A/N: Holy cow guys, I'm alive. I know, I know. I'm terrible at updating. However, I am still working on this, I promise. I made this chapter extra, extra long and full of feels to make up for my terribleness, so I hope you can forgive me. It's slow going and I've gotten it into my head that I'd like to rework my earlier chapters prior to the start of missions, since I feel that they're a little weak in terms of writing style compared to now. So, I'll let you know as I post new chapters if there are any old ones that I've updated. Thank you, thank you, thank you to those of you who have been such patient and lovely readers. I adore you and you guilt me into updating! I am toying around with a few ideas for my next one, once this one is finally wrapped up, so hopefully, if one of them seems worthwhile, those of you who have stuck with me through all of this will find another story to enjoy! This isn't going to be my last story, I promise!
Malik smiled as he peeked into the small room and saw the young girl still sleeping soundly. A glance into the courtyard revealed the two assassins, Amira still dozing, and her partner gently stroking his hand over her long hair as she slept. Amira's head rested on his chest and she looked soft and innocent in the early morning light. Altair's golden gaze met Malik's and he saw the dark haired man's lips quirk in an amused fashion before he ducked out of the room once more. Ignoring the teasing he knew he would be receiving later, Altair chose to stay where he was, enjoying the closeness of his partner as he mulled over his thoughts.
As willing as he was to watch over the child with Amira, he was uncertain as to how she would fit into the Brotherhood. As a rule, women generally weren't trained as assassins, something that he was quickly seeing as a missed advantage, so unless she showed an aptitude for their line of work, she wouldn't be able to accompany them or be of much use. He frowned slightly, wondering what they should do with her or if Al Mualim would even allow her to remain. In his focus, he had failed to notice Amira's eyes open as she woke, her silvery gaze studying him briefly.
"Penny for your thoughts?" she asked softly and felt him jerk beneath her.
"I didn't realize you were awake." He said by way of apology and saw her smile faintly at him.
"You looked like you were occupied. Care to share?"
Altair hesitated for a moment. Then, "What can we do with her? When she can't be with us, I mean?" he asked and Amira frowned in thought.
"I don't want her to be placed in danger as of yet, so I would prefer for her to not be a part of any combat training. Although," she glanced at him with a half amused, half annoyed expression, "given your reaction when I first fought you, I don't think there will be any complaints about her not taking up the blade."
Altair flushed uncomfortably and cleared his throat, making to speak when she cut him off. "I had thought about asking Sarah actually. She can still be useful, but safe with her. Or, if Malik wouldn't mind the company, have her stay with him to help with the shopping and minding the bureau. Those would be the two options I would be most comfortable with, personally."
A small head peeked into the courtyard and saw that they were both awake, but had yet to notice her. With a giggle, a small form launched itself at the drowsing pair and flung itself into the mix. Altair grunted softly as he took the main brunt of the attack, his free arm catching their ward as she pressed her face tightly against his chest. Amira laughed, a smile quickly spreading across her lips as she studied the child sprawled across them.
Altair couldn't contain the laugh that bubbled up from inside and he affectionately ruffled the young girl's hair as she smiled up at him shyly. Hearing the sound of laughter from the doorway, he glanced up to see Malik's eyes dancing with mirth as he took in the scene. Amira smiled at the girl warmly and pulled her into her lap as she sat upright.
"You are an adorable child." She announced with a grin as she gently began to untangle the knotted strands that hung messily around the girl's face. "Although, it would be nice if we knew your name at least…" she said as an afterthought and Altair saw the child's face furrow into a frown. Her lips moved soundlessly and frustration bloomed in her eyes as she tried to speak but yet nothing issued forth.
"Shhh…" Amira soothed her quietly, her hands stroking the girl's head gently. "Were you able to speak?" she asked curiously, "Nod yes or no."
The girl's head bobbed in affirmation and her frustration grew anew. Amira smiled at her and stroked her hair once more. "Then I'm sure that your voice will return and I can't wait to hear it when it does." She told her warmly, her grey eyes affectionate as she beamed at her. "Until then, you still need a name. Do you know your name?"
The girl nodded, tears starting to well up as she tried to speak once more, and Altair watched the pair intently for a moment before speaking.
"Until you are able, would you mind a nickname?"
