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OLIVER BOWDEN
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Contents
Assassins Creed? The Secret Crusade
Prolo#ue
Part One
Part T1o
Part Three
Part @our
E$ilo#ue
Dra:atis Personae
Ac%no1led#e:ents
Prolo#ue
The :aDestic shi$ crea%ed and #roanedG its sails ri$$led& 9at 1ith 1ind, Da"s 9ro: land&
it s$lit the ocean to1ards the #reat cit" in the 1est& carr"in# $recious car#o? a :an ; a
:an the cre1 %ne1 onl" as the 8aster,
0e 1as a:on# the: no1& alone on the 9orecastle dec%& 1here he had lo1ered the
co1l o9 his ro!es to let hi:sel9 !e lashed !" seas$ra"& si$$in# at it 1ith his 9ace in the
1ind, Once a da" he did this, 0e a$$eared 9ro: his ca!in to $ace the dec%& chose a
s$ot to #aHe out at sea& then returned !elo1, So:eti:es he stood on the 9orecastle&
so:eti:es on the FuarterEdec%, Al1a"s he stared out at the 1hiteEcrested sea,
E7er" da" the cre1 1atched hi:, The" 1or%ed& callin# to one another on dec% and
in the ri##in#& each 1ith a Do! to do& 1hile all the ti:e stealin# #lances at the solitar"&
$ensi7e 9i#ure, And the" 1ondered& What %ind o9 :an 1as heI What %ind o9 :an 1as
in their :idstI
@urti7el" the" studied hi: no1 as he ste$$ed a1a" 9ro: the dec% railin#s and $ulled
u$ his hood, 0e stood there a :o:ent 1ith his head !o1ed& his ar:s han#in# loosel"
at his sides& and the cre1 1atched hi:, Perha$s a 9e1 o9 the: e7en $aled as he strode
alon# the dec% $ast the: and !ac% to his ca!in, And 1hen the door shut !ehind hi:&
each :an 9ound that he had !een holdin# his !reath,
Inside& the Assassin returned to his des% and sat& $ourin# a !ea%er o9 1ine !e9ore
reachin# 9or a !oo% and $ullin# it to1ards hi:, Then o$enin# it, Be#innin# to read,
Part One
3
36 >une 3)/.
8a99eo and I re:ain at 8as"a9 and 1ill sta" here 9or the ti:e !ein#, At least until one or
t1o ; ho1 shall I $ut thisI ; uncertainties are resol7ed, In the :eanti:e 1e re:ain at
the !ehest o9 the 8aster& AltaJr I!nELaAhad, @rustratin# as it is to surrender do:inion
o9 our o1n $aths in this 1a"& es$eciall" to the leader o9 the Order& 1ho in his old a#e
1ields a:!i#uit" 1ith the sa:e ruthless $recision he once 1ielded s1ord and !lade& I
at least !ene9it 9ro: !ein# $ri7" to his stories, 8a99eo& ho1e7er& has no such ad7anta#e
and has #ro1n restless, Understanda!l" so, 0e tires o9 8as"a9, 0e disli%es tra7ersin#
the stee$ slo$es !et1een the Assassins 9ortress and the 7illa#e !elo1& and the
:ountainous terrain holds little a$$eal 9or hi:, 0e is a Polo& he sa"s& and a9ter siC
:onths here the 1anderlust is li%e the call o9 a 7olu$tuous 1o:an to hi:& $ersuasi7e
and te:$tin# and not to !e i#nored, 0e lon#s to 9ill the sails 1ith 1ind and set o99 9or
ne1 lands& sho1 8as"a9 his !ac%,
0is i:$atience is a 7eCation I could li7e 1ithout& Fuite 9ran%l", AltaJr is on the cus$
o9 an announce:entG I can 9eel it,
So& toda" I declared& K8a99eo& I: #oin# to tell "ou a stor",
The :anners o9 the :an, Are 1e reall" %inI I !e#in to dou!t it, @or instead o9
#reetin# this ne1s 1ith the enthusias: it so clearl" 1arranted& I could ha7e s1orn I
heard hi: si#h *or $erha$s I should #i7e hi: the !ene9it o9 the dou!t? $erha$s he 1as
si:$l" out o9 !reath in the hot sun+& !e9ore de:andin# o9 :e& KBe9ore "ou do& NiccolL&
1ould "ou :ind tellin# :e& 1hat it is a!outI in rather eCas$erated tones, I as% "ou,
Ne7ertheless? KThat is a 7er" #ood Fuestion& !rother& I said& and #a7e the :atter
so:e thou#ht as 1e :ade our 1a" u$ the dreaded slo$e, A!o7e us the citadel loo:ed
dar%l" on the $ro:ontor"& as i9 it had !een he1n 9ro: the 7er" li:estone itsel9, Id
decided I 1anted the $er9ect settin# to tell :" tale& and there 1as no1here :ore
a$$osite than the 8as"a9 9ortress, An i:$osin# castle o9 :an" turrets& surrounded !"
shi::erin# ri7ers& it $resided o7er the !ustlin# 7illa#e !elo1& the settle:ent a hi#h
$oint 1ithin the Orontes Valle", An oasis o9 $eace, A $aradise,
KI 1ould sa" that its a!out %no1led#e& I decided at last, KAssasseen& as "ou %no1&
re$resents M#uardianN in Ara!ic ; the Assassins are the #uardians o9 the secrets& and
the secrets the" #uard are o9 %no1led#e& so& "es O no dou!t I sounded 7er" $leased
1ith :"sel9 KO its a!out %no1led#e,
KThen I: a9raid I ha7e an a$$oint:ent,
KOhI
KCertainl" I 1ould 1elco:e a di7ersion 9ro: :" studies& NiccolL, 0o1e7er& an
eCtension o9 the: I dont desire,
I #rinned, KSurel" "ou 1ant to hear the tales I7e !een told !" the 8aster,
KThat all de$ends, 2our $itch :a%es the: sound less than in7i#oratin#, 2ou %no1
"ou sa" :" tastes run to the !loodthirst" 1hen it co:es to "our storiesI
K2es,
8a99eo #a7e a hal9Es:ile, KWell& "oure ri#ht& the" do,
KThen "ou shall ha7e that& too, These are& a9ter all& the tales o9 the #reat AltaJr I!nE
LaAhad, This is his li9e stor"& !rother, Belie7e :e& there is no shorta#e o9 e7ent& and
:uch o9 it& "oull !e ha$$" to note& 9eaturin# !loodshed,
B" no1 1e had :ade our 1a" u$ the !ar!ican to the outer $art o9 the 9ortress, We
$assed !eneath the arch and throu#h the #uard station& cli:!in# a#ain as 1e headed
to1ards the inner castle, Ahead o9 us 1as the to1er in 1hich AltaJr had his Fuarters,
@or 1ee%s I had !een 7isitin# hi: there& s$endin# countless hours !" hi:& ra$t& as he
sat 1ith his hands clas$ed and his el!o1s on the rests o9 his tall chair& tellin# his
stories& his old e"es !arel" 7isi!le !eneath his co1l, And increasin#l" I had co:e to
realiHe that I 1as !ein# told these stories 9or a $ur$ose, That 9or so:e reason "et
un9atho:a!le to :e& I had !een chosen to hear the:,
When not tellin# his stories& AltaJr !rooded a:on# his !oo%s and :e:ories&
so:eti:es #aHin# 9or lon# hours 9ro: the 1indo1 o9 his to1er, 0e 1ould !e there no1&
I thou#ht& and hoo%ed a thu:! under the !and o9 :" ca$ and shi9ted it !ac%& shadin#
:" e"es to loo% u$ at the to1er& seein# nothin# !ut sunE!leached stone,
KWe7e an audience 1ith hi:I 8a99eo interru$ted :" thou#hts,
KNo& not toda"& I re$lied& instead $ointin# at a to1er to our ri#ht, KWere #oin# u$
there O
8a99eo 9ro1ned, The de9ensi7e to1er 1as one o9 the hi#hest in the citadel& and 1as
reached !" a series o9 7erti#inous ladders& :ost o9 1hich loo%ed in need o9 re$air, But I
1as insistent& and I tuc%ed :" tunic into :" !elt then led 8a99eo u$ to the 9irst le7el&
then to the neCt and 9inall" to the to$, @ro: there 1e loo%ed across the countr"side,
8iles and :iles o9 cra##" terrain, Ri7ers li%e 7eins, Clusters o9 settle:ents, We loo%ed
o7er 8as"a9? 9ro: the 9ortress to the !uildin#s and :ar%ets o9 the s$ra1lin# 7illa#e
!elo1& the 1ooden stoc%ade o9 the outer curtain and sta!lin#,
K0o1 hi#h are 1eI as%ed 8a99eo& loo%in# a little #reen& no dou!t conscious o9 !ein#
!u99eted !" the 1ind and that the #round no1 loo%ed a lon#& lon# 1a" a1a",
KO7er t1o hundred and 9i9t" 9eet& I told hi:, K0i#h enou#h to $ut the Assassins out o9
ran#e o9 ene:" archers ; !ut a!le to rain arro1s and :ore do1n u$on the:,
I sho1ed hi: the o$enin#s surroundin# us on all sides, K@ro: the :achicolations
here the" could launch roc%s or oil o7er their 9oe& usin# these O Wooden $lat9or:s
Dutted out into s$ace and 1e :o7ed o7er to one no1& holdin# on to u$ri#ht su$$orts
either side and leanin# out into the air to loo% do1n, Directl" !elo1 us& the to1er 9ell
a1a" to the cli99 ed#e, Belo1 that the shi::erin# ri7er,
The !lood drainin# 9ro: his 9ace& 8a99eo ste$$ed !ac% on to the sa9et" o9 the to1er
9loor, I lau#hed& doin# the sa:e *and secretl" #lad to& 9eelin# a little #idd" and sic%
:"sel9& truth !e told+,
KAnd 1h" is it "ou7e !rou#ht us u$ hereI as%ed 8a99eo,
KThis is 1here :" stor" !e#ins& I said, KIn :ore 1a"s than one, @or it 1as 9ro: here
that the loo%out 9irst sa1 the in7adin# 9orce,
KThe in7adin# 9orceI
K2es, Salah Aldins ar:", 0e ca:e to la" sie#e to 8as"a9& to de9eat the Assassins,
Ei#ht" "ears a#o& a !ri#ht da" in Au#ust, A da" 7er" :uch li%e toda" O
)
@irst& the loo%out sa1 the !irds,
An ar:" on the :o7e attracts sca7en#ers, O9 the 1in#ed 7ariet"& :ainl"& 1hich
s1oo$ u$on 1hate7er scra$s are le9t !ehind? 9ood& 1aste and carcasses& !oth horse
and hu:an, NeCt he sa1 the dust, And then a 7ast& dar% stain that a$$eared on the
horiHon& slo1l" !eetlin# 9or1ard& en#ul9in# e7er"thin# in si#ht, An ar:" inha!its&
disru$ts and destro"s the landsca$eG it is a #iant& hun#r" !east that consu:es
e7er"thin# in its $ath and in :ost cases ; as Salah Aldin 1as 1ell a1are ; the :ere
si#ht o9 it 1as enou#h to :o7e the ene:" to surrender,
Not this ti:e& thou#h, Not 1hen his ene:ies 1ere the Assassins,
@or the ca:$ai#n the Saracen leader had raised a :odest 9orce o9 ten thousand
in9antr"& ca7alr" and 9ollo1ers, With the: he $lanned to crush the Assassins& 1ho had
alread" :ade t1o atte:$ts on his li9e and 1ould surel" not 9ail a third ti:e, Intendin# to
ta%e the 9i#ht to their door he had !rou#ht his ar:" into the An;Nusa"ri"ah :ountains
and to the Assassins nine citadels there,
8essa#es had reached 8as"a9 that Salah Aldins :en had !een $lunderin# the
countr"side& !ut that none o9 the 9orts had 9allen, That Salah Aldin 1as on his 1a" to
8as"a9& intent on conFuerin# it and clai:in# the head o9 the Assassin leader& Al
8uali:,
Salah Aldin 1as re#arded as a te:$erate and 9airE:inded leader& !ut he 1as as
an#ered !" the Assassins as he 1as unner7ed !" the:, Accordin# to re$orts& his
uncle& Shiha! Aldin& 1as ad7isin# hi: to o99er a $eace a#ree:ent, 0a7e the Assassins
1ith the:& not a#ainst the:& 1as Shiha!s reasonin#, But the 7en#e9ul Sultan 1ould
not !e :o7ed& and so it 1as that his ar:" cra1led to1ards 8as"a9 on a !ri#ht Au#ust
da" in 33.=& and a loo%out in the citadels de9ensi7e to1er sa1 the 9loc%s o9 !irds& the
#reat clouds o9 dust and the !lac% stain on the horiHon& and he raised a horn to his li$s
and sounded the alar:,
Stoc%$ilin# su$$lies& the to1ns$eo$le :o7ed into the sa9et" o9 the citadel& thron#in#
the court"ards& 9aces etched 1ith 9ear& !ut :an" o9 the: settin# u$ stalls to continue
tradin#, The Assassins& :ean1hile& !e#an 9orti9"in# the castle& $re$arin# to :eet the
ar:"& 1atchin# the stain s$read across the !eauti9ul #reen landsca$e& the #reat !east
9eedin# on the land& coloniHin# the horiHon,
The" heard the horns and dru:s and c":!als, And soon the" could :a%e out the
9i#ures as the" :aterialiHed 9ro: the heat haHe? thousands o9 the:& the" sa1, The
in9antr"? s$ear:en& Da7elin:en and archers& Ar:enians& Nu!ians and Ara!s, The" sa1
ca7alr"? Ara!s& Tur%s and 8a:elu%s& carr"in# sa!re& :ace& lance and lon#s1ord&
so:e 1earin# chain:ail& so:e leather ar:our, The" sa1 the litters o9 the no!le1o:en&
the hol" :en and the disorderl" 9ollo1ers at the rear? the 9a:ilies& children and sla7es,
The" 1atched as the in7adin# 1arriors reached the outer curtain and set it a!laHe& the
sta!les too& the horns still !larin#& c":!als crashin#, Inside the citadel& the 1o:en o9
the 7illa#e !e#an 1ee$in#, The" eC$ected their ho:es to !e neCt under the torch, But
the !uildin#s 1ere le9t untouched& and instead the ar:" ca:e to a halt in the 7illa#e&
$a"in# little re#ard to the castle ; so it see:ed,
The" sent no en7o"& no :essa#eG the" si:$l" :ade ca:$, 8ost o9 their tents 1ere
!lac%& !ut in the :iddle o9 the enca:$:ent 1as a cluster o9 lar#er $a7ilions& the
Fuarters o9 the #reat Sultan Salah Aldin and his closest #enerals, There& e:!roidered
9la#s 9lutteredG the ti$s o9 the tent $oles 1ere #ilded $o:e#ranates& and the $a7ilion
co7ers 1ere o9 colour9ul sil%,
In the citadel the Assassins :ulled o7er their tactics, Would Salah Aldin assault the
9ortress or tr" to star7e the: outI As ni#ht 9ell the" had their ans1er, Belo1 the: the
ar:" !e#an 1or% asse:!lin# its sie#e en#ines, @ires !urned lon# into the ni#ht, The
sound o9 sa1in# and ha::erin# rose to the ears o9 those :annin# the citadel
ra:$arts& and to the 8asters to1er& 1here Al 8uali: called an asse:!l" o9 his 8aster
Assassins,
KSalah Aldin has !een deli7ered to us& said @ahee: alESa"9& a 8aster Assassin,
KThis is an o$$ortunit" not to !e :issed,
Al 8uali: thou#ht, 0e loo%ed 9ro: the to1er 1indo1& thin%in# o9 the colour9ul
$a7ilion in 1hich Salah Aldin no1 sat $lottin# his do1n9all ; and that o9 the Assassins,
0e thou#ht o9 the #reat Sultans ar:" and ho1 it had laid 1aste to the countr"side,
0o1 the Sultan 1as :ore than ca$a!le o9 raisin# an e7en lar#er 9orce should his
ca:$ai#n 9ail,
Salah Aldin had :atchless :i#ht& he reasoned, But the Assassins& the" had #uile,
KWith Salah Aldin dead& the Saracen ar:ies 1ill cru:!le& said @ahee:,
But Al 8uali: 1as sha%in# his head, KI thin% not, Shiha! 1ill ta%e his $lace,
K0e is hal9 the leader Salah Aldin is,
KThen he 1ould !e less e99ecti7e in re$ellin# the Christians& countered Al 8uali:&
shar$l", 0e tired so:eti:es o9 @ahee:s ha1%li%e 1a"s, KDo 1e 1ish to 9ind oursel7es
at their :erc"I Do 1e 1ish to 9ind oursel7es their un1illin# allies a#ainst the SultanI
We are the Assassins& @ahee:, Our intent is our o1n, We !elon# to no one,
A silence 9ell o7er the s1eetEscented roo:,
KSalah Aldin is as 1ar" o9 us as 1e are o9 hi:& said Al 8uali:& a9ter re9lection, KWe
should see to it that he is :ade e7en :ore 1ar",
The neCt :ornin# the Saracens $ushed a ra: and sie#e to1er u$ the :ain slo$e&
and as Tur%ish horseEarchers :ade $asses& sho1erin# the citadel 1ith arro1s& the"
attac%ed the outer 1alls 1ith their sie#e en#ines& under constant 9ire 9ro: Assassin
archers and 1ith roc%s and oil $ourin# 9ro: the de9ensi7e to1ers, Villa#ers Doined the
!attle& $eltin# the ene:" 1ith roc%s 9ro: the ra:$arts& dousin# the 9ires& 1hile at the
:ain #ates& !ra7e Assassins :ade sorties throu#h the 1ic%et doors& 9i#htin# !ac%
in9antr" tr"in# to !urn the: do1n, The da" ended 1ith :an" dead on !oth sides& the
Saracens retreatin# do1n the hill& li#htin# their 9ires 9or the ni#ht& re$airin# their sie#e
en#ines& asse:!lin# :ore,
That ni#ht& there 1as a #reat co::otion in the enca:$:ent& and in the :ornin# the
!ri#htl" coloured $a7ilion !elon# to the #reat Salah Aldin 1as ta%en do1n& and he le9t&
ta%in# a s:all !od"#uard 9orce 1ith hi:,
Shortl" a9ter that& his uncle& Shiha! Aldin& ascended the slo$e to address the
8aster o9 the Assassins,
-
K0is 8aDest" Salah Aldin has recei7ed "our :essa#e& and than%s "ou :ost #raciousl"
9or it& called the en7o", K0e has !usiness else1here and has le9t& 1ith instructions 9or
0is ECcellenc" Shiha! Aldin to enter into tal%s,
The en7o" stood !" Shiha!s stallion& cu$$in# a hand to his :outh to call u$ to the
8aster and his #enerals& 1ho 1ere asse:!led in the de9ensi7e to1er,
A s:all 9orce had cli:!ed the hill& t1o hundred :en or so and a litter set do1n !"
Nu!ians& no :ore than a !od"#uard 9or Shiha!& 1ho re:ained on horse!ac%, On his
9ace 1as a serene eC$ression& as thou#h he 1ere not undul" concerned a!out the
outco:e o9 the tal%s, 0e 1ore 1ide 1hite trousers& 7est and red t1isted sash, Inset into
his lar#e& !lindin#E1hite tur!an 1as a #litterin# De1el, That De1el 1ould ha7e an
illustrious na:e& thou#ht Al 8uali:& #aHin# do1n u$on hi: 9ro: the to$ o9 the to1er, It
1ould !e called the Star o9 so:ethin# or the Rose o9 so:ethin#, The Saracens 1ere so
9ond o9 na:in# their !au!les,
KDo !e#in& called Al 8uali:& thin%in#& Business else1here& 1ith a s:ile& his :ind
#oin# !ac% Dust a 9e1 hours to 1hen an Assassin had co:e to his cha:!ers& raisin#
hi: 9ro: slu:!er and callin# hi: to the throne roo:,
KU:ar& 1elco:e& Al 8uali: had said& 1ra$$in# his ro!es around hi:sel9& 9eelin#
the earl"E:ornin# chill in his !ones,
K8aster& U:ar had re$lied& his 7oice lo1 and his head !ent,
K2ou7e co:e to tell :e o9 "our :issionI Al 8uali: said to hi:, 0e lit an oil la:$ on
a chain then 9ound his chair& settlin# into it, Shado1s 9litted across the 9loor,
U:ar nodded, There 1as !lood on his slee7e& noticed Al 8uali:,
KWas our a#ents in9or:ation correctI
K2es& 8aster, I :ade :" 1a" into their enca:$:ent and& Dust as 1e 1ere told& the
#aud" $a7ilion 1as a deco", Salah Aldins tent 1as near!"& a :uch less cons$icuous
acco::odation,
Al 8uali: s:iled, KECcellent& eCcellent, And ho1 1ere "ou a!le to identi9" itI
KIt 1as $rotected& Dust as our s$" said it 1ould !e& 1ith chal% and cinders scattered
on the $eri:eter so :" ste$s 1ould !e heard,
KBut the" 1ere notI
KNo& 8aster& and I 1as a!le to enter the Sultans tent and lea7e the 9eather as
instructed,
KAnd the letterI
KPinned !" da##er to his $allet,
KAnd thenI
KI cre$t 9ro: his tent O
KAndI
There 1as a $ause,
KThe Sultan a1o%e and raised the alar:, I 1as onl" Dust a!le to esca$e 1ith :" li9e,
Al 8uali: indicated U:ars !loodEstained slee7e, KAnd thatI
KI 1as 9orced to cut a throat in order to :a%e #ood :" esca$e& 8aster,
KA #uardI as%ed Al 8uali:& ho$e9ull",
U:ar shoo% his head sadl", K0e 1ore the tur!an and 7est o9 a no!le:an,
At 1hich Al 8uali: closed tired and sorro19ul e"es, KThere 1as no other o$tionI
KI acted rashl"& 8aster,
KBut other1ise "our :ission 1as a successI
K2es& 8aster,
KThen 1e shall see 1hat trans$ires& he said,
What trans$ired 1as the eCit o9 Salah Aldin and the 7isit 9ro: Shiha!, And standin#
tall in his to1er& Al 8uali: had allo1ed hi:sel9 to !elie7e that the Assassins had
$re7ailed, That his $lan had 1or%ed, Their :essa#e had 1arned the Sultan that he
should a!andon his ca:$ai#n a#ainst the Assassins& 9or the neCt da##er 1ould not !e
$inned to his $allet !ut to his #enitals, Si:$l" !" !ein# a!le to lea7e it the" had sho1n
the :onarch ho1 7ulnera!le he reall" 1asG ho1 his #reat 9orce counted 9or nothin#
1hen a lone Assassin could out1it his deco"s and #uards and steal so easil" into his
tent as he sle$t,
And $erha$s Salah Aldin 1as 9onder o9 his #enitals than he 1as o9 $ursuin# a lon#
and costl" 1ar o9 attrition a#ainst an ene:" 1hose interests onl" rarel" ca:e into
con9lict 1ith his o1n, @or he had #one,
K0is 8aDest" Salah Aldin acce$ts "our o99er o9 $eace& said the en7o",
On the to1er& Al 8uali: shared an a:used #lance 1ith U:ar& 1ho stood !" his
side, @urther alon# 1as @ahee:, 0is :outh 1as set,
K0a7e 1e his assurance that our sect can o$erate 1ithout 9urther hostilities& and no
9urther inter9erence in our acti7itiesI as%ed Al 8uali:,
KAs lon# as interests allo1& "ou ha7e that assurance,
KThen I acce$t 0is 8aDest"s o99er& called Al 8uali:& $leased, K2ou :a" re:o7e
"our :en 9ro: 8as"a9, Perha$s "ou 1ould !e #ood enou#h to re$air our stoc%ade
!e9ore "ou lea7e,
At that Shiha! loo%ed shar$l" u$ at the to1er& and e7en 9ro: the #reat hei#ht Al
8uali: sa1 an#er 9lash in his e"es, Shiha! leaned 9ro: his stallion to s$ea% to the
en7o"& 1ho listened& noddin#& then cu$$ed his hand to his :outh to address those in
the to1er once :ore,
KDurin# the deli7er" o9 the :essa#e& one o9 Salah Aldins trusted #enerals 1as
%illed, 0is 8aDest" reFuires re$aration, The head o9 the cul$rit,
The s:ile slid 9ro: Al 8uali:s 9ace, At his side& U:ar tensed,
There 1as silence, >ust the snortin# o9 the horses, Birdson#, All 1aited to hear Al
8uali:s res$onse,
K2ou :a" tell the Sultan that I reDect that de:and,
Shiha! shru##ed, 0e leaned o7er to s$ea% to the en7o"& 1ho in turn addressed Al
8uali:,
K0is ECcellenc" 1ishes to in9or: "ou that unless "ou a#ree to the de:and a 9orce
1ill re:ain here at 8as"a9& and that our $atience is #reater than "our store o9 su$$lies,
Would "ou ha7e the $eace a#ree:ent count 9or nothin#I Would "ou allo1 "our
7illa#ers and "our :en to star7eI All 9or the head o9 one AssassinI 0is ECcellenc"
dearl" ho$es not,
KI 1ill #o& hissed U:ar to Al 8uali:, KThe :ista%e 1as :ine, It is onl" ri#ht I should
$a" 9or it,
Al 8uali: i#nored hi:, KI 1ill not #i7e u$ the li9e o9 one o9 :" :en& he called to the
en7o",
KThen 0is ECcellenc" re#rets "our decision and as%s that "ou !ear 1itness to a
:atter no1 in need o9 resolution, We ha7e disco7ered the eCistence o9 a s$" in our
ca:$& and he :ust !e eCecuted,
Al 8uali: cau#ht his !reath as the Saracens dra##ed the Assassin a#ent 9ro: the
litter, A9ter hi: ca:e an eCecutioners !loc% that t1o Nu!ians $laced on the #round in
9ront o9 Shiha!s stallion,
The s$"s na:e 1as Ah:ad, 0e had !een !eaten, 0is head ; !attered& !ruised and
!loodEstained ; lolled on his chest as he 1as :anhandled to the !loc%& dra##ed on his
%nees and dra$ed o7er it& throat u$, The eCecutioner ste$$ed 9or1ard? a Tur% carr"in#
a #lintin# sci:itar that he #rounded& $lacin# !oth hands on the De1elled hilt, The t1o
Nu!ians held Ah:ads ar:sG he #roaned a little& the sound risin# to the stunned
Assassins hi#h in the de9ensi7e to1er, KLet "our :an ta%e his $lace and his li9e 1ill !e
s$ared& the $eace treat" honoured& called the en7o", KI9 not he dies& the sie#e !e#ins
and "our $eo$le star7e,
Suddenl" Shiha! raised his head to shout& KDo "ou 1ant that on "our conscience&
U:ar I!nELaAhadI
As one the Assassins cau#ht their !reath, Ah:ad had tal%ed, Under torture& o9
course, But he had tal%ed,
Al 8uali:s shoulders slu:$ed,
U:ar 1as !eside hi:sel9, KLet :e #o& he ur#ed Al 8uali:, K8aster& $lease,
Belo1 the: the eCecutioner $lanted his 9eet 1ide, T1oEhanded& he raised the s1ord
a!o7e his head, Ah:ad $ulled 9ee!l" at the hands that $inned hi:, 0is throat 1as taut&
o99ered 9or the !lade, The $ro:ontor" 1as silent !ut 9or his 1hi:$erin#,
K2our last chance& Assassin& called Shiha!,
The !lade shone,
K8aster& $leaded U:ar& Klet :e #o,
Al 8uali: nodded,
KSto$P shouted U:ar, 0e :o7ed to a $lat9or: o9 the to1er& callin# do1n to Shiha!,
KI a: U:ar I!nELaAhad, It is :" li9e "ou should ta%e,
There 1as a ri$$le o9 eCcite:ent a:on# the ran%s o9 Saracens, Shiha! s:iled&
nodded, 0e indicated to the eCecutioner& 1ho stood do1n& #roundin# his s1ord once
:ore, KVer" 1ell& he said to U:ar, KCo:e& ta%e "our $lace on the !loc%,
U:ar turned to Al 8uali:& 1ho raised his head to loo% at hi: 1ith redEri::ed e"es,
K8aster& said U:ar& KI as% "ou one 9inal 9a7our, That "ou see to the care o9 AltaJr,
Acce$t hi: as "our no7ice,
Al 8uali: nodded, KO9 course& U:ar& he said, KO9 course,
There 1as a hush across the citadel as U:ar cli:!ed do1n the ladders o9 the
to1er& then too% the slo$e throu#h the !ar!ican& under the arch and to the :ain #ate,
At the 1ic%et #ate a sentr" ca:e 9or1ard to o$en it& and he !ent to #o throu#h,
A shout ca:e 9ro: !ehind hi:? K@ather, The sound o9 runnin# 9eet,
0e $aused,
K@ather,
0e heard the distress in his sons 7oice and sFueeHed his e"es shut a#ainst tears
as he ste$$ed out o9 the #ate, The sentr" closed it !ehind hi:,
The" $ulled Ah:ad 9ro: the !loc% and U:ar tried to #i7e hi: a reassurin# loo%& !ut
Ah:ad could not :eet his #aHe as he 1as hauled a1a" and du:$ed outside the
1ic%et #ate, It o$ened and he 1as dra##ed in, It closed a#ain !ehind hi:, Ar:s too%
hold o9 U:ar, 0e 1as $ulled to the !loc%& s$read as Ah:ad had !een, 0e o99ered his
throat and 1atched as the eCecutioner to1ered a!o7e hi:, Be"ond the eCecutioner the
s%",
K@ather& he heard 9ro: the citadel& as the #lea:in# !lade ca:e slicin# do1n,
T1o da"s later& under co7er o9 dar%ness& Ah:ad le9t the 9ortress, The 9ollo1in# :ornin#
1hen his disa$$earance 1as disco7ered there 1ere those 1ho 1ondered ho1 he could
!ear to lea7e his son alone ; his :other ha7in# died o9 the 9e7er t1o "ears $re7iousl" ;
1hile others said the sha:e 1as too :uch 9or hi:& that that 1as 1h" he had !een
9orced to lea7e,
The truth 1as a di99erent :atter alto#ether,
5
)( >une 3)/.
