Altaïr rode beside Malik for an hour or so, the men were talking while the injured boy sat in the back with the injured dog. "If Stephen is dead and he was the leader they will replace him quickly and go on as before, it would have been far more beneficial to question him."

Malik wrapped the reins tighter around his wrist and nodded, "I doubt it would have ended well for Maria had she been with him when his part was revealed."

"We discussed that before she left and she felt she could trust him and would accept no interference from me. She is an independent woman who doesn't want protection."

Surprised he had been aware of the situation Malik ventured a guess as to his friend's apparent willingness to accept her terms. "You were going to send someone after her not to investigate but to protect her."

His reply while inconclusive still confirmed Malik's suspicions. "She doesn't want protection from me but we never discussed someone else keeping a close eye on her." He looked ahead for a time lowering his head to avoid a low hanging branch, then confessed the real reason he had been willing to let Maria travel without him. "I dispatched a bird to Masyaf instructing Rauf to wait for her on the road to Homs and follow her to learn what he could but protection was also mentioned."

Malik clicked his tongue and smirked, "Rauf was an inspired choice as deadly as he is with a bow and arrow he could have dispatched Stephen easily from a distance had he needed to. Who do you think will find her first?"

Altaïr thought of Tahir and his willingness to help and of Rauf, the assassin so skilled in a wide array of weaponry he was the man chosen to teach the novices the art. "I think Tahir will surprise us all and Maria has a soft spot for the boy she will let him speak. Besides Rauf will be waiting for her at Talkalakh that gives Tahir a three day head start."

Tahir was indeed making excellent progress his determination not to have the Master catch up to him and once again question his decision to trust him the task was giving him an added push. He had looked back at Acre many times until even the highest of the towers was out of sight. He hated Acre with a passion, the place reeked of despair and yet seeing it pass from his view caused him no small amount of sadness. Leaving Kaderi was one thing, he knew Tazim would care for the animal and they would be reunited at Masyaf but what of Gwen?

She had walked him to the door her hand in his, he had drawn her to his chest both unwilling to release the other they savoured the moment as only the young can. "I have to leave Gwen my absence must not be noticed."

She lifted her face from his chest wearing a smile but her eyes where shining with tears, "I know I don't want you to get into bother for my sake." She reached up and planted a kiss on his mouth, "If you ever can come back to see me please do."

The young man was beginning to question his ability to leave never mind come back, "I promise you as soon as my Teacher permits I will return for you."

Here hours later alone on the dusty road heading north from Acre he knew he would return for her with or without said permission if there was one thing life had taught it was that nothing should be valued over love, not even duty.

He smiled happily as he remembered his last encounter with Gwen... it had proved tricky wrapping his tongue around her name, it sounded quite comical in his mouth but if saying it was difficult thinking about anything other than the woman who bore that name was nigh on impossible. Luckily for him this distraction stopped him worrying about the confrontation that lay ahead. A confrontation his haste had brought him closer to than he would have expected Maria and Stephen were now only one hours hard ride in front of him but they were not moving he on the other hand kept on his hard pace, more concerned with what was behind him and seldom troubling himself to look ahead.

Maria opened her eyes and winced as the strong sun blinded her, tossing an arm over her face she growled at the sky and moved onto her side. Stephen lay beside her, he had thrown the covers off and she could see the light from the sun's glare on his chest. 'If it lights it then it warms it.' Sitting up she tried to move her body to block the damaging rays from his flesh but dropped back onto her heels when she saw his injuries in the cold light of day.

Taking a few seconds to recover from the sight of his blighted body, she drew the thinnest of the blankets over his chest. "I have to go to the watering hole I'll be back before you know it."

His pallid face gave no indication of having heard her but she hovered beside him a moment longer, "We need to move but I don't know how to do that with one horse and you weighing the same as a house put your thinking cap on my friend I need your help."

