The night was cool and refreshing. The sound of the city silent with the moon covered by gray clouds. Altair stared out into the distance, feeling the wind on his face. He was once again in Jerusalem: city of faith. Alone with his thought's, Altair could only think of memories past. Since he was a child the nightmares of his father's demise haunted him. Alone as an orphaned, Altair had to be strong. But he was foolish, arrogant, and believed himself to be above the rest. He scowled at his own thoughts blaming himself for his father's death. Old demon's surfaced that night Abbas's father killed himself right in front of Altair's child eyes. Two men's death because of young Altair.
'He killed himself because he was regretful, Altair.' He thought to himself. He could not blame himself for Abbas's father's suicide. It was not his doing. The man was a coward and could not face death with dignity. Abbas had a cowardice father, and yet, Abbas still hated Altair. The assassin had nothing more to do than try and remove Altair from the brotherhood. It was a childish anger.
"You were always the one to never sleep before a mission." Malik spoke. "It is what gets men killed. One foolish mistake can risk danger to the brotherhood. But I am talking to the great Altair."
Altair only sat their quietly. Since Kadar's death because of Altair, Malik was never the same. Their friendship was a tight rope ready to be cut. Though Altair never saw Malik as a friend. Altair did not believe in friendship. Malik was here only to spew his resentment towards Altair. Should it bother him? No. Altair cared not for what Malik thought of him.
"If you should see past your own blindness, David and yourself are one in the same. David is not so thick-headed or arrogant as yourself, but the darkness lies within him." Altair should hold himself lucky to be given such strong words by his comrade. Malik knew that the assassin would not listen- even if Malik was a rafiq. The resentment of losing his brother was a heavy toll on Malik's heart, but David was one of them; even if Altair still does not see it.
"We are nothing alike." Altair finally spoke. Malik felt a bit proud to be getting under Altair's skin. "He is a novice of another land. The master still sees promise in him. I only see weakness."
"You only see yourself." Malik retorted. "This is why you fail in my eyes. You will not redeem yourself until you are capable of facing what you fear. The facade you show may fool others around you, but to me you will always falter. I will be there when you fall, but I will not give you forgiveness. You are like a leper. You are isolated and alone, but you are the master's favorite. When you are ready to face yourself I hope you suffer true and well, my brother."
Altair could never show a sign of emotion. He was a wall never to be broken. Malik's words had cut through him and stung him. His hand curled into a fist ready to throw a punch, but Altair looked away from the rafiq. In the brotherhood, the rafiq is the wisest. In Altair's mind, the rafiq only tormented him and tried to humiliate him.
They placed a blindfold around his eyes. His hands were bound tight against the rope. He was pushed forwards almost tripping on his own feet. David felt disoriented from the movements. He could hear shuffling boots against stone and the sound of guards shouting orders to one another. David wasn't sure what was going on, but he knew something unsettling was going to happen. All David could do was keep calm about the situation and try to come up with some sort of escape plan. It might not have been the wisest of situations because David was taught to not try anything that could cause him or anyone harm, but he knew there would be no rescue team and he had to escape or die trying.
He did not know where they were leading him. One moment he was inside the cool stone walls and the next he felt the warm and muggy air. The stench of human waste filtered through his nostrils. With the guards pushing David roughly to continue walking, the motioned for him to walk up a set of stairs it seemed. Feeling his way up, David was lead and they stopped him. One guard pushed him against wood. David felt his hands go free for a moment before rope was tied around him.
He could hear a crowd in front of him. They murmured incoherently. He did not know what they were saying when they took off his blindfold. The sun shined bright causing David to close his eyes for a moment to get used to the adjustment. The guard placed David's hood up for some reason. It confused the former soldier for a moment. Opening his eyes to his new surroundings, the crowd had gotten bigger. David tried moving against the ropes but he could not loosen them. Looking from side to side he could see others in the same situation as he was in.
'This is not looking good.' David thought. His heart was pounding hard. He knew exactly what was going on. The growing crowd around the stage, many guards, and the prisoners tied against the poles.
This was an execution!
"Silence! I demand silence!" Shouted a man.
The crowd became silent as the same man-who David was familiar with-took center stage. He walked with authority among the silent and eager crowd. The guards at the footsteps of the platform were listening in to what this man had to say. David swallowed spit waiting in anticipation. The other three prisoner's were shaking. They were scared knowing their fate.
"People of Jerusalem hear me well. I stand here today to deliver a warning." He paused. "There are malcontents among you. They sow the seeds of discontent, hoping to lead you astray."
The man walked and pointed to the prisoners. He had a look of disgust on his face as the crowd was mirroring his emotions. These people were all from different backgrounds. David had much time to study them as the man continued to talk.
"Tell me, is this what you desire? To be mired in deceit and sin? To live your lives in fear?"
"We do not," screamed a spectator.
"So you wish to take action?" David wanted to throw up- his body weak and feeling a bit frail. The crowd continued to shout as the man spat out nonsense.
