Chapter ten and I've had 1,000 people look at this story and I can't help but get this happy feeling. Like the warmth inShahin's chest! I didn't actually think people would read my story! Thank you everyone for at least looking at my story! You have no idea how that made my day!

Onward!

Chapter Ten: Path to Redemption

I lazily floated on my back in my hot spring. It was the second day after the attack from the Templars and we were almost done cleaning up. All that was left was to finish repairing the village, which shouldn't take long with all the Novices assigned to help the villagers, and for the wounded to finish healing. Once those two were done this battle would be forgotten.

Or would it?

Just from yesterday I could tell a lot of people were going to hold a grudge against Altair. A big ugly grudge that made me sick. If it had been a normal Templar attack with no one to blame with the Brotherhood than we would move on to plan a revenge strike against them, but it was Altair who led them back to us and our Brothers were more than happy to ridicule the Master Assassin—I mean former Master Assassin.

This grudge made me sick because this hatred was blinding everyone. They could not see that Altair was going to pay. Sure it would've been a very light punishment if had been any other Assassin besides Altair, but Altair's punishment was specifically thought up by the cunning old man to beat up and practically destroy Altair's pride. My companion would have to take the insults and hatred in silence because he no longer held the rank to order them away from them or the power to give them fear of him. He would have to do the menial and tedious tasks that only Novices do and know that the others were laughing at him for doing it.

I sighed, Altair has a long and difficult path to redemption. I just wish I was there to help him along. Well, I wasn't entirely sure I wanted to go along. If I was to be with Altair while on his missions I would be with him every hour of everyday and that would make keeping my wings and gender a secret much more difficult. Hell, I wasn't even sure if Altair wanted me by his side. I didn't know if he hated me for seeming to stand on the side lines and let him be killed. I wouldn't be able to tell him that I healed him to prove his thoughts wrong because that would be against what I've been doing my entire life.

I sighed again. I seemed to be doing that a lot lately. It soothed my worries just a bit that the old man was thinking about sending someone with Altair to keep him safe. I say only a bit because if the wrong person is sent with Altair he could stab my companion in his sleep out of revenge and hatred.

I moved myself in to a vertical position and treaded water as I released my wings. I swam underwater and used my wings to 'fly' underwater. It was really unnecessary to clean my wings since they weren't dirty in the first place, but it made me feel better to wash my feathers until they gleamed proudly. Creature comforts, literally.

I surfaced in the shallow end of the hot spring and flapped my wings hard to shake off the excess water, splashing water everywhere and whipping my long hair in every direction. My feathers were already sort of waterproof so I didn't do this for long before I brought my wings in close and began running my fingers under my feathers against the way the lay, so I picked out anything that was stuck under my feathers and pull out any feathers that were loose. I called what I was doing preening because this is exactly what birds do when preening.

Since my wings were so big and large this took me a good amount of time before I smoothed my ruffled feathers down and climbed out of the pool. It was a half hour later that I was emerging from the forest and into the growing dawn light. I trudged up to the castle and made my way to the infirmary. Altair still slept and I wondered briefly how long he would remain so. I once heard of a man who slept for an entire week after suffering grievous wounds and woke up feeling better than ever if not for his healing injuries.

I pulled up the chair I had used yesterday and sat down by Altair's side. I noticed that the weapons I'd cleaned and organized yesterday were gone, but I figured Al Mualim and them taken for when Altair woke up. Then, I rummaged through my pouches and pockets for the block of oak I'd picked up yesterday and pulled out a knife. Settling down for a long wait, I began to carve to piece of wood that was square in shape and the size of my fist. Like usual when I focus on a tedious task, time lost any meaning to me. I could have been there for an hour or two or several hours. I didn't know. I was only brought down to earth when I heard a voice say, "Here's some water."

I looked up at a healer's apprentice who had come up to me. He was holding out a cup of water. He motioned to Altair's still form, "He needs to drink some water and since you're here I thought you could do it."

I hesitated for a moment before taking the cup and nodding my thanks to the boy. I put the carving I had been working on, which was a very detailed carving of an eagle and hawk in flight, and moved to sit on the edge of Altair's bed. I gently lifted his head up and put the cup to his lips. I was very careful to pour only a little bit at a time into his mouth to avoid choking him. For a second he didn't respond and I thought I'd have to coax his throat when he swallowed on his own. My eyes flickered up to his and saw that he still slept. I poured a bit more and he swallowed again. It took two minutes for him to drain the cup and for me to lay him back down on the bed.

I set the cup down on the table and stood up. I took one last at Altar's face before turning and exiting the infirmary. I was at the doorway when I saw a familiar figure pass me. I blinked and called out, "Malik."

The man stopped in the hallway and turned to me as I approached. He wasn't in his white Assassin robes. Instead he was in the dark blue robes that signified that the wearer was a Dai. I frowned until I saw his left arm. It was gone. His left sleeve was pinned up and I could see his arm had been amputated half way between his shoulder and elbow, leaving only a stump. Malik's brown eyes were red and blood shot from crying and pain, but his back was straight and his chin held high. I my respect for the man grow. Despite being demoted to being a Dai, losing his arm and brother, this man still stood tall and proud.

