Notice: Chapter has been edited as of 1-11-15

Disclaimer: I don't own Assassin's Creed, the only thing I take credit for is my OC's.

Author's Note: Hey people tis time for a new chapter. I want to thank all of you who've reviewed, alerted, and fav'd last one, makes meh happy! I hate that this got updated so late but it couldn't be helped :(

Taming a Huntress

Chapter XXI

Surprise Encounters

"What do you expect me to do, Savra! You act like a spoiled child who is not getting their way. You've been told to stay in the Bureau, have you not? Why can you not simply occupy yourself with something mind consuming. There are books for you to read, the novice brought you items for paints. Yet you've been keeping me from my work because you do not get your way."

For the past couple of days the tension between the two had escalated remarkably. The day after Altair's departure was fine, the two talked companionably. Savra utilized her art items for most of the day and kept to herself, while Malik continued on his normal tasks. It was the day after that did she become restless and began asking to go out into the streets was when things started to turn sour. At first he was calm about it, explaining to the girl Altair's requests, to which she already was aware of. But as the days passed that explanation wasn't enough and 'No' didn't mean anything to her.

"I wonder why Malik." She crossed her arms with a glare. "I'm sick of being inside, and I'm sick of being near you."

"The feeling is mutual," He sneered as he matched her glare.

"Just because you love being holed up here doesn't mean I do," Savra said lowly.

He let out a long, heavy sigh, his gaze softening somewhat. "I cannot do anything about it, Savra."

The close confinement of the Bureau forced them to be near each other at all hours, and didn't help the situation one bit. He didn't venture out of the bureau anymore because he didn't want to leave her there alone with the opportunity to escape. He also didn't want to leave because he was beginning to feel guilty for it – she pointed it out, how he could leave for air at his leisure while she was to stay within the walls. Now though, he didn't leave because of her never ending complaints, if he left now he wouldn't hear the end of it when he returned. So here they've been, essentially stuck together in the room, and he was beginning to see how she felt. Though Malik didn't mind staying in the Bureau, it was the tension that continued to build between them that was driving him stir-crazy.

"You can," she answered quietly. "You just don't want to."

Malik gave a weary huff. "I'm only doing what he wished."

Savra clenched her fists as she looked at the Dai. "To hell with what he wishes, I can't stand being inside anymore."

He looked down to his unfinished map. "Savra, if it was up to me I—… Just… just go do your arts or read perhaps. I'd like to work on this in peace."

Her eyes lowered to her tightened fists before lifting them back up to him.

He felt her gaze and glanced up. Her silver eyes burned with unspoken fury, but underneath that, unspoken sadness. And it brought the look in his eyes to soften significantly, but she didn't see as she moved herself off the counter and walked over to the set of pillows she had been using for a bed, laying herself down with her back to him.

He shook his head in frustration before moving to pick up his dropped tools, going back to what he was originally doing while muttering, "Damn you, Altair."

Nightfall approached a few hours later, dimming the Bureau in a soft blue hue as the dull moon shone through the two high windows on the far wall. The fire crackled, the only sound in the room, bringing shadows dancing along the walls. Malik sat in front of it, stirring a ladle idly through the small cauldron that hung from the spoke above the flames where his eyes were lost. Savra remained where she was amongst her pillows, she had not moved, nor had she woken. And he hadn't tried to wake her either.

He drew back the ladle, bringing it to his lips to taste the warm soup. It was quite bland and watery as he was running out of spices due to being unable to leave for the market. Placing it back into the pot, he picked up the cauldron and set it on the rug in front of him, ladling the hot soup into the two clay bowls he had procured from the mantle. Malik glanced at the sleeping girl, wondering what her reaction would be once he woke her.

He sighed before calling her name gently. She didn't respond. He leaned over and gave a small push against her shoulder, she only moved slightly but her even breathing remained the same. Gripping her shoulder, he shook her lightly. "Savra wake up, there is soup for us to ea—ouch!" He hissed when a slap came across cheek.

Savra blinked and looked to the Dai she had just hit, for a split second during her groggy state she had thought it was her brother attempting to wake her, only to see now it was Malik who was rubbing his abused face while looking at her with a glare.

"Sorry..." she murmured as she sat up slowly, glancing at him carefully. Though secretly she wasn't that sorry.

Rubbing his face once more his glare disappeared after a slow nod. "I see you picked up Altair's extremely aggravating habit of hurting people once woken."

The corner of her lips upturned just slightly as thought trying not to smile.

