Maria had been alone in her room most of the afternoon, a small but beautifully decorated little hidey hole. Close enough to Altaïr's quarters to be handy but still somewhere she could go to be alone and keep up their pretence of being friends and nothing more. Although she was leaving Masyaf the following day she had no belongings to pack and so had spent the time looking out of the window waiting for the English party to arrive.

The training ring far below her was still buzzing with activity, it seemed Abbas' little incident had been quickly forgotten and it surprised her no end to learn that looking down on them from this great height made her feel like even more of an outsider than standing beside the ring being ignored by them did. She saw a group of men – by their dress unmistakably European – coming into the central courtyard and she leaned over further to watch their progress as far as she could, which was annoyingly not nearly far enough.

Altaïr and Malik were at the front entrance awaiting their arrival, scouts had warned them of their approach over an hour ago and both men looked relaxed as they waited for the group to reach them. Holding out his hand to the obvious leader he greeted them in their own style Altair spoke first, "Welcome to Masyaf Lord Talbot, I hope your journey was not too badly affected by the rains."

Gilbert Talbot bowed his head and took the hand offered to him, "Thank you for your welcome and your concern Al Mualim but we English are probably more accustomed to rain and mud than you are."

Malik flinched at the name the foreigner had called the new master and while technically the title was correct Altaïr had chosen not to be known by the same title as the previous Mentor. "Please call me Altaïr there is no need for formality among us."

"And you would do me a great honour if you would call me Gilbert."

The men introduced the rest of their party and made their way inside with Rauf leading the guards from his entourage to their designated sleeping quarters. His study was cool despite the day being heavy and humid and both men watched their guests sigh with relief when the cooler conditions inside offered them some comfort.

"Can I offer you some refreshments, a drink or a meal perhaps?"

Gilbert shook his head and his shoulder length curled hair bobbed around like a woman's as he rejected the offer. "If it's just the same with you I would like to get straight down to business Altaïr, I have to attend the wedding of Henry and Isabella in Acre in less than a week."

Taking his seat behind the desk the Mentor smiled and raised his hand, "Feel free to begin at your leisure."

Gilbert coughed regretting his decision to refuse a drink and looked to the man on his left who appeared to be as uncomfortable as he felt. King Richard had told him the young man he met had been intelligent and considerate but he was struggling to focus on anything other than the threat this man's very presence carried. He had ended the lives of more important men than he and Gilbert couldn't shake the feeling of being cornered.

"King Richard was greatly impressed with both your candour and your words Altaïr and he sent me here on his behalf to seek an alliance with you."

Altaïr nodded but chose to keep his own counsel for the time being instead of speaking he rested his chin on his fingers and continued observing his guest.

"We have managed to garner our own information about the plot you mentioned and it seems there are men both in the Holy Land and England who would harm our King to advance this cause." He shifted slightly when he saw Malik's eyebrows lift at his last statement, "King Richard believes his concerns could be greatly assuaged if you would accept an offer from us to target the men who live in the Holy Land."

So that self important pompous man still believed himself the most important part of this whole situation but Altaïr held his tongue. His order did require money to function and if these men wanted to part with some to have him kill men he would have sought to end anyway...

"What exactly are you proposing Gilbert?"

"Exactly as it sounds; you protect the King and the King will reward you greatly."

"Does the King believe he can leave a chest of gold and I will be his puppet ready to leap into action upon his command?"

Gilbert's folded his hands in his lap and Malik noticed that the short puffy sleeves of his outer robes made the arms sticking out of them appear unnaturally thin, "Nothing of the sort. You warned him before so we have reason to believe or interests match your own in this instance. However you have a better established network for information gathering and will learn of any new conspirators before we do. All we ask is that you continue to do this and perhaps keep us informed of any new developments."

He saw Malik's shadow drift across the surface of the desk and knew his second in command was moving to the window, feigning disinterest. "Why would Richard - already burdened with the expense of the Crusades – want to pay us for doing what he believes we would do naturally?"

