Ch.3
The Secret
This morning you woke up with the same fear of last night's nightmare. The Assassin was your nightmare. Dresses in a dark blue gown and veil. After eating breakfast with your family you went for a ride out with your father and brothers. Earlier today he said that he got a letter from Egypt. Your home land. The place where you were born. The letter was from your oldest brother Al-Afdal of 21, he was letting your father know that everything was going well in Egypt. Your uncle Al-Adel, your father's youngest brother, was well and he is governing in peace. Yes he was the ruler of Egypt for now, till your father returns. Aside from some crusaders that were spotted near, they haven't given any trouble. But they are keeping their guard up if anything. Aside from his absence, the country is well. Al-Afdal stayed with the second son Uthman of 19 and the third Ghazi of 18. The three of them are well and healthy. Sending their best whishes to all of us in here, he finished his letter.
The sun was strong but the wind was fresh. Just as it blew the sands away, you wished it could take your problems with it. You had a lovely picnic under an oasis, enjoying the time you had with your father. Because soon he will leave back to Arsuf. Who knows when will you see him again.
Reaching back to the palace, your father told you to walk with him to the garden. Tarik fallowed but he gave a great amount of space so you would talk with your father. The birds chirped in the trees and the sound of the water fall felt heavenly.
"Do you remember when you first rode Layla?" Your father began as he sat at the edge of the waterfall.
"How could I? She wasn't easy to ride." You giggled as you sat next to him.
"I was afraid you were going to fall, but after awhile, she got use to you." He said smiling. "Now the both of you are inseparable."
"She is quite a beauty. Your good eye and hobby of collecting the finest Arabian horses got me an amazing horse. And a long time friend." You said smiling back.
"Yes. . ." He looked toward the distance. Looking at an empty sky, but thinking about so much. You were about to ask him if there was something he had to get off hi chest when he spoke, "Azeneth. Do you remember the stories I use to tell you about your mother?" He held your hands.
"Yes. That she died giving birth to me, but you loved her like no other." You said a bit sad.
"It's a lie." He said sad as he looked at you. Speechless you weren't sure if he actually meant what he said or you heard wrong.
"I don't understand" You responded concerned and confused.
"My dear Azeneth, you're not my daughter. Your not from my seed." Tightening his hold afraid that you would run off. You looked at him like if he lost his mind. Has he? Or was this really happening? "Come. I have to show you something."
He pulled you through the long hallway and entered his office. You sat in a chair near by his desk. "In 1171 Egypt," He began as he walked to the book shelves tying to find something. "I was to visit an ill enemy, Al-Adid." Your father came holding a box and he sat on the chair next to you. "He asked me to take care of his children. I refused. One of the greatest mistakes in my life. He died from the illness and his children were killed by crusaders because they weren't protected. Because I didn't protect them. I asked Allah to forgive me but the guilt was always in my heart. I could have prevented those innocent kids from death. But I dint because of my pried." He said and guilt was written all over his 52 year old face. "Not long after that, I went in battle to the city Kerak. Still with guilt stamped on my heart. At that time I only had Al-Afdal. My oldest son. He was only a year old and I was always worried for him. I thought that just like I dint take care of those children, my son would pay for my mistake." He looked on your eyes. "On my way to Kerak, I asked Allah to give me a sign or something that will take this pain away. This guilt that was slowly eating me from inside. I though Allah was going to ignore me and I will have to pay dearly one day for my mistake, until I saw you." He held your cheek. "After the attack in Kerak, we went in to see if there weren't any Templar's left. A cry of a baby caught my ear. I entered the house and there you were. Crying on your dead mothers arms. I took it as a sign from God. A second chance. Since I failed to take care of those children, I had to make it up by taking care of you. You were sent to me, and you helped me find my peace." Tears began to build in your fathers eyes. As well as yours. What a sad story. "My Azeneth. You may not be from my seed, but you were meant to be my daughter."
Love has no boundaries. Overwhelmed from this story, your story, you hugged your father with eternal love. "Father." Was all you could say. There is no greater God than God.
"I love you my child, and no matter what anyone else may say, you are my daughter. My heart recognizes you as my daughter and so do your brothers." He said pulling back and wiped away your tears. Then his own.
Giving a small giggle of relieve you said, "I thought this conversation was going to lead to something more tragic." You said wiping some of your tears away. "I love you father. I think it was best and right to sort this out now. The truth, now I understand why every time I would expose myself to the sun and get burn but I was always light complected. I'm very light compared to my brothers. And my eye color. Different."
"The color of honey." Your father said. "Yes. Well, when I held you in my arms something began to shine under your mothers' body. It was a bag and in it, it was this." Your father opened the box and pulled a golden ball. Or silver a bit of both.
"What is it?" You asked dismemorized by such beauty.
"It is called a Piece of Eden. I don't know what it is exactly for but your mother had it. And I believe it belongs to you." He handed it to you. "Keep it safe. You might need it one day."
