Ok. Rant. First let me start off by saying if one more person asks to take over this story, I swear to god I will not be nice about telling you to back the fuck off. I mean who does that? If the author is clearly still active and still immersed why would you even think about taking the story? If I died and someone took over the story to honor my memory then yeah ok probably but I'd come back to haunt your ass if you did something wrong.

I have not abandoned it. I have been busy. I have a fucking life ok? I have an 8-5 job Mon-Fri and my down time is my weekend. I am in the middle of a huge move from Mississippi to San Antonio Texas. Life is really my top priority right now.

Lucky for me though, I had a streak of sudden muse and I was able to write up this thing. It's about to be 1 in the morning here but I'm posting this bitch to let everyone know that I AM ALIVE. I AM STILL WRITING THIS STORY. THIS IS MY STORY. DEATH WILL BE THE ONLY THING STOPPING ME FROM FINISHING THIS THING. Rant end.

Now. I am pretty fucking happy with the way this turned out and I hope you guys are too. Those of you that are still loyal, thank you for your patience and your reviews and support. Please keep them coming :) I hope everyone remembers that the text between the stars is Altair's point of view. Any other time, it's Alera's.

Read, Review, Be Merry!

-Dora (Aena Firestar)

Chapter 38

Disorder

* To Alera, it had only felt like she'd been a sleep for a few minutes...maybe an hour tops. However, Altaïr had been back for some time, but didn't have the heart to wake her. He had spoken with the Rafiq, told of what he had learned and what progress he had made.

The old man had given him leave to go and told Altair that he should wake Alera when he was ready. Altaïr had decided to take some rest himself, even fell asleep beside her and taken a short nap, and it was only when he had awakened that he proceeded to wake her up as well. He had gathered information now he needed to tell her so they could assassinate William of Montferrat.

"Alera..." he said gently. He placed his hand on her cheek and rubbed his thumb along her cheek bone. He pushed his hood back with his other hand and looked up to make sure the rafiq was still in the other room. He felt Alera shift a bit and groan. Altaïr looked back down and smiled a bit. "Alera...wake up love." he whispered.

Her brows furrowed and she moved. Her head shook slowly. She was still asleep and it looked as if she were trying desperately to remain asleep. Altaïr sighed a bit. Usually she wasn't so stubborn in waking up... but suddenly her eyes snapped open and she jumped a little bit. Altaïr blinked, not quite prepared for the abruptness of her awakening.

He watched her dark blue eyes dart around then finally land on him. He gave her a little smile and rubbed his thumb along her cheek. "It's alright." he told her gently. Alera looked to be a bit disoriented, but she shook her head and sat up suddenly.

"No. No it's not alright." she told him quickly. "We have to go." she put her hands on his shoulders. "We have to go Altaïr... I-I..." she bit her lip... she could feel her anxiety beginning to set in.*

"Wait...wait Alera slow down." Altaïr's voice was soft. He took my hands. "What's wrong? What are you talking about?" he asked. My gut twisted and my heart began to race...what was this? Anxiety or Panic? Or both...

"I don't know..." I muttered. "I don't know how to explain it there's so much...and so much you won't understand." I could literally feel the worry etched into my face. Altaïr shook his head and pulled me up.

"Come on. We're going to get you some air and then we can talk alright? Let's take it a step at a time, Alera." his voice was calm and he seemed to be taking my attack rather well...better than I am at least. I guess father was right.

"Alera?" I looked back at the rafiq through the doorway. "Here. Take this just in case." he set the rose petal down on the desk. I took a deep breath and stepped into the room. I grabbed it and gave a little nod.

"Thank you." I simply said. Rafiq nodded.

"Be careful. Make sure you come back to us successful." he smiled a little. "Though I'm sure that won't be a problem." with those last words he went back to his work. I turned and walked back into the entrance area.

"Come. Let's go." Altaïr urged me gently. All I could do was nod and climb up the wall with him and out into the open. I took a deep breath, breathing in the salty sea air of Acre. An eagle cried out above us and I looked up. It was Alario, circling around and letting us know he was near. "Alera." I looked back down at my assassin.

*Altaïr knew she was having another bout of anxiety. He could see it all over her. She was tense, quiet, more nervous than usual. Whatever she had dreamed about clearly had her on edge. "Talk to me. Please. You'll feel better." he urged her. Alera wrung her hands and chewed on her lip.

"Not here...L-Let's just get the mission over with alright?" her voice held a little plea to it. "I promise I'll tell you everything when we're alone on the road. Where no one can hear us." Altaïr mentally added Paranoia to that list. He strode up to her and cupped her cheeks. Her eyes were so full of uncertainty it killed him.

"Everything is going to be alright." He told her. Alera placed her hands over his and closed her eyes. Her head went down. "Look at me." he told her gently. Alera's eyes fluttered open again and she looked up at him. "Everything will be alright because I won't let anything get bad." he told her. "I'm right here and I always will be. I love you." he leaned forward and kissed her forehead.*

I closed my eyes when I felt his lips press to my brow. It was such a comfort from him. "I love you too, Altaïr... So much." I leaned up and kissed his lips gently. I felt him return it and it made me smile a bit.

