"Stop slacking off, you braying donkey!"
Ryan shook the thoughts from his mind like cobwebs, as he realized where he was. "W-what?"
Baha al-Din was not impressed. "Hold that package properly. Don't swing it over your shoulder, idiot! Must you be such a disobedient ass?"
Ryan rolled his eyes the minute the shrewd man turned around. From the past few days, he'd learned of the middle aged man's favorite word: ass.
But Ryan did not take the man's insults to heart, and only smirked in response. "Yes, sir."
Ryan had learned over the past days that the man spoke of everyone in such a way. He even made time to call his wife "an idiot donkey" which, Ryan noticed, she replied with a shrug and a, "Is that all you have to say, old man?" Which was probably the best response out of any that the great Baha al-Din ever received.
Ryan had begun to like Baha al-Din's wife. She was kind and seemed used to her husband's impertinent behavior. It made them perfect for each other, though the two bantered with one another like a strange version of endearment.
If there was one thing Ryan was sure of though, it was that the two really did love each other. His wife was understanding of him and he liked to complain, but would always come home just in time to eat with her. Beneath all that arguing, they were probably smiling on the inside.
There was a situation when she went out shopping and had not taken her usual carrying sack. Baha al-Din, fuming with a fiery anger, stuck his head out the window. "You idiot donkey, you forgot your shopping bag!"
She didn't turn around as she shouted her reply. "It is fine!" She started to speed walk.
"Come BACK here, you dim-witted ass!" His face was tomato red.
She then turned around the corner before he could finish. Ryan felt embarrassed, watching bystanders murmur amongst themselves and then quickly walk away when Baha al-Din glared in their direction.
As much as they seemed to love gossip, they were already used to Baha al-Din's constant outbursts and ravings.
It was when they were in a different public place that Ryan was truly worried.
"Stop daydreaming, you ass."
The blacksmith's voice wrenched Ryan back to reality. "Y-yes, sir."
His hands tightened on the package as he looked towards the sky. It was nearing sunset, and they had only one more package to deliver. The timing couldn't have been more perfect. Ryan smiled.
"What the hell are you grinning about, you slow idiot!" Ryan's lips faltered at the old man's voice.
"Nothing." Ryan looked towards the sky once more, noticing an orange tinge forming. "Nothing at all…"
By the time they had reached the destination, Ryan was gripped with a feeling of déjà vu. He had been here before.
"Do me a favor and shut that inconvenient hole in your head, eh?" Strange, that the man should say that since it was usually him who would do most of the talking. If you would call it that.
They came to two guards. One of them seemed to recognize Ryan. "Ah! It's you!"
Ryan could not quite remember where he had seen the young man's face. He carefully scanned his memory. "Huh?" His mind flashed back to the young man at the gate who had confronted Nadir before.
"You're…" Ryan thought for a second. "Makin, right?"
"Brilliant memory for one who only witnessed the conversation." The young man commented, obviously pleased. Ryan was delighted beyond reason, because here was a guy who was close to his age. He seemed friendly, and not at all the type to throw insults at people like a miserable twit! YAY!
Baha al-Din cough cut short any further conversation. "I am here for a delivery."
Makin's smile left his face all too quickly. "Ah yes. We were expecting you." He gave Baha al-Din a quick bow as he gestured to his comrade to open the all too familiar doors.
Where had he seen it all before? Ryan couldn't quite place his familiarity, but walked through, trying not to look too distracted in Baha's presence. Then he remembered.
Masyaf Castle. Home of the assassins.
It was hot. I didn't think it'd be a good idea to open my eyes, but I knew that we had to get moving.
Slowly, I rolled over and spit the sand from my mouth, grimacing. It was horrid. It was disgusting. I was beginning to hate the sand. A lot.
In a desperate attempt to wipe away the taste of the salty grains I swabbed my hands down my tongue. It just spread the grainy mess over my tongue some more. I coughed, longing for water or something to wash it out with.
Khiariya was watching me as I was…coping with the sand. I was standing and jumping around as I quickly got the sand off me like it was a contagious disease. I squealed as I tasted the salt on my tongue, shaking my head furiously like a dog trying to rid itself of a flea.
Before I knew it, there she was trying to hold back the laughs as she handed me the water skin. I took it without question and gulped the thing down, gargling. I felt guilty for spitting some of it out, but did so anyway.
