Maria had planned to leave the bureau after the mission to the fortress but Ceana's son being there forced her to alter her plans. The boy needed help and if his idiotic father was too blinded by his own fury to offer it then she would have to. She stood above his still sleeping frame and wondered how a woman as small as the Scot had been able to produce a being of such gigantic proportions, he certainly took after his father in both stature and temperament; she would have to steer him away from the latter.

"Wake up tiny we have things to do you can't lie here all day." Her hand shaking his shoulder had to apply increasing pressure as he continued snoring. "Are you going to make me fetch some water?"

He opened one eye and squinted around the strange room with small windows and undeniably Arabic furnishings. "Where am I, what is going on?"

"My name is Maria Thorpe I am the woman your mother helped. I found you yesterday planning to assault the entire Teutonic garrison single handed and brought you here to sober you up."

"I've a fierce drouth." Smacking his lips he made to sit up and discovered he was bound. "I really was spoiling for a fight eh?"

"You were but I found you to be fairly easy to handle. Let me untie you while I bring you up to date. Do you know what charges your Father is facing?"

"Aye there is word, one of the men he attacked died so it'll be murder."

Maria thought it best not to inform him that it would be treason his father would hang for, let the boy get his bearings first at least. "The man who killed your Mother is dead Uilleam. He took me prisoner but I was freed and I ended his life."

He sat quietly while she undid his binds before getting to his feet, "My sister blamed Father and me telling us we should have stayed with her until you were gone mayhap she spoke true. I'm no longer fuelled by ale but my desire to fight is not lessened."

"Who would you fight boy? Her killer is dead and his men would not stand with him."

"Any would allow these wrongs Maria. My Mother is only one of many common folk who have fallen at nought more than the whim of a wealthy man. We came here believing a better life to be on offer and we work hard but there are more taxes and laws here than in England. When a man cannot feed his family for paying tithes then it is time for all men who would not submit to rise up."

Maria knew these words to be his father's and not his own but he believed them. "You want to fight then join with other like minded men. One single man attacking soldiers will achieve nothing and your death would stain my conscious, I won't ask you not to fight but I would beseech you to bide your time and find allies to unite with."

Malik was in the doorway listening and although he had heard rumblings of discontent among the Europeans he never thought it would amount to much. It might well be time to find out if there truly were Christians who would fight alongside his own men, Altaïr had suggested as much to him. The arrival of the novices interrupted his chain of thoughts but it would be one he and the Mentor would spend a great many hours considering in the months to come.

"Glad to see you on your feet young man, my name is Malik. It will be necessary to blind fold you when you are taken from here for both your sake and ours, I hope you understand."

Uilleam nodded and approached Malik, "Thank you for your shelter and while I can promise not to betray such an act of kindness I can accept the sense in what you say. You'll have no quarrel from me sir."

The boy towered over him but his manner and speech were deferential he clearly recognised authority when he saw it. Malik bowed and returned to his novices again wondering how a boy like that would fit in with his brothers.

"So now we have that business with the fortress behind us can I assume I am free to leave unfettered?" Maria stood on the opposite side of the counter from the two men, "I mean Uilleam is gone and the job is done my work here is complete."

"You are planning to travel to Homs are you not? We will make the journey together." Altaïr's head dropped back to his work as though the matter was settled.

"I'm going out you know where to find me should you decide to stop treating me like I'm one of your novices, good day to you both."

She spun on her heels and made her way quickly to the wall which led to the opening in the roof sure that at any moment she would feel hands dragging her back inside. There were none, she got to the street outside unhindered and smirked she knew exactly what she was going to do with this unexpected freedom.

The afternoon had passed quietly with Altaïr taking a walk around the city to witness for himself what the novices had been reporting all that morning; the widespread panic last night's attack had caused. The chatter from the people suggested Conrad wasn't exactly a beloved leader but they were still offended that someone had dared assault him in his own castle. There were rumblings that the Lion heart had a hand in the deed, he had to suppress a slight grin when he overheard that. There was no sign of Maria on his return to the bureau and while he had no intention of going to her rooms to find her he did want to leave for Homs at first light.

