The streets of Jerusalem hummed with life as beggars, merchants and residents haggled and chatted the day away. He moved among them with an ease he still found unsettling being far more accustomed to disapproving sideways looks and scowls because of his robes but those where hidden along with his chainmail bundled up together and secreted behind some thick under brush outside the city walls. He wore the robes of an Arab with the loose section of the ghutrah concealing the greatest part of his face. His bright green eyes would still attract attention if he let any get close enough to see them but he was being cautious, moving slowly and deliberately, blending is what Maria said the assassins called it.
He had donned the garbs of the natives in order to move freely among the people to learn as much as possible and the red cross of the Templars was a sure fire way of closing mouths. His goal – to locate and question Samir al-Wasat a merchant from Persia who had settled in Jerusalem and Isaac Sheaf a high ranking member of the Sanhedrin. Both men were associates of his Father and both men had the resources to be useful in a plot. He knew he was clutching at straws having already wasted many days in pursuit of another of his friends who had turned out to be nothing more than that but what else could he do? The idea of approaching his father and asking him outright the names of his fellow conspirators was laughable so in the end he had adopted a few of the methods Maria told him the assassin employ and began listening to small talk and following suspects around.
The latest of these was a woman who served in Samir's household. Probably a slave but the way she carried herself belied her position, a tall strong looking woman with stunning brown skin and the darkest ebony hair. She sauntered along the street negotiating the crowds with effortless grace - they seemed to part for her. The bold sway of her hips as she moved was certainly distracting to the point where he had to continually remind himself to stay out of sight and behind her. She turned a corner forcing him to quicken his step but when he rounded the bend there was no sign of her in the street ahead. 'How could I have lost her?'
Then he heard a voice from the doorway of a shop a female speaking Arabic but with a heavy accent which made it sound even more alien to his ears. She was confirming the Master Samir would be away on business for the next few weeks and they would have no need of his "special order". Too busy wondering what that could be he almost missed her exit the shop and had to dive behind a hay cart to keep out of sight. This was not as easy as he thought it would be...
His desk was groaning beneath the weight of the books he had piled on top of it but he was far from unhappy about this development. He had been buried behind the pile for hours greedily pouring over the words of the great philosophers of the world. His stomach rumbled for perhaps the tenth time but until now it had gone unnoticed.
"Are you going to eat or must we sit here all evening listening to your stomach beg for attention?"
"Have you eaten?"
"Yes, we both dined hours ago but you could not be coaxed from your books. Food for thought is all well and good but one must also feed the body brother."
He glanced over at the form sprawled over the cushions in his study and smiled inwardly. She had fallen asleep with a book in her hand and a smile on her face. She was undeniably becoming the handful Malik had predicted she would but it was to be expected – she was bored and immobile and a woman like Maria needed to be kept busy. It had been almost two weeks since the healer put stitches into the soft flesh of her buttock and every day since then she had grown more and more restless. He suggested she spent time in his study reading to improve both her Arabic and her knowledge and the fact that he was free to sneak a quick look at her while she was distracted with her studies was an added bonus.
Rising from his chair he gave a satisfied "Ah" when his back popped, "I've been sitting at this desk too long Malik."
"Then you should find the time to train every once in a while, it will keep your skills sharp and halt the growth of your belly." Patting his own perfectly flat stomach he smirked at his friend as he made his way to the door. "Don't forget to eat Altaïr I am not your nursemaid I shouldn't have to remind you."
He chuckled as he moved towards Maria's makeshift bed, "I'll get something now."
His lover's eyes opened before he was close enough to surprise her and she welcomed his appearance with a warm smile. "You finally made it to the end of your book."
"No but hunger and a promise I made to you months ago in Acre demand my attention."
Her curiosity roused she carefully manoeuvred herself into an upright position lifting her hands to him which he took elevating her to her feet. "Which promise was that?"
"Do you feel able to climb ladders?"
Her entire left buttock was still bruised black and any movement of the leg still caused pain but if she was careful and used the staff Tahir had brought her she could hobble along. "I suppose I could if we took our time."
Wrapping her arm around his shoulder he helped her down the stairs, "You could always climb on my back and let me carry you."
Almost a full half hour and two long sets of ladders later they stood in the upper room of the east tower. The skirt of the dress she had taken to wearing fluttered softly in the breeze and the assassin wished her hair was down so he could see it blowing around her face. Holding out his hand to her he lead her to the same opening he had once used to feign suicide before the crusaders.
Her slow pace came to a stop as the opening began to reveal its prize. "We are very high up here Altaïr."
Moving behind her he told her she didn't have to step onto the platform if she didn't want to but her feet edged slowly nearer the wooden planks until eventually she stood fully on the wood. It was exhilarating and terrifying all at the same time. Her head swam and her body swayed from the giddy effect of the height but his arms went around her waist to steady her as he brought his chin to rest on her shoulder. "You jumped from here?"
