Heeheehee, I'm on a roooolllllll. Yeah, not really. Expect another update in three days. Why? Because I'm lazy D:
All original characters belong to Ubisoft, everyone else is mine.
Cheers to Christina and Meadjean.
REVIEW.
Hildegard slowly opened her eyes and gave a soft smile when she turned her head to the side. Her horse was staring at her with its big brown, warm eyes. He nickered softly and she stretched her arms out. She went to bed with an empty stomach that night, and she felt a huge hole in herself because of it. She knew that she needed food, and soon. She wasn't like the beast that she used as her pillow that could eat grass and not be hungry.
The woman slowly and carefully flexed the muscles in her legs. Her thighs were still sore, but she would have to live with it. She hoped that she'd reach Masyaf in another two or three days- depending on how much trouble she ran into on the way there. She slowly stood, leaning against the horse as he stood as well. Hildegard winced as her muscles yet again protested, and then cringed when her stomach growled hungrily.
'Not now, you have to wait until I can afford food...' Yet, she smiled as she felt the small pouch of money that she picked from the body of the illegal agent in Jerusalem. She quickly untied the leather cord around it and spilled its contents out into her hand. She groaned.
There were only a few coins, probably enough for a couple of meals. She quickly stored the money back into the bag and looked back over at the horse. She gave it a sly grin before resting an arm on its back. "Say, honey," she began as she kneaded its mane between her fingers. The beast turned its head to look at her with its big eyes. "I'm going to have to give you a name, you know. Hmmm.." She clicked her tongue against her teeth and tapped her forefinger against her lips as the thought.
"How about.." she untied the rope around his neck and led him by his reins for a small walk. " 'Shihad'? It means 'honey' in Arabic, and you're definitely an Arabian." She cooed at him when he began nipping at her tunic. Despite the fact that she was hungry, practically poor, and covered in dirt from sleeping on the ground, the animal made her life seem a whole lot better. And she was very thankful for him.
She cleared the small thicket that she had slept in and stared down at Jerusalem from the hill. She shriveled her face up from the sight of it. Hildegard doubted that anyone would even allow her to purchase anything in the city, and the guard was no doubt looking for the killer who killed the 'innocent' man in the dark alley of death. 'Honest to the Lord Himself, why must everything be so complicated? By God, Maria! I hope you at least found a way to escape the wedding, seeing as how I'm going through Hell and back just to save your ass.' She ground her teeth together and set her jaw as new determination flooded over her. No, she would not waste anymore time in Jerusalem. It was early in the morning, and she had plenty of ground to cover. So, she climbed up onto Shihad's back and spurred him forward with her heels.
The Templar helped himself to a goblet of wine and sat down at the small table in front of the cell his prisoner was being held in. He propped his legs up onto the wood and took a sip of wine, his eyes remaining on the beaten man before him. They had him whipped the previous night in an attempt to break his spirit and to gain information about his blasted sister and possibly the Piece of Eden, but there was no such luck. The man before him was trained to receive beating after beating without having information spill from his mouth. Such a pity.
"So, my little eagle," Earl began as he set his goblet down. "Tell me, how does it feel knowing that everything you value will be lost to you- and right before your very eyes?"
The victim's eyes fluttered open to glare the devil and his servants at the Templar resting his bloody weight, sipping wine and acting as if he hadn't a care in the world. The man did not reply, he remained content glowering at Earl.
The Templar chuckled darkly and raised an eyebrow at the other man. "You know, it isn't exactly comforting when you glare at someone like that. Perhaps discipline is in order..?" He stood up from his stool and slowly walked over to the cell bars. "It troubles me deeply to have to continue looking at such a face."
His prisoner did not falter, though. In fact, his eyes narrowed and eyebrows practically became one as his sour look deepened and became even more deadly. Earl sighed and gave a brief twitch with his index and middle finger as he held his hand up. Two guards immediately entered the chamber and saluted their master.
"Two ribs, seven slashes."
The prisoner gritted his teeth together and braced himself for the assured onslaught of pain. If he had to, he'd face endless beatings and broken bones. He'd do it for his family- for his sister.
"So, you said you found him in a cartload of hay- crying?" Benjamin stood with his arms crossed over his chest and with an eyebrow raised in concern. After Maria had carried Damiel back to the inn, she had immediately told Benjamin about her discovery. They gingerly placed the boy on the bed, tugged his boots off, and were now watching him sleep peacefully. Maria had pulled a chair over by the bed and was sitting down in it as she gently stroked the boy's hair out of his face.
She nodded, confirming her story. "I don't know what came over him, Benjamin. I've never seen Damiel act this way- not even after he killed for the first time in his life." She looked up to her friend with eyes full of worry. "You don't think it's because of Aden, do you?"
The veteran waved his hand and scowled at such a suggestion. "Pah, no, Sarah, dear. Damiel would never shed tears from that man. This is something much more serious, I'm afraid." He placed a hand on Maria's shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. "But we must not pester him about it."
Maria gave a small smile in understanding. "I'm afraid we'd lose him for good if we pressured him to tell us." She sighed and stood up, wrapping her arms around Benjamin. "Benny, what's happening to us?"
He began rubbing her back up and down with one hand while the other pat the base of the back of her neck. "I don't know, Maria, I don't know..."
"It never used to be like this- were we always this sensitive? This weak?"
