Haha, sorry guys... totally misspelled ALTAIR's name wrong -- I noticed even before I saw the reviews, so I fixed THAT problem immediately. Thanks for waiting!
New Beginnings
Altaír was staring vacantly at the concrete floor, his face and chestnut colored eyes were lit up by the sunlight beaming through the window before him. His new master paced behind a table, running a hand through his graying hair while clearing his throat. Finally, his master stood still and began to speak, "Altaír, you've returned in one piece and with good news I hope." His voice was raspy but equally as welcoming. The assassin lifted his head up to meet his master's eyes.
"I always return with good news." Altaír replied with a tone of impudence. "The man you had sent me to kill, Hamal Ahmar, will harm no more."
"That's a bit of relief, knowing that this vulnerable world is rid of yet another evil man. Unfortunately, I can't say our work will ever be done." Altaír had to nod in agreement; the truthful words were slightly painful to hear. "And thanks to you, more lives have been saved at the cost of one, but it's these kinds of sacrifices we make in order to help for a much bigger cause."
"Yes, but every time I assassinate yet another sinister man, I fear that the world we live in is far from reaching peace. There will always be a menacing presence afoot and that's all it takes to up rise the hidden evil within all of us," Altaír fidgeted in his position before continuing, "and it all seems irrelevant."
"Altaír, I fully understand and that's why people respect you; you have been blessed with the ability of logical reasoning, not everyone has that. Sadly, what you say is true, but we do what we can."
"And we try our best," Altaír stated genuinely, he gazed up at the window, deep in thought. "Rasheed, I must run this past you."
"Sure, anything for our best." Rasheed gestured for him to continue.
"The other students, the novices mostly, still don't understand the loss of our old master, Al Maulim, and why his actions resulted in his death. I worry that they still don't see why my hand was the one to take his life." He fell silent once an upsetting emotion engulfed him.
"Ah, I see," the master replied with empathy, "yes, I am aware of that, but he betrayed us all, you especially. He was able to use your trust in him against you, forcing you to believe his words and assassinate those who were only dangerous to himself. I am still trying to explain to those who have yet fully understood, but many know your actions helped us all, not to mention, open our eyes." He ambled towards Altaír, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder, "And I know as well; I'm here to help."
Altaír glanced at the old man's hand, his eyes narrowing. "Sorry, but I can only assume you do. You of all people know what I've been through; it's hard to feel faithful now."
Rasheed nodded with compassion, he could feel the young man's hidden heart-break. "But I do Altaír; I accepted this position in hopes of erasing what Al Maulim had left behind. Why so cold?"
Altaír gritted his teeth together behind his sealed lips, peering up at his master's face. "Forgive me; I'm only cautious because of the past. I intend to change that, but only when I trust you enough to do so."
Rasheed's eyes lit up with realization. "I see where you're coming from and I…" He was interrupted by a man running frantically onto the platform where the two were standing.
"Rasheed, there are brothers from Jerusalem at the gates that wish to speak to you immediately. It's urgent; you must hear what they have to say." The one-armed man announced between pants, his eyes glistened with panic.
"Malik, is everything alright?"
"I know very little, you must go see for yourself." Malik straightened his posture once he answered breathlessly.
"Of course, I'm leaving at once," Rasheed moved passed Altaír and the frightened Malik, beginning to make his way down the stairs. "Guards, escort me to the front entrance." He ordered, instantly four guards rushed to his side and led him out of the fortress.
Altaír looked over at Malik, turning to face him. "Malik, it's good to see you again brother."
The sudden noise pulled the nervous man back into reality, causing his eyes to dart towards the owner of the sound. He smiled contentedly once realizing who it was, "You as well Altaír," he responded, "I see you've returned safely and with news of a man's death?"
"Like always," Altaír smirked, his voice reflecting his pride. Malik rolled his eyes jokingly at the confident man. "So, what was that all about?"
"Ah, yeah, that…" Malik sighed, rubbing the back of his neck in hopes of consoling himself. His expression revealed most of his once concealed stress and fatigue. "Well, all I know is that it relates to a band of rogues and something of the other."
"Rogues? In this area? I thought they all had fled once their numbers dropped so drastically." Altaír's interest was growing.
"Supposedly they returned; that's the last thing we need… more malevolence." Malik confirmed as Altaír watched intently.
"Well, which areas to be precise? Not around Masyaf I hope."
"No, they're mostly to the east and southeast, but you know how nomadic they are. Next thing you know they'll be camping in front of our fortress." He delayed momentarily to think of what to say next. "Their small encampments are scattered everywhere though, but hopefully not enough to become a problem."
"Rogues are like the anti-assassins, they kill for fun, they are dangerous no matter how small their numbers." Altaír chimed briskly.
"Eh, you can ask Rasheed to explain once he returns. I can only answer so much."
The graceful assassin didn't wait to answer, "I will with little hesitation; I want full details."
With those last words, the conversation ended and the two went their separate ways.
The sun was setting behind the rugged mountain landscape and the sky was fading into warm colors; life in Masyaf was beginning to die down. People were retiring to their homes and shutting down their shops, allowing the day's work to be forgotten. The quiet village was settling down and nearing slumber, with no knowledge of what that day had really brought: startling news that only a few had known, and for the better.