Now Rashid's gonna lecture me…again.
I groaned and sighed as I crawled, quite pathetically, to my blanket and fell down. My hand holding the water skin lifted up the air towards Khairiya for her to take it. After doing so, Khairiya finally laughed at my behavior. "My poor friend! It seems that someone needs to try to not move so much when she sleeps!"
I ignored her teasing as I struggled to get into a comfortable position and go back to sleep. I failed miserably. The sand taunts me…
"I can't." I said.
"I can see that." My friend got up quite effortlessly, all smiles. I noticed her hair was still very lovely, and her mouth was noticeably sandless. How does she do that?! I was pulled into a deeper darker mood. Then I remembered a decision I had come to during the night, and went over to where Rashid was standing.
"Hey, Rashid?" I asked, in the sweetest voice I could muster. He looked at me suspiciously.
"What is it?" He sighed. I guessed he thought I was going to play a prank or something, but I needed him in a good mood.
"Will you um.." I paused, then took a deep breath. "Will you teach me how to fight?"
His jaw dropped, and I could feel myself blushing. Is it really that weird of a request? He stared for a little longer, then asked, "Why would you want to know that?" He seemed incredulous.
"Because...because bad things keep happening to me, and you're a really good fighter, like, really good," I'd started to babble, but I didn't care, "and I don't want to be helpless all the time. You know, with people kidnapping me and tricking me-"
"Kay-lin-"
"And beating me up and trying to kill me-"
"Kay-lin-"
"And it wouldn't have to be much! Just simple defense stuff if you like so I can take care of things myself, since I always attract the wrong-"
"Kay-lin!"
I paused, daring to look back up at him. He spoke more softly then. "It would be unusual for a girl to learn such things-" I opened my mouth to protest, but he held up his hand, "No, listen. It would be unusual, but given the situations you seem to find yourself in, it wouldn't hurt to teach you a few basic techniques, so you did not have to feel helpless."
I gasped and ran forward, hugging him tightly. I could almost feel him grinning. "Oh, thank you, Rashid! Thank you thank you THANK-"
He laughed, and removed himself from my grasp. "Alright, that's enough. I will instruct you a bit once we arrive at Masyaf."
A heard a yawn behind us, and realized Khairiya had come over from where she'd been standing. Apparently, I wasn't the only one to notice Khairiya's loveliness. "Sleep well, my love?" Rashid had slept separate from us out of consideration, but he no longer seemed embarrassed to call out to her in a loving way. I wanted to feel grossed out, but Khairiya looked so happy when he spoke to her like that, so I let them have their moments.
"Well, of course she slept well…" I grumbled as I willed my body to finally get up from the very covered in sand bedspread. I groaned as I stretched my arms and legs and cracked my neck in satisfaction. The sand was so uneven, it was hard for me to stand up, still stiff from waking. I couldn't imagine running in this.
I found Khairiya and Rashid looking at me, amused. "Don't you guys have something to do?!" Like make out or something? Away from me?
As tempting it was to say that, I didn't. I mean, I felt really awkward about the whole relationship between the two and all, but it wasn't that bad. They exchanged a few kisses, but only when I conveniently left. Which was as much as I could spare.
There was a situation when I left to go to the bathroom for half an hour just so they could talk to each other. I was left attempting to play sandcastle until I was sure they'd had enough time to themselves. It was hard being so nice.
Khairiya gave me a small hug, comforting me. "When we arrive home, you shall adore it there. I am sure you will be liked by everyone." She took my hand and led me towards the horses. My butt felt very abused after a day and a half in the saddle. I loved horses, but riding them was a pain. I could still feel the ache in my pelvis…If that was what I was feeling.
I groaned as I attempted to mount up on the horse by myself, sliding off the next moment and falling with a thump. "Oof!"
My giggling friend rushed to me, slightly concerned. "Are you hurt?" She was quick to brush the sand from me and help me up. Khairiya would be a good mother, I noted.
I mumbled. "No, just sandy." With that being said, spit out the sand from my mouth…again. I hope this doesn't end up becoming a habit. I was very sure now, that it would be a long while before the taste of salt left my mouth.
Rashid only sighed as he mounted his horse effortlessly and told us to stop the distractions. He was always so concerned with moving along. I think if we never suggested it, he would have never taken breaks. I couldn't help wondering why he was in such a hurry.
