever published FF so please be kind
This is my first ever published FF so please be kind. There are so many good stories out there for Assassins Creed; however there seem to be so few of them so here I go… and please R&R thanks : ) Zoë x
DISCLAIMER:I don't own Altaïr or any other characters related to/mentioned within the game the game. OC however are mine.
To Jerusalem
I unhooked the silken khumūr that hung across and covered my mouth, the wind unsettling its sleek folds and I watched as the dust I had accumulated during my hard ride danced, unfurling, following the spicy trail of hot air towards my eye line of the great city. Jerusalem.
From the Cliffside the holy city excited every air of energy inside of me; my heart began to beat an ancient rhythm, my thoughts lost within my pulse. I could see the clearly defined limits of her high masonry, yet sprawling arms reaching, clasping every degree around her vast populace, clinging to the Judean landscape, defiant in the intense eastern sun. I could not help but think to myself, of what horrors Jerusalem had witnessed here, and how they had shaped her being.
Jerusalem's silhouette burnt across the near setting sun producing the symbols of both Christian and Muslim. From such a height I could make out the dome of the Sepulchre, and the looming minarets of countless Mosques. For over a hundred years leaders from all creed and culture had taken claim upon her stronghold, creating the most sought after city I may possibly ever imagine. However so, I knew my job here, "I should not curse my thoughts with ill used faith" I whispered to myself. Bracing the reins around my tightly clasped hands I dug my heels into the flanks of my mare, Aini. She lurched forwards carrying me down the meandering pathway, turning at each steep level of craggy Judean rock.
The sun hung low on the horizon, the atmosphere red and wild, strangely familiar. Whilst concerning myself with the prospect of thieves and hunters I reciprocated Aini's pace and urged her onwards clicking gently and watching as her ears pricked sensing my urgency. We reached the citadels Eastern entrance just before nightfall, I slowed our pace, clicking again with my tongue, noticing the rhythm change within Aini and tried my best to look as inconspicuous as I could.
The bustle of the city echoed softly in my ears, the noise of shutters closing, children being called in by their mothers, the sound of excitement and at the same time fear. It was at nightfall that the city seemed to die, or at least slumber, God knows Jerusalem had seen enough hardship and death in her time, I imagined it made sense that she curled away hid from it at night, creating an inner sanctuary for herself.
Seven guards stood before the gate, each one taking a share of the open space that parted me from my destination. My eyes searched the now dark blue surroundings hunting for any others that could hinder my path. I smirked slightly, a curl at the side of my mouth as I noticed two groups of men, clearly guards, posted at the edge of the tradesman's registry, was I so naive to think it easy? Behind the guards at the gate I became aware of a group of four scholars wandering towards me, I saw my opportunity approached the pathway leading inside the capital, head bowed, the khumūr hiding my fair features such that they could not be seen during the encapsulating darkness that swallowed every inch of perception in the first guards doubts. He immediately stood aside, motioning to his men to follow suit. It was then I noticed the icy stare of a fifth scholar, I blinked proving the suspicion in my mind, "four" I whispered to myself, "not five". Situated in the middle of the group was a man dressed in a white tunic, laden with an array of violent instruments hid in plain sight. He did as the others, cupping his hands together in a prayer like pretence. Almost reflexively I shivered. I thought I knew the glare that hid under the shady hood; I remembered the deep pools that had preyed upon my embarrassingly pale and passé features contrary to what the eastern women held in abundance. His piercing stare had always been menacing, yet I instantly felt safe, protected. The brotherhood must have sent news ahead of my arrival, I thought to myself, yet however familiar that fiercely dark glare had been, I quickly tried to dismiss it. I had a tendency to see things where they were not. Sometimes a lone compliment translating into undying love, my mind conjuring and twisting my perceptions. Nonetheless if had been him why was he venturing out? My ponderings were quickly broken, as we passed each other. From Aini's height I could have sworn I saw his head tilt upwards to study me, his hood turned up still covering his eyes, both my fears and hopes were confirmed, it was him. Assassin. He however carried on as if I was of little significance. How usual. What more could I expect, he had always held indifference a worthy trait of his personality. I however did not.
