Music Inspiration: Immediate Music- "Pandora" and Ramin Djawadi- "It's Almost Human of You"
Sinking of the SS Altaїr
Elizabeth Bay, Namibia
When the quartet arrived at the port of the future country of Namibia, their sole focus was chartering a ship north to Mali. They were quite out of place this far south from the Mediterranean Sea and Vivian wore her hood continuously to keep her face hidden. Having the taller Malik and Altaïr walk in front of her helped to hide her presence when wandering together. Bashir stuck to her side like a little brother which she appreciated, especially for her gender in that time period. Port cities were always busy and bustling with commerce so the Assassins found a charter quickly to leave within the day. For Altaïr, the sooner he left, the faster he would see land again. The boat would have stops along the way but they would be able to travel on one ship alone rather than hopping off at every port. The trip would take longer than the voyage to Madagascar since they would stop close to the northern coast so they purchased enough provisions to keep them fed between port stops.
None of the four felt comfortable when they gazed out at the cramped ship full of people as they lined up for entry. The trip to Madagascar had been in a large vessel that was suitable for a large group of people but it had not been congested. This time, they were going to be more cramped like sardines and Altaïr was unnerved at the long line for the small vessel. What was to stop it from bursting open over the water or having enough personal space to do as he wished. He hated sleeping close to anyone that wasn't Vivian and even she had to wear down his defense for that honor. Bashir, ever the optimist, smiled at the bobbing ship on the dock and encouraged half-heartedly, "It looks cozy."
"It's hot enough as it is" Altaïr pointed out with annoyance at tight crowds and lack of privacy. He enjoyed traveling the unexplored lands of the south for the boundless freedom they provided. Being isolated from civilization was a satisfying reprieve and he dreaded returning to human society once more. He simply was not a man designed for socializing and idle behavior, especially in crowds.
"I'm not fond of ships anymore" Vivian murmured as the floorboards of the deck creaked underneath her feet. She tried not to think about the depthless sea awaiting her below or the creatures lurking there. Altaïr gripped her left forearm to silently reassure she would be safe at his side and for himself as well. No matter how many sea trips he took, he would never enjoy them. Vivian, on the other hand, believed in his confidence and smiled with admiration, "Look at you, ready to tame the sea while I'm holding back. What a role reversal."
"Time changes us, for the better, I hope" he commented softly with a faint smile and she squeezed his arm with her other hand. They would watch out for one another and together, they crossed the boarding platform to move onto the top deck. He was not confident for this trip at all and his shoulders tensed immediately, tightening his grip on Vivian. Malik and Bashir were plain peachy as they analyzed their new environment for dangers and weaknesses, unafraid of the water. Altaïr bit his tongue on categorizing the entire vessel as a weakness.
The quartet weaved through the dispersing crowd of travelers to venture inside the lower levels via the main staircase. The creaking wood and unpolished beams only served to increase Altair's uneasiness, a twinge of old claustrophobia surfacing when he saw the empty lower deck where everyone would sleep. There were two levels as another staircase led even deeper but he refused to go any lower. He would not be foolish enough to trap himself in case anything should happen and decided to stay rooted on that floor. His first order of business was finding a perfect sleeping spot rather than sightseeing on the deck, so he tugged Vivian along. Malik withheld a sigh at his friend's quirks and watched the couple figure out where to sleep – close to the stairs, in a corner, by the beams, etc. If they were not on a boat, the two would appear to be shopping for land.
Altaïr suspiciously eyed the walls that held open windows and ordered his partner, "Sleep by my side, I don't want to roll away during the night."
Vivian highly doubted her partner would roll violently enough to be catapulted through a small window that could barely fit his midsection. Still, she nodded loyally to put his worries at ease. Malik dropped his travel pack on the floor to relieve his shoulders from the weight and lightly nagged his paranoid friend, "You're worse than a child when traveling."
Vivian chuckled softly at their banter and patted Altaïr's shoulder sympathetically. His eyes narrowed at the pity and he rebuffed her sympathy with feigned apathy. Instead of receiving more attention, he earned a playful punch to the bicep from her. Before he could retort for her unkind treatment, she yanked him forward to pull him away from their team. He expected her to ask about the nearest latrine with her sudden haste but she piped up about their false identities, "All right, we're married this time to rebuke suspecting eyes. I will be a chicken farmer and you, my spice trader."
"I don't know one thing about spices" Altaïr pointed out since he liked cinnamon but that was about it. What would happen if he randomly met a spice connoisseur onboard? How was he supposed to escape that situation? Not to mention, the arsenal of weapons strapped to his person. He would blow his cover within a minute! He motioned to his physical appearance with a wave of the hand and pointed out matter-of-factly, "I look more like an explorer, a charter of maps-"
"Cartography is my job" Malik cut in sharply at having his hobby stolen because he was damn good at it. The star maps could only lead them so far at night and they relied on landmarks during the day. The recruits and Assassins in Masyaf would benefit from the new maps he created during that long trip. Once they arrived in Mali on this ship, only another trek and a second ship would help them return home. They were closer now and the thought of home was welcoming after living in strange lands for several years.
"Fine, I'll be a laborer" he mumbled dully for his final answer and Vivian chuckled that they would find a suitable fake job. He was not eager to be creative in finding a fake job to socialize needlessly with other travelers. He kept to himself more than anything and shooed anyone away who dared to interfere with that choice. The only ones he couldn't fling away were Bashir and Vivian. They were more stubborn than barnacles on a ship! A sudden thought burst into mind to match his solitary nature and he proposed, "I could be a writer? Chosen to scope the land for a wealthy lord back home."
"There you go!" she encouraged with a smile and chuckled to his imaginary success, squeezing his arm. He couldn't help but inherit her contagious cheer, happy with her old infectious attitude. Smiling had never been his fancy but ever since Vivian popped into his life, a flurry of emotions had sprung forth. At night, in their tent, he did not hesitate to be more expressive as his vulnerabilities were shared with her. He never worried about being rejected for his queries and experienced open arms with no judgement from her. She beamed enthusiastically for his benefit to let him live a little and fantasized, "I can't wait to talk about my little yellow hens and their brown speckled eggs. I've been meaning to change their food staple for a richer yolk, you know."
She was good.
The fact that she'd mentioned a specific word made him ask with amusement, "We're married?"
She faltered bashfully for the tongue slip when creating their personas since their relationship was still fresh. Their road had not been easy to reach this point but he never stopped his sentiments for her and she reciprocated just as strongly. Her mission was to keep him safe for as long as she could, even if it meant against the dangerous artifacts. She did not mean to skip ahead with her affection, averting her gaze to the nearest wall, and squeaked embarrassedly, "Well, I mean, we don't want to give a wrong impression and -"
"I'm merely teasing- relax" he assured her gently because he wasn't objecting to it at all. They shared a tent on land and settling into a relationship had been rather easy for them. After traveling together for years, they knew each other's quirks, annoyances, weakness, and strengths. Even their food choices were obvious when purchasing goods or hunting in the wild. In fact, all of it made him wonder how different married life would be between them. Would they change considerably? There was always the risk that she could be swiped away at any moment to return to her world and he dreaded that possibility. Vivian admitted to him at night that she wished to stay with him but the choice may not be up to them. Still, he managed to suppress those dark thoughts and humored her, "You are my little wife that misses her plump chickens."