He shook his head and took a step back from her, gripping both of her shoulders gently. "Maria, my dear, before when you and Damiel were in the Crusades, you were too blinded by what you were told was right. Now, both of your eyes have been opened up to the truth, and you are following what you believe is right." Benjamin gave her a soft smile and continued, "It is nothing to be afraid of. I used to be the same way- I told you how your Uncle Xavier and I never saw eye to eye, how we were exact opposites, no?" His eyes took on a dreamy, faraway look as he began recalling his best friend. "I should have killed him on the spot. It was what was expected from a Knight Templar, but yet I could not. He opened my eyes to the truth, to how deceiving and controlling the Templars were. Maria, it is the same case with you and Damiel, my dear. You are simply going through a phase in life that requires you to have more than one perspective."
"Similar to puberty?"
They both looked at the bed in shock as Damiel lazily opened one eye to look at them. Benjamin coughed and cleared his throat. "Yes, my boy, similar to puberty, but very different at the same time."
Damiel grunted and closed his eye. "I'm sorry for worrying you," he mumbled. Maria scoffed and shook her head at him. "I don't know what came over me... I guess I just needed... to.. vent.." his voice trailed off as he slowly fell back into sleep. His two friends exchanged confused glances, yet they left it at that as they both climbed in either side of the bed with Damiel in between them.
The boy groaned and gave them both an annoyed stare. "Do you mind?"
"Certainly not," Maria said as she shoved his shoulder. Benjamin chuckled and ruffled Damiel's hair.
"Come now, Damiel boy, we are merely trying to cheer you up." He laughed when the boy snarled as Maria took his hand in her own. Damiel squirmed uncomfortably and yelped when Maria socked him a punch to the stomach.
"That... hurt..." he rubbed his abused stomach with his free hand and frowned at her.
"You're lucky I didn't hit any lower, Damiel," she said as her eyes closed and her breathing became steady. "Because... I... would... have..."
He sighed despite himself and shut his eyelids as well. Although he was annoyed at his friends for being so straightforward and slightly over protective, he had to admit that he felt safe and secure with them nearby.
But most importantly, he felt loved.
"Bara...? BARA!" The young woman fell to her knees as she cradled the man's head in her lap. She refused to believe what her eyes had just witnessed. He asked her to go outside and pick some flowers for her, and then... and then...
It burst into flames. The hospital... was burning... and Bara was still inside... legs couldn't move...
She hung her head low as her tears rolled off of her face to land in heavy drops on his pale cheeks and forehead. She wept like she never had before in her life- it was worse when her uncle, aunt, and two cousins had been killed. So much worse...
"Bara... please... please wake up... Bara, don't... don't leave me..." She smacked his cheeks and shook his shoulders. But the man would not wake up, for he had already departed from the world. She threw herself on top of him in her grief, staining his skin and ruined clothes with her tears. She did not know how long she had cried, but she knew that she sobbed until her entire body ached.
She trailed her hand down his neck and frowned when she felt something cold underneath his partially burnt and tattered tunic. She ripped the cloth and stared at a necklace with two strange yet familiar emblems hanging on the cord. It looked like an arrowhead, yet resembled the letter 'A' at the same time. She tore the necklace off of his still neck and stared at the design. The emblems were made of a rock she was fairly familiar with, obsidian, and were smooth and polished. She had never felt something so pure and meaningful in her entire life, nor had she ever touched an item so finely made as the two symbols in her hands.
"Bara.. Bara, what- what is this?" But he would not reply. She turned the pendants over and stared, baffled at what she saw. There were initials engraved on either end of the intricate 'A's. There was 'B.I'. She recognized that as Bara's own initials. But then the other one had 'A.I' She wiped the back of her hand over her eyes ridding herself temporarily of her tears. The girl looked back and forth between the necklaces and her dead friend, not knowing what to make of the situation.
She knew who the other pendant belonged to, but not where to find him.
"Don't worry, Bara..." She leaned down and planted a soft kiss on his forehead. The girl gently closed the man's eyelids. He truly only looked like he was taking a short nap, but she knew better. The female placed the flowers she had picked for her friend on his chest. He loved hyacinths, for they reminded him of his wife. She stood from the ground, her britches muddy from kneeling in the mud.
"I will find your son."
Altair stood in his bedroom, devoid of emotion. He was taught, ever since he was brought into the Brotherhood, to hide and refuse one's own personal feelings. And because of that, he never allowed anyone to enter his life. He had made the mistake of loving Adha, and she was painfully torn away from him. He took her death as a sign that an Assassin was not allowed to love. But yet, he found himself loving another woman almost six years after Adha was taken by that bastard Basilisk.
He knew not what to think about the tight grip around his heart, or the fact that his hands were shaking. His body trembled with grief, not knowing what to do. Should he leave the fortress for a few days to search for Hildegard? He had no doubt that he could find her without much difficulty if she was in the Middle East. But leaving Masyaf would weaken him. Is that what the Templars wanted? Did they want him to become concerned with this 'Hildegard' character and leave to investigate? Perhaps, but he did not even know for sure if Hildegard was a Templar. He breathed in deeply and chose to do what he had been trained to do.
And so that is what he did.
Or, rather, he tried to remove Maria's image from his mind. Damn the woman! Why couldn't she have just stayed in Acre when he leaped from the tower? Then, he could have just returned to her the following day, take her to Masyaf, explain the situation to his brothers-
'Oh, yes, Altair, explain the situation to them. Explain how you had fallen in love with a former Templar and that you had coupled with her. Yes, I'm sure that Malik and the others would have welcomed her with open arms.' He gave the slightest hint of a frown at his bed. If she hadn't left, he had no doubt that she would have been sleeping, and instead of staring at a lonely bed, he would have been gazing at her peaceful form while she rested.