He nodded against her shoulder and smiled when he heard her whistle, "I know I couldn't, I can barely bring myself to stand here." Her head moved around to allow her eyes to take in the breathtaking sight; even with dusk rapidly bringing the day to a close the sight of the surrounding mountains was spectacular. She grinned when she felt the soft wind blow up inside her dress. A garment she had worn grudgingly to make it easier to access her wound but had found it strangely comfortable as the days wore on. "This is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen."
Her body was relaxed against his and she was happy just as she always was when they were alone but he knew that happiness did not extend to the fortress outside the room they shared. He was almost sure she would leave soon and he couldn't blame her - his brothers had not been as welcoming as he had hoped. Her head turned toward him and he saw mischief twinkle in her eyes. "The guards downstairs, do they ever come up here?"
"No, at least not when I'm here. Why do you have something in mind?" He knew well the look in her eye and what she had in mind and tugged her around to face him full on.
She walked her fingers up his chest to his chin which she held, "I might have."
They kissed briefly before he made to pull her back inside and turning her head she took one final look at the grand vista behind them. When she faced him again her expression was tinged with sadness and stepping to him she whispered. "I love you Altaïr."
He lowered her to the floor and wondered how many days they had left together but chased the thought from his mind. "I love you too Maria."
Tahir sat next to Maria on a low wall in the village with Kaderi curled up at his feet. "I don't think that is a good idea Maria."
"Tahir stop being so cautious I merely want to know that's all."
He looked sideways at the woman he had just helped down the slope trying to see if he could see her real intent in her expression. "What is the point in knowing? The master has already told you that seeking revenge would make your position here even more precarious."
"I have no position here my boy I am merely convalescing as soon as I am well again I shall be off to meet up with Stephen."
"You know his name Maria."
Tossing her hands in the air she huffed, "Tahir what good does that do me? I speak little or no Arabic I can't limp around asking people if their name is Abbas. Just tell me who he is!"
"He was the man who spoke to me as we passed the training ring on our way here."
Nodding as her mind retraced their steps to find the right face in her memory she smiled. "See now that wasn't so hard was it?"
"If you are being truthful about your intentions then no, it wasn't but if you try to fight him Maria it could be fatal to us both."
Clapping him on the back she grinned, "Now tell me of your plans have you spoken to Malik about Gwen yet?"
"Not yet but it would have to be the Master I spoke to only he can grant me permission to marry."
"I can speak on your behalf if you wish."
As tempting as that offer was he declined, "It will mean more if I face him myself."
"Good Lord Tahir you are only asking his permission to marry it's not as though it's his daughter's hand you seek. Do not fret so, he will be agreeable, I'm sure of it."
"I will seek an audience with him soon and then I will have my answer."
Levering herself to her feet with a hand on the wall she stood, "No time like the present my dear boy."
"Maria I can't just march into his study I need to be summoned or request a meeting."
"You won't be marching in you will be helping me to my little corner of misery."
Tahir snickered at the name she had given her place in his study, she pretended not to like all the time she spent there. She held out her hand waiting for him to make a crook in his arm for her, "Shall we be off then?"
They stopped at the training ring while Maria shared a few words with Rauf but Tahir saw her scanning the area looking for Abbas and when she found him he saw a look of pure malice on her face.
"Get me water."
The smaller of the three boys standing against the far wall ran to the well and pumped clean water, then presented it to Abbas who snatched it from his hand without so much as a nod for a thank you.
"Are those the boys you told me about?"
"Yes they are." Although his face remained calm Maria knew how hard it had been for Tahir to come home and learn of Tazim's death. His death seemed doubly harsh since he had suffered the loss of a finger and the pain that went with it in the days before he died.
"Do you hate them?"
When his eyes stayed fixed on the boys she repeated the question and when he did look at her his brows were creased, "I can't hate them for being immature Maria but I do hate what they did. We can only hope this punishment will reform them. If anything I pity them, it would have been kinder to kill them or expel them."
Rauf moved to them and swept his hand in the direction of the men now staring at the strange woman, "When you are feeling better perhaps you will step into the ring and help me prove my doubting brothers wrong Maria." Rauf was referring to the ridicule he had received at the hands of his brothers when he told them of Maria's part in the fight at Homs. Despite his initial misgivings he was becoming fond of the woman – definitely an acquired taste this one.
"Of course Rauf it would be my pleasure." Her eyes drifted back to Abbas and she decided on a solid plan of action. The man who threw the boiling water on Stephen would pay for it, one way or another...
Malik and Altaïr were both in the office with the darker of the two men looking pleased to see her, "Maria, have you heard of a man called Gilbert Talbot?"
"Yes I have he is from the line of the Earl of Shrewsbury and still unofficially uses that title why do you ask?"
"King Richard has sent word to us that he wishes to open dialogue with a view to establishing solid relations between our people and this Gilbert is his envoy."
Tahir lowered his head and began to make his way back down stairs certain he should not be hearing this conversation but the English woman grabbed his arm. "You can't leave me stranded in the middle of the room Tahir take me to the cushions please."
His eyes flicked in the direction of the Master but he seemed untroubled by his presence. Lowering his voice to a whisper he asked "You can make it there on your own now Maria, why are you doing this?"
