Adventure Time With Altaïr

by Mystic Blade

Vivian's life takes a turn for the odd when she wakes in 12th century Jerusalem with no logic to explain it all. When she's unwillingly dragged along for Altaïr's new adventure for the pieces of Eden with Malik, she'll travel the world to find her own scientific answers. What mayhem awaits Altaïr's Crusade? Facing deadly enemies and wildlife, the adventure never ends. Post-AC1 AU

59. Reunion of the Fellowship

Music Inspiration: Two Steps from Hell- "Undying Love"

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Reunion of the Fellowship

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South of Timbuktu, Mali

It took several weeks for Malik and Vivian to arrive at the Niger River and worse news struck the duo upon arrival. The recent onslaught of the rainy season meant the river was in its current overflowing season, making it a treacherous journey. Nobody was allowed across for safety reasons, even experienced fishing vessels, and similar to Quelimane, they would have to wait. Neither Vivian nor Malik would dare to traverse the large river, given that the item was lurking in its depths like Lake Victoria's piece. All they could do was rent a room at one of the inns to wait out the high tide of the river until it was safe to cross.

Malik was the one investigating the development of the river's progress through the season and keeping an eye out for Templar activity. They had avoided one party two weeks ago by slipping into the produce market but it had been through his quick instincts that he spotted them first. If not, Vivian could have ended up being the last member of her team. It had been well over a year or two since they encountered the enemy, so he had shaken off the cobwebs from his skills to stay sharp. The duo usually traveled through town together to have strength in numbers and throw off the Templars.

Despite their travel north and a lengthy stay in Mali, the duo had yet to reunite with their friends. Vivian used her free time in the early morning after sunrise to search the streets for her friends before the crowds rushed in. She refused to mourn for her partner, no matter how many days passed, staunchly believing he was still out there. It became a normal routine for her to peruse through the streets after breakfast with the vain hope she would find them. Malik did not deter her from that goal, utilizing her second set of eyes to find answers while he continued to flush out Templars. At the same time, it provided her with a purpose to find the answers they sought about their friends. Meanwhile, he needed to find out why the Templars were on the western side of the continent. There was no conflict there to spur their attention and wondered if the Assassins were also lurking somewhere in western Africa as well.

It was during one of these usual mornings that Vivian had been perusing through the fruit stands when Malik quickly brushed by her. When he whispered during passing that Templars were tailing him, she understood. After paying for her goods and dropping them into her shopping bag, she turned around swiftly and intentionally swung the sack against one of the men. She struck the man hard in the midsection, thwarting their chase as the contents of her bag spilled onto the ground. Exclaiming in dismay for her clumsy action, she pretended to be a clumsy oaf as she kneeled to pick up her discarded fruit.

She obstructed the path of the two Templars as she saw exactly who was after her friend. Like the Templars of Lake Victoria, these wore earth-toned neutral hues instead of disguising themselves after the Knights in the Crusades up north. The Templar Order cross was barely visible on their right arm gauntlets but she only caught it from her submissive position on the ground. She raised one hand to wave them around but intentionally continued to block them as she picked up her fruit.

One of the men decided to simply jump over her and she cursed her petite height for failing to buy Malik more time. She tried to keep the last Templar blocked behind her by waving her hand in a wide arc and exclaiming with a false apology, "Apologies, please excuse my clumsiness!"

To add more frustration for the leftover Templar, Vivian pretended to stand up with her shopping bag . . . only to stumble and drop her produce all over again. It was at this point that the Templar gave up with a frustrated sigh and decided to find an alternate route by heading right behind him. At least she managed to divert one but she needed to watch out for her friend. Picking up her abused fruit, she tossed them back into her bag and stood up to follow the second Templar.

She did not draw attention in the open to avoid being mistaken for a female Assassin and used that to her advantage. Weaving her way through the bustling morning crowd, she followed the path the Templar took to the side to pursue him. After years of watching the two expert men trail their targets, she hoped to do a half-decent job. It would not be flawless but she hoped to get the job done. She managed to catch a glimpse of the man as best she could through the people and slowly followed, using crates or stands nearby to mix in with the townsfolk.

Her heart hammered against her rib cage while she tried her best to appear nonchalant. It had been a while since she treaded near Templars and her friends usually kept her in the opposite direction for her safety. She had grown since then and wouldn't let Malik face off against two Templars. Plus, she might pick up a morsel of intel for her friend to use.

The confidence ignited in her began to fizzle once the safe crowds slowly began to thin out to nothing. The raging Niger River surrounding the town kept visitors at bay, shifting the busy areas inland to keep away from potential flooding throughout the day. Had Malik wandered to the river to throw them off? She crept along the near empty dirt path with caution as the roaring river passed her by on the right side, splashing the earth brown with its threat, and the meat district along the left side. Her fingers curled tightly around her bag, clutching it close to her stomach defensively as she followed the man. Whenever the man would pause to look over his shoulder, she would duck in any open doorway or crouch behind a pile of random debris. Her petite size gave her the luxury of fitting in small areas and she had enough experience running from danger to quickly stuff herself into anything.

It was when the road became empty of any hiding spots that she had to stop her chase. She didn't see Malik anywhere nearby and hoped he was safe. At least she managed to hold back one Templar – maybe that would be enough? Living in a town with the enemy was not a comfortable situation and they could not linger long if every Templar that visited was killed. At some point, more would arrive to investigate the dwindling numbers. They could not risk that, but mother nature was a force to be reckoned with.

She was ready to throw in the towel and head back to the inn when a figure emerged further ahead to tackle the Templar. At first, she suspected Malik immediately but her friend wore dark robes - not pale. Curiosity struck at who dared to take on a Templar and she darted closer, staying within the left boundary of the road. Was this a thief? Or a random disgruntled bystander? Her hands flew to her mouth and she stopped immediately when the sound of metal and fabric being torn erupted.

Maybe she should have stayed out of this one . . .

The Templar dropped dead to the ground in seconds and she was able to glimpse at the newcomer. She blinked rapidly in disbelief, her heart clenching tightly when she saw Altaïr standing in front of the dead man. Was it really him? Or had her mind finally cracked? His form could be mistaken for a mirage and she closed her eyes briefly to make sure she wasn't going crazy, blinking rapidly to cure any sudden madness. The voice that called out to her put that visual illusion to rest when his voice questioned defensively, "How many times have I warned you not to engage Templars?"

She and Malik had spent weeks – over a month! – wondering if they would ever see him or Bashir again. Clutching her bag tightly, she approached him quickly to sweep her gaze over his form. He remained unchanged from the last time she saw him with a hint of darker stubble on his chin, humoring her at his kitten whiskers. His robes were no longer the dark brown from South Africa but a lighter beige tone that treaded closely to his iconic pristine snow-white robes. He was here, with her. He never sank with the ship that night and the guilty weight of that night was replaced with relieved joy . . . and numerous questions.

He's here, she thought happily at reuniting with him and quickly blinked back tears. He truly was a cat with nine lives! Her refusal to give up on him was not in vain as he stood across from her, amusing her with his grumpy frown. How she missed her cranky assassin.

"I can take care of myself . . . and nice to see you too after being declared lost at sea" she replied sarcastically as he tweaked her pent-up emotions to burst like a dam. She did not want to break out into sobs in the middle of the road with a dead man at their feet. That was not how she wanted to remember their reunion. She decided to stick to business by asking dryly at his survival story, "Did you use the POEs to survive the sinking and hide from us?"

"I didn't hide from you, it's a very long and simple story that isn't worth retelling" he stated matter-of-factly at his uninteresting tale after endless traveling. Bashir could likely spin a more embellished take on their months of travel but he hardly cared. He simply wanted to keep heading north to find the next pieces of Eden. Every day, he drew closer to Masyaf and he wanted to see the walls of the fortress more than anything. To see Darim. Vivian frowned at his dismissal of any storytime but he was pressed for time as it was, stating dismissively, "The point is that I'm here now."

Her fists clenched in a mixture of anger and relief to see him safe, her eyes narrowing as she shot back, "I don't know whether to punch or kiss you . . . so I'll do both."

