Author Notes: As you can may tell the story is coming closer to the end, so with the time we have I would really like to see what my readers feel about a possible sequel (as I've left plenty of room for it). If there should be one, if there shouldn't. Who should be the leading male if the majority rules a sequel. Or perhaps sometimes a story is better left as it is. It's all up to you guys. Please leave reviews, private messages of your opinions or that I should create a poll for a better visual on where everyone stands. Every vote counts :)!

Without further ado..

Birds of a Feather

XII: Euphoria

"Come in, Altair.. I trust you're well rested? Ready for your remaining trials?" The calm, collected voice of his Master beckoned him into his study as he turned around from gazing out the window. Altair had to constantly keep his mind in check as he drew closer to the castle earlier, not becoming distracted from his fellow brothers surrounding him - hounding him excitedly for where their new sister to the order was as they heard of her performance in Jerusalem. He told them nothing, naturally, and that he must speak with Al Mualim at once - wanting to escape the guilt he felt; although he had truly not carried out the evil deed he was suppose to commit, he must act like he did and the thought in itself made him feel guilty enough. Questions about his recent contracts, the answers his head Master continues to dodge, the whole incidence of Aemilia.. Altair's mind was anything but well rested.

"I am but I'd speak with you first.. I have questions," Altair's tone was sharp, bitter.. it portrayed the emotion he felt for his head Master's decision to dispatch Aemilia when he, himself deemed to the entire order an ally. Especially when Altair, of all people, came to respect her and even trust her.

"Ask them, I'll do my best to answer th-"

Altair had barely gave him the time to finish his sentence before expeditiously throwing his questions, "Why have you ordered me to kill Aemilia? What is this nonsense about the 'Piece of Eden' that made you feel so strongly that she should be killed after you deemed her not a threat? Was it all a lie to gain her trust?"

Al Mualim held his hand up to silence his exasperated pupil, "I had my reasons, Altair.."

Altair could feel his patience hanging on the final threads, "And what of the merchant king of Damascus murdered the nobles who ruled his city, Majd in Jerusalem used fear to force the people into submission. I suspect William meant to murder Richard and hold Acre with his troops. These men were meant to aid their leaders instead they chose to betray them. What I do not understand is why?"

"Is the answer not obvious? It connects Aemilia to all of it as well," Al Mualim asked as he reached inside his desk and retrieved a golden, sphere object. Altair silently fumed, had he knew the answer he wouldn't be asking. He hated being toyed with on matters he had no knowledge of. Especially if Aemilia was involved but she was a whole enigma on her own.

Al Mualim continued as he approached Altair, "The Templars desire control. Each man - as you noted - wanted to claim their cities in the Templar name. That the Templars themselves might rule the Holy Land.. and eventually beyond. But they cannot succeed in their mission."

"Why is that?" And how was Aemilia connected to these evil men? Was she truly a Templar this whole time? Altair felt his stomach knot in sickness at the thought.

"Their plans depend on the Templar treasure, the Piece of Eden.." Al Mualim gazed down at the golden object he had been cradling, almost affectionately, in his hands. That cursed object that caused all of this since the beginning. The object that would apparently send Aemilia to where she belong, if it was true. Altair felt a great disdain for that little object. "We hold it now and they cannot hope to achieve their goals without it."

"What is this 'treasure'?" Calling it treasure left a bad taste in his mouth. If he was asked, this object was a component of the devil and should be returned to where it belonged; Hell.

"It is temptation.." the way Al Mualim had spoke that word about it deeply perturbed Altair, who gave him a perplexed expression.

"It's just a piece of metal.." Altair retorted.

"Look at it!" Altair's agitation increased as his head Master's strange antics did.

"What am I suppose to see? What did this have to do with Aemilia?" Altair pressed, his anger beginning to resurface.

"This 'piece of metal' cast out Adam and Eve, it turned staves into snakes. Parted and closed the red sea. Ares used it to start the Trojan War and with it a poor carpenter turned water into wine." Altair looked at his head Master like he had spouted extra appendages. He had to have been mad to believe that.. then again, wouldn't Altair have to be mad to believe Aemilia's wild tale of belonging to the future? It seemed strange tales was a common trait both his Master and Aemilia shared. Could it be true?

