"Italics in speech marks represents the Arabian language."

:Parseltongue::

Chapter Seven: Suspicion

"Our agents cannot read the missives Mafoi sent out." Altair said instead of a greeting as he entered the room. "In fact, they say the parchment was blank as if there was no message at all, and yet our agents saw Mafoi writing. This is most concerning." The man stalked to the window, looking out and observing the busy courtyard. "We ran some tests to see if he'd somehow obscured this writing with chemicals and yet our experiments yielded nothing, as if there was no written text on the parchment at all. I would say he'd written nothing but several people swear they saw him writing in black ink on the parchment." The man gave a frustrated sigh. "If we refuse to deliver these letters Healer Mafoi will realise we are observing him and become more cautious in his behaviour. If we deliver them without reading them, we cannot ensure that the letter doesn't contain information that can place Masyaf and its people at risk."

"We cannot allow letters that may contain secret information about our Order to be delivered. Mafoi must know he is under scrutiny and it would not be unreasonable for us to check his letters for security reasons." Malik replied firmly. "If anything, he'd be more suspicious if we weren't checking his messages, which may be why he found an ingenious way to hide his messages. As a healer he may have access to chemicals we are not familiar with ourselves. I would refuse to send the letter until we know what the contents are."

"He is a guest not a prisoner."

"He is an untrusted guest. A dangerous guest if the rumours about him are true. A healer accused of witchcraft? He had to have been involved in something untoward to earn such infamy." Malik countered. "Other than the fact he was to be executed and that he was well respected by his clients, what else do we truly know about him? You rescued him for one reason, and one reason alone, because you have suspicions that he possesses magic and as a result you think we need him. At what point has he truly earned our respect?"

"He is healing our brothers."

"Yes, but maybe because he is expected to or because it will earn him our trust and he knows it. Regardless of his promises and passionate speeches about meaning no harm, we cannot trust him on that alone. He is still an unknown entity within these walls. A stranger who currently has little reason to be loyal to us, other than the fact you saved him from the pyre."

"We should not underestimate a life-debt." Altair countered.

"And how quickly will that life-debt be forgotten when something else come along?" Malik countered as well. "He has proven a skilled healer, speaks the right words and has so far not stepped out of line, but that doesn't mean would should trust him. We do not know what drives him, nor do we know who these friends are that he wants to communicate with. On top of that, he is absolutely lying about what he does and does not know. He knows what hurt my son and refuses to say anything, giving me a story that is plausible but false. If he cannot tell me the truth about such important subjects, then he cannot be trusted."

"I will speak to him." Altair promised. "Let's hope Mafoi does not react negatively and think us a threat. We need him on side."

Malik huffed, still not believing the healer was valuable enough to make any concessions, but Altair was Grandmaster and he had not led them astray so far. Malik would give him the benefit of the doubt and trust his dear friend although he disliked Altair's plan a great deal. "Do what you must, but I will not have him alone with my son and any future medicines from him will be analysed. He may say he does not intend Bashir harm, but withholding knowledge about what may have happened to my son makes me distrustful of him."

"Understandable." Altair agreed.

"I am the only one making any sense right now." Malik muttered, still believing Altair was mad to be researching the idea of magic. But even Malik had to admit a lot of coincidences happened around his boy. Bashir was a magnet for love and trouble in equal measure. Darim, Sef and even Raphael seemed unable to keep up with the toddler's energy at times, but that was just how toddlers were. Unlimited energy and not much sense! Malik's frowned morphed into a smile at this point, he'd never smiled as much as he had now. Even raising his younger brother Kadar had not brought as much joy, mostly because the stress of losing both their parents and raising a toddler with no money and no real roof over their head. Malik was under no illusions, he knew that if it had not been for the Assassin Order, he and his brother would have been long dead. And the knowledge of what could have been drove Malik to ensure that Bashir would not experience such strife. Perhaps that was one reason he was so determined not to acknowledge or encourage this idea of magic, such power made Bashir a target for many people who would deem him a threat, a trophy or a tool.

"Look, those who accused Mafoi of witchcraft were most likely lying, using something people feared to incite hate against Mafoi. However, it would be stupid for us to overlook magic as not existing, especially since we have items of immense power. We don't fully know how these items work, but how can we deny something as fantastical as magic, when the POEs give us the ability to see into the future, to know things past and present that no normal man can or should know?"

