Irony Is Bitter, Is It Not?

Ch. 1: Can you keep up?

I am Nadirah, an assassin of Masyaf. In fact, I am the only female assassin of Masyaf, not that anyone knows. I'm only Initiated, but in my class, I'm one of the best. My teachers say I'm talented with the art of the sword and hand-to-hand combat, but I don't see how so... The master seems to agree, assigning missions to me that are slightly harder for the Initiated class. Of course, as a result, everyone else complains. Only the Uninitiated actually admire me.

You're probably wondering how a woman got into the Hashashin Organization. Well, I did just say that no one knows that I am a woman. When I came here, I was dressed in a long baggy hooded cloak. No one told me to take it off, luckily. Even with the hood on, they told me to demonstrate my skills. I did, and still managed to keep my hood on. They were impressed, especially the Master. When they gave me my new assassin uniform for the Uninitiated, they knew I had a petite form and chose the perfect size. After all this time, no one has found out my true identity. Because of this, I go by the name "Suhayl", the name of my lost older brother... Lately, I've been getting used to it, forgetting who I am... But all that matters is who I've become. There is no need to dwell in the past or dream of the future. Only thoughts of the present must occupy the mind.

But, who have I become? A prodigy in the world of assassins? Or a false facade? A delicate face behind a strong mask? I wonder...

Still, what's my purpose here? Why did I come to this haven of the martial arts used only for peace? My father was an assassin himself. He died in the line of duty, then my mother died of grief. Finally, my brother-- My brother... The last time I saw him, he told me that he was leaving Masyaf for a larger purpose. He decided that his place was not here, but elsewhere, beyond the Kingdom. I never heard from him since and therefore name him "lost", for I do not know what has become of him. On the other hand, I decided to stay and follow the footsteps of my father as an assassin, for the good of the world.

Apparently, my father was quite famous in the Brotherhood. As a result, I was accepted almost immediately and I'm mostly known among the Brotherhood as Ibn-Ahmed ("Son of the adored"). But, of course, I'm not going to be accepted that easily among the higher-ups...

"Suhayl!"

"Eh?" I answered the voice that called me by my mask name. I looked up from the ground, which I was sitting on cross-legged. I was drawing in the sand with my wooden dagger, bored from the lessons taking place in front of me.

"Stop daydreaming, Suhayl, and get up," my mentor commanded from inside the ring. "If you know so much to not pay attention during my lesson, perhaps you could demonstrate a few skills to the rest of your peers."

I immediately stood up and saluted. "I'm sorry, sir. Erm... I'd be honored to demonstrate. Who do I fight in order to do so?" I asked in my average toned voice.

My mentor looked up at the entrance of the castle in thought, and then looked back at me as soon as someone came out. "You will spar against one of the greatest assassins in the Brotherhood, as punishment. Perhaps he will put you in your place... Stay right here. I will go get him."

Only one word could come out of my mouth: Damn. I was in big trouble, enough to have to spar against one of the so-called greatest. Not fair. And all for doodling in the dirt and not listening to the lecture... I knew assassins were strict in their lifestyles, but this... is going a little far.

I heard as my mentor talked to the "great" assassin: "Altaïr, it seems my students do not understand how to wield the blade. And as punishment to one of them for not listening, I thought you could put him in his place by sparring him. Would you mind?"

Altaïr?! My mentor wasn't kidding when he said "one of the greatest assassins in the Brotherhood!" Master Altaïr was practically Al Mualim's right hand man. He had skills that far surpassed anyone in his class. I knew for sure that I was doomed already, then and there.

"Who's the troublemaker?" Altaïr asked firmly in a commanding voice.

"None other than the infamous Suhayl Ibn-Ahmed," my mentor replied.

"Ibn-Ahmed? I heard he was almost immediately accepted into the Brotherhood. I thought he was a diligent boy."

"He is. But not always."

I saw as Altaïr nodded once and walked down the stairs with my mentor. I looked down and closed my eyes tightly in fear. After a while, my eyes snapped open and I ran behind one of my fellow peers. He and the others laughed, "Suhayl, you coward!" "What are you doing, Suhayl?" "Come out, Ibn-Ahmed. You have to teach us today!" "I cannot blame you, Suhayl. It is your turn to be smacked by one of the masters this time."

I groaned as the one I hid behind moved aside to reveal Altaïr looking down at me with arms crossed.

"So you are Suhayl?" he asked.

