Hello~! Yes I know the title sounds dirty and it kind of is because our favorite Assassin is teasing his girl but...well...You'll see. XD
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-Dora

Chapter 34

I Can Ride Anything

*With the help of Kalin, Altaïr sneaked back into his room. He was lucky his room was right down the hall from Alera's else it would have been a bit more difficult. He took a quick bath, regretfully washing Alera's scent away. He knew he they both had to take extra caution. He then dressed in his robes and his armor. He armed himself to the teeth with his weapons and pulled his hood up.

He walked out of his room and closed the door, making his way down to Alera's room to check and see if she was ready. He knocked on the door. "Alera? It's me." he called.*

I had just sheathed my sword when I heard a knock on my door and a call after it. "Alera it's me." Altaïr.

"Come in. I'm decent." I said. I looked up and saw him stroll in, looking as deadly as ever. He closed the door behind him, a light smirk on his lips.

"It wouldn't have mattered to me if you were decent or not." he teased. I sighed and rolled my eyes, but couldn't help the smile that spread over my face.

"Altaïr... You're going to have to stop that. At least when we are here." I turned around and grabbed my short sword off the bed, but then felt strong arms wrap around my waist.

"What goes on behind closed doors is no one's business." His breath tickled my neck, making me shiver slightly. I wiggled out of his grasp and sheathed my short sword. I then turned around and looked up into his green eyes.

"They will make it their business...Al Mualim will make it his business if whispers start to reach his ears. Please. I don't want us to get in trouble and have to start all over again." I bit my lip and looked down. "And I don't want you to be punished..." I heard a soft chuckle come from him and felt calloused fingers under my chin. He tilted me up to look at him.

"If you are that worried about it...I'll stop. Alright?" I smiled and wrapped my arms around his neck.

"Thank you. At least keep it subtle when we are at home." I pulled back and placed a quick kiss on his lips, then slipped out of his grasp.

"But," he grabbed my wrist and I halted, looking back at him. "do not think that you will be free once we are away from the eyes of this fortress." a smirk graced his lips. "You are mine, my dear. And I won't let anyone else have you." those words made my heart skip a beat. I smiled at him.

"Of course Altaïr. I wouldn't want to belong to anyone else but you. Now. Let us be off. We are headed to Acre again right? William of Montferrat is our next target." Altaïr let my wrist go and nodded.

"Yes. That is our next target." I nodded in return and walked to the door, opening it and throwing my hood up.

"Then let's go." I said with a smile. Altaïr walked past me, gently brushing his hand against mine for a brief moment. A warmth spread through me and I took one last look around my room, making sure I didn't forget anything, then closed the door. I fell into step beside Altaïr, neither of us spoke. The morning light shown through the windows as a cool breeze blew through the fortress, making an eerie haunting moan echo out through the halls. A small smile appeared on my face. The mystery of this place always thrilled me and gave me chills. There were still secrets that I have yet to figure out...but one day, I'll find them.

"Alera." I stopped in my tracks, Altaïr stopping beside me. I looked behind me and saw Al Mualim standing at the top of the staircase. Altaïr and I exchanged a glance and then I looked back at the Master.

"Yes Master?"

"May I speak with you in private my child?" I bit my lip.

"Well...we were on our way to leave out for Acre but...Yes Master." I said quietly, bowing my head slightly. I looked over at Altaïr. "I'll meet you at the stables." Altaïr's eyes shifted over to Al Mualim, then back to me. He gave a simple nod and turned away. I looked up at Al Mualim and he beckoned me forward.

"Come. Let me speak to you for just a moment." He turned and walked up the stairs back to his study. I followed quickly in step behind him. He stopped in front of his desk and turned around to me. I stopped as well and looked up at him.

"Is there something you need from me master?" I asked, like the obedient child that I am. He gave a smile to me and placed a gentle hand on my shoulder.

"Alera. I do not always need something of you when I speak to you. I am just worried about you..." I blinked in shock.