"Safety and peace, Malik," I greeted as I stood before him.

He nodded and murmured, "And upon you as well,Shahin."

I noticed the bag slung over his shoulder and I knew it held all of his possessions. "Where are you being sent to?" I asked.

Malik's mouth thinned and he gritted his teeth in rage and irritation. He took a breath to calm down before answering, "The Grand Master is sending me to the Assassin's bureau in Jerusalem."

I nodded and we stood there in silence. I groped for something to say and spoke the first thing that came to mind, "Have strength, Assassin Malik. I have a feeling you'll need it in the coming times."

Malik sneered at me, "I am a Dai now, Shahin. I am to never again be called an Assassin."

I shook my head and began to walk past the tormented man, "Even with one arm you will be more lethal than most of the men here in the Brotherhood. You may be a Dai in title, but you are an Assassin in heart like all of us." I paused before saying, "I wish you a safe journey and peace, Brother." I got no reply. I made my way to the hidden entrance of one of the secret passage ways. This one was not actually hidden, but unnoticeable. It was in another alcove but one of the walls with a tapestry hid a narrow opening for me to walk through.

I breathed deeply to try and calm my slightly pounding heart as I ascended a dark narrow staircase. It had sharp corners that were hard to not run into, but I got through and soon came upon a door with light leaking under it. I swung the door open and was immediately met with the dessert sun. I closed my eyes and held still, basking it in, before I stepped out of the door way and onto the flat balcony of one of the North towers. I looked down to see the courtyard and the small forms of the people occupying it. I could even hear the faint sound of metal hitting metal from the sparring taking place in the ring and if I switched to my eagles eyes I could easily see everyone.

But today I wasn't up here to observe the courtyard.

Today I just wanted to be with the sky and only the sky. I lay down in the sun and looked up at the endless blue above me. I put my hands behind my head and let my eyes slide half shut in the sleepy heat. In the chaos of the past two days I needed to take some of the sky's tranquility for my own. I needed to remind myself that I could leave this all behind if I wanted to. That I could just fly away and find a nice peaceful place, but I knew I wouldn't. Being an Assassin was my only purpose in life and I wasn't going to leave it behind. I watched as the sun ever so slowly moved across the sky as the day progressed. I could feel the anxiety that I'd been feeling all morning slowly fade away to follow the tranquil example the sky set.

It was afternoon when I was startled out of my watching by the scream of an eagle. I sat up and looked around until I saw the majestic bird circle the tower, observing me. Without thinking I mimicked the call back to the feathered being. It responded by flying a bit closer before coming to a halt on the other side of the balcony, eyeing me warily and carefully. I looked at the beautiful creature and took in its glossy almost golden feathers, its sharp deadly beak, its piercing dark eyes, its razor sharp intimidating claws, and its proud stance that reminded me so much of Altair. If my companion could've been an eagle he would've looked like this.

That thought reminded me of my suspicions of Altair having wings. In the past two days I'd been so distracted I had forgotten to even try and find out the truth. And now Al Mualimwould be sending him away on missions and I would only have the limited time he had when my companion reported back for his missions to find out if he was like me. How irritating.

I slowly held of a hand for the bird five feet away. It cocked its head much like how I do and tittered in its beautiful voice. I stayed as still as a statue for several minutes as the bird studied me. Only after several minutes did the eagle begin to sidle up to me. It glanced between me and my hand until it was close enough to crane its head forward and nibble on one of my fingers. I wiggled my finger and the bird jumped back with a shriek, fluffing out its feathers in surprise. I laughed and I swear to Allah that the bird glared at me before flying away, screaming eagle curses at me.

I looked up at the sun and thought that now would be a good time to go visit the women. I got up and made my waydown the dark narrow staircase again. I was just about to exit into the gardens when I heard Rauf's voice call out, "Shahin." I turned to see him jogging through the library towards me. "You are not an easy man to find, Brother. The Master wishes to see you again," he said pointing to where we could see the Grand Master's desk. Only he wasn't alone this time.

Altair was standing in front of his desk holding a villager still. My heart jumped at seeing Altair up and about. The old man himself was standing behind his desk watching me. I nodded my thanks to Rauf and quickly went up the steps and around the corner of railing towards the Grand Master's desk.

"Thank you for joining us, Shahin," Al Mualim greeted and I saw Altair's head quickly turn towards me. I bowed to the old man before nodding to my companion. He nodded back and stilled the struggles of the villager. "I've called you here again because this is the man who opened the gates during the attack two days ago. I thought you might want to be here for his punishment." I nodded my acknowledgement and Al Mualimpicked up the sword that was resting on his desk, which looked suspiciously like Altair's.

The old man walked around his desk, "You stand accused of betraying the Brotherhood and opening the way for our enemies. How do you answer these charges?" he asked the villager calmly.

The village man raised his chin proudly, "I deny nothing. I am proud of what I did! My only regret is that they failed." The villager glared at the old man as he paced in front of him.