"The Piece of Eden is a device, a machine. You are talking about a child. A toddler who only wants to love and to play. If magic is real, what danger will he be in from those around him? Not every Assassin will trust magic, especially in an unpredictable vessel like a little boy. How many would want him dead and locked away so he does not become a threat?" Malik growled. "Think, Altair, think! You see what fear does, seen that it invokes mass hysteria and violence. Do not place my son in danger so that you can satisfy your curiosity." He all but pleaded.

Altair sighed, seeming to wilt at Malik's words. After a moment of silence Altair approached Malik, placing a hand on Malik's shoulder. "I am sorry, Malik. I did not realise that this talk of magic was causing such concern and fear. I will be more subtle in my investigations. I love that boy as well and I could not live with myself if he was harmed because of my mistakes." The man sighed again, this time with regret. "Too many have already paid for my mistakes. I will not have a child punished for my stupidity."

"I know you wouldn't put Bashir in danger deliberately, Altair. You are not the same man who made those mistakes all those years ago. You are wiser and smarter, more compassionate. I am just more invested because it is my son who is at most risk if this goes wrong, especially if the wrong person hears your suspicions." Malik answered, patting Altair's hand where it rested on his shoulders and leaning forward to press his brow to Altair's. "Please be careful."

"Can someone tell me why our informants are telling me that Reginald Lupin is travelling to Jerusalem? What is even stranger is that someone asked the hunter to travel there? Is this to do with that mysterious dog that our agents keep spotting?" An irritated voice asked bringing both Altair and Malik's attention to the newcomer.

"I contacted the hunter once I read the reports." Malik answered. "I believe it is more than just an ordinary dog, the fact it has avoided patrols and hungry villagers makes me wonder if we may have a rogue wolf or an animal trained to frighten the innocent."

Master Tremblay looked considering. "I wondered such things myself. I, at first, thought the beast was a figment of someone's imagination but the fact that so many are witnessing it makes it clear this thing is real. I suppose you made the right call. But Lupin is a rather intolerable sort. Arrogant and believing he is the only hunter capable of tracking anything, including…" Tremblay sneered. "… werewolves." Altair and Malik let out small chuckles at this, this was the most extreme and fantastical of Lupin's claims but there are some who believed that this man really went out and hunted supernatural beasts, such as werewolves.

"My thoughts were two-fold." Malik commented as he approached his fellow Master and claimed the scroll in Tremblay's hands to read the report for himself. "Since it is no ordinary dog, it is a challenge for Lupin, a test to prove how capable he is, if you will. Plus, with Lupin making a general nuisance of himself it would provide some distraction to the guards, allowing our agents to be undisturbed in their missions for a while. The Jerusalem guards should be too busy dealing with an arrogant and foreign hunter. And if that beast has been causing some hysteria, then the guard will be more than eager to chase and cater to Lupin in an effort to be rid of the hunter and his prey."

Tremblay sighed. "I can see the wisdom in your decision. But I don't like it."

"We must often endure things we dislike to achieve the best result." Altair commented.

"Agreed." Tremblay answered. "I suppose it was in poor taste for me to interrupt as I did. You both are doing everything right by the Order, I would not have you think me distrusting or insubordinate when you have brought this Order to heights that the traitor Al Mualim could not. Forgive my dislike and intrusion."

Malik smiled fondly at the man. "No need to apologise at all, dear friend. In fact, you may be just the person we need."

"Oh?"

Altair sighed. "As much as I believe our guest Mafoi will only be a benefit to our Order, he is still an unknown quantity. Currently, I believe his loyalty to us is unquestionable. We saved him from the pyre after all. But as Master Malik reminded me, we cannot fully trust him just yet. We have no idea about his moral code and therefore the endurance of the loyalty he feels to me and by extension the Order. As such, we are currently monitoring his mail and contact with others. But we have come across a couple of concerns. The main one being our inability to read his missives."