She smiled widely with pride but fought the strongest urge to mimic the Pillsbury doughboy laugh from joy. An AC fan could only be so lucky and she felt like the belle of a ball. Sure, her robes had seen better days and her skin was itchy every time the sun blasted it . . . but it was worth it. He chose her despite her faults and she worked on quite a bit of herself but they grew together. She loved him dearly for his dedication to both his Order and keeping her safe so she had to return that same resolve.
"We met in the market of my city when you were selling eggs and we found each other as complete opposites" he began to attempt at spinning a decent tale fit for one of her stories. She subdued a grin at the sliver of truth about their cantankerous verbal battles but she ran from him more than anything. He was not the best at storytelling, leaving it to Malik, and continued to convince himself, "We argued about raising hens, egg laying, hen types, coops- everything. The more we fought, the more I realized how attracted I was to you. Eventually, you accepted me and we were married last year. I never regretted a single moment."
Her cheeks blushed a rosy pink at hearing their fictional tale but it was a bend of the truth. She had created numerous personas but this was the closest that struck to her true identity. His agreement to pretend they were married was also a silent invitation to assess the strength of their relationship.
Malik tried to pretend he could not overhear the couple since they all stood rather close while people trickled inside. They would not be escaping each other easily this time unlike Madagascar. He would be stuck closely to his friends again rather than having privacy, kissing it goodbye, and sighed aloud, "This will be the longest month yet."
"This is the most human emotion I've heard from him thus far" Bashir remarked with astonishment to his most emotional conversation in public. His mentor was stoic and rarely spoke in public outings compared to the small talk of their communal campfires. Unless he was being asked a question directly, Altaïr did not engage and kept to himself. The older man refrained from shooing the boy away when his eyes widened in admiration to the rare treat. This is exactly why he hated small spaces – everyone could hear everything!
Vivian did not want to air their figurative laundry any further and clapped her hands to evade, "Where do we settle in?"
"I pick the corner" Malik answered to protect himself from all sides and survey his new temporary home. No Assassin enjoyed cramped spaces, only tolerating it when necessary. Before he could toss his pack in the corner and claim his space, Altaïr crossed his path to protest the coveted spot.
"I want the corner" he proclaimed to stop Malik from approaching the corner at all costs. Vivian and Bashir simply traded a knowing glance and prepared for the next verbal spar. They found this more amusing than the silent treatment when one group member was upset with another. In most instances, it was started by Altaïr and ended by him when the lack of attention failed to produce positive results for his argument.
"You were too late at claiming it" his friend pointed out dryly at his slower reflexes and amusingly watched the other man's eyes narrow. It was far too easy to fluster his colleague when he was near water in comparison to other environments, wondering what torment occurred in his childhood. Had he been hurled into water or accidentally fallen in?
Altaïr crossed his arms defensively at the chide and shot back sarcastically, "I was in the middle of a conversation, you mannerless brute."
"Gentlemen, keep it clean" Vivian hushed the two before drawing attention since they needed to blend in, not fall into humorous petty squabbles. They could share in plenty of that when they returned to land. She was not eager to return to civilization after lowering her guard in sparsely inhabited lands. This would be the first step for reintegration into society so they had to behave accordingly to be ordinary and forgettable. She flicked her thumb towards the top deck and suggested flatly, "If you're going to fight, do it outside our new bed space."
The two men stared each other down dramatically while the younger two decided plop down on the floor to claim their own areas. Bashir did not mind being on the far end so he could chat with strangers and find new things about the world. Vivian was more cautious nowadays to prevent falling into snafus like years prior. Malik and Altaïr would corral the two to keep an eye from any slips and avoid any social mistakes. The dai relinquished his spot when realizing his friend was not budging from his spot and sighed dismally, "Fine, keep it. You'll whine incessantly otherwise and I prefer my sanity."
At this success, he grinned triumphantly for his win and tossed his pack carelessly onto the ground to claim his victory. Vivian sighed under her breath with dismay when realizing the dangerous POE items were stored inside. Malik shook his head at his friend's staunch determination to win and his eerie attempt at a smile. He had improved dramatically from the man at Solomon Temple and even more so after they left Maysaf . . . but Malik still couldn't help but joke, "Your smile is still terrifying."
Altaïr hesitated for a moment as he mulled over the comment because he did not want to appear easily approachable. That was more akin to Bashir and Vivian who welcomed anyone. He would always need to be vigilant of danger and approved of his unsettling expression, shooting back cockily, "Good!"
The first weeks on the boat made Altaïr's stomach summersault with every rough wave they struck. He expected the trip to be smoother heading north but without charts and zero naval experience, he knew squat. Not only that, he was painfully bored with nothing to do and he refused to watch the endless glittering sea that threatened to swallow him alive. His friends, on the other hand, were absolutely peachy. Even Bashir, who was on his first sea voyage, was excited to see every view of the sea – even if it was symmetrical and endlessly aligned to the horizon. The quartet kept to themselves in their chosen corner, eating their provisions when the provided food on the boat was not appetizing. It was a lonely voyage but they were glad to have each other to bask in that shared misery. At least, Altaïr was.
They would hold empty conversations about their false lives to entertain themselves. Bashir was the only one who maintained his inventor profession after failing to come up with anything else. Vivian decided to take him under her wing to show him the world of make believe, much to Altaïr's chagrin. When that failed, scribbling into their journals or reading a novel for quiet time would suffice for 'me' time. That is, until Altaïr decided to have a heaving session into the nearest bucket from his motion sickness. The trip to Madagascar exposed his one vulnerability but Vivian cared for him and he didn't doubt Malik would stab anyone that endangered him. When sightseeing became tedious, the group tried to play games with paper cards they tore from old paper.
"Can I give up now?" Altaïr groaned miserably as he waved his flimsy shreds of paper in the air with his right hand. Unlike his friends whom were sitting cross-legged and smiling at each other, he was lying flat on his back with a frown. He was not as enthusiastic about card games when his stomach waged an unholy war with the sea. He hated being brought down to his knees by water of all things and trusted his friends enough to vocalize it.
"We're halfway through the game on the first round" Vivian spoke gently to encourage him to focus on the game and distract him from the discomfort. She tried to nudge him every so often for his turn to keep him invested and helped him along so he wouldn't fall behind. He would join wholeheartedly when his head wasn't spinning but chose to lie down to modify his participation. She patted his lower left leg as she sat adjacent to him and to thwart any unwarranted kicking efforts if he lost. More often than not, he would simply throw his cards like confetti and imitate a pill bug.
"I have no energy to even hold the cards" he grumbled apathetically before waving them at her with a strong grip. His weak as a kitten routine was not being bought by anyone anymore after the first week. Malik had witnessed him kill a man with his bare hands despite bleeding profusely so holding pieces of paper was nothing for Altaïr. Vivian tried her best to be oblivious when he began fluttering the papers against her knee.
"Don't be dramatic" Malik chided his childish behavior since he regressed to being grumpier than usual when ill. He would not make his friend more miserable than he already was and would let him eat his own provisions to keep him comfortable. Traveling while ill was not pleasant and they had a long way to go before reaching the northern coast. Still, he wasn't going to let him milk the situation to escape boredom.
"Fine, I hate this game" he protested pitifully to remove himself as a player and handed Bashir his so-called cards. The young man was barely able to grasp the strips before they flew everywhere while Altaïr smiled faintly at his success of strategic withdrawal. Now, he could simply nap while they continued playing or found something else to entertain themselves with.
Malik took his complaints as a positive sign to his resilience and grinned to say, "That's better."
Vivian did not want to throw a stick into their game with his motion sickness and suggested to the others, "Why don't you two head upstairs to finish playing while I tangle with the wounded eagle here?"
