War and Peace Chapter Fourteen: A Puzzle Piece, an assassin's creed fanfic

Disclaimer: I claim no ownership of Assassin's Creed.

Warning: Clarifying: The Mentor is the big guy on campus, so to speak. A mentor, however (with the lowercase) is just another word for teacher. Self-beta'd

PRIZE: The book that I'm working on currently (since I've finished writing this one) has now been titled Scion , it is an Assassins Creed III novel. Whoever can 1) define 'Scion' and b) tell me who Scion relates to (hint: it has to do with spelling) will be able to read the full Scion book before it's published.

Keep dodging lights.
Like a thief in the night.
The sun will rise and expose all our lies.
So why deny that you and I lead different lives.
The rivers from your eyes can't change my mind.

"So Long, Goodbye" by: 10 Years

Chapter Fourteen: A Puzzle Piece

*Anima's POV*

I woke up to the smell of food. My eye cracked open and I controlled my breathing so nobody could tell I was awake. A cloaked figure kneeled about three feet to the left of me. It was still early, so I couldn't make him out exactly, but my reaction to the stranger's presence was immediate. I shifted my weight and moved in to tackle him to the ground; the person's reactions were immediate and I got pinned down to the ground instead. In a frantic attempt to sit up, I heaved against the heavy weight against my chest, but it was too much weight for me to lift. After a giving up for a moment, I blinked slowly at a practically emotionless Altaïr. His eyes bored into mine before a small smirk appeared on his lips. I attempted to maintain eye contact and fight against him still, but after a few moments, I relaxed and gave up with a huff of indignity.

A war cry made both of us look up at Cien, who had grabbed a dagger she slept with and was now lunging at Malik with vicious intent. Malik looked un-amused and simply caught her hand mid-air, removed the dagger from her hand with a simple pluck, then dropped her. Cien rolled and stood up quickly before kicking in Malik's knee like I taught her at the beginning of training and tackling him as he fell. Malik grunted and felt a smile crack across my face.

"Atta girl, Cien!" I called out.

Quickly, Malik caught both of her hands and hauled her up so she was hanging off the ground. Cien looked obviously ruffled and gave Malik as close to a death glare as nine year old could give – which was much better than I would've thought. Malik gave her a death glare back. She just snorted and stuck her tongue out at him. He raised an eyebrow at her before giving me a scornful look. I shrugged and shifted my weight, suddenly very aware of Altair sitting on me, not only was he heavy, making it slightly uncomfortable, but I was also all too aware of his attractiveness. His hands were also holding each of my wrists; one was closed very tightly around my wound, which still ached no matter what I did to help it. The old man said that some things cuts never heal and since the wound got infected and was so deep, it would take a while to be able to be up to par. It still limited my mobility when fighting and swinging from beam to beam and climbing. The old man also said it would probably hurt for a long time since it wasn't healing properly, but there was nothing anybody could do about it but wait it out.

Another grunt came from Altaïr and suddenly his hips rammed into mine painfully. He grunted and I let out a low groan of pain. His elbow hit me in the breast, which hurt like hell and just as I thought his full weight would collapse on me, he caught himself and rolled away. Cahil was hanging off his back and neck like a rabid animal; knife dangerously close to Altair's neck. I don't know who I was more worried for.

"He's a friend, Cahil!" I yelled at him right as Altaïr flung him across the room like he didn't weigh more than a couple pounds. Cahil hit the wall with a painful 'crack' before landing on the ground and rolling into a crouching position much like Cien had moments before. Before I could get a word out, he ran directly at Altaïr, who picked him up from his collar and slammed him against the wall so hard that the wood groaned in protest. I could see his lips moving, but couldn't hear a word he was saying. Finally Altaïr let go of Cahil, who slid down the wall with a mocking look on his face. I rushed to his side and started checking him over. I knew that Malik hadn't hurt Cien, well save for her pride, but I doubted Altaïr was as sympathetic towards Cahil.

"Are you okay? Follow my finger…." I instructed, holding a finger in front of his face and moving it in the shape of a cross.

