Chapter 13 - The Bloodline Of Kings
Altair felt a shiver down his back upon arriving. Many eyes barred down on him as he passed on through, seeing King Richard. There was a knight that saw this, immediately pushing him from his destination.
"Come no further!" The knight mad clear upon Altair.
"Hold a moment. It's words I bring, not steel." Altair was pushing through.
Altair cautiously approached Richard, there was a bit of a defense, but it made no difference. There was a look on Richard's face. As if he had seen Altair yet once before. Altair had no intention of questioning.
"Offering terns of surrender then? It's about time." Richard yells back, making the tension.
"You misunderstand. It's Al Mualim that send me, not Salah al-Din." Altair made clear
"Assassin!" "What is the meaning of this? And be quick with it!" There was more than confirmation from Richard, seeing that there was yet little surprise in his voice "I know why you are here, but explain yourself. I will not tolerate you for long."
"You have a traitor in your midst."
"And he has hired you to kill me? Come to gloat about it before you strike? I won't be taken so easily." This was indication that he was more than prepared, if not acting to be a bit sarcastic.
"It's not you I've come to kill." Altair was proud to announce. "It's him." His eyes focused in on the knife that was now cutting through the air.
"Speak then, that I may judge the truth. Who is this "traitor."
"Robert de Sable." Altair wished to point, only to watch as others had whispered among themselves in disbelief.
"My Lieutenant?" Richard laughed. His voice was reflecting on a memory, Altair could hear it in his voice.
"He aims to betray." Altair was continuing to sound convincing.
"That's not the way he tells it. He seeks revenge against your people for the havoc you wrought in Acre; and I am inclined to support him. Some of my best men were murdered by some of yours." Yet Richard wasn't still yet making a move.
"It was I who killed them and for good reason! Hear me out. William of Montferrat; he sought to use his soldiers to take Acre by force. Garnier de Naplouse; he would use his skills indoctrinate and control any who resisted. Sibrand; he intended to block the ports, preventing your kingdom for providing aid. They betrayed you, and they took their orders from Robert."
"You expect me to believe this outlandish tale?" Richard still not doing a thing,
"You knew these men... better than I. Are you truly surprised to learn of their ill intentions?"
"Is this true?" Richard was in complete remission, looking over at Robert, so was Altair.
Robert takes his helmet off. "My liege, it is an Assassin that stands before us. These creatures are masters of manipulation. Of course it isn't true."
Richard took no means of action, his thoughts, being focused on what Alyssa had told him. The tales of adventure and of the man who would ride out. They were falling into place, Richard didn't see what could be causing events such as this. His eyes, shifted back to Altair, his next words would be told if not carefully.
"I have no reason to deceive." Altair was thinking of Alyssa. There would be only good news. Everything would look up from this point on, at least what he wished
"Oh but you do!" Robert interrupted Altair's thoughts. "You're afraid of what will happen to your little fortress. Can it withstand the combine might of the Scearacen and Crusader Army?"
"My concern is for the people of the Holy Land." Altair became snippy. "If I must sacrifice myself for their to be peace, so be it." He knew there was nothing to fear with that quote.
"This is a strange place we find ourselves in." Richard broke off before yelling would ensue. "Each of you, accusing the other."
"There really is no time for this." Robert was nervous and a bit impatient. "I must be off to meet with Saladin. In at least his aide. The longer we delay, the harder this will become."
"Hold a moment Robert." There was a call from Richard, he had his mind set on what Alyssa was begging if not moments before.
A look of disgust from Robert, "Why? What do you intend? Surely you do not believe him."
"It is a difficult decision. One I cannot make alone. I must leave it in the hands of one wiser than I." Richard was willing to place this to the test.
"Thank you." Robert showed his gratitude.
"No Robert, not you." Richard degraded him.
"Then who?" Robert asked with a bitter face.
"The Lord. Let this be decided by combat. Surely God will side with the one whose cause is righteous." It was going to be the judgment to Alyssa's final words.