"Will you be able to help me with this? Or do you want to stay? It's alright if you don't think you're ready. I don't want you getting hurt out there." his voice was so sincere, but I wasn't going to leave him alone with this.

"No. Let's just get going. I can focus on this much at least." I told him. I looked into his eyes. "I promise. Let us go. Tell me everything."

* Altaïr relayed to Alera everything that he had learned as they made their way through the city of Acre.

"William's host is large and many men call him master. He is not without enemies, however. He and King Richard do not see eye to eye." he explained. Alera nodded.

"Of course. Looks like we will be doing the English a favor then." she pulled her hood a little closer.

"This does work to our advantage." Altaïr told her. He placed a gentle hand on her back and kept her close as they weaved through a sudden crowd of people. His sharp eyes scanned the area, making sure no one was watching them. He linked his fingers with hers and pulled her into a shaded area. No one was there but the ruined building offered some relief from the sun. Alera leaned against the wall and looked up at her Assassin.

"You were saying, love?" she asked.

"Richard's visit has upset Montferrat. Once the king leaves, he will retreat into his fortress to brood. He'll be distracted." he smirked gently. "That is when we will strike." Alera nodded slowly and smiled up at him.

"You're sure then?" she asked.

"As sure as I can be. If I've miscalculated, I can adapt. And you'll be there to help me if things turn bad." his eyes ran over her face. He saw the rosy color on her cheeks from the heat and he saw her sapphire eyes watching him intently. He lifted his hand and wiped at a little bead of sweat that drifted down her temple.*

I gave a little smile at him and gently kissed at his palm. "I must say I'm impressed. If you managed to gather all of this information without me then you must be learning something. Especially the way you speak of Adapting and overcoming." my eyes searched his face and I gave a little nod. He's done well and I am proud...I just hope Al Mualim realizes it too. I pushed up off of the wall and looked up at him. "Come Altaïr. We should keep up the good work. I don't want us to get distracted right now." I had to scold him just a little. "Lead the way to the citadel." I couldn't help but smirk inwardly...somehow giving him orders was a little fun. Altaïr rose a brow, then gave a little nod himself.

"As you say, Desert Rose. The distractions can wait for later." he gave me that smirk...damn him and that smirk. I looked down and watched him lace our fingers together, then followed him out.

At least he was distracting me and helping me away from whatever attack I had earlier. Sure it was still lurking around in the back of my mind but I have much more important things to worry about right now.

We finally arrived at the citadel. I was expecting it to be...well...Not this. There was a huge crowd, and the air was buzzing with excitement.

"He's in there right now! The King is!" she heard one woman say to her friend. She felt Altaïr tighten his hold on her and she stayed close to him.

"I heard he's furious." another man spoke up. "Montferrat executed 300 hostages. Chopped all their heads off, he did." What in the hell?...

"No wonder he was on the list." I muttered to Altaïr. He glanced back at me and nodded.

"Which means the English King will probably be happy to see him go." His eyes went back to the head of the crowd. Guards were holding everyone back. I felt my heart speed up a little bit. We were going to get to catch a glimpse of King Richard.

"The anticipation is infecting me." I admitted softly to him. "Richard the Lionheart's reputation precedes him. I mean, I know he is the enemy of the Holy Land right now but...It's a bit exciting to get to see him." I looked up at Altaïr. He gave a little smile.

"Just stay close to me and don't get too distracted with your legends." suddenly the crowd surged forward and I held onto Altaïr. He slid his arm around my waist and pulled me with him. "It's alright. This is perfect, actually. We're well blended in and moving closer."

"True...but bigger crowd is a cause for more chaos..." I muttered. I couldn't help it really. The crowd was a tricky thing. It could either help you or hinder you, depending on the situation you were in. I pushed the thoughts away and turned my eyes to the front as best I could see. More guards had appeared, some brandishing pikes and spears to keep people back, others were threatening to draw their swords. The people up front were yelling for the people in the back to stop but they just continued to come. Everyone wanted an eyeful at the famous King and honestly, I didn't blame them.

More commotion sprang up though when the gates of the fortress opened up. I glanced at Altaïr.

"What can you see? I can't see anything." I huffed a little bit. Altaïr looked down at me.

"It's the king and his guards." we were both caught off guard though when the crowd began to kneel. I felt Altair grip my arm and pull me down. We both sunk down with the rest but kept our heads up, wanting to get a look at the sovereign...and there he was.

The Mighty King Richard the Lionheart sat upon a fine stallion adorned with the colors of his house and the seal and pieces of armor. The King sat high and proud and his body guards surrounded him on their horses, but another man walked beside him. He was small, carried a look of unrest about him... and looked like a mortal at the feet of a god.

"Montferrat." I felt Altaïr's breath slid down my neck.

"I suspected." I answered him back in a gentle whisper.

"Three thousand souls, William." Richard's voice was strong, very fitting. His words seemed to ring out for everyone to hear. Perhaps he meant exactly for that to happen. To ridicule this man in front of his people...