He gestured a young novice towards him, "Tahir go into the rich district and get a message to Maria for me. Tell her to return here by nightfall I will be leaving for Homs with or without her."

The boy nodded, "As you wish Master." Before scaling the wall of the bureau and making his way into the hectic atmosphere of a city in shock. Even before he had passed the large fountain in front of the bureau he encountered guards pushing and shoving people aside and dragging away anyone they didn't like the look of.

His teeth clenched when he saw a young girl being pushed to the ground and ridiculed by Crusader men. They attacked her for no other reason than they could and if there was one thing in this life he hated it was a bully. He moved towards the girl and held out his hand to her hoping she would take it without pointing him out as a stranger. "You were told to stay within the walls of the house the Master will not be pleased when he learns of your wandering."

Confusion flitted briefly across her face but it was gone in a blink, "I only wanted to see what all the fuss was about." She took his hand and let him lift her to her feet.

"Hold a minute what the hell do you think you're doing, we aint through questioning her Arab." A soldier wearing the gambeson of the crusaders pulled her out of his grasp.

Tahir blinked at the soldier and with no hesitation he countered. "We both are servants to a merchant from Jerusalem he is in the city on Crusader business if you wish I could have his personal guard aid you with your enquiries."

The soldier floundered at his words, he knew of some wealthy Arab merchants who were treated as well as any Englishman within the walls of this city and he didn't fancy having to explain himself to a bloody Arab of all people. "Take her and go but you'll keep the idiot girl off the streets if you know what's good for you."

Tahir once more took hold of her arm and led her into a back street while delivering a mock rebuke for her stupidity. Once out of sight of the soldiers he let her go.

"Oh thank you, thank you. Who knows what foul deeds those men intended to commit."

Her gratitude was both embarrassing and heart warming to the young novice. His own heart was hammering in his chest, had those men decided to fight him he knew he would likely be lying dead in the street but fortunately there was no need for the girl to know that. "You should get home and stay there for the rest of the day the city is crawling with soldiers baying for the blood of anyone who takes their notice."

She was the typical European, small with pale skin and blue eyes, darker than Maria's striking eyes but nonetheless they were eye catching. Had her hair been a few shades lighter it would have been golden but it was closer to the colour of sand than sunshine still he had to admit she was pretty in her own way.

The girl smiled and shyly stepped forward placing a small kiss on the cheek of the blushing assassin. "I pray God will reward you for the kindness you have shown me today."

She paused a moment waiting for a reaction but his mouth suddenly felt dry as though stuffed full of cotton and words failed him. She flashed him another smile, this one a great deal less coy than her previous effort then spun on her heels presumably to go home. He rubbed his cheek and watched her leave feeling an oddly warm sensation in his stomach. Remembering his mission he turned back towards the rich district to begin his search for Maria completely unaware of the small secret smile he wore.

He found her standing beside a bench in front of the giant cathedral but she wasn't alone, she was deep in conversation with two men on horseback. He hung back in the shadows of a market stall but he was too far to hear what they were saying. Perhaps emboldened by his earlier bloodless victory he chanced his arm and moved to a nearby bench seating himself between two women resting in the strong afternoon sun.

The older of the men looked almost Arabic, Tahir guessed he was from one of the more southerly European Kingdoms and when he spoke it became clear he was from somewhere near Iberia. "I was horrified to learn of the treatment you received at the hands of Bouchart Maria after all you served the order with devotion to duty and loyalty. Perhaps when your current business is concluded you will visit with me to discuss your reinstatement."

The young man beamed at Maria upon hearing these words and Tahir was more than a little concerned to see her own reaction to his offer, she was delighted. "I thank you Grandmaster your offer is most generous. You can be sure I will take up your gracious offer as soon as I return from my trip."

The old man bowed but when his grey beard tangled with his chain-mail he laughed, "Let us hope that Saladin and myself can find a way to keep the peace and make these ridiculous trappings obsolete."

Stephen hadn't spoken much but he wasn't blind, Maria was watching him like a hawk as her conversation with Gilbert went onto more mundane matters but her eyes would constantly flick to his face.

