Fleeting

He flew across the rooftops faster than he ever had, faster than if he was being chased by someone of equal skill and still he couldn’t seem to go fast enough. He’d left Nakim in the dust, the other Assassin was getting on in years and had never been known for his speed, he was an excellent teacher and fighter but he’d passed his peak. As far as Altaïr was concerned he needed no help with retrieving the girl – he’d handled every Templer in Cyprus alone after all! What had seemed strange was that Malik kept asking Abdul to describe this Templer to him; why would it even matter to the Dai?

“You! Get down, now!” Altaïr saw a soldier to his left begin readying his bow and slowed only to bury a silver throwing knife into the man’s throat, if the fool had stayed silent Altaïr had no doubt he’d be carrying an injury by now. He had to focus, so intent on getting to the church he’d forgotten to scan his surroundings! Altaïr slowed his steps; surely if the Templer wanted to kill Azurelle her body would have been left for him to find when she’d met the man after the festival. The Assassin leapt over the roofs less desperately, his heart beating anxiously as he wanted to go faster, at this speed he could think, he didn’t want to think! He’d been a fool to let her out of the bureau…and to tell her to go and get herself killed! He should have known she’d listen to that order!

“Altaïr!” Nakim had caught up, “I thought I’d never catch up!” he took a few deep breaths now that Altaïr had paused, his eyes trained on the church before them, “how will we get in?”

“I can get in through that broken window…it is likely those bastards there will see me, though.” The window was nearly eighteen foot from the ground, there were very few places Nakim could see for the Assassin to haul himself up on, below it was a large group of soldiers, “I know it is dangerous, I would not ask you to do it alone but I have no other choice!” the older Assassin clapped his hand down on Altaïr’s shoulder.

“I will fight them, lead them away if I can…most of them are more baby faced than our novice – they will likely fall quickly!” he tensed his left arm and Altaïr heard the hidden blade retract, “safety and peace, Altaïr.” He leapt from the low roof and swooped down, his blade killing the commander of the small group. It only took a moment for the stunned group to pull out their weapons and counter the attacker; Nakim had already disposed of another two by the time the first sword struck against his. It was at that moment Altaïr leapt for the wall and landed a few feet above their heads – Nakim cut down the only man that had seen him.

00
The church was small, it was barely finished being painted and had only a few holy men inside, they were ordered to leave by the large Templer and they obeyed like scurrying rats. “This isn’t the grandest of places, it isn’t really ready to be called a church yet but it is secret enough for me.”

“Let me go! I swear that if you don’t I’ll – ” Bosque released her neck and she stopped her threat in surprise, she wasn’t expecting him to listen to her at all.

“I had to bring you in like that, I was being watched by one of my subordinates…if he saw me being so friendly with you he would suspect me of betraying our Templer masters.” He sat himself down on a wooden pew, seeming to be completely relaxed and appearing harmless once again.

Azurelle was furious with herself, she marched to the altar and turned to glare at him, this was the furthest she could be from the snake as he wouldn’t let her near the doors, “I knew I shouldn’t have trusted you! I shouldn’t have believed you were what you seemed!”

“Nothing is true – Everything is permitted.”

Azurelle was taken aback; she’d heard that phrase countless times. When she was young and had gotten too close to the Assassin’s fortress she’d first heard the phrase, it was something she grew up hearing Malik say when he visited her sister, Altaïr had uttered it many times, Nakim was always telling Abdul as well. It was a phrase as common as ‘safety and peace’ among the Assassins. “Where did you hear that?”

Getting up, Bosque slowly ambled towards her, frowning when she backed into the altar table behind her and protectively surrounded her bump with her arms; he’d not meant to frighten her. “Twenty years ago I joined the Templers, at the time I believed every single tenant and I would happily destroy any man who told me I was wrong!” he stopped a few feet from her before she grew too skittish, “it was years after the second invasion of this land that I found myself doubting my beliefs…I was sent here with my fellows to find weakness, something that might cause us to arms again. The things our leaders made us do! It was heinous, they seemed to take joy in torture and the practical slavery we were forcing people into, even our own were attacked for not being faithful enough!”

He sighed, his face scrunching up at the disgust he felt, “there was a small church and the holy men inside gave shelter to everyone, they didn’t care what religion they were, their status in society – these men took them all in! To the Templers it was an insult and we were sent orders to burn the church…with everyone inside it.” She winced and Bosque assumed it was because of his story, “I followed these orders but as the screams erupted and the bells were rung for help…I realised this was not what I had joined for, this was not a noble cause to spread the word of god it was to force it. I went to open the doors to let them escape but my comrades beat me nearly to death and I truly feared for my life.”
He stepped closer and pulled off his left glove, he turned his arm so that she could see the inside of his wrist, a small scar stood proudly from his tanned skin, “do you know what this is?”

The girl glanced at the mark, “it’s…that mark is…” she exhaled sharply and rubbed her stomach uncomfortably. “The mark of the Brotherhood…it’s an Assassin’s mark.” He nodded at her answer, he wasn’t happy with the way she was reacting, was she in pain or perhaps nervous enough to feel sick.