Malik watched her for a moment, he could see she was trying to stay angry with him, but she was losing. He turned and cleared the chess table behind him of all its pieces before grabbing the bowls and placing them atop, gesturing her to the bowl opposite of his. She hesitated for a second, then took a seat on the pillow and pulled her bowl closer to her and began eating.

They ate in silence for the first while until he looked from his bowl to see her staring at her own while she rested her chin in her palm, dragging the spoon through the liquid idly without eating.

"It is a bit bland, I know," he said as he set his spoon down to look at her fully. "But the potatoes in there should fill your belly."

"It's fine," she mumbled.

Malik continued to gaze at her as she stared into her soup with a frown. "Then what troubles you, Savra?"

"Don't ask questions you already know the answers to, Malik," Savra said with irritation.

He sat back a little as he observed her, he refrained from releasing a frustrated sigh. A small smirk crossed his face as he took a sip from his soup while keeping his eyes on the solemn girl. "Do not pine for him so. He will be back soon."

She looked up, confused. "Huh?"

Malik scooped another spoonful into his mouth calmly. "You miss him, that is why you're pouting."

"I'm not pouting!" she snapped as her eyes took to glaring at him, she had dropped her spoon and Malik noticed she had almost leapt to her feet in indignation.

"You are the definition of one who pouts," he answered as he ate. "Even for the evening meal I cannot have peace."

"You created this situation. Don't complain. You know what to do to bring peace between us."

"I created this situation? Little girl, it was you who brought this upon yourself. And your mistake was letting Altair help you. If I had escaped, I would not had accepted the help from the master's favorite pet. The very master who is the cause of your leaving. Foolish thinking. He will help you, perhaps, but in a way that he remains as loyal as he can to Al Mualim. Had you kept to yourself, I imagine you'd be as free as a bird right now, not trapped here with me. Or perhaps you'd be dead. Who knows? Death is another face of freedom in itself however. Either way, you wouldn't be stuck within these walls, forced to endure my abominable presence."

Savra's lips twitched again.

"I can only imagine what it is like for you, "Malik continued, "having to dine across from a one-armed bastard such as myself. Poor child. Now I understand your plight."

Malik smiled when the girl turned her face from him, biting her lip. Trying to hide her amusement from him.

"So she can smile."

Savra shook her head lightly.

"I know when I'm the cause of a woman's smile. I can be quite desirable, in my own way," Malik jested.

Savra snorted, then began eating her soup again. She seemed to have relaxed, Malik noticed. The tension in the room was gone for the moment, and for that he was glad. "Hardly. You mole, you aren't present enough in the daylight for any woman to see you, let alone smile at you," Savra countered. "Aside from your healer woman." A sly smile crossed her lips.

Malik frowned. "Lamis? She's much older than I. What are you saying. And I went out enough before you came along. I only stay here so you don't leave."

"Just because she's older doesn't mean she can't desire you, Malik, you said yourself you are quite desirable." Savra grinned, Malik scowled as he moved to stand. "Malik, she might want your children! That's why she gives you all these medicines as persuasion."

"She's married, Savra, and I pay for the medicines."

"Ohh, so it is a secret affair!" Savra jumped from her seat to follow him to the counter. He scowled at her again while she continued. "Imagine all the little ones you'd have, running around the bureau with their one arms."

He turned to look at her. "They'd have two, I wasn't born this way, idiot girl," he ground out.

"So you admit you've thought about it."

He growled in frustration which only caused her to grin wider, but he didn't say anything. It was a losing battle, he found that he always lost when it came to her teasing. And he'd rather have her be this way then snapping at him anyway.

Malik looked over to the pile of pillows at the entry room and sighed tiredly before glancing at the girl who was watching him with boredom now. "I'm going to go to sleep," he told her as he made his way over and sat down. "I'll once more remind you not to try anything, Savra. I'll hear you. And I'm sure you don't wish to end up in the fountain yet again."

Savra's expression turned into a frown as the memory of him tugging on her leg when she had attempted to leave while he slept surfaced, she had fallen into the fountain water and became drenched. Since then she had only tried to leave once, but it resulted in the same thing. He slept much lighter than Altair and she couldn't figure out a way to slip passed him.

She sighed when he turned from her and went to sleep. Looking back to the counter where she sat, her eyes trailed to the map he seemed to be close to completing. She pulled it to her and looked over it, it only had a section left near the corner. She sat there for a few moments before glancing behind her to the now sleeping Dai, a sly smile coating her features.

Savra grabbed a quill that was discarded off to the side, as well as an ink well. Turing her head to spot slumbering Malik once more, she dipped the quill into the ink and brought the tip to the piece of parchment.

