Hello everyone! I know it's late but I'm about to post this chapter. Trying to get up to speed here so no one will get impatient but I'm pretty sure you guys are. -.o Anyways, just bare with me please. I haven't failed you yet have I? Enjoy this next chapter. :)

~Read, Review, Be Merry~

~Dora~

Chapter 27

Faultless Broken Tenant

I felt an extreme weight lift itself off of me. Even though the guards kept banging on the door and the wood was giving in, I couldn't help but smile. Have I gone off the deep end? Have I gone insane? I pondered this for a moment… No. I was still sane, but I was just happy Ruri and her sister had gotten away. Now it was all me. I wondered if Alario had gotten to Altaïr all right. The argument and everything that happened in the past didn't matter any more. All I wanted was to kill this bastard and leave this place…

I wanted to get back to the bureau. I wanted Altaïr to hold me and tell me I was safe, and that everything is better again. I want to see my horse and Alario and Malik. I knew if did get sold, and did become a slave, then my life would be forfeit and I would never see anything again. I knew I'd wind up killing myself if that did happen. Nobody deserves to be enslaved… and I sure as hell don't want to be a sex slave. Being taken and broken every night, abused constantly…

I shivered.

No woman deserves that and surely, if there is a god, he would understand me taking my life early. If it really came down to that and I did have to kill myself… I just hope he isn't the cruel, overly judgmental god that I hear all of these religious criers on the streets talking about. I sighed and glanced down at my revealing robes… Hell you couldn't even call these 'robes' anymore. Apparently I'm an Assassin slave now.

I looked at my legs and saw the scar on my left thigh. It had turned a light color. I lightly traced it with my fingers and smiled as I remembered Altaïr's touch. I longed and hoped to feel it again. I then traced the scar on my cheek. It had turned white with age by now. I then rubbed my fingers against my Assassin's Scar on my wrist. Everywhere where Altair had touched me.

Of course I have others scars... the likes of which Altair has never seen before... but I found myself hoping that he would, after I get out of this place. He's such a good healer... I have a few scars on my stomach and back. Some long, some short. I have a few crossing over my chest as well... Maybe he can take my pain away like he was so eager to last time.

The breaking of wood broke me out of my reverie. I looked up and saw that the door and chair had had about all they could stand. Abu'l chuckled evilly and I looked down at him, dagger still at his throat. A thought crossed my mind… Ah, why the hell not?

"So, Abu'l, where are my weapons? Hidden blade, sword, short sword, throwing knives, bracers etcetera." I asked, attempting to get him to reveal the location. If he did, then I would have a much better chance of getting the fuck out of here.

Another force was applied to the door and I heard wood snap. I took a deep breath. He chuckled.

"Too late for you Desert Rose." he smiled triumphantly at me. I removed the dagger from his neck. Suddenly I heard a big crash and the door flew open. Guards rushed in and headed for me. I held my hands up and held the blade of the dagger pointing down. A guard ran for me... and I smiled.

"No! Wait you fool!" said Abu'l as he attempted to stand. The guard grabbed my arm, and there was a short pause...

My eyes glinted...

My demon had escaped...

I stabbed backwards and hit the guard right in the heart! I then turned around and sliced the throat of another that ran at me. I hand grabbed my shoulder and whipped me around. I used my momentum and stabbed the guard right in between his ribs. Guards kept pouring in through the doors and eventually I was surrounded. Abu'l stood on the out side of the circle that was around me.

I was poised and ready. I held the blade underhanded and moved my eyes from each guard. I smiled and let out a laugh.

"First one that comes too close gets a blade to the throat!" I growled. The fire of rebellion blazed in my soul and I wasn't about to go down without a fight. Some of the guards exchanged glances, then they all looked back at me... I paused as I saw the smiles on their faces... then something overcame me...

"Oh god no. Not again." I whispered. My hands started to shake and sweat. I felt my body break out into a cold sweat and I felt all the blood drain from my face. I tried to take deep breathes and hold the dagger tightly in my hand. I cannot fall to anxiety. Not now. I gritted my teeth and my knuckles turned white. As I looked to each face of the guards, my anxiety grew. Flashbacks started to assault my mind. I took a shaky breath and felt a stray tear go down my face.

