Sorry for the wait guys, I was away on holiday with friends and had no access to my laptop or wifi, so posting was delayed a while but I hope this extra long chapter will make up for it! Thanks for all stopping by!
Kahil gripped onto the horse's mane as Adira taught him how to ride, explaining the care and gentleness needed to ride powerful horses such as the Arabian one they were riding. Although perfectly natured, this mare was still quite headstrong and pulled at her bit, tossing her head.
"You see, she's asking to have a little of her head, but since she's not asking nicely, I'm going to make her go a little faster." Adira explained, pushing the mare into a trot. "And once I am satisfied she is doing what she is told, I'll loosen the reins." After a few seconds more, she did so and the mare snorted, her light steps becoming more cheerful. Kahil grinned.
"You're so clever mama. Will I be like you one day?"
"I don't know. You'll have to work very hard and listen to all that I say." Adira chuckled, one hand curled around her son as she lifted him up when the mare's gait threw her up into the saddle before sitting back down again. "How about we canter?"
"Yes!" Kahil cheered then hooted as the mare smoothly made the transition, pricking up her tail for it to fly behind them like a silver banner. "Mama? Why did that man send us away? Did I do something wrong?" Adira did not know what to tell him. He was too young to know all of what happened but she could not lie to him.
"No. It was I who did something very bad. I lied to the man and then because of my lies, he got hurt." She said to him softly. "It was nothing you did that made him send us away. It was all my fault."
"He always asked me about you, mama. When he gave me the little animal toys to play with and he would sit with me, he asked all sorts of questions and I told him all about you." Adira's interested spiked at this new information.
"What did he ask?"
"Not a lot at first, at the beginning he asked if I was happy here, which I told him I was then he began to ask about you. He asked what your real name was, which I told him was Adira and then when he began to ask more, I told him everything I knew about you. I told him your favourite colours, your favourite spices and herbs, I told him why you look up at the stars every night and then all about our trips to market and you teaching me how to read and write yourself. I told him that you were the best mama in all the world." Her eyes shone warmly as she smiled. Altair had asked about her? At least he had cared at one point.
"Did he ask anything else?"
"No. Mostly I just talked about you and living in Damascus. Are we going home now?"
"No, we're going to start a new life in Acre. Try and rest now, Kahil, it's going to be a long ride." Kahil yawned then nodded his head, snuggling into his mother who wrapped a part of her cloak around him to shield him from the sun. Every now and then she would glance behind her. She wanted to ride back, to take Altair's hood and…her own thoughts startled her. Did she really feel that deeply for him? She had to admit she had enjoyed his warmth when sleeping next to him out in the desert. It had been so long since she had slept beside a man, she had forgotten how comforting it was.
After several hours of walking, Adira noticed something shining in the distance, the waves of heat distorting the image. Frowning she moved the mare towards the dunes where she stopped then jumped down, waking Kahil and telling him to wait there.
An entire army began to form before her eyes. They all marched towards Masyf, Sadil Abazar at its head. Her eyes darkened. They were too far away for her to count them properly by battalion but she estimated there was a good three hundred or so, with a cavalry of fifty included in that number. A scout rode into view.
Eye narrowed Adira drew her bow, sliding an arrow onto the string before running low along the sand mountain, keeping out of sight before the scout had ridden around to search the road ahead. Her arrow slipped through her fingers and buried its head into the scouts shoulder.
He cried out and his horse reared, kicking up its hooves as the scout fell then galloped away. As the scout reached for his horn, Adira crushed his hand with her foot. "There are three hundred of you, correct?" The scout stared up at her but nodded his head, breathing with fear. "What is your plan?"
"He wants the boy. Your boy. He's going to take your son and kill everyone in the Creed once and for all. I swear, I don't know any more than that. Please, please don't kill me." Her eyes remained cold as her lips set into a hard line.
"You should never have come." With a blur her sword flashed in the bright sunlight, illuminating the scout's eyes before his head rolled away from his body. Adira grabbed his fallen spear, ripped off the flag then skewered the decapitated head, burying it deep into the ground directly into the army's path.
Running back up the hill she whistled, gripping onto the mare's mane as she cantered towards her before vaulting up. The she galloped, stuffing the flag into the packs. "What's going on mama? Why are we going back?"
