Hey Everybody, hope you are enjoying where this story is going so far! Clay is going to be introduced in this chapter and will be talking through the Animus like everyone else. You will be able to distinguish him as his dialogue will be presented in bold italics and underline.
So just to refresh your memory, Desmond is in Bold.
Lucy is in Italics.
Rebecca is in Italics Underline.
Shaun is in bold underline.
Clay or Subject 16 is in bold italics underline.
And lastly, the Animus is in BOLD ITALICS UNDERLINE AND IN ALL CAPS.
Thank you for your continuous support and I hope you all enjoy. Please read and review!
Betrayal
Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad
I awake to the sound of merchant's calls to those who pass by. A smile crosses my lips at my rest. It has been ages since I have slept so soundly and deeply. I moan at my movement, not wanting to leave the bed that my body has created in the hay. I look over with the idea that I will see Azalea, sleeping soundly next to me, but I am welcomed instead by the empty outline of hay that she slept in. I frown at the thought that she is gone, and not near to receive me this morning. I search through the hay for my robes to dress myself and inform Malik of my success with Addin. I find my pants and robes; however, my weapons and belts are missing. I shuffle through the hay, in hopes they were buried beneath it, but I cannot find them. I begin to frantically search for the items but fail to locate them. I grow impatient at where they might be, and soon, I figure they may not be misplaced, but rather stolen.
I quickly dress myself, not wanting to let my mind question the intentions of Azalea's actions last night. I am sure that there is an explanation for her actions, and I will have answer soon. I move quickly to the Bureau. When I arrive upon its rooftop, I jump down and walk into the office where Malik searches the shelves behind him for a new book to occupy his time. "Safety and peace, Malik." I say as I stride in.
"With you as well, brother." Malik says; a tone in his voice telling me he is amused. "I had not heard from you of your victory with Addin. What took your time?"
I think of Azalea, her face staining my memory. "Something came up."
"And did that something take your weapons?" Malik says with a smile, motioning at my bare appearance.
"Where is she?" I say, now realizing he has a part in this game.
"I have no idea of what you speak, Altair."
"Malik, enough of this." I say in a low voice. "Your silly jest of teaching me a lesson has gone too far when she takes my weapons. You of all people know you should never strip an Assassin of their weapons."
"You of all people should be accustom to this." Malik says with playful spite.
"Where is she?" I say lowly.
"Tell me, Altair, how was she able to take all of your weapons without your notice?" He says, asking me to admit my folly in trusting and bedding her. I realize that this must have been a plan the two of them coaxed together.
"Give me her location before I take away your other arm." I threaten.
"With what weapon?" he laughs. "Altair, you will never learn, and because of this, you will never truly be an Assassin." I turn away from the stubborn fool; knowing that his pride will not give me her location. "Better hurry, the Master will want to know of your success with Addin and will grow suspicious with the time you waste here."
With his words, I leave to find the woman. I climb the nearest tower to get a better location of the city. Chances are, she is still in the city, and is watching my every move from a vantage point. I look around to find any indication of where she might be, yet I cannot find anything that would lead to her. I soon remember one of the missions I had with her, and how she advised that I stalk the streets for information, rather than search for them above. I take my Leap of Faith, and once I begin to walk the streets, the crowds of people that give me cover engulf me. I listen for anything that can give me information on the woman. It is not long until she has raised suspicion between a few guards. They speak of a woman that walks the middle district of Jerusalem, heavily armed, and unaccompanied by a male. I smile at the thought of her carelessness. I travel towards the middle district. I hear chatter amongst some aroused men, speaking of a gorgeous woman hiding behind a black cloak.
I begin to walk amongst the merchants when I hear one yell out, "Thief, I'll have your hand for that!" I turn to see the merchant yell as he violently grabs the wrist of the woman. She does not cry for her life or plead for help from anyone around. She simply recoils her body slightly at the discomfort of the man's grip and her hand forcefully hitting the table. I find her show to be unamusing. I take the merchant's throat into my grasp, and pin him against his stand. "She is mine." I say in a hoarse tone.
