Chapter Fifty Five: Unspoken Truths

Getting into the city this time had been harder than ever before. The people were on edge because the guards were on edge. A combination that seemed frequent and obvious, but was a nuisance to Connie and Altair.

They were in the city now, and were walking silently with a group of monks, all of which had a similar robe to Altair and herself. Altair didn't speak a word to her, not one. However she understood; anything out of the ordinary and the guards would be on them. She also noticed how intently the guards were watching everyone. It was no secret the city was on edge, she wouldn't even be surprised if they knew Altair was coming. The pattern, she found, was beginning to get noticed.

After all, how coincidental was it that significant figures were dying all around. If they hadn't heard how they died, she was sure they could guess from the victim list.

She shook her head to herself, head still lowered and following Altair's feet, eyes never sidetracking except for the occasional wondrous rock on the floor she found interesting.

The walk they were on gave her time to think however, and she wasn't sure if it was a good thing.

It had been getting ever more apparent how dependent she was becoming of Altair. Each time she found herself in this time, she would follow him around like a dog; as if she were a lost puppy trying to find their place in an unknown location. She shut her eyes tightly in shame for that thought.

How low she had fallen, from the once independent woman she had strived to be. She knew what she was in this time, and that was a coward. All she could do was depend on Altair, for everything she did. Even from the first moments she was in this place, had it not been for Altair, she probably wouldn't even be alive.

The sudden thoughts of that occurrence in the alleys made her shiver. To be chased as a demon and then found to be a woman, even with that information being found out, the guards still thought it appropriate to assault her.

She was right, she was a coward. She would have put that behind her by now if she was still the woman she knew herself to be, but she had changed. For the better she wasn't sure, but changed nonetheless. Is this what her time with Altair had achieved?

Yes that's right, Altair...

Altair she knew had changed as well. She remembered what he had been like in the beginning; violent, rude, and silent. How much had he changed... she was unsure to think if she was the cause of his change. But then she compromised that they had both changed each other.

The question was... was it for the better?

Looking at Altair's leather boots, she smiled.

He was dependent on her as well. She knew that if he hadn't of known her in her time, he probably wouldn't have survived as well. That thought alone made her feel a tad better. Perhaps she wasn't the only coward...

But maybe that wasn't it. She knew she saw herself as a coward, but maybe not for what she had first thought

Thinking about it, she found she didn't really mind relying on him anymore. Maybe she was a coward because she was afraid of not being in his presence? That, if she was alone in this time; she would have been scared, and wouldn't be good for anything. She needed Altair, and she knew it. She was a coward because she didn't realise it earlier.

But then, what would that mean for Altair in her time. Did he feel the same way; did he rely on her like she did on him? Sure he did what she suggested, and she took care of him, but the question was whether or not he felt under her care as well, felt that he perhaps was a coward too for relying on someone else and not finding one's own way.

Was that a bad thing though?

To rely on someone in a situation unfamiliar with one's self?

To rely on someone you trusted?

But then, Connie knew she didn't trust Altair like he trusted her, and that had been proved multiple times; and she wasn't sure how she felt about that. Trusting someone wasn't something she could do quickly, but she knew that she had no reason not to anymore. The fact was; she was scared to admit that she trusted him a lot more than they had both thought.

A pebble came into her view then, one that was smooth and shiny as if it had once washed up on a shore. Its existence in such a dry and rocky place intrigued her, and she quickly scooped it up, rubbing her fingers on its smoothness and rubbing off the dried dirt stuck to it.

What a situation she was in. Not once had she thought that she could ever come to the past, and to be here made it all the more real. To take stock of her situation, to see all that hadn't been seen by people in her time for thousands of years.

She sighed.

Altair... you won't understand...

The same thought that had been plaguing her mind since that day in her time. She remembered they were making pancakes, and Altair had asked want was wrong. It always impressed her how he could tell she was thinking about something that was bothering her.

