DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ASSASSIN'S CREED THEY BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTFUL OWNERS I ONLY OWN AQUILA MY OC THAT IS ALL...
A/n: Hello this is my second Assassin's Creed fanfiction and the first in this section. The first one is actually a Harry Potter/Assassin's Creed Crossover called 'The Black Eagle.' While I am writing the latest chapter for the Black Eagle this idea popped up while I was at work. So I am going to write it as a sort of one shot deal and if the ideas still flow after this then I will write some more.
Just to warn you that with all my fanfictions they are not edited because I don't have the time to find a beta or beta it myself...well I seriously try but ADHD does not let me stay put for long.
So anyways this is my one shot story.
Summary: 16 year old Desmond Miles was found starving on the streets of New York by a stranger and taken to her home. There Desmond learns what it truly means to be an Assassin. The woman known as Aquila is a mystery to the young Assassin...just who is she and why does she seem to know more then his own father? Read to find out. Rated T for now might be M later
AQUILA
PROLOGUE 1165 A.D. SYRIA
"Push!" the midwife shouted.
A heavily pregnant woman pushed as hard as she could trying to free herself of the burden she has carried for nine months. She was surrounded by midwives each helping her to push the baby out. One held hot water to help clean the child when it comes. Another held a knife and twine for the umbilical cord and the last was there to comfort the mother and help her stay up while she pushed with all her strength.
The woman screamed in agony as she pushed. There was blood everywhere and the mother could not hold it back as at last a cry was heard and the baby was out.
"Its a boy!" said the first midwife as she passed the child over to the second and third to begin cleaning him up.
The mother gave a sigh of relief as she took deep breaths to gain back her strength.
"Are you ready to push the second child out?" The midwife behind her asked.
The mother only nodded as she she took deep breaths feeling the contractions start to come again. Then once again she started to push and the women gathered to prepare for the second child. The woman screamed in agony as she pushed as hard as she could feeling her strength fade as she fought to bring another life into this world. The women gave words of encouragement as she pushed and screamed into the night.
"Almost there breathe!" said the woman behind her.
The woman struggled to breathe as she pushed. Her breathing became ragged as she screamed in agony, and finally with one mighty heave she gave the last of her strength to push the last child out.
"It is a girl! You have a beautiful baby girl," the midwife said as she helped to clean the baby.
The mother smiled as she gave in to exhaustion and to death's cold embrace.
MEANWHILE
Umar Ibn-La'Ahad could hear the screams of his wife and then later his children as he paced outside with his fellow Assassins. They all congratulated him on a job well done. Giving words of encouragement and congratulations, but Umar was more worried about his wife. He had heard the midwives say that there was a lot of blood coming from the mother. Umar was very worried for her life as he paced the room. He so much wanted to be in the same room as his wife while she gave birth to his twin children. But due to the complications of the birth the midwives kicked him out. Umar was troubled by this but the older Assassins could only give him encouragement and told him to wait.
As he waited for his wife to finish giving birth he could hear the first midwife call out, "It's a boy!" when the first baby began to cry.
Umar was thrilled, a son! He had a son!
He was more then ecstatic when the other Assassin's congratulated him on a job well done. Now his family line can continue with a proud and healthy son. It was soon followed by his wife's ragged breathing for about ten minutes before her screams started up again to push the second baby out. Umar had only to wait a bit more before a second cry could be heard. His heart was filled with joy when the second child was born.
"It is a girl!" the midwife shouted.
A daughter? He has a daughter! Umar said as he once again filled with joy when suddenly he heard the door open and the midwife came out with a bundle in her arms.
"And here is the proud father of a healthy baby boy," she said holding up the bundle of the now quiet boy.
Umar held his arms out to take hold of his son for the first time. The midwife gently placed the bundle into his arms and he held his son who was now sleeping soundly in his arms. Umar smiled at his son as he held him admiring the view. The boy was sound asleep his pale newborn features at peace with finally being born. Umar was instantly in love with his new son. The others are like curious children as they gathered around to see the baby for themselves as they gazed upon Umar's son.
It was then that the second door opened and the midwife came again holding out another bundle in her arms. It was then that another Assassin took the bundle into his arms and held it close.
"A daughter? You have a son and a daughter you are truly blessed my friend," the man said.
"I know my friend I know," Umar said proudly.
He walked in to congratulate his wife but the site that greeted him made him nearly drop his son.
His wife laid on the bed her face pale and her chest was still. There was no breath in her and her eyes were shut as if sleeping.
"We are sorry Umar but she did not survive the childbirth," the midwife said as she gently cleaned up the mess.
With tear filled eyes Umar walked up to his now deceased wife and gently placed a kiss on her lips. "You did well my love you did well," he said and he wanted to cry as the midwife took the two children out of the room.
He held his wife's cold hand and kissed her knuckles.
"Maud, you have been my pride and joy in my life. Your fire and your passion have made me a better man today then any other in my lifetime. I swear to you I will take care of our children to the best of my ability my love. They are all that I have left of you, your greatest gift. May your God watch over you now my beloved wife," he said kissing her one last time.
One of the bundles began to stir as the midwife passed Umar's son over to him.
"They will need a wet nurse Umar," she said.
"I know," he replied.
"It is a good thing that Faheem's wife also just given birth so she can play the wet nurse to your children," the midwife said.
"That is good," Umar replied as he sadly gazed at his new settled son.
"I am terribly sorry Umar, Maud was a wonderful woman. She would have been an excellent mother to your children," the midwife said as she placed her hand on Umar's shoulder. He turned and looked at her before returning his gaze back to his son.
The midwife looked down at the bundle in Umar's arms.
