Chapter Ten: Protection and Betrayal
(Please note I don't speak a lick of Italian or Arabic and that all Italian translations are from Google Translate, the Arabian translations are from searching the internet. Forgive me if anything is incorrect.)
Desmond was young, but he had great teachers and he had learned much. He had learned more than either of his lovers had realised. He could tell when Altair was nearby by the smell of rich spices and scented candles that filled the air. Altair's private room, the place where he would seek refuge from the strange worlds the piece of Eden took him to, was filled with aromatic candles and fine pillows in a poor representation of his homelands finery. Desmond had learned of Altair's secret by his scent alone, recognising the smell of freshly burnt herbs, incense and candles, and once he had glimpsed the beautiful embroidered pillows Altair held dear. If it had not been for these small signs Desmond would not have realised how much Altair missed home.
Desmond also spotted Ezio's own secrets, the man who seemed to genuinely enjoy playing around and indulging in the finer points of life had a darker aspect, a side that he kept hidden from his two lovers. Ezio's private quarters had the images of his deceased family, portraits from professional painters, doodles from Leonardo and less skilled drawings by his own hand. It was in this room the man would cry, grieve and even become violent in his need to let out some steam. It didn't happen often because Ezio was genuinely happy with life but sometimes he would see something to remind him of his father and brothers and Altair and Desmond would not see him for many hours and sometimes even days.
Desmond became a keeper of secrets and a secret agony aunt, or not so secret if his lovers were as observant as he thought they were. Altair would find new pillows, incense sticks and scented candles outside his door, because every time Desmond went on his own little missions he would see a pillow or smell a scent that reminded him of his lover. And for Ezio Desmond had started drawing again, stealing glances at the portraits in Ezio's room to create portraits that he had hidden in his own private chamber to give on a special occasion.
But alas, he would never gift them with his work. The portraits of Altair's friend, Malik and his two sons as well as Ezio's family would never be seen because the piece of Eden had done it again and forced them from one time into another. Unfortunately this time the object had separated them leaving Ezio and Desmond parted from their eldest lover and arguably the best Assassin in the world.
Still there was some good news, at least for Desmond because something amazing was happening, something he had not seen in a long time. Ezio was taking Connor under his wing, so to speak, their shared history of parents being killed by the Templars meant they had found something in common and Ezio felt the need to pass on what he'd learned. Desmond had not seen Ezio so determined and content in a long time, Ezio had found something worth doing, something to avenge the victims of Templars and to protect his lovers.
Spice hung in the air, so thick he could taste it on his tongue and he wondered if Altair was watching, it certainly felt like it. He sometimes felt like he felt ghostly touches, large powerful hands sliding over shoulders and caressing his cheek affectionately when he thought too deeply. Desmond didn't shake off these moments of nostalgia or ghostly interaction, why would he reject something that made him feel whole and strong? Already his ability with a horse was becoming better, and he was told he could handle the animals easier than Connor although Ezio could still run circles around him. And he was better at Assassination and eavesdropping, he was now fully trusted by Ezio, who would allow him to go off on his own for several days although it was quite obvious that neither wanted to be parted.
Responsibility and the need to find Altair was the reason they parted. They watched the Templars for days, switching between the three of them as the other two searched for clues. It was a boring but also quite rewarding duty, at least for Desmond who felt quite proud that he was trusted to watch their enemies without a lecture on the do's and don'ts. He spent most hours sat down in disguise, wearing sailor and beggar clothes when necessary as he sat on horseback or aboard a vessel or even on a park bench as he monitored the Templars.
His horse was a gift from Ezio. The man seemed to have a sixth scent for horses for when he saw the beautiful paint mare he had purchased her instantly. He had told Desmond that she was made for him and Ezio had not been wrong, she was patient, calm but surprisingly strong willed and stubborn. With training she had learned the skills needed to be a warrior and coward in turn, learning to flee from strong enemies and to race head on to gunshots and blades. Surprisingly she had gotten used to Desmond rather quickly and they were now a pair who seemed bonded in spirit for she knew when to behave and when not to when Desmond needed her to. Right now the black and white mare was standing as still as a statue, her refined head tilted into the air, her nostrils taking deep breaths as she tolerated the disgusting scent of a growing society filled with waste, alcohol and blood.
"The assassins' will not surrender to us. They may be few in number but they are strong." Charles Lee stated walking past unaware of the mare and Desmond who were posing as guards this time. "It is time to move on, this land cannot be cleansed."
"If we run we are nothing but cowards." Haytham replied, his voice stern and filled with distaste. "I will not be beaten by two boys."