But then realization hit me. The man in the crowd had said 300 but that wasn't the case at all...My god William had executed three thousand Saracen hostages?

"I was told they would be held as prisoners and used to barter for the release of our men." The King continued.

"The Saracens would not have honored their end of the bargain." Montferrat replied. I scoffed softly.

"Typical..." I felt Altaïr's hand slid up my arm.

"Shhh." he whispered. I bit my lip and kept quiet.

"You know this to be true. I did you a favor." Montferrat looked up at the king.

"Oh yes." Richard's voice seemed to grow louder...Almost like a roar. I couldn't help the little smile of amusement that pulled at my lips. The Lionheart indeed. "A great favor, indeed. Now our enemies will be that much stronger in their convictions. Fight that much harder." Richard pulled on the reins of his horse and the two men stopped.

"I know our enemy well." Montferrat tried. "They will not be emboldened but filled with fear." Richard had a look of either disdain or suspicion...I couldn't tell from where I stood but either way he didn't look happy.

"Tell me, how is it you know the intentions of our enemy so well? You, who forsake the field of battle to play at politics." I can see that. William looked like a weasel...not one for battle, more so the underhanded dirty side.

"I did what was right. What was just." Montferrat looked nervous now.

"You swore an oath to uphold the work of God, William. But that is not what I see here. No. I see a man who's trampled it." I have to give credit to those Christians. They stick to their religion. They are loyal to their god, but their god is not my god. My god is simply death.

"Your words are most unkind, my liege." Montferrat spoke, motioning to the crowd as if to point out that we could hear them. "I would hope I might have earned your trust by now?"

"You are Acre's regent, William, set to rule in my stead. How much more trust is required? Perhaps you'd like my crown?" I slowly looked over at Altaïr. He returned my glance, then we both turned our attention back.

"You miss the point." Montferrat said. "But then again...you always do." Damn. Bold words for a simple regent. The glare that Richard wore, told me he was thinking the same thing.

"Much as I'd like to waste my day trading words with you, I've a war to fight. We'll have to continue this another time."

"Do not let me delay you, then...your grace..." Montferrat said with strained politeness. Richard sent one last deadly glare to the regent, just to let him know who his superior was, then he pulled the reins of his horse around and left. Richard's body guards fell into place behind him.

The crowd stood to their feet and I pulled Altaïr up with me.

"What now?" I whispered.

"Hold on." he said gently. His eyes were still fixed on Montferrat. I looked back over at him too and he looked to be giving orders to one of his guards. Altaïr and I were straining to hear.

"I fear there will be no place for men like him in the New World." he told them. "Send word that I wish to speak with the troops. We must ensure everyone is doing their part. Warn them that any negligence will be severely punished. I'm in no mood to be trifled with today." he turned to the rest of his men. "The rest of you, follow me."

The crowd surged without warning and I grabbed onto Altaïr again. I didn't like that. It made me feel like I didn't have control.

"Come on. They're moving into the citadel. This is our chance." Altaïr said.

"Lead on. I'm with you." I assured him. He lead me into a fast paced walk, following the merchants that were pining to get into the fortress to do business. I felt Altaïr grab me and pull me forward. I gasped softly but followed his lead, deftly slipping behind a merchant who carried two large bags on either shoulder. I glanced back and saw the gates be slammed shut behind us...Damn that was close. No wonder why he pushed me forward like that...but that was when I realized we were very much out of place now. The merchants and traders were being lead elsewhere while Altaïr and I were about to be left out in the open.

"Shit. Altaïr!" I whispered.

"Come on!" he grabbed me and pulled me to him, ushering me quickly into a gap between the wall and an inner building. I pressed my back against the stone and yanked him into the shadows with me.

My heart was racing and I shut my eyes, biting my lip...Surely someone had seen that...Some guard that was more alert than normal...

But no shout ever came...no warning ever sounded...

I opened my eyes and let out a soft breath. Altaïr was towering over me, as if shielding me from the outside world. I looked up at him and watched him. I could see thoughts running through his head, plans forming. He glanced up at the wall and smirked. I looked up too and saw what he saw.

"Good..." I let out a slight sigh of relief at the pathway that seemed to curve up the wall. There were handholds and places where some stone had worn away, easy to get up to the roof. Altaïr looked down at me.

"There's most likely an archer on top. Are you ready?" he asked. I smirked a little bit and grabbed one of my throwing knives.

"Always." I leaned up and slipped my hand around the back of his neck behind his hood and pulled him down into a quick little open-mouthed kiss.

*Altaïr was a little surprised by the kiss, but wasn't complaining. He smirked and began to return it, only to feel Alera pull back again. He gave a soft little growl.

"I thought you said no distractions, Desert Rose." his voice was low and warm and his smirk had only grown. He watched as Alera just smiled and gave a little shrug.

"I can recover from distractions." she slid her throwing knife between her teeth, shot Altaïr a wink, then jumped up and began to climb up the wall. He watched after her, taking in the view for a quick moment.

Knowing he had her for his own made him prideful. Knowing that she had chose to be his and had given herself to him made him humble.

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