"Thanks for caring, love ya too." I grumbled towards Rashid as Khairiya helped me up onto the horse. This time I stayed in place. She climbed on behind me, her arms holding onto the reins. She was so pretty, it made me feel like crap being next to her.
5 minutes hadn't passed since we started riding and Rashid still found it quite appropriate to nag me. "I hope you do not intend on singing again."
He gave me a worried look for a moment, which was odd since he didn't seem like the type to be worried. I returned it with a mischievous grin.
"Why of course I wasn't…" I paused and let the relief flood his face. "…But now that you mentioned it, singing is just a wonderful idea!" I might as well have thrown a pie in his face. Which would have been hilarious, but except I lacked a pie. Which was sad.
I smiled. "Thanks Rashid!" He looked horrified as I grinned widely and got my announcer voice on. "Okay folks, I'm gonna dedicate this next song to a guy who'd very much like to hear me sing: Rashid! Insert applause here. WOOO! YEAH!" I clapped for myself as Khairiya started laughing as she devotedly clapped on the back of her palm. She was the perfect audience of one.
I heard Rashid groan despondently, throwing a glare at his beloved. "Khairiya, do not encourage her."
I continued with my announcer voice, ignoring Rashid's obvious displeasure. "Thank you, thank you, now, here is one of my personal favorites!"
Rashid cringed. Khairiya laughed. The horse snorted. Eh, so much for a round of applause.
But that didn't stop me to get out of the thick boredom that formed around us; I sang. "Let's get together, yeah, yeah, yeah! Why don't you and I come by?! Rashid?!" I saw him twitch at the mention of his name.
"Let's get together, what do you say?! We can have a swingin' time! We can be a CRAAZZY team, why don't we MAAKE a scene?! TOGETHER?! OH, OH, OH, OH!" I swear if Khairiya weren't riding with me, Rashid would have made a run for it and left me alone in the desert, screaming his frustration. I could practically see him struggling to keep the reins steady.
"Let's get together yeah, yeah, yeah! Think of all that we could SHAARE! Let's get together every day, anytime and EVERYWHEERE! And though we haven't got a lot, we could be sharing all we got! TOGETHER!" Khairiya was joyfully smiling and humming along as I was singing, despite not knowing the song. Rashid…well, he looked ready to murder, contracted kill or no.
"OH! I really think you're swell! Uh huh! You really ring the bell! WOOEE! And if you stick with me, nothing can't be greater sayin' 'Hey Alligator!' Let's- UMPH!" Rashid rushed over with the horse and covered my mouth abruptly.
I was considering biting, or perhaps even licking, his hand to get it off, but then I noticed the look on his face. He whispered harshly. "Silence!..." He listened, his eyes overlooking the mounds of sand. "Do you hear that?"
For a moment, we all listened. Even the horses seemed silent, as though they were holding their breath. All I could see was the sand…and the light from the sun.
But we heard horses, and they definitely weren't ours.
"Quickly, hide!" Rashid told us. I suppose that meant it wasn't a hallucination.
"Where?!" I managed to whisper quietly as I could. We're literally in the middle of the desert! What do we do, bury ourselves in the sand?
Khairiya, quickly went to our packs without saying a word and pulled out our cloaks. I grew worried. They didn't exactly help us a whole lot the last time; they were too conspicuous. Rashid noticed my expression and nodded grimly. "They will have to do. Put them on. Now." He said the last word to me, glaring. I don't know why he was acting like I'd choose this moment to be rebellious. I actually want to live, thank you.
I swiftly pulled the cloak to my chest as though to protect me from Rashid's wrath and garbed myself in its warmth, putting on the hood. I didn't feel the sun's rays as much as before, but the fact that the cloaks seemed to absorb heat. I hoped those other horses we heard weren't actually stalkers and just abandoned. Or maybe a caravan of merchants.
I looked to Khairiya whose eyes and face were covered by the grey, threadbare cloak. "Keep your head down at all times and do not speak." She whispered in my ear, a fearful look in her eyes as she gripped me comfortingly. I needed it; I felt I was beginning to panic.
We were right to be cautious, regrettably. They were not friendly merchants, and the horses were definitely not abandoned. They belonged to guards. And as much as I'd love to say that they were only average, run of the mill guards…It would be a lie.
From the armor and uniform, I recognized Didiane's insignia, from the day I rescued Khairiya. Shit.