“Are you alright?”

“I told you earlier, it’s only a few cramps!” she snapped in irritation, why didn’t people ever listen to her? “How did you get that scar?” perhaps his voice would distract her from the growing discomfort.

“I was saved by Assassins who had been taking refuge in the church, they’d climbed out, killed the ones I was with and opened the doors. I was taken as a prisoner; I would perhaps have information as to why the Templers were still snooping around the holy land even at a time of so called peace. I met a man called Al Mualim…he demanded answers and I gave him everything I had willingly – every plan, every place we hid, people we had influence over…I told him why I was telling him. How I was so disgusted with our crimes and the abominations we performed all in the name of god and I asked him to kill me.” Bosque paused; he was thoughtful for a moment and then continued his voice quieter, “he refused. If I was so intent on dying I could throw myself from a cliff but if I wanted to redeem myself I would help him. I would throw myself back into the life of a Templer, I would become a high influence and I would use this influence to help the Brotherhood...I did as he asked. I was sent back to Germany where I could order my own men and make decisions on how to better our control over the masses. I sent messages to Masyaf as often as I could, my wife often the one carrying them to the boat to keep me out of suspicion.”

“Then why are you here? Why are you after Altaïr’s life?!”

“I’m not!” he denied vehemently, “because of his stunts years ago in Cyprus I was sent here to secure a hold on Jerusalem and find a way to destroy the hold of the Brotherhood…now that this latest crusade has become a mere memory it is easier for us to work secretly! I must meet up with Altaïr and let him know what is going on, that he needs to stop being so bloody blatant with his activities! You are the best way for me to meet him and were it not for the fact that I am watched as closely as an enemy I would have never of ‘kidnapped’ you like this. By now that young Assassin should have informed the others that I have you.”

Azurelle’s head reeled, so he was a Templer working for the Assassins by being a Templer…he could be lying. This could be another trick to gain her trust! He could be a Templer helping the Assassins by being a Templer but not helping them at all! “I need to sit down.” She said pathetically, she was so confused she didn’t know what to trust – he might have carved that mark in himself after seeing the symbol just once.

“Of course, come, you look as if you may fall” she stepped forward and just as he predicted she fell forward, Bosque held her up as she regained her footing he didn’t expect her cry of fear though, “what is…when did this…” his blue eyes had followed her stare towards the floor where dark blood had pooled, she’d slipped in it which had caused the fall. The Templer lowered her to the stone floor, “you’ll be fine! This happens sometimes!” he tried to reassure her as best he could but when the red began to stain the dress he wasn’t sure she would be fine anymore, “has this happened before today?”

She gripped his arms firmly as he held her by the shoulders, “only a little the last day or so…” she whimpered. She hadn’t told anyone about the intermittent cramping and the tiny spots of blood because she’d thought nothing of it and she didn’t want to tell a bunch of men she was bleeding from such a place,” she couldn’t help crying now, what was happening to her? Was this normal? Despite her concentration on the red slowly swallowing the yellow of the dress, Azurelle heard a thump that echoed in the church loudly, both she and the man turned their heads to watch Altaïr stand. “Altaïr!”

The Assassin zeroed in on the brunette, she had tears streaming from frightened eyes and was trapped in the Templer’s hold. She was still alive, he wasn’t too late! Bosque stood up to face him and it was then that Altaïr realised she was bleeding. “What have you done!”

“I haven’t done anything! Now stop standing there and – ” the Templer barely had time to pull out his sword before Altaïr’s clashed against it, “I do not want to fight you!” he pushed hard and sent Altaïr a few paces backwards, Bosque followed quickly to put some distance from Azurelle before they accidentally trampled her.

“You should have thought about that before you laid hands on her!” the Assassin’s eyes pierced the German viciously before he launched himself again. The sound of metal scraping and banging against more metal echoed deafeningly in the church, Bosque never once took an offensive swing at his opponent; all he could do was struggle to defend against every strike. A hard kick to his knee forced him to the ground and he had to attack or he would be killed. He barely stopped the hidden blade from burying itself into his neck and struck the side of Altaïr’ head.

“Stop!” he yelled as they both took a moment to recover, “I am not your enemy! You must listen to me!” by the feral look on the Assassin’s face Bosque knew he wasn’t going to get a word in. Not while Altaïr believed he’d hurt Azurelle and her baby, he was running on pure anger. “Help me out here, woman!” Azurelle blinked away tears as he called for her aid, what did he want her to do?! What was to say his story hadn’t been a huge lie from start to finish? And why would Altaïr even listen to her, hadn’t he told her that he didn’t want her in his sight? She watched as the battle started up again, Altaïr was fast, he was precise and every move boasted of skill and the promise of death. The Templer was skilled also, he was stronger than Altaïr but was struggling to keep up, his style wasn’t made for defence as he continued to refuse attacking the other.

