Chapter 21
As they arrived at the gates of Masyaf, Altair awoke Franchesca from her slumber before he dismounted and lifted her down from the black stallion. They walked into the stables in silence, Altair leading the horse by the reins and Franchesca following tiredly beside the Master Assassin.
She watched as he led the horse into one of the stalls, and set to work at removing the leather tack. As soon as the bridle was removed, the horse stuck his mouth into a bucket of water, and drank greedily. Franchesca rested her arms on top of the stall door, and watched the stallion drink before her eyes wandered towards Altair as he deposited the tack onto the shelf just outside of the door and picked up a wet rag.
He moved over to relieve the horse of his sweaty back by dousing him in cool water, but hesitated with his hand in the bucket. He looked up, and upon finding the raven haired young woman watching him, he sighed before continuing on with his task.
Once the horse was washed, he scraped excess water from the jet coat before grooming him quickly and then moving out of the stall – tossing some fresh hay inside – and taking Franchesca by her elbow to lead her out of the stables and into the main city gates.
"Safety and peace, Altair." The Master Assassin was greeted at the gates by one of his brothers, "Al Mualim requests your presence…along with Demetri's daughter."
"Thank you, Andin." Altair replied, nodding his head towards his brother in gratitude. He then urged Franchesca forwards, taking note of the way her muscles tensed.
"Do I have to go?" She asked, before he could open his mouth.
"Yes." Altair replied, "I assume he would simply like to meet you, and speak with you about the artefact."
The female remained silent, because her attention was immediately fixated on her surroundings. The city of Masyaf was completely different to that of Jerusalem and Damascus. There were no districts to separate those who earned better riches, everyone still bustled about on their daily businesses, but no one looked to have more power over the next. Everyone was equal. Men walked beside their wives, children ran around together, and there were no guards on patrol – only assassins overlooking the city to ensure that peace was kept within the walls.
The raven haired girl hesitated once they were standing in front of the citadel. Abbas – Altair sighed with relief – was not standing guard at the gates, so he must have been switching duties with another gatekeeper.
"Why have you stopped?" The Master Assassin asked, taking a few steps back towards her.
"I just…" She hesitated again, looking around at all the white robed men with their hooded heads turned in her direction. "I don't know if I want to go in."
"Come." He placed his hand on the small of her back, encouraging her forwards.
"You won't leave me on my own, will you?"
"I believed you to wish that I wasn't shadowing you?" He remembered her words when they had first arrived in Jerusalem, 'why is it always you who comes searching for me?' and 'I can take care of myself. I don't need you stalking me.'
"Altair-"
"-I will not leave your side."
Reassured, Franchesca began walking beside the Master Assassin, but she felt so nervous and frightened because the men had stopped their sparring and were watching her every move. "Why are they all looking at me?"
"Because women are not permitted to enter the citadel." He replied, not wanting to make her any more nervous by telling her that they had all heard different rumours of her existence.
"I'm breaking the rules?"
"Have rules stopped you before?" He countered, smirking once she was silenced. "Al Mualim has requested your presence, you must enter the citadel to receive his council."
"Will it be long?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Father said that my grandparents are here. I wish to see them."
"I will take you to their house once we have finished."
"Do you know where they live?" She asked.
"Cameron told me." Altair replied as they finally passed by the sparring ring and entered the great building. "He said you would want to see them upon your arrival – as they wish to see you."
Franchesca nodded halfheartedly at his words – for she suddenly found herself busy admiring the great white stone walls surrounding her. The interior of the citadel was beautifully carved and paved, the spaces vast and open – the glass before them looked out onto a magnificently beautiful garden of lush green grass, a shimmering water fountain and beautifully coloured…drapes. Drapes which billowed in the wind – sectioning off different rooms.
There was a brothel in the back garden.
They ascended a flight of grey marble stairs – closer towards the view of the garden whores – before taking a detour to the left to climb another small flight. There was a long stretch of corridor before them, shining blades and coloured tapestries lined the walls, bookcases stood at the far end of the room either side of a grand, circular shaped window. Before the window was a desk, littered with scrolls, ink pots and quills…and standing before the desk was a man who wore similar robes to both Malik and Rafik.
The man had a short, bristled white beard, nine long white fingers, and one eye that was the palest blue Franchesca had ever seen. As she and Altair walked closer, there was a thick scar running vertically from his eyebrow – through the blind eye – down his cheek to the corner of his mouth. Which was in a thin, straight line. The man had an aura of authority about him, and this showed when Altair stopped on a stone symbol at least a few feet away from the desk, and bowed his head low.