This :ornin# I a1o%e 1ith 8a99eo sha%in# :" shoulder ; not es$eciall" #entl"& I should
add, 0o1e7er& his insistence 1as $ro:$ted !" an interest in :" stor", @or that at least
I should !e #rate9ul,
KSoI he said,
KSo 1hatI I9 I sounded slee$"& 1ell& thats !ecause I 1as,
KSo 1hat ha$$ened to Ah:adI
KThat I 1as to disco7er at a later date& !rother,
KSo tell :e,
As I $ulled :"sel9 to a sittin# $osition in :" !ed I #a7e the :atter so:e thou#ht, KI
thin% it !est that I tell "ou the stories Dust as the" 1ere told to :e& I said at last, KAltaJr&
a#ein# thou#h he is& is Fuite the teller o9 tales, I !elie7e I shall adhere to his narrati7e,
And 1hat I related to "ou "esterda" 9or:ed the !ul% o9 our 7er" 9irst :eetin# to#ether,
An e$isode that too% $lace 1hen he 1as Dust ele7en "ears old,
KTrau:atic 9or an" child& re9lected 8a99eo, KWhat o9 his :otherI
KDied in child!irth,
KAltaJr an or$han at ele7enI
KIndeed,
KWhat ha$$ened to hi:I
KWell& "ou %no1 1hat ha$$ened, 0e sits u$ in his to1er and ;
KNo& I :ean 1hat ha$$ened to hi: neCtI
KThat also 1ill ha7e to 1ait& !rother, The neCt ti:e I sa1 AltaJr he had :o7ed the
9ocus o9 his narrati7e 9or1ard !" 9i9teen "ears& to a da" that 9ound hi: cree$in# throu#h
the dar%& dri$$in# cataco:!s !eneath >erusale: O
The "ear 1as 3363& :ore than three "ears since Salah Aldin and his Saracens had
ca$tured >erusale:, In res$onse the Christians had #nashed their teeth& sta:$ed their
9eet& and taCed their $eo$le in order to 9und the Third Crusade ; and once :ore :en in
chain:ail had :arched u$on the 0ol" Land and laid sie#e to its cities,
En#lands in# Richard& the one the" called the Lionheart ; as cruel as he 1as
coura#eous ; had recentl" reca$tured Acre& !ut his #reatest desire 1as to reEta%e
>erusale:& a hol" site, And no1here in >erusale: 1as :ore sacred than the Te:$le
8ount and the ruins o9 the Te:$le o9 Solo:on ; to1ards 1hich AltaJr& 8ali% and adar
cre$t,
The" :o7ed 9ast !ut stealthil"& clin#in# to the sides o9 the tunnels& their so9t !oots
!arel" distur!in# the sand, AltaJr 1ent ahead& 8ali% and adar a 9e1 $aces !ehind& all
1ith senses tuned to their surroundin#s& their $ulses Fuic%enin# as the" ca:e closer to
the 8ount, The cataco:!s 1ere thousands o9 "ears old and loo%ed e7er" da" o9 itG
AltaJr could see sand and dust tric%lin# 9ro: unstead" 1ooden su$$orts& 1hile under9oot
the #round 1as so9t& the sand 1et 1ith the 1ater that dri$$ed steadil" 9ro: o7erhead ;
so:e %ind o9 near!" 1atercourse, The air 1as thic% 1ith the s:ell o9 sul$hur 9ro: the
!itu:enEsoa%ed lanterns that lined the tunnel 1alls,
AltaJr 1as the 9irst to hear the $riest, O9 course he 1as, 0e 1as the leader& the
8aster AssassinG his s%ills 1ere #reater& his senses shar$er, 0e sto$$ed, 0e touched
his ear& then held u$ his hand& and all three !eca:e still& li%e 1raiths in the $assa#e,
When he #lanced !ac%& the" 1ere a1aitin# his neCt co::and, adars e"es #lea:ed
1ith antici$ationG 8ali%s 1ere 1atch9ul and 9lint",
All three held their !reath, Around the: the 1ater dri$$ed& and AltaJr listened
intentl" to the $riests :u:!lin#s,
The 9alse Christian $iet" o9 a Te:$lar,
No1 AltaJr $laced his hands !ehind his !ac% and 9lic%ed his 1rist to en#a#e his
!lade& 9eelin# the 9a:iliar $ull on the rin# :echanis: he 1ore on his little 9in#er, 0e
%e$t his !lade in #ood order so that the noise it :ade 1hen it released 1as al:ost
inaudi!le ; he ti:ed it to the 1ater dro$lets Dust to !e sure,
Dri$ O dri$ O snic%,
0e !rou#ht his ar:s 9or1ard and the !lade at his le9t hand #littered in the 9lic%erin#
torchli#ht& thirst" 9or !lood,
NeCt AltaJr 9lattened hi:sel9 to the tunnel 1all and :o7ed 9or1ard stealthil"&
roundin# a sli#ht !end until he could see the $riest %neelin# in the tunnel, 0e 1ore the
ro!es o9 a Te:$lar& 1hich could onl" :ean there 1ere :ore ahead& $ro!a!l" 1ithin the
ruins o9 the Te:$le, In search o9 their treasure& no dou!t,
0is heart Fuic%ened, It 1as Dust as hed thou#ht, That the cit" 1as under Salah
Aldins control 1asnt #oin# to sto$ the :en o9 the red cross, The"& too& had !usiness
at the 8ount, What !usinessI AltaJr intended to 9ind out& !ut 9irst O
@irst there 1as the $riest to ta%e care o9,
Crouched lo1& he :o7ed !ehind the %neelin# :an& 1ho $ra"ed on& una1are o9
deaths $roCi:it", Shi9tin# his 1ei#ht to his 9ront 9oot and !endin# at the %nee sli#htl"&
AltaJr raised the !lade& his hand !ent !ac%& read" to stri%e,
KWaitP hissed 8ali% 9ro: !ehind hi:, KThere :ust !e another 1a" O This one need
not die,
AltaJr i#nored hi:, In one 9luid :o7e:ent he #ras$ed the $riests shoulder 1ith his
ri#ht hand and 1ith his le9t Da::ed the $oint o9 the !lade into the !ac% o9 his nec%&
slicin# !et1een the s%ull and the 9irst 7erte!ra o9 the !ac%!one& se7erin# his s$ine,
The $riest had no ti:e to screa:? death 1as al:ost instantaneous, Al:ost, 0is
!od" Der%ed and tautened !ut AltaJr held hi: 9ir:& 9eelin# his li9e e!! a1a" as he held
hi: 1ith one 9in#er on his carotid arter", Slo1l"& the !od" relaCed and AltaJr allo1ed it
to cru:$le silentl" to the #round 1here it la"& a s$readin# $ool o9 !lood !lotted !" the
sand,
It had !een Fuic%& soundless, But as AltaJr retracted the !lade he sa1 the 1a" 8ali%
loo%ed at hi: and the accusation in his e"es, It 1as all that he could do to su$$ress a
sneer at 8ali%s 1ea%ness, 8ali%s !rother& adar& on the other hand& 1as e7en no1
loo%in# do1n at the $riests !od" 1ith a :iCture o9 1onder:ent and a1e,
KAn eCcellent %ill& he said !reathlessl", K@ortune 9a7ours "our !lade,
KNot 9ortune& !oasted AltaJr& Ks%ill, Watch a 1hile lon#er and "ou :i#ht learn
so:ethin#,
As he said it he 1atched 8ali% care9ull"& seein# the Assassins e"es 9lare an#ril"&
Dealous& no dou!t& at the res$ect adar a99orded AltaJr,
Sure enou#h& 8ali% turned on his !rother, KIndeed, 0ell teach "ou ho1 to disre#ard
e7er"thin# the 8aster tau#ht us,
AltaJr sneered once :ore, KAnd ho1 1ould "ou ha7e done itI
KI 1ould not ha7e dra1n attention to us, I 1ould not ha7e ta%en the li9e o9 an
innocent,
AltaJr si#hed, KIt :atters not ho1 1e co:$lete our tas%& onl" that its done,
KBut that is not the 1a" O started 8ali%,
AltaJr 9iCed hi: 1ith a stare, K8" 1a" is !etter,
@or a :o:ent or so the t1o :en #lared at one another, E7en in the dan%& cold and
dri$$in# tunnel& AltaJr could see in 8ali%s e"es the insolence& the resent:ent, 0e
1ould need to !e care9ul o9 that& he %ne1, It see:ed that "oun# 8ali% 1as an ene:" in
1aitin#,
But i9 he had desi#ns on usur$in# AltaJr& 8ali% e7identl" decided that no1 1as not
the ri#ht :o:ent to :a%e his stand, KI 1ill scout ahead& he said, KTr" not to dishonour
us 9urther,
An" $unish:ent 9or that $articular insu!ordination 1ould ha7e to 1ait& decided
AltaJr& as 8ali% le9t& headin# u$ the tunnel in the direction o9 the Te:$le,
adar 1atched hi: #o& then turned to AltaJr, KWhat is our :issionI he as%ed, K8"
!rother 1ould sa" nothin# to :e& onl" that I should !e honoured to ha7e !een in7ited,
AltaJr re#arded the enthusiastic "oun# $u$, KThe 8aster !elie7es the Te:$lars ha7e
9ound so:ethin# !eneath the Te:$le 8ount,
KTreasureI #ushed adar,
KI do not %no1, All that :atters is the 8aster considers it i:$ortant& else he 1ould
not ha7e as%ed :e to retrie7e it,
adar nodded and& at a 1a7e o9 the hand 9ro: AltaJr& darted o99 to Doin his !rother&
lea7in# AltaJr alone in the tunnel, 0e loo%ed do1n& $onderin#& at the !od" o9 the $riest&
a halo o9 !lood on the sand around the head, 8ali% :i#ht ha7e !een ri#ht, There had
!een other 1a"s o9 silencin# the $riest ; he hadnt had to die, But AltaJr had %illed hi:
!ecause O
Because he could,
Because he 1as AltaJr I!nELaAhad& !orn o9 an Assassin 9ather, The :ost s%illed o9
all those in the Order, A 8aster Assassin,
0e set o99& co:in# to a series o9 $its& :ist 9loatin# in their de$ths& and lea$ed easil"
to the 9irst cross!ea:& lithel" landin# and crouchin# catli%e& !reathin# steadil"& enDo"in#
his o1n $o1er and athleticis:,
0e Du:$ed to the neCt and to the neCt& then ca:e to 1here 8ali% and adar stood
1aitin# 9or hi:, But rather than ac%no1led#e the: he ran $ast& the sound o9 his 9eet
li%e a 1his$er on the #round& !arel" distur!in# the sand, Ahead o9 hi: 1as a tall ladder
and he too% it at a run& sca:$erin# u$ Fuic%l" and Fuietl"& onl" slo1in# 1hen he
reached the 7er" to$& 1here he sto$$ed& listenin# and sni99in# the air,
NeCt& 7er" slo1l"& he raised his head to see an ele7ated cha:!er& and there& as
hed eC$ected& stood a #uard 1ith his !ac% to hi:& 1earin# the out9it o9 a Te:$lar?
$added #a:!eson Dac%et& le##in#s& chain:ail& s1ord at his hi$, AltaJr& silent and still&
studied hi: 9or a :o:ent& ta%in# note o9 his $osture& the di$ o9 his shoulders, Good, 0e
1as tired and distracted, Silencin# hi: 1ould !e eas",
Slo1l" AltaJr $ulled hi:sel9 to the #round 1here he crouched 9or a :o:ent&
stead"in# his !reathin# and 1atchin# the Te:$lar care9ull"& !e9ore :o7in# u$ !ehind
hi:& strai#htenin# and raisin# his hands? his le9t a cla1G his ri#ht read" to reach and
silence the #uard,
Then he struc%& sna$$in# his 1rist to en#a#e the !lade& 1hich s$ran# 9or1ard in the
sa:e instant that he ra::ed it into the #uards s$ine& reachin# 1ith his ri#ht hand to
s:other the :ans screa:,
@or a second the" stood in a :aca!re e:!race& AltaJr 9eelin# the tic%le o9 his
7icti:s 9inal :u99led shout !eneath his hand, Then the #uard 1as cru:$lin# and AltaJr
lo1ered hi: #entl" to the #round& stoo$in# to !rush his e"elids closed, 0e had !een
$unished se7erel" 9or his 9ailure as a loo%out& AltaJr thou#ht #ri:l"& as he strai#htened
9ro: the cor$se and :o7ed o99& Doinin# 8ali% and adar as the" cre$t !eneath the arch
that had !een so $oorl" #uarded,
Once throu#h& the" 9ound the:sel7es on an u$$er le7el o9 a 7ast cha:!er& and 9or a
:o:ent AltaJr stood ta%in# it in& 9eelin# suddenl" o7era1ed, This 1as the ruin o9 the
9a!led Solo:ons Te:$le& said to ha7e !een !uilt in 6=( BC !" in# Solo:on, I9 AltaJr
1as correct the" no1 stood o7erloo%in# the Te:$les #reater house& its 0ol" Place,
Earl" 1ritin#s s$o%e o9 the 0ol" Place as ha7in# its 1alls lined 1ith cedar& car7ed
cheru!i:& $al: trees and o$en 9lo1ers e:!ossed 1ith #old& !ut the Te:$le 1as no1 a
shado1 o9 its 9or:er sel9, Gone 1ere the ornate 1ood& the cheru!i: and the #old
9inishin# ; to 1here& AltaJr could onl" #uess& thou#h he had little dou!t the Te:$lars
had had a hand in it, 2et e7en stri$$ed o9 its #ildin# it 1as still a $lace o9 re7erence&
and des$ite hi:sel9& AltaJr 9ound hi:sel9 9illed 1ith 1onder to see it,
Behind hi: his t1o co:$anions 1ere e7en :ore a1estruc%,
KThere ; that :ust !e the Ar%& said 8ali%& $ointin# across the cha:!er,
KThe Ar% o9 the Co7enant& #as$ed adar& seein# it too,
AltaJr had reco7ered& and #lanced o7er to see the t1o :en standin# li%e a $air o9
9oolish :erchants daHHled at the si#ht o9 shin" !au!les, Ar% o9 the Co7enantI
KDont !e sill"& he chided, KTheres no such thin#, Its Dust a stor", Loo%in# o7er&
thou#h& he 1as less sure, Certainl" the !oC had all the $ro$erties o9 the 9a!led Ar%, It
1as Dust as the $ro$hets had al1a"s descri!ed? $lated entirel" 1ith #old& a #olden
co7er adorned 1ith cheru!i:& and rin#s 9or insertin# the $oles that 1ould !e used to
carr" it, And there 1as so:ethin# a!out it& AltaJr realiHed, It had an aura O
0e tore his e"es a1a" 9ro: it, 8ore i:$ortant :atters needed his attention& na:el"
the :en 1ho had Dust entered on the lo1er le7el& their !oots crunchin# on 1hat had
once !een 9irE!oard 9loorin# !ut 1as no1 !are stone, Te:$lars& their leader alread"
!ar%in# orders,
KI 1ant it throu#h the #ate !e9ore sunrise& he told the:& re9errin# no dou!t to the
Ar%, KThe sooner 1e $ossess it& the sooner 1e can turn our attention to those Dac%als at
8as"a9,
0e s$o%e 1ith a @rench accent& and as he ca:e into the li#ht& the" sa1 his
distincti7e ca$e ; that o9 the Te:$lar Grand 8aster,
KRo!ert de Sa!le& said AltaJr, K0is li9e is :ine,
8ali% rounded on hi: an#ril", KNo, We 1ere as%ed to retrie7e the treasure and deal
1ith Ro!ert onl" i9 necessar",
AltaJr& tired o9 8ali%s constant de9iance& turned on hi:, K0e stands !et1een us and
it& he hissed an#ril", KId sa" its necessar",
KDiscretion& AltaJr& ur#ed 8ali%,
K2ou :ean co1ardice, That :an is our #reatest ene:" ; and here 1e ha7e a
chance to !e rid o9 hi:,
Still 8ali% ar#ued? K2ou ha7e alread" !ro%en t1o tenets o9 our Creed, No1 "ou
1ould !rea% the third, Do not co:$ro:ise the Brotherhood,
@inall" AltaJr sna$$ed? KI a: "our su$erior ; in !oth title and a!ilit", 2ou should %no1
!etter than to Fuestion :e, And 1ith that he turned& cli:!in# Fuic%l" do1n the 9irst
ladder to a lo1er !alcon"& then to the 9loor 1here he strode con9identl" to1ards the
#rou$ o9 %ni#hts,
The" sa1 hi: co:in# and turned to 9ace hi:& their hands on the hilts o9 their
s1ords& their Da1s set, AltaJr %ne1 that the" 1ould !e 1atchin# hi:& 1atchin# the
Assassin as he #lided across the 9loor to1ards the:& his 9ace hidden !" his co1l& his
ro!es and red sash 9lo1in# a!out hi:& the s1ord at his hi$ and the hilts o9 his short
s1ords sho1in# o7er his ri#ht shoulder, 0e %ne1 the 9ear the" 1ould !e 9eelin#,
And he in turn 1atched the:& :entall" assessin# each :an? 1hich o9 the: 1as a
ri#htEhanded s1ords:an& 1hich 9ou#ht 1ith his le9tG 1ho 1as !uilt 9or s$eed and 1ho
1ould !e stron#est& $a"in# $articular attention to their leader,
Ro!ert de Sa!le 1as the lar#est o9 the:& the :ost $o1er9ul, 0is head 1as sha7ed&
and etched into his 9ace 1ere "ears o9 eC$erience& e7er" one o9 1hich had contri!uted
to his le#end& that o9 a %ni#ht as 9a:ed 9or his s%ill 1ith a s1ord as he 1as 9or his cruelt"
and ruthlessness ; and this AltaJr %ne1 a!o7e all? that o9 the :en $resent he 1as !" 9ar
the :ost dan#erousG he had to !e neutraliHed 9irst,
0e heard 8ali% and adar dro$ 9ro: the ladders and #lanced !ehind to see the:
9ollo1in# his lead& adar s1allo1in#& ner7ous& 8ali%s e"es 9lashin# his disa$$ro7al,
The Te:$lars tensed 9urther at the si#ht o9 t1o :ore Assassins& the nu:!ers :ore
e7en no1, @our o9 the: surrounded de Sa!le& each :an alert& the air thic% 1ith 9ear
and sus$ense,
K0old& Te:$lars& called AltaJr& 1hen he 1as close enou#h to the 9i7e %ni#hts, 0e
addressed de Sa!le& 1ho stood 1ith a thin s:ile u$on his li$s& his hands han#in# at his
sides, Not li%e his co:$anions& read" 9or co:!at& !ut relaCed& as thou#h the $resence
o9 the three Assassins 1as o9 little si#ni9icance to hi:, AltaJr 1ould :a%e hi: $a" 9or his
arro#ance, K2ou are not the onl" ones 1ith !usiness here& he added,
The t1o :en 1ei#hed each other u$, AltaJr :o7ed his ri#ht hand& as thou#h read"
to #ras$ the hilt o9 the s1ord at his !elt& 1antin# to %ee$ de Sa!les attention there
1hen in 9act death 1ould snic% s:oothl" 9ro: the le9t, 2es& he decided, @eint 1ith the
ri#ht& stri%e 1ith the le9t, Dis$atch Ro!ert de Sa!le 1ith the !lade and his :en 1ould
9lee& lea7in# the Assassins to retrie7e the treasure, All 1ould tal% o9 AltaJrs #reat 7ictor"
o7er the Te:$lar Grand 8aster, 8ali% ; that co1ard ; 1ould !e silenced& his !rother
1onderstruc% a9resh& and on their return to 8as"a9 the :e:!ers o9 the Order 1ould
7enerate AltaJrG Al 8uali: 1ould honour hi: $ersonall" and AltaJrs $ath to the $osition
o9 8aster 1ould !e assured,
AltaJr loo%ed into the e"es o9 his o$$onent, I:$erce$ti!l" he 9leCed his le9t hand&
testin# the tension o9 the !lade :echanis:, 0e 1as read",
KAnd 1hat is it "ou 1antI as%ed de Sa!le& 1ith that sa:e unconcerned s:ile,
KBlood& said AltaJr si:$l"& and struc%,
With inhu:an s$eed he lea$ed at de Sa!le& 9lic%in# the !lade at the sa:e :o:ent&
9eintin# 1ith his ri#ht hand and stri%in#& as 9ast and as deadl" as a co!ra& 1ith his le9t,
But the Te:$lar Grand 8aster 1as Fuic%er and :ore cunnin# than he had
antici$ated, 0e cau#ht the Assassin :idEattac%& see:in#l" 1ith ease& so that AltaJr 1as
sto$$ed in his trac%s& una!le to :o7e and suddenl" ; horri9"in#l" ; hel$less,
And in that :o:ent AltaJr realiHed he had :ade a #ra7e :ista%e, A 9atal :ista%e, In
that :o:ent he %ne1 that it 1as not de Sa!le 1ho 1as arro#ant? it 1as hi:sel9, All o9 a
sudden he no lon#er 9elt li%e AltaJr the 8aster Assassin, 0e 9elt li%e a 1ea% and 9ee!le
child, Worse& a !ra##in# child,
0e stru##led and 9ound he could !arel" :o7e& de Sa!le holdin# hi: easil", 0e 9elt a
shar$ sta! o9 sha:e& thin%in# o9 8ali% and adar seein# hi: !rou#ht lo1, De Sa!les
hand sFueeHed his throat& and he 9ound hi:sel9 #as$in# 9or !reath as the Te:$lar
$ushed his 9ace 9or1ard at hi:, A 7ein in his 9orehead thro!!ed,
K2ou %no1 not the thin#s in 1hich "ou :eddle& Assassin, I s$are "ou onl" that "ou
:a" return to "our 8aster and deli7er a :essa#e? the 0ol" Land is lost to hi: and his,
0e should 9lee no1& 1hile he has the chance, Sta" and all o9 "ou 1ill die,
AltaJr cho%ed and s$luttered& the ed#e o9 his 7ision !e#innin# to 9ade& 9i#htin#
unconsciousness as de Sa!le t1isted hi: as easil" as thou#h handlin# a ne1!orn and
tossed hi: to1ards the !ac% 1all o9 the cha:!er, AltaJr crashed throu#h the ancient
stone and into the 7esti!ule on the other side 1here he la" stunned 9or a :o:ent&
hearin# !ea:s 9all and the hu#e $illars o9 the cha:!er crash in, 0e loo%ed u$ ; and
sa1 that his entrance to the Te:$le 1as !loc%ed,
@ro: the other side he heard shouts& de Sa!le cr"in#& K8en, To ar:s, ill the
AssassinsP 0e scra:!led to his 9eet and dashed to the ru!!le& tr"in# to 9ind a 1a"
throu#h, With sha:e and hel$lessness !urnin# hi:& he heard the cries o9 8ali% and
adar& their screa:s as the" died& and 9inall"& his head lo1& he turned and !e#an to
:a%e his 1a" out o9 the Te:$le 9or the Dourne" to 8as"a9 ; there to !rin# the 8aster
the ne1s,
The ne1s that he had 9ailed, That he& the #reat AltaJr& had !rou#ht dishonour u$on
hi:sel9 and u$on the Order,
When he 9inall" e:er#ed 9ro: the !o1els o9 the Te:$le 8ount it 1as into !ri#ht
sunshine and a >erusale: that tee:ed 1ith li9e, But AltaJr had ne7er 9elt so alone,
/
AltaJr arri7ed at 8as"a9 a9ter an eChaustin# 9i7eEda" ride& durin# 1hich hed had :ore
than enou#h ti:e to re9lect u$on his 9ailure, And thus it 1as 1ith the hea7iest o9 hearts
that he arri7ed at the #ates& 1as allo1ed in !" the #uard and :ade his 1a" to the
sta!les,
Dis:ountin# and 9eelin# his %notted :uscles relaC at last& he handed his horse to
the sta!le !o" then sto$$ed !" the 1ell to ta%e so:e 1ater& si$$in# it at 9irst& then
#ul$in# and& last& s$lashin# it o7er hi:sel9& #rate9ull" ru!!in# the dirt 9ro: his 9ace, 0e
still 9elt the #ri:e o9 the Dourne" u$on his !od"& thou#h, 0is ro!es hun# hea7" and 9ilth"
and he loo%ed 9or1ard to 1ashin# in the shi::erin# 1aters o9 8as"a9& hidden a1a" in
an alco7e o9 the cli99 9ace, All he cra7ed no1 1as solitude,
As he :ade his 1a" throu#h the outs%irts o9 the 7illa#e& his #aHe 1as dra1n
u$1ards ; $ast the sta!le huts and !ustlin# :ar%et to the 1indin# $aths that led to the
ra:$arts o9 the Assassins 9ortress, 0ere 1as 1here the Order trained and li7ed under
the co::and o9 Al 8uali:& 1hose Fuarters stood in the centre o9 the citadels
B"Hantine to1ers, 0e 1as o9ten to !e seen starin# 9ro: the 1indo1 o9 his to1er& lost in
thou#ht& and AltaJr $ictured hi: there no1& #aHin# do1n u$on the 7illa#e, The sa:e
7illa#e that !ustled 1ith li9e& !ri#ht 1ith sunshine and loud 1ith !usiness, To 1hich& ten
da"s a#o& AltaJr& lea7in# 9or >erusale: 1ith 8ali% and adar& had $lanned to return as
a triu:$hant hero,
Ne7er ; not in his dar%est i:a#inin#s ; had he 9oreseen 9ailure& and "et O
An Assassin hailed hi: as he :ade his 1a" across the sunEda$$led :ar%et$lace&
and he $ulled hi:sel9 to#ether& $ushin# !ac% his shoulders and holdin# u$ his head&
tr"in# to su::on 9ro: 1ithin the #reat Assassin 1ho had le9t 8as"a9& rather than the
e:$t"Ehanded 9ool 1ho had returned,
It 1as Rau9& and AltaJrs heart san% 9urther ; i9 that 1ere $ossi!le& 1hich he
sincerel" dou!ted, O9 all the $eo$le to #reet hi: on his return it 1ould ha7e to !e Rau9&
1ho 1orshi$$ed AltaJr li%e a #od, It loo%ed as thou#h the "oun#er :an had !een
1aitin# 9ro: hi:& 1ilin# a1a" the ti:e !" a 1alled 9ountain, Indeed& he !ounded u$ no1
1ith 1ide and ea#er e"es& o!li7ious to the ni:!us o9 9ailure that AltaJr 9elt around
hi:sel9,
KAltaJr ; "ou7e returned, 0e 1as !ea:in#& as $leased as a $u$$" to see hi:,
AltaJr nodded slo1l", 0e 1atched as !ehind Rau9 an elderl" :erchant re9reshed
hi:sel9 at the 9ountainhead then #reeted a "oun#er 1o:an& 1ho arri7ed carr"in# a
7ase decorated 1ith #aHelles, She $laced it on the lo1 1all surroundin# the 1aterhole
and the" !e#an to tal%& the 1o:an eCcited& #esticulatin#, AltaJr en7ied the:, 0e en7ied
the: !oth,
KIt is #ood to see "oure unhar:ed& continued Rau9, KI trust "our :ission 1as a
successI
AltaJr i#nored the Fuestion& still 1atchin# those at the 9ountain, 0e 1as 9indin# it
di99icult to :eet Rau9s e"e, KIs the 8aster in his to1erI he as%ed at last& tearin# his
#aHe a1a",
K2es& "es, Rau9 1as sFuintin# as thou#h to di7ine so:eho1 1hat 1as 1ron# 1ith
hi:, KBuried in his !oo%s& as al1a"s, No dou!t he eC$ects "ou,
K8" than%s& !rother,
And 1ith that he le9t Rau9 and the chatterin# 7illa#e 9ol% at the 9ountainhead and
!e#an to :a%e his 1a" $ast the co7ered stalls and ha" carts and !enches& o7er the
$a7in#& until the dr" and dust" #round slo$ed shar$l" u$1ards& the $arched #rass
!rittle in the sunshine& all $aths leadin# to the castle,
Ne7er had he 9elt so :uch in its shado1& and he 9ound hi:sel9 clenchin# his 9ists as
he crossed the $lateau and 1as #reeted !" the #uards at the 9ortress a$$roach& their
hands on the hilts o9 their s1ords& their e"es 1atch9ul,
No1 he reached the #rand arch1a" that led to the !ar!ican& and once :ore his
heart san% as he sa1 a 9i#ure he reco#niHed 1ithin? A!!as,
A!!as stood !eneath a torch that chased a1a" 1hat little dar% there 1as 1ithin the
arch, 0e 1as leanin# a#ainst the rou#h dar% stone& !areEheaded& his ar:s 9olded and
his s1ord at his hi$, AltaJr sto$$ed& and 9or a :o:ent or so the t1o :en re#arded each
other as 7illa#ers :o7ed around the:& o!li7ious o9 the old en:it" !loo:in# a9resh
!et1een the t1o Assassins, Once the" had called each other !rother, But that ti:e 1as
lon# $ast,
A!!as s:iled slo1l"& :oc%in#l", KAh, 0e returns at last, 0e loo%ed $ointedl" o7er
AltaJrs shoulder, KWhere are the othersI Did "ou ride ahead& ho$in# to !e the 9irst one
!ac%I I %no1 "ou are loath to share the #lor",
AltaJr did not ans1er,
KSilence is Dust another 9or: o9 assent& added A!!as& still tr"in# to #oad hi: ; and
doin# it 1ith all the cunnin# o9 an adolescent,
K0a7e "ou nothin# !etter to doI si#hed AltaJr,
KI !rin# 1ord 9ro: the 8aster, 0e 1aits 9or "ou in the li!rar"& said A!!as, 0e
ushered AltaJr $ast, KBest hurr", No dou!t "oure ea#er to $ut "our ton#ue to his !oot,
KAnother 1ord& retorted AltaJr& Kand Ill $ut :" !lade to "our throat,
A!!as re$lied& KThere 1ill !e $lent" o9 ti:e 9or that later& !rother,
AltaJr shouldered $ast hi: and continued to the court"ard and trainin# sFuare& and
then to the door1a" to Al 8uali:s to1er, Guards:en !o1ed their heads to hi:&
a99ordin# hi: the res$ect a 8aster Assassin ri#ht9ull" co::anded& and he
ac%no1led#ed the: %no1in# that soon ; as lon# as it too% 1ord to s$read ; their
res$ect 1ould !e a :e:or",
But 9irst he had to deli7er the terri!le ne1s to Al 8uali:& and he :ade his 1a" u$
the ste$s o9 the to1er to1ards the 8asters cha:!er, 0ere the roo: 1as 1ar:& the air
hea7" 1ith its custo:ar" s1eet scent, Dust danced in sha9ts o9 li#ht 9ro: the #reat
1indo1 at the 9ar end& 1here the 8aster stood& his hands clas$ed !ehind his !ac%, 0is
:aster, 0is :entor, A :an he 7enerated a!o7e all others,
Who: he had 9ailed,
In a corner the 8asters carrier $i#eons cooed Fuietl" in their ca#e and around hi:
1ere his !oo%s and :anuscri$ts& thousands o9 "ears o9 Assassin literature and
learnin#& either on shel7es or stac%ed in totterin#& dust" $iles, 0is su:$tuous ro!es
9lo1ed a!out hi:& his lon# hair la" o7er his shoulders& and he 1as& as usual&
conte:$lati7e,
K8aster& said AltaJr& !rea%in# the thic% silence, 0e lo1ered his head,
Wordless& Al 8uali: turned and :o7ed to1ards his des%& scrolls littered the 9loor
!eneath it, 0e re#arded AltaJr 1ith one shar$& 9lint" e"e, 0is :outh& hidden 1ithin his
#re"E1hite !eard& !etra"ed no e:otion until at last he s$o%e& !ec%onin# to his $u$il,
KCo:e 9or1ard, Tell :e o9 "our :ission, I trust "ou ha7e reco7ered the Te:$lar
treasure O
AltaJr 9elt a tric%le o9 $ers$iration :a%e its 1a" 9ro: his 9orehead and do1n his 9ace,
KThere 1as so:e trou!le& 8aster, Ro!ert de Sa!le 1as not alone,
Al 8uali: 1a7ed a1a" the notion, KWhen does our 1or% e7er #o as eC$ectedI Its
our a!ilit" to ada$t that :a%es us 1ho 1e are,
KThis ti:e& it 1as not enou#h,
Al 8uali: too% a :o:ent to a!sor! AltaJrs 1ords, 0e :o7ed 9ro: !ehind his des%&
and 1hen he neCt s$o%e& his 7oice 1as shar$, KWhat do "ou :eanI
AltaJr 9ound hi:sel9 ha7in# to 9orce out the 1ords, KI ha7e 9ailed "ou,
KThe treasureI
KLost to us,
The at:os$here in the roo: chan#ed, It see:ed to tense and crac%le as thou#h
!rittle& and there 1as a $ause !e9ore Al 8uali: s$o%e a#ain, KAnd Ro!ertI
KEsca$ed,
The 1ord 9ell li%e a stone in the dar%enin# s$ace,
No1 Al 8uali: ca:e closer to AltaJr, 0is one e"e 1as !ri#ht 1ith an#er& his 7oice
!arel" restrained& his 9ur" 9illin# the roo:, KI send "ou ; :" !est :an ; to co:$lete a
:ission :ore i:$ortant than an" that has co:e !e9ore and "ou return to :e 1ith
nothin# !ut a$olo#ies and eCcusesI
KI did ;
KDo not s$ea%, 0is 7oice 1as a 1hi$crac%, KNot another 1ord, This is not 1hat I
eC$ected, Well need to :ount another 9orce so ;
KI s1ear to "ou Ill 9ind hi: ; Ill #o and O !e#an AltaJr& 1ho 1as alread" des$erate
to :eet de Sa!le a#ain, This ti:e the outco:e 1ould !e 7er" di99erent,
No1 Al 8uali: 1as loo%in# a!out hi:sel9& as thou#h onl" Dust recallin# that 1hen
AltaJr had le9t 8as"a9 he had done so 1ith t1o co:$anions, KWhere are 8ali% and
adarI he de:anded,
A second !ead o9 s1eat :ade its 1a" 9ro: AltaJrs te:$le as he re$lied& KDead,
KNo& ca:e a 7oice 9ro: !ehind the:& Knot dead,
Al 8uali: and AltaJr turned to see a #host,
=
8ali% stood at the entrance to the 8asters cha:!er ; stood s1a"in#& a 1ounded&
eChausted& !loodEsoa%ed 9i#ure, 0is onceE1hite ro!es 1ere strea%ed 1ith #ore& :ost o9
it around his le9t ar:& 1hich loo%ed !adl" 1ounded& dan#lin# uselessl" at his side and
crusted 1ith !lac%ened& dried !lood,
As he :o7ed into the roo: his inDured shoulder di$$ed& and he ho!!led sli#htl", But
i9 his !od" 1as da:a#ed& then his s$irit 1as surel" not? his e"es !urned !ri#htl" 1ith
an#er and hatred ; hatred that he turned on AltaJr 1ith a #lare so intense that it 1as all
AltaJr could do not to shrin% a1a",
KI still li7e& at least& #ro1led 8ali%& his !loodshot e"es !ri::in# 1ith 9ur" as he
stared at AltaJr, 0e too% short& ra##ed !reaths, 0is !ared teeth 1ere !lood",
KAnd "our !rotherI as%ed Al 8uali:,
8ali% shoo% his head, KGone,
@or a !eat his e"es dro$$ed to the stone 9loor, Then& 1ith a sudden !urst o9 an#r"
ener#"& he raised his head& narro1ed his e"es and raised a tre:!lin# 9in#er to $oint at
AltaJr, KBecause o9 "ou& he hissed,
KRo!ert thre1 :e 9ro: the roo:, AltaJrs eCcuses sounded 9ee!le& e7en to his o1n
ears ; es$eciall" to his o1n ears, KThere 1as no 1a" !ac%, Nothin# I could do ;
KBecause "ou 1ould not heed :" 1arnin#& shouted 8ali%& his 7oice hoarse, KAll o9
this could ha7e !een a7oided, And :" !rother O :" !rother 1ould still !e ali7e, 2our
arro#ance nearl" cost us 7ictor" toda",
KNearl"I said Al 8uali:& care9ull",
Cal:in#& 8ali% nodded& the #host o9 a s:ile on his li$s ; a s:ile directed at AltaJr&
9or e7en no1 he 1as !ec%onin# another Assassin& 1ho ca:e 9or1ard !earin# a !oC on
a #ilt tra",
KI ha7e 1hat "our 9a7ourite 9ailed to 9ind& said 8ali%, 0is 7oice 1as strained and he
1as 1ea%& !ut nothin# 1as #oin# to sour his :o:ent o9 triu:$h o7er AltaJr,
AltaJr 9elt his 1orld 9allin# a1a" 9ro: hi: as the Assassin set do1n the tra" on Al
8uali:s des%, The !oC 1as co7ered 1ith ancient runes and there 1as so:ethin#
a!out it ; an aura, Inside it& surel"& 1as the treasure, It had to !e, The treasure that
