A moments hesitation caused a good man to die. That moment the world shook. They were quick to react to the new situation. Gun fire, smoke, and the smell of earth. David was injured. He was on the ground while the world around him was turned into chaos. He closed his eyes. The mixture of sweat and blood began to sting. He tried to raise a gloved hand to wipe it away, but his body was trying to readjust. His breathing was heavy and the voices around him were calling his name.
David remembered everything that happened that day. He could never forget it. That moment- those few seconds before all went to hell. David could not place it, but that explosion caused something to change him. Something triggered a long forgotten memory. As he was being dragged through the dirt, David saw figures. He saw strange men running at them. Their figures were transparent. But what mostly stuck with David was the symbols. They were strange like something you would see in the X-Files. David could only figure it was a hallucination.
"How are you feeling today, specialist Webster?" David blinked to focus on reality. Standing by the door was a doctor with many years under his belt. David rubbed his eyes trying to answer.
"I am doing fine, doctor. No need for rank, I am no longer serving." David said.
"I understand it must be a hard time for you. Coming home from a war, having to go through physical therapy, and talking to a doctor about your medical status." The doctor gave a small smile. David could see it. The look all people give soldiers.
"I am doing fine." David said in a hostile voice.
The doctor looked to his clipboard feeling uncomfortable with the situation.
"I do know therapists and I can give you some guidance. They can help you, Mr. Webster. It is a common thing for soldiers." David tuned out the nonsense.
After his doctors visit and a trip to get his pills, David was feeling alone in a big hospital. Patients were in their rooms resting for their recovery. Most patients here where soldiers. But it did not surprise David. This was a military hospital. As he continued to walk the long halls and hearing the intercom calling out to someone, David stopped at the door to his room. His thoughts running wild as he could not understand why he was being help here. There was nothing physically wrong with him. Minor bruising here and there. He did all his recovery back in Afghanistan, there is no reason why he should be here.
"The doctor said you are in a bill of health." Turning his head to the side, David saw the figure of his squad leader: Ssgt. Dawnson. "But the Doc tells me you refuse the help you need."
Ssgt. Dawnson was a small man. Muscular, could run for miles without breaking a sweat, but he was tough. He was always fair and good to his soldiers. David could rely on him. The whole platoon could rely on him. Dawnson has a grin on his face with his arms crossed over his chest. David knew that look. He hates when Ssgt. Dawnson had a grin on his face.
"I do not need the help, sergeant. With all due respect." David was tired. His body full of meds keeping him from staying awake.
"What have I told you boys? What did I say when we landed boots in Afghanistan?" Dawson's tone changed. His grin faded and his eyes were burning deep into David.
"Never fear the darkness." Both soldiers said in unison.
"Why are you refusing help? Webster, you are not the only one suffering from wounds we cannot see. We have come from battle worn boots and maybe you need to see that. Your family, everyone who has lived you is going to see that change. Do not make me regret it." David lowered his gaze to Dawnson's boots.
"What options do I have, sergeant?" David was feeling the helplessness. His body and soul was crushing under all the weight.
"We both know the VA won't do shit, Webster. I know a couple of retirees here that would leans an open war to someone like you. They are old timers, but they can help you go through the process."
David was adapting well to his surroundings. He was growing strong with capable knowledge and given the gift of respect amongst them. No foreigner has received such judgement or… kindness. God has truly blessed this man. David has become one of them (in a way). Al Mualim has noticed a change, but he was not the only one. The villagers have come to accept the tall man. He was no longer a stranger, though David has found a way to communicate with them. The language barrier was strong, but it seems David has found a way with using his hands and facial expressions to get his point across.
As he kept himself in his study, Al Mualim read the old books. His fascination with the foreign man was peeking interests as the weeks passed. Covered in dust- falling apart at the rim-these writings were as old as the first beings of man (or so The legend goes). The writings were about the Sages. The blood of these people is rare, but having one alive in such a time even as rare a find as the Apple. Al Mualim was now certain David was one of these ancient people. The Apple glowed and reacted when David was near. Somehow, David was connected.
Al Mualim wanted to know why. If the Apple reacted to David, it could only further provide proof of the Sages blood flowing through David's viens.
He could hear the sounds of the blades clashing together. The assassin's roared in cheer on pure entertainment. They never had such a luxury and were in constant state of seriousness. Placing the book back on the shelf, Al Mualim would come back and read more of its contents. For now, he has to continue to observe David without the foreign man being suspicious of his actions. No one could know. Not one soul until the time seemed perfected.
He reached the window that overlooked the training grounds. Assassins gathered in the sword pit, watching David spar against one of their own. It was hard not to miss the giant man. He was tall and muscular than the lot. Though, Al Mualim noticed how his body changed throughout the many weeks. Could it be his diet? Was he not eating at all? David was losing his big build, but he was still stronger then the others. There was also something more.