"Keep your wife at a close distance." He warns, "Or lash her for her disobedience."
I smile at the man, "oh, I assure you, she will get more than that." With that, I take her small wrist in my hand and drag her towards the Bureau. She does not fight me; she knows no one will save her. She simply follows me wordlessly towards our destination. Once we are on the roof, she expects me to allow her to drop down gracefully, but I push her over the edge, and she falls into the Bureau. I do not confirm there are no other brothers inside. I do not care if they see me with this whore. I will take back what is rightfully mine.
I drop down, and grab her by the back of her neck. I drag her into the office, where Malik is stunned to see me handle her in such a way. I release her violently and she runs into the table that separates me to Malik.
"What is the meaning of this, Altair?" Malik yells making his way towards her.
"Don't touch her!" I roar as he tries to give her aid. I look to see that none of my weapons are on her person. "Where are my weapons?" I yell, pinning Azalea against the table. She shows no fear in her eyes, no sadness, nothing. Empty. "Tell me where the weapons are, and I will not kill you." I say.
"And with what weapon would you use?" She says with no emotion in her voice.
I bend over her, pressing myself against her entire body. I reach over her, and grab her dagger from her belt. I hope that her magic dagger can draw blood as well as it can take it. I force the dagger against the skin on her cheek, drawing blood. I smile with triumph, "Give me the location of my weapons." I say in a low tone.
"I told you not to trust so easily." She says with a smile.
I grow angry; I know that she will not give me the answer I seek, so I punish her. I take the golden dagger and cut a line from the top of her cheek, to her jaw. She squirms in pain at my advancement and I pin her face down on the table the separates Malik and I. I hold her head down as I cut an identical line across in the opposite direction. She tries to escape, writhing frantically under my grip, but I am too strong for her. Malik watches powerless without his dominant arm, wishing to help her but knowing that it will mean their lives if he tries to take up arms against me. Once I am finished, I take her magic dagger from her. I hold it to her face, "now you will not be able to fool anyone." I point the end at her, "everyone will see you for the snake that you are." I say spitefully, admiring the large X that I engraved her with, forever marking her as a target.
I watch as a tear falls from her lashes and seeps into her newly torn skin. The glare of shock and betrayal glazes over her eyes. She had not expected I would attack her in such a manner. I let her go and when I do, she falls to the ground on her knees. I look down at her. There is no more remorse in my heart for her anymore. I forget all the false feelings I had that I was tricked to feel for her. And destroy the place I held such high esteem for her, thinking of her as nothing more than a venomous whore.
I sheath her magic golden dagger, taking it as my own. "You will tell me where my weapons are, and you will leave this town, never to show your face again." I threaten.
She lifts her head, trying and failing to look strong. "You will never find them." She spits in my face.
I take a throwing knife left on the table next to Malik and press it to her throat. "Tell me, or I will terminate you." She closes her eyes, finally showing fear, knowing that my threats are not without action. I begin to press the knife to her throat, watching as blood trickles from the wound.
"Altair!" My name is yelled, but not by whom I expected. I turn my head to the left and see Abbas standing in the doorway. Under any other circumstances, Malik would be fearful, but the expression in his eyes show relief. "What is the meaning of this? What are you doing to this woman?" he asks approaching slowly as if I were a rabid animal.
I release Azalea, and she falls to her knees. "This whore stripped me of my weapons and scattered them across this town. I'm simply teaching this temptress where her place is in this world." I say calmly as she sits at my feet.
"And how was she able to divert your attention long enough to not only strip you of your weapons, but also scatter them around town?" He says with suspicion. He grips his blade tightly in hand, waiting to draw it.
"There is no tenant of our creed to bed whores." I say spitefully.
"No, there is not." He says calmly. "But how is it that she succeeded in shifting around as you rested, to carry all your weapons, and leave your side without your notice?" He asks with a smug smile staining his face. "A woman of her frame could not hold such heavy steel in one sweep."
