Thank you so much to those of you who have reviewed my story thus far! I hope to keep posting at least one chapter a week even as college classes will be starting up next week. I'm having too much fun with this story to simply let it sit idly by itself for too long. :) But thank you all again to those who've been reading, following, and especially reviewing my chapters! I hope you enjoy this new installment~

"Ah—!" Her foot barely managed to land on the next building with ease as it slipped out from under her and she dropped completely onto the roof, landing roughly on her side. She grunted inwardly as she managed to push herself up. That's going to be a bad bruise… She looked up, expecting to see Altaïr waiting on the next building, but instead found his hand extended out to her. She did not even know what to think at first before she reached up to take it.

Even as he pulled her back up to her feet, ever since they had left the Bureau, neither one of them had spoken a single word to each other. But then again, how can they when one is sprinting away and the other is trying her best to keep from falling to the streets? Leaping and running around narrow beams, scaling different levels occasionally with no ladder nearby.

Altaïr turned, already walking over to the other side of the building. "You know," Ann spoke as soon as she had regained her breath. "It helps to inform the one you're working with exactly where we're going first."

"You are just to keep up." He jumped off the roof, landing on a long beam that connected to the building across the street, but this time he did not run straight to the other side. Instead, he turned to face one side of the street and bounded to another post, then another, and the next until he reached the end and his hands caught an iron rod that allowed him to swing down to the ground. He turned back, looking back up to Ann who returned his stare in disgruntlement.

Clearly, you expect too much of me. To her luck, the street he chose to descend to was empty and narrow, saving them from any worry of onlookers or guards becoming suspicious of their actions. She stepped out onto the wooden beam, focusing on maintaining her balance as she turned to look on to the other beams Altaïr had thrown himself across. She gulped, trying to ignore the height she was now standing at. A glance down and it was at least three stories to the ground below. The wooden joists Altaïr had used had a slight decent, making his way to the street easy.

You can do this, Ann… Just think it's just like some of the more intensive training and rehearsals back at the studio. Yeah, i-it's definitely like that! Balance, grace, accuracy, and focus—j-just without any twirls or music and with a 35 to 40 foot drop…

She jumped to the first post, landing with ease, but she could feel her balance wavering and she pushed herself off to the next on before she could find herself falling off. Y-Yeah! Only halfway there now! She secured her footing before she jumped to the next beam, almost certain that she would make it with no problem whatsoever, only this one proved otherwise as her foot slid clear over the surface. She gasped, trying to act fast and use her other foot to catch the post, but it was too late and any form of steadiness was already lost and she found herself falling backwards.

"A-Altaïr!" It all happened so fast! Her eyes thrown skyward and her hands trying to find something to catch, but to no avail, she knew her head would be the first to break her fall. She did not even hear the feet that sped against the cobble stone street before sliding under her with a pair of arms catching hold of her just barely a few feet before she could hit the ground.

"Are you alright?" he asked, her hand clutching tightly on the cloth of his sleeves, finally finding something to clasp onto. Her form was shaking from the fall and her expression was almost dazed with shock. "Ann." He carefully set her down, keeping an arm secured around her as he brought a hand up to carefully tap against her cheek. "Ann!"

A faint gasp and her eyes regained their focus and she looked up to see his clear amber ones. "You're safe," he continued. Her hands that were still trembling slowly loosened their hold on his robes. He was slow as he carefully pulled her back up until she could properly stand on her own two feet, but his hold did not slack as her footing was chancy at best.

"Ann—?" His mention of her name ended in a subtle grunt when she had found enough strength in herself to throw her arms around him in a tight embrace that startled him above anything else. Her form still trembling yet still strong enough to act in such a way nearly stunned him. Her silence alone was unsettling to him. He had no idea what to do or even to expect from this.

"Ann…," he carefully set one hand on her shoulder to pull back to see her face. This was a whole different side of her that he did not expect. He was waiting for her to yell or complain about what just happened or simply point the finger at him for running so far ahead and leaving her to trip, stumble, and fall. But even as he pulled back to get a better look at her, she kept her head low to keep from looking directly at him.

"Hey," He reached up to tilt her face back up, but as soon as he caught the slightest glimpse of her face and the faintest glint of water in her eyes, she pulled back from his hold entirely.

"W-Where are we going…?" her voice was faint, matching the subtle quiver of her form, as she pulled her hood back on and kept her head low to keep him from seeing her face.

His brow furrowed as a frown pulled over his face. He moved forward until he was just inches away from her and his hand took hold of her chin and jerked her head back up until he could see her face clearly. "You always seem to speak your mind freely," he remarked, spotting the faint tears building in the corner of her eyes. "So speak. You're safe now."

