He could not remember her face. She was always hidden behind some blur. Her voice was a whisper to his ears. He could not remember her name; he could not remember her face. She was always faceless. She was awats nameless. Altair had no memory of her. His father said that she died when he could form memories. He was so young when she died. It was all his father said about her. He never again spoke of his mother. She was a memory of the past.
They said Altair looked much like his father. He was a splitting image, like some copy. Tall and lean, with a strong jaw, long straight nose and light hair. A young Altair would have been proud to look like the man he called his father, but something wasn't his. Altair had the eyes of his mother which was light on color. Though as he became a man, his memory of his father was distant, but he was a reminder of who his father was.
When he reached the door, Altair felt his body grow weary. He felt cold and fatigued. His missions were getting to him physically. His body was tired constantly. He had little energy, but he was going to do Al Mualim's will, like his father before he died.
Not many things caught Altair off guard. He knew better then that. He was not to show his emotions. He was only allowed to mask them. Taught to obey, never to compromise. He always placed the thought of his parents in his past. They were dead. Running the sleep from his eyes, the assassin carried on.
It would be about a month since he left David in Malik's care. The lack of an ever present shadow has been noticed among the other's, sparking rumor that Altair killed the foreign man. Though it was not true, Altair knew the truth. With the thought of his parents in his mind, the assassin could not help but question the motive in which David saved him. Altair did not like to hold debt in anyone. It pestered him, but with all that was reveled to him by Al Mualim, he could let it pass until he could repay David.
How? Altair wasn't sure on the matter. Lingering thoughts lead the assassin to his study. Not one soul was to bother him. His next task was to head back to Jerusalem to continue his mission, whether David would be a part of it or not.
Walking into his study, Altair breathed easily. There were many uncertain things clouding his mind. One of them being the purpose of David's actions. Who was he really? How could he be of use? Surely David was learning, but Al Mualim speaks so little of the foreigner. Little specks of information could go a long ways. Still, David was a mystery. He still lives and makes careless mistakes. But he still saved Altair's life. That he is grateful for, though he was not going to say it aloud.
…
Given his first mission on his own, David felt a sense of pride. He wanted to prove himself worthy to the assassin's. A month has passed since Altair left David in Malik's care. A month of training under the guidance of the rafiq. Malik's was a tough, but also a very knowledgeable teacher. David still had much to learn, but learning only improved the former soldier's insight and ability. Strong amble legs made for long distances. Lungs able to breathe deeply and eyes shaper then a marksman. David was learning and learning was David keeping his spirits high. The night terrors that haunted him deeply faded away into shadow. Though the symbols flashed quickly and faded.
David found his destination within the hour. The sun was just shining through grey clouds. People were beginning to start their day. The morning prayer has come to pass with those faithful to their God waiting once again for their next phrase. Jerusalem had something spiritual about it. Whether it was within the walls, the way people interacted, or just the history; the city had much to offer despite the crusade. David paused as he searched for the informant. His stomach growled when he smelled the fresh food being made in a shop not to far away.
"It is one of such wonder. We meet in difficult circumstances." A voice spoke softly.
David turned around to the voice of a man. Covered from head to toe in light grey robes. Informants were notorious for being covered so their identity would not be compromised. David had to be very cautious and so walked towards the smaller man to a secluded place where a bench was looking out towards the fountain.
"So I am told you were searching for me?" the man asked sitting down.
"I am only told who to find and get some information." David said not being one to make small talk.
"You wish to know of Majd Addin?" Always the one to be curious, the informant looked to David. He chuckled behind his mask, but David saw nothing humorous. Of coarse he knew what he was looking for. David thought bitterly.
"There is much to be told about Addin. He uses fear and intimidation as if he was God. The man is well protected here in Jerusalem. No one can get past his ranks. For us it is no easy matter. But for a novice such as yourself… it can be rather dangerous."
"This man, Addin," David spoke having Addin's name roll off his tonuge, "he is not to be taken lightly? If he uses such a tactic than one cannot show fear."
