Chapter Fourteen: Aquilae et Avolabunt

Desmond rubbed his head before checking on Kadar.

"At least, we're in the Temple." Desmond pointed out when Kadar grumbled about Rebecca's skill with the Animus.

Once he was sure Kadar hadn't hurt himself, Desmond placed the key in the slot and waited for it to open.

Walking into the Temple, he made a beeline for the closest flickering hologram screen while Kadar gawked at the futuristic machinery, which likely appeared god-like to him. Minerva stepped into view, much to his relief.

"Good." She smiled down at him. "You figured it out."

"What do I have to do first?" He demanded while Kadar started jabbering away about the angel Desmond was talking to.

"Go to God on the mountain." Minerva stated. "There you will find the first."

"What?" He started to question her, but she was already flickering out of view. "We don't have time for riddles!"

It was too late. She was gone.

Grumbling, he paced the room while Kadar continued to be flabbergast.

"Kadar?" Desmond finally asked after a few moments.

"Yes?" Kadar stiffened, looking at Desmond apprehensively.

"What mountain did God come down to speak to Moses on?"

"Mount Sinai in Egypt." Kadar motioned back towards the exit. "But they have the wrong one. The real one is in Arabia."

"Can you take me there?"

"That's fifteen days!" Kadar rubbed at the back of his neck.

"This is important." Desmond stated.

"That's fifteen days and more!" Kadar argued back. "And once we get...to the Red Sea, I have no idea where to go!"

"Do you know the name of the mountain?"

"Yes..."

"Then we'll find it." Desmond reassured him.

"We need horses."

"We'll get some."

"And supplies."

"We'll get those too."

"And you don't seem Arabic at all, Khalil."

Desmond snorted. "Are you an Assassin or not, Kadar? Where's your sense of adventure?"

"Lost with my arm probably." Kadar mumbled, but Desmond caught the words.

Placing his hand on the younger man's shoulder, Desmond hoped he conveyed how desperately he needed Kadar to guide him.

"Look. I can do this alone. I can, but it would be a lot quicker and a lot easier if you came with me. I know you can do it."

Kadar sighed and eventually nodded, giving in easier than Desmond had anticipated.

"Good. I'll find us some horses and get our supplies. We leave tomorrow at dawn."

Desmond couldn't stop himself from eyeing Kadar's saddle whilst they traveled, something Kadar took note of and finally complained.

"What is it?" Kadar glanced at his saddle in perplexity while Desmond sheepishly looked away. "What?"

"Uh..." Desmond reached over to lift one of the flaps, revealing a long bow and a quiver of arrows. "Do you actually know how to shoot one?"

Kadar's mouth fell open. "You don't?"

Blush came to his cheeks and Kadar's jaw dropped further.

"No! You?" Kadar fumbled over words, completely bewildered. "B-but you're a Master! Even my brother...even I know how to shoot a bow!"

"My training with ranged weapons began with throwing knives and crossbows." Desmond informed him. "Bows kind of got lost in the fray."

The younger man shook his head in wonder. "I will have to teach you. If any of the other Assassins learned of this...you would never hear the end of it!"

"I am no stranger to being picked on." Desmond informed him. "To you, I might seem like I know as much as any Assassin can, but I've more often been a novice in training than an Assassin."

"But you were trained by the best?"

"By Altair and Ezio and Connor and...my dad...and several others. They weren't the only ones. I was constantly learning. Qulan Gal, Heyreddin, Karim, Kasim, Yusuf...I never stopped. It's funny though...even after all of that training, I'm still learning. It seems you will be added to my long list of trainers, Kadar. I welcome the challenge of the bow. Hell, if I can learn to pickpocket, I can learn anything!"

Kadar chuckled nervously. "I...uh...I take the task with honor, Master."

Learning to use a bow proved much easier than learning to pickpocket, but the use of weapons had always come easy to Desmond. It wasn't the same as stealing from someone. Stealing required acting and stealth and a slip of the hand...all things Desmond wasn't particularly good at. Subtlety was something none of his trainers had taught him. Altair and Ezio had always preached subtlety and silence in all their ways. "Be a blade in the crowd", but they hadn't always practiced it. Ezio in particular was a huge transgressor against this teaching, though it fit him to be. Desmond liked doing things with a bang, but accurately with assurance he could escape. He figured he picked this up from his ancestors.

"I do not see why you never learned." Kadar told him as they mounted their horses once more. "You are quite good at it."

Shrugging, Desmond eased into his saddle, preparing for a long ride. "Well, I'm glad you taught me. I'd hate to have missed out on a new weapon possibility."

Kadar grinned. "Yes, you seem the type who wants to know everything."

Desmond hid his smile. "Perhaps."

I am so so so so sorry for the long delay between chapters. I found this unbearably difficult to write for whatever reason. I was also super busy with work, holidays, and visiting family. Ugh. That's all over (for now) and I hope to get back on a regular schedule of writing chapters. I'm also sorry this is so short. I couldn't think to make it longer without it becoming two chapters longer. :) Oh, I also finally started playing Black Flag. Too much sailing, not enough Assassins, and too many teases about the modern Assassins, but Edward is an interesting character. You all can decide for yourself. :D