Lineage of Brotherhood

Chapter 20

As promised the ship pulled into port of Limassol on the outskirts of Cyprus before dawn. Once the ship was anchored he motioned for Maria to follow him. Keeping to the shadows he lead her through the town with ease, albeit a bit slower and more traditional than if Esther was following him. He knew Esther's capabilities.

They reached a seemingly ordinary shop. While it was a legitimate shop, it was one of many used to help fund the Brotherhood. It was also the location of Alexander, the leader of the Resistance against the Templars within the city of Cyprus.

"Mentor!" Alexander said surprised as Altair entered. He bowed his head in a respectful nod and added, "I had a feeling I would see you soon. How may I..." Alexander's eyes fell onto Maria and his hand instinctively flinched, probably resisting the impulse to grasp a dagger hidden on him somewhere.
"....assist you Mentor?"

"This is my...persuaded associate Maria Thorpe. She needs to stay under your protection until...my business in Cyprus is concluded. After that she may leave your protection discreetly, if she so chooses. I don't desire the Rite to think her a sympathizer to the Brotherhood. Also, where is the Rite base of operations in Cyprus?"

Alexander nodded, "It shall be done. The Templars are based in Limassol Castle. Kill the Captain of the castle guard, he will be replaced swiftly by Osman, a Templar turncoat sympathetic to the Resistance. After assassinating the captain, approach Osman and tell him, "Alexander wishes his grandmother a joyous birthday."

Alexander turned his attention to Maria and spoke in warning, "I will strike you down if you attempt to escape or kill me before the Mentor's business has concluded, Ms. Thorpe."

Altair held no ire with Alexander's warning to Maria. Altair looked to Maria, "Farewell Maria Thorpe, unless you have changed your mind on how useful you wish to be in my business? If you are seen with me there is no returning to the Rite. You will be marked as a sympathizer and...." he did not need to finish his sentence. She would be in the same situation that he was desperately trying to free Esther from. A situation Maria was well aware of.

. . .

As they entered the shop, Maria glanced around. "Did you forget something, assassin? Or are we just browsing in hope that you will find something you like?" she jabbed at him sarcastically. When Alexander addressed Altair as 'mentor,' and revealed himself to be of the Brotherhood, she blinked with surprise, but then her expression hardened as he eyed the man. Clearly the Rite had been unaware that the Brotherhood was operating right underneath their noses.

When Alexander threatened to strike her down if she tried anything, Maria stood met eyes with the man and responded with a dismissive tone, "I'm sure you will, assassin." The two squared off for a moment, clearly having gotten started on the wrong foot. Not unlike Esther, Maria carried herself in such a way that seemed to ignore the size difference between her and the male opposition that she faced. It was fortunate that she was unarmed, otherwise a fight would have likely broken out.

A smirk curled her lips as she turned and looked to her 'associate,' she even gave a light bow, albeit a somewhat sardonic one. "You are much more well-mannered than I expected you to be Altair, not the savage I expected at all. I think that you may actually believe yourself to be a good man..." her eyes narrowed as she gave him another look over as she had before, from head to toe. "No, I will not be coming with you. But I will give you a parting gift... A warning: There is a man who will be at the castle. Grand Master Armand Bouchard's dog, Leonard... He doesn't look like much, but if you stand against him... You will lose."

Neither her eyes nor her voice faltered when she spoke. She had seen Altair in battle more than once and had come up on the losing side both times, yet she seemed certain. If this was some kind of idle threat or outright lie, then she was hiding it extremely well.