Thank you for adding my story to your alerts. So here is the next installment of Castle's. Chapter 6 already? Well, I hope this story is getting some attention. A review would be nice so I can keep writing.
Victory is written by those who triumphed over their enemy. These men in robes held themselves highly like scholar's searching for vast knowledge of the known world around them. Every detail, every map; even language had it's wonder's to these people. These people who wore robes of color- maybe indicating rank structure. He knew that these people were far beyond primitive. History has always proved that people of old were smart and had intelligent scriptures of the world around them. To David the crusades were nothing more than the expansion of religion. The Christians moving their belief upon the Islamic world- well, that is what David knew about history. The military aspect, however, was a different matter. Since the days of staying within the fortress, David has seen military similarities. The structure in which these people operate can be considered military. Though, in David's time it is more modern; if one could say.
How much time has changed since then. Society in the future has accomplished so much within a certain time span. The art of war clings to society through blood soaked hands. With the advance in technology also comes new ways of killing others. Still, no peace has come to the middle east. No peace in general has come to any place. Here in the crusade era it was only the beginning of a long struggle.
The people had calmed their nerves from the invader's that now left. Men, women, children who were not like the robed men were in such calm in the courtyard. The gates had yet to open for their safety back home. The robed men who were scattered about kept eyes open and hands twitched waiting for a second invasion. David was not sure of what he was seeing, but some of the men would move their wrist and with a quick flash, something shiny would appear and then vanish back into the sleeve.
David now had the idea that these robed men were more than scholar's. Some held weapons not suited for a man of knowledge. Men of such would be more so focused on the wonders of books rather than warfare. Even their faith held true to their nature. David was not much of a praying man, but in these times, faith held more reason then anything. However, these robed men held onto both faith and knowledge. Something that history had forgotten or maybe these people were secretive that history just could not crack. Now that all were gathered in the courtyard, the former soldier looked on to this knew scene that had befallen the village. The battle was long over with the dead being taken away. Al Mualim had all eyes on him now as he commanded a hush from all voices. David stood behind the older man on the rostrum by the entrance awaiting what was to happen. His talk with Al Mualim would have to wait for a later time, but the former soldier could only hope that Al Mualim was not hiding something that could be his only chance home.
With mouth's shut and awaiting the words of the older man, Altair awaited in nervousness with his back facing the people. Two other robed men stood by his side bringing about not only confusion in the young man but from David as well. What was once filled with joyous victory was now like a trial of a guilty man waiting to be executed.
"You did well to drive Robert from here." Al Mualim spoke in their native tongue. David furrowed his brows in frustration at the sudden change in language. Just moments before, the older man spoke in perfect English. Now, now that has changed quickly. Whatever the reason behind it David could only wonder as time will only tell what the former soldier was doing in a time such as the crusades. He could only watch from a distance as Altair kept a weary eye on him, but his focus was more on Al Mualim then anything.
"His force is broken and it shall be a long while before he troubles us again. Tell me... Do you know why it is you were successful?" Altair stood still and silent. Every bit of speech dripping into his very bones as everyone, including the foreign man watched in anticipation. The humiliation has once again returned.
"You were successful because you listened," pressed Al Mualim. Even if Altair would not speak, the young man knew better than to say anything without his master's say so. David watched with pressing eyes as Al Mualim stood before Altair. His stance not giving away any indication of anger or even from the tone of his voice could the older man be any more irritated.
"Were it that you'd listened in Solomon's Temple, Altair... all of this could have been avoided." The older man moved his hands to prove his point.
"I did as I was asked," spoke Altair after a pregnant silence. Each word being chosen carefully that- even though David could not understand- he could see the hesitation and the sweat dripping down the man's brow. What was it that made Altair act so strange?
"No! You did as you pleased. Malik has told me of your arrogance you displayed. Your disregard for our ways." Al Mualim snapped at the much younger man. The two men beside Altair took hold of his arms which Altair did not struggle against, only tensed. David took a step forwards but was stopped by one of the other hooded men.
'Malik?!' He thought looking to the man with the now missing arm. He still looked weak, but he was alive with only the look of hate and anger in his eyes.
A loud smack echoed off bringing David back to focus on Al Mualim and Altair. The young man had his face turned the other way than quickly snapped it back. Words were exchanged in anger as Al Mualim lectured on and on. It made no difference now that David could not even muster their words. Whatever it was that had Altair in the hands of his own people, it could only mean that he had done something wrong to have had been treated like an animal.
David could not hold any sympathy towards him. What was their that David knew about the man? Nothing, that was for sure. Suddenly Al Mualim pulled out a blade and struck it to Altair's stomach. David's eyes widened in shock as Altai doubled over in pain. Malik stood frozen as pale as a ghost as he too watched from the same distance when Al Mualim pulled out the blade watching without remorse when Altair stopped breathing.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Shouted David. All eyes had quickly turned to him.
