---Carson's POV---

Word has spread of Aakif's demise, the city was mourning, at least until the truth had been revealed. One of the servants had tugged at my sleeve, murmuring under her breath that she'd end up being stoned if word got out but she couldn't keep quiet any longer.

Apparently she had been one of the caretakers of the children but was unwilling to do so. She had explained in hushed whispers that Aakif had threatened to take her own daughter, still an infant, if she had dared to open her mouth about the truth of the missing children.

My eyes burned with anger, fingers closing around the pummel of my sword until the thread dug into my skin.

All those kids...their innocence, claimed and ruined...

It had been a shocking display of ignorance and cruelty when we had been guided towards the Sheik's quarters. Unbeknownst to many of the city's inhabitants, the Sheik's massive mansion had been custom build for his disgusting cravings.

Children from this city and the next, stolen by slavers or corrupt guards of Aakif's personal entourage, had been collected and brought back. All to be used for the man's sick and twisted pleasures.

His chambers had a secret doorway, which led to one big living area that split off in several hallways. In each hallway, we found at least half a dozen of children. All of them looked fearful, a broken look in their eyes as they backed away from the men in our group.

It didn't take a genius to figure out what happened to these children.  It was written all over their bodies; from the way they flinched back and pressed themselves against the walls down to the very obvious signs as a few of them wore clothes with old blood stains on the back of their trousers.

Word got out quickly, and soon the mansion was overrun by overjoyed parents and relatives. It was heartwarming to see mothers throw themselves at their children, hugging them desperately while even the usually stern fathers were openly crying as they thanked Allah above for the return of their child.

Yet at the same time, it was heartbreaking, as the children had a hard time comprehending that they were actually free. Many refused to be embraced by their parents, warning them that they themselves were filth and should not be touched at all. Others were afraid of Aakif's return, and the punishments that would soon follow.

What should've been a moment of joy and celebration soon became clouded with anger, pain and sorrow. Children sobbed in their parents arms, parents sobbed as they tried to reach to the older, unwilling children and some parents were still looking around, hoping to find their missing child.

"I'm guessing that Saemus and Aakif worked together." I murmured as Mord'u stepped up next to me. He nodded, eyes surveilling the room before motioning with his head towards the exit. "Our trackers are following the Assassin at a safe distance. Messengers have been arriving left and right and it seems that our little thief has reached his next destination."

I nodded before casting one last glance through the room. "Let's go then. No doubt that we'll be greeted by the next Sheik when we arrive." He snorted but agreed, as we had already had several messengers arrive with a plead for protection as soon as Aakif's death was announced.

"Any news?" I asked as we walked to the horses and a small group of our gang. Mord'u knew what I was asking and nodded, reaching in his pocket before handing me over a letter. "From what the spies found out, the only connection between Aakif and Saemus are the young slaves that passed hands between them."

He mounted the horse before reaching in one of the pockets, holding out an old, yellowed picture. "One of those slaves holds an uncanny resemblance with our target." My eyes widened significantly before I snatched the picture out of his hands, ignoring the deep chuckles that rumbled through the air.

Turning the picture around, I felt even more anger heat up my body, glancing up at Mord'u to make sure there wasn't a mistake. But the resemblance was too much to ignore; the same vibrant emerald eyes, dark curls framing a young face, his jaw set in stubborn defiance and it looked like he was chewing his cheek when the drawing was made.

What angered me was the fact that I had expected a picture of a teenager, maybe a subadult. Instead, I was looking down at a boy that couldn't be older than five years old. The reminder of what had happened in Aakif's mansion made my stomach churn, bile rising up quickly before I swallowed and forced it back.

"He has plenty of reasons to lash out to his former masters, it seems." My right hand nodded as I tucked away the picture, riding alongside him as we rushed for the next destination. Meanwhile, Mord'u was deep in thought before motioning towards my pocket.

"If he's gunning for his former masters, it'll make things easier for us. It seems like he's going after them in order of ownership." I nodded, squinting my eyes as the wind kicked up, sending up streams of blinding sand and ending our conversation for the moment, unless I wanted to scream and have a mouthful of sand as a reward.