"It seems rather plain for all the power you claim it has," Altair replied sarcastically, "How does it work?"

Al Mualim held it up, "He who holds it commands the hearts and minds of whoever looks upon it.. whoever tastes of it, as they say."

"Then Garnier's men?"

"An experiment. Herbs used to stimulate its effects, to be ready for when they held it." Things slowly fell into place but there was still holes where his mind yearned for more knowledge to complete the puzzle of this madness.

"Talal supplied them, Tamir equipped them.. they were preparing for something.." But for what? And what did Aemilia had to do with any of it?!

"War," Al Mualim grounded it out as he strolled behind his desk.

"And the others, the men who ruled the cities. They meant to gather up the people, make them like Garnier's men.."

"The perfect citizens.. the perfect soldiers.. A perfect world," Altair felt momentarily sick at the idea, and how his Master sounded envious.

"Robert de Sable must never have this back."

"So long as he, his brothers and that serpent of a girl live, they will all continue to try.. Have you dealt with that matter?" Altair's gut twisted in unease. He became uncertain of everything and everyone. Of who he should trust..

"I have," Altair responded as he pulled a white feather stained with blood, from a goat, from his pouch and placed it on his Masters desk.

"Did she have the treasure? Where is it? Are there more?" he bombarded Altair like a crazed man, making him feel as if his Master could truly be insane because of this 'treasure'.

"I did what I must for information.. She was reluctant but admitted she truly had no knowledge where the Piece of Eden she had was now or where it could be. Before I.. dispatched her, she aforementioned about truly belonging to the Brotherhood.. I cannot help but to feel she is- was, innocent," Altair quickly corrected himself and hoped it caused no slip ups.

"Ease your mind of that thought, she was not innocent. Not when she had been so close to the treasure," Altair bit the inside of his cheek to restrain from speaking his mind. "She claims to be from a brotherhood across the seas but how can we be certain? What if she had gone rogue from the order and came to the Holy Land to collect the Pieces of Eden for herself or the Templars? We couldn't allow such a threat to roam free.. not when were so close." Altair's mind was in a whirlwind trying to decide who was right here. Aemilia, a stranger whom he grown close to or his Master whose been like a father to him. His heart and mind had different choices.

"There are two more Templars that require your attention. One in Acre known as Sibrand. One in Damascus called Jubair," Altair's heart skipped a few beats, Aemilia had been right..

"As you wish," Altair murmured, bowing to the leader he was becoming uncertain of.

"Safety and peace, brother," Altair's comrade, Khalil, greeted upon seeing the Master assassin approach.

"To you as well.. How is she?"

Khalil inwardly smiled seeing his brother waste no time, "She is better, stronger. She woke up not too long ago inquiring of where you are. When I told her you went to speak with the head Master, she showed me she had some fire and spirit in her. The girl has a good arm, brother. And she cares about you." Altair was shocked to say the least at her actions. He could see a bruise forming on Khalil's jaw.

"She hit you?"

Khalil chuckled, not feeling in the least bit resentful at the woman, "It is no worry. I do not blame her. If I had awoke to a stranger holding me prisoner, I'd have struck him too." Altair sighed in relief hearing his brother held no animosity towards Aemilia.

"I'm in debt to you, I know how much of a handful she can be," Altair smirked upon hearing the female's voice behind the door.

"I can hear you guys, you know."

Khalil laughed, "I shall leave the two of you for the time being. Safety and peace." Altair nodded, watching his comrade depart back towards Masyaf. Entering the small hut, he wasn't surprised to see Aemilia less than pleased on his actions.

"You drugged me so I wouldn't follow you into Masyaf?" Oh, she was definitely not happy.

Altair tried his best not to smirk, "I didn't drug you.. the herbs I gave you to regain your strength after you fainted just happen to have that side effect."

She narrowed her eyes yet blushed, embarrassed for her moment of weakness, "Quite convenient.." returning to a more serious demeanor she asked, "How did it go?"

