A/n: Wow, it's been months since I last updated. I feel I owe you guys somewhat of an explanation...so, here it is. (feel free to skip)

I'm a uni student, as I may have mentioned before. And whole normally I'd probably still have the time to study and write without 3-month delays, this semester one of my subjects was Biochemistry. And, yes, it's as hard as the name suggests. It's in fact apparently the most difficult subject in my entire 3-year science degree. And I still think I probably failed it. But yeah, with trying to juggle biochem along with all the other prac reports, essays and assignments of my other subjects, I just found myself with no time except late at night, where all I could bring myself to do was watch a whole bunch of YouTube videos.

BUT Now that my exams are done and first semester is over, and (hopefully) I'll never have to do Biochem again, I think the prospect of keeping somewhat regular updates over the next semester is significantly better. My next lot of subjects are apparently infinitely easier than Biochem, with Comparative Anatomy and Physiology probably being the only exception (but it's still easier than Biochem), so I think I won't have to take any more massive breaks like that anymore. Hopefully. But I'm not making any promises. I won't know until the semester starts, and I have two and a half weeks off before then, so let's make the most of it.

Stuff that's happened since my last update...Oh, I turned 19. As of last Thursday. And now have my full drivers license. And...oh, had a short story I wrote accepted by the Theatre Guild for my Uni to be turned into a play. I can't really think of much higher validation for my writing. It's pretty awesome. It won't be performed until September, but I promise to tell you how it goes. Unless you happen to live in my city/plan to come to Australia in the next few months and want to see it.

All in all, it's something pretty impressive that I'll be able to put on my CV for when I apply to get into that creative writing degree, or get a job in the industry. I really should enter writing comps more often.

Anyway, enough stalling. If you happen to care about my life and want to know more, you're free to follow my blogs on my deviant art account (.com). And for the rest of you brilliant people, on with Chapter 21!

Chapter 21

I hopped exhaustedly off the small brick wall, taking my place next to the solemn assassin as he gazed out at the moving crowd of the courtyard. How many courtyards where there in Jerusalem? What was it with its obsession with courtyards? It's like there's practically one everywhere you look; the Starbucks of the 10th century.

This particular courtyard was decorated with a fountain with a jumping dolphin statue in the middle. Why and how they even knew what a dolphin looked like in the middle of the desert remained a mystery, but there it was. Maybe it was imported from Greece or something.

I looked up at Altair. He remained staring at something on the other side of the courtyard, beyond the fountain, at the pot of daises which stood at the entrance of a small alley. His glazed expression indicated his eagle vision. That would explain why he could be so enthralled with whatever was happening on the other side of the foamy splashy water spectacular and its marble idol.

"Do you see him?" I asked.

"No," he shook his head slightly, "All I can see are his bodyguards. They look a bit stronger than the usual guards. I hope we're not walking into a trap,"

"Hmm, it never occurred to me this might be a trap," I admitted, "Do you think we can trust the guy?"

"Which one?"

"The one who sent us here. I didn't catch his name,"

"I don't know either," Altair admitted, before adding "His name or if we can trust him," before I asked.

"He kinda owes us, though," I pointed out, "That's got to count for something, right?"

"Perhaps, but loyalty can be tricky. There's no guarantee he isn't just handing us over to the Templars,"

"Isn't the informant supposed to be an Assassin?"

"Haven't you ever heard of double agents?"

"In spy movies yes, not so much with ancient assassins...not that I'm exactly up to scratch with my history of ancient secret organisations,"

"Al Mualim seems to have been successful at building a trustworthy Brotherhood, but there's a chance he could have overlooked a spy."

"Especially if he is one himself," I interjected.

Altair didn't reply, which I took as an agreement.

"So should we go over there?" I asked, struggling to see anything but blurred shapes from behind the running water.

"We don't really have any other options. It's our best lead for information. I suppose we have to go," he reasoned.

I couldn't think of a counter-argument. "Ok then, but keep your blade at the ready. I'd hate to die on a Tuesday,"

"How do you know it's Tuesday?"

"My watch tells the day of the week as well as time," I showed him the stripy rainbow explosion which was my watch proudly, "It also says it's 1:30 in the afternoon,"

Altair stared at the modern contraption curiously, "That must be useful," he commented carefully. I wondered how familiar he was with clock-work technology, or if it even existed here yet. This whole trip was really exposing the flaws in my historical education. As well as how brilliantly the design team must've been.

The assassin tore his eyes from my watch and back to the blurred figures by the daisies, flicking out his hidden blade testingly. Without a word, he moved seamlessly through the crowd. I scrambled after him, taking care to keep a five-pace distance just in case a fight started or I caused trouble, which was becoming less a question of "if" and more a question of "when".

I didn't like the way the burly guard no. 1 was eyeing me. And 'burly' was an understatement. This guy looked like he had stepped off the stage at the body-building championships. He had way too many muscles in his bulging forearms to be normal. It was like he had killed a guy and had those arm muscles transplanted into his own arm, to have double the amount of muscles.