“Altaïr…stop…” she said, it was barely loud enough for him to hear, she tried again, “Stop! Altaïr he’s…” Azurelle shook her head, what was the large man? A liar or an ally? Either way he was soon going to be a dead one! “Wait! Don’t hurt him!” this time she was loud and she was certain he’d hear her. It fell on deaf ears though.

With a well practiced move, Altaïr got under Bosque’s defence and struck his arm hard enough to force the sword from the Templer’s hand and possibly break the bone. Satisfied that his enemy was now knelt on the ground with his arm cradled protectively to him, Altaïr took a step back, tensed his arm to release his blade and rose to strike the final blow. “No! Altaïr please don’t hurt Friedrich! Please!” he froze with Azurelle hung on his arm, where had she come from? And why was she protecting this man.

“Let go!” he barked angrily.

“No!” she tightened her hold, she looked at Bosque and hoped she wasn’t completely wrong, “show him!” he stared at her stupidly before realising her meaning. He lifted his wrist and held it in the Assassin’s sight. “He’s a spy…for you.” Altaïr paused, what was going on here? Azurelle’s grip loosened and she began to sink, Altaïr grabbed her and once realising she wasn’t able to stand on her own allowed her to sit. She glanced at Bosque, “I swear, if you have lied to me I will find a way to leave you so crippled that not only will you wish you were dead you will be unable to end your own life.”

“I have not lied.” He told Altaïr everything he had told her and more beside, he referenced names of Rafiqs, Dais, masters and supporters of the Brotherhood that would know of him. He was quick for the girl’s sake, she seemed so forlorn as she rested against the Assassin’s leg, the man himself still looking fierce and ready for a slip up – any reason to bury his blade into the Templer. “I sent word to the Rafiq in Acre…he knows me, the old fool probably hasn’t sent word here yet…”

“You expect me to believe all this? And even if it is true, Al Mualim turned out to be traitor in the end.” He let his hidden blade whiz back into place and reached to pick Azurelle up, “I am taking you to a doctor.”

“There’s nothing any doctor can do. We can only hope that this is not a sign that the child is d -” Bosque let his voice die in his throat at the warning look he received from the Assassin.

“The blood…I-I’ve been bleeding for a few days…” he looked at her with confusion; he’d assumed the blood was from some sort of injury caused by the other man. Looking at her slightly flushed face and the way she held herself made him blanch in sudden realisation, “I’m sorry, I should have told you but…I was so angry and now…I know you hate me, Altaïr, but please forgive me!” he lifted her without a word, this was something they could discuss later after he’d taken her to Imran.

“There’s a door through the priest’s study to your left, there is a guard on the door, he should be on the left hand side.” Azurelle sent him a small smile that ended in a grimace. The Templer watched as she was carried away and they disappeared, he studied his arm and swore at the damage that had been caused – he wasn’t going to be fighting again any time soon.

00

“What do you want me to do?”

“I want you to help her!”

“How many times must I say it? There is nothing I can do for her! This isn’t a case of covering an injury and hope it stops bleeding, Altaïr, there is no danger to her life. Take her home, keep her comfortable and pray that she doesn’t miscarry.”

Altaïr decided he hated that word. Every time Imran said it the Assassin’s whole body was filled with dread and he could only look at the blood on Azurelle’s clothes, wishing fervently that his child was not dead. Why hadn’t she told him sooner? If he’d have known he would have…he had no idea what he would have done – he knew nothing of pregnancies. Women got fat, whined a lot, screamed for a few hours and then a baby appeared. That was the extent of his knowledge on that subject. “If I had have brought her earlier…”

Imran shrugged unsympathetically, “I’d have told you the same thing. I’ve seen this happen to many women, half of them carry on with a normal pregnancy and half lose their babies, only Allah knows what will happen!”

“I am not a religious man, Imran, do not fob me off with such a thing.” The doctor waved his hand dismissively and left Altaïr with Azurelle huddled on the table where he’d left her. “…” he opened his mouth and shut it again, not knowing what to say to her in this situation.

“He said I could clean myself up here…could you get me something else to wear?” she muttered, “I don’t want to go back to the bureau like this…unless you don’t want me there, I’m sure the Troupe is still at the inn and…” she watched him sit gingerly beside her, his hood hiding his face, she hated that hood sometimes, she was shocked when he took her hand in his gently.

“I did not mean it when I said to stay out of my sight; I was angry and so were you. You had every right to be angry at me and I know you did not mean it either. I was wrong to treat you the way I have and I apologise…” he released her hand and walked to the door he’d once again broken, “I will get you clothing and then we will return to the bureau…I would be grateful if you would stay rested for a few days, after that you can leave as you please.”

“With an Assassin to follow me around?” she asked trying not to sound ungrateful – she was beyond happy that he still wanted her.

“No.” he said simply, “with an Assassin beside you.”

000

I’m a little bit woozy, tomorrow I’ll probably look at this and go, WTF did I write?! But be nice to me! I gave blood today and fainted! …again…they were expecting it this time!