She punched him in the right side since it was more resistant to strikes with his leather belt and he snorted in amusement to the petty jab. If she was furious, she would have kicked in his kneecap for the best exposed strike at her height level. He grabbed her petite form by the shoulders to clutch her to his chest to calm her fretting before she resorted to kicking like a donkey. Her emotions were more volatile than his with heartbreak, understanding the pain of their abrupt separation, and heard her mutter weakly, "I thought I lost you, you daring fool."

"We need to find Malik" he insisted to keep them focused and she nodded quietly, compelling him to grasp her head and press his lips to her forehead. He shared her sentiment at their reunion but they needed to be in private to talk about their ordeal. The important fact was that both were alive and he met her watery gaze to state, "I'm not the sentimental type-"

"When were you ever?" she sniffled amusingly at his deflection of emotion publicly and enjoyed joking with him about it.

"But I will try my hardest to never leave your side again" he promised quietly to settle the worry in her heart for him and that was enough for her. Even if this was a figment of her imagination and she woke up alone, it was enough to share one last moment with him. She loved him dearly and she was thankful for the time they would share.

Wiping her left eye, she tried to shove aside the storm of emotions soaring in her heart and she cleared her throat to declare, "There's something in my eye . . . and why are we dilly dallying here? Malik's waiting for us!"

The past weeks had been lonely without his two friends but he had missed her most of all. The past grueling weeks were the most tedious with only Bashir's chatter to keep him entertained. It was not the same the same as hearing Vivian's nonsensical gibberish and Malik's reprimands. When he scolded the scientist, he cowered away dejectedly instead of bickering back like the others. Then the guilt struck and he apologized to begin the chatter cycle all over again. The lingering sting of losing half their team did not fill them with the usual perk during travel and he kept silent most of the time. He returned to his solitary habits but oversaw Bashir's survival techniques to ensure his subordinate could make it on his own. Bashir, on the other hand, was more content continuing scientific discoveries at home now. Like his leader, he was ready to return to Masyaf.

He and Bashir arrived at the border town the night prior and slept between two buildings since their currency and items to barter ran out long ago. The warmer climate of the north allowed them to sleep comfortably compared to previous trips on the eastern coast. While he left Bashir to procure breakfast by having someone take pity on him or skewering a wild animal, Altaїr decided to scope out the town. Unlike Vivian and Malik whom were avoiding Templars, the master Assassin was thrown aback when he caught several wandering the place. It was not hard to detect them after interacting with only civilians for more than a year. He expected the isolation of the continent to weaken his detection skills but it had the opposite effect.

It was on this trail of the Templars that he spotted his old friend but the enemy had caught onto Malik first. He had the disadvantage of numbers as he tried to throw off their tracking by mingling into the morning crowd. Unfortunately, the enemy was not releasing its prey and he wondered if there were any of their Order wandering the western continent. Why had they decided to follow Malik? What gave them the tipoff that he was an Assassin?

Just as he decided to tag along behind the Templars, he had caught sight of familiar patched-up gray robes. When the person kneeled on the floor and exclaimed her apologies, his heart fluttered at hearing Vivian's chirpy voice after months. The downside was that she faced off against the Templars in a blockade to assist Malik in escaping. He had instructed her numerous times not to engage the enemy but there she was, blatantly ignoring the danger. Then again, this was his partner, who refused to let her friends be injured when she could contribute something to the fight.

While Malik moved on ahead to thwart off his pursuer, Vivian decided to become a sleuth. This pushed him to cut off the Templar ahead before he caught onto her tracking. She was decent but the enemy had caught onto her once the crowds thinned so he could not let her wander deeper into the outskirts. After finding his friends again, he was not going to risk losing them. He approached the dead Templar to grip the man by the shoulders and raised his head to instruct her, "Help me rid this body in the river."

The road was empty for now but that would not continue if they lingered longer than they should. He pulled the dead man closer to the shore of the river, the rushing waves lapping at the earth at any who dared to trespass. His strength outweighed Vivian but after endless weeks of nonstop traveling, he was not at his peak performance. The raven-haired historian offered no rebuttal as she gripped the man's legs to hoist him over to the river's edge. The brown water pulsing westward threatened to swallow her whole with its depth and she asked quickly, "Will it work?"

"With this current, we have to be careful not to fall in" he advised her grimly as he led them over to the muddy edge, his boots splashing and sinking into the soft mud. He could handle a bit of the water's relentless force but he wouldn't risk Vivian with her smaller form. His fingers dug into the man's shoulders to toss him into the water, pushing back Vivian before she toppled into the river too from the weight.

The sticky mud prevented her from slipping terribly as she moved away, watching the rushing water swallow the Templar's body below its depths, and gazed at the assassin to state dryly, "This is not how I pictured our reunion."

Crossing his arms, he walked away from the river's edge with ease to tease her, "Did you expect me to just casually stroll up to you?"

"That would have been nice, yes" she answered with a subdued smile at his sass while she wiped the mud off her boots. After losing her slippers during the sinking, she bartered for a decent pair of boots to ensure it never happened again. Given how sticky and slippery mud could be, she was glad for the change in footwear.

She held out her right hand as she walked back to the road and he reached out to intertwine their fingers. The warmth and strength in his hand never wavered, briefly enjoying the brush of her fingertips against his calloused ones. Giving his hand a quick squeeze, she released it with a fond smile, "Glad you're back."

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Vivian and Altaїr returned to the town with the sole intent of finding Malik since he still had the other Templar to contend with. Bashir was currently roaming somewhere in the town buying snacks so Altaїr doubted he needed emergency assistance. The duo tracked down Malik from the marketplace with him leading the way with his eagle vision and Vivian trying her best to pretend she was shopping. Or at least, trying not to fail miserably. The last thing she wanted was another Templar picking up the scent of their actions as they searched frantically for their friend. While Altaїr prepared for another invigorating fight to test his skill, Vivian was hoping for a quick silent kill where they could fade into the shadows. She had so many questions about that horrid night while her partner was more interested in beating up Templars.

Instead, the couple was faced with the dai purchasing a new journal from one of the local stores. The man simply walked out of the store with a casual air and the two made a double take. Altaїr's sudden bravado instantly deflated at seeing his old friend but Vivian tugged on the back of his robes in case he was still playing dumb for the enemy. What if it was a trap and they ruined it? The two tried to backpedal instantly by appearing enthused with a nearby fruit stand and Malik tucked his new leather book under his arm before pointing out, "You two are absolutely terrible at this."

Malik had dispatched the Templar by hiding in the shadows and using a sneak attack from behind. With one opponent, he could handle himself while two presented a challenge. Vivian's interference assisted him in killing his foe and he had been on his way back to his friend when he caught sight of Altaїr. Deciding that his friends would be fine without his presence, he decided to visit the stores for a new journal. After all, he needed a new one after he finished the current one with its watermarked pages.

Altaїr was dumbfounded by the change of events, disappointed in losing one potential foe, and asked hastily, "What happened to -"

"Already dealt with" Malik answered promptly to end the conversation before they drew more attention. He turned away from the store to make his way back to the inn where they were staying to speak in private with his friend. He was happy to see him alive but without Bashir in tow, he was curious about his whereabouts.

The couple followed the dai like curious puppies about his success and Altaїr tried once more, "But -"

"Vivian's distraction helped" he intervened to bring an end to the discussion, leaving the two mystified on his victory. Vivian smiled widely at providing decent aid for him and that was enough to keep her from prying into his secret fighting skills. Altaїr crossed his arms with a small pout for being denied the whereabouts of the last Templar. For their sake, he hoped Malik tossed him in the river or a random barrel. With three of their team back together, Malik couldn't help but ask cautiously, "Where is Bashir?"

"He's lurking somewhere finding food" Altaїr answered nonchalantly about their wandering scientist. Vivian smiled instantly at hearing her unofficial brother was safe and sound, glad that they would be together soon. Malik, on the other hand, shook his head at Altaїr's borderline negligence at letting the boy run around freely without supervision. At seeing his partner's expectant face underneath the hood, he decided to deviate to the left to return to the other side of town by informing them, "Let's go find him."

It was best not to leave the youngest member of their team to his own devices for long. He was naturally curious by nature and that could land him in problems. Problems that they could not afford with Templars in the town. Malik was more of a watchful eagle with subordinates to keep a protective eye on them while Altaїr let them roam free without concern. The master assassin left him procuring sustenance in the bakery section and that is exactly what he expected . . . not devouring bite-size samples of pastries.

