Kostantinyye

1494

It had been far too long. A good four years, by Yusuf's count. An untold amount of time to an Assassin, however; even those young enough to still be blessed with their youth. He fidgeted warily, shifting his weight from foot to foot, not realizing his anxiety until Bajram's abrupt laughter.

"You are merely days away from being made a Master Assassin, Yusuf, and yet here you are, acting like a nervous suitor."

Yusuf scowled, but lightened up into a grin. He settled down beside Bajram. "Four years, Baj." He reminded his most trustworthy friend. "Four years since we parted, and not on good terms." His brow furrowed. Seref had eventually begun to reply to his letters, but her answers were few and far between. Rhodes was a greatly troubled island, and the Master Assassin Augusto kept her busy. She had only told Yusuf of her successes, and little of her failures, if she experienced any. Yusuf hoped that the past four years had been enough to erase the ill-feelings they had parted on, and that Seref had warmed toward him. Only time would tell.

The two Assassins kept their watchful eyes on the port, now seated on a slanted rooftop located high above the frantic commotion of the docks. There was silence between them as each considered what lay before him. Yusuf Tazim – twenty-six, and already one of the most accomplished Assassins in all of Istanbul. It was no secret Ishak Pasha was training him to take his place as head of the Ottoman Order, in time. And Bajram Sahin – only a couple years Yusuf's senior at twenty-eight, and seeing to the continued training of the students and recruits. Even Rafat Yilmaz had been honored with the task of seeing to the upkeep of the dens throughout the city, a constant occupation that overtook much of his time.

And Seref… it felt like it had been ten years since Yusuf had last seen her. She would be twenty-five now. Yusuf had even taken it upon himself to observe her last birthday, a token gesture that Bajram had taken to with a bit too much enthusiasm. It had taken him almost two full days to sleep off the affects of the celebration.

"Bak, Yusuf – I think that vessel is hers."

Yusuf squinted. "How can you be sure?"

Bajram shrugged, hitching one foot up against the slanted tiles of the roof as he leaned back against his palms. "Call it intuition."

"Seref might have something to say about that."

"I figured you would." He dodged the cuff aimed for his head and lay laughing on his back. Yusuf chuckled, but his nerves were still on edge over seeing Seref again after so long. He leaned forward, eyes on the ship Bajram had indicated. There seemed to be some activity as passengers prepared to disembark, and crewmen carried off cargo. But then he spotted her – the hood, the robes, everything. There was no mistaking an Ottoman Assassin, even one that had been abroad for years. Yusuf slid toward the edge of the roof and hoped down, ignoring the startled gasps of more than one confused witness. Bajram joined him moments later, and the two hastened wordlessly to the docks.

Seref Polatli stepped off the ship, making her way easily down the ramp to the dock. She gazed up at the sun and smiled. Lowering her eyes, they came to rest on a pair of boys – of men – that she had not had the pleasure of seeing in a very long time.

Seref let out an excited cry and ran for them, throwing her arms around Yusuf and pressing a kiss to his temple. He blinked, startled, and she hastily did the same to Bajram before stepping back to catch her breath.

"Inanamıyorum – it's been so long!" She remarked breathlessly, her clear face flushed with happyness. "Yusuf, you have gotten taller! And Bajram...you've matured?" She grinned and danced away as the taller man made to grab her. Yusuf hadn't remembered her laugh being so lyrical. Her skin so tan, and her hair such a rich auburn color, which she now wore tied behind her in a braid that ran down her back, as opposed to letting it hang free in her face . The warm island weather had been good to her.

Yusuf stepped forward and embraced her tightly, thrilled to see her again, and even more thrilled that they had avoided the cold, sterile greeting he had been partially expecting. Her chin rested against his shoulder before she briefly cupped his face in her hands.

"And what is this!" She grinned. "Our Yusuf is becoming a man, Bajram. Really? A beard?" Yusuf tugged his face away, trying to look indignant.

"It suits me."

"Mmm." Seref tapped her finger against her chin, thoughtfully. "And what is this I hear about you training to become leader of the Order?"

Yusuf had the good grace to appear embarassed. "Really, Baj?" Bajram held up his hand in mock surrender, faking offense.

"I did no such thing!"

"Rafat told me." Seref said quickly. "But...speaking of Rafat..." For a second her golden eyes clouded with concern.

