For Blood, Then for Love
Summary: Herein lie the personal accounts of Leah Vesuvia Rachel Rahamin, emissary and scholar to the Levantine Assassin Order.
When there is no blood to die for what would you die for then? Would you look beyond your own suffering and find love? Or would you allow yourself to wither away? When you cannot live for blood or family, you must learn to live for love and make your own of both. Malik/OFC
Authors Note: A HUGE apology if I have any of this is incorrect, I mean NO
disrespect at all! If any of it is wrong let me know and I will fix it straight away!
For a moment she stood frozen in the darkness as his gaze penetrated her, the shadows having done very little to hide her. He knew she was there. He stared at her making sure that she knew that he knew she was there, under his eye she felt uncomfortable and naked. Her pulse sped up and she felt the beginnings of a cold sweat break upon her skin, then a moment of clarity and her anger came to the surface an she was outraged. How dare he look at her and judge her with the gaze? How dare he look at her like she was enjoying this? She stepped out of the shadows barely visible and she returned his cold stare but rather then meet her gaze he turned his back to her and left the gardens without a second thought. It wasn't fair! He didn't know anything of the circumstances of the situation, he didn't know anything at all, yet he wanted to judge her and let her sweat.
She bit her tongue and clenched her fists, so much outrage and nothing to do with it, not here anyway. It simply wasn't fair. She paced the wall for a few moments trying to keep him in her line of sight before the darkness claimed him perfectly. She wanted so much to tell him that she saw his challenge and met it but the damn man wouldn't even look at her.
"Fool!" She cursed beneath her breath as she strode angrily back towards the turret that lead to her bedchamber. "Idiot!" She growled again "Donkey-brained caricature of men!" Her steps were no longer light and stealthy but now furious stomps, she was now desperate for an outlet. If there was a great weakness of Leah it was her occasionally quickness to anger and as her uncle had said to her many times in her youth 'With anger comes stupidity' and those words were never so true then they were at the moment that Leah clambered though her window and was in every sense imaginable caught red-handed.
"And is your escort about the turret as well?" Rebecca stood before her with a stern look upon her face. Leah had seen that look many a time when she was younger and in trouble, she could never stand the feeling that she had disappointed Rebecca. And in an odd twist, Rebecca could never stand to see those eyes glassy with tears and sadness yet now there were no such tears, only a look of frustration.
The anger faded immensely "No," she replied as she stepped down from the ledge to sit on her bed.
"No, what?" Rebecca demanded trying to hold onto her sternness, she never liked a laid back answer.
Leah signed in defeat "No, Rebecca. There was no escort, only myself."
"I discovered as much when I returned from the kitchens with something to buck your spirits, only to find and empty room and a horrid fear for your whereabouts." Never in her life had Leah been so stone cold busted. There was defeat in her eyes and she sank into the bed lifelessly to await her scolding, offering no excuses. "And how often do you take these 'strolls' about the walls?"
With guilty eyes she responded "Every night, after you fall asleep."
"You do remember that your uncle created these rules for your safety and when you disregard them you dishonor him and I. We only mean to protect you."
At hearing this for the hundredth time Leah jumped up and that anger rose to the surface once more "I do not need to be protected!" The outburst was sudden and caught Rebecca off guard, Leah never raised her voice to Rebecca in her life. "Look at me, I am not a china doll! I will not break, and even if I do then I must smash against the ground, for it is too late to mend my ways now!" She had never felt so angry in her life, she knew that it was wrong to lash out at Rebecca but she could abide this no more while being silent. "It is not fair! I have faced death many times! I am not unfamiliar with the cruelties of man! I have suffered and I have persevered! I could have died many times but I did not!" She drew in a ragged breath "I did not!" She steadied herself and breathed the fire out of her lungs "These 'rules' that I must abide by insult me, they make me a child again! I am not a child! And with every condescending remark of my 'escorts' and with it being in regard to my welfare, I die a little more!" Thoroughly winded she fell onto her bed "There will be nothing left of me."
Rebecca had always found it hard to be angry with Leah, especially when she knew she was right. She sat down besides Leah brushing hair out of her face, Leah turned to hide from Rebecca's gaze, never liking when others saw her tears. "My dearest child," She sighed heavily anger dissipating. "You uncle worries everyday for you, he loves you as do I and while these rules bother you they are to keep you safe from many more things besides the darkness within mens hearts. My only prayer is that you will understand how much he loves you." Rebecca gripped Leah's chin to look her in the eyes. "You must try to bear these rules,"
"How can I? What am I to do? I said many years ago that if I remained here, as I was then I would die. And now I return and feel as though I am being suffocated. I cannot utilize any of skills or the things I have learned. I am a little girl once more."