"What shall you name him Umar?" the midwife said.
Umar had to think for a second before a smile graced his lips, "Altair, his name is Altair Ibn-La'Ahad and he is my son," he said happily.
"And what about your daughter?" the Midwife said.
Passing the boy over to the midwife and taking his daughter from his fellow Assassin. He finally got to look at her. She looked just like her mother and she was half asleep with her half lidded eyes just peeking underneath long eyelashes. Just from looking at them Umar knew they were gold just like his are. Her head as bald as they come but with little puffs of hair just barely sticking out. Umar looked out towards the rising son and saw an eagle soaring just outside the hut they called home.
As he looked at the bird he could only think about his daughter and the spirit his wife has left him.
"Aquila, she is my little Aquila," he said.
1ST PERSON POINT OF VIEW 10 YEARS LATER
Now when my father first gave me my name I did not know at the time that it was not Arabic at all.
It was Latin seeing as mother was a Christian before she died. My Father often told us stories of mother whenever he was home from missions. My brother Altair and I were both named after the eagles that soared over our home in Masyaf Village. He had spoken often of those majestic birds seeing as he admired them from a distance. He loved the eagles and he would tell us how he and mother would often climb up the cliffs of the surrounding mountains to get a better view of the birds. He said that Altair and I are his two little eagles and that he loved us both.
Life in Masyaf Village was peaceful, as peaceful as can be when your entire village is being watched over by the Assassin's Guild. Seeing as our Father is an Assassin. My brother is expected to follow in his footsteps. We are often times seen playing with the Al-Sayf brothers Malik and Kadar. At least the boys were often seen playing together.
With me being a girl was normally found in the house with Malik and Kadar's mother Ayesha seeing as she was our wet nurse when we were born. She taught me all there is to being a woman when I grow up. And seeing as she is the wife of an assassin she taught me many things pertaining to fighting and defending myself against those who wish us harm. She had taught me how to wield a blade and how to throw a knife.
Women can't officially become Assassins seeing as it is an order for men. But the women who live in Masyaf all had to learn to defend themselves should the need arise. Even the concubines of Al-Mualim the grandmaster of the order. I can run just as well as any of the boys seeing as Ayesha would have it no other way. She often led me to the river down bellow in the valley to train with the other girls. Female Assassins were not well known but we often or not do things that most men would not care to think about. They can seduce their victims before killing them.
The ceremony for them however was done in secret away from prying eyes seeing as women were considered weak. They did not lose a finger seeing as their weapons were not made for that purpose. I am just glad I don't have to lose a finger like my brother does eventually.
Speaking of my brother I looked out side to see my twin running with Malik along the walls with a five year old Kadar trying to catch them. Ayesha shook her head before she walked out and whistled to them. The boys looked like they have been caught doing something they shouldn't.
"Boys aren't you supposed to be at training?" she said and they quickly scrambled off towards the castle. Laughing Ayesha picked up the five year old Kadar and settled him down for his nap.
I could not help but laugh too as I helped her make dinner for the boys. A woman has to train harder to conceal herself then the men seeing as we are considered weak in the eyes of the world. My long dark hair flowed around me from under my scarf as I helped Ayesha with taking care of Kadar before heading out to my own training near the river.
The women train down in the deep valley below near the river away from the prying eyes of men. We train in secret so to keep Masyaf safe should the need arise.
I ran down the long path that would lead me to the river basin bellow. My feet were already sore when I entered the sandy bottom.
"Ah, Aquila good I was getting worried," my instructor said.
"Sorry ma'am Ayesha needed help with Kadar," I said.
Nodding in understanding my instructor had me practice my free running with weights on my feet to give me extra strength while running through the rocks, over trees and through the sand. This was normal for me this time of day. Running till I nearly pass out. Take a break then combat training. Then in the late afternoon I would learn all there is to know about the womanly arts of assassination from herbs to poisons and then the art of entertainment and seduction.
I practiced with other girls learning these arts which were not many and seeing as most would rather do the seduction and girly arts I prefer to do the free running and combat training.
But what I loved to do more then anything was to learn how to dance.
You see part of my training when seducing men was to learn the art of dancing. Dancing entices your targets to come closer and be mesmerized by your beauty and your movements. When he is close enough is when you strike.
When the day ends is usually when I head on home to prepare dinner for my father and brother. The boys learn the art of combat and free running but not that much in domestic tactics. That part father had to learn on his own. He in turn taught me some domestic skills but it was Ayesha who really taught me the skills of a house wife.
As I reached the top of the cliff right before the village I knew immediately that something was wrong.
As I moved over towards what was a large crowd of citizens it was then that I saw a group of men on horses. They looked very angry.
I also saw my brother being held back by some Assassins from the castle.
Quickly as I could I climbed up the nearest building to see better and ran towards the ledge. Looking over I was shocked by what I found.
There in a pool of his own blood with his head to the side was my father. I could see my brother fighting back tears as he called my father's name. I fell to my knees with my hand over my mouth and tears coming in my eyes also. I began to cry at the sight of my father's body on the ground. Quickly I ran to my brother's side as I climbed down the building.
Running as fast as I could I was next to my brother and clutched onto his novice clothes. Shocked to see me Altair wrapped his arms around me and cried as well. We both just held each other for a long time before someone led us away towards Masyaf castle and towards Al-Mualim.
The old mentor had comforted us and told us to take a much time as needed to prepare my father's body for the burial. It was custom amongst Assassins to bury the body of the dead because it is a crime to do otherwise.
As the days past and we saw to our father's body, my brother and I shared a room together for the evening. Seeing as we have lived together for most of our lives we knew each other very well. Both with and without clothes one if you know what I mean. No we don't sleep together that would be just gross. We just shared a two bedroom dorm much to the disgust of most of the other boys.
