The Road Not Traveled
After the group filled their bellies with food to reenergize, it was time for the trek north by crossing the Orange River. Despite being kept captive overnight and eating for the first time in a whole day, Altaїr did not hesitate to carry on with the mission. He and Malik took the lead across the river, whose current was still powerful during drought season. Thankfully, it did not rise past the waist to risk being thrown into the water to flow downstream. Altaїr placed Vivian in the care of Bashir after the strike to her head but the historian reassured him she would be fine. She had survived the Nile River after multiple knockouts from him and the Orange River was yet another in their journey. Traveling in a line, they crossed the river one by one with their belongings on their backs.
For once, being doused from the waist down kept them cool against the hot weather. There was no fear of being munched on by alligators or hippopotamus but they did not linger long to find out. Their wet shoes would leave tracks north but Malik tried to cover them as much as possible by throwing debris on top or sweeping his own foot across them. They had no reason to suspect anyone was following but they could not risk it. Their trek into what would one day be Namibia was uneventful and they did not stop their travel north until the sun began to set low on the horizon to usher sunset. Being in new terrain, Altaїr and Malik decided to camp in a wooded area with dense tree cover to keep them in the shadows. The foliage would also allow them to detect any trespassers into camp.
Altaїr was pleased to leave the old campsite behind and arrive at their temporary one. They would continue the trek north because they needed to reach the middle of the continent and they were still very far in the south. Being on foot, travel would be slow and he dreaded contemplating another boat trip to reach their next destination. Vivian knew traveling from Namibia to Mali was no easy feat because it took them over a year to reach the southern coast from Egypt. She knew Altaїr would lead them in the right path, especially after everything he faced that day. The assassin, on the other hand, was more concerned about the little historian.
Dinner was a quick setup of smoked fish they caught from the river and saved to skewer them on wooden sticks to roast over the campfire. Everyone devoured one fish each to be satiated and Vivian was happy to eat the crispy skin, stealing Altaїr's because he saw no interest in eating it. It wasn't long before they dropped down on the ground to relax against the grass to digest their meals. When they fell asleep together in a bundled heap, Malik began to wonder if the two had been sedated in the cave at one point. How could they be this tired? Bashir had been brave enough to attempt to wake them by poking each with a stick but it only earned him a stern glare from Altaїr and the broken stick hurled at his head.
Malik called it a night when a cool wind rolled in to flutter the leaves in the trees. Not wanting to meet any nightly critters, he headed inside his tent but not before kicking his sleeping friend's leg to jerk him awake. The assassin was startled by the sudden strike and he found himself alone in the camp, except for the sleeping Vivian. He heard the closing flaps of the dai's tent and assumed it was bedtime despite his late-night nap. Nudging her gently with one hand as he wiped the sleep from his eyes, he informed sleepily, "It's nighttime, Anne."
His nickname only caused her snuggle closer to him for warmth and he smiled gently to the affection. He sought her unbridled affection after having his own awaken after years of isolation. If it brought her back to him, he would happily take it. Her resistance to remaining strictly platonic was beginning to unravel with the passing weeks and today only served to bring them closer. He did nothing to deter her action but he didn't want her to endure the cold just to lay beside him. She wiped her eyes to return to reality, blinking sleepily at the assassin peering down at her.
Instead of a relaxed mood for the night, Vivian shifted it to a bleak one by asking a question he dreaded.
"If I was to be controlled again and posed a danger, would you. . .?" she asked uncertainly because the idea of hurting her dear friends unwillingly hurt her more than the deepest wound anyone could endure. They had helped her survive and assimilate into a world vastly different than hers instead of being kicked to the curb. Repaying them with such harmful betrayal would be terrible. Her voice trailed off as she was unable to form the words at meeting her end in his time. They were all mortal but she knew the guilt that would fill him if he was forced to hurt her for the sake of the mission. She had not pondered over her mortality in a long while after the first few months after arriving, but she couldn't help delving into it.
His hand squeezed her shoulder in support to whisk away those negative thoughts and answered firmly, "No, one never raises their hand against an innocent, even if controlled, and you are one of us."
"If I am a threat, to the point I could heavily damage your goals, I would condone being eliminated" she allowed quietly since she was there to protect him and would never jeopardize his work. He shook his head vehemently to the idea because even knocking her unconscious today had worried him. Any bruise or cut on her gentle form caused him distress and he felt failure on his part when he couldn't protect her. He would not be the careless man she met during her first days but her fierce protector. Sitting up to meet his gaze, her dainty hands gripped his arm close as she leaned against him to whisper, "Sometimes, there must be a single sacrifice to protect the millions."
"Everything is fine now and I won't let any other pieces control you like that again" he reassured her to wipe away her fears, promising it to himself, and she nodded quietly. That experience shook him more than any other of their missions and the same reflected in her eyes as she gazed somberly at the campfire. The light in her eyes faded into a shell controlled by evil intent while Vivian was trapped in darkness, unable to do anything about it. Wrapping an arm around her shoulders to offer support, he tried to cheer her up, "Tell me a joke."
"Nnggh" she mumbled inaudibly because she didn't feel up to it, using the hood of her robe to cover her face. Oh no, she was using the turtle defense again. He was not going to let her sink into another glum mood for something she held no control over.
"Come now, I was half-naked and ready to be sacrificed on an altar- there is nothing but humor in that!" he remarked to try to make light of his situation for her benefit to see the brightness return to her eyes. He wasn't the greatest with humor but he would try his best. Vivian frowned at his shoddy example because being a sacrifice was nobody's wish. She hadn't been excited to lose him last night or see him prisoner, closing her eyes to remove that image. He was meant to be invincible against his foes and seeing him at the disadvantaged edge hurt. His grip on her shoulder tightened to bring physical comfort as he rubbed it and offered one last jest, "Eh? Altar- Altaïr?"
"That's your best joke?" she asked softly, a small smile working its way to her lips for his corny joke. Boy, he was good at those now. He shrugged offhandedly since jokes were never really his forte unlike her and he drew whatever decided to pop into mind. He was not a laughing warehouse but a living weapon. His attempt was appreciated, nonetheless, because he wasn't a jokester by nature and she whispered gratefully, "Thank you, I'll be all right. I just need time to shake the surreal feel of it away but I'll be in tiptop shape to fight tomorrow."
He shook his head to her forecast since her hand in battle wasn't his main priority, "I'm concerned about you. We all watch over each other, remember?"
