Hi, I haven't been on, but I'm still making stories up. I actually had this chapter for months waiting to be added.
Thanks for choosing this this to read. I'm not very good in making stories, I just build it up where it can lead to nowhere or have an ending that doesn't make sense. xD
I haven't finish one online, so I'm actually curious how I might change it up a bit.
Disclaimer: I don't own Assassin's Creed or PJO and HOO series.
In a dark damp corridor of a temple, there stood an old man keeping watch. The elderly man stood nervously, he did not know why the group of men he lead towards the temple wants to be here. They were gone for a long time, hopefully they would return soon. As he waited the sounds of footsteps were coming closer, but can't tell where it's coming from.
"Wait! There must be another way. This one need not die."
It was too late for the warning. A figure in a white robe and hood runs up behind the elderly man forcing him to his knees before plunging a hidden blade into the back of his throat. The old man gurgled before collapsing, the life in his eyes drain away. Two more people dress in robes run up to catch up with the younger man.
"An excellent kill. Fortune favors your blade." The youngest of the three said in admiration.
"Not fortune. Skill. Watch a while longer and you might learn something." The silent man regarded.
"Indeed. He'll teach you how to disregard everything the master's taught us." The older brother of the youngest scoffed.
Altair felt irritated. "And how would you have done it?"
Malik does not like how Altair always disregard the Creed all because his rank is higher. Especially his way will corrupt Kadar, he would not have his little brother learning from a man who seeks danger without caution. Malik start lecturing. "I would not have drawn attention to us. I would not have taken the life of an innocent. What I would have done is follow the Creed."
Atair ignored Malik in favor of his way. "Nothing is true. Everything is permitted. Understand these words. It matters not how we complete our task. Only how it's done." The youngest nodded soaking up the words coming from the master assassin.
Malik began to argue. "But this is not the way of-" Altair cut him off coldly, finality in his tone. "My way is better."
Malik had enough and wave off towards them. "I will scout ahead. Try not to dishonor us further." He warned specifically towards the arrogant white robe man.
After his older brother left, Kadar turns towards Altair, hoping to get some answers. "What is our mission? My brother would say nothing to me. Only that I should be honored to have been invited."
The oldest of the two didn't really care if it is confidential or not. "The Master believes the Templars have found something beneath the Temple mount."
"Treasure?" Kadar answer disbelievingly.
"I do not know. All that matters is that the master considers it important, else he would not have asked me to retrieve it." They then jump advancing towards where Malik headed off to. There was a Templar standing in the way with his back towards the small group of assassins. Altair kills the Templar and the two brothers move in.
"There!" The oldest brother pointed out to his younger brother. "That must be the Ark!"
Kadar shocked with what he is seeing. "The... Ark... of the Covenant?"
"Don't be silly. There's no such thing. It's just a story." Altair scoffed.
"Then what is it?" The youngest asked curiously wanting to know what the other assassin think.
"Quiet! Someone's coming!" Malik warned.
Below them, two Templar soldiers led by a man with a long white hooded cape entered and pointed. "I want this through this gate by sunrise!" The man with the cape is bald and have an accent indicating he is french. The french man turns towards the two lesser Templars. "The sooner we possess it, the sooner we can turn our attention to those jackals at Masyaf!"
"Robert de Sable. His life is mine." The arrogant assassin declared getting ready to dispose Robert.
"No! We would want to retrieve the treasure and deal with Robert only if necessary." Malik try to divert Altair's intentions, but Altair didn't care. "He stands between us and it. I would say it's necessary."
Malik tried again a warning tone. "Discretion, Altair!"
Altair not liking Malik preventing him to kill Robert, spat out. "You mean cowardice. That man is our greatest enemy. And here we have a chance to be rid of him!"
Exasperated by the man's arrogance. "You have already broken two tenets of our Creed. Now you would break the third." Malik pointed out, and irritatingly warned the arrogant man harshly, "Do not compromise the Brotherhood!"
Altair scowled. "I am your superior, in both title and ability. You should know better than to question me."
He climbs down and approaches the Templars. The two assassin following after him. "Hold Templars!" The stubborn man shouted.
"You are not the only ones with business here." The french man looks in fake relief. "Ah! Well, this explains my missing man. And what is it you want?" The smug look in Robert face pisses Altair off.
