Chapter Five

It was a week before the sail date and Altaїr was finishing the last of his preparations for the trip. Many thought Altaїr was mad, or incompetent, to leave his homeland and put himself in the middle of the enemy's home. However, there were some that commended him on his forwardness to end the war. As the fall came the early morning weather started to cool, Altaїr saddle his horse and set forth towards Acre. As every day began, the sun had not yet risen above the horizon, the birds have not yet awakened, and most were still asleep.

No matter how many times Altaїr thought it over, he couldn't help but think that he was walking into a trap but his feelings for Arya would never die, he could not let them go. And even though he had not a single good thought of Robert, Altaїr would travel with him on a ship for a month. Two days had gone by when he finally arrived at Acre. Just by seeing the city's walls Altaїr again thought of the work he would have to do in order to track down de Sable.

The city hadn't change much since the last time he was there, he knew that this was also the place where Arya started out with her revenge. As he walked through the streets he wondered what this place met to her, the fact that it was the Bureau here that gave her a chance. As Altaїr was lost in thought, a familiar squawk echoed overhead. A feather gently floated on the breeze to Altaїr's feet, he bent over and picked it out the ground. An old smile appeared on his face as he followed Omair. Every time he needed to find someone he would follow that damn bird, the one he grew to hate so much for being like his master.

Omair landed on a post on the Acre docks, there were Templars everywhere. They boarded every entrance and exit way. Omair pecked at a soldier's arm, getting his attention. Of course it's no other than Robert de Sable himself. Robert turned around and saw Altaїr on the other side of the guard line, a smile over came him and motioned him to come forward. The guards parted for him, many looked on in disgust, he was the enemy and now they were letting him under their roof.

"I'm glad you decided to come with us." Robert extended his hand, however it wasn't met by Altaїr. Instead Altaїr stood there glaring at him with the same hatred that he always had.

"When do we part?"

"Tomorrow at noon, you can stay in town for the remaining time or I could show you your room now?"

"Tomorrow at noon it is…" Altaїr slowly turned and walked away. As he turned he notices something different about de Sable's weapon. He remembers many battle with de Sable but couldn't figure out what was different.

Altaїr had trouble sleeping that night, in fact he's been having trouble sleeping ever since Arya's death. His conscience ate away at him, day and night, with no relief in sight even now. The words of Robert talking about his daughter and how she had 'beautiful black hair and blue eyes" repeated over and over again in his head. Altaїr stayed up all night wondering what his daughter was like, he bet that she was as thick-headed as her mother. Another thought that made him smile. He imagined her in a tree, or somewhere high, yelling back down at her guardians over something trivial. The thought made him laugh.

The thought lightened his mood so much that he almost wore that smile back down to the docks. However, on the sight of the Templar Army, that smile was erased as if it was never there. Robert de Sable, as Captain of the ship, welcomed Altaїr back and had Maria show him to his room. Slowly she shut the door. The first thing Altaїr did was check the room for anything suspicious: holes in the wall, traps, etc. When he felt it was safe he sat down on the bed and laid back down, before he knew he was asleep. The next thing he remembers is a knock on the door, a servant boy came to invite him to dine at the Captain's Table.

As much as Altaїr would rather stay in his room, he decided to join de Sable at the dinner table only as a sign of good faith. He followed the servant boy down the hallway and up a level to the captain's room. The young boy announced Altaїr and quickly went away to do his work. Inside the room there was a table plainly dressed centre, the candle lit only small portions of the table, just enough to see the plates and silverware. There were only three people at the table, the same as always: Maria, Robert, and Altaїr. They ate in silence.

After dinner, Robert thanked Altaїr for coming and they parted ways. For some time Altaїr wandered the ship until he ended up on the main deck. There was a eerie silence as the wind ran across the deck of the ship. Some of the sailors stopped doing the work and glanced at one another, then to the sky. A cloud of black passed overhead, the only light came from the lighting cracked through the floor of Heaven. Rain fell like daggers and the sea heaved up and over the side of the ship, splashing water onto the deck.

A commotion broke out and the Vice Captain yelled out orders to the men. "Romeo, retrieve the Captain! All hands on deck! Pulled down those sails before they tear!" Altaїr could barely hear the orders being given as the storm raged on. He helped to secure life-lines: ropes that were tied from the mass to the workers on deck, preventing them from going overboard. Most of the smaller sails were pulled down; however the men could not pull down the main sail. The heavy winds caused the rope to tangle and knot, those that tried to climb the rat rope were swept back to the deck by the waves.