He sat down at the foot of the bed and kneaded his face with his hands. The woman that he loved and yearned for was still haunting him, even with his eyes closed. He pictured her, clad in her tunic, britches, and boots that almost reached her knees. She wore her hair down, though. He did his best to remember how it looked without it being tied up in a bun. It proved difficult for him to do, since he had only seen it down two or three times. Twice while she lost her hair tie while on their boat-ride back to the Middle East, and the other when they spent their night together at Acre.
He groaned from thinking about it. He never let a woman touch him before her, not even Adha touched him. She was just that beautiful thing that he loved to gaze at and lose himself while looking into her eyes. He loved her, but he had never felt the warmth of her body- not even her lips.
And then there was Maria. Maria, who he had thought to be a troublesome, pesky, foolish, stubborn, out-of-her-place woman. He never knew that she was capable of being very passionate when need be and to show support. Even in Cyprus, his opinion on her did not change drastically. True, she showed him the archive and helped him escape from it while the interior collapsed on them, but what was he to make of that when he knew not the first thing about her? All he knew was that she was a Templar and that he had killed the man that she admired greatly.
And then they traveled east together, if for only a little while before their responsibilities called them back. The way there was quiet, for the most part. They hardly talked to each other. Yet, he saw how isolated and lonely she felt. She would keep her eyes partly open while she stared at nothing in particular, a sad smile on her face. He was sure only Maria Thorpe was capable of smiling in such a heart-wrenching way. He was curious to know what she might have been thinking of at the time, and he was still curious. Whenever he approached her to see if she was fairing well, she'd immediately change her expression. Instead of it being sorrowful, it would turn into a hard and stern stare, as if she was trying to hide herself from him by pulling up deceitful walls. Or, maybe she was trying to hide from herself? What if she was afraid of the truth now that she had learned it?
And yet there was always the possibility that she was trying to put a brave face on for the sake of herself. Was she trying to prove to the world that she was not a helpless woman- that she did not need a man to be successful? Well, if that was the case, she had certainly showed Altair that while on Cyprus- no, even when he encountered her in Jerusalem, he knew that she was not the type of snake to be charmed. But, she did open up to him after a while. He had noticed her glancing at him once in a while. At first, he thought that she was scheming a way to throw him overboard, but diminished the idea quickly. She had her chance to kill him while on Cyprus while the archive collapsed, and yet she didn't. While they were on the docks after they had escaped, she could have impaled him, but yet she didn't. Even when they boarded the ship, she could have pushed him in the water and left him there to die, but yet she didn't.
And then he thought that maybe she was looking for an answer that she figured he had. Maybe she was trying to figure something out- something very important and significant to her- all on her own, and he happened to be there in her line of sight whenever she would glance about. It seemed unlikely, but he was partially correct. She was looking for an answer to something, but he wasn't conveniently there. She deliberately sought him out on the ship just to steal glances at him, and when he would tilt his head in question, she'd bark at him to stop mocking her and threaten him to feed him to the fish. It caused a smile to creep onto his face. He loved hearing her empty threats, as if she was a caged animal and he was prodding her through the bars.
But yet she was caged. She was held prisoner by her own emotions; unable to sort her mind out. She knew not the warm feeling that enveloped her heart whenever she thought about or saw the Assassin was love. She had no clue.
And he didn't know that when his flesh trembled whenever he saw her and how his heart would skip a beat when he caught her glancing at him was love. He knew not the first thing about love.
But he was still able to give her what she wanted on that cold, lustful Acre night... and she was able to give him what he wanted as well. Maybe it was a mistake? Maybe they were just lonely and needed to satisfy their needs? It was all awkward, so rushed. He had kissed Maria once before that, but it was a lingering kiss to the forehead when they had docked at Acre. He was saying goodbye to her since he would have to return to Masyaf. He wanted to take her with him, but she insisted that she had family matters to attend to. He offered to stay with her until she was done with whatever it was she had to do, but she dismissed him. And so he did what he thought he should have done, since she was obviously avoiding his subtle and innocent advances. He wanted- no, needed- her to know his feelings, even though he was still sorting them out. He was sure that he'd have enough time to make his mind up about her on his ride to Masyaf.
She just stood there, eyes wide once his lips left her forehead. His hazel eyes watched her grey ones intently, waiting for some sort of other response. She wasn't rejecting him nor accepting him. It was just a kiss to her, a simple gesture. He remembered feeling so confused as to why she didn't show any other emotion. He'd much prefer her to punch him in the face or to kick him where he never wanted to be kicked instead of that stare. He came to the conclusion that she just didn't want to ruin the very weak and thin friendship they had webbed together over their travels.
But then he sent her a letter from Masyaf, asking if she was finished with her family business. He expected her to roll her eyes and discard the parchment in a fireplace or stove, but to his amazement, she actually replied.
He smirked when he remembered what her letter said.
'Yes, my ever impatient eagle, my family has left Acre and I'm through with the matters at hand. It was quite stressful, not that YOU helped any. You just had to kiss me, didn't you? I appreciate how you always find a way for my brain to be a jumbled mess. It is like searching for a needle in a haystack, now, thank you. I cannot even think straight let alone make the smallest decisions on my own, you bastard.
I'm currently trying to figure what the Hell I should do while in this city. Normally, I'd have an answer. But I do not have an answer because it'd be too easy to have a decision THANKS TO YOU. So, I lay awake at night, tossing and turning in my bed, wondering what I should do. It's cold, but not as cold as England can become. However, I was recently reunited with one of my colleagues from the Crusades. No, don't go strapping on your leather gauntlets and sharpening that sword of yours, you damn Assassin. My colleague is literally a dog. He's one of the hounds that I trained while under Robert's command. His name is Bayo, and he's been sleeping with me to try to keep me warm during the night.