Well those that did not know that we are twins.
Normally the girls dorms are on the other side of the castle for those who do not live in the village. I for one rather sleep near my brother just for the sake of not being alone. It was then that the door began to open and both of us shot our of bed. My brother reaching for the knife on the table beside the bed and Myself under the pillow. What surprised us both was to see the same Assassin from earlier walk in. He looked like he had been crying as he began to babble numerous apologies to the two of us.
"Beg of you to forgive me for what I have done," he said, "For it was I who have sentenced your father to death," he said and I saw the moisture build up in my eyes as he took his own life in front of myself and my twin.
Altair was frozen as he watched the man bleed out on the floor. I choked back sobs as I held onto my brother. Altair held me close as he whispered comforting words to me. It was sometime before he managed to slip away from me and ran towards the master's rooms.
When Al-Mualim returned to see the carnage on the floor he made us both promise not to say a thing to anyone outside this room.
Nodding our heads we both did not say a thing.
Or at least I did.
My brother Altair foolishly told the man's son which I learned was named Abbas about the death of his father and the boy accused him of lying resulting in them having a very big fight.
Al-Mualim punished both of them by locking them in the dungeons and then dropped Abbas down a rank because he started the fight. Altair had to wait a bit longer before he too could progress with his training.
It was not till many years later and with the completion in my training that I noticed my brother change.
They had moved me to the female dorms as is custom among novices and trainees when I started my first bleed. I was about fifteen at the time and so when that happened I was moved to the female dorms with the concubines to train further in the arts of female assassins. While I was there I noticed that my brother started to become more arrogant and full of himself. It shamed me to admit that my brother was no longer the kind boy he once was when father died and the fight he had with Abbas years ago.
I grew worried for him as the years past and his disregard for the rules became worse and worse. He became cocky, over confident and very bitter. He began to shut Malik away with his arrogance and myself as well.
It was not till were were both into our twenty fifth year that things took a turn for the worst.
You see during my twenty third year I started seeing Malik. Altair was not very happy to see his sister fall for a man such as he even though he is Altair's best friend. But I came to care about Malik ever since he was nearly killed by wolves years ago when coming back sick with a high fever from Acre. I had tended to his wounds and his fever at the time and it was then that we truly bonded.
It was about six months later that we fell in love.
Though we never shared a bed till our twenty fifth year it was also the year that would forever cause tragedy to both of us.
My brother Altair had foolishly compromised the brotherhood all for the sake of pride. Malik had been badly wounded and lost his arm and little Kadar?
Dead and gone.
I was so angry with my brother for his stubborn pride that we had to save our fight for after we drove off the Templars that followed him back to Masyaf. When that was over I watched in horror at what had happened afterward and Al-Mualim stabbing my brother in the gut causing his blood to spill onto the courtyard below.
I ran towards my brother as he went pale from the loss of blood. He looked up at me with eyes full of surprise and sadness before he cupped my cheek and fell to death's embrace.
I began to cry as I held him close to me. It was then that Al-Mualim knelt down to my level.
"Don't cry Aquila he is not truly dead yet," he said.
I looked up at him with bewilderment, "But he is dead master for I can't feel his breath!" I said and searching for the beat of his heart.
"Though true his life has stopped the knife is merely dipped in a potent healing potion made from the tears of a phoenix. Give him a few days and he will be fine. But the trials ahead would be hard and I've heard that you yourself have taken a liking to young Al-Sayf?" he said.
Shocked I looked up at him and he only chuckled, "I've known for some time Aquila now tell me do you love him?" he said.
I nodded.
"Good, Then go to him for he will need you more then ever. You don't have to worry about Altair he will be fine. The tears will heal his wounds and bring him back from the brink. Now you must tend to Malik for he needs you now," he said.
Nodding and whipping my tears from my face I stood up and ran towards the hospital section of the castle. I gave Altair one last look with tears in my eyes. I did not want to leave his side but Al-Mualim assured me that all will be well in time before running off towards the hospital wing.
When I had arrived Malik was deep asleep on one of the beds. What shocked me was his lack of arm just hanging on the side of the bed being supported by bandages and soaked with herbal remedies. Tears filled me as I ran to his side and knelt down to his level. I held his hand and cried myself to sleep on the bed.
It was well into the morning that I felt someone stroke my dark hair from my face and I opened my eyes to see Malik staring at me. His warm smile made my heart melt as I kissed his hand.
"I thought you would be with your brother my beautiful Aquila," he said as I leaned into his hand.
"Al-Mualim wishes for me to remain with you my love. He said you needed me more and he wanted to deal with my brother alone," he said.
"I see," he whispered.
"Malik?" I asked
"Yes," he said his voice hoarse with how dry it was and I reached over and gave him a cup of water. Malik drank from it greedily before I placed it back on the shelf.
"What will happen to my brother?" I said.
Malik sighed, "I don't know what Al-Mualim plans to do with him," he said.
"What will happen to you?" I asked.
"I will become a Rafig since I no longer can be a full Assassin," he said sadly looking down at his arm.
"If that is the case then know that I will be there with you till the end," I said as I kissed him deeply before getting up to make preparations.
In the coming weeks saw us leaving for Jerusalem as the Rafig there was retiring from his advanced age. Malik was to take his place at the Assassin's Bureau there. I decided that I needed to get out of Masyaf just for a little while. The worry for my brother was soon replaced with anger when he had come back to life and was forced to live the life of a novice.
Altair saw me as we made preparations for Jerusalem.
"Where do you think you are going?" Altair demanded of me as he marched right up to my face.