The Aragonite Knight and newly appointed leader of the Knights Templar loudly declared their conversation to be at an end. "Now I am afraid we must take leave of you Maria we have arrived in Acre at quite the opportune moment. There are underhand dealings afoot and I must submit my resources fully to the matter of finding the guilty parties."

Maria bowed her upper body, "Of course my Lord I understand. Stephen before you go, a word with you if I may?"

He let himself hang from the side of his saddle, "Yes?"

"Meet me tonight at the rooms I used to occupy we have much to discuss. I can't attempt to go there until after midnight but I will be there."

Her words were cut short by a loud commotion at a nearby bench. A young man in white robes and a grey hood was attracting the attention of the guards. "What the bloody hell are you doing here Saracen? Are you a spy?"

The boy stood and even without seeing his face she knew it was Tahir. One of the men grabbed him by his hood and swung him around dropping him to his knees. She watched willing him not to draw his weapon if he did he was dead, there were more than fifty soldiers within sight most of them following Gilbert Horal and Stephen.

Stephen led his horse toward the commotion and Maria backed into the shadows waiting to see what would happen. Suddenly Tahir twisted his body free ducking under the horse and bolted towards the buildings on his left, she saw him scale a wall and vanish over the next rooftop but not before knocking over a stall to slow his pursuers.

'Clever boy Tahir, now get to the bureau and stay there.' She moved further into the shadows and made her way to the home of Uilleam.

The guard's pursuit was relentless, he had to run in the opposite direction to the bureau so as not to lead them to his brothers but he couldn't shake them. An arrow whirred past his head just before he dropped into the street. He ran across a small open dirt road and straight past an informant so now at least he knew the others would hear of his failure. He was closer to the safe house than the bureau but he didn't dare lead them in that direction either. His legs were burning and every breath he pulled into his lungs hurt but he knew if he stopped he would die. Then he heard barking behind him, just before skidding around a sharp corner he glanced back and saw the dog he had cared for barking at the soldiers and snapping at their heels.

Incredibly he almost returned to protect the animal but one of the soldiers drew his hand to strike her and she moved back, "Good girl now go hide." Another few sharp turns brought him to the roof of the bureau. He made it with seconds to spare the latticed roof was about to be closed over when he dived inside landing badly and twisting his ankle in the process.

"I see you had some excitement."

He looked up from his humiliating position on the tiled floor to see Malik smirking down at him. "Yes dai I was discovered during an attempt to listen to a conversation between Maria and the Grandmaster of the Templars."

Altaïr moved from behind the counter at his words, "Come in here Tahir tell me what you heard."

Maria approached the bureau under cover of darkness she knew Tahir would have reported her meeting with Stephen and Gilbert and she decided the least she could do was face the music; after all it had been Altaïr who had questioned her ability to make the tough choice.

She arrived as the last novice was leaving and Jabal, Malik and Altaïr were beginning to finish off in the front room of the bureau. Jabal gave her the dirtiest of looks when he saw her but that in itself was no real surprise the old man despised her. Malik and Altaïr made their way into the back but the Dai stopped long enough to invite her to join them when she had a moment.

Once again she found herself sitting on the opposite side of a table from them but this time she felt that was appropriate; she really was an outsider here and even the furniture knew it. "I assume you are aware of who I met today?"

"Yes you know we are Tahir may have struck up a friendship with you but his duty is to the order." There was no malice in Malik's voice. "Would you care for something to eat or drink Maria?"

"No thank you I have eaten well."

Altaïr didn't speak but he never took his eyes off her. She could see why his brothers had chosen him to lead them the man was a stone wall.

"I left today with a personal task in mind my meeting with Gilbert was entirely fortuitous and I need you to know that I am no threat to your order or this bureau."

Malik shrugged, "We could move the bureau within hours Maria no one person would ever really be a threat to us."

Despite her intentions to smooth things over she found herself bristling at his words, "I'm sorry did you fail to see the arsenal the Templars had gathered?"

"One person cannot wield an arsenal Maria."

"But one person can direct the tips of a multitude of swords."

"You are trying to convince us you mean us no harm?"

"I am telling you I am not your enemy but you sitting there being an arrogant fool and him like a statue is making me wish I hadn't bothered."

