Part One

Chapter One

The night was brisk, the stars shone brightly, and not a single cloud could be seen. Khadin held his new born baby girl in his hands; gently he wiped the blood from her as she cried loudly with strong lungs. Candles illuminated the room, casting shadows on the walls; Khadin walked from his wife to a table where he laid the child, to calm her. He wrapped her in a blanket made of wool, this was his first child. He walks back to his wife,

"What should we name her?" there was no response.

He turned to the mid-wife and then to his sister-in-law, she had often to help during his wife's pregnancy. The two women exchanged glances to one another and then gently lowered their heads. The sister-in-law looked back at Khadin and shook her head. Khadin's wife had passed away. By the sunrise all of the funeral arrangements had been made and was carried out shortly after. The sister-in-law and mid-wife offered to stay and help raise the child, but Khadin only allowed the mid-wife to stay for the first couple years. Khadin would've allowed his sister-in-law to stay, but he felt guilty considering she had her own family to take care of.

Khadin was a highly valued Bureau Leader who specialized in cryptic writings and record keeping. The mid-wife would sit in the same room with him looking after his daughter, now named Arya1, while he worked. He stood behind a smooth oak table with bookshelves towering behind him, stacked full with every kind of book imaginable; from leather-bound volumes with pages poking out to hardback books, designed with richly carved covers. Every once in awhile he would look over at his daughter, and he couldn't hide the smile on his face if he tried. She was his pride and joy, gently being held in the mid-wife's arms, wrapped in blanket that his wife had bought for her. The blanket was beige, with the Assassin's insignia stitched in the center of it.

It wasn't long before Khadin's smiles turned into that of a scolding father. Often, Arya would escape the care of the mid-wife and go about the city, dress in boy's clothing. The stone buildings towered over her, some had tapestries hanging on them others where just stone towers. Her bare feet could feel the soft, smooth dirt of the ground and the grass cushioned the soles of after walking long distances. Arya sat in the shade of a tree pulling out an apple that she had taken from home. The breeze carried with it the smell of the ocean; the light scent of salt filled her nose. For the moment she closed her eyes, imagining sailing on the ocean and having adventures.

She awoke suddenly to a rumble caused by a group of boys: they were all wearing white robes, similar to the ones she often saw men wearing when they came to visit her father. A younger boy was starting a fight with one of the older boys. She slid behind a building, watching from around the corner. The shadow caused the stone of the building to be cold to the touch; she could feel the slight bumps and niches in the building's side. The younger boy charged at the older one, who simply pushed the kid to the side. The dirt stained the white robe and the rocks tore at the fabric.

Again the younger boy tried to attack, the older boy punched him in the face and again he fell to the ground. The rest of the boys watched and whispered to amongst themselves. Soon an older member of the Creed came and broke up the fight. Arya stood there the whole time, scared of what would happen. Unaware of a shadow looming over her, she started to calm down as the boys were led away. Later she would come to find that the older boy was Abbas and the younger boy was named Altaїr.

"Young lady!" came a strong, deep voice. She quickly spun around to see her father. "What have I told you about running about the city in this matter?" he placed his hands on his hips. She placed her hands behind her back and lowered her eyes to his feet, not saying a word. Realizing that she wasn't going to reply, he sighed and walked back home with her. She hung her head in shame as she followed him.

"You know the rules, my dear," he glanced back at her, "so why must you continue to do this?" he opened the door to their home, she walked in, taking a seat on a wooden chair. For a moment they were both quiet, he sat down across from her.

"You're free to answer me. Explain it to me, please, so that I can understand." He leaned forward on the table. She stood up suddenly and paced about the room answering her father in a fairly fast speech.

"This town is exciting! I want to know what goes on here, I walk and see so many things and people, and animals!" she stops for a moment, catching her breath, "I learn so much, and when I look up to that huge castle, wonderment takes over. I often see the men that defend the city, in their robes and armor. Oh, and the shine of the weapons…" she looks up to the ceiling as if someone else would finish her sentence. She glanced back over at her father with the feeling of excitement leaving her. She removed her headdress allowing her hair to fall upon her shoulders.