Malik woke to the sunlight beating onto his face from the roof entrance. He sat up with a yawn and looked around while his eyes blinked out the tiredness. Pushing himself up, he walked over to the fountain and kneeled, cupping his hand in the water and splashing it onto his face to fully wake himself up. He shook his head and stood as he made his way into the other room. He saw Savra sleeping with her head buried under half of the pillows, her attempt to keep the light from waking her. Her arm clutched the leather bound sketch book close to her chest while pieces of charcoal littered the floor in front of her. He moved to grab the kettle to warm up some water so he could have his tea. His shortened limb was hurting as it usually did in the morning.

As he mixed in his herbs when the water warmed, he brought his cup over around the counter where he normally spent his time. Bringing the cup to his lips, he gazed at the items strewn over the surface of the counter where it landed on his current project that kept him occupied between city reports. He pulled the map to him and went over the sections already completed, by the end of today he expected to have this finished, he only needed to add a few more things near the cor—

"What?" he whispered as his eyes widened at what they were seeing. He felt himself begin to shake with the ire that immediately started to rise within him. He slammed his cup down in anger which caused the aromatic liquid to slosh out of the cup and onto the parchment, making the ink lines bleed into each other further ruining his map. "SAVRA!" His voice boomed in rage.

The girl shot up from her slumbering with a shriek, pillows were tossed in the air from the quick action. Her eyes looked around frantically before landing on the Dai, and relaxed at the sight. She groaned and rubbed her eyes before saying, "Why are you screaming so early?"

"Why? Why?" Malik gritted. "WHAT IS THIS!" he yelled as he held up the map and shook it around in the air.

A slight look of fear flitted across her eyes. She'd not known him for very long, and hearing him raise his voice to her like that made her bite her lip before she smiled nervously, and coughed slightly. "Being a cartographer, I'd imagine you'd be quite aware of what a map looks like."

His eyes narrowed at her dangerously. "Do you believe this is a joke?"

Savra nibbled her lip again, replying carefully, "I'm only answering, you asked what it is and I told you."

"I'm talking about this!" he snapped as he held the map higher in the air to show the corner that was yet to be completed, which now held a peculiar image in its place.

Savra glanced over the corner of the map from where she sat. Her lips twitching slightly, which caused Malik's eye to twitch in return. "Oh… heh… that." She rubbed her arm nervously.

"Yes that," he ground out as his eyes burned with fury.

"Well… actually it is a drawing," she explained lightly.

"Obviously, girl! What is it doing on my map!" He took to shouting again.

"Looks to me like it is adding artistic dimension?" Savra tried, offering a cautious smile.

"You ruined three weeks' worth of work, are you aware?" Malik asked as he shook, partially crunching the part of the map that his hand was gripping. "ARE YOU?"

Savra winced at his tone. "If I didn't before I think I do now," she mumbled to herself.

"What!"

"Nothing…"

"And why would you draw something as inappropriate as this, on my map of all places? My map, Savra, my ma—"

"I hardly think it's inappropriate for a map."

Malik's eyes looked as though they were about to burst from their sockets. "Hardly inappropriate? It's… it's... it is..."

"It's you," Savra said, her lips twitching again.

"And a c-cow—"

"Bull," she corrected.

"What?" he snapped.

"It's a Bull," Savra explained. "If it was a cow the positions would be reversed." Malik stared at her in a mixture of shock and aggravation. "And to help you understand much more quickly, silly Malik, it's a Bull doing unmentionable things to you."

He shook his head as he threw her a harsh look. "Why?"

She shrugged. "I was bored. Oh! And I drew some others with a variety of animals, do you want to see?" She held up her sketchbook and waved it around.

"NO!" Malik yelled in disbelief. "No, I don't want to see."

"Fine." Savra replied. "I'll just show Altair when he retu—"

"No you won't." Malik snapped as he began to make his way over. Savra jumped up from her seat and held the sketchbook firmly to herself. "Give it to me."

"No." She shook her head.

"Either give it to me so I can burn the pages or you burn them yourself! No one is to see them."

Savra didn't move, instead hugging the sketchbook tighter to her chest. Malik glared at her impatiently, but Savra only started nibbling her lip, thinking of a way to get around him and save her sketches. She really did want to see Altair's reactions to them.

"Savra!"

