Chapter Thirteen

There was no way in or out, even the most mundane person was thoroughly checked before entering the city. Altaїr was frustrated, nothing seemed to go his way. It was as if a wall of mud surrounded him. Aamir awoke,

"What's this?" she asked angrily, tugging on the strips that bound her to the saddle.

"I didn't want to get hit for anything…." He trailed off, scanning the city's outer wall.

"I thought you didn't care if I died?" she taunted.

"And I thought you weren't talking to me." Altaїr retorted back.

She again pulled on the ropes, trying to undo them, to no avail. Omair heard Aamir while flying over head and landed on the saddle. He brushed up against Aamir's hand. Altaїr looked over and saw that she was happy to see him doing well. Omair tried to peck at the ropes to free his master, but the ropes were too thick for him to peck through. Aamir simply stroked Omair's neck with her index finger, a sign to tell him everything was okay. Altaїr could feel Omair's eyes glaring at him for the mistreatment of his master.

"It doesn't look like we'll be able to get in…" Altaїr paused, examining the gates to find a way in. However, no matter where he looked, the gates were tightly guarded. A strange wind blew carrying heavy, dark rain clouds. Again, this unusual summer has brought this strange rain their way. A brisk drizzle of rain fell to the ground. The water was cold yet soothing.

They headed towards the stables. Altaїr dismounted and tied his horse before tying Aamir's. Altaїr untied Aamir's hands allowing her to unsaddle. Omair was sitting on Aamir's shoulder waiting for his chance to attack. To his dismay, she never gave any sign or signal to do so.

"I know a way in…if you're interested?" Aamir asked.

Altair let out another sigh. "Of course I'm interested. What do you have in mind?" Altaїr spoke in a voice low and soft, but agitated.

"There's an underground tunnel near the waterway. We can use it to gain entrance into the city."

"How do you know about all of these underground tunnels?" Altaїr inquired.

"I have my ways…shall we go then?"

"Lead the way." He held his hands out as to be courteous.

They walked along the water's edge, out of site from the Templar Knights. Due to the heavy winds, the water was splashing violently against the rocks causing their trip to be even more dangerous. They slid across a few rocks but were able to make it to the entrance of the tunnel. The tunnel was similar to the one in Damascus. It was simple in design, with some wooden beams for support and mud and clay that made up the walls. Darkness filled the passageway, not allowing any light to enter.

Aamir was leading the way with ease; as for Altaїr, he wasn't having the same luck. He was tripping over small rocks and stumbling over little raises over the ground. Altaїr couldn't figure out what was going through Aamir's mind. What did she think about what happened back at the lake? She didn't seem mad at him, or was she?

"Listen, about what happened back at the oasis…?" he wasn't sure how to finish his sentence.

"I don't care about it, there's a more important situation at hand." She replied. Altaїr was surprised at her response.

"Revenge?" he asked. Aamir stopped causing him to run into her. He thought that she was about to say something or hit him, but she didn't. They continued further down the tunnel. Soon there was a slight glow coming from within the tunnel. It was still very dim and didn't give much light.

"We'll hit the main corridor soon." Aamir said and soon enough, the light grew brighter and brighter. By this time, Altaїr could hear a low rumble of voices coming from the main corridor. Aamir seemed to know where she was going, but she hadn't said anything about others being down here nor did she seemed worry about people being here. Altaїr was starting to distrust her and her secrets.

The tunnel opened out to a ledge that hung over the main corridor. The corridor itself was made of stone that had a vast, open main floor with stairs from the main floor leading to each of its three upper levels. These corridors were once used as an escape route for the important city officials during the First Crusades. Today, no one was even aware of their existence.

Chapter Fourteen

They hid themselves near the ledge, lying on the ground as they eavesdropped on the group. There was one voice that rose above the others. He was giving orders to his men to secure the area. Altaїr thought this was odd; if these ruins were mostly unknown, then why were there people down here? Aamir's eyes shifted, trying to find a way around them.

"Wait," Altaїr moved closer, "I know that voice…" Aamir was focusing on the voice as well. It sounded familiar to her too. She sighed heavily, in despair as she stood up in plain sight.

"What are you doing?" Altaїr whispered as he attempted to pull her back down. His hand slipped from her wrist as if it were covered in water. The longer portion of her tunic fluttered behind her as she walked down the stairs.

"Ah, look what the rain brought in!" a voice called from below. It was now that Altaїr recognized the voice.

"Robert de Sable!" Altaїr stood up behind Aamir, his temper flared at his mortal enemy. Robert allowed the Assassins to meet him center the corridor. Aamir seemed to drift off in thought while Altaїr was ready for confrontation.