"Altair is in danger. We have to warn them." She said to him. "Listen to me, Kahil, when we get back it is very probable that they will kill me."
"No! I won't let them." He whined but she hushed him.
"If I cannot explain to them that my father is coming with an army then you will have to try and tell them. Can you do that for me? Tell them they must prepare to fight."
"I can." He nodded his head solemnly.
"And if they take me down to be killed, you must look away. Don't watch. Promise me you will not watch?" He nodded his head again. "And whatever you do, do not hate the man who wields the blade, or the one who gives the order. Feelings such as hate and revenge are like leeches, they will drain you of all your energy until there is nothing left but bitterness."
"But you can show them the flag, they'll have to believe you."
"I will try but I might not make it to the gates before being cut down. I'll always be with you, though. I'll watch over you from heaven to guide your way. I love you, my sweet precious son." Adira held back her tears as Kahil turned and sobbed into her.
"I don't want you to die! Tell them you can't die!" She cradled him all the way back to Masyf. The mare couldn't gallop all the way but Adira pushed her to her limits, fidgeting every time they walked at the agonisingly slow pace. Finally when they reached the city, she pushed the mare to gallop inside.
Instantly guards leaped for her, trying to knock her down but Adira leaned back, allowing their spears to glide over her body as she held Kahil down too. A bell was rung and Adira knew she had little time. She had to get to Altair. She had to make things right.
More guards and assassins appeared, some running over the rooftops but Adira manoeuvred the mare expertly in and out of people and stalls, avoiding contact with them all before the mare leaped over a wagon, giving a loud cry of pride as she landed. Kahil gasped in awe as they then cantered up the hill, the mare's coat slick with sweat. "Altair! Malik! You have to listen to me! You're all in danger! Sadil is coming with an ar-" Something hissed through the air and wrapped around Adira's neck, cutting off her air and words as she tried to reach for the flag.
A strangled cry flew from her lips as she was torn from the saddle, hitting the ground awkwardly as Kahil cried out in alarm. Adira's sensitive neck was still slightly bruised from Altair's strangling hands but this made it even more painful.
An assassin leaped down and drew a blade, ready to kill her but Adira managed to untangle the cords from around her neck then kicked the assassin forwards over her head. "Altair! You stubborn bastard listen to me!" Adira roared, trying to run back to the horse but two more assassins grabbed her, one drawing the blade from his bracer.
Adira kicked up her feet and spun over her head, twisting her arms free then punched, knocking both assassins over before they could even move out the way. "Malik!" Suddenly she was swamped and Adira ducked low, rolling on the ground then slipped underneath the assassins as they tried to swarm around her. Once she was free they all turned in surprise as she ran for the Creed. "Altair!"
A blade touched her neck and she stopped, feeling the familiar body of Altair behind her as his scent washed over her. "Sadil is coming with an army, you have to-" The blade pressed higher into her neck, cutting off her warning.
"I want no more of your lies. I warned you, if you returned I would kill you." She lifted a hand and gripped his.
"Please. I'm trying to put things right." Altair said nothing but shoved her to two assassins who immediately kicked her to her knees then locked her arms, holding her down to expose her neck. "Listen to me! I'm not lying! My father is coming for my son and for your heads! He intends to leave no assassin behind! Please believe me!"
Altair lifted his sword. Malik watched with horror as his friend lifted his blade. Then he saw the boy. He had twisted free and was running forwards, a large bolt of fabric gripped in his hands. The boy wore a determined look on his face as he ran towards his mother.
"No!" His voice screamed as the blade descended, Adira not once moving to defend herself. The boy leaped forwards and flung the flag with all his might until it landed over his mother. Still running, he jumped onto her body, covering her neck with his smaller frame as the sword stopped, barely a hair's breadth from Kahil's face. "Mama's not a liar. She's telling the truth!" He shouted at Altair with a burning fire in his eyes that looked very familiar.
"Kahil! Get away, what were you thinking?" Adira demanded as she shook he head free of the flag then bent her arms, ripping them free to wrap them around her son. "You could have been hurt." She whispered then embraced him tightly.
"I'm not going to let them hurt you anymore, mama. No one will ever hurt you again." Closing her eyes Adira buried her face into her son's neck as he gripped onto her tightly. Altair stooped down and picked up the flag, inspecting it carefully. She had been telling the truth.