The man was no longer afraid of himself or what he is capable of doing. From what he (Al Mualim) has gathered, David could sleep without having wake from the demons that haunt his dreams. Al Mualim As another month passed, Al Mualim has kept his eye on the foreign man. David was growing skilled in his use of the sword. His movements were becoming fast and his footing was graceful. Everyday for that month, he and Altair trained. Each time, David would lose, but the man would not give up. This attracted the attention of the other assassin's. They wanted to spar David. They wanted to see what he was capable of.
Al Mualim considered giving David a hidden blade. But, the old master decided against it. David has his uses which did not require the blade. Soon, all that he has worked for will be accomplished and Altair was none the wiser.
Their mission was a success. Damascus was now behind them. Another man struck down by the hidden blade. Though, Altair could not help but try to get answers for his questions. Al Mualim has given him a peace of mind, but all that doubt lingered. There was a shadow that lurked with every man he killed. There was a reason. Why did these men work together in order to rule against man? Surely, mankind has is faults but to take away something they hold dear. Altair could not understand it's purpose. This was more then a war. This was far bigger. The invaders wanted the Holy Land for their religious rights. Altair saw a split in the road. There were those fighting for the right to rule these lands and another more… secret agenda. He looked up to the starry sky wondering what it all meant.
Tonight was no easy night. There was no threat- human nor animal. He saw David struggling to find sleep. The foreign man's eyelids were shifting. Altair knew this type of unrest. David was having another one of his nightmares. It has been sometime since the assassin has seen this.
He was shaking. Sweat rolled down his brow. Altair could only watch not knowing what he can do to help ease some of David's pain. He could smell the burning of the books. The way Jubair spoke with authority. He convinced those who were present to burn every book. If history taught David anything, burning of books was burning every past knowledge. It angered him. It blinded him. Altair gave David a mission: Track down Jubair's decoys.
David did what he was instructed. One by one, he tracked and fought the decoys. Anger build inside of him. Boiling his blood and with each strike of his sword, the decoys were overwhelmed. No man should burn what was written. Man had no authority over one another. They used fear. They used everything in their power. One man fell to the ground and blood stained his sword.
David has killed.
David has killed a man.
Altair watched the fire dance with the gentle cool breeze. David next to him, struggling with his self hatred. He was moving in his sleep. Mumbling words that were very strange to Altair. He knew David was dreaming of the man he killed. After killing Jubair, Altair tracked David and found the man shaking. In a dark alleyway, the foreign man stood by the bloody body. His eyes were distant. Altair remembered walking by David's side. Surely it was not the first time David has killed. He was war torn. He saw death. But, what Altair could not understand was why he stood there with a far distant look in his eyes.
David opened his eyes quickly with heavy breathing. Altair was slightly startled, but kept his composure. David sat up as he wiped the sweat from his forehead. He had to calm himself before he had another flashback. David looked at his surroundings making sure he was in reality- or whatever he was in.
Altair continued to look into the fire. It would be another sleepiness night.
...
"I've seen my brothers wounded. I've seen their faces when they would return home. The look on their eyes was dead. The color- the life that was once bright was faded into an internal void. They were a shadow of their former selves. I first killed a man when I was twenty." David spoke softly. Altair gave the man a glance and continued to stare forward.
They were traveling back to Masayaf when the sun was just rising over the mountains. Their horses were keeping a steady beat. The cool crisp air blew ever gently and the view was breath taking. David would have enjoyed the morning blessing, but he was bothered. Everything fell on his shoulders like a ton of bricks. He knew Altair would not care for his ramblings, but David has to say something. He could not take keeping in the nightmares- the demons that were clawing at his brain. He had to say something, but of all people Altair seemed to be an easy choice. No therapists to tell David he was crazy and needed to be in medication. No civilian feeling pity for his wounds. His other fellow soldiers felt the shell shock of war, but they relied on each other for support.
David saw Altair as a fellow soldier. Albeit that Altair was an assassin, but a soldier none the less. Could he understand the pain and fear? There was only one way to find out.
"He surprised my… fellow brothers as we rounded a corner. I stood there just a few feet away from this man who yelled threatening words and waving… pointing a weapon at us. In one act, I cut him down. I could still remember his face. The way blood spilled from his wounds. No one forgets a dead body." David has to carefully place his words. Modern speech would confuse Altair. Hopefully the assassin understood enough of it.
"I've seen countless men die by my own hand. We are taught to strike them down and to never raise a blade to an innocent. The creed we obey is one that has been passed and with each assassin, it is taught. You have seen war but you let it continue to haunt you. What has lead you to keep this darkness?" Altair said after a moment of silence.
