I immediately shut my mouth. What have I done? I just revealed myself! My palms began to sweat as Altair froze in the moonlight, his face looking more menacing since it was hidden within shadow.

"What?" He asked maliciously.

"I am a spy." I repeated.

His movements were brief, but like lightning as he threw me into the wall.

"Explain then, about your family."

I squirmed, but his grip was beginning to hurt.

"Abigail isn't my sister. My mother and I were sent here to gather information about possible 'assassins' that lived in secret here. We were to establish a 'family' and appear normal."

"And that is where Abigail and your father came from?"

"Yes. Abigail is my father's daughter, but she was so young that she thinks that we are sisters. Over time, my mother refused to spy anymore, so the task fell to me."

"Why did she refuse?"

"She fell in love with Adham. His name fit him because he was a dark man."

Altair released me, but I made no move to attack him. I made no move to run away. I was tired of running. Running was all I ever did in life, and it was time to bring this to a close.

"So what will you do now?" Altair asked, pacing back and forth, never removing his eyes from me.

"I will most likely leave."

"That would be a wise decision."

I turned around to leave, but Altair stopped me.

"Why did you become a Crusader in the first place? Women are not allowed."

"I am no such thing. Some people say I am, but my name will not make its way into history. I wanted to be free of sin, to help recapture the Holy Land."

Altair remained silent. I turned around to leave, and he let me go.

"Goodbye Altair. Perhaps our paths will cross again."

"I do not think so, Jasmine. Goodbye."

I walked down the dark alley, nearly collapsing from Altair's malicious glare.

--

I awoke in another alley, on top of a pile of hay. I had no idea what time or day it was, but that did not matter. I needed to get back to Europe before any word of me being a spy could make its way towards Al-Mualim. I walked through the streets, looking at the tall buildings and people buying food from the local vendors. My stomach grumbled, but regrettably, I had no money. I noticed I was still in Masyaf, though it offered me little protection now. I left the city walls and grabbed a horse, getting myself up onto the saddle, and riding away towards the west.

--ALTAIR'S POV--

The sound of my leather boots hitting the dirt haunted me. They seemed to be heavier today as I made my way to see Al-Mualim. How could Jasmine betray me like this? No, how could I have thought that she could be my wife? Abigail will be crushed when she hears the news. I stopped in front of Al-Mualim's table as he tended to his pigeons again.

"You wanted to see me?" I said, trying not to lose my temper with this man.

"Ah, Altair, how good it is to see you. I am afraid I have terrible news."

I put my hands behind my back, straightening up and feeling knots tie in my abdomen.

"Your friend, Jasmine, is a spy for the Templars."

I tried to act surprised.

"A spy? How do you know?"

"A trusted brother said he saw her speaking with someone, and she revealed herself as such."

"So what must be done?" I asked, but I already knew the answer.

"She must be eliminated."

"And I must be the one to do it?" I sighed.

He smiled wickedly. This man had this planned from the beginning.

"Exactly."

--NORMAL POV--

I have just learned that everyone in Masyaf knows I am a spy. Paper and ink is becoming sparse, so I have been trying to write my story for many moons now. It is on several sheets, I do not think anyone will find it. My story is lost to the wind. I write this now as my hand shakes. If Altair should find this, I want him to know that I wanted to give this all up and turn away, like my mother did many years ago. I wanted him to be my husband, and I wanted to live a happy life. That is not the case now, as I am on the run.

Altair will soon find me, and I will be killed eventually. My name is Jasmine Haddad, daughter of the late Elizabeth Haddad. I am a spy for the Templars because I wanted to be free of sin and recapture the Holy Land. Whoever shall read this, please do not let me story be washed away by time and sand. If Altair should read this, I am sorry my love.

I never meant to hurt you.