"There's three hundred armed men on their way to hammer down your gates." Adira glowered up at Altair as she continued to hold her son. "Fifty horses included. You have an hour, maybe less." Altair nodded his head then gave a shrill whistle. Adira watched as absolutely everybody in the courtyard disappeared, either running into the Creed or climbing up rocks to position themselves as others ran down into the town to prepare the first defences.
"Come, Kahil, we must go." Adira said, pulling on his hand but her son yanked back.
"I want to stay and help." She smiled at him.
"I'm afraid you're still a little too young and a little too small to fight." By that time they were completely alone. "I need to get you away from here."
"But the crazy man is frightened of you. You can tell him to go away, then the nice man up there won't have to fight." Kahil turned and pointed up to the windows were Adira looked to see a shadow move away.
"He won't listen to me. He'd rather kill me too." Adira explained with a sigh. "Now come, we have little time." Kahil pulled his hand away then sat down, folding his arms across his chest.
"I'm not letting you run away from this, mama. I know you can help. Though I don't want you to get hurt, I know that you can save these nice people and that man." Adira chuckled, sitting down on the steps beside him.
"Altair, his name is Altair."
"Oh, Altair then. I like him, he pretends to be mean and scary but he's not really. He's very kind." Stroking back his curls Adira murmured softly.
"I know he is."
"So will you help him?"
"You are my priority, Kahil. I will not have you in harm's way." The little boy pouted slightly, folding his arms closer around his chest stubbornly. Adira saw much of herself in him.
"I can hide inside. I'm good at hiding, I used to hide from the crazy old man all the time."
"Kahil, that crazy old man is your grandfather. My father." His jaw dropped and his eyes widened before he clamped it shut then snorted.
"He's still mean and crazy." Adira tilted her head back and laughed to the sun, smiling broadly.
"How I've missed you." She said, running her fingers through his hair. "What is it you want me to do, Kahil? I cannot fight a battle alone."
"You can fight with them."
"I do not think they will like that. If I stand with them, I would still be alone."
"Altair will protect you. I know he will."
"No Kahil, I did something very wrong to him. He would prefer it if I were dead or long gone from this place. I do not think I can ever ask his forgiveness, nor will I ever deserve it." The boy frowned in confusion, trying to puzzle things over.
"I do not understand."
"You will one day." She assured him then lifted the small boy onto her lap, cradling him to her. "When you're old enough to know the truth, I will tell it all."
"So…you won't fight?" Sighing Adira closed her eyes, listening to the wind as it sighed with her as if in sympathy. The warm sun beat confidently against her face as she tilted her head upwards, meeting its rays until she slowly began to smile.
"If you wish for me to try and put things right, then I shall do it. You are very wise, my son. Make sure you never stop learning." Kissing his cheek Adira swung him onto her back, the boy gripping onto her shoulders whilst keeping his head away from the arrows as their feathers tickled his nose.
With a confident leap Adira grabbed onto the rock face and pulled herself up, balancing on the edges of her feet to position herself for the next ledge. She climbed quickly and with little trouble, sometimes reaching back to pull Kahil further up so that he didn't slip before continuing.
"What are we doing mama?"
"I'm going to meet my father." She explained to him. "But you are going to stay somewhere safe and out of sight until I come back for you. You hear me?" The boy nodded his head whilst looking down at the ground nervously.
"We're very high up."
"The higher we climb, the closer we are to reach for the stars." Adira murmured to him. "And when the night time comes, you can stretch up a little closer to touch them."
"Really?" He asked excitedly. "I've always wanted to touch a star. Are they warm or cold?"
"I don't know. I've never been able to reach them. When you grow taller than I and find greater heights to climb to, you can come back and tell me." She informed him with a smile before pulling herself up the last bit, placing Kahil down then walked with him towards where a large rock jutted out, casting a lot of shade on the ground. "Now, you sit there and don't move, no matter what you hear. Alright?" Kahil nodded his head.
"What if they find me?"
"They won't. I doubt any of them will be able to climb half as well as we can." Adira smiled to him, kissing his brow. "I'll be back for you when it is safe."
"What are you going to do?"