"He has written a letter which he claims is to investigate a chemical or poison that my son, Bashir may have been exposed to. He will not speak to me to tell me what this poison may be, only that he strongly suspects this chemical emits a bright green light." Tremblay's eyes widened at this, in clear shock, before narrowing in concern and suspicion. "He informed me that he was going to attempt to find out more about this chemical, and yet the letter he is sending in concerns to my son is suspiciously blank."

"He has used some unknown chemical to conceal the note." Altair added. "Our best agents cannot seem to discern the message and I am divided between refusing to send the message, which Malik wishes me to do, or sending the message and having it tracked to its recipient."

"Will you allow me to see this missive and place one of my agents on this case?" Tremblay asked.

"You believe you will do a better job?" Altair asked, a little offended.

Tremblay laughed. "I have always loved spending time with my children, such innocent ways they view the world, so creative. I wish I still had the ignorance they had. I find my free time is better spent playing ponies with my daughter and mock sword-fighting with my sons. Forgive me my forwardness, Master Al-Sayf, but when I think of Bashir I think of my own children. I would not like the mystery of who harmed them to be unsolved and I would not like to be lied to, to never know if the danger had passed or not. Allow me to do what I can for your son, Master Al-Sayf. Trust me, brother and I will do my utmost to solve this mystery."

Malik laughed. "You need not ask for my trust, brother. You have it. Do what you must but please keep me informed."

Tremblay nodded. "You know I will. Now tell me about this green light Healer Mafoi talked about. He says it is a chemical reaction and that the light of that reaction affected Bashir in some way. Considering you took Bashir to see him for a check-over, I am assuming this is something to do with Bashir's health."

Altair had taken the opportunity to pour the three of them drinks of wine, and all three automatically found seats as their minds worked on the mystery before them. Altair sighed, happy to be off his feet for the moment. They all were, after all running an Order was not all paperwork and games, there were a lot of training activities and travelling that came with this responsibility. "Mafoi apparently implied that Bashir was exposed to some sort of poison or chemical reaction."

"Turns out Bashir may be short-sighted and that part of the reason for this may be exposure to this green light. It may even have been focused light and Mafoi has even suggested that the unique marking, the lightning bolt on his forehead, may be a product of this exposure. As if the people who exposed him to that strange light may have marked him, perhaps to find him again, or to scar him to further traumatise a frightened toddler." Malik added. "When I asked for specifics or even for an explanation, Mafoi refused saying he needed more information, that he needed to contact someone for information. But he clearly knows something already if he is adamant that the chemical or poison produced a green light. That is too specific a detail for him not to know what happened to my son."

Tremblay nodded. "Yes, a green light is a very specific detail." He said with a frown. "How would Mafoi know that Bashir was exposed to a green light? Was he told by Bashir that it was green?"

Malik shook his head. "That's just it. He wasn't told a thing. He looked at Bashir's eyes and said something has caused some damage to my boy's eyes. When I asked if he could tell what caused that damage, he said it looked like focused light, like that caused by a prism. We got talking about what could have caused the surface damage to Bashir's eyes and he talked about how there are a group of people travelling Europe, using chemicals to cause bright lights and leaving a trail of bodies in their wake. He seemed particularly focused on green light however, believing Bashir may have witnessed one of these groups burning a chemical like copper, which produces green light when heated, and had his eyes injured as a result. The fact Bashir isn't blind may be because Bashir blinked or closed his eyes in time, or someone covered them before he was completely blinded."

"While not a clear answer, this healer has made it clear he knows something. Why mention copper and the colour it burns when there is no definitive proof that a chemical reaction such as the burning of copper had harmed Bashir's eyes?" Tremblay asked. "No, Mafoi has very clear suspicions that he is choosing to withhold and considering he is a guest of our Order, keeping secrets about a young member of our organisations is extremely unwise."

Altair nodded in agreement. "So, my dilemma is this. He has proven to be an invaluable healer, a healer I went out of the way to rescue from the pyre. For this reason, I do not necessarily want to alienate him when he is so useful. Besides, as a healer he is a threat if he realises some of us greatly distrust him." Altair glanced at Malik when he said this. "My intention is to allow the missive to be sent with someone following it, but if you agree with Malik then Mafoi will be confronted and we will have our answers."

