The Raven's Black Shadow

Chapter 9 - Traitor

The two Assassin's traveled for many days, knowing their destination would be nearer as the days went past. The sun beat down upon their hooded forms, their horses moving at an easy trot across the barren land. A cry above sounded and Nasira jerked her head up. Her eyes scanned the skies quickly, searching for the sound. Finally her gaze fell upon a bird above, circling high above them. She studied the bird for several moments. From what she could see it had a bright red underbelly, long wings which were red, white and black tipped. It hardly beat its powerful wings as it glided above. It cried again and this time she knew.

Nasira halted Asimah suddenly, causing the mare to pin her ears back and whinny in protest. Altaïr glanced back at the mare's whinny and halted the white stallion. He turned Junaid and faced her, "What is it?" He asked, seeing her gaze turned to the sky.

Nasira didn't reply instead she rose a hand, removed her glove and let out a high pitched whistle. He rose a curious brow and lifted his gaze to the sky as well. His eyes caught sight of a beautiful chestnut red bird circling above. However, once Nasira whistled the bird cried in returned and suddenly dove down, its wings tucked it close to its sides and fell to the earth. As it neared, Nasira stretched out her gloved arm. The bird unfurled its large wings, flapped them several times before landing on her arm. Altaïr watched the bird land in awe, wondering how she knew this bird.

The bird had a chestnut red chest, shoulders and along the back to the tail. Its head was white with a yellow beak. The wings were a white and then it turned black along the secondary feathers. The tips of its body feathers were also black mixed with the red. Its eyes were a light brown, reflecting its proud nature. It was the most beautiful and unique bird Altaïr had ever seen.

He moved Junaid closer, his brows risen in question. Nasira chuckled at his expression, "His name is Hadi. He is a Red Kite, at least that's what Sabriyah said. She found him injured, seemed someone had tried to take him down but were either unable to find him again or just left him to die. Either way, Sabriyah found him and took care of his wounds until he was able to fly again. From then on he refused to leave her side and became a close and reliable friend." She scratched behind the Kite's neck, "Hadi became her eyes in the sky and they work together on missions."

Nasira frowned suddenly, "Wait. Hadi if you're still here that means Sabriyah is close."

Hadi squeaked low in response, his brown eyes reflecting his urgency. Nasira noticed his once well preened feathers were now ruffled and split in some of the longer primary feathers. Several feather tuffs on his chest had been removed, more than likely due to stress. Nasira turned to her saddlebags and rummaged around a little. She grabbed a strip of dried meat and offered it to the bird. Hadi took it gratefully and almost swallowed the piece whole. Nasira watched the bird sadly, knowing he had hardly eaten since he was parted from his partner. She sighed and scratched behind his head again before ushering him up to her shoulder where he perched. She could tell he had been flying much and sleeping little so the perch would be well appreciated.

Nasira turned to Altaïr's watchful gaze, "She's alive, I know it. Hadi wouldn't still be here if she wasn't. She must be in the city."

His expression was serious, "Then we will waste no more time. Acre is not far, maybe an hour's ride so let us continue."

Nasira nodded and urged Asimah into a light canter. She felt Hadi's claws dig slightly into her shoulder but not enough to hurt, only to stay steady as Nasira moved with her horse. An hour had passed, keeping the horses' paces at an easy canter. As they turned a corner they finally came upon the Acre. They slowed their horses to a slow trot, careful not to bump the passerbyers. Several did a double take as the two moved by as both were hooded and one had a rather odd and large bird perched on the shoulder. Nasira and Altaïr merely ignored the stares and continued forward.