Sorry about the cliff hanger and the wait, but the next chapter is up and I hope to have another one posted soon, everything is in the boiling pot as it were :)

When Adira first awoke, she believed she was in heaven. The walls were fresh and the air smelled hot with different spices, white fabric billowing in the windows on the warm breeze that brushed against her cheek. Instantly she was wide awake.

This wasn't heaven, it couldn't be. So where was she? Adira threw back her covers, glancing to her attire then stood, leaning against the wall for support before slowly taking her first step alone. She didn't waver and her legs felt strong, so she took another. Once she had walked once around the room, she went to the door and tried to open it. It was locked. Why was she locked in? Where was Kahil?

Immediately Adira began to hammer her fist into the wood, her face dropping into an angered glare before she heard someone finally approaching. She slipped to the side, where the door would open and conceal her, then waited. The door was unlocked with what sounded like a heavy key before a healer walked in, his turban wrapped securely around his head but he frowned at the empty room.

Adira slipped behind him and grabbed his head and neck, ready to snap it. "Where is my son?" She hissed into his ear, making the healer squeak in surprise and hold up his hands. Her eyes fell to the blade at his hip so she took it and pressed it into his throat. "Where is he?"

"He's safe, you're both safe here in Masyf. Please, you need to lay down so I can tend to your wounds…" She pressed the blade harder into his skin, making him gulp.

"I want my son. Where is he?"

"Please, I do not know. All I know is that you're both safe."

"You've said that before. I am inclined to not believe you." Not wanting to kill the man, she stepped away then slipped out of the door, barefoot and wearing only a shift but she had more important things to do. Like finding Kahil.

She ran into some novice assassin's, who instantly tried to grab her but she turned, gripping one by the arm and locked it, swinging him around to slam his head into a wall then kicked back the other, grabbing his hood and yanking it completely over his face before sweeping both feet from underneath him, felling him to the floor.

"WHERE IS MY SON?!"

Altair heard the bellow even from the other side of the institute. Groaning he sat up as the boy looked up with a smile. "Mama!" He was jumping and on his feet, running towards the sound as if the enraged tone of the bellow hadn't even come to attention.

With a dark scowl Altair rose to his feet and followed, the young boy bounding down the stairs carefully whilst calling out to his mother. The woman, hearing the boy's calls, appeared at the other side of the balcony that looked down into the entrance hall of the Creed. Instantly she was running down the steps, hair flying behind her like a shard of night.

Altair stood back and watched as the boy, in his haste, tripped over but jumped back up with a shake of his head, grinning as he opened his arms and leaped up into the air. Adira caught him and swung him around, making him laugh and giggle as he fisted his small fingers into her hair until she dropped to her knees, embracing her son as she trembled with relief.

"Mama! You're alright. I told the man you would be." Kahil babbled as Adira pulled back to gaze at him. "I told him you would be alright because you're the bravest, strongest most bestest fighter in all the world!" Adira smiled then nuzzled his nose.

"At least someone has not lost faith in me." She whispered, stroking back his curly hair before looking up. Instantly she snatched Kahil closer, one arm holding his weight as the other lifted the healer's blade, holding it out in warning as assassins surrounded her on all fronts, preparing to fight.

"Enough." Adira's heart stopped beating when she heard his strong voice call out. Altair walked out from behind the pillar. "Leave them be." The assassins drew back slowly, filtering like shadows. "You." He addressed Adira coldly. "Come with me." Adira moved to follow but Altair continued. "Leave the boy."

"He is not leaving my side." Adira argued hotly, letting Kahil down who then stood proudly beside her. He called up to Altair.

"Didn't I tell you mama was beautiful?" His mother looked down at him in surprise.

"Kahil!"

"What? It's true. I told him you were an angel and that you had promised to come for me and you did. So, that meant that you wouldn't die because you're here to look after me." He lifted his chin with a proud grin. "I love you so much mama." Adira smiled softly down at him, resting a hand on his head.

"The boy stays." Her eyes narrowed sharply as she looked back at Altair.

"No." His jaw clenched at her defiance. He was about to order someone forcibly separate the two when Malik spoke up.

"I'll look after your son, Adira. He will be safe with me." Adira looked to Malik then nodded her head. She pushed Kahil towards him who happily walked towards the scribe.

"Why do you only have one arm? Are you hiding it somewhere?" Adira slapped a hand to her face.

"Kahil!"

"Yes mama?" He asked innocently. She sighed then shook her head.

"Just behave. I'll be back for you soon." He nodded his head then followed Malik whilst hopping from one foot to the other, perfectly happy and at ease. Slowly Adira turned to face Altair. He said nothing but swept around on his heel, leading her through the open walkway then to where wide windows filtered in the light through the glass, warming his face as he stood there, hands clasped behind his back in silence.