He had been authorised to only give the whole story if required but Gilbert believed this man would pick and pick until he was sure there was nothing left to learn and decided to come clean, anything to get this over with. "King Phillip mistakenly believes that Richard played a part in the death of Conrad of Montferrat, Prince John back home in England has developed a taste for the crown and will take up with any who would support him attaining that. Richard does not have his enemies to seek and the notion that he could worry less about the men here would be most comforting to him."

"And do you expect our response immediately?"

Leaning forward in his chair the English nobleman grinned, "We would have been surprised if you didn't require some time to consider our offer and as I said I shall be in the Holy Land for some weeks yet before I sail for Cyprus."

Altaïr already knew he was going to take the money so long as it was clearly established he was his own man but the idea that a King who was borrowing money from any who would lend it to him was now offering him payment for some flimsy protection was fascinating. Achieving a position of power was one thing but it took an entirely paranoid man with deep pockets to hold onto that power.

Moving out from behind his desk he approached the men, "We have planned a dinner to welcome you properly but if you feel your presence is required urgently in Acre I would understand if you cannot stay."

When Gilbert rose to address his host he noticed that although the assassin wasn't the biggest of men he did know how to make full use of his size - he dominated the entire room. "The idea of a wash and a nice meal before we resume our journey is a most welcome one; I thank you for your generosity."

The healer stood beside Abbas' bed powerless to help him. His sudden stomach cramps had been only the beginning, a rapidly spreading rash was devouring the skin on his upper body and she had to put him to sleep to stop him tearing at his flesh. Her young assistant came up behind her, "What do you think happened Azrial? Was he poisoned?"

The old woman bit the inside of her mouth, the idea had occurred to her but who within these walls would do such a thing? "It is possible but I have also seen this reaction from people ingesting something which their body cannot tolerate." She moved to the window and looked down upon the same scene Maria was watching, the Europeans arriving. "Time will tell young one, for now we will control what he eats and drinks and watch for his bodies reactions."

The young woman bowed and left to tend to the broken arm of one of the children from the village. She moved along the dimly lit hallway towards the sound of a weeping child being scalded by a frustrated mother – this was his fifth trip to them in as many weeks, the boy seemed determined to fall from every tree in existence. Nijma opened the door and was greeted by a now familiar scene. His mother turned to her, "I give up Nijma you tell him he will not listen to me he cannot keep climbing trees."

Smiling warmly at the boy she took his tear stained face in her hands, "I don't think it's the climbing which is the problem Salma, it's the descent that does all the damage."

The great dining hall had been transformed; the usual rows of tables and chairs had been removed. Maria had chosen to dine "Arab style" as she had called it and Malik had to admit he was pleased. The low table with huge cushions lining the floor all around it was heaving with sweet meats and vegetables, the smells combined to tantalise his taste buds. The usual austere lighting afforded by the torches was gone replaced by oil burning lamps adding delicate floral fragrances to the edges of the room not scented by the food. Altaïr too was taking in the sight of the feast but his thoughts were more for Maria and her success than for the food.

Most of the diners had already taken their place at the table and the Englishmen were chattering excitedly amongst themselves pointing to various brightly coloured platters and offering opinions as to what it could be. She was nowhere to be seen. Turning to one of the serving girls who had just delivered another huge platter of appetisers to the table he caught her arm, "Is Maria still giving instructions to the staff?"

The woman shook her head, her cheeks a bright pink both from her exertions and the heat of the kitchen. "No Master we have not seen her for several hours."

Malik moved to his side, "We should take our places Altaïr the men look eager to begin." The fact that he himself was more than eager to begin sampling the beautifully prepared food was left unsaid.

"I will go to her rooms and tell her to hurry, it would be wrong to start without her."

Malik glanced at all the men on either side of the table, assassin and European but the point was it was all men. "Perhaps she has chosen not to attend for the comfort of the other guests."

Altaïr could have told him Maria Thorpe was not the sort of woman who would make such an altruistic gesture especially not when it involved matters of gender but instead he raised his hand to the table, "Please sit and entertain our guests while I investigate." Turning to the men at the table he bowed, "Excuse me I will return momentarily. Please feel free to begin."