Her fingers curled lightly into fists at her sides as she tried to find her words. "I-I don't mind running over rooftops," her voice became a bit stronger. "A-As long as they're not too high."

"Why?"

"I-I," she stammered. "I-I'm terrified of heights, okay?" She pulled back from his hand that still held her chin up, turning away from him slightly as she quickly rubbed the tears away before they even had a chance to fall.

"Why didn't you say anything before," he asked, eyeing her carefully.

"You've been avoiding me since Masyaf, remember…?" she slowly glanced back to him, spotting him shift his head until his hood shaded his eyes from her. "Altaïr?"

"We'll deal with this later," he immediately answered before he turned on his heel. "Right now we have a job."

Ann remained where she stood as he started to back walk down the empty street, watching him move away before she could bring her feet to move forward with her hands rubbing her arms to calm the chills that still ran through her every other second. She let go a deep breath before she found enough ease and balance in her posture to walk after him.

.:*~*:.

The metallic sound of the blade rang out over the screams of the frantic crowd as Altaïr's sword clashed and swerved against the soldier that opposed him. Ann, though not far behind him, had barely evaded the swing of another guard that had bolted in as soon as he saw the fight break out. A woman shrank back, holding her hands up in front of her face as she tried to keep away from the danger before her. It was mere moments that passed as Altaïr held the men back, blocking each and every once of their strikes before he would run his sword clear through their abdomens.

Ann, though managing to take down the occasional soldier, at least proved capable of keeping them at bay until another advanced toward her from the side. She had just pushed one away from her before she caught sight of him just in time and she could swing her sword clear at his side, but only met with the block of his blade. This gave the other guard she originally faced to charge her in the midst of her distraction. Her eyes shot back to him, and without a second's hesitation, she pulled one of her daggers free and threw it straight at the man, the weapon slicing straight through his skull.

"Wench!" The guard snapped at her, knocking her sword away with his own as he lunged for her. His sword raised high and ready to fall down on her, she moved to try and block his attack until another sword swung into view, slicing the man clear across his arm, cutting straight through the bone. A blood curdling cry resonated from the guard before Altaïr snatched the man by the collar and shoved his sword into his ribcage, silencing him where he stood.

Blood trickling down the soldier's mouth as he began to slump forward, Altaïr kicked him back and pulled his weapon free from the body before slipping it back into its sheath. He turned back to Ann, ensuring she was still standing and uninjured before he turned back to the woman who had cowered back from the fight.

"T-Thank you so much," she exclaimed in relief. "I'm so glad you came when you did! Another minute more and they would have made off with me!" Her eyes remained focused on Altaïr even as Ann came up to his side. "I don't have anything to offer you, but I'd still like to return the favor for all that you've done for me! I'll be sure to let my brothers know of the kind things you've done here."

Altaïr merely nodded to her before he turned on his heel, signaling to Ann that they needed to remove themselves from the area fast before any other guards could show up to grow suspicious and attack them. Through the crowd they moved, weaving around the civilians and occasionally pushing them out of the way until they reached a point where they were clear from any guard's line of sight. They took several turns around streets and alleys of the rich district until they found themselves deep within the rich district. They now stood within a square where a large fountain rested in the middle surrounded by benches. The area was full of people with several gathering amongst themselves, guards that walked in a unit around the square, and even the occasional sickly man that paced around in circles, mumbling to himself.

It was here where Altaïr's pace slowed, his eyes scanning through the people around him. Ann kept a short distance behind him, keeping her hood pulled a little further over her head to keep many people from noticing her. Her eyes shifted from side to side, watching those around her and keeping clear of the deranged man's sight whenever he strolled too close for comfort.

"The last of it has been delivered." A voice caught her attention and she glanced over to the side to see two men in particular that had secluded themselves from the crowd around them. Before Altaïr could move too far ahead of her, she reached out and tugged at his sleeve to stop him from moving away. Not even a single word passed them as he turned back to face her. The only hint of communication between them was when Ann had glanced back toward the two men that stood a few yards away.

"Good. Make sure the Merchant King also knows it wasn't easy arranging a shipment like this," the smaller man spoke, his tone carrying what sounded like frustration.

"It is only wine!" the other snapped before pulling back from his small outburst. "Some can be fickle in their faith."

"Your holy book says something on the subject, I believe. Leave them that they may eat and enjoy themselves and that hope may beguile them for they will soon know. And never did we destroy a town that had a term made known." Ann's brow furrowed at that last sentence. What exactly are they scheming with this? She turned her eyes back to Altaïr, finding his gaze had not turned away from her since he had turned to face her.

"What's that supposed to mean?" The taller man was growing weary almost as much as Ann had.