"If this is what you wish."
"It is." Richard gave a smile in Altair's direction, as if to already know the outcome.
"So be it!" Robert was now raging with anger. "To arms, Assassin!"
Templars all around Altair drew their swords and drew closer. Altair readied himself. Come on, I know one of you are to rush at me without thought.
It was within the second as he heard footsteps behind him. Altair grabbed the rushing Templar, stabbing him with his hidden blade and throwing him to the ground. Yet two more made the same attempt. Altair twirled, stabbing the one on the right, shoving him into the other one.
Three more inched towards him. The first dodging a few of Altair's attempts with the hidden blade. Altair on the other hand was starting to get fed up as he pulled out three throwing knives, easily landing on the main one and other two planning attacks. The area around him was starting to become a battlefield as Richard lifted his hand, as if to order more, but was in debate.
Three more volunteered against Richard's order. Altair showed, if not, no sympathy. They were willing to see him end. Altair drew his back blade, grabbing one, stabbing if so three times and allowing him to drop. Two more throwing knives.
One was able to duck such a fast moving attack. Altair was grabbed from behind. There was a small grunt as he threw the Templar over his shoulder then stabbed him with his hidden blade. There was a moment of silence. The smell of death grew.
Robert slipped into the battle, thinking he could get Altair from behind. Altair jumped out of the way, placing Robert into an attempt arm lock. He had then drew his sword, making Robert bleed, stabbing him through the shoulder. Altair now wanted a confession.
"It's done then. Your schemes, like you, are put to rest." Altair had begun, now hearing what would soon been a man's dying words.
Robert laughs. "You know nothing of schemes. You're but a puppet. He betrayed you boy. Just as he betrayed me." His words, full of confidence.
"Speak sense Templar, or not at all." Altair was becoming more irritated, he had enough emotions being pushed around, after what Robert himself thought he could get away with.
"Nine men he sent you to kill, yes? The nine who gloated the treasure's secret?"
"What of it?" Altair was willing to break his neck.
"It wasn't nine who found the treasure Assassin. Not nine, but ten." Robert was speaking of the list, growing.
"A tenth? None may live who carry the secret. Give me his name." Altair was ready, willing to hunt this one down as the others.
"Oh, but you know him well. I doubt you very much you'd take his life, as willingly as you've taken mine." Robert felt the steel of Altair's hidden blade as it extended, reaching for his gut.
"Who?" Altair was getting closer, he tasted it.
"It is your Master, Al Mualim." Robert was smiling, seeing the look in Altair's eyes.
"But he is not a Templar." Everything Alyssa was willing to share with me...
"Did you never wonder how it is he knew so much. Where to find us, how many we numbered. What we aspire to attain?" Robert questioned Altair's thoughts. A gut feeling wasn't settling with Altair by this time.
"He is the Master of Assassins." Altair was trying to convince himself. Why...
"Wee, Master of lies. You and I are just too more pawns in his planned game. And now with my death, only you remain. Do you think he would let you live, knowing what you do?" Robert still questioning.
"I have no interest in the treasure."
"Ahh, but he does. The only difference between your Master and I is that he did not want to share. Look, Ironic isn't it? That I, your greatest enemy, kept you safe from harm. But now you've taken my life. And in the process, ended your own."
Altair stabbed him, laying Robert to rest. Then drawing his sword out of him. Alyssa... what is going on... From the distance, a shadowed figure appeared in Altair's view. Altair recognized it was Mahir, but appeared to be a bit more dark than before. What's going on...?
Brother, Alyssa is in danger, you must hurry.
Altair's thoughts were broken as he turned towards Richard. Richard did not fear him, there was something that Altair thought he would never see, a smile. "The time for games has ended." Another Templar joined Richard as he placed his arm out, not to proceed. Richard was pretty much on his own upon his approach to Altair "Well fought Assassin. It seems God favors your cause this day."