"Alright!" Savra shouted back, then huffed. She wouldn't be able to keep them while being stuck with Malik. She walked over to the fireplace and knelt down. Opening her sketchbook she pulled three pages out and moved them to the flames, tossing two in she held the third in front of her before looking over her shoulder to see Malik standing some distance away staring hard at her. "You sure you don't want to see? This one's with a swine doin—"

"Burn the ridiculous drawing now," he gritted.

She tossed the remaining drawing into the flames before standing and turning fully to the infuriated Dai.

"Is that all of them?"

Savra nodded before giving him a wicked smile. "For now."

Malik's eyes widened and she saw him visibly begin to shake.

"You're not going to draw those foul images any—"

"You'll never know if I do. What are you gonna do? Restrain me?"

Malik's face grew red with ire and frustration. His hand fisted at his side, tempted to rise and crack against the side of the girl's face just to knock some of the insolence out of her. But he held himself back, choosing to throw one last glare her way before storming out of the Bureau.

Savra watched quietly, chewing on the inside of her cheek. Perhaps she had went too far. He did seem rather angry. But she was rather angry herself, stir-crazy in fact, so she decided she didn't feel too bad for angering the Dai so much. She went to the counter and grabbed a rag nearby to wipe the spilt tea. After she was done she glanced at the entry room of the Bureau, at the heavy morning light streaming in from the garden roof. She could do it, she thought. Leave while Malik was away. But her limbs held still, and something held her back. So Savra made her way back to the cushions she had slept on and plopped down onto them with a huff, throwing her arm over her eyes.

Malik jumped down into the Bureau about an hour later after he left to clear his mind. He was noticeably calmer, but still frustrated at what the girl had done in the morning. With a wrapped bundle in his hand he walked into the room, looking around until his eyes landed on Savra who was sleeping again. He was not surprised, there wasn't much else for her to do and he understood that. Moving to stand over her, he chucked the bundle onto her head carelessly, causing her to wake with a start.

She blinked as she looked over to him with an irritated expression before looking at the package that was now in her lap. "What's this?" she asked.

"Open it," he said coolly.

She shook her head and untied the strings before removing the wrappings. The item was folded up blue cloth from what she could tell and she looked to Malik questioningly.

Malik moved to lean against the mantle before saying, "If you want to go outside, you will be able to on a few conditions."

Her eyes lit up at his words. "Whatever you say." She nodded.

"You are not to leave the Bureau unless I'm with you." Her eyes dimmed slightly but he continued, "You will do as I say, and you will stay near me at all times." She frowned heavily. "And. you absolutely will not leave this Bureau unless you're wearing something to cover yourself up."

"I have my cloak for that," she replied.

Malik shook his head. "No, that's not enough. If you want to go out, you're to wear those." He pointed to the cloth in her lap.

Savra narrowed her eyes at the Dai but he remained the same. Her eyes trailed down to the folded cloth in her lap, she picked up a thin material and held it up as she recognized it as a shawl.

"For your hair." He said as he watched her.

Putting it to the side, she unfolded the remaining cloth. A dress. It was blue, faded from the sun. The bottoms of the skirts were a bit dirt-stained and the fabric was worn, telling her that it was not new and had belonged to someone else. Her eye twitched.

Malik raised a brow at her expression, noticing her wince and reluctance. "You have to wear it."

"I'd rather not," Savra mumbled, eying the fabric with distaste. The last time she was in a dress was when her mother has to physically force her into one, which wasn't a pleasant memory.

"And I'd rather you stay here, be silent, and let me work in peace. But since that is unlikely to happen unless you are free to go outside, then this is the only option."

She grit her teeth together as she frowned.

"Fine," Savra finally spat.

Malik's lips twitched slightly at her dramatics and gave her a mocking bow. "I'll be waiting by the fountain."

It wasn't long before he heard her footsteps nearing the entry room where he waited. He looked up as she approached. He almost smiled at her obvious discomfort, taking small pleasure in it given what she had done to him that morning. The dress was a bit tight, meant for someone with a taller and thinner frame. But it didn't look as bad as she clearly felt in it. It made her look common. Her brown shawl was wrapped around her head and neck, covering her auburn hair and lower half of her face, leaving only her grey eyes and sharp brows showing.

He pulled her over to a ladder and had her climb down it while he followed after. Malik glanced around as they stood at the base of the ladder. People were moving about in all directions, going on with their business. He looked to Savra and tugged on her shawl near her neck, pulling it up to cover up to her nose. When she narrowed her eyes in confusion he ignored it as he took her by the arm and set off for the streets.

