Altair sneaked quietly out of the castle. He had spiked alcohol into the guards water tonight, so he wouldn't be noticed leaving. Running down the hill, he entered the court yard where his love awaited him. He approached the tree slowly, allowing himself to savor every step that led him closer. He admired the color of her leaves, a green that he hadn't found any of the other trees in Masayaf. Finally, he reached her. He caressed everything. The leaves he could reach, all the branches that were covered in a rough bark that could cut you in an instant. Altair reached the spot he wanted. He ran his finger over the hole, shivering with anticipation. Yes, the time had come. Altair looked around quickly. He had planned his tryst during the calmest part of the night, where most of the citizens would be asleep. Still, there was no guarantee of privacy, drunken wagers could bring an abrupt end to his pleasure. He gently kissed rough bark, leaving his lip bleeding. Altair smiled. Another scar. Another story. A permanent reminder of his love for his tree. He entered his love, pain mixing with pleasure as the bark refused to yield. He pumped harder and harder. Stifling his cries, he kissed the bark longer and harder. This was his love, and this moment was perfect. It was what he had been looking forward to since he had first seen her across the pavilion. Altair had watched, and sound of running footsteps broke him out of his fantasies. Someone was headed his way. He sighed, removed himself, left one last kiss on his tree, and slipped into the shadows. Altair made his way back to the castle, slipping past guards, and finally back into his room. As he fell asleep, his thoughts turned back to the wondrous experience he had just had, he smiled. Yes, there would be another tonight. He would return to her.