You held it with both hands and moved it around to observe it. What is this for?
Today, Altair was almost caught by soldiers rescuing a person. She was mistaken by a thief and was bullied by soldiers. If he would have gotten there later, they would have had their way with her.
Earlier today he went to Al Mualim. Robert de Sable was left to kill. He was heard to be in Jerusalem, but Altair hasn't suspected of anyone talking or heard from him. Maybe his not meant to find him today. He looked up at the sky. It is passed 3. Soon he will leave to visit his little killer. But for now he will have too keep his ear awake for any news about Robert de Sable.
Yesterday, when Salah ad-Din and Al Mualim were speaking in private, he over heard something about the Piece of Eden. Apparently Salah ad-Din had one too. Altair knew that the Templar wanted them. Since his master hasn't said anything about it to him, Altair will keep it in sight. If somehow sometime the place gets attacked, he will protect the piece and Azeneth.
Azeneth. Oh Azeneth. So enchanting as her scent. Last night he took a very good look of her. Skin that promised to be softer than silk. Sweeter than a date. And her eyes, the color of honey. Her hair, dark and curly. When she stepped close to him and asked for his name, his hands craved to get stuck in her hair, pull her face and taste those strawberry colored lips. When she said his name, Oh Allah! He wanted to release a moan, but instead he closed his eyes and swallowed it. When he opened his eyes he had to get out of there before he did something he would regret for the rest of his life.
After Altair's first love was murdered, he has never seen another woman afterwards. Until he met Maria. He would visit her hear and there but it was just sex. He made sure of it. He respected women, but he was never gentle with Maria. He wanted to make sure nothing would grow between them. Not even children. He never came in her. Twice they have been together, and they are moments he won't forget, because the greatest moment of his life, he has enjoyed in the arms of two women. Enjoying the pleasures of life. Food, laughter, and sex.
You were sitting on the edge of the fountain looking at the reflection of the moon. The water was warm at the touch of the tip of your fingers. The rays of the sun warmed up the water. The night was warm and fresh. Crickets surrounded you with their music. A distant sound of two guars marching echoed on the garden. Tarik left to Jerusalem to deliver the last payment to your team. Tarik. Sweet Tarik. You dig deep into your memory to remember your last conversation.
You were sitting on the edge of the same fountain when Tarik approached you. "You told me last night that you were going to tell me what happen in the mission. Why are you dismissing your men early?" He stood towering your small figure. That's right; you were going to tell him. What is there to tell? You can't tell him that an Assassin came to your room last night, the same Assassin you were going to tell him to double up his guarding skills. What will you tell him now? A lie?
You looked up at him and signaled him to sit. He did. Looking at the water you tried to look for the right words. "I'm not killing anymore Tarik."
"What? . . . Why?" He asked trying to quiet down his surprise. "Azeneth. This was your idea in the first place. Why the sudden change of plans?" He asked turning your head to look at him.
"Simple." You said removing his hands. "I believe things happen for a reason and, in my last mission, something happened that made me come to this decision. The men that do wrong will get punished far more by Allah than just death." You looked at him. "It was justice while it lasted, but I noticed it's not my job. I'm not to deliver their death." Everything true.
He looked at you as you were possessed by an evil genie, and the one speaking wasn't you. But then he nodded in agreement. "It's your decision and I respect it. What about your men? Do they know your final decision?" He asked.
You shook your head. "I wanted to ask you if you could ride to Jerusalem and drop off their last payment." You looked at him with sadness, but inside you were angry like no other time. In a way it was better for the Assassin. . . Altair, to do the killing for you and you won't risk the lives that are with you. But you wanted to deliver justice with your own hands. Dismissing your anger, you saw Tarik nod. "But still keep me up dated with any suspicions, of anything." You said with a big smile.
Tarik gave a confused smile but nodded. "I will. When do you want me to go?"
"Today night, when your about to sleep. You can leave a bit earlier to drop off the money. Can you?" You wanted him out so he wouldn't be near when Altair comes in.
"I will." He said with a sweet smile. "Azeneth. . . I-"
That was when Asad interrupted Tarik. Asad came in with some news, he over heard from your fathers court room that another caravan was attacked by Templar's. When will this madness stop? The leader of the raid may be coming to Jerusalem soon. Maybe tomorrow. He will be your next target. Well Altair's next target. You told Asad to keep you informed if the leader is spotted near.
You stood up, and walked alone to your chamber. A couple of servants passed by with laundry on their hands. When your brothers chamber door came to sight you heard laughter. Two guards stood by the tall doors, they acknowledge you and opened them for you. There they were, wrestling with laughter. Your father and your brothers. Like a prod lion playing with its cubs. Your father tackled a son as the rest mounted him. You watched from a distance wishing you could join them, but you had your own lion to fight with.
Out of breath your father caught your presence and smiled. A silent goodnight nod was exchanged between both of you. Closing the doors you made your way to meet with your lion.