I threw the shawl over my face, tucking myself in so most of it was protected against the small storm. We couldn't stop now, as we had no time to lose.

But as we rode, I did wonder what happened... what of the boy's family? Surely, if he was enslaved, they were either killed or worse.

A sigh escaped me, eyes squinting as the sand streamed in my face. With this weather, I doubted the Assassin was going to try and make a move. While he'd have plenty of cover, as visibility was getting very low, it would also mean that his target would be inside and heavily guarded.

And somewhere in my mind, there was this nagging sensation... Did I really want to stop him from getting his next target? Both his targets seemed to be honorable men, Sheiks that should set an example to their people. Instead, their dead had been the just example the world needed, as the men had been monsters hiding along the masses.

Hearing a shout, I looked up and felt a smile pull at my lips as I noticed one of the scouts on their horses, waving us towards a town that lurked in the distance. A burst of excitement spread through my body and even though I wanted to say it was the rush of the chase, I knew that wasn't the whole reason.

I simply couldn't wait to get my hands on the green eyed killer and have a little chat with him.

---Nadir's POV---

The sound of the stable doors opening made me look up, watching for a moment until I noticed one of the stable boys walking in with a few horses. The new arrivals looked stunning, but tired and eagerly started slurping at the water, nearly yanking themselves free from the stable hand to satisfy their thirst.

Meanwhile I kept cleaning Tahir, smiling as he nudged me and nickered softly, most likely scolding me for stopping for a moment. I replied by gently rubbing the brush over his nose, making the horse snort and toss his head in the air.

"Serves you right." I snickered, placing the brush away to start with his hooves. I'm sure these boys knew how to take care of a horse, but Tahir and I had a good bond, special according to some and I didn't really trust anyone else with him.

I still remembered when I had been saved by the Bedouin, how they had taken care for me as if I had been one of their own. Once I had healed, my anger and wrath had been boiling inside me, threatening to spill over. I had been itching to go out and slaughter the Sheiks and their men, to bathe in their blood but I soon realized that would make me the monsters that they were.

During one of my long walks, I had roamed over the marketplace and found myself wandering along the stables of several merchants before spotting the area destined for the animals. I had walked along the animals, feeling myself slowly relax and sigh as I petted them.

Soon enough, I felt my anger return though when I spotted a figure lying down in the stables; a young foal, clearly underfed and barely enough energy to move. I had cursed out the salesman and had earned myself a punch in the face before a guard had stepped in and demanded what was happening.

He did nothing when I had explained the situation and had merely rolled his eyes before telling me that if I cared so much for the horse, I should buy it.

And that's exactly what I did. It had cost me almost all of my coins but I had bought him and felt rage simmer through me when I was able to pick up the foal with barely a strain.

I had taken Tahir with me to the Bedouin and they had helped me take care of him. The young foal was littered with scars, both from brutal lashings and from lying on the hard floor, unable to get up. Yet, when he was a stallion, he was a beauty.

A soft nose pressed against my cheek, nipping softly before warm breath snorted against my ear. I chuckled and patted him, smiling warmly at the stable boys before inquiring who the new arrivals were.

"Oh, them? A group of mercenaries arrived in town! I don't know what they're looking for, but it must be dangerous! I wonder what they're here for?" I felt my heart stutter before it raced, galloping like a run-away horse.

I knew they'd catch up to me. Seems like I'll need to get myself a good cover...

I thanked the boys and shared their curiosity and interest before continuing to take care for Tahir. There was no need to rush, as the storm outside was only beginning and could take days to stop.

And I knew that my next target would be in his lab, playing with his fascination for poisons anyways. He'd be hard pressed to come out of his shelter in normal circumstances... getting him out in a sand storm was out of the question.

Then again, the elements were helping me indirectly; because of his tendencies to stay indoors and tinker with his poisons, he'd also run out of supplies soon enough. And if he was still the same as always, he'd want to hand pick his new ingredients, as he didn't trust anyone.

He had always been terrified to be tricked and poisoned by one of his many, many enemies, hence why he was so paranoid. But I'd be able to use that to my advantaged, as I knew he only used a select few suppliers. 

So it would be very easy for me to catch him off guard at one of those places.