The woman also stood in silence, looking at him from the other side of the desk. Finally she cut through the quiet. "Why did you bring us here?" It was a question he knew she would not allow to go unanswered.

"You were laying on the ground bleeding to death with the boy sobbing over you like a child. Not even I am as heartless to leave you both behind to have your corpses flayed and dissembled for the crows to feast upon." He spat venomously. "Though I am now questioning my judgment."

"Kahil." His head turned slightly to her but his eyes fixated on her reflection in the glass. "My son is called Kahil."

"His name makes no difference to me." Altair replied bluntly, his shoulders tensing. "Tell me everything. I want no lies, no honey coated poison, I want the truth, from beginning to end." Still he would not turn to face her. Taking a deep breath Adira looked to her feet.

"My father, Sadil Abazar, has been a Templar his entire life. As was his father and his father's father. Generations of our family have offered their firstborn son and heir to become a noble member of the Templar order. Until my father had me." She paused, licking her lips and Altair watched the movement in the window, feeling a familiar tug towards her. "My father was ashamed, I had broken the pure line of males for the first time in generations. He tried to have more children but my mother was not young. Her moon bloods soon stopped and she could not conceive anymore children. My father killed her before my eyes and then washed me in her blood. That was when he first began to train me."

The pain tore through her chest as she remembered her mother's terrified face as the blade had descended into her throat. Adira struggled to keep her voice level and emotionless, taking her time before starting again. "No matter how hard he tried, no sons came. So I was all he had. A girl is rather useless in the Templar order, we were not bred to fight and nor did I want to. I was happier reading books and playing with my dolls. When I was twelve, my father arranged my marriage to Hassam for two reasons. One, it would advance him in his business as I was bought for a considerate price and two, because he knew that Hassam was providing sanctuary and aid to the Creed."

Altair nodded his head, allowing her to continue. "I tried to rebel and refuse the marriage but my father forced me. He threatened to kill one child every day I refused, so I married Hassam. I had expected a monster, a cruel man who beat me and raped me but what I married was nothing like that. He was sweet tempered and did not touch me. He even slept in his own bed until I was ready to truly become his wife." Adira lowered her face to the floor. "I liked him well enough. It was four years before we lay together but in that time, my father demanded I bring him information." She swallowed.

"And did you?"

"Useless pieces and false documents. I faked them myself as he had taught me with his own hand. I loved my husband more than I loved my father, so I remained loyal to him. He knew what I was doing and he helped me. Promised to keep me safe. Though he kept our secrets to himself. When father found out I was playing him, Kahil was born and coming to be five years of age. As you can imagine, he was furious." Adira closed her eyes against the memory which unfolded in her mind. "He killed Hassam in his sleep with me right next to him. My screaming woke up Kahil, who tried to run in and save us. We were taken and Kahil forced from my arms. For three weeks my father tortured me, finding out all the truths I had hidden from him." The woman lifted her head and took a step closer to Altair, who still had not moved.

"I held on for as long as I could. It took them three long weeks to break me and even then, I didn't give them everything. So my father came up with a new plan. My task was to involve myself with the Creed and draw you away, with whatever skills I saw best fit. My father wanted you to question, since I would tell him nothing about the Piece of Eden."

"What do you know of it?"

"Very little. Only the story leading up to you taking it." She replied simply, placing her arms around her to keep her warm as her toes began to freeze. "He thought he could get better information from you. I was to bring you to him. In return, he would not kill my son."

And there he had it. The true story. Adira swallowed nervously and took another step closer. "I never wanted to harm anyone, not you or Malik. But my son is the only thing left in this world that is my own flesh and blood who still believes in me, still loves me and as his mother, I refused to allow any harm to befall him. If there had been any other way, I would have done it."

"You could have tried rescuing him yourself.

"My father is smarter than that. I did not know where he or my son was. I was not about to walk into the desert, pick a star and pray that it would be the right one." She arched an eyebrow at him. "I know that for this I am an enemy to your people and will accept whatever punishment you see fit. Just please, don't hurt my son. He deserves better." Taking another bold step forwards Adira now stood directly behind him. "The friendship I formed with Malik was not fake and nor was the…the…feelings I developed for you. They are still real, Altair. Just remember that." She sighed and withdrew the hand that had been reaching out to touch him. "I may be a Templar's daughter but my heart is anything but. I was ready to lay down everything, my honour, my pride and my life for Kahil and I would do it all over again. All I wish was that it hadn't been you."

Taking several steps back Adira waited. Altair struggled within himself. A part of him forgave her, the other felt it never would. Finally, he was unable to stand her being so close yet so far out of reach. "Leave." He commanded in a dark, sinister tone. "Take the boy and leave. You are not welcome here now or ever." Finally he turned around and Adira looked away with shame. "If I ever see you here again, I will kill both you and the boy."