Malik joined Altaïr in his dispassionate disregard of the woman and Maria's temper prickled. "I am not a Templar if last night didn't prove that then nothing will but I have never denied I am a Crusader. With that said there is currently a truce in those hostilities and my role if I do return to my order would be purely peace keeping. "

"We heard of the Grandmasters offer of a new place within his ranks."

"Yes but surely you understand that Gilbert Horal is in no way connected to these plots the man is the main reason there is no more fighting between our people. He goes to such great lengths to appease Saladin that he amasses enemies within the other Crusader orders daily."

"What of Marshal?"

Altaïr's question was short but loaded with accusation. Did Tahir know that it was Stephen who was there today? "You may carry out your investigation as I plan to do the same."

"And you began those investigations today when you met him?"

"Since you are so well informed you tell me."

"I know your intentions are good but I have my doubts regarding your ability to judge him based on fact not feelings."

"Then you underestimate me Altaïr. If you believe I am incapable of learning from my mistakes of the past and so doomed to repeat them you should kill me now."

"There is no reason for hostility between us Maria. You have done us a great service and so long as you stay on your chosen path our order will have no quarrel with you."

She responded to Malik's timely intervention "It is I who owe your order a debt. I am fully aware of my past misjudgements."

"What of Homs?"

"I plan to travel there still."

"Alone?"

"Yes alone."

Malik stood from the desk and offered his hand to her, "Then our association is at an end. Safety and peace to you."

She stood and took the hand offered to her, "Upon you as well Malik."

Altaïr never moved from his seat but his eyes never left her face either. "I'll bid you goodbye assassin. I won't say our time together was always pleasant but it was certainly valuable."

He bowed his head and whispered, "Safety and peace Maria."

As she made her way to the exit she passed Jabal who was sneering at her. "You know Jabal you might not have appreciated my presence in your life but I promise you it will be a whole lot duller when I'm gone."

"Be along with you woman and see if you can't find a good man to improve your character."

She left the bureau laughing at his remark but once she reached the roof she stopped to survey her surroundings.

"Maria..."

He exited the opening in the roof and stood beside her. "You think this is a wise choice?"

"I don't know Altaïr but I do know it's the only one I can make in good conscience."

He swallowed hard enough for her to hear but never spoke.

"I'm making the hard choice you mentioned."

"The hard choice will come when you learn of his guilt if he is indeed guilty."

"No the hard choice is leaving you to pursue that truth."

They moved toward each other their foreheads touching their hands seeking out their counterparts, "Let me travel with you Maria."

"Altaïr you must return to your brothers and lead them and I must finish what I started."

"My part in this is not done Maria the leader is still active; I will hunt him down and kill him whoever he is."

"I hope you do." She wanted to say more but her voice betrayed her.

"Sit with me a while and tell me of your plans Maria; let us not part with bad feelings."

"I have to find out what Stephen knows but please trust me if he is what you call a Templar I will do all I can to end him but if he isn't I'll die to protect him."

"Another man you are willing to throw your life away to shield; it is my wish that this one proves worthy of your devotion."

Was it bitterness she heard in his voice, "I'll make sure he is worthy Altaïr but as always my heart will lead and I will follow it no matter the outcome."

The moon was at her fullest but the novice never considered stopping to admire her ethereal beauty, Kaderi was dying he was sure of it and his desperate journey to the bureau with her small body cradled to his chest was his last hope of saving her. He had tended her wounds, bathed them and covered them but still something must have gotten inside. He found her lying in the small building next to the safe house whimpering and barely able to raise her head to greet him.

After his disastrous efforts today he knew the last thing he needed was for the other novices to see this side of him but only his head knew that his heart cared only for this little dog whose own fragile heartbeat was currently tapping against his breast. "Jabal will have herbs for you possibly Maria might know some foreign cure please stay strong Kaderi we will be there soon."

The streets were still thick with guards hungry for revenge for their losses but Tahir knew every back street between him and the bureau and he managed to avoid their eager eyes without too much trouble but it took him longer to get there; time he felt almost sure he didn't have. The bureau was in sight now but he knew it would be closed and with the master and Malik inside he could hardly believe he was fully prepared to bang on the opening until someone came.