Hesitantly, the girl nodded and he smiled faintly at her, ignoring Malik's amused grin.
"What do you think about Maysa?" he asked and she paused, thinking for a moment.
"What does it mean?" Amira asked curiously and Malik smiled.
"It means graceful. It might not suit her completely yet, but it is a pretty name. Surprising yet, who the name came from." he remarked and saw Altair flush.
The girl glanced between them before a smile lit on her face and she shyly touched Altair's cheek and nodded. Amira smiled at the surprise that registered there and he cleared his throat uncomfortably.
"That's settled then. It's easier to know what to call you than just 'girl'." He said gruffly, firmly but gently taking her hand from his jaw and rising.
Amira watched him leave to the main room and grinned at Malik, winking at Maysa as she rose as well. She took her ward's hand in hers and Maysa willingly followed her into the main room and trailed after Malik and her into the kitchen as they began to prepare food for the morning. Malik grinned at their newest guest as she nibbled on a piece of fruit, a faint blush lighting upon her cheeks as she realized the dark haired man was watching her, earning a bark of laughter from him.
"You're welcome to eat your fill, child. No one will begrudge you that, I promise." He told her, patting her head gently as he passed by and she gave him a shy smile.
She joined them as they ate breakfast in companionable silence. Malik broke it finally by beginning to discuss the most recent target Altair had been assigned. The pair decided that the Poor District would be their best bet to gathering information and they would move forward from there. Maysa listened curiously, looking concerned as the three adults rose, and caught Amira's hand. Worry was plain in her gaze and Amira smiled at her reassuringly.
"Don't worry. We'll be back later. For now, do you mind staying with Malik and keeping him company? It gets rather lonely here and I'm sure he wouldn't mind the company." Amira said softly, shooting a meaningful glance towards the dark robed man, who nodded in response.
"You'll be safe here with me while we wait for them to come home."
Maysa nodded uncertainly but followed obediently after Malik when Amira nudged her towards the man, her hand gently ruffling the young girl's hair as she passed by. Amira sighed as she watched her ward disappear into the bureau with Malik and Altair touched her shoulder gently, earning a nod from her. Wordlessly, he scrambled up the wall of the fountain and out the roof access, thrusting his arm back through once he was safely on the roof. Amira's hand twined in his and he pulled her sudden weight upwards so that she could clamber through the lattice opening after him.
She grinned at him as she crouched beside him, looking out over the sleeping city. "Lead the way, Novice."
He scowled at her use of Malik's nickname for him and took off at a sprint. Amira couldn't help but laugh as she gave chase and followed her surly partner towards the poorest area in the city. As they slipped through the crowds and hid in the occasional rooftop garden to elude the guards, she listened for bits of intel that they could use, hearing snippets here and there, but nothing of vital importance.
They paused on the crossbeams above the street and Altair held up a staying hand, earning a curious glance from his partner. Her eyes narrowed as she studied his features. From her vantage point across from him, she was able to see his shadowed features as he honed in on a pair on men below. Altair's pupils widened until the black had nearly swallowed up the golden iris that surrounded them and he stared intently at the pair of speakers. After a moment, he glanced back up at her and nodded.
"He's planning another execution today. He issued orders to build another platform near Solomon's temple. It seems he has also been killing off, quietly of course, any who would have taken his place, elevating himself from the role of scribe to ruler."
"How on earth did you manage to hear that much?" Amira questioned, "I'm no slouch, but even I couldn't hear anything."
Altair glanced away uncomfortably. "My hearing is very good. Quickly, we must follow him."
Without waiting to see if she was following him, Altair dropped from the crossbeams and into the street below, tailing after one of the men who had been speaking previously. Silently, she followed from the rooftops and watched him deftly pick the man's pocket before slipping back into the crowd. As she dropped beside him onto the street, he had the grace not to start, although her appearance had been unexpected.
"What did you find?"
Altair unrolled the small scroll, revealing a map. "It appears to be the location of the executions to be held today."
"Well, that makes our job a little easier, doesn't it." She remarked and saw his hood bob in faint acknowledgement.
An hour or so passed by and the heat of the sun began to beat in earnest upon the city. Amira grimaced as her robe clung to her neck and back. Altair surprised her by pulling her towards a bench abruptly and tugged her down beside him. She cast him a sidelong look that she knew he could feel, even if his hood hid his face from her. He lifted his hand in a silencing gesture and she rolled her eyes in irritation.