He slapped my hand away and hissed through his teeth at me before shoving me away and saying, "Fuck off. I'm fine." He stormed out of the shack – shaking with anger.

I almost started going after him to teach him a lesson about respecting his teacher, because had I ever done something like that to my own mentor, he'd knock me out cold. Instead I clutched my head, "Why do I always get the stubborn novices?"

Malik snorted in agreement and I looked at him with a guilty smile. "So… uh, teacher… mentor… whatever…. Sorry for running off? When do I start training?"

He gave me a warning look. "Get the horses ready, Novice." I locked my jaw and nodded. Cien made a subtle coughing noise. Malik only just now noticed he was still holding her before setting her down somewhat gently. I winked at her, "Nice moves, kid. Who taught you?"

Cien shrugged and played along. "Some random girl I ran into."

"Is that so?" I laughed.

Malik shot me a warning glance and I retreated back to the horses. When I was walking with the saddles a movement in my peripheral vision made me turn and meet whoever was attacking me head on. I threw Cahil to the ground with a grunt. He kicked me in the leg and I managed to pin him down. He grabbed my injured wrist and twisted. I let out a gasp of pain before shoving him down to the ground again.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" I hissed at him. He glared at me instead of replying. I just rolled my eyes skyward and offered a prayer to whoever was out there before getting the horses ready.

Soon enough we were all moving relatively quickly back to the bureau. Malik had taken to helping Cien ride since she was still learning up ahead of our little group and Cahil was pouting a little ways off. This left Altaïr and I alone. It was him who started the conversation first, much to my surprise.

"Where did you get the kids?" He questioned gruffly. A slight tilt of the head from Malik up ahead let me know that he was listening to my answer too, all the while giving instructions to Cien. Something said he had a soft spot for the little girl.

I let out a deep breath I didn't realize I was holding. "I bought Cien off the slave market. She ended up being close friends with Cahil, who had nothing else to lose apparently."

"Where did you stay?"

"With an old healer who taught us some of his trade. Cien has a knack for knowing herbs and helping the sick or wounded." I shrugged.

By now the two kids were quite obviously listening to our conversation. Altaïr nodded slowly. "We can always use some more medics."

"Cahil's a good student, too. Learns very quickly, is quick to correct himself when he messes up, and is highly competitive." I flashed Cahil a smile, who straightened in the saddle a little.

Altaïr addressed the young boy, "You should be proud boy, Anima's one of the best Assassin's I know… especially for a woman."

I mimicked him, "Especially for a woman? Please, I am the only woman assassin." I sent him a glare.

Again, a smirk appeared on his lips. "Yes, good for a woman."

"I am just as good- if not better- than any other male Assassin in my rank and probably above! Don't you dare use my gender as a limit to my skill!" I scoffed at the arrogant Assassin beside me.

He rolled his eyes at me and chuckled. Yes, ladies and gentlemen: an emotion besides death glares, emotionless bastard, and smirking. It was a miracle! "Men are far superior to women."

I scoffed, "Women may do just as much as men physically. We may not be stronger, but we a quicker and more emotionally stable."

"Emotionally stable? A woman? Weren't you the one who threw a world class hissy fit a month ago?"

"Weren't you the one who hit me when I saved your life a month ago?" I shot back.

He locked his jaw remained silent after that. That man! He rubbed my nerves the wrong way!

We got back safely a day and a half later. Upon entering the bureau, people glanced up for a moment before returning to their work quickly. I glanced at Altaïr, who looked like he was ready to kill anybody within five feet of him. I nudged my horse away from his presence and moved towards a moon-eyed Cahil.

"You like it?" I whispered at him.

He nodded slowly. "When do I get white robes?"

I laughed loud, earning a confused look from multiple people. "Let's talk to The Mentor first, yes?"

Without a second thought, I hopped off my horse, gathered my belongings, and started towards my room. It was only then that I remembered the pouch that Rjorn had given me before I left. It fell out of my saddle bag when I was unsaddling the horse. I felt guilty that I hadn't used any of the knives Malik had given me, but I shoved the pouch into the bottom of my bag and forgot about it until now. Carefully, I placed it in the bottom of my bag again and started towards my room. Malik almost immediately went straight to The Mentor's office. Altaïr wandered off somewhere with an unreadable expression and Cahil plus Cien followed me to my room and sat on my cot while I unpacked my things.