In truth, Rebecca had been waiting this outburst from the moment Leah had returned. She was rather surprised the Leah held herself together as long as she had, she was always one to suffer in silence, to bear her burdens with great grace and dignity. And now, sure as Rebecca had known, here sat her little bird, with the tears she hated so much staining her cheeks. "My poor little bird, I know what you want. You have a spirit that will not be restrained, you want to see things, to learn. I know this, little bird. I know the deepest desires of your heart, and I know these circumstances of late have been hard for you to bear. I see it within you everyday, locked away in those pretty eyes," There was no comfort to be had within Leah's spirit, that little light that Rebecca had always loved was so dim now. "Now, little bird your uncle wishes to see you soon. So take a few moments to compose yourself and I will walk you to his study." She blinked away tears trying to collect herself "No, my little bird, don't cry anymore."
OOO
Malik had barely pulled off his boots and only just settled into a comfortable position among the throw pillows that sat near the table before he was immediately made very uncomfortable. Despite his years of schooling and articulate manner, the only response he could give his father was a very confused, half dazed 'huh?' It took another full minute for his fathers question to truly sink in.
Faheem chuckled at his sons discomfort, it was almost a fathers obligation to occasionally do what he could to embarrass his sons. "I said, have you considered submitting your candidacy for Hamid Rahamin's niece, Leah?"
For another moment Malik gave no response, not only realizing his father was talking about a potential marriage but the potential marriage to his younger brothers closest friend. A friend he knew for a fact that Kadar was very, very smitten with and had been for years. "Kadar's closest friend, Leah?" Faheem cleared his throat but gave no real response, knowing exactly why Malik hesitated to answer him properly. "The girl Kadar has waited for every night since she returned from her travels, and the very same one who has each night stood him up?" More silence. "The girl Kadar has been quite fond of for many years? That Leah?"
Faheem exhaled a deep breath of smoke from the hookah allowing it to billow into the room and veil his sons conflicted features. "Yes, the one and the same."
"Father, this is most certainly not a conversation worth having." Malik reasoned as he reached for the hookah as well, hoping his father was kidding. Malik's father was a very wise man and it was often said that it was that Malik had received his calm and collected ways and his cool demeanor from. Not like Kadar, he was more like his mother, always had been. More often then not as a young boy he was teased for wearing his heart on his sleeves, he was deeply affected when she was taken from them. While Malik and his father beard her death in silence and stoicism, it was Kadar that shed his tears with such abandon, not caring who saw or heard. But that did not mean that Malik was not wounded by her death.
"It is certainly a conversation worth having. You have attained the rank of master assassin, and at such a young age, I could not be prouder of you my son. Your life is at a crossroads and you should take such a pairing into consideration." Malik inhaled deeply, letting the smoke fill his lungs, tasting the savory flavor of the hasheesh. "Take a wife. Marry." Malik held his breath for a moment before exhaling and giving his father an odd look.
"If I could wrap my head around the idea of having a wife, I could not in fact pursue Leah Rahamin with a clear conscience. That girl is close to Kadar, it would be cruel."
"In the first place Malik, she's no little girl anymore. I was fortunate enough to have seen her in passing as she was meeting with her uncle this evening and she has blossomed quite beautifully into a fine woman." Malik scoffed, still somewhat sour over the idea of Leah being anything but careless and selfish, based on the evenings earlier events. "Secondly, she and Kadar may have been childhood friends, those days are long over and such friendships are unbecoming of an unmarried young lady and a novice assassin. And thirdly, it was by the suggestion of her uncle Hamid, himself, that you submit your candidacy."
"Candidacy?" Malik scoffed. "What? Is she suddenly royalty?"
"No, but the niece of an honored scholar and a once deadly assassin certainly give cause for Hamid to be somewhat picky of whom she marries."
"Ah, so it is her family connections, then?" Faheem nodded, giving his son that much. Indeed, if she was just anyones niece or daughter she would likely not have candidates or suitors but perhaps one or two men vying for her affections.
"Hamid had no children and so naturally the choice of whom his only niece is to marry is of some great concern to him. And he certainly thinks quite highly of you and your achievements as of late." Malik still did not budge on the subject, waiting for the other issue to be more fully addressed. "As for Kadar, your brother is but a novice and cannot marry even if it was his hearts desire."
"His hearts desire is for the brotherhood."
"And that is precisely why he cannot take a wife. He must prove himself and devote himself to the brotherhood. You, Malik have proven yourself a hundred times over and have attained the rank of master. The next step for you is a wife and sons, I did not think I would be a grandfather so soon but even I am surprised by the twists and turns that life brings."
"It doesn't matter if Kadar is too young and ineligible for marriage, it will surely wound him deeply, if I, his older brother go after the object of his affections. Do you pretend to be ignorant of it? He has been soft on her since they were children." Another deep breath on the hookah, "Besides, she's twenty now, isn't she? Some would consider her an old maid." Malik was doing all he could to worm his way out of the conversation, anything to suggest that his 'candidacy' was inappropriate, his father only laughed.
"If she is an old maid, then I am at deaths door!"
"Do not be so casual father, it is a miracle that your life has extended this far." He wasn't taking Malik's point very well.