Khadin tried to hide the smile that crept across his face at the innocence of his young daughter. She sat in the chair,

"Child, you know that men and women play different roles here, don't you?"

"Yes, yes, Rachael2 told me plenty of times before." She rolled her eyes.

"Then you should know that you are to stay home and learn to be a good wife. Rachael is a good teacher for you…you should thank her." he raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, I don't want to be a wife." She groaned, "I want to fight and defend my home like you."

"That is not your place…"

"But why--"

"That's the end of this conversation! Not another word!" He stood quickly from the chair, she lowered her head. Not a moment later, Rachael came through the door. She was begging Khadin's forgiveness for letting Arya out of her sights. He assured her that she wasn't in trouble and allowed her to continue her work. Rachael took Arya into the next room and changed her back into her feminine clothes.

"How come you're a mid-wife?" she asked bluntly.

"Because I love being around children and caring for them." She answered with a smile, not revealing that she recently lost her own child.

"Don't you ever dream of doing something else?" Arya looked over to her; Rachael sighed and kindly looked back at her.

"This is what makes me happy, I couldn't dream of doing anything else."

Arya thought that no one understood her feelings, but she took Rachael's words to heart. She was like a mother to her, caring for her and always giving her the answers and wisdom she needed; though she may not have always agree with it.

Later that evening, Arya had again left the household without Rachael's or her father's permission. Again, she had dressed in a boy's garb and went about the city. Her favorite pastime was to sneak pass the guards and watch the new Assassins practice fighting. She waited a few yards from the first entrance to the castle, waiting for a group of Assassins to come. As she hid behind a building, her father saw her. His fury increased within him. It was only hours ago that he talked to her about her actions and yet, there she was, repeating her mistakes. Khadin was with another Bureau Leader at the time, but restrained himself, fearing that it would get his daughter into further trouble.

Khadin watched his daughter and was surprised as to what he saw. A group of young Assassins walked passed her; she simply joined the group unnoticed! Neither a guard nor Assassin realized that someone new was in their group. Khadin and the other Bureau Leader continued to Masyaf Castle, behind them. He was half listening to his friend and half hoping that his daughter wouldn't be caught.

"Are you okay, my friend?"

"Uh? Oh, yes, I'm fine. Thank you."

"You seem flushed, are you sure?"

"Yes, yes…" Khadin smiled, "I'm okay, I must be getting old. This sun is just so much." He joked.

"Ah, if you're old, then what should I consider myself?" he laughed.

They continued to the training grounds, Khadin sat off to the side, eating small meal. They were impressed with the training of the new Assassins. Abbas was quite skilled and helped to train the younger members. But there was a particular young Assassin that captured their attention as well. He name was Altaїr Ibn La-Ahad3. He had started training not long ago, but has proven himself quite the pupil. Mind you, he still had much to learn, but nonetheless was skilled.

Khadin watched Arya intensely as the boys practiced, praying to Allah4 that she wouldn't be found out. And again, to his surprise, she wasn't noticed in the slightest. The evening went on, Arya left with another group and continued home. Khadin said nothing, fearing the trouble she could get into. By the time he returned home, Arya was already asleep. He couldn't help but smile sweetly at her and went to bed himself.

Chapter two

When the sun rose the next morning, the light streamed through the curtains awaking Arya from her sleep. The wind blew open the curtain allowing the smell of breakfast to beckon her out of bed. Slowly she moved to her feet and into the side room where Rachael was fixing the meal. Her father sat calmly at the table with his morning cup of tea. Arya helped Rachael with the rest of the meal and served her father, afterwards the two women ate. Khadin mentioned that he had an important meeting with Al Mualim and begged Arya to stay out of trouble.

For the rest of the morning, Rachael and Arya did dishes, laundry, and cleaned the house. It was a boring, typical day. By lunch, Arya was learning proper behavior and habits that she needed when she would get marry. She couldn't help but wish that she was a male instead, so that she could be next to her father learning the skills of an Assassin and to take on his legacy of cryptic writing. But, atlas, she was not her father's son, she was his daughter.

