Out of Time
What if Juno had a fight with the other gods and created on a plan that would alter what the world knows about the assassins? What if Altair and Maria had to gather 6 pieces of Eden scattered all over the world, but in different times to restore the history?
"If they think they can exclude me from their assembly, they are very wrong…" Juno thought while walking to a storage room, inside the temple.
"I'll have my revenge..." she promised stopping to pick up one of the apples and hide it, then she left the place. The others will see their little plan go underwater...
X ~X ~X
TOME 1 – 1191
Kyrenia's port, Cyprus
November 1st., 1191
After leaving the port, Altair and Maria walked to Marcus' house, who welcome them with open arms.
"Thank you, both..." Marcus said, shaking Altair and Maria's hands. "Anything you want, we'll do…"
If it was before Al Mualim and his sordid plan, Altair wouldn't want anything in return, but now he needed to think about the creed. He also knew that a place in Kyrenia, near the water, would be strategic for them to have control between Cyprus and Banias...
"Well, there is something..." Altair started. "I would like to have a house for the Assassins here, in Kyrenia. What do you say?"
Marcus nodded promptly It was the least he could do.
"Great idea..." He said to Altair "It'll be a pleasure…"
Altair nodded and they shook hands.
"Now, we need one more favor..." Altair said. "Can you send a pigeon to the Banias' bureau and ask for a boat for us?"
"I'll do that, but tomorrow, we'll have a party so we can celebrate Kyrenia's freedom." Marcus said. "And you will be our guests of honor..."
Altair turned to Maria, who had been quiet until now.
"Very good, Assassin..." She said.
Altair gave her a small smile
X ~ X ~ X
The next day:
As soon as Marcus finished speaking, the musicians began to play. Altair and Maria were sitting at a table, quiet.
Marcus walked towards the table and held his hand to Maria. Surprised, she looked at Marcus and then at Altair, who just smiled and nodded. Looking back at Marcus, she accepted his invitation.
As Altair saw the two dancing, he started to feel something that he had only felt for Adha. Since her death, he was sure he would never like a woman again, but clearly, he was mistaken. Altair was seeing Maria with other eyes: he has never seen her so happy since Acre, when they started walking together.
For her part, Maria felt Altair looking at her but when she turned to him, he lowered his head. She felt her face turn red, but kept dancing.
X ~ X ~ X
Later, after the party, Altair and Maria were in a room in Marcus' house. While Maria changed her clothes in the bathroom, Altair was sitting at the table writing about what happened early, at the party.
Minutes later, he sighed tiredly and leaned at the chair, thinking of what he had written.
"What are you doing?" Maria asked, approaching.
Altair looked at her. Maria had loosened her hair a little. This made her look even more beautiful.
"Just writing..." He said, not mentioning the content.
Maria stopped into the moonlight, which was streaming through the window, to see what he had written. Altair could see the skin of her face was whiter and this made her eyes more bluish.
"I'll never understand the writing..." She said. "I can't distinguish one thing from the other…"
"You don't know how to read Arabic?" Altair asked, trying to control himself.
It was difficult her closeness for him because he remembered seeing how beautiful she was as scort. How the outfit fit her splendid body…
Maria denied.
"I can only speak..." She said.
"So, we're even because I don't know how to read in English either…" Altair said.
"It's easier than Arabic, for sure..." Maria said.
"For you perhaps..." Altair said. "Why don't you try to write something? It will help you..."
"Maybe later..." Maria said. "I have so many things in my mind right now, that I don't know where to start…"
Altair nodded.
Maria stepped back and walked towards the bed. Altair knew he had to stop to look at her, so he turned back to the desk and picked up the apple. Getting up, he slipped it in the pocket of his belt.
Then, he went to his bed and laid down.
"What do you expect for tomorrow?" Maria asked, sitting on the bed.
"I don't know..." Altair said looking at her. "We'll see…"
Maria nodded and laid down on her bed.
"Good night..." She said.
"Night..." Altair said, already knowing he wouldn't be sleeping soon…