Diminia- Hmm, will any of them join Altair, you ask? Well...to tell you the truth, I'm not too sure myself. But I don't want to mess with the main characters too much. There will be time for much more insanity with them later. I'll try and make them longer...But aren't over 2,000 words good enough for you?! EGAD! Always asking for more than necessary...But on the serious side, I'll try. Oh, and...Hello Avar.

Addie133- Oh yes, brat indeed. I'm sorry that she resembles someone you know. You must know how Cosette feels then. She complains to me constantly on how I love to see her in pain...and maybe I do. Haha, well, that's me, making up new characters as I go.

Hedwig the MilleniumOwl- Don't we all just adore the randomness?! WOOT! YAY! It's great being unpredictable, yes! I like to keep things fast paced in my writing, I don't like overly describing something, it's just not me I suppose. And I kind of suck at it, to tell you the truth.

Disclaimer:...Should I even bother? I do not own Assassin's Creed. There. This is turning out to be a really tiresome routine.


Chapter 8- Ryan's Response

"NADIR!" An unidentified object flew past the poor man's face nearly hitting him…It was a plate. Ryan felt the sudden urge to leave.

"Calm yourself, love, and allow me to explain." Ryan gaped as the man tried to calm his wife down in a desperate attempt. An impossible attempt. It would be like trying to speak and calm a storm. It's just simply not done. And like a storm, this woman was deadly, she had this murderous look in her eyes that Ryan was feeling a bit fidgety about.

By now, even the humongous horse looked inviting. Ryan considered returning to the stables. At least it would prove as good cover. "Um…Nadir, I don't really think that's-…" Another dish was thrown, crashing onto the floor. And Ryan had dodged it right on time. If his timing were off by even a second…well, he preferred not to think about that. The thought of blood wasn't quite pleasing.

Nadir sighed and smiled that mysterious smile of his, somehow looking as though he was still going to try and calm his storm of a wife. "Thank our gracious lord our plates are wooden and not of fragile material." Ryan thought that was not exactly the type of thing to be grateful for at the moment. "What about being grateful for our lives?!" Something zipped by his face; a spoon.

"Oh, worry not Rye-an." He ducked just as another plate was going to smack into his face. "Plates and spoons cannot kill us."

"That's not what I meant!" Ryan felt flustered as he hid behind a fence. He knew very well it wasn't exactly the best cover, but it would have to do for now. He just could not understand how Nadir was standing in the open while objects were being thrown directly at him. And his wife had pretty good aim too!

His wife came out, eyes flashing with fury and something equally dangerous in her hands. "Nadir! H-how dare you! How dare you show your face here!" The knife flew right past and thumped straight into the ground. Ryan whimpered and started crawling away from the knife on his hands and knees. When he saw her making a move to throw some more things that she could get her hands on, Ryan panicked beyond reason.

"Good god! Lady, I hope you realize that's silverware you're holding! Wait, please, don't-…" This time, both Ryan and Nadir moved away just as the silverware flew past like throwing knifes. They situated themselves a safe distance away. "I find it more threatening when she is holding metal." Nadir explained when Ryan tossed him an odd look to question his being with him.

"What did you do to her?!" Ryan whispered to Nadir as they hid behind a wooden crate for cover this time. The man who was carrying it in his cart was not very pleased. ("Go away, you fools.") But they moved along with it as long as they could anyway before being chased away.

The bizarre middle aged man shrugged almost carelessly. "She blames me for our son's death, still." Ryan wondered briefly what the man's priorities were if he was so blatant about his son's death. But then again, he could be just as hurt by it and just trying to hide it. Ryan wouldn't know; after all, Nadir was a strange man. And Ryan knew strangeness all too well.

Settling for a casual answer, Ryan asked hesitatingly."Okay…And how long has it been since then?"