Altair looked away, not wanting his eyes to show he was somewhat doubting her, "I brought you some food," he handed her a parcel of fruits, cheese and bread he purchased for the two of them to eat. Aemilia hesitantly took it, sensing his trepidation.

"You don't believe me?" Aemilia asked, barely above a whisper. Her heart clenched seeing his eyes widen as they locked with hers. So much uncertainty, fear and confusion was held in them. The answer was plain and simple.

Altair began to speak but Aemilia cut him off, unable to handle anything he might say, "Don't.. it's alright. It was stupid of me to think you would believe the one person whose trying to help you." She harshly opened the parcel, taking a portion of the food to eat before shoving it back to him.

Altair felt sick to how things were turning out between them. In that moment he blamed everything on his Master, he didn't want to be fighting with this woman he grown so close to when things were in a disarray in his world. Tossing the parcel on to a nearby table, Altair cared not for food at this moment. "Aemilia, listen to me. You have to understand I'm confused about every thing. You claim to come from the future with the use of some silly metal object that Al Mualim and evil men are obsessed with! I want to believe you but I need more proof, you're asking me to betray the man whose been like a father to me my whole life!"

Aemilia could feel the tears stinging her eyes, "Al Mualim is the betrayer here, not you.. I'm just trying to help so the pain you'll feel about what you will have to do isn't as bad as what I read."

Altair brows furrowed in confusion, "What you read?"

Aemilia wiped her eyes with her sleeves, she shouldn't be telling him this but felt like she needed to, "In the near future, you'll write journals. Recalling everything in your life, and events that'll happen as they go. These journals will be studied, page by page, word for word long after you're gone. It's how I knew so much about you. How lonely you felt practically your whole life. The solitude, the resent and scorn you received growing up because of your skill far surpassed that of your brothers in the Order. And the pain of Al Mualim's deceit. It'll be from that you'll begin to study that silly metal object and try to understand why so many have gone mad, craving its power."

Altair was speechless as he tried to wrap his mind around her words. He moved and sat down on the cot, letting everything sink in. Al Mualim would deceive the Order and he, himself, would have to be the one to deliver him for his grave sins as he done to many evil men in the world. The man who he seen as his father since he was a young boy. Altair was in a daze but felt Aemilia's arms wrap around him as she pulled him into a comforting embrace, tears flowing freely from her beautiful eyes. His heart weakened at the site.

"Please don't cry, Aemilia."

She sniffed, holding him closer, "It hurts that I might not be here when you go through that pain.. that someone else will be the one to help you through it."

Someone else, did she mean another woman? Altair couldn't imagine growing close to another like he had for Aemilia. His heart held too much passion for the fiery, sometimes disobedient yet skilled female assassin. She was unlike any other he ever met in his life. She was, in a figurative sense that also happened to be literal, out of this world. He didn't want her crying, not over him. Even long after he's gone. He wanted her to smile and be happy especially when she returned to where she belong. He only hoped the man she was destined to be with would treat her rightly so as he couldn't be there to beat sense into the man. Altair wasn't the best with words when it came to comforting, so he did the best he knew how when it came to comforting a woman. Softly grasping her face with both hands, he memorized how beautiful she looked even when she cried. Kissing each streak of tears on her cheek, he gazed into her emerald eyes, searching for any hint of rejection. Finding none, he captured her soft lips with his and put as much feeling and passion as he could into it. After a moment he pulled back, resting his forehead on hers as she caught her breath. She opened her eyes, they were hazy and full of so much want and lust.

"I need you," her words sent jolts down his spine as the fire went ablaze in his loins. He was certain it was more the other way around, he needed her more than she ever would know. In a rush, they helped each other out of their bothersome clothing. Throwing tunics, leather belts, swords, daggers, knives and everything else around - anywhere but the bed, until they were fully bared. Grabbing her small hips and lifting her to his lap, Altair sat back and admired the saucy minx as she admired his hardened appendage. Curiously, she crawled out of his lap and went to her knees. Altair had no idea what she was doing.

