LITD: Hi guys, sorry for the constant late updates, but school is getting harder by the day and my homework is piling up. I hope you don't hate me for it. This is a bit shorter that the other chapters but I hope it turned out good in your eyes.

Disclaimer: I don't own Assassin's Creed apart from the video game that I bought from my well earned money.

Another note to add is that near the end of the chapter there is a long line of Xs, this means that the point of view has change to a different area. I thought I would point this out so no one becomes confused at the sudden change.

Recuperation Period

You know the days where you can't get out of bed but you know you have to at one point…well, this was one of those days.

I groaned as I turned in my bed to come face to face with the clock that sat on my bedside table, waiting to piss me off when the time was right. An eye fluttered open and clamped shut immediately once I saw the time…too early.

But for some reason, I hurt everywhere, especially in my abdomen.

Huh? Why was I back in my bed? To be honest, I couldn't care less. Why would I want to leave my warm, comfy bed?

Do I need to answer that?

However, when I shifted onto my stomach, a sharp pain flared up causing me to wince. I let out a whimper as I tried to get onto my back to relieve the pressure on my stomach. It hurt, but I managed to get there in the end. Sweat trickled down my brow, my gasps echoed as my room, my beautiful, comforting room, stared to fade away.

"…No" I whispered into the shadows when the last of the light was stolen from me. I clamped my eyes shut, I just wanted to stay in my bed.

"Keira?" a low, yet familiar voice echoed around me…

…When I slowly opened my eyes I found a dark figure hovering above me. Was I lying down? What had happened to me? As if it was a command, the memories of the fight came rushing back to me like a train hitting me at 100mph.

I smiled inwardly. I won! Ha, in your face Dari! But that didn't relieve me of the pain in my stomach. Being prodded in the abdomen with a sword is not fun. Don't try this at home. Ever.

Again, I moaned as the light flooded into my eyes, yet another thing to add to the list of painful body parts.

When my eyes finally focused, I found that the figure was none other than Altair. I scowled at him when I noticed that he was smirking.

"You snore" he said simply, making freeze, "very loudly" and began to chuckled. If I wasn't dying of stomach pains then I would so kick his ass. Though somehow, I didn't feel like laughing at all. Then it finally hit me.

I nearly died.

"How do you feel?" Altair asked more softly, registering that my mood was anything but bright.

I sighed, but winced when my stomach flared up, "Peachy" I muttered before trying to sit up.

Bad idea.

A whimper left my mouth as the pain shot up my whole body and my instinct made me clutch at my abdomen. Thankfully, it had been bandaged so I didn't causing anymore damage.

A hand gently pushed me back down, "You have to remain still. The wound in your stomach was the worst injury. Be thankful it was not life threatening."

"How long was I unconscious for?"

"Six days"…Whoa. "But-" he added to grab my attention again "- Al Mualim agrees that you are worthy to stay"

"If I wasn't in this crap condition, I would be dancing around the room, just to let you know how happy I am." I smiled weakly.

"However, that did involve removing your-" his voice died down and his eyes dropped to my hand.

What's wrong with my ha-

…

Oh, you have got to kidding me.

When I saw my left hand, I think that the whole kingdom heard my scream.

My fucking left ring finger is gone!!!

After a moment of recovery, of my mentality and Altair's hearing, I began to wiggle my fingers to get used to the absence of the ring finger.

What annoyed the most was I'm left handed so I think I'm screwed when it comes to using a pencil.

"I must leave soon" Altair said suddenly. "Until you have fully recovered, you are not allowed to leave Masyef"

What are you, my mother? I scowled to myself.

He stood up, "A Templar named Abu'l Nuquod is causing trouble in Damascus and I'm to be sent there to eliminate him" Who was that again…

…Oh yeah, the fat dude. All of a sudden, Family Guy came into my head…do you really need an answer to that?

Before he went out the door, I murmured loud enough for him to hear, "Next time, I'm so gonna kick your butt"

Altair didn't reply, he just chuckled and shook his head before closing the door behind him, leaving me in silence. My breaths were a bit shaky but I guess that comes with the hole in the stomach and the missing finger part.

Not long after, the door swung open again and Miriam walked in with a smile plastered on her face.

"Yo" I said weakly.

"How are you feeling today?" she chirped while she sat beside the bed.

Somehow her cheerfulness really annoyed me. "I've been better" I grumbled.

Sensing my foul mood, she got right to the point. "I'm her to change your bandages so I'm afraid you are going to have to sit up."

With help, I slowly sat up, the pain wasn't as bad as the first time since I had the help, but it was still there, taunting me every time I moved.

The process didn't take long, despite the fact that it hurt. I also got to see the stump that used to my finger for the first time when Miriam had to change the bandage on my hand, which nearly made me throw up.

"May I come in?" a voice asked. My eyes gazed at the door with Al Mualim standing in between the frame.

Oh, I'm so loved today.

"Of course. You don't need to ask when this place belongs to you" I said to him as he walked over to us.

His eyes gazed at my hand for a second before they came to look with mine. "I see that you have noticed that you are officially one of us"

"Uh huh" I replied dully, not wanting to cause a long discussion about something, even though I did have one question. "When does my training start?"

