Altair entered Masyaf his muscles tight and his heart heavy...De Sable had thrown him out of Solomon's temple like he was nothing but a mere stone to be skipped across a lake. As he crossed the village he found himself looking down and to the side at the cliff's edge. 'If I just end it now...' he heard himself think, but he shook the thought off and walked towards the gates ignoring Abbas as he went through the gates. Once he stood in front of Al Mualim he found his fists were clinched and his breath held.
He sighed, "Master?"
"I trust your mission went well...and you were able to get the templar treasure?" Altair felt himself start to sweat.
"There was some trouble, Master...de Sable wasn't alone."
"Nor were you Altair...so that begs the question of where Malik and Kadar are." Altair coughed nervously. 'Maybe if I pass out now?' thought Altair weakly.
"Dead...?"
"No," came a voice Altair knew all too well, "Not dead." Altair turned and was surprised to see Malik with Kadar supporting himself on Malik's right shoulder for it seemed Malik had lost use of his left arm and Kadar broken a number of bones, mainly his right leg.
"We still live, no thanks to you." Hissed Malik but Kadar didn't even looked at anyone let alone utter a word.
"I-" Altair's voice caught as Malik rushed on.
"Your arrogance nearly cost us victory."
"Nearly?" questioned Al Mualim.
"Yes," said Malik now grinning, "I have what your favorite failed to find." And with that he motioned for someone to come forward. Altair looked away angrily...thinking for a moment that it may have been better if they had died but quickly stabbed the thought in the heart. The informant came forward with a small golden treasure chest. Al Mualim clasped his hands together as the chest was placed onto his desk. He seemed as if he reverted back to a child's state of mind and as Altair laid eyes upon him he could of swore his master was "this close" to tears.
"Let me see it." Said Al Mualim giddily as he opened it then just before his eyes could look upon it for a mere second a novice ran up the stairs in a panic and ignoring all protocol addressed Al Mualim.
"Master! The templars are attacking!" Al Mualim sighed closing his eyes for a moment.
"Prepare our forces." Said Al Mualim and the novice left, leaving the four of them-three injured Assassins and one master- to stand there in dreadful silence.
"Altair," came Al Mualim's voice as he broke the silence.
"Yes, Master?" Asked Altair just barely able to make eye contact with him.
"Go out and fight the templar vermin and if you're lucky that may in some way redeem you or your actions." Altair nodded and left not daring to look at either Kadar or Malik.
Altair found no trouble in taking out the templar soldiers that were attacking but once the Assassin's started their retreat he took an arrow to the shoulder. Rauf helped him pull it out then lead Altair up to the ladder towards a tower. Once atop it Altair caught a glimpse of Al Mualim as Rauf lead him to a large wooden platform that jutted from the side of the tower. There were three of them and Altair didn't really see why till he looked down as Al Mualim gave his "We aren't afraid of death" speech.
"Do exactly as I do." Said Rauf and Altair looked over an nodded to him.
-------------------------------------
I'm thinking of making this into a full story but I'm not sure...what do you think, readers?