Rashid gave us one last warning look before putting his attention to the guards, careful not to reveal his nervousness. "Ah, my good sirs, what would superb men such as yourselves be doing in the wasteland?" His demeanor had changed so suddenly, I was caught off guard. I was wrong to doubt Rashid's acting skills, apparently.
The men were not flattered or swayed in the least, though. They were serious and firm, and it looked like they were in no hurry to leave. For a moment, it was like fear numbed my feet to the point where the burning sensation didn't matter anymore. "Perhaps that is a question we should ask of you." Oh damn.
Rashid made sure to keep his cordial expression glued to his face, keeping eye contact, not even blinking at their question. "Why, O powerful overlords, my servants and I are merely traveling to the next closest city to rest. I am to meet with my wife soon." Khairiya is not going to appreciate you meeting with your wife, Rashid.
He said his lie so smoothly I suspected he'd done this before. If I weren't in on the plan, I would have probably believed him, but then, I could be gullible sometimes.
By now, the guards were relaxing just a bit, their forms no longer erect and their eyes now possessing a sort of boredom. Rashid's praises sounded suspiciously on the edge of sarcasm though. Khairiya and I caught it and tried, with great difficulty, not to laugh, I shook from the effort. "O powerful overlords"?! Rashid, you're trying much too hard aren't you? I was afraid they'd catch on, and thought that Rashid needed to tone it down before it was too late.
"You! Are you mocking us?!" He pointed to me. Shit! I was much too terrified to reply sarcastically, or even reply at all. When I looked slowly to Khairiya on what to do, she mouthed for me not to say anything and to remain silent. I kept looking down and said nothing, hoping Rashid would save me.
Rashid, oh the wonderful guy, rushed in to rescue me as we'd hoped, not missing a second. "Please, dear lords, she is only a child. Besides, she is nervous, you see you both are quite intimidating to her and to add on, this is her first time out of the household." I held my breath, hoping the guards would buy it. I helped with his statement, playing the role of a nervous wreck as I took the pack and gripped it to me like a person would to a life jacket . Most of the acting was real though. I actually was nervous…And scared.
But they calmed down and laughed loudly, as though it were a joke for a young girl to be scared of them. It wasn't even kind laughter, it was rude. I didn't understand how they found it funny when they scared people. "Ah well," The guard said, still laughing. "I apologize for the inaccuracy." He didn't sound very sincere.
"Ah, oh no! Never, great sirs, I apologize for taking the valuable time of such essential peoples such as yourselves. It is most likely you are on a mission of great importance, yes?" Rashid's words dripped with false honey, baiting the guards enticingly. Now all we needed was a fly swatter to finish them off.
The guards straightened their backs as they cleared their throats, as though remembering who they were for the first time. "Yes, well…You are forgiven. Take care not to bother anyone…Farewell." They rode off, the implications of their words making me itch with annoyance. Oh well. Crisis averted.
We walked forward, not saying anything. I felt it would not be appropriate for me to disturb the silence that had taken us. The guards were still in sight. And I was not insane enough to suddenly start jabbering when they were in earshot. I didn't trust my voice at the moment, and I owed Rashid a few minutes of silence for saving me.
Instead, I paid attention to my feet, flaming from the sand they walked upon. I had taken off my conspicuous shoes when the guards stopped us, and now felt instant regret.
Minutes passed, and I no longer walked normally, jumping with every step. I can't imagine how ridiculous I must have looked, like a mesh between a skip and a trot. Khairiya looked at me, partly amused and concerned. "My friend, what are you doing?"
I gave her a pained expression. "My feet…They burn." I couldn't take it anymore. I ran for the pack and roughly fished out my shoes and stuffed my feet in them, not even bothering with the socks. Just as long as my feet were covered, everything would be good.
I sighed in relief, clutching my socks in my hand and sat down. Looking at Rashid, his look was unreadable. "What? My feet were on fire! I wasn't going for a world record!"
I saw his lips curl into a smile and then open into a hearty laugh, startling me.
Khairiya joined in his laughter and pretty soon I did too. I couldn't help putting a say into the situation though. "Well, Jeez. Thank you for laughing at my throbbing pain!"
I tried to look offended but couldn't pull it off, breaking into giggles. Our laughs rang out through the empty desert, and the horses neighed in protest.