But it isn't enough... it isn't enough to satisfy this... whatever you want to call it inside of me. I know not what to think of this. Why, even writing this letter is causing my hand to shake and heart to tremble. Does your heart beat faster when you think of me? Because mine does when I think of you. Maybe it's the fact that if I were to piss you off, you'd have that hidden blade in my throat in a mere second. Now I'm just rambling, for I am very nervous. Half of me wants to tear this letter up right this instant and not even reply to your letter. Would you come for me? Would you come for me if I didn't reply for months?
I'd like to think you would, although I'd probably lead you on a giant chase throughout the world. I'm not one to find interest in one place for too long. I grow bored of towns and cities quickly- always need to venture to foreign grounds. Do you feel the same way? Does it feel good to explore the world and then have a home to return to? I bet it feels amazing collapsing in your bed after a long journey. So, please...
Please let me find something new and interesting at Acre. I always walk past that fortress that used to belong to William of Montferrat (before you killed him, of course), looking up at the walls. I don't know what I'm looking for, if anything at all. I guess you can say it's staring at something, waiting for anything to happen. But, for me, it's as if I'm staring at the walls, hoping that they'd give me an answer.
I think I do have an answer, though.
And I owe you a 'thank you' for that kiss. Care to collect it?
P.S.
I cannot believe I just wrote those last two sentences. I am thinking of smashing my head into a brick wall, but I can't help but wonder.
DO you want to collect?
-Maria
And so he traveled to Acre as fast as he could. He knew his feelings for her. Whether she knew it or not, that letter had helped him sort his own mind out. The damn woman didn't even know that she caused his brain to become a jumbled mess! But he couldn't tell her that, no. No, he would show it to her once he rendezvoused with her.
And sure enough, there she was, standing right outside the fortress she mentioned in her letter. Her cloak was wrapped tightly around her, her arms crossed over her chest as she smushed her hands between her arms and sides, holding the cloak tighter to herself. Due to the layers of his own garments, he couldn't feel the icy fingers of the night since she wore simple layers.
And then she ran. He didn't know if she had seen him- how could she have?- or if she was giving up for the night. But he chased after her anyways. There was... a... peculiar pulse throughout his entire body. He couldn't place it. It began at his stomach, traveled lower to his genitals, and then slowly spread in every direction. He knew for certain that he wanted to be the one to keep her warm during the night, and not her dog.
She climbed up a ladder and he silently did the same. He could see her breath against the air; white puffs issuing from her mouth. She was soon climbing up another ladder as she made small leaps from rooftop to rooftop. He frowned, not knowing what the woman had in mind. Maybe he misread her letter, perhaps he let his emotions get to him..?
But he wanted to know what this fox- his fox- had planned for him. And so he tailed after her, only to have a door slammed shut in his face.
The fire inside of him grew hotter and hotter, demanding her company. He growled in annoyance and eyed the tower that she was inside of. She was probably at the top, looking down at him and mocking him. And sure enough, he saw her head poke from over the top's edge and witnessed her sneer.
But no matter, soon he would have her weeping in his arms from the pleasure he oh so wanted to give her. He started to climb the wall, pushing his muscles forward and pacing himself as he climbed higher and higher. He grabbed hold onto loose bricks, pulled himself up, leaped onto a lamp post, carried himself higher and higher, until-
He stood at the top, staring at her back. She slowly turned around and pulled her hood back, but even if she still wore it, he'd know her fit figure anywhere. She looked him directly in the eyes, despite the fact that his hood hid most of his face from her, and smirked at him.
He frowned slightly, but found himself mirroring her smirk as a shy smile took its place on her lips. He could see that she was scared, but he was as well. Yet, one of them had to be strong during this... this... thing.
Slowly, she motioned him forward with a trembling finger. She was not just ordering him to bring himself upon her, though. She was commanding him to forget everything he had learned throughout his life.
Trust no one. Turn away from personal feelings. Think before you act.
He couldn't. He just couldn't deny himself. She was standing a mere ten feet away from him, asking him to love her. And oh, how he wanted to love her.
The Assassin took trembling steps towards her, his stride slightly faltering. She lowered her hands down gradually, and then he was right in front of her, wrapping one arm around her waist while the other snaked behind her neck, guiding her lips to his.
It was all so awkward. Their lips did not move as one for what seemed an eternity. She had never kissed a man, and he had never kissed a woman. Their mouths collided, each of them wanting to fulfill their own desires, too stubborn to synchronize with the other's rhythm. His arm around her waist brought her hips to his in a rough collision, and she soon scowled and pulled away from him completely, frowning at him.
"You bloody Assassin! I was hoping at least one of us would have experience in this field!" She crossed her arms over her chest and tried to keep her expression stoic and breathing calm. But, he couldn't help but notice a faint blush across her cheeks.
He smirked at her. "Pardon me for not having studied in this category of life, Maria."
She rolled her eyes, but brought her arms down to her sides. He took that as permission to try once more, and quickly made his way back over to her, but was stopped when she placed both of her hands on his chest.
"Did you not learn anything from our first attempt?" she snapped at him. He was about to retort right back at her when she held one finger to his lips. "Slowly," she said.
He stood still as she leaned her head back to reach his lips. Her mouth barely touched his, and he breathed out impatiently. He didn't enjoy this torture, but his annoyance soon died out as her mouth pressed more firmly against his own. It wasn't eager and hungry like their other attempt. Just firm and slow, the way she wanted it.
Altair had no complaints, though. They both had no idea how to love, and this steady and safe pace she had demanded was teaching him new techniques that he thought he'd never need to know. He gently brought his arm around her waist once more and brought her closer to himself with more care than attempt number one. She brought a trembling hand up to his face and cupped his cheek, turning her head to the side as he leaned into her touch.
