PS: I tried to fix some mistakes in the lasts chapters... i hope now, it's clearly...
It was almost dawning when the brigantine arrived in Banias. Because of a storm that came from nowhere (which was common in that region), in the middle of night, they had to deviate the route so as not to take it from the front.
Maria had been scared and nauseous during the storm, so she retreated herself to the cabin. Every time she was in this kind of situation, she remembered when she was little: she had almost become the victim of a near-shipwreck alongside her family, when she went to visit her grandparents for her mother's side.
Now, Laila had brought some ginger tea for her. Which would help her nausea.
"Are we there yet?" Maria asked, finishing the tea.
"Yes..." Laila said. "Don't you like storms?"
"I can live with them a little in land, but at sea? I'm scared to death..." Maria explained. "When I was little, my family and I almost suffered a shipwreck…"
Laila nodded.
"Well, I'm going to see if it's all set for us to go to Masyaf..." Laila said, changing the subject.
Maria nodded and saw as Laila got up and leave. At the same time, Altair entered the cabin. He looked at Maria.
"Are you feeling better?" Altair asked.
"A little..." she said, seeing he was one more time, hooded. "Are we leaving now?"
Altair nodded.
"I'll be ready in five minutes…" Maria said.
"I'll be waiting..." Altair said, leaving the cabin.
Maria noticed that Altair was, at the same time, an open book and a mystery.
X ~ X ~ X
Five minutes later, Maria left the cabin and met Altair, Laila, Ornai and another man without the left arm. Altair had told her about him in Cyprus. Eve though she couldn't remember his name, she knew he was an Assassin. And he also recognized her as the one Altair told him on the letter.
"What is she doing here?" he asked. "And free?"
"She's an ally, Malik..." Altair said. "She's coming with us to Masyaf..."
Malik looked at him.
"Are you insane?" Malik asked.
"No, she saved my life..." Altair said.
"I beg your pardon?" Malik asked.
"Malik, you heard me..." Altair said. "She is not a Templar anymore and will go to Masyaf with us..."
"Altair..." Malik said.
"Malik, we are wasting time here arguing…" Altair said. "Raouf need this medicine..."
Malik nodded after a few seconds.
"Are the horses ready?" Altair asked.
Malik nodded.
"Let's go, then..." Altair said.
Maria stood still, but Altair nodded at her. Taking a deep breath, she nodded. They left the port and walked to the horses. It was just four. Altair looked at Malik.
"I didn't know we would have a guest..." Malik said.
Altair nodded and turned to Maria.
"Don't mind in riding with me, do you?" He asked Maria.
Maria was uncomfortable with this, but didn't let it show and denied. She knew Laila was smiling, and she rolled her eyes. Altair helped her up the horse, then climbed behind her. Taking the reins, he said:
"Hold on… we need to run and the way is… tortuous..." Altair said, about the way.
Maria nodded as she didn't trust herself to speak or react with his body pressed against hers. Altair was having the same trouble…