He swept past the men guarding the main hall and headed for the stairs but her appearance at the top of the stairs halted him. She moved to the top of the last flight and paused momentarily when she saw him looking up at her.

"Maria, you look – ah – you look."

She grinned at him more than a little self conscious, "Thank you, I think..."

He nodded his head painfully aware of the eyes of his men on them both and remembering her desire to keep the nature of their relationship secret he cleared his throat. "You are dressed perfectly for the occasion."

The airy fabric of her long blue caftan clung to her body as she moved down the stairs to meet him. The loose fabric of the simple dress was gathered together at the waist by a thick silver belt flattering her slender shape. Nothing below the neck was visible but as his eyes roamed over her form he had to swallow a groan.

Although her dress was undeniably Arabic she had chosen not to wear a veil instead deciding to draw her hair back in a thick long plait with silver threads weaved in amongst the hair. She had also forgone the other female habit of painting her face. Her blue eyes were framed only with her own thick dark lashes and her pale skin was a white as ever– if you discount the soft blush his reaction to her appearance had caused.

She stopped in front of him and holding out the skirts of her dress performed the first curtsey she had given in years. "I'm glad you approve and may I say it is pleasant to see you in your dress robes, it's a nice change."

He stepped closer to her and bowed his head in response to her curtsey. Every muscle in his body ached to embrace her, to forget propriety and declare his love to the world but he kept those feelings in check. Raising his hand to her he smiled, "Shall we?"

Her arm moved from her side and a small white hand appeared from the long sleeve of her dress it seemed to hover in the air for a time before it delicately dropped on top of the one he had offered. Her fingers curled over his and they stood that way for a few seconds oblivious to the guards watching their exchange. "We shouldn't keep your guests waiting Altaïr."

He moved slowly aware of her limp and when he felt they were out of earshot he whispered, "You look beautiful Maria but I confess I am surprised to see you dressed this way."

Her lips parted as she seemed to consider her response then she sighed, "It simply felt like the right thing to do."

When they entered the room Malik and the European men got to their feet with the assassins who had remained seated seeing what had happened quickly joining them - even if unsure why - they wanted to give a good impression.

Malik moved from the table and bowed to her, "Maria you are a constantly surprising me, you look divine." Taking her hand from Altaïr he led her to the table about to conduct introductions when one of the men, the younger man who had attended their meeting earlier in the day came directly to her.

"Maria Hallaton what a wonderful surprise, we had heard you were in the Holy Land but to find you here..."

She took the hand he offered her and allowed him to lift it to his lips, "Its Thorpe Thomas, my marriage ended long ago and since I am happy about that there is no reason to tip-toe around the issue."

Gilbert Talbot the self proclaimed Earl of Shrewsbury appeared before her bowing grandly. It had been a long time since she had seen the foppish oafs who swanned around the court and worried more about their wardrobe than their horse and her instant reaction had been to laugh but she held her amusement at bay. Maria had been born and bred to live and socialise with men like him and those years of training now served her well.

Performing her second curtsey of the evening she smiled up at him, "My Lord."

Pleased with her respectful display he made to lead her to the table but a hand on her other arm had other ideas. Altaïr manoeuvred her to the top of the table and the offered her the place on his left hand side. Blushing slightly at his unusual behaviour she let him help her lower herself to the ground.

The musicians started playing a soft slow melody which fitted perfectly with the relaxed ambience of the feast. The meal went exactly as planned with the conversation staying on safe topics but just before the dancers came in the younger man, Thomas who had earlier called Maria "Hallaton" made another faux pas only this one went a little deeper than her marital name.

"I was sorry to hear about your father Maria he was a solid sort of a chap, an upstanding fellow." Absentmindedly prodding at the sweetened fruit on his plate he never noticed how flushed her cheeks became.

"My father, what are you sorry for exactly?"

"Why his passing of course, last winter was particularly harsh we actually lost a few of our better people when a nasty flu spread through the country."

