A/N: It was hard to write this chapter. The peasants' outcry reminded me of my favourite Flight of the Conchords song, "Albi the racist dragon". And then I spent about 2 hours watching the video on youtube again and again...XDDD

Ps. Lady Gaga is awesome. Her songs are so fun to write to, lol.

Part 14

After what seemed like an eternity on the road (an eternity that I slept through three quarters of), we finally arrived at Jerusalem. Seeing the large famous city from the top of the hill was breath-taking. Not quite as good as the view from that gigantic tower, but much easier to get to...and get down from. I watched jealously as Altair weaved Osprey with ease in between the constant stream of pedestrians, while Biscuit rambled along, drawn to the people like a speeding metal train to powerful magnets.

"Watch where you're going! You almost killed me!" a man protested as I ambled away.

Biscuit wheezed, which sounded suspiciously like laughter.

I pulled on her reigns and tried to lead her around the people, along the edge of the road. Somehow, she still managed to just narrowly miss a woman walking the opposite way.

I ignored her shrieks and caught up to Altair. "How do you do that so well?" I asked.

"What? Not kill people? It's quite easy. I just don't aim for them," he replied.
"You think I'm doing this on purpose? I'm trying to avoid all the people. It's like my horse actually enjoys scaring them half to death,"

Biscuit wheeze-laughed again.

"It's not funny. We could get us in trouble with the guards. Then they'll cut you down. Is that what you really want?" I asked her.

"...you do realise you're talking to a horse, right?" Altair interrupted.
"Shut up. She understands. She understands very well. She's too smart for her own good," I eyed my horse suspiciously. Biscuit dipped her head innocently.

I saw Osprey roll his eyes. Yep, that proves it; these horses are definitely much smarter than they look.

"Sure she understands," Altair replied sarcastically, "Next you'll be telling me I'm going to fall in love with a templar," he laughed at his own joke.

I bit my tongue. I had heard something not completely unlike that in the forums...but perhaps it's best that he finds out for himself. The look on his face will be priceless.

Altair was still chuckling by the time we reached the camp outside the gate. Ah, the irony of it all. I jumped down from the saddle and led Biscuit to the large pile of hay, next to the other grazing horses.

"I might not ever see you again," I told the mare, "and if that's the case, I want you to know that you're the first and greatest horse I've ever had,"

As if in response, Biscuit sneezed in my face.

"I love you too, buddy,"

"You're insane," Altair remarked, jumping off his own horse. Osprey licked the side of his face affectionately.

"Stay safe, my friend. You have served me well," he muttered to the white stallion.

I looked at him smugly.

"What?" He asked defensively, "It's hard to find a good horse around here,"

I rolled my eyes, "Hypocrite,"

"Come on, let's just go,"

Altair led us to a group of waiting scholars. "Greetings Davreth," he addressed one of them.

"Nice to see you again, Altair," the robed scholar replied, "Do you and your friend require entrance to the city?"

"If it's no trouble,"

"Ok then, stay quiet and blend in,"

The scholars moved into formation, and I took a position in the middle, following Altair's lead. It was a lot harder to blend in like this in real life compared to when playing from the couch. All I had to do then was press a button and then press it again when I got to my destination. Here, I had to actually walk. Oh, the horror.

We approached the guards without incident, and they let us pass without even a second glance. We were almost through and out the other side too, when suddenly, a rogue pebble appeared and I tripped.

You know that surreal feeling you have when you're falling, and you know you're going to fall, and you're know it's going to hurt? Yeah, it's way scarier when you're surrounded by armed guards.

I reached out desperately for something to slow my fall, but as luck would have it, the only thing I managed to grasp was a red guards uniform. Swift hands caught me before I hit the ground, but the damage was done. I had jerked the guard out of position, and my hood had fallen down. I was close enough that I could actually see his pupils dilate in recognition.

The disgruntled man grabbed my wrist and shouted, "Assassin!"

The hands which had kindly caught me before pushed me back to my feet and disappeared, reappearing with a short blade as it was thrust into the guard's chest. Altair pulled me away. "Run!" He shouted as he parried off two more guards who had come to the aid of their fallen comrade. My common sense told me to obey, but I couldn't just leave the man who had saved my life at least twice. Instead, I ran up to one of Altair's attackers and kicked him in the shins. He spun around just long enough for Altair's sword to separate his head from his shoulders.

And trust me; as cool as it looks in the game, it's completely horrific up close. I really can't stress that enough.

Altair kicked the last guard in the chest and knocked him into the wall, before finishing him off with a final stab. I looked around at the massacre. I hadn't even seen him take out all eight of the guards, yet there they lay, bloodied and lifeless. The scholars had long since fled the battle, along with any other peasants which might have been here previously.

"Can't you go ten minutes without alerting the entire city to our presence? And I thought I told you to run," Altair remarked sternly, wiping splashes of blood from his face.

"And where would I run to?" I challenged, "I don't know this city as well as you. God knows I wouldn't be able to outrun anyone who came after me. And how would you find me again? It's better I stayed,"

"Well now we'll have to move quickly. We've only got a few minutes until someone notices the great bloody mess on their doorstep,"

"Where to?"

"The Bureau, of course,"

And without another word, Altair ran into the nearest back-alley and scaled the wall. Cursing his lack of communication, I scampered after him.

Our initial race to the bureau had dissolved into a slow walk along the roof-tops. There were no guards up here to interrupt our progress, surprisingly enough, which also left us without motivation to hurry. But it wasn't like Altair to amble.

"So, is there a reason why you're so hesitant to get to the bureau?" I asked,

"What are you talking about? I'm not hesitating," the assassin replied,

"Then we're going on a leisurely stroll for fun?"

"...ok, I might be delaying," he admitted.

