Maria sauntered up from the stream feeling far more positive about life than she had in a long time. Twilight was submitting to darkness and the waning moon was rising above the trees behind her, lighting her path through the wilderness they had made their temporary home for the night. The food she could smell cooking had her quickening her pace but by the time she made it past the shrubs she was running towards definite sounds of a fight.
She saw Stephen swing his huge sword aiming it at... her heart stopped beating, it was Altaïr. She screamed as she watched his long sword tear into the assassin's leg and ran toward them drawing her own sword from the belt she was carrying in her hand. The assassin fell almost landing in the fire and in that split second enough of his face was lit up for her to see it wasn't Altaïr but her screams distracted Stephen who turned his head to her before looking back at his opponent in time to see the pot of boiling water the instant before it hit his face.
He dropped his sword as his hands clutched at his face and Maria watched in horror as the killer scrambled to his feet and thrust his left arm at her friend's neck.
"No he was to be safe; he gave me his word this would not happen!" She closed the distance between them but the assassin had already climbed onto Stephen's horse and was riding off into the darkness.
"I will kill him for this betrayal; I will not rest until he lies dead at my feet!" Her shouts degenerated to nothing more than agonised howls but he soon vanished into the rapidly decreasing light never once looking back. She turned to her friend on the ground behind her and heard his raspy breathes as he tried to speak.
"Stephen, don't move we can fix this." She knelt beside him her hand desperately trying to stem the crimson stream from his neck. The wound was closer to his shoulder and although deep and messy it didn't seem to have hit a vein, pressing her hand over it she felt the heat from his scolding chainmail.
His eyes struggled to focus on her face but he had no real control over his body any more, they rolled around in his head as his hand fluttered in the air above his chest. Maria caught it and brought it to her face. "I'm here Stephen I'm right here. We have to get this off its sticking to you."
Tugging desperately at his robes she realised her panic was not helping either of them. Forcing herself to pause and take a deep breath she resumed her task of removing the armour which would probably take most of his skin with it.
Tahir knocked on the door and waited for a reply but as before when he had been here with Maria the knock had to be repeated before the sleeping bear inside could be roused from his slumber.
Uilleam opened the door, eyes still half shut and there was no recognition of the face to clear the fog, "Can I help you?"
"Yes you can. My name is Tahir I was here with Maria the day we found you drunk and I believe you have something I have a great need of."
Uilleam wiped the sleep from his eyes and saw the robes of the men who had sheltered him, "Come in then and tell me what I can do."
He stayed with the English boy for a short time before making his way deeper into the poor district and the real reason he had snuck from the safety of the bureau. She had asked him to call on her before he left the city and he knew there would be no time to visit with her tomorrow; this would be his last chance to see her.
He found himself knocking on another door but this one was a broken poor looking thing. There were so many splits in the wood that it would be useless for fending off a light breeze let alone a hard winter wind. He swallowed when he heard her footfalls approach the other side of the door.
"Who is it?" he heard her small voice tentatively enquire. He was tempted to ask what did it matter that door wouldn't keep out anyone she didn't want to see but instead he cleared his throat gave his name.
He saw the door open slowly then her smiling face appeared from the other side, "I thought it might be soldiers after me for murder."
He put his fingers over her mouth and looked around the dark dead end that was her street; it was late but never late enough for careless words "Shh we cannot tell who can hear you."
Stepping aside she bid him enter and moving past her he got a first hand view of the life this pretty girl led. There was a small pile of hay in the corner and a few odd pieces of pottery piled on a stool. No fire lit her hearth and if there was food here he couldn't see where she kept it; the room was bare and chilled even on this mild spring night. The window was boarded up with the same careless work the craftsman had applied to the door but even in the gloom he could see the floor was swept clean, the house was like the girl... as poor as can be but still there was an attempt to make the best of what was there.
He turned to the girl and found her looking at her feet and when he moved toward her she stepped away, "My mother died with the black lung and my father was broken. He stopped working and took to going to the alehouse selling of what we had to pay his taxes but in the end we had nothing left to sell and he left. I'm a sorry excuse for a beggar so what you see is what I have."
