Well, sorry for the long wait guy's. Here is chapter 7 and I hope it is to your liking. A review would be nice and it feeds the muse to keep me going.

Sofia-Chan Blue: Major thank you! David will not be a loner for much longer as he gets through this journey on his own. I am also glad you like this story. :)

Masyaf: fortress of the assassins

Year- 1191

Three days after the invasion of Robert De Sable

Status: David Webster has been sent back to the time of the crusades. How or why he was sent back in time has not yet been clarified.

The sun setting over the mountains had called out to an eagle flying in the sky. Since the days after the attack of the crusading army, the people of Masyaf were beginning to feel safe once more. They felt secure in their homes knowing that the men who guard their village where called assassin's. An ancient order that has a beginning. Where the origin of the assassin brotherhood has begun has been lost through the sands of time. Every origin begins somewhere as it does now for one man who sits on the foot of his bed. Alone with his hands rubbing at his scalp feeling his hair growing and not staying in a buzz cut. However, that feeling of safety could not come so easily for the man when his hands moved to the growing stubble of a beard. His eyes now focused on the stone floor. Marveled in beauty by a master architect, David was lost in his own thoughts. The discussion with Al Mualim had been going on for days since their first conversation within his study. Truth be told, David was just as lost about his purpose.

What was his purpose? He was but one man who had come home from war. A man who had to keep himself from causing the images of that war to filter in his mind. Being here in this fortress has somehow calmed his mind. The images- the flashbacks- had quieted these pass few days in his mind. David was grateful for not having to deal with it. His mind was already in shambles with thoughts of finding ways back home- if there was a way. But he had to find out how he got here in the first place.

Assassin's were an ancient order, explained Al Mualim. They seek peace for all of man kind, but there was something that was keeping it all away. David could not understand how it was the Templar's seek to keep away the peace. The crusades were a Holy War as far as the former soldier knew. This was something that even the history books did not tell. Could this all be one big conspiracy? Could this be an illusion of the mind that has come under stress? No, David would not dream of such things or even imagine it. For days he has tried to find logic in this outcome. To no avail he had failed countless times. Al Mualim was the answer or was it the treasure in which the assassin's now had? David would have to be patient if he wanted to find answers.

Getting up from the bed he heard the sound of a knock at the door. No doubt it was his escort to lead him to Al Mualim's study or to the training grounds. That had been his routine. Staying in the confines of his room pacing like some caged animal, thinking, talking with Al Mualim, or training with the assassin's. The training that these men go through was just as much of a challenge than Basic was for him in the Army. These men could scale walls like geckos. Their bodies were leaner making their movements flawless with the sword, the knife, and some had a weapon within their sleeve. David could not keep with the training but he could endure which made him a constant target for a man named Abbas. The former soldier could feel the anger boil within his veins when the assassin ventured near the training area.

David could feel some change within his body. The training and food had slimmed him down a bit, but he was still bigger than the assassin's. No doubt he would be scaling the walls anytime soon. He could not dream of ever doing something like this. Being here in a time where men relied much on hard work and calloused hands, David could appreciate it. Somehow, he felt some peace but it was still to early to tell what his purpose was here. For now, he was to do something today.

"I have something planned for you, young man. As Malik makes his way to Jerusalem, you will be given a chance to understand our ways." Al Mualim stated looking to the window.

"Your ways?" David spoke not clear of Al Mualim's intentions. These people were assassin's after all. It would be logical to be skeptic, but was it not Al Mualim who made David their honored guest? Al Mualim was a wise man who could hear the uncertainty within David's words. The troublesome and tired look was ever constant on the foreigners face. Emotion may have been hidden underneath the hard shell. A soldier, David had said. A soldier who saw battle. War scars could never heal.

"We do not train outsider's. Only is it rare that one such person could be trained under strict and master guidance." Al Mualim made his mind clear just yesterday after finishing his meal in his study. For days the foreigner has been observing the assassin's trying to figure them out. This man had claimed to be a soldier in his time. It was no wonder David was built like one. A man of battle, but not so agile like the leaner men in the fortress.

