A/N: This will be quick, a longer A/N resides at the bottom. This chapter is slightly lighter than the others, but only just. Also- apologies in advance for any gross errors in spelling or grammar, while my work is never perfect, this particular chapter has been so long in the making that I just want to post it. Proof reading it has been difficult as I'm sleep deprived, when I get my beauty sleep I shall endeavour to correct it. With out any further ado, enjoy!
Chapter 7
There is no clock.
That was perhaps the first and only thought that entered Tani's mind in the last few hours. And the only way she knew it must have been a few hours with out said clock was by the near impenetrable darkness that had filled the small closet of a room she was kindly escorted to. It wasn't however the burning need to know the time that brought Tani's attention to this singularly useless thought, after all she had lived through months of having no access to any modern, or in this case not so modern technology.
No, the only reason a clock was of any significance to Tani at this point in her life was to break the silence that was bearing down on her. Closing her eyes and flopping back on the lumpy mattress she had parked her back side on hours ago, she could imagine being at home all alone the house devoid of any sound bar one; tick-tock tick-tock. She could hear it echo through the walls filling the empty space.
But not here, because as her mind had helpfully supplied- There is no clock. With out it her marauding thoughts had no rhythm to frolic around her mind, instead it was hounded by an ever present silent buzzing that pressed into her ear drums and made its presence overwhelming with its nothingness.
Tani sighed out loud in hopes to break the silence, it only sounded strange to her ears though. She wanted to scream instead, but knew the idea was stupid and useless. The problem was not the lack of a clock, nor was it the lack of electricity- though it surely didn't help. The problem lay solely with the Grand Master, and more importantly what he said and didn't say.
Assassins.
The one word Tani had been successfully ignoring for several hours finally reared its ugly head. She knew precisely what the word meant, they made several fanciful movies that she never watched about them. Yet this Grand Master most certainly did not look like a movie director, or a talent agent. When he said the word, it was said with such seriousness that to dispute the notion seemed almost dangerous.
This did not dispel the enormity of Tani's thoughts. Was it Talal that did this to her? Or her subsequent dreams? What ever it was must have been huge, because what normal person in the twenty first century would even entertain the thought of being in twelfth century middle east surrounded by crusaders and assassin's?
"Bollocks!" She couldn't help groaning out loud, the noise muffled by the lumpy mattress as she turned into it.
"You have the most strangest expressions." Tani startled at the sudden noise, and for a moment was almost convinced it was her mind that was finally speaking back to her. It was with some relief that she saw Safiya instead, standing in the door way with a candle and tray in hand.
"The Grand Master sends his apologies," Safiya continued, clearly ignoring Tani's murderous look that was directed at the girl as she untangled herself from her ever progressing knotted slump. "He says that perhaps you were not ready to know what this Brotherhood is. Looks like he was right." Safiya's smile only served to disgruntle Tani even more, this was no laughing matter. Or maybe it was to an outsider and Tani was only making a spectacle of herself.
"This is a mental institution isn't it?" Tani turned toward Safiya as the woman came in and sat herself on the bed. This was also the first time she voiced her growing fears about her current state of mind to anyone, but sadly it was looking more and more as if it was true.
"I won't lie and say I know what you are talking about," Safiya answered, and Tani could feel the woman move closer and put her arm around Tani's noticeably cold shoulder. "But if you are asking if this is real, then yes it is. You have nothing to fear, you are away from Talal, and he is dead." Tani could only smile, Safiya thought she was worried about being hurt again.
"Assassins. Really?" Tani decided to ask instead, turning to the woman who sat next to her giving comfort and not knowing for what. At her nod Tani could only frown, unable to discern the emotion that was growing in her chest, but it left her feeling heavy and uncomfortable in her own skin.
"It is unpleasant yes," Safiya spoke, a fierceness in her tone that Tani hadn't yet heard. "Most would never dare think of them as human, White Devils they are called, but they kill for the good of people, whether Muslim or Christian, rich or poor. They never ask to be repaid and take the scorn from the populace with their heads held high and help them in return from their corrupt leaders." Safiya's impassioned speech ended and it didn't make Tani feel better.
