"You…" The assassin said.
"Abbas…" Maria replied.
Abbas was enraged and when he tried to walk to her when someone picked him by the neck, subjugating him with his right arm, put his left hand on his head, ready to activate his hidden blade.
"Move and you're dead…" Altair said.
Abbas was heavier, but Altair was more agile and had such aggressiveness when he was angry that let anyone afraid.
At that same time, Malik and the other members of the council arrived at the backyard.
"What's going on here?" Malik asked.
Altair released Abbas, who raised himself to his feet. Altair stepped back, and Maria went to his side.
"Why did you betray us?" He asked Abbas.
"You don't deserve to be the leader…" Abbas said. "And you killed out truly leader, Al – Mualim…"
"He was a Templar…" Altair said, giving a step-in front of him.
"That's why…" Abbas said.
Altair became quiet while the others became surprised.
"You… became one of… them…" Malik said.
"Al – Mualim opened my eyes…" Abbas said. "He saw beyond my hate for you and taught me all about the Templars after I was alone for a year in prison when we were young… he helped me to see the truth… and I became his follower…"
Altair became angrier.
"Detain him… tomorrow he'll be executed…" He said.
Ali and Rauf hold Abbas hands and took him to prison as the others became quiet. Altair clenched his fists and left the yard, quickly and without saying anything.
Maria wanted to follow him, but someone put his hand on her shoulder, preventing her. She looked at him.
"Maria, don't…" Malik said.
"But…" Maria tried.
"He needs to be alone right now…" Malik continued.
Maria sighed and nodded. She had never seen Altair so nervous before… not even when he discovered she was not De Sable…
"I wanted apologize to you also…" Malik said again, calling her attention. "I think all of us want… we were wrong to think that you want to betray us…"
Maria looked to the others members of the council.
"Thank you…" She said. "I know you don't trust me..."
"But you proved that we can…" Amim said.
The Assassins nodded and began to leave the backyard, until there was only Malik and her. Then they started to walk.
"So, this mean we can be friends?" Maria asked, seconds later.
Malik stopped and was quiet. Maria looked at him and laughed.
"Relax, Malik…" She said. "I know it will take time for that to happen…"
Maria started to walk. Malik followed her.
"But do not think I'll let you alone in the meantime…" He said.
"I know…" Maria replied.
X ~ X ~ X
On the prison, Ali and Rauf pushed Abbas inside a cell.
"I hope you think on what you did, traitor…" Ali said.
Abbas straightened himself and looked at them.
"I may be a traitor, but I'll never serve an Assassin who is not worthy being a leader…" Abbas challenge.
Rauf laughed.
"We chose Altair as our leader… we decided to serve him because we know him…" Rauf said.
Abbas laughed.
"Are you sure about it?" Abbas asked.
"Come on Rauf…" Ali said. "He just wants to annoy us… but he won't succeed…"
Rauf smiled, and they turned to exit the prison.
"Enjoy your last day, Abbas…" Rauf said, before closing the doors of the prison, letting Abbas speak threats inside of the cell.