"You forget the warrior." Charles answered. "There was a man, powerful and skilled, I did not notice him and he did not allow me to see him but his voice was filled with pure determination. I have no doubt in my mind that he knew how to kill me and he would not hesitate."
Their companions were silent and had looks of great discomfort and perhaps even fear. The only face not showing was that of the mysterious Templar assassin. Although Desmond was beginning to doubt it was an assassin, there had been no deaths unaccounted for and they had not been stalked or the Templars would not be speaking about their fears.
Unless…
They could know he was watching and were putting on a show, but even so Charles Lee would not play along with such a ridiculous plan so easily, the man knew the Assassins could reach him and Haytham whenever they wished and any sign of deception meant their deaths.
No this was no a show, the Templars were genuinely afraid.
But this did not get the Assassin's closer to their goal, they needed to find the Piece of Eden and they needed to find Altair.
And then there was the scent of Spice wafting in the air again. It teased him growing strong than fading only to grow strong again. It was as if it was trying to get him to follow it and Desmond could not disobey. With a light kick to his mare's side he walked away and picked up the pace as he felt panic seep into his mind.
He saw blood first and Ezio next. The man sat in an alley, his black horse clearly unhappy but unsure how to react to his injured master. Desmond rushed to his lover's side and gasped with relief as he saw Ezio still awake and aware, as skilled as Desmond was becoming he still had no strength to carry his older lover home.
"Dez…Dezzzmund." Ezio slurred his voice very thick with exhaustion and pain. It was this that reminded Desmond how foreign his lover truly was. Ezio was so fluent in English that Desmond would sometimes forget that Ezio was Italian not that he forgot for long, mind you, Ezio was quite liberal with his mother language in the right setting. "H…how…. hai fatto a trovarmi?"
"Altair…" Desmond answered. "Mi ha portato a te." He was thankful for Ezio teaching him Italian, it not only made him feel closer to the man but he also knew that Ezio was struggling to comprehend much and it would be easier for the Italian to understand the language he'd grown up with. "Sapeva che vi sono stati feriti e mi ha mandato a voi."
"Dio benedica Altair." Ezio replied weakly.
"Infatti." Desmond replied amused. "Ma sono sicuro che Altair avrebbe detto che non ha bisogno di Dio dalla sua parte. E 'abbastanza per conto suo qualificato senza l'aiuto divino."
"Posso fare il lavoro di Allah o di Dio, ma non ho bisogno di alcuna divinità che guida la mia mano, io sono abbastanza esperti per fare il lavoro senza l'aiuto divino." Ezio quoted off by heart, remembering how Altair's words when a fellow Assassin had complimented the man and praised him for doing God's work.
"Si può ottenere sul vostro cavallo?" Desmond asked quietly as he managed to tighten a bandage around the deep wound in the man's side.
"La lama non è andato in profondità, ma il dolore è immenso. Penso di poter guidare, però, ma lentamente." Ezio replied somehow stumbling to his feet. Unfortunately Ezio lost his footing and almost collapsed onto Desmond but suddenly another pair of hands were there and Connor was taking the man's weight. "Connor ... Sei qui ..." Ezio looked extremely confused and disoriented making Desmond terrified that his lover had been gravely injured.
"What did you say?" Connor asked.
"He is surprised that you are here." Desmond answered.
"I was heading home when I smelt this scent of sand and spice, I had the urge to come here and instincts told me to follow my gut feeling." Connor explained. "It is as if someone led me here. I didn't know where you were but then I saw an eagle unlike any I've seen before with beautiful brown feathers that seemed to flash yellow in the sun. I knew it was a spirit guiding me to you for the eagle was unseen by the other people and seemed to wait for me as it led me through the streets. Someone watches over you."
"Altair." Ezio whispered. "Egli è con noi."
"Lui è sempre con noi, Ezio e tornerà a noi nel corpo e la mente abbastanza presto." Desmond replied quietly with a hint of fondness in his voice. "Let's get you home." He stated in English for Connor's benefit seeing as Ezio was visibly struggling to stay aware. "He needs a doctor and fast."
"He will be well." Connor assured. "Ezio is strong and you are equally as strong, you will not let him go and he will fight to return to you and Altair."
Desmond was once again amazed by how wise Connor was, the man saw beyond the physical realm of power and money and saw into the spirits of people. Desmond envied the man's view, even after all that had happened Connor held a hope that people would learn and that the world would be a better place. Desmond himself had no such hopes, he only saw people vying for power and money but for the first time in a long time he felt guilty for expecting the worst of people, Connor was somehow healing a pain he didn't even know he had. Had Abstergo really made him lose faith in humanity so badly?