Aemilia smirked at his confusion, grasping his hardened member in her hand as she leaned down to flick her tongue over the spongy tip; enjoying the way his eyes fluttered in lust at her actions. She kept her eyes locked on his as she enveloped her mouth around his entire tip, licking and suckling gently. Teasing him, as he did her the other night. Revenge at its finest. Altair's jaw visibly clenched at her actions as his hips instinctively flexed towards her mouth for more but she wouldn't have it. She'd only tortured him. He finally understood the method to this madness.

"Were even," he hissed out heatedly. He didn't like to lose, in any sort of sport. Aemilia only grinned, gaining what she had sought and began the act of pleasing him with her mouth. At first slow, short rhythm then picked up to a faster, deepened pace as she took in more til he could practically feel himself going down her throat. Altair experienced nothing like this before but he couldn't handle any more of it, least he finish far too soon and he didn't want that yet. Stopping her and pulling her up, he threw her down to the cot, placing her legs on his shoulders as he positioned himself at her soaked entrance. Waiting an agonizing moment for any rebuff, he thanked his God and penetrated her slick cave, sending them gasping in shock at the electrifying sensations down their spines to their toes. Wasting no time, Altair pounded his hips rhythmically into her slick paradise, the both giving into the mounting pleasure as they neared nirvana so quickly. Aemilia arched her back, moaning as her walls clenched deliciously around his shaft as she toppled over the edge with Altair not too far behind. He quickened his pace feeling everything tighten blissfully as he finally exploded his hot seed deep inside her womb.

Gingerly withdrawing himself from her, he leaned down placing chaste kisses on her eyelids, nose and mouth. Both smiling in silent euphoria to each other. Their moment was only interrupted by their stomach's unabashedly grumbling in the silence. They laughed, and gave thanks to Altair's good thinking of purchasing food that'll fulfill their appetite as well. If only they could prepare for travels like this every time.

Aemilia rather admired the city of Damascus for it's simplicity of streets that seemed far easier to navigate than what she found Jerusalem to be. It helped that Altair took the time to point out important landmarks to make a mental note for should they ever get separated so she could find a way back to the bureau to reconvene. She dare say she was having fun for once on the tour of the city. But of course, all good things must come to an end and it was back to business.

"It is the hero of Damascus, come in, stay a while! Tell me all about your adventures!.. and who might be your companion," Aemilia smiled brightly at the friendliness of this Rafiq as they entered the room. It was a refreshing change from the hostility of Malik towards Altair. Aemilia pulled her hood down, certain her hair and looks would be enough of indication of who she was. "Ah, it is the famous addition to the Creed I heard all about! Welcome, welcome, my lady. I am honored to have both highly skilled assassins in my city! Tell me about your adventures you two have gone on, I am eager to know!"

"I'm afraid I don't have the time," Altair regretfully replied.

"I see.. too important for me now.."

"It's not that," It was sort of cute how Altair didn't want to hurt the man's feelings. He's come a long way from being a cold, distant assassin.

The Rafiq waved it off, "No, no. Of course not, how may I serve you than?"

"Al Mualim have asked I to take the life of the one they call Jubair," Altair informed.

"Ah, Saladin's chief scholar. Strange choice of target, in my opinion, but who are we to question the Master's will? I'm sure he has his reasons," Aemilia had to refrain from scoffing aloud.

"Than you are familiar with the man?" Altair questioned.

"He's been quite busy these past few days. Organizing the scholars and sending them out into the streets to preach."

"What do they speak of?" Altair was so eager for more knowledge, she noted.

"Light and fire, cleansing sins. Apocalyptic nonsense, if you ask me. All this talk of paths and a new world," Aemilia's attention perked at the Rafiq's information. It seemed the Templars were bringing their ideas upon the people now and Altair was catching on.

"What about this new world?" Aemilia fidgeted uncomfortably, she hoped Altair wouldn't in turn asked her about further information about the Templar's ambitions on this new world. Her knowledge from the future would conflict with the current event and be misleading to Altair.

"Couldn't say, I don't pay attention to the ramblings of mad men. Much to busy with the real world."

"Very well, we'll walk among the people - see what we can learn. Where would you suggest we search?" Aemilia nodded in approval at Altair's further development, seeking the help of another.