"Ara1, how good to see you again, especially after all these years." Robert laughed.

"What?" Altaїr shifted his glance between the two of them, "You've met?"

"Why of course? I would think that I know my own little Ara." Robert gave an evil glare to Aamir.

"Aamir!" Altaїr grabbed Aamir by either shoulder, "Explain what he means by that! Are you a traitor?" he looked her strait in the eyes; shock covered his face as he saw tears stream down her face once more.

"I'm sorry…Altaїr." She stood out right and stabbed him in the stomach with her hidden blade. Altair grunted as he fell to the floor; his left hand covered the wound.

"I've made a deal with the Templars, only to get my revenge, understand that?"

He looked down at the blood which covered his hand and then back at her, her face now blurred. The last thing he saw was Robert de Sable walking up to Aamir, she turned away from him, and they both walking away. Omair even stopped by Altaїr's side, as if to pay his respects; in a sense. Blackness, emptiness, nothingness.

Sunlight streamed through the curtains, into a dimly lit room. Altaїr runs in quickly to the back of the house. A girl sat under a blanket; he comes next to her and brushes his hand against her face. She sat still, with no emotion on her face. He realized what had happen; she had lost the baby. Altaїr was enthralled months back when he first found out that his love was pregnant. There could have been many complications throughout the pregnancy, but no one was expecting a miscarriage. He held her close; they were going to run away together after the baby was born. Now they had no reason to. In fact, he had grown tired of this relationship, but still, he stayed close for that love that he once had for her.

Time pasted and they grew further apart. His lover developed hatred towards the Brotherhood; she hated them with a passion. When the Assassins ran into misfortune, it was her they blamed. It was said that she was involved in actions that brought about the death of many skilled Assassins.

Blood drips from fresh cut wounds, it streams down the body: from the shoulder blades, down the back, circling around the thigh and alongside the cafe. The back is cut into pieces with flesh hanging off. One of the legs was broken at the knee, the bone was sticking out. A poison was poured over the face and in the eyes.

Crystal blue water washes on the shore, brushing against a figure. A man walks over in curiosity to find a body lying in the water as rain fell from the heavens. The body was half submerged in the river. He saw how badly twisted and mangled the body was, hardly keeping its shape any longer. Not sure if they were even alive, he reaches over and nudges the body with his boot. No reaction. He tries again, this time the head shifted some. The eyes opened and slightly glanced at the man. The man noticed that this person still had the will to live. He ordered his men to pick the body and to take it to the camp.

Chapter Fifteen

A month had passed and the child was beginning to heal. The man, Robert de Sable, didn't think that she would live more than a few days after he found her. The child was resting in a bed, her eyes were wrapped and her leg was in a splint. Robert walked in throwing the tent's flap to one side. The girl propped herself up at the noise,

"It's okay child, it's only me." He walked over towards her as she relaxed back into bed. "How do you feel?" he continued.

"Wishing for death..." Her voice was low.

"You shouldn't say things like that, Ara. God must have kept you alive for a reason."

"Ara?"

"Oh, since you won't tell me what your name is, so I made one up for you. Furthermore, when I found you it was raining and we haven't had any rain for months, so I named you Ara."

"It doesn't matter what you call me." She turned away.

"Now, now, you seem to be a very strong young woman." He paused to look at her from the corner of his eye, "After all, you did survive whatever misfortune that happened to you?"

She threw a cup of water at him and shouted, "What good is it to be alive when I can't do anything…not even revenge!"

"Is that what you want…revenge?" Robert motioned for a guard to enter; Ara turned away once more, grabbing the blanket in her fists. She knew that it would be impossible for her, especially in the condition she was in now.

Robert de Sable was an ingenious man. He knew that she wanted to claim that revenge with her own hands.

"Ara, sit up for me." He asked.

She sat up, though she didn't like the situation she was in. She knew that she owed him at least some cooperation, for saving her life…this Templar. Robert motioned for the guard to sit on the bed next to Ara while he sat in a chair in front of her. The guard removed her helmet; Robert gripped Ara's hands and placed them on the soldier's face.

"This is Maria, she has been fighting beside me for a few years now…"

"Maria? She?" Ara was surprised. Maria didn't say a word.

"Yes, I saw that she had the passion and willingness to serve, just like any man I've met before her. I allowed her to join our ranks and even taught her to fight. I'll be willing to do the same for you…"

Ara slowly lowered her hands as tears flooded from under her bandages. She had only thought of the things she could no longer do, focused only on her limitations. Her body was torn, her leg was mangled, and most importantly...

"How do you expect to do anything with me when I'm in this condition?"

"No worries, all in time…however, I was wondering…?"