She nodded silently because his duty to protect always won and admitted weakly, "I . . . You scared me when you didn't return because you always do. You might be bleeding or broken but you come back. I haven't felt helpless like that since I first arrived in Jerusalem and when I saw that blood in the cave, I thought-"
"I wasn't" he whispered solemnly to her fears and drew her close when her arms wrapped around his sides. She hugged him tightly to reassure herself that he was alive and safe beside her. Despite the dangers he faced, he had returned as promised. He was worse for wear a little bit but he was home with her. She never wanted to bear another night without his presence, acknowledging his importance in her life. He was the man she loved, her hero against danger, and a dear friend.
"Yes, but you're supposed to live a long life kicking Templar butt and I blamed myself because I believed- and still do- that my being here has altered your path" she stated forlornly to the mess she had made of his timeline and sighed. No matter how much she tried to keep him away with a stick, he kept chopping said figurative stick to return to her. Their adventures and the trauma attached to them only served to bring them closer together. She was no longer the historian student watching him with admiration but a mildly half-decent fighting historian that loved him. Sighing softly, she resigned to his determined nature and murmured, "All I want is to keep you safe in this world and that's all I'm going to say."
"Mmm, I was never much of a talker to begin with" he commented slyly and leaned down to kiss her lips with a light peck to test the waters before he ended up with a palm imprint on his face. He highly doubted it but Vivian could be quite the feisty badger when she wasn't in the mood.
"Altaїr" she tried to dissuade since she expected him to heed her words, not try to knock the defensive wall down. Hearing his name only served to clutch her close and he pressed a kiss to her forehead, causing her to frown since his strength outmatched hers. How was she supposed to say no to him? Especially after what they went through that day? Oh, he made her heart flutter like a flock of butterflies taking flight into the sky.
"We are what we choose to be, not what is defined in stone in your realm" he stated simply to his life motto and squeezed her shoulders as both a friend and a romantic suitor. She wasn't exactly overjoyed to hear that and pouted in her spot, earning an amused smile from the assassin. She was a tough badger to convert but he was determined to win what he fought for. He leaned back against the log behind them, dragging her to his side once more, and spoke gently, "You've often told me stories of how mistakes can lead to great adventures, heroes, love, and with all that we've shared- it's enough to last us a lifetime. Really, normal people of our ages are married with drooling toddlers running around them and all they worry is putting food on the table. Their continued existence and freedoms of life are what we fight for."
Gazing at the twinkling stars overhead in the dark sky, he contemplated, "After I regained my Master rank and all the arrogance had dissipated, I wondered how it would be if I was your average man. Knowing myself, I probably would've been a scholar or a farmer- I always did like animals."
"You've punched your way through half of the wildlife in each land we've visited and you weren't a good fish gutter" she stated dryly to that knack of misfortune on their trip because he had an unbelievable magnetism to them. He didn't have to wander far to find one and get into a scuffle that he often lost. Mainly, it was due to him not wanting to see her cry over another dead animal rather than losing. His compassion had changed greatly since starting out from Masyaf and she smiled forlornly, "I wish I could say that you'll live a life of peace but I'd be lying. You're meant to bring new change to the Order and help bring revelations to future generations with what you learn. So much is riding on you which means danger will always loom over your shoulder. Nonetheless, I do worry because your future is unknown to me since your game world focused more on your Italian descendant."
"Ah, my enhanced replacement" he acknowledged wryly but shook his head to shove it aside. There was no reason to feel envy towards another man he hadn't met and let it go. Each of them had a role to play in the fight against the Templars. He had more important things to focus on and was rather proud of his ability to release simple nuisances. Years ago, he would have mulled over them. Vivian played a great hand in cooling his head and her affection filled him with pride that he drew her sincere love. Releasing a long sigh, he began carefully with a steady voice, "Vivian, let me return to my original point. Our lives are our own and so, I am formally asking to court you or whatever it is called in your era because there is no denying we see each other as more than friends."
She parted her lips to speak but Altaїr beat her by barreling forward with his self-disclosure wagon, "We've talked endlessly on this topic but it's time to end it. We've made love repeatedly and conceived a child from that mutual affection."
Her cheeks turned red at that blunt truth and quickly shushed him with burning ears before they were overheard. She didn't want him airing out their dirty laundry to their friends and he reassured her with a tight hug. Her lips frowned in burning embarrassment but he continued with a gentler tone, "All I think about is you and the thought of losing you pierces my heart. If you tell me I am stupid for being soft, I will carry on my way but we both know there is more to this attraction we feel. It has never been solely physical for us and you know that."
"I hate it when you make things into ultimatums" she grumbled under her breath and sighed to the truth because they were strongly attached to each other. She couldn't hide that anymore. Their bonds hadn't been broken when he traveled to Masyaf and learning of her miscarriage only reinforced that commitment to her. She didn't question what she felt because no other man would ever be in his shoes. Her hands wrung her gray skirt nervously as she took the plunge to free her heart and admitted reluctantly, "I ought to punch myself for caring about you like this. I should just board a ship and send you letters about what you'll expect and bid you adieu but I can't."
"What can I say? I'm a very alluring assassin" he joked half-heartedly since he was direct with most admissions but deep emotions was not one of them. He had struggled with vocalizing his emotions two years ago but she had allowed him to harness that ability. He was a private man, always would be, but she would be the one privy to those vulnerable parts of him. She never pushed him away when he was troubled and provided a shoulder to lean on when the burdens of life became too heavy. Brushing his nose against her temple, he whispered fondly, "I do care for you like no other and you admitted to me in Madagascar that you reciprocated. Feelings like that don't disappear-"
Vivian tried to evade once more by resurfacing one important factor in his life that she kept pushing him toward to maintain continuity, "What about what you felt for Maria? Wouldn't you like to rekindle that?"
"It wasn't reciprocated to my scale and you've never hesitated to deny you felt for me what I did for you" he pointed out clearly to her and watched her gaze quickly leave his to focus on her skirt again. He caught the hint of apprehension in her eyes but he wasn't going to lose this time. They hadn't survived what they had only to simply give up - at least, not him. There was nobody but her in his eyes and he stated knowingly, "We did not have that in common but we do have a gorgeous child. You were willing to stay here while pregnant and even though that plan was whisked away, you're still here with me. That is dedication and more on your part."