Her eyes moved over all the people and buildings, the familiar city she had grown up around. Now though it felt foreign to her. Malik continued walking along one of the crowded streets, he held her arm within his own, disallowing her to pull her hand away when she tried.

"Malik, I won't run away!" Savra exasperated as she tried to tug her hand free. He only tightened his hold as he glanced at her from the corner of his eye. "People will think we are betrothed or something else along those foul lines."

The corners of his mouth upturned as he remained facing forward while they walked. "I have no issue with that."

Savra looked at him. "What if we run into your healer? She might accuse you of having an affair, even though it would be hypocritical because she herself is having an affair with yo—"

"Where do you pick up this nonsense? We are not having an affair!" Malik argued a bit loudly, causing those around them to stop and look to the two with mixed expressions. Savra smiled to herself while Malik growled and tightened his grip, tugging her to walk faster. "I'm already regretting this."

The two were found sometime later in the center of a bazaar where Malik had finally released his hold on Savra so he could buy some more tools and a few extra sheets of parchment seeing as how he needed to start redoing his failed map. Savra looked around the vendors with vague interest, choosing to sit on the edge of a large fountain placed in the center of the market place. Her eyes traveled over the people who went from shop to shop. She watched the vendors announce their wares loudly to the passers-by.

A group of city guards were near the main street entrance to the bazaar talking amongst each other. A woman just a few feet in front of her stood talking to another much older lady, conversing over a few pieces of colorful cloth she held in her hand. Their features were similar so Savra deduced they were mother and daughter. She watched in boredom with her chin resting in her palm while her elbow was on her knee.

She saw a man approach, wearing ruffed up clothing one would see in a bandit. He walked up to the woman purposefully and gripped her arm to turn her around. Savra straightened as she watched with narrowed eyes. The woman gasped and the mother began shouting, but the male held up his hand to silence her and pulled on the woman's shawl to expose more of her face. She wriggled in her grasp and he jerked her head to remain still.

"Let me see your eyes!" He growled to her.

The mother went and began tugging on his arm. He sneered and pulled her shawl completely off, looking displeased with what he saw. Her black hair unrolled from the loose bun until till it fell to her lower back in long waves.

"Black again," he spat.

The woman was crying at her treatment and the mother was shouting things at the man. The guards heard the commotion and made their way quickly over. They gripped the man by the arms, and he didn't seem like he put up a struggle, as if it wasn't the first time he was caught doing that. His glare remained as he was pulled away with the shouts from a few of the guards, until his eyes landed on Savra. She felt her heart skip, but she kept her eyes on him. He sneered and tore his own from her as he was pulled down another street and out of the Bazaar.

She let out a breath as she saw someone come up to her quickly. It startled her at first until she recognized the figure as Malik. "What happened?" he asked worriedly as he stared at her. Savra just shrugged, she didn't want to say anything that would cause him to go back on his word for allowing her to come outside. "Well," he continued as he looked around. "I only need a few more things and then I think we should go back to the bureau."

"Alright," Savra responded as she moved her eyes back to the crying woman. From the corner of her eye she saw him remain for a second before moving away again to find the vendor he needed. She watched as the two woman left the marketplace soon after.

Savra stood and began walking around again through the different stalls. Her eyes trailed over the multiple items each carried, shaking her head when a shop keeper asked if she saw anything she desired. An older woman called out to her and Savra tried to ignore her but the vendor insisted she see her wares.

Savra stood in front of the small table that contained many different dried herb bunches on top it, with a few hanging overhead from the cloth awning. "Do you see something you like?" The woman's soft voice asked.

"Well… no," Savra replied slowly, eyes glancing around the stall. "I don't really deal with herbs all that much," she added when the woman gave a slight frown.

The lady tsked. "Everyone deals with them sooner or later." She grabbed a box and began to riffle through it. "Some of these can be used in food, some can be mixed into a paste, some can be burned for aroma, if you own a bath you could place certain ones in there as well. All sorts. This box contains the ones I mix for teas, if you would like something simple that is."

Savra tilted her head at the woman and wondered briefly if she was a healer and if she was the same one Malik saw, and the thought caused her to smile since the woman was completely graying in the hair. Much older indeed.

"This can be used for sore muscles, this clears your breathing ways if find yourself ill and congested, this relaxes you in the mind, this gives you a bit of energy should you find yourself too tired, this one helps you sleep deeply if you are having problems with it, this one is for pain soothing, and this one… well this one I like because it is very delicious to drink." The lady smiled kindly, Savra smiled as well but she doubted it could be seen behind the shawl.

"I think another day perhaps," Savra told her politely.