'You know, I am capable of gathering my own information.' She thought with some annoyance and made to rise.
Altair's hand shot out to catch hers and she flinched at the unexpected contact. His golden eyes bore into hers for a brief moment and she saw a flicker of worry pass through them. "Stay with me."
"I can gather information on my own." She shot back, her words hissing from behind gritted teeth.
"Please." His fingers tightened painfully and she saw the worry in his gaze return once more.
"Fine." She allowed begrudgingly and thumped back on the bench beside him. His grip relaxed slightly, but he still kept his fingers twined tightly with hers as he turned his attention back to the crowd. Silently, she studied the flowing mass of people around them, allowing their conversations to flow over her as she filtered out the idle chatter form useful.
"They have one of our Brother's." Altair's voice brought her out of her trance and she glanced at him sharply. "We have to try and save him. Those two fools will expose us or get themselves killed if they try and do it instead of us." He finished.
"Okay. I'm going to check out what that informant has for us." She jerked her chin towards the shadowed alley ahead where an informant watched them worriedly, one hand twitching in a 'come here' gesture.
"Amira, wait!" Altair called after her. She ignored him, annoyance still fresh in her mind as she left him on the bench. His footsteps were close behind as she spoke with the masked informant and agreed to escort the man to his destination. Altair fell in step behind them and trailed after the pair. He studied Amira's back as he wondered at her abrupt dismissal of him before her words from earlier came back to him.
'She doesn't understand this area, this world or time, like I do. She has no understanding of the danger that she is in when she is alone during the day like this. Even with those robes, she is undeniably a woman and that makes her a target in crowds like this.' He thought to himself, irritation now settling over him.
As the informant had said, the moment they passed near a pair of guards, they took notice of them, as did the next group, and the one after that. With a grunt, Altair plunged his blade through the belly of the swordsman who had begun to bring his blade down towards Amira's unprotected back, and jerked it upward sharply. She gave him a curt nod of thanks before flinging a blade over his shoulder. It embedded to the hilt with a sickening crunch and the man fell backwards with blood streaming from his forehead.
Altair threw her a nervous look as they resumed their journey with the informant. "Warn me next time you're going to aim one of those in my direction?"
"Afraid?" her lips curved into a mocking smile and he raised an eyebrow at her.
"Quite honestly, yes. You've nearly impaled me more than once in trainings."
Amira huffed in annoyance before turning her attention back to their guide. He held up a staying hand and nodded in thanks as he passed her a small sealed letter.
"He won't dare spill blood in a holy place. I should be safe here. I did manage to steal this from one of the guards in the chaos- I hope it can be of use to you." He said, his eyes crinkling as he smiled. Or at least she assumed he was smiling. It was hard to tell beneath the coverings that wound around his face. His hand lingered on hers for a moment and she looked up in surprise.
His dark brown eyes were warm and he glanced away for a moment before his gaze slid back to her. Altair's eyes narrowed and he plucked the letter from their fingers in annoyance, jealousy bubbling up in his chest as he locked eyes with the man.
"That will be all. Go."
The man nodded at his abrupt dismissal and pulled his hand from Amira's with slow reluctance, his eyes trancing over her shadowed features one last time before he made his way towards a nearby building. Altair watched him leave with obvious irritation and Amira glanced at him with a raised eyebrow.
"What is it?"
"Nothing." Altair snapped tersely and heard her snort in an unladylike fashion.
"You can tell without opening it?" she asked sarcastically and he flushed beneath the safety of his hood when he realized she was asking about the letter he held. He tore the seal open and studied the map he held.
"It's a map of where his guards will be posted."
"Not the brightest, is he?" Amira remarked and Altair silently agreed. "Well, at any rate, let's go get your feather from Malik, shall we?"
Altair nodded and she followed him up the rooftops once more. Her brief annoyance at him faded as she enjoyed the feeling of leaping between buildings and landing safely on the next roof. The informant's warm gaze flashed in her mind once more and she shook her head to clear it, even as she wondered briefly as to why he had seemed so fascinated by her. The roof access was still open to them as they approached and she was a moment behind Altair as he dropped into the courtyard below.
