I sighed in exasperation. I've spent the better part of a day and a half locating all of my informants and I am no closer to the information I seek. Just what are the Templars after? The only good thing about my laboring is that I have a time to strike. Tomorrow when the moon has only just risen would be the opportune time if we wish to get ahead of them, for they move when the moon reaches it's zenith.
It was mid-afternoon when I caught up with my brother. He was staking out the dome of the rock, his head starting to droop from exhaustion. Doesn't he know not to stay in one spot? To move around? I rolled my eyes and nudged him with my foot, snapping him awake instantly. The second he saw me, he scratched the back of his head in embarrassment, having been caught falling asleep.
"Did you find anything useful?"I asked in all seriousness, yet unable to keep the amusement from coloring my voice.
"Nothing we don't already know, however some of the lower ranked Templars have some very colorful opinions about their Grand Master."He replied, casting a glance toward a pair of gossiping knights.
"I'm sure. Go on, then. I'm sure you're about ready to fall asleep on your feet. Go back to the bureau and get some sleep. If you're awake by midnight, you may go have yourself some fun in the rich district. In the mean time, I will go and find Altair. She hasn't checked in and I'm worried."Kadar's eyes drooped again, and he nodded, yawning.
"Alright. Good luck, brother."He said sleepily. He started to shuffle off, and with an impish grin, I swatted him on the seat of his trousers, making him yelp and scramble away faster. I chuckled, then climbed to the rooftops. They were always the faster route to the rich district than the ground. I hate having to traverse the crowd. Way too many grabby hands... in more ways than one.
I was soon surrounded by the bustle of Jerusalem's rich district. It was abundant with the smell of pastries, spices, different meats cooking, and the delicate under-scent of perfume coming from the direction of the Gypsy encampment. The music was exotic and pleasing to the ears. Colorful tents both large and small were everywhere, the different timbres only interrupted by wagons covered in canvas.
I was at the outer edge of the camp when I was greeted by two large men. I had to actually look up at them, as they towered over me. They had a brutish air about them, with arms nearly as thick as trees. I gulped and took a step back, suddenly wary of being squashed.
"What is your business here, stranger?"One of them grunted. I cleared my throat and straightened up.
"I am looking for my companion. Another like me, in white, about so tall?"I held my hand just under my chin. The two looked at each other, then stared at me blankly.
"The girl will be returned to you later this evening, assassin. She is to replace another who was injured. The show is at sundown. Now leave."The other rumbled, then the two stomped off.
I felt the sweat drip off my face, relief flooding my veins at escaping that encounter unflattened. I'll never understand how men are able to grow that big. It's unnatural!
Then, my heart dropped. They referred to Altair as a she. I growled in frustration as I walked away from the encampment, running a hand through my hair. If people keep discovering her secret, the entire country will know before the next moon cycle!
I suppose there is nothing I can do right now, and sun set is not for another few hours. I'll have to find some other way to keep myself entertained.
"You dirty thief! I'll have your hands for that!"I heard to my left, down a side street. I grinned.
Perfect.
Sunset came all too quickly and I found myself following the crowd toward a gigantic tent in the center of the Gypsy campground. I felt completely out of place in my robes among the finery of the city's nobles. They spared me not a second glance, for which I was grateful.
I kept to the back of the crowd once inside, hidden in the shadows, yet still able to see the center area. There were whispers going back and forth excitedly, many of which I could not make out. The ones I could were naught but the lecherous ramblings of perverted old men, giggling to themselves and blood slowly seeping out of their noses. I wrinkled my nose, disgusted at their behavior. It's men like that who make me absolutely sick to my stomach.
A short time later, torches were lit one by one, and music started to ease in. Flutes, drums, and a few other instruments I could not identify. It was exotic, soothing almost, and had me relaxing as I watched the first girls dance across the floor. They were young. Perhaps no older than twelve years. It was the absolute most adorable thing I've seen yet, and I do not use that word lightly, watching them flit across the floor with their colorful silks trailing behind them.