Altaїr refrained from sighing in aggravation at the sloth of youth while Malik held back a chuckle. Well, at least he was safe to his own devices. Bashir was not like either of them when it came to being an Assassin so it was best that he experienced multiple environments. The young man was more invested in figuring out what pastry to choose so Altaїr had not lost important time in leaving him to this task. He couldn't disagree that the boy failed since he was still hard at work so he let it be.

"Bashir!"

The young scientist stiffened at his name, almost dropping his samples, and he looked around for the sharp voice of his leader. He tried to regain his collected composure but all was lost when he glimpsed at Altaїr's unimpressed face. Then again, not much impressed the man. Before a reprimand resounded, Vivian broke through to welcome back her young friend with a hearty pat to the back before her partner unleashed a parent lecture in the street. This was a time for joyful reunions and not an argument about stuffing one's self with samples – which she had very much done on her first year of travel.

"My friends!" he called out happily at finally seeing them face-to-face after wandering every town searching for them. He did the best he could with the sketches Altaїr had created for them to assist with the visuals but no leads ever surfaced. They refused to give up but continued the search north . . . and it paid off in this little town! He ruffled Vivian's hood playfully as the two returned to being the troublesome twosome for Altaїr while the dai gave Bashir's shoulder a friendly squeeze. They were all together again, safe and sound!

The reunion was as heartfelt as the end of the Lord of the Rings but with Altaїr, a series of manly grunts and a few words downplayed the external ambience. He was not an emotional type, especially in public. He did not want their little group to draw any more attention and informed Malik, "Lead us to where you're staying."

Malik resumed the lead to return to their temporary abode and remarked dryly, "A please would be humbling."

"Not when I'm sleep deprived" Altaїr replied matter-of-factly on his mannerisms when he was running on little energy reserves. While Bashir had been eating to his heart's content, he let his stomach growl while he prowled for nearby danger to extinguish. If he could not eat, no Templar would be eating either. It was that decision that allowed him to find Malik and assist Vivian before the historian fell into a situation larger than her.

Vivian was not going to allow any sass to enter the blissful hour of their reunion and jabbed his side to chide him, "So nothing's changed?"

"We almost drowned but we didn't so we keep moving" he reasoned simply like it was another walk on the road instead of the nightmare inducing ordeal it was. Vivian still woke up every few nights after tossing and turning, lonely without Altaїr next to her, and she was glad every day to see Malik alive. It was all she could hold onto since they failed to find anything on the other two. This was by far the most fearsome moment in all her years of travel.

"How do you turn such a traumatic event into a side mission?" she questioned with bafflement at shoving aside fearful moments like they were nothing. Being an Assassin, she assumed the years took their toll and he figured out a coping mechanism to avoid being overwhelmed. He was not the type to talk out every feeling, given how hard it was to pry out his affection the first time. His body language and behavior did not help her, who was used to vocal communication for clarification rather than guessing games.

He shrugged nonchalantly to give nothing away before declaring dismissively, "I'm very good at repression."

The three friends slumped at his blunt response but ultimately, paid him no mind. They were all back together, for better or worse (most likely, the latter), and they would be satisfied with that outcome. Altaїr was too tired to complain about Malik's choice in shelter since he preferred outlying places rather than midcity. The dai, on the other hand, saw the outskirts as a disadvantage for ambush attacks rather than a strategic vantage point. They all had their preference for lodgings but he was too tired to care. In the end, a room was a room.

While he had been securing a room for the night, his team had quickly made themselves scarce by sitting at one of patron tables. They were undoubtedly chattering on about the events that led up to their reunion but he saw no point in retelling the story. Bashir already liked to talk enough as it was so he would let him embellish the tale. All that mattered to him was that Vivian and Malik were safe and sound under his watch again.

He approached the trio at the table to inform them of his new lodgings so nobody complained he was nowhere to be found, "I rented a room beside yours."

Bashir raised his arms over his head to stretch his back and smiled widely to declare cheerfully, "All right, I can sleep-"

"I'm commandeering the room for the next hour" his leader interrupted his premature dreams of sleep and Bashir sunk in his seat with misery at being unable to slink under covers. After sleeping on the bare earth for over a year, he yearned to feel a soft feather-filled mattress for once. He wanted to rest away from the world and ignore it all for an hour or two. His head slumped against one of his hands on the table and Altaїr ignored the dramatics to summon the historian, "Vivian."

"Guess I'll sleep in the other room?" Bashir suggested cheekily to sneak a nap from any bed available to him at this point. He would not be deterred in his quest for sleep!

"It's best you're not next door for that" Malik advised his young subordinate with a grim shake of the head, causing Vivian to blush heavily at that. Yes, she and Altaїr were apart for months but that could not be the main problem in his mind. At least, she hoped so. Otherwise, he would be receiving several smacks across the head for prioritizing snu-snu.

"I am a bit peckish" Bashir announced since the samples were not enough to satisfy his stomach. He was completely oblivious to Malik's implication with rest and food on the mind more than anything else. The dai refrained from sighing when Bashir patted his stomach in emphasis of his hunger.

He motioned for him to follow him away from the table so they could order food from the inn within their lodgings. While he and Vivian had eaten before going about their daily routine, he did not know whether Bashir or Altaїr had eaten. Bashir was practically eyeing anything edible within sight on the table in case food was not produced soon. Gleefully, he followed the dai with the pure hope that his belly would be full soon. His friend clearly had a different goal right now and he spoke up, "Come, let me get you a meal."

Vivian watched the two leave before shaking her head with embarrassment and chastised her partner, "Really, Altaïr?"

"I want to speak with you in private" he pointed out on maintaining privacy with their relationship. He broke his own rules on the boat by comforting her fears during the evacuation but he could not allow her to suffer. If that was to be their last moment, he refused to leave her wondering about his true affection. After years of endless loyalty, he could not break her heart like that. He would speak privately with Malik later but Vivian was his priority as his partner.

Her initial impression from Malik's joke faded into smoke and she uttered sheepishly, "Oh."

"What did you think – oh" he questioned vehemently but stopped when his mind finally clicked on the undertone. Did Malik really think physical pleasure was on his mind right now? No. He loved his partner but he would not be having his way with her the moment they reunited. How unimaginative. Brushing the comment aside, he shook his head to tease her with a faint smirk, "You all have terrible minds."

She waved her hands erratically to put the matter to rest before any passersby heard their conversation. Even if she was in a place full of strangers, she wanted to maintain her propriety. After all, he yelled about it long enough for it to be drilled into her head back in eastern Africa. The intense stare from the assassin did nothing to calm the rosy blush tinting her cheeks and threatening to engulf her whole face. Why did he always have this effect on her? She sighed in relief when he motioned for her to lead them upstairs to her shared room, more than eager to escape those golden pools.

Vivian never flew up a flight of stairs so fast in her life and Altaїr tried to ignore the ruckus of the creaky wood under their combined weight. He did not want her to escape his line of sight so they resembled water buffalo clambering to their destination. Malik refrained from sighing in disbelief at their failed attempt to be silent and decided to buy himself a cup of tea before his friend's return brought on a headache.

She fished out the leather latch to open the door to their room, ushering her partner inside while the hallway was empty. Unmarried women were not meant to be ushering men inside their bedchambers, after all. He was quick to enter since she shut the door promptly to secure it with the metal chainlock, touching the back of his robes to ensure she didn't jam them in the doorway. She turned around to rest against the wooden door, glancing at him with disbelief, and whispered gingerly, "I knew you'd come back."

He opened his arms to reunite with her appropriately in private rather than at the mercy of the town and wandering Templars. Vivian pushed off the door to close their distance and embraced him around the waist, resting her head on his chest with a relieved smile at the plush fabric of his robes. Her fingertips melted into the fabric to feel the movement of his muscles and envelop her senses in all of him. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders, earning a peppy squeak from her lips when he clutched her close, and teased her, "You doubted me?"

"Every week was torment without you" she admitted sullenly at having him ripped from her side that night. Her days were lonely without him beside her after spending years traveling with him. Their daily routine and her safety net were shattered in minutes, leaving her destitute for his return. His abrupt POE-related departure in Madagascar left her distraught at where he wound up but this time, he had been at the mercy of mother nature herself. One could not come back from a watery grave. Her fingers dug into his fabric to cling on while her nose instinctively inhaled his familiar scent of leather and spice but a hint of mint was mixed in. Well, they all needed some form of deodorant in the Middle Ages.