"I'm going to fight. It's what you want me to do, isn't it?" The boy looked down and fidgeted with the shirt.
"I want you to be safe but…I think we were meant to live here mama. I like it here a lot, it feels like home to me." Sucking in a slow but deep breath Adira brushed her lips against her son's face before turning, drawing a bow and arrow. She paused then turned back.
"This is for you." She drew a knife from her waist, still in its sheath then held it out to him. "To protect you."
"I don't know how to use it." Kahil frowned but took it all the same, pulling the fine blade out to look at its gleam.
"Just keep the blade inside its sheath otherwise someone might see the light reflecting from it. If someone comes for you who isn't me, or someone you know for sure, then use this to get away. Just hold it tight, like this." She moved his grip with her hands, splaying out his fingers. "And the blade will do the rest."
"Alright, I can do that." He nodded his head confidently. "Just please come back soon."
"I shall." Turning away Adira hurried along the rocks, leaping elegantly like a gazelle as she ran the feathered tail through her fingers. Every now and then she would see an assassin, crouched in position as others hid down below in the streets where the citizens were being moved up into the citadel.
Some of them frowned at Adira as she leaped over their heads, arrow half drawn and cloak fluttering behind her like a shadow, rolling with her graceful movements until she turned, spinning down in a stylish pirouette fall, landing on a lower level of cliff then rolled, drawing her bowstring taut as she looked into the distance. The bow was thick and difficult to draw, there were even full grown men who could not pull back the string but Adira had worked with it her entire life, her father forcing her to pull back the string everyday more and more until she could draw it completely. It was a powerful weapon and one that none would dare stand in front of.
Adira looked up and tasted the air, finding the wind strength and direction before pointing her arrow towards the east. Then she let go. With a soft thrum the string released the arrow which glided through the air then curved around, following the pull of the wind whilst arching high into the air then falling further and further away.
Just as Sadil rode his horse over the rise, a black arrow stabbed into the ground before the mount, causing it to rear and squeal in fear. It was a warning, one that he recognised. His own daughter sided with the assassins. It was disgraceful, his name would be forever shamed.
Scowling at the arrow in the dirt another fell, this time closer. "Protect the Duke!" His guard cried, lifting a shield just in time to stop the arrow from hitting him.
"No, three warnings is all they will give." Sadil brushed his guard away, flicking some imaginary dust from his fine robes. "Keep moving." He kicked his horse viciously forwards, ignoring the three black arrows as his eye fixated on Masyf.
Adira scowled, lowering her bow. She'd given him three warnings, now it was time to try and finish this. She selected another arrow, turning it to aim for her father, though with the wind changing, it was unlikely to land where she wanted it. Not intending to give up, Adira released her arrow then fired a volley of swift rounds, never stopping her movements as her little shower fell upon the soldiers as they neared the gates.
This time the guards leaped around Sadil, lifting their shields to protect him as the arrows fell about them. Several soldiers cried out in pain then fell from the ranks, blood spurting from the wounds before lying still. "Troublesome girl." Sadil snarled. "I want her head!" He looked to his left to the best warrior in his command. "Zakhif, I trust that you will be able to finish her." The man smirked, his oiled beard sharply pointing downwards in a similar style to his lord's.
"It will be done." He nodded, touching the broad, curved sword at his hip. He would enjoy killing that woman very much, she had refused him for many years, outwitting and outperforming him in all tasks and training they had ever been through. Now it would come to the final test as to who was truly the master. "And the assassin's too, Altair Ibn-La'Ahad. Do this and you shall have all the rewards your heart desires."
"Yes, my lord." He nodded his head then lifted his small rounded shield, protecting himself from the arrow with a scowl. Adira may be a master at archery and combat, but he had grown far stronger than she. She was not the only one who could draw back the string of that bow.
When the gates were broken through, Adira moved back towards the town, biting her lip as she heard the screams of those not yet into the citadel being set upon by the ravaging wolves that hunted them. Seeing a woman being thrown to the floor Adira instantly released an arrow, allowing her to escape as she began her descent, shooting arrows as she climbed down before dropping the last few feet.