"Altair has had an affair with this woman for many months." Malik yells out frantically. "He has exposed the brotherhood to her; he has used the Bureau to host her in shelter. He conspires against the Creed and will use her to do so."
I look over at my brother with furious eyes. "You lying snake! Malik knew this woman before me. He demanded I take her along my missions; exposing her to the Creed. He threatened that if I not do so, he'd report false betrayal to Al Mualim!"
"Enough!" Abbas yells, "Malik, take the woman from Altair's rage. She does not deserve such treatment. And Altair, I think it best you leave this place. Run from these lands and this Creed and never return." Abbas says in a husky tone. "You are undeserving of this Creed and to call yourself a brother." He says in spite.
Oh, that sneaky little bitch! She thinks she is so clever.
Lucy, what the hell was that?
That sounded a lot like... no it can't be.
What the fuck is going on?
Rebecca? Was that really who I think it was?
I don't know what is going on. Baby is being hacked.
Who was that?
Subject 16.
Wait, but he's dead. His fucking blood was all over Abstergo!
Lucy, he is trying to play a memory.
Play it!
But it could severely affect Desmond. I don't know the content of it.
Play it, Rebecca. We need to know what is going on here.
"There is no tenant of our creed to bed whores." I say spitefully.
"No, there is not." He says calmly. "But how is it that she succeeded in shifting around as you rested, carry all your weapons, and leave your side without your notice?" He asks with a smug smile staining his face. "A woman of her frame could not hold such heavy steel in one sweep."
I take out the dagger, the gold shine reflects in Abbas's eyes. "She used this to heal her fatal wound in front of me. This witchcraft could have been used to sedate me in some way." I look into the longing stare ingrained in Abbas's eyes. He cannot remove his stare from the object. I sheath the dagger, weary of the effect it has on him.
Abbas stares into abyss, his eyes searching for the dagger. It isn't long until he returns to us. He wordlessly kneels down trying to look onto the face of Azalea, who masks her identity under her hood. He places the tips of his fingers on her chin and lifts her face into the light. He smiles and lets out a chuckle. "Altair, you fool. Have you any idea who this woman is?"
MEMORY PLAYBACK FAILURE! EXTRACTING THE SUBJECT!
Oh no you don't, you stubborn bitch. I will expose everything you are!
"She is nothing more than a common whore." I spit out.
Rebecca, what the hell is going on?
This memory has been tampered with. Most likely, Azalea, or her ancestor did it. I'm guessing Subject 16 had some beef with her and wants to 'expose' her. The Animus is trying to play the tampered memory, and Subject 16 is trying to show us the real memory. The two are battling it out.
Will this effect Desmond in anyway?
I'm afraid he won't be able to distinguish what is real and what isn't with all this flip-flopping.
Great. That sounds just great.
Just hold on, Desmond. We are about to get some answers.
Abbas laughs, "Oh, Altair. Once again, your ignorance blinds you."
"Please, Abbas." Azalea pleads looking up at him.
He doesn't acknowledge her. "This is the only living child of HasanʿAla Dhikrihi's Salam."
Holy shit!
Who is that?
I look down at the woman in disbelief. She looks so small on her knees, with her head down in shame. "Your father led the Assassin order before Al Mualim? He is your Uncle?"
"The man who taught the Master all that he knows today," Abbas adds with spite in his voice. "Until, of course the Master stabbed him brutally in his sleep, slaughtering him and his entire succession. Al Mualim took the Creed under his own rule. Little does the Master know, he was betrayed by Abul Al-Sayaf who saved Hasan's youngest daughter from slaughter."
"Abul?" I ask, looking at Malik. "Your father saved her life."
"Then requested he keep her safe upon his departure of this world." Abbas continues. "Malik can take credit for the woman knowing everything she does about the Creed and our teachings. He taught her how to fight and the identity of the man who took her family's life."
"How do you know so much?" I ask, knowing through the look on their faces that Abbas spits the truth.