"Blood." Altair lunges at Robert with his hidden blade. "No!" Malik tries to stop him, but it was in vain as Robert hit Altair face and grabbed hold of his hidden blade.
Robert squeeze Altair's neck. "You know not the things in which you meddle, Assassin. I spare you only that you may return to your master and deliver a message. The Holy Land is lost to him and his. He should flee now while he has the chance. Stay, and all of you will die." Robert throws Altair through some scaffolding, collasping the room and separated him from the other two assasssins.
A shout was heard, coming from Robert. "Men, to arms! Kill the Assassins!" The fight commence in the other side. Altair not seeing a way back had no choice, but to get out of Solomon's Temple. Altair knew the other two assassins chances to survive is none right now.
On his way to cross the desert, Altair caught a glimpse of the new island filled with vegetations he have never seen. He had heard stories from the civillians talking about the "Lord" granted a place filled with everything to live off the land, but anyone who tried reaching the island is granted an immediate death. Who knows what animals inhabit the land and the mysterious glow it emits at dusk to dawn. If it wasn't death, then the people walk aimlesssly in a deep veil of mist until they reach to their starting point. Some not even aware how dangerous the deep water pulls them in, a few had luck to survive the whirlpools and constant storms. To the people, the island had been deemed as a new sacred/cursed land. Far from any other civilization, but closer to Masyaf.
Altair can see Masyaf, he can see his homeland getting closer. Once he reached the gates, he handed off his horse to one of the apprentice position at the stables. In the town square, a random man in a short robe and unhooded waves and approaches Altair. "Altair! You've returned!" Recognizing the dark bearded man, Altair greeted back, "Rauf."
"It is good to see you unharmed. I trust your mission was a success?" Altair ignore the jubilant man. "Is the master in his tower?"
Rauf happily said "Yes, yes. Buried in his books as always. No doubt he expects you." Altair nodded. "My thanks, Brother." Rauf playfully hit Altair's arm. "Safety and peace, Altair." Altair ignore the jibe. "On you as well."
Altair goes through the town and up the slopes of the mountain to reach the castle, he tries to enter the Assassin fortress. He was stopped by an unhooded Assassin who was leaning at the entrance. The pig-headed bearded man greets him sarcastically. "Ah. He returns at last."
Altair greeted back plainly, wishing for the man to disappear. "Abbas." Abbas looks behind Altair, not seeing his fellow brothers. "Where are the others?"
To spite Altair, Abbas tempted to rile him up. "Did you ride ahead hoping to be the first one back? I know you are loathe to share the glory."
Altair said nothing. Abbas continued. "Silence is just another form of assent."
Altair spoke harshly, "have you nothing better to do?"
Abbas gave him a glance over ignoring him and spoke, "I bring word from the master. He waits for you in the library." Abbas leans forward towards Altair, in a false conspiring whisper. "Best hurry. No doubt you're eager to put your tongue to his boot."
Altair scowled, venom lace in his words. "Another word and I'll put my blade to your throat."
Abbas face scrunch as he grumbled. "There'll be plenty of time for that later." Abbas drawled, "brother."
Altair does not spare any ounce of his attention to the weasel anymore. He enters the fortress and passes through the courtyard. He makes his way inside the building and up the stairs to meet with his master.
An age-old man in black robes greeted him, "Altair."
Altair bowed. "Master."
His master gave a slight hand gesture, "Come forward. Tell me of your mission. I trust you have recovered the Templar's treasure."
Altair knows not to lie, his pride is not greater than the punishment the Mentor is able to hand. "There was some trouble, Master. Robert de Sable was not alone." His master not seeing anything troubling answer, "When does our work ever go as expected? It's our ability to adapt that makes us who we are."
Altair spoke up. "This time it was not enough..."
Not sure what his favorite assassin meant. "What do you mean?"
His favorite assassin admitted his faults, "I have failed you..."
Dumbfounded his best student failed, Al Mualim started interrogating him. "The treasure?"
"Lost to us." Altair answer not caring.
"And Robert?" The old man tried holding in his raging temper.
"Escaped." Altair felt bitter acknowledging Robert still out there.
The Mentor of the Assassins took a few deep breaths, in a low harsh tone that would scare any civilian and lower ranking Assassins to death. "I send you, my best man, to complete a mission more important than any that has come before. And you return to me with nothing but apologies and excuses!"