I merely nodded, my eyes looking to the side at the darkness of my hood. But before I knew it, I felt a hand grab my tunic and drag me to the training ring. Altaïr threw me inside with ease and I sat up in pain, rubbing my right arm, on which I had landed.

"You will learn to respect those above you!" he almost commanded, jumping into the ring. "Be a man and unsheathe your sword!"

Without a word, I stood up and obeyed. I readied my stance, as did Altaïr. He attacked with his own sword and I merely blocked it. He attacked again. As a reflex, I knocked his sword hand to the opposite side, then made a backfist as my fist came back. However, Altaïr caught it with his free hand. He had his sword back at the correct side and attacked. I blocked with my sword, resulting in each of us stuck blocking each other. The man began twisting the arm he was holding in hopes of making me lose. I yelped softly in pain and kicked at his ribs in reflex. He let me go and jumped back in order to avoid my attack. I shook my arm to shake off the pain as I heard some of my peers laughing. I glared at them with a short glance and went to attack Altaïr, but he blocked and did the same thing I did before and succeeded. Before I knew it, I hit the ground again, sliding on my back. When my eyes opened, Altaïr's sword was before them. My frown deepened. I closed my eyes tightly again and gulped. The match was over. I lost. And it was no surprise to anyone. My peers laughed more. I guess they thought that I had that coming. I sat up and covered my face with my hands in frustration as Altaïr sheathed his sword and turned his back on me. I sighed.

"Suhayl." I heard my mentor's voice speak to me, but I didn't remove my hands from my face. "I hope you learned your lesson. Now get up."

"... No..." I replied.

"What? It seems you have not learned your lesson yet... Stand before you are punished further."

"No." This time, I removed my hands from my face and replied more firmly. "What if I like it here?"

My mentor simply gestured my peers forward. All of them jumped into the ring and unsheathed their swords, laughing. I stared at all of them and stayed on the ground, then closed my eyes and shrugged. Right before they all attacked, I put my left hand on the ground and lifted myself, performing a ground kick that tripped them all. I stood up and jumped out of the ring, avoiding their bodies.

"Honestly, Master... That is not punishment. That is elementary training," I said, shaking my head.

"Then, perhaps a mission," my mentor replied. "I shall ask Al Mualim to assign you a more difficult mission than usual. It shall teach you to listen to your superiors."

"I don't mind," I shrugged. "As long as it gets me out of trouble..." I looked around at the inside of the fortress walls. Master Altaïr was gone.

'Probably busy with missions...' I thought. He had been known to be the favorite of Al Mualim, and therefore had many important missions. Naturally, everyone in his class was jealous of him. I realize that I was similar to him in that way. But, of course, there was a big difference between us both...

The next day, my mentor came to my room in the morning to tell me that Al Mualim had accepted his proposal and assigned a mission for me. I had my hood on, along with my weapons, ready to take any mission. My mentor left me to teach the others and I was left alone to go to Al Mualim. When I arrived, there were three others in front of him, listening intently. They all heard my footsteps and turned to see me. I bowed, knowing they were superiors due to their attires.

"Am I late?" I asked.

"Not at all, my child," Al Mualim replied, walking behind his desk. "Now that you are here, I shall explain the mission all four of you are assigned." He sat down, his hands placed firmly on the wooden surface.

"The four of us?" I asked, confused.

"Indeed. Your instructor has told me of your defiant actions yesterday. He said that even after sparring Altaïr, you were still being rebellious. I agreed that you needed to perform a difficult mission. And so, you will. You are to accompany Altaïr, Malik, and Kadar to Solomon's Temple to retrieve something that the Templars may have found beneath the Temple Mount. You and Kadar should be honored to have such a mission..."

"Kadar?"

"Suhayl?" The one nearest me responded to his name and my voice. He turned to see me and stared, waiting for an answer.

"Kadar! It's been a long time!" I almost shouted happily. "You're at rank three now?"

"Yes," he replied. "And what happened to you? Were you held behind?"

"Um... Heh...?"

"You were?!" Kadar grabbed my shoulders and shook me lightly. "But you were so talented! You were greater than I!"

"I-- I couldn't accept the promotions..." I informed, hanging my head low in shame of making one of my friends disappointed at me.

"Modest as always, I see..."

"Heh... heh... heh...?" I smiled sheepishly.

"Enough with reunions," I heard Altaïr's voice interrupt our conversation with a rude tone. He was the farthest from me. "Is that all, Master?"

"Yes," Al Mualim replied. "Good luck to you all."

"You do not have a horse, Suhayl?!"