"Never mind. Be about your business."

"As you wish." The men soon turned away from each other, going on about their business once more as Ann and Altaïr remained where they stood, unwavering in their stand.

"He's planning something," Ann finally spoke.

"A feast it seems." Altaïr added.

"But what is he going to do with his guests?"

"Whatever it is, he is not bothered with providing his guests plenty of wine even when it is prohibited by his own religion. One can only wonder what impious act he's planning."

"You don't think he'll…," Ann's voice trailed off, knowing fully well that Altaïr was more than aware of her own conclusions.

"Let's keep moving." Altaïr's eyes shifted back to her hand that still had a light hold on his sleeve. This must have caught her attention as she was quick to retract her hand before anything else could be done.

"By all means," she started. "Lead the way."

.:*~*:.

Time had a knack for losing itself as the day moved on. By now, Altaïr and Ann had combed through the entire rich district of Damascus, scooping out all they could learn about the Merchant King. By now, they believed they had learned all they needed to know about what the very man was planning. He was very well hated amongst his people, spending the money he took from them to lavish himself with celebrations and feasts for his own entertainment while the people of the city struggled with their constant hunger. Why, there had even been some forms of payments to the other targets Al Mualim had ordered for their assassination: Jerusalem's regent, Majd Addin and William of Montferrat. But there was one thing that still stood in their way. Where were they to make the strike? It was already made clear after Altaïr had interrogated a public speaker that it would be best to attack the Merchant King once he begins to address his guests, but how were they to get to him?

Abu'l Noquod's next feast was tomorrow and while Altaïr's plan may have been simple enough to just run in, find a way to reach his quarters, and strike, Ann did not think that to be so easy. There was no telling how long he would even speak to those attending his feast or even what he was ultimately planning to do. One thing they both knew was not to eat, drink, or so much as touch anything that he would have to offer at this extravagant party.

Now amid the roofs of the city once more, Altaïr moved with a slower stride and kept route to an easier level for Ann to keep up with. This, she already knew was irritable to him, but what could she do about it now? She was a hindrance… and they both knew it.

Though daylight still had its hold of the day, the sun was dipping low to the mountains of the Kingdom. Altaïr was now making the path back toward the Assassin's Bureau, believing himself that they had all they needed to complete their mission. While Ann tailed shortly behind, occasionally she would let her gaze wander to the landscape of the city. Altaïr had just leapt across a narrow alley to the next building, not once phasing in his step as he continued on, when Ann caught wind of something.

She hesitated just a few feet from the edge of building when a shadow overhead whipped across her vision. Immediately, she turned to look off to the side, her eyes quickly searching for whatever had made movement, but nothing was out of place. Though she could see nothing amiss, she could already feel her heart begin to pound, resonating in her ears. Something's not right…

She turned back to where Altaïr had moved and already she could see that he had just cleared the next rooftop. It was only at that point did he even notice that Ann was not close behind him and he stopped. Already she could hear his own thoughts commanding her to hurry up and keep up which she merely rolled her eyes to. I need more practice at this if I'm ever going meet his standards…

For an instant, she forgot her sudden need for alert. In an instant, she heard the shuffle of feet on the ground. It was an instant when the air gave her a sudden chill before she spun back around, panic surging through her veins. It was that instant her eyes fell on the black hooded man who solemnly stood just a few yards away from her.

"A-Al-," her voice caught in her throat as her feet began to shutter back. Her body rigid at the very sight of him and her eyes wide with fear of what he could possibly do this time. It was only when he took one step toward her did she snap back to her senses. "A-Altaïr!"

The man advanced toward her, but just before she could move any further back or even pull her sword free from its sheath, a gust of air had blown past her just as a blur of white crossed her vision and she found Altaïr between her and the black hooded man. Short blade withdrawn, he was ready for any move the man even dared to make, but for what felt like an eternity they stood there waiting for the other to act. Altaïr waiting for any strike to counter and the black hooded man to see what they would do at the slightest hint of movement.

Slowly, the man shifted, only bringing one hand up to show to a pouch nestled against his sash. His fingers slipped inside and carefully pulled out two folded pieces of parchment paper. He must have taken note of the confusion over Altaïr's and Ann's faces before he flicked the folded documents over to them.

"Safety and peace…" His voice, though deep and hollow, came as a startle to Ann. "Servants have left a scaffold outside of the Merchant King's quarters. You can use that to reach him. Those maps will not only show you where to go to get to him, but also where he keeps his guards."

"You're—," Ann managed to bring her voice back though Altaïr still remained skeptical of his actions. "You're helping us…?"

