I was thinking about making this chapter from Zaahir's or Samina's point of view because Ikram is in the other room sleeping when most the conversation happens. Or perhaps Zahra's POV but I'm not good with this switching around and I don't want too many views cause then it gets confusing. I wanted to write about Samina's concern with her husband and his faith in Allah ie during a time when he would miss times of prayer. His reasons purely come from being an Assassin, which make him a bit cynical in the views of life and the Creed "Nothing is True, Everything is Permitted" has given him much thought of his place in this world. Ikram's discussions with Zahra would be what he is currently thinking, but his father sees more than just the present and is trying to anticipate the future. Zaahir wants more than a single day to track down Asra, but he is conflicted with the fact that Saladin could at anytime take over Damascus - an enemy of the Assassins. He wants the rest of his family safe before searching, it was a pick of priorities. I mean, not to be cynical myself - but Asra is a girl. At this time period, the privilege of being a man over a woman was incomparable. I think I'll just try to stick with Asra and Ikram's POV, two chapters for each I guess..? I've actually written some other stories to define a better picture of existing characters in my head, but meh. Just bad at describing anything in general.. ;/

"Samina," I could hear father pleading with mother. The voices had woken me from the little sleep I had the night before. "We must go to Masyaf –"

"Then you go!" mother cried. Her usual composed self was not present and it only made the pangs of guilt in my stomach chew away at me more. "I cannot leave. I will not leave."

I turned to face the wall, the dagger which father had found. It was stained in blood. There were other men blocking my vision as they took my teacher away, but I saw enough to know the body of the dead. I had seen Bakr lie dead on his stomach, his side cut open. I've seen dead rats, birds which fell from the sky and could only move their wings in one motion before being released from life. It was just different seeing dead men. The dagger, the bloody dagger – and Asra! She followed me, followed when I told her not to. I didn't want her to follow me, but I knew she would, right? Why did I not notice, why did I not realize – why, why, why? I clenched my fists, placing them by my head as I lay on my side, squeezing my palms so hard my nails dug into them.

Mother had already arrived home when Father took Zahra and I back. She had crushed me in a hug, full of worries and tears. Father told Zahra and I to head into the other room as he went to speak with mother. They had talked quietly; father was going to look for Asra. He answered little the questions mother had imposed on him about his Assassin robes, saying he would answer when he had time – and hurried out. Mother did not come speak with me as time moved into midnight and passed. That was a while ago. I had fallen asleep by then.

I got up from the floor. I gave Zahra my bed, but I saw that she did not use it – she only sat there.

"Have you slept?" I asked her, her sunken eyes already gave me my answer.

"They didn't find her," she said quietly, she had been listening to the conversation since it had started.

"Your parents, then?" Zahra shook her head. "We were in company of the guards that attacked Nur ad-Din. They cut everyone down in front of them…perhaps mother…but…"

We sat in silence for a moment; as we listened to my parents argue. The atmosphere seemed calmer, mother no longer sounded as angry.

"Your father wants to take you and your mother to Masyaf, but your mother wants to stay in case Asra comes back," Zahra looked towards the window. It was too early in the morning for the sun to be out yet.

"If she comes back."

"No. She will!" Zahra replied quickly. I didn't know how she could be so sure. How would Asra react to me, would she blame me for leaving her alone? Mother and Father had not said anything yet, they didn't want me to feel guilty but I did. Not only is Asra gone, but Bakr probably died helping her.

"Father said she could have been taken by kidnappers."

"Well maybe she got away." Zahra looked at me, her eyes like bright gems.

The door opened and mother walked into the room. No tears fell on her cheeks, but I could see the brightness in her eyes that showed she had cried recently. She had already taken her hijab off, her black hair cascaded in waves below her shoulders.

"Come children, we are heading for Masyaf. Zahra, my husband told me he could not find your parents. I have stayed up all night and they did not come home. I've requested that if we were to leave, we take you with us. It is too dangerous to leave you alone here," Mother smiled weakly, tired.

"I thank you," Zahra stood from the bed, giving a slight bow. "Thank you for finding me when I was in trouble."

"Ikram, let us go," Mother walked over to me, helping me stand. A soft sigh could be heard as she saw the eagle gilded dagger I held in my hands. I couldn't bring myself to look at her, my head looking at my feet move as we headed outside. There was another man in white riding one of the two horses attached to the carriage, a black horse with a wild mane. Mother helped Zahra up into the wooden wagon. I saw mother look at me, waiting to give me a hand, but I stood in place.

"Father."

"Ikram, we should get going." Father replied.

"But what if Asra does come back? We should keep looking for her," I spoke partly out of wishful thinking and guilt. I wanted to know my sister was alive and that she could be found somewhere. The city was big enough for her to still be here.

"Ikram, Bakr did not die without a struggle, someone had taken her. If you were to find her, I doubt you would be able to help her. I am I was able to find you." The words stung a blunt fact of truth. There was no venom within Father's statement though; I finally decide to raise my head to look at him. He was neither angry with me nor my words. Actually, I couldn't tell what he was thinking at all. Perhaps that was what hurt the most. I wanted my parents to scold me; to yell at me and tell me what I've done was wrong. That my choice in running off was why my sister, my twin, was gone, but they stayed silent, as if nothing had happened. I felt something warm well up in my eye and dropped down on my cheek as I blinked my eyes.

"This is my fault."

"Ikram, no one could have predicted what would happen to Bakr, what would happen to Asra, just as how a regular day can change into one we have experienced. These events are beyond your control. To blame yourself for a situation such as this would be pointless." Father kneeled down, to look me in the eyes. "You are just a child, but you will soon realize that pain and suffering happen every day. But we are heading to Masyaf, and perhaps, you will learn how to be strong. But I will repeat again, what happened was not your fault. Do you understand?" I could only nod. Did I agree with what he said? I don't know. But I was secretly grateful for his words.

"Child, get over here before I change my mind about leaving and your father has to spend another day convincing me." mother gently pulled me from father and onto the carriage.

The horses had started moving, and I could see the sky turn lighter shades of purple, and then to blue. I heard the bell that signified the time of prayer. At this time, I usually would be walking towards the mosque – a grand building with a domed rooftop and four spires towering towards the sky. The approaching morning made me realize how little I had slept, my body responded sluggishly. I leaned on mother's shoulder, blinking in and out of the darkness. I heard my mother whisper something before I fell asleep.

"Do you still pray, Zaahir?"

Also, Samina has her hair uncovered during this chapter. Muslim women can show their hair to other women and men who are not considered men that the woman can get married to. So within their family, their brothers, fathers, father's brothers, father's sons, grandchildren, men without the desire - you get the idea. So Samina could have her hair uncovered, but Zahra can't. Muslim children actually don't need to wear a hijab. But in the 1100's...? It is hard to describe when a muslim girl is still a girl. Yes, she is 7, but she was also getting engaged...before her future husband got cut to pieces that is :S..