As she had predicted, she was on her own. No assassin came to her side to help her as she faced seven warriors all at once. Her sword blazed like white fire, burning their bodies with every touch before they all lay dead at her feet. Sliding a knife from up her sleeve Adira aimed then flicked her wrist, watching the blade sink into a larger warrior's back as he leaped at a young assassin he had dropped onto the ground. The novice rolled out of the way then looked to Adira, who arched an eyebrow then turned away, grabbing a young girl then ran up the slope with her.
Once she had passed the child into the care of a herding group of villagers, Adira covered their escape by blocking the path with her body, watching as the warriors pushed forwards, lowering their spears. She sheathed her sword and drew her bow, breathing calmly. "I will shoot." She warned them. "You can always just walk away." None paid her any heed so she let loose her arrows. She was running low and would soon be faced with an entire army with only her sword and knives.
A spear rushed at her but Adira turned to the side and gripped it, burying it into the ground then flung the young man over the shaft, twirling the spear around then threw it like a javelin with so much force it pierced the chests of three people.
Some rushed around her but those who stood and fought met her blade with an intense determination, wanting nothing more than to proudly present her head to Sadil Abazar. Someone managed to land a punch to Adira's side, making her jerk away then punch them back fully in the face, her eyes wide as she struggled to keep up with the flow of soldiers that were racing up the bank to get up to the citadel.
When they realised that they were not going to defeat her upon their own skill, they moved back, watching as blood dripped from her blade, breathing deeply as she took a step back. Suddenly rocks fell from above and Adira looked up, seeing young children, led by Kahil, tossing them down with yells of effort. "Kahil!" Adira yelled in fear and anger. "You disobeyed me!"
"I am your son, mama!" He shouted back, smiling before dropping a stone onto a soldier's head. Adira blinked then laughed aloud, glancing over her shoulder before running towards the abandoned hay wagon. She picked up a fallen sword on her way, tossing it in then lowered her stance, gripping its underside to slowly begin lifting it.
The weight was heavy and Adira snarled from the effort, clenching her teeth together and her eyes shut as slowly, the heavy beams began to rise off the ground. Adira pushed it around, grunting and gasping until finally, she had it facing the right way. When she began to run with it, Kahil called for the other boys to stop throwing rocks, watching curiously as his mother ran with the wagon then leaped on as it gained speed, stepping towards the front with the two blades which did not match.
They spun around in figures of eight, cutting down various soldiers as the wagon slammed into them, either running them down or forcing them off the side of the rise with yells of fear. Kahil cheered with the other boys, lifting more rocks and threw them at any remaining men still left standing.
Adira tried to lean to the left and pull the wagon around, guiding it down the path with a wild grin on her face. It leant onto one wheel, groaning dangerously before she levelled it back out again. Any fights quickly broke apart as Adira rolled through, tossing a dagger here or there or using her blades to slice through any enemy warriors close by. Before the wagon could slam into a wall she leaped off, spreading her arms to fly with a perfectly straight body over her head then landed on a crouch, swallowing before moving into the battle.
Though the assassins continued their fighting, some glanced to Adira as she moved through like a shadow, her body never stopping its movement as she took out man after man until she stood, gasping for breath and her blades stained completely red. She tossed the spare sword aside, stabbing it through one of her father's men before slowly walking forwards.
Zakhif looked at her darkly, gritting his teeth as the woman lifted her head and elegantly glided forwards with slow, purposeful steps. They began to circle one another. "Your boy will be returning with me." The man growled in a nasally voice that made Adira's skin crawl. "Along with the heads of both you and that assassin."
"I won't allow that to happen." Adira said as they continued to circle, eyes fixed upon one another. "Your death should send a clear message to my dear beloved father." Her cynical tone made Zakhif twitch with irritation.
"You should have agreed to be my wife before your father sent you away. None of this would have ever happened."
"But I would never have been happy. I am too good for the likes of you, Zakhif, both in birth, rank and skill." She smirked at him. "I've always been better than you."
"We shall see." He snapped then ran at her. Adira jerked her body to the side then ducked under the next swing, spinning underneath before jabbing her elbow into Zakhif's back, moving to then cut him on his shoulder blade.
"Yes." She mused thoughtfully. "We shall." With an unbridled roar, the warrior leaped at her again. This fight was unlike any other Adira had ever fought in. Not only was she fighting for her life but she was evenly matched against Zakhif. He had improved with his technique since last they trained and he was much stronger. All she had was her speed and intelligence to overcome him now.