"Ah…" He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I believe it has been a month." Ryan thought he caught a flicker of sadness pass through the old man's eyes. But it disappeared as quickly as it appeared; it was as though it never occurred. "Ah yes, time flies." That's not the only thing flying…Ryan thought as they narrowly missed another kitchen appliance. But, in truth, Ryan was really astounded by Nadir's poise within situation though his wife was trying to murder them both. Why she wanted to exterminate him too was unknown to him.

Perhaps it had something to do with being "in league" with said "son killer". Ryan grimaced at the thought, the last thing he would ever do in his life would be to kill anyone. Let alone hurt them. He could imagine well his sister laughing uproariously at the situation, rolling on the floor from the hilarity.

But even if the thought brought a small smile to his face, it did not help in their slight situation at the moment. Ryan had never, within his overly innocent life, had to deal with a raving mad homicidal woman before. The saying might be quite humorous to say, but in actuality, is not amusing at all. He turned to Nadir. "Can't we just go to another home? One that's preferably not housing a homicidal woman bent on killing us both?!"

"Oh, worry not your little head, Rye-an." Ryan assumed he said so in an affectionate tone as the amusement tugged at the corners of his lips. "She is actually quite charitable and kind beneath the dragon fire exterior." Nadir said casually as the two of them sneaked behind another crate, dodging cups and utensils in the process. Ryan found it horribly hard to believe. Though he was hoping equally as much that is was true.

A cup, this time not made of wood, flew directly overhead and landed before Ryan's feet, shattering to pieces. He could not help but let out a small squeal as Nadir laughed heartedly. "Careful, my wife, you may harm the poor boy!" He shouted out to her, a twinkle in his eye, obviously teasing. Ryan's heart, meanwhile, was pounding hard in his chest as he muttered darkly. "I don't know how you find the situation funny."

Nadir turned seriously to Ryan in hearing an unfamiliar darkness to his tone, a questioning look on his face. But in the end after a long stare, Ryan took a deep breath and cried most pitifully, "How in the world do you find time to laugh when your wife is TRYING TO KILL US!?" Ryan would have waved his arms around to emphasize his point if various objects weren't being airborne over their heads.

He seemed to grin like a self satisfied cat awakened nicely from a long afternoon nap. "Now, Rye-an, she has no reason to be angry at you if that is what you worry about." That was not what he was worrying about. Ryan was more concerned for the people now gathering about the house. If there was one thing both he and his sister agreed they disliked terribly, it was gossip.

Nadir caught his gaze direction and nodded almost solemnly. "Don't worry; they shall become bored in no time."

Ryan gave him an annoyed look. He did not find it likely that people would become bored of murder by utensils. "And what if they don't?"

Nadir did not hesitate to answer. "They will." He was absolutely sure; he even gave a look towards the unwanted audience causing them to turn away in what seemed like uneasiness. Nadir seemed fearsome despite being constantly friendly.

Ryan was persistently worried. "But what if-…?"

"Then they too shall face my dear wife's wrath." And that was the end of that. Ryan found himself agreeing and saw Nadir smile dryly. "I hope they don't stay too long."

It was then that they noticed something peculiar. Ryan was not quite sure, but after a few more seconds, he grew amazed.

"There are no more airborne objects." Ryan said obviously, he glanced at Nadir to meet with a knowing smirk. "Oh…well, sorry for being so obvious." In front of them, they could hear to fast padding of feet. The unwanted audience was leaving (…or were they fleeing?) from the house. Ryan felt a sharp shock climb harshly up his back as he sat straight up. Next to him, Nadir too, grew stiff. All they could see for now was a long shadow dawning over their insignificant figures.

"Hiding, Nadir? How odd that this be so particular for you." The voice was heated with an etched sardonic tone, clear and hovering about their heads. Ryan wondered if she was carrying any weapons that she wanted to stick into Nadir like toothpicks violently.

However, Ryan slowly turned around to be met with a woman somewhere close to his height, with a calm but cold look in her eyes. The atmosphere turned quickly chilly despite to hot temperature. "EGAD!" Ryan could not help but quote his sister in the state of shock. He sprawled himself to the ground and scooted a bit from the woman, giving her a respectable space.