"You're...worried about me..? Why? I'm fine. I'm not injured. Nothing ails me."

"The events of the night you were captured is what has been on my mind. They didn't touch you did they? Are you still pure?"

Oh. Shit.

"N-no master. They didn't touch me. I swear to you. Every time one of those bastards reached out to me or even made a move, I fought back. I can't tell you how many necks I snapped. I even had a chance to grab a dagger, which I did, and I killed as many as I could but...Abu'l was well armed with citadel guards. He was the Merchant-King after all, master. I couldn't kill every single man on my own." My stomach twisted in nervousness. I was hoping that would answer all of his questions...Maybe steer him away from asking me flat out if I was pure still...

Which I am not in the slightest.

Al Mualim nodded, pride reflected from his features and his smile. The old man was hard on us all, but he knew when praise should be given.

"Good. Yes very good my dear." he chuckled...Al Mualim actually let a small laugh slip him. "I often wonder why I didn't take you in sooner. Your father had so much faith in you... And you have proved yourself beyond any expectations." I smiled and bowed.

"Thank you master."

"Alera you are like a daughter to me. I worry about you. I care for you just as I do all my other assassins. You are a flower among thorns, our Desert Rose." he lifted his hand, running his thumb across the old scar on my cheek. "Your father would be so proud, child. Don't ever let your faith be shaken. Don't ever let anyone bend you to their will or attempt to break you." his hand fell to my shoulder and he pulled me into a hug.

Wait...He's..hugging me? I blinked and tensed for a second, then hugged him back. This action made my heart twist in pain and longing...I missed my father. But Al Mualim was filling the void of missing my father...he could never replace him fully, but I knew he would be there when I needed him.

"Thank you for all you have done for me, master. For all the kindness and the skill you have bestowed upon me." I pulled back and the master let me go.

"You are most welcome my child...Now go. Take the life of another and help Altaïr down the road of redemption."

"Yes Master." I crossed my arms over my chest and bowed.

"Safety and Peace on you my dear."

"On you as well." I turned around and made my way back down the stairs. After I got out of Al Mualim's sight, I let out a sigh of relief. I had dodged the blade with that one. I've never lied to Al Mualim...but if I had to lie to keep Altaïr safe then so be it.

I made my way out of the halls of the fortress, nodding to the guards as I went. I walked down the stairs past the training grounds and through the gates, glancing at an Assassin leaning against the wall. I paused in my tracks as I realized who it was. I turned around and looked at him, a smirk on my lips.

"I thought I told you to meet me at the stables?" Altaïr pushed off of the wall and strode up in front of me.

"I thought I told you that I'm a terrible listener?" he countered. I rose a brow at him, then shook my head, continuing on my way.

"That's going to get you killed one day."

"Not if you are there by my side." he said softly. I looked over at him, seeing a smile on his lips. I couldn't help but smile back.

"I'm glad you have such faith in me. It's about time." I heard him chuckle a bit.

"And since when did I not have faith in you?" I shook my head.

"I'm not going to answer that~"

We continued down the mountain from the fortress, making our way through the town and eventually to the gates of the city and the stables. I paused outside of the stables and put my fingers to my lips, letting out an ear splitting whistle. An eagle call was heard in return and I saw Alario circle above us and swoop down into the stables, landing on Àlkimos' stall door.

Altaïr and I broke off, going to each of our horses stalls. I walked over to Àlkimos and he gave me a nuzzle in greeting. I smiled and stroked his nose, then opened the stall door and grabbed his bridle.

"What the hell...?" came Altaïr's voice. I paused and looked back. I saw him looking down into the stall of his horse.

"What's wrong?" I turned around and walked over, standing beside him and looking down. There was a long bandage on Antar's leg and one big bloody spot close to his hoof.

"I'm sorry sir but you can't ride your horse. At least not for a couple of days." Altaïr and I both turned around to see the young stable hand. He walked in, holding bandages and medicinal supplies.