His evident disapproval of her home had shamed her but nowhere near as much as his actions had shamed him, he moved to her and took her hands in his. "I'm not only here to see you again Gwen I'm here to help. It would be foolish of me to save your life and then leave you to whatever fate serves in the hard streets of Acre."
"What do you have in mind?"
He realised he was chewing his gum and forced himself to stop, "I'm not sure I had intended on leaving you a bag of coins but that will only last you so long."
She flinched when he mentioned money, "I'm not looking for payment for today Tahir what we did was nice and I'll not cheapen it and behave as a whore. I know my behaviour was brazen but had you not showed up... I just wanted comfort and it was special I have no regrets that you were my first."
Aching he watched her try to justify what she saw a sin but what he saw as the most beautiful experience of his life. "You were my first too and neither us need feel regret other than the regret of having to leave you in so uncertain a circumstance."
She moved to the stool and placed the dishes on the floor, "Come sit by me and tell me about yourself." Sitting on the floor she intended him to have the only seat in the room but he took her hand and lifted her up leading them both to the straw where they sat side by side against the wall.
"There is not much to tell I was orphaned in an attack by bandits and rescued by a man who took me to a fortress where I have lived and studied to this day."
"I've never seen a monk good for much more than preaching. You used that blade like a soldier Tahir."
He never considered covering his history with a lie omission seemed to be kinder, "Weapons training was part of my schooling." Tugging a small cloth bundle from his tunic he grinned, "Will you eat with me? I missed my meal in order that we could share this."
His heart seemed to flip in his chest when she smiled shyly in response and the young man marvelled at how he felt none of his usual awkwardness with her they sat together eating the food he had procured from Uilleam and talking about things that had no real importance to any but them.
The assassin moved toward the gate of Acre knowing dawn would soon arrive and make his entry far more difficult. He had stopped at a small stream and bound his wound removing as much of the blood as he could from his trousers. The men at the gate were leaning against the wall, coming to the end of a long quiet night and longing for their replacements to arrive and relieve them of this task but the assassin was as cautious as ever. Bowing his head he clasped his hands before his chest and gritted his teeth against the pain burning in his thigh. Limping would draw attention and he forced himself to take the slow agonising steps with no visible sign of discomfort.
Finally reaching a building which offered him some cover from their eyes he leaned back on the wall and wiped the sweat from his face, taking a few moments to steady his heartbeat before moving off in the direction of the bureau and the safety it would bring.
Tahir lay naked with the girl cursing the passing of the hours that had brought his departure near. She had her head against his chest with her fingers curling around the robes he had used to cover them. He had been taught to question even the most trivial of ideas and the past few moments had been spend doing just that. The idea of her being the enemy never crossed his mind, she was a woman and her being Christian meant nothing to him men were permitted to marry a woman from another religion, he had even heard rumours that Altaïr's own mother had been an Arabic Christian.
The only obstacle he could see to them being together was his age and low rank, only older assassins were permitted to marry. He lowered his gaze to her face and knew that leaving her here alone would do more damage to his soul than he was willing to suffer. "Gwen what are we to do?" But there was no reply to his whispered question she was asleep. He smiled knowing he would soon have to rouse her but for now it was nice to lie here and feel her soft body next to his.
The assassin climbed the ladders letting his injured leg hang in the air, he used his arms to drag himself up but it was exhausting and he knew achieving the top of the ladder would only lead him to another more difficult obstacle, getting inside from the roof. Breathless and sweating profusely he stood on the roof more than a little surprised to find it open but the novice lying on the scattered cushions below had probably forgotten to close it.
The boy opened his eyes and saw a figure drop onto the floor a few feet away from him, the agony that landing had caused him was evident even to this boy. He had only hours before lost a finger and was no stranger to pain and so he felt comfortable addressing a man he would normally lower his eyes as he passed, "Safety and peace brother Abbas are you injured?"
The assassin scowled and rubbed his aching leg but seeing the boy's bandaged hand softened his countenance, "Yes novice my leg is bleeding badly and what of your hand?"