Unafraid of my twin I glared him down, "I am going with Malik to Jerusalem do you have a problem with that?" I growled.
"Your place is here with the other women," Altair said such arrogance.
"Doing what exactly? I am a fully trained Assassin Altair just like you were before this mess!" I shouted at him.
"Really is that what you are doing now? Running off with him! Since when were you two seeing each other, andwhen were you going to tell me about this?" Altair shouted at me.
"When your head was no longer up your ass! If you had not been so arrogant then you would have know two years ago that I was dating Malik!" I shouted back.
"Two fucken years!" Now Altair was red in the face.
"Yes two years! We have been seeing each other for two years while you were prancing about with your head up your smelly ass Altair. In the meantime I am going to live with Malik in Jerusalem while you suck the master's dick to gain back your lost honor." I shouted at him.
"Where the hell is he going and why are you going with him?" Altair said between clenched teeth.
"He is going to replace the Rafig in Jerusalem and I am going there to help him whether you like it or not brother," I growled.
"No you will not! I will not have my sister run off like some whore..." SLAP!
I could not help it I was so angry that I slapped my brother across the face and slammed my fist into his stomach. He fell to the ground with me hovering over him glaring at him with golden eyes full of fury like my name stood for.
"You will not speak to me like that again Altair! And for that matter you will not speak to me at all until you learn the harsh reality of your arrogance! Until then you are no brother of MINE!" I said shouting at him before I raced down the hill towards Malik who was looking at me with shock on his face.
I walked away from my brother then hoping to whoever the gods were above and my father's soul that he would learn humility.
"AQUILA YOU COME BACK HERE! AQUILA!" he shouted his voice echoing across the castle and across the village.
SOMETIME ON THE ROAD
"You did not have to do that Aquila I know how much he means to you," Malik said as we rode towards Jerusalem.
"I know," I said looking down, "But he has to learn his lesson and the way he treated me just now. He is not the brother I grew up with. He was not the boy my father raised to respect all there is about the Creed and about life in general." I replied.
Malik took my hand in his remaining one and gave it a gentle squeeze in support, "No matter what happens we will get through this together," he said.
I could only give him an appreciative glance with tear filled eyes. Oh how could I ever not love this man.
SOMETIME LATER
It had taken some time but we managed to settle in Jerusalem without a problem. The Rafig who was retiring gladly took us on a tour of the city and introduced us to his contacts. Malik and I enjoyed the sites as we went hand in hand. When everything was settled we decided to marry at the Mosque. There was no feast seeing as Assassins don't do things like those. Instead we consummated our marriage in the Bureau.
Life was peaceful for the two of us as we settled into a routine where I would go out and collect supplies from the markets just outside the Bureau. Malik would spend his time reading the latest reports from all across the Holy Land and take care of the Novices that pay us a visit every now and again.
It was nearly three months and I still have not heard from my brother. I well I was glad seeing I am still mad at him for his bouts of arrogance to me and my husband.
It was a particular day that I returned home from a day at the markets. I climbed up the ladder that would lead up to bureau and leaped into the roof door. When I entered I spotted Malik at the counter with a trouble look on his face.
"What is it Malik?" I asked.
"This bird just came in from Al-Mualim he says that Altair is on his way here to deal with Talal," Malik said.
"Talal the slave trader?" I asked
"The very same," he replied.
"When he would get here?" I asked.
"He should arrive here in three days," Malik replied and I grumbled as I walked to the cooking area to prepare dinner.
Soon enough Altair arrived and still as arrogant as he was in the beginning. I did not speak to him and refused to speak to him while he and Malik argued a good deal. He was not happy that we married without his consent but too bad! It is my life after all.
Not too soon Altair came and went and when he was done with the job he came in gave his report and left with a huff.
After that everything was a blur from as fast as I could remember. My brother would come and go on his missions to redeem himself in the eyes of the brotherhood and I became the dutiful wife of a Rafig at the same time continued my training with my husband.
The training part was to help keep him in shape since sitting around the Bureau all day makes him a bit lazy. Well I didn't stand for that and had him practice with me on the rooftops. It was one of the few things I loved about my husband. The constant training helps kept his spirit alive and flying.
As time flew and Altair completed his missions and then with the betrayal of our mentor things have been chaotic. Altair also became more humble during that hunt for redemption. He and I had made amends for what had happened all that time ago.
It was also around then that I found out I was Pregnant with my first born son. Malik was ecstatic to find that he was going to be a father and as soon as I gave birth to my son Tazim my world suddenly became all of him.
While this was going on Altair became the new mentor of our brotherhood and this time he and Malik openly welcomed women into the order. Since I hardly did any missions while I was in Jerusalem tending to my husbands needs I kept my skills sharp by killing anyone who became too suspicious or practice my stealing arts. I roughly enjoyed these as they led to me running form the guards for the thrill of it.
But Tazim was my new world now and it was my job to ensure he had the best life possible for him. I had to train him of course till he was ready to train with the rest of the novices but the boy picked up quickly.
Things did take a turn for the better when my brother on a mission to Cyprus met a woman there that later became his wife. The former Templar Maria Thrope from England was a welcomed addition to our order. She and I hit it off almost instantly and when she became pregnant with Darim their first born. It was the first time that I've seen true joy with my brother and true peace wash over him.
I watched as he and Maria raised Darim and when she gave birth to Seth my heart went out to him and his wife.
As the years passed and my brother ruled the Assassins things had indeed changed. But what really changed was something I had not forgotten at all.
About five years had past since the coming of my son when the trouble started.
It started when Abbas began to speak against my brother and my husband stating that they purposefully had murdered Al-Mualim and taken over the brotherhood for themselves. Full of hate and thirst for power Abbas was quickly thralled by my brother and husband but not without consequences.