The fingers of his right hand combed through her hair, enjoying the black curls wrapping around his fingertips to keep him lodged there. He missed her with the same strength but she survived the journey north without him for the past months. She was hardier than she appeared and he was proud of her tenacity to venture forth without him. If anything did happen to him, he needed to know she could thrive on her own. This was her second time traveling without him so he could only encourage her fortitude, "But you did it. Never look back, only keep moving forward."

He removed his travel pack, completely forgetting about the extra weight while bonding with Vivian and placed it on the floor. She shook her head at his advice because she was lost without him and raised her head to meet his gaze, uttering softly, "I can't exist without you."

"Well, you did" he pointed out with an amused smile, cupping the back of her head before leaning down to kiss her forehead. Her tense shoulders relaxed instantly at his physical touch and his lips crinkled when her body slumped against him, her fingers interlocking behind his back. He was content being held by the one he loved after traveling endlessly for weeks under the unrelenting sun. Just seeing her today was worth it for him.

Vivian recovered from her happy stupor when she realized her partner had not sat down at all. Releasing him as if he were on fire, he blinked awkwardly at her reaction and she rambled sheepishly, "I-I'm sorry. You must be exhausted and here I am hugging you like a sack of flour-"

Her cheeks flushed when his arms wrapped around her waist to bring her back to him and he stated with mirth, "I don't mind at all."

His eyes closed when her fingers traced over the sides of his face as she outlined his familiar grooves. She always had a way of calming him with her pleasant strokes, enjoying the physical affection. The silent massage was comforting and he tried not to smile when her fingers playfully tapped the end of his nose. Her index finger ran down the scar on the side of his lips before cupping his chin and stating softly, "We're not on a turbulent ship or under the heat anymore."

"Your point, little badger" he said gently as he began untying the leather belt around his waist to shed the excess weight from his body, casting it aside on the bed before reaching up for the strap that held his crossbow. Vivian moved behind him to remove the heavy weapon before he accidentally damaged it by having it fall on the floor, receiving a quiet thank you in return. She could see he was exhausted in his hastier movements and wondered if he slept much if he managed to find them so early in the morning.

Her hands smoothed over his shoulder blades before spanning over his muscular shoulders to massage the tired muscles underneath cloth and skin. She chuckled softly when his shoulders slumped forward in relief when she kneaded the grooves below his shoulder blades to release the tense pressure. Altaїr had missed those small digits digging and kneading into the hard to reach areas he couldn't massage himself when he was sore or overworked. He turned around to draw her into his arms and she noticed the tired circles forming under his eyes, prompting her to brush her fingertip over one as she smiled, "You can relax and sleep for the day. We're in no hurry, nobody will bust through the window demanding our deaths. If so, they have to get through me and the others."

"I'm fine, you saw me skewer that Templar- I got him good" he protested proudly as he tore off the first vest layer over his head, throwing it on the bed before he began unbuttoning the lower layer of his tunic. Vivian chuckled softly at his declaration of not losing his finesse at eliminating the enemy, even when tired to oblivion. She was comfortable seeing him half nude after sharing a tent and helped him out of the upper layers to fold the soiled layers away for washing later.

He kneeled to open his pack to fish out a new set of clothes now that he was indoors. Vivian aimed a smile at his enthusiasm as he pulled a black tunic over his shoulders, his brown hair falling over his forehead shaggily since it had grown a few inches from their last meeting. He had grown accustomed to letting her chop off his hair when he didn't have a mirror handy and figured Bashir was not in that circle of hair trust yet. It had taken her over a year to accomplish that feat since he expected to earn a nicked ear. Her fingers weaved through his dark brown tresses to ruffle his thick hair playfully, earning a groan of complaint, and told him, "It's a little uncomfortable in this place, I must admit. I've yet to feel the peace of Quelimane again."

His lips met hers in a soft kiss, her heart skipping a beat, and he assured, "We'll leave soon and be back at Masyaf before you know it."

"I don't care where we are, I just need you there with me" she whispered solemnly as she pulled him close by the waist, squeezing him once before letting him go so he could finish changing. She didn't want to waste his time with sentimentality when he needed rest but it was hard not to embrace him. Vivian didn't have the luxury (or the money) to plan an elaborate dinner for him to wine and dine him for his safe return. She had to make do with little actions to show her care and so, as Altaїr pulled on his new breeches, she told him from behind, "I love you."

His eyes connected with hers and a second later, he fell over on his butt as he became unbalanced. She scampered over to grasp his arm to help him up, smiling embarrassedly as he shooed her away modestly to let him finish changing. She moved to fold his remaining clothing neatly since she'd buy a bar of soap to wash his clothes and let them dry throughout the day on the rooftop. Her fingers smoothed over the brown thread decorating the sleeves of his last layer over his torso and felt something bumpy underneath the tunic layer of his robes. Her probing brought her to a pocket underneath that layer and she dug out a small wooden statuette that resembled a predatory bird. Curiosity nabbed her over the pretty bird and she turned to ask him, "What's this?"

He hesitated slightly as his eyes flickered to the object and then back to her before he answered, "A small falcon. I was carving it back on the boat for you since I have yet to encounter your fearsome badger. The storm halted the progress, but I'll finish it-"

"I like it like this" she interjected pleasantly since the last gift she received was a roll of fabric he stole from enemies. Back then, they were becoming friends and he gave it to her since she had little clothing to begin with. She had never pegged him as a romantic person and her belly warmed at being the one who earned that affection. His sketching abilities from the codex was the only art she had witnessed but it was apparent that he was a natural. Her fingers cupped the tiny figurine with a fond smile and she mused, "A work in progress just like we all are as human beings."

He walked over to where she admired the little bird, encasing her shoulders under his hands, and remarked, "You never asked about my feelings."

"You're not the type to blubber like me, you're very formal about everything" she smiled fondly and brushed her thumb over his chin, feeling the stubble there after a lack of regular shaving. He had said enough onboard the ship on their last night together and it was enough to last her lifetime. She would never ask for more than he was willing to give and clutched her figurine against her chest with adoration. It would never leave her and she pondered on finding a necklace to secure it to as a pendant. Her family heirloom would not be worn again and her new life with Altaїr took priority. Her right hand thumped over her chest and she raised her chin to claim confidently, "My lively spirit has enough for both of us after your last declaration."

He brought her close for a kiss as the gentle greeting pecks were placed on the shelf and the passionate one was sold. She had tried to skirt away from pushing past chaste affection after his weary travels but reciprocated instantly. Her nerve endings lit up at his lively touch and he muffled a chuckle when she latched onto him, releasing her lips to whisper, "My love will never waver for you."

The amount of weeks without each other's company crawled into mind and she took him into all of her senses as he explored her mouth with the same liveliness during their first week of courting. Her fingers grasped the collar of his tunic to pull him against her as she kissed him fervently and his hands moved to her hips, instinctively molding hers against his as he felt her pelvic bone touch his own. She was petite under his build but that had never stopped him before and her breath tickled his neck when she whispered, "How would you like to enter a temple that doesn't hide a piece of Eden?"

He was about to reply that it had no point when the double meaning sprang to mind and slapped himself mentally. She was using the same verbal lingo that Malik used earlier to call him a pervert. Well, he was definitely not a pervert with his partner but he was sure going to physically reunite with her if she was willing. He allowed their relationship to advance at Vivian's pacing, given the loss of their child. He would never push for more, respecting her wariness, so he was more than willing to charm her, "What assassin would deny such an honor? When he is allowed into a sanctuary, he never fails to enter undetected."

Both Vivian and Altaїr were terrible with flirting which meant there were little jokes of mischief involved. Their first times being intimate were fueled by the threat of loss, tossing such luxuries as time aside to focus on each other. This time, however, they were involved as a true couple and their reunion was a happy one instead of the miserable moments they shared in previous times. Her fingertips prodded at his chest playfully while her green eyes shined to her sneaky low voice, "Well, this temple is still partially undiscovered, I might add, so the assassin must tread carefully."