"Master," He began. "I return from Jerusalem. My task is done." He gestured his hand towards the raven haired young woman standing beside him, "This is Franchesca; Demetri's daughter."
The most tense and silent moment followed Altair's statement, and Franchesca wasn't sure what she was to do. Did she bow? Offer a chirpy good morning? She was going to do neither of those things, because she was scared. The old man with one blind eye was frightening, especially as he moved towards her with both hands clasped behind his back.
"The rumours do you no justice, my dear." Al Mualim stated, his voice deep and rough – yet obviously aged. "You are prettier than a common whore."
Franchesca didn't know whether to take offence to the comment, or to accept it as a compliment – so she remained silent.
"Is Demetri looking to put her under the watch of Madam Irene?" The Master turned to ask Altair.
"No, Master." Altair stated, "She is not a whore. Demetri requested that she live in the city, near Max and Magdalena."
Al Mualim nodded his head once in remembrance, "Of course." He stated, "Max is waiting to greet her. He has found somewhere for her to stay." His working eye then turned to look at the raven haired young woman once again, "I understand you retrieved an artefact for me." He stated, "Foolish of you to do so, of course. But some of my men will admire your bravery, among other things. If you are not here to whore, then you will be here to potentially marry into the Creed – I assume?" He nodded to himself. "Like most assassins daughters if they have not already lost their innocence."
Franchesca was glad that she was already looking down at Al Mualim's boots, for otherwise she would have blushed at the comment.
"I trust your journey here was safe?"
"Yes, Master." Altair replied, "We had to stop in Kingdom to shelter from a storm, but it lasted no longer than the night."
"That is very well indeed, for I have heard that there are more Saracen's and Templars – from Jerusalem – monitoring the road for her." He gestured towards Franchesca, "You caused quite a stir in the city. Altair, I am disappointed." Al Mualim turned his back on the two as he made his way towards his desk, "I have twelve men in Jerusalem. Unable to complete the tasks set for them, because of the increase in patrols. Did I not make myself clear that the girl wasn't to know of the task at hand? I knew this would happen. I knew she would compromise herself-"
"-Master, if I may." Altair interrupted, with a bow of his head. He waited until Al Mualim gave him a sign to continue, and when he earned himself the sweeping gesture of a frail hand, Altair continued. "The Duke's sister was the Madam of the brothel in Damascus where Franchesca was found. She compromised her. The Duke and his nephew knew of an assassin's daughter, from Madam Gwen. It was only a matter of time before something had to be done, and Demetri could not compromise the Brotherhood. Franchesca overheard the Duke speaking of the artifact. It was not us who told her of the task at hand." He glanced at the raven haired young woman, "We underestimated her intelligence."
There was no way that Franchesca was going to forget that comment!
Al Mualim looked towards the young woman, "Perhaps I underestimated her as well." He stated, "I still think you are foolish, and I am still disappointed that I am twelve men down for the time being. I do not know how long the patrols will be upped for, but I know that Demetri cannot return to Masyaf until the Duke is dead." He looked towards Franchesca once more, "You are welcome to any of my men," He began, "I believe all will enjoy your looks, more than appreciate your bravery." He turned his back on them then, to pick up a scroll from his desk. "You are dismissed." Altair took the scroll from the Mentor, and no more was said.
Franchesca was more than happy to leave and Altair had to grasp her by the elbow to stop her from running down the corridor and out of the citadel, "Your impatience is annoying." He stated as soon as they descended both flights of stairs and made their way towards the main door.
"I hope I never have to go in there again." She muttered, "I do not like him."
"I believe the feeling to have been mutual." Altair replied, glancing down at the girl. "He does not like the fact that my brothers have been speaking about you; it has distracted them from their training."
"That's not my fault." She defended herself.
Altair stopped suddenly upon noticing that the Gate had finally received its keeper. But it appeared as though Abbas was on the afternoon shift that day, and not the morning. Angered now, the Master Assassin increased his pace – moving around the raven haired young woman to walk on her right hand side as they approached the gates.
"Ah, I see you have returned to lick the Master's boot once more." Abbas sneered, "And what's this? You bring a woman into the citadel, thinking your arrogance will impress her?"
"Hold your tongue, Abbas." Altair growled, stopping beside the gatekeeper. "You would do well to respect your superiors."
"I will respect those who are worthy of it, regardless of their rank." Abbas replied, his eyes turning to look at the young woman beside the Master Assassin's. "Is this Demetri's daughter?" He asked, "My, what a beauty! The rumours made both me and my brothers wonder…and I am not disappointed with what I see. I can only assume they will be as pleased as I am. Your presence here, eases all minds from their thoughts."
