Nine days and nine goals of Altair

Tamir

Abu'l Nuqoud

Garnier de Naplouze

Talal

Majd ad-Din

William of Montferrat

Sibrand

Jubair al Hakim

(˵ ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°˵)

Fandom: Assassin’s Creed

Characters: Altair Ibn-La’Ahad, Sibrand, Female Reader (Malik’s twin sister)

Written by request of @witch-of-letters​. (Apologies this taken forever and apologies that it will be in parts). I hope that it was worth the wait :)

Author’s Note: This is basically a re-imagining of the first Assassin’s Creed game. As such, I have tried to follow the canon as much as possible while making room for the Reader insert. Some of the original dialogue will be used, some of it has been completely redone. I hope all who reads this will enjoy.

TW: Blood and Violence

The two of you had been at this mission for months now. Even though the list was nearly done, Altaïr couldn’t help but feel as if things hadn’t gotten better. He couldn’t help but feel that there was so much that Al-Mualim hadn’t told him. Every time he went back to Masyaf to speak to Al-Mualim, he left more uncertain of things. The only thing he was certain of was that he wanted to see you again.

Altaïr was right in that much was hidden from him. Another thing he didn’t know was that your absence from Masyaf hadn’t gone unnoticed. Everyone, regardless of rank had noticed it. Some merely brushed it off as you simply off on your own missions. But those who knew you better knew that you had always made a point in the past to return every so often.

Al-Mualim had noticed this as well. He saw no cause for concern, simply assuming you were out assisting Altaïr. With how skillful you were and how determined you were that the targets fall, he knew that if Altaïr somehow faltered that you would ensure the job was done. But that determination was coming at a cost. Malik and the other Rafiqs had noticed just how much you were throwing yourself into your missions even more. They noticed that when you slept, it was listless. When you ate, it wasn’t much. Malik knew that despite it all, you were still in deep mourning for Kadar and using the mission to not think about it all. He still felt that loss just as much as you.

Even though you worked with Altaïr, you still were keeping him at a bit of an arm’s length. Sure, he was improving in many ways, but there were times it was painful to be around him. Not just because of his previous actions but being around him reminded of how things used to be. You were afraid that things would never be like that again. Even when this mission was done, you were afraid you would feel that sense of certainty about life. Even as an assassin, you craved a sense of certainty. You had your brothers, your best friend, and your blade, that was all you needed. You had you blade, you had one brother, you had your best friend. It wasn’t enough. But you moved forward, did your best to keep your focus on the next target. The time for deep mourning would have to wait until all the men on the list were dead. When that time came, there would be no more hiding from the pain. You could only go back to Acre and wait for his return

While you waited in Acre, you passed the time in several ways. Everything from working in the Rafiqs shop to helping other merchants, all the while keeping an eye on the next target until Altaïr arrived.

As it was technically his mission it was up to Altaïr to gather information on the targets. But there was nothing to stop you from gathering your own. The Rafiqs themselves made no effort to stop you. To them, if you could keep Altaïr from making things worse, they had no objection to you working with him or on your own if you saw fit. You were the only assassin that they gave such leniency to.

While you waited for him, you continued to walk about the city, helping the citizens when you could and listening in while you were in the different districts. It was amazing what one could learn when those around them talking thought no one was listening to them. The city of Acre had become unbearably tense under Sibrand’s rule. Word among the citizens was that he often patrolled the streets and that he was just as cruel to his own men as he was to those who he governed over. Making matters worse, Sibrand had seen fit to blockade the port, ensuring he would have total control of the city Even more so, there was talk that the man was unhinged, seemingly seeing enemies everywhere. More than one innocent found themselves on the wrong side of his temper and unless someone put a stop to him, there wouldn’t be anyone left in Acre to govern.

You yourself observed the man walking about with his personal guards, garbed in the robes of the Teutonic Knights. He easily stood out with his helmet, with its large horns made him resemble a bull. The sight of it terrified the citizens of Acre. You personally thought he looked foolish. He quickly proved himself to be as insufferable as the citizens had mentioned. You even found yourself tempted to sneak up on the man, take out his guards and him when he wasn’t looking.

The only thing stopping you was the desire to not have your cover blown. As far as Al-Mualim knew, you were simply busy assisting the Rafiqs with various missions. If he suspected otherwise, he said nothing. Though you knew it would be several days before Altaïr would arrive, you found yourself hoping he would arrive sooner. Not just so you could get the mission out of the way, but so that you could see him. The more you worked with him, the more you found yourself missing him when he wasn’t there. But you would never admit that openly. When he arrived, you were surprised to see that his personal sword had been returned to him

With your orders given you lead the way. “Let us try and be subtle this time.” You warned as the two of you climbed out of the opening. “Sibrand is already on alert as it is.” “When am I not?”