She hadn't told him what was wrong, but he knew, and he had told her he would wait until she was ready to speak. She had told him she wasn't sure herself, but that was a lie, and he knew it as she did.

The pebble was smooth within her hand now, no dirt left to hinder its radiance. All it needed now was a tad bit of water to show its true beauty.

She suddenly felt a rough hand wrap around her own and looked up, hazel eyes wide.

She had been so lost in thought, and had not noticed when Altair had moved and grabbed her hand.

"Come on," whispered Altair, leading her away from the group of monks, their hands together. She only smiled, maybe she was wrong.

"Is it far?" she asked back, voice as low as his, she knew he could hear her though, and was certain he would know what she was talking about.

"It depends on how slow you walk," teased Altair, and Connie's grip on his hand tightened.

"That wasn't nice," said Connie, but she smiled nonetheless, and she knew he saw it.

"Do forgive me," he spoke quickly voice mocking, before slowing their pace and joining a crowd, as Connie noticed guards coming around the corner from their position.

Perhaps the journey taking longer really did depend on her. She knew he would have taken to the roofs if she wasn't here... the thought that he cared really touched her, but maybe he didn't go up there because of the increase in guard men.

The guards were gone then and Altair pulled her away from the crowd, leading her to the destination he had in mind. She knew he wanted to get there quick, and picked up her pace, urging him to go faster as well.

Not too long thereafter, they approached what Connie had come to realise was the assassin safe house in each new place. Leading Connie to a ladder to the roof, he gestured for her to climb first before following after her.

Soon she would be rotting away in this very safe house to ease Altair's mind for her safety. It was true, they both looked after each other in each of their times, and Connie knew that Altair just wanted her safe.

It was at the moment now that Connie was waiting in the separate room while Altair talked to the Rafik, she wasn't sure what they talked about, but she hoped that he would at least introduce her; if not say the fact that she's here in this place.

Moments later he exited the other room and came into her view again, looking to her as he walked to the exit.

"He knows you're here, just try to stay out of trouble and don't bother him too much," he said, hand coming to her shoulder slowly, and resting there as she stared at him.

"Okay... please Altair come back quickly, and don't get yourself killed," she muttered, and felt his hand twirl a strand of her hair before he smiled and sprinted up the wall, leaving her eyes to trail after him before looking down. She was now left in the situation in which she had to find something for herself to do.

Eyes shifting to the room Altair had gone to, she shrugged her shoulders before entering the room. She might as well meet the guy; the one in Jerusalem had been slightly friendly after she started talking to him for a couple of moments. If she recalled correctly, his name had been... Malar? No Malik.

Looking around the room she immediately noticed all the pots everywhere and her eyes widened. There were so many...

"Are you in need of assistance?" came the voice of the man behind the counter. Her eyes darted to him and she couldn't believe she had over looked his presence for... pots. He must have been a potter, and that assumption had nothing to do with the fact that he was working on one at the moment.

"Um no, I was just curious..." she started, wondering if her time here was going to be a horrible experience.

"I expected no less... would you like to join me...?" he asked suddenly, and Connie smiled slightly before walking forward and taking a seat at the stool in front of him, giving him the implied question of a name.

"Connie," she replied before watching him look back up at her with a smile

"It's not every day that Altair comes around with a woman by his side, I am curious as to why..." he questioned, cleaning his hands on a towel before giving her his full attention. She shifted slightly in her seat before speaking.

"It's a long story..." she replied, and looked off to the side. She had expected him to press the answers out of her but was surprised by his short answer; he knew she didn't really want to speak.

"I see..." Connie quickly changed the conversation.

"Did you made all these?" she questioned as she looked around the room and pointed to all the pots lining the walls.

"Some but not all, one needs a way to pass the time in this small place," he replied, crossing his arms as he looked at her, she couldn't help but notice his intent stare and tilted her head at him in question. It seemed that he was going to speak anyways.

"You do not look to be from around here, where are you from?" the question sounded innocent enough, but Connie sensed he was asking more for other reasons then just curiosity.