"Enough of your twisted words." Altair waved a dismissive hand in the gatekeeper's direction, "Your intentions are clearer than any other man here." He placed his hand on the small of Franchesca's back to encourage her onwards, "Come, Max will be waiting for you."
"I see that you have received a new assignment, Altair?" Abbas continued before the two could leave. "I believe that means you shall be leaving Masyaf?" The gatekeeper looked towards the raven haired young woman and smiled kindly, "If you need a guide to show you the city, I am more than willing to escort you."
"She does not like shadows." Altair growled, urging the raven haired girl on down the hill before she could respond to the gatekeeper.
Franchesca didn't say anything, for she had felt the testosterone rolling off of the two men when they had left the citadel. The tension between the two was disturbing, but Franchesca had felt the same distaste before when she had been in the same vicinity in the Bureau with just Malik and Altair. Did this mean that Abbas used to be Altair's friend too? Why did the Master Assassin keep falling out with everyone? It was either something to do with death, or – dare she think it – women.
"Do not take Abbas up on the offer." He warned her after a moment.
"Why not?" She asked, looking up at him. "If you're not going to be here-"
"-Then wait until I come back."
"You expect me to stay inside a house on my own for...how long will you be gone?"
Altair sighed and opened the scroll in his hand, his eyes quickly taking in the information on the piece of parchment. "To Acre for a week." He replied, rolling the scroll back up again.
"Acre?" Her eyes alight with curiosity. "Can I come?"
"No." He replied immediately. "You have your grandparents here to keep you company."
She was upset that he had told her that she couldn't go with him, but she was happy that she was going to be able to see Max and Magdalena once more. "I do not think Max will be able to show me around." She stated, "Father said that Magdalena wasn't very well. He will have to look after her."
"Then stay inside for a week until I return."
"Fine."
"Don't lie."
"How did you know I was lying?"
"Because you gave in so easily." He replied, "Abbas has ill intentions. He always has, I'm just telling you to be careful."
"And by 'being careful' you mean isolate myself for a week until you return?"
"Explore the city on your own. Nowhere but the citadel is restricted. There is no danger in Masyaf, no one finds themselves in trouble…although I cannot say the same for you. Trouble seems to follow you wherever you go."
"Now I'm allowed to wander on my own?" She asked, "So I don't have to hole myself away after all?"
"If you stay away from Abbas then you may do whatever it is that pleases you." They stopped at a wooden door to a small cottage on the side of the hill, and Altair raised his hand to knock gently. "This is your grandparents' house."
Franchesca looked around, "Everyone's house looks the same."
"Because everyone in Masyaf is treated the same." Altair replied, "This city is not separated on district's based on wealth. Everyone has their own trade, prices are affordable, and if you are an Assassin – or a relative of one – medical treatment is free."
The door opened, and a weathered face appeared before them. "Safety and peace, Altair." Max greeted. "And who is this you have brought with you?" The old man chuckled before pulling his granddaughter into his arms, "I pray you both had a safe journey? I heard news of a storm – you are lucky not to have been delayed in Kingdom."
Altair nodded, "The storm was not overhead for very long. We stopped for one night."
"I'm glad." Max smiled, "Would you like to come in?"
"Thank you," Altair began. "But I cannot, I am riding to Acre at first light. I must return to the citadel."
Max nodded in understanding, "Of course, you must rest." He stated, "Safe travels, Altair."
Franchesca turned to face the Master Assassin, "Thank you." She stated sincerely, a faint blush making its way onto her features. "I hope to see you again."
His lips twitched upwards, "You will." The Master Assassin replied as he took a couple of steps backwards. He nodded to the both of them before taking his leave back up the hill and towards the citadel.
"Come inside, my dear!" Max spoke with excitement. "I wish to hear everything about Jerusalem! It's been so long since I've been to that city!"
She followed her grandfather inside, but not before turning back to look at Altair – watching as the stoic, emotionless, yet gentle man strode up the hill. The raven haired young woman blushed when he turned to glance back at her from over his shoulder, and the smirk that tempted her made its way onto his handsome face.
Franchesca knew that she would be seeing Altair again soon.
For now though, she was happy to see her grandparents. Closing the front door behind her, Franchesca made her way over towards the dining table where Magdalena was sitting – Max at a counter in the kitchen behind the old woman, making tea. The young raven haired woman hugged her grandmother before taking a seat in the chair beside her, ready to answer their questions about her time spent with Demetri in Jerusalem.
A/N: Another update for you all :) Thank you for reading and reviewing! Let me know your thoughts, I was trying to make the meeting with Al Mualim as awkward as possible xD Please review xx