The bells had been going off for most of the day and only when it was late in the evening did they stop – it was either a sign that the guards had found the infidel or they simply had stopped looking.
Malik couldn't care less. There wasn't an Assassin within Jerusalem's walls he knew about nor did he expect one. It probably was just a thief the guards had been chasing all day, no more no less. Although that would be highly uncommon – why bother with a thief when there were more important matters? But it wasn't Malik's business and he refused to give it another thought.
When he stepped back into the cool shadows of the bureau, the sun riding low on horizon's edge there was a candle flickering on the shelter's top with a novice sitting on one of the many cushions decorating the floor. He'd been there for a couple of days now, waiting for his master's instructions and he'd been kept busy by running some errands for Malik. He looked up when the Dai entered, his lips pressed to a thin line and with concern written all over his face. He scrambled up to his feet, bowing his head in a silent gesture of respect. "Master Dai", he greeted Malik, closing the small distance between them. "He's in the back."
Malik crooked one elegant eyebrow in a questioning look, setting aside the pots of ink he had purchased from the market earlier that day. "Who is?"
"The Grandmaster."
And with a gasp of air Malik passed the young boy and rushing to the bureau's back room, pushing the rugs aside which served as a made-shift curtain to separate the two rooms.
And there he was.
Altair lay in the middle of a sea of pillows, his chest bare and pants riding low his waist. Blood was trickling down his ribs from a minor cut - itt was nothing one should be concerned about.
"Novice", Malik's voice cut through the silence. "What foolish act did you try this time?" Jamal, who stood in the doorway jumped at Malik's voice, his mouth already open for a reply before he noticed Malik had addressed Altair.
There wasn't much light inside the room as the last rays of the sun were falling through the open window, wrapping Altair's body in a soft golden glow. His eyes flickered open and if anything Malik thought those sapphire orbs were just a little brighter today. The Assassin stared at the Dai, his glance burning intensely. Half a smile tugged at the corner of his lips and it looked as if he was sinking back further into the cushions. "Just the impossible act of escaping a horde of dense guards while making my way to the bureau unharmed."
"You're bleeding", Malik stated the obvious and Altair's hand slid down over his chest until his fingers were damp with blood. The smile upon his face quivered.
"Mostly unharmed then", he added and his voice sounded strained and mechanic.
Malik sighed and wiped his face, turning his head. "Jamal", he called the boy and the young novice slipped further into the room. "Get some bandages. I wasn't expecting a novice causing trouble, I don't have any medical supplies at stock." Malik rubbed the bridge of his nose as he was developing a slight headache. Out from the corner of his eyes he saw Jamal nodding.
"Of course Dai", he simply said and the curtain fell shut again and only seconds later Malik could hear feet scrubbing against the court's wall as the boy climbed upwards to make his way towards the market. He turned his gaze back to Altair after he was sure they were alone. "You're not supposed to be here", he told him, crossing his arm in front of his chest. It looked a bit awkward since he only had one.
Altair closed his eyes, sighing and for a second Malik thought he saw a flash of pain flickering across his face – but he could be mistaken and wiped the thought away before it could fully develop. He closed the distance and crouched down next to Altair. "Why did you leave Masyaf?"
Altair smirked. "Maybe I missed you."
Malik lifted his hand and placed his palm flat on Altair's chest. The man startled but quickly recovered when Malik's hand slid down his body. "Do I have to strip you or can I believe your words that this is the only wound?" He gestured for the small cut on Altair's ribcage. He saw his adam's apple bopping when Altair swallowed thickly and he barely nodded and his head snapped upwards when he heard the rustling of Malik's robes as the Dai got on his feet. "Why did you send Jamal away? This wound hardly needs any treatment. I can't even feel it." Again Altair's fingers slowly crept over his body, touching and searching.
Malik wrinkled his brow at that.
Altair's movements were odd, clumsy really and he hadn't looked Malik in the eyes, not once. He watched the other man thoroughly and slowly took two step backwards before he stopped within his tracks. He had made sure not to make a sound as Altair's eyes were still focusing on the spot Malik had stood seconds ago. He wasn't now and reality hit him full force. "Altair", he softly said and the man's head turned towards his voice, his brows perking upwards. Malik noticed how Altair's hands were clenched into tight fists, slightly shaking.
"How many fingers am I holding up?" But Malik just stood there, his arm hanging loosely to the side of his body.
"Three", came Altair's reply.
He'd just gotten his proof and he sighed deeply, wishing he'd been wrong. "Altair...", he whispered his name softly. "You're blind."If anything Altair was showing the emotions of a rock, but he couldn't fool Malik. "How did you manage finding the bureau?"
Altair bit down onto his bottom lip. "I remembered the way", he forced out between tight lips.
For a moment neither of them said anything. Finally, Malik couldn't stand it any longer, "How?"
"Nothing for you to concern about. I dealt with the one... doing this." Altair waved his hand in front of his face.
"Stupid idiot", Malik growled and took Altair's hand, forcing his wrist down against the ground. He hovered slightly above him, their breaths washing over each other's face. "I need to know – is it permanent?" Malik knew for Altair to tell him how it had happened meant to admit his failure – and Altair sure hated to do that. It'd just demonstrate that he was no god but nothing but a mere man, able to bleed and die as everybody else.
"It just happened."
Malik sighed and leaned back on his heels. There was no way to get Altair to talking. With a small gesture of his hand, his fingers moved over Altair's jaw and Altair jumped at the sudden touch when Malik turned his head to one side and then the other. Next he pressed his fingers to Altair's neck, pushing his head down and now was finally able to feel it as he touched along his scalp. There it was. A slight bump hidden underneath his hair.
"You got hit to the head."
"Yes. I was out for a few seconds."
"And?"
"Couldn't see when I came back."
Malik clicked his tongue. "So maybe that's our answer."
"Answer to what?"
He leaned his head to one side, feeling the lump and pressing lightly against it. "The answer to why you're blind. You're going to stay here for a few days. Let's hope it's not permanent." Altair scoffed but Malik could easily tell how worried he was and how hard he tried to not let it show.
"So what are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be at Masyaf now that you're Grandmaster?"
"I never asked for this title and you know it", Altair grumbled sourly, his head hanging low between his shoulders now that he didn't have the strength to hold it up any longer.
"And yet you have it now", Malik sighed and stood up, pulling the curtain aside to peek through the small gap. Jamal wasn't back yet. "We can't always have what we want, can we?", Malik sighed and oh, that was probably more true than anything else and he glanced at Altair. "Tell me. Why did you leave Masyaf?", he tried it again.
"I've already told you. I missed you", and Malik laughed, sharp and hollow. So he wouldn't get an answer tonight, alright.
"Fine, then don't tell me", he said and heard a soft thud coming from the other side of the curtain. Jamal was back. "Stay the night brother and I assure you, you'll be greeted by the sun tomorrow morning and return to Masyaf safe." While he saw Altair nodding from the corner of his eye, the words tasted bitter on Malik's tongue and he could only hope that he didn't bite more off than he could chew with them.
If Altair would be able to see again was a question no one knew to answer to. Not at this moment.