"South of here, you can find an academy and a guard tower. They're both good places to search, there's also a hospital to the East you both might want to visit."

Altair nodded a thanks, "I'll begin at once."

"So eager!" the Rafiq complimented, "You've certainly changed and for the better, I might add."

Aemilia smiled in silent agreement, she wouldn't want to embarrass the assassin further by verbally agreeing with the Rafiq. She bowed respectfully before following Altair out the bureau.

"Thinking it would be best if we split up to save time?" Aemilia asked as they stood on top of the building, overlooking the crowds of people on their business. Altair was quiet for a moment, debating her suggestion.

"It would save us time.. you go to the Academy, I'll head to the guard tower and we can reconvene at the hospital. Stay safe, Aemilia," she would have rolled her eyes at him giving her what seemed the safest assignment had he not affectionately grasped her hand to leave a soft kiss on her knuckles, making the butterflies seem more like bees in her stomach. Altair the romantic?

"Safety and peace, Altair," Aemilia was able to manage out as she watched him head to his respective direction without another glance back. Once out of sight, Aemilia snapped out of her trance. She mentally chided herself on her lack of grip when ever she was in his presence, it would only make her departure worse later on.

The express route of leaping from rooftop to rooftop made the distance of relative ease. The only dilemma Aemilia would have is discovering information that would be valuable to Altair's mission. It had been a while since she had to eavesdrop and spy, she hoped she wouldn't mess up and get into trouble. Returning to ground level and immediately blending in with a moving group of people, Aemilia listened to the conversations of the every day lives of Damascus. She mostly eavesdropped on nonsensical things such as tasks this person or that had to complete, tending to livestock and crops, nothing of importance. It was bothersome how long it was taking to find clues and she hoped Altair wasn't waiting on her.

"Boy! Come here!" Aemilia would have continued walking pass the trio of men had she not overheard the next sentence, "You still have the letter I gave you?" She slowed down her pace as her curiosity was tickled, it sounded much more interesting than goats and food.

"Yes," the 'boy' replied to the man.

"Go and deliver it than. You'll find the one it's meant for inside the mathisiakes." Aemilia debated on what she should do. This was the only clue she found thus far so she didn't want to risk losing the opportunities.

Separating from the blended group she was in, she followed the rather paranoid courier as he headed to his destination. He constantly looked behind him, feeling himself being watched and forcing Aemilia to hide behind corners or pillars when available. It was becoming more trouble than it was worth to follow him. She reconsidered her plan of following him to pick pocketing the letter all together and be done with it. Gently pushing through groups of people til she was close enough to him, she purposely ran into him using the diversion of her 'clumsiness' to reach into his pocket and grab the letter.

"Oh, my apologizes, sir!" Aemilia mustered in her most innocent voice possible, "I was tripped!" She went for the overkill of using her big, green eyes to distract the young fellow further.

He blushed and stuttered inelegantly, "It's - it's okay..!"

Giving a charming smile before escaping the scene, Aemilia would have to put a good amount of distance between the two when he realizes the crime and calls for the guards. Once done, she hid in an alley and ripped open the letter to see what contained inside.

Brother,

The time for illumination draws near

Convene at the mathisiake at sunset

She struck it lucky to have picked a letter that could pertain to the mission at hand. She had a where and when, but who? Perhaps Altair's findings would fill in those blanks. It was time she headed over to the Hospital.

"Find any thing interesting?" Aemilia asked quietly as she sat down on a bench next to Altair, blending in with him to not attract any unwanted attention.

"Fanatics, all of them. By the hands of Jubair," Altair replied with much disdain.

"Care to explain?" she asked, earning a 'you should know this already' glance from her male counterpart.

Aemilia huffed, "I don't remember the finer details."

"Jubair is destroying all knowledge in the city and replacing it with his. 'Illuminating' the people, so I've been told," Aemilia silently 'hmm'ed at his words, remembering the letter. Pulling it out from her pocket, she handed it over to him.

"I picked this up from a courier, I'm more certain now it has to do with your mission."

"..Our mission," Altair quietly countered as he took the letter and read its short contents. Aemilia smiled from underneath her hood, looking away so he wouldn't see.