Her heart hammered in her chest at daring to lure her partner, still carrying the initial shyness to await reciprocation. His words melted her into a happy puddle and she was still in awe of earning not only his love but respect. For Altaїr, he would tend to his partner loyally in every way, unafraid to make himself appear foolish . . . in private. His fingers threaded through her curly mop of hair again to cup the back of her head, aware she was nervous since their last tryst occurred before the miscarriage. He would follow her lead and leaned down to press his lips to her, promising, "Trust me, a hidden blade always pierces its target with smooth precision."

She blinked awkwardly before her eyes darted downwards and she asked hesitantly, "Okay, we're using way too many euphemisms and I'm starting to wonder if we're talking about the same thing at this point."

He raised his left gauntlet and tilted his head to the side since it was innocent throughout all of it. Vivian swatted the weapon aside with a small sigh, trying not to laugh at his unfazed expression, and directly asked, "Either we're going to blow into heavy weapons cleaning or sleep in this bed together."

His amused face shifted into a thoughtful expression for a moment and she balked, "You're seriously considering both?"

"Weapons are very important" he justified matter-of-factly since his survival depended greatly on his arsenal. Vivian arched an eyebrow at his reasoning but his straight lips broke into a smile when he spotted a humorous glint in those orbs. She could undo him just as he did her and he pressed his forehead to hers to whisper longingly, "On the other hand, I yearn greatly for my little badger."

Her lips sought his to close the gap between them and he embraced her to return it, murmuring against her inviting mouth, "I am not yet weary enough for sleep."

She leaned against him on her tiptoes to make up the size difference between them and questioned, "Are you sure? I don't want you falling asleep and being stuck under you for who knows how many hours. It might traumatize lil' ol' me."

"Is my body not attractive for you anymore?" he feigned dismay with a small pout because he knew damn well her nimble fingers outlined the contours of his body when they slept back on the boat. Her eyes ogled him before he even laid a hand on her form or returned the same side glances of interest. He couldn't help but tease her modesty since she uttered compliments of his skill but never his appearance to keep their secret flame between them.

She grinned slyly at his power play because he knew damn well he spun her round and pointed out, "You scorch the scale of attractiveness, it's your weight that will crush me. Look at you!"

"I will take great care with you, little badger" he assured with a kiss to her forehead, embracing her closely in one arm as his other hand gently smoothed over her flat belly. One day, they would have another chance to have a child of their own to raise. He saw no future without her and she believed the same of him since she kept her heirloom in the pouch of his items. Her world was now his. Her fingers entwined with his as she nuzzled the crook of his neck and he whispered, "Very great care after your experience. I won't be careless this time."

"And I treasure you for it" she whispered fondly and kissed the side of his neck, inhaling his familiar scent. She wanted to map out every contour of his form, peer hopelessly into his eyes, and simply hear his snores while her head lay over his heart. Her world was back to normal with his return and she tugged him towards her bed as she doted fondly, "I've missed you terribly."

"I will always return to you" he vowed firmly, refusing to break that important one most of all, and pulled her smaller form under his as he fell onto the bed. There would be peace, even if it was momentarily fleeting, but it was enough.

---

Altaїr wasn't one to linger in bed after partaking in the art of love and decided to polish his hidden blade, much to the humor of Vivian's gutter mind. Uncontrollable laughter had erupted after euphemisms returned with a vengeance when she caught him cleaning it on the side of the bed. He had given up this task, much to her relief, because she'd intentionally irritated him with pillow talk just to get the smell of weapon polish away from their bed. Why couldn't he have been the type to sleep or eat a sandwich? Instead, she received the man with weapon polish. Yep, he was one of a kind.

Even at the current moment, it resurfaced in her unconscious mind as she slept and Altaїr stared at his partner when she laughed into her pillow. She was downright insane sometimes but then again, people said the same of him. Maybe two people of the same mind would balance each other out . . .or bring horror to the world. The assassin merely grunted as he sewed torn patches in the trousers of his robes because falling on his knees from his stunts wore out the fabric faster than anything else. He knew the pair was on its last trip as the sewn leather patches that protected his knees from bruising during hard falls could be seen through the hole and reminded himself to start gathering his money to buy new ones.

I need to find better fabric that resists tears or a new way of constructing assassin trousers because I like their multipurpose use that allows me to be lazy yet professional, he thought with a frown as he pulled the needle through the fabric. He did not want to give up on this white pair after traveling endlessly in extreme comfort.

Vivian woke with a slow yawn and smacked her lips like a lazy dog, turning sleepily to find the assassin in his birthday suit while sewing in bed. Well, it was a better view than the earlier weapon cleaning. She had stayed in bed in an attempt to get him to sleep and recover from his lack of sleep but no. Her assassin was undaunted by mortal needs and simply carried on with the next tasks of survival. Her fingers trailed down a hairline scar located around his left shoulder blade, drawing his attention as he halted his work. He peered over his left shoulder to return attention to her, dropping the fabric in his lap, and smiled faintly, "Anne."

"I didn't get a chance to see all of your scars" she commented sympathetically as she drew over his skin with her fingers. He had indulged her with stories of how they were gained but she'd only seen those on his frontal upper body when they were not exhausted after travel at night, usually after they changed. Sitting up slowly, her lips trailed over the hairline scar before trailing toward the nape of his neck. His skin tingled with delight for the affection and he leaned against her, earning a smile from Vivian.

Looking at him, she chuckled to convince him to relax by suggesting, "You need to eat and rest. We can eat in bed like normal people, not weapon-wielding treasure hunters."

"Assassins" he corrected dryly to avoid having her give the Order a whole new name and have it catch on.

"My name sounds better" she disagreed impishly and took the sewing out of his hands to do it herself. He always left gaps in between the stitching that left the fabric loose rather than taut but she'd fix it for him. She could at least say her skill had improved dramatically with sewing after constantly mending her tears. Her gaze met his and everything from the prior hour flooded through her head, causing her cheeks to blush since he didn't kid about his reach and flexibility. For the first time, they didn't have to wait until nighttime to express their affection. She had forgotten how he made her body feel like it was on fire and forget her own name, telling him modestly, "Let me wrap up here and I'll meet you downstairs. The great Altaїr must let the little badger recover."

"Don't be so coy" he chuckled at her ploy to play innocent, leaning over to kiss her right cheek. If he would not stay with her to sleep, she would make sure he ate something. The sewing would not take her long and she grabbed the clothing to continue his work with a sheepish smile. He hopped out of bed without embarrassment, flashing her face with his bare and muscular backside, and she fought the urge to fan her face at the dazzling sight. She simply nodded hypnotically when he leaned down to pick up his clothes to redress as he told her, "I'll be back soon."

Everything after that was a wonderful blur for the historian.

Malik heard the thundering footsteps before his friend landed downstairs, shaking his head at his lack of finesse indoors. Altaїr failed to acknowledge his friend's recent frown, used to having one aimed at him at least once daily, and sat down across from the dai. Bashir was quietly finishing his first hot meal of the day, taking care not to devour the entire plate in a few bites. After eating rations and blandly tasteful wild game, his taste buds were overjoyed with the over seasoning.

"What? Did you figure out you're not compatible in there?" Malik joked gently to rile his friend since he expected the couple to stay locked indoors for longer. Vivian had moped around for weeks by the coast and on the road, unwilling to give up on her partner. He hoped his friend had not said the wrong thing and earned himself a time-out from their relationship. It would not be a new occurrence since it happened before their courtship. Despite changing drastically, he could still be blunt about certain matters of the heart.

"No!" he answered swiftly with offense at rebuffing his lady since she was more than happy to stay latched on. They were more than compatible and he searched the table for something to fling at his friend, frowning when he found nothing to satiate his annoyance. He decided to pick at the indentations in the wooden table with his fingertips instead and leaned forward to ask, "Should I be worried she doesn't cuddle after? Or the fact she can be a little dominating in the bedroom? I do value her sewing skills though."

"I'm eating here, I don't need knowledge about your sexual adventures" Malik groaned miserably and closed his journal before his emotions spilled onto the new paper. If they were back home, he could see himself indulging in age-appropriate jokes since Altaїr was still new to any romantic relationships. Quite frankly, even friendship was a new one for the man this decade so he needed guidance every now and then to avoid smacking himself into a figurative wall. However, they were stuck far from home to partake in adult humor and he pointed out firmly, "You're my brother and she's like my sister. This is not what I should be hearing!"

. . . . All of that left Altaїr's ears within a three-second attention span.

