The wind blew gently against his skin. Watching as the birds flew high in the sky. The smell of spices lingered from the markets below him. Sitting in the shade of the building with a plate of food with bread, he ate his fill before they were to go on their mission. Tasting the different flavors of lamb in some spice he continued picking at the bread to blend the dryness of the grain and the wetness from the food. He was enjoying the food that the middle east had to offer. Free from all the chemicals of modern day foods made the taste so rich. Not that David was a health nut, but he preferred having fresh meat and vegetables on his plate. His body was becoming more lean and his legs were strong. The muscle that made him brute like were shrinking down, but he was not weak.

As he was enjoying his meal, Altair was silent in prayer. The mid-afternoon prayer was one of the five prayers done throughout the day. David was always fascinated by the way the Muslims prayed each and everyday. He has seen it done many times during his tour in Afghanistan. His understanding of Islam during their prayer was that they were silent during this process. There was no singing, no loud voices, just low silent prayers. From what David knew was that they spoke of a passage from their most Holy book: the Qur'an.

Seeing Altair pray before they mission was strange at first for David. He truly did not think the assassin's were religious. He had thought that they worshiped something else or that they were far above religion. Al Mualim made it seem that the Brotherhood were far more than God believers. David was seeing that even though these mysterious men were sent out to kill those they believe to be against men, they had to believe in something to compensate for they killings. Did Altair believe in this? Maybe. He was praying and one has to be concentrated and pure of heart to have Allah or God bless them.

He placed his plate down watching Altair finishing his prayer. God will not favor them this day.

…

They walked trying to keep their steps silent with the sound of dripping water falling somewhere nearby. There was a smell that was...human. David smelled this before in the prisons holding those for interrogation. It was a foul smell but David kept walking behind Altair. Their swords drawn in the dim light. The torches held little light when they heard a low moan. They stopped momentarily to let their ears listen closely. David turned his back to watch as the shadows moved with the firelight. He placed his hands in a position as any soldier holding an M-16 would. His soldier instincts told him to wait and listen. Altair looked behind slowly watching David do some strange stance he has never seen before.

His feet were steady and firm. His stance slightly bent with his eyes focused. Davids sword was at chest length. Altair turned his head back keeping a slight distance between him and David. There were crates stacked ready to collapse. Barrels that looked empty and a cage?

Altair moved closer seeing movement behind the bars. He almost recoiled back when he saw what was behind those bars. A man. A very sickly looking man who looked to be starved and reaching out trying to grab the assassin.

David looked around him seeing people now peering into the dim light. Their forms looked like skeletons and they were dirty. Most tried to reach out to them asking for help, many too sick to walk, and others sat in a corner mumbling with crazy eyes. David lowered his guard for a moment watching these people behind the bars. Altair has never seen so many people behind cages like some animal. These people were slaves ready to be traded.

An insistent, beseeching sound made both men cover their ears. David clenched his teeth trying to keep the flashbacks from emerging. Altair was waiting for the sound to end and so it did. They heard a louder voice calling.

"You should not have come here, assassin's."

They turned to the sound of the voice. Above them in the balcony, shadows moved quickly. Thy were trapped.

"But you are not the kind to listen," Mocked Talal, "least you compromise your Brotherhood."

David was listening close, trying to pinpoint the man. He cursed in his mind. It would be easier to find this man in the shadows if he had his night vision sight. But he had to keep calm as Altair was motioning his free hand for David to lay low. The assassin was coming up with a plan. It better work.

"Did you think I'd be ignorant of your presence? You both were known to me the moment you both entered the city, such in my reach." He talked to much. He was confident that he was going to kill both of them.

David could hear more movement around them. Cries for help and pleading with them to let them free. People of all walks of life trying to cling on to their robes. David moved away from the cages as Altair tried to watch out for any enemy. Talal was certain he caught them in his trap. His bowmen at the ready to strike them down with ease.

"So there are slaves here," called Altair, "but where are the slavers."

Talal grimenced at the word. He ignored it slightly and spoke in the English tongue.

""Behold my work in all it's glory."

A spark of light from torches revealed the room. Their eyes adjusted seeing more people in cages. Then a door opened. Both men cautiously walked towards the open door. Climbing the flight of steps they entered a room with a gallery running along all sides of them, making them even more trapped. David kept his eyes everywhere. As Altair was looking forwards, he had to keep his eyes behind them. His sword was tightly gripped around his hand.

"What now slaver?" Altair mocked. His voice echoed.

"Don't call me that! I only wish to help them. As I myself was helped."

As Talal and Altair went back and forth, David kept his eyes in the darkness. The movement and moans of people kept him on edge. The sound of something heavy moved showing light from the outside. Before David could understand what was happening around him, they attacked.

They jumped down from the balcony. Running at them with swords drawn and arrows ready to shoot. There were six of them. David was sure there was. Altair was already in a scuffle with one of the six men. Fighting quickly and ending one life. David felt an impact hit him in the shoulder.

A swordsman came at him, hitting him in the shoulder wit the butt of his sword. David grabbed the man by his sword arm, twisting it so he was behind the man, and threw him to the ground with force. He was not going to kill anyone. Unlike Altair and the rest of the assassin's, he was not taking a life.

Another man came running at him. He shot an arrow that quickly missed David by an ear, hitting the wall behind him. David ran up to the arrow man, shoving his hand at his opponents chest. Hitting his with his weight causing the man to fall back, clutching at his chest. David knocked the wind right out of him.

One more stood in his way, but before he could attack, Altair struck him down with no hesitation. Blood dripped from the man's lips. He fell. Dead. Unlike two of the lucky ones. Up above them, Talal knew he was going to die. He made a run for it, causing both Altair and David to move to the upper balcony. Altair ran in front of David as an arrow flew pass. David followed Altair. Reaching a ladder leading outside, David was met with the sunlight.

…

The chase was on.

Altair hunting Talal through the streets. The slaver was trying to out run the assassin, but Altair was more skilled and deadly. Through the rooftops he skidded, keeping his footing. His breathing withstanding the long distance. David could only see a blur of movement. Altair was hot on Talal's trail. Jumping a long distance to another rooftop, Altair disappeared. David ran faster trying to asses the situation.

Coming close to the last location he saw Altair, a new figure stood with his back to the former soldier. He raised what looked to be a bow. David could feel his muscles burn. His breathing became heavy. The sun was beating down on him. In a flash, he made contact with the enemy. Running into him, David grabbed hold of the arrow man and both of them fell to the streets below.

A/N: Cliffhanger? Maybe. I'm not so sure if the way Muslims pray is right, please tell me. As far as I know, not much is given about the assassin's and if they even believe in God. I only made Altair Muslim because-in my mind- it kinda made sense. I did not see Altair to be anything else. Plus I wanted to show how David saw the Muslim prayer. Well, I would like to thank those who reviewed and placed favorites on my story. You are awesome! Happy holidays everyone and see you in the new year!

Please review or leave a comment. This helps with posting new chapters. Also if people can recommend me stories, I would love to read. Get the word out. :) again happy holidays