The English woman rolled her eyes from beneath her eyelids, hoping that he'd take the next step. But, no, the Assassin was too busy training over and over again with how her lips felt against his. She felt him smirk from her irritation and it only caused her to frown and open her eyes to glare at him. He looked absolutely amused from her expression. Maria tried to pull away from him to curse him to the fiery pits of Hell and back, but he kept a firm hold on her and pulled her hips towards his own as he pressed into her. She gasped, and that's all he needed.
He trailed his tongue across the outline of her mouth, asking permission to enter. How could she say no? She slowly parted her lips slightly, barely opening them. He chuckled but took the opportunity at hand and parted them further with his tongue while he slipped inside of the cavern. It was... different, he had to admit. He enjoyed the feeling, no doubt about that, but he knew not what to think of it. He felt her own tongue move against his own, and just as their kiss, they both started slowly. He knew that if he was to rush this, she'd bite down on him and most likely tear the muscle out from his mouth.
So he drew small circles around the tip of her tongue with his own, until he began licking it fervently. He felt her melting into him as he quickened his strokes. He barely noticed that he was undressing her and that she was doing the same.
He groaned when he felt her lips close around the muscle as she began suckling on his tongue. Altair found himself moaning softly when her rhythm hardened and her need for his own saliva became stronger and stronger. She was the one in control, his superior, the alpha, his goddess..
But soon they were completely bare with him lying on top of her, slowly becoming one until he took the reins and began riding her, marking her as his and only his.
He stood up from the bed and angrily stormed out of his room as he made his way to the baths. The hot water was the only thing that could keep him from 'accidentally' performing a failed leap of faith. He filled the tub, threw his robes off of him in one angry tug, and plunged himself into the depths of the tub.
The water burned at his face, but he didn't care. He wanted Maria- his Maria- right now. He had never felt so deprived in his life. Even when he was demoted, it never felt like this. Maria held a piece of his life... kept it in her greedy yet loving clutches, as he did the same for her.
He would not give up on Hildegard. To do so would mean that he would be giving up on Maria. She was out there, somewhere, and she missed him.
He knew it.
Maria's eyelids fluttered open as the morning greeted her by blaring its rays into her face. She groaned sleepily and shifted her position to a more comfortable one. She was laying on her side, the blankets clinging loosely to her while she slept. She didn't want it to be morning yet...
She closed her eyes and basked in the sunlight. It felt refreshing to be warmed up by the light playing through the room's window, yet horrible all at the same time. They would be riding out of Jaffa soon, and that meant they'd be one step closer to Acre. And that meant she'd have to confront herself sooner or later- preferably later.
She snuggled further in the covers, but frowned when she felt something wrap around her waist. 'Al.. Altair..?' She shook her head and turned her head around to get a good look at the person holding her.
Had it not been for his incident the previous night, she would have punched him square in the forehead for clinging to her in such a manner. Damiel had his eyelids pressed closed, cool air escaping his parted lips as he breathed in and out during his slumber. He looked so fragile, so innocent, almost like a child. Maria smiled from the sight and shrugged out of his grip and flung her legs over the edge of the bed. Benjamin was not in the room anymore, so he must have been already planning their journey out.
'Most likely burying his nose in another map,' Maria thought as she pulled her boots on. She looked in the mirror and stifled back laughter. Her hair was absolutely a mess; the curls sticking out in the strangest of all places- some even defying gravity. She sighed and began combing her fingers through the mess.
She turned her head to the side as she heard the boy yawn and stretch his arms and legs out in the bed. He groggily rubbed his eyes open and looked at her. She smirked at him. His hair wasn't in any better condition than hers was.
"Good morning, Ria," he said as he tossed the covers aside and placed his feet on the warm floor. She gave him a grunt a nod as his 'good morning' and he stood up to join her at the mirror. "Wow," he said as he shook his curls out of his eyes. "Mi pelo es una selva..."
She raised her eyebrow in question, but rolled her eyes as he began giggling like a madman. She left the room and descended the stairwell, only to groan in annoyance. Everyone else was already in the lobby, their weapons at their sides, dressed, and ready to depart. Olivia and Zaina both smiled at her, while Aden gave her a smirk. She sneered right back at the man. Benjamin, just as she thought, was going over one of his maps.
"Ahh!" He strode over to Aden and the two of them began looking at the paper. "If we take this road right here," Benjamin trailed his index finger along a line on the map. "Then we should be able to reach a small settlement, and from there continue on. Oh, good morning, Maria, my dear." He smiled at her and she gave him a brief wave with her hand. "We were just about to wake you and Damiel."
"How long was I out?"
"Well, the rest of us woke up two hours ago," Aden scoffed as he crossed his arms to give her a satisfied smirk. "I would have loved to have dumped water on Damiel to wake him up, but since you two were sharing a bed..."
"Don't even try it, Aden," Maria sighed and took a seat at one of the tables. "He needed company last night." It sounded horribly wrong and inappropriate, even to her ears, but she couldn't tell Aden of all people that she had found Damiel out of his spirits in a pile of hay.
"Of course, of course," He raised both of his hands up in defense and shook his head. "I never even considered something out of character from the both of you, believe me."
She rolled her eyes and ignored the man. If he was in a foul mood, she would have no part in being his personal ragdoll. Benjamin looked back and forth between them and grumbled something about 'a long ride' under his breath. Olivia and Zaina were saying their goodbye's to the hostess. Apparently they had befriended the woman during the two hours that Maria was absent from the world. Belle was laying down elegantly by the door of the inn, her head resting in her paws as she observed her masters.