"What news, Novice?" Malik asked, his voice teasing.
Altair was still irritated from earlier and his response was more harsh than he had intended. "I am not a Novice." He growled and Malik's eyes hardened ever so slightly.
"A man's skill is defined by his actions, not the markings on his robe." Malik retorted, a hint of anger showing in his words.
"We can trade barbs or we can do Al Mualim's work. It's your decision." Altair snapped.
Amira glanced between the two in confusion and Malik sighed in irritation.
"Then be out with it already." Malik snapped as he thumped a book on the desk in front of him.
"Jerusalem's regent, Madj Addin, is holding a public execution not far from here. It's sure to be well guarded, but it's nothing I can't handle. I know what to do."
Amira saw the irritation flare to life in Malik's expression and the tension that lined Altair's shoulders as the two squared off against one another.
"And that is why you remain a Novice in my eyes." Malik stated, his voice hard. "You cannot know anything, only suspect. And you can expect to be wrong. Anticipate, Altair. How many times must I remind you of this?" Malik demanded.
"As you wish." Altair said tersely. "Are we done?"
"Not quite." Malik held up a staying hand, "There is one more thing. One of the men to be executed is a Brother, one of us. Al Mualim wishes for him to be saved. Do not worry about the actual rescue- my men will take care of that." He amended, seeing Amira's mouth open to speak.
She gave him a half smile, "I was just going to say that an informant told us of the man and we had planned to save him if we could."
"Good. You must ensure that Madj Addin does not take his life." Malik told her and she nodded in understanding.
"I won't give him the chance." Altair said determinedly.
"So I hope." Malik muttered, placing a white feather on the desk between him and Altair. Altair glowered at the black robed Rafiq and grabbed the feather irritably and placed it in the pouch at his waist.
Amira glanced between the pair, her brows knitting together in thought. Absently, she stroked Maysa's hair as the girl hugged her waist tightly. Altair brushed past her wordlessly and settled against the far wall of the courtyard, irritation still lining his body. She glanced between the two and settled for going to Malik first.
"Go check on Altair and make sure he doesn't get too grumpy, okay?" she whispered to her ward and Maysa smiled brightly at her before nodding. Amira watched the child bound into the next room and heard Altair grunt as she tackled him once more, earning a smile from the female assassin.
Cautiously, she approached Malik. His quill flew angrily across the parchment he was penning a map onto and she cleared her throat softly. His eyes were dark as he glanced up at her and she met his angry gaze with calm silver eyes.
"Want to talk about that?" she asked softly and saw his gaze harden once more.
"No."
Amira's eyebrows raised at the sharp retort and she held his gaze for a long moment until he dropped his eyes back to the map in front of him.
"Very well." She said mildly and saw him tense once again.
"That man is beyond frustrating. Just when I believe I've forgiven him and that he truly has changed, he behaves as though nothing has happened." The words bubbled out before Malik could stop them and Amira sighed.
"I know you two have a hard past, but you do know he has changed, don't you?" she asked quietly and Malik glared at his map.
"He has, but some days it's as though the changes that you've wrought in him never came about and he is just as arrogant as before."
"It makes you remember that hatred you harbored for him, doesn't it?"
"It does." Malik agreed reluctantly, "I had thought that those days were behind me- the loathing and hatred I felt towards him for the loss of my brother."
"But you do know that he loves you? Beneath all the bluster and arrogance, he does care for you deeply, Malik." Amira said with a hint of a smile and heard Malik sigh.
"I know."
"Good." Amira smiled at him and kissed the top of his head before ruffling the mess of inky black hair.
Malik flushed at the way she made him feel like a child and watched her leave with a shake of his head. 'Sarah was right. If anyone can change him, it's going to be her.'
Amira strode into the courtyard and grinned at the sight of her partner allowing Maysa to play with his hands. Hers were small in his and her quick fingers traced over the callous marks on his palms and the scars that decorated his hands.
"Let's go." She said, hauling him upright and ruffling Maysa's hair as she did so.
Altair rose with a groan and glared at her before jerking his hand out of hers. His emotions were still high from the conversation with Malik and he wanted nothing to do with her. The informants attention towards her replayed in his mind as he followed her out of the bureau and he caught her hand, jerking her towards him before he pinned her against the nearby wall.
