Masyaf Fortress

The guards at the gates of Masyaf were watching for trouble, their keen eyes scanned the rocky cliffs that could house the watching eyes of thieves waiting to strike. It had happened before. Fourteen years ago a group of thieves managed to break the defense of the Assassins and go on a rampage through the village. Many valuable items had been lost that day, thankfully not many lives but one family had been left ruined and heartbroken. A jewel had been stolen that was given to the women of the family when they married... It was so valuable that the owners of said jewel had named their middle daughter after it. The guards tensed as they heard the pounding of horse hooves on the pebbly ground, the archers knocked arrows into their bows ready to fire at the first sign of an attack. But then they heard the unmistakable sounds of male curses and female giggling, Altair and Elentiya must have returned from their latest assassination. Two horses came into view one was the horse that Altair mostly uses, a white stallion, while the other seemed to be a light brown colour. It did not matter, the guards were still wary as it could easily be a trick or a trap.

The guards stood tensed as the riders got ever closer, until they saw the unmistakable flash of crimson. There was only one crimson rider, she was the only one who dared wear the colour of blood wherever she went. The Assassin guards watched as the two Assassins halted before the gates dismounted and Elentiya removed her hood revealing her smiling face. How could a girl who had seen her sisters die at the hands of her mentor, had been falsely accused of slaying an innocent and driven away from the only home she ever known, still smile? The two Assassins left their horses and ran into the village. The younger guards followed them with their eyes, confused. The guards that had known both Assassins for many years simply shock their heads and returned their steely gaze to watch out for any danger that may be lurking, they had made a mistake once they will never make again...

Altair's POV

Elentiya had a two second head start. She thought that she could win did she? Well she had beat me in the race from Jerusalem, but that was on horse back... Now she was in my domain, that sneaky devil is not going to win this race! The two of us used to race through the village all the time when we were kids. Even as a novice I had to go on missions to prove that I was worthy of joining the Assassin Order, Elentiya was not allowed to come with me. At the time I found it really unfair as she sometimes trained with us in lessons, but of course, you can imagine the responses I got for that:

"She is a servant and a young woman, until something happens to her family where she has no other option but to join the Assassins then I will not allow her to join you or anyone else for missions." Al Mualim had said every time I asked him. I went red when I told her she couldn't come with me, red with embarrassment not anger. Elentiya used to laugh at my red face but smiled, and said that one day we would both go on a mission and that we would prove that we are a great team. It was the same answer every time. However we did used to race each other to the Citadel when I came back, the sooner I told the Master what had happened, the sooner I could be with my best friend and give her a present that I got her. Now history was repeating itself and I, am ashamed to admit, that I never thought that it would happen again. I caught up with her before we reached the Citadel gates and passed her easily before stopping and waiting for her to catch up, I didn't have to wait long.
"You took your time." I smiled cheekily. Elentiya stood panting for a moment before giving me a death glance.
"If your going to be like that then, take that comment and shove it..." She made a unsightly gesture to make her point. I rolled my eyes and we walked together to the Master's Chamber.

XXX

"You have both regained another part of your title. You know stand at Rank 3, well done." Al Mualim praised us. I bowed in respect while Elentiya gave a half-hearted bow and remained silent. The Master seemed troubled so dismissed Elentiya, who did not seem happy at all, by saying that she could stay in her sisters old rooms. With Elentiya gone I faced the Master, he was stressed about something I could tell;
"Why do you both insist on working together?" He asked,"You both are causing to many deaths in whatever city you are in, for what? Nothing more then showing off I assume."
"She helps gather information on the targets you set me, as well as taking care of the guards that surround that target. She gives me more help then you care to realize." I hissed defiantly. The one thing that annoys me most is people doubting Elentiya, she's better then most Assassins I know... The fact that people judge her based on the simple fact that she is female fills me with rage.
"She is a demon!" Al Mualim shouted." She shows no remorse to killing and she certainly has no respect for anyone other then herself! She remains the same, its as if she has learnt nothing from this experience." I stood there shaking with visible rage. How dare he insult her?! He had asked her to return after so many years just so he could give her a title that could be cruelly taken from her? I turned on my heel to leave so that I would not hurt the Master, but not before I told him,
"She is one of the best Assassins you have. If you want me to stay then stop judging and assuming that she is useless." I stalked off to the room of Elentiya's older sisters, no points for guessing that that is where she will be.

Elentiya's POV

My sisters rooms lay exactly as they had day the day that the had been killed in front of me. Except the layer of dust had not been present when my sisters had occupied this room. I ran my hand over the wooden desk, down the walls and the window seat remembering the happier memories of me and my sisters. Looking in the wardrobe, I found a simple one piece white dress that I could wear instead of my robes. Shedding the filthy garments I remembered that dreaded day as if it were yesterday...

It had been the first day of the trials, a competitive event that only fully fledged Assassins could participate in, so Altair or any of the young Novices were left to watch in awe. I was part of the ceremony as I was dancing for the official opening and let me tell you, it was very strange. For a few short moments I acted like a sexy, seductive young woman, not a younger female version of Altair. During one performance a young recruit ran in and yelled;
"Kiya, Nija, Elseena and Mikana have been arrested! They are waiting outside to be executed!" I stopped and froze for a second or two before a shout rang out above the silence.
"Stop her!" Al Mualim had tried to get the Assassins to prevent me from seeing them one last time. None had stopped me and I was aloud to watch as one by one my sisters fell with blood dripping from their necks. My youngest had been sparred and I had watched in horror as she had been dragged, kicking and screaming, away while I tried to get free of four Assassins. I had cried a lot that day and still could not believe that my family had been taken from me so easily. It was o that day that I had been declared as the only female Assassin and that my dreams had come true.

Back in the present, I felt arms snake themselves around my waist and looked up to meet liquid gold eyes. My heart leapt into my throat, making my breath catch. How long had I wanted this? Now the moment was here I didn't know what to do. Luckily, Altair just placed his head on top mine and held me in his arms for a while.
"Would you change that day if you could go back?" He asked quietly. I didn't answer for a minuet as I needed to think, but I did give a answer,
"Fate works in a strange way. It took my sisters and parents from me, but it gave me you as a friend." I said softly,"I miss them but I wouldn't change this for anything in the world."
"You think me a better man then what I am, Elentiya." Altair smiled down at me. I held his face in my hands and sweetly smiled up at him.
"Doesn't everyone feel that way about their habibi? I asked innocently.

Hiya! So very sorry about the awfully late update but i am i the process of moving house and so lots of packing. I will try and update as soon as i am able but can't make any firm promises at the moment. Pleaz review and leave comments!
Mythical xxx