THE CURSE
I did not know it at the time but Abbas has been planning this betrayal for years. His hatred for my brother and husband has reached even the ears of the novices and rumors flew through the citadel like wildfire. Some say he had resorted to sorcery to gain favor with Altair when it was the opposite.
My brother's growing disdain for Abbas has led the other man to in fact perform such acts.
He was led to the farthest reaches of the holy land to find someone who could help him turn over my brother. What he found was a curse that would shatter the minds of all who came under it.
It was the curse of change.
Abbas knew the consequences of such a curse and the price one has to pay to achieve it. He had traveled to the farthest reaches and in the city of Constantinople managed to find what he was looking for.
An old Mongolian Vendor who sells such elixirs had given Abbas a poison that could kill a man instantly. But instead he wanted the curse to be enacted so that all those who see it would fall under its horrible spell.
The vendor then gave him a vial and told them that who ever drinks it will absorb the essence of the beast and take on its form to forever be consumed by animalistic instincts. Hunters often use it as a way to get sport out of the beasts they hunt. Abbas had then paid the man and taken the potion with him.
That was the day I would never forget.
It was in the cover of darkness that he had struck. Coming into my room first seeing as both myself and my husband sleep together. He had taken me hostage in the middle of the night and Malik's screams awakened the castle to the trouble brewing.
They had dragged me towards the courtyard where the concubines normally would be kept. I fought as hard as I could but he held me tight. The assassins all poised to strike at him with blades and crossbows drawn. Abbas and his supporters laughed as they held me tight knowing what I can do. I am in the company of fully trained Assassins I could not hope to win the fight as he watched my brother and my husband come running out in horror.
"You think you can rule the Assassin's Altair! You think you can rule in Al-Mualim's place? You are nothing but a cheap imitation of our great mentor. Give it all to me and I shall free your sister!" he said holding me by the hair and pulling hard. I could not move.
"What makes you think I don't just order my men to kill you now Abbas?" Altair yelled back. I could hear the rage in his voice when he said it.
"Oh I know you will kill me anyways Altair but you forget that I also have something else up my sleeve," he said and pulled out something that he had hidden behind him.
To my horror a serpent hissed at Abbas trying to get free of him but the man held onto the serpent. He then ordered his men to stab the creature with a needle in the head. The needle was attached to something and connected to a bottle. I thrashed as he had the serpent bite me instead of Abbas which resulted in me falling to the ground screaming.
I could hear my brother call my name along with my husband and Maria. Suddenly a thousand arrows came shooting out and Abbas fell to the ground laughing. With an arrow coming out of his chest.
I thrashed and bucked with the poison flowing through me. I could feel both Malik and Altair by my sides instantly calling for a healer. Foam began to come out of my mouth as I looked towards the sky and the moon shown brightly above me. It was then that I heard and felt the sickening crunch of bones beginning to reshape and form.
"What is going on?" Malik said in alarm as my brother pulled him away.
I began to scream as pain filled my body and the sound of crunching bones began to fill my entire being. I was in agony and it soon became apparent that my vision started to change becoming sharper and clearer. My face felt like it was being pulled off and my body started to grow and convulse. I pulled at my clothes because they suddenly felt so tight. Luckily it was only a night gown and nothing underneath as I tore them off in vain. A thousand needles were felt around me as my arms stretched. My face stretched as well causing me to scream in agony and pain.
The whole Brotherhood was forced to watch me change into that of a monster. I could feel every pour on my body, every hair on my head change shape and morph into something else.
What has he done to me! I thought in panic as my fingers molded into something else. Then like thousands of needles came out of my arms like spines and I screamed in fear to the heavens above for it to end.
When it finally did the whole order watched as I slowly opened my eyes. The first thing I noticed was that it was dark and that I was outside.
The second thing I noticed was that I was no longer human. In a panic I looked down at myself and began flapping my wings furiously in fear. Malik and Altair both had to grind their feet into the ground or risk being blown away by my wings.
"Aquila stop please!" Malik pleaded as I cried in fear. He quickly went up to me and gave me a one armed hug around the base of my feathered neck. Burying his face into my chest feathers he held me till I stopped and slowly settled down. Flapping furiously I settled letting Malik stroke my chest feathers. I gave a whine of sadness as he continued to stroke me.
He held me as tears filled his eyes and Altair my twin also held me for comfort. Slowly I lowered my head down for them to stroke. Closing my eyes I could feel the tears begin to fall as I slowly opened them.
When I did however I noticed something missing.
Looking around it was then that I noticed that something or someone was missing. Walking away from my husband and brother I looked around to where Abbas's body was supposed to be.
He was gone.
Altair seemed to notice as well, "Where is the body?" he asked one of his novices.
"We don't know mentor he is gone," one of the archers said.
"FIND HIM!" Altair shouted.
Several Assassin's went to find him.
"Momma?" a small voice said and I looked up to see Maria bringing out my son Tazim whom had awoken because of the yelling. My golden eyes soften at the sight of my son as he raced down towards Malik.
"Where's momma, daddy?" he asked Malik.
"Something bad has happened Tazim," Malik said holding my son close.
"Daddy what has happened to mommy?" Tazim asked.
"A bad man has made your mommy into that," he said showing him myself for the first time.
Tazim looked up at me with wide eyes. The moon shown brightly as I leaned my head close to him. He looked at me with eyes like mine. Though he has Malik's features he has my eyes which shown in the moonlight.
"Mommy?" he said looking at me.