Tahir moved along the road oblivious to the hot sun, this land had always been his home and the sun was no stronger than normal but he was aware he had to stop more to let his horse drink, "Water ahead, we shall rest and take shelter for a time." As they came closer to the watering hole he noticed a small shelter, the kind favoured by the Crusaders they seemed to prefer a small place to be alone whereas the Saracens had much larger shelters which would house almost ten men. He dropped from his horse and cautiously approached the open front of the tent.

The man inside appeared to be asleep but as he got closer he saw the horrible burns to his face and neck, is this the knight Abbas had claimed to have slain? "This is not possible she wouldn't leave him here alone to die a slow death." He felt something hard hit connect with his backside thrusting him forward, landing face first in the dirt he scrambled to turn around just in time to see Maria replant her foot on the ground.

"There are many things I wouldn't do Arab but don't speak as though you know me. On your feet and face me or can your kind only fight when your opponent has their back turned?"

Wide eyed he stood shocked by the look on her face, not much of her countenance resembled the woman he had grown to know and like. "Maria we were told he was dead I expected to find you much farther along the road."

She drew her sword from its sheath and took a step toward him, "And now you are going to finish what your coward brother started?"

Shaking his head he backed away from her not entirely from fear, he had no desire to feed her lust for blood but then he had no desire to engage her at all. "Please listen to me Maria I can help him. Altaïr sent me to find you, once Abbas arrived at the bureau and told us of his encounter we knew it was you, he is most adamant I convey the coincidental nature of the assault."

"Oh another coincidence, just like the time you followed Warwick and just happened to see me? Save your breath assassin and draw your blade."

"Yes like that but you make it sound unlikely. Ours is a small world Maria we are bound to cross paths from time to time."

"Cross paths and swords Tahir if you won't defend yourself I will drop you where you stand."

She faked a lunge at him but it was her way of forcing him to take up arms, holding out his hands to her he desperately tried to make her see the truth in his words. "Maria, see sense. Abbas was acting on instinct. We have long been taught to attack a knight on sight and if you are honest would you not have done the same with any assassin you encountered?"

"Would have and will but you disguise yourself and lurk in shadows like cowardly dogs. The men whose lives you take and treat as sport have the courage to show their affiliation with pride."

Her face was twisted with fury even the veins in her neck stood in judgement of his brothers actions, "What can I tell you that I haven't already said? The Master sent me after you choosing not to come out of respect for your wishes." He pulled his sword from his sheath and his dagger from waist armour and dropped them to the ground. "I will not fight you Maria you have been kind to me and I have come here today to show you that we have no need to quarrel it was a heinous mistake but a mistake nonetheless."

"You snivelling wretch do you think your pathetic surrender will save you? Pick up the sword Tahir I will count to three then I will strike."

"Maria, please..."

"One."

"If you just think about this..."

"Two." She moved toward him raising the sword her intentions clear, the woman had murder in her heart.

"Three."

She swung the sword aiming directly for his chest, the blade stopped but not before he felt the tip of it press against his flesh. Tahir stood still never taking his eyes from her face. He swallowed hard, closing his eyes in silent grateful prayer then watched quietly as the English woman berated herself for her perceived weakness.

"He knew bloody well what he was doing, sending a boy. Any other man Tahir I would have sent his head to the mountains and his body the sea." She kicked up a mini dust storm and uttered curses that had the young man blushing, "What are you staring at do I amuse you?"

"I am far from amused Maria I am however relieved you changed your mind."

"You threw down your weapons are you soft in the head?" Marching over to him she grabbed his sword from the ground and thrust it roughly into his hands, "If you ever try that again I will kill you."

"Had I raised my sword you would have killed me." He shifted his gaze to the unconscious man, "I have some ointment in my pack which will soothe him but if we move away from the water there is a plant we can use to protect him from blood poisoning."

"The backstabbing bottom feeding bastard you call a brother is also a fucking horse thief. Moving him isn't going to be easy."

He pursed his lips and examined the shelter, "We can use this to pull him behind us."

