Shayna slowed to a walk at her master's command. The mare stood on trembling legs as the white robed Assassin slid off her back.

Altair patted the horse's neck. He took hold of the reins and led it to the stable boy. Wordlessly, Altair paid the boy and left his horse in his care. The stables were located just outside of Acre, and Altair knew that Shayna would be well cared for. He gave a slight frown at this thought. Damn. He was doing it again. He reminded himself that Shayna was a horse, but couldn't help giving the beast a reassuring pat as it was led away.

The city gates were bigger than he'd expected. They were quite impressive. The white stone seemed impenetrable, and the guards stood at their posts proudly, helmets gleaming. Altair allowed himself a snort as soon as he's entered the city. He doubted that those guards could have beaten a goat in combat, let alone an armed man.

Altair roamed the streets of Acre. He prowled along the alleys, eyeing them with suspicious stares. There was nothing unusual about the city or its people. They talked and laughed. They walked around the markets, mothers keeping their children close and husbands keeping a watchful eye on their wives.

In the markets, the usual noise met his ears. Altair frowned slightly at the sheer amount of people here. It really was ridiculous. Anyone in this crowd could have been carrying weapons, but the people of Acre seemed happiest when they were crowded together. Altair watched them for a moment, but soon turned away and wandered down an alley.

Something was off. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was forgetting something. That something was missing. Arielle had been awfully quiet, maybe he should. Altair stopped that thought before it could complete itself. After traveling with that annoying brat for a few days, he had gotten used to her inane chatter.

He scowled and approached the wall of a nearby building. Altair ran his calloused fingers over the wall, searching for handholds. He pulled himself up and started to climb. It was always good to climb whenever he was distracted. He had to focus entirely on what he was doing, lest he fall. Annoying thoughts of annoying girls couldn't worm their way into his head when he was climbing.

He perched on top of the roof and stared at the people milling about below him. He smirked when he caught sight of a woman pulling a little girl behind her.

"But mother! Can't we get some candy?" The little girl wailed.

The woman knelt down and spoke to the girl. Altair couldn't catch her words at such a distance, not over the din of the markets, but judging from the girls sullen pout the answer had been no.

He fingered his hidden blade. Altair gave a quiet chuckle when he remembered Arielle's sheepish confession at mistaking it for, what was it, bread? And when he had taken her into that store he had actually had to knock the feisty child unconscious! He shook his head ruefully at the mental image of her staring at him, mouth twisted into an angry pout.

He froze when he realised that he was thinking if her again. Damn her!

A few moments later Altair was back in the streets. He was moving through the crowds like a shadow. He glared frostily at anyone who got too close to him. He kicked at rocks and pebbles when they were near his feet. If the Assassin had pockets, his hands would have been stuffed deep inside of them. As it was, they were balled into fists.

An observer would have said that the fierce looking man was angry. Perhaps agitated. That something important had happened to the man that he couldn't quite figure out. An empathetic viewer would have said that the fierce looking man was pouting, but if anyone had told him this Altair would be quick to correct them in a possibly violent manner. After all, Altair was a member of an old and secret order. Altair was not a regular murderer, he was an Assassin. Assassins were silent and quick. They were deadly and honourable. Assassins weren't cruel and they didn't break their creed. And most of all, Assassins didn't pout.

She was hungry. Very hungry. Arielle stared at a small lizard and wondered if it was edible. Not that she would know how to capture it. She sighed and nudged Mira when the horse tried to slow down.

Mira gave a snort, but continued to gallop.

Arielle didn't like riding. She hated it. Her butt was sore, her legs were sore. Her entire body ached and there was nothing to do but stare at the scenery, which hardly ever changed. At first it had been kind of fun. She had gripped tightly to the saddle and adrenaline and excitement had flooded her and she clung to Mira, but she knew how to ride now. Now that riding a horse was easy, it had lost its novelty.

Arielle was thrown from her thoughts when Mira stumbled and fell. The world flipped and the little girl cried out in pain as she was flung from the saddle. She hardly heard Mira's whinny of fright because her own ears were ringing. Dazed, Arielle looked up and froze.

An angry cobra was hissing at her. Arielle scrambled away from the venomous reptile, not giving herself time to admire the snake's scales. Normally, she would have been thrilled to see a snake, but this one wasn't exactly a friendly snake.

Carefully, Arielle grabbed Mira's reigns and led the terrified horse away.

"Don't worry Mira, it won't hurt us," she cooed. Arielle frowned. Mira was limping, why would she be doing that? Had she been bitten? Nervously, Arielle lifted Mira's front hoof. She let out a groan when she saw that one of the shoes was missing.

"You've gone lame, Mira!" Arielle hissed. "How can I ride you now? What about Doran? He's probably terrified right now. I'm never going to get to him!"

Even though angry tears ran down her cheeks, Arielle started to walk forwards. Mira moved to follow her, but Arielle turned around and pushed the horse away.

"Don't you understand anything? Doran is dying and I'm stuck here with you. I'm stuck with a lame horse in the middle of the desert. Altair is my only hope of saving my little brother and he's probably already in Acre. What good are you, Mira, if you can't get me anywhere? You're useless."

Arielle looked down the road. She took the saddlebag and slung it over her shoulder. Tired though she was she began to run down the road. She went faster and faster, until the wind roared in her ears and gritty sand was flung into her eyes by the hot wind. She wiped tears away from her eyes and stumbled to a walk.

Arielle looked back. Mira had turned around and was trotting back to Masyaf. Arielle gave the traitorous horse a venomous glare and walked forward with renewed determination. She had to get to Altair. Then everything would be alright. He would figure something out. He was great at figuring things out. He had saved her once, he could save her brother. She just had to find him.