"Please, I'll do anything!" she reached out and grabbed Robert by both hands. He had given her hope; a hope that she might once again claim what she lost.

"Listen…I know where you came from and I know what happened to you." Ara tensed and froze, he continued, "Will you be able to betray the ones you love?"

"…Ones I love? I no longer have any." She sat back in the bed, Maria stood up.

"Okay then, once you're able to stand we'll begin your training." Robert placed his hands on either side of her head. He then slid his thumb across her cheek bone wiping away her tears. Then he changed the bandages from around her eyes and put her to sleep.

Chapter Sixteen

A few more weeks had passed; Ara was able to walk but was having trouble maneuvering around the camp. She was tasked with doing small chores until she was able to walk without a crutch. Maria was finishing the patrol rotation when she noticed Ara washing laundry. Maria walked up behind her and was about to tap Ara on her shoulder,

"Yes?" Ara turned back toward Maria.

"How did you know I was here?"

"Well I didn't know that it was you, specifically, though I did hear you walk up."

"I see, that's quite interesting…" Maria was impressed; she didn't think that Ara would have heard her coming up. It's not a normal quality that people have. Later that night after the camp was asleep, Maria was talking with Robert about how Ara could tell when people are around and he, like Maria, was interested in this development. The next morning Robert called Ara over to him,

"Hold this…" he handed her a sword, she grabbed it firmly in her hands.

"What is this?" she asked, "It's a sword, but it's not as heavy as the others."

Robert was surprised that she could tell what it was and she was right about the blade. This sword was made similar to that of the Assassin's; however, it was made with a Templar design. Robert continued to instruct her on how to handle a sword and told her that no matter what she was doing to always carry this sword with her. Ara's leg was still in the splint and even some of her wounds were not fully healed, but all the same, they started training that day.

A year had passed since she was drug from the cold waters of the river; from the time that they taught her to fight. And through it all, she was intricately plotting her revenge. She combed over the details with painfully sharp precision and maliciousness. Now came the time to learn how to fight in battle. Ara was only able to fight one-on-one, but had never actually fought in real combat with multiple opponents.

Ara could maneuver around people and could sense her surroundings, now it was time to put her skills to the test. There was an upcoming battle and Robert asked Ara to fight beside him. She was honored; she never knew the respect of being "equal" to a man, but Robert gave it without a second thought. In fact, many of the other soldiers had respect for her as well.

Maria and Ara were saddled next to Robert de Sable on the battlefield. The clouds darkened as the wind grew in strength. An ominous aura loomed over the field. Death was waiting in the wings.

"See, Ara…you bring the rain." Robert whispered towards her. Ara didn't respond.

The rival army was ready to march on the opposite side of the battlefield. The rain fell, as if to order the charge. The battle ensued. Swords clashed and sparks flew as the steel met together with each dreadful impact.

The rain was so heavy that the ground turned to mud; horses and people alike were unable to stay up. Thunder roared throughout the sky and the lighting illuminated the battlefield.

One of the enemy soldiers attacked Ara's horse, throwing her to the ground. She was slightly stunned by the impact. She turned to face her attacker, but it was already too late. His sword came down on her shoulder. She tried to retaliate but missed. Robert was unable to get to her in time when the second blow came down, this time it hit her side. Ara was in much pain, but still tried to get up. The enemy was about to give the final blow when Maria came up behind him and ran through him.

Not soon after that, the battle ended. Ara was carried to the medical tent. She felt that she had disgraced Robert; with him being such a great leader and fighter, taking the time he did to train her. And how did she repay him; by failing in battle. Robert entered the medical tent,

"Are you ok?" he asked.

"Alive…" Ara answered.

"I see." Robert could tell how she felt, for failing in battle. Once she was done with her duties, Maria joined Ara in the medical tent. Ara had grown attached to Robert and Maria. They were always there to help her, and looked after her in a way that made her think of them as her siblings.

Another year had passed; Robert was preparing for his first attack on Masyaf. They were in the "War Room" planning their attack. Robert had asked that Ara be present with them when deciding their plan of action. Ara didn't speak or make any motion as to what was being discussed. When the meeting was over Robert spoke with her,

"Do you have any issue with what we're planning?"

"No, I just have a request if you don't mind?"

"What is it?"

"I ask that if my father is still there, that he shouldn't be killed…"

"I thought you said it didn't bother you to fight against your loved ones?"

"Yes, but my father…" she paused, "he taught me some of the techniques that the Assassins learned. And I owe him for that." She was trying to hide her emotions.

"I understand, no wonder you picked everything up so quickly. Very well, your father may live, but don't forget our agreement."

"I won't, you needn't worry about that."