"I did-" His master silenced him. "Do not speak! Not another word!"
The old man shook his head wandering off thinking, "this is not what I expected. We'll need to mount another force."
Altair still sore that Robert beat him like he was nothing more than a fly, only care about killing the french man he despise. "I swear to you I'll find him. I'll go and-" Al Mualim cut him off again, tired of Altair. "No! You'll do nothing! You've done enough!"
Looking around after some minutes already passed, Al Mualim asked. "Where are Malik and Kadar?"
Altair looked down avoiding his master's eyes. "Dead."
An interruption came in, it was Malik, the oldest of the two brothers. Altair doesn't turn towards him, opting to stay stoic. Malik is clutching his left arm which is covered in blood. Malik out of breath "No! Not dead!"
"Malik?" Al Mualim questioned.
"I still live at least!" Malik shouted angrily. Al Mualim pressed forward. "And your brother?"
"Gone." Malik said sorrowfully before directing his aggression towards Altair. "Because of you!" Malik pointed at Altair, the master assassin defended himsef. "Robert threw me from the room! There was no way back, nothing I could do."
Malik despising Altair excuses, yelled. "Because you would not heed my warning! All of this could have been avoided!" He slowed still grieving over the death of his brother Kadar, "and my brother... my brother would still be alive!" "Your arrogance nearly cost us victory today." Malik spoke spitefully in a hard tone.
"Nearly?" The old man became interested quick.
Malik nodded, "I brought what your favorite failed to find. Here, take it."
One of the researcher assassin in the library downstair came in carrying the treasure. Malik just tired of today warned his master. "Though it seems I have returned with more than just their treasure..." Another assassin came in panically running, "Master! We are under attack! Robert de Sable lays siege to Masyaf's village!"
"So he seeks a battle! Very well, I'll not deny him. Go, inform the others. The fortress must be prepared." Al Mualim turn back towards Altair, in a commanding cold tone. "As for you, Altair, our discussion will have to wait. You must make for the village. Destroy these invaders. Drive them from our home."
Altair nodded, "It will be done."
The courtyard was filled with civilians and assassin coming either in or out of the fortress. Altair quickly cut through the courtyard and is stopped at the fortress entrance. Rauf walks up to him with two others behind him. "Altair! It's good you've come." Rauf breathed. "We need your help."
"What's happened?" Altair questioned. "Templars. They attack the village. Most of our people were able to get away. Most... but not all." Rauf rushed in explaining. Altair wanting him to get to the point. "What do you need me to do?" Rauf sighed, sometimes the other man can be dense. "Distract the Templars. Keep them occupied while I rescue those still trapped inside." Altair blandly said, "As you wish."
Altair makes his way through the village. The whole place was in turmoil as the villagers ran for their life. A Templar Knight attack him on sight, but he finish him off as he continued down. Altair threw the next Templar to the ground and stab him to the ground with his sword. Being on top of one of the upper slopes, he jumped and landed on one of the Templar. Instantly driving his hidden blade into the enemy's neck. He helped the Assassins with the enemy in order for the remaining civillians to escape to safety. Altair kills them all as he moves toward the village gates where he see Abbas and the rest are battling the majority of the Templars. "Break off the attack and return to Masyaf! Al Mualim commands it!" Abbas ordered. The Assassins break up the attacks and start retreating towards the fortress.
The whole courtyard was filled with wounded villagers and assassins. Altair heads toward the library for more orders, but stops as Rauf calls out to him. "Altair, come. Al Mualim's not done with us yet."
"Where are we going?" Altair spoke seriously.
"Up there. We've a surprise planned for our guests. Just do as I do. It should become clear soon enough." Rauf pointed to one of the fortress's towers. They both climb a ladder and got into a room, Altair follows Rauf up again to another ladder, and through to a balcony area overlooking the land.
"Stand on that platform, Altair." Rauf pointed to a platform at the far right. Altair stands on the platform without any hesitation and saw Robert De Sable approaching the fortress with his forces.
"Heretic! Return what you have stolen from me!" Robert shouted looking up at Al Mualim. Which the old man is standing high up on the Fortress walls.