Nadir stood to her and met her eyes and respectfully kept his distance. "Faridah…" He cautiously approached her like to a helpless animal...Only, she was anything but helpless. She looked more likely to bite his hand off.

Her eyes remained cold, obviously not won over by him. Perhaps she was still considering killing him where he stood. Ryan worried over this thought as it seemed forever before she replied. "Nadir," She breathed his name deathly soft while Nadir remained calm and staid (And Ryan was on the verge of running for his life). "Just know now that your honeyed words will not work on me. I am no fool to your tricks."

"I thought of doing no such thing, dear." He allowed himself to chuckle as he stood firm despite his wife's obvious frozen expression. "Nor did I think you a fool." This conversation was making as much progress as a sloth would so in a day. Ryan could only look between the two of them, switching from Nadir to his wife.

Finally, she decided to speak once more. "…Nadir." She seemed hesitant and Ryan caught her glancing at him. He didn't take long to realize he was mentally and politely being asked away. Of course, the woman wanted privacy! Well, it wasn't that Ryan minded anyway. He was more than willing to give it!

He smiled sheepishly hoping not to anger the terrifying woman. "I suddenly have this feeling to leave. AH! What's that?! Why is that a goat, over there?! Away from you two, why yes, I believe it is! It looks so lonely, I should go comfort it! Away from you two." Ryan scurried off leaving the couple looked after him with perplexed expressions. He did not bother to look back, feeling their eyes staring back after him, was enough to make him run even faster.

He heard her comment before he was out of earshot. "He is an odd one."

Then, "Indeed. But he is not a bad boy." Ryan ran faster. He was not going to become an eavesdropper, which was just rude and could possibly offend the frightening woman in the process. Ryan was not looking forward to dying just yet.

The fountain poured out what seemed endlessly, the droplets filling the small little pool like durable rain. Ryan sat down and looked at his feet, his shoes now seemed caked with dust and no longer the clean white when he first bought them. Despite hearing Nadir's very positive compliment, Ryan was still worried. What reason did the woman have to keep him anyway? He was just a stranger that didn't belong here. His clothes were as easy to pick out as red was within white after an accidental wash with bleach.

He wondered how his sister was doing. He hoped the best for her, but that was all he could do. He imagined her replying in snide remarks. ("Well, gee, thanks so much, Ryan. SO helpful!") As impolite he was to think of her in such a way, he was probably right.

Maybe I should go to the stables… An outrageous voice suggested to him. He was caught by surprise, but found himself thinking it over. He would probablybe sitting idle for a while, the two possibly had a lot of catching up to do. And to move around would distract him from the blazing heat. NO, NO, NO! Wait just a darn minute! "I am terrified of horses, remember." Ryan muttered to himself…As if he needed a reminder.

But after a few more seconds of sitting in the sun and a growing urge to just jump in the fountain and play around like a toddler…Ryan relented. Oh, what the heck. Let's go scare myself.


"Oh man…I have no idea where it is!" He would move left then suddenly change his mind to go right only to change his mind again. Ryan took great care as to not wander far from the surroundings. For all he knew, he could accidently wander into some "bad" side of Masyaf and get lynched in some darkened alleyway.

People were walking past him…Maybe I should ask for directions…He strode over to a group of women, middle aged and covered from head to toe. He briefly wondered if they wanted to cook themselves alive from their choice of garb but chased the thought away. "Excuse me, but could you direct me to the stables please?" Ryan could not help but blush in embarrassment. It had not been too long ago that Nadir had taken Amyl to the stables. Why did he have to be so forgetful and dense?!

Fortunately, they seemed quite polite about giving him directions and gestured. The only odd thing was that they didn't seem to want to talk much and when it seemed like he wasn't going to leave fast enough, they quickly did so.

