Hope - Chapter 26 – A Family Divided – 1230
Altair had become even more secluded.
He did not wish his family around him and refused to come to the birthday celebration of granddaughters. The girls had taken it far better than the adults had. The twins and Majida all had birthdays in the same week and as had become tradition they celebrated them together. Majida received a tea set that she had seen in a potter store. Darim was finding he could deny his children and his nieces nothing. He bought the twins matching dresses and some small hair combs made of shell. All three had showered him with kisses and thank yous.
The girls had not missed their grandfather, in fact, the twins had never met him so he was not missed. Altair had secluded himself before he could be seen by the grandchildren, in part intentionally. They reminded him too much of his younger days and time with Maria and family. The twins never asked once to see him and Karima accepted this, perhaps since he was not really a grandfather they had in context. The grandfather they knew had died.
Majida, being the brave independent sort and the eldest of the grandchildren, hardly remembered him though she had been brave and gone to see him. He had looked up from his work surprised to see a girl looking at him. He knew her instantly and was surprised he had grandchildren who could well be mothers themselves.
He had embraced her and spoken to her for a time, but he seemed to be so withdrawn even to her that she never ventured there again. Darim just shook his head. He wished his father would come around and meet the lovely children that Sef and he had created. They were such lights. Perhaps that was part of the reason he did not. Their bright natures would force him from his depressive state which had started to wear about him like a cloak.
Darim was becoming more and more frustrated by his father's lack of interest in anything other than the tomes and the Apple. His children and nieces hardly knew him if at all. He could teach them so many things if he would venture out and see them. Noor had a bright mind and was the equal of Bilal at free-running. It was also clear that like Darim and Sef, she had the vision that Altair described as Eagle vision which his fellow assassins had named. Majida was good at knife throwing and swordplay and Leena did well at a crossbow. The twins were still learning how to do basic skills, but they were willing to learn as was Karima who was learning from Mulay as much if not more than Amal and Darim.
Darim looked across the courtyard at Karima standing holding a wooden sword. Mulay was behind her correcting her form before he moved to spar with her. When she gasped and dropped the weapon he chided her softly, picking it up with his foot and kicking it up to his hand. He stood behind her and showed her the movements he wanted. She turned her face, inches from his, and smiled at him. He looked at her, his eyes searching her face.
It would seem he would only need to worry about his sister-in-laws wellbeing for a time. Though he would always feel responsible for her and in fact had been pleased when she asked if he would mind if she had suitors. He only wanted her to be happy and if that meant another man to help her raise her children, be their father, and be there for her, than he would accept it, but if she ever had need of him, she was to write to him and he would come and help her.
Mulay himself had asked permission from Darim to court her since Altair was locked away. As the only accessible male of her family, Darim became the logical choice. Darim had replied if she accepted him and she was happy the man had nothing to worry about. The second she was not happy, Darim would hunt him down like a rabid dog and kill him with his bare hands. Mulay accepted this and they shook hands. Darim had wondered then if his former sister-in-law whom he loved as a sister would make it to the next season as a widow. She almost certainly would have a lover.
Noor came to Darim and smiled. "Uncle." She said.
He smiled. She was a beautiful girl and was a light in the world. He embraced her. She stood to his chest and was beginning to have a woman's body just as Leena was. He winced. Majida was already looking like a woman and she was seventeen now. Marriageable age, but she had refused all the young assassin men who had tried to woo her. Darim smiled ruefully. None had seemed to be worthy of her and in truth none really were in his own eyes, but then as a father to a daughter, perhaps this would be true for life and he would have to make concessions when she found a mate.
For now he had other matters. He pressed a kiss to her brow. "What do you think about Mulay?"
"He is nice. He has helped me learn to fight to protect mother and my sisters."
"As any assassin would."
"You are not angry that mother wants to have another man, are you uncle?"
"No." He smiled lifting a hand to her cheek. "Seeing her smile makes my heart warm, Mawaddah." He said gently.
She nodded. "I like him. I miss father…so much and grandfather Malik, but Mulay makes it easier and he makes Momma smile."
Darim nodded. "I am sure soon he will be your second father."
"Do you really think so?"
"Look at how he looks at her." He said nodding to the pair as Mulay and Karima were laughing at a private joke.
She nodded. "Yes."
He chuckled and kissed her cheek. "I would wager your mother will be Matron by the end of summer."
She laughed and nodded before scampering off.
