[That's enough of that. He's not enough of an actor to sell this deception for any great length of time, and if it were real, he'd have taken his leave already. Humbled though he may have been, there is a limit. He doesn't offer a return smile, but nods briefly as he turns to go.
Altaïr rides with purpose but no great speed away from Jacob, still in the general direction of their previous destination but likely more preoccupied with putting space between them — or so he'd guess anyone watching them would perceive.
He knows the instant he's been spotted. Not because of instincts or an extra sense this time — simply because the bandits who plague the badlands are nowhere near as disciplined as they should be, and the quiet whistle one attempts to use as a surreptitious signal does not sound anything like the few birds that make their home this after into the wasteland. It seems they've chosen him as the target, not Jacob, unless they've decided to divide forces and attack both of them at once — unlikely, for cowards like these, even if they don't realize they've made the unfortunate choice to attack two Assassins.
There's no true path out here, but the closest thing curves around a ridge, below a jutting outcrop of rock. It's an obvious ambush point. Altaïr rides unhurried into it, trusting that Jacob will choose the right moment to act.
There's the sound of weapons being drawn. No one can see it beneath his hood, but Altaïr grins.]
no subject
Altaïr rides with purpose but no great speed away from Jacob, still in the general direction of their previous destination but likely more preoccupied with putting space between them — or so he'd guess anyone watching them would perceive.
He knows the instant he's been spotted. Not because of instincts or an extra sense this time — simply because the bandits who plague the badlands are nowhere near as disciplined as they should be, and the quiet whistle one attempts to use as a surreptitious signal does not sound anything like the few birds that make their home this after into the wasteland. It seems they've chosen him as the target, not Jacob, unless they've decided to divide forces and attack both of them at once — unlikely, for cowards like these, even if they don't realize they've made the unfortunate choice to attack two Assassins.
There's no true path out here, but the closest thing curves around a ridge, below a jutting outcrop of rock. It's an obvious ambush point. Altaïr rides unhurried into it, trusting that Jacob will choose the right moment to act.
There's the sound of weapons being drawn. No one can see it beneath his hood, but Altaïr grins.]