It must have been five, maybe ten seconds later that he had appeared within the scholars and then passed me, yet it felt like much longer. Not wanting to arouse suspicion I tried to straighten myself up, and with an air of disinterest I managed to clear all thoughts of him from my being.
Aini finally strode into the thick maze of buildings and bare market stalls. Now only the husky chuckle of a man in the distance could be heard. Four escorts awaited me within the inner wall of Jerusalem, firstly waving me past, before recognising me and apologetically greeting me. I acknowledged them instantly, the coat of arms they bore upon their chests were the arms of Jerusalem. The gold weft presenting itself against its pale blue backing in the freshly awoken moonlight.
"Masa il Kheer" the first escort addressed whilst bowing slightly. He was not native to Jerusalem, like me his pale face and fair hair misplacing him, glowing and reflecting. However it was his accent that really completed my judgment, he had a broad Germanic tone to his voice. "I am Adelbrecht formerly of Saxony", he softly greeted. I smiled appreciatively at his welcoming tone. Again his pastel complexion marking him out amongst the three dark men that stood behind him, "these are the guards my Lord would have me send as your escort party, he is very particular about the safety of his guests as you may well remember from your first visit" he smiled politely.
"Masa il Noor" I replied to is greeting, "And an undeniably striking evening it is too" I added, "of all my visits here to Jerusalem I have never seen her so magnificently displayed as I did whilst on the Mount of Olives on my way down." - My mind suddenly flicking back to the image of light and shadow. Assassin. The word echoing in my head. I blinked, mentally focussing on my words. "I completely understand His Majesty's concern, he has always been a competent worrier" I continued the joke playing upon my lips, Adelbrecht nodding in agreement. But I didn't see. I had turned to look behind me, caving in to my desire to do so, merely to see if a white shape stood in the shadows, on the wall, or a surrounding building. I even searched the previous landscape with hurried eyes, but he was not seen. However hard I tried to respectively continue the conversation, all my attention reverted to him. Where was he? My brain quarrelled with itself over whether he was on his way to a mission or purely attempting to tease and play with me. All I could think of was his mysterious hood and the unseen eyes that still under shadow managed to pick apart at me, examining my soul as if he were able see my thoughts, the most personal depths of my mind.
"My Lady?" Adelbrecht questioned. I had not heard him, "do you wish to depart for the palace?"
"Sorry?" I turned to face him, tossing all reflection on the hooded man aside as best I could.
"Shall we head off, only the night is drawing in and His Majesty would wish for you to be present at court tonight." He pressed as the three men behind him and he himself mounted the horses that had been grazing on a very small patch of grass next to a natural spring, out of a nearby wall. I acknowledged with a smile and with a gentle tone directed Aini onwards. She seemed to hold her head high and proud, trotting, leading the way, and as Adelbrecht came to my left side, Aini nuzzled playfully, pushing at his handsome steeds nose. The three other guards then surrounded me. One in front leading, another to my right side and the last some paces away behind, the keen eyes of the escorting party.
No sooner had we left the gates I already felt the threat of dark Jerusalem. Being October the sun hung heavy early in the afternoon, and in the space of time it had taken me to descend the Mount of Olives to the Eastern gate, it had quickly fallen. A dull glow was the only light visible within the bulk of the city, partly the moon, partly the hundreds of oil lamps that shone within the houses. In the distance I heard a howl of a large dog, a wolf maybe. Looking at the masonry and buildings that enveloped us on all sides, I thought of home. England. When my family and I had first moved to the east, I was only 8, an impressionable age, and I had regarded all that my Bishop had told me true. I grinned suppressing a laugh, trying not to disturb the quiet slumber of Jerusalem. I remember well what lies and ill truths he had told me of the Saracen faith, at first believing it, until our settlement in Damascus. Apparently killing an infidel to the Christian faith gained you place in eternal heaven, the death of an innocent Moor or Saracen was justified by their colour. He had told me only creatures of the devil could have such scorched features. My parents quickly emphasised to me the misjudgement within the papacy's doctrine of holy war, and corrected the growth of lies that could have taken hold of me. Holy war, I laughed quietly hiding a smile. My religion had cared not for me, and I ensured I returned its favour. Nevertheless my hand maid Yasirah, had taught me basic Arabic and read to me the sentiments of the prophet pbuh, the will of Allah, I made sure that I listened intently, my only goal through life to avoid ignorance at all costs and to stop injustice. As usual I was preoccupied in my own thoughts and didn't notice as the guard in front of me suddenly stopped and dismounted.