Finally, we had to move on because the heat became too unbearable for us. The horses agreed quite enthusiastically, nearly taking off before I could get settled back on the horse. I grabbed a water skin and gulped down what I could manage. It was the most delicious thing I ever tasted.
I then offered it to Khairiya, which she accepted gratefully. The rest of the trip was spent riding and passing around the water. I would have sung to annoy Rashid and entertain Khairiya, but my throat felt far too parched. Even after taking a drink, seconds later, I'd be thirsty again. It was like the air itself was drying the inside of my throat.
It was torment…But at least we were moving closer to Masyaf.
Ryan waited at the foot of the very recognizable stairs. Baha al-Din had taken the package and went up into the building…to Al Mualim. Ryan really wasn't supposed to know that last part.
"That old goat isn't your father is he?" Makin seemed to be very sociable when the tension of "the old goat's" glare left. He was probably off to go complain about prices, or something equally infuriating to him.
Ryan gave a mock expression of shock. "Never."
They laughed together for a moment.
"But seriously, as sour of a goat he is, Baha al-Din's a good guy…He just doesn't want to show it." Ryan said, ignoring his guilt for talking behind the old man's back. Despite Baha's crude behavior, Ryan had taken a liking to him. He was interesting, and didn't treat him like everyone else. He, at least, wouldn't ever deceive him. If there was one thing that the old man didn't do, it was suck up to people.
Makin did not seem very bothered and he shrugged. "It seems looks can be deceiving."
"Yeah…" Ryan looked out the window, through the foggy glass towards the sky, the rays of the sun streaming through. Inside, he worried he would not be able to contain his excitement. He was inside the Castle. He was surprised they allowed him inside, but then, did Baha al-Din even know what this place was?
"You! What are you doing here?" A masculine voice rang out, vaguely familiar to Ryan. All too soon, he felt he was wrong about being allowed in this place.
Makin stood in front of Ryan defensively, shielding him, though perhaps in vain, from a man who clearly outranked him, and was at least a head taller. "Abbas, he is here with permission. He is Baha al-Din's apprentice."
"Ah, given a new position and already your conceit builds! The master will not be pleased." He glared menacingly and his voice was harsh. "You fledglings would do best to watch yourselves. Attempt to fly too high and you shall fall…No one, including I, will make an effort to catch you." Ryan nearly cringed.
"I certainly wouldn't want you to catch me." Makin replied rebelliously. Ryan prepared for the young man to get hit. From his first impression from the game and now, Ryan thought of the man as bitter and surly. He made a mental note to steer clear of Abbas as much as possible.
Abbas certainly looked like he was considering striking Makin across the face, but he thought better and only grunted his displeasure. "Go to your training." He stormed off, visibly furious at the novice's behavior. Anyone who happened to be in his way immediately cleared a path. Anyone who wasn't fast enough to move out of the way got pushed aside. Into the wall.
Ryan looked to Makin, who was gritting his teeth in fury. Not that anyone could blame him. Abbas was incredibly rude, though not quite as rude as Baha.
Strangely, however, Ryan could not share Makin's hatred for Abbas. The man may have seemed rude and inconsiderate but…just like Baha al-Din, perhaps Abbas didn't wish to show a pleasant side. Maybe it was an assassin thing.
Loud echoing thumps on the stone stairs were heard suddenly. Ryan and Makin looked in the direction of the noise and saw Baha al-Din descending the steps; he looked neither pleased nor disgruntled, but the package had been delivered.
He walked past Ryan and grumbled. "Let's go." He made no move to wait for him, not that Ryan expected that kind of courteous act.
Ryan took one last look around the corridor as he turned to Makin with a smile and an apologetic look. "Sorry for leaving like this. It was cool talking to you." He rushed to catch up to his aggressive mentor.
It wasn't until they exited the castle's gates that Baha al-Din chose to speak. It was strange that he was quiet for even a minute, but it seemed even he realized the significance of this place. "Do you realize the importance of that delivery?"
Ryan decided it would be wise to say nothing and let the man talk. It was probably a rhetorical question. It usually was. Ryan learned from experience.
Baha al-Din, as expected, did not bother to wait for Ryan's response. "The buyer said the weapons belong to one of his favorite students and that for me to repair them is an honor." Ryan could not quite place the tone in his voice. Was he feeling honored? But, it seemed that was all he was going to say, for he was strangely silent again.
Ryan paused a long while, indecisive whether he should speak. "Do we still have more deliveries for this person?"
