"NADIR!" An unidentified object flew past the poor man's face, nearly hitting him…It was a plate. Ryan felt the sudden urge to leave.
"Calm yourself, love, and allow me to explain." Ryan gaped as the man tried to calm his wife. An impossible feat, it seemed, like trying to calm a storm. And like a storm, that woman was deadly. She had an insatiable look in her eyes that made Ryan cringe away.
By now, even enormous Halil looked inviting. Ryan considered returning to the stables. At least it would prove as good cover. "Um…Nadir, I don't really think that's-…" Another dish was thrown, crashing onto the floor, and Ryan dodged it right on time. Good God, his wife is crazy!
Nadir sighed and smiled that mysterious smile of his, somehow looking as though he was in a casual conversation about the weather, rather than facing off against a woman's murderous tyraid. "Thank our gracious lord our plates are wooden and not of fragile material." Ryan thought that was not exactly the type of thing to be grateful for at the moment. "What about being grateful for our lives?!" Something zipped by his face; a spoon.
"Oh, worry not Rye-an." He ducked just as another plate was going to smack into his face. "Plates and spoons cannot kill us."
"That's not what I meant!" Ryan felt flustered as he hid behind a fence. He knew very well it wasn't exactly the best cover, but it would have to do for now. He just could not understand how Nadir was standing in the open while objects were being thrown directly at him. His wife had pretty good aim, too!
His wife came out, eyes flashing with fury and something equally dangerous in her hands. "Nadir! H-how dare you! How dare you show your face here!" The knife flew right past and thumped straight into the ground. Ryan whimpered and started crawling away from the knife on his hands and knees. When he saw her making a move to throw some more things that she could get her hands on, exclamations ripped themselves from his mouth.
"Good god! Lady, I hope you realize that's silverware you're holding! Wait, please, don't-…" This time, both Ryan and Nadir moved away just as the silverware flew past like throwing knives. They situated themselves a safe distance away. "I find it more threatening when she is holding metal." Nadir explained when Ryan tossed him an odd look to question his being with him.
"What did you do to her?!" Ryan whispered to Nadir as they hid behind a wooden crate for cover this time. The man who was carrying it in his cart was not very pleased. ("Go away, you fools!"), but they moved along with it as long as they could anyway before being chased away.
The bizarre middle aged man shrugged almost carelessly. "She blames me for our son's death, still." Ryan wondered briefly what the man's priorities were if he was so blatant about his son's death. But then again, he could be just as hurt by it and just trying to hide it. Ryan wouldn't know; after all, Nadir was a strange man. And Ryan knew strangeness all too well.
Settling for a casual answer, Ryan asked hesitatingly."Okay…And how long has it been since then?"
"Ah…" He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I believe it has been a month." Ryan thought he caught a flicker of sadness passing through the old man's eyes. But it disappeared as quickly as it appeared. "Ah yes, time flies." That's not the only thing flying, Ryan thought as they narrowly missed another kitchen appliance. But, in truth, Ryan was really astounded by Nadir's calm facade. Why would it be Nadir's fault? He's so gentle!
Perhaps it had something to do with being "in league" with said "son killer". Ryan grimaced at the thought, the last thing he would ever do in his life would be to kill anyone. Let alone hurt them. He could imagine well his sister laughing at the situation, rolling on the floor from the hilarity.
But even if the thought brought a small smile to his face, it did not help their situation in the slightest. Ryan had never in his life had to deal with a raving mad homicidal woman before, and he really didn't care to now. He turned to Nadir. "Can't we just go to another home? One that's preferably not housing a homicidal woman bent on killing us both?!"
"Oh, worry not your little head, Rye-an," Nadir spoke in an affectionate tone as amusement tugged at the corners of his lips, "She is actually quite charitable and kind beneath the dragon fire exterior." The two of them snuck behind another crate, dodging cups and utensils in the process. Ryan found it horribly hard to believe.
A cup, this time not made of wood, flew directly overhead and landed before Ryan's feet, shattering to pieces. He could not help but let out a small squeal as Nadir laughed heartily. "Careful, my wife, you may harm the poor boy!" He shouted out to her, a twinkle in his eye, obviously teasing.
Ryan's heart, meanwhile, was pounding hard in his chest as he muttered darkly. "I don't know how you find the situation funny."
Nadir turned seriously to Ryan in hearing an unfamiliar darkness to his tone, a questioning look on his face. But at the end of the long stare, Ryan took a deep breath and cried pitifully, "How in the world do you find time to laugh when your wife is TRYING TO KILL US!?" Ryan would have waved his arms around to emphasize his point if various objects weren't airborne.