Tremblay hummed. "You are right, Altair. This is indeed a dilemma. I have witnessed Mafoi's work, visited him myself for healing. He seems a good man with noble intentions. Alienating him would not be within our best interests, especially since he's made such efforts to endear himself to our organisation. But we cannot ignore that he is also a threat, that he knows how to mix poisons and is very obviously withholding information about a vulnerable person." Tremblay took a long drink before speaking again. "If you will indulge me, I will have one of my protégé's have a look at Bashir. One of my most recent novices has become a superb healer and may have some insight into what caused the injuries to Bashir's eyes. In the meantime, leave Mafoi's missive with me, I will speak to him, subtly, about your concerns and his answers will determine whether we send this missive or not."

"Would he not be suspicious?" Malik asked.

Tremblay laughed. "Malik, I consider myself your friend, it would not be out of place for a concerned friend to question someone's intentions especially when someone as special as your son is at risk. He will know nothing but the fact that you and Bashir have many powerful friends who want to have answers and know Bashir is safe as much as you. And a reminder that he is a guest who needs to be on his best behaviour would not go astray either. As he is indebted to our Grandmaster, lying to you two is all but treason and Mafoi is only here and given as much freedom as he has because Altair allows it. Mafoi needs to be reminded of his place and I will be that reminder. His lies endanger not only your son but the Order as well. If anyone catches wind that an outsider has the gall to lie to our highest-ranking Assassins without confrontation and punishment, think about how many rebels and upstarts will try it as well. With Al Mualim's treachery not that long ago, our Order cannot risk being divided so soon. Treachery causes deep wounds that take years if not decades to heal, there could be a chance the Order would not survive another divide so soon after Al Mualim's deception."

Altair nodded, seeming to come to some sort of realisation. Perhaps with Tremblay explaining more of Malik's fears had made him realise how much of an unknown Mafoi truly was. That and Altair had been one of the most affected by the previous Grandmaster's treachery. "You are right, of course. I will entrust this missive to you as you ask. But I want regular and thorough reports. If Malik is right, and he is rarely wrong, Mafoi is hiding something and I will not tolerate lies from the healer, especially when it concerns poisons and ways of killing in relation to one of our youngest members."

"You will have my first report in the morning, as I will have my protégé look at Bashir today, if Malik allows it. We will see if Mafoi failed to mention anything specific about Bashir's health. Although I suspect Mafoi told you the truth for the most part, he does not seem the sort to lie about his clients' health. No, I suspect that this case is such a strange one, he is more fearful of passing on misinformation and frightening you unnecessarily." Tremblay told Malik. "Still, by keeping his silence he has caused what he did not wish to, for you to worry. A reminder that no lies should be kept from the Heads of our Order will be necessary and I will find a way to interrogate him about this…chemical reaction of his. I have heard of cultists travelling from village to village and committing murder, it is one of the things my informants are gathering Intel on, but I have not heard of this green light. If it is indeed a new poison, Mafoi is playing a dangerous game keeping such information from us. Even if it was not used to harm Bashir, it is something the Assassin Order needs to know about it."

"We have survived this long by being ahead in the game. By knowing things before others. It would be severely detrimental to allow the enemy to hold something over us." Altair agreed. "Send me the Intel you have on these cultists and I will see if I can offer additional insight. After all many pairs of eyes and hands are better that a single pair."

"Agreed." Tremblay answered easily.

"Bashir is with novice Rajmael. Feel free to check in on them, but I insist Rajmael stays with my son and I get a report immediately after the visit from your healer." Malik stated firmly.

"I would not take the toddler from his guardian." Tremblay assured. "Children are dependent on the people they trust. I have noticed how my children and novices react to people around them. They are more eager to learn, to listen and adapt when told by someone they trust and love rather than someone they don't. Bashir trusts and loves you and Rajmael, I would not affect his learning and growth by taking him from people who so clearly love him."

And with that said the group sat quietly for some time, drinking in peaceful comradery before Tremblay excused himself to begin his new mission. Altair made a sound of amusement long after Tremblay had left. Malik glanced over confused. "I forget just how eager to help our kin are. Always willing to do what is needed."

Malik chuckled. "It took you years to learn that we work as one unit. That we are brothers who watch out for each other."

