Part 14

Do I tell him? That was the big question now. It overshadowed the never ending 'why?' and 'how?' that constantly revolved in Katy's mind. It certainly wasn't a question she had considered, although she should have seen it coming, and one she was most definitely not prepared to answer. Katy didn't think she would end up in the company of any Assassin, let alone Altair. There were two options, neither of them seemed to have a good outcome to her.

Tell him, he won't believe me and kill me for suggesting his master is actually the enemy. My word against Al Mualim. Don't tell him, he gets angry and leaves me to fend for myself.

Of course death didn't seem too appealing, so Katy tried to think of a way to make herself useful, if she stayed alive it would give her time to try and find a way out of here. No, she decided, I can't risk any chance of getting home.

Even though Katy didn't actually know the man, she felt bad. She knew everything about his life, she had been him for some of the most important parts. Now the worst part was knowing that she could save Altair all the trouble and heart ache, but made the choice not to. There didn't seem a fair way to tell him.

"Katy?" Altair's voice pulled Katy out of her reverie. "Can you tell me?" He was looking at her, an almost hopeful expression on his face.

Katy shook her head, she couldn't look at him so closed her eyes. Her hands curled into tight fists, nails digging into the palms. "I-I'm sorry, I don't think I can." She said quietly, as she brought her head up and looked over his shoulder. "I just..." An angry sigh escaped Katy's lips, she desperately wanted to say something. "I can't."

"Why?" The Assassin demanded, confused. "Do you not know?"

"I do," Katy told him, "I just don't think I can say anything." That made Altair look even more confused, he took a step back and crossed his arms, desperate for him to understand, Katy went on. "I mean, I can't say bad things won't happen, but what if it's supposed to happen, if I tell you, you might do something different."

That didn't to anything to placate Altair, it didn't do anything to worsen his mood either. He just stood there and stared at Katy for a few seconds then walked away into the other room. The sound of slightly raised voices drifted through the doorway, but it was lost on Katy.

That could have gone worse. Katy leaned back against the wall, she squeezed her eyes shut and let out a long, shuddering breath. It could have gone better! As she unclenched her fists Jabal came out of the other room and over to her. Tears threatened to spill out of Katy's eyes when she opened them to look at him.

The Rafik offered a sad smile and placed a hand on Katy's shoulder. "Always do what you think is right, child." The words seemed oddly profound and out of context to what had just happened. Katy nodded anyway. "He is taking you to see our master, Al Mualim."

"What!?" That was the last thing Katy expected to happen, instead of being left on her own, she was being taken to the one person she wanted to be furthest from. Not even 30 seconds after meeting the corrupted leader of the Assassins in the game, she knew something was up, he couldn't be trusted. Now she was apparently going to meet this manipulative, evil man in person. That thought alone was enough to make Katy start panicking.

Jabal made a face, confused by Katy's overreaction to the news. "Altair has his reasons," He explained, "Although he did not wish to discuss them with me."

"What if I don't want to go?"

"You do not have a choice." Katy turned to see Altair returning to the room, he had his robes on and a determined expression on his face. "We are leaving as soon as I get back."

Katy's mouth dropped open, she was going to protest, but Altair was gone. He scaled the wall, pushed the grate on the roof open and disappeared. She turned to face Jabal who just shrugged. "I can't go." She insisted. "I'm not going to see him." Katy pushed her hair back and out of her face, then crossed her arms.

Jabal watched her with interest, he tapped a finger thoughtfully against his bottom lip. "May I ask why you are so reluctant to go to our master?"

Katy stopped fidgeting and looked at him. Unsure what to say, if she should say anything at all. She was desperate for an excuse, but non came to her. Instead she went with the most vague version of the truth she could come up with. "I just never really liked him in the game."

Wow, your abysmal ad lib skills never cease to amaze me.

"Oh, my god! Shut up!" Katy shouted before she could help herself. She quickly clasped both hands over her mouth and stared at Jabal, who, at the sudden outburst, jumped. He had produced a knife from somewhere and held it defensively. "I'm sorry." Katy mumbled from behind her hands. "I-I don't.. I'm sorry." She sank down onto the cushions and buried her head in her hands.

The Rafik quickly stashed the knife away once he realised there was no threat and crouched near her, not as close as he had been doing, Katy noticed. (e's scared of me now. He reached out to put a reassuring hand on her arm, but she flinched away at the lightest touch. Jabal raised both his hands and sat back on his heels. "I will pack some spare clothing and food for your journey." He said quietly. Then he was gone.

I can't go to him, Katy thought, If he uses the apple to get information out of me, the Templars will win, if he uses the apple th- "The apple!" She exclaimed. Something in her mind clicked into place and her head shot up, for the first time since she had been here, Katy felt hopeful. For the first time, she felt as if she had a chance. Even if it meant somehow getting around Al Mualim to get to the apple, it was a risk she was willing to take. That's when Katy decided that she would get out, she would get home. No matter what it takes.

A/N: The moving ball is gathering speed. Our dear Katy still has some issues to work out, but we are getting there. We'll find out Altair's motives for bringing Katy to Masyaf next chapter.

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