AN: Thanks to my awesome betas for helping out with this chapter! Everybody, PLEASE REVIEW!
The sun had just risen over the Madrassa; golden rays of light filtered through the massive stained glass windows and the stone walls shone in the dusty morning sun. The dark wooden doors were still cloaked in the shadow of the protective wall and pigeons fluttered from the roof as a Guardian sentinel paced silently on watch-duty, his light brown cloak blending perfectly with the rooftop. The dome on the western side of the building cast a long shadow across the fenced-in training yard where the normally well-used training dummies and equipment sat idle, their masters occupied with something far more important that morning.
The five Guardians who were to test for the rank of Master stood ready in the library. Everyone from the oldest Guardians to the youngest apprentices had gathered to watch, abandoning all other duties. The balconies of the massive room were packed, as well as the entryway to the Madrassa; it was not everyday that someone tried to become a Master, let alone the daughter of their founder, so everyone was gathered for the event. The only people missing were the few Guardians on patrol or guard duty who could not be spared for the event.
Whispers ran through the excited crowd as Sayyid pushed his way into the room to stand before the five. Planting himself firmly in front of his students, he folded his hands behind his back and looked them each in the eyes.
"Today," he said evenly as they straightened with respect. "You will all attempt to become Masters of our order. I stress the word attempt, as not all of you will make it through this trial." Sayyid began to pace, glaring sternly as he did. "All of you know the risks of becoming such a big part of the Guardians. You would not be here if you did not. That said—" he stopped abruptly as the main door slammed open, the loud bang echoing throughout the entire Madrassa.
A patrolman stumbled into the library, an arrow protruding from his side. Gasps and fearful exclamations rippled through the room as Bassam caught the collapsing young man. Sayyid slid to his knees next to them and pulled back the boy's hood.
"Fadi!" Bassam whispered as he held his bleeding friend. Alya gripped her friend's shoulder as Sayyid ripped off a piece of his tunic and wrapped it gently around the base of the arrow. Fadi cried out and struggled for breath.
"Be still, young one," Sayyid said quietly. "Tell us what has happened and we will get you to the healers."
"Assassins," Fadi gasped; blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. "Al Mualim's Assassins are attacking the people of the city." He coughed and Bassam wiped the blood from his friend's face with his sleeve. "They have been driven mad by the loss of Al Mualim's power." Fadi focused on Bassam's face. "Help me," he whispered weakly. "Please." His eyes rolled back in his head and he went limp. A tear slipped down Bassam's face as he gripped his friend closer for one final second.
"I will." he touched his forehead to Fadi's. "I promise."
"Quickly," Sayyid gestured two apprentices over. "Get him to the healer's room." The two young men gently lifted Fadi and hauled him quickly from the room.
The library was dead silent for one second before chaos erupted.
"Archers to the roofs!" Sayyid roared as people hurtled everywhere. "Swordsmen in the streets, protect anyone you can, and EVERYONE in armor!" He turned and grabbed Bassam's black robe as he attempted to slide past. "You are not to be out there!" Sayyid shook him so hard that Bassam's fell hood off, revealing his tattooed, shaved head. "Do you understand me? You are too close to this!"
"I am going!" Bassam pushed roughly at his teacher's chest, his face masked in pain. "Now let me go!" He twisted and struggled to get free, but Sayyid's arm was like stone. Finally, he stilled and hung his head. "Please," he sobbed, glancing pleadingly up at his mentor as Guardians swirled around them. Sayyid opened his mouth to reply, only to be interrupted.
"I will go with him," Alya said, offering Sayyid his massive sword. "We will keep each other safe." She glanced at her friend. "As we always have."
Sayyid met her eyes evenly and nodded once. He then released Bassam who jerked away and pushed roughly through the thinning crowd. Alya handed Sayyid his sword and ran after her friend.
"Bassam!" she called, struggling to keep up with his longer legs. He was sprinting down the hall ahead of her, pushing everyone out of his way. "Bassam, wait!" He whirled and stopped at the stairs.
"Do not get in my way, Alya." His odd blue eyes flashed and anger contorted his tense features.
"I was not planning on it." She said quietly, sliding to a stop in front of him. "I was only going to help with your armor." She met his eyes and smiled softly. "We cannot help Fadi if we are both dead for lack of armor."
His face relaxed somewhat and he nodded. "We must prepare quickly. There is no time to waste." He turned quickly and strode up the stairs.
Alya sighed and looked heavenward. 'Help us. Please keep him from getting himself killed.' Bassam reappeared at the top. "Are you coming?" he demanded.
"I am right behind you."
Moments later Alya and Bassam were in the streets, shepherding people away from the violence.
"This way!" Alya shouted above the din, gently pushing people in the right direction. "Get to your friends in the east and hide with them! Someone will come for you when it is safe!" Bassam appeared out of a smoking house across the street carrying a sobbing child.
"My baby!" a woman cried, running to Bassam. He smiled and handed her the child, then wove his way to Alya's side.
"Most people understand they need to head east. We are not needed down here anymore." He turned his hooded face upward. "It is time to get in this fight."
"Bassam." Alya grabbed his shoulder as he started to climb. "Revenge is not the answer to this." A Guardian swung onto their street and saluted before leaping to a rooftop. "You know our creed. Unless it is for self defense, killing is not permitted; this includes revenge... Bassam!" He shook her off and resumed climbing. Snarling, she jumped and grabbed his boot, yanked him off the wall, and pinned him in the middle of the street. People cursed at them as they swirled eastward; one particularly rude old man spat on Alya's robe.
"Damn Assassins, always meddling," he grumbled before hobbling onward.
"Let me up, Alya," Bassam growled, his voice dangerous. "I am not in the mood to be held back again." He tensed his entire body, prepared to fight to get up.
"No," she snarled, slamming him back into the ground. "Now you listen to me. You are always saying I must accept my destiny to lead our people, and now you are prepared to turn your back on everything we stand for? How is that support? How can you expect me to 'accept my destiny' if my closest friend will not honor the way we choose to live?" She grasped his robe and pulled his face to hers. "If this is the path you choose, I will not stop you. But I will tell you this: you will not be welcome at the Madrassa again if you somehow survive this insanity." She dropped him roughly and stood, her white cloak swirling around her. Bassam stared up at her, both alarmed and surprised. "Now choose," she demanded, ignoring his expression. "You will come with me, or you will vanish into this crowd." She offered him her hand and waited.
He took a deep breath and shook his head. Ignoring her hand, he hauled himself to his feet and gazed at her. Alya sighed and closed her eyes. "So that is your choice?"
Bassam's soft laugh was the last thing she expected. Opening her eyes, she stared at him in surprise. His beaming smile shone on his shadowed face as he pulled her into a quick hug.
"I am sorry for overreacting. Thank you for not giving up on me." He pulled back and held her shoulders. "I would never leave you, Alya. Who would keep me out of trouble if I ran off? And who else could make sure you achieve your destiny?"
Alya rolled her eyes at that. "Of course that is your reason." She smiled back and reached up to squeeze his hand. "Now, we really should go help."
"Yes," Bassam answered. "Together." He grinned and pushed away from her, leaping for the wall.