The next day, Alia awoke well before the sun had come up. Her normal morning would have usually begun at dawn, however she had been kept up awake that night with thoughts of the day before's confrontation with Altair. She had never liked confrontations with people. Malik was one of the only friends she had acquired over her 2 years in the Order; Akram also fitting into the category of friend. She did not mix well with the other Novices her age; mostly because she was shy and nervous around people. It could have also been because they were boys and she had learnt over the years that boys said mean things and weren't as sensitive as girls. Yesterday's event was a good example of that.
Throwing on some boots and a tunic, she quietly made her way down the darkened hallway until she reached the main entrance area of the building. Nodding to the guards, who were now well used to her early morning escapades, she found herself slipping out the large wooden doors and making her way down the stone steps outside. 15 minutes later, she found herself sitting on the wall of one of the fortress's towers, dangling her booted feet down the side. This had become a common place for her to retreat to on nights when she couldn't sleep. Instead of trying to quietly trying to make her way up to the tower through the hallways in the dark, she simply accessed them from the outside.
Although she was only in the fourth rank in the Brotherhood; the higher up of the Novices, she had already begun to enhance her skills regarding free running and climbing. This was usually only taken on by trainees in the fifth rank; known as Footpads. However she felt that she had to prove herself. If she wanted to be able to keep up with all the boys and men, she'd have to try and work extra hard. She already had the use of a longsword, a hidden blade, a dagger and some throwing knives, but free running was truly a test. It required incredible upper body strength and stamina; both of which males genetically possessed more than females. So she began to climb the tower each night she could not sleep.
No one knew of these little work outs she did, not even Malik, and that was the whole point. This way, she had told herself, when she goes to attempt free running with her peers, she won't seem like a feeble female as Altair had implied she was. And after she made her way to the top of the tower, she would sit on the outside wall and gaze up at the night sky until the sun began to show. Which was when she would climb down slowly and carefully before anyone could see her. This was all, she realised, because she felt the boys did better than her and didn't have to try as hard.
Which then brought Altair's words back to her mind. She tried to tell herself that he was just an angry boy who didn't like the way his master had his eyes on someone other than him. She tried to tell herself that he was just spoilt and didn't like anyone raining on his parade. However then her more rational mind would kick in.
He's right, she admitted to herself. She probably was just a weak little girl. How should she know what it's like out there? How would she know about the torture captured Assassins' have to endure? Altair had been out there; he had experienced kills, blood on his hidden blade, the feeling of being pursued by a whole group of guards. Alia had been sheltered; only ever sparring with her fellow peers and having yet to take her first life. What was Al Mualim waiting for? When would she be able to prove herself? Or was he worried?
Was he worried she wouldn't be able for the pressure? The whole concept of taking one's life could do little to one person's mind, but tear apart another's. Was he concerned she unable for it? Screw it all, she thought. She was to be made Footpad soon and she'd show them all. Including Altair.
As she began to drag herself up the stone steps to the main building, Alia heard the wooden doors creak open. Raising her head to see who she would have to explain herself to, her gaze met with those wicked orbs once again. Her body tensed, her fingers curling up into the palm of her hand as Altair looked down at her with a particular awkward atmosphere around him. He was dressed in his casual attire that Alia assumed he wore around the place when he wasn't being Al Mualim's top dog; tanned trousers untidily stuffed into his leather boots, and an off white tunic with a long sleeve undershirt. Typically, he wasn't wearing a hood this time either and his frowned brow line stood out against his features. Just as he opened his mouth to say something, Alia panicked, looked down and stomped up the steps past him.
His lips were pulled into a tight line as he turned his head to watch the younger girl sulk through the entrance, away from him. He almost chuckled as she slammed the doors shut, most defiantly waking up the whole Order. What is it about this girl that Malik likes so much? Altair thought to himself. Surely she is nothing but a whiney little brat.The older Assassin didn't quite understand why his friend wasted his time with the girl.
At breakfast that morning, Alia did not see Altair. She wasn't sure how pleased she was about it once she realised she also could not see Malik. She did not need him fighting Altair over her wounded pride. If she needed a fight over it, she'd do it herself. However, just as she was scraping up the remainder of her porridge, she noticed her friend sneak in through the doors to the dining hall and slyly work his way up to the table where she sat.
"What did you do?" She said, without looking up from her bowl. He sat down opposite her with his hands clasped together. Nothing gave him away more than the large grin that was currently taking residence upon his face.
"What do you mean, Alia? What gave you the notion that I've done something?"
She looked up at him, making eye contact. She didn't look impressed at him as she raised a thin brow.
"You have that mischievous look on your face, Malik. What have you done?"
He simply grinned at her wider as his response, obviously hoping to get a crack of a smile from her. He did not succeed.
"Please do not tell me it was Dabir again? You know how much he lays the training on me when you've done something to him. No, wait. It was Abbas, wasn't it? Malik! Leave the guy alone!"
Malik took his turn to roll his eyes at his younger friend as he unclasped his hands and pulled over a basket of bread that was a little further down the long dining table. Picking up a round bread roll, he tore a large chunk of and began chewing.
"Not Dabnir, Alnia. I know how nuch ne hates hoo benause nof me" He swallowed and gave her a wink. "And don't you worry about your lovely Abbas. I'll make sure nobody hurts your looooover!"
Alia's unimpressed stare changed dramatically as she scooped up another bread roll and flung it at Malik's head; her face flushed bright red and her nostrils flaring with anger and embarrassment.