Darim sighed. Well one less problem. Noor openly accepted the man. The twins would also since they mimicked all their sister did. Mulay would be a good father. He was a born leader, but also had compassion and a gentleness that was often the duality of the assassin order. Though some it was not the case. Umar, Altair's father had been an assassin above all else. He had sired Altair and bedded his wife freely, but his notion of love was did not match some. He had mourned the loss of his Christian wife after she had given birth to Altair and in fact had seemed to become more driven into his work as a Master Assassin, training his son to be the same. When he was killed to appease Salāḥ ad-Dīn, Altair found a new father in the Mentor of the assassins who trained him much like his father had, but also expressed some sorts of fatherly emotions and praise. It was for this reason Altair had decided he would love his sons, greatly and equally. His grandchildren, however, were still a bit of a problem in this regard.
He walked into the fortress. He carried food up to his father. Altair was bent over a book he was reading from the light coming in the window.
"Father." The young man said.
"Darim, my son." The elder man looked up. Though his shoulders were hunched, the elder man's eyes were still bright as they watched the younger man pouring him some tea.
"Amal tells me you have found something of interest."
"Yes. I must tell Maria."
"Father…Mother is dead."
"What?" Altair looked up at him sharply. "That cannot be true."
"She died in your arms nearly two years ago, father."
"How dare you!" Altair jumped out of his seat. "I would never have allowed her to die! Where is she? Where is Maria?!"
"Father – do you not remember? She is gone." Darim took a breath fighting back his tears of anguish at his father's denial and his own pain. "She is gone!" He said closing his eyes. He lifted his hands trying to soothe his father, but it was in vain.
Altair howled in pain like a wolf of the hills. "Where is my wife?!"
"It has been two years you old fool! She is dead! Nothing can change that!" Darim growled knowing it was pointless now. The slap across his face surprised them both and they stared at each other a moment, breathing hard, both sets of eyes angry, hostile, and wanting blood.
Darim released the hilt of his sword and stepped back as Altair glared at him. "Leave me! Leave me to my work!" He growled.
"So be it father. I will leave and not return. May you find what you seek since you have no want of family." Darim hissed and turned to leave.
Darim shut the heavy door and leaned against it. He already was regretting his words spoken in anger, but he wondered if Altair felt the same. He shook with emotion for a moment, caught between wanting to apologize and just quit this place all together.
He lifted himself and walked down the hall in a daze. He made it to his rooms before his emotions overtook him. He took a shaky breath and dropped to his knees as tears welled in his eyes. After a few moments he was able to rein in his emotions somewhat before he looked like a fool.
Amal found him in a chair before the fireplace, staring at the charred bricks, deep in thought. She came to him and dropped to her knees before him, somewhat awkwardly with her swollen body. Though not far along yet, the child, as Bilal had, seemed to take more room. Perhaps it was a boy also. She looked up at his face and reached to touch his stubbled cheek.
"Darim, my love?" She asked. He stared at her a long moment before he spoke.
"We can longer stay here, my love." He said looking at her.
"Why? The Persians have been most welcoming."
"It is not them. It is my father." He said.
"What about Altair?" She asked.
"We had words, Mahbubah." He said. "He all but expelled me."
She sighed. "Before we decide to leave this place, I will speak with him."
"I am not sure that is…."
She pressed a finger to his lips. "You stay here and let your mind settle." She said. She looked up. It was nearly sundown. She rose to her feet awkwardly and he offered a hand to steady herself.
"Are you sure, Habibti?"
She pressed a kiss to his lips and then turned and walked from the room. He looked after her.
ZzZ
Amal walked toward the library all sorts of words in her mind. She opened the door and Altair's voice came to her. "If you are here to apologize, boy, save your breath."
She shook her head and came into view. He looked at her as he stood hands on his back as though he had been stretching his cramped muscles when she had come in. "So he sends his waif of a wife to speak to me."
"Father…" She said softly.
"Well come, out with it, child. I do not have all day."
She stepped forward. "You have hurt Darim. I am sure you are hurt as well by harsh words. Is there nothing that can be done to mend the hurt?" She asked looking at him her green eyes bright.
Altair regarded her and then his eyes dropped to her belly. "I see he has been mounting you again. Another grandchild on the way, I see." He sneered. "He seems to have his mind on other matters." He watched her from under his cowl.
She winced, but ignored the barb. She stepped closer. "Why are you so harsh, father?"
His eyes narrowed. "Perhaps you should run back to the whelp I sired. I am done with you." He said. "I have too much work to do to have children and grandchildren meddling in my affairs."
"The Mentor and Father I once knew would always have time for family."
"That man is dead. He died with my son, wife, and Malik. Abbas is as much to blame for the death of your mentor as he is the others." He looked at her, his eyes held a cold chill that she had never seen before. "Love is a powerful emotion and I will never again allow it to take hold of my heart and soul."
Tears came to her eyes. "You are breaking my heart father. Please." She said almost as a whisper. "If not for my sake or Darim's, at least for your grandchildren who look up to you as more legend than mortal man. There is so much you could teach them." She reached and took his hand and laid it on her stomach. The child was stirring and moved against his hand upon her.