"Stay your tongue you fool." Whispered Malik. Not knowing what the man had said, David took another step forwards raising the guard of the men around Al Mualim.
"The meaning, young man, is to teach Altair the error of his arrogance," Al Mualim spoke putting away the dagger within his robes. "As I have told you before, we are more than scholar's."
Speaking to the robed men around him, Al Mualim did not feel threatened. The two men who held on to Altair's lifeless body carried him off pass David and Malik. Where they were taking his body, only Al Mualim knew. Right now, David could not hold to the questions any longer.
"Then what are you? What I witnessed within these few days is bloodshed and knowledge."
Al Mualim placed his hands behind his back. His older face changing expressions for what he was to say, he would have to chose the words. It was not wise to speak infront of all the village and the brotherhood, but it was not wiser to speak to a complete stranger who came from a land not known... yet. However, Al Mualim acted upon his gut to come to terms that David was here for a reason. Maybe a reason for his plans that will soon fall into place.
"Come, let us speak of this in my study." Walking towards the two men, Al Mualim focused on Malik with softer eyes.
"Malik, go and rest your aching body. I am sure Altair will awaken a new soul and I have something planned for you. Come to me when you are in full health." He said with a gesture of a small smile.
"Yes, master." Malik spoke with a nod of his head.
The sun was setting over the mountains. Peace had overcome the fortress and everything around it. The bodies of the dead no longer within sight where any eyes could be reminded of what went on through that day. Everything was slowly falling back into place. Altair was within his room resting away with the door locked. A fitting punishment for his mistakes. Malik as well rested within his own room. David roamed the halls with an escort always keeping him within sight. Though not many of the robed men could speak English, David's escort could understand slightly and speak in broken English. Through the halls where scholar's roamed talking to one another, robed men keeping watch or guard, some even in the training area working on perfecting their skills; dinner would be served when the sun completely sets beyond the mountains. In the study area, David felt the familiarity of the large space. Though he wanted to know what was within the vast knowledge of these men, he had to know first of who and what they are. The secrets that they guard will not come easily out of the mouth of Al Mualim.
Without an escort, the two men could speak in peace.
"Long ago we've hidden in the shadows of men. Always vigilant of our surroundings and constantly aware of where we were. The men you saw within our village were Templar's." He spoke looking from the large windows.
"Templar's? You mean the Knight's Templar?" David said truly not believing the words himself. However, history did prove that the Templar's did exist. To say that history could lie was optional, but in the world David lived in many centuries from this moment painted the Templar's in a different view.
"You have heard of them?" Al Mualim said with interest in his voice.
"I have come across the name on some occasion. It may sound crazy, but you may have some idea." David was not sure where this conversation was leading. What was it about the Templar's that made Al Mualim question the former soldier. David knew little to nothing about the ancient brotherhood. In fact, he could give two shit's about it. The Templar's are long dead in his time, but here and now the Templar's thrived to fight in the crusades and later become extinct. "I come from a different time. The crusades are long forgotten and war plagues the middle east since then. My people have many stories about the Templar's, but it is only rumors."
"A different time? Rumors? Young man, the Knights Templar have been a brotherhood all of its own for many years. Unlike us, the Templar's are like a newborn. What we are I am sure your people may not have heard." Al Mualim knew something David did not. Walking from the window the older man placed a hand on one of the old books on the shelf. He seemed to be deep in thought when he found what he was looking for. David did not care for reading about the history, he just wanted to go home. He wanted to recover the way he felt necessary.
"Whoever you may be, I do not belong here. I have to find some way home because this is more than just a dream."
"No one claimed it to be a dream. You are within the fortress of the assassin's. A brotherhood older than the creation of society. We are still ancient, but that is all I will give you as of information. I do not know how you are to return to your time. You were brought here for a reason, whatever it may be. I know you have many questions and I wish to help you find them. I do not have all the answers, young man." Al Mualim placed the book on the table. Dust flew from it uncovering the cover that was not English. David felt heartbroken and hopeless knowing that maybe there was no way of going home.
"My purpose here may not even be given. I do not believe in that sort of thing," Al Mualim raised a steady hand to stop David from speaking any further.
"Your purpose may be given in time. For now, young man, I will have to decide what you will do here within the fortress. What was your occupation? Do you have any skills? I am sure you are strong by the way your form is made. A brute..." Al Mualim took a moments pause to study David further. The former soldier felt the intense stare coming from the older man. The two have not had this long of a conversation since David believed that they spoke no English.
"I was a soldier." David said.