He seemed to grin like a self satisfied cat awakened nicely from a long afternoon nap. "Now, Rye-an, she has no reason to be angry at you if that is what you worry about." That was not what he was worried about. Ryan was more concerned for the people now gathering about the house. If there was one thing both he and his sister disliked terribly, it was gossip.
Nadir saw the direction of his gaze and nodded solemnly. "Don't worry. they shall become bored in no time."
Ryan gave him an annoyed look. He did not find it likely that people would become bored of murder by utensils. "And what if they don't?"
Nadir did not hesitate to answer. "They will." He gave a look towards the unwanted audience, causing them to turn away. Nadir seemed fearsome despite his friendly demeanor.
"But what if-…?"
"Then they too shall face my dear wife's wrath." And that was the end of that.
Ryan found himself agreeing and saw Nadir smile dryly. "I hope they don't stay too long."
It was then that they noticed something peculiar. Ryan was not quite sure, but after a few more seconds, he grew amazed.
"There are no more airborne objects." Ryan said obviously, he glanced at Nadir, who gave him a knowing smirk. "Oh…well, sorry for being so obvious." On the other side of the crate, they could hear the fast padding of feet. The unwanted audience was leaving from the house. Ryan felt a sharp shock climb harshly up his back as he sat straight up. Next to him, Nadir too, grew stiff. All they could see for now was a long shadow looming over their insignificant figures.
"Hiding, Nadir? How odd that this is so typical of you." The voice was heated with an etched sardonic tone, clear and hovering about their heads. Ryan wondered if she was carrying any weapons, waiting to stick them into her husband.
However, Ryan slowly turned around to be met with a woman somewhere close to his height, with a calm but cold look in her eyes. The atmosphere turned chilly. "AHH!" Ryan fell to the ground and scooted away, resolutely keeping his distance.
Nadir stood and met her eyes, slow and careful in his movements. "Nafisa…" He cautiously approached her. She looked more likely to bite his hand off.
Her eyes remained cold, obviously not won over by him. Perhaps she was still considering killing him where he stood. It seemed like forever before she replied. "Nadir," She breathed, Nadir remaining calm (and Ryan on the verge of running for his life). "Just know now that your honeyed words will not work on me. I am no fool to your tricks."
"I thought of doing no such thing, dear." He allowed himself to chuckle as he stood firm, despite his wife's obvious frozen expression. "Nor did I think you a fool." Ryan could only look between the two of them, praying for some sort of truce.
Finally, she decided to speak once more. "…Nadir." She seemed hesitant and Ryan caught her glancing at him. He didn't take long to realize he was being asked to leave. Of course, the woman wanted privacy! Well, it wasn't that Ryan minded anyway. He was more than willing to give it.
He smiled sheepishly hoping not to anger the terrifying woman. "I suddenly have this feeling to leave. AH! What's that?! Why is that a goat, over there?! Away from you two, why yes, I believe it is! It looks so lonely, I should go comfort it! Away from you two." Ryan scurried off leaving the couple looking after him with perplexed expressions. He did not bother to look back, feeling their eyes staring back after him. He ran even faster.
He heard her comment before he was out of earshot. "He is an odd one."
Then, "Indeed. But he is not a bad boy."
Finally, Ryan skidded to a halt at the center of a square. The fountain gurgled peacefully, the droplets filling the air with a gentle mist. Ryan sat down and looked at his feet. His shoes were caked with dust, no longer the clean white they were when he first arrived. Despite hearing Nadir's very positive compliment, Ryan was still worried. What reason did the woman have to keep him anyway? He was just a stranger that didn't belong here. His clothes made him conspicuous, and he felt uncomfortable with no one else around him.
He wondered how his sister was doing. He hoped the best for her, but that was all he could do. He imagined her replying in snide remarks. ("Well, gee, thanks so much, Ryan. SO helpful!") and a sadness stung his heart.
Maybe you should go to the stables, An outrageous voice suggested to him. He was caught by surprise, but found himself thinking it over. He would probably be sitting idle for a while, the two possibly had a lot of catching up to do. To move around would distract him from the blazing heat. NO, NO, NO! "I am terrified of horses, remember." Ryan muttered to himself.
But after a few more seconds of sitting in the sun and a growing urge to just jump in the fountain and play around like a toddler, Ryan relented. Oh, what the hell. Let's go scare myself.
Ryan took great care to not wander far from his surroundings. For all he knew, he could accidently wander into some "bad" side of Masyaf and get mugged in some darkened alleyway.