"My father had aided in the rescue of the young babe. I had come to the Bureau shortly after you had killed Garnier. They were conspiring against you, for your betrayal to the Creed, more so of your betrayal of Malik and his brother, Kadar, and she was here discussing how she could be of assistance.
I think of the events following the death of Garnier. Talal was my next victim. It was during my mission with Talal that I had saved her. "So, you're stealing from the Merchant was planned?" I look down at her but she refuses to match my gaze. "You two assumed I would help her." I look over at Malik, who is brave enough to challenge my stare. "Then you would trick me into thinking she followed me here when she knew of the location all along!" I begin to grow angry. "You wanted her to slow and ruin my missions so I wouldn't finish the Master's list and restore my rank in the Brotherhood. You wished I failed all along! You knew I was the greatest Assassin born, and it destroyed you to live in my shadow!" Both Malik and Abbas scoff at the comment. "And I'm sure that you conspired on this little scheme from the beginning." I snap looking at Abbas. "You have always hated me since your coward father took his life in my bedroom." I spit.
"You think you are so strong?" Abbas says lowly, coming to my face and pressing his nose against mine. "You are arrogant and childish." he spits out venomously. "You will never grow in this Creed because of your selfishness! You may know how to fight, you may know how to kill, but you do not know how to trust. And it is because of that that you will die alone, with no brothers, no Creed, no heirs, and no wife." Abbas steps away from me.
I look down at the woman, who is still on her knees, tears running down her face, possibly at the pain from her cheek, but more convincingly, the knowledge of her plan and father now voiced. I kneel down to her level. Her eyes finally meeting mine, filled with weak hatred. "You planned on using me to kill Al Mualim." I say, knowing these to be her intentions. She does not move as I come closer to her. I whisper in her ear so that no one will hear but her. "Is that why you gave me your chastity?" I ask, needing to know that she only bed me to get to the Master. She says nothing, and keeps her head held high, but her eyes, wet with sorrow, look pass me, not able to look into mine. "So it is." I say, finally seeing the snake that she is. I take her dagger and press it to her throat. "Hopefully this dagger can kill as much as it can heal." I say. She closes her eyes and embraces the end.
"Enough!" Abbas yells, "Malik, take the woman from Altair's rage. She does not deserve such treatment." I take her dagger and sheathe it into my belt, taking it as my own. Malik walks over and helps her to her feet. They leave the Bureau together. "And Altair," Abbas continues, "I think it best you leave this place. Run from these lands and this Creed and never return." He says in a husky tone. "You are undeserving of this Creed and to call yourself a brother." He says in spite.
I look onto the man I once called my brother and friend. There is so much hatred in his heart for me. I had once hoped that we would be brothers once again, and that he would forget the past, but now I can see into his eyes it is no not the case. I want to fight the man. I want to prove that I have been right all along. I want him to forfeit this vendetta against me and recognize that I master him in skill. Instead, I bow my head in false respect, and push my way passed him, leaving the Bureau to find my weapons.
I find my dagger under a merchant's table near where I first met Azalea. I find my sword in a tree near the executioner's stage where we killed Addin's men. I pickpocket throwing knives from some local thugs, not wanting to search all of Jerusalem for the ones I held before. Before the sun falls, I find my hidden blade near the tavern where she told me she wished to kill her uncle. I was such a fool not to see that Al Mualim was her Uncle. Her conspiracies with Malik, and the man in the tower of which she spoke of. I should have known it was Malik, and she was using me to gain his audience.
I think of my own father and wonder at what lengths I would go to avenge his death. I hardly remember the man but know that he was a great leader because my father spoke so highly of him. I wonder if my father helped free Azalea, or if he aided Al Mualim's bloody hands. I wonder what drove the Master to kill his mentor. From all that I remember and was told, Hasan was a great man.