Scowling she shoved him aside and went to retrieve the water jug she had dropped when on her return she found an assassin standing over her friend. Tossing the pot to him she grinned, "Your fault I spilled it you can go get more."

"Or you could get more while I apply the balm to his wounds and get started on making a cot we can move him in."

Biting her lip she narrowed her eyes at the impudent squirt, "I'll apply the balm, if he wakes up and finds you here rubbing his chest he might not be best pleased. Or he might be we never discussed his personal preferences but you being an assassin would probably get you off on the wrong foot."

He shuffled past her with his head down muttering protests about inappropriate comments, "Oh Tahir before you go..." He stopped walking and swung his body back to face her, never having seen him look more adolescent than he did at that moment she couldn't stifle a grin, "Thank you."

Placing a hand on his chest he bowed his head, "It is my pleasure."

The boy had finally stopped asking questions leaving Malik time enough to form a solid plan of revenge on Altaïr for having left him alone with the annoying whelp. He heard a low whine from behind and glancing over his shoulder he saw Kaderi trying to stand. "Your new master would not appreciate those wounds being opened again beast lay on your bones and rest."

She looked at the man speaking her brown eyes giving a hint of intellect lurking behind them then promptly dropped to her bottom and began licking her unmentionables. Malik scowled and faced the road ahead, "This is why we don't keep pets they have no sense of decorum?"

Tazim chuckled unsure why Malik was being so grumpy the dog was only washing herself, "What is decorum brother?"

'Well done Malik you have invited another round of questions!'

"Decorum is fitting and proper behaviour."

"She should not be washing herself in front of us?"

He sighed closing his eyes, "Dogs are low creatures Tazim they think of the world in far simpler terms than we do."

"When they greet each other they sniff their backsides." He grinned when he imagined having to sniff the backside of people, "I'm grateful we don't behave in that manner some of the other novices smell bad even from a distance especially after dinner."

Determined not to have a conversation about bodily functions Malik suggested another topic to occupy his companion. "Speaking of dinner I think it would be a good time to stop and eat, begin unpacking the food while I find somewhere to stop."

Kaderi ate more of her share than Malik expected a good sign of her continued recovery. Thankfully the whelp ate in silence and now sat staring into the small fire they had built. "This is a good place to sleep we will spend the night here and push on at first light."

"I'll get the blankets from the cart or should we sleep in the cart?"

"No the earth is a far more forgiving mattress than unyielding wood we will sleep close to the fire."

Tazim bent over to stand but stopped when his own backside produced the very sound he had been discussing earlier. Malik regarded the boy with horror, not because he had farted but because he was clearly struggling not to laugh at the sound. 'Was I ever that young?'

He pressed his lips firmly together his chest bouncing up and down for a few seconds before he lost the battle and entirely surrendered to the apparent hilarity of the situation. Stony faced the second in command of the assassins raised an eyebrow at the boy who promptly straightened his face and turned away making it a whole two steps before the laughter again won the right to be heard.

Malik grinned and turned his face away repeating his earlier promise to exact appropriate revenge on the Mentor.

The mentor in question was currently sitting beneath a tree having just finished his own meal. His horse whinnied seemingly admonishing him for the fast pace he had set for the first part of their journey. Resting his head on a root of the tree he lay back looking into the night sky and wondering if Tahir had gotten close to Maria yet.

Despite the cool night he felt a chill invade his body but the fire would be enough to warm him he preferred sleeping without a blanket when he could. The idea that having Maria's soft body beside him would be the perfect shield against the chill earned a small smile from the quiet man. Her desire to travel to Homs on her own terms had troubled him initially but only because deep down he had no wish to be separated from her.

Yes it could be difficult dealing with her at times but he had fallen in love with a hard headed, strong willed woman and he wouldn't have it any other way. She was a slave to her emotions and her duty and that above all things would be the hardest thing for them to overcome. She loved him -of that he had no doubt – but it would be foolish of him to believe that love alone would be enough to convince her to stay with him and no matter how much he wanted to spend his life with her he knew he could never abandon his duty to the order; he had made a lifetime commitment to his brothers and to walk away would be unthinkable.