Ryan thought nothing of it as he ran in the direction they pointed. Only why he was running towards terrifying horses, he had forgotten to ask himself. It wasn't until he got there that he remembered he should have told Nadir where he was going. Darn it all and my slow working brain!!!!

But after a while. Oh well.

The horses were huge. Ryan wasn't quite sure what to do. All he could say when the stable hand asked if he needed anything was, "It's okay, just keep them away from me." He received an odd look from the young man, but he kindly said nothing and went right to work on tending to the horses.

I can do this. Ryan was determined. Just step forward and touch it. It won't hurt you no matter how big it is. Ryan stepped a bit closer and continuously inched forward towards the stables. The stable hand, watching curiously could not stand to watch anymore and asked, "Do you require assistance?" Ryan may of not been embarrassed by his behavior, but the stable boy was feeling embarrassed for him.

"No, no! I'm quite fine! Just leave it to me." After a large breath and pause Ryan finally gathered up enough courage. He ran into the stable and clung onto one of the wooden pillars with a small yell. It was more dramatic than necessary.

After a few seconds, Ryan let a sigh of relief. "Hallelujah! I'm not dead!"

The stable boy only stared for a few more seconds before shaking his head and walking away and muttering something under his breath. Something about how odd foreign people were.

15 minutes later, the stable boy returned after replacing all the hay, expecting to find the odd boy gone. He expected wrong. Ryan was still there and clinging shamelessly. When Ryan noticed the unnecessary attention, he exclaimed. "I can get off whenever I want to!" And clung on tighter. The wooden pillar was his new friend who would protect him…apparently. The smell of the horses seemed to paralyze him. So many horses gathered in one place…Ryan had a limited amount of courage for only specific times.

The boy sighed. "They won't hurt you. They are in their stables, after all." The boy went over towards a steed with a grayish complexion and petted its nose softly. "See? No harm done." When the boy glanced back, Ryan's eyes stared back like huge dinner plates. "How the heck do you do that so calmly!?"

Nadir had no trouble finding the odd boy. He practically left a trail behind him with his foreign and strange attitude. After paying respects to a group of women, a rich merchant's daughter and her two servants (He made it his business to know people beforehand), he questioned whether they had any say on him. They did indeed. Went so far as to ask Nadir if he knew who the boy's father was and questioned his upbringing; as though there were a problem with his upbringing. The only problem for the boy was his obvious unfamiliarity with traditions.

Nadir decided immediately against punishing Rye-an as the women strictly suggested. "He went over to us and dared to act as though he were of same stature. He did not even show respect to our lady!" One elderly servant, who was being frightfully forward, nearly shrieked aloud and for a moment resembled a harpy. Nadir was careful to stay clear of the talons.

"Why, of course. He will receive what he deserves." And Nadir meant every word. He only let these proud women think the worst. With that, the young and horribly bigheaded daughter nodded her head in satisfaction which was not easily concealed within her eyes. Nadir bowed respectfully (in status and wealth, he was lower) and left.

Despite the encounter, Nadir did not receive the proper information on where to find Rye-an. However, he knew it was better not to linger about their kind too long. He thought over their pathway from the gate to the house and in no time at all, predicted a possible place where he would be. Though he did wonder why. From what he witnessed, the boy was (absurdly) terrified of horses.

When he arrived, he saw that his predication was correct.

Only now, Ryan wasn't hugging onto the pole anymore. The stable boy managed to convince him to cease doing so and had led him over to where he could observe "safely" without being within a few feet of the horses. "Thanks." Ryan breathed and found he could move, no longer frozen in fear. The horses staring at him with those huge eyes were giving him the creeps though.

"I never met anyone so afraid of horses. If the others knew of this, they'd laugh their heads until they drowned in their own tears." Ryan assumed "the others" the boy mentioned were his companions. He smiled wholeheartedly. "Nah, you can tell them if you want." He registered the obvious surprise on the boy's face and continued. "At least it'll give them a good laugh." Ryan found it difficult to make enemies.