Al Mualim dismiss Robert as he shouted down. "You've no claim to it, Robert! Take yourself from here before I'm forced to thin your ranks further!"
Robert snorted, as he challenge the old man. "You play a dangerous game!"
Al Mualim made an arm gesture indicating 'no' to Robert, challenging back. "I assure you, this is no game!"
"So be it! Bring forth the hostage!" Robert angrily commanded to his soldiers.
One of the Templars drag out an Assassin and quickly murder the robe man in front of everyone.
Robert look back up at Al Mualim and boasted. "Your village lays in ruins and your stores are hardly endless! How long before your fortress crumbles from within? How disciplined will your men remain, when the wells run dry and their food is gone?"
Al Mualim does not feel threaten from Robert, his mind is not weak. "My men do not fear death, Robert! They welcome it, and the rewards it brings!"
Robert seeing it is pointless with the old fool, he hardly care for the Assassins. "Good! Then they shall have it all around!"
That was Rauf cue to explain next. "Follow me, and do so without hesitation."
Al Mualim yells out. "Show these fool knights what it is to have no fear!"
Al Mualim made a signal pointing towards the sky. "Go to God!"
Altair, Rauf, and the unnamed Assassin recognize the signal and dive into the haystacks below the balcony. Altair likes doing the leap of faith, he feels the thrill in anything dangerus. Once he made it out of his haystack safely.
The unnamed Assassin brought the other two attention. "Ahhh! Oww! Oh my leg! Aah! Oh my leg!" Rauf rush to the injure Assassin. "Quiet... or the Templars will hear us!"
Inside Altair scoff at the man, how on earth did a trained assassin hurt himself from a mere leap to a haystack.
Rauf turns towards the Master Assassin, "I'll stay behind and tend to him. You'll have to go ahead without us. The ropes there will lead you to a trap we've set. Go and release it. Bring death upon our enemies."
Without wasting anymore time, Altair quickly makes his way to a guard tower just above Templars. Slashing his sword, he unleashes a trap, sending several rolling logs down to trample the Templars.
Altair enjoyed the chaos he inflicted towards the Templars. The many that were retreating got knock out and push off the mountain and dump into the lower level of water. Altair scanned the grounds looking for Robert, he "tch" when he saw the Frenchman escaped unharmed.
As the coast was clear and the Templars fled from Masyaf. Altair made it back, two Assassins came walking both his sides and directs him to stand in front of Al Mualim. The other onlookers starts piling within the courtyard of the fortress ready to hear the master's announcement.
Al Mualim spoke proudly."You did well to drive Robert from here. His force is broken. It should be a long while before he troubles us again."
"Tell me, do you know why it is you are successful?" Al Mualim questioned.
Altair just stared at his master.
Seeing as he's not getting an answer out of his misbehaving Assassin. "You listened!" The old mentor said as if it's an epiphany.
"Were it that you'd listened in Solomon's Temple, Altair, all of this would have been avoided." Al Mualim wave his hand in a semi-circle in front of him, gesturing that he is talking about the event that past moments ago.
Altair not one for a lecture interrupted. "I did as I was asked."
Al Mualim face twisted. "No, you did as you pleased!"
Still frustrated with his Assassin, "Malik has told me of the arrogance you displayed-your disregard for our ways!"
The Grandmaster of the Assassin Order signal the two Assassins at Altairs sides to restrain him.
Interlocking both his arm to his back. Altair caught surprise yelled. "What are you doing?!" He tried breaking free of the assassins' hold.
Al Mualim ignored the troublesome Assassin and proceeded to explain. "There are rules. We are nothing if we do not abide by the Assassiun's Creed," he came forward and grabbed Altair's chin dragging his head up for the assassin to pay attention, "three simple tenets, which you seem to forget. I will remind you. First and foremost: Stay your blade-"
Altair interrupt, "-from the flesh of an innocent. I know."
Al Mualim slap Altair with the back of his hand. "And stay your tongue!" The old man spat back. "Unless I give you leave to use it. If you are so familiar with this tenet, then why did you kill the old man inside the Temple?"
Altair move his head away not willing to look at his mentor. The Master was not done yet, he wanted to rip the disgraceful Assassin a new one. "He was innocent! He did not need to die. Your insolence knows no bounds."