Again, he tried to beseech relationship advice from the dai as he mulled slowly, "So should I-"

"Eat!" Malik interjected to stop his pestering and relinquished the untouched half of a beef sandwich. The conversation had tarnished his appetite in one fell swoop. Altaїr's attention was instantly drawn by food after wasting what little energy he had left upstairs. Without needing further suggestion, he proceeded to grab the food and began devouring it hastily. The dai was quick to reprimand him to eat slower before he ended up nauseous or threw up and chastised him, "Do not strip Bashir of his innocence."

The scientist stopped picking at his meal at being acknowledged but before he could speak, Altaїr interjected, "I think he's more than ready to cross that threshold."

"I will not have you pollute him like you did Vivian" Malik warned protectively at losing another little lamb to Altaїr's survival of the fittest lifestyle. Bashir decided that returning to his food and trying to appear miniscule was his safest bet to survive long enough to get a bath. He was in awe of his leader's stamina and fortitude against lack of food, sleep, and shelter. While he was eager for all three, Altaїr just casually grabbed what he could and kept moving.

"Frankly, she polluted me" Altaїr corrected matter-of-factly to her ability to weave herself under his skin. Alluring her to him was not 100% his fault because reciprocation was required on both sides. Or at least, that's what his pride told him. The first year was mainly him trying to figure out her futuristic lingo and eccentric remarks before his eye shifted her into a different light. The pesky historian became someone he sought every night for companionship. Finishing his free morsel of food, he was reinvigorated and nodded to the men to state, "Back to business, my brothers. What is your progress here?"

"Minimal, the river is too strong" Malik explained with disappointment at the setback produced by the elements. The river was too wide in its current season to traverse safely and the current too strong to delve underwater without drowning. It was the same as Lake Victoria except the lake was too deep for human presence. He had been discussing the river's crescent with the locals to determine if it was feasible to explore it during the winter. Laying out the facts, he stated, "If we wait for the winter, the lower stream may allow us to find the object. However, we are risking our lives by staying for at least three more months with active Templars here."

"Are they searching for the same?" Bashir asked curiously on why they had wandered to the western side of the continent. The current conflict in their homeland stretched down the northern African coast only. Had another erupted war that pushed the Templars deeper to maintain their hold and charade as knights? Were they gaining more ground than their own agents? He made a quick mental note to create more smokebombs to have sufficient distraction weapons for a quick retreat.

"If they are, they have not achieved it" the dai answered calmly before his subordinate decided to bolt upstairs and start crafting. If he and Vivian could survive on their own for two weeks, so could they. He had followed the Templars to determine their goal but they would only scout the town, never approaching the river. If they did have knowledge about the POEs, they were searching in the wrong direction. He tapped his fingers over the dark leather cover of his journal before stating, "But the lack of word from the eliminated agents will return to their superiors and undoubtedly, more will arrive."

Altaїr was not willing to risk their safety for an item they had yet to locate. His friends had done most of the legwork in finding the location but the downside was having it at the bottom of a body of water. Lake Victoria had been a hassle that they eventually abandoned but he had been stubborn in admitting defeat. He could not risk having that same mindset here and shook his head to deliberate, "If it is buried deep in the river, it will not be an easy retrieval. There is no guarantee we will be successful either. Not to mention, continue repelling the Templars."

Malik would follow his lead, depending on how crazy his plan would be, and asked, "What is your decision then?"

"We continue north but we must cross the river" he stated to keep their team moving and away from Templar detection. The river was now playing against their goal and safety as it kept them stranded on the shoreline. He would not risk the others swimming through the water but they needed a way out. After the sinking, he was not entering any body of water anytime soon unless it was a shallow puddle. There was some success in neither group reaching the item and he suggested, "We can send a team during the dry season to gather more information and eliminate this sect. Time is what they will need to find a way to retrieve it when technology advances."

"Nobody is traveling out of this town" Malik pointed out since the trade routes were moving either east or west to avoid cross the mighty river. It was this group that he would inquire within to find a way to the other side. There had to be a way for traders and travelers to reach this side of the river if the enemy was slowly sprouting. He would leave his friend to eliminate the enemy while he stuck to his strength with intel, informing him, "I can investigate to find a bridge or someone willing to cross."

Bashir raised his hand gleefully to offer his own services and suggested, "I can design a raft-"

"No!" both men exclaimed instantly to halt such a proposition and Bashir slumped in his seat. Why did he never get to have fun creating gadgets? Altaїr had declined because he did not want to sink again while Malik did not want the raft to accidentally explode and fill them with splinters.

Altaїr did not want to discourage his gifted mind from focusing outside his specialty, telling him firmly, "It is best you apply yourself to your potions."

Bashir was satisfied with his leader's decision, mainly because he had no idea how to whittle. He would never decline to help his friends and their group had great need to escape the town. During his morning in the town, he managed to find ingredients for his bombs and poisons so he would spend tomorrow working on that. His team would not be disappointed in him and he asked warily, "When do we leave?"

"A week, if not sooner" Altaїr decided to shuffle his team onwards and grant enough time to gather provisions. He would not be waiting months for the dry season when there was still another object to find up north. If they could secure transport within days, he would take that offer. Today was a wearisome day but a good nap would allow him to investigate further west for a weaker current. Leaning forward, his eyes scanned the small inn to keep surveillance over the open windows before stating, "I would rather be on the road rather than sitting here like a mouse."

"We will face more danger as we head north" Malik reminded him after facing most opposition in the northeast before their travel south of the Nile released them to freedom. They had been able to evade the Templars for years after leaving Egypt to breathe and wander safely. Now, they were returning to that old looming threat and Altaїr had to keep his team sharp. Their attire would need to change again to neutral colors to blend into civilian life but everyone would be carrying a weapon.

Bashir remained optimistic about their journey, even after almost drowning in the Atlantic Ocean, and told them, "Our direction is northwest, maybe there will be less trouble."

"You are blindly optimistic" Altaїr said dryly with a faint smile but he would accept his good fortune for them. They would definitely need it in the coming days. Still, it was better to travel with lighthearted individuals that did not hold his pessimism to balance each other out. Their journey had started four years prior with uncertainty of what they would face and the passage of time felt like a blink to him. He distrusted Vivian completely, Malik had been his moral compass, and Bashir had not yet joined them. Now, he had formed bonds with each of them and it brought him to his next point, "I do have another request for further down the road."

Malik noticed his friend was speaking to him directly and wondered what mayhem he was about to have him endure. If it was anything like Egypt with his lost beard, he would smack him upside the head until common sense returned. They were all adept at disguises now that the Templars had trouble finding them unless they made it blatantly obvious. His brown eyes narrowed with suspicion before hesitantly answering, "Yes?"

Instead of a wild idea, Altaїr revealed with a modest smile, "Will you officiate my marriage to Vivian?"

The entire table was doused in silence before Bashir's face broke from shock into a large eager grin. Marriages within the Order were kept between their brethren to avoid exposing an agent's identity. While Altaїr's parents were both in the Order, Vivian was a civilian (who knew everything about them). It was why he dared to ask Malik since he was aware of their unique situation. She would not betray them nor was she one of their agents, being more of an ally at this point. Malik wondered if that was what the two discussed upstairs and inquired, "Has she agreed?"

"She will . . . when I ask" he mulled over the answer since he was still gathering the courage to ask her. They pretended being married on the boat, mainly for her safety, but their time together only solidified the fact that he did seek that life with her. There was nobody else that he wanted to share his life with and she put up with his crazy ideas just as much as he did with hers.

Malik deadpanned at his lack of planning and jabbed a finger in his direction before chastising, "Then ask me again when she agrees, I will not mortify the poor woman prematurely for your impulsivity."

"Before we reach the Maghreb" he assured with a frustrated sigh at the brotherly heckling but nodded confidently, "It will be safest for her in case questions arise."

The dai was not impressed at all by his impulsive decision and pointed out bluntly, "You picked the strangest time to marry."

"Better to have it done now than drawn out" Altaїr argued matter-of-factly to avoid delays in starting the phase of his life while dealing with the same old problems. The POEs would still be there, Templars would never stop trying to kill him, and there would always be missions for the Brotherhood. He had already spent enough time hiding his sentiments, which pushed her away rather than luring her, and would not waste her time again. Not after earning her agreement to stay. She deserved better from him after everything life threw at them and he pointed out, "I will not waste time. With that in mind, I must eat and bathe before resting."