Altaír was absorbed in his thoughts, completely unaware of his surroundings. He was unarming his many blades, watching every movement made by his working hands. The master had yet returned and the day was growing old with every passing minute; the assassin was growing impatient.
Suddenly, he felt a presence entering the room, his eyes widened. He straightened his posture, slowly raising his head allowing his eyes to fix onto the wall. The vivacious man rounded on his heels to see who had bothered his tranquility, but a familiar voice had confirmed it all.
"Altaír, don't get too comfortable, there's another task I have to ask of you." It was his master.
At first, he did not reply; he only stared indifferently into Rasheed's eyes. Finally, he snapped back into reality, "Another? Who does it involve this time?"
His master began treading leisurely in front of Altaír as he spoke, "There is a family who is in desperate need of some help and some rogues who desperately need to be vanquished." Altaír's eyes watched him carefully as he moved. "It's a tremendously essential assignment that I can entrust to you."
"So, it is true, rogues have returned?" Altaír questioned the old man once he had finally stopped pacing.
"Yes it is…how do you know already?"
"Malik told me, it seems they've returned and only with bad intentions."
"Ah, so you know of at least that part of the story, but not of the family." Rasheed stated, his eyes shimmering in the torch-lit room.
"No, I lack that knowledge. How do they relate to all of this?" Altaír was growing concerned.
"Well," he paused momentarily, "you see, the rogues are after the royal family of Nazareth and since the Assassins' Bureau want the rogue leader dead, now's our chance to strike."
"Clarify please." Altaír demanded deeply.
"Some of our men in Jerusalem had overheard a small group of suspicious individuals plotting an attack on the royal family of Nazareth, to our east. That's why I'm sending you to reach Nazareth before the rogues do; to prevent the possible deaths of the royal family and to assassinate a wanted man. Killing two birds with one stone if you'd like to call it that."
"How do we even know they're rogues, I know they didn't just flat-out admit it, and what about the family? Why should we care if they're murdered?" Altaír inquired with exasperation.
"Altaír, you of all people should know that innocence should not have to suffer, not to mention friends of ours."
"Friends?" Altaír asked bewildered, beginning to realize that there was a lot more to this situation than what meets the eye. Rasheed nodded with his hands laced together in front of him, a look of calmness was plastered on his wrinkled face. "So, this royal family is our ally and the rogues are already our enemy, and since both of them are involved we must become involved as well, am I correct?"
"More than correct, that's exactly what I want from you. Altaír, the ruler of Nazareth and the father of that royal family is my long-term friend. He is a great man, with a great perspective of the world around him; he is unlike other greedy leaders and that's why we cannot allow his life to be taken." Rasheed let loose a long sigh as he gawked at a torch above the attentive assassin. "Assassin's don't just murder the ruinous people of this world; I know you know this already, but I just want you to fully comprehend why we help people as well. There are good people in this world, that's why we need to value their lives."
"Ok, when should I leave, I feel as though we wasted enough time discussing the situation. What is the name of this barbarous man you want me to kill?" Altaír demanded as he began reequipping himself.
"His name is Mohsen La-Algol, the name should either ring a bell or not, but that won't matter once you get there." Rasheed stated, keeping an eye on Altaír as he fiddled with his weapons. "That's another reason we also know rogues are involved; that name was mentioned among the two men in Jerusalem and very little people know of that horrid creature's name."
"I'll go at once," He turned to the side and strode past Rasheed towards the entryway of the fortress.
"One more thing Altaír,"
He halted his movement, glancing at his master from behind his white hood. "Yes?"
"Ikram should be able to explain everything once you reach the Assassins' Bureau in Nazareth, he may actually know more than I do." The altruistic man announced.
"Thank you, peace be with you master." Altaír acclaimed as he made his way for the exit.
"To you as well Altaír."
By the time Altaír had reached the bottom of the hill, the once pink sky had transformed into a deep purple, which produced an eccentric quietness in Masyaf. The stars blinked in the darkened sky and the luminescent moon lit up the approaching night with its pale glow. All was silent in the village, even the once lively merchants had departed and even the noisy livestock had fallen into weariness; the only major movements were created by the jogging assassin, who was gradually making his way to the village gates.
Two guards shifted in their isolated positions by the opening in the gates, which were nearing closing time. One guard allowed a deep yawn to escape his throat, while the other used his spear as a support for his weight. They greeted Altaír with a nod as he passed them by.
Just outside the wooden gates was a small stable containing three horses. The auburn horse sneezed loudly and went back to eating as another clicked its hooves against the ground. Once the horses came into Altaír's sight, the white angelic steed caught his attention; it brought its head up to stare at the assassin who had entered its peripheral vision. The ashen stallion recognized the white cloaked man and began showing some excitement by tapping its hooves in an eager manner.
He went to the horse's side and straightened out his attire with his hands before lifting himself up onto its saddle. The horse neighed with a somewhat blissful glee as he adjusted himself properly into the saddle, gearing himself up for a long trip.
The provisions were securely strapped onto the horse's side and the bold Altaír had no other reasons to delay. He knew that with every passing second, the rogues were proceeding closer to their devilish destination. Altaír grasped the reigns and tapped the steed's sides with his boots, causing the beast to jump into action. The horse, with its gallant rider on its back, galloped over the hill and into the night.
