HAYTHAM

Like my attachment to her, Ziio's confidence intensified.

A few days later, I went upstairs to find that she wasn't in her bedroom. Usually I would come in and greet her – she spent a lot of time up there, by the desk...writing, I do believe. I never bothered to see what she was writing: that'd be an invasion of privacy.

On this day, her white sheets were pulled back; her cotton nightgown strewn on the floor.

That's odd. Usually she folds her nightgown.
Why do you pay so much attention, Haytham?

I closed the door. It wasn't early in the morning; in fact, it was nearly afternoon. So I tried downstairs.

"Have you seen Ziio?" I asked Rose on the staircase.

She shook her head breathlessly. "No, I've been washing all morning."

So I tried every room in the house. The kitchen was deserted. The dining room was silent. My office was empty – but something was different. When I saw it, I gasped.

One of the drawers on my desk was wide open...and empty. The left drawer at the bottom, which had contained...Oh no. Ziio's knife. She's been in here without permission? Why, the minx!

After rummaging to check if anything else was missing, I left the room and headed for the one place I hadn't looked: outside.

The late morning sun stretched across the allotments like rays of honey. It illumined the wheat in the mini-field and the trees beyond the soil path. On the right, Bonnie's head poked out of the stable door, basking in the warmth. Two or three birds circled the stable, catching the sun's line of sight. But no Ziio.

Suddenly there came a loud thump, not too far away. It splintered the morning air; I swivelled to see something peculiar. It was a figure in brown breeches, a muddied white shirt and jet hair swept softly back by a red ribbon. Of course it was Ziio, but she was crouching. One moment, there was nobody, the next, she'd appeared on the grass beyond; her claws digging into the ground and her mane over her face.

Did she...did she jump? From that tree?

It took me a while to distinguish, but she was holding her knife. That simply added to my confusion. What was she doing?

Ziio sprung up nimbly, before kicking up a mound of grass, muttering a curse. Her wild eyes detected me...and I sank under her predacious gaze. I blinked, and her face was gentle again.

"Haytham?" she called, coming closer.

"Ziio? What are you doing out here?"

She rolled her eyes. "Am I not entitled to some fresh air?"

I couldn't help but purr at this. "Perfectly, should you not raid my private study. The knife," I pressed impatiently, when my words were returned by a look of confusion. "You know. The one in your hand?"

Ziio clutched the blade to her chest. "It is mine."

"And the drawer it was kept in is mine. Why did you open it?"

This time, she looked apologetic. She found anything to stare at – the birds, the stable behind us, the field; she murmured: "I am sorry. I wanted to find it."

I smiled, and she stood at ease. "I was going to give that knife back, you know. When you were -"

"Walking?" she interrupted. The grin of relief became a slit of mischief. "And what am I doing now, Haytham?"

Now it was my turn to be embarrassed. "I forgot."

"Exactly."

Ignoring my own humiliation, I asked: "So what exactly are you doing out here?"

Now it was her turn to redden in the face. "Well...I saw those trees from the window this morning. And wondered: would I still be able to climb after my burns?" Ziio gazed longingly at the swaying leaves of the tree behind her, before turning and sighing. "You know me; most of my escapes are made in the treetops."

I chuckled darkly, remembering the first time we officially met. Ziio – on hearing my footsteps – jumped for the trees and ran away. In fact, I was probably lucky to catch her.

"But why do you want your knife?" I asked.

"I..." She shook her head, and her loose ponytail came even looser. "In truth, I saw a bird diving to snatch its prey, and it reminded me of how you kill enemies from the air. Does that make sense? You know, I have seen you perform them before. In Braddock's camp, many years ago."

"Air assassinations?"

"Yes, those! I have always admired them. I wanted to try it while there is strength in my legs. So I found my knife." She stroked the rusted handle fondly, like it was a domestic pet.

"I see. Are you having much success?" I asked.

"No...I keep falling when I touch the earth," she huffed. "I suppose my body is not ready for this challenge yet."

I scratched my chin in thought. I wanted to teach her; really I did, but Ziio was right. She had barely been walking for a week. Air assassinations were a very physical manoeuvre. But that wouldn't stump her determination. I knew that.

"I could...teach you?" I suggested feebly.

Her eyes snapped into sudden focus. "Really?"

"Of course!" Suddenly I looked at the ground. What a ridiculous thing to say. I had work to do! But it was far too tempting. Adults were permitted to having fun, just like children.

I threw off my coat and followed Ziio to the tree. The moment she reached it, she bounded up the bark effortlessly. I, on the other hand, grabbed onto a piece of wood and hauled myself up like cargo. My body ached with the strain; it wasn't helped by Ziio sniggering from above.

"Come on!" she jeered. "Old age is yet to claim you!"

"Aye, that's what Father used to say," I groaned, slithering ever-further up. "Jesus, this used to be so easy."

When I squinted, I saw her roll her eyes at me. "Oh, let me help you," she resented. Ziio grabbed hold of my arm roughly; I made one final bound and I toppled next to her on the bark. I pushed the leaves from my face and crouched in the treetop.

"Thank you," I said breathlessly. "Now, suppose I am looking down on the enemy. Where are you going to be?"

Ziio followed my gaze onto the lush grass below. "Closest to the trunk, out of sight."

"Correct! What else do you need to do at this stage?"

She savoured the question, before asking: "Predict his path?"

I shook my head.

"Crouch?"

"You're already crouching. See?" I indicated her legs, which – I noticed through a tear in her breeches – were still swollen. Was this safe for her?