Amira yelped as his fingers dug into her shoulders and his golden eyes bore into hers. He bent his mouth to hers and caught her in a scalding kiss. His lips were hungry against hers and the brush of his tongue begged for entrance. After a moment, she relaxed and her body molded against his as he deepened the kiss. He felt her soften in his arms and felt his heartbeat quicken as she wound her arms around his neck, her body pliant against his.
He broke away with a gasp and Amira's chest heaved as she stared at him in surprise. "Not that I'm really complaining, but care to explain what that was all about?" she asked breathlessly and saw his mouth curve into a smirk.
"I don't plan on sharing you."
Amira chuckled and the corner of her mouth quirked upwards. "Were you jealous of that informant?"
"Ask me again and I'll have to reiterate my point." Altair growled and Amira laughed.
"I'll keep that stashed away for a later date then." She teased, before sobering. "Truly though, as enjoyable as this distraction has been, we need to stop that execution."
Altair drew back with a look of half reluctance and she quirked her eyebrow at him in amusement. "Show the way already, slacker." She teased and heard him groan quietly.
"You are a difficult one to resist." He muttered, his face darkening as he turned away, focused on ignoring his body's reaction to her. He turned his focus to the mission and slowly, his features fell into a mask of emptiness.
Amira followed him as he flew over the rooftops and down into the streets, their boots pounding in quiet unison as they ran. Slipping into a group of white robed scholars, the pair bent their heads and clasped their hands as though praying. They passed by guards without interference, the men standing aside to allow the scholars to pass by. Amira snorted in disbelief and felt Altair elbow her gently in an effort to keep her silent.
She glared at him before rolling her eyes in exasperation. 'I know how this works. I know better than to draw attention to myself if I can avoid it. Something you still need some growth on, my arrogant friend.' She thought to herself with a faint shake of her head.
Quietly, they departed from the haven of the scholar's group and melded into the crowd. Altair wove through the crowd and Amira positioned herself on the opposite side of the courtyard from him, her fingers lightly running over the sword and knives that decorated her weapons belt. A soft tap of her foot released a broad, thin blade, and a second tap sheathed it into her boot once more. A quick glance at her partner revealed that he was ready and the rumblings of the crowd around them signaled that the execution was about to begin.
Altair's eyes darkened again as his gaze swept over the crowd and surrounding areas, easily picking out where the guards were stationed. He saw Amira doing the same and nodded to her as she ducked back into the alleyway and made her way to the rooftops. She swiftly but silently cut through the ranks of archers that littered the rooftops, pulling their bodies into the small gardens there as she passed by.
She paused on the last rooftop and glanced down at the execution platform as the guards there drew to attention. A tall man with a beard and sparkling white turban wrapped around his head strode out onto the platform as the crowd began to cheer. He raised his fist proudly and was met with more shouts of enthusiasm. Striding across the wooden stage, he cast a dismissive eye over the four captives that were bound in place.
"Silence!" his deep voice rang out over the throng and the crowd stilled as they waited expectantly.
"People of Jerusalem, hear me well! I stand here today to deliver a warning- there are malcontents among you. They sow the seeds of discontent, hoping to lead you astray." His words were met with angry mutterings and cheering as he spun the crowd into a frenzy.
"Tell me, is this what you desire?" he demanded.
Shouts of resounding disagreement echoed around the courtyard square and Amira saw her partner slip closer to the front. As quietly as she could, she slipped unnoticed from the rooftops and into the heaving mass of people.
"Deceit and sin- to live your lives in fear? Do you wish to take action?" he paused to listen to the yells of agreement, a small smile playing upon his stern features. "Your devotion pleases me. This evil must be purged; only then can we hope to be redeemed."
"This is not justice." A man's voice from the crowd declared, bringing a chuckle to Amira's lips.
'So, someone here has the guts to stand up to him. Good for them.'
"And all of you stand idle…" one of the informants from early snapped in disgust and the pair took their chance to charge the platform.
"Those fools! They'll be killed…" Amira growled in irritation as she dove towards the front. She drew up short seconds later, however, as a fountain of blood sprayed from one man's chest as the guards cut him down, the second man following him into the dirt swiftly. A curse hissed from her lips as she stared at the dying men, disgust and pity at equal odds in her chest.