AltaJr had !een una!le to reco7er,
Al 8uali:s #ood e"e 1as 1ide and #lea:in#, 0is li$s 1ere $arted& his ton#ue
dartin# 9ro: his :outh, 0e 1as entranced !" the si#ht o9 the !oC and the thou#ht o9
1hat 1as inside, Suddenl" there ca:e an u$roar 9ro: outside, Screa:s, Runnin# 9eet,
The un:ista%a!le rin# o9 clashin# steel,
KIt see:s I7e returned 1ith :ore than the treasure& re9lected 8ali%& as a :essen#er
crashed into the cha:!er& 9or#ettin# all $rotocol as he !reathlessl" eCclai:ed& K8aster&
1e are under attac%, Ro!ert de Sa!le la"s sie#e to the 8as"a9 7illa#e,
Al 8uali: 1as snatched 9ro: his re7erie& in the :ood to 9ace de Sa!le, KSo he
see%s a !attle& does heI Ver" 1ell, Ill not den" hi:, Go, In9or: the others, The 9ortress
:ust !e $re$ared,
No1 he turned his attention to AltaJr& and his e"es !laHed as he said& KAs 9or "ou&
AltaJr& our discussion 1ill ha7e to 1ait, 2ou :ust :a%e 9or the 7illa#e, Destro" these
in7aders, Dri7e the: 9ro: our ho:e,
KIt 1ill !e done& said AltaJr& 1ho could not hel$ !ut !e relie7ed at this sudden turn o9
e7ents, So:eho1 the attac% on the 7illa#e 1as $re9era!le to ha7in# to endure :ore o9
this hu:iliation, 0e had dis#raced hi:sel9 in >erusale:, No1 he had the chance to
:a%e a:ends,
0e 7aulted 9ro: the landin# !ehind the 8asters cha:!er to the s:ooth stone 9loor
and dashed 9ro: the to1er, As he ran across the trainin# "ard and throu#h the :ain
#ates& he 1ondered 1hether !ein# %illed no1 :i#ht $ro7ide the esca$e he desired,
Would that !e a #ood deathI A $roud and no!le deathI
Enou#h to eConerate hi:I
0e dre1 his s1ord, The sounds o9 !attle 1ere closer no1, 0e could see Assassins
and Te:$lars 9i#htin# on the u$land at the 9oot o9 the castle& 1hile 9urther do1n the hill
7illa#ers 1ere scatterin# under the 9orce o9 the assault& !odies alread" litterin# the
slo$es,
Then he 1as under attac%, A Te:$lar %ni#ht rushed hi:& snarlin#& and AltaJr
t1isted& lettin# his instincts ta%e o7er& raisin# his s1ord to :eet the Christian& 1ho !ore
do1n u$on hi: 9ast and hard& his !roads1ord sla::in# into AltaJrs !lade 1ith a clash
o9 steel, But AltaJr 1as !raced& 9eet $lanted 1ide a$art& the line o9 his !od" $er9ect& and
the Te:$lars attac% !arel" :o7ed hi:, 0e s1e$t aside the others s1ord& usin# the
1ei#ht o9 the hu#e !roads1ord a#ainst the %ni#ht& 1hose ar: 9lailed uselessl" 9or a
!lin% that AltaJr used to ste$ 9or1ard and $lun#e his !lade into the :ans sto:ach,
The Te:$lar had co:e at hi: con9ident o9 an eas" %ill, Eas"& li%e the 7illa#ers he
had alread" slau#htered, 0ed !een 1ron#, With the steel in his #ut he cou#hed !lood
and his e"es 1ere 1ide 1ith $ain and sur$rise as AltaJr "an%ed the !lade u$1ard&
!isectin# his torso, 0e 9ell a1a"& his intestines s$illin# to the dust,
No1 AltaJr 1as 9i#htin# 1ith $ure 7eno:& 7entin# all o9 his 9rustration in his s1ord
!lo1s& as thou#h he :i#ht $a" 9or his cri:es 1ith the !lood o9 his ene:ies, The neCt
Te:$lar traded !lo1s& tr"in# to resist as AltaJr $ushed hi: !ac%& his $osture instantl"
chan#in# 9ro: attac% to de9ence& and then into des$erate de9ence& so that e7en as he
$arried& he 1as 1hi:$erin# in eC$ectation o9 his o1n death,
AltaJr 9einted& 1heeled& and his !lade 9lashed across the Christians throat& 1hich
o$ened& sheetin# !lood do1n the 9ront o9 his uni9or:& stainin# it as red as the cross on
his chest, 0e san% to his %nees then 9ell 9or1ard& Dust as another soldier rushed AltaJr&
sunli#ht #lintin# 9ro: his raised s1ord, AltaJr ste$$ed aside and !uried his steel dee$ in
the :ans !ac% so that& 9or a second& his entire !od" tautened& the !lade $rotrudin#
9ro: his chest$late& his :outh o$en in a silent screa: as AltaJr lo1ered hi: to the
#round and retrie7ed his s1ord,
T1o soldiers attac%ed to#ether& thin%in# $erha$s that their nu:!ers 1ould
o7er1hel: AltaJr, The" rec%oned 1ithout his an#er, 0e 9ou#ht not 1ith his usual cold
indi99erence& !ut 1ith 9ire in his !ell", The 9ire o9 a 1arrior 1ho cared nothin# 9or his o1n
sa9et", The :ost dan#erous 1arrior o9 all,
Around hi: he sa1 :ore cor$ses o9 7illa#ers& $ut to the s1ord !" the attac%in#
Te:$lars& and his an#er !losso:ed& his s1ord !lo1s !eco:in# e7en :ore 7icious,
T1o :ore soldiers 9ell !eneath his !lade and he le9t the: t1itchin# in the dirt, But no1
:ore and :ore %ni#hts 1ere a$$earin#& 7illa#ers and Assassins ali%e 1ere rushin# u$
the slo$e& and AltaJr sa1 A!!as co::andin# the: to return to the castle,
KPress the attac% on the heathen 9ortress& cried a %ni#ht in res$onse, 0e 1as
runnin# u$ the hill to1ards AltaJr& his s1ord s1in#in# as he s1i$ed at a 9leein# 1o:an,
KLet us !rin# the 9i#ht to the Assassin ;
AltaJr sla::ed his s1ord into the throat o9 the Christian& 1hose last 1ord 1as a
#ur#le,
But !ehind the esca$in# 7illa#ers and Assassins ca:e :ore Te:$lars& and AltaJr
hesitated on the slo$e& 1onderin# i9 no1 1as the :o:ent to ta%e his 9inal stand ; die
de9endin# his $eo$le and esca$e his $rison o9 sha:e,
But no, There 1as no honour in a 1aste9ul death& he %ne1& and he Doined those
retreatin# to the 9ortress& arri7in# as the #ates 1ere closin#, Then he turned to loo% out
on the scene o9 carna#e outside& the !eaut" o9 8as"a9 sullied !" the !loodied !odies o9
the 7illa#ers& the soldiers and the Assassins,
0e loo%ed do1n at hi:sel9, 0is ro!es 1ere s$lashed 1ith Te:$lar !lood !ut he
hi:sel9 1as unhar:ed,
KAltaJrP The cr" $ierced his thou#hts, Rau9 a#ain, KCo:e,
0e 9elt 1ear" all o9 a sudden, KWhere are 1e #oin#I
KWe ha7e a sur$rise 9or our #uests, >ust do as I do, It should !eco:e clear soon
enou#h O Rau9 1as $ointin# hi#h a!o7e the: to the ra:$arts o9 the 9ortress, AltaJr
sheathed his s1ord and 9ollo1ed hi: u$ a series o9 ladders to the to1er su::it 1here
the Assassin leaders 1ere #athered& Al 8uali: a:on# the:, Crossin# the 9loor& he
loo%ed to the 8aster& 1ho i#nored hi:& his :outh set, Then Rau9 1as indicatin# one o9
three 1ooden $lat9or:s Duttin# out into the air& !iddin# hi: to ta%e his $lace on it, 0e
did so& ta%in# a dee$ !reath !e9ore he 1al%ed care9ull" to the ed#e,
And no1 he stood at the to$ o9 8as"a9& a!le to loo% do1n u$on the 7alle", 0e 9elt air
rushin# around hi:G his ro!e 9luttered in the 1ind and he sa1 9loc%s o9 !irds #lidin# and
s1oo$in# on 1ar: $oc%ets o9 air, 0e 9elt #idd" 1ith the hei#ht "et !reathless 1ith the
s$ectacle? the rollin# hills o9 the countr"side& cast in lush #reenG the shi::erin# 1ater
o9 the ri7erG !odies& no1 s$ec%s on the slo$es,
And Te:$lars,
The in7adin# ar:" had #athered on the u$land in 9ront o9 a 1atchto1er& close to the
#ates o9 the 9ortress, At their head 1as Ro!ert de Sa!le& 1ho no1 ste$$ed 9or1ard&
loo%in# u$ to the ra:$arts 1here the Assassins stood& and addressed Al 8uali:,
K0ereticP he roared, KReturn 1hat "ou ha7e stolen 9ro: :e,
The treasure, AltaJrs :ind dri9ted :o:entaril" to the !oC on Al 8uali:s des%, It
had see:ed to #lo1 O
K2ou7e no clai: to it& Ro!ert& re$lied the 8aster& his 7oice echoin# across the
7alle", KTa%e "oursel9 9ro: here !e9ore I: 9orced to thin "our ran%s 9urther,
K2ou $la" a dan#erous #a:e& re$lied de Sa!le,
KI assure "ou this is no #a:e,
KSo !e it& ca:e the re$l",
So:ethin# a!out the tone o9 his 7oice ; AltaJr didnt li%e it, Sure enou#h& de Sa!le
turned to one o9 his :en, KBrin# 9or1ard the hosta#e,
@ro: a:on# their ran%s the" dra##ed the Assassin, 0e 1as !ound and #a##ed and
he 1rithed a#ainst his !onds as he 1as hauled rou#hl" to the 9ront o9 the asse:!l",
0is :u99led cries rose to 1here AltaJr stood on the $lat9or:,
Then& 1ithout cere:on"& de Sa!le nodded to a soldier 1ho stood near!", 0e
"an%ed the Assassins hair so that his throat 1as eC$osed and s1e$t his !lade across
it& o$enin# it& then let the !od" 9all to the #rass,
The Assassins& 1atchin#& cau#ht their !reath,
De Sa!le :o7ed and stood near the !od"& restin# one 9oot on the d"in# :ans !ac%
1ith his ar:s 9olded li%e a triu:$hant #ladiator, There 1as :ur:ur o9 dis#ust a:on#
the Assassins as he called u$ to Al 8uali:& K2our 7illa#e lies in ruins and "our stores
are hardl" endless, 0o1 lon# !e9ore "our 9ortress cru:!les 9ro: 1ithinI 0o1
disci$lined 1ill "our :en re:ain 1hen the 1ells run dr" and their 9ood is #oneI 0e
could hardl" %ee$ the #loatin# note 9ro: his 7oice,
But in re$l" Al 8uali: 1as cal:? K8" :en do not 9ear death& Ro!ert, The" 1elco:e
it ; and the re1ards it !rin#s,
KGood& called de Sa!le, KThen the" shall ha7e it all around,
0e 1as ri#ht& o9 course, The Te:$lars could la" sie#e to 8as"a9 and $re7ent the
Assassins recei7in# su$$lies, 0o1 lon# could the" last !e9ore the" 1ere so 1ea%ened
that de Sa!le could sa9el" attac%I T1o 1ee%sI A :onthI AltaJr could onl" ho$e that
1hate7er $lan Al 8uali: had in :ind 1as enou#h to !rea% the deadloc%,
As i9 readin# his thou#hts& Rau9 1his$ered to hi:& 9ro: a $lat9or: to his le9t& K@ollo1
:e, And do so 1ithout hesitation,
A third Assassin stood 9urther across, The" 1ere hidden 9ro: de Sa!le and his :en,
Loo%in# do1n& AltaJr sa1 strate#icall" $laced :ounds o9 ha"& enou#h to !rea% a 9all,
0e 1as !e#innin# to understand 1hat Rau9 had in :ind, The" 1ere to Du:$& undetected
!" the Te:$lars, But 1h"I
0is ro!e 9la$$ed at his %nees, The sound 1as co:9ortin#& li%e 1a7es or rain, 0e
loo%ed do1n and steadied his !reathin#, 0e 9ocused, 0e 1ent to a $lace 1ithin hi:sel9,
0e heard Al 8uali: and de Sa!le tradin# 1ords !ut he 1as no lon#er listenin#&
thin%in# onl" o9 the Du:$& co:$osin# hi:sel9 9or it, 0e closed his e"es, 0e 9elt a #reat
cal:& a $eace 1ithin,
KNo1& said Rau9& 1ho lea$ed& 9ollo1ed !" the other Assassin, NeCt& AltaJr,
0e Du:$ed,
Ti:e colla$sed as he 9ell& his ar:s outstretched, With his !od" relaCed and arcin#
#race9ull" throu#h the air& he %ne1 that he had achie7ed a %ind o9 $er9ection ; it 1as as
thou#h he 1as detached 9ro: hi:sel9, And then he landed $er9ectl"& a ha"stac%
!rea%in# his 9all, Rau9 too, Not so the third Assassin& 1hose le# sna$$ed on i:$act,
I::ediatel" the :an screa:ed and Rau9 :o7ed o7er to Fuieten hi:& not 1antin# the
Te:$lars to hear? 9or the su!ter9u#e to 1or%& the %ni#hts needed to !elie7e that the
three :en had lea$ed to their death,
Rau9 turned to AltaJr, KIll sta" !ehind and attend to hi:, 2oull ha7e to #o ahead
1ithout us, The ro$es there 1ill !rin# "ou to the tra$, Release it ; rain death u$on our
ene:ies,
O9 course, AltaJr understood no1, Brie9l" he 1ondered ho1 the Assassins had !een
a!le to set a tra$ 1ithout hi: %no1in#, 0o1 :an" other 9acets o9 the Brotherhood
re:ained a secret to hi:I Ni:!l" he :ade his 1a" alon# the ro$es across the chas:&
dou!lin# !ac% across the #or#e and to the cli99 9ace !ehind the 1atchto1er, 0e cli:!ed
on instinct, @ast and lithe& 9eelin# the :uscles in his ar:s sin# as he scaled the sheer
1alls hi#her and hi#her until he reached the to$ o9 the 1atchto1er, There !eneath the
!oards o9 the u$$er le7el he 9ound the tra$ ri##ed and read" to !e s$run#? hea7"
#reased lo#s& stoc%$iled and stac%ed on a tilted $lat9or:,
Silentl" he :o7ed to the ed#e& loo%in# o7er to see the asse:!led ran%s o9 the
Te:$lar %ni#hts& scores o9 the: 1ith their !ac%s to hi:, 0ere also 1ere the ro$es
holdin# the tra$ in $lace, 0e dre1 his s1ord& and 9or the 9irst ti:e in da"s& he s:iled,
.
Later the Assassins 1ere asse:!led in the court"ard& still sa7ourin# their triu:$h,
The lo#s had tu:!led 9ro: the 1atchto1er and into the %ni#hts !elo1& :ost o9
1ho: 1ere crushed !" the 9irst 1a7e& 1hile others 1ere cau#ht in a second load
stac%ed !ehind the 9irst, >ust :o:ents !e9ore& the" had !een assured o9 7ictor", Then
their !odies had !een $u::elled& li:!s sna$$in#& the entire 9orce in disarra"& Ro!ert
de Sa!le alread" orderin# his :en !ac% as the Assassins archers $ressed ho:e their
ad7anta#e and rained arro1s do1n u$on the:,
No1& thou#h& Al 8uali: co::anded a hush o7er the #athered Assassins& indicatin#
to AltaJr to Doin hi: on the rostru: !" the entrance to his to1er, 0is e"es 1ere hard&
and as AltaJr too% his $lace& Al 8uali: !ec%oned t1o #uards to ta%e their $lace at
either side o9 hi:,
Silence re$laced the con#ratulations, AltaJr& 1ith his !ac% to the Assassins& 9elt all
e"es on hi:, B" no1 the" 1ould %no1 1hat had ha$$ened in >erusale:G 8ali% and
A!!as 1ould ha7e seen to that, AltaJrs e99orts in !attle& then s$rin#in# the tra$ ; the"
1ould count 9or nothin# no1, All he could ho$e 1as that Al 8uali: 1ould sho1 :erc",
K2ou did 1ell to dri7e Ro!ert 9ro: here& said the 8aster& and it 1as 1ith a :easure
o9 $ride that he said it, Enou#h 9or AltaJr to ho$e that he :i#ht !e 9or#i7enG that his
actions since >erusale: had redee:ed hi:, K0is 9orce is !ro%en& continued Al 8uali:,
KIt shall !e a lon# 1hile !e9ore he trou!les us a#ain, Tell :e& do "ou %no1 1h" it is "ou
1ere success9ulI
AltaJr said nothin#& heart ha::erin#,
K2ou 1ere success9ul !ecause "ou listened& $ressed Al 8uali:, K0ad "ou listened in
Solo:ons Te:$le& AltaJr& all o9 this 1ould ha7e !een a7oided,
0is ar: descri!ed a circle& :eant to ta%e in the court"ard and all that la" !e"ond&
1here e7en no1 the cor$ses o9 Assassins& o9 Te:$lars and 7illa#ers 1ere !ein#
cleared a1a",
KI did as I 1as as%ed& said AltaJr& tr"in# to choose his 1ords care9ull"& !ut 9ailin#,
KNoP sna$$ed the 8aster, 0is e"es !laHed, K2ou did as "ou $leased, 8ali% has told
:e o9 the arro#ance "ou dis$la"ed, 2our disre#ard 9or our 1a"s,
The t1o #uards on either side o9 AltaJr ste$$ed 9or1ard and too% his ar:s, 0is
:uscles tensed, 0e !raced hi:sel9 a#ainst the: !ut did not stru##le,
KWhat are "ou doin#I he said 1aril",
The colour rose in Al 8uali:s chee%s, KThere are rules, We are nothin# i9 1e do not
a!ide !" the Assassins Creed, Three si:$le tenets& 1hich "ou see: to 9or#et, I 1ill
re:ind "ou, @irst and 9ore:ost? sta" "our !lade O
It 1as to !e a lecture, AltaJr relaCed& una!le to %ee$ the note o9 resi#nation 9ro: his
7oice as he 9inished Al 8uali:s sentence, KO 9ro: the 9lesh o9 an innocent, I %no1,
The crac% o9 Al 8uali:s $al: across AltaJrs 9ace echoed 9ro: the stone o9 the
court"ard, AltaJr 9elt his chee% !urn,
KAnd sta" "our ton#ue unless I #i7e "ou lea7e to use it& roared Al 8uali:, KI9 "ou are
so 9a:iliar 1ith this tenet& 1h" did "ou %ill the old :an inside the Te:$leI 0e 1as
innocent, 0e did not need to die,
AltaJr said nothin#, What could he sa"I I acted rashl"I illin# the old :an 1as an
act o9 arro#anceI
K2our insolence %no1s no !ounds& !ello1ed Al 8uali:, K8a%e hu:!le "our heart&
child& or I s1ear Ill tear it 9ro: "ou 1ith :" o1n hands,
0e $aused& his shoulders risin# and 9allin# as he too% hold o9 his an#er, KThe
second tenet is that 1hich #i7es us stren#th& he continued, K0ide in $lain si#ht, Let the
$eo$le :as% "ou so that "ou !eco:e one 1ith the cro1d, Do "ou re:e:!erI Because&
as I hear it& "ou chose to eC$ose "oursel9& dra1in# attention !e9ore "oud struc%,
Still AltaJr said nothin#, 0e 9elt the sha:e sFuat in his #ut,
KThe third and 9inal tenet& added Al 8uali:& Kthe 1orst o9 all "our !etra"als? ne7er
co:$ro:ise the Brotherhood, Its :eanin# should !e o!7ious, 2our actions :ust ne7er
!rin# har: u$on us ; direct or indirect, 2et "our sel9ish act !eneath >erusale: $laced
us all in dan#er, Worse still& "ou !rou#ht the ene:" to our ho:e, E7er" :an 1e7e lost
toda" 1as lost !ecause o9 "ou,
AltaJr had !een una!le to loo% at the 8aster, 0is head had re:ained on one side&
still s:artin# 9ro: the sla$, But as he heard Al 8uali: dra1 his da##er he loo%ed at
last,
KI a: sorr", Trul"& I a:& said Al 8uali:, KBut I cannot a!ide a traitor,
No, Not that, Not a traitors death,
0is e"es 1idened as the" 1ent to the !lade in the 8asters hand ; the hand that
had #uided hi: since hi: childhood, KI a: not a traitor& he :ana#ed,
K2our actions indicate other1ise, And so "ou lea7e :e no choice, Al 8uali: dre1
!ac% his da##er, KPeace !e u$on "ou& AltaJr& he said& and $lun#ed it into AltaJrs
sto:ach,
'
And it 1as, @or a 9e1 $recious :o:ents 1hen he 1as dead& AltaJr 1as at $eace,
Then O then he 1as co:in# round& #raduall" reco7erin# a sense o9 hi:sel9 and o9
1here he 1as,
0e 1as on his 9eet, 0o1 could he !e on his 9eetI Was this death& the a9terli9eI Was
he in ParadiseI I9 so& it loo%ed 7er" :uch li%e Al 8uali:s Fuarters, Not onl" that& !ut Al
8uali: 1as $resent, Standin# o7er hi:& in 9act& 1atchin# hi: 1ith an unreada!le #aHe,
KI: ali7eI AltaJrs hands 1ent to 1here the %ni9e had !een dri7en into his sto:ach,
0e eC$ected to 9ind a ra##ed hole and 9eel 1et !lood !ut there 1as nothin#, No 1ound&
no !lood, E7en thou#h hed seen it, @elt it, 0ed 9elt the $ain O
0adnt heI
KBut I sa1 "ou sta! :e& he :ana#ed& K9elt deaths e:!race,
Al 8uali: 1as inscruta!le in return, K2ou sa1 1hat I 1anted "ou to see, And then
"ou sle$t the slee$ o9 the dead, The 1o:!, That "ou :i#ht a1a%e and !e re!orn,
AltaJr shoo% a 9o# a1a" 9ro: his :ind, KTo 1hat endI
KDo "ou re:e:!er& AltaJr& 1hat it is the Assassins 9i#ht 9orI
Still tr"in# to readDust& he re$lied& KPeace& in all thin#s,
K2es, In all thin#s, It is not enou#h to end the 7iolence one :an co::its u$on
another, It re9ers to $eace 1ithin as 1ell, 2ou cannot ha7e one 1ithout the other,
KSo it is said,
Al 8uali: shoo% his head& chee%s colourin# a#ain as his 7oice rose, KSo it is, But
"ou& :" son& ha7e not 9ound inner $eace, It :ani9ests in u#l" 1a"s, 2ou are arro#ant
and o7erEcon9ident, 2ou lac% sel9Econtrol and 1isdo:,
KThen 1hat is to !eco:e o9 :eI
KI should %ill "ou 9or the $ain "ou7e !rou#ht u$on us, 8ali% thin%s its onl" 9air ; "our
li9e in eCchan#e 9or that o9 his !rother,
Al 8uali: $aused to allo1 AltaJr to understand the 9ull si#ni9icance o9 the :o:ent,
KBut this 1ould !e a 1aste o9 :" ti:e and "our talents,
AltaJr allo1ed hi:sel9 to relaC a little :ore, 0e 1as to !e s$ared, 0e could redee:
hi:sel9,
K2ou ha7e !een stri$$ed o9 "our $ossessions& continued Al 8uali:, K2our ran% as
1ell, 2ou are a no7ice ; a child ; once :ore, As "ou 1ere on the da" "ou 9irst Doined
the Order, I a: o99erin# "ou a chance o9 rede:$tion, 2oull earn "our 1a" !ac% into the
Brotherhood,
O9 course, KI assu:e that "ou ha7e so:ethin# $lanned,
K@irst "ou :ust $ro7e to :e "ou re:e:!er ho1 to !e an Assassin, A true
Assassin& said Al 8uali:,
KSo "ou 1ould ha7e :e ta%e a li9eI as%ed AltaJr& %no1in# his 9or9eit 1ould !e 9ar
:ore ri#orous,
KNo, Not "et& at least, @or no1 "ou are to !eco:e a student once a#ain, K
KThere is no need 9or this, I a: a 8aster Assassin,
K2ou 1ere a 8aster Assassin, Others trac%ed "our tar#ets 9or "ou, But no :ore,
@ro: toda" on& "ou 1ill trac% the: "oursel9,
KI9 that is 1hat "ou 1ish,
KIt is,
KThen tell :e 1hat it is that I :ust do,
KI hold here a list, Nine na:es adorn it, Nine :en 1ho need to die, The" are $la#ueE
!rin#ers, WarE:a%ers, Their $o1er and in9luence corru$t the land ; and ensure the
Crusades continue, 2ou 1ill 9ind the:, ill the:, In doin# so "oull so1 the seeds o9
$eace& !oth 9or the re#ion and 9or "oursel9, In this 1a"& "ou :a" !e redee:ed,
AltaJr too% a lon#& dee$ !reath, This he could do, This he 1anted ; needed ; to do,
KNine li7es in eCchan#e 9or :ine& he said care9ull",
Al 8uali: s:iled, KA :ost #enerous o99er& I thin%, 0a7e "ou an" FuestionsI
KWhere shall I !e#inI
KRide 9or Da:ascus, See% out the !lac%E:ar%et :erchant na:ed Ta:ir, Let hi: !e
the 9irst to 9all,
Al 8uali: :o7ed to his ca#e o9 carrier $i#eons& too% one and cu$$ed it #entl" in his
$al:, KBe sure to 7isit the cit"s Assassin Bureau 1hen "ou arri7e, Ill dis$atch a !ird to
in9or: the ra9iF o9 "our arri7al, S$ea% 1ith hi:, 2oull 9ind he has :uch to o99er,
0e o$ened his hand and the !ird disa$$eared throu#h the 1indo1& as thou#h
snu99ed out,
KI9 "ou !elie7e it !est& said AltaJr,
KI do, Besides& "ou cannot !e#in "our :ission 1ithout his consent,
Altair !ridled, KWhat nonsense is thisI I dont need his $er:ission, Its a 1aste o9
ti:e,
KIts the $rice "ou $a" 9or the :ista%es "ou7e :ade& sna$$ed the 8aster, K2ou
ans1er not onl" to :e !ut to all o9 the Brotherhood no1,
KSo !e it& conceded AltaJr& a9ter a $ause lon# enou#h to co::unicate his
dis$leasure,
KGo& then& said Al 8uali:, KPro7e that "ou are not "et lost to us,
0e $aused& then reached 9or so:ethin# 9ro: !eneath his des% that he $ushed
across to AltaJr, KTa%e it& he said,
Gladl"& AltaJr reached 9or his !lade& !uc%lin# the !race to his 1rist and loo$in# the
release o7er his little 9in#er, 0e tested the :echanis:& 9eelin# li%e an Assassin once
:ore,
6
AltaJr :ade his 1a" throu#h the $al:s and $ast the sta!les and traders outside the cit"
1alls until he ca:e to the hu#e& i:$osin# #ates o9 Da:ascus, 0e %ne1 the cit" 1ell,
The !i##est and holiest in S"ria& it had !een ho:e to t1o o9 his tar#ets the $re7ious
"ear, 0e cast his #aHe u$ to the surroundin# 1all and its ra:$arts, 0e could hear the
li9e inside, It 1as as thou#h the stone hu::ed 1ith it,
@irst& to :a%e his 1a" in, The success o9 his :ission de$ended on his a!ilit" to
:o7e anon":ousl" thou#h the s$ra1lin# streets, A challen#e 9ro: the #uards 1ouldnt
!e the !est start, 0e dis:ounted and tethered his horse& stud"in# the #ates& 1here
Saracen #uards stood 1atch, 0e 1ould ha7e to tr" another 1a"& and that 1as :ore
easil" considered than achie7ed& 9or Da:ascus 1as 9a:ousl" secure& its 1alls ; he
#aHed u$ once :ore& 9eelin# s:all ; 1ere too hi#h and too sheer to !e scaled 9ro: the
outside,
Then he sa1 a #rou$ o9 scholars& and s:iled, Salah Aldin had encoura#ed the
learned :en to 7isit Da:ascus 9or stud" ; there 1ere :an" :adrasahs throu#hout the
cit" ; and as such the" enDo"ed s$ecial $ri7ile#es and 1ere allo1ed to 1ander
unhindered, 0e :o7ed o7er and Doined the:& assu:in# his :ost $ious stance& and 1ith
the: dri9ted easil" $ast the #uards& lea7in# the desert !ehind as he entered the #reat
cit",
Inside& he %e$t his head do1n& :o7in# 9ast !ut care9ull" throu#h the streets&
reachin# a :inaret, 0e cast a s1i9t loo% around !e9ore lea$in# to a sill& $ullin# hi:sel9
u$& 9indin# :ore handholds in the hot stone and cli:!in# hi#her and hi#her, 0e 9ound
his old s%ills co:in# !ac% to hi:& thou#h he 1asnt :o7in# as Fuic%l" or as surel" as he
once had, 0e 9elt the: returnin#, No ; rea1a%enin#, And 1ith the: the old 9eelin# o9
eChilaration,
Then he 1as at the 7er" ti$ o9 the :inaret and there he sFuatted, A !ird o9 $re" hi#h
a!o7e the cit"& loo%in# around hi:sel9& seein# the do:ed :osFues and $ointed
:inarets that interru$ted an une7en sea o9 roo9to$s, 0e sa1 :ar%et$laces& court"ards
and shrines& as 1ell as the to1er that :ar%ed the $osition o9 the Assassins Bureau,
A#ain& a sense o9 eCaltation $assed throu#h hi:, 0ed 9or#otten ho1 !eauti9ul cities
loo%ed 9ro: such a hei#ht, 0ed 9or#otten ho1 he 9elt& loo%in# do1n u$on the: 9ro:
their hi#hest $oints, In those :o:ents he 9elt released,
Al 8uali: had !een ri#ht, @or "ears no1& AltaJrs tar#ets had !een located 9or hi:,
0e 1ould !e told 1here to #o and 1hen& his Do! to %ill& nothin# :ore& nothin# less, 0e
hadnt realiHed it !ut he had :issed the thrill o9 1hat it reall" :eant to !e an Assassin&
1hich 1asnt !loodshed and death? it 1as 1hat 1as to !e 9ound inside,
0e cra!!ed 9or1ard a little& loo%in# do1n into the narro1 streets, The $eo$le 1ere
!ein# called to $ra"er and the cro1ds 1ere thinnin#, 0e scanned the cano$ies and
roo9to$s& loo%in# 9or a so9t landin#& then sa1 a ha" cart, @iCin# his e"es on it& ta%in#
dee$ !reaths& he stood& 9eelin# the !reeHe& hearin# !ells, Then he too% a ste$ 9or1ard&
tu:!lin# #race9ull" and hittin# his tar#et, Not as so9t as he had ho$ed& $erha$s& !ut
sa9er than ris%in# a landin# on a 9ra"in# cano$"& 1hich 1as lia!le to tear and de$osit
hi: in a hea$ on the stall !elo1, 0e listened& 1aitin# until the street 1as Fuieter& then
scra:!led 9ro: the cart and !e#an to :a%e his 1a" to the Bureau,
0e reached it 9ro: the roo9& dro$$in# into a shaded 7esti!ule in 1hich tin%led a
9ountain& $lants deadenin# the sounds 9ro: outside, It 1as i9 he had ste$$ed into
another 1orld, 0e #athered hi:sel9 and 1ent inside,
The leader loun#ed !ehind a counter, 0e stood as the Assassin entered, KAltaJr, It is
#ood to see "ou, And in one $iece,
K2ou as 1ell& 9riend, AltaJr e"ed the :an& not :uch li%in# 1hat he sa1, @or one
thin#& he had an insolent& ironic :anner, There 1as no dou!t& also& that he had !een
in9or:ed o9 AltaJrs recent O di99iculties ; and& !" the loo% o9 hi:& $lanned to :a%e the
:ost o9 the te:$orar" $o1er the situation a99orded hi:,
Sure enou#h& 1hen he neCt s$o%e it 1as 1ith a !arel" dis#uised s:ir%, KI a: sorr"
9or "our trou!les,
KThin% nothin# o9 it,
The leader assu:ed a loo% o9 counter9eit concern, KA 9e1 o9 "our !rothers 1ere here
earlier O
So, That 1as ho1 he 1as so 1ell in9or:ed& thou#ht AltaJr,
KI9 "oud heard the thin#s the" said& the leader continued airil"& KI: certain "oud
ha7e slain the: 1here the" stood,
KIts Fuite all ri#ht& said AltaJr,
The leader #rinned, K2es& "ou7e ne7er !een one 9or the Creed& ha7e "ouI
KIs that allI AltaJr 9ound hi:sel9 lon#in# to sla$ o99 the insolent do#s s:ile, Either
that or use his !lade to len#then it O
KI: sorr"& said the leader& reddenin#& Kso:eti:es I 9or#et :"sel9, What !usiness
!rin#s "ou to Da:ascusI 0e strai#htened a little& re:e:!erin# his $lace at last,
KA :an na:ed Ta:ir& said AltaJr, KAl 8uali: ta%es issue 1ith the 1or% he does and
I a: :eant to end it, Tell :e 1here to 9ind hi:,
K2ou 1ill ha7e to trac% hi:,
AltaJr !ridled, KBut that sort o9 1or% is !est le9t 9or O 0e sto$$ed hi:sel9&
re:e:!erin# Al 8uali:s orders, 0e 1as to !e a no7ice a#ain, Conduct his o1n
in7esti#ations, @ind the tar#et, Per9or: the %ill, 0e nodded& acce$tin# his tas%,
The leader continued? KSearch the cit", Deter:ine 1hat Ta:irs $lannin# and 1here
he 1or%s, Pre$aration :a%es the 7ictor,
KAll ri#ht& !ut 1hat can "ou tell :e o9 hi:I as%ed AltaJr,
K0e :a%es his li7in# as a !lac%E:ar%et :erchant& so the sou% district should !e "our
destination,
KI assu:e "ou 1ant :e to return to "ou 1hen this is done,
KCo:e !ac% to :e, Ill #i7e "ou Al 8uali:s :ar%er, And "oull #i7e us Ta:irs li9e,
KAs "ou 1ish,
Glad to !e a1a" 9ro: the stulti9"in# Bureau& AltaJr :ade his 1a" to the roo9to$s,
Once a#ain& he inhaled the cit" as he sto$$ed to #aHe into a narro1 street !elo1, A
li#ht !reeHe ri$$led cano$ies, Wo:en :illed around a stall sellin# $olished oil la:$s&
chatterin# 1ildl"& and not 9ar a1a" t1o :en stood ar#uin#, O7er 1hat& AltaJr couldnt
hear,
0e turned his attention to the !uildin# o$$osite& then a1a" o7er the roo9to$s, @ro:
there he could see the Pasha 8osFue and the site o9 the @or:al Gardens in the south
!ut 1hat he needed to locate 1as the O
0e sa1 it& the hu#e Sou% alESilaah ; 1here& accordin# to the leader& he could !e#in
to learn a!out Ta:ir, The leader %ne1 :ore than he 1as re7ealin#& o9 course& !ut 1as
under strict instructions not to tell AltaJr, 0e understood that? the Kno7ice had to learn
the hard 1a",
0e too% t1o ste$s !ac%& shoo% the tension 9ro: his ar:s& dre1 a dee$ !reath& then
Du:$ed,
Sa9el" across& he crouched 9or a :o:ent& listenin# to the chatter 9ro: the lane
!elo1, 0e 1atched a #rou$ o9 #uards as the" $assed& leadin# an ass 1ith a cart that
sa##ed !eneath the 1ei#ht o9 :an" stac%ed cas%s, K8a%e 1a"& the #uards 1ere
sa"in#& sho7in# citiHens 9ro: their $ath, K8a%e 1a" 9or 1e co:e 1ith su$$lies !ound
9or the ViHiers Palace, 0is ECcellenc" A!ul NuFoud is to thro1 another o9 his $arties,
Those citiHens 1ho 1ere sho7ed aside hid sco1ls o9 dis$leasure,
AltaJr 1atched the soldiers $ass !elo1 hi:, 0e had heard the na:e& A!ul NuFoud?
the one the" called the 8erchant in# o9 Da:ascus, The cas%s, AltaJr :i#ht ha7e !een
:ista%en& !ut the" loo%ed as thou#h the" contained 1ine,
No :atter, AltaJrs !usiness la" else1here, 0e strai#htened and set o99 at a Do#&
!arel" $ausin# 9or the lea$ to the neCt !uildin# and then the neCt& 9eelin# a 9resh sur#e
o9 $o1er and stren#th 1ith each Du:$, Bac% to doin# 1hat he %ne1,
Seen 9ro: a!o7e& the sou% 1as li%e ra##ed hole that had !een $unched into the
cit"s roo9to$s so it 1as eas" to 9ind, The !i##est tradin# centre in Da:ascus& it la" in
the centre o9 the cit"s Poor District in the northEeast and 1as !ordered on all sides !"