"God had nothing to do with it. I was the better fighter." Altair had gotten offensive.
"Ahh you may not believe in "him", but it seems "he" believes in you." There was a look on Altair's face, as if there was something he wasn't catching on to. Richard shrugged, thinking of changing the subject before confusing Altair any further. "Before you go, I have a question."
"Ask it then."
"Why? Why travel all this way, risk your life a thousand times all to kill a single man?" Richard was more than curious.
"He threatened my brothers and what we stand for." Altair stated bluntly.
"Ah vengeance then."
"No, not vengeance, justice. That there might be peace." Altair corrected him.
"This is what you fight for? Peace? Can you see the contradiction."
"Some men can not be reasoned with."
"Like that mad man, Saladin." Richard agreed, speaking in light terms.
"I think he would like to see an end to this war as much as you."
"So I've heard, but never seen." Richard gazed around the corpses and bodies on the field.
"Even if he doesn't say, it's what the people want. Scerecen and Crusader alike."
"The people know not what they want. It's why they turn to men like us."
"Then it falls to men like you to do what is right." Altair was prepared to place the blame on the war.
Richard laughed lightly, almost full heartily. "Nonsense. We come into the world, kicking and screaming, violent and unstable. It is what we are. We can not help ourselves."
"No, we are what we chose to be." Altair was wanting to continue to make clear.
Richard laughed again. "Your kind, always playing with words."
"I speak the truth. There is no trick to be found here."
"We'll know soon enough, but I fear you cannot have what you desire this day. Even now that heathen Saladin cuts through my men and I must attend to them, but perhaps, having seeing how vulnerable he is, he will reconsider his actions. Yes, in time, what you seek may be possible."
"You are no more secure then him, do not forget that. The men you left to rule behind in your stead, did not intend to serve you for longer than they ha-"
"Yes, yes. I am well aware." Richard was outspoken, only to see how Altair was put in place as he spoke.
"Then I will take my leave." Altair, announced. He knew his time was growing short, now feeling the dark shadow of Mahir linger. A shiver again, one he felt before creeped down his back. "The Master and I have much to discuss. Seems like even he, is without fall."
"He is only human, as are we all. You as well." Richard gave the reminder.
"Safety and peace be upon you." Altair was bound to turn and run, but something stopped him.
"Assassin, give my best to Alyssa." Again, a confused look. "I hope that the last time really wasn't. She has indeed stated you are to prove your valor. Go, be with your family. I will... be here." The sound of depression.
"How do you know of Alyssa?" Altair asked.
"Leave, I will send for you when your problems are dealt with."
With that order Altair had no choice but to head to Masyaf. The spirit of Mahir appeared on what looked to be a horse. He galloped towards Masyaf as Altair followed close behind. His heart sank, something bad was happening, he knew this at the bottom of his stomach, the feeling wasn't going away.
The aura changed just as he charged on through the entrance of the broken archways. His body gliding off as his horse jumped the wooden fence. His feet soon ran after where the entrance of the village was to be sealed. A dazed, yet zombified citizen of Masyaf approached him.
Their conversation was short, he didn't quite understand. "You're not making sense." Was all he could really say.
Things got increasingly worse as Altair got deeper in Masyaf. There what seemed to be, a group of Assassins, his own Brothers, now surrounding him. His thoughts couldn't focus. He had no choice as his blades pierced his family. Pain formed and memories flooded.
What could he do to defend himself against events, puzzle pieces falling? With every Brother that charged after him, waiting for their turn to die, Altair felt that of his own blood run cold. His hands were getting soaked. Their lifeless eyes matching with his horrific actions. One would tempt to get close, Altair countered. Why? Why is this happening? Then he received his answer.
Their minds were not their own, slowly, Altair refused to kill them, seeing to stall while inching towards the Fortress. All the fighting was pointless and the technique was in effect. Altair needed to stop this before things were to get any worse.
