Authors Note: Yes, yes another chapter, this one contains some more Malik Basira interactions for your reading pleasure. This one also introduces some more characters in a sort amount of time so I hope it doesn't confuse anyone too much. On that note if you do a little research into the names of the characters you might find little easter eggs on them. Not really happy with this chapter but I hope you enjoy!
As the weeks went by Malik began to adjust to the way his body would be from then on, quickly learning how to balance himself once again and rarely needing Basira's or Uzma's help in doing so. He soon began his training again, and though, with some difficulty, quickly picked up on the skills he once had so well honed.
"That bastard." his mind seethed in anger as he made his way towards the garden, angrily stomping through the corridors of the temple, his shadow dance along side him in the evening light. "Damn him." he rounded a corner and stalked into the garden towards the young woman who had helped heal him.
Basira stood in the garden enjoying the evening twilight with Rim and a few of the other women of the garden, chatting about their week and simply basking in the cool night air.
"Dua and Batul are doing quite well in their studies." said Nadira, a tall, slender woman who taught the young girls and women of the garden how to defend themselves as well as their fellow brothers. "they handle a blade better then some of the younger brothers." she laughed and the women around her joined in.
"Careful they don't start to bully them." Rim commented and then looked over to Basira who stood at her side. "I don't think Basira would like having to take care of anymore than she already has to."
The small crowd of women laughed louder.
"I really don't mind." Basira said through a chuckle.
"Oh really?" Munya one of the favoured brotherhood garden companions giggled. "I think you have your hands full with Malik, eh?"
The other women tried to hide their laughter behind a scarf or a hand when they saw Basira redden at the comment.
"Munya, please." Basira said, trying her best to brush the comment off and sound professional.
"Well I-" Nadira began before something caught her eye. "Is that Malik?"
The other women turned and looked up to see the assassin stalking up to their little group from the temples arched doorway.
"I wonder what he is doing in the garden so late..." Nadira continued, as he drew closer to the group.
Basira watched him curiously, expecting him to brush past herself and the rest of the women, that was until she saw the look on his face, he was absolutely livid. She frowned in concern and took a step towards him.
"Malik-" she began but was cut off when he grabbed her wrist almost painfully and began to pull her away from the group. " Malik, what are you doing?" she hissed, finally finding her voice, straining against his pulling grip, her hand beginning to feel numb.
He said nothing, not even bothering to look back at her as he pulled her towards the commons of the castle.
Basira looked back to the women whole merely looked back to her in shock and worry, murmuring amongst each other. None of them wishing to interfere with the angered assassin and his current objective; whatever it was.
She turned back to Malik and tried to keep up with his long, hurried strides, all the while wondering what had caused this sudden outburst.
No one was in the commons when they arrived, the young ones had been sent off to their rooms for the night, and many of the brothers were still training or resting.
Upon being dragged into the room Basira was quickly released from Maliks firm grip and she rubbed her sore wrist tenderly, glaring at the back of Maliks head. She watched as the assassin began to pace back-and-forth in front of her muttering to himself and shaking his head slightly.
"What is the meaning of this?" she asked, attempting to keep her annoyance at bay and out of her tone.
His pacing stopped immediately and his head snapped up to face her.
"He acts as though nothing has happened, he simply walks past me like he doesn't know me or what he has done to me." he hissed gazing over to her; the candles in the room flickered, casting eerie shadows across his angered face.
Basira held her breath for a moment, pursing her lips and attempted to think of an appropriate way to approach the subject.
"You speak of Altair..." she said finally, wincing at her bluntness.
"Yes..." he spat, breaking away from her eyes and looking down at the stone floor.
She paused again before speaking.
"Why did you not go to one of the brothers, why come to me?" she questioned, eyeing him carefully when she saw him tense.
"I-I did not wish to speak any of them about this matter." he told her glancing up quickly, confusion in his dark eyes.
"Then why not one of the sisters, Munya could offer you companionship and comfort-" she began.
"I do not wish to speak to anyone else on this matter, I do not seek Munya's sort of comfort." he snapped at her feeling as if she was trying to get rid of him.
"Oh..." was all she said and tried to avoid his dark stare, deciding that a flickering candle was a good enough distraction. "Then what do you wish of me brother...?" she asked him finally, unsure.
He gave a small grunt and turned his gaze from her.
"I...I do not know..." he replied strenuously, rubbing his eyes tiredly with his thumb and index finger. "Just...forget I said anything." he then said with a sigh.