His lips met hers for a gentle but firm kiss to show what words couldn't and was satisfied when he felt the corners of her lips lift in a smile. She wasn't pushing him away or reciting a hundred reasons not to, clinching that victory for once. Was she finally accepting his affection again? Did he finally beat the stubborn heart of that little badger? His eyes bore into hers and she peered into the little flecks of gold that gave his eyes their honey hue. He pressed another soft kiss to her lips, causing her cheeks to flush for the affection, and proposed earnestly, "Be with me, Vivian."
Her green eyes widened to their fullest as she faced the same dilemma back in Quelimane. Except this time, they had surpassed the boundaries of friendship. Their affection resulted in a pregnancy that she had been adamant about keeping because of her respect and loyalty to him. She began her journey as a little ant trying to survive and keep out of his way, only to fall headfirst in love with him. She couldn't help but smile when his fingers combed through her mop of dark curls and he admitted humbly, "I am not a rich man, nor do I own any land, but my honor and devotion are yours. I will kill anyone that dares to harm you and I will do my best to provide you with a stable life. Once we return to Masyaf, I will give you a safe home."
She already felt at home beside her team after being torn away from her time and loved ones years prior. Time had only tightened their bonds and she would never hesitate to follow him into danger, even if it risked her life. She did not doubt his commitment to her but her main concern was altering his path in life. Maybe he was right and his game world in her time varied greatly compared to his own timeline. Maybe they were pawns of the ancient ones this whole time. Or maybe they would make a mess of everything. The main focus was ending the Templars and having him rejuvenate the Assassin's Order, not get into each other's pants. Still, she loved him . . .
"Yes. . .but if we ruin the space-time continuum, I'll kick you throughout the void" she answered nervously to what she was stepping into as she embraced him tightly. Her heart pounded furiously against her chest to the life-altering choice she was making, hoping lightning didn't strike her within the week. She didn't trust those ancient beings one bit, who knew if they controlled the weather? Her necklace would never grace her neckline after the horrible nightmare before her miscarriage. Her days were happiest at his side and despite the tumbles she'd taken through their adventure, he was her light. If their meeting was planned by beings of a higher nature, she would only think positively because he was her rock through the storms.
"I will welcome your company" he replied haughtily to the humorous threat and she managed a weak smile at his confidence. Only he could stifle her fears. His own heart had been beating erratically since starting the conversation but her agreement relaxed the poor muscle. Relief flooded him as she failed to fight him, conceding to the truth, and accepting him. He was triumphant in his quest to claim the one he loved as his partner and he assured her, "You didn't ensnare me intentionally so put that guilt out of your mind. We built what we have with an odd friendship that brought us mischief and embarrassment across an entire continent and I wouldn't change any of it."
"Even the brothel visit?" she joked gently to the one mission that left her shuddering and bathing repeatedly in the river. He had gone off to skewer a poor tree in a rage before finally hurling himself in the river to wash away the horrible day.
"We were both scarred that day so it sufficed" he stated bluntly to being touched unwillingly and brushed his thumb over her left cheek. She blushed at the gentle touch of his calloused fingers and he smiled with pride when her hand covered his. It appeared the little badger was emerging from her burrow. She had no reason to fear their affection, even after their setbacks. Encouraging that little flame, he comforted her worries with a soft tone, "Don't fear what will come, Vivian. I will not leave you and will keep you safe for as long as time allows me. You forget I am outstanding in arguing and a fine assassin."
Vivian's resolve ran out of steam to his last remark, smiling at his confidence, but Altaïr refused to change his mind. She would be his from now on and he would hear nothing else. Her head began to ache due to the lack of decent pain medicine and she admitted defeat to the man that apparently cared for her witty ways. Her inner fangirl was on her knees praising 'this one is not worthy!' but her logical side was forced to accept that he was hard to bend when determined. He noticed her wince before her hand left his to hover over the area he'd struck on her head. Still, she whispered with disappointment, "You worried me for a lifetime last night. Never travel alone again. Please."
"Get some sleep, Vivian" he uttered gently to let her heal appropriately and she smiled sweetly at him. He didn't want her to linger on his behalf and endure pain that he'd inflicted. No, she deserved to sleep comfortably in the safety of her tent. His thumb swept over her jawline with a gentle graze and he whispered, "I truly am endeared by you, little badger."
"So am I, but it doesn't stop the worry gnawing at me" she admitted softly with concern for their future but squeezed his calloused fingers to reciprocate his gesture. They had gone through a lot that day and needed to rest their minds to refuel. She loved him dearly and her heart could rest now that he was beside her once again. Sleep would come easy to her this time compared to the fretful previous night where she tossed and turned. Intertwining her fingers with his to squeeze them fondly, she whispered sweetly, "Sleep well, eagle man."
Altaїr drew her for a passionate kiss to bid her goodnight since he had spent several lonely months without touching the lips that brought a flutter to his heart. He had broken their unspoken rule earlier that day out of concern for her and did not regret it. He could finally call her his partner rather than skirt around her like a drunken honeybee now that she finally accepted him. Even now, he felt he was dreaming! For the first time, he was happy to have an honest relationship with a woman that wouldn't run off or attempt to kill him. Her affection was all he wanted and now that he had it, he smiled confidently to gloat proudly, "That should be enough to keep me strong for five more months."
She placed a hand on his chest to keep that pep from raising his ego as she laughed at his smiling face, "All right, to bed with you, Mr. Assassin."
He willingly obeyed to keep her happy, standing up easily to pop the joints in his back with a stretch. Leaning down, he held out his hand for her to take and she grasped it tightly with delight as he helped her up. She was dainty against him, using little force to pull her petite form alongside his. Vivian couldn't help but feel like a sack of potatoes when being lifted and pushed down burning embarrassment. Just how strong was this man? She squeezed his hand with gratitude before releasing him but her faint voice beckoned him, "Altaïr?"
Glancing down, her quiet voice removed his festive mood as her somber gaze met his and she whispered, "Thank you for never blaming me for the miscarriage."
"Of course, it wasn't your fault" he agreed instantly as her smooth face crinkled to suppress that forgotten pain and he embraced her close. The pain of losing their child still tore her heart, despite the passage of time, and she couldn't help but repeat history in her head. It was a healing wound that would never fade from her heart. She had overcome the grief but living with the aftermath was still a process for her. As the father, he would do whatever it took to keep her happy and he promised, "I will be here if you ever need anything."