David continued to struggle against his ropes. Time was running out fast, but his body was just to tired. His stomach was growling for food. The crowd was getting thirsty for the blood of the prisoner's. They were getting closer and closer and the man was encouraging their behavior. A mob mentality when he pointed towards the only woman on the stand. He shouted at her and she seemed to be pleading. Her eyes switching between the crowd's and David's. Somehow, she seemed to be wanting help from the former soldier. But it was to late for the woman. A sword was impaled into her stomach as she let out a horrible scream. David closed his eyes tightly, but her bloodied screams will forever be scorched into his brain.
What did the woman do to deserve such a fate? What did any of them do? David was confused.
The crowd cheered and clapped as if it was some kind of entertainment to see a life be taken by a mad man. David clenched his teeth. He refused to open his eyes to the bloody scene. The smell of the woman's blood was very strong. The other prisoner's were mumbling- asking for pleas in their language. David refused to beg for his life.
The sword killed the men and the crowd was eating it up. David could hear the man's footsteps coming closer until they stopped right in front of him. The smell of human blood lingered in his nose. David's heart raced anticipating his last thoughts on Earth. Slowly, he lifted his head and opened his eyes to see the man who was going to kill him. The man grabbed David by his head and stood to the side. The crowd shouted as they waited for more blood.
"Killing me will not make you any safer. I see the fear in your eyes, hear the quiver in your throats. You are afraid. Afraid because you know our message cannot be silenced. Because you know we cannot be stopped." He said to David.
David moved his head and struggled against the ropes again. Like an animal cornered, David was going to fight for his life. The man stood back raising the sword close to the former soldier's chest. The crowd waited in silence for the final kill as the blood dripped down. The stench was strong. David could show no fear. This man was manipulating the crowd into believing, thinking David was afraid. His words sank into his mind. What message? We? Who is we? David questioned for it would be his last thoughts. But something stopped the man from killing David. A divine intervention? A sense of danger? No, a white blur moved against the crowd and stood on the platform.
The crowd went silent to the ghostly figure. The warm wind blew his robes and his fists were clenched. His fave barely covered by the hood showing a man of no emotions. Altair moved his head and his eyes glanced at David's. The novice was alive- just barely.
Altair moved quickly with his hidden blade shining against the sun. The man had no chance of defending himself from the master assassin. David felt the pressure of the ropes loosen around him. The crowd screamed and scrambled. Guards were making their ways towards them. Looking behind him, David could see another assassin throwing away the ropes. Without a second thought, David followed the assassin who cut him free.
Adrenaline coursed through his aching body. His legs were ready to give out on him. David had to mentally cuss at himself to run. He had to yell at himself to keep up with the assassin who was faster and nimble. David's side's were burning and the Jerusalem sun was unforgiving. Dust settled on his drenched body. Sand mixed with sweat. His mouth was running dry. He was slowing down and he could feel it in his aching legs.
'Keep moving David!' He thought.
'Don't give up you bastard!'
His body wanted to give out. Of all the prisoner's set to die, he was the only one that survived. David felt heartbroken for not being able to save them. Their death's were unneeded. His heart ached from deep regret. Emotion of sadness and anger fueled him to keep moving his legs. His boots crunched against the stone rooftops. The city of Jerusalem holding his soul. David wiped the sweat from his eyes. Memories flashed in his mind of shouting and the smell of smoke. Blurred figures running by his side. They moved at his pace, dressed in combat uniform. David blinked more times to see if these men were real. In front of him was a soldier looking behind him. His mouth moving in a silent yell.
David could see the desperate look on the soldier's face. He recognized this mans face through the blur.
Brown?
...
Altair jumped on the back of the guard and placed his hidden blade in the back of his neck. Moving his blade hand out of the man's neck, Altair stood up and continued running. They shouted, the bell's of the church rang echoing throughout all of Jerusalem. They were getting close to the Rafiq's quarters. Malik would not be very pleased at the actions the assassin's brought on themselves. It matter not of what the assassin thought to Altair. He had killed his target and in agreement to Malik, saved David from his death.
Altair could see David struggling in the distance. Though he was not fast, David could still catch up with the other assassin's. But something was wrong. David was holding onto his side and breathing heavily. The man was tired and in his weakened state had to rest. Where most would give up and accept their death, David continued to run. It surprised Altair in some way to see a man close to falling and never getting back up, run until he was able to jump down into Malik's building.
Altair jumped down and taking in a deep breath. Sweat dripped from the tip of his nose. The dust settled to the ground and next to his feet lay David. The novice coughed violently from the dust entering his lungs. Moving towards him, Altair placed his hand on the man's arm. David flinched lightly but he remained calm. The former soldier looked to the assassin. His body still hurt, his mind was bringing back memories, and though he saw the sun through the roof- David sat himself up.
He was shaking violently. Muscle's twitched under his robes. Altair could see the signs of a man in shock. He was not keeping eye contact. David was mumbling incoherent words. The poor soul was facing something. Altair felt pity for him. What was it that made David act in such a way? What horrible memory made him? Altair was curious, but he would never act on it.
"Do not touch him." Malik's commanding voice shouted.
Altair took a step back to give David room to breath. Malik walked in with a pitcher of water in his hand. The assassin that freed David quickly tended to the novice. David was weak. Altair said nothing and stood in the shadow's. Malik and the assassin tried to get David to stand on his feet, but the man fell.
'He might not make it through the night.' Altair thought. 'But they say we are alike. I shall keep watch and make sure he does not pass.'