"Our ways of teaching not only relays on the sword, but it also survives in knowledge of the world. How can a man know of what he fights for if he knows nothing of the people he seeks?" David stood silent soaking in Al Mualim's words. Something had triggered his mind to shock in an instant. Like a flash of light perhaps. Then it vanished.

"A man only fights for what he has, not what he is given," Al Mualim continued looking out the window, but David could feel the older man's gaze on him. Seeing those hidden emotions. Maybe he could see the troubled spirit. "If you want to return to your time in a world you describe as lost, then you must learn how to counter it. You must grow in knowledge. You must grow in skill. But you also must grow in spirit. Your soul is broken like many others, but if you could find someone with the same troubles you may find your answer."

"So, you will teach me?" David said feeling a bit of hope grow within his chest.

"Not I," Al Mualim quickly stated, "I have giving instruction for Altair to teach you." David's eyes widened. Altair is alive?! "My student did not take the news likely as I have taken away his rank as well for being arrogant in his ways. He is but a novice in my eyes until he proves himself worthy of the creed. You, however, must learn like a child who learns to crawl."

David was not sure how he should feel or even say the right words. Should he reconsider the offer of becoming like them? But that would be an offense since Al Mualim was considered the wisest and most seasoned of the assassin's. Why was it that Al Mualim would even want him to become an assassin? There was nothing that he could bring to them. Yes, he was once a soldier but their training is different. Everything here is different. David was trained in modern military combat, not some medieval nonsense. Hell, he cannot even fight with a sword or ride horseback. Whatever training these men do seems to be more demanding with their upper body strength and legs.

David was aware that he was much... Bigger built than the men here; taller even. It would take years to master their art. It was years that David did not want to spend here. However, what choice did he have?

"I was not aware of Altair being alive. I thought he'd..."

"...Died?" Al Mualim said without hesitation looking away from the window. "Altair saw what I wanted him to see. Become reborn as a new assassin. As for you, your training will begin when Altair is ready to set for Damascus. There is some business he needs to attend to. We shall speak more of this matter later. Altair likes to leave the moment he has a chance. I will make to it that you have some sort of defense. Are you any skilled with a sword or knives?"

"I have never touched a sword in my life. But knives I have always been around." David said knowing that at least he can be of use; even to a pouting man like Altair.

"How am I to teach a man who has never seen a sword? How am I to teach a man who cannot climb walls or scale rooftops? How can I teach a man who cannot hide in plain sight? A novice- a master assassin- teaching a man who claims to be a soldier." Altair spoke placing his things on the back of his horse. "Or even riding a horse?"

David looked to the man with much distaste feeling the intense gaze of the assassin. Altair had made himself known to David: a strong man with much fit skill that may have been higher than the former soldier's skill. Two different men of two different worlds would have to come to some agreement, but Altair was being just as stubborn. David was not even sure if the man could speak English. The communication between the two would be a quiet ride, but David would not complain. Solitude may be a blessing for the former soldier. It could even help him think of ways to get back home.

Right now, David had to figure out a way to get on the horse.

After many attempts to even straddle the animal, David had succeed with Altair looking bored. The guards at the post watched with fascination- and humor- as the big bulky giant of a man tried to lift himself on a simple horse. Fits of laughter and snickers were aimed at David, which Altair looked to the guards who turned a blind eye at the newly appointed novice. Word had spread of Altair's new status. Nothing seemed to be secret when it came to an assassin of such a rank. Abbas and Malik were made aware and to add to that punishment, David was left to be taught under his guidence. In the back of the assassin's mind Altair had to question his master; of the purpose as to why he had to teach a man not of the land. To teach the man the ways of assassin's. Al Mualim must have something planned for the man. If all else, David had nothing of value to add. Seeing him train within the short few days within the fortress was painful to the eyes. The man had movement that were sloppy, but he had tactics. Altair would give him that much.

But he will never admit it.

David could not even get his horse to move from the stables. Did all of this man's brains go to his muscles? Frustrated at the wasted time, Altair moved forwards with the bucking of his hips and the pull of his hands on the reigns. A click of the tongue pushed his own horse to the road the lead through the mountains. David looked in awe and fascination doing what Altair had done. It took the man a few tries to get the horse to move, but he managed it. This was going to be a long journey to Damascus, was all Altair would dread to think.