Robert de Sable stepped up to the deck, shielding his eyes and face from the wind and rain. The ship jerked violently as the waves tried to bust through, Robert slipped on the deck and slid to the edge almost rolling overboard. Robert was able to bring himself back to his feet , he cleared his face from the excess rain, seeing the trouble the men were having with main sail. He stumbled over and grabbed the rope pulling it down, the rope still wouldn't come undone. Robert looked up seeing someone climbing up on the ropes, it was Maria with a dagger in her mouth.

"Maria!" Robert called out, "You crazy woman get down here!"

Maria couldn't hear a word, she was barely able to cling to the rope as she ascended to the knot. Robert scanned the area hoping to find something to help her, his eyes settled on Altaїr who was holding on for his life. The giant vassal was easily controlled by waves, some of the life-lines snapped sending many of the crew members to a watery grave. Another strong gust of wind caught the sail causing it to tear, the sudden shift of the ship made Maria lose her grip. Robert watched in terror as Maria fell, her ankle tangled in the rope.

"Altaїr help her!" Robert shouted over at him, he would go himself but if any man let go of the rope they'd all be in danger.

Altaїr was still spread out on the floor, never before had he been in a storm this bad. He mustered up his strength and ran to the rope were Maria was. His hand extended out as another wave pounded into the ship, almost capsizing it. Altaїr's feet left the deck: he could hear his heartbeat, time slowed, the lighting made no sound.

The very edge of his fingers locked onto the rope as the wind spun him back around. Those that were able to look up watched as Altaїr made his way to Maria. When he finally reached her, he took the knife from Maria, cutting her ankle free. She held onto him for dear life.

The hours that the storm lasted seemed like lifetimes. Finally the clouds parted and the sea calmed. Maria was safe on the deck with Altaїr holding her, Robert looked at all the damage. Panels were ripped off, despite their efforts the sails were tore beyond repair, and half the crew was now in "Davie Jones' Locker."

"All available hands, get wounded to the infirmary then start cleaning up!" Robert ordered. The men did as they were told, but no one could deny the uneasy look that was passed around. The sun was starting to set when Robert returned to his men. Before he was in the infirmary, five more men had passed. He opened the door to see the rest of the crew in a huddle,

"What are you doing? There's still plenty of work to do!" The men did not move, anger grew in Robert eyes as his men could tell. At last one man stepped forward removing his hat,

"We mean no disrespect, Sir. But the remaining crew has brought up some…concerns?"

"And what 'concerns' would that be?" Robert folded his arms.

"Well, Sir, as you already know, none of the men were particularly happy with the idea of a woman being on board1…." The man softened his voice in Robert's supreme presence.

"Continue."

"And, of course, you understood that no man was agreeable with taking that Assassin with us either."

"I've told you that there was nothing to worry about."

"Yes, sir, we know what you have told us, but the men believe that that storm was unnatural…a sign from God that these action stand against His wishes. Even Father Franklin was tossed to the watery depths. It must be a sign."

"No." Robert paused for a moment, collecting his thoughts, "This is nothing more than a trial from God, He wants to see our strength…and our trust in Him."

"Lies!" another man shouted out, "I've been on many voyages and none were of this sort!"

"Yes, Yes!" Another agreed.

"It's the Lord speaking to us!"

"We must turn around!" Protested another.

Robert raised his hand to calm the commotion, understanding fully that there may be a mutiny. The crew fell silent, then one at a time each gave their reasons for the storm. There were so many complaints that Robert decided that at the next dock that Maria, Altaїr, and himself would leave the ship. Night cloaked over every possible source of light or hope. They were thrown miles off course that would cause them a few days to the next port.

Robert retreated to the Captain's Quarters, sitting at his desk he stared at the beautiful oak table before him. Laying on it was a world map, it showed their previous route and their new one. Book shelves lined the wall to his left and right, a smaller table stood off the corner of one book shelf. On it was placed a spinning globe and some drinks. On the floor below was a fine Persian carpet, the gold trim branched off into circles then mixed with the rest of the pattern. Suddenly the door to his room came swinging open. At first, Robert stood to grab his sword, he soon realized that it was only Maria and sat back down with a sigh.

"How could you let them do this?" She shouted.

"Do what?"

"Kick us off the ship! You're the Captain, you tell them what to do, not the other way around!" Maria continued to yell and cause havoc. Robert folded his hands in front of his face, trying to conceal his smile.

"Maria…" She placed herself centre the desk where Robert was sitting, "Sometimes it's better to leave than to argue with superstitious fools." Robert stated.

1 Revering to an old wise-tell that it was bad luck to bring aboard women.