Assassin's Creed I – Tales of Altaïr and Malik
A/N #1 – Secrets... some of the smaller ones, though that could be arguable.
Altaïr winced away. "Malik... Please... stop yelling at me... just... for a little while."
A heavy silence fell between them.
Malik hated when Altaïr flinched untrusting. It made Malik feeling like one of those husbands that beat their wives. A master assassin like Altaïr never flinches, not at anyone or anything, except Al Mualim... and Malik. It was more apparent when he reached his hand out to reassure Altaïr and again Altaïr flinched from him. "You have this knack, Altaïr, for making me angry, but... not always or even really at you. It drives me crazy not knowing whatever it is you are hiding. And I know it is a lot."
"There is so much," Altaïr confessed. "I don't know where to begin... Malik? Have you never married?"
This was a bit odd and extremely personal for Malik, especially since Tibah had been too right. "No, I am picky and Al Mualim had not seen fit to arrange a marriage for me. You though have been married twice." He tried not to sound angry or jealous, but started to recognize those feelings sneaking around the surface.
"I only married once," Altaïr corrected. "I never got to marry Adha. They took her across the waters to the English Isles, before I could."
Malik looked ashamed as Altaïr's sadness was clear. "You loved her, didn't you?"
"No, but I liked her a fair deal. She was nice, smart, not afraid of me... in many ways, she was like... like you." Malik did not expect that response at all, nor the blush that warmed his cheeks. "I was supposed to marry her when we returned from that mission. And before you ask, yes we slept together, but only once. I was... lonely... and one thing just lead to another."
Malik fought the questions that wanted to push Altaïr for more about that mission. He stayed silent to listen, Altaïr was actually talking to him. He had to ask though, "What was that mission? We still have people searching for her. Why is she so important?"
"The Master thinks she knew where to find a treasure called the Chalice. She had said she knew it and would guide me to it. On the way, she told me things... things about Those Who Came Before and that it was why I was... different. She said she was different too. She... taught me things..."
Malik had read some things about Those Who Came Before. Discovered them in the library while looking to understand why Altaïr was so different. So, Al Mualim was hunting sacred treasures even back then, maybe longer. Maybe Malik was right and AL Mualim was training Altaïr to be this hunter. Maybe Al Mualim knew Altaïr was different right from the start. Malik almost asked another question, but Altaïr continued speaking.
"Adha explained that the Chalice was a sacred vessel, like something to hold the blood of Christ, or life-giving water. Malik, Adha was never guiding me to the Chalice."
Malik, even though he liked hearing his name instead of his title, frowned, "But you said you lost it."
"I did. Can I really trust you not to tell the Master?"
Malik hated that Altaïr called Al Mualim Master. It twisted in his gut somehow, always did. "I will keep your secrets, Altaïr. I swear."
"Adha... WAS the Chalice. Her name is Adha Calisse. I didn't realize till she was taken and the Templar yelled back to me a thank you for the Sacred Chalice. I didn't understand when she was explaining the Chalice to me, but... What's more sacred a chalice than the womb of life, the womb of a woman who was... special or different? I don't think she was stolen either, but I only realized this recently. I think she was running. Something had her scared or trapped. I can understand... I can't bear feeling caged or trapped either. I'd run too."
Malik's mouth dropped. Adha... a woman... was a sacred treasure. It made sense. It really did. So did Altaïr's logic for running away. All Malik could think of now was how he had been making Altaïr feel... caged and trapped. No wonder Altaïr kept bolting from him. It also dawned on him that Altaïr had felt lonely, admitted it. He never thought Altaïr would feel lonely being the center of attention and Al Mualim's pet.
Since they were on the subject of women, Malik dared, "And Nina?"
"Nina... I hated her. I really ... we really disliked each other. She was smart too, and dangerous. She wanted to be an assassin. She was like sleeping with a viper. I married her because it was arranged. I was told to charm her and bed her, so I did. The Master never wanted her trained. She was punishment... punishment for losing Adha."
Malik pursed his lips wondering if he should not tell Altaïr what he knew of Nina. He opted to share half of what he knew. No need to tell Altaïr of the unborn child. It would only unnecessarily upset Altaïr, since he knew Altaïr badly wanted a child, always did. "We are still looking for her too. She knows too much about us, if the Templars get hold of her..."
"It has been a whole year," protested Altaïr, "More for Adha. They are both gone. Adha cannot be retrieved. And honestly? Nina? How the hell could a woman survive with nothing in this world? She's probably dead. Good riddance."
Malik knew better. There would not be a standing hunt for her if Al Mualim thought she was dead. Malik knew it was not Nina that Al Mualim would want. If it is true that Al Mualim knows what Altaïr is (whatever Altaïr is), then Al Mualim would be after the child. Raise one from a babe and then you avoid the problems that Altaïr has caused. He didn't mention any of this to Altaïr. He wasn't sure enough to say anything. Al Mualim is the grand master of the Order. He must have his reasons. Malik wondered if Altaïr knew the reasons behind these insane hunts for sacred treasures and these near impossible assassination.
The silence grew between them again for a little while. Malik prepared some food, things he felt Altaïr was ready to eat. Malik wanted to mush the food in Altaïr's face when Altaïr spoke, "That Tibah girl... she'd be good to marry."
Malik snapped without even thinking, "Then YOU marry her."
"If you are too old for her, then so am I. What I was trying to get at... well... she knows an awful lot about you, and obviously about this back room. She's a liability to the Brotherhood." Altaïr was calculating already the problems a smart girl like Tibah would be and the dangers she represented.
"Don't you DARE tell Al Mualim. She is an innocent, Altaïr. You leave her be."
Altaïr poked his food disinterestedly. "I'm just saying, she poses a threat, if she spoke to a Templar, or to someone who knew one... Marrying her would save her from what would only be the destined fate if..."
"IF Al Mualim knew about her. Which he WON'T... I'll deal with her... somehow..." Malik did not like this thinking, but he knew, he understood. If she spoke to someone, anyone, Templars could be all over this Bureau, or worse. They ate in silence, both deep in thought.
"Altaïr, open the other bed mat and sleep in here." It came out like a command, but he didn't mean it that way. Malik tried to change how it sounded, "Unless, unless you would rather sleep in the souk." Leaving Altaïr with the choice would shed light on if Altaïr trusted Malik, at least a little. He found himself hoping more than he expected, really hoping Altaïr would sleep in this room. He also found himself hating Tibah a little for having so bluntly laid out his sexual preferences. That was all Altaïr's fault. And yet, his hope remained.
A/N #2 – no art...