Al Mualim got near Altair and stands in front of him, clenching both of his hands. "Make humble your heart child, or I swear I will tear it from you with my own hands!"
Al Mualim back off a bit. "The second tenet is that which gives us strength: Hide in plain sight." Then he sneered at his student with bulging aggressive eyes. "Let the people mask you such that you become one with the crowd. Do you remember?" Altair watched as his mentor mocked him waving his hand around like he had no clue. "Because as I hear it, you chose to expose yourself, drawing attention before you struck!"
Altair finally sees how angry his master looks towards him. "The third and final tenet, the worst of all your betrayals. Never compromise the Brotherhood. It's meaning should be obvious. Your actions must never bring harm upon us, direct or indirect!"
The Master of the Brotherhood want to strike his assassin again, "Yet your selfish act beneath Jerusalem placed us all in danger! Worse still, you brought the enemy to our home! Every man we lost today was lost because of you!"
Al Mualim looked away reaching for something in his robe. "I'm sorry, truly I am. But I cannot abide a traitor." Finally drawing out a dagger.
Altair knowing he is sentence to death replied back, "I am not a traitor."
Al Mualim waving the dagger in a circular motion before looking at the fallen assassin. "Your actions indicate otherwise. And so you leave me no choice. Peace be upon you, Altair." As he finished, Al Mualim stabs Altair deeply into his abdominal.
"Ugh!" The fallen assassin groan in pain before everything in his vision blacked out.
Everything was dark, Altair doesn't know what is happenning. In his mind if this was death then all the other religions about the afterlife is false. His last memory was getting stab and the pain that came with it. He see brightness coming in and out whenever he attempts to see. Once his eyes stops feeling numb, he quickly opens his eyes to see Al Mualim standing in front of him at his desk.
"I am... alive? But I saw you stab me... felt death's embrace." Altair was puzzled, feeling his body functioning well.
Al Mualim start explaining to the confuse simpleton. "You saw what I wanted you to see, and then you slept the sleep of the dead. Of the womb, that you might awake, and be reborn."
Altair understood he have been poisoned. "To what end?"
Al Mualim not wanting to lose his assassin attention again. "Do you remember, Altair, what it is the Assassins fight for?"
"Peace, in all things."
Al Mualim nodded. "Yes, in all things. It is not enough to end the violence one man commits upon another. It refers to peace within as well. You cannot have one without the other."
"So it is said." Al Mualim vexed with Altair's attitude. "So it is! But you my son, have not found inner peace! It manifests in ugly ways! You are arrogant and overconfident." Altair annoyed with the old man glared. "Were you not the one to say nothing is true and everything is permitted?"
Altair already making Al Mualim enraged, the grandmaster scorned at the man. "You do not understand the true meaning of the phrase, my child. It does not grant you the freedom to do as you wish, it is a knowledge meant to guide your senses. It expects a wisdom you clearly lack!"
"Then what is to become of me?" Altair demanded.
Al Mualim circle his way from behind his desk to face the problematic man. "I should kill you for the pain you brought upon us. Malik thinks it only fair-your life in exchange for his brother's. But this would be a waste of my time and your talents." He further elaborate Altair's punishment. "You'll see that you've been stripped of your positions. Your rank as well. You are a novice, a child once more, as you were on the day you first joined our order. I am offering you a chance at redemption. You'll earn your way back into the Brotherhood."
Altair knew the master wouldn't have killed him, he was Al Mualim's best. "I assume you have something planned."
Al Mualim nodded. "First you must prove to me you remember how to be an Assassin."
Altair confuse. "So you'd have me take a life?" Killing is what Assassins are known for.
Al Mualim denied. "No. Not yet, at least. For now you are to become a student once again."
Altair thinks that is a waste of his skills. "There is no need for this."
Al Mualim shook his head, and began reprimanding Altair like a child. "Others tracked your targets for you, but no more. From today on you will track them yourself." Altair glared. "If this is what you wish." Al Mualim harden his word, wanting to implant his fist into the arrogant assassin's head. "It is."
Altair sighed, grumbling. "Then tell me what it is I must do." Al Mualim is behind his desk once more. "We have been betrayed. Someone was assisting Robert de Sable. One of our own. You must find him and bring him here for questioning."
Altair already want to get the task done. "What can you tell me of the traitor?"