"NON ... dubitare di te stesso ... siamo tutti domanda e odio quando ... quando ..." Ezio had somehow sensed Desmond's thoughts and stepped in before Desmond could beat himself up. "La vostra mancanza di fiducia è buona e non ha accecato voi. Ci sono persone buone e ci sono persone malvagie, ma è sempre bene dubitare. Interrogare Sempre ... sempre cercare risposte ..."
"Don't say anymore." Desmond ordered as he placed a gentle finger on Ezio's lips. "Puoi predica quando stai bene, il mio amore." The smile that formed on Ezio's face at these words made Desmond less embarrassed about admitting his love out loud and in front of a witness even if said witness didn't understand a lick of Italian. "Let's go home." Desmond stated again and this time they made it to Ezio's horse and through sheer strength and force of will they got the man mounted before mounting on their own steeds.
Connor took Ezio's reigns as they pressed close on each side to keep Ezio stable on his stallion. "Let's go." Connor stated needlessly before leading them out of the alley and towards the safety of the small communal farm hold a few miles from town.
Once upon a time Desmond thought that animals were stupid, made for labour and food and not much else but now he knew better, Ezio and Altair had taught him better. An animal was far more intelligent than humanity gave them credit for and it was blaringly obvious to all observers who dared watch the three men and their rides. The black stallion at the centre was moving so cautiously and so carefully that there could be no denying that this animal knew his rider was injured and needed caring for. Desmond's mare and Connor's stallion who were normally prancing around and causing no end of trouble were standing close to the middle animal offering silent support as they carried their rider's home. Anyone who dared insult the animals now would face Desmond's blade.
Somehow they made it home without incident, the routes of the guards were easy to avoid which was fortunate as the English were a wary and suspicious lot who were not so easily deceived as the enemies Desmond was usually used to. Fortunately that high alertness of the English normally worked in the Assassin's favour, after all what better way to train stealth and assassination then to take on some of the best highly trained soldiers in the world?
"Altair! Altair!" Ezio suddenly stated, his voice desperate, it startled both the Modern American and the Native American out of their thoughts to stare at the Italian with worried gazes. "Venite a me, non ci lasciano in pace, la mia aquila."
"O'ayyad laka ela al-abad." The thick accented voice could belong to no one else but their Arabic lover and the voice was close, loud and clear. Ezio quietened down content that their wayward lover was nearby in whatever form and Desmond relaxed in the saddle and eyed Connor with amusement as the Native American looked around for the source of the voice. "Ana baħibbak, habibi. My heart is with you both."
"Ti amo, Altair." Ezio muttered. "Vieni a casa presto. Ci manchi."
The silence following Ezio's sentence was disappointing, for a brief moment hope had flared in their hearts, perhaps their third was returning but that hope was quickly crushed. Somehow Altair was able to reach them, to affect their actions and to guide them when necessary but the Arabian had no strength to return to them in body as well as mind. Desmond loved Altair, loved the man's mind but right now he'd do anything to have the man's powerful arms around him and to have someone powerful to protect them.
"Come home soon, Habibi." Desmond whispered into the wind and for a brief second he felt a soft caress on his cheek, easily mistaken for the wind but Desmond had to believe it was Altair responding to his words.
Connor passed the reigns over to Desmond and stilled his horse as he listened to the wind. The spirits were speaking but only he could hear. He felt the wind rush over his skin, smelt the rich aroma of nature and for a brief moment the smell of spice invaded his senses, it was a smell he had never experienced before but it was familiar, it could only be the Altair of legend and the man had something to say, something only Connor could hear.
"Protect them, novice, or pay." The wind hissed through his ears. "And tell them…"
The wind faded and Connor frowned realising Altair was losing strength.
"Tell Desmond…"
Again the wind faded and silence reigned but it returned more powerfully then before and Connor heard the next words loud and clear.
"Ana baħibbak." The voice was thick, powerful and stern, just as Connor imagined the Master Assassin's voice to be. "I love him. Tell Desmond I love them both and will return in time."
Connor bowed his head. "I will. I will." He vowed.
"Desmond…" The voice seemed to fade once more. "…Ezio…my Habibi's."
Connor left the clearing then with new purpose, to pass on the message and give the two forlorn lovers hope. Altair was coming, Connor knew this, Altair was strong and was fighting to be by their side and he would make it. Until Altair returned it was up to Connor to keep the two men's hope up and it was a duty he vowed to complete. In the short time he had known them both he had come to respect them and to see them saddened was a blow to his heart, he would do all he could to bring them happiness until their third was there to complete them.