Ignoring that last bit the two of you headed off, hoping that this mission would go a bit more smoothly than the last.

The two of you were nearly to the docks when you heard shouting. Quickly the two of you rushed to see what was going on. Upon arrival, you could see a large crowd had gathered around.

Wordlessly you started to climb a nearby building with Altaïr following closely behind. From up on the roof, you could see a blond man, wearing Templar robes addressing the crowd. It was clear by his demeanor that he was angry.

“There he is.” You muttered. “Who is that with him?”

Sibrand, had a scholar at his mercy, the man pleading with him to no avail, yelling that he was no assassin and pleading for others to step in. No one dared. All who had gathered had already born witness to Sibrand’s temper before.

“He thinks that man is one of us!” You whispered furtively

Horrified that the others would not step in, you did the only thing you could think of. Taking on of your throwing knives out, you quickly took aim and sent it flying, it hit the intended target Sibrand directly between his neck and shoulder, causing him to let go of the poor scholar who quickly turned and fled for his life.

Terrified that he had been attacked from nowhere, Sibrand held a hand tightly to the wound. He quickly turned and ran towards his own personal ship in the harbor, his personal guard following close behind. Both you and Altaïr followed behind, making your way through the crowds now fleeing as well.

“So much for subtlety” You groused as you kept your eyes forward for the target. Attacking Sibrand openly was not part of your plan, but you were not about to let an innocent die because of Sibrand’s paranoia.

The both of you quickly realized that to get to Sibrand quicker, it would involve using the other boats and wooden posts placed in the water. You loathed having to take this path, but the two of you couldn’t afford to waste time.

“Don’t fall in.” You teased Altaïr as each of you effortlessly jumped from post to post.

“Speak for yourself!” He smiled back at you, thrilled to finally get the chance to chase down the target.

As you got closer to Sibrands ship, you spotted guards keeping watch on tall platforms. Each of them was armed with a sword and a bow along with a full quiver of arrows. Knowing they would have to be taken out, while Altaïr went in a separate direction, you climbed the nearest one and quickly disposed of the guard, dropping his body into the waters bellow. Looking to see where he was, you saw that Altaïr had the same idea as you.

All along the harbor you saw that he had many armed guards keeping watch, each one of them hand-picked by Sibrand himself. No doubt they saw their commander running for his life and would be even more on alert. Sibrand would have to be disposed of on the boat. You kept moving carefully until you reached the boat. Altaïr quickly joined you and the two of quietly climbed up the side of the ship. Peering over the side, you saw Sibrand.

Despite being injured by your blade, he kept pacing along the boat, trying to shoot arrows even though he was injured, yelling that if others wouldn’t help him, he would deal with the attackers personally. He sounded even more unhinged than before.

He was so distracted by any enemies far from the boat, you and Altaïr were able to climb up onto the ship, where Altaïr quickly snuck up behind Sibrand and buried his blade deep in the man’s neck.

You helped Altaïr lower the man to the deck gently. You saw the panic stricken look in his eyes and quickly moved to assure him.

“Don’t be afraid.” You spoke softly. “Your God awaits you on the other side to welcome you”

“You cannot know that. I know what it is that awaits me. It showed me.” Sibrand spoke fearfully.

“What showed you?” You asked.

“Things I wish I hadn’t known. All that I have done in this life and all that awaits me is nothingness.” Sibrand explained. “All of this. For nothing.”

“How can you be sure?” Altaïr asked.

“Everything it showed me has shown itself to be true. It had no reason to be false to me.”

“If you know that nothing awaits you, why have you done all of this?” You asked.

“I did the only thing I could, follow my orders. Just as you have.” Sibrand said.

“What is it you speak of?” You asked. “What showed you all of this?”

“What brought us all together. All I had to do was follow my orders. I have and I will have nothing now. Just as you will, just as the others will. Darkness will claim us all.”

With that last dire warning Sibrand slipped away unwillingly. Though you had witnessed much of his actions over the last few weeks, you wondered if an eternity in darkness what would truly await him. Would Darkness be the worst for him?

With nothing more to be done, Altaïr took the feather and dipped it in Sibrand’s blood. Carefully placing it in his pack, the two of you quickly left and headed back to the Bureau.

Once the two of you returned Altaïr informed the Rafiq that the mission was complete and to your surprise, spoke of his doubts about Sibrand and the others. You listened intently to Altaïr as he explained that many of the targets were not whom he expected to be. You quietly wondered why Altaïr hadn’t spoken of it before.

Having been assured by the Rafiq that it was best to seek Al Mualim’s council, he decided to leave it at that for now. But Altaïr wasn’t about to leave just yet. Altaïr decided to replenish his supplies and sharpen his knives during which he could ponder what to do next. While he worked, you decided to rest a bit and walked out into the courtyard, the day had been more draining than you had expected it to be.

