"What even was that?"

"I've never had a dream like that."

"Surely I don't feel attraction to him, do I?"

"No! That would be wrong!"

"But then why..."

You paced nervously from one end of the room to the other. You had no idea what that was. It was a dream, for sure, but... In the past you've heard people say that dreams reflect who you are, truely, inside. So why in the world would you have a vivid dream about getting intimate with your mentor, Altaïr? Sure you had an underlying respect for him. But never would you think about.. kissing him.

You ran your fingers through your hair. Much like your bed it was also lightly coated in a cold sweat. Suddenly, a soft knocking came at your door. Dear God, it wasn't who you thought it was, was it? 'How would Altaïr know to be here, at this very moment?' You reminded yourself. Cautiously walking over to the door, you opened it up, just a crack, only to be met with Kadar's bright, baby blue eyes. He smiled reassuringly. Releasing a breath, you opened the door the rest of the way to looking at him properly.

"Hey, I heard yelling from my room, are you ok?"

"Hello, Kadar. Yes, I am fine. I should exlain, heh. When I'm sleeping, I sometimes talk out loud and sometimes I start yelling, too. I am sorry if I woke you."

"Oh, no. I was awake already. I just wanted to make sure you were ok. Was it a bad dream?" You nodded, rubbing the back of your neck.

"Yeah, something like that. Listen, thank you for asking but I'm fine. I'm going to try and get some more sleep before tommorow morning. You know how Altaïr is." Kadar bowed his head as a 'goodbye'.

"Safety and peace on you, brother."

"Safety and peace." You replied before closing the door and waited untill you could no longer hear Kadar's footsteps. Sighing, you placed your back against the door, sliding down untill you were sitting against the floor, knees brought up to your chest. How were you going to face Altaïr now? Maybe you should tell him about the dream? No, he would only laugh at that. Or make an arrogant remark stating even men fell for him. Damn him.

You slammed your fist against the ground. Such an idiot, you were. How did this even happen? Dropping your head, refusing to think about anything except sleep, you slowly crawled to your bed and wrapped yourself in the comforting sheets and pillows. Soon, you drifted off to an uneasy, dreamless slumber.

"Rise and shine, novice!" The feeling of a pillow crashing against your face startled you into waking up. Instinctively, you fought off whatever was attacking you which, in turn, caused you to fall over the side of your bed due to your legs getting hoplessly tangled in the thin, white sheets. Someone was laughing. A nice, deep and happy laugh. Propping yourself up with your arms, looking over the bed, was Malik, who was having trouble breathing from what just occurred.

"Oh, screw you!" You growled. He only laughed harder before calming himself with a few deep breaths.

"I am sorry. I did not expect you to fall over like that." Malik apologized, raising his hands up in a surrendering gesture, still giggling. You rolled your eyes, untangling your legs then standing up.

"Why are you even here?" You asked.

"Kadar insisted on inviting you and your friend, Nada, to eat breakfast with us. How could I object? Kadar doesn't have many friends, so it's good to see he is really getting along with someone." Malik explained. You smiled at him.

"Truely, you are a good brother." The other man shrugged.

"I try my best. Come on now, change your clothes then meet us in the dining hall." You nodded and then Malik left you alone to get ready.

A few minutes later you were joining Kadar, his older brother, and Nada at a rectangular table, with your meal. A simple Syrian breakfast consisting of various cheeses, Arabian flat bread, orange slices, and a cup of herbal tea.

The dining hall was a light and bubbly place. Chit-chat and laughter seemed to bounce off the towering stone walls as people ate and drank. Light flooded the room from a series of giant skylights, making everything on the ground seem to glow. At night you could come here and look up into the night sky, a pale moon hanging, weightless in the air. It was generally a peaceful place for friends, old and new, to connect and share stories.

Sipping your tea, you looked around you at the other wood tables filled with assassin's, mainly novices, you noticed. But the air was filled with an odd sort of feeling. One similar to electricity or a strange snake-like buzz. Brothers, and few sisters, were crowding together, surely trying to conceal whatever gossip they disscussed. Then, wave of fear hit you when more than a few assassins turned their head to glance at you then quickly look away. They were talking about you or some event concerning you. Never before had you been so sure about something. They weren't still disscussing about the apparently 'legendary' fight between you and Altaïr, were they? That was weeks ago.

