It was early morning, the sun just barely illuminating the high tower in Maysaf. Life was just beginning to stir below and above, with the villagers rising at dawn to conduct their business, and the birds roosting in the tower flying away for the day. In fact, most were so preoccupied with their early morning tasks that they failed to notice the young man huddled in a corner, hiding his face in his knees as the wind blew against him. Tears leak from his concealed eyes, spilling down to stain his pants an even darker grey.
Despite the soft howling of the breeze in his ears, his honed reflexes were still able to pick up shuffling below.
Someone was climbing up the tower stairs.
Hurriedly, the youth furiously scrubbed at his wet face; dashing the tears away and smoothing out the trails left in their wake. However, he looked far from composed when his fellow Assassin finally reached the top of the turret.
"Kadar?" the inquiring voice came as Malik approached his huddled sibling. Receiving no reply, the elder crouched down before his brother. "What are you doing up here?" he asked.
For a moment, Kadar hesitated. He couldn't think of anything to say, yet he felt desperately that something needed to be said. Already he knew that his brother had perceived that he had been crying, and the hot flash of anxiety and shame overtook him. Malik was a good man, and a wonderful older brother, but he was also a strict follower of the code- and Kadar couldn't bear to see the disappointment that he expected to see in his brother's eyes...
It was Malik sighing and turning away that finally awoke Kadar's voice.
"I come up here sometimes," he began, "before missions." Taking a calming breath that Malik had faced him once more and was listening and attentive, he continued.
"It's just... that all of our targets aren't bad people." Seeing Malik's expression darken for a moment, he amended- "They're going about it in the wrong way! But some of them really do think that they're doing the right thing. And the guards... they're not even involved, but sometimes I have to hurt them too; to get away."
Another deep breath. "But I can't think about any of that when I'm on a mission if I want to succeed. So, I feel sad now. I feel pity now, so I won't then."
The tears threatened to overtake him again as he kept his eyes averted, looking down at the dark grey of his knees. He jolted when he felt a hand land softly on his head, and snapped his attention up to his brother; restraining himself from crying with joy at the look of understanding on Malik's face.
"Alright then, little crybaby," Malik teased. "As long as you aren't late for your missions, we'll keep it a secret." Once more at a loss for words, Kadar merely bobbed his head enthusiastically, and mirrored his brother's smile blearily.
AN: This was inspired by a picture that I saw once. But, I can imagine Kadar doing something like this- he's such a nice person! (And my favorite Novice, because he doesn't go leaving his flags all around the place.)