"Somewhere far away, you probably have never heard of it." she answered, and watched his eyes narrow. She laughed on the inside, of course he wouldn't know where she was from, people now didn't even know what was across the waters surrounding their lands.

"I would still like to know," he continued and Connie shrugged. She supposed he thought that she was withholding valuable information from him; she couldn't help but smile at the thought.

"Canada," she answered, and couldn't help the small laugh that escaped her as she saw his face narrow at the name.

"You are right; I have not heard such a name."

Connie resisted the 'I told you so' and only smiled at the man, so far she was sure he thought her to be innocent, and it would be even more convincing if she was not wearing the robe and knife around her; her hood was down though.

"Well I'm going to head off to the other room, I guess just call me if you have something to say to me." She said as she got up and left. She could tell he wanted answers as to why she was with Altair, but she honestly didn't know what to tell him...

Plopping down on one of the pillows in the other room, she sprawled out on her back close to the fountain and looked at the bright sky through the lattice. Everything in the past seemed so beautiful, the sky was bright and the air was clear.

Closing her eyes she let the warmth of the sun's rays hit her face, smiling at it warm touch. It almost made her wish she could walk the city and see all the sights it had to offer... but she had to stay inside... for Altair...

Hmmm... the sun feels so nice... if only I could stroll around... but I promised Altair...

But why? She could handle herself couldn't she? She was so much better suited for this time then before, and she could do it couldn't she? Mind made up, she hopped up from her comfy place and walked to the lattice covered wall, totally intent on climbing up and out before anyone noticed...

"I thought you would do that, but I cannot allow you, Altair had me agree." Of course he would catch her, how had she thought any different.

"Agree to what?" she asked innocently, looking over to him with a smile.

"To not let you leave this place, and I have not come to understand why as of yet," he continued, walking forward until he was a few steps away.

"That's interesting to hear, but what do you want from me, what's the harm in looking around the city." She questioned a smirk on her face as she watched him.

"I want to know your relation to Altair." What was this guy's fascination with Altair, he must hold him in high respects, as any other Rafik would have let her go without a hitch... well maybe not Malik.

"I'm just a friend," replied Connie, crossing her arms and watching him narrowly.

"Perhaps more, I have never seen him care as to ask me a favour to watch someone, a girl at that." He continued, and Connie sighed, before looking down and plopping on her previous pillow.

"You want to know why? Well I saved him and he's just repaying the debt." She answered, head lowered, that's what she thought it was didn't she? Even though they had spent quite a few moments together in this crazy event cycle.

"I see..." he whispered once again, and watched him sit down close to her on the pillows.

No she knew she was wrong, it was more than that and they both knew it. However the same problem kept popping up into her head, and it was the same thought from the morning of the pancakes.

"Do you find it boring? Sitting around here?" she asked, gesturing to their surroundings with her hand.

"That may be for you, but I find things to keep me busy." He replied, before silence began between them, Connie sighed and rested her head on her hand.

"Do you have a wife?" she didn't know where the question came from, but he looked to be in his thirties, and she was basically shifting though a time of boredom, brought on by the fact that she had to sit around a room for a day. She knew the Rafik wasn't going to let her leave, and she had to pass the time somehow.

"Yes I do," he replied, and Connie instantly made eye contact with him, she thought for sure he would have said no.

"Don't you think that unwise considering your line of work?" she asked, mind going to Altair...

"That may be so my dear, but love can be rather over conquering, changing a man's decision instantly." By this time he had completely forgotten the conversation before, and Connie was only slightly concerned with his change in behaviour.

He didn't seem like the man to be all about love, but if the gleam in his brown eyes was any indication, she was mistaken. She took in his words carefully, before looking over to him and making eye contact.

"What was it you loved in her?" she wasn't sure why she was asking these questions, but then, she didn't know a lot about anything anymore. Taking in her question respectfully, a small came to his face.