Altaïr waved his left hand to dismiss his friends nonchalantly so they could continue their daytime leisure. He did not want them to be miserable for the month like he would be. Vivian shot him a dry look when he clamped down on her left hand to keep her locked in place. Did he really think she would bolt as well? She had not abandoned him before and would not start now. The remaining duo stood up to leave with their newly designed card game of scraps to explore the ship topside. Malik offered her one last chance of escape by advising jokingly, "You can always render him unconscious if you wish to join us."
Before Altaïr decided to brandish his hidden blade in rebuttal, Malik ushered Bashir away from their corner. The faster they left the two, the quicker he would recover and be asleep by the time they returned. Vivian playfully batted his leg for his petulant words but laughed aloud at his uncanny ability to clear a room. Even when he was not at 100% strength, he was still terrifying. She did want him to find peaceful hours on their ride north but the daytime and endless heat were the worst for him. The bright and unrelenting sun did not help with the rough bobbing when waves crashed against the boat. The glittering sea only aided in irritating his vision and the humid air only caused him to throw up more. At night, he was managing the dizziness by sitting topside to breathe in the colder air before retiring for the night. He and Vivian would sit together by the railing to watch the blue-black blanket of stars overhead while allowing the cold to freshen their sweaty skin. If only night could last for twenty-four hours but he accepted the peaceful nights with gratitude.
"I forget how cranky you get when seasick" Vivian whispered with a fond smile, remembering their trip on the Nile River. She had never seen him more infuriated and his inability to swim did not help that anger. He improved vastly since then and chuckled softly when he wiggled closer to her to lay his head down on her lap. Having a soft cushion for his head made napping easier and Vivian settled against the wall to rest alongside him. Her green eyes met his golden orbs to chide sweetly about his tantrums back then, "You tore into me terribly years ago."
"I can't . . . handle this kind of travel anymore" he admitted softly, closing his eyes to breathe deeply when the ship rose over a rough wave. She rubbed his head gently, weaving her fingers between his dark brown hair. She had nothing to use for his nausea after they left Egypt since the importation of foreign foods was nonexistent in the continent. He curled up against her to settle his stomach, seeking her physical closeness for comfort, and told her quietly, "We have to find a different route after this. The sea and I do not mix well."
"Try to sleep, I'll stay here for as long as you need" she comforted gently with a fond smile and tried to fan him with her free hand. Boy, she missed the technological era where stuff was shipped right to your doorstep. She would take a carrier pigeon or seagull at this point just to help him. She worried dreadfully during their trip to Madagascar and tried her best since she was fighting her own morning sickness. The drastic change in health also brought them closer together but she needed him to be stable. She couldn't relax until he was himself again and told him firmly, "But if you feel worse, use the scepter and head there by leaving Masyaf towards Morocco. I'll make up a good lie about you falling overboard."
He would survive the trip north, finding the lack of storms unlike the last trip helpful. The mission came first and he had to learn to adapt with the changes. She never left his side and he was grateful for that commitment, glad to have a partner for the first time in his life. The pieces of Eden were still mysterious and he did not want to risk being unable to return to them. He would remain trapped on the vessel willingly for his team to keep them all safe and whispered, "You are my sly little falcon. . . but I can't leave you."
"I thought I was a badger" she pouted humorously at the new nickname after proudly earning the first along the way. She did not make it easy at all for him and still felt embarrassed of her past behavior. No wonder he knocked her out when he was driven insane. What else could one do to a cantankerous badger? She was nowhere near an avian figure like him and declared protectively, "I brought a new name to the house of Hufflepuff!"
Altaïr groaned miserably at another of her futuristic jokes and sighed loudly with apathy, "I can't bear your mind twisters."
"Of course you can, you are the mighty chicken/writer man of our town" she shot back confidently about his fake persona but he never failed their team. He tolerated many great problems and tackled this mystery of the pieces of Eden without a single complaint. Survival was his goal through this entire journey for both himself and his team. They had already surpassed the three years he originally assumed for the journey and hoped they would finish it in two.
He patted her knee in affection, happy to have her beside him for as long as he could have her, and stated, "You've grown since you first arrived. You reminded me of a cornered badger on day one but now, you've more than earned wings to fly like a stealthy little falcon."
"Oh, I don't think I'll wander close to the dangerous eagle roaming the skies" she drawled innocently and smiled brightly as the glimmer in his eyes warmed. Everything she learned on this journey only solidified her stance on assisting his Order, never joining it. The dedication and skill required for it was beyond her capabilities, so she was happy to be a land-roaming badger. He was her admirable hero and she would follow valiantly to support him, admitting quietly, "I respect and care for you too much to wander the height. You are the one I am in awe of, I will never intrude into your territory."
"This eagle won't mind the company" he replied charmingly but sighed at her when nausea struck, demolishing his brief flicker of confidence. Curse the sea and whatever created it! He could never be at full capacity to destroy his enemies in such a dreadful environment. He counted his blessings that Vivian didn't abandon him because Malik didn't hesitate to nudge him aside like a pair of old shoes. Otherwise, he would be miserable and wallowing in rage on the floor, hoping there were no rats abound to bite him. He closed his eyes with a dramatic sigh to declare with disdain, "Although, at this current moment, I am not in the best appearance for an eagle in his prime."
She chuckled sympathetically at his woe, trying not to be amused by his annoyed facial expression, and whispered, "You're the best looking eagle in this sea, my friend. Besides, when did you care about your appearance? Don't tell me the great Altaïr has turned vain."
He tapped the underside of her chin affectionately and smiled faintly, "No, that hubris left me years ago. I am content with who I am and look forward to what my future holds. Our future."
She was proud of his progress towards the wise Mentor his Order needed and hoped the choice they'd made wouldn't turn into a catastrophe. It always lingered in the back of her mind but as long as he was safe and happy, nothing else mattered. She would take care of him at his best and his worst to ensure he succeeded in revitalizing the Assassins. Nobody else showed such strict dedication to the cause and the only one who came close was already on their team. Their trip to northern Africa would not be quick but it was close to ending their entire journey.
"I'm still going to be a badger- a mighty honey badger!" she proclaimed proudly to keep their spirits high during a less ideal situation. Determination was all they had now on the wild open sea.
"It doesn't sound very terrifying" he commented dryly about the name and imagined a plump badger eating a cracked beehive full of honey. Hmm, it described Vivian exactly when she ate cheese! She tended to nibble on each piece and suck the crumbs off her fingers, always sniffing for more afterwards. If he hid any cheese, she would search his pockets for it! This brought a faint smile to his lips after their years of adventure, foraging for food, and running from wildlife.
Vivian feigned an offended pout at his sarcasm, happy to hear it, and explained confidently, "They're the most fearless and dreaded of badgers."
"Not with that name, they aren't" he scoffed amusingly because he would be tempted to poke one with a stick just to see that rage. He had already fought enough wildlife so what would another number be in his total count? There was already a list circulating among his teammates that started with Vivian from the first crocodile encounter. He was not looking forward to set a record on being the first man to tangle with the most wildlife across two continents. Vivian abstained from flicking his forehead and turned her gaze to the ceiling in silent prayer for his improvement, his voice chiding her, "Don't look away when I'm nagging you. It's all I have left right now."
With words like that, how couldn't she love him?