"Connor, get your ass into gear!" Desmond called out.
Connor had no idea what an ass had to do with a gear but he got the idea, Desmond wanted him to hurry. He cantered to the young man's side and retook his post on the opposite side of Ezio's slumped body.
…
In the clearing two men stood, both robed in black and red and both their faces hidden from view. "This cannot continue." The shorter man stated, his voice quiet, but strong and aristocratic. The skin visible was light brown, and his chin was bearded with black hair but his most notable difference was the missing arm and yet he had an almost intimidating aura about him and it was obvious the blade at his waist was not for show. "We must end this and soon."
The second man smirked, his lips scarred but not disgustingly so. Amber eyes stared at the back of his companion's hood with a fond expression. "If we act too soon we lose the advantage." The man retorted, his voice familiar should Connor, Ezio and Desmond have heard it. "If we wish to succeed sacrifices have to be made."
"You would sacrifice…" The shorter man turned and dark brown eyes stared into amber, whatever he saw in the gaze calmed the man because he relaxed his posture and turned to the horses hidden in the trees.
"We must do whatever is necessary." The taller man replied. "We are at war and our mission takes priority."
"You are correct." The shorter man answered after a few moments. "Is everyone in place?"
"The ambush is almost set." The taller man answered as he mounted a bay mare. "All we need are the guests of honour." Both turned to stare at the gradually shrinking trio of assassins. "It will be over soon and peace will reign, even if it is brief."
"The price people pay for peace."
"Too many people look to cause wars." The taller replied. "In this I agree with our…employers… humanity is a danger to itself and anyone who aims to cause dissent must be removed. The last thing we need is for the dam to burst and for humanity to turn on itself as it has done so before."
"The wars must be stopped." The shorter man agreed. "But the cost will break us both."
"It will break us all."
A/N: Two guesses who the last two figures were! Have I made them evil?
You'll find out…in time…
Until next time.
K.O
Translate: I used the web for all my translations, so I apologize sincerely if I have made a mistake.
Italian: (All of these were made using Google Translate)
…hai fatto a trovarmi- …did you find me?
Mi ha portato a te.- He led me to you.
Sapeva che vi sono stati feriti e mi ha mandato a voi.- He knew you were injured and sent me to you.
Infatti.- Indeed.
Ma sono sicuro che Altair avrebbe detto che non ha bisogno di Dio dalla sua parte. E 'abbastanza per conto suo qualificato senza l'aiuto divino.- But I'm sure Altair would say he does not need God on his side. He is skilled enough on his own without divine help.
Posso fare il lavoro di Allah o di Dio, ma non ho bisogno di alcuna divinità che guida la mia mano, io sono abbastanza esperti per fare il lavoro senza l'aiuto divino.- I may do the work of Allah or God but I do not need any deity guiding my hand, I am skilled enough to do the work without divine help.
Si può ottenere sul vostro cavallo?- Can you get on your horse?
La lama non è andato in profondità, ma il dolore è immenso. Penso di poter guidare, però, ma lentamente.- The blade did not go deep, but the pain is immense. I think I can ride though, but slowly.
Connor ... Sei qui ...- Connor…you're here…
Egli è con noi.- He is with us.
Lui è sempre con noi, Ezio e tornerà a noi nel corpo e la mente abbastanza presto.- He is always with us, Ezio and he will return to us in body as well as mind soon enough.
NON ... dubitare di te stesso ... siamo tutti domanda e odio quando ... quando ...- Do not...doubt yourself...we all question and hate when...when...
La vostra mancanza di fiducia è buona e non ha accecato voi. Ci sono persone buone e ci sono persone malvagie, ma è sempre bene dubitare. Interrogare Sempre ... sempre cercare risposte ...- Your lack of trust is good and it has not blinded you. There are good people and there are evil people but it is always good to doubt. Always question...always search for answers...
Puoi predica quando stai bene, il mio amore.- You can lecture me when you are well, my love.
Venite a me, non ci lasciano in pace, la mia aquila.- Come to me, do not leave us alone, my eagle.
Vieni a casa presto. Ci manchi.- Come home soon. We miss you.
Arabic: (I found these three over the internet so hopefully they are okay. Let me know if anything is wrong and I'll correct it! :D)
O'ayyad laka ela al-abad- literally means 'I support you forever' and this page I'm reading suggests it can be used to say 'I am here for you.', which is what I am using in this story. So Altair is saying he is there for them. :- Q/How_do_you_say_I_am_here_for_you_in_arabic
ana baħibbak- I love you (masculine- for a man.)
Habibi- Darling, my love… a word of endearment.