The woman nodded, attempting to keep the look of disappointment off her face. Savra groaned internally at that look but remained unwavering; she had no use for these things.

"There you are!" Malik hissed into her ear, startling her enough to give a small jump. "I thought you lef—"

"Malik!" A joyful greeting came from the woman behind the table, causing the Dai to blink and look to the lady.

"Oh hello, Lamis." He smiled. "I was going to come to you next after I found…" He glanced at Savra.

Lamis looked between the two in front of her stall. "I was trying to sell some items to the girl, she seems unwilling to buy though. You know her, Malik?"

"Yes she's…" He cleared his throat as he looked to her with uncertainly. "She's a… she is— she... is..."

"Oh." The woman nodded slowly as a knowing look came over her. "I see." Her eyes moved to Savra, her once pleasant expression now holding something akin to disapproval. "Though, Malik," she said quietly so Savra would not hear, but Savra heard perfectly clear. "It is unbecoming to allow one like her to be parading around like this." Savra narrowed her eyes considerably at Lamis' words. "I would think they have them stick closer to the broth—"

"Malik!" Savra hissed. Her glare burned into the side of his face.

He rubbed the back of his neck uneasily, but he did nothing to change Lamis' line of thinking.

"Tell her I'm not!" she pressed him.

"Shh," he hissed back and stepped away from her, closer to the stall.

"Come look over these few here, Malik," the woman told him as she began pulling out more small boxes. Malik took to ignoring the girl next to him as he moved closer to the table and conversed with the woman.

Savra sneered at his back and turned from him while she stood to gaze at the rest of the bazaar. Some of the people where throwing cautious looks at her and she struggled to brush them off. This was his fault, his fault and the stupid dress, she thought to herself. Her glaring eyes caught a glint from a stall across the market from her. She focused on it to see it was a jeweler, and the glint came from a woman who held a large red gem on a thin chain in her hand. Savra watched indifferently before turning her eyes away and roaming them over the rest of the marketplace.

A cackle brought her heart to a full halt and her eyes to snap at the sound, which brought them back to the woman standing at the jeweler. She laughed again, a cackle, one that Savra knew well, and one that ground her nerves so many times before. Savra didn't realize she was taking steps forward, her eyes were only zoned in on the woman holding the gem. The woman giggled again at the jeweler flirting with her. She held up the chain and it shone brightly in the sunlight, her fingers trailed down it until they landed on the gem, stroking it gently.

Savra couldn't see her face since her back was to her, but she had the feeling she knew exactly what it would look like should she see it. The woman glanced around, once over her shoulder before facing the jeweler again and that's when Savra caught her face, causing her heart to stop again. She saw the woman freeze stiff after she had turned around to the jeweler, and it took her a moment to glance behind her again almost hesitantly. Savra had stopped in the center of the Bazaar, still some distance away. When her eyes locked with the hesitant blue ones. Her mother.

Sasha turned fully so she faced the Savra, with shock plastered on her face. Neither moved and Savra only stared. Sasha continued to allow her emotions to flit across her face; shock, disbelief, sadness, worry, apprehension. Savra only had one emotion; fury. She could feel her lip lift in a sneer, though still concealed behind her shawl. She tugged on the material and brought it down to her chin, casing Sasha's eyes to widen further at the proof that it was Savra.

Savra took a determined step forward but was brought back by a voice from behind. "Can't you stay in one spot?" Malik sighed as he came up to her. "I will need you to hold on to some of these items on our way back." She felt him brush up on her arm but she didn't turn to look at him. She kept her eyes locked.

Sasha's eyes trailed from Savra's to behind her where Malik stood. Recognition flashed across her blue orbs, and her eyes narrowed.

"What are you lo—"

She heard his words catch and felt him tense from behind. "Malik…" Savra said slowly. "That's her… that's my mother."

"I know…"

Savra felt herself moving forward but Malik grabbed her arm, keeping her still.

Savra gave her a hard stare... Sasha looked conflicted, as though she wanted to run to Savra, but also turn and flee at the same time. The latter won out it seemed because after keeping her gaze locked with Savra's brutal glare she had already taken steps back and placed the gem on top the jewelers table. She continued to back away keeping her eyes on Savra, before she turned around and hurried for the exit street, continuously throwing glances over her shoulder at the girl. But Savra remained where she was, watching.

When she was gone from sight Savra still gazed at the exit. Malik nudged her out of her trance. Savra shook her head. "What is she still doing here?" she murmured.

Malik sighed as he nudged her again to follow him. "I would have thought she got the message with her confrontation with Altair."