"All I need is you, I always have" she whispered fondly with one last embrace and the two separated to return to their tents. He stood outside his sealed tent to ensure she made it safely inside, watching her huddle inside silently. A minute later, Altaïr abandoned his tent entirely to enter Vivian's out of worry for her. He should not have been such a worrywart and cursed his own softness but he loved her. What if something happened to her in the night and he wasn't there?
Vivian barely had time to move her bed of blankets when she heard the tent flaps open and her alarmed gaze met his. She expected a random animal from the wilderness or one of those tribesmen poking their way through, exhaling in relief as he surprised her. He ignored the small glare sent his way for giving her a premature heart attack.
"I simply want to ensure you'll sleep on your uninjured side" he reasoned with raised hands to show he came in peace and didn't mean to scare her. He held no ulterior motives for seeking her except for overseeing her safety. It figured they would start a relationship and five minutes later, he managed to scare her half to death. Were romantic relationships meant to be easy or was his love life just chaotic? He stayed put at the front of her tent to avoid having footwear flung at him for trespassing and raised his hands peacefully to promise, "No ulterior motives."
She smiled bashfully at his reason because he had admitted to sleeping easier at her side. Their rocky relationship had officially shifted to one of romance and she appreciated his cautious nature. Frankly, she slept better beside him too during their Madagascar trip in comparison to recent months. She missed falling asleep beside his warm and shielding form and waking up his light snores or incoherent mumbles while she wiped away her spit trails. They were silly but fond moments for her to spend with the man she loved. Rather than sending him away, she slid over to one side of her spacious bedroll and patted the empty area to say, "Permission to board."
"I still would've boarded" he stated with a smart tone that led her to feign a glare for his forwardness. Was he looking to start the first badger-eagle war of Namibia? Quickly, he amended that mistake and pointed to the back of her tent to restate, "Over there to keep watch."
She held out her hand to beckon him into bed with an amused smile and he closed the distance to sit down. Untying his boots, he kicked them away before removing the outer layers of his robes. Vivian grabbed each piece before he tossed them carelessly to fold them neatly at the foot of the bed. Where had his finicky nature for organization gone? He quickly put an end to her helpful nature because she was there to heal, not put away his attire. She was his partner, not his maid. She pouted at being stopped, enjoying the familiar feel of his clothes, and admitted modestly, "I like helping. Otherwise, I feel like a stump."
"I can take care of it and I want you to be a stump right now" he humored her with a light smile and sighed with contentment when fresh air touched his skin. He had to figure out a way to make their robes more breathable or everyone would dehydrate in the desert. Vivian smiled tiredly at his relaxed expression and leaned over to kiss the apple of his cheek for the care he was showing. She released the tension in her shoulders at being cautious with her affection, diving headfirst into their relationship. She would not hold back the affection he very much deserved. He returned the kiss affectionately and grabbed the covers so they would be closer to her reach.
Settling onto her uninjured side, she curled up into her fetal position to sleep soundly. He watched her wiggle comically into a comfortable angle and felt as if the world had finally given him a gift. She had accepted him into her life without a fuss and he wouldn't take that for granted after fighting relentlessly for it. He laid down next to her on his back to allow her freedom because the badger might have allowed him into her burrow but it didn't automatically mean snuggle time.
They had shared a tent before in Madagascar to spend what they believed were their last days together. Now, there was no time limit and they openly accepted each other. He didn't know how to bring an end to their night and awkwardly told her, "I . . . I love you?"
"I love you too" she chuckled softly as she watched him pout slightly to figure out what to say. They didn't need a bedtime routine for their first night together and she patted his arm with sympathy. He smiled with silly internal glee when she snuggled close to his side and he pulled her form close to his chest. Her green eyes met his honey gaze with adoration and she smiled sweetly to say the words for him, "Sleep well, my strong eagle."
With the new piece of Eden in his hands, Altaïr tried to understand its ability. He realized that the pieces held deep within the sacred temples were stronger than others found in abandoned places. The staff of Hermes and the Apple of Eden were the strongest in his arsenal while the others dealt with memory. After they settled into camp, he would meditate with the new crystalline skull to delve into its secret abilities. Vivian found it rather creepy that it resembled a human skull but Malik offered whether an alien skull would fare better. Either way, they left him alone in his tent to tinker with the item.
The clear glass of the skull absorbed the heat of his hands, eerily resembling a warm face without skin, ears, and a nose. Trying not to think of all the horror stories that Vivian regaled them with at night, he kept his mind clear to bond with the ancient technology. He would not be deterred by the strange appearance of the item and sat still in the center of the tent. Sometimes, the connection did not take long but other times, it would threaten his patience when his legs became numb.
This time, the new item and the universe decided to hand him a freebie by connecting to his mind.
The faint pink glow behind his closed eyes disappeared into a white haze that erupted in bright light seconds later. His familiar tent disappeared for a large white room that was littered with metal desks that held moving paintings. They were too blurry for him to determine what people around him were surveying but they wore the same pale colors of the room, ranging from white, cream, and light brown. It reminded him of the rooms of the temple in Madagascar but active with thriving people. He recognized two of the strange beings standing before him from glimpses into Hermes' memories back in the temple. This time, however, he was in control of his perspective and movements unlike that dreadful encounter.
Minerva stood in front of a taller man, the one he remembered as Jupiter, who glanced at the dark-haired woman intently as he asked, "Is your Project 7 ready?"
"Almost. 95% completion" she answered swiftly with the latest data and handed him a sleek silver rectangular device. The taller man swept his gaze over the thin contraption, as if reading it, and Altaïr wondered just how advanced this species was. Their architecture was advanced when compared to early human civilizations, which mimicked the creations of their apparent creators. If they were capable of tinkering with creating life and time itself, how were they not able to protect their entire world? Did that mean they never traveled the stars? He wanted to reach out to touch the strange machinery surrounding him but stopped himself short when she continued, "Hermes is on Project 10 and Apollo on 12. They will soon be ready for first trial runs."
"Juno tells me you are not disclosing your progress" the man stated aloofly, returning the rectangular device, and crossed his arms in unasked question. Minerva shifted in her posture, glancing away to gaze at the object to brush her fingers across the flat screen.
"I do not trust her" Minerva spoke frankly about the other woman and pointed out easily, "She seeks to control too much."