No more words were spoken as a silent understanding grew between the two women. Safiya only stroked Tani's hair in understanding and presented her with a light meal that she brought up. They ate in silence, and when Safiya finally stood to leave she showed Tani where to get some water to clean up and promised to be back in the morning to take her to the baths.
In the silence that once again permeated the gloomy room Tani readied herself to sleep. She found a shirt made from some light material that was a world too big for her, which got her thinking briefly that this room belonged to someone else at one point. Yet those thoughts did not linger as she changed into it and climbed into the bed and snuggled under a blanket made of fur.
After she snuffed the candle out the room descended into complete darkness. The frustrating buzzing returned, pressing into her ears and made her curse not having a clock again. And with that thought another penetrated through all the confusion.
What if this is all real?
Tani could only curl herself into a ball as nausea almost made her gag at her own minds deceptive thought. Because after everything that had happened insanity was a very plausible conclusion to everything.
But what if insanity wasn't the answer?
And that was a very frightful thought indeed.
_._._
Eyes snapped open from a deep and interrupted sleep and Tani could only look around blearily, confused as to why she was awake. Eyes shutting again when nothing made itself known, Tani could only grumble about an inconsiderate brother. This however did not last long as only moments later a dull thudding could be heard in the room effectively reopening Tani's eyes.
"For heavens sake what is it?" Tani tried shouting, but only managed a low moan as the task of detangling herself from her sheets was monumental. When her legs were finally out, the bitter cold of the floor sent violent shivers up Tani's spine making her silently curse the idiot who was waking everyone up. With energy fuelled by motive to get back into bed, Tani stumbled as quickly as she could to the source of the noise tripping over a leg that was protruding from somewhere and hitting her knee on the coffee table.
Swearing loudly and not caring who would hear she quickly apologised to the owner of the leg and reached for the door to yank it open.
"What do you want S-S…" She tried to sound angry when berating him, but the yawn that had been building since she first got out of bed finally took over and tapered her voice off into garbled speech.
Loud metal crashing against a hard surface near by had Tani visibly startle and the sleepy haze she still had vanished in an instant. With vision cleared and yawn ending abruptly, Tani gazed at the sight in front of her- food and water scattered everywhere with cups and pots in similar disarray. A woman and a boy of no older than seventeen stood gawking at her while Tani frowned in confusion.
"You're not Sam." It was the only coherent thing Tani was able to verbalise. Turning her head to look at where she came from she noted the leg she thought she tripped over was in fact a protruding rug, and the coffee table was no more than the chest where she acquired her current sleeping attire. And the people at the door were not Sam as she first thought.
"What on Earth-" The voice of the woman outside caught Tani of guard and she nearly tripped over her own feet when moments later she was quite forcefully pushed back into the room accompanied by an indignant exclamation.
"Do you want to give the poor boy a heart attack?"
"What are you talking about Safiya?" Tani asked yawning again. Her mind finally catching up with her surroundings as the sleepy curtain continued to slowly lift itself, and with it the previous days conversation with a Grand Master and the subsequent revelation that she was surrounded by murdering assassins came to the fore front of a mind that was slowly submitting to a monumental head ache. Then, as if to add insult to injury Tani felt the stabbing pain of disappointment that this wasn't home, and that Sam really wasn't here.
"Look at yourself!" Safiya was standing in front of Tani, completely oblivious to her inner musings, hands on hips looking for all the world like a mother hen. Glancing down at herself Tani couldn't fathom the reason for all the flapping, and as if hearing her unvoiced confusion, Safiya supplied her with an answer- "Any more skin and you will put a woman of ill repute to shame!"
"Is that it?" Tani still didn't rightly understand, but if the attire she had thus far been supplied with was anything to go by it probably made a little sense. "I'm barely showing anything." She mumbled, looking down at herself again, the shirt she was wearing went well past her wrists, and covered her knees completely and she had even done up all the buttons at the collar.
"You are showing more than most of the young men here have seen." Safiya replied still frowning.
"Then a heart attack is the least of his worries." Tani snorted, unable to hide the smirk.
"You deviant woman!" Safiya gasped, turning a very visible shade of red, but a small smile lifted the corners of her mouth none the less. "Put these on while I get you something to eat." And she hurried out, hiding her face behind a curtain of hair.