Damiel came trudging down the stairs then, Riva in one hand while Altair's journal in the other. He had tamed his jungle called his hair and had a gentle smile pressed on his lips. He strolled casually over to Benjamin and gave his friend a brief pat on the shoulder. Benjamin returned the gesture and gave a slightly worried grin at him.
"Everything alright, Damiel boy?"
The boy nodded and looked over at Maria. He mouthed the words 'thank you'.
She gave him an understanding smile and pulled herself up from her seat. "Well, shall we?" The others nodded and they left the inn, Benjamin at the front of their small cluster, leading the way to the stables. Maria sighed, taking one last look at Jaffa's interior. She would miss this place, even if she had only spent one night there.
Damiel though, would not miss it. He walked ahead of everyone else once he spotted the stables. He quickly handed the owner a handful of money as he began tacking up one of the horses to ride on. Maria jogged over to him and frowned at his selection. "Not that I don't have faith in your judgment, Damiel," she said as she began feeling the animal's legs with both of her hands. "But... this isn't exactly-"
"..." He held his hand up to silence her and removed the saddle from the animal's back. "Can you tell me which one's a good choice then?" She smiled, but did as he asked. Finally finding one for him, he saddled the beige beast up and pulled himself on its back.
Soon, the others were saddled and ready to leave. Damiel noticed with a grim smile that Zaina had chosen the horse he had previously selected. 'Silly girl..'
Aden chose a black as midnight horse, Maria a pure white steed, Benjamin a grey stallion, and Olivia a chestnut mare. They all urged their horses forward into a trot simultaneously with Benjamin still in the lead.
"Take one last look, everyone," the veteran said as they rode gently through the gates. "For we shall not return here for a very, very long time." And so they did. They all looked back at Jaffa. Damiel kept his eyes to the ground, however. He did not want to remember this place.
They each eventually turned their heads back to the road ahead of them. "Shall we?" Benjamin smirked as he mimicked Maria. The woman returned the expression, and they all roughly dug their heels into their horses' sides, sending dust and dirt in their wake and leaving the beautiful yet haunting town behind.
"Come on, Shihad," Hildegard muttered into the animal's ear. "We can outrun them, honey." They were galloping full speed through the Kingdom. She had been recognized by a group of guards that had pulled them over a few hours from Jerusalem. They were chasing her on horseback, but Shihad remained calm and obedient while the rest of the world around him was in a slight panic. Hildegard marveled on how the horse could keep his wits about him when normal beasts would have bolted and ran in fright. 'Thank God for this horse.'
They were nearing a town, she knew that. There were more and more people on the dusty path after each passing second. But if she could not lose the guards tailing behind her, then she would have no choice but to run straight through the town without purchasing food. Her stomach was still grumbling and complaining from being so empty for such a long time.
She ran her hands over the horse's neck in encouragement, and he obeyed. He put on a new wave of energy as he ran faster and faster, gradually losing the guards. She smirked when she took a quick look over her shoulder. True, their horses were fast, but they did not have the stamina and determination Shihad had. Hildegard laughed when she saw them slow their beasts down to a stop, giving up on the chase. She sighed and clicked her tongue several times. Shihad's ears flattened against his head, but he listened and slowed down to a lovely yet bouncy trot. She laughed at how the horse seemed to hold his head high in the air as if he knew what he had just done. 'Maybe he did.'
He pranced throughout the Kingdom with his tail swishing behind him. The people on foot gave the woman curious glances and muttered to each other, saying that a 'lady should not be acting such a way'. She rolled her eyes and continued guiding her horse throughout the land. If they wanted to gossip, let them. She was a woman on a mission- albeit a risky and partially stupid mission.
And just as she had expected, a town began peeking out from the earth as she rode Shihad downhill. She smiled, and kicked her feet at the horse and he replied by bolting down towards the gates. She once again, though, led him away from the stables and to a secluded section on the outskirts and tethered him to a tree.
Hildegard unbuckled her satchel from the saddle and swung the strap over her shoulder. There was no way that she was going to leave her purse with the horse. She had no doubt that Shihad would put up a pretty good fight if someone tried to steal him, but she couldn't trust the horse with her belongings. In fact, she couldn't trust any horse with her personal items. She gave him a kiss on his forehead and walked toward the gates. It was slightly windy, the breeze picking her hair up and tossing it in front of her face. She smiled despite the fact that her hair was wild and probably a mess from riding.
She entered the town with ease, seeing as how the guards were busy chatting amongst each other, and that a swarm of people had just entered the gates. She sighed and sniffed the air. Her stomach groaned once more, earning the attention from everyone around her. She shrugged sheepishly and jogged away from them, letting her nose lead her to the food.
And oh, did she buy food!
She sat at a bench, happily munching away at shish kebab while thirstily drinking from a water-skin. It seemed like it had been far too long since she had enjoyed warm food, even if it had only been roughly a week.
'I wonder where Maria is,' the blonde beauty wondered as she finished the last of her food. 'I hope she's fairing well... I'd hate to know what would have happened to her should Clarence get his hands on her. Ugh, Clarence, you are such a nuisance.' She shook her head and drained the last of the water bag. She got up from the bench and strolled the streets. She had a few coins left, but she had no intention of spending it on a bed. No, she would sleep outside with Shihad like she had the previous night, so that when she came across another town, she could enjoy food. When it came to comfort and hunger, hunger won that small comparison.
However, it was mid-afternoon, and she had daylight to burn. She kept a firm hand on her satchel's strap while she walked on. It wasn't much of a town- there were hardly any streets or paths. It was just houses bunched together in a small settlement that was barely functional. She found herself being reminded of the man that she wished to see very dearly just by looking at the houses that were practically falling apart.