"Your mother and I were married at seventeen, some might call that old. And in any rate, the only reason she was not married off sooner was because she was traveling with her uncle, serving the brotherhood as you do." Malik rolled his eyes, how could a woman serve as he did? "She is certainly not an old woman, in fact, if i myself, were a few years younger perhaps I may-"
"Father! I beg of you not to finish that sentence!" Malik gasped nearly choking.
"Twenty she may be, but old she certainly is not. Still young and beautiful, and a very wise young lady. Well learned, and very cultured."
"Kadar has deep feelings for her, how could he forgive me for such a betrayal?"
"It is no betrayal, it is simply life taking its course. Kadar is your brother and he would forgive you in time, learn to embrace her as his sister and those feelings he harbors now would die." Faheem moved onto another point, anything to get his son to see a positive outcome to the conversation. "Besides, the companionship of a woman is something not many men your age are able to enjoy."
"Altair has attained the rank of master and yet I see no wife in his future." Malik countered, "A man does not need wife to indulge. Any other man will tell you as much."
"Altair is arrogant and reckless and not yet ready for a wife. Besides, my son, there is more to a wife then pleasures of the flesh, it is a spiritual bond that you will also cultivate and a lifetime of trust and mutual understanding." Malik's father grinned in a mischievous manner reminiscent of a younger man whom had enjoyed the thrills of a eventfully life, "Besides, you will marry a virgin, Malik." Malik exhaled the smoke, he blinked several times. "Son, as one man to another let me tell you, you will find no greater pleasure then the claiming of a virgin."
"Father," Malik began, eager to move into another topic less awkward. "I cannot accept Leah Rahamin, and I will not."
OOO
Earlier that evening…
As a child Leah liked to sit on the window sill that outlooked the eastern gardens and watch some of the rare flowers that only bloomed at night. Because she was a child she was never allowed in the gardens after sunset, and certainly never the eastern gardens. That was a restricted area, reserved only for master assassins, high scholars and the grand master himself. Sometimes she would even fall asleep at the window with scrolls or parchments piled high on her lap while her uncle worked tirelessly. He wouldn't want to wake her so he would pick her up and carry her to her own room, tuck her into the blankets and slip out without a sound. She spent many happy times in her uncles study but now Leah sat uncomfortably in the presence of her uncle, whom she had seen very little of since their return. He had called for her this evening because he had something he wanted to discuss, Rebecca had promised to keep her secret at least for now, so she wasn't concerned with being found out for her nightly strolls about the walls. Which left really only one other topic to be discussed and she was dreading it.
"I know you've been melancholy lately, and I do believe I know why." Hamid paused, gathering his words. "I know you were never keen on the idea of being married off Leah but the fact of the matter is that I'm not going to be around forever and my chief concern is to make certain that you are taken care of. Provided for."
"I can provide for myself and take care of myself." Leah spoke in a small voice, not wanting to anger her uncle as she had in the past on the sore subject. She couldn't help but speak the words, it was in her nature, she was a free spirit and wanted to be taken seriously.
"I know you can," his gentle response surprised her greatly. "I have seen you do so on many occasions and I am proud of the woman you have become. But even though I know you to be capable of such things, a pairing of a man and a woman is something ordained by Allah himself and I want you to know the partnership a strong husband can provide for you. I will book no refusal from you, Leah. You and I had a bargain after all. I trust you have not forgotten." Leah glumly shook her head. "But I see the toll it is taking on your spirit so I have asked you here to make a compromise." The candle light flickered with stray draft, quirking Leah's curiosity.
Compromise?
"What sort of compromise?" She asked in ernest but also with caution, in most experience whenever someone had suggested a compromise it turned out that it was their way of negotiating why they were right and they should have no refusal.
"I understand how hard it must be to feel that you have no control over your destiny," That was exactly how Leah felt, she felt powerless. Like she was standing in a crowded room screaming and yet no one would look up. "So in return for better cooperation and perhaps a smile here and there, I will take what you want into consideration." Leah was confused, would she now have a say in whom she was to marry? That sounded very… strange. "I have been in contact with several candidates for your hand, I will tell you who they are and permit you to spend time with them and discover of them what you can of their characters and I will take what you desire into consideration when I make my final decision."
"How long will I have?"
"One month." One month hardly sounded fair, but realistically her uncle didn't even have to do this much for her.
"Really?" She asked, uncertain if it was a trick of some sort. "You will hear me out?"
"Yes, if it will bring back your smile and put your heart at ease. Then yes, I will break tradition and together we will find your husband. A bargain?"
One month to learn enough of the candidates characters to determine who she wanted to marry, and even then her uncle could over rule her. But it was a chance she could not pass up.
"A bargain."
OOO
Hello everyone, I hope you're all enjoying my story, I really love writing Malik, I find that he's a more complex character then the game lets on. He deserves a great story! Read and review everyone, I love to know what you all think! Stay tuned all!
~Wicked