The Grand Master pointed the sword at the man, "I offer you the chance to repent. To renounce to evil in your heart."

The man spat on the floor and growled, "It is not evil in my heart, but truth! I will not repent."

"Then you will die." Al Mualim almost casually drives the blade through the villager's chest. The man only gasped in pain once before falling to his side, dead, as Al Mualim withdrew the sword form his body. He took a cloth from a pouch and wiped the blood from the sword. "You did well, Altair," the old man praised. "And you have earned the right to carry a blade once more." He handed the sword to Altair who sheathed it at his side.

I was quiet. I've had it with executions. I don't want to see any more.

—Altair's POV—

"What will become of the one who helped him?" Altair asked, feeling a little better now that he had an actual weapon on his person.

His mentor walked back around his desk. "That remains to be seen," the old man answered thoughtfully. "Some do ill out ignorance or fear. These men can be saved. Others suffer from corrupted wills, their minds poisoned and twisted. These men must be destroyed. Soon enough we will see what sort Jamal is."

Altair was incredibly aware of Shahin standing off to the side watching, but forced himself to focus on the elderly man in front of him. "I've passed your test then. What now?" He wanted to get back his weapons and forget that any of the past day's events happened. He just wanted it behind him.

The old man looked at him with a smile that looked slightly malicious, "Oh my child, we've only just begun." He picked up a rolled piece of parchment and held it up for him to see, "I hold here a list. Nine names adorn it. Nine men who need to die." He began to pace again with the list held behind his back. "They are plague-bringers, war-makers. Their power and influence corrupts the land and ensure the Crusades continue." Al Mualimpointed a finger at Altair before continuing, "You will find them. Kill them. In doing so, you sow the seeds of peace. Both for the region and for yourself. In this way you might beredeemed ."

Although he doesn't realize this, he eerily repeats Shahin'swords from the day before, "Nine lives in exchange for mine."

Al Mualim glances quickly at the Master Assassin, who has been silent so far, before nodding, "A most generous offer, I think. Have you any questions?"

His pride, or what was left after finding out he had been demoted to a Novice, forced him to say, "Only where I need begin." When in actuality he wanted to demand how and why AlMualim hadn't killed him. He wanted to know why he had to suffer this humiliation and degradation.

The old man turned to stare out the window, "Very for Damascus. Seek out the black market merchant namedTamir. Let him be the first to fall. Be sure to visit the city's Assassin bureau when you arrive. I'll dispatch a bird to inform the Rafiq of your arrival. Speak with him, you'll find he has much to offer." Al Mualim turned towards the shelf where he kept his pigeons to carry messages.

"If you think it best," Altair said stiffly, not liking the idea of having to speak more than necessary to a Rafiq. They tended to ramble on and on in his experience.

"I do," the old man replied as he let a pigeon go. "Besides," he continued. "You cannot begin your mission without his consent."

Altair stiffened, unable to control his anger. This is going too far! he thought furiously. To ask for permission to do something I am the best at is too much humiliation! "What nonsense is this?" he demanded hotly. "I don't need his permission! It's a waste of time!"

"Altair." Shahin called softly, drawing his attention like no amount of yelling would. He turned his head and he saw that the Master Assassin was allowing him to see his eyes. "Calm yourself, Brother. This is but a small price to pay compared to death." Shahin's golden eyes were telling him something as well. They were saying, "Take this quietly before you get in more trouble!"

"Shahin is correct," Altair agreed, waving to said man. He narrowed his eyes on Altair, "You answer to not only me, but all of the Brotherhood now."

Altair grudging bowed his head. "So be it."

Al Mualim turned back to his window before dismissing him, "Take your equipment and go. Prove you are not lost to us." As Altair stepped forward to gather the weapons on the table Al Mualim spoke again. "And Altair?"

"Yes, Master?" he answered, freezing.

The old man turned back to the two Master Assassins, "It was brought to my attention that you might not be able to properly defend yourself without all of your weapons. So I have decided to send another with you."

Altair wasn't sure if he liked this new development, but he asked, "Who is to accompany me?"

The Grand Master waved a hand at Shahin, "ShahinAl-Hira will go with you on each of the nine missions you have. He will not assist you in any aspect other than keeping you alive and well enough to return to Masyaf. Is this clear?"

Altair wasn't sure if he liked that he was comforted by the thought of the other man being by his side like he promised. It lessened the anxiety gathering in his stomach.

He nodded in understanding and Al Mualim turned his one good eye to Shahin. "And do you understand?"

Shahin bowed with his right fist over his heart, "I do, Master."

Al Mualim nodded and turned back to the window. "Good. I expect the two of you to leave at dawn tomorrow morning."

Both Master Assassins bowed again before leaving the second floor of the library, not looking but thinking about how the other Assassin was reacting to this news.

And we are on our way to the first assassination!Shahin is with Altair and secrets will be revealed! I still need ideas for Altair's abilities! Please PM me! I really need your guys help! SOS! What ever! Just send me your ideas please!

REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!

Safety and Peace, Brothers and Sisters.