Her head dropped forward momentarily before she forced her eyes back to the man addressing her, "Oh that, you spoke so out of the blue you lost me for a second. Thank you for your condolences Thomas."

Beginning to realise his error he leaned towards her, "You did know about your father? I know that communication is not a simple thing but surely word would have reached you by now."

Nodding her head she smiled but Altaïr was not fooled, it was forced. It never reached her eyes and her shoulders were stiff. Seemingly returning her attention to her food she muttered, "Yes the news reached me Thomas, don't worry."

She began twisting the large ring on her right hand, the ring Robert had given her. The young women who would entertain the diners entered the room in single file and Maria placed her fork on the table. "Well gentleman that is my cue to leave. Thank you for a lovely evening and let me wish you a safe journey to Acre."

The men rose with her and each bade her goodnight placing a kiss on her hand. Altaïr held her hand longer than he should have trying to catch her eye but she wouldn't lift her head to his gaze. She kept her pace steady until she was out of the room and up the first flight of stairs before she let her feet have their way and quickened her step. The last minutes spent in the banquet hall had been the most suffocating of her life and her breath now came in exaggerated puffs. Stopping at the head of the stairs she considered bolting for the garden when she felt a hand on her elbow guiding her to the next flight of stairs.

"Come with me Maria."

She let Malik lead her to a small door which leads out onto the balcony overlooking the garden. "You had no idea about your father's death did you?"

Shaking her head she averted her eyes to the door they had just come through then to the garden in fact anywhere but his face.

"There is no reason to feel uncomfortable Maria of course his death has upset you."

She nodded her head and moved to the other side of the balcony.

"You are not going to speak are you?"

Emphatically shaking her head she looked to the ground.

He moved towards her but not too close. He had followed her out of the room because Gilbert had trapped Altaïr in conversation and he felt it would be wrong to leave her alone but now that he was with her he was stuck for words. All the time she had recently spent with them in the study had shown him she was far from being the bad tempered shrew he had imagined her to be. Yes she would dig her heels in when she felt something was worth fighting for but in men that was considered strength not a fault.

She shivered and wrapped her arms around her waist then opened her mouth but closed it again swallowing down her intended words.

He moved behind her and took his outer robes off then draped them around her shoulder. When his arm moved across to place it on her far away shoulder she seemed to lean back into his body and he allowed it to happen. When he felt the back of her head rest fully on his shoulder he pulled her into a tight embrace which she happily turned to meet.

"Why do I feel this way? He was a horrible man."

"He was your father that love tends to be unconditional."

When her tears began to flow her hands clung to the fabric of his tunic. He rubbed her back softly and missed his left arm more than he had in a while. He held her for some time and was surprised not to feel the least bit awkward about being like this with her. An undignified sniff told him she was trying to regain control and he decided to help her.

"So tell me Maria was your husband like those men we are entertaining?"

A small chuckle broke through the tears, "Painfully so."

"I can understand why you were so set on leaving him."

Her laughter rang out more genuine than before as she worked one arm into the sleeve of his robes but when he saw her left hand trying to do the same it was his turn to chuckle. He tugged at the sleeve freeing it from the pin which held it on his chest. Slightly embarrassed for her unintended gaff she put her arm into the sleeve and smiled shyly at him. "Sorry, I say the wrong thing even when I don't speak."

"You never put a foot wrong Maria." Stroking her hair he smiled warmly at her, his friend. "I would imagine the Mentor is looking for you. Shall we stay hidden or will we find him and put him out if his misery?"

She tugged the dark hood over her head and he was once again taken by how small she was. 'How hard did you fight to gain even the slightest respect in the man's world you chose to enter?'

She took his hand in both of hers, "Thank you Malik."

"Think nothing of it Maria, what are friends for?"

Lifting her sleeve to her nose she almost wiped it when she remembered it wasn't her sleeve. Her other hand shot up and grabbed hold of her wrist as she grinned sheepishly at him.

They found Altaïr in the corridor outside her bedroom and Malik smirked. 'Let's see how delicately you handle this one Mentor?' He had known from day one they were sleeping together but they still believed it to be a big secret.