The transition between songs brought out the next age group. Still young, but more skilled than the last ones. With their more curved features, they were pretty rather than cute. I'd wager their ages to be around sixteen. They danced their way across the floor before disappearing with their raiment bringing up the rear.
The final group nearly had me falling over myself, but I kept my composure. Such grace and beauty I have never seen. Yet what had my jaw hitting the ground was Altair when she finally showed. And I knew it was Altair, because none of the other girls had green eyes of such an unusual blend.
She looked almost nothing like she usually did. Her hair was out of the braid and fell down her back in auburn waves. Fine violet silk made up her attire, flowing with every movement she made, and emphasizing every curve. Some of which, I never thought she had. How exactly is she able to hide her chest so well? They're at least the size of grapefruits!
My eyes followed the delicate shimmy of Altair's hips, and- Sweet Anima! Where did she learn to move like that! I swallowed the lump in my throat, my trousers becoming uncomfortably tight. I had to step out of the tent to regain my composure.
'Snap out of it, you fool! This is your friend and comrade! Not some dancer girl you can just slip a night in with! Get a grip!'
I stayed there for a moment, then slipped back inside. The music was winding down and the girls were disappearing one by one into the smoke wafting through the air, Altair being the last. I could be imagining things, but just before vanishing with the other girls, I could have sworn her gaze looked panicked as it landed on me for the briefest instant. Thinking nothing of it, I shrugged it off and went with the crowd flow as it left the tent. I felt relieved when I got to the rooftops of the noble district, finally away from the camp. The less I see of those dancers, the less of a chance I have of embarrassing myself.
From the corner of my eye as I was crossing into the middle district toward the bureau, I thought I saw a white blur. Perhaps another assassin? I know Kadar wouldn't be out and about. He sleeps like the dead.
I got my answer when I dropped into the bureau. I had just rolled to standing when I felt something distinctly person shaped land on me, knocking me back to the floor. I had to wait for the stars to go away before I opened my eyes. When I did, there was Altair, red in the face, sitting on my waist. Her hood fell off, causing her long wavy hair -which I like undone- to fall over her shoulder. We were nose to nose, her hot breath brushing my lips. My tongue darted out briefly to wet them unconsciously, and her gaze shifted down to them, then to my eyes questioningly, her face reddening further.
I am still unsure what made me do it, even to this day. Perhaps it was the hard landing and the blow to the head. Either way, I threw caution to the wind and pulled her in by the front of her robes, taking her lips with my own.
Her eyes widened then in surprise before fluttering shut, a sigh of contentment escaping her as she leaned into me and responded in kind. I ran a hand through her hair and cupped the back of her head, deepening the kiss. Her lips were soft, and tasted of tea and apples. I prodded at her lips with my tongue and she gasped in surprise, granting me access. A quick battle of dominance had my tongue exploring her mouth in victory, memorizing it's every contour.
Soon enough, air became a priority and she pulled away. I took this opportunity to flip us over. I've never seen a more beautiful sight. Altair under me, cheeks red, lips kissed swollen and a happy smile on her face, her long hair fanned out underneath her. I glanced at the main room to see it empty, and Kadar was still dead to the world. Nobody would notice if we~
'Wait! What am I doing? Altair is my friend and partner! If we do this, it would make me no better than Abbas, taking advantage of her!' I was about to pull away completely when Altair pulled me into another kiss, and started tugging my robes open. My eyes widened and I broke the kiss enough to ask against her lips.
"Are you sure?" The responding nod was enough and I gave in, kissing her again and starting in on her robes as she undid mine.
It's nights like these that I am quite impressed with my brother's ability to sleep through anything.
A/N: And we've started in on the romance! I've decided not to put a lemon in there. If you want to write one, then you're free to. MAYBE I might put one on AO3, I don't know yet.
As for that little surprise for Christmas, I need some advice. Which classic would you want to see? Jack frost, home alone, scrooge? Something else? I'm pretty much giving it away by asking, but I'm not sure which one to do. Help?
And does anyone have any ideas for that other thing with the apple of Eden giving them powers? One is gonna be something like telepathy, but what else, I am not sure. Tell me what you think. Your opinions matter!
Safety and Peace, my lovelies!
