Chapter Twelve

I look over the unrecognisable landscape before me as the Templars, one being Will, set up camp. All I can see around me are spindly plants with claw-like branches clustered around small arrangements of rock. The dust affected by my footsteps swirl lazily around my knees as the morning sun attempts to shine through layers of cloud.
We've been travelling again, who knows where. All I know is that I have no where else to go. I feel like this is home, or maybe I just feel like that because of Will. But I'm not going to be kept captive for the rest of my life, am I? Sadly, a part of me is wishing for that to happen. I feel like I've lost everything.
I wonder whether the people I knew back home in Acre have forgotten about me. I wonder if anyone realised I disappeared. A distant memory tugs at my heart - a man in a white hood. It begs for attention, but I push it away before it can take any effect on me.
"Khara."
I turn around, expecting to see Will, but instead see James beside me.
"We're going to let you go soon," he says confidently.
I try to grasp what James has just said, but it doesn't seem to sink in 're leaving me? Already?
"But there's one last thing that you might want to help us with," he continues. "It is a chance at revenge, for both you and I."
I still say nothing, trying to come to terms with everything. The Templar takes it as an invitation to keep explaining.
"This is about Altaïr," he whispers.
Finally I snap out of my reverie as a bunch of once locked up memories arise - with then comes a burst of heartbreak and sorrow. I blink back tears as my mind reels, overwhelmed by the sudden sadness as I remember how my heart shattered the day I learnt the truth behind Altaïr's actions.
But even faster than the sadness settling in, is the anger. My knuckles turn white as my fists clench and the full extent of Altaïr's betrayal comes back to me. I look up as James continues to talk.
"We have discovered that Altaïr is going to attempt to assassinate a Templar in a few days time. One of our own. We have a plan to stop this, and backfire his attempt. To capture him and let him face the pain you did. But we need you to help us."
I slowly unclench my fists as the idea of vengeance calms down my angry emotions. A chance at revenge. A chance to show him what it was like being held captive. A chance to make him pay.
I nod my head vigorously and the words come out before I can think of what I'm agreeing to. "I will help you. I will do anything, just make him suffer."
James nods back at me. "I will inform you of the details at a later time. For now, just get lots of rest."
I watch as the Templar makes his way back to the camp. Will runs up to him and they exchange a few words before they part, James walking further into the community of knights and Will towards me. I wipe the tears from my cheeks and a smile replaces my once distressed frown.
I open my mouth to speak, but Will cuts me off easily.
"Khara. I know that you want revenge. But this is dangerous. Promise me you'll keep yourself safe. I'll come with you, but I can't guarantee things with an assassin like Altaïr. Please tell me you'll keep yourself safe."
The torrent of words surprises me, but I nod.
"Of course, Will."
The Templar smiles back at me and I feel myself beaming back at him.
Before I realise it, his lips are against mine and my heart flutters uncontrollably. His kiss feels passionate and eager, like he's been waiting for this moment for a long time. I feel like it too, but something else is tugging at my heart. Something is telling me that this is wrong. Something is telling me that this isn't what I want.
I shove Will away from me and break off any physical contact. My mind is reeling - I feel like I've ruined a perfect moment but another side of me tells me that it was suitable to stop. He looks back at me in confusion, with a slightly hurtful expression on his face.
"Khara?" He makes his way towards me again, but I stumble backwards, widening the gap between us.
My emotions are a mess as Will's eyes begin to water, dreading the worst. However, I just want to be left alone to make sense of everything. But I can't think with Will still slowly pursuing me. My attempts at getting him to withdraw from me for a moment are useless when my mind is scrambled and I can't form a proper sentence. The image of a white hooded man flashes through my memory again and my thoughts break into a panic.
"Just leave me alone!"
My words feel harsher than I expected them to be but I'm in too much of a shock to say sorry.
Will however holds out a hand to me and walks forward again. "Khara? I'm sorry, just let me talk abou-"
"No!"
My shout echoes throughout the desolate landscape and a few knights turn their heads to search for the source of the commotion. I turn away from Will and run away from the camp, but still not too far. I can't imagine what I'd do if I got lost, but I still need space to think.
I press my back against a rock structure, away from Will's line of sight. I can't help but think that I'm being stupid for running away. But the thought of Altaïr is too strong in my head to make me stay. I thought I loved Will. I thought I was already done with Altaïr and his lies. Then why is there still a place in my heart for him? Why have I held on?
A part of me answers my question, a part of me that I tried to bury with my now flirty personality. The part of me that would have answered Will's plead for me to be safe with a sarcastic comment. The part of me that was actually me. The part of that was real. And most important of all, the part of me that loved Altaïr.
Tears are flowing down my cheeks now because all I can think about is Altaïr and how much softer his kisses were.