"They sought to instill fear and doubt within you." Madj Addin continued on as though nothing had happened. "But I will keep you safe!." He declared, turning a hateful eye onto his captives.
"You are filled with sin-the harlot, a thief, a gambler, and a heretic!" He said in disgust. "Let God's judgement be brought down upon them!"
His hands lifted to the skies in supplication and the cheers of approval rose to a deafening roar. Amira watched as Altair began to make his way through the front of the crowd, only to have the guards roughly shove him back. The hilt of her sword rested firmly in her palm as she edged it from its sheathe, more than ready to draw blood for the salvation of the four accused souls.
Altair tensed in anger as he was shoved roughly back into the crowd. He shouldered his way closer to his target before the watchful eyes of the guards turned towards him once more and a shout of warning was raised.
Instantly, he found himself the focus of multiple attacks. One, surprisingly enough, was the target himself. Madj Addin had joined the fray, his curved blade swinging in a bright arc towards the assassin's unguarded side. Hurriedly, Altair batted it aside with his own blade and he lost himself in the deadly dance between man and weapon.
Amira dove towards the stage, taking the opportunity that her partner had provided. She cut through the rope that bound each prisoner and shoved them sharply towards the stairs away from the fighting. As the fourth victim, the heretical assassin, stumbled down the stairs, she saw two white robed figures step forward to steer him into the shadows and away from the nightmare that was blooming in front of the now empty execution platform.
Turning back, Amira paused to evaluate the situation before leaping from the platform. Her knees slammed painfully into the armored back of a guard as her hidden blade pierced through the vulnerable gap between his helmet and armor. She hit the ground at a roll as she left the dead man to bleed in the dirt. Ahead of her, Altair was trapped between attack his target and fending off the biting blades of three guards.
A quick strike laid open a man's throat, and as she whirled around, her blade found it's mark as she drove it into another's stomach. The hilt of her sword was slick in her hands as she roughly jerked upwards, feeling her blade cut through the man's stomach and grind against the bone of his ribs before she pulled it free with a slight grinding sensation.
Altair had dispatched of one guard and a second was bleeding heavily. Tapping her boot as she slid forward, the red stained dirt marring the white of her uniform. She jerked her leg to the side sharply and felt the blade slice through leather and flesh. The man dropped like a stone, screaming in agony as he clutched desperately at his bleeding ankle. Amira felt a flicker of pity for him, knowing that if he survived the battle, he would likely live the rest of his life as a cripple.
Seeing the guard fall, Altair turned his attention back to his target. He flinched backwards as Addin lunged towards him. A sharp pain flared against his jaw and then the sudden pain of being slammed into the ground nearly knocked the air from his lungs as he was viciously backhanded and kicked in the gut. Struggling to his feet, Altair closed the gap between him and his target once more. He leapt at the last instant, his blade sliding free from the bracer and plunging into his quarry's chest. He landed heavily on Madj Addin's chest, his own breath tearing from overly abused lungs.
"Your work here is finished." Altair said quietly.
"No, no! It had only just begun…" Addin tried to rise, only to collapse once more.
"Tell me, what is your part in all this? Do you intend to defend yourself as the others have and explain away your evil deeds?" Altair demanded, glaring down at the dying man.
"The Brotherhood wanted the city, I wanted power. There was an…opportunity." The man was fading quickly now and Altair pressed harder.
"An opportunity to murder innocents?"
"Not so innocent." Addin scoffed, "Dissident voices cut deep as steel. They disrupt order. In this, I do agree with the Brotherhood."
"You'd kill people simply for believing differently than you?"
"Of course not! I killed them because I could- because it was fun!" Blood flecked his lips now, "Do you know what it feels like to determine another man's fate? And did you see the way that the people cheered? The way they feared me! I am like a god- you'd have done the same if you could. Such power…"
Addin seemed so assured in his words and disgust curled in Altair's stomach as he swept the pristine white feather over the bubbling blood pouring from the man's chest.
"Once, perhaps. " he admitted, the distaste he felt for the man bleeding into how he felt about his actions months ago. His arrogance and prideful manner. His downfall and the subsequent punishment that had led him to this moment. "But then I learned what becomes of those who lift themselves above others."