"This is good. We should report back to the Rafiq," Aemilia nodded in agreement with him but her mind was elsewhere. After Jubair's death, only two more stood in their way and then Al Mualim. So close.. It felt like this last month or two passed in a blur. Soon, it would end and she'd return back home. At least, she hoped?

Altair strode into the bureau and headed straight to the Rafiq, ignoring the other assassins who greeted him. While he tended to business, Aemilia stopped and acknowledged them respectfully.

"Ah, the 'sister' in our brotherhood. It is an honor," one man mocked as he 'bowed' to Aemilia. What a surprise, a man who had no respect for women in this era.

"Do you have an issue with that, brother," Aemilia challenged as she crossed her arms over her chest. She took no note how significantly smaller she was compared to the man. Size meant nothing, skill on the other hand..

"I am no brother to you. It is a disgrace to let a woman wear our garb. You should be in the kitchen or on your back making children," Aemilia growled as she slowly cracked her knuckles.

"Oh, the pussycat has claws? What are you going to do, tell Al Mualim or that boot licking Altair? Tell me, who have you opened your legs for?" Aemilia's fist connected with the man's jaw faster than anyone could have blinked, hard enough to send him sprawling on the floor howling in pain. Altair and the Rafiq ran into the room at the sound of the commotion.

"That whore should be stoned!" Aemilia seethed in fury as she moved to strike him again but was held back by the other assassins.

"Release her," Altair hissed coldly as his hidden blade 'sling'ed out in a deadly whisper, the room pregnant with silence and fear from everyone but Aemilia. The assassins did as they were commanded without a single noise and backed away slowly not even attempting to help their injured brother up. Altair next turned his steely gaze to the vile brother still cradling his jaw on the floor, the man was too afraid to move now. He had heard of his 'arrogant' superior's rage and never thought to be on the receiving end of it.

"If I ever see you or you go near or speak to Aemilia again, so help me Allah I will not stay my blade from you. Do you understand?" the man shrank and cowered, nodding profusely as he inelegantly crawled and ran out the room followed by the other assassins wishing to escape the line of fire. After a moment of them gone, Altair sheathed his blade once more realizing his knuckles were turning white from how hard his fist was balled.

"I shall, um, leave you two to your own. Sustenance is on the table," The Rafiq nodded sheepishly as he, too, escaped back into his work place.

The air still held a thick silence as Aemilia quietly approached Altair, timidly grasping his rough hand, "I'm sorry you had to do that."

Altair's eyes considerably softened as he pulled her in closer, feeling calmer already, "Don't be, Masun had it coming. He should never speak to his superiors in that manner, be it male or female.. especially if that person is you."

Aemilia felt her heart weakened, could he have changed so drastically because of her presence in this time? Would he revert back to his old self when she left? Finally the thoughts invaded of her necessity of leaving this era. Did she have to? Was she destined to belong in this time with him? What real purpose did she ever have in her present time. She dedicated her life to the vicious cycle of war and it had its costs. She lost her family and last living relative to the Templars, she worked day to day capturing Pieces of Eden and trying her best to save her brother from the Templar clutches though it may be in vain now. Why would she want to return back to that? Tears betrayed her and began leaking from her eyes despite her effort of control. Altair was thoroughly confused yet held her close in his arms, women were so complicated.

Through her soft sobs into his chest, Altair heard her mumble, "I don't want to leave." His heart constricting at the words he understood. She didn't want to leave now and he didn't want her to either. This was her home now, with him. Together, he felt, they can finally end the Assassin and Templar war. With her, he can talk and express himself in a way he only dreamt of being able to again. So much promise and hope bubbled inside him.

"If you don't want to leave, you don't have to.. stay here, with me," Aemilia stared up at him, awestruck. He wanted her here just as much as she did. A deep sense of fulfillment overrode her logic screaming for attention. It raved that this wasn't right and she didn't belong in this time. She always followed the voice of reason but for once she suppressed it and followed what her heart whispered.

