Chapter 12
I sighed as I woke up, feeling refreshed and charged. Okay, so maybe Alima was right, but Malik didn't have to force-feed me! He didn't succeed anyway, the only thing he succeeded in was having porridge chucked over him (not my fault). A smug smirk danced to my lips as I got changed into my full robes, armour and weapons (more than Alima knows I have), and left my chambers.
The fortress was buzzing with assassins and scholars and an extremely annoyed Grand Master.
'I wonder who pissed him off.' I thought to myself as I was made my way out to the courtyard. The sun shone brightly over the horizon, there was not a single cloud in the sky like there had been for the past three weeks (well for me anyway). I sighed as I made my way to the fighting arena, to watch Malik and my students whom I had not taught in about four weeks due to my recent attacks. I felt my shoulders quiver at the thought of them. I could hear the familiar yelling of attacks that some of my students used as ways of expressing pure rage.
As I neared the arena, I could see the familiar faces of my top students.
Aisha, Asin, Nadim, Nu'man and Katia. "Malik, where is Ranya?" Aisha (my top student and loyal friend) asked as Malik was dismissing the class.
"Training room or maybe on her way to the gates to meet Alima for their mission." Malik replied.
I laughed as I reached them.
Malik looked up and his face turned to a scowl. "Or right there." He said as Aisha and the others turned around.
I gave the class a lazy salute as a smug smirk crept across my lips as I looked at Malik who had cleaned himself of the porridge.
"Morning." I said.
"Ranya! Where have you been?" Aisha asked. Her concern made me laugh, she reminded me of Alima in ways.
"I have been in Malik's house for the past three weeks after an attack which I really don't need to nor want to go into detail about." I explained, wincing at having to bring it up again.
Aisha got my drift and hugged me, out of happiness that I was alright and sorrow that it had happened.
I hugged her back.
"Well, the coward and his pathetic lap dog have fled to Jerusalem!" Asin (my second top student) informed me as Aisha and I released each other.
Angrily and annoyed, I punched the side of the fence, my hand going through the wood. "Ranya! Jesus, you're wrist has only healed!" Malik said.
I sighed and removed my hand from the hole in the wood. Nadim, Nu'dum and Katia laughed as it was a usual reaction for me.
I turned and was about to say something when I spotted Altaïr coming towards me. I felt a non-smug smile spread to my lips, a smile of admiration, as he drew closer to me. I was too busy day-dreaming about what had happened earlier between me and Altaïr that I wasn't aware that Asin was talking to me. "Ranya?" He said, waving his hand in front of my face. I shook my head and turned to look at him.
"Yes?" I said.
"Did you hear me?" Asin asked, a smirk spread across his face.
"No, sorry. What did you say?" I asked.
"I said, will you be teaching us again soon?" Asin repeated.
"Yes of course. But until then Malik will be taking you until I return from my mission." I said.
"Ranya," Altaïr said. I turned away from my students and the confused Malik, just as Altaïr reached us.
"Yeah?" I asked.
Thank Allah my hood was up for underneath I knew that I blushing wildly. Altaïr's dark hazel eyes were like two dark and mysterious chocolate buttons as they darted off towards the village. He wanted to talk to me in private. "Asin, I'll probably retaking the class when I get back but Malik shall take it until then, now I must head off." I said giving the five of them a lazy salute and was about to leave when Malik pulled me back. "Be careful Ranya!" he pleaded, hugging me tightly. He always worries! Surely this much worrying can't be good for him, can it?
"I will, don't worry. Safe keep Malik!"
I said hugging him back before letting go, "Stop worrying, it can't be good for you!" I teased as I punched him lightly on the shoulder before walking over to Altaïr and we began walking towards the village.
As we walked out of the arched entrance, where no-one we knew were standing, Altaïr timidly reached down and took a hold of my right hand. "Did you sleep?" he asked. His voice was caring and it made me blush even more. "Of course!" I said. Oh Allah he is holding my hand! I looked at him and smiled.
Altaïr smiled back. "Good. I take it you ate?"
"Yup! I must admit that Alima was right. I am feeling refreshed and recharged. I am ready to have my revenge on your bloody backstabbing, mother fucking, brother who fucking broke my ribs, my jaw and my wrist which prevented me from hitting Abba!" I said through clenched teeth. Altaïr chuckled as we walked towards the stables. There was a wild midnight-black horse in the stables. It was one of the nicest horses I have ever seen.
"Ranya," Altaïr said, his voice turned from the caring and gentle tone to a stern and worried one. I turned to look at him. His handsome face was concealed with worry. "Please careful!" Altaïr pleaded.
"Of course." I said as Altaïr moved in closer to me. I could feel his body heat radiate off him, he leaned in towards and kissed my lips. I closed my eyes and drifted off into a world where it was only us two and then we pulled apart. "Promise?" Altaïr asked.
"I promise, I shall be careful!" I promised. Altaïr was about to hug me when Alima appeared. "Ready to go?" she asked me.
I nodded and mounted the wild horse.
Alima looked slightly nervous as she got on a calmer brown horse. "I'll see you later Ranya," Altaïr said as he was walking away, "Keep safe! Both of you, we can't afford to lose any other assassins." he added and with that he headed back towards the fortress.
Alima looked at me, slightly confused by Altaïr's words. I shrugged casually and we headed towards our destination.
It was dark when we reached Jerusalem, too dark to see a thing. I sighed exasperated and annoyed at having to delay the mission some more. "Ranya, we cannot see a thing, maybe we should stay the night somewhere." Alima suggested as we dismounted the horses and tied them close to some hay.
"There's an Assassin's bearu, a few minutes away." I said, taking a torch from above the hay and began walking down the dark and abandoned village.
Alima reluctantly followed, staying close behind me. "Ranya, how do you know where you are going?" Alima asked. Oh I don't know, maybe because the Assassins Bearu used to be my home. "I just do." I whispered, not wanting to bring up my horrible past.
It was a few minutes before we reached the bearu. As soon as we walked in, we were directed to where we would be sleeping. The usual spot. On the floor. On mats. Assassin bearu have no beds, so we have to sleep on the floor. If I'm being honest it isn't that bad. "Thank you," Alima said politely (as per usual).
I rolled my eyes as the man walked out. "Do you always have to be like that?" I asked as I walked over to my mat (wow! It sounds weird saying that). Alima stayed at me in confusion. "Be like what?" she asked.
"Be polite." I sighed.
Alima rolled her eyes, "Because I am polite and you should try it sometime!" She said.
I glared at her as I shot her the finger.
"So what exactly happened to you today?" I asked as I remembered asking her earlier but she said she would tell me later. Now is later. Alima sighed.
"Oh. Um, I had an encounter with Abba...and Swami and Abba stabbed me in the shoulder and hip. No biggie." she said, shrugging her shoulders.
WHAT!?
"Abba did what?!" I snarled angrily.
Alima sighed. "Just forget about it."
I sighed.
"Why exactly did Kadar change mentors?" I asked.
"He didn't like being under Abba's nor did I because..." Alima began but then broke off.
"Because what?" I asked.
"Nothing, never mind. Let's just go to sleep and we'll be ready for tomorrow!" Alima said quickly and with that she lay done and fell asleep.
