Hawks and Eagles

Broken Wings

There were countless meals, days turning into weeks, but there was no sign of Saif. Your clothes had grown damp, smeared and dirtied by the moisture and the mold. You paid them no attention, only stopping your meditation to eat a few more morsels. Your Eagle Vision reached an accuracy it had never been before, casting before your mind's eye a dream of Al Mualim and the strange treasure he coveted. He used it over his flock to take away their freedom, morphing them into mindless servants.

It wasn't a dream. You knew this now. There was a crowd of people gathered at the steps of Al Mualim's tower, mindless thralls gathered to worship and protect him. Whatever Al Mualim was doing to the people... he would surely try to do to Altaïr. You had to stop him or at the very least warn Altaïr.

The door's window screeched open, another meal shoved across the floor, and the dream dissipated. You stared at the small plate of food then down to your stomach. You tried to eat more than usual in hopes to sustain not only yourself but the growing child inside of you. Four months, you guessed, barely aware of what day it was.

You swallowed the next bite, drawing your knees to your chest. You weren't certain how much more solitude you could take. The silence and the overwhelming sway of Eagle Vision was leaving you a quivering mess. You would have to reach Altaïr somehow and soon. Altaïr, you missed him greatly. With each bite, warm, large tears rolled down your cheek and clung to your jaw. For all you knew, he had already come and gone from Masyaf. Perhaps he thought you left him for good, that he would never see you again and that you loved a city full of strangers more than him.

You struggled to get up onto your wavering legs and step before the door. You pounded your fist against the wood then listened for any amount of shuffling. "Hello!" You pounded again, shouting painfully, "Please, I just need a little more water!" You pounded harder but not a single person stopped before the door. "Please! It's dark in here. I just... I just need some light!"

The metal grate creaked open, a shaft of sharp light spilling across your dirt stained skin and clothes. "Shut up in there." He left it open, giving you one final glare, before walking off. That small window allowed you to view out into the long hallway, countless wooden doors filled with countless prisoners.

When your legs began to bow beneath your weight, you shuffled back to the wall and leaned against it. You sat down weakly and ate the last few bites from the small plate of food. You drank down every drop of water and waited. There was nothing more you could do. You would later hope to snag someone's attention, long enough to either steal their keys or convince them to help. You focused on Eagle Vision but it was leaving you more exhausted each time.

Another week passed by. Saif never made an appearance. You were beginning to wonder if he still lived or if Al Mualim controlled him. You scanned all of Masyaf, seeking out any one person that still thought on their own. The village seemed desolate, empty of its usual bustle.

You found the energy of a few people in the mountains. Listening to their faint voices, you were fairly certain one of them was Malik. Your heart raced desperately, swelling inside of your chest. Your brows pinched as you searched for Altaïr's voice, searched for his presence.

You took down a sharp breath, barely able to contain your relief. Altaïr. He was there among the others. They were going to distract the villagers long enough for Altaïr to enter into the castle. But they couldn't possibly know or understand what Al Mualim was capable of. You rolled your weight onto your feet and staggered to the door. You stood there, helpless and incapable, lacking any form of plan.

"Hello!" You curled your fingers around the window slot, using it to hold your weight. "Help! I need some help in here!" You peered down at your bulging stomach, formulating what plan you could. You took down a sharp gasp, arm wrapped loosely around your belly. "I think... I'm going into labor!" You faked a scream and listened as it echoed through the vast corridors of the dungeon.