'Aden has a cleft in his chin like that door..' She groaned when she realized what she was doing. 'No, Hildegard. Stop it. Aden is Aden. The door is the door. There is NOTHING in common with them. Nothing at all.' She rolled her eyes and was about to check up on Shihad when something caught her eye.
"Let go of me! I'm innocent, you thugs!"
"Hey, lookie here! This girl's got a tongue she isn't afraid to use!"
Hildegard frowned and hastily walked toward the crime scene. There was a small girl being bullied by two men tugging at her clothes and her belongings. Hildegard huffed in shock and annoyance at what she was witnessing. Without hesitation, she flung her satchel to the ground, snatched the knife out from her breast bindings and stormed over to the men.
"Leave. Her. Alone."
They turned with disgusting snarls as they looked at the person who dared interfere with their fun. Their eyes widened when they saw a woman holding a blade that gleamed in the sunlight. Their eyes roamed over her body, staring for a great deal of seconds at her breasts, and then up to her face. "Looks 'ike there's one fer each of us!" He threw the poor girl at his friend while he strolled over to Hildegard. "Put that down, miss, before someone gets hurt, and come into father's arms." He held his arms out for the woman with a sickening smile on his face. Hildegard remained where she was, narrowing her eyes at the man.
"Why don't you make the first advancement."
The man laughed, but threw himself on Hildegard, hoping to pin her to the ground. However, she twisted her body out of the way and he hit the ground with a thud. She quickly took the opportunity and leapt onto the man's back, digging her blade into his neck as she did so. He gurgled as his own blood choked him, and she quietly made her way to the other thug.
"Unless you want to share the same fate as him," she spat at the ground as she addressed the dead man, "you'd best leave that girl alone and never show your face here."
He looked absolutely terrified, but threw the girl away from himself as he stumbled and scurried away from the madwoman with the knife. Hildegard smiled and quickly put the knife back where it belonged, safe inside her tunic. She padded over to the trembling young woman and knelt down beside her.
"There, there," she said as she pulled her in a delicate embrace. "Everything's alright now, there's nothing to-"
"Why did you help me?" the woman said accusingly. What had Hildegard done wrong? The girl was screaming for help, and now she was disciplining the English woman for offering her assistance?
"You looked like you needed help-"
"I'm not a child!" She stood up and kicked dirt in Hildegard's face. She recoiled and shielded her eyes, shaking her head in anger. "And I don't expect you to protect me!"
She ran away from Hildegard, slung the woman's satchel on her shoulder, and sprinted away.
Hildegard, having recovered from the sudden display of anger and resentment from the victim, stood with her mouth hanging wide open. 'Dammit! Why the Hell is it when I try to help someone, I end up having my belongings stolen from me?' She ground her teeth together and gulped back the urge to chase after the girl and to slit her throat. No, she was above that. She would handle this with dignity and pride.
So, Hildegard, with all the dignity of a wet washcloth, stormed back over to where she had left Shihad, curled up in a ball at the horse's side, and clamped her eyes shut, hoping to have sleep claim her soon.
"So, Benny!" Damiel called out to his friend as their horses galloped throughout the dry earth of the Middle East. "What's our plan?"
"Ride, then camp, ride, then camp!" he called back to the boy. "During the day, we ride!"
"And during night, we sleep like overstuffed pig!" Olivia said as she urged her mare to go faster. "And if any of you have complaint, you say to me and I-"
"We understand, Olivia, no complaints!" Maria laughed and threw her head back to get the hair out of her eyes. She had forgotten to put it up in its restricting bun, and it was being spewed all over the place thanks to her forgetfulness. But she had no regrets. It made her feel wild and free, as if there was nothing that could possibly touch her or harm her. Of course, that was short lived when Damiel guided his horse to ride side by side Maria's and gave her a swift punch in the arm. She smirked at him and threw her fist out so it connected with his cheek. He grunted, but laughed.
Aden rolled his eyes from the boy's behavior. "Damiel, we're trying to get there in one piece-"
"Shut your shit, Aden!" He stuck his tongue out at the man and gave a wink at Maria. "We're just having some fun!"
"You may have all the fun in the world once we reach a-"
"Necesitas dormir con una mujer, Aden! Y necesitas comer una vagina!" He gave him an impish smirk and threw his head back arrogantly. "Bastardo!"
Aden knew not what to say to him. He didn't understand the language the boy spoke, so he merely sat in the saddle with his mouth hanging open. Maria laughed, even though she too didn't know what Damiel had just said. So, the Arab kept his mouth shut for the rest of their ride. Even Benjamin had confessed that he found it a lot more peaceful when Aden was not speaking.
Finally reaching a small village, they pulled their horses into a stop. Benjamin swung himself out of the saddle and motioned for everyone else to do the same. They nodded and followed suit. The veteran took the reins and began leading his horse to the stables. The others mimicked him obediently.
It wasn't as charming as Jaffa was, that was for certain, but yet it had its own personality and beauty. For one thing, the citizens didn't walk with a happy-go-lucky gleam in their eyes. They had a strict, straight to the point, purposeful glare. It was unsettling, but everyone kept their gaze on other things than the people. All except Damiel.
"Maria," he whispered in her ear once they had the horses stabled in for the night. "Why's everyone here so... you know?"
She shrugged and gave him a short lived smile. "People are people, Damiel. They don't need a reason for everything."
"Hmm." He puckered his lips out, but shrugged as well. He held his arm out and placed his hand on Maria's shoulder. She smirked and did the same to him. Their arms were slightly twisted together, but they walked on like this. Aden, Olivia, and Zaina looked at each other and then at them in confusion.