Suddenly, a large thump vibrated next you, nearly causing you to drop the terra cotta cup in your hands from shock. Quickly turning to look at the source of disruption, you found Altaïr, quietly eating his breakfast. The sudden memory of last night's dream came flooding into your mind. As casually as you could, you threw your hood over your head to try and hide the growing blush across your face. You were hoping people would pass it off as you didn't want to anger your mentor in just the first minute of interaction today. However, your suddenly different composition and manner did not go unnoticed.

"Hey, are you alright? You look all red and shaky." Nada questioned. At that, Altaïr's head perked up.

"N-No, I'm fine. I think it is just the tea, it is very hot." You stammered. Your mentor turned towards you, momentarily forgeting his food.

"If you are sick, we do not have to train today. Rest is important." He said.

"I am fine, really." You protested, giving Altaïr a shaky smile, at best. He simply furrowed his brow, whispering your name in a soft exasperation. It would only be much later in the day when you realized he called you by name and not by 'novice' when you never told him what it was after 'The Bathhouse Incident', as you called it.

"Oh, leave him alone, Altaïr." Malik interrupted. "If he says he is fine then you should believe him."

"Only insane people believe they are not crazy." The other master assassin countered before turning back to you. Without warning, he placed the back of his hand against your forhead. You froze, 'What is he doing? Why is he touching me?' You could barely make a sound of discomfort before he was already retracting his hand away.

"You feel warm." Altaïr stated, "It is possible you are sick. So whether you like it or not, I am giving you a day off. Spend that time to catch up on your books, or something else. Just don't overexert yourself." He commanded. You could only nod, still in complete and utter shock. Then, out of nowhere, he passed a small smile at you. Thee assassin, Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad, smiled at you. His actions felt like a dirty secret got out as you felt the eyes of everyone in the room resting, specifically, on you. You could barely muster up a smile back at him before he was picking up his items and speaking to you.

"Good. I must be going, Al Mualim has asked me to meet with him. I suspect it is about a new mission." And without another word, he left. You had to calm yourself with a few deep breaths. Your brain was still trying to process what just happened. Nada was staring at you with a suggestive expression. You shook your head at her, sending psychic vibes for her to not speak a word. Smiling knowingly, she looked back down to her plate. Wolfing down the rest of your meal, nearly choking once or twice, you gathered up your things.

"I-I have to go, too." You stuttered before making a hasty retreat to the village of Masyaf, leaving your mildly suprised friends.

Keeping a steady pace you found yourself in need to walk off the trembling nerves in your head and collect your thoughts. You sighed loudly, pacing from tree to tree repeating over and over in your mind, 'I am not attracted to him, he is not attracted to me.' 'I do not like him.' 'He is a MAN for crying out loud!' Finally calming your senses, you rested your forhead against the rough bark of an oak. 'What am I doing? Is this really something I should be worrying over insistently? No, of course not. It's my day off. That means relaxation.' Putting all thoughts of Altaïr, the fight, 'The Bathhouse Incident', and the dream in the far reaches of your mind, you quickly scaled up the boughs of the tree. Finding a reasonably comfy spot, not too high up, you settled yourself, letting your body be cradled by branches and leaves as you viewed the ever blue sky. Only a few clouds dotted the atmosphere, today. As you focused on the scenery above you, a feeling of calmness washed over your body, slowly adding weight on your eyelids, till you could keep them open no more. Still enclosed in the great oak's branches and protection, you fell into a light sleep.

"Mama! Papa! Come on! Come on! Your gonna miss it!"

"Alright, alright, we're coming."

"The celebration is so beautiful, mama. So many colors and smells."

"It truly is. Listen, I know you are a just a little boy now, but when you grow up, never forget these types of happinesses. There is so much life right in front of your eyes. It would be a shame to miss it."

"Is that what you told papa? When you first met?"

"She sure did, little one. Your mother is very smart. I don't know if I'd be alive today if it wasn't for her. Heheh."

"Come now, it is getting late. It's time for little boys to go to sleep, yes?"

"But motheeerr!"

"Aw, let's stay a little while longer, dear. Just untill the dancing ends."

"Alright... we can stay."

"Yaaay!"

"I love you, my son. You are always so full of life."

"I love you, too, mama."

A soft nudging on your arm, woke you. Looking around you found Nada staring at you from the ground. She chuckled.

"What were you doing in the tree?" She asked. You smiled at her.

"I was simply resting my eyes. It's quite comfortable up here." You replied. She placed her hands on her hips.

"Is that so? Oh, right, there are things I want to tell you. I only just heard about them. Come down so you can listen properly." She said. With a puzzled look, you hopped out the tree, gently landing on the ground in front of her.

"What is it? Surely nothing bad?" You asked. Nada shook her head.