"It is not so simple, novice." The informant said placing a hand in the air. "Addin can accuse anyone if he does not agree with them or if they simply give him a wrong glance. The man has been trailing a woman who he fancies. Your mission is to make sure this woman is not harmed or captured by Addin."
"So I play the part of bodyguard?" David was not amused by this. He was not expecting to trail anyone, let alone be someone's bodyguard. He did not think it simple.
"One who hides in shadow. This woman is poor and Addin preys on her. Like any Hunter he seeks the weak. This woman has evaded him for many years. She needs to be kept alive. If you fail your mission and you are compromised… your death will be quick." The informant stood from his seat leaving David to his thoughts. Giving him more information of the woman, David waited until the afternoon to begin his search.
He could not fail his first solo mission. David scanned the streets below for his target. The sun was now high in the sky. The humidity of the day was manageable for David. He has been in the hottest if days in Afghanistan. Stomach filled with food from a nice older merchant who offered it to him, David was ready for his mission. The streets were busy with today's wonder. No one seemed to notice a shadow watching them from above.
Stretching his back after a couple of hours sitting still, David was not certain if this woman would show herself. He would give it another hour before he was to return to the beareu. And so another hour passed and another, until the sun was setting. David knew he could not linger any further if the woman wasn't to show herself. Standing to his full height, David popped his neck and began his journey back to report to Malik. The rafiq would not be pleased with the information, but David did his best.
As the sun set and the cool breeze blew against his face, something dark and fast caught David's eyes.
They were running fast. Shouting could be heard and then a woman's scream. Quickly David ran to the sound of a scuffle, along with voices. He made it to the edge of the roof.
His eyes adjusted to the scuffle below. The moon was shining against the clouds. Picking one of the moving shadows, David could not fear jumping from the building. Taking a deep breath (and praying to whoever was up in the sky) that he would live.
It took a few seconds to jump and have someone break his fall. His body felt excruciating pain, but unlike last time, David was able to stand back on his feet. The blur of moving shadows coming after David caused him to take a defensive stance. He counted three men and the woman who screamed was now huddled in a corner away from the fight.
All three men came at David with swords drawn. Moving out of the way of the sharp blade, David grabbed one of the armed men and threw him to the ground. The other two were still ready to fight off the novice. Swinging their swords at David, he crouched out of the way, kicking the other swordsman in his knee causing him to scream in agony. The last man raised his sword in the air, but David was quick to punch him in the gut. The man doubles over losing his sword. David saw his chance to run to the woman. She was trembling from fear.
"You need to run." He said as calmly, but their was a bit of a rush in his voice.
She looked to him with scared wide eyes. It was clear she did, not understand David. Cursing, he stood up and forced her to stand. The groans of the men that were after her seemed to die down as they stood back up. No doubt they wanted to continue the fight. David had to think fast if the woman and himself were going to get out alive. But before he could move he felt something hard hit him in the head. The woman screamed rather loudly causing it to echo off the walls.
His head was spinning as he was caught off guard by one of the men. A single punch to the head was all it took for David to step back, but he was not out of the fight. Grunting in pain, David placed the woman behind him to give her some protection. The three men were ready to beat David to a bloody pulp. His head was pounding hard. The nerves in his brain were pulsating against his skin. These men were tough, but David wasn't going to give in.
The three men ran at him, throwing punches left and right. One tried to kick David down, but the former soldier has the advantage of height. Using his tall stature, David grabbed two of the three men by their necks and threw then back. This should be enough time to run fast away from them. Grabbing the woman by her arm (though she protested in her language) it was not enough as more men came from their escape route.
"You assassin's are always so bothersome." A voice spoke.
David was trapped and there was no escape.
A/N: So another chapter down. Sorry it took so long to update. Seems like I am never updating fast enough for you all. Well, here is a longer chapter for all you people. Thanks for reading my story. It makes me happy that I have readers. You guys are awesome. Really, you all are. If no one days it then I will.
I love feedback and criticism. Don't be afraid to say what's on your mind. On a random note, I always imagine David to look like Tom Hardy. I don't know why but I just imagine it whenever I write. I mean, if you readers see David as someone else go for it. Next chapter will be out soon.