"And why would that be?"

Altair gave me a pained look.

"Ah, you don't want to see Malik,"

"I am dreading our next encounter, yes,"

"But why? Things didn't seem that bad last time. It almost sounded like you two were making progress in repairing your friendship," I replied,

"Somehow I doubt it would be that easy. He still hates me," Altair replied, with a hint of sadness.

"Well you can't really blame him. I mean, he did lose an arm. And his brother."

"I know, and the knowledge haunts me every day, but what can I do? I can't bring back the dead. Or dead limbs,"

"Yes, resurrecting the deceased is certainly not a good idea. And it's a shame you guys don't have the technology to give Malik a replacement arm. I swear we're just months away from robotic limbs in my world," I mused. And every day brings me closer to Edward Elric. "But you shouldn't give up. It sounds like you two used to be pretty close,"

"Like brothers," Altair agreed,

"Then brothers shouldn't be able to split so easily. There's still hope,"

"You're very optimistic. Too much so, perhaps,"

"Well someone's gotta be around here," I replied, "Everyone else is about as joyful as depressed puppy...with three legs. And that's more accurate for some people than others,"

The assassin scoffed at my analogy, "Don't tell that one around Malik. He's still sensitive about the missing arm,"

"I can imagine,"

Suddenly, I had a brilliant idea, "Hey, I think I know a way to help you deal with any awkwardness between you two in the bureau,"

"Really? What?"

"Well," I explained, "It seems that the last few times we've all met together, you two seemed to really bond over one thing,"

"And what was that?"

"Making fun of me,"

"...Yeah, I guess," He admitted, "So what about it?"

"Well, the next time there's an awkwardly tense moment, or he's glaring murderously at you or something, simply deflect it to me,"

"...you're saying I should insult you?"

"Well, not really insult. Just make fun of. You know, pay me out about my hair, or how crap I am at this assassin thing. I dunno, it's up to you," I suggested, "But mention my weight, and I'll beat you up,"

"Interesting idea. But why would I mention your weight? You're not fat,"

"Oh, um, thanks," I often wonder if people say that because it's true, or they're just being polite...deceitful bastards, "So, what do you think?"

"I guess it makes sense, but why would you give me free licence to insult you? That's kind of strange," He pointed out.

"Yeah, but it's kind of like a game. The guys in high school used to play it all the time. I'm used to it,"

"They used to insult you?" He asked, shocked,

"Yeah, but it was never really malicious...I don't think. And by the end, it was actually kind of fun, playing along," I explained, "I haven't seen these guys in years. To be honest, I kinda miss the attention,"

"...that's a little odd,"

"Yeah? Well you try growing up as the loner. I was just glad to be visible," I shrugged.

"...and you're sure you don't mind?" He asked,

"Really, it's fine. Reminds me of my high school days. I miss them. University isn't the same..." I replied nostalgically.

"Well, if you say so. It could be fun,"

"Yeah, just don't get too carried away," I warned,
"Too late, you already gave me permission," Altair teased.

I narrowed my eyes, "Don't abuse my kindness, assassin. I'm well versed in the back-story. I could just as easily turn Malik totally against you,"

"Fair enough. I promise not to go too far," he assured me.

"Thank you,"

Moments passed, and that all too familiar clinking of pottery reminded us that we were nearing our destination.

"I hope you plan works," Altair said one last time.

"So do I, Altair, so do I," I replied solemnly.

"...why are you being so dramatic?"

"...shut up,"

I would've posted this yesterday, but I was called up last minute to do a 6 hour shift at work, and didn't get back until midnight, and then I still went online and finished off the chapter, but by the time I was done (which was about 4am...I was also role playing with my friends on MSN XD), my internet had decided to be a bitch and die, refusing to fix itself. So I went to bed, had about 5 hours sleep, got up and went back to work to do my actual scheduled weekly shift. And now here I am, writing this explanation to you, having just managed to upload. And there we are, that's the story. At least you can't say I don't try. ^^; ( And at least I'll be getting lots of monies this week :D)

Anyway, because I'm a dirty whore who can't finish what she started before starting something else, you may be pleased to know I've written about a page and a half of the sequel. Already, I know. There are some details I'll probably have to change later once I get a better feel for the game, but still, it's a beginning. Also, it's gonna take a slightly different approach to this one (naturally. Otherwise I'd just be reposting this but swapping names like Altair, Jerusalem and Malik for Ezio, Venice and Leonardo...and that's highly uncreative) but I hope you'll still like it.

Also, a few chapters ago, you guys helped me break the 100 review milestone. Wow. Thank you :D This officially makes Assassin's Revenge my most popular fanfic ever (well, fanfic that I didn't co-write. But MAT has about 4 years on this one). You cannot imagine how happy I am at that. I'm not sure if it's because this is a popular fandom with more exposure, or if it's because my writing is just that good (haha, I think it's more likely the former), but either way, thank you :D

And you may have noticed I tend to use many references in my work. Usually they come from whatever game/book/tv show, etc I happen to be into at the moment. Except for the MacGyver one last chapter. I've never actually seen that...no, wait, I lie, I've seen the end of 1 episode.

There's a Bioshock reference that I wrote in ages ago which will appear in a few chapters' time. That was back when I was totally in love with Bioshock. It's still an awesome game. I can't wait for Bioshock II to come out in a few months :D

If I could find a way to incorporate Dragon Age in here, believe me, I totally would. Maybe I will. Maybe I already have. Who knows? But I certainly don't add in references for the sake of references. I only do it if it works. Otherwise, there's no point unless the game companies are going to pay me for all the advertising I'm doing. XD

And now, please Review away, as usual. For motivation, and all that. :D (cos that's what I really need right now. I'm stuck on ideas for next chapter ^^; )