After Safiya returned, minus the young man that was with her previously, conversation was light and marginally lifted Tani's spirits. Safiya then took her to the baths, something Tani was greatly looking forward to. What she wasn't looking forward to however was a room full of bathing women. Now Tani couldn't speak from experience, but she would imagine that this is what it felt like to be a science experiment on display. Every pair of eyes that was in the room snapped to her direction and stayed there, following her every move. Uncomfortable was the biggest understatement Tani had ever had displeasure of experiencing.
It didn't help too much when Safiya went and introduced her to everyone, and she doubted they would warm to her terribly when they realised she had already forgotten most of their names. The only two that really stuck were Naila and Rayyah, not their last names though as they all sounded far too formal, and the only reason was because after all introductions were said and done those two were the only ones that came up to the two women and introduced themselves personally to Tani. Now while Tani could say that Naila did so out of genuine kindness and curiosity, she felt almost challenged by Rayyah who didn't even try to be polite with her aggressive questions. However, while it was slightly intrusive, Tani felt it to be honest and it ceased to bother her too much.
What bothered her more was the prospect of being stripped bare and washing in front of these women, once again made worse by the no doubt hideous scars marring her back. And as if thought alone summoned the comments, audible gasps could be heard echoing around the bath house while the whispered conversations stopped for a split second and restarted the moment Tani pulled the garment she was wearing over her head.
Tani heard a few derogatory comments, mainly about men taking one look at the mess and discarding her for someone prettier, yet before she could hurriedly tug the formless garment back over her head, two pairs of arms circled her waist on each side and coaxed her into the cool baths that hid the sight from view.
"Don't listen to them Tani," Naila whispered the moment Tani was submerged from the neck down. "They only say that because you are beautiful and they worry the men will no longer look a them."
Tani looked at the slightly younger girl and wanted to laugh. She would have loved to tell her that while that may indeed be a contributing factor, the sole reason the women said those things was purely out of spite and because they could. Tani wasn't an angel, she had probably done the same to someone, simply because they were different.
"I'm more uncomfortable bathing with so many people than worrying what they are saying."Tani whispered back, hoping to ease the girls distress, and hopefully remove the look of pity that was bestowed upon her. She wouldn't ever admit just how much the injuries bothered her, and firmly stamped down the offending thought that should she ever get home, she would never again be able to wear revealing clothes on stage again.
"Maybe some of the women should learn from your strength rather than scorn it." Safiya said, much louder so it carried through the bath house. Some women seemed to take it as a hint and ducked their heads, whether it was from shame of what they were saying or from shame of being caught was arguable. Either way, Tani truly wished everyone would just drop it.
While Tani began to wash, making sure to stay submerged under the dark water, Naila, as though through force of habit, began playing with Tani's hair and before long poured some sort of scented oil product and started washing her hair.
"Your hair is very beautiful Tani," the girl remarked, while Safiya lounged near them and looked on observing the interaction. "I've never seen such a colour before, I've heard some of the men speak of hair like spun gold. You will be the envy of all the women here." Tani didn't quite know what to say to that, so she just softly smiled at Safiya and allowed the younger girl to wash her hair. The human contact was much needed and greatly appreciated.
Tani allowed the conversation to wash over her, like women all over the world, it mainly revolved around men, whether they be husbands, fathers, brothers, friends or lovers. She listened to idle gossip from around town that made no sense to her, the absurdity of prices in the markets, the new trinkets on sale, the comings and goings of the men in the castle- she refused to think assassins. Tani was almost lulled into a light doze, when suddenly water was poured over her head, and she only had just enough time to shut her eyes tight before the make shift shampoo reached her eyes.
Then, before Tani could thank the girl, she was hauled out of the water by Safiya and Naila, had a sheet cover her front and was quite firmly told to lie down with her back exposed on a stone slab that was padded with large cushions. Seeing no way to argue with out offending her gracious hosts, Tani obeyed as though on auto pilot. It wasn't until the first drops landed on her back followed by the hands spreading them that Tani knew what they were doing.