"And what is that?"
The light was quickly fading from his targets eyes, but he looked almost curious as he studied the assassin who knelt over him.
"Here, let me show you." Altair paused, feeling the comforting weight of his hidden blade slip into his palm. The dagger plunged into Addin's neck and bright red coated his hand in sticky warmth.
Shrieks came from all around the trio as the crowd of people realized that their leader had been killed at the hands of the white robed man. They fled, causing chaos as they ran and drawing the attention of the guards in the nearby streets.
Amira caught his bloody hand and tugged him towards the same alleyway that the other assassins had fled. The breath tore from their throats as they ran, fleeing from the pursing guards. Altair ducked into an unoccupied garden, pulling his partner in after him. The pair lay there on the wooden floor for several minutes, panting. Only when the shouts of guards had died down did he dare to lift the curtain and look outside to see if the way was clear.
In the distance, the alarm bell still rang incessantly, warning the city of his deed. He groaned and buried his head in his unbloodied hand. "Malik is going to murder me."
Amira laughed and checked out the window once more. "Oh come on. He's more creative than that. Give him a little credit, will you?"
Altair only groaned again and shook his head. Amira grinned and tugged him upright, planting a gentle kiss to his cheek as she did so. At his questioning glance, she shrugged. "For good luck. To stave off the murder and all that."
She couldn't hide the laughter in her gaze as she studied his crestfallen expression. "I just…I want to earn his forgiveness for my mistakes. It's evident from earlier that I still have a long path to redemption with him." He said quietly, his eyes studying the towers in the distance.
Amira squeezed the hand she held and nudged him with her shoulder gently. "You care for him and despite his anger, he still cares deeply for you." Golden eyes flashed to meet hers, surprise filling them at her words. "You two are as close of friends as you can be. But his brother's death will always ache and there isn't much you can do other than simply be there for him or give him space when needed."
Nodding reluctantly, Altair slowly returned the squeeze she had given him, his thumb lightly tracing over the top of her thumb. Moving carefully as to avoid any extra attention, the pair made their way back to the bureau. Altair dropped down first and caught Amira as she followed through, much to her surprise. She was even more surprised when he brushed a kiss against her lips before setting her feet on the floor.
"Just in case I need a little more luck." His breath ghosted against the shell of her ear and she shivered. Maysa stared up at them with wide eyes as she woke from her nap on the cushions and Amira held a finger up to her lips as she listened from beside the entryway of the bureau to the two men's conversation.
Altair stepped warily into the main room of the bureau and cautiously set the blood soaked feather on the desk in front of him.
"Jerusalem needs a new ruler." He said quietly.
Malik didn't bother to look up, irritation plain on his features as he worked on his latest map. "So I have heard." He said, his voice eerily calm.
"What's this? No words of wisdom for me? Surely I have failed in some spectacular fashion." Altair remarked in a biting tone.
Amira listened from the courtyard and mentally cursed the two men. 'Altair, why do you bait him like this? You know that, despite the friendship between you two, anything involving your rank and abilities will be a sore spot…Malik can only bite his tongue for sanity's sake for so long until he begins to bleed.'
"You've performed as an assassin should. No more, no less. But to expect praise for merely doing as you should troubles me." Malik withdrew the box containing the feathers from beneath his desk and picked up the stained feather and placed it inside with care.
"It seems everything I do troubles you, Malik." Altair said finally, regret plain in his voice. As she peered around the corner to watch the pair, she saw Malik's expression soften slightly.
"Reflect on that while you are on your way back to Masyaf. Your work here is done."
Altair paused uncertainly, confusion knitting his brow at the gentler tone. By all rights, he had expected Malik to rage at him, for his assassination had gathered far more attention than he had either wished or anticipated. Yet, the man simply dismissed him without raising his voice. Of all the things Malik was, patience when it came to errors and Altair, did not make the list.
Silently, Altair bowed his head. "Understood." He turned and made his way back towards the courtyard, pausing when he was a few steps from the threshold.
"Malik." He said, and heard the dark haired man pause. "I am sorry for everything I have done to cause you pain. I will do my best to improve and to earn your forgiveness, if and when you feel I deserve it."