"I am only Initiated! Of course I do not have a horse!"

When it comes to modes of transportation, it is a very important matter on missions. I had gone on plenty of missions beforehand, but for all of them, I had to walk on foot and rest once in a while. It should be no surprise that doing so made the mission take days to accomplish. Kadar was really surprised at the fact when I explained the matter. Because of this, I had to share his horse with him. I refused, but he insisted. Malik, Kadar's older brother, agreed with him. Altaïr did not care; he actually said that I was better off walking, considering what had happened the day before!

We rode to Jerusalem. Kadar had a dark brown horse with a black mane and a white crescent-shaped mark on the right side of its neck. Malik's horse was similar, except its mane was light brown and it had a few light brown spots here and there, fading into its white legs. Altaïr's horse was the most magnificent of all, in my opinion. It was pure white, and that was all that was needed to describe it.

I stared at it, grabbing onto the horn of the saddle of Kadar's horse to ensure that I did not fall off. I was in front of Kadar because of my petite form. Indeed, I was quite short and small to be a warrior at all. Many were surprised when I first joined the Assassin Order because of that. Everyone imagined Ahmed's son differently. They all thought he would be tall and strong looking, but they were disappointed when they saw the exact opposite.

Eventually, I looked ahead again at the sights of the mountainous landscape. Everyday, there were new discoveries made about this land, and I did not want to miss the chances to see them.

When we arrived at Jerusalem, I was in awe. It looked so prosperous and innocent... It could pass for being the Holy Land any time. As we went around the city walls to Solomon's Temple, I could not stop gaping at the magnificence of Jerusalem's almost holy aura.

"Is this your first time here, Suhayl?" I heard Malik ask.

I turned to him and smiled enthusiastically. "Yes, actually. The only missions I ever had were in Damascus. I have never gone here or to Acre..."

"Hah! If you like Jerusalem, you would not like Acre," he stated. "Acre has a very miserable aura."

"Not only that," Kadar interrupted. "Acre is also very dangerous. Only the elite assassins are ever assigned missions there, such as Master Altaïr here."

"Oh, that's right..." I trailed. "I almost forgot that he was on this mission as well..."

Altaïr turned his head to glare at me, "You would do well to remember, Ibn-Ahmed."

"Yes, sir!" I saluted, grinning. "So, how are we getting into Solomon's Temple?"

"There is an underground path leading to it," Altaïr replied, gazing ahead once more. "Once we arrive at the entrance, we go on foot. It will not take long to get what we need to retrieve from there."

"Wait! There must be another way. This one need not die," Malik said as Altaïr approached an old man from behind, activating his hidden blade. Altaïr ignored Malik and quickly thrust the hidden blade into the old man's neck. I looked away as blood splattered on the floor and the old man collapsed. He broke a tenant of the creed... How could he...?

I stepped closer to Kadar in worry. Kadar commented, "An excellent kill. Fortune favors your blade."

"Kadar..." I whispered sharply.

"Not fortune; skill," Altaïr replied to Kadar's compliment. "Watch a little longer and you might learn something."

"Indeed. He'll teach you to disregard everything the master's taught us," Malik said sarcastically.

"And how would you have done it?" Altaïr asked him bitterly.

"I would not have drawn attention to us. I would have not taken the life of an innocent. What I would have done is follow the Creed."

"'Nothing is true; everything is permitted,'" Altaïr quoted Al Mualim as a retort. "Understand these words. It matters not how we complete our task, but that it is done."

"This is not the way--!"

"My way is better," Altaïr interrupted arrogantly.

"... I will scout ahead. Try not to dishonor us further," Malik warned and walked away. I glared at the superior out of the four of us and shook my head.

"To think... I ever looked up to you..." I spat before following Malik. I was so disappointed at Kadar. How could he praise that... that arrogant bastard, when he killed an innocent that did not need to be killed! "And I doubt that was what Al Mualim meant by 'Nothing is true and everything is permitted,'" I continued. I could feel eyes on my back before I turned the corner.

There were a few poles in the middle of a large pit. Effortlessly, I jumped across using those poles and reached Malik, who spoke as soon as I landed safely.

"You disagree with his ways?"

"Yes," I replied. "I cannot believe that I ever looked up to him... And I have this feeling that he will continue this arrogance and break another tenant."

"At least you have more sense than my younger brother. I just hope that your feeling is wrong, for your sake and his. You two are much too inexperienced. If we encounter any Templars..."

"I can assure you, Master Malik, that we'll be fine. Hopefully, it will not come to that."