Surprisingly it was Rayyah that was spreading the copious amounts of warmed scented oil over Tani's back, the girl had been particularly quiet during discussions, generally only speaking up to assert her disdain for some notions, and opinion of others. She wasn't a particularly pleasant girl, but as Tani had originally thought, she was an honest one. Even if it was brutal and said with out tact most of the time. Tani was only just thinking that this clearly was a soft side she was showing, when the girls' hands kneaded into a particularly tender spot on her back and Tani had no time to hold in the gasp it elicited and the hands instantly vanished.
"Sorry," Tani mumbled, the spasm of pain melting away quickly. "It is still a little painful." Tani could see Safiya nod what was no doubt direction for Rayyah to continue.
"The oils will help Tani," Safiya explained. "They will allow you to move freely, and in time even help fade some of the scarring."
"Thank you, all of you." Tani nearly felt choked up with the sudden surge of emotion she felt all due to the unwavering kindness these strangers were showing, particularly the two girls she just met. She felt Naila continue with her previous occupation, only this time brushing out Tani's hair, which she only now really noticed that it was a bit longer than the last time she took a proper look at it.
"What did you before Talal took you?"Naila asked. Tani, thinking it best not to tell them that she just simply appeared in the country, and instead filed it away to ask their Grand Master what she was supposed to say, she decided to simplify it.
"I was a dancer." It was simple and to the point.
"Really?" Naila gasped, her ministrations stopped and her excited face came into Tan'si line of sight. "Rayyah! Did you hear? She will fit right in!"
"Fit in?" Tani couldn't help but admit to herself that it made her feel apprehensive.
"Pay no mind to Naila." Safiya joined in, a friendly smile on her face. "She is a dancer herself, and is merely excited. As for you Naila, stop pestering Iltani,, she first needs to gain her strength back, Talal was not kind to his prisoners. You are too frail Tani."
"Rayyah and her mother will help there!" Naila nearly bounced in her excitement. "Rayyah's mother is a cook in the kitchens." Naila explained before Tani could ask, "she is teaching Rayyah all she knows, they are the best cooks there!" Tani and Safiya could only smile at each other at the girls enthusiasm, while Rayyah above merely stopped what she was doing and began brushing her own hair.
It was a while before the girls finished their ablutions, by which time Naila fixed Tani's hair into an intricate braid, and Safiya supplied her with fresh clothing. It was far more different than what she had been wearing thus far, it was bordering on revealing yet tastefully covered her entire torso. The pants were secured to her ankles and were so light and airy that they could be mistaken for a long skirt. As she imagined that bra's were non existent in this time- and she immediately scolded herself for thinking it and promptly changed the phrase to 'in this part of the world'- a length of material was crossed over her chest and over her shoulders till is resembled a midriff top and had the dual action of covering everything important and giving some measure of support to her admittedly nearly non-existent breasts. Over that, the girls placed an almost shimmering see through material that had no sleeves yet reached mid thigh, Tani had to muse that this material almost teased and barely hinted at what lay beneath, and couldn't help teasing Safiya.
"Will this attire only make me half a deviant woman, as opposed to a whole one?" Tani didn't bother hiding the smirk, and Safiya only smiled and told her to hold still unless she wanted kohl over her whole face.
_._._._
After the bath house, Safiya had taken Tani for a short walk around the fortress stating a need for Tani to increase her mobility more and more each day. It turned out that Tani was not to be a deviant woman after all, much to Safiya's amusement, as she made Tani don an over cloak that covered everything, but the head. There was a hood too, however Safiya said only on very rare occasions was is called for to use. Safiya had steered clear of the sparring ring, so their walk was uninterrupted apart from a young group of boys that ran past at high speeds. Tani was then dropped off to her tiny room with strict orders to rest and that someone would be there to collect her for the evening meal.
Tani tried having a nap, however the relaxing bath and slow day did not tire her enough. Instead she took her exercise regime into her own hands and decided to improve her form with much needed stretches. It proved to be quite difficult as her muscles burnt with disuse. After she finished, she realised there was absolutely nothing to do…nothing. There were no friends, no phones, computers or tv. The silence once again pressed in on all sides till it got oppressive, yet Tani could do nothing about it. She tried humming, but it sounded worse than when you stuck your fingers in your ears and tried it.
