AN: Wow. Hey it's my first story! Just to warn you, the first eight chapters or so will be mostly set up. Bear with me ok?
*OOC-ness may/will occur* You have been warned!
Also, may switch between 1st person and 3rd person, so…. yea enjoy.
Chapter 1: Assassins and Templars and Ladders oh my!
"Assassin!"
Great. Another hour-long chase that ends with me in a pile of hay. Fantastic. I thought as run round the corner in the main street, crashing into villagers as I turned. Quickly, I dived through the market stall to a ladder that was conveniently leaning on the wall just to the left of me. Guards were coming from everywhere as I climbed the ladder to the roof.
Thank goodness for conveniently laid ladders! I thought as I looked upon the city of Damascus. The sandstone buildings radiated heat from the noonday sun. At of all the cities, Damascus was definitely the most colorful, with blues and ornate tile covering most of the high towers. The rich, middle, and poor districts were clearly marked by the smell emanating from each of there respective areas. Most importantly, there always seemed to be fewer guards here to, which helped since my skills at being sneaky weren't that great.
I love it here! I mean it's easy enough to get around; there's not alot of guards…
"There she is!"
…On the roof anyway.
"Get the assassin!" yelled another, as he and his fellow guards got closer
"No rest for the weary." I sighed as I took off, bolting over the rooftops toward a tower just ahead of me. Guards continued to yell at me as I got to the tower.
No way! There is no way you are going to climbing that tower!
Watch me.
It's like, really high…
So?
This isn't a video game…
I know.
You'll kill you're self…
Yes. Yes I will.
Goodbye cruel world!
Throwing caution to the wind, I started climbing the tower. Thankfully, there were plenty of ledges for me to grab. Sweat beaded down my forehead as I continued to climb, my clothes starting to weigh me down. Of course, I became oblivious to the fact that the guards had caught up and had begun to throw rocks until one hit me straightly on the shoulder, the pain coursing through my right side, making me lose grip of the ledge.
"Ah!"
"Is the little assassin having problems climbing?" One the guards teased as he threw another rock, hitting me in the forehead. Blood slowly seeped down my head, stinging as it mixed with my sweat. I cringed in pain, almost letting go of the ledge again.
"Did that hurt, little assassin? I'd better apologize."
"Yes, you should."
The guard turned around to see a man dressed in a white robe, with a white hood covering most of his face, and blood cover sword in his hands. Puzzled, the guard looked down at his chest to see his uniform stained with blood. His blood. He then dropped like a rock as he feel to the ground, dead. The other three guards finally took notice and charged forward. The hooded man smiled as he proceeded to take out the two guards with a slash to the throat and a jab to the abdomen. The third and final one decided to fight another day, running toward the ladder. Unfortunately, the man had seen him and threw a small throwing knife that implanted its self in to the guard's neck, killing him instantly.
I looked to see my rescuer, but was met with an empty roof and the blood covered bodies of four guards.
"Need a hand?"
Startled, I turned around to see the hooded man on the ledge next to me, extending his hand toward mine. I looked at the man, his golden eyes staring into mine. There was always a sense of calm about him I could never put my finger on.
"Are you sure you can hold me? I mean I ain't exactly in the best shape of my life." I asked, forcing my self not to look down as I stepped on the edge of my ledge.
"Ali, please." He sighed, rolling his eyes as he motioned again for me to grab his hand. We had been through this conversation before.
"If you say so chief." I said as I closed my eyes preparing for my imminent death. I jumped and was met with a strong hands and an even stronger back as I was pulled up and over onto the man's shoulder. Slowly he began to climb down, the extra weight slowing him down quite a lot. As we climbed, I allowed myself the pleasure to looked down. We were quite a ways up, as the roofs of the city were hazed over with dust, and most of the normal city sounds were almost none existent. Knots in my stomach began to form and was forced to look away from the otherwise incredible view.
"Scared of heights are we?" the hooded man asked teasingly as we slowly got closer to the ground.
"Just shut up and climb."
The man chuckled as we continued down, the haze slowly leaving, the sounds of the city becoming more present and the smell becoming more potent. Finally, we reached the ground as the man jumped from the small distance that was left. He slowly took off his hood and ran his hand through his short, brown hair as I slid off and on to the ground, legs giving out as I landed face first on the sand covered roof. The man grumbled something inaudible as he picked me up and held me to his chest; his strong arms wrapped around my body as he gently put me down on my feet.
"Thanks." I said as I brushed my self off, clouds of dust coming off my gear as I did so.
"I take it that the merchants didn't have anymore ink?" He asked as we started walking back to the bureau, his hood now repositioned on his head.
I groaned as I started to remember the true reason for being in this mess; the Rafiq had asked for me to get new ink for a map he was working then there was that patrol and the ladies with the coins and the templar with the box and… well you get the idea.
Bluntly, I said "Nope. Didn't have a drop of ink left. Must have sold it to a group of scholars."
"Really? Then what's this?" The man said as he turned around holding two bottles of ink in his hand.
"Eh...eh…oh… so you found your target yet?" I asked, trying to change the subject as I took the bottles and placed them in my bag.
"No, Jubair al Hakim eludes me. I was eavesdropping on some of his followers when I saw you…. diving through a market stall…being chased by guards!" He said slowly, getting closer and louder each time he paused till he was screaming in my ear.
Quickly, while I had the chance, I grabbed the man in a bear hug and planted a kiss on his cheek. Before he had a chance to say a thing I was already on the next roof, running.
"Bye-bye, Alty!" I waved behind me as I raced out of sight.
"My name is Altair! Not…not…Alty." Altair sighed as he turned around and headed towards the nearest ladder to find an informant to beat up.
AN:R&R peeps!