"Come on, you bastards. COME ON!" I screamed.

Suddenly they ALL jumped at me! I screamed and started to slash and stab wildly. I felt the dagger come in contact with a lot of targets, but I felt four pairs of hands grabbed my arms. Two guards on each side. My right hand was wet and slick with the blood of the guards. Someone ripped the dagger out of my hands. The guards held me, but I thrashed about and screamed. One came up behind me and I head butted him and stepped on his foot.

He yelled and stepped back. One guard stepped up in front of me and back handed me across the face. Everything seemed to still and go quiet then. My face throbbed and I felt blood leak from my lip.

"Stop! You idiot! Your going to bruise her face! Look at me Assassin." said Abu'l as he stepped in front. I was looking down at the ground. My hair hung down as I stared at the stone floor. I licked my bottom lip. "Look at me Assassin!" he yelled. I gritted my teeth and slowly brought my head up. He grabbed my chin and roughly pulled my face up. I licked my lip again and then spat at Abu'l. The bloody spit reached its target and hit him right on the cheek.

The same guard that had backhanded me reared back for another one, but Abu'l held his wrist. He wiped his cheek and glared at the guard.

"Don't touch her. Take her to the doctor again. Get her lip cleaned up and the blood washed off of her hands, then take her to the courtyard where the party has begun."

I stared in the eyes of the guard that had slapped me. He sneered at me.

"Take this bitch away." he growled. The guards pulled me back, but I gathered all my strength and yanked forward. Even though I was barefooted, I reared back and kicked the guard in the family jewels... hard. I hissed in pain a little. My toes felt like they had all been stubbed, but the guard looked like he was in more pain. He groaned and squirmed as he sank to his knees. I smiled and let out a soft chuckle. Before the guards could reprimand me for anything, Abu'l stepped forward.

"No one, and I mean no one lays a hand on her. If you do, I will see to it that she gets to kill you slowly. Don't touch her to strike her, and don't touch her to scar or break her." he said sternly and threateningly. I couldn't help but feel relief wash over me. "Don't do anything until I start getting prices offered on her, then and only then will you be able to have your fun with her. After all, if you want her for yourselves and are willing to pay, you have to test her first don't you?" my relief turned to dread and the blood ran from my face and turned to ice. My stomach churned in nervousness, worry, and disgust.

The guards turned and dragged me out of the door and back down the stairs. I realized we were going to the first room where I had woken up at. They kicked... no, no they didn't open, they think they're to badass for that... They kicked the damn door open. I scoffed and shook my head.

"You guys think you're just so badass don't you?... Pathetic excuse for a guard and a human being if you ask me." the guards snarled and threw me into the room. I rolled on the floor and shot back up again, just like I did the last time they threw me on the floor. I turned around and smirked at them. They narrowed their eyes at me and turned around, their bodies blocking the door.

"Well, look who's back." said a familiar voice. I turned around to see the doctor. I smiled.

"Hey! What's up Doc?" I said with a smile. (A/N: HaHa! See what I did there? XD Ok back to story.) He raised his eyebrows.

"Well, when they said they'd make you an Assassin slave they really meant it. Your robes are... very...-"

"I know." I nodded and rolled my eyes. I thought of Altaïr's expression when he would see me. I smiled.

"You seem to be in a better mood." I nodded and walked over towards him. I grabbed his arm and led him over to the dresser where his medical things were. He looked at my face and motioned to my lip. "Well, it seems as though you've made a bit of a mess of yourself." I scoffed as he took a cold wet rag and cleaned the dried blood off of my lip.

"Its nothing." I glanced at the guards. They hadn't moved. I then looked back at the doctor. "Listen to me, Doc. I have another Assassin, my partner. He's coming to rescue me. He's on his way as we speak and I have confidence that the message got to him. I want to save you and your daughter." The doctor stared at me, then broke out into a smile.