It was with her wondering eyes that she noticed her bedraggled bag in the corner. Her mind turned blank for a moment followed almost instantly by confusion- the last time Tani had seen her bag was when Talal took her, she naturally believed it to be long gone. Yet there it sat, inconspicuous in the corner of her room. When her mind finally did catch up to her, Tani shot across room and nearly tore the only thing she had of home in half in the desperate bid to get at its contents. She pulled out her useless phone and tossed it aside, the plastic bottle was torn in half which must have meant that the guards in Talal's prison had gone through her bag. Her frantic search came to a stand still as she mused how it came to be here, it must have been the men that rescued all those people, these assassins- it was the only reasonable explanation for the bag being here, yet how did they know?
Tani's search recommenced and as she came to her wallet her heart nearly stopped. She frantically opened it and there they were, the two photo's she had in there for the past year, untouched and unblemished and an answer as to how these people knew this bag belonged to her. In one photo it was her dance group, on stage in rehearsals and pausing for a break when someone called for a photo, it might have even been her brother, but she couldn't remember. Everyone was happy, Tani herself wasn't even looking at the camera, instead she was laughing at something her dance partner had said, no doubt it was something so stupid you had to laugh. The second left her feeling nauseated and dizzy, it was her and Sam, she didn't know where, didn't remember when, but it was her and a brother she hadn't seen in months. Tani didn't realise she was hyperventilating until a wretched sob escaped her, so it was in a desperate bid to preserve her mind that she shut the wallet and shoved it back into her bag and kicking the now offending pouch for good measure.
Stumbling over to the window she stuck her head out and tried to calm her breathing, this wasn't a time to fall apart. In fact she was certain if she did that it would ultimately be for the very last time. She didn't know how long she stayed like that listening to the wind almost howl through the mountains, but it was a dull knocking on her door that broke her train of thought. Opening the door she found who she assumed was the same boy from that morning, she couldn't tell exactly as he stood sideways with his face averted, but she was willing to take that bet.
"You can turn around I'm decent, I promise." Despite Tani's current state of mind, she couldn't help smiling. The young man did turn around, face slightly coloured and a sheepish grin firmly in place. He seemed to colour a little more the moment he saw her though, and it wasn't till Tani spotted her over cloak that she realised she might not be nearly as decent and what she believed to be. Not missing a beat, she just grinned at him and put the cloak on.
"Are you to take me to the evening meal?" She asked, hoping to break the poor boys awkwardness.
"Yes miss, Safiya sent me." He replied, his voice hesitant. In a force of habit Tani gave the room a once over, even though she owned nothing to leave behind, she shut the door and looked expectantly to her companion.
"No need to be so shy, why don't you tell me your name?" Tani asked noticing her previous attempts weren't working.
"It is Rashid miss, Safiya told me your name was Iltani." He ducked his head and an ever present grin remained.
"It's nice to meet you Rashid, you can call me Tani you know. So where are you taking me to?"
"The Garden." He stated with such finality that it gave Tani the impression she was supposed to know what it was, the only garden that came to mind was the one she briefly passed by the other day, but she supposed it could be anywhere. Yet the boy didn't seem to notice her incomprehension and continued. "The men always said the Garden girls were second to none and-" he paused as though he just realised what he was saying, but his mouth had clearly run away with him."-and they were right." He ended with a whisper, and the red tint returned to his face.
"And what makes you think I'm a garden girl?" Tani asked, her smile spreading wider. The innocent flattery was so nice, and so refreshing.
"You are dressed like one." he mumbled in reply. "I didn't mean any offence to it miss, please I-"
"It's Tani remember?" She laughed at his horror. "I'm not offended, just curious. So what is this Garden that is so famous among you men?" He was innocent and didn't speak in riddles.
"I wouldn't know miss er- Tani." he corrected himself with an easy grin and at her questioning look he elaborated. " They only let men of age in, but I don't have much longer to go." He added proudly which only increased Tani's mirth. It was good to laugh, it made her feel lighter than she had in a long time, and lifted her miserable mood. "This is as far as I can go Tani." To her surprise, they had indeed already reached the grand entrance hall and ascended the first flight of stairs to the garden she had in fact seen the day before.