"She is one of our top scientists and we can't afford to be picky" Jupiter stated matter-of-factly with a superior tone that automatically implied to Altaïr that he was in charge. Vivian informed him that Minerva appeared to be the most intelligent, given her appearances to his descendants, but after his meeting with Hermes, they were unsure. Now, the question became who was truly in charge of not only their ancient race but preventing the cataclysm that destroyed them?
"I would rather let the world burn than trust her hands in my projects" she stated resolutely to her commitment to her own endeavors. The protective edge to her voice must have run deeper in the unknown dynamics between the two females and Altaïr had no idea how to interpret that. He had very little information on the species and each of their high-ranking members. She gripped the flat contraption tightly between her fingers, raising it as she claimed coldly, "They are unethical and contrast my own work. I refuse to needlessly sacrifice for power."
"We have to work together" he reminded her calmly to gain common ground but Minerva shook her head vehemently.
"I am working well with the others" she explained matter-of-factly with a thin-lipped smile of restraint. Jupiter's insistence that the women collaborate was not landing positively with Minerva. Altaïr wondered if her remark was true since the others had been upset with her after the planetary catastrophe occurred. She carried guilt in that old scene but he assumed there was a reason she refused to activate the device, the Eye. She was an interesting figure he hoped to learn more about and heard her retort bluntly, "Can you blame my trepidation in accepting someone who firmly believes humanity should be mindless drones when my workforce includes them?"
That was a pretty good reason for him. There was discord apparent among the species on how they viewed humanity with Hermes, Vesta, Isis, and Minerva being on the positive spectrum. Both species were fresh from ending an interspecies war so wounds were fresh but for him, endless eons had passed with humanity thriving. Jupiter's voice reverberated through the room when he ordered, "Find a way."
"We can communicate through the Orbs" she stated coolly to maintain professionalism and nodded to her superior. No matter what she said, the order was given to enforce teamwork between the two. When the fate of the world was concerned, teamwork was nonnegotiable to survive. Given that both individuals survived, peace may have been temporarily breached. Then again, Hermes had not hesitated to inform him that civilians were the heavy casualties from the cataclysm. Altaïr couldn't help but wonder if these Orbs were the Apples based on their round appearance. Were they used for communication despite wielding massive power over humanity? Did they have multiple purposes?
Minerva intruded into his thoughts when she spoke politely agree to Jupiter's request, "We do not need to work face-to-face . . . but then again, it would allow me to keep a close eye on her."
Jupiter shook his head to dissuade any suspicious activity but Altaïr agreed that Minerva's plan was cunning. If you did not trust someone, keep them close with extreme vigilance. Given the size of the gargantuan room, one had to monitor a potential enemy in a short distance. He could not fathom living among an ancient race and wondered what their culture was like, what drove them, and their ideals for the world. How different were they than the first humans that revolted? Like humanity, there was clear divergence among the members as he continued studying them and heard Jupiter bark another order, "Do not start altercations."
"I am not a fighter but if need be, I can summon Diana" Minerva assured with a small amused smile at the threat of violence. Most of the scientists Altaïr met were of average build with no muscular physique unlike the others he saw such as Diana and Mars. He could handle brawn but intelligence was frightening in the wrong hands due to its potential to destroy. If these beings could fight, how more physically advanced were they than humans? Minerva waved a hand to dismiss any suspicions of espionage and assured, "You need not worry, my entire focus is on protecting this world from surviving this cataclysm."
The room disappeared yet again in a white haze and his vision returned to the interior of his tent. The entrance flaps fluttered lightly against the afternoon sun but he noted there were heavier shadows now. How much time had passed? No matter, time kept flowing and it would only end when his life returned to the earth. For now, he had to continue onwards and yawned lazily as he tucked the item away in his knapsack. Unfolding his legs from his cross-legged position, he groaned miserably at the painful prickles that ran down his legs as they numbed effectively from his inactivity. This was worse than connecting to the pieces of Eden!
He rejoiced when the sharp pricks faded into comforting sensation once more and he was able to stand. Testing out the strength of his lower limbs, he took one step forward and praised the sky when he didn't fall flat on his face. Time to go! Upon exiting his tent, he spotted Vivian stand up instantly at noticing his presence. He tried not to smile at her rapt loyalty as she ditched her chores for him. Bashir groaned at the soup splashback when she carelessly tossed in a bowl of diced vegetables. Malik gently chastised the two for behaving like children and continued stirring their rabbit stew for the night. For once, they had plenty of meat in the soup so they would eat well that evening. Vivian wiped her hands on her gray skirt, eagerly awaiting news, and asked quickly, "Any breakthroughs?"
"Old conversations between those beings" he answered simply, still confused by the communication between the ancient race. He was still trying to determine if they were an original race of the planet or whether they came from the stars. Vivian had helped guide him to the truth that humanity was created by them, which was confirmed by Hermes. He still had no idea what the point of life and death was but he refused to ponder about death. If it happened, what could he really do about it? Everyone was mortal.
Malik snapped him out of his pensive thoughts with a whack of the spoon against the iron pot and asked, "Anything that can help us?"
"They distrusted a being called Juno" he explained carefully as he tried to piece together who each of the top-ranking individuals of their society were. He kept their names in his journal, along with discerning features, and this particular name kept repeating. While Ezio engaged only with Minerva, he had only interacted with Hermes and Isis with other glimpses into their lives shown by the items. He still had no idea what their endgame was after the apocalyptic destruction of both their kind and humanity. Why did they still linger? Were they still in existence or a different form of consciousness after death? It baffled him and he told them with blunt honesty, "Should I count them as an ally guiding us or a harbinger of death?"
"It is best to remain neutral and find out more" Malik advised on treading cautiously with the information granted by the devices. Who was to say they were being truthful? And if they were, how would unveiling those truths help or cripple their cause? Were they fighting a losing battle or would they gain an advantage by it? Just how many pieces would they need to find before they had the entire picture?
"I agree with him" Vivian spoke up quietly since she did not trust Juno, given her track record in the recent games and recent times. There was a cold edge to her demeanor compared to the other ancients, especially after being heckled by Hermes who gave zero cares. She didn't trust her but then again, were any capable of being trusted? They created humanity to do their bidding so who was to say they held their best interest at heart? It was too early to tell what they wanted or their end game with Altaïr's bloodline, leading her to say, "You witnessed discord among them but we have to determine what their aims were."