Ignoring his comment she spoke instead to the Master. "Altaïr there is a certain young lady in Acre who has gained the heart of my lovely young friend here. How would I go about arranging for them to be wed and her living at Masyaf?"
Tahir's mouth fell open and he turned abruptly to the Master and Malik. "The proper course of action would be for Tahir to inform us of his wishes Maria and for us to discuss his plans."
"Well now doesn't that seem like a whole lot of fuss for nothing much at all? So now you are aware of his wishes perhaps you can move directly to the planning?"
Altaïr's gaze fell upon the novice who he once caught mimicking him 'How did this clumsy boy manage to find a potential wife?' Coughing slightly to hide his mild surprise he asked, "Would the woman be willing to move to Masyaf and would her family be in favour?"
Swallowing hard he nodded emphatically, "I think she would Master and she has no family."
"She's a beggar, a young woman who was rescued by our dashing hero and immediately fell for her knight in..." Raking her eyes down his form she concluded, "Dull linen."
Malik laughed, he couldn't help it. "First Kaderi and now a wife can we assume you were lonely Tahir?"
Maria got up from the cushions, albeit slowly, proving the novice right – she had planned this. "He has a lot to offer I can see why the young girl would be eager to tie him down."
His cheeks were already flaming red but her next words caused every drop of blood in his body to suddenly rush to his face. "Besides which haste may well be required since the young lady could already be carrying his child."
Altaïr lifted his eyebrows at the boy but considering what he and Maria got up to at every opportunity he knew he had no right to judge his student and what's more he knew she knew it. The sneaky woman had deliberately put him on the spot and was now waiting for his reaction. "Then I suggest you make your way to Acre and make sure the girl is willing to have you."
Clearly delighted the novice was about to suggest he could leave immediately but Maria interrupted.
"If you wait a day or so I could accompany you Tahir safety in numbers and all that." Altaïr's heart sank at her words.
"Tahir we can make solid plans later for now we have more pressing matters and require Maria's full attention." Malik looked at Maria as he spoke but when the boy bowed to leave he moved to him. "I am happy you have found someone to share your life with Tahir and we will talk more about it later."
He left the room but not before throwing Maria a look that was a mixture of impatience and gratitude but when the woman smiled in return and mouthed the words "You're welcome." He was left only feeling joy. At the end of the day he would have his wife and it didn't really matter how that came about only that it did.
Once the three were alone he spoke again. "Gilbert Talbot has requested permission to visit us at the fortress to discuss the wishes of his King. What manner of man is he Maria?"
"He is a member of one of the most important families in England with a great deal of power but he has never shown any interest in the Crusades. I met him a few times in my younger years but we had little interaction." Her mind began ticking as she tried to think of a good reason for the King of England to send a man to this corner of the world. "Richard has been blamed in some quarters for the death of Conrad Montferrat perhaps he wishes to seek protection from you."
"We will learn of his reasons soon enough his entourage will arrive at the gates of Masyaf in two days." Sorting out some of the mess on his desk as he spoke Altaïr seemed to be losing interest.
"So what do you have in mind?"
"We will meet with him and see what he has to say."
She gave him a few seconds to expand on his reply but when she finally realised he had said all he would she pressed for more, "Yes and?"
The blank stares which greeted her were more amusing than frustrating but she decided to feign more of the latter. "He is one of the highest ranking nobles in England the proper thing to do would be to throw a banquet and show him you have means of your own."
"I'm sure you could arrange something."
"I probably could but I won't. I'm not your wife assassin and will not perform the role of one."
Knowing full well they shared a bed Malik could suggest she was already performing that role but he tried a less confrontational approach. "What do we know of your customs Maria, surely you see you are the best person for this task?"
For a second she forgot to be cautious with her leg and moved toward him but the full weight she bore down on her still tender flesh caused her to stumble and grabbing his desk for support she decided she would rather rest than fight. "Fine I'll help but I offer you this warning... I failed as the wife of a Lord in every sense of the word and you can count entertaining among those failures."
A group of children were harassing people in the street for coins, weaving in and out of the crowds grabbing at robes to gain their attention. When one of their hands caught the tight fitting skirt of his quarry her head dipped in his direction and Stephen noticed the previously bold boy's demeanour wither under her scrutiny. Snatching his hand away from her leg he backed off quickly and fell over a crate on the ground. The woman laughed at the child sprawled on the floor but it was a joyless, cruel sound and in that instant her beauty was destroyed in his eyes. She continued on in the direction of the synagogue and when Stephen passed the boy he surreptitiously tossed a few coins at his feet and winked.
A group of Jewish scholars passed him arguing amongst themselves about whatever lesson had been taught that day and the knight smirked when he overheard one of them suggest that one of the group was being deliberately stubborn.
'I wonder how Maria is coping at Masyaf...'
Once again failing to notice how easily his attention could be diverted he completely missed the fact that the woman had moved behind some stalls to backtrack and had now crept up behind him. "There better be a good reason for a Templar Knight to be following me or you may find yourself in a great deal of hot water young Master Marshal."
Chapter 34 already that's insane! I think maybe I can have this wrapped up within 10 chapters hopefully, I will try. Thanks for sticking with this beast of a tale :)