"Well, you have been a gracious escort Rashid, and who knows I might even tell you what the whole garden thing is in there, I-"
"You will do no such thing." Tani would have shrieked like the most cliche of shrill girls if her voice hadn't lodged in her throat. Whipping around she came face to chest with a white clad, hooded and armed to the teeth assassin. All she could do was stumble back aimlessly and straight into the young man behind her, who gently held her upper arm to stop her. "Novice, was this task too difficult?" The man didn't shout, but his quiet manner was all the more frightful, though Tani was certain that had something to do with him being an assassin.
"No Master Taaquib, I was just returning to the dorm." Rashid's stance instantly went from being relaxed to rigid, head bowed in respect and voice firm and controlled.
"See that you do." And with out so much as a parting lip twitch the large intimidating assassin- because Tani could hardly think of them as mere men- stalked through to the garden and stood sentinel almost as though making sure Rashid the novice did as he was told.
"Well he is a ray of sun shine if ever I saw one." Tani couldn't help stating with a nervous laugh, something she regretted almost immediately.
"He can probably hear you."
"Of course he can." Tani muttered, for once not appreciating the younger mans grin which now looked smug. "Thank you again, and good night, and wish me luck" Turning around Tani was faced with a waiting assassin with a completely unreadable expression that did nothing to ease her fears. However the moment she reached him, she had a ready apology on her lips.
"It's not Rashid's fault, I had a lot of questions and-" but whatever else she had to say might as well have been recited to a brick wall, because the moment Tani was well and truly in the garden, the assassin turned around and almost as though by magic vanished among the people milling around. Had he been a normal man, Tani may have felt offended, but being an assassin she safely assumed it was probably for the best. Not that Tani had much of a chance to dwell on the social etiquette of assassins in the twelfth century because Safiya instantly appeared at her side. Tani was pulled to a group of girls, Naila and Rayyah being among them, her cloak was removed and she was seated with a plate of food, and it was then that she could take the sights in.
The Garden, as it was known, was exactly like a night club. That was, minus the roof, minus the unnecessarily loud music, minus the obnoxiously loud people stumbling around with alcohol they made everyone wear while being in various states of undress themselves, and minus the stench of too much alcohol and not enough toilet facilities. In short it was nothing like a night club at all. Men sat smoking long pipes, some alone and some in small groups, their heads together discussing their business, music gently floated among the muted crowd, here and there women danced sensually and in tune to the music, the stars were an attraction on their own, while a sweet floral scent wafted along with the wind and the friendly chatter of women being in a social environment rose and fell with the dynamics of a conversation.
It was beautiful. It was something Tani imagined rich people indulged in, although in her part of the world- she applauded herself for not thinking 'in her time'- they probably would have expensive lounges, and bartenders with waiters dressed like penguins.
"I had the pleasure of meeting a Master Thaaquib." Tani said, feeling relaxed and content after a good meal when a lull in conversation occurred. She was rewarded with a round of giggles from most of the girls and had a feeling they knew exactly who she was talking about. "Someone please tell me, are these assassins all as friendly as he is?" The giggling increased.
"They get friendlier." Safiya trilled, chortling behind her hand.
"Master Abbas!" Naila laughed. "He had me in tears because I spilt water on him." The girls nodded their heads in unison.
"Master Altair." Rayyah said, a smug look on her face. "He will stab first and ask questions later."
"You shouldn't make fun Rayyah, you know the Grand Master made him a novice for that very temper." The girls all went quiet, seems you weren't really allowed to make fun of the humourless assassins. The silence was beginning to get awkward.
"Remind me to never bump into him then." Tani said, breaking the silence and sending the girls into a fit of giggles. She was about to continue with the light conversation, but a sudden quiet over came their group. A hooded assassin stood just shy of the group of girls, he looked younger than the other Tani had seen. All the women in the group were looking at him, but he only had eyes for one. With out any words being exchanged, Rayyah stood gracefully, sauntered over to him and with only a self satisfied smirk over her shoulder she walked away with him.
The whispered chatter that followed Rayyah's departure was excited and resembled a hive of busy bees. This was not the sole focus of Tani's attention; now that the groups chatter was interrupted Tani couldn't help but notice that all over the garden similar interactions were happening between assassins and the women. She didn't really know how to feel about it, because with sudden clarity Tani became suspicious of the gardens true purpose. It didn't change her opinion either when she observed two girls from near by that had been dancing through the evening sashaying towards a lone assassin in what could only be construed as a sensual manner.