My eyes were sad when he reached up and stroked my beak when I leaned in close. A single tear fell from my eye towards his hand to show how sad I was. Though birds can't shed tears I certainly could and I made whimpering sounds with it. My son stroked my beak and gave it a kiss.
"It is alright mommy I will make it better," he said
"Altair wha?" Maria said as she came out and my brother whispered in her ear telling her everything. Her eyes widened at the story being told.
She then came up to me and gave me a hug around my chest feathers.
"Aquila oh my God! How could he do this to you!" she said through tears in her eyes.
It was then that I saw her eyes harden as she pulled away.
"I know what spell was used on you," she said.
"You do?" Malik asked.
"Yes, it was the spell of the beast one that is used to turn men into animals to make them easier to hunt. Sorcerers in Europe use it all the time as a form of punishment to those who hunt on kings lands." Maria said
"How do you know of this Maria?" Malik asked.
Maria looked down, "I have seen what it could do. My father was given the treatment as punishment for accidentally hunting on kings lands. He was turned into fox and forced to run from the kings men to be hunted and slaughtered for sport. Just like what he had done in order to feed our house." at this tears began to build in Maria's eyes and Altair gave her a reassuring hug.
"Do you know how to undo it?" Malik asked.
"No, once the curse has been enacted it can't be lifted. I am sorry Malik, Altair there is nothing I can do that is all I know." She said sadly until her eyes lit up again, "However I do know someone in Jerusalem who knows a thing or two of magic and has himself knowledge of this curse." Maria said.
"Tell me who it is so I can send for him?" Altair asked.
"His name is David, David Baggins he can help! He is an Herbalist in the Poor District of Jerusalem and a master Sorcerer. Seek him out and tell him that I sent for him." Maria said.
Altair nodded and began to stroke his wife's back as they headed up to the castle, "I will write to him in the morning for now Aquila we need to get you out of the elements and back to someplace warm," he said.
I barely noticed the chill but seeing both my husband and child shivering in the cold I knew then that they needed to be warm. Walking up to them was a bit awkward but I managed to nuzzle him to tell him to go inside.
Nodding in understanding he and my son walked back into the castle. I turned around and looked at the moon shining above me and felt a tear in my eye. A look of longing at the door made me want to cry. I walked down rather clumsily to the edge of the gardens and sat down allowing my feathers to touch the ground. I began to cry but it only sounded like pathetic bird calls as I tried to hold it back in.
A master assassin crying like a baby it was all I could think about.
It was also then that I sensed a presence and a hand on my feathers. Looking up I saw the face of my husband as he sat down next to me leaning against me for warmth. I put one wing around him to keep him warm from the mountain chill and he put his head against my breast feathers. We both sat like that for a long time just holding each other. His single hand stroking my feathers as I could sense the tears in his eyes.
"Abbas will pay for what he did to you my love," he said
I gave a whining noise as I leaned into him a bit.
"I put Tazim to bed with Darim and Sef so he won't be alone when he wakes," Malik said to me.
I cocked my head to look at him as he looked out into the distance stroking my feathers. I gently nipped his short cropped hair and laid my head in his lap. He began to stroke that as well.
"I love you so much my Aquila, my eagle," he said my eyes filled with sadness as I fell asleep under his gentle care.
The next morning saw my brother sending a bird to the Jerusalem Bureau for the location of David Baggins and within a forthnight the mage shown himself at Masyaf's gates. My brother and husband greeted him and guided him to the castle to speak to me.
When he arrived he took one look at me and knew instantly what was wrong.
"It is indeed the curse of the beast. For I know its signs anywhere however this is not the raging form that one would think to be." David said
"How so?" asked Malik.
"Well for starters she still retains her humanity within or else she would have either fled or attacked you. Meaning this is a variation of the curse. Normally the curse makes one lose all hope of humanity forcing them to become exactly like the animal they wanted them to be. Making them easy prey for hunters and those who wish to kill them for hunting on private property. Your wife however is neither and I can only guess that this is the Eastern version of the curse." David said as he came closer.
"Eastern?" Malik said.
"Yes, I have been to the far east to study magic and have found variations of this curse. Warriors would enact this version of the curse on their scouts or warriors to fight off enemies from far away. They would get warnings first from scouts in the form of birds and rats. Then they would send in their Assassins to deal with those who proved too troublesome. If your friend Abbas thinks he could use that version of the curse then he must have mistaken it for the normal version of it," David said.
"Is there a cure for it?" Malik asked.
"Sadly no there is no cure; however unlike the normal curse she can change back at will after a full lunar cycle. So since she changed on the night of the full moon then the next full moon she can change back to normal. Then it will become less painful with each transformation. So you will have your wife again you just have to be patient," David replied.
Malik's eyes lit up as well as mine.
So I am not to be trapped as a bird forever! I quickly nuzzled my husband in happiness and he held me with his one arm.
"In the meantime I would suggest you get used to your new body because once you are back to normal you must take on your animal form at least once a day for a full year. That way you can learn to control the transformations and so your body does not start to reject the eagle side of you. It would take some time but you will overcome this," David said to me.
I nodded my thanks as he handed Altair a book explaining about the curse and the variations of it. He then took his leave happy to help as best he could. All I could think about was the joy it brought me to see me transform back into my human self once again.
YEARS LATER
Malik and I had sent Tazim to be with his grandparents in Constantinople to gain an education when things had taken a turn for the worst. Altair, Maria and Darim their eldest son went to face off against the Mongols when Abbas returned.
The former Assassin had gained a following of the weak minded novices from other lands and other guilds. Building up a force to take over Masyaf and force my husband from the job of temporary mentor. It was the full moon once again and it was a night were I was in my Eagle form flying through the mountains with ease. As David had told me I had learned how to control my powers and fully mastered what it means to be a shapeshifter. Often times I would use this on missions. Much to my husband's disdain but I could not help it. The freedom that being an eagle has granted me has allowed me to do things that both my husband and my brother can't do.