Savra stopped in her step as she tilted her head in confusion. "What?" Malik stopped and looked back to her. "He's never met my mother. What are you talking about?"

Malik looked at her curiously before answering. "He didn't tell you?"

"Tell me what?" she replied with a shake of her head, she didn't understand what was going on.

"He ran into her here a little more than a month ago, at a jeweler of all places ironically. Seems she has a taste for those, hm? He tried to bring her but she eluded him. That's all that occurred."

Savra's jaw tightened when she heard his words. This whole time he knew, and he never said anything. "All this time..." she muttered. "The bastard, what right does he have to keep that from me?" she asked Malik in anger. "That's my mother. It's not like it has nothing to do with me. And I even spoke about her to him a few days ago while coming here! He never said a thing!"

Malik raised a brow and opened his mouth to answer but she cut him off.

"I'm sick the secrets everyone keeps, must I be an assassin to be allowed to know anything?" Savra hissed as she pushed past him. "He can go to hell…"

Malik remained silent on their way back to the bureau with the girl steaming from hurt and anger at his side.

He let his eyes travel among the stars overhead, letting out a tired sigh as he listened to the fire crackle a few feet away. Thunder rumbled a great distance away, but it was sure to hit one of these days. The air spoke of a coming storm.

The deep neigh that came from his horse brought his eyes and thoughts back to the ground, to the fire that would need a few more branches soon to keep going. The horse's ears flickered, as something had caught his attention, but soon relaxed after moment's time.

Altair relaxed his back into the trunk he was leant up against. One more day and he'd be at his destination in Damascus. But the days lately seemed to drag on, even though he had been traveling hard to get there as quick as possible. He didn't really care to dwell on what task lied in Damascus, it was his reporting of the task once completed that was nagging at his mind. He didn't know if he'd be able to do it; lie to Al Mualim. It was a known fact that one could not. And he already expected to fail, but he'd… still do it… if only for her. He remembered before, when he told himself once he would not go against his master for the likes of her, and here he is contemplating how best to do it.

He snorted as he leaned his head back against the tree, turning his gaze back to the sky. "If only you knew how difficult you make things for me," he mumbled, his dark brows drawn with his conflicting emotions.

"Well, I say give me a hint, and perhaps I could guess at it." A deep, jesting voice came across from him.

With practiced speed, Altair's snatched onto the handle of the sword resting at his side and jumped to his feet in a fighting stance. On the other side of the fire stood a man adorned in furs and skintight leather sleeves, dark trousers, and light leather boots that came to his knees. His gloved hands came up in defense as well as surrender.

"Hold on, I mean you no harm," he said cautiously.

Altair narrowed his eyes at the man, while he kept his sword poised. The man moved his hand behind him and Altair sneered, gripping the handle tighter once he saw a bow pulled from his back. The man placed it slowly on the ground, glancing up to Altair with careful bronze eyes. His hand came back and unhooked a few casings at his thick belt, tossing two daggers near the bow as well.

"There now, see? I don't plan on an attacking you." he said slowly.

"Then what is it you want?" Altair asked in irritation. He had no desire to deal with a bandit.

"To use your site for the night, I saw the fire and I thought this was a bandit site." He rubbed his neck, the chuckled wryly. "It would have made this much easier if you were a bandit; then I could have just killed you and enjoy the warm fire. It's too dark for me to go searching for another, let alone get my own fire going. I have fish that's waiting to be cooked, I was going to dry it out, but if it will get you to allow me to stay, I'll give it to you."

Altair could help the brow that rose on his face, his grip loosened but he didn't lower the sword. "Are you not a bandit yourself?" he couldn't help but ask. The man certainly looked the part.

Surprise took over the man. "Why, you think I'm a bandit? Hah! I'm not sure if I'm insulted or… no I am insulted actually. No, my white clothed friend, I am not a bandit. But I kill bandits though if that counts for anything."

Altair lowered his sword to his side as he looked over the man in confusion. "Well then what are you, why are you out here alone?"

"A Hunter I suppose, if I must give myself a title," he responded. "Mostly for my uncle. He sells the furs I just kill what's needed."

Altair gave a slow nod before looking over to a rustle that came from behind the hunter. He brought his sword back up causing the hunter to look behind at the noise. He held up his hand. "No, it's okay, it's only Deza," he said as he walked to the tree line and tugged a large, dusty beige horse into the clearing. He glanced at Altair as he ran his hand over the thick neck of the steed. "So, would you mind if I did? I mean the fish is a good one, still fresh too."