"Anima," Cien started in a small voice.

"Yes?" I answered slowly.

"What happens to us if this 'Mentor' doesn't want us here?"

I paused. "He'll let you stay. I'll make sure of it."

"But what if he doesn't?"

"We'll find out when we get there, okay?"

She nodded slowly and Cahil remained silent.

The Mentor's office hadn't changed since I had left.

I sucked in a deep breath as I swung open the doors. The Mentor, Al Mualim, Altaïr, and Malik were spread throughout the office and all looked up when the three of us entered the lavish room.

The Mentor rose to greet me. "Anima, I'm glad to see that you've finally returned." He studied Cien and Cahil for a moment before turning back to me. "And who would your companions be?"

I introduced them slowly. "Cien wishes to become a medic and Cahil an Assassin."

"Medics are always nice," he repeated Altaïr's words from earlier, "but the boy looks a little old to start training."

Cahil opened his mouth to say something, but I quickly shushed him.

"He learns quickly and is extremely diligent. I am positive he will make a wonderful Assassin."

The Mentor nodded. "Very well. I will have Amir start teaching him tomorrow." He told Cahil with an unreadable expression, "I trust Anima's words, boy. Do not disappoint me. Cien, Cahil. Please follow Malik." He turned to Malik, "Take Cien to Amelia, she will see to it that she becomes familiar with the layout. Then test Cahil's basic skills and report back to Amir and explain the situation."

It was silent for a while after the three left. A question soon popped into my mind, however. "What happened to Rjorn? I thought he was Amir's apprentice."

The Mentor let out a weary breath. "Rjorn is dead."

A wave of shock rocked me to the core. "Why? How? What happened?"

"He was accused of treason against the Brotherhood and hung while you were away."

"What type of treason?" My voice shook and pictures of him remaining silent and handing me the pouch flickered across my mind.

"Conspiracy against the Creed. Starting rumors that we were plagued with deceit and lies. Causing riots and speaking slander. He even went so far as to harm a fellow brother to practically the point of death." I couldn't believe my ears. Nausea coursed through my system and I could taste the bile in my mouth. I swayed. The Mentor noticed. "Are you alright? Please, sit, this must be a lot for you: sit down."

I nodded and lowered myself to the ground. Altaïr was by my side in a heartbeat and offered assistance, which I reluctantly accepted; I hadn't even noticed his presence. I offered a feeble smile to him and took a shuddering gulp of air. "I'm sorry. Rjorn and I were close friends. He didn't strike me as the type to betray the Creed."

The Mentor nodded in understanding. "Neither did I."

"Who was the man that Rjorn attacked?" I asked shakily. My stomach turned and I felt more bile rise into my mouth, which I quickly shoved back down. A hand on my shoulder steadied me. I didn't need to look up to know that it was Altaïr supporting me. I leaned against him while he hovered above me; I was too shocked to support myself anymore.

"Vidmen." He responded curtly.

"May I please speak to him?"

The Mentor looked down and shook his head. "He seemed quite alarmed at the attack and didn't feel safe here anymore. I'm afraid he traveled to Levantine as soon as he healed enough."

After a couple minutes of silence it was Al Mualim who spoke up. "On a better note, it has come to our attention that Afzal, a conspirator with the church, has come back from hiding. We want you to go assassinate him once you have slept and eaten."

I nodded slowly before drifting off to sleep.

A/N: Well, what do you think? We got to see a little more of Cahil and Cien's attitude, plus some foreshadowing and a slight cliffhanger. Plus, Altaïr isn't being a jackass 24/7 now… and Malik actually has a slight soft spot for someone (but not in a pedophilic way). Besides, who can't not like Cien? She's so amazingly cute! She kinda reminds me of a lightly more lighthearted Malik. It's weird because I never planned her to be like that.