"... Thank you, Suhayl. You are wise. Please, call me Malik. I shall consider you my equal, despite rank."

I smiled. He has been the first of my superiors to accept me like that. "No, thank you. And speaking of ranks, you should be higher than Altaïr. From what I have seen, you are better than he."

Malik smile widened, "You are much too kind--"

"Let's move on, Malik," we heard Altaïr from behind. Almost immediately, Malik jumped the pit ahead, as a scout. But I knew that from Altaïr's attitude, Malik wanted to stay away from him overall. I followed. As the Assassin Instructor, Altaïr climbed the ladder to the next area. I heard a thud from above and we immediately knew that he had assassinated someone. Malik climbed up after him, then Kadar, then me. The three of us followed the superior of this mission onto a high plinth in the next area, passing the dead low-ranked Templar on the ground.

"There. That must be the Ark," Malik said to his brother and me, right hand on Kadar's back and the other pointing out the treasure at the opposite side of the room.

"The... Ark? Of the Covenant?" Kadar asked in disbelief that he was in the presence of such an artifact.

"Don't be silly," said Altaïr. "There's no such thing. It's just a story."

"Then what is it?" Kadar asked, turning to him, but Malik hushed him, bent over cautiously.

"Quiet! Someone's coming!" Lo-and-behold, we heard footsteps as a bald, tall man entered the room with four men following.

"I want us through this gate before sunrise!" the tall man commanded in a French accent. "The sooner we possess it, the sooner we can turn our attention to those jackals at Masyaf."

"Robert de Sable! His life is mine!" Altaïr said, determined. The three of us turned to him as Malik argued.

"No. We were asked retrieve the treasure and deal with Robert only if necessary."

"He stands between us and it. I'd say it's necessary."

"Discretion, Altaïr!"

"You mean 'cowardess.' That man is our greatest enemy and here we have a chance to get rid of him!"

"You have already broken two tenants of our Creed. Now you will break the third! Do not compromise the brotherhood!"

"I am your superior, in both title and ability! You should know better than to question me." Altaïr's arrogant remark ended the conversation.

I sighed into my right hand in frustration as he climbed down the ladders, "Somehow, I knew this would happen."

Malik put his hand on my shoulder in comfort before we followed the arrogant assassin to the floor below. I stared after them, then followed. As I climbed down the last ladder, I heard Altaïr announce, "Hold, Templars!" I saw as he continued forward to Robert and his men. "You are not the only ones with business here."

"Ah... Well, this explains my missing man. And what is it you want?" Robert asked coldly, crossing his arms. By now, the three of us were all next to Altaïr, but still keeping our distance between him, the Templars, and us.

"Blood," Altaïr replied, running towards Robert. Malik ran to stop him, but failed.

"No, don't!" Malik shouted, but it was too late. Altaïr effort to assassinate Robert was futile as Robert effortlessly grabbed his arms to stop him.

"You know not the things in which you meddle, Assassin," Robert started as Altaïr tried again to strike him and failed once more. "I spare you only that you may return to your master and deliver a message: The Holy Land is lost to him and his. He should flee now, while he has the chance. Stay, and all of you will die!"

Robert threw Altaïr from the room, rubble falling to block any way back. I could only utter two words as Robert and his men turned to us, smirking: "Oh... damn..."

"Men! To arms! Kill the Assassins!" Robert commanded.

I unsheathed my sword. As did Malik and Kadar. Robert and his men charged at us and attacked. The one that came at me was a bit too simple. I merely blocked his attack and punched him in the face, then thrust my sword into his heart when he hit the ground. Apparently, that one was much too inexperienced. I charged at the one of the two coming for Malik and pounced, thrusting my hidden blade into his neck. The other one faced me, diverting his attention from Malik.

"Malik, get the treasure! I'll deal with these Templars!"

Malik nodded and ran past Robert. He jumped over the table next to Robert and began climbing the wall. Robert noticed and began attacking him. Before I began fighting the Templar in front of me, I heard a scream to my left. My eyes widened, realizing whom it was.

"Kadar!" I cried, reaching out for my best friend. The Templar took the opportunity and slashed at me, hitting me in the face and stomach. As a reflex and in anger, I took my sword and stepped to the side, making a cut at his ribs, then stabbed him in the spine once I passed him completely. I charged at the Templar who killed Kadar. He blocked my attack and kicked me in the stomach, making me fall and slide backwards on the floor. I groaned in pain, but got up again and blocked the upcoming attack. Then I kicked his shin, making him keel over in pain, allowing me to force him onto his knees and stab him in the shoulder and through his heart. My attention turned to Malik, who screamed due to his left arm getting injured by Robert's sword. In his left arm was the treasure, which started falling to the ground. I ran to him and caught the treasure, getting the attention of Robert.