!uildin#s o9 :ud and ti:!er ; Da:ascus turned into a s1a:$ 1hen it rained ; and
1as a $atch1or% o9 carts& stands and :erchants ta!les, S1eet scents rose to AltaJr on
his $erch hi#h a!o7e? $er9u:es and oils& s$ices and $astries, E7er"1here custo:ers&
:erchants and traders 1ere chatterin# or :o7in# Fuic%l" throu#h the cro1ds, The cit"s
$eo$le either stood and tal%ed or hurried 9ro: one $lace to the neCt, There 1as no inE
!et1een& it see:ed ; not here& an"1a", 0e 1atched the: 9or a 1hile& then cla:!ered
9ro: the roo9to$ and& !lendin# into the cro1ds& listened,
Listenin# 9or one 1ord,
KTa:ir,
The three :erchants 1ere huddled in the shade& tal%in# Fuietl" !ut 1ith all %inds o9
1ild hand :o7e:ents, It 1as the" 1ho had said the na:e& and AltaJr sidled o7er
to1ards the:& turnin# his !ac% and hearin# Al 8uali:s tutela#e in his head as he did
so? KNe7er :a%e e"e contact& al1a"s loo% occu$ied& sta" relaCed,
K0es called another :eetin#& heard AltaJr& una!le to $lace 1hich o9 the :en 1as
s$ea%in#, Who 1as the Khe the" :entionedI Ta:ir& $resu:a!l", AltaJr listened&
:a%in# a :ental note o9 the :eetin# $lace,
KWhat is it this ti:eI Another 1arnin#I Another eCecutionI
KNo, 0e has 1or% 9or us,
KWhich :eans 1e 1ont !e $aid,
K0es a!andoned the 1a"s o9 the :erchant #uild, Does as he $leases no1 O
The" !e#an discussin# a lar#e deal ; the !i##est e7er& said one& in hushed tones ;
1hen suddenl" the" sto$$ed, Not 9ar a1a" an orator 1ith a closeEtri::ed !lac% !eard
had ta%en his $lace at his stand& and 1as no1 starin# at the :erchants 1ith dar%&
hooded e"es, Threatenin# e"es,
AltaJr stole a #lance 9ro: !eneath his co1l, The three :en had #one $ale, One
scu99ed at the dirt 1ith his sandalG the other t1o dri9ted a1a"& as thou#h suddenl"
re:e:!erin# an i:$ortant tas% at hand, Their :eetin# 1as at an end,
The orator, One o9 Ta:irs :en& $erha$s, E7identl" the !lac%E:ar%eteer ruled the
sou% 1ith a 9ir: hand, AltaJr dri9ted o7er as the :an !e#an to s$ea%& dru::in# u$ an
audience,
KNone %no1s Ta:ir !etter than I& he announced loudl", KCo:e close, 0ear the tale I
ha7e to tell, O9 a :erchant $rince 1ithout $eer O
>ust the tale AltaJr 1anted to hear, 0e dri9ted closer& a!le to $la" the $art o9 an
interested o!ser7er, The :ar%et s1irled around hi:,
KIt 1as Dust !e9ore 0attin& continued the s$ea%er, KThe Saracens 1ere lo1 on 9ood&
and in des$erate need o9 resu$$l", But there 1as no relie9 in si#ht, Ta:ir dro7e a
cara7an in those da"s !et1een Da:ascus and >erusale:, But recent !usiness had
!een $oor, It see:ed there 1ere none in >erusale: 1ho 1anted 1hat he had? 9ruits and
7e#eta!les 9ro: near!" 9ar:s, And so Ta:ir le9t& ridin# north and 1onderin# 1hat
1ould !eco:e o9 his su$$lies, Soon the" 1ould surel" s$oil, That should ha7e !een the
end o9 this tale and the $oor :ans li9e O But @ate intended other1ise,
KAs Ta:ir dro7e his cara7an north& he ca:e across the Saracen leader and his
star7in# :en, 8ost 9ortunate 9or the: !oth ; each ha7in# so:ethin# the other 1anted,
KSo Ta:ir #a7e the :an his 9ood, And 1hen the !attle 1as 9inished& the Saracen
leader sa1 to it that the :erchant 1as re$aid a thousand ti:es,
KSo:e sa"& 1ere it not 9or Ta:ir& Salah Aldins :en 1ould ha7e turned on hi:, It
could !e that 1e 1on the !attle !ecause o9 that :an O
0e 9inished his s$eech and let his audience dri9t a1a", On his 9ace 1as a thin s:ile
as he ste$$ed a1a" 9ro: the stand and :o7ed into the :ar%et, O99& $erha$s& to
another stand to :a%e the sa:e s$eech eCaltin# Ta:ir, AltaJr 9ollo1ed& %ee$in# a sa9e
distance& once a#ain hearin# his tutors 1ords in his head? KPut o!stacles !et1een
"oursel9 and "our Fuarr", Ne7er !e 9ound !" a !ac%1ards #lance,
These s%ills? AltaJr enDo"ed the 9eelin# the" !rou#ht as the" returned to hi:, 0e li%ed
!ein# a!le to shut out the cla:our o9 the da" and 9ocus on his Fuarr", Then& a!ru$tl"&
he sto$$ed, Ahead o9 hi: the orator had !u:$ed into a 1o:an carr"in# a 7ase& 1hich
had s:ashed, She !e#an re:onstratin# 1ith hi:& her hand out de:andin# $a":ent&
!ut he curled a cruel li$ and dre1 !ac% his hand to stri%e her, AltaJr 9ound hi:sel9
tensin#& !ut she co1ered a1a" and he sneered& lo1erin# his hand& 1al%in# on& %ic%in#
!its o9 !ro%en $ot as he 1ent, AltaJr :o7ed on& $ast the 1o:an& 1ho no1 crouched in
the sand& 1ee$in# and cursin# and reachin# 9or the shards o9 her 7ase,
No1 the orator turned o99 the street and AltaJr 9ollo1ed, The" 1ere in a narro1&
al:ost e:$t" lane& dar% :ud 1alls $ressin# in on the:, A shortcut& $resu:a!l"& to the
neCt stand, AltaJr #lanced !ehind hi:& then too% a 9e1 Fuic% ste$s 9or1ard& #ras$ed the
s$ea%er !" the shoulder& s$un hi: around and Da::ed the ti$s o9 his 9in#ers !eneath
his ri!ca#e,
Instantl" the orator 1as dou!led u$& stu:!lin# !ac% and #as$in# 9or !reath& his
:outh 1or%in# li%e that o9 a #rounded 9ish, AltaJr shot a loo% to :a%e sure there 1ere
no 1itnesses& then ste$$ed 9or1ard& $i7oted on one 9oot and %ic%ed the orator in the
throat,
0e 9ell !ac% :essil"& his tha1! t1isted around his le#s, No1 his hands 1ent to
1here AltaJr had %ic%ed hi: and he rolled in the dust, S:ilin#& AltaJr :o7ed 9or1ard,
Eas"& he thou#ht, It had !een too O
The orator :o7ed 1ith the s$eed o9 a co!ra, 0e shot u$ and %ic%ed out& catchin#
AltaJr sFuare in the chest, Sur$rised& the Assassin sta##ered !ac% as the other ca:e
9or1ard& :outh set and 9ists s1in#in#, 0e had a #lea: in his e"e& %no1in# hed roc%ed
AltaJr& 1ho dod#ed one 9lailin# $unch onl" to realiHe it 1as a 9eint as the orator cau#ht
hi: across the Da1 1ith his other 9ist,
AltaJr al:ost 9ell& tastin# !lood and cursin# hi:sel9, 0e had underesti:ated his
o$$onent, A no7ice :ista%e, The orator loo%ed 9ranticall" around hi:sel9 as thou#h
see%in# the !est esca$e route, AltaJr shoo% the $ain 9ro: his 9ace and ca:e 9or1ard&
holdin# his 9ists hi#h and catchin# the orator on the te:$le !e9ore he could :o7e o99,
@or so:e :o:ents the t1o traded !lo1s in the alle", The orator 1as s:aller and
9aster& and cau#ht AltaJr hi#h on the !rid#e o9 his nose, The Assassin stu:!led&
!lin%in# a1a" tears that s$lit his 7ision, Sensin# 7ictor"& the orator ca:e 9or1ard&
thro1in# 1ild $unches, AltaJr ste$$ed to the side& 1ent lo1 and s1e$t the orators 9eet
9ro: !eneath hi:& sendin# hi: crashin# to the sand& the !reath 1hooshin# out o9 hi:
as he landed on his !ac%, AltaJr s$un and dro$$ed& sin%in# his %nee directl" into the
s$ea%ers #roin, 0e 1as #rati9ied to hear an a#oniHed !ar% in res$onse& then stood& his
shoulders risin# and 9allin# hea7il" as he collected hi:sel9, The orator 1rithed
soundlessl" in the dirt& :outh 1ide in a silent screa:& his hands at his crotch, When he
:ana#ed a #reat #as$in# !reath& AltaJr sFuatted& !rin#in# his 9ace close to hi:,
K2ou see: to %no1 Fuite a !it a!out Ta:ir& he hissed, KTell :e 1hat hes $lannin#,
KI %no1 onl" the stories I tell& #roaned the s$ea%er, KNothin# :ore,
AltaJr scoo$ed u$ a hand9ul o9 dirt and let it tric%le throu#h his 9in#ers, KA $it",
Theres no reason to let "ou li7e i9 "ou7e nothin# to o99er in return,
KWait, Wait, The orator held u$ a tre:!lin# hand, KThere is one thin# O
KContinue,
K0e is $reoccu$ied as o9 late, 0e o7ersees the $roduction o9 :an"& :an" 1ea$ons
O
KWhat o9 itI The"re :eant 9or Salah Aldin $resu:a!l", This does not hel$ :e ;
1hich :eans it does not hel$ "ou O AltaJr reached O
KNo, Sto$, Listen, The orators e"es rolled and s1eat $o$$ed on his !ro1, KNot
Salah Aldin, The"re 9or so:eone else, The crests these ar:s !ear& the"re di99erent,
Un9a:iliar, It see:s Ta:ir su$$orts another O !ut I %no1 not 1ho,
AltaJr nodded, KIs that allI he as%ed,
K2es, 2es, I7e told "ou e7er"thin# I %no1,
KThen its ti:e 9or "ou to rest,
KNo& !e#an the orator& !ut there 1as a snic% that sounded as loud as the !rea%in#
o9 croc%er" in the alle" as AltaJr released his !lade then dro7e it throu#h the orators
sternu:& holdin# the d"in# :an as he shuddered& $inned !" the !lade& !lood 9oa:in#
9ro: the corners o9 his :outh and his e"es #laHin#, A Fuic% death, A clean death,
AltaJr laid hi: on the sand& reached to close his e"es& then stood, 0is !lade slid
!ac% into $lace& and he $ushed the !od" !ehind a stac% o9 stin%in# !arrels& then turned
and le9t the alle",
3(
KAltaJr, Welco:e, Welco:e,
The leader s:ir%ed as he 1al%ed in& and AltaJr re#arded hi: 9or a :o:ent& seein#
hi: shrin% a little under his #aHe, Did he carr" the s:ell o9 deathI Perha$s the Bureau
leader had detected it u$on hi:,
KI7e done as "ou as%ed, No1 #i7e :e the :ar%er,
K@irst thin#s 9irst, Tell :e 1hat "ou %no1,
@resh 9ro: ta%in# a li9e& AltaJr re9lected that it 1ould !e a s:all :atter to add to his
da"s tall", 0e itched to $ut the :an in his $lace, But no, 0e had to $la" his $art& no
:atter ho1 :uch o9 a charade he thou#ht it 1as,
KTa:ir rules the Sou% alESilaah& he said& thin%in# o9 the :erchants tal%in# in hushed
tones& the 9ear on their 9aces 1hen the" s$otted Ta:irs orator, K0e :a%es his 9ortune
sellin# ar:s and ar:our& and is su$$orted !" :an" in this endea7our? !lac%s:iths&
traders& 9inanciers, 0es the :ain death dealer in the land,
The other nodded& hearin# nothin# he didnt alread" %no1, KAnd ha7e "ou de7ised a
1a" to rid us o9 this !li#htI he as%ed su$erciliousl",
KA :eetin# is !ein# arran#ed at Sou% alESilaah to discuss an i:$ortant sale, The"
sa" its the lar#est deal Ta:ir has e7er :ade, 0ell !e distracted 1ith his 1or%, Thats
1hen Ill stri%e,
K2our $lan see:s solid enou#h, I #i7e "ou lea7e to #o,
0e reached !elo1 his des% and retrie7ed Al 8uali:s :ar%er, A 9eather 9ro: one o9
the 8asters !elo7ed !irds, 0e $laced it on the des% !et1een the:, KLet Al 8uali:s
1ill !e done& he said& as AltaJr too% the :ar%er& sto1in# it care9ull" 1ithin his ro!e,
Soon a9ter sunrise he le9t the Bureau and :ade his 1a" !ac% to the Sou% alESilaah,
When he arri7ed at the :ar%et all e"es see:ed to !e on a sun%en cere:onial
court"ard in its centre,
0e soon sa1 1h"? there stood the :erchant Ta:ir, With t1o #lo1erin# !od"#uards
at his rear& he co::anded the court"ard& to1erin# o7er a tre:!lin# :an 1ho stood
!e9ore hi:, 0e 1ore a cheFuered tur!an& s:art tunic and le# 1ra$$in#s, 0is teeth 1ere
!ared !eneath a dar% :oustache,
As AltaJr :ade his 1a" round the outside o9 the cro1d he %e$t an e"e on 1hat 1as
ha$$enin#, Traders had :o7ed 9ro: !ehind their stalls to see too, The Da:ascus that
either hurried !et1een destinations or stood lost in con7ersation had co:e to a
te:$orar" standstill,
KI9 "oud Dust ha7e a loo% O said the :an crin#in# !e9ore Ta:ir,
KI7e no interest in "our calculations& sna$$ed Ta:ir, KThe nu:!ers chan#e nothin#,
2our :en ha7e 9ailed to 9ill the order ; 1hich :eans I ha7e 9ailed :" client,
Client& thou#ht AltaJr, Who :i#ht that !eI
The :erchant s1allo1ed, 0is e"es 1ent to the cro1d loo%in# 9or sal7ation, 0e 9ound
none there, The :ar%et #uards stood 1ith !lan% eC$ressions and unseein# e"es 1hile
the s$ectators si:$l" stared& a#o#, AltaJr 1as sic%ened !" the:& all o9 the:? the
7ultures 1atchin#& the #uards 1ho did nothin#, But :ost o9 all Ta:ir,
KWe need :ore ti:e& $leaded the :erchant, Perha$s he realiHed that his onl"
chance la" in $ersuadin# Ta:ir to !e :erci9ul,
KThat is the eCcuse o9 a laH" or inco:$etent :an& returned the !lac%E:ar%eteer,
KWhich are "ouI
KNeither& res$onded the :erchant& 1rin#in# his hands,
KWhat I see sa"s other1ise& said Ta:ir, 0e raised a 9oot to a lo1 1all and leaned on
his %nee, KNo1& tell :e& 1hat do "ou intend to do to sol7e this $ro!le: o9 oursI These
1ea$ons are needed no1,
KI see no solution& sta::ered the :erchant, KThe :en 1or% da" and ni#ht, But "our
O client reFuires so :uch, And the destination O It is a di99icult route,
KWould that "ou could $roduce 1ea$ons 1ith the sa:e s%ill as "ou $roduce
eCcuses& lau#hed Ta:ir, Pla"in# to the cro1d& he 1as re1arded !" a chuc%le ; !orn
:ore o9 9ear than the Fualit" o9 his hu:our,
KI ha7e done all I can& insisted the older :an, Pers$iration 1as 9lo1in# 9reel" 9ro:
the head!and o9 his tur!an and his #re" !eard Fui7ered,
KIt is not enou#h,
KThen $erha$s "ou as% too :uch& tried the :erchant,
It 1as a 9oolhard" #a:!it, The cro1dE$leasin# s:ile slid 9ro: Ta:irs 9ace and he
turned cold e"es on the old :an, KToo :uchI he said& a ne1 chill in his 7oice, KI #a7e
"ou e7er"thin#, Without :e "ou 1ould still !e char:in# ser$ents 9or coin, All I as%ed in
return 1as that "ou 9ill the orders I !rin# "ou, And "ou sa" I as% too :uchI
0e dre1 his da##er& the !lade 1in%in#, Those 1atchin# shi9ted unco:9orta!l", AltaJr
loo%ed at the #uards& 1ho stood 1ith their ar:s 9olded& sa!res in their !elts& 9aces
eC$ressionless, No!od" in the sou% dared :o7eG it 1as as thou#h a s$ell had !een
cast on the: all,
A 9ri#htened sound esca$ed the :erchant, 0e dro$$ed to his %nees& holdin# his
clas$ed hands alo9t in su$$lication, 0is 9ace 1as etched 1ith $leadin#G his e"es
#lea:ed 1ith tears,
Ta:ir loo%ed do1n at hi:& a $athetic creature %neelin# !e9ore hi:& and s$at, The
trader !lin%ed $hle#: 9ro: his e"es,
K2ou dare slander :eI roared Ta:ir,
KPeace& Ta:ir& 1hi:$ered the old :an, KI :eant no insult,
KThen "ou should ha7e %e$t "our :outh shut& snarled Ta:ir,
AltaJr could see the !loodlust in his e"es and %ne1 eCactl" 1hat 1as #oin# to
ha$$en, Sure enou#h& Ta:ir slashed at the :erchant 1ith the ti$ o9 his da##er&
o$enin# a sa##in# hole in his tunic that 1as i::ediatel" stained red, The :erchant 9ell
!ac% to his heels 1ith a %eenin# screech that cut throu#h the :ar%et$lace, KNoP Sto$P
he sFuealed,
KSto$I Deered Ta:ir, KI: Dust #ettin# started, 0e ste$$ed 9or1ard& dro7e his da##er
dee$ into the :ans sto:ach and thrust hi: to the #round 1here he screa:ed li%e an
ani:al as Ta:ir sta!!ed hi: a#ain, K2ou ca:e into :" sou%& he shouted,
Sta!,
KStood !e9ore :" :en,
Sta!, A 9ourth ti:e, The sound li%e :eat !ein# tenderiHed, The old :an 1as still
screa:in#,
KAnd dared to insult :eI
Sta!, 0e $unctuated e7er" 1ord 1ith a thrust o9 his da##er, K2ou :ust learn "our
$lace,
But no1 the :erchant had sto$$ed screa:in#, No1 he 1as nothin# !ut a !attered&
!lood" cor$se s$ra1led in the court"ard& his head at an odd an#le, One o9 Ta:irs
!od"#uards ste$$ed 9or1ard to :o7e the !od",
KNo& said Ta:ir& out o9 !reath, 0e 1i$ed his !eard 1ith the !ac% o9 his hand, KLea7e
it, 0e turned to address the cro1d, KLet this !e a lesson to the rest o9 "ou, Thin% t1ice
!e9ore "ou tell :e so:ethin# cannot !e done, No1 #et !ac% to 1or%,
Lea7in# the old :ans !od" 1here it 1as ; an interested do# alread" !e#innin# to
sni99 around it ; the s$ectators resu:ed their da"& acti7it" in the sou% #raduall" !uildin#
u$ so that in a 9e1 short :o:ents it 1as as thou#h nothin# had ha$$ened, As thou#h
the old :an 1as 9or#otten,
Not !" AltaJr& thou#h, 0e 9ound hi:sel9 unclenchin# his 9ists& lettin# out a lon#& slo1
!reath& controllin# and harnessin# his an#er, 0e !o1ed his head sli#htl"& e"es hidden
!" his co1l& and stole throu#h the cro1d a9ter Ta:ir& 1ho 1as 1al%in# throu#h the
:ar%et& his t1o !od"#uards not 9ar !ehind, Co:in# closer to hi:& AltaJr o7erheard hi:
tal%in# to the traders& each o9 1ho: stared at hi: 1ith 1ide& terri9ied e"es& a#reein#
9iercel" 1ith e7er"thin# the" 1ere told,
KI cant sell this& sna$$ed Ta:ir, K8elt it do1n and tr" a#ain, And i9 it co:es out Dust
as $oorl" itll !e "ou 1ho #ets :elted do1n neCt,
Wide e"es, Nod& nod& nod,
KI dont understand 1hat "ou do all da", 2our stall is 9illed 1ith #oods, 2our $urse
should !e 9illed 1ith coin, Wh" cant "ou sell these thin#sI It isnt di99icult, Perha$s& "ou
are not tr"in# hard enou#h, Do "ou reFuire :oti7ationI
The trader 1as noddin# !e9ore he realiHed 1hat 1as !ein# as%ed and s1i9tl"
a:ended it to an eFuall" e:$hatic sha%e, Ta:ir :o7ed on, The cro1ds s1irled around
hi:, 0is !od"#uards O No1& 1as this an o$$ortunit"I With the entire :ar%et terri9ied
o9 Ta:ir& his :en had relaCed their #uard, The" had re:ained !ehind at another stall&
1here the" 1ere de:andin# #oods to #i7e as #i9ts to their 1i7es, Ta:ir had 9resh
7icti:s to terroriHe,
And no1 AltaJr sli$$ed !et1een hi: and the t1o !od"#uards, 0e tensed& 9elt the
resistance 9ro: his !lade :echanis: on his little 9in#er, Ta:ir had his !ac% to hi:&
insultin# "et another stallholder,
K2ou !e##ed :e 9or this $osition, S1ore none could do as 1ell as "ou, I should ;
AltaJr ste$$ed 9or1ard& and ; snic% ; his !lade s$ran# out as he s1e$t one ar:
round Ta:ir and used the other to dri7e the 1ea$on dee$,
Ta:ir :ade a stran#ulated sound !ut did not screa:& and 9or a second he 1rithed&
!e9ore #oin# li:$, O7er his shoulder& AltaJr :et the 1ide e"es o9 the terri9ied stallholder
and sa1 the :an 1restlin# 1ith 1hat to do? raise the alar: or O The trader turned his
!ac% and :o7ed a1a",
AltaJr lo1ered Ta:ir to the #round !et1een t1o stalls& out o9 si#ht o9 the
!od"#uards& 1ho re:ained o!li7ious,
Ta:irs e"es 9luttered,
KBe at $eace& said AltaJr& #entl",
K2oull $a" 9or this& Assassin& ras$ed Ta:ir, A 9ine line o9 !lood ran 9ro: his nose,
K2ou and all "our %ind,
KIt see:s "oure the one 1ho $a"s no1& :" 9riend, 2oull not $ro9it 9ro: su99erin# an"
lon#er,
Ta:ir #a7e a harsh& shallo1 lau#h, K2ou thin% :e so:e $ett" deathEdealer& suc%lin#
at the !reast o9 1arI A stran#e tar#et& $erha$sI Wh" :e& 1hen so :an" others do the
sa:eI
K2ou !elie7e "oursel9 di99erent& thenI as%ed AltaJr,
KOh& !ut I a:& 9or I ser7e a 9ar no!ler cause than :ere $ro9it, >ust li%e :" !rothers
O
KBrothersI
A#ain Ta:ir chuc%led 1ea%l", KAh O he thin%s I act alone, I a: !ut a $iece, A :an
1ith a $art to $la", 2oull co:e to %no1 the others soon enou#h, The" 1ont ta%e %indl"
to 1hat "ou7e done,
KGood, I loo% 9or1ard to endin# their li7es as 1ell,
KSuch $ride, It 1ill destro" "ou& child& said Ta:ir, And he $assed,
KPeo$le ha7e to die 9or thin#s to chan#e& intoned AltaJr& closin# the :ans e"es,
0e too% Al 8uali:s 9eather 9ro: 1ithin his ro!es and stained it 1ith the !lood o9
Ta:ir& cast a last loo% at the !od"#uards& then :o7ed o99& disa$$earin# into the cro1ds,
0e 1as alread" a #host 1hen he heard the cr" #o u$ !ehind hi:,
33
Ta:ir& the 9irst o9 the nine? Al 8uali: had !een Fuietl" satis9ied& loo%in# 9ro: the !loodE
stained 9eather on his des% to AltaJr and $raisin# hi:& !e9ore #i7in# hi: his neCt
underta%in#,
Altair had !o1ed his head in assent and le9t the 8aster, And the neCt da" he had
#athered his su$$lies and set o99 once :ore& this ti:e 9or Acre ; a cit" held as ti#htl" !"
the Crusaders as Da:ascus 1as !" Salah Aldins :en, A cit" 1ounded !" 1ar,
Acre had !een hardE1on, The Christians had reta%en it a9ter a $rolon#ed and !lood"
sie#e lastin# al:ost t1o "ears, AltaJr had $la"ed his $art& hel$in# to sto$ the cit"s
1ater su$$l" !ein# $oisoned !" the Te:$lars,
0e had !een una!le to do an"thin# a!out the $oisonin# that did occur& thou#h?