One after one as his Brothers were killed by his hands. Altair knew that it wasn't right. They had to be controlled, but even when Altair had killed those who made an attempt at his life, more charged after him. No, I can't. Altair was willing enough to see it all end.
The Creed would die by his own hand. He caved, Altair couldn't. His will power dropped. In the back of his mind, he would allow his own Family to slaughter him before seeing it end this way. Altair took a deep breath, thinking of Alyssa, if what legacy he had left was now to be in her hands.
The sound of throwing knives entered as the remaining Assassins ran. A wave of relief as Altair got controlled with his emotions, now seeing Malik. He was with those who appeared to have their minds. "Altair, up here!" He called.
Overcome with joy, Altair ran to meet him. "You picked a fine time to arrive." He said, wanting to be more than grateful.
"So it seems." Malik answers back.
"Guard yourself well friend." Altair spoke. "Al Mualim has betrayed us."
"Yes, he traded Templar lies as well."
"How do you know?"
"After we spoke, I returned to the Ruins benieth Solomon's Temple. Robert had kept a journal, filled its pages with revelations." Malik explains. "What I read there, broke my heart, but it also opened my eyes. You were right Altair, all along our Master has used us." Malik was growing with hatred with his speech. "We were not meant to save the Holy Land, but deliver it to HIM. He must be stopped."
"Be careful Malik." Altair advised. "What he has done to the others, he will do to us given the chance. We must stay far from him."
"What would you purpose?" Malik was questioning. "My blade arm is still strong and my men remain my own. It would be a mistake not to use us."
"Distract these thralls then. Assault the Fortress from behind. If you can draw their attention away from me, I might reach Al Mualim."
"I will do what you ask, dyi."
"The men we face, their minds are not their own. If you can avoid killing them..."
"Yes... though he had betrayed the tenants of the Creed, it does not mean we must as well. I will do what I can."
"That's all I ask. Safety and Peace, my friend."
"Your presence here will deliver us both." Malik gave a slight bow, giving him respect.
With that, Altair ran on ahead, entering on through the entrance of the Fortress. So many innocents gathered in one area. The faint sound of Al Mualim's chanting filled the dead air. It gave Altair more than an unsettled feeling. He pushed many innocents out of the way. There are too many innocents here, I must not let any of them come to harm.
Altair gave a glance around inside once he reached where Al Mualim normally would tread. There was a throbbing pain in the back of his head as he glanced behind him. The garden. Altair noticed it was open, left open. Something didn't seem too right. It was all wrong as he stepped on through, as if expecting a trap to be set off anytime.
Things were once again eerie. The only thing in the background was Al Mualim's chanting. Altair was looking around, nothing. His heart raced, pounding with an anxious thought. He knew his Master was close. Using shadows wouldn't be an option in the daylight.
Looking around the garden, his breathing shortened. As if Al Mualim was waiting, he knew as such. His eyes stopped, there was a shock. He looked right at Alyssa. She was tied, Edward right next to her. Altair's legs lead him right to her without thought. He placed his hand on Alyssa's face. "Alyssa, Alyssa!" Altair was calling. No response.
He checked over at Edward. Nothing. Altair felt his heart sink, his thoughts dropped. Edward was killed, he fought to a bitter end. Altair once again focused on Alyssa, seeing there was nothing he could do for Edward's corpse for the time. He cupped her chin. There was hope yet entering in the back of his mind, she was still breathing.
There was rage forming as he ran to the center of the garden, awaiting Al Mualim. There was then something within seconds, an orange aura surrounded him. He couldn't move, his body was now forced to turn and look up to the higher level of the garden. Altair let out a cry of confusion. "What's happening?" There was an odd hover sound that entered his ears.
Al Mualim made a small entrance, heading into Altair's view. "So the Student RETURNS!" He was bound to laugh.
"I have never been one to run!" Altair yells back, trying to move, only to be jerked around.
