Chapter Three

Khadin's training had caught the attention of his neighbors, and was reported to Al Mualim. Upon his conference with Al Mualim, he tried to have the 'accusation' dismissed saying that she was just imitating some of the actions she saw the Assassins perform and that she wasn't skilled. Al Mualim knew that Khadin had a weak heart when it came to dealing with his daughter; that he would buy her what she wanted and, more often than not, was lenient in her discipline. He proposed a compromise; that no action would be taken against Khadin or his daughter if Khadin agreed to have Arya to stay in the Garden of Paradise1. It was agreed.

Weeks later Arya went to the Garden and it was the last time she saw her father. She wasn't fond of her new clothes: it barely covered her chest and the skirt chafed her hips. The other girls were really nice to her and explained the rules: first off, they were never allowed to leave the compound, and to comfort the Assassins whenever they needed it. It didn't take long for Arya to realize that not all men were kind and caring. Some raped the women there or beat them. Arya hadn't felt this kind of fear since the time Altaїr had beat her. The older women tried to shield her from the gruesome actions. They were not permitted to act against them, and when they tried to bring it up before Al Mualim, he would never believe them.

One day, an older Assassin went after one of the women. He was ugly and smelled bad; even worst then the manure. Arya's ego could take no more. She ran from behind the women and shoved the man away.

"Leave her alone you asshole!"

"Child, you don't know who you're messing with!" He slapped Arya to the ground. Her only thought was that Altaїr hit harder during their fight.

"Go find someone else if you want to fuck!" she stated brashly.

"Dear child, who taught you to speak in such a tone?" Al Mualim's voice came from behind them. "Certainly not your father I hope?"

"Of course not!" She couldn't admit that it was Rachael who had let it slip. She changed the subject back to the matter at hand. "Didn't you see him?" she pointed at the man, "He tried to rape her! Do something--!"

"Al Mualim," he bowed, "please, this child is obviously not in her right mind. I have been a faithful follower since my childhood, there's no way I would commit such an act."

"Very well…" Al Mualim dismissed the whole thing and ordered Arya to the chamber. They tied her hands above her head and pulled her body up to where the rope met the pulley; where her feet barely reached the floor. Altaїr was told to meet Al Mualim there; he waited by the door then announced his presence. He walked in and Al Mualim handed him a rolled up whip. Altaїr looked at their leader making sure he understood his orders.

Altaїr stood center his target, allowing the firm leather to slide across his fingers and flop to the ground. Others in the room moved out of reach as Altaїr raised the handle of the whip. He flung the whip forward, hitting Arya across the back. She let out a loud scream. He continued her punishment. He was an angry young man and this allowed him to release his anger without getting into trouble.

Al Mualim held his hand in front of Altaїr signally the end of her punishment. He acknowledged and returned the whip to him. Altaїr stopped at the door looking back at the woman he punished. Blood stained the floor from her wounds and tears dried on her face. They carried her limp body back to the Garden and laid her on soft cushions for the other women to tend to her. And they did.

Weeks later Altaїr returned to the Garden, but he wasn't alone: Abbas and some other superior (by rank) Assassins where with him. Not all the men were ferocious beasts; in fact, Abbas and his friends where often quite nice and caring, which made Arya wonder why Altaїr was with them. Altaїr was known for his tempter and cruel actions toward weaker Assassins, Arya thought that Abbas must be taking him under his wing. Abbas wasn't too much older than Altaїr, but was much wiser.

The weather was fair that day and now it was about to be ruined by Altaїr. Arya attempted to hide behind a Roman pillar, like many that should about the Gardens, while the other girls ran up to them. Faerie2 had said that it was our job to comfort the men when they returned from their missions. Faerie was a beautiful lady, not more than eighteen years old. She had long brown hair and lovely brown eyes. Her skin was fair and she spoke softly like a whisper on the wind. Arya, on the other hand, was afraid to see her skin in the light and spoke rudely to the men.

"Altaїr listen," Abbas put his hand on Altaїr's shoulder, "rest is just as important as our missions. Now is the time for rest…" he started scanning the area.

"I don't want to rest I want to fight!" Altaїr argued, jerking away from his grip.

"Now, now, you're all tense and exhausted! Let's get you refreshed and you can go back to your missions." Abbas started speaking to himself, "Now, let's see. Someone closer to your age…" he trailed off. His sights came to rest at the Roman pillar, the same pillar which Arya was hiding behind. She poked her head from around the corner, staring at them and hoping that they wouldn't notice her.

"Ah there's one," he acknowledges Arya standing behind the pillar and called over to her, "You, girl, come here!" he smiled at her. The other girls grabbed her and escorted over to Abbas. Still she tried to hide behind one of the girls.

"Yes?" she said meekly, not sure what to say.

"This is my friend, Altaїr." He pulled him closer, "He had a rough week of missions, perhaps you could do something to help him?"

Faerie pushed Arya forward whispering in her ear, "Give him a massage, smile a lot, and just talk with him. Remember, he's always right. Oh, and be sweet." She finished with a smile and pushed her into Altaїr's arms. Her fingers glided over the soft fabric of his inform, his hands caught her by the waist. For a moment they glanced at each other until Altaїr gently tossed her to the side and sat cross legged in the grass pouting.

She stumbled some, looking back at the group. She didn't want to get in trouble again. Faerie was stroking Abbas's neck as she led him away. She looked back at her and nodded toward Altaїr. Arya sat next to him and placed her hands on his shoulders,

"Get away from me!" he shouted. She was about to snap at him, but she quickly remembered her pasted experiences with him. Again she gently placed her hands on his shoulders and peered at his face. She smiled calmly.

"I heard that you have great successes on your missions…"

"Of course!" he shook away from her, "ha, the poor sucker of my last mission didn't know what had happen until it was too late! And after that, I handled the guards without getting a scratch." He bragged.

"Oh, most impressive!" She started massaging his shoulders. Altaїr continued his stories, one mission to the next, how he killed his opponents easily and how no one was a match for him. Abbas overheard his bragging and was displeased with him, but decided to let it go and allow him to rest. Altaїr jumped from the ground and started imitating his actions from his stories. Can't that boy just rest Abbas thought to himself. Arya could only think that some of his moves were sloppy. Altaїr fell exhausted to the ground, placing his head in her lap.

"Wow, that is really good." She folded her hands over his chest, looked down at him and smiled once more.

"How would you know, you're here in the Gardens?" he taunted.

"Altaїr!" Abbas interrupted, "She's entertaining you, be nice."

"Of course." Grimace came over Altair's face, taking his seat back in the grass. He placed his hands behind his head; resting, looking up to the sky. Arya laid next to him and rolled over on his chest. He glanced down at her and she returned his glance…which turned into a stare. A little annoyed he sat up and slapped her.

"Altaїr, why did you hit her?" Abbas stormed over and grabbed him about the arm. Altaїr's eyes glazed over with unprovoked hatred and started beating her, ferociously throwing punches and kicks. Abbas tackled him and subdued his actions,

"That's enough!" Abbas twist Altaїr's arm and pulled him to his feet, "I don't understand why you're so angry. You live a good life here." He was about to turned to apologize to Arya, but she had already left. Abbas forced Altaїr to the castle to determine his punishment.

1 Garden of Paradise: this was where women would stay to keep the men of the Creed (game-wise) loyal to their cause.

2 Faerie: Arabic for tall, pretty.