The boy was immediately flattered by this unexpected attention and holding up his still throbbing left hand he smiled, "Sharpening my blade."
Abbas grinned, "At least you can assume that your task was successful your blade certainly must have been sharp!"
Abbas smiled at the pride so evident on the boys face and his next words only confirmed that. "The Master brought me here to sleep so I could be nearer to Jabal and proper medical care and assist Tahir with another patient."
The assassin looked around but saw no other patients until the boy pulled back the cover from his upper body revealing a small black dog tucked in beside his body. "Her name is Kaderi and she was hurt and got sick from the wound. Tahir and I are seeing to her recovery."
Abbas needed no explanation of the name; Tahir had named the mutt after Kadar. Yet another victim of their new Master's careless way with things, words and deeds... "She is a lucky dog but you mind not to let her pee in here I won't sleep with that awful smell invading my nostrils."
Speaking of the new master his voice cut into Abbas' lighter mood. "What is going on out here?" He stood in the doorway fixing his armour in place and looking at Abbas with more than a little distrust.
"I'm here with a message from Jerusalem but on the road to Acre I encountered a little Templar trouble."
Altaïr moved closer to inspect the wound Abbas was showing him through a tear in his trousers. "Jabal is not here yet but come inside and Malik and I will help you tend to your injury."
Abbas took the hand offered to help him to his feet and limped into the main room behind the new Master cursing his luck that he was forced to accept his help. Malik came out of the back room not yet wearing his outer robes and Abbas had to stifle a grin at the look on his face when he saw him. Another who felt Abbas' mistrust of their new leader was unwarranted, but there were more like him at Masyaf only none so brave as to speak out.
"What happened to you?"
"A Templar Knight on the road I had thought him distracted when I struck but he proved to have better reflexes than most of his ilk."
Malik dropped to one knee and lifted one side of the torn fabric, "It looks like he got a good swing at you, what of him?"
Altaïr shuddered when Abbas chuckled; it was a cold joyless sound. "I left him boiled and bleeding with his wife screaming curses after me."
Malik's eyebrows lifted, "The knights do not bring their wives here Abbas it would impact negatively on their vows of celibacy. Perhaps you disturbed him escorting pilgrims."
Abbas puckered his lips and grimaced when Altaïr applied a cloth to his wound, "No, she was even wearing their demonic red cross on her tunic, I'm almost certain she was his personal companion." The pressure of the cloth increased greatly as he spoke, "Have a care I need that leg." hissing the last words.
Altaïr drew the cloth away and let it drop into the bowl of water. "What did she look like Abbas?"
Abbas tutted and rolled his eyes, "What do they all look like? It was near dark but from what I can remember she had dark hair and wore grey clothes as I said with the Templar cross on her tunic but best of all she had her own sword which the impudent bitch actually drew to engage me."
Altaïr's face showed none of his inner turmoil as he rose to feet and moved to the desk from behind him he heard his second in command ask if he thought it was Maria. "Yes it was her how many other women dress as she does and carry a damn sword!"
He was tempted to add that fate being a cruel master virtually assured that it was her but he bit down on those words; those were his own personal thoughts to be examined in private.
"Who is Maria and why does it seem to trouble you both that she was involved?"
Ignoring his questions he offered one of his own. "You said she drew on you did you injure her?"
Abbas held his leg and watched the Mentor's jaw flex as he asked the question, "No I was bleeding heavily and hurting I left her screaming that she would see someone dead at her feet for this betrayal."
Malik emitted a bitter sounding laugh as he brought Malik up to date. "Maria helped us prevent a full out assault of Masyaf or at least helped us to delay it. And her likely targets for this perceived betrayal are all standing in this room."
Gritting his teeth as he took up the cloth and began to clean his own wound Abbas scowled. "Makes me regret not killing her where she stood."
He saw the look the Mentor and Grand Dai exchanged, "What are we no longer enemies with the Templars? Should we stop attacking them on sight?"
"No you did the right thing the Templars remain our enemy Abbas."