cor$ses in the 1ater had s$read disease to 8usli: and Christian ali%e ; !oth inside
and outside the cit" 1alls, Su$$lies had run dr"& and thousands had si:$l" star7ed to
death, Then :ore Crusaders had arri7ed to construct :ore :achines& and their attac%s
had $unched holes in the cit" 1alls, The Saracens had 9ou#ht !ac% 9or lon# enou#h to
re$air the !reaches& until Richard the Lionhearts ar:" si:$l" 1ore the 8usli:s do1n
and the" o99ered surrender, The Crusaders had :o7ed in to clai: the cit" and ta%e its
#arrison hosta#e,
Ne#otiations !et1een Salah Aldin and Richard 9or the release o9 the hosta#es had
co::enced& the 9iner $oints o9 1hich had !een :uddied !" a disa#ree:ent !et1een
Richard and the @rench:an Conrad de 8ont9errat& 1ho 1as un1illin# to hand o7er
hosta#es ta%en !" @rench 9orces,
Conrad had returned to T"reG Richard 1as on his 1a" to >a99a 1here his troo$s
1ould :eet those o9 Salah Aldin, And le9t in char#e 1as Conrads !rother& Willia:,
Willia: de 8ont9errat had ordered the 8usli: hosta#es $ut to death, Al:ost three
thousand 1ere !eheaded,
And so it 1as that AltaJr 9ound hi:sel9 conductin# his in7esti#ations in a cit" scarred
!" its recent histor"? o9 sie#e& disease& star7ation& cruelt" and !loodshed, A cit" 1hose
residents %ne1 su99erin# all too 1ell& 1hose e"es hid sorro1 and 1hose shoulders 1ere
stoo$ed 1ith sadness, In the $oor areas he encountered the 1orst o9 the su99erin#,
Bodies 1ra$$ed in :uslin lined the streets& 1hile drun%enness and 7iolence 1as ri9e in
the $orts, The onl" area o9 the cit" not to ree% o9 des$air and death 1as the Chain
District& 1here the Crusaders 1ere !ased ; 1here Richard had his citadel and Willia:
his Fuarters, @ro: there the Crusaders had $ronounced Acre the ca$ital o9 the
in#do: o9 >erusale:& and had used it to stoc%$ile su$$lies !e9ore Richard had set o99
on the :arch to >a99a& lea7in# Willia: in char#e, So 9ar his rei#n had si:$l"
eCacer!ated the cit"s $ro!le:s& 1hich 1ere all too e7ident ; and $ressed in on AltaJr
as he :ade his 1a" throu#h the streets, 0e 1as #rate9ul to co:$lete his in7esti#ations
and :a%e his 1a" to the Assassins Bureau, There the leader& >a!al& sat cooin# #entl"
to a $i#eon he held, 0e loo%ed u$ as AltaJr entered the roo:,
KAh& AltaJr& he said $leasantl", KA little !ird told :e "oud !e $a"in# a 7isit O
0e s:iled at his o1n Do%e& then o$ened his hands to set the $i#eon 9ree, Instead it
:erel" ali#hted on the counter 1here it $u99ed out its chest 9eathers and !e#an 1al%in#
to and 9ro as thou#h :ountin# an a7ian #uard, >a!al 1atched it 1ith a:used e"es& then
adDusted hi:sel9 on his seat to re#ard his 7isitor,
KAnd 1ho is the $oor un9ortunate that Al 8uali: has chosen to taste "our !lade&
AltaJrI he as%ed,
KAl 8uali: has ordered the eCecution o9 Garnier de Na$louse,
>a!al started, KThe Grand 8aster o9 the ni#hts 0os$italierI
Slo1l" AltaJr nodded, KIndeed, And I ha7e alread" deter:ined 1hen and ho1 to
stri%e,
KShare "our %no1led#e 1ith :e& then, >a!al loo%ed i:$ressed& and 1ith #ood
reason,
AltaJr !e#an? K0e li7es and 1or%s 1ithin his Orders hos$ital& northE1est o9 here,
Ru:ours s$ea% o9 atrocities co::itted 1ithin its 1alls,
As AltaJr told hi: 1hat he %ne1& >a!al nodded thou#ht9ull"& considerin# his 1ords
and as%in# at len#th& KWhat is "our $lanI
KGarnier %ee$s :ainl" to his Fuarters inside the hos$ital& thou#h he lea7es
occasionall" to ins$ect his $atients, Its 1hen he :a%es his rounds that I 1ill stri%e,
KIts clear "ou7e #i7en this so:e thou#ht, I #i7e "ou lea7e to #o, And 1ith that he
handed AltaJr Al 8uali:s :ar%er, KRe:o7e this stain 9ro: Acre& AltaJr, Perha$s it 1ill
hel$ cleanse "our o1n,
AltaJr too% the :ar%er& 9iCed >a!al 1ith a !ale9ul loo% ; 1as e7er" Assassin to !e
:ade a1are o9 his sha:eI ; then le9t& :a%in# his 1a" across the cit"s roo9to$s until
he had si#ht o9 the hos$ital, There he sto$$ed& catchin# his !reath and #atherin# his
thou#hts as he loo%ed do1n u$on it,
AltaJr had #i7en >a!al a truncated 7ersion o9 his 9indin#sG he had hidden his true
9eelin#s o9 dis#ust 9ro: the Bureau leader, 0ed learned that de Na$louse 1as Grand
8aster o9 the Order o9 the ni#hts 0os$italier, Ori#inall" 9ounded in >erusale: ; their
ai: to $ro7ide care 9or ailin# $il#ri:s ; the ni#hts had a !ase in one o9 Acres :ost
de$ri7ed areas,
And there& accordin# to 1hat AltaJr had learned& de Na$louse 1as doin# an"thin#
!ut $ro7idin# care,
In the 0os$italier district he had o7erheard t1o :e:!ers o9 the Order tal%in# a!out
ho1 the Grand 8aster 1as turnin# ordinar" citiHens a1a" 9ro: the hos$ital& and the
$eo$le 1ere close to 7iolence !ecause o9 it, One had said that he 9eared a re$eat o9 a
scandal that had ta%en $lace at T"re,
KWhat scandalI his 9riend had as%ed,
The :an had leaned in close to his co:$anion to 9inish and AltaJr had !een 9orced
to listen hard, KGarnier once called that cit" ho:e& the :an had said& K!ut he 1as
eCiled, Its said he 1as eC$eri:entin# on its citiHens,
0is co:$anion had loo%ed a little sic%, KWhat sort o9 eC$eri:entsI
KI dont %no1 the details& !ut I 1orr" O 0as he !e#un a#ainI Is that 1h" he loc%s
hi:sel9 a1a" in the 0os$italier 9ortressI
Later& AltaJr had read a scroll that he had $ic%$oc%eted 9ro: an associate o9 de
Na$louse, The 0os$italier had no intention o9 healin# his $atients& he read, Su$$lied
1ith su!Dects 9ro: >erusale:& he 1as conductin# tests ; tests 9or so:e un%no1n
:aster ; ai:ed at inducin# certain states in his su!Dects, And Ta:ir ; the recentl"
deceased Ta:ir ; had !een char#ed 1ith 9indin# ar:s 9or the o$eration,
One $articular $hrase in the letter cau#ht his e"e? We should endea7our to reclai:
1hat has !een ta%en 9ro: us, What did that :eanI PuHHlin# o7er it& he continued his
enFuiries, The Grand 8aster allo1ed K:ad:en to 1ander the #rounds o9 the hos$ital&
he heard& and he disco7ered the ti:es at 1hich the archers co7erin# the 1al%1a"s
a!o7e the hos$ital le9t their $ostsG he learned that de Na$louse li%ed to :a%e his
rounds 1ithout a !od"#uard and that onl" :on%s 1ere allo1ed $assa#e,
Then& ha7in# all the in9or:ation he needed& AltaJr had 7isited >a!al to collect Al
8uali:s :ar%er,
3)
No1 he :o7ed around the outside o9 a !uildin# adDacent to the 0os$italiers 9ortress, As
he had eC$ected& there 1as a #uard& an archer& and AltaJr 1atched as he $aced the
1al%1a"& e7er" no1 and then castin# his #aHe into the court"ard !elo1& !ut :ainl"
#aHin# across the roo9line, AltaJr loo%ed at the sun, It should !e a!out no1& he thou#ht&
s:ilin# to hi:sel9 as& sure enou#h& the archer :o7ed to a ladder and let hi:sel9 do1n,
AltaJr sta"ed lo1, 0e lea$ed 9ro: the roo9 to the 1al%1a" and Fuietl" scuttled alon#
until he 1as a!le to $eer o7er the ed#e and into the court"ard !elo1, SheerE1alled in
dull& #re"& 9or!iddin# stone& a 1ell stood in its centre& !ut it 1as other1ise !are& Fuite
unli%e the ornatel" decorated !uildin#s usuall" to !e 9ound in Acre, There& se7eral
#uards 1ere 1earin# the Fuilted !lac% coats o9 the 0os$italier %ni#hts& the 1hite cross
on the chest& and there 1as also a #rou$ o9 :on%s, 8o7in# a:on# the: 1ere 1hat
loo%ed li%e $atients& !are9oot and shirtless, Poor 1retches 1ho :illed ai:lessl" a!out&
their eC$ressions !lan%& their e"es #laHed,
AltaJr 9ro1ned, E7en 1ith the 1al%1a" un#uarded it 1as i:$ossi!le to dro$ into the
court"ard unseen, 0e :o7ed to the entrance 1all o9 the hos$ital& so that he 1as a!le to
loo% into the street outside, On stone $ainted 1hite !" the sun& ailin# cit"9ol% and their
9a:ilies !e##ed the #uards to !e allo1ed inside, Others 1hose :inds had #one
1andered a:on# the thron#& castin# their ar:s into the air& shoutin# #i!!erish and
o!scenities,
And there ; Altair s:iled to see the: ; 1as a #rou$ o9 scholars, The" 1ere :o7in#
throu#h the cro1d as i9 it 1asnt there& heedless o9 the su99erin# and tu:ult around
the:, The" see:ed to !e #oin# in the direction o9 the hos$ital, Ta%in# ad7anta#e o9 the
disorder& AltaJr lo1ered hi:sel9 into the street unnoticed& Doined the ran%s o9 the
scholars and lo1ered his head to concentrate his #aHe on his shu99lin# 9eet, E7er" no1
and then he ris%ed a surre$titious #lance to chec% their !earin#s and& as hed ho$ed&
the" 1ere headin# to1ards the hos$ital 1here the #uards stood aside& ad:ittin# the: to
the court"ard,
AltaJr 1rin%led his nose, Where the street had held the scent o9 the cit"& o9 !a%in#
and $er9u:es and s$ices& in here 1as the stench o9 su99erin#& o9 death and hu:an
1aste, @ro: so:e1here ; throu#h a set o9 closed doors ; there ca:e a series o9
$ained cries& then lo1 :oanin#, That 1ould !e the :ain hos$ital& he thou#ht, 0e 1as
$ro7ed correct 1hen& suddenl"& the doors 1ere 9lun# o$en and a $atient careered
:adl" into the court"ard,
KNoP 0el$P 0el$ :eP he screa:ed, 0is 9ace 1as contorted 1ith 9ear& his e"es 1ide,
K0el$ :e& $leaseP 2ou :ust hel$ :eP
A9ter hi: ca:e a #uard, 0e had a laH" e"e& as thou#h the :uscles in his e"elid had
once !een cut, 0e ran a9ter the esca$in# craH" :an& catchin# hi:, Then& Doined !"
another #uard& he !e#an $unchin# and %ic%in# hi: until the craH" :an 1as su!dued
and on his %nees,
AltaJr 1atched, 0e 9elt his Da1 ti#hten and his 9ists clench as the #uards !eat the
:an& other $atients :o7in# 9or1ard to #et an i:$ro7ed 7ie1 o9 the s$ectacle& 1atchin#
1ith 9aces that re#istered onl" :ild interest& s1a"in# sli#htl",
K8erc"P ho1led the craH" :an& as the !lo1s rained do1n on hi:, KI !e# :erc", No
:oreP
0e sto$$ed, Suddenl" his $ain 1as 9or#otten as the doors to the hos$ital s1un#
o$en and there stood a :an 1ho could onl" !e Garnier de Na$louse,
0e 1as shorter than AltaJr had eC$ected, 0e 1as !eardless and had closeEcro$$ed
1hite hair& sun%en e"es and a cruel& do1nturned :outh& 1hich #a7e hi: a cada7erous
loo%, The 1hite cross o9 the 0os$italier 1as on his ar:s and he 1ore a cruci9iC around
his nec% ; !ut 1hate7er God he 1orshi$$ed had deserted hi:& AltaJr sa1, @or he also
1ore an a$ron, A dirt"& !loodEstained a$ron,
No1 he loo%ed dar%l" at the craH" :an $rostrate !e9ore hi:& held !" LaH" E"e and
the other #uard& LaH" E"e raisin# his 9ist to $unch hi: a#ain,
KEnou#h& :" child& ordered de Na$louse, KI as%ed "ou to retrie7e the $atient& not to
%ill hi:,
LaH" E"e lo1ered his 9ist reluctantl" as de Na$louse ca:e 9or1ard& closer to the
craH" :an& 1ho :oaned and $ulled a1a"& li%e a s%ittish ani:al,
De Na$louse s:iled& the hardness #one, KThere& there& he said to the craH" :an&
al:ost tenderl", KE7er"thin# 1ill !e all ri#ht, Gi7e :e "our hand,
The craH" :an shoo% his head, KNo ; noP Dont touch :e, Not a#ain O
De Na$louse 9urro1ed his !ro1& as thou#h sli#htl" hurt !" the :ans reaction to hi:,
KCast out this 9ear& else I cannot hel$ "ou& he said e7enl",
K0el$ :eI Li%e "ou hel$ed the othersI 2ou too% their souls, But not :ine, No, 2oull
not ha7e :ine, Ne7er& ne7er& ne7er O Not :ine not :ine not :ine not :ine O
The so9tness 1as #one as de Na$louse sla$$ed the craH" :an, KTa%e hold o9
"oursel9& he snarled, 0is sun%en e"es 9lared and the others head droo$ed, KDo "ou
thin% this #i7es :e $leasureI Do "ou thin% I 1ant to hurt "ouI But "ou lea7e :e no
choice O
Suddenl" the craH" :an had $ulled a1a" 9ro: the t1o #uards and tried to run into
the 1atchin# cro1d, KE7er" %ind 1ord :atched !" the !ac% o9 his hand O he
screeched& $assin# close to AltaJr as the t1o #uards rushed a9ter hi:, KAll lies and
dece$tion, 0e 1ont !e content until all !o1 !e9ore hi:,
LaH" E"e cau#ht hi:& dra##ed hi: !ac% !e9ore de Na$louse& 1here he 1hi:$ered
under the Grand 8asters cold #aHe,
K2ou should not ha7e done that& said de Na$louse& slo1l"& then to LaH" E"e& KReturn
hi: to his Fuarters, Ill !e alon# once I7e attended to the others,
K2ou cant %ee$ :e hereP shouted the craH" :an, KIll esca$e a#ain,
De Na$louse sto$$ed, KNo& "ou 1ont& he said e7enl"& then turned to LaH" E"e,
KBrea% his le#s, Both o9 the:,
LaH" E"e #rinned as the craH" :an tried to $ull a1a", Then there 1ere t1o
sic%enin# crac%s& li%e %indlin# !ein# sna$$ed& as the hu#e %ni#ht sta:$ed 9irst on one
le#& then the other, The 7icti: screa:ed& and AltaJr 9ound hi:sel9 :o7in# 9or1ard&
una!le to contain hi:sel9& seethin# at the 1anton cruelt",
Then the :o:ent had #one? the :an had lost consciousness ; the $ain& no dou!t&
too :uch to !ear ; and the t1o #uards 1ere dra##in# hi: a1a", De Na$louse 1atched
hi:, The s":$athetic loo% had returned to his 9ace,
KI a: so sorr"& child& he said& al:ost to hi:sel9& !e9ore turnin# on the cro1d, K0a7e
"ou $eo$le nothin# !etter to doI he !ar%ed& and stared dar%l" at the :on%s and
$atients& 1ho slo1l" dri9ted a1a", As AltaJr turned his !ac% to Doin the: he sa1 de
Na$louse scannin# the thron# care9ull"& as thou#h loo%in# 9or one 1ho :i#ht ha7e !een
sent to %ill hi:,
Good& thou#ht AltaJr& hearin# the door to the hos$ital close as the Grand 8aster le9t
the court"ard, Let hi: !e a9raid, Let hi: 9eel a little o9 1hat he in9licts on others, The
i:a#e 1ar:ed hi: as he Doined the scholars& 1ho 1ere :o7in# throu#h a second door,
This one led into the :ain 1ard& 1here stra1 :attin# did little to hide the ree% o9
su99erin# and hu:an 1aste, AltaJr 9ound hi:sel9 tr"in# not to #a#& noticin# se7eral o9
the scholars :o7e the 9a!ric o9 their ro!es to their noses to !loc% it out, @ro: in here
ca:e the :oanin# and AltaJr sa1 hos$ital !eds that contained :en 1ho #roaned and
occasionall" cried out 1ith $ain, ee$in# his head !ent& he $eered out 9ro: !eneath
his co1l& seein# de Na$louse a$$roach a !ed in 1hich an e:aciated :an la"
restrained !" leather !indin#s,
KAnd ho1 are "ou 9eelin#I de Na$louse as%ed hi:,
In $ain& the $atient 1heeHed& KWhat ha7e "ou done O to :eI
KAh& "es, The $ain, It hurts at 9irst& I 1ont lie, A s:all $rice to $a", In ti:e "oull
a#ree,
The :an tried to li9t his head 9ro: the !ed, K2oure O a :onster O
De Na$louse s:iled indul#entl", KI7e !een called 1orse, 0e :o7ed $ast a 1ooden
ca#e that enclosed another !ed& $eerin# in at the O no& not a $atient& AltaJr realiHed,
These $oor 1retches 1ere su!Dects, The" 1ere eC$eri:ents, A#ain he 9ou#ht to control
his an#er, 0e #lanced around, 8ost o9 the #uards had con#re#ated at the other end o9
the 1ard, >ust as in the court"ard& se7eral disoriented $atients 1ere stu:!lin# a!out&
and he sa1 the sa:e cluster o9 :on%s& 1ho see:ed to han# on de Na$louses e7er"
utterance 1hile re:ainin# at a res$ect9ul distance& tal%in# a:on# the:sel7es as the
Grand 8aster :ade his rounds,
I9 he 1as #oin# to do it ; and he 1as #oin# to do it ; then it had to !e soon,
But then de Na$louse :o7ed o7er to another !ed& s:ilin# at the :an 1ho la" there,
KThe" sa" "ou can 1al% no1& he said %indl", KI:$ressi7e,
The :an loo%ed con9used, KBeen O so lon#, Al:ost 9or#ot O ho1,
De Na$louse loo%ed $leased ; #enuinel" $leased, Bea:in#& he said& KThats
1onder9ul,
KI dont O understand, Wh" did "ou hel$ :eI
KBecause no one else 1ould& ans1ered de Na$louse& :o7in# on,
KI o1e "ou :" li9e& said the :an in the neCt !ed, KI a: "ours to co::and, Than%
"ou, Than% "ou 9or 9reein# :e,
KThan% "ou 9or lettin# :e& re$lied de Na$louse,
AltaJr 9altered a :o:ent, Was he 1ron#I Was de Na$louse not a :onsterI Then
Dust as Fuic%l" he cast his dou!ts a1a"& thin%in# instead o9 the craH" :ans shrie%s o9
a#on" as the" had sna$$ed his le#s& the li9eless $atients roa:in# the hos$ital, I9 there
1ere indeed eCa:$les o9 healin# here& then surel" the" 1ere outnu:!ered !" the acts
o9 !ar!aris:,
No1 de Na$louse had reached the 9inal !ed in the 1ard, In :o:ents he 1ould
lea7e and AltaJrs chance 1ould !e #one, Resol7ed& the Assassin cast a loo% !ehind
hi:? the #uards 1ere still occu$ied at the end o9 the hall, 0e :o7ed out o9 the asse:!l"
o9 scholars& co:in# u$ !ehind de Na$louse as the Grand 8aster !ent to his $atient,
AltaJrs !lade s$ran# 9orth and he ra::ed it ho:e& reachin# 9or de Na$louse and
sti9lin# his cr" as he arched his !ac% in $ain, Al:ost #entl"& the Assassin lo1ered the
s%e1ered doctor to the 9loor, KLet #o "our !urden& he 1his$ered,
De Na$louse !lin%ed and loo%ed u$ at hi: ; into the 9ace o9 his Assassin, But there
1as no 9ear in those d"in# e"es? 1hat AltaJr sa1 1as concern, KAh O Ill rest no1& "esI
he said, KThe endless drea: calls to :e, But !e9ore I close :" e"es& I :ust %no1 ;
1hat 1ill !eco:e o9 :" childrenI
ChildrenI K2ou :ean the $eo$le :ade to su99er "our cruel eC$eri:entsI AltaJr
couldnt %ee$ the dis#ust 9ro: his 7oice, KThe"ll !e 9ree no1 to return to their ho:es,
De Na$louse lau#hed dril", K0o:esI What ho:esI The se1ersI The !rothelsI The
$risons 1e dra##ed the: 9ro:I
K2ou too% these $eo$le a#ainst their 1ill& said AltaJr,
K2es, What little 1ill there 1as 9or the: to ha7e& #as$ed de Na$louse, KAre "ou
reall" so naJ7eI Do "ou a$$ease a cr"in# child si:$l" !ecause he 1ailsI MBut I 1ant to
$la" 1ith 9ire& @ather,N What 1ould "ou sa"I MAs "ou 1ishNI Ah O !ut then "oud
ans1er 9or his !urns,
KThese are not children& said AltaJr& 1antin# to understand the d"in# :an& K!ut :en
and 1o:en 9ull #ro1n,
KIn !od"& $erha$s, But not in :ind, Which is the 7er" da:a#e I sou#ht to re$air, I
ad:it& 1ithout the arte9act ; 1hich "ou stole 9ro: us ; :" $ro#ress 1as slo1ed, But
there are her!s, 8iCtures and eCtracts, 8" #uards are $roo9 o9 this, The" 1ere :ad:en
!e9ore I 9ound and 9reed the: 9ro: the $risons o9 their :inds, And& 1ith :" death&
:ad:en 1ill the" !e a#ain O
K2ou trul" !elie7e "ou 1ere hel$in# the:I
De Na$louse s:iled& the li#ht !e#innin# to lea7e his e"es, KIts not 1hat I !elie7e, Its
1hat I %no1,
0e died, AltaJr lo1ered his head to the stone and reached 9or Al 8uali:s 9eather&
!rushin# it 1ith !lood, KDeath !e not un%ind& he 1his$ered,
In the sa:e :o:ent& a cr" 1ent u$ 9ro: the near!" :on%s, AltaJr strai#htened 9ro:
the !od" and sa1 #uards lu:!erin# do1n the 1ard to1ards hi:, As the" dre1 their
s1ords he lea$ed u$ and ran& headin# to1ards a 9ar door& 1hich& he 9er7entl" ho$ed&
led to the court"ard,
It o$ened and he 1as $leased to see the court"ard !e9ore hi:,
0e 1as less $leased to see LaH" E"e& 1ho !arrelled throu#h the o$en door& his
!roads1ord dra1n O
AltaJr dre1 his o1n s1ord and& 1ith the !lade at one ar:& his s1ord in the other
hand& :et LaH" E"e 1ith a clash o9 steel, @or a second the t1o :en 1ere nose to nose&
and AltaJr could see u$ close the scarred s%in o9 the %ni#hts e"e, Then LaH" E"e
$ushed a1a"& i::ediatel" sta!!in# 9or1ard& :eetin# AltaJrs s1ord !ut readDustin# so
Fuic%l" that AltaJr al:ost :issed the de9ence, The Assassin danced a1a"& 1antin# to
$ut s$ace !et1een hi: and LaH" E"e& 1ho 1as a !etter s1ords:an than he had
antici$ated, 0e 1as !i#& too, The tendons o9 his nec% stood out& de7elo$ed 9ro: "ears
o9 1ieldin# the hu#e !roads1ord, @ro: !ehind hi: Altair heard the other #uards
arri7in#& then sto$$in# at a si#nal 9ro: LaH" E"e,
KI 1ant hi:& #ro1led the #iant %ni#ht,
0e 1as arro#ant& o7erEcon9ident, AltaJr s:iled& sa7ourin# the iron", Then he ca:e
9or1ard& his !lade s1ee$in# u$, Grinnin#& LaH" E"e de9lected the !lo1 and 1as
#runtin# as AltaJr s%i$$ed to his le9t& co:in# at LaH" E"e 9ro: the other side ; the side
o9 his da:a#ed e"e& his 1ea% s$ot ; and slashin# at his nec%,
The %ni#hts throat o$ened and !lood $oured 9ro: the 1ound as he san% to his
%nees, @ro: !ehind AltaJr there 1as a sur$rised cr" so he started runnin#& crashin#
throu#h a collection o9 craH" :en& 1ho had #athered to 1atch& then s$rintin# across the
court"ard& $ast the 1ell and under the arch into Acre,
0e sto$$ed& scannin# the roo9line, NeCt he 1as 7aultin# a stall& the an#r" :erchant
sha%in# his 9ist as he scaled a 1all !ehind hi: and too% to the roo9s, Runnin#& Du:$in#&
he le9t the ni#ht:are hos$ital !ehind hi: and :elted into the cit" still :ullin# o7er de
Na$louses last 1ords, The arte9act he had s$o%en o9, Brie9l" AltaJr thou#ht o9 the !oC
on Al 8uali:s des%& !ut no, What $ossi!le connection 1ould the 0os$italier ha7e 1ith
thatI
But i9 not that& then 1hatI
3-
KGarnier de Na$louse is dead& he had told Al 8uali:& da"s later,
KECcellent, The 8aster had nodded a$$ro7in#l", KWe could not ha7e ho$ed 9or a
:ore a#reea!le outco:e,
KAnd "et O started AltaJr,
KWhat is itI
KThe doctor insisted his 1or% 1as no!le& said AltaJr, KAnd& loo%in# !ac%& o9 those
1ho 1ere su$$osedl" his ca$ti7es& :an" see:ed #rate9ul to hi:, Not all o9 the:& !ut
enou#h to :a%e :e 1onder O 0o1 did he :ana#e to turn ene:" into 9riendI
Al 8uali: had chuc%led, KLeaders 1ill al1a"s 9ind 1a"s to :a%e others o!e" the:,
And that is 1hat :a%es the: leaders, When 1ords 9ail& the" turn to coin, When that
1ont do& the" resort to !aser thin#s? !ri!es& threats and other t"$es o9 tric%er", There
are $lants& AltaJr ; her!s 9ro: distant lands ; that can cause a :an to ta%e lea7e o9 his
senses, So #reat are the $leasures the" !rin# that :en :a" e7en !eco:e ensla7ed !"
the:,
AltaJr nodded& thin%in# o9 the #laHed $atients, The craH" :an, K2ou thin% these :en
1ere dru##ed& thenI PoisonedI
K2es& i9 it trul" 1as as "ou descri!e it& Al 8uali: said, KOur ene:ies ha7e accused
:e o9 the sa:e,
Then he had #i7en AltaJr his neCt tas%& and AltaJr had 1ondered 1h" the 8aster
s:iled 1hen he told hi: to co:$lete his enFuiries then re$ort to the Assassins Bureau
ra9iF in >erusale:,
No1& 1al%in# into the Bureau& he %ne1 1h", It 1as !ecause it a:used hi: to thin%
o9 AltaJr once :ore crossin# $aths 1ith 8ali%,
The Assassin stood u$ 9ro: !ehind the des% as AltaJr entered, @or a :o:ent the
t1o re#arded each other& neither hidin# his disdain, Then& slo1l"& 8ali% turned&
sho1in# AltaJr 1here his ar: had once !een,
AltaJr !lanched, O9 course, Da:a#ed in the 9i#ht 1ith de Sa!les :en& the !est
sur#eons in 8as"a9 had !een una!le to sa7e 8ali%s le9t ar: ; and so had !een 9orced
to a:$utate,
8ali% s:iled the !itters1eet s:ile o9 7ictor" that had co:e at too hi#h a $rice& and
AltaJr re:e:!ered hi:sel9, 0e re:e:!ered that he had no !usiness treatin# 8ali% 1ith
an"thin# !ut hu:ilit" and res$ect, 0e !o1ed his head to ac%no1led#e the other :ans
losses, 0is !rother, 0is ar:, 0is status,
KSa9et" and $eace& 8ali%& he said at last,
K2our $resence here de$ri7es :e o9 !oth& s$at 8ali%, 0e& ho1e7er& had $lent" o9
!usiness treatin# AltaJr 1ith disdain ; and e7identl" intended to do so, KWhat do "ou
1antI
KAl 8uali: has as%ed ;
KThat "ou $er9or: so:e tas% in an e99ort to redee: "oursel9I sneered 8ali%, KSo,
Out 1ith it, What ha7e "ou learnedI
KThis is 1hat I %no1& ans1ered AltaJr, KThe tar#et is Talal& 1ho tra99ics in hu:an
li7es& %idna$$in# >erusale:s citiHens and sellin# the: into sla7er", 0is !ase is a
1arehouse located inside the !ar!ican north o9 here, As 1e s$ea%& he $re$ares a
cara7an 9or tra7el, Ill stri%e 1hile hes ins$ectin# his stoc%, I9 I can a7oid his :en& Talal
hi:sel9 should $ro7e little challen#e,
8ali% curled his li$, K MLittle challen#eNI Listen to "ou, Such arro#ance,
Silentl" AltaJr re!u%ed hi:sel9, 8ali% 1as ri#ht, 0e thou#ht o9 the orator in
Da:ascus 1ho: he had :isDud#ed and 1ho had al:ost !ested hi:,
KAre 1e 9inishedI he as%ed& sho1in# none o9 his thou#hts to 8ali%, KAre "ou
satis9ied 1ith 1hat I7e learnedI
KNo& said 8ali%& handin# AltaJr the 9eather& K!ut it 1ill ha7e to do,
AltaJr nodded, 0e loo%ed at 1here 8ali%s slee7e hun# loose and 1as a!out to sa"
so:ethin# !e9ore he realiHed that no 1ords 1ould atone 9or his 9ailures, 0e had cost
8ali% too :uch e7er to ho$e 9or 9or#i7eness 9ro: hi:,
Instead& he turned and le9t the Bureau, Another tar#et 1as to 9eel the %iss o9 his
!lade,
35
Shortl" a9ter1ards AltaJr 1as stealin# into the 1arehouse 1here the shi$:ent 1as !ein#
$re$ared& loo%in# around and not li%in# 1hat he 9ound,
There 1ere no #uards, No acol"tes,
0e too% t1o ste$s 9or1ard& then sto$$ed, No, What 1as he thin%in#I E7er"thin#
a!out the 1arehouse 1as 1ron#, 0e 1as a!out to s$in and lea7e 1hen suddenl" the
door 1as shut and there 1as the un:ista%a!le sound o9 a !olt sla::in# ho:e,
0e cursed and dre1 his s1ord,
0e cre$t 9or1ard& his senses #raduall" adDustin# to the #loo:& the da:$& the s:ell
o9 the torches and O
So:ethin# else, A li7estoc% s:ell that AltaJr thou#ht 1as :ore hu:an than ani:al,
8ea#re 9la:es 9ro: the torches thre1 li#ht on 1alls that ran dar% and slic%& and
9ro: so:e1here ca:e a dri$Edri$ o9 1ater, The neCt sound he heard 1as a lo1 :oan,
E"es slo1l" adDustin#& he ed#ed 9or1ard& seein# crates and !arrels and then O a
ca#e, 0e :o7ed closer ; and al:ost recoiled at 1hat he sa1, A :an 1as inside it, A
$athetic& shi7erin# :an& 1ho sat 1ith his le#s $ulled to his chest and re#arded AltaJr
1ith $lainti7e& 1ater" e"es, 0e raised one tre:!lin# hand, K0el$ :e& he said,
Then& 9ro: !ehind& AltaJr heard another sound and 1heeled to see a second :an,
0e 1as sus$ended 9ro: the 1all& his 1rists and an%les shac%led, 0is head lolled on his
chest and dirt" hair hun# o7er his 9ace& !ut his li$s a$$eared to !e :o7in# as thou#h in
$ra"er,
AltaJr :o7ed to1ards hi:, Then& hearin# another 7oice 9ro: his 9eet& he loo%ed
do1n to see an iron #rille set into the 9la#stones o9 the 1arehouse 9loor, Peerin# 9ro: it
1as the 9ri#htened 9ace o9 "et another sla7e& his !on" 9in#ers reachin# throu#h the
!ars& a$$ealin# to AltaJr, Be"ond hi: in the $it the Assassin sa1 :ore dar% 9or:s&
heard slitherin# and :ore 7oices, @or a :o:ent it 1as as thou#h the roo: 1as 9illed
1ith the $leadin# o9 those i:$risoned,
K0el$ :e& hel$ :e,
An insistent& !eseechin# sound that :ade hi: 1ant to co7er his ears, Until&
suddenl"& he heard a louder 7oice? K2ou should not ha7e co:e here& Assassin,
Talal& surel",
AltaJr s1un# in the direction o9 the noise& seein# the shado1s shi9t in a !alcon"
a!o7e hi:, Bo1:enI 0e tensed& crouchin#& his s1ord read"& o99erin# the s:allest
tar#et $ossi!le,
But i9 Talal 1anted hi: dead& hed !e dead !" no1, 0ed 1al%ed strai#ht into the
sla7e traders tra$ ; the :ista%e o9 a 9ool& o9 a no7ice ; !ut it had not "et !een 9ull"
s$run#,
KBut "ou are not the %ind to listen& :oc%ed Talal& Klest "ou co:$ro:ise "our
Brotherhood,
Altair cre$t 9or1ard& still tr"in# to $lace Talal, 0e 1as a!o7e& that :uch 1as certain,
But 1hereI
KDid "ou thin% Id re:ain i#norant o9 "our $resenceI continued the dise:!odied
7oice& 1ith a chuc%le, K2ou 1ere %no1n to :e the :o:ent "ou entered this cit"& such is
:" reach,
@ro: !elo1 he heard so!!in# and #lanced do1n to see :ore !ars& :ore dirt"& tearE
strea%ed 9aces starin# at hi: 9ro: the #loo:,
K0el$ :e O Sa7e :e O
0ere there 1ere :ore ca#es& :ore sla7es& :en and 1o:en no1? !e##ars&
$rostitutes& drun%ards and :ad:en,
K0el$ :e, 0el$ :e,
KSo there are sla7es here& called AltaJr& K!ut 1here are the sla7ersI
Talal i#nored hi:, KBehold :" 1or% in all its #lor"& he announced& and :ore li#hts
9lared on& re7ealin# :ore 9ri#htened and !eseechin# 9aces,
Ahead o9 AltaJr a second #ate slid o$en& ad:ittin# hi: to another roo:, 0e cli:!ed
a 9li#ht o9 ste$s and 1al%ed into a lar#e s$ace 1ith a #aller" runnin# alon# all sides
a!o7e hi:, There he sa1 shado1" 9i#ures and adDusted the #ri$ on his s1ord,
KWhat no1& sla7erI he called,
Talal 1as tr"in# to 9ri#hten hi:, So:e thin#s 9ri#htened AltaJr& it 1as true ; !ut
nothin# the sla7e :aster 1as ca$a!le o9& that :uch he %ne1,
KDo not call :e that& cried Talal, KI onl" 1ish to hel$ the:, As I :"sel9 1as hel$ed,
Altair could still hear the lo1 :oans o9 the sla7es 9ro: the cha:!er !ehind, 0e
dou!ted 1hether the"d consider it hel$, K2ou do no %indness i:$risonin# the: li%e
this& he called into the dar%ness,
Still Talal re:ained hidden, KI:$risonin# the:I I %ee$ the: sa9e& $re$arin# the: 9or
the Dourne" that lies ahead,
KWhat Dourne"I sco99ed AltaJr, KIt is a li9e o9 ser7itude,
K2ou %no1 nothin#, It 1as 9oll" to !rin# "ou here, To thin% that "ou :i#ht see and
understand,
KI understand 1ell enou#h, 2ou lac% the coura#e to 9ace :e& choosin# to hide
a:on# the shado1s, Enou#h tal%, Sho1 "oursel9,
KAh O So "ou 1ant to see the :an 1ho called "ou hereI
AltaJr heard :o7e:ent in the #aller",
K2ou did not call :e here& he shouted, KI ca:e on :" o1n,
Lau#hter echoed 9ro: the !alconies a!o7e hi:,
KDid "ouI sco99ed Talal, KWho un!arred the doorI Cleared the $athI Did "ou raise
"our !lade a#ainst a sin#le :an o9 :ine& h::I No, All this I did 9or "ou,
So:ethin# :o7ed on the ceilin# a!o7e the #aller"& thro1in# a $atch o9 li#ht on to
the stone 9loor,
KSte$ into the li#ht& then& called Talal 9ro: a!o7e& Kand I 1ill #rant "ou one 9inal
9a7our,
A#ain& AltaJr told hi:sel9 that i9 Talal 1anted hi: dead his archers 1ould ha7e 9illed
hi: 1ith arro1s !" no1& and he ste$$ed into the li#ht, As he did so& :as%ed :en
a$$eared 9ro: the shado1s o9 the #aller"& Du:$in# do1n and noiselessl" surroundin#
hi:, The" re#arded hi: 1ith dis$assionate e"es& their s1ords han#in# !" their sides&
their chests risin# and 9allin#,
AltaJr s1allo1ed, There 1ere siC o9 the:, KLittle challen#e the" 1ere not,
Then there ca:e 9ootste$s 9ro: a!o7e and he loo%ed to the #aller" 1here Talal had
:o7ed out o9 the hal9Eli#ht and no1 stood #aHin# do1n at hi:, 0e 1ore a stri$ed tunic
and a thic% !elt, O7er his shoulder 1as a !o1,
KNo1 I stand !e9ore "ou& he said& s$readin# his hands& s:ilin# as thou#h 1ar:l"
1elco:in# a #uest to his household, KWhat is it "ou desireI
KCo:e do1n here, Altair indicated 1ith his s1ord, KLet us settle this 1ith honour,
KWh" :ust it al1a"s co:e to 7iolenceI re$lied Talal& soundin# al:ost disa$$ointed
in AltaJr& !e9ore addin#& KIt see:s I cannot hel$ "ou& Assassin& 9or "ou do not 1ish to
hel$ "oursel9, And I cannot allo1 :" 1or% to !e threatened, 2ou lea7e :e no choice?