We are now in our late fifties and I could see the graying hair on my husband's head while mine remained dark as night. Malik often teased me that I had been gifted with eternal youth and at times I would think that were true.
My brother on the other hand also was starting to show his age.
Even against his will he can no longer be as stealthy as he used to be on the field and was forced to retire. But the threat of the Mongols looms in the air, and so he had left with Maria and Darim to engage this threat and protect our brotherhood from the threat to the east. Malik and I along with Altair's youngest son Sef who had taken a wife and bore three daughters ran the brotherhood.
It was this night that something terrible happened.
While I was flying and enjoying the clouds. Dark forces came upon Masyaf and Sef met his end at the blade of a knife.
Killed in his sleep the young Assassin's murderer placed the weapon in my husband's bed while I was away.
Upon my return the following morning saw the guards had changed and those who did not know me move aside to let me pass. I had covered myself up so as not to be seen as I made my way to our shared quarters.
"Malik?" I said looking into our chambers.
To my shock and surprise there was blood on the bed and a bloodied knife sitting there on the sheets. Horrified I rushed over to the bed. Heightened senses coming to play as I smelled the blood on the blade.
It was not Malik's thank Allah.
But I was not fully relieved because I knew whose blood it was.
It was Sef's.
I quickly rushed out towards Sef's room only to find a bloody body on the bed being covered by Assassin's I did not know.
"What are you doing here wrench?" a guard asked me.
"I am here to see to the body," I lied and the men move aside to let me pass.
I thanked Allah for my youthful features and my clothes. I quickly got a good look at how Sef died. He did not die without a fight that part I am certain. Altair trained him well.
I began to prepare the body like how I was taught to do by Malik's mother. Knowing what to do I made sure it was ready for transport before I made my way down to the novice dorms.
Already the children were huddled together afraid and scared.
"Shhh it is alright," I whispered to them.
"Master Aquila terrible men have come and locked away Master Malik," one of the novices said a girl.
"Why?" I asked
"They accused him of murder when we know that is not true. The one they call Abbas he is the one who made the accusations. When he did so he locked away Master Malik in the middle of the night. We all were then locked in our rooms oh Master Aquila what are we going to do?" she said crying and I held her.
"Don't worry there I will think of something," I replied.
"Oh please Master Aquila get us out of here! This place is no longer safe," this time a young boy said looking scared.
"Don't worry I will get you out, but first I have to find Master Malik do you know where they took him?" I asked.
"No but the other servants might know," a boy said.
Nodding I thank them and crept out of the room through the window. Not bothering with the walls I transformed into my eagle form and flew down towards where the dungeons would be located.
Flying down towards the bottom I silently took back my disguise and walked right in. Taking a basket I found on the side I filled with with rags to make them assume I was one of the servants. Walking in I approached the cell where I assume they were keeping Malik.
To my shock it was not Malik that they were keeping, it was Rauf the novice instructor. Seeing the two guards I walked past them making it look like I was going to keep walking. When I suddenly turned around and snapped their necks faster then they could utter a single word. Dropping their bodies I searched for the keys. When I found them I quickly opened the cell and dragged the two bodies in.
"Who's there?" a raspy voice said.
"Its me Aquila," I whispered.
"Aquila? Thank Allah you are still alive! They have been searching for you," the voice of the old training instructor said as I moved in to help him from his bindings.
"Rauf there are still Novices in the dorms that need help. Can you help them escape?" I whispered to him.
"Yes I can, I just need you to free the others they are in the adjacent cells. They are those who will not follow Abbas. Free them and we can get the children and innocents away from this place," he said.
"Where is Malik?" I asked
"They are keeping him in the cell made for prisoners of war on the far of this horrid place," he said.
Nodding I made a move to get the others free. Once they are free I ordered them to the dorms to collect as many of the Novices as possible and make an escape. I went in search of my husband.
What I found shocked me to the bone.
My husband was on the floor with the door opened and several guards beating him senseless.
One of them was Abbas.
Enraged I walked up to them and stabbed the first of the guards, but others came at me. Being as I am now part beast I was faster then them and used that speed to my advantage. Taking the sword of one man I stabbed him and attacked others with a swift kick that ended with deep gouge marks.
"Get her you fools!" I could hear Abbas shouting to the main guards.
I ran as fast as I could down the hallway towards the other side of the dungeons and using what I learned as an Assassin I leaped up the wall into the shadows. Using that to my advantage I ran back towards my husband's cell and seeing Abbas holding him with a knife to his throat.
"Move bitch and I will kill him myself!" he said.
I could see the gray hair on his head as he held Malik's head up in his fist. Malik did not cry out he only held firm as Abbas shoved us out of the dungeons towards the courtyard. He had yet to see my face due to the scarf around my head. It was with luck thought that he knew it was a woman who had come to rescue Malik.
When they are in the courtyard a gathering of Assassins awaited them. Looking around I did not recognize any of the faces before me. Abbas must have gathered them from other lands and guilds for this assault. I did not see Rauf nor any of the other Masyaf Assassins so I pray to what ever god is up there that they are alright and made it out of the fortress.
I glared daggers at Abbas as he addressed the crowds before him my ears refused to listen to his lies. He then proceeded to drag Malik towards the middle and pull out a sword.
I will not stand for it!