"You will not touch him!" She snarled instantly, flaring up in defence. She lifted her chin then tossed the blade she had still been holding onto the table with a loud clatter. "I thank you for your mercy. It is underserved." She informed him coldly then turned, sweeping away to find both Kahil and her clothes.

They were all back in the room she had escaped from. Kahil smiled at her as she entered. Malik merely nodded. "I know you must think the worst of me. In truth, I don't blame you." She muttered, lowering her eyes. "I can't begin to tell you how truly sorry I am."

"I think you're a very brave woman." Malik said to her simply. "A little foolish, but brave. You only had to ask for our help and we would have given it to you."

"I did not think the Creed would want to waste their time with a wife of a dead sanctuary keeper. I thought I was on my own." Adira replied but with a slight smile. "Brave, you say?"

"Not many could have done what you did." Malik ruffled Kahil's hair as he flicked through a picture book. "You have a fine son. You should be proud." Adira glowed brightly as she smiled then retrieved her clothes, changing behind a screen. She walked out with the cloak in her arms, looking at it carefully.

"Mama?" Without blinking Adira ripped off the cross and threw it against the wall, ripping up the hood before swinging the tattered cloak around her shoulders.

"Come Kahil. We've been banished."

"Banished? What does that mean?" He asked curiously, sliding down from the bed as Malik stood.

"It means we can never come back." The boy's eyes saddened as his face crumbled.

"But…I like it here. Malik is nice and so is that other man! The one who carried you in and sat by your bed for an entire week!" Adira's head snapped to her son. Altair had remained with her for an entire week? "He gave me toys to play with and even read to me, like you used to."

"Is this true?" Adira turned to Malik who nodded. "Why would he do that?"

"I've said it many times before. Altair is a complicated man." He shrugged then lifted a hand. "I hardly know what goes on in that head of his."

"Please can we stay mama? I want to stay here where it's safe. I don't want that crazy old man chasing after us again." Adira smiled softly and knelt before her son, stroking his cheek with a tender, motherly caress.

"We have to go. Altair has asked us to leave."

"But…but…" Sucking in the tears the young boy took a deep breath then nodded.

"Brave boy." Adira told him fondly then stood to face Malik.

"I will see you to a horse."

"Malik, I don't think…"

"And some supplies. You'll need them to cross the desert to reach Acre. After that I'm afraid you really will be on your own." Malik opened the door then led the way. Adira, glancing to Kahil, took her son's hand then followed. She looked up to the walkway where she saw Altair looking down, watching them go, his face a mask of stone. Their eyes met and locked together as Adira continued to walk until finally, the contact was broken. Malik told them to wait on the front steps where Adira lifted Kahil onto her shoulders so he could watch those training in the ring. "You could take them all mama!"

"Maybe but not now, Kahil. I'm still a little bit hurt, remember?"

"But if you were better, you would be able to throw every single one of them into the dirt! Even with your wound, I know you could do it. I've seen you fight." Adira clamped her hand over Kahil's mouth as he was beginning to draw attention.

"Perhaps I will try one day." She suggested. "And one day, I'll teach you how to fight too."

"Really?" This kept him distracted all the way up until Malik returned with a saddled horse and supplies. The dappled mare snorted in welcome as Adira extended her hand for her to sniff. "If any of your men find themselves needing shelter in Acre, tell them to look for me." She said softly, reaching up and taking Malik's armless shoulder. "They are always welcome."

"I will let them know." He agreed. "Stay safe. It's a dangerous road out there." A slow smirk touched Adira's mouth as she lifted Kahil up into the saddle.

"I'm a dangerous woman." Turning around she embraced Malik tightly with a gentle sigh like a summer breeze touching the blades of brittle long grass with yearning. "I wish I had been smarter. Then none of this would ever have happened."

"You did well to cope alone, more so to free Altair and escape with only a stab wound." Malik assured her, his arm wrapped around back before she pulled away. "You may be banished from this land but that doesn't mean you cannot stay in contact. Write to me, make sure you write and maybe one day, Altair's temper will soothe." Ghostly tears touched Adira's electrifying eyes as they slid down to her feet with a shake of his head.

"Nothing can reverse the effects of my actions. I think it best if he just forgets about me as I'll…I'll try to forget about him." Malik saw the pain in the young woman's eyes as she turned and mounted the dappled mare.

"What's her name?" Kahil asked, patting the horse's neck as Adira moved her around with her legs.

"Kajira." Malik answered slowly, still watching Adira. Had she really fallen for Altair? Had she been speaking the truth with how she had acted towards him? Perhaps. This only made Malik determined to change Altair's mind about her. "Farewell."

"Goodbye my friend." Adira called over her shoulder. "May god be with you."

"And also with you." He answered back quietly, frowning in thought before turning and planning his approach on the matter of convincing Altair of Adira's innocence and sincerity with her heart.