"Malik, hurry!" I shouted, getting ready to run, taking a step backwards. Before Robert ran at me to get the treasure, Malik landed on him and groaned in pain. "Hurry!" I urged. Once he stood up, I quickly aided him, putting his bloody left arm around my shoulders for support. Robert began getting up in pain from Malik's weight suddenly dropping on him, but before he could do so, we were already on the run. I sneaked a throwing knife out of Malik's pocket and threw it at Robert.

Time passed quickly as we ran to the exit of the underground passageway. I took Kadar's horse and led Altaïr's horse with my left arm. Malik took his own and rode at my right. We commanded the horses to gallop until we reached a safe distance away. Once we did, I could not stand the silence as we walked home.

"Malik... Kadar... He--" I started.

"I know," the man replied quietly. "I heard."

"... I'm sorry..."

"You are not the one who needs to apologize. It's Altaïr..." He bitterly said Altaïr's name with poison dripping from his voice. I could not blame him... Altaïr never came back and he was the one who got us all into the danger.

"... Hm... Still, you lost your brother and I want to remind you... that you are not the only one that shall carry the burden of loss. I shall share it with you. You are not alone. After all, he was my very first and best friend when I joined the Order."

Malik made a half-smile at me, happy for my words of comfort, but still bothered by Altaïr's actions. I smiled back at him, then turned my attention to his bloody arm. It had an incredibly deep cut on the triceps; the man was lucky that he never died of blood loss earlier... I cringed at the sight and thought of how much pain that caused.

"Malik... Your arm... That's a very large cut... We need to get you to Masyaf quickly," I said firmly.

"Yes, let's go. We must hurry before Robert follows us with reinforcements."

I nodded in agreement and we commanded the horses to gallop once more.

"Suhayl!"

"Suhayl?"

"What happened?!"

"Ibn-Ahmed!"

"Where's Kadar?"

"How's Master Malik?"

"Are you two all right?! What happened?!"

All of my peers surrounded me as others surrounded Malik. Many insisted that he should go to a medic immediately. He refused, however, as danger on our village was imminent. We had to go to Al Mualim as soon as possible. The treasure in my arms like a cradled baby, I ignored my fellow students and pushed through them, but still appreciating their concern.

"I'm sorry, everyone. I must get to the Master quickly," I said, as I went through the crowd. I didn't see Malik anywhere, and went on ahead inside the castle and up the stairs. Down the hallway on the second floor, I saw him pointing an accusing finger at the surprised Altaïr. I ran next to Malik and held out the treasure in front of me to Al Mualim.

"There's your precious treasure," Malik said bitterly.

"Suhayl? You are alive?" Al Mualim asked in disbelief.

I merely nodded and handed him the treasure he so wanted. "Now is not the time, Master. Unfortunately, we may have returned with more than the treasure."

As if on cue, a man came in and announced that Robert had invaded Masyaf with reinforcements. Our predictions had been realized.

"Robert de Sable? So it is a battle he wants," Al Mualim trailed, then turned to Altaïr. "Altaïr, your punishment will have to wait. For now, go and drive them from our home!"

Altaïr bowed and left as Al Mualim turned to Malik and me.

"As for you two, you may rest. You must be tired..."

Malik seemed to oblige, but I didn't. This was our home at stake here! I couldn't just watch my comrades die before my eyes, while I did nothing to stop it!

"Master! I wish to protect the village!" I exclaimed. "Let me fight!"

"No! Absolutely not! You have done the mission as punishment, but it seems that you have gone through more than that. And besides, you are but at the first rank, young and inexperienced. To put your life at stake is like wasting your talent. I shall not get rid of such young talented students like yourself so easily!"

"... Humph!" I couldn't come back with anything, and so I said nothing more, leaving to my room. He had a point, after all. It was because of my father that he could not send me out to fight more. It was because of what I went through previously that I shouldn't go through more pain. I had seen my best friend die before my eyes. I had seen the three tenants of the Creed broken all on one mission. I had been in a deathly situation that only God knows how I got through it. Whether it was talent or luck, I do not know. But the one thing I do know is that I couldn't go through more. My friends and teachers would all worry... and I didn't want that.