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Autumn 1191 AD

The Hills Surrounding Masyaf

Sunset

Two figures stood silently on the tallest hill above Masyaf, their cloaks blowing softly in the wind. The sun was setting behind them, crowning them in a halo of light as they watched the people below, waiting. Beneath them, the village bustled with life; hammers rang as people rebuilt their homes, vendors shouted greetings as they returned to the market, and children laughed in the streets, delighted to be with their friends again. Above it all stood the mighty fortress, home of the Assassins. Flags fluttered proudly in the slight breeze, showing that the strong people of Masyaf were still there, that they had survived.

"He is there?" the smaller figure asked as she gazed upon the massive castle.

"He is." The woman's male companion stepped closer to point at the tallest tower. "He will be their master now, as is his right." He turned his hooded face towards her and she saw his teeth glint in the beautiful smile that gave him his name. "As it will be yours to one day lead us."

"You know I do not want that, Bassam."

"And yet, here you stand, gazing upon the place that is home to one of the greatest leaders this world has ever known... The same leader who is your brother." Bassam placed his hand on her shoulder. "If you are anything like him, you will be great as well."

"I do not desire greatness, only peace." she snapped, shrugging off his hand.

Bassam laughed softly, knowing how well the sound would carry on the wind.

"If anyone can ever truly achieve peace, I believe it will be you, Alya." A sudden gust whipped his black cloak around him, giving him the appearance of a dark angel born of fire. "But for you to find this peace, you must first face your destiny." He stepped around her and forced her to look into his eyes. "You are meant to change the world, Alya, but not as an Assassin. You know that."

She tried to look away, but couldn't. "I do."

"Then why are we here?"

"I had to see what my mother abandoned when she founded the Guardians." She reached up and placed her hand over his as he kept her from moving. "I needed something to say good-bye to before I began this journey." Bassam's smile returned, though it was softer now, with understanding.

"You are wise beyond your years, my friend. Take as long as you need." He squeezed her hand gently and walked to their horses.

Alya took a deep breath and returned her gaze to Masyaf. The rays of the dying sunset painted it in colors of fire. Music rang out as the people celebrated their triumph and mourned their losses.

'You were right to leave them, Mother,' she thought. 'But I do not believe that their cause is as wrong as you taught me, just their methods. They have saved our land from an enemy that I am glad you did not live to see, and they did so in a way that brought them honor and respect from our people.' Alya bowed her head as tears flowed down her cheeks. 'You would be proud of him, Mother. He has done great things with his power, though I know you would not agree with his means.' She smiled through her tears and looked up at the shining castle once more. 'But now it is my turn to change the world, and I will do it in the way that you taught me, not in the way of the Assassins. I will honor our religion and I will protect the people of this land. I will bring your legacy honor, Mother, I promise.'

With that, Alya straightened her shoulders and stood tall against the sun. She took one final look at the castle her twin ruled before she turned to Bassam.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

"That depends on what you are asking about." she replied, taking the reins to her horse from him.

He chuckled as he gave her a leg up. "Are you ready to begin your journey, then?"

"I am." She watched as he mounted his black charger. "Are you ready to begin this journey with me?"

"I have always been ready." He smiled again, his teeth brilliantly white against the shadow of his face. She smiled back at him and drew her sword.

Turning her steed towards Masyaf, she raised her blade above her head in salute.

"Good bye, Altaïr. May peace be upon you and your people!"

"And may you use your power wisely, my friend." Bassam added, clapping his fist over his heart.

Alya turned in her saddle to look at him. He shrugged his shoulders unabashedly. "I thought it was appropriate."

She laughed softly and sheathed her sword. "Come on," she said, nudging her horse into the sun. "It is a long way back to Jerusalem."

Chambers of the Master, Masyaf

Sunset

"Are you sure Malik?" Altaïr paced restlessly in front of his friend. "There can be no doubt about this!"

"I am certain, Altaïr. I found the record of your birth when we salvaged what we could from the archives." Malik's dark eyes were unreadable. "You had a twin sister."

"Then what happened to her?" Altaïr exploded, slamming his fist into the wall.

"The records did not say. They simply stated that you had a twin." Malik winced as Altaïr hit the wall again. "You are going to hurt the wall, my friend."

Altaïr took a deep breath and turned around. "I am sorry for losing my temper." He clasped his hands behind his back and strode to the window. "Was there nothing else at all?"

"Nothing that was salvageable."

Altaïr closed his eyes. "What happened to her, Malik?"

"I do not know." Malik stood and went to stand behind his friend. "But we will find out. I promise."

"I will hold you to that."