"When this day ends, your son shall be made into a leader of our order. Can you imagine it, Adira? His blade finishing the final assassin in the world, freeing it from their impure presence. What if it was Altair whom was the last, can you see your son looking down at him with the sword in his hand? See his head now rolling."
"No!" Adira yelled, leaping at him. Zakhif turned swiftly, slashing his blade twice and cutting into Adira. One on her palm and the other on her torso though not deep enough to cause her serious harm. She looked at her hand, now bleeding with bloodied tears before glaring at him. He smirked. She had to keep a calm mind. Ignore what he says.
"And one day, your son will be the cause of the deaths of thousands of people, both assassin's, criminals and innocents alike. Maybe he will unlock the secrets to the Piece of Eden and you, dear Adira, will be remembered as the mother of the one who ended free agency. The woman who failed her son. Failed the world."
She closed her eyes briefly and shook her head, parrying a blow by ducking and sliding on her knees, turning back onto her feet to draw her last knife from up her bracer, stabbing it swiftly but clumsily. It buried deep into Zakhif's shoulder, causing him to howl with pain and rage before striking Adira across the face.
The force of the blow flung her to the floor and she tried to get up but his foot slammed into her gut, flipping her over again. Wide eyed, Adira rolled as the sword flashed above her, descending upon her head. The blade hit the dirt but Zakhif pursued, yelling with every swing as he reached up and tore the knife from his shoulder.
Adira got to her feet, sword in hand and held it before under her nose, eyes narrowed as she prepared to deflect the knife. A sickening smile slid onto Zakhif's face as he glanced behind Adira. Then he threw the knife. Adira yelled in warning, flinging her sword into the dagger's path as it shot towards an assassin. The man turned around, surprised to see a sword slam into the path of a knife then embed itself in the wood of a door next to him.
He looked to the woman who now spun around and caught Zakhif as he lunged for her, the two of them grappling as they rolled down the hill. Being stronger, Zakhif pinned Adira down then punched her, ripping back her head as she grunted, drops of blood beginning to slide from her flared nostrils as she held back Zakhif's fist which was still curled around the sword, the other grabbing her hair and practically tearing it from her skull.
Her other fist tried to push Zakhif off but with her legs trapped, she had no strength to throw at him. The blade inched slowly closed to her neck as he angled it, the woman continuing to struggle beneath him. "Who is victorious now?" He hissed at her.
Without warning someone barrelled Zakhif over, throwing him from Adira before crouching low beside her, his body hovering protectively over her with sword in hand. "Altair!" Adira gasped, dumbfounded. He had saved her? Why? "Why are you…?"
"Are you really going to start asking pointless questions right now?" Altair demanded, watching Zakhif as he rose to his feet. "You should be long gone from here."
"My son insisted we try to right the wrongs we brought upon you all." The woman explained as she got to her feet. "And I…I didn't want to go without knowing you were alright." Altair took his eyes away from his opponent briefly to look at her. Her eyes shone with a warm softness that made him want to reach out and touch her. Then he heard Zakhif rush at them.
Adira leaped forwards, throwing up her arms to help lift her body off the ground whilst rotating, lashing out with her feet to throw Zakhif off balance and back into the dirt. She hissed, touching her jaw where he had punched her. "An eye for an eye. Altair, you should help your brothers." The assassin remained standing where he was. "Go! I can handle him."
"Obviously." He replied sardonically. "Which is why I had to save you." She shot him a dark look.
"I would have escaped!"
"How?"
"By…" She paused, trying to think before shaking her head. "Give me a few minutes to think about that." Her fists darted out and she punched at Zakhif, keeping her hands up to protect her face as the enraged man swung at her. Altair slipped back into battle, glancing back from time to time. Adira was not innocent to battle, he could see that. She made use of whatever was lying around in the absence of a weapon.
She used a rake like a spear and a pair of buckets like clubs before finding a length of rope. The end whipped out, smacking a soldier in the face before she curled it around her arm, swinging the length around to then spring forwards and wrap Zakhif up, lashing it around his throat to leave him chocking before trying to run for her weapon.
He twisted free, tossing the rope to the ground then spun at Adira, who grabbed the hilt of her sword and tore it from the door, turning around. "Adira!" Altair bellowed as he ran to her, Zakhif's sword flying through the air.