He didn't wait to hear a response as he continued on, his eyes not meeting Amira's as he passed her by. She studied him as he began to gather his meager belongings and then turned her attention back to the frozen rafiq. Quietly, she made her way into the room and plucked the quill from his slack fingers, gently setting it across the open mouth of the ink bottle. Something glistened on his hand and as she watched, a glittering drop appeared next to the first.
"Oh, Malik…" she whispered sadly, carefully tugging the map forward so that nothing would damage his hard work.
"Leave me alone, Amira." Malik's voice was ragged and thick with emotion as he forced the words out. He heard her snort and then the sound of her footsteps moving. He stared at the wood grain beneath his now clenched fist and hated the tears that he struggled to hold back.
"I'll make you proud of me, brother! You'll see- I'll become a great assassin. Just like you and Altair are!"
Kadar's voice rang through his mind as he remembered telling his younger brother that he would be accompanying them to Solomon's Temple.
He had just laughed at the time and ruffled his little brother's hair like he always did, encouraging him with a smile. Kadar was all that he had left, as far as he knew, and he treasured his younger sibling fiercely. He knew Kadar idolized his closest friend and worked hard to model himself after both his older brother and his idol. He only hoped that Kadar would never grow into the arrogance that seemed to have settled into Altair's mannerism.
Kadar was so excited to be going on a mission with both his older brother and Altair, even if he would be doing nothing more than watching. For days after Malik told him and for days leading up to the mission, Kadar had chattered at him incessantly about what weapons and supplies he thought he would need to bring and what kind of enemies he thought they might run into on the way there and in the Temple itself.
Malik flinched as a pair of arms wrapped around him gently. He glanced over his shoulder and relaxed slightly when he saw Amira's pale hair glimmer against the darkness of his robe. Her face pressed against his back and although he was not accustomed to having another embrace him, he slowly relaxed and the tremors that he hadn't noticed until now, began to fade.
"I'm sorry for the pain between you two. I promise you, I will do everything in my power to bring him back to who he really is." She murmured. "Please, don't hide your pain from Sarah or I. She already worries about you so much and wishes that you would be honest about how you feel."
"Sarah is worried about me?" Malik turned to face the woman behind him, concern evident on his face as he studied her.
"Of course she is. She loves you and doesn't like it when you start shutting her out. She would love to come be with you, you know that, right?" Amira said quietly and he sighed.
"I know. I just wanted to get this place in order before I asked her to join me."
"She's more than happy to help you, Malik." Amira rebuked him gently. "She just wants to be with you. It doesn't matter the where or the how. She wants to help you however she can."
"Why do you care so much?" he asked finally, and she glanced away uncomfortably.
"The truthful answer to that is probably the last thing you want to hear right now."
"Tell me." Malik leaned back against his desk and leveled her with a patient stare. He was painfully aware of the itchy trail that his tears had left on his cheeks but ignored them for the sake of making his point.
Amira sighed and avoided his eyes. "Because, from day one, you've felt like my big brother and Sarah like my sister. That's the last thing you need to be reminded of, how much your little brother adored having you as his brother."
Her silver eyes widened when he wrapped her in a one armed bearhug and laughed. "You're wrong, it is exactly what I needed to hear, my little sister."
Amira stared at him in shock as he released her and stepped back, raking his hand through his unruly mop of black hair. He smiled at her, his heart feeling more light and full than it had in months with her simple admission. They were an odd type of a family, he decided. Him, Sarah, Amira, and even Altair, for as much as the man frustrated him half of the time. They were a family, and one that he had desperately missed without knowing it, thinking the hole that ached in his heart was only caused by the death of his brother. As the faint shuffling of footsteps approached from the courtyard and Altair cautiously appeared, Maysa holding his hand and smiling up at the tall man as she tugged him into the room. Malik amended his list to include her and smiled wryly. Two assassins, a healer, a time traveler, and an orphan. A strange family indeed.
A/N: Whew. Told you it was a longer one. I liked how this turned out and in the end, some of the parts surprised even me- and I was the one writing them! I wasn't intending on the whole family bit, but it seemed right with the story so I decided to keep it. I'll be updating as I can, but my focus next is going to be on redoing some of the earlier chapters as well. Stay tuned and with any luck, you may see some regular updates pop into those inboxes! Much love to you, dear readers!
As always, read, review, and no flames. Thank you!