Her father's meeting would last all day, and Arya was beyond bored with Rachael's teachings. When she went to bring the laundry in, Arya slipped out in boy's garb and went about the town. Once again, she hid in a group of men and entered to the training grounds. And the same as yesterday, no one even noticed her there. She leaned on the fence where the men practiced fighting. It was made with good size logs and was secured tightly with rope. Every time she would lean on it, she thought that she would get a splinter. It couldn't be help that it was worn with time.

There were many Assassins there practicing, especially the newer members. She was lost in thought watching them. The trainer stepped beside her, coaching the boys on their technique. The boys finished their bout and before she knew it, the coach told her to get in the ring. When she tried to get out of it, the man glared at her and told her again to get in the ring.

Arya was nervous and it didn't help that she didn't know a thing about fighting. She looked across the ring to her opponent. It was the boy she saw who lost the fight yesterday, Altaїr. She wasn't sure how to feel; on one hand, Altaїr lost his fight yesterday, but she knew that his skill was still way beyond her ability. She was hoping that the stories about him were inflated. She tried to mimic the other boys, putting herself in a fighting stance. It was easy to tell that she was clueless.

"Keep your hands a little higher, boy!" called out the coach. She did as she was told. Arya was afraid to run and be caught so she had no choice but to continue her charade. Before the bout started, Altaїr could tell how inexperience she was. He didn't bother hiding the smirk on his face. She attempted to move around the ring as she saw the others do. Altaїr didn't even view this as a challenge, it was just a waste of time to him. He shrugged his shoulders to the coach as if asking "really?"

Sweat was already streaming down her face, she moved a little closer. Al Mualim and her father came out to watch, taking a break from their intense meeting. Khadin looked down, hoping to see a good fight. However, upon looking closer at the fighters, he realized that the other fighter was his daughter. Well that explains his stance he thought to himself, not sure how to proceed. He was helpless to do anything at this point, and was forced to watch.

Altaїr moved forward, delivering a quick punch. She moved slightly away, but his punch still landed cleanly on her cheek tossing her to the ground. Arya wasn't expecting the pain that came with it. Her eyes started to water,

"Come on, lad!" Said the coach, "Again!"

She rolled to her belly and stood up, facing Altaїr again. Now she was even more scared of him. She remembered the first advice that the coach gave her: she kept her hands closer to her face. Altaїr again moved in and threw a right punch, Arya blocked with her left arm. This prevented her from being hit in the face, but now her arm was in pain. Altaїr continued a relentless wave of punches, most were blocked by her arms, but she wasn't able to take the pain much longer.

She let down her guard and Altaїr landed one punch squarely on her face. She did a half spin and landed on the ground. Khadin couldn't help but grimace at the site. She tried to return to her feet, but Altaїr kicked her. She curled into the fetal position, holding her stomach. The coach called an end to the fight and orders some men in to help the "lad" to his feet. Altaїr just walked out of the ring complaining how the fight wasn't even worth his time.

She made her way to the fence and wiped any tears that might have been there. The coach was critiquing her: he said that her blocks weren't that bad, but her offense needed much work. He ended by saying,

"But you shouldn't feel bad, Altaїr is a formidable opponent. You did well."

"Really, I did okay?" she couldn't help but to ask. He smiled,

"Yes, you did well, but remember there's still much to learn." He placed his hand on her shoulder and waved his index finger in her face like a parent teaching his child a lesson. She quietly shook her head and left the ring. Al Mualim was curious about the young "lad" and went to ask his name, Khadin followed close behind hoping to stall him.

"What was that boy's name?" Al Mualim called out.

"Not sure, right off hand," the coach called back, he turned to where Arya was standing, "Boy, what's your name?" he made a full circle and couldn't find her. When Al Mualim reached the training grounds the coach asked for his forgiveness. Khadin was relieved that she had left, it was a great relief. Altaїr came up to their leader bowing respectfully,

"Ah, Altaїr, well done as always." Al Mualim showed much pride for him. After praising Altaїr, he returned to the meeting.