After finishing his work and taking some of the food the Rafiq had prepared Altaïr walked out where he saw that you had set up a few of the cushions in a small pile and were laying back against them, gazing up into the night sky.

He smiled gently at the sight of you, looking so beautiful as you watched up into the heavens and it made him think of all the nights out in the garden, where the two of you would lay out there together talking, often falling asleep together just before the sunrise.

Altaïr realized watching you just how much he missed those nights with you. He missed the nights where you, your brothers and he would sit and just talk about anything and everything. They had been some of the most peaceful nights he had known, and it was during those night the four of you could forget about being assassins.

“Are you hungry?” He asked quietly as he brought over the plate of food. Looking at it, a plate that contained bread, fruits and some meat, your appetite returned and so you sat up from the pillows. Altaïr took a seat beside you and the two of you ate your way through all the food, chatting pleasantly as you did so.

Once the two of you were finished eating, Altaïr put the plate to the side and asked “So, what is the next step?”

“What do you mean?”

“I am assuming you plan to finish crossing off the names with me’ Altaïr said.

“Yes I am. And I am curious to know something. What Sibrand spoke of, did he mean the treasure of Solomon’s Temple?” You asked.

“I would assume yes. With his name being on the list, it’s the only explanation.”

“But what about the treasure could cause a man like him to fear the unknown like he did? Surely a simple bauble cannot do such things.” You said, still a bit skeptical of Sibrand’s claims.

“I don’t know. I can only ask the Master.” Altaïr shrugged. “Believe me when I say there is much he hasn’t shared with me.”

You were not pleased by the fact that Altaïr knew as much as you did about this treasure. For him to be sent after it and know so little, what was so special about it. The Master knew enough about it to order is seized, did the Master even know what it was? There were too many questions with no answer to. But all you could do now was wait for the answers.

Full of food, you laid back down onto the pillows and resumed gazing up into the heavens, a look of contentment on your beautiful face. Altaïr wanted to stay with you, but he didn’t know if you wanted him around.

“Would you like to be alone?” He asked tentatively.

His tone surprised you. You had half expected him to just lay down beside you. But here he was, asking you if you wanted to be around him. This was a gentleness he hadn’t shown you in some time. A gentleness that you once thought extinguished years ago.

“No. Stay with me.” You said, moving over a bit to allow him some room.

Altaïr smiled as he lay down, sighing contentedly as he looked skyward alongside you. The peace and calm of the night sky and of the city itself was soothing to the both of you after such a hectic day. Peace like this was rare, peace like this was precious.

Even though you told Altaïr that you wanted a break from it all, your mind was full of thoughts. You kept thinking back to Sibrand’s final words. Something about them bothered you greatly.

Thinking of Sibrand caused you to think back on the previous targets. They had all seemingly had nothing in common, except their words about a New World Order. All of them held power to some level. If these men were serious about building a New World Order, why were all of them more concerned with other agendas? What else tied these men together?

Hours later the two of you drifted off to sleep, still next to each other, neither of you wanting to be alone. Retiring for the night, the Rafiq had looked out into the courtyard and spotted the two of you, asleep side by side.

Smiling to himself, he took one of the extra blankets from behind the counter, walked out into the sleeping area and covered the both of you with the blanket. He wondered if the two of you would dream of the other.

He was right. All through the night, the both of you dreamt of days long past. In between visions of you, Altaïr, Malik and Kadar visiting in the garden, there were visions of just you and Altaïr, laughing together, training together. Those days years ago in which the two of you were so certain of your futures that you worried about little except the next mission. Things were much less complicated then.

Altaïr woke up first the next morning. Through his golden eyes, he could see you still curled up, sound asleep. He noted how peaceful your expression was, how relaxed you seemed to be. He hadn’t seen you like that in some time, and it was enough to make him wonder just what it was to make you seem at peace again.

After breakfast and visiting with the Rafiq, Altaïr decided to set off again. Loathe as he was, the two of you had agreed that more answers were needed. As before you escorted him to the gate and this time, you fought the urge to return to Masayf as well. There were so many things you were fighting as of late, but at least now, you weren’t fighting all of them by yourself.

Altaïr seemed to have notice this and before he mounted his horse he asked, “Should I stay?”

The question took you by surprise. Even though the both of you knew what had to be done, it seemed as if nether of you wanted the other to leave. You knew that if Altaïr was asking, he would stay as long as you wanted him to.

“Staying won’t get the answers we need.” You noted in a low voice. “You’d best set off.”

I decided here the other day to replay AC. And I remembered this person. (˵ ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°˵)