"Aden, what are they doing?" Zaina grabbed hold of her brother's hand as they walked. He gave her a gentle squeeze.
"Perhaps it is ritual," Olivia wondered aloud. "Or maybe new trend we missed?"
Aden scoffed. "Or something useless the boy came up with."
"Actually," Maria called over her shoulder. "This is what my uncle and Benjamin used to do." She glared at Aden, sending the icy fingers of death up his spine. "Thank you for showing respect for the dead."
He frowned but held his head high as he did so. He would never apologize to Maria for something he did not know. Pah, damn the woman for expecting that from him!
Altair sat on his bed, the belt that he had bought for Maria in his hands as he stared up at his canopy. The curtains were closed around his bed since it was night time. The rest of the fortress was already asleep, save for the guards positioned at their stations. Malik had caught him brooding once more and had sent him to his room like a child. He was not a child. He was a man that had everything he loved taken from him.
He closed his eyes and held the belt tighter to himself. Bayo was not with him that night. He sent the dog to go accompany Malik. They had not trained that day, but the Assassin couldn't care less. He was upset beyond measure but couldn't show it to anyone. He didn't want anyone to talk to about his feelings, for no one would listen to him. He just wished that he was able to walk with the air of a starved man throughout the fortress. But he was not allowed such a thing.
'A leader must be strong,' he told himself. Al Mualim was probably laughing down at the new Leader, a corrupt look of satisfaction plastered on the traitor's lips.
He rolled over on his side and sighed. He knew that he was capable of forgetting about Maria, but he chose not to. He chose to hold onto that small bit of hope that she would return one day and that they'd be together. But... then what? He couldn't picture agreeing to put down her sword to bear his children, nor could he imagine the woman being a housewife. She'd probably throw herself off of the stronghold if she was to be subjected to that lifestyle. If she did return, would she want a family? Would she still want him?
There were so many questions plaguing his mind that he could not ignore. He needed answers, but there was no one to give him what he desired. He wished to hold her once more, to feel her heart beat and steady breathing.
But, even if she was to return and no longer wanted him, he would still be content. He wouldn't be thrilled or satisfied, but it would put his mind at partial ease. Knowing that she was alive and well was all he wanted. If she wanted a life without him, he would not force it upon her or chase after her. He would simply let her go; let her slip through his fingers once more.
He looked at the belt and gave it a weak smile. He could imagine Maria living the life of a lonely soldier, but he could not picture her with any other man. If she had found someone else, he would be sure to find out every single detail about the fool that dared steal his woman. And, if he proved to be a risk, he'd dispatch of him for his beloved Maria. Yes, that is exactly what he'd do.
'Damn you, Maria.. Why must you continue to make my life so difficult? It is as if I am trying to find answers that do not exist. No one has seen you for one year, I haven't read one of your letters... Do you even exist anymore? If you do, then do you yearn for me as much as I yearn for you?' He shook his head and threw himself out of the bed, tearing open the canopy curtains as he did so. He lit a candle in his room, and as soon as the flame touched the wax, his chambers illuminated. He made his way to the small desk in the corner of his room and dug through some of the drawers. He slammed parchment down onto the table, pulled out a quill and ink, and began writing.
Maria,
You truly are the most difficult target in my life. You continue to torture me in more ways than one. I believe that there is no other man in this world experiencing what I am going through. Betrayal. Hurt. Humiliation.
How are you?I hope you are fairing better than I am, but it'd be a lie if I said that that's what I really want. It pains me to admit that I am alone. Malik does not wish to speak to me about what I am feeling. I do not trust anyone else in this fortress, even if they are Brothers. I've never felt so deprived in my life. Sometimes I wonder what you'd say if you were to see the state I've been put into. Would you laugh? Would you feel guilty? Would you just walk away?
I guess I'll never know, for you are not here. Did I ever tell you my feelings for you? No, I didn't, didn't I? I am sorry. I am sorry that you felt compelled to run away from me. I am sorry for disappointing you and rushing our relationship. I was a fool. I was a fool to ever think that I'd be able to keep you by my side. You've been running away from what society demanded from women your entire life, and there I was, hoping that you and I could start a family. I would have very much liked it if you stayed, though.
Bayo misses you as well. He whines and cries whenever I say your name. I understand leaving me- partially- but leaving Bayo? You trained him, and you just leave him?
I guess you could say that 'you loved him, but you just left him?' in my defense. Yet I am not writing this to insult you. I do not have anyone to speak to about you, and so I will speak to myself through these papers.
Your face abuses me, night and day, hour after hour. I cannot remove you from my mind. Everything I look at reminds me of you, and I mean EVERYTHING. I try to picture how you'd look now. From what I've heard, you've become very dull. I do not believe it to be true. I know that you are still the fiery and headstrong woman I met in Jerusalem. And I know that you would not hesitate from throwing punches in my direction were you to ever see me again. I would love to feel those punches, though. Just to know that you are alive is good enough for me.
I wonder if you were captured and taken back to England. But, then I must remind myself that it is MARIA we are talking about, not a helpless goat. My God, if someone captured you and was holding you hostage, I'd chase after you and kill them off one by one all for your safety. Even if it meant throwing my life away in the process. I would gladly die for you.
I never told you, never could admit it to myself. It wasn't lacking courage, it was merely being afraid. I know, it contradicts the other, but it is the truth. Maria Thorpe, you never told me either, but I didn't need to be told. I knew. I knew from the beginning.
I knew that you loved me.
Do you still?
Because I love you.
-Altair
Translations:
Mi pelo es una selva = My hair is a forest.
Necesitas dormir con una mujer, Aden! Y necesitas comer una vagina! = You need to sleep with a woman... And you need to eat a vagina.