Arya had slipped passed the guards and ran to a secluded place by the riverside. She was in much pain due to the brutal beating. She washed her face in the river and tried to stop her tears. She sat down bring her knees to her face and wept.

"You're weak!" taunted a voice; she quickly stood up wiping the tears from her face. When she could see clearly, she noticed that it was Altaїr and a few other Assassins. She would learn that the other Assassins were Malik, Kudar, and Abbas.

"Did you hear me?" he continued, "Or are you dumb?" he pushed her.

"Altaїr, stop!" Abbas ordered, "It's not right to pick on those weaker than you."

Altaїr didn't care for Abbas, but did as his superior ordered…well, superior for now. Arya didn't speak, afraid that they would figure out her secret. The others were leaving and tried to get Altaїr to come along as well, saying that there was much work to be done.

"I'll be along in a moment!" He answered back, Altaїr turned to Arya, "Do you wanted some pointers." He asked, and again she nodded her head in hopes of not being caught. At first it really seemed that Altaїr was trying to help her improve. However, this 'kind gesture' turned into another beating. He kicked, punched, and slammed her against the cliff side. She fell on the ground, now her whole body was hurting. Altaїr grabbed her by the back of the neck and dunked her head in the river.

She tried to fight for air, but water entered her lungs. Finally, Altair pulled her from the water; she coughed water, then was thrown to the ground, he spat on her and finally walked away. She couldn't understand why he was so mean and cruel. All the danger seemed to be over, well until she got home.

Rachael was beaten for not doing her job correctly; she should have kept Arya out of trouble and taught his daughter to obey better. The moon was high in the night sky when Arya returned home. She stopped at the door, trying to think up an excuse for being gone all day. Arya took a deep breath and walked in, not to her surprise, Khadin was standing there waiting for her. She was severely disciplined and sent to bed.

The next morning Khadin apologized to them both, feeling that he went too far especially seeing the wounds Arya accumulated the day before.

Months had passed and Rachael fell ill. Arya was devastated when she died; having lost a second mother. Khadin tried with all of his might to soothe her sorrows, but was unable to comfort her. On Arya's 7th birthday, Khadin allowed her to study his cryptic writing and keeping. This made her very happy.

He couldn't let his only daughter be unhappy, so following the months of Arya's birthday, he began teaching her the ways of the Assassins. He saw that this brought her great joy and she continued to excel at these skills, he couldn't deny that he was impressed. It was only the basics, but no matter how skilled she'd become, he always warned her never to show or use these talents.

One day Abbas and Altaїr were sent to Khadin to retrieve records on a high level technique. As Abbas went to talk with Khadin, Altaїr went around back, exploring. Arya was tending to the garden when he made his way to her. She looked up at him, her eyes held the fire of revenge for what he had done to her. Altaїr didn't recognize her and introduced himself properly. Arya recalled something that Rachael had told her:

"Women have an unnatural ability to control men. A simply batter of our eyelashes and they're like dogs, willing to take any command we gave them. Haha."

Arya took the advice; she fixed her head cover and looked up at Altaїr with a modest smile. He spoke to her,

"You're quiet beautiful." He said as he helped her from the ground.

"Thank you and you're a kind man." She replied. Khadin was handing Abbas the book as they walked in. They both tried to walk through the door at the same time. Arya moved one of her feet under Altaїr's while he wasn't expecting it and he did a face-plant into the side of the building.

"Oh, my!" She quickly kneeled down beside him. "Are you ok?"

Altaїr battered her away embarrassed, thinking he tripped over his own feet. Abbas laughed aloud and Khadin shot a glare in at his daughter. She smiled in returned. They took the book and left without another word.

1 Arya: means honor, she holds the honor of first born.

2 Rachael is the mid-wife.

3 Altaїr Ibn La-Ahad: can translate to 'bird of prey' and/or 'son of none'

4 Allah: Islamic word for God.