Altair sighed as he looked over the clearing; he didn't like the idea of sharing his camp with someone he didn't know, especially someone who carried as much weapons as he. "I… suppose."

The hunter smiled broadly, and it lightened his rough looking face, making him look much more youthful than he did intimidating. "You have my thanks then." He walked over the few steps to Altair and held out his hand. "I go by Ilyas, friend."

Altair's hand paused before it made contact with the hunter, his eyes snapped to the bronze ones the man held. "Ilyas?" he repeated slowly, remembering something.

The hunter nodded. "Indeed. Easy to remember and easy on the tongue, aye?" He smiled a mischievous smile at Altair, who did not return it.

'"His name was Ilyas, I shall remember him forever," she added dreamily.'

Altair's brow furrowed. "And you kill... bandits?"

Ilyas grinned smugly while puffing out his chest. "Every chance I get." His smiled dropped slightly at Altair's narrowed expression and he waved his hands out in front of him in defense. "It's okay though, because no one likes them and no one cares if they're dead. I'm doing people a favor. And it's not like I go hunting for them, but if they cross my path, they won't continue living for long."

"Hmph," Altair snorted as he walked away to go sit back down against his tree. "I'm not saying I disagree with what you do."

"Oh," Ilyas replied. "Well then, I no longer feel the need to explain my actions to a stranger." He smirked as he walked over to his horse. He patted the mare while he brought her over to where Altair's was tied to. Ilyas gazed over the black horse as he tied his mare. It tossed his head and nipped aggressively at the beige horse, snorting loudly. "He's not too friendl by the looks of it," he spoke as he soothed his Deza.

"No, not even to me," Altair replied.

Ilyas nodded as he grabbed his bedroll and tossed it onto the ground near the fire. "Stallions hardly are." He sat himself down and looked to Altair. "So, you want the fish?"

Altair shook his head. "No, I already ate."

"Good, because I honestly didn't want to give it to you." He sighed. "To think I've lowered myself to offering my kills for some warmth. I'm a disgrace to my trade. But alas, my pride is so far gone these days I simply don't care anymore. My uncle will be so proud."

Altair raised a brow in amusement causing the hunter to continue.

"After I collect so many furs, I return to Damascus where my uncle keeps his shop. He pays me a small amount for the work, and then keeps all the rest for himself. I know he makes a good profit off my catches, because the shit I bring him is some of the best. But he's a greedy bastard and I have to allow it because he raised and housed me when I lost my parents."

"And if you don't allow it?" Altair asked as he leaned further back.

Ilyas shrugged as his bronze eyes danced with the flames in front of him. "He's my only family, and despite his greed he's still a good man. He lost his only son long ago, and I suppose I'm the replacement. I owe him a lot, and if he wants to keep all the coin to himself? Fine, I'd rather have the love of my uncle than a few pieces of coin." His jaw clenched as he continued. "I used to enjoy what I do; now it's just a job. I'm on a time limit out here, which ruins the point in my opinion. Each kill is a number, instead of a challenge. I find myself resenting each trip back to Damascus, because I know once I leave it, I have to come back and do the same exact thing."

Altair looked at the hunter across from him in contemplation. He knew exactly how the man felt, though both their situations were different in content; the idea of the situation was the same. "Perhaps it is time you stand up to this uncle of yours, and do what you wish."

Ilyas glanced up at Altair, allowing a side smile to cross his face. "Huh. Perhaps I will one of these days. I just have to build up the courage I suppose. Anyway, I didn't catch your name."

"It is Altair." The assassin responded as he stared at the fire.

"And you're heading to Damascus as well?"

"Yes."

"What brings you there?"

Altair hesitated, finding the right wording before he answered. "Much like you, I serve another and require certain tasks to be fulfilled within a limited time."

Ilyas gave a nod in understanding as he relaxed onto his mat. "Well again, thank you for allowing me to stay. I'll probably be long gone before you wake, so I appreciate it, Altair."

Altair too nodded and moved to lie back onto his bedroll, willing a light sleep to overtake him, though his hand never released his grip on his sword.

When morning came, true to his word, the hunter Ilyas was nowhere to be seen, and Altair frowned at not hearing the man depart. He stood from his bedroll with a groan and made his way to his horse. The fire was still going, which caught his attention. A rock was pulled near it and atop it sat a perfectly smoked fish and still warmed. Altair smirked as he shook his head, kneeling in front of the fish and began eating the rare meal. A good start to a bad day.

Authors Note:

Thanks for Reading!

Sombrette