Chapter Seventeen

A month later, the attack on Masyaf went on as schedule. It was morning and the people were just waking up. Blood of the Templars, the Assassins, and the innocent alike, fell upon the ground. Ara and her team went straight to her father's old home, he was still alive; the entire group knew that her father was to be kept alive.

Once the group arrived at her father's house, they busted down the door and entered. Ara was in the doorway with her father, opposite of her, his sword in hand.

"What's this? A young boy leading your group? What foolishness!"

"No, it's not. Father…" Ara removed her hood.

"…My daughter…you're still alive?" he was speechless as he dropped his sword. He moved towards her, reaching out to embrace her. With his attention elsewhere, he was unaware that her group was surrounding him. Jubair, being a part of this group, drew his sword and walked behind Ara's father.

"My dear child, I'm so happy to know that you're okay, but why—" He coughed a warm liquid landed on Ara's face, she noticed it as blood.

"Father!" Ara was unsure of what just happened. Jubair had thrust his sword through her father's back and then pulled it out. Ara's father collapsed in her arms, his weight pulled her to the ground with him.

"What are you doing?" she yelled, "We had a deal!"

"Tough luck about your deal" Jubair snarled. "Burn the place to the ground let nothing be left standing." Jubair ordered.

They started to scatter the flames around the house, letting the blaze spread until the house was engulfed. Ara could feel the heat as her tears streamed down her face, falling onto her father's lifeless corpse. In the midst of the action, Ara flew at Jubair, enraged. Her father was in charge of record keeping, on the side, he would do research on cryptic writing. Now all of his works was going up in flames. Jubair and Ara exchanged a few blows before she was apprehended by the rest of group.

She was escorted back to camp and was handed over to Robert de Sable, charged with betrayal. When she was presented in front of Robert her hands were tied behind her back. Those escorting her had roughed her up, under Jubair's orders. In this charade of a trail, Jubair stated that Ara tried to betray them in league with her father. With any retaliation that Ara tried to make, speaking out against the false accusations, she was quickly silenced with a swift punch to the gut.

Finally, it was her turn to speak on her own behalf. She held to her version of what had happened; how Jubair killed her father, set the house on fire, and tried to frame her.

Jubair laughed at the accusation, "Please," he paid the proper respect, as a soldier, to de Sable, "She is an Assassin, born and raised. She is a traitor, and is a threat to us all!" he pointed his finger at her.

"No, I'm not! You're a liar and a murderer!"

"I'm sorry, Ara…" Robert paused, "You cannot call someone a murderer when he kills in the heat of battle." Robert looked away. "Also, there are more men against you than for you. I cannot believe that so many of my own men would lie to me. Take her away. I'll decide on her punishment tomorrow morning."

"What?" Ara said under her breath, "How can you believe them…over me!"

Robert motioned them to take her away, Ara was hurt, she was dedicated to Robert for saving her and so much more. Now he just dismissed her like a common peasant. They took her to a holding tent and tried her to a pole in the center. Jubair followed and when the other guard left he gave her one last painful insult along with a kick to her side.

"You'll go up in flames like your father."

Later that night, when most of the soldiers were asleep, Maria made her way to the holding tent. She snuck into the tent from behind, after the patrol had past and awoke Ara from her slumber.

"Ara, Ara, wake up." She whispered. It took a couple seconds of nudging before she awoke. Her body was worn out due to the beating and lack of food.

"What…" Ara awoke, "Ah, Maria, what are you doing here!"

"Be quiet or you'll alert the guards…" Maria said in a rough whisper.

"Sorry, what are you doing here?" she asked again in a lower voice.

"A guard came forward confirming your story. Unfortunately there isn't much we can do now since it already reached King Richard. But Robert confronted Jubair about it and Jubair ran. Robert wants me to bring you to him, will you come?"

"I understand his position, despite my personal feelings. I'll go to him."

They snuck back to Robert's tent at the time he was bathing, Maria flinched some and Ara blushed because she knew what he was doing. He apologized for his appearance and covered up not expecting them back so soon.

"Ara, please forgive me for what happened, I didn't know what Jubair was planning."

"I understand, think nothing of it."

"You have no hard feelings towards me?"

"No, it wasn't you who put a sword through my father…" she trailed off.

"Okay. Unfortunately, you cannot stay here, but I won't execute you either."

They came up with a new agreement, considering the new issues that had come to light. Apparently there was a new conspiracy against the Templars, one involving Jubair, Tamir, and many others. As for their arrangement, Ara was to dispose of those involved with this conspiracy, in exchange for both Al Mualim's, and Jubair's head. Ara didn't have a problem killing a few others in order to achieve her goals, especially since Robert would help her track them down.

1 Ara: means to bring rain, Robert de Sable is saying that she brought on the rain.