The Story of a Rafiq
Chapter 25
Malik was patient for the first day. Then the second. But by the third day of waiting for Al Mualim's reply he was growing restless. Sure, it took man a while to reach a destination, but did birds really take this long to get there and back? He wasn't entirely sure. He did not train pigeons, or know anything about how long it took them to fly or how often they rested. It wasn't till the fourth day did he receive anything at all. He climbed up the wall, and headed over to the coop to find a pigeon resting with a note tied to it's leg. He smiled and opened it, the smile immediately vanishing as he read the simple and short note: 'I'll be sending Abbas at once to take care of him.'
Abbas? Why? He could not think of a single reason why Al Mualim would sent a complete dimwit to do something he knew that he and his men could handle. And how much longer was he to wait now? The man that he learned was named Adan Romero of Spain, was starting to act out himself. Not only were the guards terrorizing the town, but he himself was roaming about. Malik was informed that Majd Addin was even watching this from afar, as if it was some sort of spectacle to be observed. He scowled, walking back to his bureau and jumping down in anger, burning the note with a candle that he was using to give him more light for drawing out his maps. "I guess I'll just have to give him another chance..." the Rafiq grumbled to himself, rubbing the back of his head and blowing out the flame. "Who knows... He might have changed some. It's been a while...Right?"
Abbas arrived faster than he would have expected. Not even two days passed since he received word from Al Mualim before the man jumped down into his domain and sought knowledge on the Spanish ingrate. He was swift, not even bothering to greet Malik or stay and chat with him. It was odd, and even though the one-armed man never liked the other, it made him feel not important, and left out. The only one from his past that even bothered to act like he existed before he had received this job was Altair... He shook his head roughly before rubbing his eyes with his thumb and index finger. No, Majid was there for him too. He could not leave out his uncle.
The assassin arrived back at the bureau a few hours later, and explained his plan to him about waiting in the courtyard. He explained that an informant tipped him off to Romero's routine before he went out to wreck whatever havoc he had in store that day. He would go to a courtyard near a Templar tower and pray. After praying, he would simply admire the same flowers. It would be the only sure way to assassinate him swiftly. He explained that he would give him a moment to pray before he snuffed out his life. Malik was, least to say, impressed with how far the other man had come, and gave him a feather.
The man stopped at the door after tucking away the white plume, and looked back at the Rafiq. "I was told that you are doing well at your job here..." he said very softly.
"We will have more time to speak after your job is finished," Malik stated simply, the man nodding in agreement then leaving. He didn't like shooing him away like that, not when he finally was making an attempt to show that he at least remembered him, but wanted Romero dead before anything else.
A few hours passed before Abbas came back, confusing Malik. Was the deed done? Why was there no bells ringing? If Altair could set off bells in his first mission with him, why did Abbas not? The man smiled and crossed his arms, obviously seeing the Rafiq's confusion.
"Adan Romero will be staying in his tower today. The Templar's spoke of a meeting that he will be attending till later in the night."
"I see, well in that case use the rest of the day however you like."
"How have you been Malik?"
Malik blinked, setting his quill down. How could he answer that? "As well as I can be, I suppose. What brought forth this grace that you have been given? You are not the same man I was partnered up with in Nazareth."
"I've been working with Altair. He's been helping me progress a lot," his answer was hesitant since it had to deal with the assassin Malik loathed.
"Ah" was all Malik could muster.
"He's repenting well, Malik."
"As he should."
"He's changing back to the way he was before."
Malik picked up his quill again and looked down at his nearly finished map. "Perhaps you should talk to someone who cares about that buffoon."
"I realize the pain he has given you, but you both were close. You were partners. Why can't you accept that he is trying?"
"You lose your arm, your job, your brother, your whole life and be willing to forgive him!" Malik threw down his quill and glared at him. "Have you ever lost a limb? Yes. You lost your father. But never did you lose him because of a stupid mistake from someone you love. You've never had to pick up your life and thrust yourself in a new life and be outcast because you can't perform as well without a second arm..." His fist was balled up, tears of anger and frustration clouded his vision.
"I am sorry if I offended you, Rafiq."
"Leave. And don't come back till the mission is done."
Without another word, Abbas left. Why was he, of all people, trying to convince him that Altair was to be forgiven? He bit his knuckle and stared down at the ink splatter that was on his paper from where he threw the quill and scowled, crumbling up the now ruined map and tossing it aside out of frustration.
Why did he have to be so angry? He rubbed his neck and stared at the cushions off to the side. Why did any of this have to happen? "Why Allah, why?" he asked, closing his eyes and sitting back in his chair, leaning his head back to face the ceiling. "This bad dream just needs to end..."
Malik jolted forward at the sound of bells going off. He rushed over to the entrance, shutting the gate and frowning at the sky. It was dark out? He blinked as he headed back to his desk. Had he fallen asleep? He must have. He wondered what time of the night it was, but sat down, waiting for the bells to stop ringing. Had Abbas gotten a chance to kill Romero?
He did not know how long he stood there, staring at the wall, wondering about what his life could have been like if Altair had not messed it up. He supposed that they'd be overseas, or even here at this moment taking out Romero. He bit his lip and slowly looked over to the side, the bells growing distant till they were not heard at all. He let out a soft sigh, then walked over, opening the gate and walking back to his desk. He'd give Abbas an hour to show up, else he would lock up and just head to bed.