Sword drawn he stalked the area in front of us.
"What is it Tahir?" Adelbrecht asked? His sword also drawn in anticipation as he dismounted. The guard that had been behind me paced forwards to search with Tahir.
"I cannot tell Sir, I thought I saw a man in the dark" Tahir continued to scrutinize the darkness, studying the shadows for the slightest glimpse of movement. I turned around and also searched the dark, was it him? I preyed it was, rather than thieves or Templars, the last people I wanted to see whilst down a strange alleyway at night. Silently I tried to move Aini backwards as unnoticeably as I could, I turned only to see the assassin straight ahead of me, stood as if he had been waiting for me to do so. I was taken aback by his swift arrival. "Wha-" I started, only to be silenced by his gesture, he put his finger up to his mouth and pointed to the four escorts ahead still peering further along the road. What the hell is he playing at I cursed silently. He moved closer and beckoned me off Aini. He grasped my arm tightly, and turned me about pulling me into his chest, winding me a little, before whispering in my ear.
"Trust me." I shivered as his deep Palestinian accent caught my cold ear and warmed me throughout. "Move forwards, play along." I didn't understand, but I trusted his judgement too much, and just had to hold my tongue until he commanded me further. A part of me didn't want to comply, his assumption that I would irritated me. He had hardly talked, and already I sensed his stubborn self love, that when mixed with his physical masculine charm started to confuse my thoughts. It had been like this before. I remembered the way he made me feel so unworthy and disgusting, yet I couldn't help hanging on his every word, I had felt myself honoured just by being around him, all the time however he was completely indifferent, or appeared to be so. We would, or I should say he would have totally one sided conversations talking to me, about himself, and I would happily listen. A part of me had known he did it to every girl he met, I knew he savoured the same old lovesick reactions he gained from women, sometimes just from walking past them. It, apparently, was his trick. He grasped the reins from Aini's neck, who at this point was still facing backwards, and set them in my hands. Adelbrecht, Tahir and the other two guards were still searching ahead of themselves, spread out at different levels. Adelbrecht appeared to turn slightly, and i felt my heart race in fear of being caught. Who are they? Do they really come from the King? What threat do they pose for me? I knew it must have been some considerable threat either from them or another along the way, as the bureau would not have sent an assassin. My mind suddenly flicked to the notion that the bureau had not sent an assassin, there was no target. Has he really come just to welcome me, a strange welcome if that? "This is not a trick" he curtly snapped into my ear, as if he heard read my thoughts, his voice still a low whisper, he must have felt my breathing hitch as he did, because he then lowered his tone. "They are not from the king, just wait for a sign and then ride hard as far east along the wall of the city as you can, you will soon reach your destination." I found it impossible to take in the order he gave me as my brain tried to process the first sentence. Not from the King? What destination? And for that matter what sign? He pulled me even closer still, my heart racing at our contact, before he swiftly pulled away and covered himself within the shadows.
AN: Hope you enjoyed the first chapter! It's been really great writing it. Please tell me what you think so far. I am near completing chapter 2, it's much shorter, and it will be online tomorrow night (25th June) hopefully : )
The idea around the title is taken from a folk song by Kate Rusby, called 'No Names', and later chapters feature the dialogue between the lovers sung within the song.
I will try to update a new chapter at least every 2-3 days, regardless of the number of reviews I get, so if you have enjoyed this so far please stick with it! : )
Thanks Zoë
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