"I love you" she told him with an amused laugh and smiled fondly at him, free to do so now that they were alone. She still lived in the honeymoon phase of their relationship but always kept their affection in private. The passing days were making him miserable so it fell to her to make each one easier, if not tolerable. It was undetermined whether they would set off on another trip after they reached Masyaf but she hoped future trips wouldn't include moving water. She offered a soft squeeze to his right forearm and whispered, "I'm with you to the end."
"Infectious little badger" he murmured to return the sentiment and settled against her legs to fall asleep. The day was thankfully breezy which helped the couple breathe in their multiple layers and let him nap comfortably for a few hours. She would wake him when it was time to eat, leaving him undisturbed unless his stomach woke him up. Day by day, they would make the trip north.
Vivian built a barrier around their group's sleeping spot at the rear of the ship by using their packs. Altaïr didn't like the rolling waves that rocked the ship and the luggage helped to steady him when he slept while Vivian grew tired of jolting awake when somebody rolled onto her. She tried to use Bashir as a shield but when even he had been rolled onto to be squished, she decided to take matters into her own hands. Now, they were all safely encased in a mishappen circle of luggage to avoid being piled onto during the night.
"Don't worry, people won't crush you tonight" Altaïr reassured since her petite height caused people to mistake her curled sleeping form for a pile of clothes. After the last incident of being stepped on, she didn't hesitate to start kicking back at any offending feet. She smiled in the darkness and wrapped her arms around his right arm while he slept on his back to stay balanced against motion sickness. He glanced down at the mop of black hair settled on his shoulder, already aware she was smiling contently, and complimented, "I think this idea of yours will work."
"As long as you get to sleep well" she replied earnestly since he was her main concern and curled up against him. He was even more finicky about people touching him and she didn't want him brandishing any silverware at anyone in an enclosed space. Her team deserved to sleep comfortably and in privacy without having to be extremely vigilant of their surroundings. True, danger could lurk around somewhere but Templars were their most dangerous foes compared to a thief. She squeezed his arm lightly before reminding him matter-of-factly, "You are my priority and I promised to keep you well."
He squeezed her form with his right arm since he did not want her to forget about herself like she had on their last trip and assured, "You are and I will be looking after you . . . as best I can in my pathetic state."
"I know, my wounded eagle" she chuckled softly as he pulled her close until she was tucked against his left side. The motion sickness left him wanting to be alone and without blankets but tonight was different. Taking that as a positive sign, she stayed where he drew her and shifted comfortably to settle in for the night. Leaning over, she kissed him on the lips to steal a token of affection in the darkness and smiled, "I'll be just fine, I have you by my side."
His warm breath tickled her cheeks as he whispered, "I really do sleep better with you next to me."
"And this is where I'll always be" she assured tenderly and couldn't resist from kissing him again, glad to be of help while also worrying over his night's sleep. He was their leader and she would take care of him however she could. It was the most she could do with her abilities and being stuck at sea.
"The only fact pushing me forward is knowing that we are at the last two pieces of Eden" he murmured quietly on the last leg of the trip because he was more than ready to see Masyaf again. He was not comfortable leaving the Order alone for so long and being absent for Darim's milestones. The Templar threat was ever looming and although his team evaded them after Lake Victoria, the same could not be said for his brethren.
Vivian agreed with his opinion since the sea travel was a detriment to the assassin and they could not risk his health. The sooner they finished boat travel, the easier it would be returning to Masyaf. He had not divulged a future trip after the return home and she hoped they could stay rooted for a bit before diving into another adventure. She loved exploration but living the Middle Ages was not easy with the lack of technology, modes of travel, and food safety.
"If we cannot reach them, we must leave them to time" she advised him carefully to avoid a repeat of Lake Victoria. If he could not claim the piece of Eden due to the hazards of nature, it was safe to say the Templars could not. Geographical changes would occur but they would be long gone to the earth itself when that happened.
"I will keep my promise" he vowed to reassure her that those events would not repeat themselves. There were limits to his mortal life and he learned there was more to life than the mission – he had his team to protect. They would be lost without him, even if they scoffed at his claim. He would be better for them and leaned into her to state, "I am not the man you knew then."
"Nor am I the shrew you knew then" she joked impishly to break the solemn ice about their unknown future. His hands flew up to cover his mouth before the snickers turned into laughs that would worsen his unsettled stomach. Laughing also did not help the dizziness that sprouted from the ship's motion over rough waves. Tonight's trip was particularly rougher than the previous nights.
She cleared her throat to stifle her own laughter, wiggling closer to him to avoid having their conversation wake anyone else. Having to be lectured by Malik would be mortifying so they kept their words to whispers. Her fingers combed through his short hair with fondness before she suggested, "Let's get some sleep while we can."
He groaned miserably because every tumble of the ship lurched him out of slumber. There was no good sleep for him, unlike Bashir and Malik, whom were snoring away blissfully. Intermittent naps were the best his body could tolerate with the floating coffin. He pressed his back against the wall but wrapped his arm around Vivian's shoulder to keep her tucked close.
Malik had gotten up in the middle of the night after a sharp lurch of the boat to use the latrine. By that, it meant the sea. Vivian was the only one having a hard time by using the indoor latrine since squatting meant the heaving ship would smack her around everywhere. After conducting his business, he spent a few moments outdoor to breathe in the refreshing air of the sea. The blaring sun and humidity of the daytime did not allow him the comfort of the chill night air as the moon soothed the travelers with its comforting blanket of darkness.
What he didn't expect was the ship to dip forward from the bow. At first, he assumed he stepped erroneously due to his recent waking from sleep but the more he walked towards the stairs . . . the more the ship felt uneven. He was not comfortable with that sensation and if he felt it at the top deck, his cranky friend would no doubt feel the change in balance down below.
This is not what we need right now, he thought with dread at a potential crack in the vessel that was not being sealed.
There were no other answers for a ship leaning so carelessly into the ocean. With an investigative fire lit in his mind, he wandered below deck in the darkness with the moon's light being his only source of illumination. His friends were sleeping the second topmost deck and the sealed windows at night removed it as a source of the leak. Moving on to the next lower decks, he passed the next two levels without incident or catching the noise of running water.
Deducing that it must be in the lowermost levels, he crept silently through the stairwell until he reached the bottom of the ship. Mainly, cargo was stored here along with provisions. His feet, however, sloshed in water immediately up to his knees with cold seawater and the current flowing over his skin was not a gentle one. It pushed against him as it continued engulfing the bottom level of the ship, causing the dip forward.
He continued his search for the source in the darkness, keeping a mental trail of the way back to avoid becoming a casualty. If leaks were not stopped before the interior of the ship was compromised, they would capsize and sink. He had no qualms for his friends except his leader, whom was still an amateur at swimming. Now, they would be at the mercy of the ocean in the dead of night.
The sound of wood being struck drew him forward and he moved forward until he spotted faint illumination. Candlelight filled a small area of the left side of the bow where three men were trying their best to seal a rather large fissure that splintered the hull. The men currently led the ship so they were at least aware of the situation but they were not able to seal the gap with the sheets of wood in their hands. Furthermore, the rushing force of the water pushed them back whenever they tried to lean the horizontal planks against the sea. The water was quickly rising from his knees to his hips in the small span of time he had searched the area. This was not a good situation at all.
If three men could not seal the wall and the water was trickling in quickly with every passing second, the outcome was not good. He would not leave the travelers in the dark and turned away to swiftly return to the sleeping decks above him. Everyone had to fend for themselves during a sinking but he would at least give people a warning. To grant them time to find their bearings and plan an escape. His shoes skidded over the wood as droplets of water spilled onto the floor as he made his way, intentionally making loud movements and striking belongings strewn across the floor. It jostled people out of their sleep at his blundering steps and the gradual tilting of the ship was more noticeable when people began to slide left.