Altair launched a throwing knife at Zakhif which embedded into his gut, doubling him over as he clutched the hilt with wide eyes of horror. Adira continued to stand there, lifting her sword with the intent of deflecting Zakhif's but Altair's arms curled around her, pushing them both into the ground where Adira stared at him. "I had that!"
"Forgive me for wondering why in hell's name you just stood there?!" He snapped back, letting her go then turned to get up just as an enemy soldier ran at them with blade held aloft. Adira lashed out with her foot, kicking the man in the chest then grabbed one of Altair's knives, flicking her wrist then sighed, feeling her body finally give in to the exhaustion that was settling on her.
Her head rolled back onto Altair's arm, her eyes fluttering closed as she breathed through her open mouth, sucking in as much air as she could. "This was not how I wanted things to end." She whispered. "Nothing has gone the way I planned it." She turned her head and looked at Altair, his face hidden from the hood so she couldn't see his eyes to know what he was thinking or feeling. "If I hadn't…if I hadn't come to…" Turning her face away she sighed. "Never mind."
Getting to her feet Adira stalked forwards purposefully towards Zakhif, who was pressing a hand into the earth as he bled into it. "Come to gloat? Very well, you have defeated me. You have won, Adira, so there is no need to-" Her blade swung and his head rolled from his body.
"No gloating, just finishing what you started." She snapped at his body then grabbed the turbaned head, lifting it up then striding towards her father, who was surrounded by all that was left of his cavalry. The assassin's had disappeared, leaving the survivors to stand alone.
Sadil turned to glare at his daughter who presented the head of his greatest warrior then threw it at him, letting it roll down the slope before finally stopping a few feet away. "Well done. You have proven your greatness." He called out to her scornfully. "If you had been born a son, I would have been proud."
"I am not your son and I am not your daughter." Adira lifted her chin. "You are nothing to me now." She made to attack but when one guard turned around, she halted instantly. Kahil struggled in his grip, one hand clamped over his mouth.
"Are you sure you do not want to surrender, Altair?" Sadil called out. "Or are you so heartless that you would allow this boy's death to reside on your conscience?"
"Release him." Adira commanded, lowering her stance slightly. "If you let him go then I shall not harm you."
"Do you think me a fool?" Sadil spat at her. "Your word means nothing. It is Altair Ibn-La'Ahad I wish to barter with." Adira glanced around but they remained alone. Altair was gone. Turning her face back to Kahil, she offered him a warm smile.
"It's going to be alright." She promised him and the boy stopped struggling. A movement caught her eye and she noticed a white shape shift before lowering back undercover of the rooftops. She looked back to Kahil as the guard lowered him down, gripping his arm to keep him restrained. "It seems Altair is not available for negotiation. Tell me what you want, Sadil, and I shall try to see it done after the return of my child."
"You? You are but a woman. What can a woman do?" He scoffed, yanking his horse's head around to fully face her as the creature pounded his hooves against the ground.
"Only break out of one of your most secure fortresses alongside a notorious assassin, feed you false information for nearly ten years and killed over forty of your men." She gave a vicious smirk. "In my defence."
"You are nothing but a whoring wench! A spineless rat who leeches off the lives of others better than you." Her own father roared at her. She paid him no attention, however, she was watching Kahil as he slowly reached into the guard's boot and carefully drew out the dagger.
"At least I don't allow myself to be outsmarted by six year old boys." Sadil frowned then looked down to Kahil who stabbed his captor in the leg, making the man scream with pain before racing towards his mother.
Altair darted out from the shadows, grabbing the boy and rolling out the way as arrows fell down upon the guards, taking them all down before Sadil's horse reared, shrieking in fear then threw its rider, galloping away as the older man lay on the floor winded and unmoving. Adira walked up to him with calm, slow steps, tilting her head to the side as she regarded him with scorn. "How the mighty have fallen." She murmured then crouched down beside him. Her father looked up at her with fear and tried to crawl away but she grabbed the front of his robes and pressed a knee into his chest, pinning him down. "This is for all the years you made me bleed." She hissed, baring her teeth as she drew her sword close, running it over his lips so that he could taste the blood that had already begun to dry on its surface. "And this is for all the pain you caused my mother."