This was of course a ridiculous explanation. He probably just willed his arms to grow that way.

And burly guard no. 2 wasn't any different.

But of course, there's the saying about how only men with small penises drive huge SUVs. The same could be said for the man behind the guards. Or should I say, boy.

In fact, I should say boy, because he was indeed a boy. With a mop of messy brown hair, oversized Assassin's robes, and a fierce spark of determination and hope in his eyes, yet untouched by the sarcasm and cynicism of teenagery, he looked no more than 10 years old.

"This is the most informed person this side of the Red Sea?" I asked in disbelief.

The boy sniffed and wiped his nose on his sleeve, "You got a problem with that, girlie?" his high-pitched voice squeaked.

"Not really, aside from the fact I've got clothes older than you," I replied. We were in my territory now; I knew how to deal with kids like this.

"Wow, you must be really old," he shot back.

Oh, he's good. "...your mum's old," I sulked. I would have to rethink my tactics with this one.

Finally, Altair spoke up. "Enough. You, kid, what's your name?"

"Who wants to know? I ain't saying anything to some punk and his maid."

Maid? This kid was really asking for it. "Don't you know how he is? Do the robes mean nothing to you?" I demanded irritably.

"So? Anyone can get assassin robes. That don't mean nothing." He scoffed.

It was bad enough he was rude, but to then abuse basic grammar so flippantly? I was beginning to really lose my patience.

Luckily Altair wasn't as easily provoked. He calmly got out the wax seal we had been given by the informant and handed it to guard no. 1, who in turn handed it to the boy. "I was told you could give us information."

The boy appeared to examine the seal for a moment, "Where did you get this?"

"One of your associates. Do you have information or not?" Altair asked sternly.

"I suppose that's good enough. I only gave these to Tobias and he's not quite stupid enough to gamble them away or drop them," he sighed acceptingly, "Fine. My name is Alec. My mother was a concubine for the Templars, Robert in particular. She managed to keep me a secret for years, but when they eventually found out, my mother was killed and I went into the care of the other mistresses. They sent me to the Brotherhood several years ago, for safety, and Al Mualim himself stationed me here in Jerusalem. Since then there's nothing that's been able to pass through the city without my knowledge. So yes, in answer to your question, I do have information."

Wow, way to tell your life story. So much for secrecy. "So we're getting help from Robert's bastard. Wow, I so feel like we can trust you," I remarked with my usual sarcasm.

Alec grimaced, "Robert may be my father, but I have no loyalty to him. He killed my mother and would do the same to me if he could. I will help you if it means his downfall,"

Altair seemed to accept this excuse, "Then it seems we have the same goal. What do you know about the Templars presence here in Jerusalem?"

"Well, they're here to participate in the funeral," Alec replied, but upon seeing Altair's expression, added "But I'm sure you already know that,"

"Indeed," he replied sternly.

One of the burly guards shuffled warningly. Clearly they took their job seriously.

"They say Robert is doing this because he wants peace," Alec continued, "Of course, that's bullshit. It's just a ploy to fool the people and wealthy nobles into a false sense of security and to hide what he's really planning,"

"You know, these are all things we could have easily worked out ourselves, and not entirely useful. Do you have any real information or what?" I asked impatiently.

"Could you have worked this out yourself?" Alec demanded as he held out a folded piece of parchment.

"What is it?" Altair asked.

"It's a map of where all the guards will be situated at the ceremony," he explained.

"Now that is useful," I remarked.

I reached to take it, but he pulled it out of my grasp, "Not so fast, information isn't free; this isn't Jericho."

I narrowed my eyes, "Look kid, this information is going to help us kill your dear old dad. Don't you want revenge for your mother's death?"

"I do. But it's still going to cost you," he replied stubbornly.

Altair stepped in, "How about in exchange for the information, I don't litter this corner with the bodies of you and your henchmen?"

The boy laughed, "You must think I'm stupid. Do you honestly think you stand a chance against Herod and Jerod?"

The guard on the right tensed his monstrous biceps as if to demonstrate.

"And besides, you're part of the Brotherhood, are you not? You wouldn't attack your fellow assassin."

It was my turn to laugh, "You should see what he did to his best friend."

"...thanks," Altair muttered darkly.

"You're welcome," I muttered back before adding aloud, "I'd think twice before trying to extort this guy,"

"But you don't even know what I want," Alec retaliated.

I sighed, "Alright then, I'll play along; what do you want?"

"Show us your boobs," he said simply.

"...what?"

"You heard me, show us your chest," he replied.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing, "Just five minutes ago you were calling me old!"

"So? Maybe I like mature ladies,"

"I'm not mature, I'm bloody 18. And no, I'm not going to expose myself to a child; this is ridiculous!" I crossed my arms defensively. The nerve of this kid.

"Do you want the information or not?" Alec asked, waving the folded note in front of my face like it was supposed to persuade me.

I looked to the silent assassin at my side, "Altair, help me out here."

"Well, it's not like he's asking for much..." he began.

"Altair!"

