(Revised Chapter) Happy happy! Joy joy! Thanks to everyone for the reviews! Cameechan, draconisnoire43, DoomStone, deathadda22, and Hablaska! I thank all you guys for your support! To Hablaska: I thank you for your advice and I have read over this chapter and I didn't catch any misspellings and I didn't try to take it too fast like you said. However, I did want to fast forward the time so it didn't drag on aimlessly for a while. Also, about him having golden eyes, I already had it written up as green and in some other fanfictions I read he had green, so I'm not gonna change it so people won't get confused, but thank you and I'll use it for future references! I thank all the people for their reviews and adding me to their favorites! Action is not far away, nor is a little passive aggressive flirting! :P anyways, another little tip for you guys- The words in between stars (**) means I'm drifting to third person for that time being. Once the stars end, I'm back in first! I hope it won't confuse you guys and I know its kinda weird but I want to get it from different points of view so just hang with me! Enough rambling! On to the Story!

-Aena Firestar

Chapter 4

Ten Years Later

I sat on the perch of one of the high towers. One of my favorite places I go to think. The wind blew into my hood and rustled my sand-blonde hair that hung from below my hood. I was a full Assassin now. I had all of the weapons and I was skilled with each. My white robe fluttered in the breeze. The red cloth belt I had on, hung down and it was blowing in the breeze as well.

I had one leg swinging off and the other resting with my arm on it. I had my black fingerless gloves on and my black leather Armor bracers on my forearms. My straps with my knives and short sword on them were secured tightly around my chest. It came around under my left breast, buckled across my sternum and then went over my right shoulder. Another strap went right under my breasts to secure it further. I had my sword strapped tightly on my waist as well.

All of this tight fitting garb I had on was good, because I didn't want it to fall off, but it also showed my womanly figure off too. It was more or less a requirement. Al Mualim thought it would be easier for me to seduce information out of a target if I could let my womanly charms show. I didn't really care. If anyone tried anything I could easily get them to back off, so I wasn't too worried about it.

After ten years of non-stop striving to prove I was more than meets the eye, it had finally paid off. I was just one of the boys and I was treated fairly. I had become friends with just about all of them, and earned my share of respect. Malik and Kalin are my two best friends. But Altaïr, he's a different story. He is always distant and we never talk. It doesn't really bother me, but it makes curiosity gnaw at me all the time. Lots of things passed through my head as I sat on the perch. The eagles flew around me, which made me think of Alario. I felt my eyes well up with tears, but I swallowed the lump in my throat. "I haven't seen him in ten years. He could be dead or he might have just not wanted to come back." *But little did Alera know, that Alario had indeed come back. He went to the house and saw that no one lived there any more, so he went off again, to look for his friend.*

The warm sun was on me and the wind was softly blowing. "Ten years. I'm now twenty four years old and I still haven't found the man that killed my father." I thought to myself. This thought ever gnawed at me. I had spent the rest of my young life here, learning the way of the Assassins. Ten years and I still have no lead or clue as to who it was. I have already learned a lot. I'm done with my training. "I should be allowed to leave." I said out loud to myself.

"You have to ask Al Mualim first I'm afraid." Came a voice. It startled me from my thoughts and caused me to loose my balance. I grabbed a hold of the perch and hoisted myself up. Once I was settled, I looked to see who it was.

"Kalin..." I said, taking a short breath and calming my heart from that slight fall. He sat on the tower with his legs swinging off. His hood was thrown back and his messy brown hair was blowing in the breeze. He was about two feet away from me, his amber eyes looking at me with the brightness that I so fondly remember.

"I'm sorry Alera. I didn't mean to startle you." He gave a soft, apologetic smile. I smiled in return.

"It's fine. You're just lucky I'm quick to react." I said with a slight laugh in my voice, but slowly my face turned serious again. "But, Al Mualim won't let me go for just that reason." Kalin nodded.

"Yes. You're right. He would probably say something like, 'We need you here.' or 'You can't go chasing after wild fantasies and murderers.'" I shook my head.

"I can't stay here. I have to leave. I have to find this man, whoever he is, and kill him. All my life I have been taught about death and revenge. This is the only way my heart will be at peace." Kalin looked at me. He then looked down. His face showed concern. "I will be ok, Kalin. You know me." I tried to assure him. He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.

"I know." His voice was quiet. "It's just… Don't let your mind be clouded by hatred and vengeance. It could take control of you and become your undoing." I couldn't help the thoughtful look I gave to him.

"You always give me the best advice." He balanced out and sat beside me. We smiled at each other. "I promise I will keep my head clear." I didn't want him to worry. "I will leave tonight."

"Altaïr; Malik; and his brother, Kadar, are being sent on a mission today. You can go out behind them."

"Thank you. You've always been so nice to me. Your like a brother Kalin." And he was. He'd been there every time I'd needed him. He smiled. He looked towards the sun and so did I.

"It's getting near midday and they might be about to leave."

"Of course. I'll go get my horse." I turned to jump off but he grabbed me and hugged me.

"Be safe Alera." He whispered to me. I hugged him back tightly and he kissed me on the cheek.

"I will." I gave a reassuring smile, before turning around and doing my most favorite move, the leap of faith. I soared through the air and my heart fluttered and my stomach turned upside down. I landed perfectly, right in the hay and rolled out. I brushed myself off and headed for the stables.