I take a Leap of Faith from a tower and depart from the city. As soon as I leave the gates, I take to a horse. I look to see that Azalea's beast is not present. She must have fled from the city, and from me. I frown at the idea that I do not know where she is. I kick my horse to movement and begin my long trek to Masyaf, with nothing but the woman on my mind.
I travel to Masyaf to speak with Al Mualim. I wonder what I will say once I see him. I contemplate telling him about Azalea's existence. If I do so, it will mean the death of Abbas and Malik for aiding her and keeping her from Al Mualim. It will mean the end of my worries and enemies within the Creed. I will no longer have venomous words spoken against me, because the lips of the brothers will wag with their names instead. Nevertheless, this does not bring me joy. I think of their deaths, as my friends. I remember sparring with the both of them as our abilities grew with our bodies. Together we had our first taste of wine, and women, and blood. These were memories that I could not take back, and honestly did not want to. I love my brothers, and I will always respect them. I cannot hate them for the mistakes that our fathers made, and I cannot hate them for their reactions to the mistakes I had made. I decide that I will not tell Al Mualim the truth of their betrayal to the Master. If there is anything I have learned from these men, it is that I was wrong to go against the Brotherhood. A mistake I will not make again.
The open gates of Masyaf welcome me. I make passage through the village, Assassins greet me with respectful nods and hand gestures. As I walk among the crowd of villagers, I hear a low humming deafening my hearing. I look around for the source of the noise, when I realize that it is coming from me. I glance down and lock my gaze on the golden dagger I have taken from Azalea. I can't help but stare at the magical blade. The blade emanates a light so captivating, I have only seen once before. The blade has an uncanny resemblance of the small orb I recovered from Solomon's Temple for the Master. Though they are different artifacts, they have a similar draw to them. I remember the Master telling me the great power the artifact held and thinking his words to be tales told to children, though, I have seen the work of the dagger before my eyes and though I am in disbelief of such sorcery in this world, it would be folly to dismiss the powers the dagger bestows. I decide I ought not to show the Master the dagger. I have seen the thirst in my Master's eyes as he looks upon the artifact, and I know that he will try to take the dagger for himself. Before seeing the Master in his study, I hide the dagger under a stone behind the gates of Masyaf. I determine the dagger is safe from being discovered and return to my mission with the Master.
I move forward towards the Master, knowing that I will not inform him of the betrayal of Malik and Abbas, or the existence of Azalea and her plot to seek revenge. I contemplate what to say to divert my mind from telling the Master of these betrayals. I ponder how I will explain that I am late in delivering my news of Addin's death. No answer would excuse the action in Al Mualim's eyes. I fear that I will be punished for my insolence.
"Master," I say as I move towards his desk. "Majd Addin has fallen." I take the feather stained in his blood and place it atop a book.
"Altair," he sounds surprised, "Malik had just brought word of Addin's demise, and you have come to me hastily."
I think of how Malik must have delayed sending word of my kill in order to protect me. I remind myself to protect him as well. "I rode quickly at your pleasure." I say with a bow of the head.
"Good," he nods and makes his way towards his books. "Two men remain." He gives me the names and cities of the men he wishes me to take. I wonder where Azalea is hiding, and I wish to go opposite of that area. I wish not to see her again. Though I have forgiven my brothers for their betrayal to me, I have yet to do that same with her, and I figure that I may never do so.
I journey to Acre, to take the life of Sibrand. The Master warns me that the man is wary of my pursuit of these misled men and knows that he will be a target soon. I am told that his caution will make his departure from this world more difficult. I take the challenge openly with no worries of what will come. I am an Assassin, and I am always expectant for the unexpected.
The gates of Acre are heavily guarded, but I am able to slip pass the guards with ease. The streets yell with the sounds of merchants, beggars, and whores. I drown out their cries for my coin and think of how I will take the life of a man that knows I am coming. I speak with the Rafiq who has grown accustom to greeting me with a welcoming tone. He gives me as much information as he is permitted, which is more than enough. I stalk the city's streets for information on the increasingly delusional man. Once I have gathered enough information, I inform the Rafiq of my findings. He sees them fit for my attack, and hands me the feather to prove the man's death.