Altair nodded, sobering at the reminder of his past arrogance. "It is a relief to know someone like Tremblay is on the case. If anyone can get some answers, he can."

"Trouche will definitely be involved if Tremblay unravels something suspicious, those two are never far from each other. Much like you and me." Malik commented with a fond grin to his dear friend. "And if Shafiq senses a mystery, that old man will get involved very quickly! Shafiq has always enjoyed a challenge."

"He is a force of nature." Altair agreed. "I don't think anyone has told that man 'no' for years."

Malik laughed. "He does tend to be right." His laugh turned to a smirk. "As he tells us often, he is always right."

Altair took a gulp of his drink. "I have lived longer than you, Master Ibn La'Ahad, I know what I am talking about." Altair mimicked a sentence from what was no doubt a long lecture by Shafiq at some point in Altair's life. Malik laughed again thinking of his own personal experiences at the receiving end of Shafiq's disapproval. Shafiq was definitely a force of nature, but his experience and drive to improve and protect the Order had ensured that they remained standing despite Al Mualim's treachery. In fact, it was Shafiq's outspoken loyalty to Altair and his disapproval of Al Mualim's actions that probably ensured such a smooth transfer of authority to Altair after Al Mualim's execution.

"So, what trouble do you think Reginald will cause?" Altair asked.

"Enough that they won't care for the disappearance of a few individuals." Malik answered. "With the war on hiatus, and perhaps at an end, their will notice our actions more often than before. They've already sent one band of warriors to cause trouble. Our agents will have to be more cautious because the lack of war and enemies will draw the guards' attention to us, so by calling that arrogant hunter in, we can hopefully redirect the guards and noble's bloodlust to him, therefore leaving our more vulnerable agents, such as our novices, to do their tasks freely and without such a high risk of pursuit."

Altair smiled fondly at Malik's words. "Always protecting the novices. It is true what some of the novices and youngers Assassins say, you are a caring father to the Order."

"And what do they say of you." Malik asked.

"They never tell me." Altair admitted. "But so far the stories range between my being the Mad Uncle or Stern father of the Order."

"I would have thought the stern father would be Shafiq." Malik commented.

"But Shafiq answers to me, so that apparently makes me the Stern Father, not Shafiq." Altair answered.

Malik laughed a full belly laugh. "If only they knew. You are as afraid of Shafiq's temper as every other Assassin!" He laughed again, growing more amused at Altair's fond but frustrated expression.

"As if you aren't afraid of Shafiq." Altair accused.

Malik grinned. "I am not the Stern Father, am I? I don't need to pretend I am not afraid of that force of nature. You on the other hand, Grandmaster, should never fear your agents!" He teased.

Altair laughed then. "Come now, I am the Leader of the most dangerous people in the world. If I am not afraid then I would be a fool!"

"Yes, one should always have respect and a healthy dose of fear for our warriors. They are incredible men."

Author Note:

Sorry for the huge hiatus, but a lot of things happened in real life. Sadly, I lost a member of my family recently and lost inspiration for a while. I also have been busy with work and shopping for Xmas gifts for loved ones. Honestly it has been a hectic couple of months, but fortunately I had written a lot of this chapter before everything that's happened. I've been spending the last couple of days reading and re-reading, editing and finishing the chapter for you all. I have, after all, kept you waiting long enough!

A few things before I end this chapter. With Lupin's character, I used inspiration from other fanfic authors (although I cannot point to a particular author or story who inspired me), in their stories Fenrir attacked Remus because his father was a hunter or an enemy of the werewolves, i.e., his parents worked with werewolf hunters or voted for removal of werewolf rights. If the Lupins were a long-line of werewolf and beast hunters, it could add more depth and reason as to why Fenrir targeted Remus! As for Reginald's character, a lot of trophy hunters are arrogant and proud of what they do, and if Reginald has a reputation of tracking down and killing any animal, he'd charge a great deal for his services. Since the mystery beast is an unknown threat, potentially dangerous to new recruits, Malik would want the 'best of the best' to deal with this problem rather than throwing his own men into it.

It is taking everything I have not to reveal who is who just yet, although HP Fans and researchers might have twigged that there are quite a few significant wizarding characters present already but I promise all will be revealed soon.