"Oh praise the lord! Thank god! Thank you Desert Rose!" he said. I shook my head.

"Don't thank me just yet. I need a plan and I have nothing at the moment." the doctor dabbed my cut with another wet rag. There was a medicinal, herbal smell coming from it and my cut instantly stopped throbbing.

"I can help. I can distract them or do something! Just take my daughter and go. She's all that matters." he said. I shook my head.

"No. I will not risk the lives of innocents. As soon as they take me out of here, go and pack your things. My partner and I will get you both out." the doctor grabbed my hands and smiled.

"Bless you child." I smiled and nodded. "My daughter's name is Kara. She's short and has brown hair and brown eyes... Just like her mother used to." said the doctor. I froze. No. No, no. Fate can't be this cruel. It can't be the young girl we saw on the streets today... could it? Please no.

"Hurry up in there!" yelled the guards. I shook my worry off as the doctor nodded to me.

"I've fixed you up. It won't leave a scar and its stopped bleeding now." I nodded.

"Thank you." I glanced at the guards and then dropped my voice. "Be ready to leave. If you see my friend, tell him that I promised I'd save you and your daughter. If he tells you to do anything, do it." the doctor nodded.

"Prepare yourself, Desert Rose." he said. I took a deep breath, then looked at him and nodded. The doctor nodded. "I'm done with her! She's brushed up and ready. Get her out of here." he said. The guards came in. I smiled.

"Hello boys. Ready to die tonight?" the guards looked at each other and smiled. They grabbed my arms and hauled me out.

"Ready to be broken tonight?" one whispered in my ear. I felt a hand rub my bare back. I hissed and jerked and he removed his hand from my back with a chuckle.

"She's a fiery one isn't she?" said the other guard. "I can't wait to have my turn with her. I'll give her something she'll never forget." they both chuckled. Fear gripped me. I tried to turn the fear into rage, which worked partially, but it still had an ice grip on my spine and a knot in my stomach.

I wasn't about to let them drag me down the halls so I straightened myself up and tried to match paces with them. So, I was... escorted, to put it lightly. They escorted me down the hall and I soon felt fresh, night air on my face. We came out of the hall way and turned to the left. I looked up and saw the beautiful night sky. The stars gleamed and winked at me. Orion seemed to shine the brightest and somehow it eased me and comforted me. It gave me hope. I looked back down just in time to see two other guards come up.

"Come, Desert Rose. You must look like a beautiful, proper slave. Don't fuss or fight, you'll only make it worse." Said one of the guards. He had a smooth, slightly chilling voice. He grabbed my elbow and the other guard grabbed my elbow. I held my head up high to show my defiance. They walked me forward into the courtyard area. People were everywhere. Nobles, guards, merchants, all people who could afford to show up to this party had come and were all wearing lavish clothing to show just how much money they had. As I entered, I quickly observed my surroundings.

The balcony was the first thing I saw, then the fountain. Hmm... Easy place to climb to get to the balcony. I then looked up and around. There were halls above us on the second floor, and below that were the columns that held up the second floor... The reason why the columns caught my eyes, was because in each space between each column on my side of the courtyard, slave girls were there.

Guards stood on either side of them to make sure they wouldn't attempt anything. The men were looking at them and touching them. Some, I could already tell, were broken because they stood there, stoned faced as the men laughed and ran their hands all over them. Others squirmed under the unwanted touch. There seemed to be a color scheme and system going on as well. A lot of women were dressed in golden belly dancer outfits. I guessed they were servants and dancers of course. I saw a few dancing in the center of the courtyard by the fountain. Their silver jingling as they moved and their split skirts flowing and rising around their legs.

Ugh. Men.

But I noticed something else too... The majority of the slave women wore blood red belly dancer outfits. For what reason? I haven't' the slightest clue. There was a handful of older looking women who wore deep purple colored belly dancer outfits. There was probably some gruesome, hidden meaning behind these colors, but right now I had to focus and stay alert. The guards led me over to the right towards the first set of columns. They made me stand in the space like the rest of the slaves. The people attending the party all stared at me.