I move to the docks where the spectators of the city informed me he would be. I walk to see a crowd of people forming around what seems to be a fight. It is not often that citizens worry themselves over the squalls of drunken fools, so I push through the crowd to see what captivates their attention. It is Sibrand, and he is arguing with a monk. He claims the monk is the assassin sent to kill him. I take offence to the notion that a man of his stature could be mistaken for an assassin such as myself. I watch as the monk begs Sibrand to see reason, but the mad man does not hear the cries. He takes the life of the innocent, and I realize that he is madder than I thought. I look onto his face when I see a figure behind him. I see the unmistakable black cloak and grow furious at her appearance to ruin this kill. I shift through the crowd, moving closer to her. Her eyes follow me, never leaving as she watches me approach her, though she does not move away.
Once I am close enough to her, I lower my head to her level, pressing my lips to the edge of her cloak, "What are you doing here?" I ask in a low tone, so no one can hear.
She grabs the edge of the hood of her cloak, tugging on the fabric to hide the healing wound. I smile knowing that now, with the dagger in my possession, she is unable to use it to heal her wound. The idea brings me satisfaction that she will forever be branded as a venomous snake.
She does not answer me, so I take her elbow in my grasp. She tries to release herself, but I hold her tightly, "Get out of here, Azalea, or I will end your miserable life."
She pushes me, and I fall against another in the crowd. Sibrand whips his head over, where he notices my hood and weapons. "Assassin!" he yells.
My heart drops, and I glare at Azalea for exposing me. Sibrand begins to run, pushing the citizens aside. I begin to run after him, in hopes that he will slow. I jump onto boats in the water and I grow anxious. Eventually I corner him at the edge of the boat. He has nowhere to run, and he is all mine. A smile crosses on my lips as I question him and his motives. He feeds me the lies that Al Mualim promised he would. He has no remorse for those he killed, and I find it to be just as curious as the rest. Azalea comes and unsheathes her sword, giving me aid I did not ask for. Sibrand begins to laugh, and before I can deliver a blow, he jumps into the water and begins to swim away.
Azalea runs to the edge of the boat and watches him swim away. "Altair, go after him!" She yells, but as I look onto the water, I am frozen. It is the same port Adah was taken from me. I swam as fast as I could, almost taking my life with exhaustion, but I failed in saving her. The fear of water has stuck with me ever since.
Azalea watches in disbelief at my lack of reaction. She takes out a throwing knife and sends it Sibrand's way. His paddling stops and the water around him grows increasingly red. Soon, his body sinks into the water, leaving no trace of my failure.
I look over at Azalea, her eyes telling me she expects gratitude. Instead, I take out the feather and say, "And how am I supposed to attain his blood for my Master?"
She frowns behind the hood of her cloak. She takes out a throwing knife and cuts her palm. She takes the feather from me and presses it to her wound. The white feather slowly soaks the blood, changing in color. She hands me the feather and says, "There, your Master won't know the difference."
"Wish you had your dagger to heal your wound now?" I say spitefully.
The look of disappointment stains her eyes, and she sheaths her throwing knife. "Give me the dagger, Altair; it is not yours to keep." She says lowly. "You do not understand its power."
"I understand that the dagger is the only reason you maintain being branded. I will not give you the satisfaction of deceiving another man with your innocent appearance."
"This is bigger than your petty squalls with me, Altair." She says in frustration. I turn from her to leave and she says, "It never meant anything to me." I turn towards her. "Everything I said to you, everything I did, meant nothing. You were nothing but a pawn in my plan for revenge."
I look at her, and see such hatred in her eyes. "You will never take the life of Al Mualim, Azalea. You will never avenge your father's death, and you will never be respected by the Brotherhood as an Assassin, and that will haunt you for the rest of your lonely life." I tell her, pushing her away from me smiling at the satisfaction that she will never see the execution of her vengeance against the man that killed her family.