"Safiya," she addressed her companion, a knot of apprehension forming at her observations and she wanted to be contradicted- what she would do should her suspicions turn out to be founded Tani did not want to presently entertain. "Am I expected to sing for my supper?" She asked, pointedly glancing at the unabashed couples- Naila's exclamation 'you can sing too!' was ignored.
"You can if you like." Another girl answered instead with a laugh, Tani thought her name might be Maiha. It caused the other women to laugh too, one commenting that there were many lonely men in the castle. This of course did nothing to ease Tani's growing apprehension as it wasn't the answer she wanted to hear.
"No you do not." Safiya said, her tone challenging anyone to argue as she glared at the girls. Tani let out a breath she wasn't even aware she holding. "It is a choice and mutual agreement. The men are expected to one day take a wife and have a child- it is the way of the creed. This Garden merely provides an escape, for some it is for a quiet moment away from the world, others entertainment- some girls a very well versed in the arts, and for some it is to spend a private moment in the pleasurable company of a willing woman. The women who choose this path may find that one day an assassin will take her as his wife, it provides security for her and her family and a home among the creed."
It sounded a little archaic and more than a little like coercion for the men to get some of these women into the sack to get their jollies off 'honourably'- not that Tani was willing to voice that particular opinion to these women, or anyone, so long as there were no expectations placed on her for the care she has received. Besides, who was she to judge what they did, this was probably more freedom of choice than some women received in this corner of the world, but she couldn't even make an educated guess about that either.
"I will leave you ladies for the evening," Safiya said suddenly, rising from her rugs and cushions. She walked over to a stall to do something Tani couldn't see, but when she turned around it was evident she she was carrying a tray with small cups on them. Handing out the cups to all the girls, she sent a meaningful look to Naila and an indulgent smile to Tani before sashaying away and throwing a flippant "Goodnight-" over her shoulder. It looked to Tani that Safiya was sharing a private joke with them- a joke Tani wasn't in on.
"Where is she going?" Tani couldn't help asking as she watched in confusion when Safiya didn't head toward the only garden entry point. The girls were all poorly hiding their chortling at her confusion, and as she watched sipping her tea, she saw why.
"No that isn't!" It was lucky that Tani had the presence of mind to swallow her tea before gasping in shock. "Is that really Master Ray-of-Sunshine Thaaaquib she just walked over to?" The girls gave up all pretence of being serious and burst into peals of giggles.
"They are intended." Naila barely breathed out from the laughter.
"No!- No! But she is so lovely!" And Tani truly believed it, Safiya was her constant companion through her ordeal and she could therefore say with out a shadow of a doubt that Safiya was the most kind hearted and quick witted woman she had ever met and to be told that she was intended to him? "-and he is so…so serious and miserable!"
"He is a master assassin, you can't expect him to be a ray of sunshine as you say." A nameless girl said to ongoing laughter.
"And women love a brooding dangerous man- I've been told they make great lovers." Naila added, and the girlish giggles with their contagious nature finally caught up with Tani as she joined in, unable to find fault with the argument.
"Touche!" Tani said enjoying the laughter as she raised her cup of tea in a mock toast towards the girls.
_._._._
Her screams echoed around the chamber as the orange tipped metal pressed into her skin again.
"You will stop with your lies Iltani or we will run out of room." The Grand Masters tone seemed almost amused as he removed the painful scolding object from her skin.
"I don't know what you want from me!" Tani tried screaming, however her voice failed her a while back, only the worst pain forced it out now. The answer, like all the others, wasn't the right one.
"Everything you know haven't been entirely honest." The older man walked up to Tani as she hung from the wall manacled and limp from the pain inflicted on her. He grasped her chin and forced her head up to look at him, he said nothing for a time, just twisted her head back and forth as though to study her.
"Just tell what you want me to say and I'll say it." Tani pleaded, tears leaking out of her swollen eyes and the man in front of her blurred. She was beyond trying to be rational, it seemed that notion flew the coup a long time ago. She was willing to say anything, whether it was true or not didn't matter as long as it stopped this torture.