Without thinking I used what strength I had and tore myself free of my captive. Then ran up to Malik taking a swing with the stolen sword I had in my hand. Malik seeing me fight also tried to fight off his enemy but he was weak and with only one arm there was only so much he could do. Fighting with a fury of a beast I grabbed my husband as Abbas shouted orders. Bringing on the transformation I stripped all my clothes to reveal myself to him while holding my husband in my arms.
The mass watched as feathers bathed my skin and in transformed into an Eagle once more.
"You," Abbas growled as I glared at him with two large golden eyes. Taking my husband into my talons I leaped into the sky towards the light of the now rising sun.
"KILL HER!" Abbas shouted as he tried to shoot me with a crossbow.
Suddenly the sky was filled with arrows but by the time the citadel was able to fire back I was well out of range. I flapped my wings as hard as I could to catch the night wind as I carried my husbands body towards the east where I know we would be safe.
It took us nearly two days of nonstop flying before I've seen the Mongol army below. Somewhere down there is my brother and his family.
Circling overhead I looked for my brother. It was just a bit south of where the army was camped in a valley that I was able to find him. When I landed and tended to my husband I told Altair of what happened and to his dismay he was shocked to find that Masyaf was under that man's control.
"He is mad with power Altair," Malik told him as Maria bandaged his wounds.
"He killed Sef and had Malik framed for his murder. Somehow he managed to gather an army of assassins or what I assume was assassins. I think they are nothing more then mercenaries and thieves dressed up like our order," I replied.
True to what we had told him my brother wanted nothing more then to return to the fortress to see for himself. Unfortunately we had to wait till our target was gone before we can go home.
That took about two months of planning with the local guild till we finally killed Genghis Khan and returned home in haste.
At least we did not have to ride.
It was fortunate that the guild in Mongolia had several people like me and so they helped give my brother and his family a ride back to Syria. From there we plotted to take back the fortress with the forces we had at our disposal.
It took about another year of careful planning but in the end we managed to get the fortress back. My brother used a weapon he had created thanks to the Apple of Eden. Using it on Abbas my brother managed to kill him and this time burn the body to ensure that Abbas was not coming back.
In the time that we had taken back the fortress and the time we spent rebuilding the Assassins to its former glory. I watched my husband and my brother grow older and older.
As they grew older my son was also aging he eventually become a full fledged Assassin, and start a family of his own. I was left to watch remaining young and beautiful. That was the price I paid for this curse. My fellow shapeshifters from Mongolia had told me as such seeing as they too are well beyond their years. They told me that is was painful to watch my family grow old and eventually die while I remain young and fit.
It brought me great sadness twenty years later when my husband began to succumb to his age.
The sickness had taken hold so rapidly that Malik had no time to react. It was at this stage that I held his hand while he held mine with as much love as he could muster. His voice had long since left him but his eyes told me so much. I cried for days when he finally passed and was buried in the traditional Assassins funeral. My brother Altair and I watched them seal him in the tomb while I sang a sad song for him.
My brother placed his hand on my shoulder and I leaned into him. Only the year before he had lost Maria to another raid by those rogue Assassins. The remnants of Abbas's supporters. Tears littered my eyes as I held my son close to me and we both felt each others tears. Altair also began to cough and wheeze as he began to slowly walk away from the site his mentor's robe flowing down below him.
I watched with sad eyes my brother walk away from it all. Darim was close behind him along with Sef's wife and three daughters. I knew my brother is also dying for at the age of 91 he was very old indeed. Tazim seemed to understand as well and held me closer. During those years my brother had build a library deep below Masyaf to ensure that the Apple would remain safe till the time was right for someone worthy enough to claim it would come.
While he was building the Library he had taken up training two Italian men in the ways of the Assassins. The Polo brothers had shown great progress in their training in the months they had been to the citadel. But even then a new threat from the east has cast its dark shadow on the castle.
The Mongols had gained a new leader and in seeking revenge on the Assassins had marched towards the castle. They were of course a year away which gave us time to prepare. That was one of the reasons why he built the library under the castle.
And sent all the books away scattered across the world.
In no time at all the year came and went along with the remnants of the Assassins. Majority of the order has scattered to the four corners with our new headquarters in Jerusalem. Altair himself was too old to travel and so with only myself and Darim to watch him he slowly slipped lower and lower into poor health. The Polo's had long since left with Tazim to help establish a hold in Italy. Myself and Darim chose to stay with Altair till his time comes.
My brother could barely walk now and as he walked the castle for the first time he heard the first cries of catapults firing on the castle walls. We knew our time had run out.
"Go my dear sister and take Darim to safety," Altair wheezed as he walked with us to the library which we now know for sure was a vault.
A Vault for the Apple.
"I will miss you brother," I said as I held him crying.
"As will I my sweet Aquila you had been the only thing that kept me firmly on the ground when all else failed me." he said holding me tightly.
"Father," Darim said as he too embraced his father one last time.
"Go now my son and be with your family, and live well," Altair said to his son one last time.
"Everything good in me began with you father," he said with tears in his eyes.
Altair smiled sadly as he walked slowly back into the vault the door closing behind him.
That was the last time I will ever see my brother alive.
I had flown Darim to Alexandria where he met up with his sister-in-law and nieces to live out the rest of his days. As for me I had flown off to be with my son for a time before setting out towards the east to learn more of what I can about my curse. And hopefully how to cure it.
TBC
A/n: For those of you who can guess I did skip a lot in the story line here. After all this is just a prologue and everyone knows the main cannon line already so I did not want to be one of those repeater types. So I just rushed through it a bit and added what I needed to the story. This is just a background story into the early life of my OC Aquila.
As with all fanfictions constructive criticism is allowed just no flames please.
thanks
If you really want to know I will be posting the next chapter to 'The Black Eagle' hopefully this weekend hopefully.