"You ate half my food!" Malik declared indignantly after sacrificing his own meal to feed the man.

Altaїr waved his hands dismissively at that baffled claim, feigning ignorance, and proclaimed haughtily, "That was a table scrap, not sustenance."

Bashir was not going to sit for another heated discussion between the two, especially when he had other things to do, and slowly stood up as he informed them, "I am off to the baths but if I do not return within the hour-"

"Right, don't look for you" Altaїr acknowledged quickly with a satisfied nod at leaving the young man to his own devices. Bashir halted in his steps because he wanted aid to rendered, not to be abandoned as a lamb for slaughter. What did he think he would be doing in a bath except bathing?

"What? No!" Malik corrected swiftly with a glare at his lack of awareness and reassured the started man with a friendly smile, "Go on, Bashir. Ignore him. He's simply lost his mind from starvation."

Bashir left with the comforting thought that Malik would at least fetch him and the dai shook his head at his old friend to mutter, "You haven't changed a bit."

---

The team managed to secure wagon transport to the north after crossing the Niger River. The task had not been easy to manage with nobody daring to traverse the wild current in the town. Still, bartering and currency went a long way for those living on a day-to-day basis. Malik managed to gather enough intel from willing parties that the group headed west downstream until they found an old bridge used by the trade caravans. Altaїr was the only one hesitant to cross the wooden bridge since the summer season swelled the river to lap at the boards dangerously during a downpour. Their shoddy luck brought on light showers that dampened the wood but the crescent of the river stayed safely below the bridge. The group created an intervention circle to convince the stubborn assassin and it was only until they saw a caravan line crossing nonchalantly that his dramatics ended.

That's not to say that they didn't get to hear him complain the whole way to the other side.

Now, the team was on a wagon ride to the port of what would one day become Agadir in Morocco. They would have to hop off and hop onto several wagons before they reached the northwest side of the continent so they had quite a way to go. Still, they had a mode of transport and route to achieve it. The last POE on the African continent was not on the mainland but the western islands off the coast – the Canary Islands. Altaїr was not looking forward to the prospect of more sea travel after having the last ship sink but he would not cower from a mission. If he survived it once, he could do it again!

A sharp bump on the road pulled Altaїr from his rumination of the upcoming last mission. He really hoped that the next location would be the last before they turned to the road back home. Rubbing his face free of exhaustion, he adjusted the brown hood over his head to keep the sun at bay. His entire team was now dressed in neutral colors, no white hues at all, to blend seamlessly with the civilians traveling north.

He and Vivian sat at the rear of the wagon to maintain a small sense of privacy and to be able to enjoy the nature around them. Malik and Bashir were snoozing away with a nap while the other two took watch over their trip. Altaїr never doubted an ambush could occur, whether by Templars or regular highway thieves, so he had to be ready. Vivian, on the other hand, was simply happy not having to walk all the way the Morocco like they had to during the southern bend of their trip.

"This is much better than the bridge, that's for sure" Altaїr muttered darkly since he stuck closely to the barriers of the bridge instead of walking in the center. Vivian shook her head lightly because the bridge was large enough to walk steadily across rather than risk falling overboard if one gripped a wet banister and slipped. Still, her partner would not be convinced otherwise.

"You act as if you almost died" she joked gently at his dramatics around open water and gently flicked the side of his hood. He had survived a sinking ship and still ran back into it to help others yet he was still uncertain about wandering near water. If anything, it should be on his resume and added to his abilities as a survivalist.

"The rushing water could've swallowed me whole!" Altaїr insisted vehemently at the treacherous river because a sudden rise in the current would have everyone floating away. He was not going to be ignorant and believe he was impervious to water danger. The bumps in the road and the sharp tone of his voice woke their companions, earning him a smack behind the head from Malik. Altaїr waved his pesky hand away to have his opinion heard and told them bluntly, "I'm adding bridges to my no-travel list."

"At this rate, only wagons and steeds will be fair game" Malik muttered at the numerous modes of transport on the list. If he forbade the camels, then they would really need to walk.

"Exactly" his leader nodded proudly at accepting only ground transport to get him from point A to point B.

Vivian distracted him by changing the topic and asked quietly, "What is your plan for the POEs after all this?"

They were nearing the last leg of their trip now that they relinquished finding the POE in Mali. It was too dangerous to swim into and time would keep it sealed at the bottom of the riverbed for who knows how many centuries. After all, only the Apples had surfaced in Desmond's time and the Staff. Their collected POEs were currently tucked away in Altaїr's travel pack but they needed secure placement upon returning to Masyaf. He had pondered on the best solution to keep an eye on them but away from his brotherhood. He could not risk anyone being subjected to their power or attempting to wield it without proper training and told them, "Sealing them underground."

"No utilization against the Templars?" Bashir asked curiously at not using them to overpower and minimize the enemy threat. Was it because their power was too raw and unknown for them to wield? It was a rarity for an individual not to use a lethal weapon against one's enemy. Then again, this was why Altaїr was their leader.

Altaїr was not willing to risk anyone but himself with the items, remembering the control that seized inhabitants of Masyaf. Not to mention, Vivian's own temporary indoctrination. There had to be a reason behind the subjugating power because it was a complete victory to the wielder. He did not want to bear harming his loved ones and stated firmly, "Not until I know their intent on humanity."

"Smart plan" Vivian agreed with a faint smile to protect everyone from the clutches of those objects. She had willingly been a guinea pig for the POEs which allowed him to glimpse into memories that left her sleepy but uninjured. However, the crystal skull had been an unwilling control that left her with no account of what occurred and usurped her entire autonomy to attack Altaїr. Not to mention, her mother's heirloom carried a piece of that technology that warped the sense of time itself. They were different forms of control but she wanted to keep away from it all. She trusted the POEs solely to him and she gripped the back of the wagon tightly to advise him, "Keep that vault to yourself, nobody else."

"What if I am not there and access is required?" he asked uncertainly in case he needed to travel or one day, when he was no longer alive. He had to entrust the care of the POEs to someone he trusted entirely without question or risk unleashing their wrath upon the world. Worse, having them all fall under Templar control.

Vivian had an easy answer to that one to keep it within his lineage and smiled, "Your children."

He was not certain whether he wanted Darim or any future children treading down the same path. His time spent with Vivian on the eastern coast had slapped him awake to the simple things in life and how life could have been as a civilian. He did not want to remove that possibility from his children and cause resentment for the future heartache their lives in the Order would bring. It was only now that he began planning for the future and he smiled faintly at her to tease, "What of my little historian?"

"She will be making herself busy in the library" she answered scrupulously because she would continue to be a bookworm and support him. Being an Assassin would never be in the books for her but she would aid him no matter what. Her heart fluttered at the prospect of living with him at Masyaf, a new beginning, and nervousness did strike at forming a new identity. She had started off as a college student living at home and now, she was off having dangerous adventures with her assassin boyfriend. Quite a topsy turvy. Still, she would be happiest at his side and chided, "And sewing your torn clothing."

"Will you travel with me if I leave for another excursion?" he inquired carefully about her willingness to bear a similar sense of travel in the future. He was accustomed to traveling alone but the past years showed him that isolation was not good for everyone. There was solidarity in building camaraderie with his teammates and having extra backup in case sticky situations occurred. Although he vowed to keep his partner safe, his travels would never be free of danger. They were now traveling as a couple compared to the beginning and he wanted to respect her choice.

She had faced frightening situations and living in the medieval era without modern commodities had been the hardest adaptation. That and modern medical care. Altaїr had never disappointed her as a companion after they solved their problems and they had to communicate effectively. She would not hide her concerns from him and spoke freely, "Of course, I will . . . but let us rest for a few months-"

"Or a year" Bashir whispered quickly in suggestion to rest longer rather than arriving and leaving within the week. He really missed sleeping in his bed and having a bath on a regular basis.

"I need a new team" Altaїr grumbled playfully at their hesitation to jump back out into danger. No, he could never switch out his trusted companions after each of them saved his life in numerous instances. They had each proved themselves strong to hold their own in his team so it would be hard to look at new faces one day.

Malik burst his mental bubble of reminiscing by adding fuel to the sarcasm fire, "We will interview new potential sidekicks upon returning."