"But no, you're right. This is stupid," he said quickly, "Look kid, just give me the note, and we'll be on our way. You don't want to see what she's got; it's not very impressive anyway,"

I could feel my face burning, mostly from anger I decided. "I'm so not going to forget this," I muttered under my breath.

"Shut up, it's working," he replied quietly.

Alec looked studied me carefully, "Wearing enhancers is she? Dammit, I hate those things. You can never tell the real ones anymore. Such a tease."

I was incredibly tempted to slap him, but instead bit my tongue. I could teach him a lesson after we got the map.

"Yes, so there's no point, is there? Might as well just give us the map and be done with it," Altair negotiated.

Alec sighed, "Fine. Just take it and go." He held out the map, and this time didn't remove it when I tried to take it.

"Can I at least feel them?"

"No!" I said sternly, tucking the map away into one of my many pockets. I looked back to Altair, "We going now?"

"Sure," he replied, turning back to Alec, "Nice doing business with you."

The kid waved it off, "Whatever. Bring a bustier maid next time."

You know that moment where the final straw hits and the camel goes down? As much as I'd never liked that metaphor, that was essentially what happened at that moment. I leaped forward and punched the miniature assassin square in his nose, knocking him to the floor.

"I'll have you know these are C-cups, bitch," I yelled at his squirming figure.

One burly bodyguard dropped down to his aid while the other stepped forward, prepared to take vengeance. Luckily, I had a bodyguard of my own.

Altair jumped in front of me and blocked the guard as he attempted to grab me.

"Run!" he yelled and we bolted from the scene.

And so there we were, once again dodging startled pedestrians and running for our lives.

"You just couldn't let it go, could you?" Altair remarked as he jumped out of the path of a jug carrier.

"That kid was a brat! He needed to be taught a lesson," I replied defensively.
"He gave us information, he was an ally. It doesn't matter how rude or obnoxious he was," the assassin lectured.

"Oh, so it's ok to kill innocent interrogation suspects, but not ok to break the nose of the womanising ten year-old?" I've always hated double standards.

"Yes. And exactly, he was a child; he didn't know any better."

"If he's old enough to say shit like that, he's old enough to suffer the consequences," I retorted.

Altair turned sharply and pulled himself up a ladder to the rooftops.

"Well let's just hope we never need to deal with him again," Altair remarked as I joined him on the roof, "because you've undoubtedly burned that bridge."

I rolled my eyes and pulled the guard-location map out of my pocket, "Whatever. We've got the map. Let's just take a look at this."

I unfolded the parchment and held out the map between us.

"...this looks like it was drawn by a child," I remarked, unimpressed by the squiggly mess that was supposed to be the Rich District.

"Well that's what we get for dealing with one," Altair sighed, "I should've known that informant would still be useless."

"So all that was a waste of time?"

Altair took the map from me and examined it closely, "Not completely. I think these red dots are supposed to represent the placement of the guards. And if you squint, you can see that oblong is supposed to be the church. I think we can work with this," he folded the parchment back up and put it away before adding, "But it'll be easier if we compare it to the mini map and add the markers on there."

I froze. Why does the damn mini map have to continue to haunt me? "The Mini map eh? Yes, it really is a much better map. Much clearer than the one Alec gave us. Who exactly drew the mini map? Or the map it's based off, unless it was just some graphic designer – " I rambled.

"...Malik makes all the maps, so I suppose he might be responsible for the mini map...where is this going?"

"Nothing. How about we get back to the informant? He said he might have more information for us by now," I replied, smoothly changing the subject.

"...what about putting the markers on the mini map?" Altair asked, as sharp as a German Shepherd.

"I'll do it on the way," I dismissed.

Altair stared at me for a moment. I prayed to whatever God that was listening that he would just accept it and move on.

"Fine," He said finally, "But you might need this," he took the crudely-drawn map out and gave it back to me.

I smiled nervously as I put it away in the pocket with the broken GPS. It was getting harder and harder to keep lying like this. He was bound to find out eventually, there was no doubt about that. I just prayed that by then I'd be able to think up a good enough reason for why I didn't just tell him earlier. 'Because I didn't want to disappoint you' was seeming like less and less of a plausible excuse.

And there ends another chapter. But fear not, Chapter 22 is already about 50% completed, and should be out earlyish next week.

And to those of you who may argue that a 10 yr old boy wouldn't make those sorts of requests, just because he looks 10, doesn't mean he is. He could be suffering from Justin Bieber syndrome and actually be 15 for all we know. Ah, the mysteries of the universe.

A big thank you all my readers and reviewers. You guys are wonderful and my biggest motivation to keep going. Especially those of you who took the time to send me notes in the down time, checking to make sure I hadn't just abandoned this story. The fact you care that much is really touching :D And yes, I'm determined to finish this. I really don't like to leave things unfinished, so no matter how long it takes, I *will* complete this fic. Hopefully before the end of the year. I have most of it planned out so it's just a matter of writing it down.

So yeah, any and all feedback is more than welcome.

And thanks for reading :D I hope you enjoyed it.