People were walking past him. Maybe I should ask for directions. He strode over to a group of women, middle aged and covered from head to toe. He briefly wondered if they wanted to cook themselves alive from their choice of garb but chased the thought away.
"Excuse me, but could you direct me to the stables please?" Ryan could not help but blush in embarrassment. It had not been too long ago that Nadir had taken Halil to the stables. Why did he have to be so forgetful?
Fortunately, they seemed quite polite about giving him directions and gestured. The only odd thing was that they didn't seem to want to talk much and when it seemed like he wasn't going to leave fast enough, they quickly did so.
Ryan thought nothing of it as he ran in the direction they pointed. He zigzagged through the crowds and gained some odd looks, but he supposed he would've drawn attention anyway. It wasn't until he got there that he remembered he should have told Nadir where he was going. Damn it all and my slow working brain!
Oh well. It was time to face his fears.
The horses were huge. Ryan wasn't quite sure what to do. All he could say when the stable hand asked if he needed anything was, "It's okay, just keep them away from me." He received an odd look from the young man, but he kindly said nothing and went right to work on tending to the horses.
I can do this. Ryan was determined. Just step forward and touch it. It won't hurt you no matter how big it is. Ryan stepped a bit closer and continuously inched forward towards the stables. The stable hand, watching curiously could not stand to watch anymore and asked, "Do you require assistance?" Ryan may not have been embarrassed by his behavior, but the stable boy was feeling embarrassed for him.
"No, no! I'm quite fine! Just leave it to me." After a large breath and pause Ryan finally gathered up enough courage. He ran into the stable and clung onto one of the wooden pillars with a small yell. It was more dramatic than necessary.
After a few seconds, Ryan let out a sigh of relief. "Hallelujah! I'm not dead!"
The stable boy only stared for a few more seconds before shaking his head and walking away and muttering something under his breath. Something about how odd foreign people were.
15 minutes later, the stable boy returned after replacing all the hay, expecting to find the odd boy gone. He expected wrong. Ryan was still there, clinging shamelessly to the post.
When Ryan noticed the attention, he exclaimed. "I can get off whenever I want to!" And clung on tighter. The wooden pillar was his new friend, and he refused to let go. The smell of the horses seemed to paralyze him. So many horses gathered in one place…Ryan had a limited amount of courage for only a small amount of time.
The boy sighed. "They won't hurt you. They are in their stables, after all." The boy went over towards a steed with a grayish complexion and petted its nose softly. "See? No harm done." When the boy glanced back, Ryan stared back with eyes like dinner plates. "How the heck do you do that so calmly!?"
Nadir had no trouble finding the odd boy. He practically left a trail behind him with his foreign and strange attitude. After paying respects to a group of women-a rich merchant's daughter and her two servants-he asked whether they had anything to say about him. They did indeed. Went so far as to ask Nadir if he knew who the boy's father was and questioned his upbringing, as though there was a problem with it. The only problem with the boy was his obvious unfamiliarity with traditions.
Nadir decided immediately against punishing Rye-an as the women strictly suggested. "He went over to us and dared to act as though he were of the same stature. He did not even show respect to our lady!" One elderly servant, who was being frightfully forward, nearly shrieked aloud. She resembled a harpy, and Nadir was careful to stay clear of the talons.
"Why, of course. He will receive what he deserves." And Nadir meant every word. He only let these proud women think the worst. With that, the young and horribly bigheaded daughter nodded her head in satisfaction. Nadir bowed respectfully and left.
Despite the encounter, Nadir did not receive specific information on where to find Rye-an, only a direction. However, he knew it was better not to linger about their kind too long. He thought over their pathway from the gate to the house and in no time at all, predicted a possible place where he would be. Though he did wonder why. From what he witnessed, the boy was (absurdly) terrified of horses.
When he arrived, he saw that his prediction was correct.
Only now, Ryan wasn't hugging onto the pole anymore. The stable boy managed to convince him to cease doing so and had led him over to where he could observe "safely", without being more than a few feet from the horses. "Thanks." Ryan breathed and found he could move, no longer frozen in fear. The horses staring at him with those huge eyes were giving him the creeps though.
"I never met anyone so afraid of horses. If the others knew of this, they'd laugh their heads until they drowned in their own tears." Ryan assumed "the others" the boy mentioned were his companions.
He smiled wholeheartedly. "Nah, you can tell them if you want." He registered the obvious surprise on the boy's face and continued. "At least it'll give them a good laugh." Ryan found it difficult to make enemies.
"You're an odd one." The boy breathed, staring at him in a strange way.
"So I've been told." Ryan agreed enthusiastically. Ryan paused, and then added. "My name's Ryan."