The moon was high and its gentle whisper caressed your hair. At the end of the hallway two guards stood at the entrance of your chamber. They don't look alarmed or disturbed, sign that Altair hasn't been spotted near. Acknowledging your presence they nodded and opened the doors. Your room was big, but not as big as the one in Egypt.
The guards closed the doors behind and in front of you were two servants lighting the candles in your room. It was dark, but bright enough to see your path and you won't stumble or trip on nothing. You gave them a command to leave and rest. The sound of closing doors was the sound of an open room for the Assassin to enter. Altair.
Looking around, he has yet to come. Maybe he won't come. Oh you prayed Allah he dint come. Before your wish could come true, a dark figure came out from a dark corner. The sound of his metal gear got louder as he got closer to you. Your heart beat uncontrollably. His presence was too great for you. Never in your life have you ever met a man, aside from your father, that made you feel uncontrollable fear. Right now you both held a double edge sword. One controls the other in some way, but your both at risk if one should betray the other. But you will dominate this feeling and this man.
He stood only a foot away from you. "Good thing you came." You said looking up at his not visible eyes.
"Odd words from you princess." Altair teased and smirked. "I never expected them to come out from this mouth." He said lifting his right hand and caressed your bottom lip with his thumb.
Slapping his hand off you growled, "Do that again and I will cut off your hands." Altair lifted his hand in surrender. You turned around rolling your eyes at him. You walked to your dresser selecting your night gown. "A caravan was attacked by Templar's. The leader is said to land on Jerusalem tomorrow. If you come tomorrow night, I will have his name and location for you." You turned to look at him, waiting for his response. Nothing.
You thought by exchanging those words he would leave, but he still stood here. "Don't you have anywhere to go?" He didn't spoke a word. "I need my rest Altair." You pointed to the window. You wanted to sleep. You wanted him to leave. Or did you? Something about this man in your room gave you a nameless need.
"I see you like giving me orders." He said.
"You did say you would kill the men for me." You kept your voice strong
"I did say that." He walked to you and you felt your heart beat faster. "But I also said I would keep watch of you. How do I know you won't kill another man once I leave?" He said towering your body. Your eyes were at the level of his chest.
"I won't. And you have my word." You said looking up. But it looked as if the words flew pass him. Although you weren't able to see his eyes you knew and felt he was looking at you. You wanted to know the man underneath that hood. Last night was as dark as tonight. If only you could pull that hood back and see the man underneath, you would be able to fit his sensual voice with a face. Just as he had a scared lip, would the rest of him be marked by past battles? Was his whole body covered with scars? On his arms, legs and chest? Would they be small and thin, or long and thick? Is his body dark? Or cream color like yours? Would he have body hair? Would it trail down to his . . . before you finished that sentence in your head you came back to reality. How can you think of such thing from the Assassin that wanted to kill you?
Your hands ache to touch this man. Again your nose was caressed by his sandalwood scent. Dismissing the thought, you walked away from this man. As you placed your gown on your bed you took a deep breath and turned back to face him. "Now that we have settled this, you may leave." You expected him to still be standing were you last saw but he was gone. Ooy. . . what an annoying Assassin. Either he really left or he was hiding in your room. Not caring what he chose to do you undressed.
Looking at her outside her window, he wished he would have stayed, but tomorrow he will see more of her. Altair stood at the edge of the wall that surrounds the palace, underneath a shadow. The glow of the candles outlined her body as she began to undressed. Any other man or Assassin would have taken advantage of this time and have his way with her, for she had a sensual body that promised to give intoxicating pleasure unlike any other.
Bearing her back to him she stood near her bed and place trousers on the bed. Altair thought twice if to stay or not. Placing a hand on his mouth, he observed her with interest and desire. He never blinked for he never wanted to miss a glimpse of her body. Wishing he could be closer, he pined his feet on the cement. He would only keep an eye on her until she fell asleep.
Her naked body sent a familiar tightness in between his legs. It has been a month since he has taken a woman; Maria was his last, now he ached for a new one. Princess Azeneth. But he will only do so if he wished to end his life by the hands of Salah ad-Din.
Her back was all he could see. But it was enough for his sex to ache. He needed to end this ache. And he will with a release given by his hands. But something told him he will have to release twice to satisfy his sex. Only his sex, because his body ached to touch and be touched by her. His breath got heavier by the second as he imagined what he would do to her. Kiss every inch of her body and caress every curve. Suck her breast as she digs her finger in his hair. Give her first release as he played with her sensitive clit. Kiss her inner thighs and the sacred folds that will welcome his cock. Her second release. Entering her deep and slow, as he looked at her eyes roll back experiencing a long orgasm only he can deliver. He would come only after she has her fourth orgasm. He can see it so clear. His biting marks on her as her finger nails marked his back.
He had to pull back from that heavenly dream. He let out a breath once he saw her dressed and in her bed. At last.
Looking around to clear his path, he ran off to his horse and rode to Jerusalem. He needed a release.