"Malik Al-Sayaf! Shut your gob! That is certainly untrue!"
He threw back his head back laughing at her embarrassment and tossed the roll she had hurled at him back into the basket. He placed his elbows onto the table as he slowly finished laughing.
"Someone must eat that roll, Alia. You've just gone and spoiled it with my face."
"Maybe Altair will end up eating it. Serves him right."
She had picked up her cup of water as she finished her sentence and only noticed the change in Malik's facial expression as she took a drink. Gulping down the mouthful she had taken, she banged the metal cup down on the table; startling the other Assassin's seated at their table who had not already been alerted by Malik's hysterical laughter.
"No. You did not."
If looks could kill, Alia was certain Malik would be stone dead. He gave her a small smile before 'noticing someone he had been meaning to catch up with.' She was furious. She had been correct to assume something unusual had been going on before breakfast with Malik and Altair. He had obviously gone for a little 'chat' with his old friend, defending Alia. She was not happy. This would get around in the Brotherhood in a matter of hours and everyone would know that she had a friend stand up for her instead of her standing up for her, herself. This just gave people more reason to accuse her of being a helpless woman. Dear Allah, she thought as she got up out of her seat with her bowl and spoon. I will kill him.
However, just as she was standing near the door of the kitchens, handing in her cutlery and bowl, she felt a small tap on her shoulder. With her hands now empty of her breakfast utensils, she turned to see who was asking for her attention. It was not someone she wished to see.
Alia had her feet planted on the stone floor beneath her as she looked up to see the older boy's face. His piercing eyes bore into her as he stepped slightly forward to her. His eyes drifted downwards to the ground as he bowed his head shamefully. She noticed a clean cut through his dark brow that would most likely scar. It was new, she observed. Malik's doing of course.
"I come to apologise, sister."
She refrained from the urge of just abandoning the apologetic Altair right there and going in search of Malik to skin him alive and hang him outside the tower window. Instead, she was left staring at him blankly. She would not be happy with this apology, she decided. This was a Malik contributed apology. She wanted the real thing. An apology that came from Altair, just Altair. With no Malik threatening him with unimaginable things in the background. She would drag it out and see if he was a person worth having as an associate. She would see why Malik liked him so much as a friend. If he really wanted to fix his mistake and be a better person, he would react appropriately to Alia's reply.
"No."
He looked up sharply at her, confusion in his eyes. He frowned as he observed her calm face.
"I come to apologise and you say no? What else is it that you want from me, girl?"
He was beginning to get angered. However Alia assumed that's how any normal person would react.
"I said no. Because Malik is making you apologise. If you truly wish to wipe your conscience clear of all your guilt, you will have to win my trust and respect back with more than a simple apology that you're only giving me because a mutual friend has made you do it. If you truly wish to fix this, I expect a bit more effort on your part. I might ask too much but that is how I feel. I do not get over being backhanded with a simply apology."
His jaw was clenched as he gave Alia the worst and most menacing glare she had ever seen in her life. How was it that Malik found this boy approachable in anyway? The whole atmosphere around him was even uncomfortable!
"Why must you be so stubborn and irritating, Novice? I do not see why Malik finds you such good company."
The feeling is extremely mutual, Alia thought to herself, slightly amused that she had only just thought the exact same thing about him.
With an irritated sigh, he turned on his heel and pushed through the other trainees collecting their breakfast and bowls. Alia found a small smile tug on her lips in amusement as she watched him storm away; much like she had earlier on in the morning. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Malik approaching her once again, this time looking slightly apprehensive.
"What is it that you said to anger him so?" He questioned her as he stood near her. "Did he not apologise?"
Alia turned to face her friend properly. Her reply was in the form of a smirk.
"Oh no. You did not, Alia. He will be enraged! Do you know how hard it was to convince him to apologise to you in the first place? Sometimes I pray to Allah and question him about the friends I seem to have acquired. You are both insane! Good luck getting another apology out of him again, my friend."
"Thank you," she replied, leading them both out of the dining hall, towards the classrooms. "I fear I shall need it."
A/N: Holy mackrel guys! This got tonnes of attention since I posted the last chapter! 10 reviews for 3 chapters, 14 favourites and 19 followers? You guys rock! I'm seriously churning this stuff out like crazy lately. I'll hopefully have the next chapter up soon again, especially if it gets as much attention as it did for the last chapter. All depends on reviews guys ;)
On a different note, ANYONE WATCH THE WALKING DEAD? Seriously, my expectations for men has gone up dramatically ever since I first laid my eyes on Daryl Dixon. Anyone else having the same problem? :/ HIM AND THAT BABY! 3
Anyhow, please drop a review or two and stay in tune for the next chapter! :D
Next Time:
"Why does Malik put up with you? Why must he insist on us becoming friends? I do not like you and his input shall not change that."
She narrowed her look at Altair as he continued sharpening his sword, making a loud screech everytime the whetstone went from the top to the end of his longsword. She continued wrapping a leather grip around her own.
"Perhaps he does not wish to have two friends who constantly bicker. And brother, I do not like you either. Our problem here is Malik. We must convince him we are fine as to put an end to his persistant meddling."
And for the first time since meeting the older boy, Alia saw a flicker of fun in his eyes, as plans to sabotage Malik's own plans zoomed around Altair's mind.
Perhaps they had found a common interest.
