"He is still stable for now." He said looking at the computer screen. She looked back behind her at the man when images began to pop up on the screen of his computer. He gave a heavy sigh as he rubbed the temples on his head. The files in his messy deal were scattered about and the file on Desmond Miles was on top of the rest. Opened and scattered were files on the young Miles. No one knew of his location and his own father did not seem to be concerned about the matter.
She rubbed her tired eyes. The stress was taking a toll on her body and mind. She barely slept and having coffee in the morning was the only way for her to stay awake. Food wasn't even an option for her. Her partner forced her to eat- even is it was small meals. Her desk was messy, but not as messy as her partner. He was a slob. She sighed heavily. She was irritated by the passing days and the soreness nights.
She turned around back to her own computer screen. Her thoughts clouding every sense as she was trying to come to terms about David. How long could they protect him? How long would he stay in his comatose state? Would he even be the same? She wasn't sure because when she looked at the subject lying still in the bed, eyelids moving and his breathing steady. He was weak and it would be a longer recovery for him.
"So not worry yourself about him." She slightly jumped as he placed his hand on her shoulder. She didn't even hear him walk up behind her. She was growing rusty from the lack of training.
"I've been worried since the day he returned. I knew it was a mistake and I let him do it. How was I to know they would get his blood samples? I would have never imagined them to be so hidden." She said.
"You put to much blame on yourself. We all would not have imagined them to be very deep in the government. We were meant to protect him, but be grateful that we have him under our protection and out of their hands." It was reassuring, but she felt the guilt.
"The counsel has a decision to make and we must be there." She turned around with confusion written on her face.
"What about?" She asked.
"They have found out location. We have to be prepared and there is a plan of action." He said.
Her heart sank in the it of her stomach. She feared for the worst and wanted to cry. She wanted David to wake up already. She needed him right now. His daughter needed him. She constantly asked for him every night she went home; on those rare occasions she chose to go home.
He looked at her with concern in his eyes. She was falling apart. The council was pushing them. But time was something they did not have. David was close to getting out of there. He was soon to wake up. And when David wakes up, who knows how he'll react to his surroundings?
David was never a man of faith. He never believed in anything because as a child no one wanted to have a child with no past. Who would want a child that stared off into space? Who would want a child that was angered easily? David got into many fights as a child. He was picked on by the other children. Until he was old enough and kicked out of the system, David always knew he was different from the rest. Now, he understood why. He was something that was rare in the long line of humanity. It was something in his blood that made him something not human.
Sages were a myth. They were always described as old men living alone in mountains. They were always wise. To think a Sage was something different then what he knew or at least heard about. But it stop does not explain how he ended up in Syria in the first place.
"People feared the Sages because they were more then human." Malik said.
"Why fear something they don't understand?" David looked at the manuscript that was given to him. Though he could not read it, but there was something oddly strange about it. Drawings and pictures of people in strange clothing. It all seemed familiar to him- like a distant memory or something more.
"Why fear anything? Sages are meant to be protectors of the pieces of Eden. But the line of the Sages has been wiped out because of that fear. You are the first Sage in many, many years to walk this land." Malik has known this knowledge since he was a child. The assassin's were more then murderers in the eyes of the people. They were scholars and they had a creed.
David was not surprised at the knowledge Malik held. He was a rafiq and maybe the most wisest, in David's opinion at least. Malik was one of the few assassin's David could trust and by hearing what he had to say, David has to take his word.
"The pieces of Eden, from my knowledge are just stories. I never believed something from religious texts to be real. Were Sages evil or something else?" David wanted to understand. He wanted to know more about Sages and why they were killed.
David placed the manuscript on the table. All the knowledge that was given to him was too much to handle.
"Sages can be dangerous. If the Sage was to be captured and found out, he can be used as a weapon. As assassins, we cannot have the piece of Eden or a Sage fall into the hands of an enemy." Malik was certain in his own truth. He could only wonder if there were anyone else who knew of David's lineage.
David looked at his palms that were calloused from training. Rough, not so delicate. He could see his veins underneath his skin. The blood that was flowing through them was the answer to all of this. It was the reason he felt so trapped in this era. His memories that were not his that he was seeing were someone else's. He closed his eyes tightly trying not to give himself a headache.
"Rafiq!" Jumping down from the roof and in a blue came an assassin. Malik look at the breathless man.
"What news do you bring, brother?" Malik spoke.
"The funeral did not go as planned for Altair." The assassin calmed his breathing, waiting for Malik to speak. The conversation between David and himself would have to wait another day.
"Altair should be here any moment. Go and rest brother. You did the creed proud." The assassin lightly bowed and stood straight. He noticed David at the far end staring and then looking elsewhere. The assassin paid no mind to the foreign man and turned to leave them both in silence.
The sound of the church bells rang throughout the city. Echoing like a heavy darkness over It. David sat in the shadows watching the clouds stroll above. The birds flocking away from danger and hearing people below him. His mind had not settled and there was a burden placing weight on him. The city of Jerusalem was not quiet rather then upset with the events.
David placed his hood down to let the wind blow gently across his hair. His eyes were coded in concentration trying to let every single detail of today's conversation soak into his mind. The month's have been hard but he understood little. Maybe he found his purpose here in Syria. The artifact that was possessed by Al Mualim might have something to do with him being here. Sages were directors of the pieces of Eden. Maybe, just maybe Sages were killed because they held power or some sort of knowledge on how to properly use these items.