"Judge the distance!" she realised.

"Yes! Look where he is going to stand by the time you hit the ground. Usually a couple of feet ahead."

"Feet?" Ziio stared at me, perplexed.

Of course. The Natives do not measure distance.

"About this much?" I indicated.

She nodded, and – before I could react – her body jerked sideways, and she scuttled along the branch. All I saw was her hair whipping my face...and she jumped.

"Ziio, wait!" I cried, alarmed.

It was too late. By the time the words had left me, Ziio's knife was digging into the earth below. She stayed in the brace position, like a character in an opera, before she leapt to her feet, swivelled and flipped her mane over her shoulder smugly.

"Easy!"

"Are you hurt?" I couldn't help myself.

"Me?" she snorted indignantly. "No!"

As my heart rate steadied, I began to see the funny side. "Well..." And I too soared from the tree, the wind lashing at my cheeks, and hit the ground. I jumped quickly back up and smiled. "I suppose I needn't worry."

Even Ziio couldn't prevent a childish laugh escaping her lips.

Much later, we went back outside to continue our playground games. Ziio and I must've taught one another so many fighting moves, I still struggle to remember them all. I found my bow and arrows from inside, and she helped me improve at archery. I tried my hand at climbing. And – this part was my favourite – we had a play sword-fight. In fact, that was something Ziio and I did in our early days of knowing each other. How juvenile I was.

I knew I had to go inside and work, but the sun speckling my vision, and lighting Ziio's already glowing skin was temptation enough. The clink of steel; the harmony of carefree laughter; the summer grass brushing against my feet...even the bumps and bruises I obtained from this rough game. It was a utopia from my dutiful, overbearing life. This was how it used to be. This was what I wanted it to be again.

"I surrender!" I laughed between gasps for breath.

Ziio – who had been chasing me from above – sprung from the branch she crouched on. In the dappled sunset, her breathless face seemed golden, and she walked across the plain like a ghostly figure. There was a wide smile on her face, I noticed as she approached.

"Shall we sit down for a moment?" I suggested.

"Yes," she breathed. She indicated a small hill facing the sunset, using the energy she had left to hurry up to it and sit down.

And so I followed. When I thumped down onto the dry grass, the blaze of the amber sky illumined my face; I turned away from it to face Ziio.

"I tell no lie, I haven't enjoyed myself this much in a long time."

"Likewise," she said, and turned to the sun. "I have learned a lot today. In fact, I have learned a lot from being here."

A small murmuration of birds soared over our heads, and I thought of how I was suddenly romanticising everything. Why was my mind in such a poetic state? Was it because this beautiful woman was sat beside me?

"I'm glad to have taught you," I beamed. "If you ever need to kill anyone from above, you know what to do."

"No, not that!" She elbowed me playfully, and my throat momentarily dried. "No. I mean, as a person, you and your staff have helped me to develop."

I was flattered. "Develop what?"

"Trust, at most," she shrugged, picking pieces of the grass with her thumb. "But also...that your society is not as prudish as it would seem."

"What do you mean?"

"In many ways, your people live like me. You value the same treasures. Love, and respect."

"Thank you," I chuckled nervously. I had no clue what to say, so remained silent. I twirled a stalk of grass with my index finger, and broke it in half. "I am honoured to have you here. I never thought it possible."

"Fate made it possible." Ziio crossed her legs, leaning back on her hands. When she looked at me, her eyes were filled with bewitching honesty. "I will remember these few weeks as long as I live. I will cherish them, and miss them."

Perhaps it was the adrenaline. Perhaps it was the childish excitement, or the wild summer air. I suddenly placed my hand on top of hers. "Stay," I said enthusiastically. "Stay here a little longer. I would enjoy your company immensely."

Ziio's pupils became large; regretful. She momentarily broke eye contact, and took a deep breath, like she was preparing a speech. "Haytham...I would love to stay here for longer, for I have learned more of myself here than in any other place. I have been blessed with wonderful people to nurture me to my state now." She sighed, as if she didn't want to say her next words. "Yet beyond those woods, there is a young boy. He is crying out in grief, in anger. He is alone with no mother to hold him. And that boy belongs to me."

Time seemed to slow to a halt. I couldn't help it – I felt my heart freeze to an icicle and twist like a knife. I knew this speech was coming. I supposed I never wanted to accept it. But that was the first time that it hit me: Ziio was never going to stay forever. She would have to go home.

A bitterness soaked through me like a cold sunlight. These three weeks had flown by – I'd barely noticed the time, and taken Ziio's company for granted. Just as I was allowed the one thing my heart yearned for, it was to be taken from me.

Will I ever see her again?
With luck.

"I...I..." Why was my voice cracking? "I see. I knew that. Sorry."

"Haytham, if I had the choice, I would stay for much longer." Her arms slipped around my shoulder to console me. They offered little comfort against my heavy heart. "Perhaps I will be able to visit you."

I nodded, knowing there was little chance of that. "Very well. I will help you home after the Templar meeting this weekend."

We sat there huddled for a while, but neither the dying sunlight nor Ziio's embrace offered my heart any warmth. All my hopes; all my secret passions and immature obsessions were coming to an end.

Aww! Sorry that took so long, I had a really important exam to prepare for and somehow I couldn't get this chapter to work. Anyway, I hope it did work! Gotta feel sorry for Haytham now, haven't ya? Just when he thinks it's alright...poof. That's the way it always is, huh?

Please review – I'm not sure this chapter is up to scratch, but hopefully the next one will be a bit easier. Thanks for reading! :)