"ou :ust die,
0e 1a7ed to his :en,
Who li9ted their s1ords,
Then attac%ed,
AltaJr #runted and 9ound hi:sel9 9endin# o99 t1o at once& $ushin# the: !ac%& then
strai#ht a1a" turnin# his attention to a third, The others 1aited their turn? their strate#"&
he Fuic%l" realiHed& 1as to co:e at hi: t1o at a ti:e,
0e could handle that, 0e #ra!!ed one& $leased to see his e"es 1iden in shoc%
a!o7e his :as%& then thre1 hi: !ac%1ards into a 9i9th :an& the $air o9 the: s:ashin#
into a sca99old that disinte#rated around the:, AltaJr $ressed ho:e his ad7anta#e and&
sta!!in# 1ith his s1ord$oint& heard a screa: and a death rattle 9ro: the :an s$ra1led
on the stone,
0is assailants reasse:!led& #lancin# at one another as the" slo1l" circled hi:, 0e
turned 1ith the:& s1ord held out& s:ilin#& al:ost enDo"in# hi:sel9 no1, @i7e o9 the:&
trained& :as%ed %illers& a#ainst a lone Assassin, The" had thou#ht hi: eas" $re", 0e
could see it in their 9aces, One s%ir:ish later and the" 1erent Fuite so certain,
0e chose one, An old tric% tau#ht to hi: !" Al 8uali: 9or 1hen 9acin# :ulti$le
o$$onents,
AltaJr 7er" deli!eratel" 9iCed his #aHe on a #uard directl" in 9ront o9 hi: O
Dont i#nore the others !ut ho:e in on one, 8a%e hi: "our tar#et, Let hi: %no1
hes "our tar#et,
0e s:iled, The #uard 1hi:$ered,
Then 9inish hi:,
Li%e a sna%e& AltaJr struc%& co:in# at the #uard& 1ho 1as too slo1 to react ; 1ho
stared do1n at AltaJrs !lade as it thrust into his chest& then #roaned as he san% to his
%nees, With a tearin# o9 :eat& AltaJr 1ithdre1 his s1ord& then turned his attention to the
neCt :an,
Choose one o9 "our o$$onentsO
The #uard loo%ed terri9ied& not li%e a %iller no1& as his s1ord !e#an tre:!lin#, 0e
shouted so:ethin# in a dialect AltaJr didnt understand& then ca:e 9or1ard :essil"&
ho$in# to !rin# the !attle to AltaJr& 1ho sideste$$ed& slashin# at the :ans sto:ach&
#rati9ied to see #listenin# insides s$ill 9ro: the 1ound, @ro: a!o7e Talals 7oice caDoled
his :en to attac% e7en as another 9ell and the t1o re:ainin# attac%ed at once, The"
didnt loo% so inti:idatin# no1& :as%s or not, The" loo%ed li%e 1hat the" 1ere?
9ri#htened :en a!out to die,
AltaJr too% another do1n& !lood 9ountainin# 9ro: a slashed nec%, The last turned
and ran& ho$in# to 9ind shelter in the #aller", But AltaJr sheathed his s1ord& $al:ed a
$air o9 thro1in# %ni7es& 1hich s$un& #litterin# ; one& t1o ; into the esca$in# :ans
!ac% so that he 9ell 9ro: the ladder, Esca$in# no :ore,
AltaJr heard runnin# 9ootste$s 9ro: a!o7e, Talal :a%in# his esca$e, Bendin# to
retrie7e his %ni7es& he too% the ladder hi:sel9& reachin# the second le7el Dust in ti:e to
see Talal scra:!le u$ a second series o9 ste$s to the roo9,
The Assassin 1ent a9ter hi:& arri7in# throu#h a hatch in the to$ o9 the 1arehouse
and onl" Dust Der%in# his head !ac% in ti:e as an arro1 s:ac%ed& Fui7erin#& into the
1ood !eside hi:, 0e sa1 the !o1:an on a 9ar roo9to$& alread" 9ittin# a second sha9t&
and $ulled hi:sel9 9ro: the hatch& rollin# 9or1ard on the roo9to$ and tossin# t1o %ni7es&
still 1et 1ith the !lood o9 their $re7ious 7icti:,
The archer screa:ed and 9ell& one %ni9e $rotrudin# 9ro: his nec%& the other in his
chest, @urther across& AltaJr sa1 Talal dartin# across a !rid#e !et1een housin# then
Du:$in# to a sca99old and shi::"in# do1n into the street, There& he craned his nec%&
sa1 AltaJr alread" 9ollo1in# hi:& and set o99 at a run,
AltaJr 1as alread" #ainin#, 0e 1as Fuic% and& unli%e Talal& he 1asnt constantl"
loo%in# o7er his shoulder to see i9 he 1as !ein# 9ollo1ed, Which :eant he 1asnt
!arrellin# into unsus$ectin# $edestrians as Talal 1as? 1o:en 1ho screeched and
re$ri:anded hi:& :en 1ho s1ore and sho7ed hi: !ac%,
All this slo1ed his $ro#ress throu#h the streets and :ar%ets& so that soon he had
sFuandered his lead& and 1hen he turned his head AltaJr could see the 1hites o9 his
e"es,
K@lee no1& Talal screa:ed o7er his shoulder& K1hile "ou still can, 8" #uards 1ill !e
here soon,
AltaJr chuc%led, e$t runnin#,
KGi7e u$ this chase and Ill let "ou li7e& screeched Talal, AltaJr said nothin#, e$t u$
his $ursuit, Ni:!l"& he 1o7e throu#h the cro1ds& hurdlin# the #oods that Talal $ulled
!ehind hi:sel9 to slo1 his $ursuer, AltaJr 1as #ainin# on Talal no1& the chase al:ost
done,
Ahead o9 hi: Talal turned his head once :ore& sa1 that the #a$ 1as closin# and
tried a$$ealin# to AltaJr a#ain,
K0old "our #round and hear :e out& he !ello1ed& des$eration in his 7oice, KPerha$s
1e can :a%e a deal,
AltaJr said nothin#& Dust 1atched as Talal turned a#ain, The sla7e trader 1as no1
a!out to collide 1ith a 1o:an 1hose 9ace 1as hidden !" se7eral 9las%s, Neither o9
the: 1as loo%in# 1here the" 1ere #oin#,
KI7e done nothin# to "ou& shouted Talal& 9or#ettin#& $resu:a!l"& that Dust :inutes
a#o he had sent siC :en to %ill AltaJr, KWh" do "ou $ersist in chasin# ;
The !reath le9t his !od" in a 1hoosh& there 1as a tan#le o9 ar:s and le#s and Talal
crashed to the sand alon# 1ith the 9las% 1o:an& 1hose 1ares s:ashed around the:,
Talal tried scra:!lin# to his 9eet !ut 1as too slo1 and AltaJr 1as u$on hi:, Snic%,
As soon as his #reed" !lade a$$eared he had sun% it into the :an& and 1as %neelin#
!eside hi:& !lood alread" #ushin# 9ro: Talals nose and :outh, At their side& the 9las%
1o:an dra##ed hersel9 to her 9eet& redE9aced and indi#nant& a!out to let 9l" at Talal, On
seein# AltaJr and his !lade& not to :ention the !lood lea%in# 9ro: Talal& she chan#ed
her :ind and dashed o99 1ailin#, Others #a7e the: a 1ide !erth& sensin# so:ethin#
1as a:iss, In >erusale:& a cit" accusto:ed to con9lict& the inha!itants $re9erred not to
stand and stare at 7iolence 9or 9ear o9 !eco:in# $art o9 it,
AltaJr leaned close to Talal, K2ou7e no1here to run no1& he said, KShare "our
secrets 1ith :e,
K8" $art is $la"ed& Assassin& res$onded Talal, KThe Brotherhood is not so 1ea% that
:" death 1ill sto$ its 1or%,
AltaJrs :ind 9lashed !ac% to Ta:ir, 0e& too& had s$o%en o9 others as he died, 0e&
too& had :entioned !rothers, KWhat BrotherhoodI he $ressed,
Talal :ana#ed a s:ile, KAl 8uali: is not the onl" one 1ith desi#ns u$on the 0ol"
Land, And thats all "oull ha7e 9ro: :e,
KThen 1e are 9inished, Be# 9or#i7eness 9ro: "our God,
KThere is no God& Assassin, Talal lau#hed 1ea%l", KAnd i9 there e7er 1as& hes lon#
a!andoned us, Lon# a!andoned the :en and 1o:en I too% into :" ar:s,
KWhat do "ou :eanI
KBe##ars, Whores, Addicts, Le$ers, Do the" stri%e "ou as $ro$er sla7esI Un9it 9or
e7en the :ost :enial tas%s, No O I too% the: not to sell& !ut to sa7e, And "et "oud
%ill us all, @or no other reason than it 1as as%ed o9 "ou,
KNo& said AltaJr& con9used no1, K2ou $ro9it 9ro: the 1ar, @ro: li7es lost and !ro%en,
K2ou 1ould thin% that& i#norant as "ou are, Wall o99 "our :ind& ehI The" sa" its 1hat
"our %ind does !est, Do "ou see the iron" in all thisI
AltaJr stared at hi:, It 1as Dust as it had !een 1ith de Na$louse, The d"in# :ans
1ords threatened to su!7ert e7er"thin# AltaJr %ne1 o9 his tar#et ; or thou#ht he %ne1&
at least,
KNo& not "et& it see:s, Talal allo1ed hi:sel9 one 9inal s:ile at AltaJrs e7ident
con9usion, KBut "ou 1ill,
And& 1ith that& he died,
AltaJr reached to close his e"es& :ur:urin#& KI: sorr"& !e9ore !rushin# his :ar%er
1ith !lood& then standin# and losin# hi:sel9 in the cro1ds& Talals cor$se stainin# the
sand !ehind hi:,
3/
AltaJr 1ould :a%e ca:$ at 1ells& 1aterholes or 9ountains on his tra7elsG an"1here there
1as 1ater and shade 9ro: $al:s& 1here he could rest and his :ount #raHe on the
#rass& untethered, It 1as o9ten the onl" $atch o9 #reen as 9ar as the e"e could see so
there 1as little chance o9 his horse 1anderin# o99,
That ni#ht he 9ound a 9ountain that had !een 1alled and arched to $re7ent the
desert s1allo1in# the $recious 1ater s$ot& and he dran% 1ell, Then he la" do1n in its
shelter& listenin# to dri$$in# 9ro: the other side o9 the rou#hEhe1n stone and thin%in# o9
the li9e e!!in# a1a" 9ro: Talal, 0is thou#hts 1ent e7en 9urther !ac%& to the cor$ses in
his $ast, A li9e $unctuated !" death,
As a "oun# !o" he had 9irst encountered it durin# the sie#e, Assassin and Saracen
and& o9 course& his o1n 9ather& thou#h :erci9ull" he had !een s$ared the si#ht o9 that,
0e had heard it& thou#h& heard the s1ord 9all& 9ollo1ed !" a so9t thu:$& and hed darted
to1ards the 1ic%et #ate& 1antin# to Doin his 9ather& 1hen hands had #ri$$ed hi:,
0e had sFuir:ed& screa:in#& KLet :e #oP Let :e #oP
KNo& child, And AltaJr sa1 that it 1as Ah:ad& the a#ent 1hose li9e AltaJrs 9ather had
traded 9or his o1n, And AltaJr stared at hi:& e"es !urnin# 1ith hatred& not carin# that
Ah:ad had !een deli7ered 9ro: his ordeal !attered and !lood" and !arel" a!le to
stand& his soul scarred 1ith the sha:e o9 ha7in# succu:!ed to the Saracens
interro#ation, Carin# onl" that his 9ather had #i7en hi:sel9 u$ to die and O
KIts "our 9aultP he had screa:ed& t1istin# and $ullin# a1a" 9ro: Ah:ad& 1ho stood
1ith his head !o1ed& a!sor!in# the !o"s 1ords as i9 the" 1ere $unches,
KIts "our 9ault& AltaJr had s$at a#ain& then sat on the !rittle #rass& !ur"in# his head
in his hands& 1antin# to shut out the 1orld, A 9e1 ste$s a1a"& Ah:ad& eChausted and
!eaten& had 9olded to the #round also,
Outside the citadel 1alls& the Saracens de$arted& lea7in# the headless !od" o9
AltaJrs 9ather !ehind 9or the Assassins to retrie7e, Lea7in# 1ounds that 1ould ne7er
heal,
@or the ti:e !ein# AltaJr had sta"ed in the Fuarters he had shared 1ith his 9ather&
1ith their 1alls o9 #re" stone& rushes on the 9loor& a si:$le des% !et1een t1o $allets&
one lar#er& one s:aller, 0ed :o7ed !eds? he had sle$t in the lar#er one& so that he
could s:ell his 9athers s:ell& and he had i:a#ined hi: so:eti:es& in the roo:& sittin#
readin# at the des%& scratchin# a1a" at a roll o9 $arch:ent& or returnin# late at ni#ht to
chide AltaJr 9or still !ein# a1a%e& then snu99in# out his candle !e9ore retirin#, I:a#inin#s
1ere all he had no1& the or$han AltaJr, Those and his :e:ories, Al 8uali: had said he
1ould !e called in due course& 1hen arran#e:ents had !een :ade 9or his 9uture, In the
:eanti:e& the 8aster had said& i9 AltaJr needed an"thin#& he should co:e to hi: as his
:entor,
Ah:ad& :ean1hile& had !een su99erin# 9ro: a 9e7er, So:e ni#hts his ra7in#s 1ere
heard throu#hout the citadel, Occasionall" he screa:ed as i9 in $ain& at other ti:es li%e
a :an deran#ed, One ni#ht he 1as shoutin# one 1ord o7er and o7er a#ain, AltaJr had
$ulled hi:sel9 9ro: his !ed and #one to his 1indo1& thin%in# that 1hat he heard 1as his
9athers na:e,
It 1as, KU:ar, 0earin# it 1as li%e !ein# sla$$ed,
KU:ar, The shrie% see:ed to echo in the e:$t" court"ard !elo1, KU:ar,
No& not e:$t", Peerin# :ore closel"& AltaJr could :a%e out the 9i#ure o9 a child o9
a!out his a#e& 1ho stood li%e a sentinel in the so9t earl"E:ornin# :ist that ri$$led
across the trainin# "ard, It 1as A!!as, AltaJr !arel" %ne1 hi:& Dust that he 1as A!!as
So9ian& the son o9 Ah:ad So9ian, The !o" had stood listenin# to his 9athers de:ented
ra7in#s& $erha$s o99erin# silent $ra"ers 9or hi:& and AltaJr had 1atched hi: 9or a 9e1
heart!eats& 9indin# so:ethin# to ad:ire in his silent 7i#il, Then he had let his curtain
dro$ and returned to his !ed& $uttin# his hands o7er his ears so that he could no lon#er
hear Ah:ad callin# his 9athers na:e, 0e had tried to !reathe in his 9athers scent and
realiHed that it 1as 9adin#,
The" said that Ah:ads 9e7er had a!ated the neCt da"& and that he had returned to
his Fuarters& al!eit a !ro%en :an, AltaJr had heard that he la" on his !ed attended to !"
A!!as, That he had lain that 1a" 9or t1o da"s,
The neCt ni#ht AltaJr 1as a1o%en !" a sound in his roo: and la" !lin%in#& hearin#
so:e!od" :o7in# a!out& 9eet that 1ent to the des%, A candle 1as $ut do1n that thre1
shado1s on the stone 1all, It 1as his 9ather& he thou#ht& still hal9 aslee$, 0is 9ather had
co:e !ac% 9or hi:& and he sat u$& s:ilin#& read" to 1elco:e hi: ho:e and !e chided
!" hi: 9or !ein# a1a%e, At last he had 1o%en 9ro: a terri!le drea: in 1hich his 9ather
had died and le9t hi: alone,
But the :an in his roo: 1as not his 9ather, It 1as Ah:ad,
Ah:ad 1as standin# at the door& e:aciated 1ithin his 1hite ro!e& his 9ace a $ale
:as%, 0e 1ore a 9ara1a"& al:ost $eace9ul eC$ression& and he s:iled a little as AltaJr
sat u$& as thou#h he didnt 1ant to 9ri#hten the !o", 0is e"es& thou#h& 1ere sun%en
dar% hollo1s as i9 $ain had !urned the li9e 9ro: 1ithin hi:, And in his hand he held a
da##er,
KI: sorr"& he said& and the" 1ere the onl" 1ords he s$o%e& his last 1ords& !ecause
neCt he dre1 the %ni9e across his throat& o$enin# a #a$in# red :outh in his o1n nec%,
Blood s1e$t do1n his ro!eG !u!!les o9 it 9or:ed at the 1ound on his nec%, The
da##er dro$$ed 1ith a clun% to the 9loor and he s:iled as he slid to his %nees& his #aHe
9iCed on AltaJr& 1ho sat ri#id 1ith 9ear& una!le to ta%e his e"es 9ro: Ah:ad as the !lood
$oured 9ro: hi:& drainin# out o9 hi:, No1 the d"in# :an lolled !ac% on his heels& at
last !rea%in# that #hastl" stare as his head dro$$ed to the side& !ut he 1as $re7ented
9ro: 9allin# !ac%1ards !" the door, And 9or so:e heart!eats that 1as ho1 he
re:ained& a $enitent :an& %neelin#, Then at last he 9ell 9or1ard,
AltaJr had no idea ho1 lon# he sat there& 1ee$in# so9tl" and listenin# to Ah:ads
!lood s$readin# thic%l" across the stone, At last he 9ound the coura#e to ste$ out o9
!ed& ta%in# the candle and care9ull" s%irtin# the !leedin# horror that la" on the 9loor, 0e
$ulled his door o$en& 1hi:$erin# as it :ade contact 1ith Ah:ads 9oot, Outside the
roo: at last& he ran, The candle snu99ed out !ut he didnt care, 0e ran until he reached
Al 8uali:,
K2ou :ust ne7er tell an"one o9 this& Al 8uali: had said& the neCt da", AltaJr had !een
#i7en a 1ar: s$iced drin%& then s$ent the rest o9 the ni#ht in the 8asters cha:!ers&
1here he had sle$t soundl", The 8aster hi:sel9 had !een else1here& attendin# to
Ah:ads !od", So it had $ro7ed the neCt da"& 1hen Al 8uali: returned to hi:& ta%in# a
seat !" his !ed,
KWe shall tell the Order that Ah:ad le9t under co7er o9 dar%ness& he said, KThe" :a"
dra1 their o1n conclusions, We cannot allo1 A!!as to !e tainted 1ith the sha:e o9 his
9athers suicide, What Ah:ad has done is dishonoura!le, 0is dis#race 1ould s$read to
his %in,
KBut 1hat o9 A!!as& 8asterI said AltaJr, KWill he !e told the truthI
KNo& :" child,
KBut he should at least %no1 that his 9ather is ;
KNo& :" child& re$eated Al 8uali:& his 7oice risin#, KA!!as 1ill !e told !" no one&
includin# "ou, To:orro1I shall announce that "ou are !oth to !eco:e no7ices in the
Order& that "ou are to !e !rothers in all !ut !lood, 2ou 1ill share Fuarters, 2ou 1ill train
and stud" and dine to#ether, As !rothers, 2ou 1ill loo% a9ter each other, See no har:
co:es to the other& either $h"sical or !" other :eans, Do I :a%e :"sel9 clearI
K2es& 8aster,
Later that da" AltaJr 1as installed in Fuarters 1ith A!!as, A :ea#re roo:? t1o
$allets& rush :attin#& a s:all des%, Neither !o" li%ed it !ut A!!as said he 1ould !e
lea7in# shortl"& 1hen his 9ather returned, At ni#ht he 1as 9it9ul and so:eti:es called
out in his slee$& 1hile in the neCt !ed AltaJr la" a1a%e& a9raid to slee$ in case the
ni#ht:ares o9 Ah:ad uncoiled the:sel7es and ca:e to hi:,
The" did, Ah:ad had co:e to hi: at ni#ht e7er since, 0e ca:e 1ith a da##er that
#lea:ed in the dancin# candleli#ht, Slo1l" he dre1 the !lade across his o1n throat&
#rinnin# as he did so,
AltaJr a1o%e, The desert 1as cool and still around hi:, The $al: trees rustled
sli#htl" in a !reeHe and the 1ater dri$Edri$$ed !ehind hi:, 0e $assed a hand across
his !ro1 and realiHed he had !een s1eatin#, 0e laid his head do1n a#ain& ho$in# to
slee$ at least until li#ht,
Part T1o
3=
K2ou7e done 1ell& said Al 8uali:& the 9ollo1in# da", KThree o9 the nine lie dead& and 9or
this "ou ha7e :" than%s, 0is s:ile 9aded, KBut do not thin% to rest u$on "our laurels,
2our 1or% has Dust !e#un,
KI a: "ours to co::and& 8aster& said AltaJr& sole:nl", 0e 1as eChausted !ut
#rate9ul that he 1as !e#innin# to redee: hi:sel9 in Al 8uali:s e"es, Certainl" he had
seen a chan#e in the #uards, Where !e9ore the" had loo%ed at hi: 1ith disdain& no1
the" #a7e hi: #rud#in# res$ect, Word o9 his success had reached the:& no dou!t, Al
8uali:& also& had a1arded hi: the !e#innin#s o9 a s:ile and indicated 9or hi: to sit,
Sit,
The 8aster continued? Kin# Richard& e:!oldened !" his 7ictor" at Acre& $re$ares
to :o7e south& to1ards >erusale:, Salah Aldin is surel" a1are o9 this& and so he
#athers his :en !e9ore the !ro%en citadel o9 Arsu9,
AltaJr thou#ht o9 Salah Aldin and tensed, 0is :ind 1ent !ac% to that da"& the
Saracens at the #ates o9 the 9ortress O
KWould "ou ha7e :e %ill the: !oth& thenI he said& relishin# the $ossi!ilit" o9 $uttin#
the Saracen leader to his !lade, KEnd their 1ar !e9ore it !e#ins in earnestI
KNo& sna$$ed Al 8uali:& stud"in# hi: so care9ull" that AltaJr 9elt as thou#h his
thou#hts 1ere !ein# read, KTo do so 1ould scatter their 9orces ; and su!Dect the real:
to the !loodlust o9 ten thousand ai:less 1arriors, It 1ill !e :an" da"s !e9ore the"
:eet& and 1hile the" :arch& the" do not 9i#ht, 2ou :ust concern "oursel9 1ith a :ore
i::ediate threat? the :en 1ho $retend to #o7ern in their a!sence,
AltaJr nodded, 0e $ut a1a" his 7isions o9 re7en#e to !e ins$ected another da",
KGi7e :e na:es and Ill #i7e "ou !lood,
KSo I 1ill, A!ul NuFoud& the 1ealthiest :an in Da:ascus, 8aDd Addin& re#ent o9
>erusale:, Willia: de 8ont9errat& lie#e lord o9 Acre,
0e %ne1 the na:es& o9 course, Each o9 the cities !ore its leaders $ernicious
i:$rint, KWhat are their cri:esI as%ed AltaJr, 0e 1ondered i9& li%e the others& there
1ould !e :ore to these cri:es than :et the e"e,
Al 8uali: s$read his hands, KGreed, Arro#ance, The slau#hter o9 innocents, Wal%
a:on# the $eo$le o9 their cities, 2oull learn the secrets o9 their sins, Do not dou!t that
these :en are o!stacles to the $eace 1e see%,
KThen the" 1ill die& said AltaJr& o!edientl",
KReturn to :e as each :an 9alls that 1e :i#ht !etter understand their intentions&
ordered Al 8uali:& Kand& AltaJr& ta%e care, 2our recent 1or% has li%el" attracted the
attention o9 the #uards, The"ll !e :ore sus$icious than the"7e !een in the $ast,
So it a$$eared, @or& da"s later& 1hen AltaJr strode into the Bureau at Acre& >a!al
#reeted hi: 1ith KWord has s$read o9 "our deeds& AltaJr,
0e nodded,
KIt see:s "ou are sincere in "our desire to redee: "oursel9,
KI do 1hat I can,
KAnd so:eti:es "ou do it 1ell, I assu:e it is 1or% that reunites usI
K2es, Willia: de 8ont9errat is :" tar#et,
KThen the Chain District is "our destination O But !e on "our toes, That section o9
the cit" is ho:e to in# Richards $ersonal Fuarters& and it is under hea7" 1atch,
KWhat can "ou tell :e o9 the :an hi:sel9I
KWillia: has !een na:ed re#ent 1hile the in# conducts his 1ar, The $eo$le see it
as a stran#e choice& #i7en the histor" !et1een Richard and Willia:s son& Conrad, But
I thin% Richard rather cle7er 9or it,
KCle7er ho1I
>a!al s:iled, KRichard and Conrad do not see e"e to e"e on :ost :atters, Thou#h
the" are ci7il enou#h in $u!lic& there are 1his$ers that each intends e7il u$on the other,
And then there 1as the !usiness 1ith Acres ca$tured Saracens O >a!al shoo% his
head, KIn its 1a%e& Conrad has returned to T"re& and Richard has co:$elled Willia: to
re:ain here as his #uest,
K2ou :ean his hosta#eI as%ed AltaJr, 0e 1as inclined to a#ree 1ith >a!al, It did
indeed loo% li%e a 1ise :o7e on Richards $art,
KWhate7er "ou call it& Willia:s $resence should %ee$ Conrad in line,
KWhere 1ould "ou su##est I !e#in :" searchI
>a!al thou#ht, KRichards citadel& southE1est o9 here O Or& rather& the :ar%et in
9ront o9 it,
KVer" 1ell, I 1ont distur! "ou an" 9urther,
KIts no trou!le& said >a!al& 1ho 1ent !ac% to his !irds& cooin# #entl" at the:,
0e 1as a :an un!urdened !" :an" 1orries& thou#ht AltaJr, @or that at least& he
en7ied hi:,
3.
>a!al 1as ri#ht& thou#ht AltaJr& as he :ade his 1a" throu#h hot& cro1ded streets tan#"
1ith sea air& to the citadel :ar%et, There 1ere :an" :ore #uards a!out& $erha$s
dou!le the nu:!er since his last 7isit, So:e 1ore the colours o9 the Crusaders& and
1ere in 9ull ar:our, 0o1e7er& i9 he %ne1 one thin# a!out soldiers it 1as that the" li%ed
to #ossi$& and the :ore there 1ere& the :ore indiscreet the" 1ere li%el" to !e, 0e too%
a $lace on a !ench& and sat as thou#h to ad:ire the #rand citadel 1ith its 9lutterin#
$ennants& or as i9 si:$l" to 1atch the da" #o !", Not 9ar a1a" an entertainer tried to
dru: u$ trade& then shru##ed and !e#an an"1a"& tossin# coloured !alls into the air,
AltaJr $retended to 1atch hi: !ut 1as listenin# to a con7ersation ta%in# $lace o7er the
1a"& a cou$le o9 Crusaders chatterin# li%e 1asher1o:en a!out Willia:s s1ord s%ills,
As Altair 1atched& a soldiers e"e 1as cau#ht !" a 9riar& a tall :an in !ro1n hooded
ro!es& 1ho 1as si#nallin# discreetl" to hi:, The soldier nodded al:ost i:$erce$ti!l"&
!ade his 9riend #ood!"e and :o7ed across the :ar%et, Watchin# 9ro: !eneath his
co1l& AltaJr stood and 9ollo1ed as the t1o :en :et and :o7ed a1a" 9ro: the hustle
and !ustle to tal%G AltaJr $ositioned hi:sel9 close !"& strainin# to hear as the 9riar s$o%e,
KPerha$s it 1as un1ise to e:!race Willia:, 0e is old and thin%s too :uch o9
hi:sel9,
The soldier $ursed his li$s, K0is ar:" is lar#e, Well ha7e need o9 the:, @or no1& Ill
#o and 7isit the other !rothers, 8a%e sure the" ha7e e7er"thin# the" need,
KA"e, The" :ust not 9all& a#reed the 9riar,
K@ear not, The 8aster has a $lan, E7en no1 he $re$ares a 1a" to turn our losses to
his ad7anta#e& should it co:e to that,
8asterI AltaJr 1ondered, BrothersI >ust 1ho did these :en ans1er toI Acre had
:ore la"ers than an onion,
KWhat does he intendI as%ed the 9riar,
KThe less "ou %no1& the !etter, >ust do as "ou7e !een instructed, Deli7er this letter
to the 8aster, 0e $assed it to the 9riar and AltaJr s:iled& alread" 9leCin# his 9in#erti$s,
0e stood 9ro: the !ench and 9ollo1ed, One li9t later the scroll 1as his& and he sat once
a#ain to read it,

8aster?