She jerked her arm back then slammed the blade into his side, making the old man arch his back and cry out, tears falling from his eyes as he trembled in fear, staring up at the open sky. "And this…this is for you." Adira lowered her head and kissed her father's brow softly, touching a hand to his face. "Go in peace, may the Lord judge you well."
Altair kept a hold of the boy, one hand on his head to keep his head tucked into his neck so that he did not have to see the bloodshed that was around him. He stepped closer to Adira, listening to her soft words after placing a small kiss on her father's brow. Respect filled his chest as the woman blessed the man who had brought her only pain and misery all her life.
Pushing back a stray strand of hair from his face Adira withdrew her blade from her father, making him whimper but then relax as his breath began to leave him. "I'm sorry I was not the son you wanted. Perhaps if I had been, you would have been a better man." She told him. "So forgive me." The old man stared with a slight frown. Why was she asking his forgiveness? He had been the one to torture her, force her to train to become a lethal killer. "Goodnight father." As his breath finally left his body and his chest sank further into the earth, Adira brushed her fingertips against his lids, closing them before pulling away.
She rose to her feet, looking down at the body before her sword slipped from her fingers, clattering to the ground and trembling before laying still. Though relieved knowing her son was no longer in danger, Adira still felt like a traitor. Now she truly had no one except Kahil. She was a kin-slayer, a traitor to the Creed, an outcast.
"Kahil." She croaked, still looking down at her father. "Are you hurt?"
"No mama. Why are you crying? Did that man hurt you?" His innocent questions only made Adira cry more, tears sliding down her face as she gripped her arm, unable to think. She was not sure why she was crying but she knew it was what she needed. There was so much emotion locked away within her that Adira knew no other way of letting it out. "Mama?"
"Hush boy." Altair murmured gently as he approached. He placed a hand firmly on Adira's shoulder and pulled her around. Instantly her arms reached out and Kahil leaned forwards, swapping embraces to nestle into his mother, who held onto him tightly.
"You're bleeding mama, you should let a doctor see you." Kahil said to her. "And you look sleepy. Are you sleepy?" She laughed weakly, nodding her head.
"Yes Kahil, I am."
"Altair will let us stay and rest, won't you Altair?" Kahil turned to Altair who did not react to the boy's assumptive yet hopeful smile. "Please? Please let us stay, I like it here." Altair glanced to Adira then took a step back.
"I will think about it." He answered then walked away. Adira watched him go before turning to face her son, pushing back his hair before giving him a stern look.
"What were you doing up on there on the rise? I thought I had told you to stay put."
"I wanted to see you fight and the other boys wanted to help. That's when I saw the rocks so I suggested we throw them down at the bad men." Suddenly his eyes lit up with excitement. "You were incredible on the cart, mama! You ran all the bad men down and killed them with your swords then I wanted to see you helping the monks, so I climbed down a little and watched but then a guard climbed up and grabbed me whilst I was distracted. I'm going to tell everyone how strong my mama is and that I'm going to grow up to be just like you!" Adira listened to her son's babbling as she carried him away from the bloodshed.
Malik jogged down the hill, smiling softly to them. "You're alright. Thank God, I was worried you would try something stupid and take on the army all by yourself. You didn't, did you?"
"Something along those lines." Adira replied, hiding a yawn as her eyes drooped. "Is there somewhere I can see to my cuts?"
"You can return to the same room, I'll make sure there are some healing items brought up to you. Has Altair allowed you to return? Has he forgiven you?" Malik's hand touched Adira's back as he escorted her back to the citadel, prepared to catch her since she looked just about ready to collapse.
"No. He hasn't forgiven me and nor should he. I promise, this time we truly will be gone. We just need some time to rest before setting out again in the morning." Adira looked up to the sky which was inching closer to the time of twilight. "And then you shall never have to see me again."
"Believe me that that is the last thing I want in the world." Malik said to her kindly. "You've become a true friend, despite your mistakes. Everyone makes them, if Altair cannot see that then I'll be ashamed of him. He has made plenty of mistakes of his own before now, in fact I see you two as frightfully similar beings." Adira smiled.
"I'll settle for just a warm bath and a bed for now. Forgiveness and redemption can wait until tomorrow."