Al Mualim in a fake glee. "Ah, but that's just it. I've given you all I will. The rest is up to you." Seeing as the master is done with him, Altair leaves the library. He passes through the courtyard, but as he attempts to leave the fortress, another Assassin was waiting there for him. The Assassin greeted. "Safety and peace, Altair."
Altair rudely cut in. "You're in my way." The Assassin ignored the demoted Assassin's comment. "Yes, Al Mualim has asked that I assist you... remind you how it is we hunt our prey."
Irritated, Altair cut him off again. "I know how it works."
The other Assassin sighed. "Be that as it may, I have no desire to disobey." Altair disrupt the other Assassin again. "Then be quick!"
Not one to feel the man's anger quicken his words. "The Assassin have many tools at their disposal."
Altair in disdain with another lecture. "Yes, yes. We can eavesdrop, we can pickpocket, or we can use violence to intimidate." The Assassin laughed off the other man's anger. "Good, then you remember."
Altair tired listening all the lectures. "Then you'd have me walk amongst the others and learn what I can about the traitor?"
The Assassin nervously responded back. "Yes, begin by going to the village market. That's where we first spotted the traitor."
Surprise they didn't got the traitor. "You know who it is?"
His fellow brother mumbled mysteriously. "Perhaps..."
"Then give me a name and let's be done with it." Altair demanded hoping the Assassin didn't knew about his punishment from their Mentor.
Not a man that would disobey, dismiss Altair's demand. "That's not the way it works. Now go, and remember: begin you search in the village market."
While Altair explores the village, he found two man conversing suspiciously. He sits down on a nearby bench at a good distance to eavesdrop in on the conversation.
The first villager hastily whispered. "I know what I saw. Masun opened the gate. He let the Templars in!"
The second villager alarmed. "Then you must tell Al Mualim!"
The first man shook his head. "I can't! Masun did not act alone. Someone inside the fortress helped him."
The other man questioned. "What makes you say this?"
The first villager spoke seriously. "He exchanges letters with someone inside. The basket weaver carries them for him."
The second man denies the man's excuses. "That's no reason to stay silent."
The first villager interjects. "Ah! But the weaver delivered him a letter just before the attack. I suspect it held the order to open the gate."
The other man not seeing a problem with reporting. "Then speak to the weaver! He can name Masun's accomplice." Again the other man shook his head, thinking it wasn't easy. "He's disappeared! Hiding for fear of being dragged into this." "Ha! Probably inside of one of his own baskets!" The second villager joked.
Altair left his position from the bench and proceeded where the basket weaver home is located. The weaver is seen speaking with a woman, he can see the woman is being persistent as the weaver is denying any services. Altair eavesdrop more into the conversation til he found what he needed to know. "Is this about the letter?" The woman asked.
"W-what letter?" The weaver felt nervous.
The woman continued. "The letter you received when I got here. Bad news?" Shaking, the weaver decided to end the conversation quick. "I don't know what you're talking about. Listen, I'll see what I can do, but please, I need to be alone right now. Come back later." The woman complied. "As you wish."
The pair broke off to their separate ways, the weaver cautiously walk fidgeting and glancing everywhere. He have to be careful since most of the populations are Assassins. Altair follows the man and silently grabs the letter from his back pocket. The letter informs Altair of the traitor's location. He heads towards the traitor and the voice of Masun gradually gets louder. Altair gaze fell onto Masun, who's preaching. "I see the way you look at me. Hear the things you say! A traitor! I am not a traitor! It's Al Mualim who's betrayed us! You'll see! Soon, all your eyes will be opened to the truth! We stand upon the threshold between this world and the new one! A better place where all might live as equals! But men, like Al Mualim, would see this dream destroyed! Tuesday's attack was but a first, and more will follow unless you repent! Give up your wicked ways. Rise up against the madman of Masyaf! See through his lies!"
Masun finish his speech and leaves the vicinity. Altair follows him to an isolated area, the assassin smirks thinking ways to interrogate the man, but stopped when he remember he is back to a novice. The only thing he can do at the moment is to assault him. He went behind the man and start pounding him, the man recover and start fist fighting the stubborn man. Just to end it Altair grab the traitor and threw him against the stone wall. "Enough! I yield, I yield!" Masun screeched going down on his knees.