Maybe something more. David did not want to believe Malik's words and the revelation that was told to him. But somehow, hearing the truth made his reaction less dramatic. What soul would be unlucky to have such knowledge running through their veins? Did David have to fear for his life or risk being caught and used?
He sighed heavily. Was he the only Sage left? Was he going to let the same fate as the others?
He opened his eyes to the sight of an eagle flying high. Circling around him in the gentle breeze and it swooped down near the ledge. The large creature with its sharp eyes stated at David and he stared back. The creature ruffled its feathers and spread its wings. David was curious as to why this bird was within his reach.
The creature was calm and observing David- like it knew something he didn't. The eagle tilted his head and straightened it. David was mesmerized for that moment. All doubt and worry seemed to fade. But he could see something flashing before his eyes. Those same symbols and the sound of men yelling. The sand that hit his skin. The taste of blood in his mouth. David's heart began to race against his chest. He was remembering that day. The eagle flapped it's wings making the sound to calm David. As if it knew he was going through reminiscent thoughts.
David placed his hand on his chest to calm himself. He had to stay calm. He could not let the darkness take over. The thoughts of war, the pain of loss, and the hurt. David had to overcome it. But it was not easy knowing that these thoughts were not of your control. These thoughts were his, but not his. The Holy city could not even give him peace. The eagle once more ruffled its feathers as David felt the sense of calm. It was strange until something within the distance caught his eyes.
The figure was moving fast. Jumping from the rooftops and landing softly. David stood up quickly knowing the figure as it was running towards him. David took his eyes off Altair for a moment and noticed the eagle was nowhere in sight. Pushing the thought aside, he jumped down into the open hole in the roof and quickly made his way to the entrance.
Malik was busy at work with his maps when he noticed David come into the room in a rush. Then moments later he heard another noise coming from the same room. Altair stood besides David with sweat rolling down his brow. The master assassin was clearly out of breath and looked in a state of shock. It was rare to see any other emotion come from Altair, but something did not seem right.
"It was a trap," he said to both Malik and David.
"I heard the funeral turned to chaos… what happened?" Malik watched as Altair took a moments breath. David took a step back to give the assassin some breathing room. He too was curious if what went down.
"Robert de Sable was never here. He sent another in his stead. He was expecting me…" Malik did not take a moment to hesitate as he cut off Altair.
"You must go to Al Mualim." Malik said in a form voice. David crossed his arms as he continues to listen in on both assassin. Gathering what Intel he can and trying to make some sense of it all. Returning to Masyaf would be the wider option, but Altair was dead set on not going back until he accomplished something. Altair had explained how there was a woman in Robert's place which caught them by surprise and raised many questions.
However, as Altair continues to explain about how the men he was to target were on both king Richard's and Salah Al'dins side. David took a moment to go through each target and their significance. Al Mualim wanted Altair to kill them and David was to always to travel by the assassin's side. For what purpose? What was Al Mualim hiding from them?
Altair had finished talking with Malik and noticed David with a lost look in his eyes.
"Are you well David?" Altair asked.
The tall man blinked for a moment and said, "I was just thinking. What you say is true- which I cannot doubt your judgement- the creed and the brotherhood could be in danger."
"Then you both must make haste and not longer here." Malik spoke. "You two must reach your destination before anymore lives are out to risk."
"You must be ready to see combat and not be afraid." Altair said and kept his eyes on David. Time was running short and both assassin's said no more.
Both David and Altair said their farewells to Malik. Once on the rooftops and away from any listening ears, David could not contain what was on his mind about the matter.
"You believe Al Mualim is hiding something?" Altair kept his focus straight. His jaw was clenched tightly but he did not have it go unnoticed. Was he that obvious?
"Do you have your doubts?" Altair asked.
"I hold many doubts. But someone as wise and knowledgeable as your master, even he can hold secrets. Someone who holds much power and strength would have to hide something. Those men you were sent to kill, the Apple, and me showing up here has to signify as something." David watched as Altair was beginning to jump to the other side of the roof. He wanted to also tell Altair that maybe him being a Sage was also what Al Mualim was keeping a secret from him. Though, when David was first called that term by a sick man and asking the Wise master assassin, he had to ask himself of Al Mualim knew all along.
"What would you have to do with any of this? You were placed under my guidance as a novice." Altair looked over his shoulder. They were wasting time talking and not enough traveling. "We have to move on. The more we waste here the enemy moves further."
David nodded his head as he saw the agitation in Altair's face. One way or another Altair is going to know about David's secret. He could only hope that he is the one to tell him first.
Authors notes: So we are close to some action here. We also gotten a bit more information regarding David's Sage status.
Kit Kat: Thanks for the review.
Commanding After Dark: I am happy that you started reading my story again. I love the lore that the games were going with and decided to get some inspiration from history and books to put into this story. I think it works well and puts more information into it. As with David having eagle vision, it says only a few actually have that gift. Not that I am saying David is anything special. I have been thinking of continuing David's story into the other games. I do plan on having David meet Desmond, but I am not sure if I want it to be years down the road during the second game or at the very last chapter of this story. I love David and is probably one of my more favorite characters because I try to make him realistic.