"I have to give you credit novice this contraption was an inspired idea. Don't get me wrong I still think you a fool for letting Altaïr send you after me but perhaps there is hope for you yet."

Tahir chuckled, "I offered to come after you Maria." Lifting the rope from the back of the horse he lowered the cot they had crafted onto the ground. "I can't take the credit for this I saw someone move a sick man this way before although I'm not sure what materials he used."

"I guess you use what you have at hand. We made decent time even dragging him along behind."

Nodding he stood looking towards a patch of vegetation in the distance, "I'm going to see if I can find any of the weed we can use to cover his burns. It applies like a mud but dries almost as a second skin; it will suffice until we find him more appropriate care."

The only other people they had seen today had been a group of Saracen soldiers patrolling the road from Acre to the south and neither of them felt confidant of approaching them, truce or not these men were armed to the teeth, they had taken a narrow path to avoid the patrol and now found themselves high up in the hills above the Orontes valley.

She watched him leave as she fussed with Stephen's blankets trying to guess how best to comfort him. He hadn't spoken or opened his eyes even when Maria had forced water down his throat he had stayed oblivious to the world outside his head. "Tahir has gone to find something which will help you maybe tomorrow you will wake for a time and eat."

Her fingers mingled with the long hair she had offered to cut for him as she let her head rest on his chest. "We can fix whatever is wrong within our order Stephen but you need to wake up and help me I can't do it alone."

Tahir returned arms loaded with all manner of roots and plants, "I found a lot of things we can use Maria, this one here we will crush and add to his water it has pain relieving properties."

Looking at the bundle in the light of their fire she recognised some of it but only as something she had passed on the roadside, "Do you have training as a healer?"

When he pulled back his hood and laughed Maria grinned, "Why is that funny?"

"I've given healers a lot of training in my time and you get to know the things they use. I am probably the least skilled assassin you will ever meet much more of a danger to myself than an enemy."

He hung a pot over the fire and began adding leaves to it but his smile had gone. "Tahir I told you before I left the bureau that you have much to offer and today has shown me that even then I underestimated you. You may not ever be a master assassin but you are a real credit to your order and a man I would be glad to have aid me in any task."

"I know what lies in my future, I'll be sent to a city to assist the bureau leader, run errands or spy on people I have made my peace with that."

"Well I disagree and if Altaïr does send you off to be a messenger boy then he isn't the man I thought him to be, not every member of an army needs to be a crack hand with a sword Tahir. Your mentor is a thinker and I'm sure he will be able to see your true worth."

He opened his mouth to speak but closed it again sharply and sorted out a small pile of herbs for her to crush. "Grind them as small as you can between these stones they don't have to be perfect."

"What were you going to say?"

"It was unimportant and given our relationship could well have been offensive."

Maria scoffed and stopped grinding to look at him, "We are friends Tahir or as much as we can be at least. As for offending me well I have spent the past four years among men from all walks of life, I don't faint when someone utters a curse you know."

His face lit up, reminding her how sweet he looked when he forgot to be self conscious, "You curse far worse than any man Maria and I include those who frequent the brothels."

"Do I shock you Tahir?"

"Intrigue would be a better word. I was surprised when I discovered you were not the demon I thought all Templars to be. I confess I struggle to imagine you serving a man like Robert De Sable."

She dropped her eyes to the stones in her hands and he instantly regretted his words, "I'm sorry, I never meant to hurt you."

"It's my own memory which contrives to hurt me Tahir your words were fair but Robert was not a demon. He was a good and brave man who wanted to end this war and bring peace to the people. Yes his means were questionable but his character for the most part is unblemished at least in my eyes." Seeing his confusion she elaborated, "If you look for evil you will find it Tahir but try to see past the robes and often the man inside will surprise you. "

They worked in silence for a time until Tahir decided he wanted to see her smile again or at least not look unhappy, "What I was about to say before..."