Altair look at the pathetic man in front of him. "Speak quickly then. I've no interest in your games. Why did you betray us, and who do you serve?" Masun still shielding himself with his hand. "We serve the Templars. You should too. Their cause is just."
"We?" Altair questioned.
The traitor look around and spoke quietly towards the assassin. "Jamal. He told me of their plans. Asked me to open the gate." Altair clenched his jaw together, feeling furious. "You betrayed us. We, who called you "brother" and kept you safe from harm."
The traitor defended himself. "I did what I believed was right. And if you must kill me for it... so be it. I am not afraid to die." Altair glared at the traitor. "Your fate is not for me to decide. It's Al Mualim who will judge."
*****Back to Al Mualim Office*****
Al Mualim holding a sword behind him, recite what the accuse have done. "You stand accused of betraying our brotherhood and opening the way for our enemies. How do you answer to these charges?" Masun believing he has done good. "I deny nothing. I am proud of what I did! My only regret is that they failed."
Al Mualim stared at the man, heading towards the traitor with his sword ready. Tries once again, "I offer you a chance to repent... to renounce the evil in your heart." Masun insulted. "It is not evil in my heart, but truth! I will not repent." Al Mualim just stared. "Then you will die." Al Mualim quickly sliced through the traitor's heart.
Turning his attention to his demoted assassin. "You did well, Altair, and have earned the right to carry a blade once more." Al Mualim hands him the sword he just used to end the traitor's life. Altair kicked the dead body aside. "What will become of the one who helped him?"
"That remains to be seen. Some do ill out of ignorance or fear. These men can be saved. Others suffer from corrupted wills, their minds poisoned and twisted. These men must be destroyed. Soon enough we will shall see what sort Jamal is." The grandmaster explain in contempt.
"I've passed your test then. What now?" Altair asked.
Al Mualim released a deep chuckle. "Oh my child, we've only just begun."
He smirked grabbing a scroll from his desk, "I hold here a list. Nine names adorn it. Nine men who need to die."
A scowled etched on his face as he spat. "They are plague-bringers, war-makers. Their power and influence corrupts the land and ensure the Crusades continue. You will find them. Kill them. In doing so, you sow the seeds of peace. Both for the region, and for yourself. In this way you might be redeemed."
"Nine lives in exchange for mine."
Al Mualim nodded, raising his hands up as if seeing an angel on top. "A most generous offer, I think. Have you any questions?"
Altair replied. "Only where I need begin."
"Very well. Ride for Damascus. Seek out the black market merchant named Tamir. Let him be the first to fall. Be sure to visit the city's Assassin Bureau when you arrive. I'll dispatch a bird to inform the Rafiq of your arrival. Speak with him, you'll find he has much to offer." Al Mualim attached a note to a carrier pigeon, and it flies out the window.
"If you believe it's best." Altair is against having a Rafiq help, seeing as he didn't need them unless it is to have a place to stay.
Al Mualim making sure his assassin attitude doesn't get in the way. "I do. Besides, you cannot begin your mission without his consent."
Angered, Altair shouted. "What nonsense is this? I don't need his permission! It's a waste of time!"
Al Mualim points his finger at him, irritated. "It's the price you've paid for the mistakes you've made! You'll answer not only to me, but all the Brotherhood as well now." Altair simmered down, worsening his punishment by being upset is a bad thing. "So be it."
Al Mualim dismiss him. "Take your equipment and go. Prove you are not yet lost to us. Oh, and before my old age caught up to me, report back any...strange foreigners. The group disappear every time whenever they travel to a city."
Stroking his beard, the old man look out of his window. "These people must have the answers about the new island. The one that mysteriously appear out of nowhere. It may be possible they are the only one who can access the land."
Altair stared at his Mentor. "Are they a threat, Master?"
The old man stared back contemplating. "For now, no. Depends, if we can get answers from these people."
Altair nodded, "I'll try my best."
Altair bowed, receiving his orders then reclaim his hidden blade, fastening it to his arm. He left the library determine to gain back his previous rank.
Hehe ^^; well there's ch 3. Please Review/Favorite/Follow.
Thanks for reading! Anyone who wants to know my updating speed, I tried, but maybe I should just update my stories randomly. As long as my update didn't exceed waiting for four years then I'm good.