As soon as I walked in, the big grey and white dappled Arabian stallion raised his head and neighed very loudly. I walked three stable doors down and stared at him. He stomped his foot like he knew we were going somewhere. He was restless and ready for adventure. "Easy, Àlkimos. Shhh. Easy. We will leave soon enough." I whispered to him. He tussled his grey mane and stuck his head over the rail and nuzzled me. It made me smile.

I took a white blanket and black saddle from the tack room and started to tack him up. He stood there calmly and quietly as I did so. I got a black bridle and slipped it over his head. He looked beautiful and proud as I stroked his muzzle. "We're going to have to get away from here. You will help me find the murderer." He nodded his head and stomped his hoof again. "We will avenge my father." I felt the anger well up inside of me. Àlkimos neighed again, breaking my thoughts. I calmed myself down as Kalin's words echoed through my mind.

"Don't let your mind be clouded by hatred and vengeance." I had to watch myself on that. I closed my eyes to meditate it off for a minute.

"Alera!" I shot my eyes opened. There was a flash of white and before I could react, I was on the ground on my back. My hood had fallen back and my blonde hair was in a mess, but I didn't care. I wanted to know who my tackler was. My bangs fell into my eyes so I blew them up and to the side so I could see. It took a minute for the haziness to clear but when it did, I looked up and there was Kadar. He was laughing at me and staring at me with bright eyes. I rose up on my elbows and looked around just in time to see Malik walk in. He just looked at me and laughed. I looked back at Kadar.

"You would tackle me whilst I'm meditating and my guard is down!" I huffed. He laughed. "You know that's called cheating." Malik walked to me and bent down to my level and looked at me.

"Cheating is fun. And it's the easiest way to get to your target." He said with a little smirk. I tried to look serious but a smile pushed it's way on to my lips. Malik gave me his hand and hoisted me up. I pulled my hood back up and brushed the dust off of me, then eyed Kadar.

"It's good to see you. Look at you! Already a novice." I teased him.

"Don't talk to me as if I'm a child. I'm seventeen." He crossed his arms and held his head a little higher, as if to prove a point.

"Yeah. I know. So what's going on? Where are you two headed?"

"We three are headed to Solomon's temple." uh oh...I knew that voice. I looked to the entrance of the stables and a hooded figure stood there. It was Altaïr.

"Well, well. He finally decides to talk." I rose a brow and put my hands on my hips. He walked in.

"Nice to see you too." he said with a hint of sarcasm. He walked to his horse and started to tack it up.

"What? Am I supposed to be happy to see you? All the other times I've ever tried to talk to you, you've always been distant. Never wanting to talk to a girl." I felt venom drip off of my tongue with that last one. It made my stomach twist to think that the only reason he wouldn't talk to me was because I was a girl. I wanted him to treat me fairly.

"Have you ever taken it into consideration that I might have had a lot on my mind?" I could tell he was already getting annoyed with me.

"So you've been thinking about the same thing for ten years? Wow, you're one hell of a ponderer if I ever saw one." I scoffed. He quickly spun around.

"I did not come here to be harassed by a princess!" his voice was a growl now. I felt the flare of anger in my very soul.

"And I did not come here to be ignored and chewed out by an arrogant, cocky Assassin!"

"Then what exactly are you here for?" he demanded.

"None of your damn business." I turned to my horse and opened the stall, quickly climbing up on him. Altaïr gave me one last look and went back to what he was doing. Kadar just awkwardly stood there. Malik came up to me.

"Alera. What's going on?" he whispered.

"I'm leaving. Im going to look for my father's murderer. I will come back, but not for a while. Wish me luck Malik. I'll miss you and your brother."

"What of Kalin? Does he know?"

"Yes. He knows and he supports me." I edged my horse forward out of his stall.

"What about Al Mualim?" he asked again. I looked down into his eyes.

"You must not tell. I know he will find out soon, but I have to get a head start before he sends someone to get me. Do you honestly think he would give me leave to search for my father's murderer?" I saw Malik's eyes flutter as a thought ran through his head. He slowly nodded.

"Your right. He wouldn't."

"That is why I must leave in secret. The only ones that know of this are you and Kalin. I would like to keep it that way until it has become quite obvious that I am gone."

"Be careful Alera. Ride hard and keep vigilant." Malik squeezed my leg gently. I smiled.

"Thank you. My first place is Damas'. If you want, you can come find me." he gave a nod.

"I'll try to, after this mission is over. If not, then I'll send word to you." He furrowed his brows. "But, Alera, what do I say if someone asks of you?" I stared at him for a minute in thought...

"Tell them that I have been sent on an errand. That I had an urgent message to deliver." Malik nodded. I turned my upper body around to look at Kadar.

"Hey! Take care of your brother. I'll see you later." I told him with a little grin. He smiled.

"Try not to get in too much trouble! Eh Alera?" he yelled back. I laughed and shook my head.

"Easier said than done!" I slowly turned back around and my eyes landed on Altaïr. His face was covered by the hood.

"What do you want now Alera?" he asked, his voice still with that hint of annoyance.

"I'm going leave you with these words, Altaïr. If you do not cast out your arrogance, you could get into more trouble than you know, and you could also endanger the ones around you. Give that some though." With that, I kicked Àlkimos and we shot out of the door and onto the path. I dodged the people, some cursing at me, and then I got out onto the main road and we were gone.