Chapter Ten: Posset Esse Peius
Desmond had forgotten how hot it was in the Middle East. Shifting around on the wall he was leaned against, it was almost impossible to ignore the heat beating down on him or the sweat running over his back. He pulled his hood further over his face, trying to hide from the baking sun. Even in the shade, it was miserable. Something caught his attention and he shoved from the wall, immediately disappearing into the crowds. Malik was soon standing where Desmond had been, scratching his head in wonder at having lost the man. No longer in Assassin robes, but the typical attire of a rafiq, the young man glanced around, hunting for Desmond.
Eyes flicking towards a few feet away from Malik, Desmond spied the Assassin informant who had been following the newly appointed rafiq. Desmond had known Al Mualim would become nervous when Desmond had left after speaking with Malik. No doubt, Al Mualim expected betrayal and had sent someone to tail Malik in hopes of discovering what Desmond's plan was. He slid away, letting Malik curse and continue on towards the Bureau. If Al Mualim was suspicious of Malik, which it seemed he was, Desmond could not rely on the man's help. He would have to seek someone else's aid and he had a feeling who it would be.
Stepping into a hiding place, he tried to relax a fraction.
"Shaun. Rebecca. Bring me back."
"You said you were going to tell Malik Kadar was dead." Shaun hissed, glaring at Desmond as soon as he got out of the Animus.
"I changed my mind."
"You are an idiot."
"What else is new?"
Desmond stretched and rolled his shoulders.
"How's Kadar?"
"Fine." Shaun grumbled. "He just woke up and is eating. He's terrified of us, but we were able to use a translation simulator to get him to calm down. I hope you know what you're doing."
"I have an idea."
Desmond headed into the room where Kadar was being kept and was met with enthusiasm, as well as anger.
"Where am I?" Kadar snapped out. "Where is my brother? Who are these people? What happened to my arm?"
"You are alive and that is the most important thing to remember." Desmond told him as he took a seat beside him. "Now, you are in my time. In desperation to save your life, I brought you here. The medicine is better and we have methods, which saved your life. Your brother is in Jerusalem. He is now a rafiq because Al Mualim, for whatever reason, felt it was a better position for him. Also, these are Assassins of this day and age. They are friends and they will not hurt you, I assure you. Finally, your arm had to be taken. I am sorry."
Kadar stared at Desmond for a long time, contemplating what he had just been told, then he sighed heavily in resignation. "Sorry...um...thank you."
"I need your help." Desmond cut to the chase. "I know you're not healed yet, but I need an extra...I need someone to come with me. I cannot bring Malik as I had intended, since Al Mualim has him being followed. Do you think you can still move without your arm?"
Kadar flinched a little, eyes focused on the place in front of him. "Yes. I'm pretty sure I can...I mean...not as well as before, but I'll get used to it."
"Good." Desmond patted his leg. "I'm going to get something to eat and then you and I will be leaving here."
"Okay..." Kadar gave Desmond a worried look. "Will I be aloud to see Malik?"
"No." Desmond said as he stood. "Not yet."
"Okay..."
Without further word, Desmond left the room.
"You're bloody crazy." Shaun stated, glaring at Desmond. "It takes six to eight weeks for an amputation to heal. Why would you put him through the trauma of..."
"We don't have six to eight weeks." He argued. "But Altair's time does."
"And?"
"And you're sending me back even further. I want to go back a few years prior to the events in Solomon's Temple."
"Are you insane?"
"Send us back six years prior to Solomon's Temple. When he is healed, I'll ask you to send us forward."
Shaun hesitated, glancing at Rebecca, but all she did was shrug.
"Fine..."
Desmond helped Kadar stand and threw the young man's arm over his shoulders. Ahead of them they could see the Masyaf fortress and Desmond had to hand it to Rebecca: she was getting better at dropping him off closer to desirable locations.
"You all right there, Kadar?" Desmond asked, feeling blood running over his hand where he was gripping the younger man's side.
"I'm...fine..." He groaned, shifting against Desmond's side. "Where are we?"
"Back in time, six years." Desmond told him and watched Kadar's eyes widened. "The year is 1185."
"No..." Kadar gaped at him. "You're kidding!"
"Nope."
"Then..." Kadar's mouth trembled slightly. "Ya Allah...Desmond, I've met myself!"
Desmond chuckled under his breath. "I've always wondered if I would ever accidentally do that."
Kadar blinked several times as they continued towards the city. "Desmond...we have to have different names."
"I don't know many names." He admitted, shifting the man's weight on his shoulders. "Come up with some."
It took only a few moments for Kadar to come up with some. "I will be Jasham and you will be Khalil. We are brothers...cousins...um...Ibn'Zaki."
"Jasham and Khalil Ibn'Zaki? We're brothers." Desmond saw the guards notice them. "Well, are you ready?"
"No..." Kadar muttered honestly, but encouraged Desmond anyways.
"We need help, brothers!" Desmond called the guards over. "Please! Hurry!"
As the guards approached them, Desmond reassured Kadar. "It will be fine. I promise."
He nearly ate his words when he saw what guard was approaching. His body shook involuntarily and he was forced to look down at the ground.
"My name is Karim." The guard told him as he helped to take Kadar from him. "We can help you, brothers."
Sorry for not updating the past couple of nights. :)