Song Inspiration Bottom of the River by Delta Rae
Art Inspiration Altair and Templar Maria by Tio-Trile on DeviantArt
Holding Hands
Altaïr twisted in Roberts grip, slamming his bracer across the faceplate of the Templar helmet. Robert stumbled back, hand reaching up to feel where his mouth would be. Altaïr hoped he had managed to break a few of the Templars teeth, spitting on the Templars robe with disgust. With a shout Robert was on him again, swinging his broadsword with ignited fury. Altaïr blocked and retreated until his back came into contact with the stone of the parapets wall.
He tried to force back a particularly strong blow that was aimed at his right shoulder, but with a surge of adrenaline Robert succeeded in driving past Altaïr's blade and into his shoulder. Altaïr couldn't stop the bark of pain that erupted from his mouth as Robert ripped the sword carelessly free from where it had been lodged in Altaïr's shoulder. Altaïr was disciplined enough to not let the pain still his movements however and he lashed out in defense, his hidden blade slicing through Roberts robes but narrowly missing the Templars side. As Robert stumbled to the side to evade Altaïr's blade, his grip on the broadsword loosened and Altaïr saw his opportunity. He swiftly kneed Roberts forearm, producing a sickening crack and sending the sword clattering to the ground a few feet away. Robert groaned and stumbled away as Altaïr tried to ignore the throbbing in his arm as he reached down to retrieve his own sword from where it had landed. The scuffle of hurried boots alerted him to Roberts swift approach and he parried with his bracer just in time to deflect the dagger that had been aimed at his ribcage. He leapt forward and tackled Robert before the Templar could recover, gripping Roberts right hand in his left to wrestle the dagger a safe distance away. He felt the beginning glow of victory as his right hand snaked into his boot and retrieved a throwing knife, pressing it to the vulnerable juncture behind Roberts jaw bone. His desire for vengeance overcame his sense of reason and he leaned in closer, growling in broken English.
"I would see your eyes before you die." Altaïr wanted to watch the life fade from them, wanted to hear Roberts last gurgled breaths. Perhaps then he would feel retribution for Kadar, Malik, and the countless others lost during Roberts siege on Masyaf. He adjusted his grip on his throwing knife and ripped away the helmet, the sadistic smile on his face falling as a pair of sky blue eyes glared defiantly up at him. His usual composure faltered as he was faced with the crushing realization that he had been tricked, his fingers clutching at the woman's right hand hard enough to bruise.
"I sense you were expecting someone else." She sneered, spitting blood from her mouth where he had struck her. Snarling, Altaïr threw his knife to the side in lieu of gripping her face tightly in his right hand, his fingers trembling in fury as he raised her face closer to his threateningly. They both stared at each other contentiously, rage and hate thick in the air surrounding them.
The first time Altaïr held Maria's hand was because he wanted to kill her.