"Never been one to listen either." Al Mualim said back.
"I still live because of it."
"What will I do with you?" Al Mualim questions.
"Let me go." Altair answers.
"Oh, Altair... I hear the hatred in your voice, feel its heat. Let you go? Now that would be unwise."
"Why are you doing this?"
"I found proof." Al Mualim announces.
"Proof of what?"
"That nothing is true and everything is permitted." Al Mualim lifted the Piece of Eden. "Come, destroy the betrayer. Send him from this world!"
Altair looked upon disbelief, many formed around him, but Altair saw it was of the men who he had as targets. Garnier de Naplouse, Talal, Abu'l Nuqoud... All of them now preparing to fight him. They surrounded him easily. Altair knew something wasn't right. The orange aura had disappeared as Altair found him with no choice but to fight once more.
Drawing his main sword, he waited as those who were responsible all coordinated their attacks. Talal rushed in, tossing him away, giving him more advantage than they believed. He once again made an advancement towards Altair. Altair had countered, stabbing Talal all the way through, watching him drop.
The next image stunned him. There was a loud bomb sound as the illusion was broken. The orange aura once more, making a small like explosion. Altair just killed one of his Brothers. That would mean the others were as well. He was once again, forced to do something he not wish. Garnier, even Abu'l shortly followed.
Altair gave a cry, but this time of pain. As he killed the last one, he caught him. "Brother..." His Brother called at Altair, he wanted to say anything by now, but could not.
"Don't talk." Altair insisted.
"Thank you." Was all he struggled to get out as he died in Altair's arms.
There was more than pain running threw Altair by this point, tears streaming down his face. "Rest in Peace, Brother." Al Mualim shortly joined him, once again emmiting the orange aura. "Face me!" Altair demanded. "Or are you afraid?"
"I have stood before a thousand men, all of them superior to you and all of them DEAD! By MY hand." Al Mualim spoke as he walked to where Altair was. "I am not afraid." He answered Altair's question.
"Prove it." Altair taunted. "What could a possibly fear? Look at the POWER I COMMAND!"
With instances, Al Mualim had done something Altair was now mind boggled about. Copies of Al Mualim himself walked out, with the bright orange aura following. The copies surrounded Altair. His eyes scoped. With the actions, he could tell that Al Mualim was enjoying what he was placing Altair through.
The aura once more let him go as he drew throwing knives. Like his previous battle, he was now fighting through as to where to find the real version of Al Mualim. Instead of fighting his bothers, he knew, he saw as those of what he was killing were just illusions.
They disappeared as he counter killed, stabbing all the way through what felt as real as any other battle. The small explosions blinded him, but with a quick stroke of luck, he felt Al Mualim's blood seep through his fingers, he had found and wounded Al Mualim as he intended.
"Have you any final words?" Al Mualim questioned as if not to be wounded.
Altair, once more, unable to fight. The orange aura surrounding. "You lied to me! Called Robert's gold foul, when all along it was yours as well."
"I've never been much good at "sharing"." Al Mualim admitted.
"You won't succeed. Others will find the strength to stand against you."
There was a small sigh from Al Mualim. "And so this is why so as long as men maintain free will, there can be no peace."
"I killed the last man who spoke as such."
"Bold words, BOY, but just words."
"Then let me go." Altair was insisting once more. "I'll put words into ACTION!" Al Mualim laughed, he was growing more amused. It caused Altair's face to twist in bitterness. "Tell me, "MASTER", why do you not make me like the other Assassins? Why allow me to retain MY MIND?" He questioned as he back talked.
"Who you are and what you do are twined to tight together. To rob you of one would "deprive" you of the other. And those Templars HAD to die." Al Mualim sighed as he walked in circles in front of Altair. "But the truth is, I DID try, in my study when I showed you the treasure. But you are not like the others, you saw through the illusion."
"Illusion?" Altair questions.