Although both assassins were both in a sanguine disposition the matter of business was at hand and Jubair al Hakim's life was to be taken within a short few hours.. Entering the mathisiake by scaling the side of the building to reach the rooftop, Aemilia huffed, slightly vexed at her lack of skill to move so fluidly like Altair. He made it look like child's play. As they quietly moved down the stairs where they can hear men talking, they watched the meeting transpired just in time of their arrival.

"That's him," Aemilia whispered to Altair pointing to the man at the far left of the room, talking with another. Informing the scholar of the corruption and lies that were on the scrolls, which was why he must burn them all. The scholar refute, proclaiming the knowledge was there to help people and aid them through any trials or questions in life but Jubair was fixated on his beliefs. It was maddening to even listen to him, let alone believed what he said. They didn't think it could get worse than it already was but quickly proven wrong as Jubair pushed the scholar into the flames. Aemilia covered her mouth to seal the gasp, aghast at what he did. Assassin or not, she couldn't tolerate senseless killings. Every time her blade was used to kill it was for a good purpose towards her cause. This, Jubair's actions, were truly evil. She could also tell the murder had crawled underneath Altair's skin as he was silently fuming, his knuckles clenching and unclenching as he watched the men leave the mathisiake to collect more scrolls and books to burn.

"Come, he dies by my hand," Aemilia silently nodded and followed Altair back the way they entered, staying close to Jubair and his group of guards. Her mind flipped the switch to assassinate mode, looking around all the rooftops for the coast to be cleared as Altair figured a successful way to dispatch Jubair with minimal amount of consequence.

"The best way to strike will be from up here," Aemilia's brow furrowed in question as he continued, "Once he is dead, I'll need you to clear me a path out or else I'll be cornered. Can you do that?"

Her heart momentarily hammered in her chest, hoping she wouldn't fail or it would be the cost of his life. She nodded with sudden determination as she accepted the extra throwing knives he once again would lend to her.

"Safety and peace, Altair," Aemilia murmured. He briefly paused, picking up her hand and leaving a soft kiss on her knuckles like the last time before turning and closing the distance of his target. Aemilia also assumed a better position on the rooftop and prepared herself mentally for the precise aiming she'll have to do.

The next few seconds happened in a blur that she was glad she didn't blink. One second Jubair was alive sprouting nonsense to his guards, the next, Altair was soaring down from the sky - hidden blade glimmering in the sunlight before disappearing into Jubair's neck with cold precision by the messenger of death. The guards were pouring in through the door, Aemilia began hurling the knives at the guards, watching them topple over one by one as Altair made his escape by scaling the building. Her blood was pumping fiercely with adrenaline as she delivered one last throwing knife into the belly of an enemy before turning and sprinting alongside Altair as they escaped the district. The bell's of the city ringing loudly to alert all guards in the vicinity. Altair pulled her all sorts of directions, cutting off the enemy's line of sight of them before finally grabbing her arm and pulling her into a pile of hay with him.

Aemilia instantly favored her last hiding spot of the flower garden as her face and body itched madly from the hay. She hoped they wouldn't have to be here for long or else she'll take her chances of fighting the guards. After several moments of hearing the heavy stampede of guards run by the pair deemed it safe enough to return to the bureau. Although they both missed the closeness their hiding spot made them share.

The bell's could still be heard in the distance even inside the bureau as they approached the Rafiq, "Altair, Aemilia! Tell me you have met with success?" He asked excitedly.

"Yes, Jubair's fires are extinguished, his life as well," Altair replied as Aemilia inwardly applauded at his bon mot; if only she could have his witty remarks too.

"Excellent news! I had no doubt you'd succeed," The Rafiq praised as he listened intently at his next words.

"You should have seen it, the scholars followed him so readily. It wasn't just books they fed to the flames but anyone who opposed them."

The Rafiq shook his head, "Such ignorance only breeds evil, you two have done a good thing this day. Return to Al Mualim, tell him what you saw, tell him the good that has been done."

"Safety and peace, Rafiq," Altair and Aemilia bowed in sync. One man left. One man before the veil of deceit will be lifted for Altair to see. Aemilia prayed to any deity out there to give him strength. Images of a golden female came to her mind, oddly.