Malik continued the same path upstairs until he landed back on the last floor with his friends. Vivian and Bashir were still snoring away their exhaustion of the day but Altaïr was already sitting up in his corner. His eagle vision was already sweeping over the room as suspicion nagged at him upon waking. Seeing Malik scramble over to him in haste did not deter his previous sentiment, especially when he kneeled to begin shaking the others awake. Bashir groaned dejectedly as he slowly woke up, shifting onto his back, while Vivian muttered a similar groan but waved a hand to leave her be.
Before Altaïr could ask, the dai informed him quietly, "The boat is sinking."
That perked the two half-asleep members of their party as they exclaimed with alarm, "What?!"
Bashir practically leaped up from his spot, falling over in his haste with his mind failing to cooperate with his body. Vivian quickly wiped her eyes to knock sleep away as the image of rushing water was not one she wanted to see. Everyone moved swiftly to gather their travel packs before checking their footwear for loose straps. Splashing into the sea in the middle of the night was not a comforting thought and Altaïr snapped tightly, "I knew this boat was worse than paper! No boat should call itself a vessel if it can sink."
"This is no time for your dictionary definitions" Malik shot back hastily since time was of the essence. Hushed whispers and murmuring could be heard before people began trickling upstairs with their valuables to head topside. Guess the memo had finally reached the rest of the boat. He did not want to get caught up in the throngs of crowds on the top deck, signaling the trio to move with haste.
"I think it's a perfectly good time!" his friend disagreed stubbornly to pent out his frustration with the situation. He did not want to swim anywhere right now but he was stuck with no other option. If the ship was sinking, there was nothing he could do to stop that. He slapped his travel pack onto his back to strap it down tightly and pointed out, "Because now we have to find an actual floating device!"
"What can we possibly use for it?" Vivian asked uncertainly since improvisation for a boat was nonexistent out there. They were far too archaic for lifeboats and the dead of night meant they would be left to the elements until sunrise . . . if they survived.
The ship rocked violently against the waves as it failed to cut through the water as it continued rotating downwards. People were moving in rapid haste now and the team assumed water had fully breached the lower levels. There was an obvious incline heading to the top deck and Altaïr was in no mood to have water swallow him whole. He grabbed Vivian's right arm to keep her close as he moved towards the staircase and ordered swiftly, "Come to the deck with me and I'll get a large piece of debris so you can swim."
She was more worried for him since he was the weakest swimmer of them all. Although he practiced whenever he could to improve his skill, this was his first true test against open water. He tried not to dwell on that upcoming feat since he had to ensure his team's safety first more than his own. Placing Malik at the head of the line, he weaved the team through the crowd of people rushing to the top deck to escape. Higher ground meant temporary safety and it would grant them a better idea of how to escape. They needed a flotation piece to reserve their strength when swimming, especially Malik. The dai, on the other hand, was more concerned about the younger two, and told them carefully, "Make sure not to get caught in the pull of the water."
The quartet struggled to reach the top deck, grasping tightly onto the railing when the ship inclined further. At this point, they were walking uphill. Several yelps and cries of panic set in since the steepness of the stairs was not easy for the incapacitated or elderly. Vivian and Bashir traded a worried look, trying not to dwell on those who may be trapped in the water and could not venture out in time.
Altaïr did not give them much time to ponder about it when he pushed them onwards. It was not meant to be a rude gesture but more of haste to get them out of danger. A swim outside was far easier than swimming throughout a ship to escape into the ocean. It was an immediate death sentence and not one he would risk for his friends.
Just as they reached the wet floor of the top deck, the boat lurched forward and to the left side from the heavy intake of water. The companions slammed against the rails but kept a tight hold as they managed to escape to the top without sprains. Soreness and bruises would leave but one's life was priceless. Altaïr quickly got to work by sweeping his gaze across the chaotic deck to find anything worthy for his friends to use. Two pieces would be enough to divide between them or a rather singular large piece. People were using pieces of crates and windows, tearing them apart for any usefulness. Others tossed their belongings first before plunging into the water to escape the sinking vessel.
Vivian had never experienced anything like this in her life but traveling with the Assassins brought a huge round of firsts for her. Her palms were sweaty and clammy from fear of the unknown once she left the ship, her heart hammering away. What if she separated from her team? How would she find them in the dark or hear their voices above the chaos of frantic yelling? Her hand instinctively clutched Altaïr's forearm to keep him close but he was focused on ensuring their survival, slipping out of her grasp.
"Let him work" Malik reassured her concerns since they were all on edge right now. He had expected to sleep decently instead of swimming for the nearest coastline. While his friend continued assessing the ship's structure for decent buoyancy materials, he kept his gaze on the stars overhead. They would be the key to finding his way through the sea to the nearest land mass for safety. He had traveled enough to recognize the movements of the constellations and had drawn their yearly changes enough to sketch them into memory.
Altaïr used his hidden blade to cut the metal hinges on a door to a small storeroom. Ripping it with sheer force to tear it clear off its constraints, he showed it off for his team with a confident grin of success. It would be large enough for them to hold onto as they swam for safety and light enough not to sink. He looked to Vivian to order with haste, "You have to jump. Once this ship sinks our level below, the water around it will suck you into its depths. There will be no escape then."
He threw the wooden door into the dark sea next to them just as the boat tilted in its direction. He pushed Malik in her direction with the silent objective since his friend would be at a disadvantage to swim. She would not lose sight of him or Bashir but she hesitated on approaching the banister overlooking the dark water. Their floating door awaited them below, slowly drifting away from the ship, and Vivian asked worriedly, "What about you? We're not jumping alone!"
"There are people who need help getting out" Altaïr pointed out as morality struck since the travelers were much like themselves, simply heading to a destination. The creaking of wood gave way underneath them with a painful groan that unsettled her stomach. He wanted to return to that?! Her heart was pumping wildly with fear for them all and the cold temperature of the water below didn't help. Behind them, a wooden plank from the hull ripped open from one of the lower levels and the surge of water sunk the ship even more. He could not be thinking of going back there when people were scattering, scrambling to get to the surface to escape a watery death.
"You can't leave us, not during a moment like this" Vivian pleaded since he was a master of the earth, not the water, and she wasn't ready to test his swimming finesse now. She didn't want him to be a hero now, hating herself for discouraging the traits she admired. Her hands reached out to grasp his shoulders in a vain effort to tug him forward with them instead of leaving him here. Her eyes burned immediately at separating from him again and her voice broke with fear, "Please, come with us. Don't leave me behind."
"People need to escape and I won't live with myself if I abandon a ship without saving a few souls" he stated refutably to continue his path as an honorable man rather than one focused on a mission alone. It was the latter thinking that got him banned and shrouded in solitude. Now, he was saving his friends and a few strangers before he could call it a night. His chest tightened when her fingers shook against him and remembered Vivian was not like the others. She was prone to fear more easily, especially when their bond was threatened, and he cupped her face to whisper, "I know you're scared, Vivian, but I will be right behind you-"
"You could get hurt or trapped, I don't want to leave you here alone" she attempted to dissuade as tears fell down her cheeks, afraid that she'd never see him again. They were in the middle of nowhere, anything could happen until the first rays of sunlight. This wasn't the modern times where rescue helicopters or GPS-guided ships could come fetch them. They would be at the mercy of the sea and she reminded him of his current condition, "You're already riddled with motion sickness."