"You misunderstand me Iltani, I want the truth and not a fanciful story that you think I might want to hear." He walked away and did something Tani couldn't see with his back turned. What he said only made her sob pathetically, her head hanging uselessly as she wondered how much more creative he would get.
"I wish to try something," he said turning around with a familiar round ball, it was emitting a faint glow, yet despite her half delirious state of mind Tani could tell it looked different form the two times she has seen it. While it didn't shine that vibrant ethereal gold, it also didn't look like a piece of garbage. "If you do not fight, this will be painless."
All Tani could do was shut her eyes and drop her head. She lost trust in everything this man said, and so continued sobbing and waiting for what she imagined would be a world of pain.
But nothing happened.
It took her a while to realise due to her distress, but absolutely nothing had happened. With effort she lifted her head and looked in the direction of the Grand Master and the faintly glowing ball- his expression was calculating as he observed her, a frown forming on his face was the only indication that something didn't go to plan.
"That is most interesting Iltani. Why will this not work on you?"
"I don't know." Tani whimpered, that ball may not have hurt her, but the man surely will. A faint pounding started in her head, it sounded similar to the first time she encountered the ball yet like the glow i was muted and unimpressive.
"Your lies disappoint me child." Tani didn't have time to even inhale when a bucket of water was thrown on her. It was confusing, why would he throw water? However Tani regretted thinking it not a moment later. The burn started slowly as water rivulets made their way to the numerous burns she received that day, it stung the wounds and the pain only increased at an alarming rate.
"Stop." She Tani croaked pitifully as the burning was reaching unbearable- there must have been something in the water to do it because it burned like eating extra hot chilli's only so much worse on her open burns. With in seconds it became too much and with renewed agony Tani screamed as it felt like she was being burned all over again except all at the same time. Her screams once more echoed around the chamber.
"Tani."
Her eyes snapped open, it wasn't really the sound of her name that she responded to, but that it was a woman who called her. In a split second she realised that she wasn't in any chamber and the manacles were linens that she had somehow managed to entangle herself in so thoroughly that most movement was restricted.
"You were screaming in your sleep Tani." Safiya whispered, helping her untangle herself. "Do not worry, you are safe, it was only a dream."
Only a dream. Another vivid and horrible dream about the Grand Master seeking answers. But it really was only a dream, there were no burn marks as she quickly inspected, and the only moisture on her was her own cold sweat.
"Do you want to tell me about it?" Safiya prompted gentley. Tani didn't- she could only shake her head in the negative and forced a smile to let Safiya know it was alright, it probably looked more like a grimace.
"Alright, try to get some sleep, it is still night time." After giving Tani some water to drink and tucking her in the older girl gave Tani a pitying look over her shouder and a whispered "Ill see you in the morning."
Once alone all Tani could do was sob quietly into her pillow before sleep once again took hold
_._._._
A/N: Here it is! (finally!). I have been a busy little bee over the last six months, hence the delay. Then Revelations was released, so I was naturally glued to the tv and ps3. Thoughts on this story as a whole: I actually went and took a look at my notes for this fic that I wrote up a very long time ago...be glad I didn't stick with that plan is all I can say, it made me shudder. A little hint on what the heroine was in my notes- Her name was Cordelia and she was a back packing hair dresser. Enough said. On a good note, the actual story I'm writing is a heck lot more involved then the original.
Thoughts on this chapter: I realise that there are a lot of O/C characters, some will be important others not so much. And fear not, our favourite assassin will make an appearance, and will remain a permanent fixture. For now I need to establish certain things so that the story can make sense later.
Anyway Thank you for reading and I very much hope you enjoyed it. I would really appreciate feedback and your thoughts, and constructive criticism is most welcome. So please review.
Special thanks to the following people who took the time to review
flyingcrispi: Here you are my most faithful reader and reviewer, as promised. As always, I hope this lives up to your expectations.
Jess Ishtar: Hope you enjoyed this chapter just as much.
EPICnicole: Your review was extremely flattering, thank you very much. While the story wasn't updated soon, it's finally here!
ShylaMoon: Thank you for the review, and hope you continue to be hooked to this story.
DarkestTorture: I won't bore you with my thoughts regarding your review again, suffice to say I appreciate that there are people out there that agree with my take on story that has been done to death. thank you very much.