Altaїr brushed the men away to stop such ludicrous banter since he would not trade them, unless they really wished to stay behind. Malik ran a bureau so he understood that he could want to return to that life instead of traveling or living in Masyaf. He was his most trusted ally within the Brotherhood so he would internally acknowledge that he would miss him. Bashir was too glued to his tower to move anywhere so he was not concerned about him leaving while Vivian was stuck to his side.

Speaking of his little partner in crime, he maneuvered her away from the others by nudging her into the left corner of the wagon. She sighed at his silly behavior, placing her arms on top of the wagon, and lowered her chin on top to ask curiously, "Are we watching for something in particular?"

"No, I simply wanted some space for ourselves" he answered simply to offer a small corner of privacy and she smiled gently. His tall and muscular build was enough of a physical blockade to stop anyone from trespassing on their conversation. She always felt tiny sitting beside him, completely blocked from escaping, but never did she doubt his ability to protect her.

Her green eyes glittered with amusement as she reminded him, "Last time we were in one of these, we were kicked out for our ruckus."

"Back then, I misunderstood you" he pointed out to the stern and loud arguments that would erupt daily. Malik had been their peacemaker back then to keep her safe from his wrath and his anger in check. He lashed out at the unknown and she was a large red flag to him with her mysterious arrival. They had clashed repeatedly until his carelessness led to her being kidnapped and they set aside their differences. She grew on him as she tried to understand her new life while aiding him on his journey, learning more about her own past, and abandoned her only chance to go home. For him. They could not release each other, deciding to live with the consequences, and he murmured, "We've come a long way."

"Four years" she smiled solemnly at how long their journey had taken from Masyaf to their current location. She did not take a single moment for granted at his side and subtly wedged herself against him, touching her knee and hips to his. In all her years, she had never traveled rigorously as she did with him. She would have preferred not being struck on the head or yelled at for lacking modesty but this was Altaïr, the man did not trust anyone easily.

She was stronger than she gave herself credit for because he highly doubted he could survive in a futuristic world if the roles were reversed. Having no recollection or reason for such a life-altering change was heartbreaking and it was out of their control. She forgave him for the guilt he carried for treating her worse than pond scum, elevating his respect for the historian. Most of all, she loved him despite everything and he wished he could find a way to bridge her old life to this one. It was an impossible goal and he said the only consoling thing he could offer, "I am sorry for what you've gone through for us, Vivian."

"It wasn't your fault" she whispered somberly with a faint smile because neither had a hand in it. Her presence in his world was due to the chance of her family necklace and the strange ancient beings that decided to play a chess game with humans across time. She would miss her family dearly but she wanted to stay with him in this parallel world to make a new life. He raised his arms to place them on the wagon door, playfully nudging her elbow with his. She could not fault him for everything that happened, even her decision to stay, and sighed softly, "Cosmic beings intervening in our little lives. What can I possibly do but make the best of it?"

"You have an unyielding optimism that I admire" he admitted on her best trait that never failed to hope for the better. She believed the best in everyone and encouraged all their dreams, no matter how silly. Even Bashir's crazy gadgets that blew up more often than not. Altaїr did not hold the most positive and engaging personality after being raised in an isolated fortress and trained to eliminate enemies, not make friends. She was a breath of fresh air that was contagious to him, drawing him to her quirks, and he was always amused when she uttered wanting to be more like him instead.

"Meanwhile, I admire everything about you" she chuckled kindly as she complimented him yet again and saw herself as the weaker of the two. To Altaїr, she was just as strong as him in a different sense. Otherwise, he would not have made it to the opposite coast sanely without her endless support and loyalty. He gave her a skeptical side glance since he never wanted her to jump out a window ever again and she bumped her shoulder with his to point out sneakily, "I can't kill someone five times before they hit the ground."

"Anne" he spoke softly, uttering his nickname for her when they were about to dwell into a serious discussion. Her full name would only leave his lips in public or when she did something outrageous. She tilted her head to the side to grant him that attention and he met her gaze to whisper, "Will you marry me?"

Her eyes widened in alarm at the sudden proposal, her cheeks tinting rosy, and she swallowed to calm her thundering heart. Was she hearing correctly? Did he just propose to her? What was he thinking? Her? One could only be so lucky to be deemed Assassin wife material. Her stomach fluttered with delight at his soft tone, appreciating that privacy, and she breathed with disbelief, "Altaїr."

Her partner, on the other hand, decided to play everything casually. On the inside, Altaїr's heart was thumping away a mile a minute for putting everything at risk. What if she said no? What if she still feared leaving his world? What if she was having second thoughts about staying? He did not want waste time that he could spend with her as a spouse and spoke calmly, "What? We were talking about it briefly before the sinking."

"We still have a way to go before reaching home" she reminded him since they would not be having any kind of housewarming or wedding celebration. Their solitude as they traveled as a team up north meant they had to keep their identities hidden. She would have expected him to want their marriage to be quietly settled in Masyaf, not before reaching it. Unless he was simply proposing and waiting for that later?

"Our marriage will exist no matter where we go" he pointed out carefully because it would be binding between them, nobody else. Only her decision mattered in the end. She was not an assassin, but he hardly cared about that. It was their union that he cared for – a vow that would bind them forever. His golden eyes shined against her bashful green orbs and he stated confidently, "I am not changing my mind on asking you."

Her face softened on his persistence because she did love him dearly and he admitted modestly, "I am not a rich man nor do I have much to my name but I will protect and cherish you-"

"I will marry you, my beloved eagle" she interjected with a faint whisper as tears burned at the inner corner of her eyes. Her throat tightened momentarily as she accepted his love wholeheartedly and the decision to bind her existence to his. She would not let him believe her affection did not stack up to his and she blinked rapidly when he smiled genuinely at her. Oh, how this man undid her so easily now.

"When we reach the next transport center, Malik will be our witness" he informed her of his plan, which he was happy to divulge now. He would find an area scenic enough to be memorable for her since he could not offer her a civilian marriage. His heart thudded contently for being accepted and the potential life awaiting them as a married couple. He would keep her happy, under the most dire circumstances because he knew she would do the same for him. He did not want to overwhelm her this early in the process and told her, "It is a simple ceremony, given the circumstances."

Vivian did not mind a quick ceremony, happy to have their friends present for that memory, and assured him, "I don't need anything fancy, just you and a good meal."

His smile widened at the humble request of his partner, appreciating her discreetness to keep their ceremony private. She had never been the type to demand material objects or affection from him, accepting what little tokens he could give her. He still remembered her single request at the start of their trip for new robes, given the old ones tore terribly, and he bartered for her. She had finally retired the attire but transformed it into a patched-up blanket. There wasn't much to his name so if he could afford to give her a new weapon for protection or a hand-made trinket to show his loyalty, he would do it, and promised, "I can scrap together a few coins for that."

"Our adventures will never end" she grinned widely at the new horizon awaiting them and her voice softened to say, "Promise that we'll always be together."

"We are one, from this day on" he vowed to always keep her within his sight and if not, in a safe location. His life was not an easy one nor free of danger but she accepted the risk. He could not kiss her on the forehead in public but opted to rest his fingertips on her elbow. Her cheeks still turned rosy at that subtle contact so he deemed it a success.

Turning around to face the others, he raised his hands to declare proudly, "She said yes!"

While Bashir congratulated them immediately with a friendly smile, Malik turned to Vivian to double-check her answer by asking, "Are you sure?"

"Do not make me throw you off this wagon!" Altaїr interjected at having his future bride scared off but Vivian quietly replied to confirm she was certain. She couldn't help but yank her partner's arm before the two ended up trying to smack each other silly. It was fine when they all acted childishly in camp but not in public, they actually needed to act their ages. Otherwise, they might get kicked out of the wagon and be forced to walk all the way north.

Bashir couldn't help but offer his services for the wedding and asked with a hopeful smile, "Can I make fireworks?"

Vivian could not bear to upset her unofficial little brother, deciding to ignore the warning signs, and looked to Altaїr to speak hesitantly, "I want to say yes?"

Meanwhile, Altaїr hoped their marriage wouldn't be a short one if his creations blew up prematurely. The scientist clenched his fists at the new victory, numerous equations floating through his mind at what he could create, and grinned mischievously, "Success!"

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Thank you for reading!