He kept his hand there a moment and she thought perhaps she had reached him, but that was not the case. He recoiled and narrowed his eyes at her. "Leave now, girl. Do as you will. It is no longer my affair."
Amal turned away, refusing to allow this cold arrogant man to see the tears in her eyes as she fled.
He watched her go. He felt a pang of regret, but then shook his head.
Amal made it down the hall before she began to sob. She had no idea how long she was in the alcove, but it was Bilal who came into her view. He gently pulled her into his arms. "Mother…what has happened?"
She clung to him as though she were drowning as she allowed her emotions to ride the waves as they willed. "I…I…we must leave."
"Where will we go?"
"Anywhere far from Syria and Persia." She said.
After a time she was able to stand and he let her lean on him as he led her to the rooms she shared with Darim. As he opened the door, Bilal called to his sire. "Father…" He said.
Darim took one look at Amal's reddened and puffy face and was on his feet. He gathered her to him and looked at Bilal. "Gather your sisters and pack whatever you can in a pack. We leave here in the morning." He said.
"What of Auntie?" Bilal asked.
"She will be looked after. Mulay will make sure of that."
Bilal nodded and went from the room as Darim held his wife to him. He was able to control his own grief, but his wife quivered with her own. "What did he say?" He asked.
"He sent me away." She whispered. "He promised he would always keep me near him, safe, away from Templars. He promised." She began to weep again. So many years ago she had believed him. His words had been so comforting to her. He had married her to the man before her, the man she could not live without now, the man who had left and returned to her.
Darim knew his wife was already highly emotional at times due to the babe in her womb, but the rejection by Altair had made them both weep. They needed to leave and explore. Darim had wished to see Europe after hearing tales of it from several of the assassins who had traveled to the lands of the Franks and to the southern areas that were near to Greece. The Mongols would reform and Europe needed to be ready. A dual purpose would this task be for them.
It would be slow going with his wife with child, but they would manage and they would use as little boat travel as possible to ensure Amal's health. She was not a good sailor at the best of time, but after her bout of scurvy he would need to convince her go on a boat again.
ZzZ
They left two days later with horses and a small cart that carried some of their household goods in crates as well as Amal who Darim did not wish to risk harming herself or the child she carried by having her ride on horseback.
Altair looked out from the library window as they said their goodbyes to Qasim, Karima, the girls, and Mulay. He shook his head. They would return to him soon enough. He would recall them when Darim's temper had cooled. The boy unfortunately had inherited his temper from both Altair and Maria. While Maria was quick to anger and Altair slower, Altair's anger was longer lasting.
They would return.
In time.
Amal wished Karima all the best and her nieces. Mulay promised to look out for them, telling Darim that they would be safe in his care. Darim knew that to be true. He watched how the pair looked at each other and nodded. Very soon they would be married.
Mulay also spoke to Darim that he was thinking to start a guild in Alexandria. Once everything was settled in Alamut, he would see about traveling there. He had an interest in exploring the library there as well as area of Egypt that was said to be full of wonders. If he was to go, he would take his family with him. He had put his arm about Karima and they both promised to write.
Darim nodded. He lifted Amal into the wagon and she settled in the soft blankets and hay there between the crates. Darim mounted a horse as did Bilal and Majida. Leena rode on the donkey that pulled the cart along, though there was another horse for her, should she want or need to ride.
"Safety and peace!" Mulay said lifting his hand to his breast above his heart.
Darim, Amal, and Bilal all repeated the gesture back and they looked up seeing the guards, including Qasim standing, saluting them with respect. "And to you my brothers!" Amal yelled out in Persian.
Out of their sight, Altair held his own hand to his heart in a fist. "Safety and peace, my son and daughter." He said softly before he turned back to his work.
ZzZ
The crossing through Persia into Turkey was not difficult, just long. It took more than a month and a half to make it to Constantinople. Amal rode much of the time in the cart, but occasionally would ride side-saddle on the gentle donkey that pulled the cart behind her.
As they arrived in the Byzantine capital Amal was resting in the back of the cart with Majida resting against her with the child within her gently moving. Darim looked at her and realized her face was so serene that he loathed waking her.
They made it to an inn in the rich quarter. Darim then walked with the innkeeper to see their donkey was placed in a stable and their two containers within made it to their rooms. The children shared a room and Darim and Amal another.
Darim watched his wife go to the window to look out over the cityscape. She reached up and unpleated her hair. He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms about her. She sighed as his hands dropped to possessively hold her belly. She leaned back against him. "Did we make the right choice, Darim?"
"Yes." He said. "One day father will come to know what he has lost, but for now. We need to find our own way."
"Where are we going?"
