Fork in the Road (Altair/Assassins Creed)

Chapter 61

A week later, Hana was placed on a crutch to support her weight as she walked. Her body was incredibly weak after losing so much blood, and being bed ridden for over a month.

The nurse helped her strap her chest, and clothe her before aiding her across the infirmary floor to practice her walking. She had stumbled a few times, and the older woman was there to help steady her and encourage her to continue.

They left the infirmary together, and the nurse escorted her along the corridor with a gentle hand placed upon her back.

"Safety and peace, Hana."

"I'm glad to see you doing well, Hana."

Her brothers-in-arms greeted her as they passed, and Hana nodded her head towards them in thanks as she greeted them with a small voice in return.

She ran her hand over the plait that the nurse had done to her hair, as she paused for breath at the foot of the stairs leading to Al Mualims study.

"He said you were to see him when you were able, that does not immediately." The nurse advised her.

Hana shook her head, "I must see him. I am standing, which means I am able."

"I cannot aid you there."

"I will take her." Both Hana and the nurse looked up towards the assassin standing before them, and Hana recognised the voice of the man who had bested her during their sparring, then accosted her before she left for her last assignment.

The nurse thanked the assassin, before leaving Hana in his care. Asking him if he was able to return her to the infirmary once she had spoken with the Mentor.

"How do you fair, sweetheart?" He questioned politely, placing a hand on her lower back to aid her on the stone staircase.

Hana tensed when he made contact with her form. Inside the ring and during battle she did not shy away from the touch of a man anymore, but in this circumstance and alone, she found herself unnerved by the almost intimate gesture.

She allowed what he had called her to slip, "I am much better, thank you."

"Your focus to get your strength back is noted, yet foolish." He referred to her climbing the stairs, for this only being her first day back on her feet since her near-fatal injury. "Have you had any thought as to giving me your hand?"

"My hand?"

"Come now, I know Al Mualim informed you of my offer." He said, a grin appearing on his face. "Your skills in the training ring convinced me that you were worthy of being initiated. After our little conversation afterwards, however, your attitude was infuriating... But I do appreciate a good challenge, especially from such a pretty young woman."

Chills swept along her spine, and Hana's gaze moved away from him and down to her feet. She had several more steps still to go before she reached the top, and she wished for him to leave her company sooner rather than later.

"I have yet to consider your proposal." She told him, climbing another two steps before stopping to allow a flare of pain to pass, she felt sweat beading at her brow. "I have been rather busy."

"I understand." He replied, aiding her to the top of the staircase. "But I am sure you would consider me, knowing the other proposal came from that awful gatekeeper."

Hana glanced along the stretch of bookshelves lining the way between her and Al Muslims desk, and grimaced uncomfortably.

"Thank you for your assistance, however, you should speak with the Master now. It will surely be a while before I reach him, and I do not wish to take up anymore of your time."

"I will tend to my business and then return to help you." He told her, "I cannot allow my future wife to struggle alone." She stared at her feet, offering him no words as he left her side.

Hana leaned heavily on her crutch, and wiped at her sweaty forehead. She limped further along the corridor, stopping every now and again to give herself a moment of rest.

"Hana." Altaïr spoke a few moments before he took her by her elbow, not wanting to startle her.

She felt her cheeks heating, for his touch had immediately soothed her from how tense she had been in the presence of the other man.

"I'm fighting fit." She attempted to jest, knowing fully well that she looked anything but.

"Your determination is admirable." He told her, "However, I do believe you are doing too much, too quickly."

"Al Mualim requested to see me. Now that I am on my feet, I am able."

"If you wish for assistance, please ask."

"Thank you." She looked up at him, her face heating further when she noticed she had his complete attention. "But you had best speak to the Mentor before me," She repeated the words she had said no longer than three minutes previous. "It will take me a moment to reach the end."

"I will wait for you." He walked at her pace, close enough to help her if she needed but far enough away that she had independence. "Take your time."

Her heart fluttered at his proximity, and she kept her eyes ahead as she moved with a newfound determination. The Master Assassin admired her determination, so determined she would be. She felt swear drop down the back of her neck, and by the time she reached the point in which to wait for the Mentor to be free for her to meet with; she was utterly exhausted and near to tears.

Her potential husband bowed his head to Al Mualim, before turning on his heel to return to her side and Hana did not miss the smirk that crossed his face at the sight of the Master Assassin standing with her.

"If she is to be my wife, Altair, she will no longer be your whore."

Before Hana could blink, the Master Assassin had grasped the other man by the collar of his robes and thrust him backwards against the stone balustrade to the sheer drop below, his fist raised in preparation to bring it down upon the lower ranked assassins face.

"Altaïr!" Al Mualim yelled, angrily.