He did not see him the rest of the night, locking up and sleeping. Even when he woke and opened the gate once again there was no sign of him. This troubled him. Did the fool just leave after his kill? Didn't he know he was suppose to report to him first? There was a soft thud, the Rafiq quickly turning his back and looking at the books behind him as he heard someone enter. He waited a moment, thinking it was Abbas, then froze at the voice he heard.
"Safety and peace, Malik."
He turned back and looked into the amber eyes of Altair, "Were it that the city was possessed of either..." he blinked, "Why do you trouble me today?"
"Al Mualim has marked Majd Addin for death. What can you tell me about him?"
Malik knew this day was to come. Romero was, after all, being coaxed by the false leader. He thought for a moment, before speaking again, "Salahuddin's absence has left the city without a proper leader, and Majd Addin has appointed himself to play the part. Fear and intimidation get him what he wants. He has no true claim to the position."
"That ends today."
Malik scoffed, "You speak too readily. This is not some slaver we're discussing. He rules Jerusalem and is well protected because of it. I suggest you plan your attack carefully, get to better know your prey."
"With your help I will," Malik felt a pang in his chest, "Where would you have me begin my search?"
"What's this?" Malik spoke without thinking his words through, "You're actually asking for my assistance instead of demanding it. I'm impressed," he could not contain the smirk that followed the glare that the assassin threw at him.
"Be out with it..."
"As you wish," he frowned once again as he looked at his face once more, "Here's where I would look. First, to the southwest," he pointed in the southwest direction, then to a map, "near the mosque. After that, head south of here," he pointed to another location on the map, the other tilting forward to look, "There are two locations that might interest you. The southernmost church is one," he pointed to a mark on the parchment, "The other is in the streets, near a synagogue."
"Thank you for your help, Dai." The word stung at Malik's ears. It was his position and title, but he couldn't help but furrow his brows at it.
"Don't foul this, Altair," he warned as the other man left the bureau. He watched the opening of the room for several more minutes afterward. It didn't hurt as much to see the other man. But why? He rubbed his chin and stared down at the map that Altair was looking at with him. What if he could forgive him?
He turned and took the book that he had given him on his last visit to Jerusalem and flipped it open, looking at his handwriting in the first page. He cracked a small smile and traced the lettering with his finger before closing it and looking to the doorway again. Abbas entered, and placed the feather on the desk, looking down.
"I apologize for what I said yesterday Malik. I have done the job. And repented for the way I spoke to you."
"As you should have. Very well then, I forgive you. Now go to Al Mualim. I shall write to him of your arrival back in Masyaf."
Abbas bowed his head, and quickly left, leaving the Rafiq alone once again. As he sat there, he caressed the spine of the book, staring down at the dried blood on the feather. He stood upright, put the book away then headed up to the coop, writing of Abbas's victory, and adding a side note at the very bottom in small lettering that he did not know if his master could read or not: 'I will try to forgive Altair. If he gives me reason to believe he is sorry and changed, I will.'
Malik let out a sigh as he stared down at the words he had been writing in the book. He slowly lifted his gaze as Altair entered the room, a bag situated on his back. The Rafiq immediately knew what that meant, making him sigh as he closed the book and stood, walking over to the other. "All the men know of the position you hold. I have all the faith in the world that you can do this job well," the assassin stated, reaching out and putting his hand to his cheek. "I'll miss you."
"And I you," Malik took his hand in his and turned his head kissing his palm. "After this mission you are not to leave me alone. Do you understand?" he narrowed his eyes looking at him, the assassin laughing and nodding his head.
"I promise. Upon my return I will never leave you alone. May only death keep us apart," he smirked.
Malik reached forward, letting his hand go, and grabbed the front of his robes, pulling him forward to crush their lips together. They moved their lips, tongues soon greeting each other as they slid together hungry for each other. It wasn't until they both pulled back for air that Malik pushed him away, "Go before I chain you to a wall so you cannot leave," he ordered, the assassin frowning as a tear fell from the corner of the Rafiq's eye.
"I love you, Malik."
And with that, Altair left. Malik frowned, staring at the ground, not even wondering how long he stood there. It seemed like a century before Tazim opened the door, walked in and hugged his front, looking up at him with a said look in his eye.
"Master Altair left," he mumbled, Malik nodding, leaning down and hugging him.
"He'll be back someday," Malik whispered, rubbing the boys back as he sniffed and buried his face in his chest, trying hard to be strong and not cry. He let him cry against him, knowing fully well that the boy was crying for the both of them. He needed to be strong now, he needed to be the leader that everyone saw in Altair. He was now the master, and he couldn't show weakness now, not at the beginning. Not ever...
Notes:
I wholeheartedly apologize for the lack of an update to this point. I had gotten distracted with other things till I had forgotten the real plot of the story. I had to hunt down my notes, re read the story and study everything I had to continue on. I promise never to delay like this again for the story, and I will finish it! Thank you so much if you have continued to follow the story. I appreciate it!
Please review, I know it is a lot to ask for since I've been M.I.A. for a few months, but please give me all of your thoughts!