"Do you think we're capable of grasping what they were?" Bashir asked uncertainly because they were dealing with advanced technology that had never been witnessed. It bordered on heresy and sorcery! Even he was wary to tinker with it if Altaïr asked it of him. These were beings of tremendous power and if they still existed, how would their people fare against them?
"They were still killable then and I'd like to think we're a bit advanced now" Altaïr stated coldly because they could die so they weren't entirely immortal. They might just happen to have a strong arsenal of weaponry that outmatched humanity. He required more observations of the beings but his mission was procuring the pieces of Eden. The ancestors of humanity built tenacity and a hardiness to survive in them so they would tackle any further oppression if that was their ultimate goal. Turning to the historian of their group, he added in, "Also, we have you."
Vivian did not want to be a stick in the mud of time itself more than she already was but he stated frankly, "Even you don't know the whole truth behind them in your future time so you'd only be aiding us."
"Take a break, you were gone quite a bit in the tent with no food or water" she advised carefully because starvation would only cripple his energy reserve. The pieces of Eden absorbed energy like a parasite and she hoped he was receiving the answers he sought. However, he returned with more questions every time he used one and there were instances where he had no answers. She didn't want anything to do with the technology anymore, refusing to be near its vicinity. Even her necklace had been packed away in her pack for safekeeping.
Taking a deep breath to inhale the fresh air running through the camp, he asked aloud with curiosity, "Is dinner ready?"
She chuckled softly at his fancy to please his palate, not blaming him at all, and answered warmly, "Not yet. Still boiling."
"I'll tell you when it's ready" Malik pointed out bluntly since he took over the meal planning now that he had enough assistants to help. Bashir and Vivian worked well together while Altaïr demanded his sustenance. He should have taken issue with that but his friend was incapable of cooking without inducing salt overdoses.
"I do enjoy that it's cooler here than the southern interior" he remarked with relief at the cool winds breezing through their camp at night. He was happy not to sweat incessantly during the entire night and wake up with a gross layer of oil on his skin. Even more so, he was glad not to douse himself in the river more than once a day to be comfortable. They were closer to the sea now and only needed to keep heading north to find the nearest port to charter a boat. It was a perfect balance between the cold wet nights of Madagascar and the hot days of Egypt. Just as the lands varied greatly in geography, he had changed greatly between those two travels and smiled at her, "Not as bad as the cold nights in Madagascar."
"Remember the Madagascar dance?" she smiled giddily and proceeded to reenact her crazy butt wiggling dance. He was ready to chastise her silly behavior until she grabbed him by the hands to sway his movements. There was nothing she wouldn't do to cheer him up. She smiled at avoiding a lecture when he frowned and continued moving his arms to inspire some dancing moves. After lacking in seeing her have any fun after Madagascar, he indulged her innocent joy. So, he allowed her to do as she wished while he tried to appear mildly annoyed and earned a disappointed groan from her, "C'mon, wiggle those hips."
"Vivian, I do not dance" he nagged with feigned displeasure as he watched her move and with great reluctance, pulled her behind her brown tent. Their friends humored them by complaining at being denied a hilarious scene while they tended to the food. Bashir frowned with disappointment since he wanted to catch their grand master of all people dance and determine whether he was humanly capable of it. Malik, however, merely let the couple be and flicked a stick towards the youngster. They couldn't risk their caught rabbits from being charbroiled and losing their flavor.
Tucked away in privacy behind the tent, Vivian smiled brightly when he willingly swayed his arms with hers and Altaïr pointed out, "I don't want to imitate a little monkey."
Granting him the right to maintain his dignity, she decided on a simple dance. She moved her feet in the classic square that was the basic for a small waltz dance step. Looking to him for approval, he agreed since it didn't require outrageous movements that would question his sanity and mimicked the strange steps. What kind of dancing took place in her time? This was somewhat decent but others made him question his sanity. She allowed him to lead the dance by repeating the movements and smiled widely, "I didn't think I'd get the great Altaïr to dance with me in a lifetime."
"You wouldn't if you were any other person" he agreed matter-of-factly as her hands slipped over his broad shoulders and he grasped her waist. He loved stealing small moments with her during the daytime since they were always on travel mode. The night was the only time they could enjoy each other's company and speak privately like a couple. Bringing her closer, his nose brushed against her left temple as he admitted quietly, "I want to see you happy and I will do anything to make it true, especially after the year we've faced."
Her hands lowered to embrace him by the waist, hugging him with a sappy smile, and he enveloped her in an embrace. They swayed quietly in the simple sidestep while he wondered what kind of strange dances people in her time held. If he was transported to her time, would he survive a day without landing in jail? It was best not to think about it. Vivian was simply happy to have the man she loved by her side and preened innocently, "But you don't dance like a monkey?"
"Never. . .only if you're in the middle of giving birth and wine has not numbed you" he compromised since he cared for her immensely and wouldn't allow anything to happen to her. Vivian snickered before placing a hand over her mouth to conceal a laugh. She gave him brownie points for the comeback and laughed even harder at seeing the mischievous twinkle in his eye. He kissed the apple of her right cheek to convey his loyalty to her and asked softly, "Better?"
"Much" she agreed serenely and rose on her tiptoes to pull him into a gentle kiss. He was her rock and shield through every hurdle thrown at them, never wavering in commitment. She didn't want him to exhaust himself into the ground and would use humor to break his inner turmoil. He already dealt with enough so she would drive him silly to relax that tension away. Cracking a sly smile, she asked innocently about bragging rights, "Do I have permission to boast about this little dance?"
"Absolutely not" he smirked confidently since she'd eagerly declare it to the world so it would serve as their little secret. Vivian chuckled softly to abide by his choice or risk being chased all over camp like old times. Though they bickered incessantly, she missed the innocent view of the world she held compared to her current viewpoint. She finally understood why he behaved the way he did when everyone could be an enemy and anything could be a deathtrap. He dipped his head to kiss her one more time and she returned the chaste kiss, smiling widely when he whispered, "I do treasure you and your mischievous ways."
"Remember that if I happen to stay here for the rest of time" she pointed out nervously to his confession and hugged him fondly around the waist. Neither of them knew how their story would end but she hoped to stay by his side just a while longer. They would not be wealthy, safe, or eat well on a daily basis but they were able to live a simple little life together. She would not fault him if he decided to end their relationship one day because she was still an anomaly in his time. Still, she was happy for every minute at his side and told him with enthusiasm, "I can't complain about having Altaïr the Terrible at my side."