"You're an odd one." The boy breathed, staring at him in a strange way.

"So I've been told." Ryan agreed enthusiastically. Ryan paused, and then added. "My name's Ryan."

The boy seemed distracted for but a moment but shook and answered, suddenly shy, muttering. "Shadin…" A long pause followed after.

"Ah, 'little deer' just what are you doing?"

Shadin jumped out of his wits and turned towards the voice, his head low and ready to pour his heart out in apology. But it was only Nadir. He laughed kindly. "'Tis only an old man, you need not bow so lowly."

They both exchanged respects, Shadin remaining quiet and timid as his name while Ryan looked between the two; clearly not sure of what he was to do in the situation. Shadin glanced at him giving him a warning look. But Ryan wasn't sure what to do with it. He looked towards Nadir, lifted his hand and gave a little wave. "Hey, Nadir!"

Shadin looked as though a jolt traveled through his body as his eyes widened and looked fearfully between the elder and younger. Nadir grinned in reply and (surprisingly to Shadin) answered in equal mirth, not offended at all. "Hello, Rye-an!" Shadin looked as though wondering whether he stumbled upon an alternate universe.

But before he could utter a word, Ryan was whisked away by Nadir. "It is time for us to take leave, Rye-an." Nadir looked towards Amyl's big brown eyes and gestured to Ryan. "Now say goodbye to our dear Amyl."

Ryan stared at Amyl. "'Goodbye to our dear Amyl.'" His sister would have laughed at that.

Nadir only smiled and said. "Well, it's a start." He looked to Shadin who had recently reclaimed his wits and was staring at the two unusual ones warily. Nadir only smiled mysteriously and said to Ryan. "Now, to Shadin, say farewell."

Nadir learned how to counteract the joke well. Ryan grinned at Nadir, which politely transformed to a kind smile when he looked to Shadin. "Goodbye Shadin! I'll see you later!" It wasn't a possibility, it was a promise. And with the words left hanging after he left, Shadin chuckled to himself and smiled secretly. He whispered to himself while going back to work. "See you later."


"Rye-an…What an unusual name." Nadir's wife looked as though she was once very beautiful. Her skin was still soft-looking despite the wrinkles and her eyes contained a youthful glow. But she possessed such a shrewd expression upon her mouth, Ryan felt he was being interrogated every time she spoke.

Within the house, it was a little cooler (though not very) and very homely, welcoming, despite the small space. Ryan did not mind that the living room was morphed with kitchen and were the size of his room at home. He didn't even mind the fact that there were no toilets. Okay, maybe he minded a little. The smell was absolutely appalling the first experience, Ryan was glad he did not faint from the fumes.

"So I've been told…by your husband." Ryan nibbled his bread like child stalling, who had no appetite for the broccoli placed on the table. His fragile form under the frightening woman's stare. The same woman who seemed in the mood to murder them both with eating utensils and plates not too long ago.

"Are you alone, Ryan?" The question was a little bothering. But if it had been asked by anyone else, Ryan would have felt more disturbed. Almost as though a kidnapper were awaiting the appropriate moment to capture him under the right circumstances. But he shook the thought off as quickly as he could. The last thing he needed was to feel unconditionally nervous about nothing.

Nadir spoke jovially as he cast a sympathetic look towards Ryan. "Alone? Why, we're with him at this moment, are we not?" Ryan passed him a grateful look at his attempt to lift to obvious awkwardness which had settled above them. His wife, however, turned, and though her back was facing Ryan, Ryan could imagine well enough the annoyed look upon her face.

He could feel her irritable state, though it was not directed at him when she said dreadfully quiet. "I believe I did not question you." Nadir backed off and cleared his throat, not looking anywhere near nervous. But, in fact, he seemed more bothered that Faridah had mentally placed him under a time out. Nadir seemed to find it difficult to stand still too long.