"He is seeing to the south Imperial den." Yusuf informed her quickly, not wanting her to worry unnecessarily. "Ishak has more or less placed him in charge of seeing to their safety. It keeps him busy."

"And out of trouble." Bajram supplied. "Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for Yu – ne yaptınız?" He squawked indignantly as Yusuf offered a sharp blow to the ribs. Seref grinned widely.

"Siz ikiniz." She muttered, shaking her head. "I do not know what I would do without my boys. Come." She granted them both a small cuff about the head, indicating it was time to be serious once more. "I would like to see how our Mentor has been fairing."

Seref was overjoyed to find her Mentor in good spirits, despite the illness continuously taking a toll on his body. He was much leaner then she recalled, his voice not as strong, but he carried himself the same as any Mentor would. She bowed deeply, but was pleasently pleased when he greeted her with a warm embrace.

"Augusto kept me informed on your progress. He told me you were the most accomplished Assassin he has ever had the pleasure of working alongside." He told her, causing the younger woman to turn pink in the cheeks.

Rafat had arrived back at the headquarters by that time, something Seref discovered when his arms closed around her shoulders from behind. She grinned and twisted in his grasp, throwing her own arms about his neck and embracing him enthusiastically.

"I hear you have been keeping busy as well!"

"Everyday is a new challenge, and a new triumph." Rafat told her wisely.

"Iyi söyledin."

"I will give you time to catch up." Ishak offered, leaving the small group in one of the comfortable lounging chambers. The door was closed behind him, a strict sign to the students that the occupants were not to be disturbed.

The Assassins, on the eve of their assent into becoming Masters, spent their final evening as students in each other's company. And they had a lot to catch up on. Seref wanted to know how everything had turned out with the Chinese Assassin, Jin Mai, while Yusuf wanted to hear about the time Seref and Augusto had to dress up as bandits and and infiltrate a group led by a rogue Templar. Bajram kept cutting in with his own amusing annecdotes (mostly pertaining to Yusuf, much to the other Assassin's great displeasure), while Rafat was content to sit back quietly with his hookah pipe and soak up the stories.

The night wore on. Rafat had long since retired to his room, while Bajram lay snoring softly on a pile of rugs and pillows, his bangs billowing gently as he breathed. Yusuf stretched out his legs in front of him, leaning back on his hands. He regarded the comfortably cross-legged Seref with a tired smile.

"I cannot believe it's been four years."

"Evet..." She nodded slowly, fixing him with an odd look. "Yusuf... I couldn't help but think of the last time we parted." She quickly looked down. Yusuf quickly looked away, uncomfortable. He opened his mouth to speak but Seref beat him to it.

"I'm sorry if I came across as pushy, Yusuf. I just...I thought perhaps you..."

"Yok...Seref..." Yusuf swallowed. Here he was, only mere hours away from becoming a Master Assassin, after years of relentless work and heavy training. And yet, a young woman not even his age could cause him to stammer like a snake-oil merchant caught in the act. He cleared his throat, desperate to buy time.

"Understand, Seref. Lütfen." He paused. "Do...you rememeber when I told you that an Assassin cannot love...cannot devote their life to any one person, and still live for the Order?" He continued when Seref nodded slowly. "I really do believe that. I care for you greatly, kardeş. But to invite these feelings – to become intimate, Seref... Part of me wants to, greatly." He searched her eyes, feeling a sudden swarm of guilt at the pained look he discovered staring back at him. "Inanın. But I...I cannot."

Seref pressed her lips together firmly. She had no idea what to say, but anything was clearly better then the uncomfortable silence that followed Yusuf's admission, punctured only by the sounds of Bajram's quiet snores.

"Nothing will change your mind?" She asked at last, voice uncharacteristically small. Yusuf shook his head, but didn't move as she scooted closer to him. Then a small smile flickered over her face.

"There is something in there, Yusuf. In your eyes. I know it." She lowered her hood, the dimmed light from the candles burning on the walls illuminating the red-brown and making her hair glow a fiery auburn. She briefly chewed on her lower lip, the tips of her fingers brushing against the front of his tunic.

"Seref..."

"You can try to protect me all you like. But I am an Assassin as you are, Yusuf. I do not need to be coddled." And as if to further prove her point, she met his eyes, leaned in close, and locked her mouth against his. Yusuf forced himself to lean back but Seref followed suit, pressing against him until he lay flat on his back, and she found herself straddling his hips. Her breath became hitched, as his became deeper and relaxed. His hands came to rest around her waist, nestling against the small of her back. Seref carefully took his face in her hands, taking the oppertunity to deepen the kiss. Her lashes fluttered shut.