He climbed the ladders carefully protecting his throbbing ankle and shielding her with his arm but when he got to the top not only was it open the Master and Maria were on the roof talking. "Master Altaïr I know this is highly irregular but I need help." He held her away from his body to show them what he was talking about, "I've done all I can but my best isn't good enough."

Maria jumped to her feet looking genuinely concerned. She never waited for the Master to respond she took charge of the situation immediately. "Bring him inside, Altaïr jump down and take her from him gently. Do you think she has an infection Tahir?"

He nodded, grateful for her intervention. At least he would have a chance to get treatment for her before he would have to explain himself.

Altaïr carried her inside surprising even himself when he placed her body on the desk of the bureau, right on cue Malik came into the main room looking angry that his sleep had been disturbed.

"What is this?" His arm waved over the dog on the counter as though he wear shooing a fly.

"It's Tahir's dog Malik, she has a deep wound on her hind quarters and we think she may have a blood infection. Where is the medicine chest?" Maria spoke as she nudged Altaïr out of the way to better see the animal's condition.

Malik gave the novice a questioning look and he began babbling an explanation. "I found her injured and treated her wounds. Today she helped me evade the guards but I'm unsure if that is the reason I later found her so weakened. Dai I know I cannot keep her but I would ask your assistance in saving her."

"Why can't he keep her Malik?"

"It's a dog Maria what possible use could she be?"

"A friend, a companion did you never have a pet as a child?"

"As a child yes but as a man I have no need of such things."

Maria huffed and turned to Tahir, "Hold her while we undress the wound and see what is going on. Did you give her a name yet?"

He moved to her head and placed a gentle hand on her leg, "Kaderi hold still she is trying to help you."

Malik and Altaïr both paused to look at the novice but his attention was fully on his dog. They worked together applying balm to her wound and Malik poured and concoction down her throat while Tahir held her head. Maria smiled when she saw how committed to helping he was even though he had pretended not to understand.

When they were done Tahir stood in the middle of the room looking for the entire world like a penitent sinner. "I will take her now to complete her recovery if she makes it I'll find a home for her. I am grateful for your assistance."

Malik snorted and shoved the boy back to the dog, "Bring some cushions inside and stay here with her tonight. Moving the beast will only undo any good we have achieved."

Tahir retrieved some cushions while the other men carried her gingerly into the back of the bureau. Maria stopped the novice on his way to join them. "Tahir I'm leaving now but I'm glad I got a chance to thank you for your kindness."

"You are leaving because of what I reported yes? Forgive me Maria but I had to tell them what I saw."

She brushed his cheek and examined his face. His eyes bore a look she knew well, loneliness... "No more of that I don't blame you in fact I came here and told them myself." She looked to the door to make sure they were alone. "Tahir whatever is in your heart that is causing you so much pain you have to let it go. You need to relax and be yourself and stop trying so hard not to make mistakes trust yourself and your training. You are equal to any of the other novices in ability but you beat them hands down when it comes to heart, there is no shame in caring Tahir."

He blushed but forced himself not to look away, "I will miss you Maria."

Altaïr walked with her to the exit scouring his brain for that one thing he could say to make her stay but he knew no words would alter her plans. She was doing what he would do... fighting for her brother.

She paused before the climb up, "Altaïr let him keep the dog, what harm can it do?"

He chuckled softly, "I think her name assures her a place in our home Maria." He answered her questioning look, "Kaderi means my fate but it is also the female form of Kadar."

Stephen would probably be at her rooms waiting for her but still she held off leaving, "You are a good man Altaïr try not to let power change that."

His eyes burned into hers as he moved a step closer, "If you ever need me..."

She kissed him intending it to be soft but their hearts had other ideas, they clung to each other in this last embrace each dreading the moment when the parted. It was Maria who made that move away. She turned quickly and scaled the wall leaving him standing below. She never looked back and he never called out to her. Dropping onto the street below she looked skyward at the moon dipping lower in the sky and she knew next time it rose it would be waning its cycle complete.

2 updates in a few days man I need to sleep :(

Thanks to Wolfsfussel for the dogs name (She offered so many lovely choices I was tempted to say he had found a whole litter of puppies so I could use them all.)she is one clever cookie :)