Ryan cleared his throat a bit and answered her question to break her locked stare upon Nadir. "Well, from what you're asking…No, I'm not." His sister easily entered his mind.

The couple looked surprised, as though not expecting the answer. Nadir had, after all, found the boy alone and had not encountered any other person resembling him at all. Their expressions exchanged between them. They knew that his companion was likely lost and wandering which caused them to draw to horrible but true conclusions. It would not be likely that he would meet his companion again.

Faridah was always admirably quick to recover as she questioned, she was always careful with her expressions, "Who are they?" She was even more curious about this Rye-an person. His culture seemed completely different from that of both her and her husband. Well, of anyone, in fact. It was picked out immediately from the way he spoke, he possessed a sort of accent she never heard of.

"Just one person." Ryan did not think it would be unsafe to say. "My sister." And it was from that moment that Ryan sensed emotions of sympathy poured towards him in waves. He wasn't sure why. He was positive he and his sister would find each other. "I'll find her. My sister and I are attracted together like magnets." Was he trying to reassure himself?

After a silent pause, Faridah spoke again. "You shall stay with us." It did not sound like a suggestion.

Ryan was shocked despite the fact that the two of them had commented and said he would stay with them for the past day. Oddly, he had thought they weren't serious. So he could not help but protest. "Oh no, I don't…I'm not sure if I want to bother you, I mean-…"

"You shall stay with us, Rye-an." Faridah gripped his hand quite seriously, her eyes clearly relaying the message. "No" looked like the wrong answer to her statement.

Ryan felt uncomfortable for a moment. "Um, okay…Thank…you…?"

"Splendid! We have a room prepared already!" Her face became the picture of absolute joy, which seemed strange upon her face from what Ryan had seen of her. He didn't mean to be rude but, the woman didn't seem possible of pure happiness. Ever since they arrived she just seemed…formidable.

"Ah very good! Let us make preparations!" Nadir's cheerful voice filled the room as he joined in with her making a fanatical suggestion. "I shall teach you to ride Amyl."

The second the suggestion (or was it a promise?) reached Ryan's poor ears, he could not help but groan. He wasn't sure he was looking forward to such a moment. "What? Now?!" Ryan's voice of protest was unmistakable. His mind was already thinking of ways to get out of such a predicament. Despite his experience in the stables, Ryan was far from cured. Horses still terrified him.

Nadir seemed to read this from his mind. "Yes, I can see this is going to be difficult." He sounded more amused than put off which placed Ryan into a panic. Nadir really was serious about teaching him then. Ryan felt like running out of the room. This day was filled with him wanting to run for his life, it seemed. Maybe living here wasn't as healthy as he thought.

After a pause, Nadir continued. "Or perhaps we should postpone the lessons to tomorrow. You have had a long day."

"Yeah, let's postpone it…forever." Ryan replied.

Nadir stared him down. "I know you're joking, boy. But this is a life skill!"

"…That I can live without!" Ryan continued on with excuses. He was not going anywhere near horses as long as he was conscious of it. Even though Amyl was a nice horse and didn't seem all too threatening after a couple of hours passed, Ryan didn't like the idea of possibly falling off…or getting run over. "Besides, I wouldn't want to bother Amyl with my skittishness. You know, I could just walk for the rest of my life and save a poor horse the trouble of bearing my unbearable weight. I'm heavier than I look and-…! Hey! Wait!"

Nadir sighed, dragging the poor scared little boy behind him. "Nevermind. We're curing you of this fear now." Ryan's protests heightened to an extent after he said that.

Faridah was only watching after them as they left through the doorway into the street towards the stables with a small smile. She was not going to interfere with this if it was not necessary. "Be sure to return by dinner!" Faridah called after them and turned back into the house.

And that was how Ryan was settled into the home of Faridah and Nadir.


What's going to happen?! Who is Shadin?! What will Ryan DO?! What about Cossette?! Why are we asking so many questions to a computer screen?!