"That's all its ever done." Al Mualim explains. "This Templar treasure, THIS Piece of Eden, this of "GOD". Do you understand now? The sea was never parted, water never turned into wine, it was NOT the "fascinations" of Eris that spawned the Trojan War, but THIS! ILLUSIONS! ALL OF THEM!"
"What you plan is no LESS than illusion." Altair was retaining himself. "To force men to follow you against their will."
"Is it any LESS real than the phantoms the Scerecens and Crusaders follow now? Those CRATHEN GODS, who RETREAT from this world that men might slaughter one another in their names? They live amongst an illusion already. I'm simply giving them another. One that demands LESS blood."
"Least they CHOOSE these "phantoms"."
"Oh, do they? Aside from the occasional convert or heretic?"
"It isn't right." Altair growled.
"Ah and now logic has LEFT YOU. In its place you EMBRACE emotion." There was a pause, Al Mualim locked eyes. "I am disappointed."
"What's to be be "done" then?"
"You will NOT follow me, and I can not compel you."
"And YOU REFUSE to give up this evil scheme."
"It seems then that we are at an impasse."
"NO!" Altair screamed back. "We are at an END!"
"I will miss you Altair, you were my very best student."
It was mere seconds, Al Mualim readied his sword. Altair was quick to react, knowing Al Mualim was wounded from their previous fight. He once more moved to dodge Al Mualim's sword, grabbing his neck with his left hand, allowing his hidden blade to extend. Al Mualim was able to move himself before any serious damage would ensue.
With open time, Altair drew his back blade, slicing Al Mualim's right arm, blocking any movements with his left hand and blade. It was in a flash that Al Mualim cried in pain then, indicating that another wound had damaged his body.
There was a creepy, deafening and heart shaken laugh as Al Mualim blinded Altair. "Blind Altair!" He cried. "Blind is all you've ever been! ALL YOU'LL EVER BE!"
Altair gasped, it was as if Al Mualim himself was inside his head. He had recognized the voice, when he had attempted to choke Alyssa before, his thoughts couldn't anchor. He knew Al Mualim wasn't in front of him. He tried grasping everything. Altair felt as though he lost all self control, he was losing his mind.
Altair collapsed. Khoya! Altair needed to focus on his thoughts. No presence was sensed around him. He started to panic. I can't do this alone...
Altair! It's me! Altair recognized the voice.
Alyssa! You're ok! I thought you... Altair couldn't finish the thought.
It's ok Altair, I can do what I can to help. You're having an out of body or resynchronizing, you need to focus you need to fight. Please! Altair felt his eye sight returning. He then appeared to what he believed to be an illusion. Mahir was standing before him, not in ghost form, but as if he was actually there.
Khoya, you need to fight. I know where to find him, follow me. Altair followed Mahir, limited to only seeing him what was in front of him. As he had arrived in front of Al Mualim, his sight had magically returned, no more was he blind. He had enough time to dodge what attack was coming for him.
As Altair attacked, Al Mualim disappeared again. Altair growled, anger raging through. Once more being limited to sight and now sound. Flashes of red and white, trying to keep him from attacking Al Mualim. A coward's way out Altair! You need to keep going! Alyssa had once more assisted him.
It was in moments he was clashing swords with Al Mualim. Al Mualim backed down, still enduring the pain that Altair was ensuing. There was two power hits as Altair was capable of back handing Al Mualim. Once more, watching as Al Mualim disappearing. This time, he was adapting as he should. With the echoes of Al Mualim's evil laugh, Altair grew more determined.
Running through the garden, rapidly searching, he grew dependent on Alyssa and Mahir to get him through the what he was now considering "darkness". Altair, follow Mahir, he's close. With those words, Altair was knocked to the ground. Al Mualim gave effort, frightened that Altair has been able to successfully find him.
"You will not stop me you bastard!" Altair growled again.
"We'll see..." Al Mualim spoke, throwing Altair to the ground.