"What happened to my horse." demanded Altaïr. I looked over at him and placed a gentle hand on his arm.

"Easy.." I whispered to him. I looked back at the stable hand. His eyes narrowed at us and I felt a streak of fear run through me. I slipped my hand away from Altaïr and the stable hand shook his head.

"A snake got into stables last night. Poisonous one too. Your horse killed it but not without taking a nasty bite to his leg first. We had to bleed out the poison before it became infected. We were successful but he needs to relax for the next few days. You'll have to take another horse." he pushed past us and walked into Antar's stall, beginning to change his bandage and clean his wound. Altaïr let out a sigh. I tugged on his sleeve and pulled him over to Àlkimos' stall.

"We can both ride on Àlkimos. He can hold us." I said reassuringly. Altaïr shook his head.

"We can't afford it. We need two horses just in case something happens. It will be easier." I bit my lip and nodded.

"You're right. Are you going to be alright using another horse? I know you and Antar are close...just as Àlkimos and I." Altaïr smirked slightly and nodded.

"You have nothing to worry about, my rose. I can ride any horse in the holy land." he gave me a subtle wink. I rose a brow.

"Well. Alright then. Put your money where your mouth is and go ride that horse." I nodded over to the stall in the back. A black Frisian stallion resided there. His name was Shade and he had barely been broken. I saw Altaïr blink in slight shock, his eyebrows raising. He then turned around and looked over at the horse. He stared at it for a minute, not saying a word. I glanced over at the stable hand to make sure he had his back turned, then I smirked and bit my lip and moved closer to Altaïr. "Well? What are you waiting for love~?" I whispered to him, leaning down and nipping at his neck.

I pulled back from him and saw him shiver slightly, rolling his shoulder. That made me smirk. Glad to know I have such an effect on him~

"Hmm..." he turned back around to me. All I could see was a deadly smirk on his lips. He leaned closer. "I rode you didn't I~?" a blush immediately appeared on my face and I felt his warm breath roll down my neck.

"A-Altaïr..." I bit my lip. I felt a hand slip onto my hip and travel around my back, pulling me closer. The heat in my cheeks got stronger but I was also extremely nervous. My eyes flicked back to the Stable hand who was still bent down with his back turned to us, fixing Antar's foot. "St-stop it! What if he sees?"

"Mmm~" I felt his hand travel lower and slide down around my ass. "Let him watch. I'll kill him if he threatens to say anything." I felt his hand tighten on me and my eyes widened and I bit my lip to try and muffle the surprised squeak that threatened to spill from my lips. I blushed hard then and growled.

"Ugh... Y-you bastard." I pushed against him and smacked him lightly on the chest. All he did was laugh.

"Anyways...As I was saying. I rode you didn't I? I can handle anything this beast throws at me." he purred and shot another wink to me. I rolled my eyes and gave a careless wave.

"I'm tacking up my horse. Don't yell for me if Shade throws you into the wall." I turned around and walked into Àlkimos' stable. He snorted and poked his head out, flicking his ears and turning his head towards Altaïr. Altaïr waved his hand.

"I won't yell for you, dear. I won't need you." he then turned around and started to walk down towards Shade's stall. I grabbed Àlks' bridle and tried to tug on his halter to get him back into the stall but he wouldn't budge. His grey ears twitched as he kept staring down where Altaïr was. I sighed and rolled my eyes.

"Alright Alright fine..." I walked out of the stall and slipped his halter off. He remained still. I shrugged and then slipped his bridle on. I sighed and my eyes finally trailed down to where my reckless love was headed. "He's going to get himself trampled."

Great. Just what I needed.

NOBODY FREAK. I HAVE A PART TWO SET UP. Because there's something sexy about Altaïr riding a badass horse...And there's something hilarious about him attempting to ride said horse at first and possibly busting his ass a few times. ^.^;;

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