"Terrible?" he repeated with distaste to the awful nickname and his hold loosened around her waist. How dare she grant him an embarrassingly pitiful name?
She grinned mischievously at his annoyed frown and offered another cheeky alternative, "Bodacious?"
That was worse than the last! He had no idea what her gibberish meant more than half the time. She chuckled softly at his open dislike of her nicknames and pretended to ponder before suggesting, "Badass?"
His face continued scrounging more with embarrassment from each suggestion to the point that he looked like he'd swallowed a lemon. What hideous names was she throwing at him? Where was the pride in being the partner of a Grandmaster? Why would she submit him to this torture? He would sooner eat his robes than be called that. Vivian relented to grant him some pride with her random nicknames and smiled, "Mighty?"
He snapped his fingers to do away with more guessing games and stated bluntly, "Let's agree with that one."
"Altaïr, the Mighty, it is" she grinned with a little devilish chuckle that didn't settle well for him. Was she going to call him that every day or in every conversation? His eyes narrowed suspiciously at her but this only caused her to burst into laughter. The natural sharpness in his eyes gave him an offended look that only strengthened with his indignant frowning. She waved her hands to calm herself down before her voice echoed across camp.
"You're making a song, aren't you?" he asked flatly to the inner workings of her mind and she nodded vigorously. She was creative in her ploys to infiltrate and survive but he still did not understand her affinity for singing. He loved her dearly which is why he was honest about her off-key shrieking . . . that, and to save his hearing. Bashir was slowly being pulled into her malevolent web of singing shenanigans but he was swift in ripping that to shreds. They were a band of assassins, not singing bards.
"I can't wait to read it" he told her with a triumphant smile and she pouted at his brilliant word play. She had to stay on top of her toes to keep up with his sharp banter. He had a decent grasp of English writing while she was still lost in limbo with Arabic. If she attempted to write in his native language, she would more than likely leave a travesty of words.
She jabbed his chest with her finger for being denied musical entertainment and smirked, "You're lucky you're handsomely lovable or you'd be seeing my dust trail."
He didn't argue when she pulled him by the front of his robes for a kiss.
Time healed all wounds for Vivian and Altaïr as the group carried onwards towards the western coast to find a port that would lead them north on a ship. Everyone had restrained Altaïr from using the scepter to send everyone back to Masyaf in a moment of weakness. They didn't know how that object worked and simply because it brought them back to Quelimane, it didn't mean it would continue to do the same. Altaïr grudgingly obeyed the defiant democracy in his group and led them onwards to the nearest port.
His woes of the heart had disappeared since the night Vivian accepted him as her unofficial suitor but she refused to use the word. She had chosen him as her partner due to their traveling origins and wandering lifestyles so he had accepted it. He was a happier man for it since he had been adamant to ensnare the historian and enjoyed her easygoing nature, especially when they sat together at night to discuss the history of other cultures. He couldn't know about his future but they focused on the present to give the future a fighting chance. For that, he was grateful.
As they approached the western coastline, he decided to permanently share Vivian's tent after discussing it with her. Vivian was quick to playfully remind him about no hanky panky but she agreed with him, missing his presence at night. She was tired of bearing lonely nights after sharing a sleep mat in Madagascar with him. He was a protective and comforting spirit that soothed hers during the vulnerability of pitch-black darkness at night. She missed his snoring and familiar scent of leather and spice, especially when she bid him goodnight after their nightly chat under the stars.
He had tried being subtle about it but one of their team members could not help but point it out after dinner one evening.
Bashir noticed one missing tent around the campfire that night and couldn't help but ask aloud, "Where is Vivian's tent? Did she forget to make it?"
The historian was nowhere in sight since the lack of buzzing bugs and the quiet night lulled her to head to sleep on time. The others lingered behind to partake in their hobbies and conversation under the moonlight and illuminating glow from the campfire. Mainly, it was Bashir chatting away while Malik tried to journal about his travels and Altaïr tried to figure the strange names of the constellations. He was yanked out of his thoughts about simply renaming the heavens himself by Bashir's random question. Frankly, he hoped the lack of her tent would be ignored since they chose to keep his to share due to its sturdiness.
"That's a good question" Malik wondered since he was used to the familiar four tents around the campfire. He didn't want his unofficial sister wandering off out of curiosity and becoming lost in the forest. That theory was doubtful since she told them she was retiring for the night rather than exploring in the dark. Then again, she could become easily distracted by small and cute animals wandering through the grass on the way to her tent. Briefly closing his book, he looked to Altaïr to ask uncertainly, "Did she wander somewhere? It's not safe at this hour."
Altaïr merely kept watching the stars overhead, noting a shooting star flicker across the horizon, and shook his head to state quietly, "She's asleep."
Bashir blinked with confusion since he spotted his tent, Malik's, and Altaïr's. His tent was empty and he assumed the same for the dai. By the power of deduction, that only left Altaïr as the last hiding spot. For Malik, it was easy to conclude that the two had decided to cohabit to save on the workload of setting up both tents and approved since both his friends were happier nowadays. Unfortunately, Bashir remained innocently lost to the history between the two and scratched his head to ask, "But she's in your tent, she must've mistaken it-"
"No, her bearings are correct and so are mine" Altaïr replied matter-of-factly to silence further questions. His private life was his problem, nobody else's. Malik nodded silently at the confirmation of his theory and promptly returned to writing in his book. In the past, he nagged the two on their naïve emotions but now, he let them be since they were stronger together than separately. They had also matured enough that they didn't drive him insane. He wanted to finish the last paragraph before bed since he didn't approve of using a lantern inside a tent because they attracted buzzing insects – not to mention, a fire hazard.
And that was the end of Vivian's missing tent.
Bashir felt bashful for unexpectedly intruding into Altaïr's private life and whispered to Malik, "I didn't know they even regarded each other in such a way, they're rather subtle."
"They were more discernible months ago but they are private people, especially Altaïr" Malik commented since he'd seen the happier months shared between the two until departing Madagascar. The awkwardness after that fiasco continued but Bashir was none the wiser since he had not experienced their interactions. Now, he utilized the boy as a human shield from their crazy hijinks instead of being pulled into it.