Altaïr had dealt with worse during previous missions where he sustained injuries and still had to keep going. He would make a quick sweep of their level and help the poor travelers escape a watery death before following. She could not risk wasting precious seconds with him and he urged her to move on, "I can still move decently-"
She shook her head vehemently to stay rooted to him like she promised, "No! If you stay, I stay-"
"Vivian, you have to leave now!" he yelled firmly to get her moving because having her as a casualty would be unbearable. Their relationship was still fresh and he could not lose the morsel of happiness that he finally achieved with her. He had to protect her, even if it broke her promise to do the same for him. Vivian managed to control her sniffling, trying her best not to be overwhelmed by the maelstrom of emotion running rampant on board. Kissing the top of her forehead affectionately, he whispered privately against her reddening nose, "I love you, but you must go. I will be no more than twenty minutes behind, I promise you."
She was about to return the sentiment but he squeezed her close once more to say, "Tell me when we meet again."
Goodbyes were never her strong suit but she rejoined her friends to jump overboard. Their little makeshift life raft would not wait for them forever. Altaïr glanced at each of them with a firm look before reminding them with a warmer tone, "Be careful out there."
"You come back to me, okay?" she ordered swiftly as she tried to remain strong for both. She was nowhere near as confident as her partner but his recent illness overseas worried her for this current task he decided to undertake. There was a stubbornness to do good deeds but he chose the worst moment to act on it.
"I'll always come back to you" he reassured firmly because he was bound to her for as long as she wished. Their marriage farce on the boat was not entirely a lie as they slowly built a life for themselves. She was aware of his lifestyle and respected it while he would do his best to keep her safe in a time different from her own. There was nobody else but her in his life and she returned that same devotion. What else was there to say? He met her watery gaze to push her onwards and promised her, "Time does not end and I will follow you through each of its doors to meet you in every life if I must."
She nodded quietly with understanding, her fingers shaking over the banister as she chose to leave with great reluctance. Her jaw was set tightly as she pushed back tears since they wouldn't do anybody a world of good at the moment. She had to be just as strong as they were to survive and wouldn't disappoint her partner, no matter how much her heart thrashed to follow him. With a nod of farewell, Altaïr turned away to return to the lower decks and she flinched involuntarily as she stopped herself from automatically following him.
Malik motioned to the flurry of people jumping overboard and told her quickly, "We have to go now."
Without another word, she took a deep breath and slid over the banister to peer down at the glittering water. The moonlight was all they had for lighting, apart from people who still held lanterns on the top deck to find their way, and she targeted the floating door that Altaïr had sent tumbling down. She and Malik jumped down together, plunging into the cold water to swim away from the boat. The water was pitch black, leaving Vivian unable to visualize anything until she surfaced. The muffling of her hearing returned at full force once she broke the water and she called out, "Malik!"
The throngs of voices echoing in the air threatened to confuse her ears as she made her way to latch onto the floating debris. She kept calling for the dai, squinting her eyes to find him through the crowds of flapping limbs. Seawater burned at her eyes as she angled her head to find any signs of her friends. Her hammering heart decreased it heavy thuds when she finally heard, "Vivian!"
The splashing heading in her direction automatically made her reach out into the darkness to find anything solid. It was an overwhelming vulnerability to be at the mercy of the pitch-black night and the ocean itself. The moonlight was not enough to guide her swimming in the night and she yelled out over the ruckus of voices, "Here! I'm here!"
Relief filled her heart when a hand gripped hers and she pulled Malik onto the floating device. Her arm kept a firm grip around his shoulders since his missing arm would be a detriment in the wide ocean. He was more than happy to cling to the door and spit out seawater as he gathered his bearings. She had to keep her friends together and quickly called out, "Bashir!"
They had jumped together and they assumed Bashir followed after them once they hit the water. Vivian and Malik joined the chorus of voices of travelers finding their loved ones as they searched for Bashir. If they lost one of their companions, they would never forgive themselves. He was the youngest of their group so they all watched over him like a little brother as he learned his way through the world, much like Vivian. They yearned to hear his cheerful tone echo through the sea of voices but it was silent. Altaïr was already missing from their team and they could not return to him without one of their own.
The sinking ship expelled wooden debris as it continued sinking under the weight of the ocean. At the same time, the whirlpools created from the suction vacuum of the sea also threatened to pull people inside. Drowning was not an option after surviving the jump and Malik began to push the board away from the ship to move to a safer area. They could not search for Bashir with the sinking ship looming so close to them and he advised his friend, "Move, Vivian, before debris from beneath strikes us."
She listened to his orders while calling out for the others as they floated away to safety. They were in uncharted territory, unaware where they were at all! They were still far from Mali and they would not be able to assess their whereabouts until finding land. That was easier said than done in the pitch black of night.
"We have to head north to find land, it's the easiest way" Vivian shouted over the moving waves splashing over their door and tried to block the horrible sounds of people trying to stay afloat. She never imagined herself taking part in a sinking ship in any of their adventures. She was a very lost duckling out there and relied on Malik's leadership to get them out of there. Still, she continued calling out for Bashir and Altaïr to give them a path to follow in the darkness.
Malik gazed at the sky overhead to find his directional bearings because being lost would not bode well. They had to preserve their strength and use it for the journey back to land so they couldn't waste their energy on a mistake. The brightest star in the dark sea was his guide to map out the rest of the sky and he instructed her, "Follow that large star, the North star, and we'll find the coast. Tell others as we pass by, I won't let those that Altaïr helped perish."
Vivian relayed his words to any stranded passengers floating around them as plans floated about. Her pendant's ability to allow speech recognition allowed her to communicate effectively while Malik focused on recuperating their friends. Some people wanted to head west, others agreed on the north, and others were undecided. In the end, Vivian and Malik would do what was best for themselves and swam in the direction of the bright white star. They could not linger by the ship anymore and it was too dark now to see how much of it remained afloat.
She called out Altaïr's name in the hopes of finding him in the glittering sea but everyone's features were darkened by the shadows and her voice blended with others who were searching for their loved ones. It was a horrible sound that would stay with her for years as she headed for the coast, hoping that she'd find their friends along the way. If they made it there in one piece. The distance to land was daunting but she put it out of her mind to avoid falling prey to hopelessness.
Please, don't let there be any sharks wandering this area of the ocean, she prayed worriedly and thanked the stars that the water was lukewarm now. It was a difference in comparison to north Atlantic water and she would take advantage. There would be no risk of freezing – just the risk of exhaustion, hunger, and dehydration.
She continued to call out to Bashir and Altaïr until her voice grew hoarse but a reply never came. Where were they? Bashir had been right behind them and Altaïr had promised not to take long. The ticking minutes felt like hours and she dreaded the long journey if they did not find them quickly. Malik's calls for them yielded nothing either but they could do nothing, swimming onwards and waiting in slow agony for their reemergence.
Bashir had never jumped after Malik and Vivian, choosing to follow after Altaïr at the last minute to ensure his leader made it out alive. Even if it earned him a tongue lashing, it was worth it. He agreed with Vivian that he was not at his best and opted to do what he did best – follow. Altaïr did indeed manage to aid several people to the top deck before the ship angled sharply to a horizontal position that they could barely manage to handle. This was about the right time that Altaïr realized he had been followed by the young scientist.
"Why aren't you with the others?" he demanded sharply at failing to lead his entire team off the ship. The point was for him to tackle this alone and be comforted in knowing they were safe. His presence there blew that moment into the sky!
