Mysteries of the Heart

An eventful meeting of rival families.

Altair's point of view

An eagle swooped low over Masyaf landing for a moment at a brotherhood shopping stall. It screeched loudly before winging away again back the way it had come.

I watched as it flew away noting something glistening in its talons. Curiosity drove me forward as I went to discover what it was the eagle held. I was not on a mission so it mattered little what I did now but if someone was using birds to steal from the brotherhood then they must be taught a lesson.

The eagle flew landing every so often turning its head as if to ensure it was not being followed. Taking care not to be noticed by the bird I followed it to a dark back ally. It was a place I had never seen in the city before.

The dark road led at long last to a welcoming little cave. It seemed to be lit with torches at various locations within the near perfectly smooth fray rock. I pressed my back against the wall hearing the soft voice of a young woman cooing to what must have been the bird.

"Oh Fanteriso what have you brought me today?" There was a brief pause and the voice continued at a more surprised note. "Fanteriso what is this? I told you I can't use these things. They are for Assassins and killers. I can't even give it to one of our friends least they find out where it came from!"

I smiled to myself. Well the bird stole something the girl didn't want. I turned slightly preparing to reveal myself but paused.

"Those assassins are cruel if they think someone is doing them harm. They won't think twice to follow and kill us." The bird Fanteriso, cawed quietly in reply.

"I know Fanteriso, but we can't risk returning it either cause they may follow you back to me anyway. After all there would be no point in hiding if I was caught after all this time."

She's hiding? But from what or whom? I wondered silently.

Before I realized she was approaching there was a sharp gasp and the sound of metal hitting smooth stone.

"Shit they followed you Fanteriso go! Fly away quickly!" I stepped forward as the girl bolted towards me after the bird who I just let go. Tackling the girl to the ground I pressed a finger to her lips while my eyes traced the girls home.

There was a small pile of straw half covered by a blanket in one corner and a table with a torch above it in the other. Right in the centre of the floor was one of the brotherhoods hidden blades.

"Why are you hiding?" I let my eyes meet hers which were now wide with fear. I hoped that my voice was reassuring but feared it would be otherwise.

In an act of defiance she spat on my face before attempting futility to escape after Fanteriso. "Why should I tell you Assaasin! Your people are the ones hunting me anyway!"

"I am not here to hurt you girl." I could feel the anger bubbling just beneath the surface. "I want to help you."

The words seemed to shock her just as much as they did me. I never intended to help her before but something about this place made me think twice. I cringed as I realized what I had just done. If this young woman was an enemy of the brotherhood, then I've just offered to help the men and women who would see the world controlled by them alone.

The woman growled and renewed her struggles. "I don't want your help! Your people betrayed my family!"

That took me aback. "I have never seen you before yet I was raised a part of the brotherhood."

She hesitated in her struggles to stare darkly at me with her chilling emerald eyes. "You didn't come to kill me yet you are part of their family? I don't understand. My whole family died protecting me from your people."

I glanced away unable to hold her gaze.

"I left them." She remained silent. "They betrayed me. Thus I left but I will never give up on them." It wasn't the whole truth. If he was honest with himself he was really the leader. But she was so scared he couldn't bring himself to tell her that.

Suddenly her eyes darted past me to something over my shoulder. "Fanteriso you trust this man?" The birds weight was so light on my back I never would have known the bird was there.