"Give me reason why we should believe you?" Not once did Altaïr even spare the folded maps on the ground before him a single glance. The hooded man, though half of his face was still covered, kept his dark brown eyes focused on Ann alone.

"I apologize for my behavior before," he acted as if he had not even heard Altaïr's question. "Is your wound any better now?"

She was taken aback as Altaïr was growing impatient with this newcomer. "I—yes, much better than before."

"You still have yet to give a reason as to why we should trust anything you say," Altaïr snapped before he could say anything back to Ann, his short blade gripped tightly in his hand.

"I aided your companion where you had failed," the man answered bluntly. Already Ann could see the muscles under Altaïr's robes grow tense from his words. It took all of his own strength to keep himself back. "My help is not for you specifically, Assassin." Ann could hear the strain of his leather gloves as his fist tighten over the hilt of his short blade. "Take of it what you will, Assassin."

The man shrouded in black robes had turned, moving to slip away from the roof though he kept a close watch on Altaïr from the corner of his eye. It was just as he was about to take his leap off the building when he stopped and turned back, his gaze falling back to Ann. "And should your plan go awry… know that the Merchant King is clearly drawn to the extravagant. Food of finest quality, beauty… music."

Ann was struck silent just as he had leaped away from the roof, fleeing before Altaïr could lose his patience and rip any dagger from his belt. Does he…? No, there's no way he could… But… How!? Why would he even suggest music? Has he been following and listening to us? By the time she could even snap herself away from her thoughts, Altaïr had already bolted over to the other side of the roof, looking around through the streets below and the nearby buildings to find any sight left of this newcomer. Though he kept himself calm and collective, Ann knew he was more than just put off by what the hooded man said.

"Altaïr—," she cut herself short when he turned back to her. He did not even need to say a word as the look on his face said it all. Even as he slipped his short blade back into its place behind him, he moved back over to her.

"He was the one who took you," he stated more than questioned as he came up to her.

"Yes, but—"

"Under no circumstances are you to leave my side during these missions. I don—"

"What are you, my babysitter!?" she suddenly snapped at him, nearly catching him off guard. "Altaïr, I'm grateful for your concern—really, but if we are going to make any difference at all then you're going to need to help me get better at defending myself. I know you're tired of putting up with me already and whether you like it or not, accidents will still happen and somehow we're going to end up getting separated!"

"You think to underestimate me?" he advanced on her, his words almost hissing through his teeth. "I am a Master Assassin and I will see to it that he will not come near you again. He took you against your will once, who is to say that he will not try anything like that again or worse!?"

"You've been demoted, remember!" she shot back, instantly regretting it the second she saw the anger flaring in his amber eyes and the grit of his teeth. "I-I am just trying to tell you that not everything always goes according to plan! I don't know what he'll try but—"

"I may have been stripped of my title," he growled under his breath, backing her toward the edge of the roof. "And now I am sent out to retrieve it like a sniveling dog, but do not think that means my skill has been stripped from me as well."

"A-Altaïr—," she stammered as she backed away from him, an inkling of fear surfacing in her voice as she side glanced the edge of the building drawing closer.

"I can show you how to defend yourself, but do you really think you can learn how to properly fight within a few days!?" He continued toward her.

"Altaïr—!" she felt her feet hit the slight rise of the roof, nearly making her stumble and lose her own balance, but just before her body could begin to sway backwards, his hands snatched her by the arms, roughly pulling her back toward him.

"I have saved your life on more than one occasion," his tone had calmed by this point, though the rise and vexation behind it were still there. Her gaze now left with no other choice to meet his and for an instant she thought she saw something else aside from anger flicker across his eyes. "I will still teach you to fight, but there are times where you will listen to me."

"Okay…," she breathed lightly, not once looking away from him. "I'll listen to you…"

His hold on her arms began to slacken at her words. "But Altaïr." He paused. "We are working together on these missions… and so we need to work together more than anything else."

"And?"

"I need you to have a little more trust in me and the decisions I make…" Amber eyes unwavering from emerald, Altaïr could feel the anger gradually fading from him.

"And what do you suggest we do…?" he exhaled slowly.

"That we at least consider the maps he brought us." She kept still, waiting to see if his temper would flare back up, but to her relief he had collected himself and gained back rationality as his gaze finally broke from hers to look back to the two pieces of parchment paper lying precariously on the roof behind them. For a moment, she believed he wouldn't listen. That he would push her suggestion out of the way and drag her back to the Bureau. His gaze only fell back to her for a mere second before he let go of her and stepped back to take the two documents and slip them into the pouch of his belt. The simple act alone, she did not know how big of a smile that pulled over her lips as relief finally settled in. "Thank you, Altaïr…"

He barely turned back to her with a slight nod. "Let's go back to the Bureau."