Altair felt a surge of energy. Something seemed to "dive" into his body. He was able to duel with Al Mualim once more, back handing him. Al Mualim once again disappears. The fighting continued this way for a while. Flashes of memories, everything that has been going on. That of Mahir and the day he died. Even Alyssa and their time together.
Altair, continuing to hear Al Mualim laugh and taunt at him. He was finally fed up. His anger grew as it was finally placed to an end with valiant effort. Altair did not hesitate, piercing Al Mualim with his hidden blade. Al Mualim was crying in pain, something that made Altair proud with the team work from Alyssa and Mahir.
Al Mualim watched, reached as the Piece of Eden slipped from his fingers. Altair did as well, not saying yet a word as he was to have his not so final moments with his former "Master". Al Mualim laid there defeated, not facing Altair for the moment that was enveloping the both of them. "Impossible...' He finally spoke. "The student does not defeat the teacher."
Altair gave a hardened sigh. "Alshaaq wak'ion matlaq bel kollon mumkin."
"So it seems..." Al Mualim accepted. "You have won then. Go and claim your prize."
"You had fire in your hand, old man. It should have been destroyed."
"Destroy the only thing capable of ending the Crusades and creating "true" peace?" Al Mualim questions. "Never."
"Then I will." Altair assures.
"We'll see about that..." Al Mualim breathed his last, final breath.
Altair stood up after laying his Master to rest. Giving a moment of silence. There was then, what appeared to be final thoughts that were joining Altair before the departure Al Mualim was taking. I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also was a chasing at the wind. For in much wisdom, is much grief. And he that increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow. With those words, the Piece of Eden reacted towards Altair. A shimmer of a straight orange aura revealed that of a map, a map of what Altair didn't know of its origin.
Destroy it! Destroy it as you SAID you would. Al Mualim was now fading. "I... I can't..." So many questions were forming in the back of his mind, he was hesitating. Yes, you can Altair, but you WON'T.
"Altair! Altair!" Malik's voice broke him, he ran into the garden as two Assassins followed Malik closely.
Altair was in too much of an awe, seeing the map. He then remembered. "Alyssa!" Altair was quick to assist her, she was still shallowly breathing as he had checked before. He took his hidden blade, cutting the ropes that constricted her hands. Altair softly settled them, still looking at her. "Alyssa..." He touched her face, hoping to see her react. Nothing. Don't die... please..
Malik picked up the Piece of Eden, joining Altair if not a moment after. "What happened?"
"One of our Brothers had died protecting Alyssa. Someone help me take her in, she also needs to be monitored. I will take care of that though."
"Altair, here." Malik gave him the Piece of Eden.
"Thank you, Malik. Now please, you must attend to the others."
Malik gave a nod. Many came running by, wanting to know what just took place. Altair looked back at Edward. You did not deserve this... His eyes shifted back to Al Mualim, a wave of sorrow hit him. Dancers joined Altair, showing gratitude by hopefully showing their art. The other two Assassins stood their attention in what needed to be done.
Altair stood there, giving a moment of silence for his thoughts. He genitally pushed the dancers, excusing himself. One of the Assassins followed Altair with Alyssa in his arms. They lead to his old room, where she was laid to rest.
"Thank you, now please, I need to be alone." Altair requested.
There was nothing said as Altair looked at Alyssa. He was giving himself time to process everything. He placed the Piece of Eden on his desk, soon taking out yet a familiar book he once started writing. With a deep, trying to relax breath. Altair thought of the beginning, as if another chapter had begun in the book. He continued writing where he had left off. His mind and eye occasionally watching for any movement from Alyssa, in hopes she would recover fully.
Silence made sure he would try and wrap his head around the events. Trying to keep himself together in the process, seeing it was the best in what he tempted. It would only be that in if Alyssa would recover would he decide on what to do. Altair grasped the back of his hood, tugging on it, allowing his thoughts to drift has has hood fell.