"Yes?"

"I wouldn't mind being sent to a city as an informer if that city was Acre."

"I see no possible offence in that Tahir."

"That was not the part I hesitate to broach since I am unsure how you would feel about discussing matters of the heart with a man."

"I'm not the best at giving advice Tahir I haven't exactly shone in that field myself but I doubt you could offend me."

Clearing his throat he moved closer to her, "I met a girl and I think I want to be with her."

"I assume she is European since she is in Acre." He nodded, "Then you should tell her how you feel and see if she feels the same way."

"She does, we have already spent some time together."

She lifted her head from her task and looked genuinely interested, "When you say some time...?"

He felt his cheeks burning but thankfully she probably couldn't see that, "I mean we have been together."

"Oh. Then have a care Tahir it would be unkind to play games with the young girls fancy but even if your intentions are good you are an Arab and her father will probably kill you for that alone."

"She has no father he left her alone forcing her into the life of a beggar."

"A beggar?" Maria gawped at the youth, "You have fallen in love with a beggar?"

Tahir lifted his chin, "She is not like the other beggars Maria she is gentle and sweet."

"I'm sure she is Tahir but can I suggest you are simply reacting to the pleasure she gave you and if you let time pass you would meet someone more appropriate for you?"

"Who would you say is more appropriate Maria, another Muslim or at least a woman who has been lucky enough to have lived a nice life?" Clambering to his feet he scowled, "I never expected you to approve but I thought you would at least view her circumstances sympathetically considering your own situation."

Her gut reaction was to tear after him and slap him for his parting comment but she stayed put and let him leave.

"That was bit harsh Maria, the boy is in love."

Turning sharply at the unexpected voice she grabbed his hand,"Stephen you're awake! I was beginning to think I would have to dunk you in a pool. How are you feeling? No wait don't speak you must be parched."

He tried to smile but the pain checked his movement, "How bad is it?"

"Its early days Stephen we will have to wait for it to heal but I think it will be minimal."

"You're lying Maria you are the worst liar in the world." He swallowed and closed his eyes against the burning in his throat, "I pretended to believe you to make you feel better."

"If I had a looking glass I could show but I don't so you will have to trust me. The boy there has gathered herbs to help ease the pain I'll fetch him back to finish mixing them."

"Apologise to him first. You insulted the woman he loves Maria."

"I was trying to help him be realistic Stephen foolish notions of love everlasting would do him no favours especially in this situation."

"You insulted her and injured him."

"Fine I'll apologise."

So it was she found herself standing behind the boy as he stared off into the night. "See anything good?"

When he made no reply she stood beside him, "Mind if I join you?"

"I have no claim to the soil Maria you can sit where you please."

Never one to be defeated by something as flimsy as disapproval she dropped down beside him. "Tahir do you love her?"

"I think so Maria but you will tell me I'm a boy who no experience to support such a claim."

"You may well be but I was wrong to be so dismissive of her and of your relationship. I meant no harm Tahir."

He nodded but said nothing.

Maria fought off the urge to reach for his hand but still spoke in a gentle tone,"You are so naive and gentle in spirit I would hate to see you hurt. Life has a way of punishing those of us who dare to follow our heart. I'm truly sorry Tahir I speak out of turn far more than I care to admit."

He turned his head to her and smiled, "I too spoke out of turn."

"Yes you bloody did and I mean to punish you for it but right now we have more pressing issues." Helping each other to their feet she added, "My circumstances are my own Tahir; you chose to share your news with me which made it fair game. When I choose to keep my own counsel I expect that to be respected."

"I'm sorry I should not have mentioned it, you are of course correct but you should also be aware that not everything we tell people we tell them with our mouths. You and the Master have a way of looking at each other when you think no one will notice."

"We travelled together we became friends anything more than that would have been ill advised."

"He an assassin and you a Templar...?"

"Speaking of assassins and Templars come with me there is someone I want you to meet."