"No, nothing bad. You may have already noticed it, but practically everyone is speaking about you." Your heart pounded, remembering the anxiety you felt, only a little bit ago in the dining hall. "It turns out, last night, and early this morning, Altaïr was going around asking everyone he could for your name. It took him a while before he found someone who knew it. I think it was that doctor fellow, Halim?" She explained. You stood frozen to the spot, now suddenly remembering that he did say your name to you, and 'The Bathhouse Incident', unfortunately, wasn't part of your dream.

"The real question is, why was he trying to find out your name? Did something happen between the two of you?" Nada asked. You sighed.

"Yeah, I.. He... I was sick of him thinking he was just allowed into my life, without ANY obligation from me. And I had to prove that he didn't know a thing about me, that he wasn't welcome into my personal thoughts. Long story short, he ended up proving he didn't remember my name. And now, we have, this." You shook your hands harshly, for emphasis. Nada placed her hand on your shoulder for comfort.

"That's awful. I agree with you, though. If he has to go through all this trouble just to find out your name instead of simply asking you then maybe he really doesn't deserve to know your life." You smiled at her. How did you get such an amazing friend, like this? You supposed that was one good thing meeting Altaïr caused

"Speaking of Altaïr, I think he was looking for you. Something about a mission from Al Mualim." Nada said. You placed a hand on your chin.

"Al Mualim is sending me out on a mission already?"

"I guess he thinks you are ready once again."

"Am I to go with another?"

"I really have no idea, my friend. But a wise young man once told me, 'you are very talented' and to 'never doubt yourself '" She said shyly. You smiled, remembering your previous words.

"Thank you, Nada. I'm sure I will be fine if I end up going alone." Looking up at the sky you could see the sun slowly sinking into the horizon, casting the beautiful colors of any sunset. "I must go. I have to find Altaïr or Al Mualim, see what they want of me." And with that, you left to search the castle.

Finding Al Mualim wouldn't be hard. That is, if it was a normal day and he was pacing in front of his desk, as always. Imagine your suprise when you found his stone floor paceless and desk deserted. Looking around, you pulled over the nearest assassin.

"Where is the master?" You demanded to know. The brother shrugged.

"Away on buisness. Couldn't be bothered to tell us. I suspect he will be back tommorow." You bowed your head.

"Thank you. Safety and peace."

So, seeking out the grand master assassin was out of the question. Padding down the candle-lit stone hallways you peered down corners, endlessly trying to spot your next target, Altaïr. Not finding the assassin in question buried in the deeper corners of Masyaf Castle you walked outside, still aimlessly searching for him. Dusk was just setting in, making it hard to see inbetween the warm circles of fire.

"Lost?" Jumping, then whipping around you found yourself face-first into the folds of pristine white robes belonging to your mentor. Quickly stammering backwards, a blush making its way across your cheeks. Luckily he couldn't see it in the dark. You looked up, again, you forgot how tall Altaïr was.

"U-Uh, no! I was l-looking for y-you." Words tumbled out your mouth in a jumbled mess. In an attempt to stop them you clamped a hand over your lips, forcing them shut. You really did not need to embarrass yourself further. Altaïr, on the other hand, was as stoic and expressionless as ever.

"I was as well, I have been given a mission. You and I are going to be stationed at Jerusalem." He explained. Removing your hand, you spoke.

"What does the mission entail?"

"I've been instucted to keep that to myself untill you need to know." You nodded, mutually agreeing.

"When do we leave?"

"Right now. Gather anything you need, quickly, then meet me at the stables." Altaïr ordered. And like a good little student, you ran to your room, quickly scavenging the shelves and drawers in your furniture. Making everything was secure, you ran as fast as your legs could carry you down to the entrance of Masyaf. Slowing to a walk, you caught your breath and found Altaïr, two horses in hand, simply waiting. He barely moved at all aside from swiveling his head around the area, checking for predators. Somewhat like an eagle, you mused.

"Are you ready? It will be a few days ride to get there." Altaïr said, handing you the reins to a brown horse, taking the white one for himself. Placing your left foot into a stirrup, you quickly hoisted yourself up, sliding your other leg over the back of the horse.

"I'll be fine." You said, lately answering Altaïr's question. "Are we only going to ride there by horse? Wouldn't you much rather take a boat? It would be faster." Your mentor's face suddenly turned a pale white, despite his skin being well tanned from days spent under the Syrian sun.

"Let's not talk about it." He said, blatantly avoiding the subject. You smirked at him.

"What? Are you afraid of water?"

"...Shut up!"