The boy seemed distracted for but a moment but shook and answered, suddenly shy, muttering. "Shadin ibn Ibrahim…" A long pause followed after.
"Ah, 'little deer' just what are you doing?"
Shadin jumped out of his wits and turned towards the voice, his head low, ready to pour his heart out in apology. But it was only Nadir. He laughed kindly. "'Tis only an old man, you need not bow so lowly."
They both exchanged respects, Shadin remaining quiet and timid while Ryan looked between the two, not sure what to do in the situation. Shadin glanced at him giving him a warning look. But Ryan wasn't sure what to do with it. He looked towards Nadir, lifted his hand and gave a little wave. "Hey, Nadir!"
Shadin looked as though electricity had traveled through his body, and he looked fearfully between the elder and younger. Nadir grinned in reply and answered in equal mirth, not offended at all. "Hello, Rye-an!" Shadin looked as though wondering whether he stumbled upon an alternate universe.(1)
But before he could utter a word, Ryan was whisked away by Nadir. "It is time for us to take leave, Rye-an." Nadir looked towards Amyl's big brown eyes and gestured to Ryan. "Now say goodbye to our dear Halil."
Ryan stared at Halil. "'Goodbye to our dear Halil.'" His sister would have laughed at that.
Nadir only smiled and said. "Well, it's a start." He looked to Shadin who had recently reclaimed his wits and was staring at the two of them warily. Nadir only smiled mysteriously and said to Ryan. "Now, to Shadin, say farewell."
Ryan grinned and said, "Goodbye Shadin! I'll see you later!" It wasn't a possibility, it was a promise.
Shadin chuckled to himself and smiled once the foreign boy had left. He whispered to himself, going back to work. "See you later."
Nadir and Ryan continued up the block, headed to the utensil strewn porch that marked his house.
"Rye-an," Nadir asked, "Where exactly are you from?" Ryan started, stopping in his tracks. What exactly should he say? America wasn't discovered yet, and he wasn't sure what countries were even around, much less which ones visited the region. What would even make sense? I'm sure my behavior would be considered just as strange in England as it is here.
"Uhh.." Nadir had also stopped, and was staring at him. Oh lord, he probably thinks I'm even weirder now. "Well..you see, that's kind of a long story."
Nadir's face relaxed and he smiled encouragingly. "I would love to hear it. I am sure I will not be bored."
"Uh y-yes I'm sure too," Ryan stammered, cursing his incoherence. "Y-you see, we've sort of traveled all over."
"We?"
"My sister and I." At this point they had resumed their pace, meandering in and out of the people lining the streets. He glanced up at Nadir and saw him frowning.
"What about your parents?" He asked. Oh, THAT'S why…
"Well, I never really knew them." Ryan almost felt guilty for how easily the lie slipped off his tongue, but then remembered that he could never tell the truth. Nadir would probably send him away, or lock him up for his own safety. "They died when I was little. I was six and my sister was eight. We sort of took care of ourselves after that. My sister and I helped out in this barn, and the nice man let us sleep there. After that we just...wandered."
"Ah." The sound slipped from Nadir's lips, and he had a sad look in his eyes.
"So, you see, I can't tell you where I'm from because I'm not from anywhere."
The old man nodded, and put his hand on Ryan's shoulder. Ryan felt a pang of guilt when he saw the tightness of his features. Then Nadir stopped, turning the younger boy to face him. "Rye-an…" He said, "I hope you and your sister find a home here."
Ryan blinked, and gaped. "Wait, y-you mean-"
Nadir seemed to backtrack. "Of course, you must not feel obligated. I just know that my wife and I would not mind having children in the house, and Masyaf is wonderful place; you may yet find work-"
"YES!" Ryan jumped up and down. Upon seeing Nadir's steady look, he calmed himself and said, "I mean, yes, I would really like that!" I'll have a real place to stay. In MASYAF!
Nadir grinned, throwing his head back once more in his hearty laugh. "Well, then. I look forward to showing you your home!"
"Rye-an…What an unusual name." Nadir's wife looked as though she was once very beautiful. Her skin was still soft-looking despite the wrinkles and her eyes held a youthful glow. But she possessed such a shrewd expression and a stern aura that Ryan felt he was being interrogated every time she spoke.
Within the house, it was a little cooler and very welcoming, despite the small space. Ryan did not mind that the living room and kitchen were one room, and the size of his room at home. He didn't even mind the fact that there were no toilets. Okay, maybe he minded a little, but at least the outhouse wasn't quite as bad as he thought it would be.