David was in shock for the most part. Altair was not a man of conversation- if anything the assassin barely spoke a few sentences at a time. David may not know much about Altair, but they had similarities. War or not, Altair has been through tough mental training. Even a soldier in the modern world could probably relate to. In the moment, David had to relate to somebody that has a similar demon. "I am certain you've had brothers die before you. Even if it was your fault in their deaths. You have to question why you have lived and they die. You act a man who is cold and ruthless, but not every wound is visible."
Altair clenched the reigns of his horse tightly. His face was calm, but inside of his mind he wanted to tell David to quiet himself before walking into uncharted territory. The assassin's has been told countless times that they both are the same. Altair was beginning to see how. They both shared battle wounds that made them who they are. Though, unlike David, Altair no longer had the nightmares. Throughout the years, Altair learned to control his fears. Maybe it was something he saw as weak. Maybe it is why many think him arrogant. Altair was better and above the rest. But he was human.
"I have never claimed myself as cold and ruthless." Altair dejected such a notion on his person.
"No. You have not. But I have seen men put on a mask. They hide their demons well and they lash out on others." Altair stopped his horse abruptly.
He spoke, "What is your point you are trying to make?"
David stopped his horse as well. "Where I come from, when you return home from war with unviable wounds, you are considered an outcast. People try to help you in every case, but those who understand are those who have seen war. The carnage is caused and the people affected. I see you, Altair as what we call a 'battle'. Someone we can rely on and try to support one another through our most vulnerable."
Altair considered for a moment question what a battle was in David's world, but decided to not speak it. What the assassin was hearing was not what he is used too- not even from and outsider. David has spoken true words and saw Altair as a support of some kind. Though, Altair was not sure if David was calling him weak or wanting to let out what has been bothering him. Even so, David was talking an awful lot about something that seemed personal. It confused Altair; it was interesting.
"I do not see how I can be something of an… support? You are a novice with a soldiers will. Your wounds are a sign of all you have been put through. We are nothing alike." Altair said in a stern voice. David frowned. If only he had the courage to go to that meeting Dawnson has spoken about. Maybe things would have been different.
'I have failed those who were trying to help me. I did what Dawnson asked me to do. I told someone. What a fool am I. Thinking an assassin would know the value of brotherhood.' David clenched the reigns of his horse.
"When a soldier is in time of need, we have a saying. Never leave a man behind." David spoke. The former soldier stated down Altair. The assassin did not back down but he knew that look.
How David's eyes looked dark and his face showing no emotion. "But what would an assassin know of a brotherhood?"
Altair wanted with all his anger to beat David down. Just a few days prior, Altair has shown David the respect he deserved. He considered David somewhat like a brother without blood bonds. But to say something such as that to Altair? It was insulting. But the assassin has to consider David's words. All his actions in the past up to now- Altair knew he was wrong.
"Do not judge someone who knows his mistakes." Altair said.
David sighed, " I did not mean any of it. Forgive me, Altair."
The assassin was silent, which made David unnerved.
"I have been told we both are alike by many of the assassin's. I never believed it true until I noticed your nightmares. I have them, but that was many years ago." David sat stunned at to Altairs confession. Today was really a breakthrough for both men. They were finding a common ground with each other.
"How… How do you calm yourself when the images flood your mind?" David asked.
Altair looked towards the road. Masyaf was another few days travel, he noted. David waited for an answer.
"I do not let the shadows win." Altair said.
'Was this what the master wanted from me? Did he want me to see that we both are alike? Was this his intentions all along?' Altair pulled the reigns of his horse and let it walk. David followed close behind, thinking it seems. 'Was it so we both could learn how to cope with out nightmares?'
Altair looked over his shoulder. David was watching the sky with a serene look upon his face. Something changed within that moment of their dispute. The assassin had to admit that he too felt the weight of the world off his shoulders for the moment. But he knew there was another task waiting for the both of them.
Altair turned back to face the road. His thoughts congururing up the image of his father. Would he be proud of the man Altair is? All the mistakes he has made and his arrogance getting a man killed? Their was pain inside of his chest. Would his father see that Altair has made a connection with man He has not wronged?
A friend... Perhaps?
Authors more: Hello everyone. Wow, we just had more breakthrough did we guys? Seems like Altair and David are becoming friends? Is that the right word? Well, they both had their little spat. And what is this? Can David be a sage? What plan does Al Mualim have for poor David and how is he connected to the Apple? So many question. We will see the next chapter. We are also getting closer and closer to all the plot points from the game. How would this end for David?
Shout ours:
Chubby Crazy- What was your guess for the beginning of the last chapter? You may be right. :)
Kit Kat- Thank you for the lovely review. Give yourself a pat on the you keep enjoying David's journey with everyone's favorite assassin Altair.
Thank you leejisabel, OrnisApiens, RoseSlayer77, Se acerca el invierno, and Bunkeyboo for the alerts and favorites.