My question made my new 'master' smirk. "You are injured and yet you wish to train? I admire your energy. However,-" I frowned "- you must realise that you are not fit to fight yet"

By this time Miriam had left us to talk which, for some reason, made me feel uncomfortable. "I know. It's just that I want to help as soon as possible" that's the worst possible feeling, helplessness. It sucks.

A chuckled erupted from his throat and he placed an armguard down on the bedside table. "Well, when you are able to train, come and see me, then we shall decide what you best choice of weapon is." And with that said, he left.

The silence wasn't as annoying as last time, but I was left staring at my new armguard. Curious, I stumbled to my feet and picked the beige armour. I grinned when I noticed that I had been given a hidden blade. It was light, perfect for a swift assassination followed by a quick getaway. After some practise, of course.

Because of the bandage bulking up my hand, it was hard to put on but I managed in the end. The smirk on my face couldn't have been wider like a kid at Christmas.

The blade itself was shiny, as if it was brand new. Better than a second hand one, I thought to myself.

It felt great to practise with. The ringing in my ears as I swung it around was like a harmonious tune. A few minutes had past and my boredom was starting to show. Now, what can an injured assassin do to lose time?

My eyes widened and an evil grin formed. "Well that's easy." I stated out loud, "explore and annoy others on the way" and I went up to the door before pressing my ear, attempting to hear if anyone was there.

…

…

…Nope. However, better safe than sorry.

My hand lingered over the wooden handle for a long minute before gently pulling the door open. Voices of unknown people echoed throughout the hall, but they were too distant to be close.

Just as I stepped out of the door, still holding the handle…

"Keira!"

"AH!" I screeched and my hand tensed on the handle to prevent myself from stumbling forward…which happened to be my left hand. The hidden blade thrust out and wedged itself into the wooden frame. I chuckled nervously at thought that this was going to be embarrassing, I could already feel my face burning up.

The one who shouted my name was giggling behind me as I attempted to free myself. "Do you acquire some assistance?" the voice, which I found out to be Miriam, asked through the strain of laughing so hard.

I pulled again but the blade was wedged in so far that it didn't budge at all. "No, I am fine" I said through gritted teeth and tugged again. By now, my hand was beginning to throb because of the pressure and Miriam's face turned from an amusement expression to a worrying one.

"Are you certain you do not need my help?"

This time I tried thrusting my foot into the door to gain some power in the pull. The first push from the foot made the blade wiggle a bit, "I'm-" I pushed again and the wood groaned, "-fine, WHOA!" the third push freed me from my wooden captor and sent me flying back to the bedroom floor with a thud.

"Miss Keira?!" the small brunette fretted over me as I groaned, "Are you hurt?"

"Ow" I groaned and I opened my eyes. With a drowsy smirk I answered, "Third times' a charm"

After a sigh, we laughed together until a new/old visitor came by. "And what are you two doing on the cold floor." Al Mualim asked with an arched eyebrow.

"Err," I rested my head on my hand, "Just acquainting myself with the door"

I can't believe I said that with a straight face.

However, that didn't last long as I burst into tears of laughter, seconds before Miriam followed. Our fun was short lived when I winced, all the laughing brought the pain in my stomach back to life.

But it was worth it.

"I think it's time you rested," the master sighed accompanied with an aggravated expression. "You still have a few days before you can leave the castle to train."

I frowned as Miriam, who was still giggling quietly, helped me over to my bed. As my head hit the pillow, tiredness struck me like lightning. All the laughing and the pain had taken a lot of strength. Al Mualim was right, I didn't need to rest.

"Sleep well, Keira. You'll need it" Al Mualim said emotionally before closing the door after Miriam followed.

Darkness greeted me humbly, swallowing my sight until the sun would rise again. But the dream I had before I awoke earlier still clung onto my thoughts.

Just before I drifted off to sleep, I thought of a question which I didn't know the answer to, and it scared me.

Will I ever get home?

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The old man sat at his desk, despite his age and his years of experience and wisdom he was full of unanswered questions. His hands clasped together while his elbows supported them just below his eyelevel. But his eyes were focused on one thing and one thing only.

That thing that Altair had failed to retrieve because of his arrogance, also causing Malik's brother to be slain by the hands of Robert De Sable and his left to be was injured so badly that it had to be removed. Despite the losses, Malik brought it back which pleased his master none the less.

With a smirk on his face, Al Mualim said lowly. "After the other Templars have been silenced, with this Piece of Eden, nothing will stand in my way."

His eyes narrowed at the thought of his students, both young and old. "Even Altair won't have the strength to stop me. Not even the prophecies can save the girl."

And with his speech to no one faded into the night, his low chuckled echoed followed into the darkness.

LITD: *Gasps dramatically* Well, what did you expect? I wasn't gonna go and

make the old man a good guy or else that would have been veeeeery boring so now there is a couple of bumps along the way.

So, what did you guys think of Keira's eventful 'recuperation'? I apologise for the shortness, but I kind of had a writers block for this, but now it's been smashed with the faithful sledgehammer of inspiration. YAY! If you have any questions or complaints, constructive flames are accepted. Till next time.

P.S. I'm sorry to say that for the next 2-3 weeks I have exams so updates will be slow. Sorry!

Keira: Not that it isn't slow enough already.

LITD: Hey! *Slaps Keira across the head*

Keira: Ow! That hurt!

LITD: Be grateful that it wasn't your stomach.

Keira: Asshole.