Wor% continues in the Chain District o9 Acre thou#h 1e are concerned a!out Willia:s a!ilit" to
see this throu#h to the end, 0e ta%es his duties a !it too seriousl"& and the $eo$le :a" reDect
hi: 1hen the ti:e co:es, Without the aid o9 the treasure& 1e can ill a99ord an u$risin#& lest it
recall the in# 9ro: the 9ield, And then "our $lan 1ill !e 9or nothin#, We cannot reclai: 1hats
!een stolen unless the t1o sides are united, Perha$s "ou :i#ht $re$are another to ta%e his
$lace ; si:$l" as a $recaution, We 1orr" that our :an in the har!our 1ill !eco:e increasin#l"
unsta!le, Alread" he tal%s o9 distancin# hi:sel9, And this :eans 1e cannot rel" on hi: should
Willia: 9all, Let us %no1 1hat "ou intend that 1e :i#ht eCecute it, We re:ain e7er 9aith9ul to the
cause,

0e 9olded the letter and $ushed it into his ro!es, So:ethin# to sho1 Al 8uali:&
$erha$s, Then a#ain& :a"!e not, So 9ar AltaJr 9elt Al 8uali: had !een less than o$en
1ith hi: re#ardin# his tar#ets, Perha$s this 1as $art o9 his test, Perha$s,
A #rou$ o9 ser7ants hurried $ast, The Du##ler Du##ledG he had a !i##er cro1d no1,
Not 9ar a1a" a s$ea%er had ta%en u$ $osition in the shade o9 a tree and 1as tal%in#
a#ainst in# Richard,
NeCt AltaJrs attention 1as arrested !" a "oun# :an 1ith a closeEtri::ed !lac%
!eard 1ho see:ed to !e a$$ealin# to citiHens as the" $assed& at the sa:e ti:e
%ee$in# an e"e on a $air o9 cit" #uards stationed a short distance a1a",
KWillia: de 8ont9errat cares nothin# 9or the $eo$le o9 Acre& he 1as sa"in#, AltaJr
loitered to listen& care9ul not to catch his e"e, KWhile 1e star7e& the :en inside his %ee$
1ant 9or nothin#, The" #ro1 9at u$on the 9ruits o9 our la!our, 0e !rou#ht us here to
re!uild& he said, But no1& 9ar 9ro: ho:e& and the #race o9 our %in#& his true $lan
!eco:es a$$arent, 0e steals our sons& sendin# the: into !attle a#ainst a sa7a#e
ene:", Their deaths are all !ut #uaranteed, Our dau#hters are ta%en to ser7ice his
soldiers& ro!!ed o9 their 7irtue, And he co:$ensates us 1ith lies and e:$t" $ro:ises o9
a !etter :orro1 ; o9 a land !lessed !" God, What o9 no1I What o9 toda"I 0o1 :uch
lon#er :ust 1e #o 1ithoutI Is this trul" the 1or% o9 God ; or o9 a sel9ish :an 1ho see%s
to conFuer allI Rise u$& $eo$le o9 Acre, >oin us in our $rotest,
KBe Fuiet& called a 1o:an $asserE!"& #esturin# in the direction o9 #uards 1ho 1ere
$eerin# alon# the street& $erha$s a1are that ra!!leErousin# 1as a9oot,
K2oure a 9ool& a#reed another& harshl", 0e turned a1a" 1ith a dis:issi7e 1a7e o9
the hand, No!od" in Acre 1anted to 1itness Willia:s an#er& or so it see:ed,
K2our 1ords 1ill see "ou han#ed& 1his$ered another& 1ho slun% a1a",
AltaJr 1atched as the re!el cast a 1ar" #lance& then ste$$ed into the cro1d and
Doined another :an there, K0o1 :an" ha7e "ou called to our causeI he as%ed,
KI 9ear the" are all too a9raid& ans1ered his co:$anion, KNone 1ould heed the call,
KWe :ust %ee$ tr"in#, @ind another :ar%et, Another sFuare, We :ust not !e
silenced,
With a 9inal !ac%1ards #lance at the soldiers& the" :o7ed o99, AltaJr 1atched the:
#o& satis9ied he had disco7ered all that he needed to %no1 a!out Willia: de 8ont9errat,
0e too% a 9inal loo% at the citadel& to1erin# o7er the :ar%et$lace& the !lac% !eatin#
heart o9 Acre, In there& so:e1here& 1as his tar#et& he thou#ht& and 1ith Willia: dead&
the $eo$le o9 Acre 1ould %no1 less t"rann"& less 9ear, The sooner that ha$$ened& the
!etter, It 1as ti:e to re7isit >a!al,
The Bureau leader 1as& as e7er& in a Do7ial :ood, 0is e"es t1in%led as he #reeted
AltaJr,
KI7e done as I 1as as%ed& said AltaJr, KI7e ar:ed :"sel9 1ith %no1led#e, I %no1
1hat I :ust do to reach 8ont9errat,
KS$ea%& then& and I 1ill Dud#e,
KWillia:s host is lar#e and :an" :en call hi: :aster, But he is not 1ithout
ene:ies, 0e and in# Richard do not see e"e to e"e,
>a!al raised an e"e!ro1, KIts true, The"7e ne7er !een close,
KThis 1or%s to :" ad7anta#e, Richards 7isit has u$set hi:, Once the in# has le9t&
Willia: 1ill retreat into his 9ortress to !rood, 0ell !e distracted, That is 1hen I 1ill
stri%e,
K2oure sure o9 thisI
KAs sure as I can !e, And i9 thin#s chan#e& Ill ada$t,
KThen I #i7e "ou lea7e to #o, End the li9e o9 de 8ont9errat that 1e :a" call this cit"
9ree, >a!al handed hi: the 9eather,
KIll return 1hen the deeds !een done& ans1ered AltaJr,
3'
AltaJr returned to the citadel& eC$ectin# it to !e Dust as he had le9t it, But there 1as
so:ethin# di99erent no1 ; so:ethin# he detected as he 1o7e throu#h the streets and
ca:e closer to it, It 1as in the air, ECcite:ent, EC$ectation, 0e heard #ossi$
concernin# Richards 7isit, 0e 1as in the 9ortress no1& the citiHens said& holdin# tal%s
1ith de 8ont9errat, A$$arentl" the in# 1as 9urious 1ith hi: o7er his treat:ent o9 the
three thousand held hosta#e 1hen the Crusaders had reta%en the cit",
Des$ite hi:sel9& AltaJr 9elt a thrill, Richard the Lionhearts re$utation ca:e !e9ore
hi:, 0is !ra7er", 0is cruelt", So to see hi: in the 9lesh O
0e :o7ed throu#h the :ar%et$lace, The cro1ds 1ere thic%er no1 as 1ord s$read
that Richard had arri7ed, Acres citiHens& 1hate7er their o$inions o9 the En#lish in#&
1anted to see hi:,
K0e co:es& 1his$ered a 1o:an near!", AltaJr 9elt hi:sel9 carried !" the cro1d& and
9or al:ost the 9irst ti:e since enterin# the cit" he 1as a!le to hold u$ his head, The
cro1ds 1ere his dis#uise and& an"1a"& the #uards 1ere too occu$ied 1ith the in#s
i::inent arri7al to ta%e an" interest in hi:,
No1 the :o! sur#ed 9or1ard& ta%in# AltaJr 1ith it, 0e allo1ed hi:sel9 to !e enclosed
!" !odies and carried to1ards the decorated stone #ates& 1here the 9la#s o9 the
Crusaders 9luttered in the !reeHe& as thou#h the"& too& 1ere %een to see Richard, At the
#ates& the soldiers 1arned the cro1ds to :o7e !ac% and those at the 9ront !e#an callin#
9or those at the rear to sto$ $ushin# 9or1ard, Still :ore citiHens arri7ed& thou#h& sur#in#
to1ards the raised area in 9ront o9 the :ain #ates, 8ore #uards 9or:ed a shield around
the entrance, So:e had their hands on the hilts o9 their s1ords, Others !randished
$i%es :enacin#l"& snarlin#& KBac% 1ith "ou& at the seethin#& co:$lainin# cro1d,
Suddenl" there 1as a #reat co::otion 9ro: the 9ortress #ates& 1hich& #rindin#&
rose, AltaJr craned his nec% to see& 9irst hearin# the cli$Eclo$ o9 horses hoo9s& then
seein# the hel:ets o9 the in#s !od"#uards, NeCt the cro1d 1as %neelin#& AltaJr
9ollo1in# suit& thou#h his e"es 1ere 9iCed on the arri7al o9 the in#,
Richard the Lionheart sat on a s$lendid stallion adorned 1ith his li7er"& his
shoulders !ac% and his chin hi#h, 0is 9ace 1as 1orn& as thou#h carr"in# the i:$rint o9
e7er" !attle& e7er" desert crossed& and his e"es 1ere 1ear" !ut !ri#ht, Around hi:
1as his !od"#uard& also on their horses& and 1al%in# at his side another :an& this one&
AltaJr realiHed 9ro: the cro1ds :ur:urin#s& Willia: de 8ont9errat, 0e 1as older than
the in#& and lac%ed his !ul% and $o1er& !ut there 1as a litheness a!out hi:G AltaJr
could see he :i#ht 1ell !e a s%illed s1ords:an, There 1as a loo% o9 dis$leasure a!out
hi: as he 1al%ed !" the side o9 the in#& s:all in his shado1 and heedless o9 the
cro1ds surroundin# the:, Lost in his o1n thou#hts,
KO three thousand souls& Willia:& the in# 1as sa"in#& loud enou#h 9or the entire
:ar%et$lace to hear, KI 1as told the" 1ould !e held as $risoners ; and used to !arter
9or the release o9 our :en,
KThe Saracens 1ould not ha7e honoured their side o9 the !ar#ain& re$lied de
8ont9errat, K2ou %no1 this to !e true, I did "ou a 9a7our,
The Lionheart roared, KOh& "es, A #reat 9a7our& indeed, No1 our ene:ies 1ill !e that
:uch stron#er in their con7ictions, @i#ht that :uch harder,
The" sto$$ed,
KI %no1 our ene:" 1ell& said de 8ont9errat, KThe" 1ill not !e e:!oldened !ut 9illed
1ith 9ear,
Richard loo%ed at hi: disdain9ull", KTell :e& ho1 is it "ou %no1 the intentions o9 our
ene:" so 1ellI 2ou& 1ho 9orsa%e the 9ield o9 !attle to $la" at $olitics,
De 8ont9errat s1allo1ed, KI did 1hat 1as ri#ht, What 1as Dust,
K2ou s1ore an oath to u$hold the 1or% o9 God& Willia:, But that is not 1hat I see
here, No, I see a :an 1hos tra:$led it,
De 8ont9errat loo%ed Fueas", Then& s1ee$in# an ar: around hi:& as i9 to re:ind
the in# that their su!Dects 1ere 1ithin earshot& he said& K2our 1ords are :ost un%ind&
:" lie#e, I had ho$ed to earn "our trust !" no1,
K2ou are Acres re#ent& Willia:& set to rule in :" stead, 0o1 :uch :ore trust is
reFuiredI Perha$s "oud li%e :" cro1n,
K2ou :iss the $oint& said 8ont9errat, Not 1antin# to lose 9ace !e9ore the cro1d he
added& KBut then a#ain& "ou al1a"s do O
Richard #lo1ered, K8uch as Id li%e to 1aste :" da" tradin# 1ords 1ith "ou& I7e a
1ar to 9i#ht, Well continue this another ti:e,
KDo not let :e dela" "ou& then& said de 8ont9errat& $olitel"& K2our Grace,
Richard a99orded de 8ont9errat one last 9urious stare ; a stare to re:ind a re!ellious
underlin# o9 eCactl" 1ho 1ore the cro1n ; then le9t& his :en 9allin# in !ehind hi:,
The cro1d !e#an to #et to their 9eet and de 8ont9errat turned to sa" so:ethin# to
one o9 his #uards, AltaJr strained to hear,
KI 9ear there 1ill !e no $lace 9or :en li%e hi: in the Ne1 World, Send 1ord that I
1ish to s$ea% 1ith the troo$s, We :ust ensure e7er"one is doin# their $art, Warn the:
that an" ne#li#ence 1ill !e se7erel" $unished, I: in no :ood to !e tri9led 1ith toda",
Then he turned to the rest o9 his :en, K@ollo1 :e,
Suddenl" there 1as a #reat sur#e to1ards the 9ortress& not Dust o9 de 8ont9errats
#uards !ut o9 traders ho$in# to 9ind custo: inside, AltaJr Doined the:& !u99eted !" their
hessian sac%s !ut sta"in# in the crush and Dust sFueeHin# throu#h the #ates !e9ore the
#uards:en too% control and sla::ed the: shut, Inside& traders 1ere !ein# herded !"
irritated soldiers to1ards a court"ard& there to dis$la" their 1ares& no dou!t, But AltaJr
could see de 8ont9errat :a%in# his 1a" alon# the lo1er !aile" and to1ards the inner
curtain, 0e duc%ed to one side and sFueeHed into a #a$ !et1een the 1all and an inner
!uildin#& holdin# his !reath& hal9 eC$ectin# to hear a shout 9ro: a shar$Ee"ed #uard
1ho had seen hi: sli$ a1a", There 1as none, 0e loo%ed u$1ards& and 1as $leased to
see handholds in the sandstone sur9ace o9 the !uildin#, 0e !e#an to cli:!,
Archer,
O9 course, 0ed !een so $leased to elude the sentries do1n !elo1 that AltaJr had
9or#otten to consider those a!o7e, 0e stole another loo% o7er the ed#e o9 the roo9&
1aitin# 9or the :an to turn his !ac%, 0e needed hi: in the :iddle o9 the roo9, Didnt
1ant hi: 9allin# into the 9ortress and raisin# the alar:, When the #uard reached the
ri#ht s$ot& AltaJr struc%& the thro1in# %ni9e #litterin# in the sun& then !ur"in# itsel9 in the
sentr"s !ac%, 0e #runted and 9ell& than%9ull" not o7er the ed#e& and AltaJr $ulled
hi:sel9 u$ to the roo9& crouchin# lo1 and :a%in# his 1a" across& one e"e on another
archer 9urther across the co:$ound& read" to di7e out o9 7ie1 i9 he turned,
Belo1 hi: de 8ont9errat 1as :a%in# his 1a" across the 9ortress& shoutin# orders
and insults at all 1ho dared !e in his 7icinit",
Altair ca:e u$on the neCt archer, A %ni9e thro1 later& the :an la" s$ra1led dead on
the roo9, AltaJr #lanced do1n at hi: as he $assed& %ee$in# lo1& seein# the !od" cease
to t1itch,
A third archer, AltaJr dis$osed o9 hi:, No1 he controlled the roo9G he had an esca$e
route 9or 1hen the deed 1as done, All that re:ained 1as to do it,
Belo1 hi:& de 8ont9errat $assed throu#h a set o9 inner #ates and AltaJr 1atched
hi: u$!raid the #uard 9or so:e :inor in9raction as he did so, Then he 1as :o7in# into
the court"ard o9 a %ee$& a %ind o9 inner sanctu: 9or hi:& $erha$s, AltaJr shado1ed hi:
9ro: the 1al%1a" a!o7e, 0e %e$t out o9 si#ht !ut no!od" loo%ed u$1ards, The" had no
need to ; or so the" thou#ht,
No1 de 8ont9errat too% his $lace !ehind a ta!le at one side o9 the court"ard, K8en&
he 1as sa"in#& K#ather round, 0eed 1ell :" 1ords,
The" too% $ositions around hi: and AltaJr sa1 that& thou#h the" 1ore the sa:e
uni9or:& the" 1ere di99erent 9ro: those stationed in the outer curtain, These 1ere :ore
#riHHled and loo%ed !attleEhardened, I9 AltaJr 1as ri#ht& the" 1ould !e de 8ont9errats
$ersonal 9orce, 0e 1asnt #oin# to :a%e the :ista%e o9 thin%in# the: Klittle challen#e
a#ain,
In the court"ard& de 8ont9errat continued& KI co:e 9ro: s$ea%in# 1ith the in#& and
the ne1s is #ri:, We stand accused o9 9ailin# in our duties, 0e does not reco#niHe the
7alue o9 our contri!utions to the cause,
K@or sha:e& said one o9 the :en,
K0e %no1s nothin#& s$at another,
KPeace, Peace, 0old "our ton#ues& ad:onished de 8ont9errat, KA"e& he s$ea%s
9alsel"& !ut his 1ords are not 1ithout so:e :erit, To tour these #rounds& it is eas" to
9ind 9ault, To see i:$er9ection, I 9ear 1e ha7e #ro1n slac% and laH",
A!o7e hi:& AltaJr allo1ed hi:sel9 a s:ile, The :ethod o9 his entrance 1as
testa:ent to ho1 slac% and laH" de 8ont9errats :en had !eco:e, And as 9or his hal9E
aslee$ archers O
KWh" do "ou sa" thisI as%ed one o9 de 8ont9errats :en, The" !ristled& all o9 the:,
AltaJr used the sudden eru$tion o9 noise as co7er to cra! to one side& 1antin# to
$osition hi:sel9 a!o7e his Fuarr"& 7er"& 7er" care9ull" :o7in# around the court"ard
1alls, No1 he could see 1hat :ost o9 the :en !elo1 did not, @ro: a door at the
o$$osite end o9 the court"ard :ore #uards had a$$eared dra##in# t1o :en, The"
1ore the out9its o9 Crusaders !ut 1ere $risoners,
KI see the 1a" "ou train& de 8ont9errat 1as shoutin# do1n !elo1, K2ou lac%
con7iction and 9ocus, 2ou #ossi$ and #a:!le, Tas%s set to "ou are le9t un9ul9illed or
$oorl" $er9or:ed, This ends toda", I 1ill not su99er 9urther de#radation at Richards
hands, Whether or not "ou see it ; and "ou should ; this is "our 9ault, 2ou7e !rou#ht
sha:e u$on us all, S%ill and dedication are 1hat 1on us Acre, And the" 1ill !e reFuired
to %ee$ it, I ha7e !een too lenient& it see:s, But no :ore, 2ou 1ill train harder and
:ore o9ten, I9 this :eans :issin# :eals& :issin# slee$ ; so !e it, And should "ou 9ail in
these tas%s& "ou 1ill learn the true :eanin# o9 disci$line O Brin# the: 9or1ard,
AltaJr had reached his $osition 1ithout !ein# s$otted, 0e 1as close enou#h no1 to
loo% do1n on de 8ont9errats !aldin# head and see the 9lec%s o9 s$ittle 9l" 9ro: his
:outh as he shouted at his :en, I9 one o9 those !elo1 1as to loo% u$ 9or an" reason
he :i#ht !e s$otted& !ut all attention 1as no1 on the area in 9ront o9 de 8ont9errats
ta!le& 1here the soldiers had !een dra##ed !e9ore hi:& 9ri#htened and sha:eE9aced,
KI9 I :ust :a%e eCa:$les o9 so:e o9 "ou to ensure o!edience& announced de
8ont9errat& Kso !e it& and he turned to the ca$ti7es, KThe t1o o9 "ou stand accused o9
1horin# and drin%in# 1hile on dut", What sa" "ou to these char#esI
Throu#h 1et :ouths the" :u:!led $leas and a$olo#ies,
De 8ont9errat sco1led at the:, Then& 1ith a 1a7e o9 his hand& he ordered their
eCecution,
Their throats 1ere cut and the" s$ent their last :o:ents 1atchin# their o1n !lood
#ush on to the stone o9 the court"ard, De 8ont9errat #aHed at the:& #ur#lin# and
9la$$in# on the #round& li%e d"in# 9ish, KDisre#ard 9or dut" is in9ectious& he said& al:ost
sadl", KIt shall !e rooted out and destro"ed, In this 1a"& 1e :a" $re7ent its s$read, A: I
understoodI
K2es& :" lord& ca:e the :ur:ured re$l",
KGood& #ood& he said, KReturn to "our duties& then& 9illed 1ith a ne1 sense o9
$ur$ose, Sta" stron#& sta" 9ocused ; and 1e 1ill triu:$h, @alter& and "ou 1ill Doin
these :en, Be sure o9 it, Dis:issed,
0e 1a7ed the: out o9 his si#ht& 1hich cheered AltaJr, Out o9 si#ht 1as 1here he
1anted the :en& too, 0e 1atched as de 8ont9errat !e#an si9tin# throu#h $a$ers on the
ta!le& hissin# 1ith eCas$eration& his illEte:$er clearl" not eChausted, AltaJr cre$t
9or1ard& as close as he dared to the ed#e o9 the roo9, 0e sa1 the t1o !odies& !lood still
s$readin#, @urther a1a"& :ost o9 the :en see:ed either to ha7e con#re#ated at the
entrance to the %ee$ or 1ere lea7in# 9or the outer curtain& no dou!t %een to $ut as
:uch distance !et1een the:sel7es and de 8ont9errat as $ossi!le,
Belo1 hi: de 8ont9errat tutted in dis$leasure& still rattlin# throu#h the $a$ers&
una!le to 9ind 1hat he 1as loo%in# 9or, 0e #roaned as a 1ad o9 the: slid 9ro: the ta!le
to the #round, A!out to call 9or assistance he thou#ht !etter o9 it and !ent to retrie7e
the:, Perha$s he heard the snic% o9 AltaJrs !lade in the s$litEsecond !et1een AltaJr
lea$in# 9ro: the 1al%1a" a!o7e and e:!eddin# it in his nec%,
Then the Assassin 1as straddlin# the Acre leaders !od"& his hand o7er his :outh
so as not alert others in the court"ard, 0e had Dust :o:ents& he %ne1& 1his$erin#&
KRest no1, 2our sche:es are at an end,
KWhat do "ou %no1 o9 :" 1or%I croa%ed de 8ont9errat,
KI %no1 that "ou 1ere #oin# to :urder Richard ; and clai: Acre 9or "our son&
Conrad,
K@or ConradI 8" son is an arse& un9it to lead his host& let alone a %in#do:, And
RichardI 0e is no !etter& !linded as he is !" 9aith in the insu!stantial, Acre does not
!elon# to either o9 the:,
KThen to 1ho:I
KThe cit" !elon#s to its $eo$le,
AltaJr 9ou#ht the no1E9a:iliar sense o9 his 1orld ta%in# an uneC$ected lurch, K0o1
can "ou clai: to s$ea% 9or the citiHensI he said, K2ou stole their 9ood, Disci$lined the:
1ithout :erc", @orced the: into ser7ice under "ou,
KE7er"thin# I did& I did to $re$are the: 9or the Ne1 World& re$lied de 8ont9errat& as
thou#h such thin#s should !e o!7ious to AltaJr, KStole their 9oodI No, I too% $ossession
so that& 1hen the lean ti:es ca:e& it :i#ht !e rationed $ro$erl", Loo% around, 8"
district is 1ithout cri:e ; sa7e that co::itted !" "ou and "our il%, And as 9or
conscri$tionI The" 1ere not !ein# trained to 9i#ht, The" 1ere !ein# tau#ht the :erits o9
order and disci$line, These thin#s are hardl" e7il,
KNo :atter ho1 no!le "ou !elie7e "our intentions& "our acts 1ere cruel and cannot
continue& said AltaJr& thou#h he 9elt less certain than he sounded,
KWell see ho1 s1eet the" are& said de 8ont9errat& 9adin# 9ast& Kthe 9ruits o9 "our
la!ours, 2ou do not 9ree the cities& as "ou !elie7e& !ut da:n the:, And in the end& "oull
ha7e onl" "oursel9 to !la:e, 2ou 1ho s$ea% o9 #ood intentions O
But he ne7er 9inished
KIn death& 1e are all :ade eFuals& said AltaJr& stainin# the 9eather, 0e scaled the
1all !ehind hi: and 1as on the 1al%1a"& dartin# across to the outer curtain, Then
a1a", As i9 he had ne7er !een there,
36
AltaJr 9elt 1ear" o9 the tas%, Tired and increasin#l" 7eCed, Each lon# ride eChausted hi:
9urther !ut he 1as co::anded to 7isit Al 8uali: a9ter e7er" %ill, And on each occasion
the 8aster 1as eni#:atic& de:andin# details 9ro: hi: "et holdin# so :uch !ac%,
So it 1ould $ro7e on the neCt occasion the" :et, KWord has reached :e o9 "our
success& Al 8uali: said, K2ou7e :" #ratitude ; and that o9 the real:, @reein# these
cities 9ro: their corru$t leaders 1ill no dou!t $ro:ote the cause o9 $eace,
KCan "ou reall" !e so sureI as%ed AltaJr, @or his o1n $art& he 1as sure o9 less and
less,
KThe :eans !" 1hich :en rule are re9lected in their $eo$le, As "ou cleanse the
cities o9 corru$tion& "ou heal the hearts and :inds o9 those 1ho li7e 1ithin,
KOur ene:ies 1ould disa#ree& said AltaJr& his :ind #oin# to those 1hose e"es he
had closed,
KWhat do "ou :eanI
KEach :an I7e slain has said stran#e 1ords to :e, The" are 1ithout re#ret, E7en in
death& the" see: con9ident o9 their success, Thou#h the" do not ad:it it directl"& there
is a tie that !inds the:, I a: sure o9 it,
Al 8uali: re#arded hi: care9ull", KThere is a di99erence& AltaJr& !et1een 1hat 1e
are told to !e true and 1hat 1e see to !e true, 8ost :en do not !other to :a%e the
distinction, It is si:$ler that 1a", But as an Assassin& it is "our nature to notice, To
Fuestion,
KThen 1hat is it that connects these :enI $ressed AltaJr, The 8aster had the
ans1ers& he 1as sure o9 it, All o9 the:,
KAh, But as an Assassin it is also "our dut" to still these thou#hts and trust in "our
:aster, @or there can !e no true $eace 1ithout order, And order reFuires authorit",
AltaJr could not %ee$ the eCas$eration 9ro: his 7oice, K2ou s$ea% in circles& 8aster,
2ou co::end :e 9or !ein# a1are and then as% :e not to !e, Which is itI
KThe Fuestion 1ill !e ans1ered 1hen "ou no lon#er need to as% it& res$onded Al
8uali:& :"steriousl",
AltaJr could see he 1as #ettin# no1here, KI assu:e "ou called :e here 9or :ore
than a lecture& he said,
K2es& said Al 8uali:& and directed hi: to Da:ascus once :ore, The one the"
called A!ul NuFoud, 0e 1as to !e the neCt to die, @irst& thou#h& there 1as the
i:$ertinent Bureau leader to ne#otiate O
KAltaJr& :" 9riend, Welco:e, Welco:e, Whose li9e do "ou co:e to collect toda"I
AltaJr 9ro1ned to see the Da:ascus Bureau leader& insolent as e7er& !ut not enou#h
so to 1arrant his 9ur", It 1as Fuite a talent the :an had 9or Dud#in# it so 1ell, Perha$s i9
he had !een a!le to $ut his s%ills to !etter use& he 1ouldnt !e s$endin# his da"s
!ehind a des% in the Bureau, One da" AltaJr :i#ht re:ind hi: o9 that 9act, In the
:eanti:e& he had 1or% to do, A ne1 tar#et,
K0is na:e is A!ul NuFoud& he said, KWhat can "ou tell :e a!out hi:I
KOh& the 8erchant in# o9 Da:ascus& eCclai:ed the leader& 7isi!l" i:$ressed,
KRichest :an in the cit", Ruite eCcitin#, Ruite dan#erous, I en7" "ou& AltaJr, Well O not
the !it 1here "ou 1ere !eaten and stri$$ed o9 "our ran% O But I en7" e7er"thin# else,
Oh O eCce$t 9or the terri!le thin#s the other Assassins sa" a!out "ou, But& "es& aside
9ro: the 9ailure and the hatred ; "es& aside 9ro: those thin#s ; I en7" "ou 7er" :uch
O
AltaJr i:a#ined ho1 his nec% 1ould loo% 1ith a !lade stic%in# 9ro: it, KI do not care
1hat the others thin% or sa"& he said, KI a: here to do a Do!, So I as% a#ain? 1hat can
"ou tell :e a!out the 8erchant in#I
KOnl" that he :ust !e a 7er" !ad :an i9 Al 8uali: has sent "ou to see hi:, 0e
%ee$s to his o1n %ind& 1ra$$ed in the 9iner" o9 this cit"s no!le district, A !us" :an ;
al1a"s u$ to so:ethin#, I: sure i9 "ou s$end so:e ti:e a:on# his t"$e "oull learn all
"ou need to %no1 a!out hi:,
Which 1as eCactl" 1hat AltaJr did& #oin# to the O:a""ad 8osFue and Sou%
SarouDa& as 1ell as Salah Aldins citadel& 1here he learned that A!ul NuFoud 1as
hated !" the local $o$ulace& that he 1as corru$t and had !een e:!eHHlin# $u!lic
:one"& :uch o9 1hich had !een di7erted to >erusale: in $a":ents to Willia: de
8ont9errat, *AltaJr s:iled #ri:l" a!out that,+
Passin# the 8adrasah alEallasah he ca:e u$on scholars tal%in#& and ho$ed he
:i#ht hear so:ethin# o9 A!ul NuFoud, The" 1erent tal%in# a!out hi: !ut AltaJr hun#
a!out an"1a"& $er$leCed !" their s$eeches,
KCitiHens, Brin# 9orth "our 1ritin#s& the 9irst 1as sa"in#, KPlace the: in the $ile
!e9ore :e, To %ee$ an" is a sin, no1 and e:!race the truth o9 :" 1ords, @ree
"oursel7es 9ro: the lies and corru$tion o9 the $ast,
Althou#h hed !een a!out to :o7e on& AltaJr continued to lin#er, There 1as
so:ethin# a!out that, @ree "oursel7es 9ro: the lies and corru$tion o9 the $ast, Could it
ha7e so:ethin# to do 1ith the Kne1 order he %e$t hearin# a!outI
Another scholar 1as tal%in# no1? KI9 "ou trul" 7alue $eace ; i9 "ou trul" 1ish to see
an end to 1ar ; #i7e u$ "our !oo%s& "our scrolls& "our :anuscri$ts& 9or the" 9eed the
9la:es o9 i#norance and hate,
AltaJr had heard enou#h ; and he didnt li%e 1hat he had heard, Gi7e u$ "our
!oo%s, Wh"I
0e $ut it out o9 his :ind& ho1e7er& continuin# to learn a!out the 8erchant in#,
NuFoud rarel" le9t his cha:!ers& he heard, 0o1e7er& he 1ould that 7er" e7enin# to
attend a $art" he 1as hostin# ; held& :an" said& :erel" to ru! his $ersonal 1ealth in
the noses o9 the citiHenr", 0e had e7en ordered 1ine ; in contra7ention o9 his 9aith ; 9or
the e7ent, I9 it 1as to !e an"thin# li%e his $re7ious $arties then that 1as 1hen AltaJr
1ould stri%e, 0e had heard o9 a sca99old le9t outside the !alcon" o9 A!ul NuFouds
Fuarters, It 1as& he decided& a $er9ect ti:e to #o to a $art",
)(
The 9esti7ities 1ere alread" in 9ull s1in# as AltaJr :ade his 1a" around the $alace
court"ard& 9eelin# cons$icuous in his ro!es, The" see:ed dirt" and sha!!" co:$ared
to the out9its o9 the #uests, 8ost 1ore 9iner"& their ro!es intricatel" e:!roidered 1ith
eC$ensi7e threads& and unli%e the :aDorit" o9 Da:ascus residents& the" loo%ed health"
and 1ell 9ed& tal%in# loudl" o7er the :usic& lau#hin# e7en :ore loudl", Certainl" there
1as no shorta#e o9 re9resh:ents, Ser7ants :o7ed throu#h the #uests o99erin# !read&
oli7es and delicacies on #olden tra"s,
AltaJr loo%ed around, The dancers 1ere the onl" 1o:en $resent? siC or se7en o9
the:& #"ratin# slo1l" to the sounds o9 alud and re!ec $la"ed !" :usicians stationed
!elo1 a #rand !alcon", The Assassins #aHe tra7elled u$ to 1here a #uard stood 1ith
his ar:s 9olded& loo%in# out dis$assionatel" o7er the 9ri7olities, This 1as A!uls $erch&
decided AltaJr, Indeed& as he 1atched& the te:$o o9 the :usic see:ed to increase& the
alud all !ut dro1ned !" hea7" dru::in# that !e#an to eCcite the $art"#oers& a sense
o9 antici$ation !uildin#, The dancin# #irls 1ere 9orced into 9aster :o7e:ents and 1ere
#listenin# 1ith $ers$iration !elo1 their sheer sil% out9its as around the: #uests raised
their hands& cheerin# the dru:s on to a crescendo that !uilt and !uilt until the 7er" air
see:ed to 7i!rate ; and suddenl" he 1as there a!o7e the:? A!ul NuFoud,
AltaJr had o7erheard lurid descri$tions o9 the :ans a$$earance, O9 his cor$ulence ;
he 1as as !i# as three nor:al :en& the" said ; the shin" trin%ets he al1a"s 1ore& his
#aud" ro!es and !eDe1elled tur!an& :ost o9 1hich AltaJr had dis:issed as the
eCa##erations o9 a resent9ul $o$ulace, But he 1as a#o# to disco7er that the #ossi$ had
understated the :an, 0is #irth& De1eller" and ro!es 1ere !i##er and :ore #arish than
an"thin# AltaJr could ha7e i:a#ined, 0e 1atched as NuFoud stood& continuin# to che1
1hate7er :eal he had !een enDo"in#& #rease #listenin# around his :outh, And as he
strode the len#th o9 the !alcon" #aHin# do1n on his #uests& the s%in !elo1 his chin
undulatin# as he 9inished his 9ood& his ro!e 9ell o$en to eC$ose his !are chest& a hu#e
eC$anse o9 9lesh #listenin# 1ith s1eat,
Suddenl" he cla$$ed his hands, The :usic sto$$ed& con7ersation ended,
KWelco:e, Welco:e& he announced, KThan% "ou all 9or Doinin# :e this e7enin#,
Please& eat& drin%, EnDo" the $leasures I ha7e to o99er,
With that he s1e$t his hand and the 9ountain in the court"ards centre s$ran# to li9e&
#ushin# 1ith 1hat Altair 9irst thou#ht 1as coloured 1ater, Then ca:e an unsee:l"
dash& and he realiHed 1hat it 1as? the 1ine shi$:ent hed heard a!out, 0ere it 1as, As
he 1atched& t1o :en a$$roached the 9ountain& di$$ed their #o!lets into the 9oa:in#
liFuid& then toasted one another !e9ore hurr"in# o99, 8ore #uests arri7ed& di$$in# their
#o!lets& 1hile ser7ants stood dis$ensin# cu$s to those 1ho 1anted the:, It 1as as i9
the 8erchant in# 1anted e7er" sin#le one o9 his #uests to su$ 9ro: the 9ountain& and
he 1aited until the sta:$ede had receded !e9ore continuin#,
KI trust e7er"thin# is to "our satis9actionI he as%ed& 1ith a raised e"e!ro1,
Indeed it 1as, Go!lets 1ere raised and there 1as a roar o9 a$$ro7al& the #uests
ton#ues loosenin# s1i9tl" under the in9luence o9 the 1ine,
KGood& #ood, NuFoud #rinned& to re7eal !its o9 9ood $lastered to his teeth, KIt
$leases :e to see "ou so ha$$", @or these are dar% da"s& :" 9riends& and 1e :ust
enDo" this !ount" 1hile 1e still can,