Basira watch as he brushed past her and out of the commons and down the corridor; his shoulders slumped as if he had just fought a losing battle. For a brief moment she wanted to reach out to him, but quickly thought better of it, not wishing to disturb him. She sighed and then left the commons heading back towards the gardens, very much ready for a restful nights sleep.
"Al Mualim, wishes you to go to Jerusalem with Malik." Uzma said to the young healer the next day as they washed off medical equipment in the large basin of quickly dirtying water.
"Pardon?" came the questioning reply, the younger healer's dark eyes filled with curiosity and fear.
"Malik is to become the Rafiq of the Jerusalem Bureau and Al Mualim wishes for you to accompany him." Uzma replied cooly. Not bothering to return the girls surprised gaze, fearing that the younger woman might notice the faint sorrow in the older healers heart for losing such a valuable pupil.
"But-but what about you?" Basira asked quickly, her mind trying to process the new information.
"Amna will be taking your place for the time being, until you return to the garden." came the reply
Basira looked down to her slightly bloodied hands and bit her lip.
"When shall I return?" she asked softly.
"I do not know child..."
"When will I be leaving?"
"Tomorrow at dawn; when we are through here I advise you to gather your things..." the healer said wiping a blade clean on a rag before placing it down next to the rest of her equipment.
"Does...does Malik know of this?" Basira asked, continuing her washing, feeling confused and somewhat betrayed at the same time.
"I would assume so." Uzma replied, tucking a piece of grey hair behind her ear that had managed to free itself from her loose braid.
With that the two continued on in silence not quite sure what else to say.
Later, as Basira settled down for the night, she gazed over to the two flax bags in the corner of her room, just making out the shape of them in the pale moon light; they contained nearly all of her earthly belongs. She sighed and then starred up at the ceiling pulling the itchy covers of her bed closer to herself and attempted to fall asleep.
However when the first light of day began to peak over the castle walls and seep through her window and into her chambers, she had gotten no sleep during the night. Tiredly and with her stomach doing summersaults she pushed herself out of bed and began preparing herself for the journey ahead.
The women and young ones had assembled in the garden to say their farewells to their fellow sister and mentor; all of them surrounding the young healer, some sadden by her leaving others excited that one of their sisters was going out into the world.
"I will miss you so much!" said Rim sadly as she gave Basira yet another hug, then wiping her misting eyes on her scarf and stepping back to let the others say their goodbyes.
"Here." said Nadira, holding out a sheathed dagger and leather tie towards the younger women. "It will help keep you safe." she added as the healer took the blade from her and placed it at her hip, tying it snugly.
"Thank you, though I hope I will never have to use it." Basira replied giving a sad smile.
"Nor do I, you were never very good at handling a blade." came the reply with a friendly chuckle and a pat on the shoulder; the healer snorted.
"Here is an extra supply of medicinal herbs..." Amna said softly pushing her way through the crowds looking up to the fellow healer shyly.
"Thank you Amna, you take good care of the brothers and sisters while I am away." she said taking the small pouch of herbs from the smaller women.
"I will do my best."
"Don't worry about us, or the brothers." Munya piped up grinning slyly.
Basira frowned as she looked over to the companion, feeling rather uneasy under the woman's stare.
"You should just be worried about Malik and keeping him entertained." she added and the women giggled, and tittered at the statement; while the children looked to the healer in confusion and curiosity. "We all saw the way he dragged you off the other night, it seems as though he has taken a liking to you." she then added.
"It is not what you think-" Basira began but was cut off by another companion.
"There is nothing to be ashamed of, Malik is quite a handsome man, even with the loss of his arm." said Nashwa coming up behind Munya and grinning.
"I assure you, we are doing nothing of the sort." she replied trying her best to convince the women around her, but knew she was most likely failing miserably. Her tanned skin betraying her with a growing blush that crept across her face and neck.
After a few more goodbyes and hugs from the women and young ones Basira turned and began her walk towards the castle doors, her heart feeling somewhat heavy as she walk through the towering archways.
She was met by Uzma at the castles front doors who looked at her in weary kindness.
"My child, I wish you a safe journey, and prosperity where ever your path may take you..." the old healer said placing her worn, wrinkled hands on the young woman's shoulders.
"Thank you mistress..." Basira replied and swallowed thickly as the old woman embraced her in farewell.
"Safety and peace be with you sister." she said bowing and stepped aside.
Basira nodded and swallowed again before pushing open the doors and began her walk towards the stables.