Altaïr's acute hearing picked up the conversation as always and was rather pleased that his sentiments weren't out on display for the world to see. He would absolutely abhor that and knowing Vivian, she'd hide under a rock for cover from embarrassment. Back in Quelimane and on towards Madagascar, it was apparent in his body language since he had never been more than four feet apart from her. He had not experienced the flux of emotions with any woman but her and she accepted him wholeheartedly. They were both emotionally and physically worn from the tumbles in their journey but they had each other.
He yawned quietly, calling it a night, and wiped his eyes with the back of his hands to release any tension from straining his vision. Standing up, he bid his friends a good night and left the two by the campfire to let them enjoy the calm of night. He strode to his tent and carefully parted the flaps to make sure nothing else accompanied him inside. Vivian's extra mosquito netting would help filter any trespassers and he shrouded the inside of the tent in darkness, the glow of the fire giving faint glow to the front. Vivian was already sleeping on her left side and he undressed from his outer layers to leave his breeches on while pulling out a sleeping tunic from his open pack at the end of the sleep mat to wear to bed. He was exhausted from traveling since they added two hours that day to reach the coast faster and quietly slipped into bed to find his partner. Vivian wore attire similar to his own sleeping garb with breeches and a tunic to protect herself from bites.
Her strange quirks delighted him and hoped she wouldn't leave him anytime soon, holding on to the idea that maybe . . . just maybe, she would stay with him in his world. The thought of being ripped away from her was agonizing and could relate to her own pain at losing their child. He embraced her from behind by the shoulder, accustomed to holding her after their boat ride to Madagascar and their intimate moments. It brought him a peace of mind from the stress wearing him down and he smiled when she rolled over to press a hand to his cheek as the faint light outlined him in the dark. For a few hours, he could release his duties as an assassin and live like a normal man beside the one he loved - minus a stable home. It was the most he could afford with his dangerous lifestyle and hoped Vivian wouldn't endure more pain throughout their journey. She wasn't made for an assassin life but she followed him loyally and bore each scar. He wished he had more to offer her to show how dear she was to him but Vivian never uttered a complaint. He was proud to say that they had gradually matured from their early days of quarreling and angry distrust.
Her soft voice released the tension in his shoulders when she preened playfully, "You didn't think I'd fall asleep without you next to me, did you? Wherever you go, I go."
"You didn't have to stay up for my sake" he whispered appreciatively and leaned down to kiss her good night on the lips. His nights alongside her had brought a new comforting aspect to his life as he became involved in a true relationship that didn't leave him wanting more or empty. It felt wonderful to be cared for and it gave him a glimpse into another life he could lead that wasn't shrouded in endless danger. The Assassin's Order was the only life he knew and he would stay for them but Vivian gave him the hope of attaching another role to his identity. He would not be restrained in being an assassin as his only role in life. He added another kiss to her forehead in affection and added in, "As long as you're here with me, I'm at peace."
"That's good to hear, you don't need to worry about anything at this hour- leave it all till tomorrow" she stated tenderly to dissipate rampant thoughts and snuggled closer to him, dropping her arm to his waist. Any unresolved problems that weren't an emergency could be solved tomorrow. Tonight, their minds would be clear and dead to the world. He deserved to go to sleep without a worry and she would gently drill that into his head. She would share the burden if needed and whispered with a loving smile, "Let's go to sleep like good little badgers all bundled up in warmth."
He chuckled softly as he pressed his forehead to hers and thanked the stars for having her in his arms. She spelled comfort and safety for him unlike anyone else and the sentiment was shared by her. Having her by his side filled him with content warmth he hadn't experienced in ages and he whispered, "Thank you for sharing my tent. My heart and mind are less lonely in the silent night now."
"As if I'd be anywhere else" she replied sincerely since his happiness fueled hers and she would make it work, even if she was defying the laws of time and angering people (and mystical beings) throughout it. She would see him to the end of his journey and whatever happened, hoped that none of it would tragically affect his future path. Those creatures could do whatever they wanted to her for disobeying their will as long as they left the man she loved alone and safe. Everybody from the past and future kept prodding his past for answers but she was here in the present to see to his well-being and encourage his efforts. She would not let him give up or let anyone harm him, squeezing him with a fond sigh to promise, "I'm always here for you."
He was silent for a moment as he dwelled on a current problem and decided to admit it since she never laughed or criticized his fears. Taking a quick breath, he took his own leap of faith and muttered flatly, "I don't want to travel by boat again. It was absolutely dreadful the last time and we'll be on a longer trip this time."
She rubbed circles over his back to soothe his inner turmoil on another boat ride and assured, "I'll take care of you. If I see that you're too ill, we can jump ship or use one of your POEs to find a solution. Sleep would help you tremendously but we're lacking alcohol since it's for medicinal use only out there. We'll find a way to make it tolerable, okay?"
He sighed softly since he couldn't escape the trip without adding more time to their journey and increasing danger from humans and wildlife. That would be a coward's way out and his friends deserved better than to trudge through more desert and bug-ridden lands. Just as his friends threw themselves into uncomfortable situations for the sake of the mission, so would he. This time, he wouldn't be alone on a boat but with his friends to complain incessantly to. The last trip was bearable due to that but they would be traveling from the southern continent to the center before heading north again. It was a shame there were no rivers nearby to aid him and he mumbled, "I hope so."
"We will" she affirmed because she would take care of him every step of the way and pecked him on the lips to convey her word. He was a strong individual that could handle the worst of situations and she would keep reminding him of that. They would tackle another boat trip but it would bring them closer to the end of their journey. Darim still awaited his father back at Masyaf and she would drag him along through each storm to get there. She tried to lighten his mind with a joke by reminding him with a cheerful voice, "And smite our enemies. Didn't think I'd forget that part too, did you?"
He laughed softly to her enthusiastic words that kept him going and kissed her forehead with a fond smile, "You light up my life, Vivian."
"And you make living a dream in this harsh world" she replied earnestly to the inner strength he lent her and bid him goodnight. He needed as much sleep as possible to continue running their team at full speed and would not keep him awake longer. Wrapped in each other's arms, the two fell into a snoring heap of intertwined limbs.
A/N: Thank you for reading this latest installment! Altaïr and Vivian are finally going to give it a go at a normal relationship after numerous chapters of avoiding the topic like the plague. The quartet will be heading north in a new boat ride that will drive Altaïr bonkers to continue their search for the remaining POE's and get into more unintended mischief.
Thank you to Carelise682, storyreader900, and Wondeverett for your reviews!