Chapter eight - Unpleasantries
Days passed without my acknowledgement and nights were spent with a plagued mind full of nightmares. The man I slew in cold blood haunted my thoughts, begging an explanation for my actions, taunting my every move before his words became nothing more than a choked noise and blood spilled from the corners of his mouth. He would often grasp my robes for support as he fell and his eyes would follow the blade that had pierced him to the hands that held the hilt and up to my face. His suffering reflected his expression and I would stare back at him with no words or emotion but by this point, Malik would wake me or arouse my attention only to allow my thoughts envelope the terrifying ordeal once more.
I was lying on something of a soft nature absentmindedly, staring at the sky with a blank expression, when Malik called my name. I did not respond or move to imply that I had heard him. I felt unclean. The blood on my hands was uncomfortable and horrid, though not visible to any but me. The Saracen guard was slumped against something and his empty eyes gazed vacantly at me but only I could see him.
"Laila!" Malik said in frustration. He was stood next to my limp body, his eyebrows were furrowed. I tilted my head towards him and he exhaled in exasperation, "I need your help with unloading my equipment." He said in an attempt to keep a neutral tone but my features were expressionless and he threw his hands up, asking Allah why he had been cursed with an immobile burden.
After a few more moments of reprimanding, Malik stopped and sat crossed legged beside me, his face now covered in concern.
"Laila, speak plainly and tell me what it is that troubles you so?" He asked gently as he gave me his full attention.
I sighed deeply before, with effort, sitting up and facing him, "I killed a man," My voice was coarse as it had been unused for days and I found my eyelids shielding the outside world from myself, "The blood that has stained my robes may be washed away but the memory can never leave me." Another sigh later and I reopened my eyes to look at Malik for comfort.
"He would have killed you without hesitation if you had not acted." Malik replied simply but I detested that excuse.
"I thought the same but that does not justify murder." I spat angrily but Malik seemed to have anticipated this response as he gave a slight smirk.
"Killing is not glorified within the Creed, nor is it made to sound trivial. To ensure that our aims of peace are achieved we must rid of any obstacles that pose as a threat to the Brotherhood and others, even if this is through the means of drawing blades," He explained but I was stil struggling to make sense of it and Malik caught onto this and allowed me to elaborate. I explained that the deaths of the Saracen soldiers were not for the benefit of either the Brotherhood or the citizens but for our own lives. Again, Malik had another response ready, "For every casualty, the Creed suffers. We cannot afford to have lower rank assassins outnumbering the rest as they are not ready for physically and mentally straining tasks. Should we have died in the mountains, it would mean more novices would have to train even harder and more recruits would have to be tracked down. Although it was self defence, you serve a much higher purpose in the Creed and society than you realise and so you should value your life even more so." He concluded but I still remained slightly sceptical.
"And yet be willing to die for the Brotherhood."
We spoke in circles for a while longer, helping me to understand why my actions in the Kingdom were the correct path and soon the image of the Saracen guard in the corner disappeared. I looked into the direction of where it had originally been before taking in my surroundings for the first time since the journey through the mountains. Above me was a cage-like ceiling jutting out of the original stone that had a large square gap and around me were three plain white walls, the other was adorned with the symbol of the assassins. To the far left was an opening to another room, where Malik had emerged from earlier, and beneath me were pillows of all different colours and fabrics.
"Malik," I began sounding vaguely confused, "Where are we?"
He laughed outrageously before exclaiming how he was glad that I had finally returned to the world and clapping his right hand against my arm.
"The assassin Bureau in Jerusalem," He replied as he stood before walking into the other room, "We arrived here two days ago." He called and I shakily brought myself to my feet, using the stone wall as support. Malik continued to tell me of what had happened after the encounter with the guards in the mountains from the other room and I slowly made my way to see him. It was hardly conceivable that I had missed so much in my repressed state of mind. Apparently we had stayed in the Kingdom for a night or two so I would be able to regain my strength and my injured horse had managed to find its way back to us though Malik feared that it may have attracted unwanted attention and tied its reins to a nearby cart of hay where we bade it farewell.
"Your contribution here has been nonexistent, so far. I expect this to change." Malik pressed as I entered the next room of the Bureau and I chuckled, agreeing to his terms.
Malik was stood behind a desk that was cluttered with several pieces of parchment which he seemed to have been unsuccessfully organise. I leaned against the entrance to the chamber and smirked at his misfortune.
"Are you not intending to help?" He asked without taking his eyes away from the mess before him and I pushed myself away from the archway, taking a few more steps into the room. Above me was a wooden walkway to access the extra bookshelves and level to both Malik and I were stools, a small desk and yet even more parchment. The general lighting in the chamber was poor but Malik informed me that there were candles that we could use should it become too dark.
"Take these and sort them into the shelves above." Malik said as he held out a stack of parchment that I hastily made my way towards and relieved him of before turning on my heel and climbing up the ladder to the walkway.
For several moments Malik and I worked silently, both far too engrossed in our work to speak to one another, until a shuffling sound became audible from the main entrance. I looked towards Malik but he continued to work as he had before and so I followed in suit.
"Safety and peace, Malik." An all too familiar voice spoke, bringing both a smile and a scowl to my face.
"Your presence here deprives me of both," Malik responded with an instant tone of criticism, "What do you want?" By this point I had finished organising what Malik had given me and I sat on the walkway with an incredulous expression at the two conversing, Malik chastising while Altaïr attempted to keep himself calm. Altaïr had come to ask Malik what he knew of his next target but that information was not going to be given without struggle. Malik knew how to irritate Altaïr but he in turn knew how to infuriate his one-armed brother and it is this conflict that causes the most problems between the two of them. Altaïr was prodding his index finger into the desk, demanding Malik's intel as he made his way around the desk. I, on the other hand, simply watched the events unfold and shook my head as it did.
"Throwing a tantrum like a child are we, he of the demoted status?" Malik challenged, his grin showing his enjoyment but this soon turned into disbelief as Altaïr used his hand to push Malik away.
"As you were." Altaïr retorted as both of their chests heaved with frustration but Malik remained silent. The entire scene was somewhat comical though understandable, however as soon as I realised that Malik was to take steps towards Altaïr I decided to raise my concerns into the matter, though Altaïr proceeded first.
"Then do not help me, I will find him on my own." Altaïr conceded as he turned towards the exit, ready to storm out into Jerusalem with no bearings.
I cleared my throat, "Enough. You are both behaving as children would," I began, receiving the attention of both men. Altaïr looked up at me from where he was standing as if he had been caught off guard whereas Malik simply rested his back against his desk, "Altaïr knows not where he should start his investigation. It would be unwise send him into the city without direction." Altaïr's eyes were fixated on me but the meaning they intended to convey is still a mystery to me. He turned his attention back to Malik once he had finally decided to give him information. As the two spoke in a somewhat more civilised manner, I made my way back down the ladder of the walkway to gather more parchment that needed tending to and Altaïr gave an abrupt farewell before leaving. I had managed to peek a glance at Malik but his back was turned to me, though it was not difficult to guess what he felt
