I bit my tongue to prevent from losing my grip, and reluctantly rolled over onto my mat, which Altair had lied about not having. I sighed gently and sat up minutes later, noticing that Altair was asleep far enough away from me. I got up and paced, feeling the thunder like pounding of my heart. I was scared. Scared of what, I wasn't sure, but I was terrified. I pushed my thoughts aside and carefully mounted Shadowmere, scratching her withers and whispering in her ear,

"Take me wherever it doesn't hurt."

She seemed to understand my basic command, and whinnied quietly, trotting away from Altair. I looked back and almost regretted leaving Altair, but I noticed he wasn't there. Shadowmere sensed my trepidation and sped up into a gallop. Her previous owner trained her well, considering she felt my feelings and sensed my nerves. My eyes looked forward, but I was soon clothes-lined off my horse. I gagged and coughed as I landed on the dry desert ground, spitting up a cloud of dust. I couldn't see anyone and was about to curse when I felt weight being pressed on my body.

"Where are you going so late?"

It was Altair. Damn him.

"Just leaving." I strained under his weight.

He pulled his hood back and straddled my hips, seriously pinning me down to the point where I couldn't move. I struggled and kicked, but nothing leaned to my favor.

"Arch your back!" Altair whispered harshly, trying not to disturb the wildlife.

"What?"

"Arch. Your. Back." He replied slowly.

I reluctantly arched my back, barely a half an inch off the ground.

"Now quickly rolled over."

I did as he said, and he rolled with me, causing me to land on top of him. I opened my mouth to ask what the hell the point of that was, but he stopped me with a single finger to my lips.

"If anyone is straddling you, do this and you gain the upper advantage." He explained calmly.

I was about to get up when he pulled me back down, running his fingers up and down my spine.

"Don't tease." I whispered morosely and got myself up.

He took my wrist and spun me around the point where his bony chest stuck into my soft one.

"I am going to tell you something, but you must swear on your life you will not tell anyone. Not even Abby."

Abby. I doubt I'll even see her again.

"Okay, I swear." I replied.

He leaned close to my ear, and I melted when I felt his calm breath.

"I am an assassin."

I didn't jump back, or run away, or even slap him. I stood there, motionless, until he took the initiative.

"Are you not scared?" He asked gently.

"Not really," I replied, barely a whisper, "I kind of had an idea."

He nodded and we stayed close together for what felt like a millennia.

"I really do like you Altair. You're...interesting, to say the least."

I felt his hands slide around my waist and I clutched onto his neck like a lost child.

"I like you too. You're..."

"Adorable?" I asked, feeling Deja Vu come on.

"Hmmm, not the word I was thinking of. More like...beautiful."

I laid my head into the small spot where his neck met with his chest, the area that I knew my head fit into perfectly. My grey, almost listless eyes moved towards the sunrise, which was a mottled color of blues, pinks and reds. I sighed at the beauty until Altair let go of me and clicked his tongue, causing Shadowmere to come back in a slight trot.

:"Where to now?" I asked as he helped me mount Shadowmere.

He smiled, but the good, heartwarming smile. The kind of smile that you know will bring satisfaction to someone, but a satisfaction of revenge.

"To Damascus." He called as he mounted his horse and whipped the reins.

My heart sank as we galloped away,