All was quiet until a muffled cough drew their attention away from each other. Bajram lay on his side, supported by an extended elbow. He arched a brow as they both started at him in startlement.

"Ne? You really expected me to sleep through all that?" He chuckled dryly, yawned, and rolled onto his back, staring up at the ceiling in boredom. Seref blushed a bright pink, and Yusuf suddenly found himself wishing his başörtüsü was three times as large and able to hide his face. Seref then emitted a sharp laugh, and Yusuf couldn't help but follow suit. They didn't even notice Bajram give a tired grunt and shift onto his side, doing his best to block out the offending sounds that continued to keep him awake. Eventually the laughter died down, however, and Seref begrudgingly climbed off the other Assassin.

"Just…think about it, Yusuf. Bana söz."

Yusuf had made up his mind long ago. But still he nodded his head in reluctant agreement.

"Evet, Seref. Söz ver." He tilted his head toward her and she smiled before leaving the lounge to retire to her own bedchamber for the night. Yusuf debated making way for his own cot, but figured if Bajram didn't mind them being found in the morning by his ever-curious young pupils, Yusuf certainly didn't, either. Besides, Baj seemed comfortable enough.

Yusuf joined his friend on the surprisingly plush pile of ornate rugs, flopping over onto his back and reaching his hands back to support his head. He stared up at the high ceilings, decorated with banners baring the mark of the Assassins, draped heavily over solid wooden beams. He let out his breath.

"It is not meant to be, Baj." He spoke into the darkness.

"...you can keep telling yourself that." Came the grumbled reply.

"I mean it. I don't feel that way about her."

"And yet..." Bajram shifted, curling up tighter. "...there you were. Letting her kiss you. And you weren't exactly fighting her off, Yusuf."

Yusuf sighed heavily, bringing his hands back to rest comfortably on top of his chest. "I know...I know. İ just...I do not have it in me to say no." All that Bajram had to say to that was a tired grunt. Yusuf stared up at the proud banners a minute longer before he allowed his own exhausted eyes to flutter closed.

Yusuf Tazim drew himself up to his full height. It was a momentous occassion for him, after all. For all four of them. He proudly puffed out his chest, briefly glancing down the line at his fellow newly-branded Masters. Of course they had been branded in the literal sense – the skin around the base of Yusuf's ring finger continued to sting and blister, but the pain was only secondary next to the swelling of pride he felt, finally becoming what his father had lived as over thirty years ago.

He caught Bajram's eye, who held his gaze and winked. He looked like a million akçe, decked out in his newly completed set of Master robes. Yusuf had already fallen in love with his own, and they fit him like a glove. Or perhaps as comfortable as a well-made bracer, he wondered in amusement. He glanced further down the line, catching sight of Seref, standing just as proud and with a tear or two in her eyes. And at the end stood Rafat, chin tilted high and eyes solemn, befitting the ceremony. Ishak spoke to the students and allies of the Assassins, reminding all of them of the values and morals of the Creed. Yusuf caught sight of Romo, the leader of the Romani guild, and near him, his dear Silki. She caught his eye, teasingly batted hers and blew him a kiss. Yusuf's grin widened.

"Always remember, my students." Ishak was saying, turning to face the four graduates. "Friends will come and go. Brothers, and sisters, will come and go. And I will not be here forever." He fixed them all with a serious look. "Rely on your friends, and rely on your brothers, and sisters. But remember that the Creed is forever. Never forsake it. Never infringe it. Never forget its true purpose, benim öğrencilerim." He fell silent for a minute, letting his proud underlings dwell on his words.

"Let it lead you, and guide you along your path to discover the Truth for yourselves. Yusuf. Bajram. Seref. Rafat. Seek not answers to the Creed, but the true meaning behind it." He then smiled, and a pleased glint shone brightly in his eye.

"Tebrikler, my students. You are now Master Assassins."

bak – look

inanamıyorum – I can't believe it

ne yaptınız – what was that for

siz ikiniz – you two

iyi söyledin – well spoken

evet – yes

yok – no

lütfen – please

kardeş – sister

inanın – believe it

ne – what

başörtüsü – head scarf

bana söz – promise me

söz ver – I promise

benim öğrencilerim – my students

tebrikler – congradulations