It was also at this moment that the wall to their left burst inwards from the sea pressure and the chamber flooded instantly. The water had already been rising past their knees and the last struggle of the ship caved to the mighty ocean as everything became submerged. Altaïr managed to take a deep breath before the water overtook them and put his new swimming skills to the test. The entire ship disappeared beneath the waves and the vacuum it created was what Altaïr feared the most. He managed to grab Bashir by the shoulder to get him swimming behind him in the darkness.
He remembered the layout of the ship and the large rupture of the wall made it easier to swim out. The problem was fighting through the surging current into the ship that threatened to cage them. Altaïr refused to be trapped beneath the water and fulfill his worst method of death, refusing to meet his demise there. He used all his strength to fight through the current and reached to grasp the jagged side of the torn wall to support his escape. Bashir brushed past his left side as he gripped onto the wall and the young Assassin swam to the opposite side of the damaged wall. Planting his feet against it, he reached out to grasp his leader's hand and used his own strength against the fallen ship to pull him through the hole.
Both men escaped the sunken ship but just as they swam to the surface, an escaping bubble flushed out debris through the open chasm. The wooden contents of the damaged ship were flung in their direction and the propulsion force sent Altaïr swimming for his life as he used his eagle vision to see. Bashir, on the other hand, was in blind in the water since he lacked his leader's ability to perceive items in the darkness. He was a far better swimmer than Altaïr but that would not be enough to avoid the incoming danger.
He intercepted his friend's path after seeing several wooden crates catching up to his swimming area. Bashir could not see them in the darkness and he only felt the sheer weight of his leader knocking him out of the way before the inbound cargo struck Altaïr instead. The impact was enough to have him seeing stars from the sheer force and he shook his head swiftly to regain his balance in the weightless abyss. Unfortunately, he was not fast enough to swerve out of the way of another barrage.
The debris field from the impact allowed Bashir to make his way through it to find his leader, even if he was blindly seeking through the water with his hands. He kept his eyes closed to avoid wooden splinters from injuring his vision and he couldn't see through the water anyway so what was the point? His fingers managed to grab onto the cowl of Altaïr's robes in his frantic swim to find him and he pulled the man upwards with all the strength left in him. He expected a sharp yank of protest from the man but Altaïr was limp in his grip, heavy like a sack of potatoes.
He's unconscious, Bashir thought immediately with distress of the damage left on his leader. He had to get him out of the sea quickly before Altaïr breathed water into his lungs and ended up with a worse problem. Kicking his legs swiftly, Bashir managed to make his way to the surface as he avoided the kicking feet of other nearby swimmers treading the surface. He did not want to be struck in the face and swam underneath everyone until he could no longer feel the flutter of kicks.
In the debris field that was left of their ship, Bashir surfaced to the top as he gasped for air and coughed to inhale the sweet air of life. That was too close for his liking. He held an unconscious Altaïr in one arm and the other treaded water in the hopes of finding a flotation device. Luck was with them as the moonlight allowed him to catch sight of a broken door, half of it sheared off from the water pressure but it would do. Otherwise, he would have to tread water for hours until finding land. It was not a feasible plan for survival.
He lifted Altaïr onto the door to keep him safe and he took control of deciding what to do. They managed to swim free unlike a few poor souls, but Altaïr had gotten struck on the head by a piece of debris to save him. He could not let that kindness go to waste and Bashir would help his leader no matter what. After all, he told him to stay behind but he refused to listen. He pressed a hand to the man's chest to determine whether he was breathing and nodded with relief that his friend had merely been knocked unconscious.
Nonetheless, he tried to shake him awake since strikes to the head could send anyone to a coffin- even the indomitable Altaïr. The master assassin twitched with the initial test jabs to the face, grumbling incoherently, and Bashir hoped he wasn't about to be punched out of existence. He only trusted Malik to wake the man and he flinched when the older man woke up with a mutter, "This better not be a Templar or one of you creatures slapping me."
Bashir took that as a good sign as his leader finally woke up, pedaling on his own across the water. They needed to move away from the whirlpool of the sinking ship and the crowds to make a plan to regroup. He could not hear either Malik or Vivian through the crowd, hoping distance would allow him to focus on their voices. Altaïr regained his bearings after remembering nothing after the debris impact and Bashir explained, "We're in the open sea. We need to reach the coastline, either north or east. If we follow this trail of stars, we will find the north and that cluster over there will lead us east."
"How do you know that?" Altaïr questioned with curiosity since Vivian used a star for guidance, being from a technology reliant future, while Malik used his complex map system. He cleared his throat to cough out the last droplets of sea water and turned around to lay on the board flat on his stomach. Submerging himself back in the water, he helped Bashir with swimming away from the sinking site.
"I spent my nights in my study so the stars are my only company" the young scientist stated sheepishly to his role in the Order. He was still developing his socialization skills which is why he was eager to meet new places and people. Unfortunately, now he was stuck in the middle of nowhere. Altaïr kept him away from the masses since he tended to blow up things in his search for advanced technology and Bashir pointed out matter-of-factly, "You did station me on the topmost floor of Masyaf."
Altaïr nodded simply but dug through the pouches of his robes as he lay on the floating door, wondering if Vivian and Malik were safe. Had they headed west or north? He fished out the tied lodestone that Malik had fetched them ages ago. Holding his arm up towards the starry sky, he kept his hand steady and watched the stone head aim in the direction Bashir had claimed as north. Bashir saw nothing but fiddling in the darkness compared to the man's eagle vision and Altaïr ordered, "Let's go north, we weren't far from arriving when this happened."
Bashir would not argue that order and together, they pedaled north with the stars and lodestone to guide them. Altaïr hoped to find any signs of Malik and Vivian along the way as he called out their names but none returned his call. He saw them jump overboard so they were undoubtedly ahead of them – the question was where? Had they gone north or east? A plan for a potential sinking had never been discussed between them so he was lost on where to start.
"I know we keep our actions subtle and covert but. . .you did our order proud by helping those civilians and I'm very glad you are our mentor" Bashir stated respectfully as they swam in the darkness away from everyone else to find their path back to land. Their job as an Assassin was a solitary one but Altaïr was changing the Order by focusing on other things, apart from simply eradicating the Templars. He was a different kind of Mentor and he liked that, telling him, "With that said, I will now be paddling like a dog to reach shore."
Altaïr managed a small chuckle at the compliment and his subordinate's focus to get them back home.
Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Vivian and Malik had reached the shore of what would one day become the Ivory Coast the following morning after pedaling nonstop. They took turns to make sure one was always pedaling, along with staying awake. The faster they reached land, the faster they could send help to gather survivors. The long hours made her fearful of a potential shark attack, but Malik put those thoughts at ease by pointing out the water was too cold for their liking. If they traveled through the blistering summer, that would have been a different story for them. The duo had never been happier to breach land and the view of the brown coastline had relieved them after the endless isolating hours at sea. Thankfully, the fishermen who found them were kindly hospitable and Vivian's ability helped smooth communication. She didn't know where it originated from but was glad. Unlike South Africa, the coast was accustomed to more European travel so her pale face was not seen as an omen.
After bathing off the seawater and eating a warm meal, they stood by the shore to wait for survivors. The passing hours after brought a few that were glad to find land once more but none yielded the faces they sought. The long trip out at sea had the two yelling throughout the night but they never received a call back. Vivian waited by the sandy shore all the way into the night, retiring only when Malik ushered her inside. One grueling day turned into two and before she knew it, the search had been called off after the third day. She was forced to bear the idea that neither Bashir nor Altaïr survived as the days continued to pass without a sign of them. It was a crushing blow to their morale but Vivian waited stubbornly on the shore, walking for miles in the hopes that she'd spot one of them. Maybe they had taken an alternate route and were slowly making their way back to them. After all, their journals had all been doused with water in the sinking and their sketches were now warped terribly.