"She had an air about her- one that left me breathless. It wasn't her beauty that left me in a daze, it was her smile. I recall the day I first had one directed at me, and I remember going out of my way after that to get her to smile more often. She wasn't like anyone else I had come across...she was sweet, and...caring, but also clever. She would always surprise me with something else I loved about her almost every day..."

The expression on his face as he placed his thoughts down to her was soft. She could have nearly admitted he was in a daze, recalling memories of what he spoke of; he cleared his throat a second later though, and waved her off.

"What is it you would love in a man?" the question caught her off guard and she looked away, thinking. How had she even gotten herself into a question such as this? She hadn't even really thought of it until recently; and here she was, talking about love to a man she had met not too long ago.

Even so, he had answered her question, and she felt obliged to accommodate him with a response as well. What did it matter anyways? She would never see this man again, and it would hold no burden to her she was sure. And so she spoke, voice soft and gentle.

"It wouldn't be much...I would just want him to know and understand me...at the very least..." she responded looking at the stone tiled floor. That was true, if there was someone who knew how she was and accepted it, even if they thought she could be maddening.

"Hmm, have you come across a man like that?" asked the Rafik, tilting his head as he watched Connie sigh and sink back into her pillow. His eyes seemed to study her, and she felt the question had a higher meaning than she considered.

"I haven't really opened up to many actually..." she confessed, eyes closing as the heat of the sun consoled her thoughts.

"Better start soon then," he laughed, getting up slowly and brushing dirt off his robe. Connie merely snapped her eyes open and narrowed them at him when he turned her way.

"What's that suppose to mean?" she questioned, and his eyes gleamed as he laughed lightly.

"Whatever you wish it to. Now I'll be off, do behave," he finished, boots scuffing the floor as he walked back to his other room.

Connie sighed before falling back into her pillow, eyes directed to the ceiling of the 'pillow room'. Altair would be back at nightfall, taking his rest before he would silence his target. If Connie had any chance of seeing the city, she would have to leave before he turned in.

It was mostly for the fact that once he killed that guy, they were most definitely out of this city.

Sighing she looked to the room the Rafik was in. If she wanted to get out, she would have to seem withdrawn from the prospect of leaving. Meaning she would have to assure him that she was staying. In turn, meaning that she would have to wait for him to check on her three times, before he was convinced. Three checkups... three strikes winning the turkey.

She pursed her lips; she hoped that his checks were close together. If not, goodbye Damascus.

The lulling of the fountain water calmed her then, and she closed her eyes sighing. What had even driven the previous conversation? Curiosity? She wasn't sure, but she found her thoughts had been really active that day, and she didn't know why it was something of so much importance.

Perhaps she should take a quick nap? She shook her head. If she went through with that there was the possibility that she wouldn't wake up and would miss her opportunity. She wouldn't be able to go the next day—if Altair assassinated his target then, the city would surely be in an uproar, she knew she wouldn't be safe.

She found herself frowning; why was she so drawn to look at the city? Was it because she wanted to see the city? Yes, but that was not all. She wanted to segregate herself from that coward shadow she weaved herself into. She wanted to see herself as that confident woman again; the one who she knew could do anything she wished hard enough for.

What had she become?

Eyes lidded low, she saw the Rafik peek into the room. She had not heard a sound of his movements, only saw his shadow as he watched for a moment before turning and leaving. The brunette didn't know if he actually thought she was asleep, but he didn't disturb her.

One down, two more checks to go...

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Hey guys, thanks for reading.

Write me if you liked! Comments are adored and much appreciated

I want to thank everyone who reviewed the last chapter once again, and I hope you all liked the new chapter.

Sorry for the wait though, I had to write a long story for one of my classes, and it took up most of my writing times. Though you should all be pleased to know that the next chapter is almost done, meaning that at the most, it will take only a few days, like maybe tomorrow.

Thank you to all who still read this story, the waits are long I know, and I'm sorry for such a horrible wait.

Thank you to my beta Miss. Fleckle, always such a big help with everything :3

So yes, once again; write me if you liked! Comments are adored and much appreciated