"We will go to Greece and then take a boat to the Italian states. I have heard it is a cradle of much knowledge. Then perhaps France and England."
She shuttered at the thought of another boat voyage, but she would go with her husband to the ends of the earth if she had to. He kissed her and led her to the bed to make love to hold, reassure, and eventually make love to her.
ZzZ
It took them another four months to travel to Greece through Macedonia and down to Delphi and Athens. From there they had taken a boat to Venice. This trip had been pleasant with calm seas. Amal was better off and with the help of the fresh product the merchant captain took on board from the small islands, she remained well fed under the watchful eye of her husband though she did have occasional bouts of sickness from the sea. The sea gave way to the calmer lagoon and they floated into the harbor of the town of canals.
The merchant who was in his forties had taken an interest in Majida who was often on deck with him learning how to guide the rudder and sails. She proved a good student and helped him when he needed to look over the side to check depth to land.
Once in Venice, Amal was nearly too large to walk for more than a few paces. Darim quickly found a man with a donkey he could buy to carry the heavily pregnant woman. It was warm that day and the lagoon was rather smelly with an odd mix of algae, human waste, and sea air. Darim lifted his wife onto the donkey and Bilal set about having their things unloaded. They found an inn just two bridges over and Darim made sure his wife was safe and secure before returning with for his children and cargo.
The merchant was named Gaius Markus Ristoro. He had told Darim that though he traveled often, he was often in Venice if they required his help. He would remain there for a few weeks. He had cast a look at Majida and Darim knew that the man would be courting his child soon.
Darim entered the inn carrying once of the containers that held what little they had. He stepped into his room and found his wife pacing the floor.
"Are you well my love?"
"Yes, just hot and uncomfortable."
He nodded.
She sighed as he set down the container. He touched her face gently. "Are you in labor?"
"No, but I wonder if this is how the carpenter's wife felt when there was no room at the inn." She said.
"There is room." He smiled.
"Yes, but I am pregnant in an inn."
"At least there isn't a manger here on the ground floor."
"This is actually, from what I understand, to be the third level. The first two are waterlogged." He said. "If I understood Gaius correctly."
She nodded.
Bilal held the other container in the room he shared with his sisters. The next day the children went exploring with Gaius as their guide around his home town. Darim watched his wife as she moved about restlessly. Then he saw the ripple on her belly. So she was in labor.
He had managed to have the hotel manager find a doctor for his wife. Though his only small amount of Italian and the man's even less Arabic, they finally managed to find what they required. The doctor arrived and gently spoke to the man in Italian.
The innkeeper looked at Darim. "Is this first baby?"
"No." Amal said. She held up her hand as a contraction hit and she screamed. Darim went to her and caressed her head.
"Baby four." Darim said.
Gaius was multilingual and had been teaching Darim. Darim's Italian was far better than his wife's but Majida was the one who had learned the most from Gaius on the trip.
The doctor nodded and the checked the woman. She was ready to push. Darim was surprised. That meant she had been in labor far longer than the hour it appeared. He was with her as she pushed, this time refusing to leave her side with foreign unknown men. The innkeeper's wife had come to help and removed her husband with a sentence that cracked like a whip.
The children returned as Amal cried out in earnest. The baby was crowning. The three came to their mother's side just as their new sibling, a robust and healthy boy, made an appearance at sunset. Majida spoke to the doctor and the innkeeper's wife.
She looked up as the baby was put on his mother's stomach and the doctor pressed down to deliver the afterbirth from her. "It's a boy." She said over and over as they looked at the still bloody head though the lungs were clear and the baby was squalling.
Darim kissed his wife and after the cord was cut that attached him to his mother; he lifted him in a warm blanket and looked at his son. The boy was larger than any of his siblings had been at birth with a thatch of thick dark hair on his head.
The doctor moved about and opened the window to allow a breeze from the sea in. He walked to Darim who was sitting beside his wife smiling as she looking up at him exhausted, but as beautiful as ever. Sweat covered her face and body, but she looked happy and her eyes were bright as she watched her husband inspecting his son. Darim was in love with the child he had sired as he had been with them all. He smiled back at the siblings who came to see their youngest sibling.
"What do you call him, daddy?" Leena asked.
"Yes, congratulations." Gaius said coming into the room after staying outside the door until he deemed it safe to enter.
"Sef Altair." Darim said looking down at the now drowsy infant.
Amal smiled up at him with tears in her eyes.
"Do you approve, my love?" He asked.
She nodded and he bent to kiss her once more as the rest of the activity in the room seemed to move at a snail's pace about them. Darim looked at his children, four now, who were all his treasures. They would remain here while Amal recovered from the birth and possibly longer. For now, this was a time for family. Something Darim made a point of being since his father had forsaken that.