"Good evening my most gracious and humble guests!" boomed that scary ominous voice. The music stopped and the people looked up to the balcony. I stared up at the balcony to see Abu'l Nuquod walk out onto it. "I bid you welcome to my lavish party! Which is, of course, for all of my rich friends." people clapped and laughed and held their wine cups up to him. A guard came forward with a long silver chain... It was obviously meant for me... Great. The difficulty of escaping just got knocked up a few pegs. "Please, take time to enjoy the wine and food I have provided for you. Also, feel free to immerse yourself in life's most greatest and satisfying pleasure." Abu'l grinned wickedly and winked at the crowd. All of the men broke out into laughs and whistles. I rolled my eyes. "Tonight, we have a special guest amongst us my friends. She is the newest edition to my merchandise."

My eyes widened and I gasped. I looked up at Abu'l who shot a wicked, loathsome grin at me. The guards looped the long silver chain through the metal loops on either side of me on both columns. One guard took my right wrist and clapped the shackle on me. I stared at it. It was ironically beautiful. It was pure sterling silver and it had a beautiful leaf and vine scroll pattern on it. It would make a very useful, yet beautiful bracer. I looked up and realized all eyes of the guests and the guards were on me. "She is my featured prize tonight and she has a few qualities that will bring a good price... And a good breaking..." Abu'l chuckled and so did the rest of the men. "She is pure, as you can see by her white slave outfit and garments. She's very spirited and fiery. She's defiant and rebellious, but most of all she is beautiful and deadly. This comes above all others my friends. For this young beauty before you, is none other than the Lady Assassin, Desert Rose."

I closed my eyes as hushed talking and whispers erupted from everywhere. A tenant of the Creed was just broken, and it wasn't even my fault. I felt horrible. My heart broke and fell into the pit of my stomach. A lump settled in my throat. Never before had I broken a tenant of the Creed. The Assassin's Creed, which was my whole life, my way of life, the rules of my life. This must be what the Christian King Richard and his men feel like when they've broken the rules of the Templars or one of those Ten Commandment rules. The only problem with this was that I didn't do it. It wasn't my fault. They caught me off guard and they realized who I was and that I was part of the Assassins.

"Show us the mark!" yelled Abu'l. My eyes snapped open as I realized he was just adding insult to injury. The guard on my left caught my hand and held it up, my wrist turned towards the crowd. Gasps came out of people and I snatched my hand out of the guards grip. The rage in me boiled over and I balled my fist up and punched the bastard as hard as I could. It sent him down to the ground and sent my fist into a slight throb, but I wasn't about to show any of these sons of bitches any weakness or pain or hurt, even if it's just slight.

Abu'l's laughter boomed out around the courtyard walls as I felt another guard come up behind me and restrain my free arm. Talking came from the crowd of men. "See what I mean? She has a fire in her that is unquenchable! She will be hard to break but I know many of you like a challenge." he laughed once more. The guard took the knocked out guard's place and clapped the other shackle on my wrist. My arms were now hanging limply on either side of my head. I let my muscles relax and my elbows bend. I kept my head at a downwards angle so no one could see my face. I thanked fate and luck that they kept the hood attached to the remnants of my robes. "So please, my friends, enjoy the party!" and with that, he turned and disappeared from the balcony and my view.

Important A/N Hey guys I have a favor to ask. I've been reading Assassin's Creed fan fictions and they all have Altaïr's eyes as amber, golden, warm pools of honey and things like that. Its gotten to the point where its so bad that it bugs me to see it. If you don't already know, I've written his eyes to be green because I read a few Fan fictions before I wrote this story and his eyes were green! So, what I need you guys to do is review and give me your opinions:

Should I go back through the chapters and change his eye color to that warm pool of golden amber honey? Or should I just leave it Green? Tell me what you think. I could really use your help guys. I need to know what color his eyes need to be when she's staring into them intently and..

Spoiler Alert!...Sorta... :P

Its gonna get heavy here in about two or three chapters. ;D

~Read, Review, Be Merry!~

~Dora (Doors)~