"So I've been told…by your husband." Ryan nibbled his bread like a child stalling, who had no appetite for the broccoli placed on the table. His fragile form trembled under the frightening woman's stare.
"Are you alone, Ryan?" The question was a little bothersome, and in any other context, Ryan would have felt disturbed. It sounded like a question a kidnapper would ask, a kidnapper waiting for the right moment to capture him and sell him as a slave. But he shook off the thought as quickly as he could.
Nadir spoke jovially, casting a sympathetic look towards Ryan. "Alone? Why, we're with him at this moment, are we not?" Ryan passed him a grateful look at his attempt to lift to tension. His wife, however, turned, and though her back was facing Ryan, Ryan could imagine well enough the annoyed look upon her face.
"I believe I did not question you." Nadir backed off and cleared his throat, not looking anywhere near nervous. Still, Ryan could see his hands fidgeting.
Ryan cleared his throat a bit and answered her question. "Well, from what you're asking…No, I'm not." His sister easily entered his mind.
Nafisa was as admirably quick to recover as she was careful with her expressions, "Who are they?" She was even more curious about this Rye-an person. His culture seemed completely different from that of both her and her husband. Well, of anyone, in fact. It was picked out immediately from the way he spoke, possessing an accent she had never yet heard.
"Just one person." Ryan did not think it would be unsafe to say. "My sister." And it was from that moment that Ryan sensed emotions of sympathy poured towards him in waves. He wasn't sure why. He was positive he and his sister would find each other. "I'll find her. My sister and I are attracted together like magnets." Am I trying to reassure himself?
After a silent pause, Nafisa spoke again. "You shall stay with us." It did not sound like a suggestion.
Ryan felt guilty, despite the fact that Nair had said he would stay with them. Oddly, he hadn't thought he was serious. "Oh no, I don't…I'm not sure if I want to bother you, I mean-…"
"You shall stay with us, Rye-an." Nafisa gripped his hand quite seriously, her eyes clearly relaying the message. "No" looked like the wrong answer to her statement.
Ryan felt uncomfortable for a moment. "Um, okay…Thank…you…?"
"Splendid! We have a room prepared already!" Her face became the picture of absolute joy, which seemed strange considering the emotions that usually adorned it. He didn't mean to be rude, but the woman didn't seem capable of happiness. Ever since they arrived she just seemed…formidable.
"Ah very good! Let us make preparations!" Nadir's cheerful voice filled the room as he joined in with her, making his own suggestion. "I shall teach you to ride Halil."
The second the suggestion reached Ryan's poor ears, he could not help but groan. "What? Now?!" The fear in his voice was unmistakable. He was already thinking of ways to get out of such a predicament. Despite his experience in the stables, Ryan was far from cured. Horses still terrified him.
Nadir seemed to read his mind. "Yes, I can see this is going to be difficult." He sounded more amused than put off which put Ryan into a panic. Nadir really was serious about teaching him then. Ryan felt like running out of the room. This is not is not good. NOT GOOD-
After a pause, Nadir continued. "Or perhaps we should postpone the lessons to tomorrow. You have had a long day."
"Yeah, let's postpone it…forever." Ryan replied.
Nadir stared him down. "I know you're joking, boy. But this is a life skill!"
"…That I can live without!" Ryan continued on with excuses. He was not going anywhere near horses as long as he was conscious of it. Even though Halil was a nice horse and didn't seem all too threatening after awhile, Ryan didn't like the idea of possibly falling off…or getting run over. "Besides, I wouldn't want to bother Halil with my skittishness. You know, I could just walk for the rest of my life and save a poor horse the trouble of bearing my unbearable weight. I'm heavier than I look and-…! Hey! Wait!"
Nadir sighed, dragging the poor scared little boy behind him. "Nevermind. We're curing you of this fear now." Ryan's protests heightened to an extent after he said that.
Nafisa watched after them with a small smile, waving as Ryan stumbled into the streets of Masyaf. "Be sure to return by dinner!" Nafisa called after them and turned back into the house.
A/N:
1. Okay, so this is clearly the VERY WRONG WAY of addressing an elder in this time period, hence why Shadin was about to have a stroke. That being said, Nadir is a chill guy who obviously has some experience with foreigners, which a lot of people didn't, so he doesn't mind at all.
In addition, Ryan's little made-up monologue about where he and his sister are from was added in by me, since I thought it was unrealistic for Nadir to just not question where he's from, since his behavior is so incredibly strange for that time period. I hope it was enjoyable, I just wanted Nadir and Nafisa to have some sort of explanation. Ryan is surprisingly good at lying, he just doesn't do it very often!
I hope you enjoyed! Stay tuned!