By the second week, Malik was forced to make the tough decision and move forward to Timbuktu as Altaïr had originally planned. If he was still alive, he would be making his way there as well. He left a note with the innkeeper in the hopes that Altaïr survived further down the coast and lagged in his travels. If not. . .the Order would bear the loss of their Mentor and another brother.
Vivian was incredibly reluctant to leave the port for Mali, hoping against everything that their friends would return. Bashir had barely traveled out of Masyaf as a young man to explore the world and she had finally allowed herself to build a life with Altaïr. She knew life would never be a fairytale but her friends deserved better. It struck differently this time than his loss at Madagascar when they had no idea where he had gone due to the activation of a POE. They were separated by the Earth's elements themselves and had no way of finding answers. Again, she and Malik were left to decide what route to take.
There was safety in numbers and Malik proposed traveling north with the trade groups that left every week. They would tag along and set up camp with their common path to avoid becoming lost now that they were alone. Vivian sought to stay longer but it was not feasible anymore when she lacked finding answers. Altaïr would not want her to fret over him but it was that loyalty to him that kept her bound to the coast. Still, she knew they were wasting time with no evidence to show their friends were coming back and she accepted sticking to the mission.
It was a heart-wrenching choice to leave the ocean behind to continue onwards. Vivian's hands shook as she pressed her partner's journals against her chest, trying to keep the last shreds of her bond with him. Since his pack was running out of room to store his belongings, she offered her meager one for his journals while he kept the pieces of Eden. He trusted her with his life but even then, Vivian did not open the journals herself. They were his property, his words, his thoughts, and she respected that privacy to him alone. Still, she couldn't help but run her fingers over the same worn leather that his own had touched.
Malik understood his friend was grieving again at another potential loss in her life. He did not want to dwell on the fate of their friends but it was a bitter truth to swallow. They had been but a short distance from them and yet, they failed to find them in that void. He was disappointed in himself for not doing better, a similar guilt shared by Vivian. They had survived the sinking ship while their friends likely had not left that watery coffin. Now, it was up to him to lead what was left of their team back to Masyaf. He would still follow Altaïr's route in hope that his friend would indeed find them one day.
"The future can't bear to lose him" she murmured sadly at the thought of him drowning that night, a nightmare she couldn't escape from no matter how much she tried. They had all gone to sleep soundly, only to awaken to a horror show. He was meant to revitalize the entire Order, not perish prematurely. She hated to think selfishly but her mind always dwelled on her presence in his life as a contributing factor to danger. He often teased her that his entire life was a hazard due to his profession, not her.
"We can still hold onto hope" Malik soothed kindly since neither would write off their friends as dead that quickly. Unfortunately, they still had a schedule to keep to follow Altaïr's wishes to find the locations of the POEs. Otherwise, the ship sinking would be for nothing.
Vivian approved of that logic and slung her backpack over her back to begin the next leg of the journey. She would not give up her partner's hard work over her grief, pushing on just as she had after Madagascar. They had made it to the coast and could not let that opportunity go to waste, telling him with a firm nod, "Let's go north."
With heavy hearts, the two left the coast to travel with the caravans leaving by the Tran-Saharan trade route.
Sassandra, Ivory Coast
Altaïr and Bashir had landed on the coast with no further injuries than the ones they sustained that night. Bashir had done most of the paddling but Altaïr was the one soaking up the sun once they struck the beach to relax. He had never been happier to touch land but stopped himself short from rolling in the coarse sand before it got everywhere. He loved the land but not enough to get sand in every crease on his body. While he rejoiced in surviving another bout with the sea, Bashir attempted to find their friends in the new land.
Communication was rough at the start until they found traders that spoke Arabic and they realized they were farther west than intended. After informing the port that a ship had sunk westward, searches were conducted to find survivors but only less than a dozen surfaced. Given how packed the ship had been, Bashir was disappointed to see the small survival rate. This worry blew into the sky when realizing that none of the people being rescued were their friends.
He had to restrain his leader from stealing a boat to head out to sea to find them before he accidentally sank. They had wasted all their energy and required food to replenish their worn bodies. Even then, they stuck close to shore to await the return of their friends.
Until they didn't.
Altaïr refused to believe they perished at sea, immovable from the shore until night fell that first day. Like a stubborn barnacle, he stuck to the beach to wait for any sign. It was only when he was dozing off from exhaustion that he relented to Bashir's reminders to sleep after he found an inn for them to stay. They hoped their friends were simply swept further east by the currents and would reach them within a day or so.
But they didn't.
Still, Altaïr did not fall prey to despair at his missing partner and friend as he continued to grant them travel time. Several days passed by and when no more people resurfaced from the accident, Bashir was forced to nudge his leader on their plan. Would they stay? Would they leave? As his subordinate, he would follow his leader loyally without question.
"I don't believe they're dead" Altaïr told him bluntly as they sat on the shore of the beach shortly after the last rays of sunlight faded below the horizon. As much as he hated the sea, he didn't mind watching sunsets. It was a small sliver of peace in his life but his heart yearned to see the rest of his team walk down the shore with cheerful smiles. Even a scolding from Malik would be appreciated at this point.
"I never said they were" Bashir pointed out sheepishly since the entire port was saying otherwise. It was a good thing they couldn't speak the native dialect or his boss would be grappling with the gossip mills. He did not want to write off their friends like they were simply laundry, not after everything they had gone through. Malik and Vivian had taught him a lot during his months traveling besides them and he really hoped this wasn't the end of their bond. Still, he couldn't help but ask, "But what do we do if they don't show?"
"I'm giving it a week" he decided firmly to grant them time to rejoin them and crossed his arms over his bent legs. After spending most of his youth traveling alone, he disliked its solitude now that he had true friends. He missed their campsite interactions and the noisy ruckus created at every meal with Malik and Vivian chastising him for grabbing the largest serving while Bashir hoped none of his fingers would be chopped off during preparation. They were little moments that he missed. Most of all, he missed having Vivian beside him.
If they did not show up in a week, he had to make a plan for himself and Bashir. They could not linger on the port too long without jeopardizing their mission. Now that there were trade routes in the northern part of the continent, he didn't doubt Templars would be far. He could not allow them to gain a foothold in finding the POEs and instructed him, "We will follow the river north like we originally planned. From there, we will find our target site."
Bashir nodded silently to follow his orders, gazing somberly at the orange-pink horizon of sunset, and Altaïr added in, "They will find us if we stick to the plan."
I'm not giving up on them, he thought with finality as he sunk his toes into the sand with refusal to abandon his team. They had waited for him loyally in Madagascar and he would grant them that time. If they did not show, he would continue the path they all agreed on and they would be reunited. He refused to believe otherwise, given how stubborn Vivian could be and Malik's persistence in proving him wrong.
A/N: Apologies. It's been a long time since the last update but I am trying to finish this tale now that my other AC tale is finished. Thank you to the readers who have stuck with this story, it is greatly appreciated! The fellowship has been split with the sinking but rest assured, they are all alive. They will reunite in the next chapter in Mali as they begin their last leg to the last two sites before returning to Masyaf. I'm banking on three more chapters before this story is concluded! Currently working on the next chapter right now to see if I can pump them all out before the year's end.