"Yes." Baha al-Din answered surprisingly, but then his face turned sour. "But if you tell anyone of these deliveries I shall cut out your tongue and banish you from my home until long after you reach the depths of hell, do you understand?"
At the "banish you from my home" part, Ryan stiffened with fear. It scared him more than losing his tongue, oddly enough. So, he decided to keep his mouth shut.
Outlandishly, on the way back home, the ride was silent. The old man did not speak or complain even once, which was incredibly bizarre.
"I don't see the real point in these little rests, you know." I complained, though my body welcomed the comfort of the cool shade. "You said that Masyaf is only minutes away now. Why the wait?" Usually I welcomed a break, but ever since he told me that we were getting close, it was like a burst of adrenaline rushed through me. I felt like I could have run the rest of the way…If I knew the way.
He looked at me sternly. "We are in no hurry." Why would he say that, when he was the one who kept rushing us before?
"Oh yeah, sure." I rolled my eyes. "I assume since Khairiya has been away from home for like…4 years-…"
"6 years." Khairiya corrected.
I turned to her for a moment and thanked her. "Oh thanks…Yeah, 6 YEARS, you just assume that she can wait longer!" I can't really wait either, dude.
Rashid stared at me silently, serious again. Then he steadily switched to Khairiya and gazed deep in her eyes. "Forgive me for making you suffer all this time." It was so sincere, I could have choked up with tears. I think he was apologizing for more than the trip itself.
She smiled that beautiful smile of hers. "You never need to apologize to me, Rashid." I could almost see why my mom liked watching those dramas. I could also see why Rashid fell in love with her and why she loved him. Rashid could be capable of sincerity and honesty. He was a pretty nice guy, who did save me a couple of times.
When I was paying attention again, Rashid was gone. Wandering again. I wondered why he felt he needed to leave…Maybe it was because I was here. Maybe it was time for another spontaneous "bathroom break".
"Kay-lin. You shouldn't be so hard on him."
I sighed, feeling a little bad. "…I know. I was thinking about what I said to him." I looked at her. "He's like sour candy. Bitter on the outside and sweet in the middle." Me and my obsession with food.
"It was his homeland too, my friend. They thought him dead…Do you see why he is hesitant?" She was so patient and I loved her for it. Unlike most people, she wasn't sarcastic when explaining things to me that should have been obvious; in fact, I wasn't even sure she was capable of sarcasm.
"Shouldn't he be running there then? I'd be happy to return home, you know." I couldn't help but put in my opinion. At this time, going home would be wonderful. My family was probably worried, but I knew I needed to find Ryan before anything else.
She smiled warmly. "Yes, well, Rashid is not like you, dear." Ain't that the truth?
"Well, I guess that's a good thing, cause' if he were like me, it would probably be enough to break the space-time continuum!" I laughed as I waved my arms around like a flailing doll.
A person from far away looking at us would have thought me lunatic, but I really couldn't care less.
"You look tired, Rye-an." Nafisa was acting motherly again as she fussed over what to do.
Ryan only sighed, used to Nafisa's attention. It was odd for someone to act so caring towards him, especially since it was someone he wasn't that familiar with yet, despite how kind she was."It's alright. Just a long walk is all."
"How long will you continue your visits to Baha al-Din?" Nadir didn't look angry. Just curious. "I find it most remarkable how you manage to keep up your patience with that old goat."
Ryan smiled. It was almost as if the whole city referred to Baha as an "old goat". Ryan wondered if his mentor even knew about the nickname. If he did, he apparently didn't care. "I manage, just barely. My patience is just greater than you can imagine." He grinned, but Nafisa still couldn't bring herself to smile.
"That man… he can be so uncouth." She said, showing her displeasure. Ryan was sure she would have made action from those words had she not been clever enough to see its futility.. "Rye-an, why torture yourself for him? He is ungrateful for your efforts."
"It's alright! Besides, we need to sacrifice for our love of art right?" Ryan declared dramatically as immediately broke into a laugh. She glared at him, causing him to stumble and clear his throat. "Er, what I mean is…It's not that bad."
His sister would have scoffed and rolled her eyes at his joke.
A/N: His sister will :). But yes, they are nearly to Masyaf. Strange that Baha's honorific refers to one who is loyal, isn't it? Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. The next one should be up in another ten minutes or so.