"I was wondering where you were. Our guests have retired to their quarters for the evening."

"We went to the balcony to take in some fresh air."

Maria stepped forward as Malik spoke and moved to her door, "I'm so tired I feel like I could sleep for a week. Goodnight and thank you Malik."

Bowing he looked from her to him waiting to see if he was going to join her. He could make it easy for them and leave them alone but this was more fun.

Altaïr's feet shuffled, "Good night."

"Malik knows Altaïr you can come inside."

Malik lifted an amused eyebrow, "I've known all along you are nowhere near as subtle as you think brother." Patting his shoulder as he moved past them he added, "Those robes suit you Maria you should consider making the change permanent."

He took her hand and guided her to the cushions on the floor where he sat with her comfortably nestled between his legs and in his arms. They spent many hours talking; the sun was spreading the first chinks of light into the night sky before they thought of sleep. They spoke of Adha, of Maria's father they spoke of everything that had ever been important to them. At one point his fingers fiddled with the ring on her middle finger and they spoke of Robert. There was still a soft tone in her voice but what she had seen in Homs had all but destroyed any love she still held for the man. He was responsible for so much of the good in her life that she could never truly hate him but the man she knew was dead and buried his standing in her heart as well as his body.

He kissed her neck and whispered, "You looked beautiful tonight."

"Don't get too used to it assassin I don't plan on wearing this stuff often."

She felt his chest rise and fall against her back, "I wouldn't want you to but it was a nice surprise. I like how unpredictable you are."

"Me unpredictable, I think you are the enigma here. I have no idea what it is you want."

"Anything you are willing to give me Maria."

"There are things you want that I can never give you Altaïr."

"Such as?"

"Well children for a start. Don't deny you want them I know you do but I don't. Even if I could I doubt I would want to."

"You believe you are incapable of bearing a child?"

He felt her body tense in his arms, "What else could I believe? I have had ample opportunity to conceive and it never happened. I accepted a long time ago my womb is barren, you should not try to delude yourself that it's otherwise."

"I think that is far from certain Maria but it would not matter in the long run as I said I will take anything you can give me and accept the things you can't"

Spinning round to face him he could see the first spots of anger in her cheeks. "I'm not asking you to tie yourself to a wife who would have no more use than a broken jar. In time you would be like every other man and want a child and I would have to turn a blind eye as you plant your seed in some other woman or worse take another wife. No bloody thank you!"

He brushed at the stray hairs covering her face, "I would do neither of those things."

She felt his fingertips brush the skin of her face and had to fight the urge to press her cheek into his palm. He was being sincere, of that she had no doubt and that was the fuel which helped her utter her next sentence. "Well it's not going to happen we are not going to be together. I will return to my brothers and you will come back here. You can marry a woman who will bear you many sons and I can be the soldier I was born to be."

His hand dropped from her face, "You see no future for us?"

"No I don't and if you were being honest you would admit the same."

He stood from the cushions and walked to the door. "I am always honest with you but if you lack the courage to fight for us then it would be pointless for me to try."

Her pale face peering out from Malik's black robes looked almost ghostly, "I've been telling you that the whole time."

His amber eyes flashed for the briefest of times before they became stone cold and turning he left the room without saying another word.

She thought of getting off the cushions and moving to the bed but her body seemed to crumble when she tried to move. Too tired to fight it she let herself fall onto the cushions and buried her face into the deep softness. He had only been gone for seconds and she had never felt so alone in her life. But the more time she spent with him... the more she loved him... the more she understood that she would have to do what she just did. She would never condemn him to a childless marriage and she could never suffer the pain of him seeking another woman to give him what she couldn't. Still, knowing it was inevitable didn't lessen the pain any.

It was the night she had learned of her father's death but as she curled up in a tiny ball it was her mother she thought of, her arms she longed for. Mother... she had been gone for years but that word still had a powerful hold on the heart of the Englishwoman. She had lost hers too soon and would never know the joy of being one and the more time that passed without her conceiving the more she tried to convince herself it was just how she wanted it.