"Then Master perhaps you could stop judging me and help me with my leg."
Rubbing his temple he moved toward Abbas then stopped. "I'm going to find her Malik."
"Altaïr you cannot continue to ignore your duty to our order. Maria will make her journey as she planned to... without you."
All three men reacted at the same time to the voice in the doorway. "But she makes it thinking the men she risked all to help her have turned on her where will that knowledge send her but to her former brothers? Let me go after her Mentor."
"You, how do you propose to track her boy, you can't find the path to the dining hall without a map!"
Normally Abbas even being in the room would guarantee Tahir's silence but he thought of all Maria had done for them and swallowed his stuttering reply down pausing long enough to sound more assured he replied. "The road to Homs is sign posted Abbas one needs little more than the ability to read."
"Why you insolent little bastard! I'll teach you how to properly address your betters." Dragging himself to his feet Abbas was stopped by Malik's hand on his shoulder.
"Stay your anger Abbas the boy's loyalty is understandable. There is a truce in the hostilities between Crusader and Saracen. Our enemies now come in all manner of guises we may need to develop a new way of determining friend from foe and Maria is a friend no matter what mark is on her tunic, or at least she was..."
Malik moved toward the boy, "She is likely to attack you on sight you know that don't you?" When Altaïr attempted to interject Malik held up his hand. "Consider his offer Altaïr if he is successful he can accompany her to Homs and escort her to us at Masyaf when it is over."
"I still think I should be the one to explain that Abbas was not carrying out any orders issued after her departure."
Malik threw his arm in the air and sighed. "Brother she doesn't want you with her. She left you behind in order to learn what she could on her own terms."
"We leave for Masyaf within the hour. You travel with Tazim and the dog. Tahir you leave as soon as you are ready."
Unsure where he was leaving to go he stood a moment then braved the question, "What is my destination Master?"
Altaïr showed as much emotion as he had ever seen and even then it was only a slight scowl, "Find her Tahir make her understand that this was random but approach her with caution the woman wields a blade better than many of the men you train with."
Maria lay down after hours of tending to his wounds in the insufficient light provided by the fire she was finally finished. Most of the flesh on the upper left of his body, neck and face was gone and what remained was a blistering mess of raw peeling skin. She had left him alone to soak his clothes in the stream and when she returned to apply the soothing fabric to his skin he was shaking uncontrollably. Over the years she had seen enough men go into shock to know exactly what it was and that there was nothing she could really do to help him. The hellish choice of soothing his burns or keeping him warm had taken her far longer than it should have but she was desperate not to make a mistake that would cost him his life. Tossing her own blanket over him as well as anything else she could find that was dry and might offer warmth she had lain beside him and thought of the assassin.
The man lying beside her coughed but it lasted only seconds, closing her eyes she tried to rest a while knowing she would have to move soon and find help for Stephen or he would die. The injury to his neck while not immediately life threatening continued to seep blood, it needed stitches and everything needed proper cleaning to prevent infection. Her lip curled as she thought of her own stupidity at allowing herself to be used once again by a man playing upon her need for acceptance.
Innocent or guilty Stephen didn't deserve this fate and no matter the outcome she would make damn sure that blood would be spilled either her own or the assassins would serve the purposes of justice since they were both equally to blame for his condition.
Tahir stood outside the bureau listening to Altaïr and Malik going over the plans, he was aware the men didn't have the greatest of confidence in his ability it was his friendship with Maria that had earned him this task but really why did they feel the need to repeat the instructions they had already issued inside? When finally they had nothing left to repeat he departed but not until he was around the corner and out of his line of sight did Tahir stop feeling the Master's eyes upon him.
Mounting a horse he stopped and looked above him, the sun was beginning to climb and when he was away from the ocean and the clouds it would be hot. The men leaving for Masyaf would not be far behind him and the road to Masyaf and Homs were the same for the majority of the journey, he decided to set out fast and put as much distance between him and them as possible, kicking his horse into a canter and leaving a cloud of dust behind them horse and rider began the search.
Chapter 25 already and the end is at last in sight :)