Close to AltaJr& the toastin# :en returned 9ro: a second 7isit to the 1ine 9ountain
and 1ere #ul$in# 9ro: their 9illed #o!lets& sti9lin# #i##les as NuFoud continued? KWar
threatens to consu:e us all, Salah Aldin !ra7el" 9i#hts 9or 1hat he !elie7es in& and "ou
are al1a"s there to su$$ort hi: 1ithout Fuestion, It is "our #enerosit" that allo1s his
ca:$ai#n to continue,
AltaJr noticed& thou#h he 1as al:ost certainl" the onl" one o9 those in the court"ard
to do so& that the #alleries alon# on one side 1ere !e#innin# to 9ill 1ith #uards, 0e
loo%ed closer, Archers,
Near!" the :en 1ere still #ul$in# their 1ine& as NuFoud !e#an to s$ea% a#ain, KSo I
$ro$ose a toast& then& he said, KTo "ou& :" dear 9riends& 1ho ha7e !rou#ht us to 1here
1e are toda", 8a" "ou !e #i7en e7er"thin# "ou deser7e,
KTo "our health& ca:e the cr"& as the $art"#oers dran% 9reel" 9ro: their cu$s,
KSuch %indness& NuFoud 1as sa"in# a!o7e the:, KI didnt thin% it in "ou, 2ou& 1ho
ha7e !een so Fuic% to Dud#e :e& and so cruell",
Sensin# a chan#e in hi: the cro1d :ur:ured its con9usion,
KOh& do not 9ei#n i#norance, Do "ou ta%e :e 9or a 9oolI That I ha7e not heard the
1ords "ou 1his$er !ehind :" !ac%I Well& I ha7e, And I 9ear I can ne7er 9or#et, But this
is not 1h" I called "ou here toni#ht, No, I 1ish to s$ea% :ore o9 this 1ar ; and "our
$art in it,
K2ou #i7e u$ "our coin& Fuic% as can !e& %no1in# all too 1ell it !u"s the deaths o9
thousands, 2ou dont e7en %no1 1h" 1e 9i#ht, The sanctit" o9 the 0ol" Land& "oull
sa", Or the e7il inclination o9 our ene:ies, But these are lies "ou tell "oursel7es,
KNo, All this su99erin# is !orn o9 9ear and hate, It !others "ou that the" are di99erent,
>ust as it !others "ou that I a: di99erent,
AltaJrs #aHe 1ent to the archers in the #alleries, @eelin# a t1in#e o9 disFuiet he
:o7ed to his side to ins$ect the #alleries on the other side o9 the court"ard, There& too&
the !o1:en had lined u$, 0e s1un# round, It 1as the sa:e !ehind the:, The" 1ere
not dra1in# their !o1s, Not "et& an"1a", But& i9 AltaJr 1as ri#ht& the :o:ent 1ouldnt !e
lon# in co:in#, And 1hen it did the" had the 1hole court"ard co7ered, 0e :o7ed
closer to one o9 the surroundin# 1alls, Not 9ar a1a"& a :an !e#an s$lutterin# and
cou#hin#& settin# his co:$anion o99 in :ore 9its o9 lau#hter,
KCo:$assion, 8erc", Tolerance& continued NuFoud& 9ro: the !alcon", KThese
1ords :ean nothin# to an" o9 "ou, The" :ean nothin# to those in9idel in7aders 1ho
ra7a#e our land in search o9 #old and #lor", And so I sa" enou#h, I7e $led#ed :"sel9
to another cause, One that 1ill !rin# a!out a Ne1 World ; in 1hich all $eo$le :i#ht li7e
side !" side in $eace,
0e $aused, AltaJr 1atched the archers tense, The" 1ere a!out to o$en 9ire, 0e
$ressed hi:sel9 a#ainst the 1all, The :an 1as still cou#hin#, 0e 1as !ent dou!le no1&
his 9ace red, 0is co:$anion 1ent 9ro: loo%in# concerned to cou#hin# also,
KA $it" none o9 "ou 1ill li7e to see it& 9inished NuFoud,
8ore #uests !e#an to s$lutter, So:e 1ere holdin# their sto:achs, O9 course&
thou#ht Altair, Poison, Around hi: so:e #uests had 9allen to their %nees, 0e sa1 a
cor$ulent :an in #olden ro!es 9rothin#& his e"es rollin# u$ in their soc%ets as he
lurched to the #round and la" d"in#, The archers had readied their !o1s no1, At least
hal9 o9 the $art"#oers 1ere in the death throes& !ut there 1ere $lent" 1ho had not
su$$ed the 1ine and 1ere scra:!lin# 9or the eCits,
Kill an"one 1ho tries to esca$e& ordered the 8erchant in#& and his archers
o$ened 9ire,
Lea7in# the carna#e !ehind& AltaJr scaled the 1all to the !alcon" and cre$t u$
!ehind NuFoud, There 1as a #uard at his side& and AltaJr dis$atched hi: 1ith a slash
o9 his !lade, The :an 9ell& t1istin#& his throat o$enin#& s$ra"in# !lood across the tiles o9
the !alcon", NuFoud s$un to see Altair and his eC$ression chan#ed, Watchin# the
:assacre in the $art" !elo1& he had !een s:ilin#& enDo"in# the sho1, No1& AltaJr 1as
#rati9ied to see& he 9elt onl" 9ear,
Then $ain& as AltaJr san% the !lade into his nec% a!o7e the cla7icle,
KWh" ha7e "ou done thisI #as$ed the hu#e :an& sin%in# to the s:ooth stone o9 his
!alcon",
K2ou stole :one" 9ro: those "ou clai: to lead& AltaJr told hi:, KSent it a1a" 9or
so:e un%no1n $ur$ose, I 1ant to %no1 1here its #one and 1h",
NuFoud sco99ed, KLoo% at :e, 8" 7er" nature is an a99ront to the $eo$le I ruled, And
these no!le ro!es did little :ore than :u99le their shouts o9 hate,
KSo this is a!out 7en#eance& thenI as%ed AltaJr,
KNo, Not 7en#eance& !ut :" conscience, 0o1 could I 9inance a 1ar in ser7ice to the
sa:e God that calls :e an a!o:inationI
KI9 "ou do not ser7e Salah Aldins cause& then 1hoseI
NuFoud s:iled, KIn ti:e "oull co:e to %no1 the:, I thin%& $erha$s& "ou alread" do,
PuHHled once a#ain& AltaJr as%ed& KThen 1h" hideI And 1h" these dar% deedsI
KIs it so di99erent 9ro: "our o1n 1or%I 2ou ta%e the li7es o9 :en and 1o:en& stron#
in the con7iction that their deaths 1ill i:$ro7e the lot o9 those le9t !ehind, A :inor e7il
9or a #reater #oodI We are the sa:e,
KNo, AltaJr shoo% his head, KWe are nothin# ali%e,
KAh O !ut I see it in "our e"es, 2ou dou!t,
The stin% o9 death 1as on his !reath as he $ulled AltaJr closer to hi:, K2ou cannot
sto$ us& he :ana#ed, KWe 1ill ha7e our Ne1 World O
0e died& a thin trail o9 !lood tric%lin# 9ro: his :outh,
KEnDo" the silence& said AltaJr& and di$$ed his 9eather into the 8erchant in#s
!lood,
0e needed to see Al 8uali:& he decided, The ti:e 9or uncertaint" 1as o7er,
)3
KCo:e& AltaJr, I 1ould ha7e ne1s o9 "our $ro#ress& said Al 8uali:,
KI7e done as "ou7e as%ed& re$lied the Assassin,
KGood, Good, Al 8uali: loo%ed hard hi:, KI sense "our thou#hts are else1here,
S$ea% "our :ind,
It 1as true, AltaJr had thou#ht o9 little else on the return Dourne", No1 he had the
o$$ortunit" to #et it o99 his :ind, KEach :an I: sent to %ill s$ea%s cr"$tic 1ords to :e,
Each ti:e I co:e to "ou and as% 9or ans1ers, Each ti:e "ou #i7e onl" riddles in
eCchan#e, But no :ore,
Al 8uali:s e"e!ro1s shot u$ in sur$rise ; sur$rise that AltaJr should address hi:
in such a 1a", KWho are "ou to sa" Mno :oreNI
AltaJr s1allo1ed& then set his Da1, KI: the one 1ho does the %illin#, I9 "ou 1ant it to
continue& "oull s$ea% strai#ht 1ith :e 9or once,
KTread care9ull"& AltaJr, I do not li%e "our tone,
KAnd I do not li%e "our dece$tion& re$lied AltaJr& :ore loudl" than he had intended,
Al 8uali: dar%ened, KI ha7e o99ered "ou a chance to restore "our lost honour,
KNot lost& countered AltaJr, KTa%en, B" "ou, And then "ou sent :e to 9etch it a#ain&
li%e so:e da:ned do#,
No1 the 8aster dre1 his s1ord& e"es 9larin#, KIt see:s Ill need to 9ind another, A
sha:e, 2ou sho1ed #reat $otential,
KI thin% i9 "ou had another& "oud ha7e sent hi: lon# a#o& said AltaJr& 1ho 1ondered
i9 he 1as $ushin# his :entor too 9ar& !ut carried on an"1a", K2ou said the ans1er to :"
Fuestion 1ould arise 1hen I no lon#er needed to as% it, So I 1ill not as%, I de:and
"ou tell :e 1hat !inds these :en,
0e stood $re$ared to 9eel the $oint o9 Al 8uali:s s1ord& ho$in# onl" that the
8aster considered hi: too 7alua!le, It 1as a #a:!le& he %ne1,
Al 8uali: see:ed to consider the o$tions also& his s1ord 1a7erin#& li#ht #lancin#
o99 the !lade, Then he sheathed it and see:ed to relaC a little,
KWhat "ou sa" is true& he said at last, KThese :en are connected O !" a !lood oath
not unli%e our o1n,
KWho are the"I
KNon no!is& Do:ine& non no!is& he said, Not unto us& O Lord,
KTe:$lars O said AltaJr, O9 course,
KNo1 "ou see the true reach o9 Ro!ert de Sa!le,
KAll o9 these :en ; leaders o9 cities ; co::anders o9 ar:ies O
KAll $led#e alle#iance to his cause,
KTheir 1or%s are not :eant to !e 7ie1ed on their o1n& are the"I said AltaJr&
thin%in#, KBut as a 1hole O What do the" desireI
KConFuest& re$lied Al 8uali:& si:$l", KThe" see% the 0ol" Land ; not in the na:e o9
God !ut 9or the:sel7es,
KWhat o9 RichardI Salah AldinI
KAn" 1ho o$$ose the Te:$lars 1ill !e destro"ed, Be assured the" ha7e the :eans
to acco:$lish it,
KThen the" :ust !e sto$$ed& said AltaJr& 1ith resol7e, 0e 9elt as thou#h a #reat
1ei#ht had li9ted 9ro: hi:,
KThat is 1h" 1e do our 1or%& AltaJr, To ensure a 9uture 9ree o9 such :en,
KWh" did "ou hide the truth 9ro: :eI he as%ed the 8aster,
KThat "ou :i#ht $ierce the 7eil "oursel9, Li%e an" tas%& %no1led#e $recedes action,
In9or:ation learned is :ore 7alua!le than in9or:ation #i7en, Besides O "our !eha7iour
had not ins$ired in :e :uch con9idence,
KI see, Altair lo1ered his head,
KAltaJr& "our :ission has not chan#ed& :erel" the conteCt 1ithin 1hich "ou $ercei7e
it,
KAnd ar:ed 1ith this %no1led#e& I :i#ht !etter understand those Te:$lars 1ho
re:ain,
Al 8uali: nodded, KIs there an"thin# else "ou 1ant to %no1I
AltaJr had sol7ed the :"ster" o9 the Brotherhood to 1hich his tar#ets had re9erred,
But there 1as so:ethin# else O KWhat a!out the treasure 8ali% retrie7ed 9ro:
Solo:ons Te:$leI he as%ed, KRo!ert see:ed des$erate to ha7e it !ac%,
KIn ti:e& AltaJr& all 1ill !eco:e clear& said Al 8uali:, K>ust as the role o9 the
Te:$lars has re7ealed itsel9 to "ou& so too 1ill the nature o9 their treasure, @or no1&
ta%e co:9ort in the 9act that it is not in their hands& !ut ours,
@or a :o:ent AltaJr considered $ressin# hi: on the su!Dect !ut decided a#ainst it,
0e had !een luc%" once, 0e dou!ted it 1ould ha$$en a second ti:e, KI9 this is "our
desire O he said,
KIt is,
The at:os$here in the roo: relaCed as AltaJr turned to #o, 0is neCt destination 1as
>erusale:,
KAltaJr ; !e9ore "ou #oI
K2esI
K0o1 did "ou %no1 I 1ouldnt %ill "ouI
KTruth !e told& 8aster& I didnt,
))
Stu$id AltaJr, Arro#ant AltaJr, 0e 1as in trou!le, 8aDd Addin la" dead at his 9eet& the
1ood slo1l" stainin# 1ith his !lood, At his !ac% 1ere the accused& lashed to sta%es
and han#in# 9ro: the:& li:$ and !lood", The sFuare 1as e:$t"in# o9 s$ectators& !ut
not o9 8aDd Addins #uards& 1ho 1ere ad7ancin# on hi:, A$$roachin# the $lat9or:,
Be#innin# to cli:! the ste$s at either end 1hile !loc%in# hi: 9ro: Du:$in# at the 9ront,
With 9ierce e"es the" 1ere slo1l" he::in# hi: in& their s1ords raised& and i9 the" 9elt
9ear it didnt sho1, That their leader had !een $u!licl" cut do1n !" an Assassin at
>erusale:s Wailin# Wall #allo1s had not thro1n the: into $anic and disarra" as AltaJr
had ho$ed, It hadnt instilled in the: a :ortal 9ear o9 the Assassin 1ho no1 stood
!e9ore the:& his !lade dri$$in# 1ith Addins !lood, It had #i7en the: resol7e and a
need to eCact re7en#e,
Which :eant that thin#s hadnt #one accordin# to $lan,
ECce$t O the 9irst o9 the #uards darted 9or1ard& snarlin#& his Do! to test AltaJrs
:ettle, The Assassin retreated& $arr"in# the stri%es o9 the Saracens !lade& steel
rin#in# in the nearEe:$t" sFuare, The #uard $ressed 9or1ard, AltaJr #lanced !ehind to
see others ad7ancin# and re$lied 1ith an attac% o9 his o1n& 9orcin# the Saracen !ac%,
One& t1o& thrust, @orced hurriedl" to de9end& the #uard tried to s%i$ a1a"& al:ost
!ac%in# into one o9 the !odies han#in# 9ro: the sta%es, AltaJr #lanced do1n and sa1
his chance& co:in# 9or1ard once a#ain& launchin# a 1ild attac% ai:ed at $anic%in# his
o$$onent, Blade :et !lade and& sure enou#h& the Saracen 1as 9orced :essil"
!ac%1ards and into the $ool o9 !lood on the $lat9or: ; Dust as AltaJr had intended, 0e
sli$$ed& his 9ootin# lost& and 9or a second his #uard 1as do1n ; enou#h ti:e 9or AltaJr
to dart inside his s1ord ar:& i:$alin# hi: in the chest, 0e #ur#led, Died, 0is !od"
sli$$ed to the 1ood& and AltaJr strai#htened to 9ace :ore attac%ers& seein# dou!t and
:a"!e a little 9ear in their e"es no1, The Assassins :ettle had !een dul" tested and
he had not !een 9ound lac%in#,
Still& thou#h& the #uards had the ad7anta#e o9 nu:!ers& and :ore& surel"& 1ould !e
on their 1a"& alerted !" the co::otion, Ne1s o9 e7ents at the sFuare 1ould ha7e
s$read throu#hout >erusale:? that the cit" re#ent had !een slain on his o1n eCecution
sca99oldG that his #uards had set u$on the Assassin res$onsi!le, AltaJr thou#ht o9 8ali%s
#lee at the ne1s,
2et 8ali% had a$$eared chan#ed 1hen AltaJr had last 7isited the Bureau, It 1asnt
as thou#h hed 1elco:ed AltaJr 1ith o$en ar:s !ut& ne7ertheless& o$en hostilit" had
!een re$laced !" a certain 1eariness& and he had re#arded AltaJr 1ith a 9ro1n& not a
#lare,
KWh" do "ou trou!le :e toda"I 0ed si#hed,
Grate9ul not to ha7e to s$ar& AltaJr had told hi: his tar#et? 8aDd Addin,
8ali% nodded, KSalah Aldins a!sence has le9t the cit" 1ithout a $ro$er leader& and
8aDd Addin has a$$ointed hi:sel9 to $la" the $art, @ear and inti:idation #et hi: 1hat
he 1ants, 0e has no true clai: to the $osition,
KThat ends toda"& AltaJr had said,
K2ou s$ea% too readil", This is not so:e sla7er 1ere discussin#, 0e rules
>erusale: and is 1ell $rotected !ecause o9 it, I su##est "ou $lan "our attac% care9ull",
Get to %no1 "our $re",
KThat I alread" ha7e& AltaJr had assured hi:, K8aDd Addin is holdin# a $u!lic
eCecution not 9ar 9ro: here, Its sure to !e 1ell #uarded& !ut nothin# I cant handle, I
%no1 1hat to do,
8ali% sneered, KAnd that is 1h" "ou re:ain a no7ice in :" e"es, 2ou cannot %no1
an"thin#, Onl" sus$ect, 2ou :ust eC$ect to !e 1ron#, To ha7e o7erloo%ed so:ethin#,
Antici$ate& AltaJr, 0o1 :an" ti:es :ust I re:ind "ou o9 thisI
KAs "ou 1ish, Are 1e doneI
KNot Fuite, There is one :ore thin#, One o9 the :en to !e eCecuted is a !rother,
One o9 us, Al 8uali: 1ishes hi: to !e sa7ed, Do not 1orr" a!out the actual rescue ;
:" :en 1ill ta%e care o9 that, But "ou :ust ensure 8aDd Addin does not ta%e his li9e,
KI 1ont #i7e hi: the chance,
As hed le9t& 8ali% had 1arned hi:& KDont 9oul this& AltaJr& and AltaJr had :entall"
sco99ed at the thou#ht as he !e#an the 1al% to the Wailin# Wall,
)-
As he had a$$roached the Wailin# Wall& AltaJr had seen cro1ds !e#innin# to #ather?
:en& 1o:en& children& do#s& e7en li7estoc%, All 1ere :a%in# their 1a" throu#h the
surroundin# streets o9 the sFuare to1ards the eCecution $laHa,
AltaJr Doined the:& and as he $assed alon# a street that 1as 9illin# 1ith :ore and
:ore ea#er s$ectators headin# in the sa:e direction& he had listened to a to1n crier
1hi$$in# u$ enthusias: 9or the co:in# attraction ; thou#h it hardl" see:ed necessar",
KTa%e notice& called the crier, K8aDd Addin& :ost !elo7ed re#ent o9 >erusale:& 1ill
attend a $u!lic eCecution at the 1estern ed#e o9 Solo:ons Te:$le, All a!le citiHens
are reFuested to !e there, 0urr"P Co:e and 1itness 1hat !eco:es o9 our ene:ies,
AltaJr had had an idea o9 1hat that :i#ht !e, 0e ho$ed he 1ould !e a!le to chan#e
the outco:e,
Guards at the entrance to the sFuare 1ere tr"in# to control the 9lo1 o9 the cro1d
inside& turnin# so:e !ac%& allo1in# others in, AltaJr hun# !ac%& 1atchin# the :asses
edd" a!out the entrance& !odies $ressin# a#ainst hi: in the street, Children darted
throu#h the le#s o9 the s$ectators& snea%in# their 1a" into the $laHa, NeCt he sa1 a
%not o9 scholars& the cro1d $artin# to :a%e 1a" 9or the:& e7en do#s see:in# to sense
the re7erence reser7ed 9or the hol" :en, AltaJr rearran#ed his ro!es& adDusted his co1l&
1aited until the scholars 1ere $assin# and sli$$ed in a:on# the:, As he did so& he 9elt
a hand tu##in# at his slee7e and loo%ed do1n to see a #ru!!" child starin# at hi: 1ith
FuiHHical e"es, 0e snarled and& terri9ied& the !o" darted a1a",
>ust in ti:e? the" had reached the #ates& 1here the #uards $arted to allo1 the
scholars throu#h& and AltaJr ca:e u$on the sFuare,
There 1ere rou#h stone 1alls on all sides, Alon# the 9ar end 1as a raised $lat9or:
and on it a series o9 sta%es, E:$t"& 9or no1& !ut not 9or :uch lon#er, >erusale:s
re#ent& 8aDd Addin 1as 1al%in# out on to the sta#e, At his a$$earance there 1as a
sur#e& and a shout 1ent u$ 9ro: the entrance as the #uards lost control and citiHens
ca:e $ourin# in, AltaJr 1as carried 9or1ard on the 1a7e& no1 :uch closer to the
rostru: and to the 9eared 8aDd Addin& 1ho 1as alread" stal%in# the sta#e& 1aitin# 9or
the sFuare to 9ill, 0e 1ore a 1hite tur!an and a lon#& ornatel" e:!roidered #o1n, 0e
:o7ed as thou#h he 1as an#r", As thou#h his te:$er 1as Dust :o:ents 9ro:
esca$in# his !od",
It 1as,
KSilenceP I de:and silence& he roared,
With the sho1 a!out to start& there 1as a 9inal sur#e and Altair 1as carried 9or1ard
once :ore, 0e sa1 #uards stationed !" the ste$s on either side o9 the $lat9or:& t1o at
each end, In 9ront o9 the $lat9or: he sa1 :ore& to $re7ent the cro1d scra:!lin# on to
the sca99old, Cranin# his nec%& he s$otted others around the $eri$her" o9 the sFuare, At
least the latter 1ould 9ind it di99icult to :o7e throu#h the cro1d& !ut that still #a7e Dust
seconds 9or the %ill and to 9end o99 the nearest #uards ; the 9our at either end o9 the
$lat9or: at the 7er" least, 8a"!e those standin# #uard on the #round as 1ell,
Could he !etter the: all in that ti:eI Ten or so lo"al SaracensI The AltaJr 1ho had
attac%ed Ro!ert de Sa!le on the Te:$le 8ount 1ould ha7e had no dou!ts at all, No1&
thou#h& he 1as :ore 1ar", And he %ne1 that to atte:$t the %illin# i::ediatel" 1as
:adness, A $lan doo:ed to 9ailure,
>ust as hed :ade u$ his :ind to 1ait& the 9our $risoners 1ere led on to the sca99old
and to the sta%es 1here the #uards !e#an !indin# the: in $lace, At one end there 1as
a 1o:an& dirt"E9aced and 1ee$in#, Beside her stood t1o :en& dressed in ra#s, And
9inall" the Assassin& his head lollin#& !eaten& o!7iousl", The cro1d hissed its
dis$leasure
KPeo$le o9 >erusale:& hear :e 1ell& shouted 8aDd Addin& his 7oice silencin# the
cro1d& 1hich had !eco:e eCcited at the arri7al o9 the $risoners, KI stand here toda" to
deli7er a 1arnin#, 0e $aused, KThere are :alcontents a:on# "ou, The" so1 the seeds
o9 discontent& ho$in# to lead "ou astra",
The cro1d :ur:ured& seethin# around AltaJr,
Addin continued? KTell :e& is this 1hat "ou desireI To !e :ired in deceit and sinI To
li7e "our li7es in 9earI
KWe do not& screa:ed a s$ectator 9ro: !ehind AltaJr, But AltaJrs attention 1as 9iCed
on the Assassin& a 9ello1 :e:!er o9 the Order, As he 1atched& a !lood" strin# o9 sali7a
dri$$ed 9ro: the :ans :outh to the 1ood, 0e tried to raise his head and AltaJr cau#ht
a #li:$se o9 his 9ace, Ri$e $ur$le !ruises, Then his head lolled once :ore,
8aDd Addin #rinned a croo%ed #rin, 0is 1as a 9ace not used to s:ilin#, KSo "ou 1ish
to ta%e actionI he as%ed a#reea!l",
The cro1d roared its a$$ro7al, The" 1ere here to see !loodG the" %ne1 the re#ent
1ould not lea7e their thirst unFuenched,
KGuide us& called a 7oice& as the roar died do1n,
K2our de7otion $leases :e& said Addin& and he turned to the $risoners& indicatin#
the: 1ith a s1ee$ o9 his ar:, KThis e7il :ust !e $ur#ed, Onl" then can 1e ho$e to !e
redee:ed,
Suddenl" there 1as a distur!ance in 9ront o9 the $lat9or:& a 7oice cr"in#& KThis is not
Dustice,
AltaJr sa1 a :an in ra#s, 0e 1as shoutin# at 8aDd Addin? K2ou t1ist the 1ords o9
the Pro$het& $eace !e u$on hi:,
0e had a co:$anion& also clothed in tatters& 1ho 1as si:ilarl" u$!raidin# the
cro1d, KAnd all o9 "ou stand idle& co:$licit in this cri:e,
AltaJr used the distur!ance to ed#e closer, 0e needed to cli:! to the $lat9or: at the
end 1here the Assassin stood !ound to the sta%e, Couldnt ris% ha7in# hi: used as a
!arrier or hosta#e,
KGod curse "ou all& shouted the 9irst :an ; !ut the" had no su$$orters, Not a:on#
the cro1d and certainl" not a:on# the #uards& 1ho e7en no1 1ere :o7in# 9or1ard,
Seein# the: co:e& the t1o hec%lers :ade a run 9or it& $roducin# da##ers and 1a7in#
the: as the" :ade a 9utile dash to1ards the $lat9or:, One 1as cut do1n !" an archer,
The second 9ound hi:sel9 $ursued !" t1o #uards& 9ailin# to see a third Saracen 1ho
o$ened his sto:ach 1ith his s1ord,
The" la" d"in# in the dust and 8aDd Addin $ointed at the:, KSee ho1 the e7il o9 one
:an s$reads to corru$t anotherI he shrie%ed, 0is !lac% !eard Fui7ered 1ith outra#e,
KThe" sou#ht to instil 9ear and dou!t 1ithin "ou, But I 1ill %ee$ "ou sa9e,
No1 he turned !ac% to the $oor un9ortunates ; 1ho :ust surel" ha7e !een $ra"in#
9or the atte:$t on his li9e to succeed& !ut instead 1atched 1ideEe"ed and terri9ied as he
dre1 his s1ord,
K0ere are 9our 9illed 1ith sin& called Addin& $ointin# 9irst at the 1o:an& then at each
one in turn, KThe harlot, The thie9, The #a:!ler, The heretic, Let Gods Dud#:ent !e
!rou#ht do1n u$on the: all,
The heretic, That 1as the Assassin, AltaJr steeled hi:sel9 and !e#an to :o7e closer
to the ste$s at the side o9 the $lat9or:& one e"e on Addin as he 1al%ed 9irst o7er to the
1o:an, The $rostitute, Una!le to ta%e her e"es o99 the s1ord Addin held ; al:ost
casuall"& han#in# at his side ; she !e#an 1ailin# uncontrolla!l",
KTe:$tressP roared Addin& o7er her so!s, KSuccu!us, Whore, She #oes !" :an"
na:es& !ut her sin re:ains the sa:e, She turned her !ac% on the teachin#s o9 our
Pro$het& $eace !e u$on hi:, De9iled her !od" to ad7ance her station, Each :an she
touched is 9or e7er stained,
In res$onse the cro1d !ooed, AltaJr :o7ed a 9e1 :ore 9eet to1ards the rostru:
ste$s, 0e 1atched the #uards and sa1 that their attention 1as on Addin, Good,
KPunish her& screa:ed an onloo%er,
Addin had 1hi$$ed the: into a state o9 ri#hteous 9ur",
KShe :ust $a"& a#reed another,
The 1o:an sto$$ed sni7ellin# to shout at the cro1d !a"in# 9or her !lood, KThis :an
s$ea%s lies, I a: here toda" not !ecause I la" do1n 1ith other :en& 9or I did not, 0e
:eans to :urder :e !ecause I 1ould not lie do1n 1ith hi:,
8aDd Addins e"es 9lared, KE7en no1& o99ered rede:$tion& she continues to decei7e,
She reDects sal7ation, There is onl" one 1a" to deal 1ith this,
She had ti:e to screa:& KNo& as his s1ord 9lashed and he dro7e it into her sto:ach,
In the :o:ent o9 silence that 9ollo1ed there 1as the sound o9 her !lood s$lashin# to
the !oards o9 the $lat9or:& !e9ore a collecti7e Kooh 1ent u$ 9ro: the cro1d& 1hich
shi9ted as those at the sides and !ac% tried to #et a !etter 7ie1 o9 the #utted 1o:an,
AltaJr 1as closer to the ste$s no1 !ut the sudden :o7e:ent o9 the cro1d had le9t
hi: a little eC$osed, Relie7ed& he 1atched as Addin strode to the neCt 1hi:$erin#
$risoner and the s$ectators rolled !ac% a#ain& antici$atin# the neCt %ill,
Addin indicated the :an& a #a:!ler& he eC$lained, A :an 1ho could not a!stain
9ro: intoCicants and 1a#ers,
K@or sha:e& screeched the cro1d, It 1as the" 1ho 1ere intoCicated& thou#ht AltaJr&
sic%ened !" their !loodlust,
KA #a:e o9 chance conde:ns :e to deathI cried the #a:!ler& one last thro1 o9 the
dice 9or hi:, KSho1 :e 1here such a thin# is 1ritten, It is not sin that corru$ts our cit"&
!ut "ou,
KSo "ou 1ould sa" to the $eo$le it is acce$ta!le to de9" the 1ill o9 our Pro$het&
$eace !e u$on hi:I countered Addin, KAnd i9 1e are to i#nore this teachin#& then 1hat
o9 the othersI Where does it endI I sa" it ends in chaos, And so it cannot !e allo1ed,
0is !lade #linted in the a9ternoon sun, 0e dro7e it dee$ into the !ell" o9 the #a:!ler&
#runtin# as he "an%ed it u$1ards& o$enin# a 7ertical 1ound in the :ans a!do:en and
eC$osin# his entrails, Deli#hted& the cro1d screa:ed in :oc% dis#ust& alread" seethin#
to the side in order to 7ie1 the neCt %illin#& ta%in# AltaJr closer to the ste$s,
Addin sauntered to the third $risoner& sha%in# !lood 9ro: his !lade, KThis :an& he
said& indicatin# the tre:!lin# ca$ti7e& Ktoo% 1hat 1as not his, 8one" earned throu#h
the la!our o9 another, It could ha7e !elon#ed to an" o9 "ou, And so "ou ha7e all !een
7iolated, What sa" "ou to thisI
KIt 1as a sin#le dinar& the accused a$$ealed& i:$lorin# the cro1d 9or :erc"& K9ound
on the #round, 0e s$ea%s as thou#h I tres$assed& as thou#h I ri$$ed it 9ro: the hands
o9 another,
But the thron# 1as not in a :erci9ul 9ra:e o9 :ind, There 1ere calls 9or his !lood&
the s$ectators in a 9renH" no1,
KToda" a dinar& shrie%ed Addin& Kto:orro1 a horse, The neCt da"& another :ans li9e,
The o!Dect itsel9 is not o9 conseFuence, What :atters is that "ou too% 1hat did not
!elon# to "ou, Were I to allo1 such !eha7iour& then others 1ould !elie7e it their ri#ht to
ta%e as 1ell, Where 1ould it endI
0e :o7ed in 9ront o9 the thie9& 1hose 9inal $leas 1ere cut short as Addin !uried the
!lade in his !ell",
No1 he 1ould turn his attention to the Assassin, AltaJr had to act 9ast, 0e had Dust
:o:ents, Lo1erin# his head& he !e#an to shoulder his 1a" throu#h the cro1d& care9ul
not to a$$ear as thou#h he had an" $articular intention, Si:$l" that he 1anted to #et
as close to the 9ront o9 the cro1d as $ossi!le, B" no1& 8aDd Addin had reached the
Assassin and sauntered u$ to hi:& #ra!!ed his hair and raised his head to sho1 the
cro1d,
KThis :an s$reads 7icious lies and $ro$a#anda& he roared 7eno:ousl", K0e has
onl" :urder on his :ind, 0e $oisons our thou#hts as he $oisons his !lade, Turns
!rother a#ainst !rother, @ather a#ainst son, 8ore dan#erous than an" ene:" 1e 9ace,
0e is Assassin,
0e 1as re1arded 1ith the cro1ds collecti7e inta%e o9 !reath, AltaJr had reached the
ste$s no1, Around hi: the thron# seethed& eCcita!le s$ectators screa:in# 9or the
%illin# !lo1,
KDestro" the un!elie7erP
Kill hi:P
KSlit his throatP
The Assassin& his head still held !" Addin& s$o%e? Killin# :e 1ill not :a%e "ou an"
sa9er, I see the 9ear in "our e"es& hear the Fui7er in "our throats, 2ou are a9raid, A9raid
!ecause "ou %no1 our :essa#e cannot !e silenced, Because "ou %no1 1e cannot !e
sto$$ed,
AltaJr 1as at the !otto: o9 the ste$s, 0e stood there as i9 atte:$tin# to #et a !etter
7ie1, Others had seen hi: and 1ere doin# the sa:e, The t1o #uards had !een
standin# at the to$ entranced !" the action& !ut slo1l" !eca:e a1are o9 1hat 1as
ha$$enin#, One called to the other and the" ste$$ed do1n and !e#an co::andin#
citiHens to lea7e& e7en as :ore s$ectators 1ere $ourin# u$ the stairs, All 1anted to #et
as close as $ossi!le to the eCecution and 1ere Dostlin# and sho7in#& so:e 9orced o99 the
ste$s& includin# one o9 the 9urious #uards, AltaJr used the disorder to cli:! hi#her until
he stood Dust a 9e1 9eet a1a" 9ro: Addin& 1ho had released the Assassins head and
1as $reachin# to the cro1d o9 his K!las$he:", 0is Ktreacher",
Behind AltaJr the scu99le continued, The t1o #uards 1ere 9ull" occu$ied, Ahead o9
hi:& Addin had 9inished addressin# the cro1d& 1ho 1ere suita!l" 1hi$$ed u$ and
des$erate to see the 9inal %ill, No1 he turned !ac% to the $risoner& !randishin# his
s1ord& its !lade alread" stained red& and :o7ed to1ards hi: 9or the death !lo1,
Then& as thou#h alerted !" so:e hi#her sense& he sto$$ed& turned his head and
loo%ed strai#ht at AltaJr,
@or a :o:ent it 1as as thou#h the sFuare contracted& as thou#h the disorderl"
cro1d& the #uards& the conde:ned :an and the cor$ses 1ere no lon#er there, And as
the" re#arded one another AltaJr sa1 realisation da1n on Addin that death 1as near,
Then AltaJr 9lic%ed his rin# 9in#er and the !lade s$ran# 9orth as he launched hi:sel9
9or1ard& dra1in# it !ac%& and sin%in# it into Addin& the entire :o7e:ent lastin# little
lon#er than the !lin% o9 an e"e,
The cro1d roared and screa:ed& not %no1in# 1hat to :a%e o9 the sudden turn o9
e7ents, Addin !uc%ed and sFuir:ed& !lood $u:$in# 9ro: the 1ound in his nec% !ut
AltaJr held hi: stead" 1ith his %nees& raisin# his !lade,
K2our 1or% here is 9inished& he told Addin& and tensed& a!out to deli7er the 9inal
!lo1, Around the: there 1as $ande:oniu:, The #uards 1ere onl" Dust realiHin# 1hat
1as 1ron# and tr"in# to 9i#ht their 1a" to the $lat9or: throu#h a $anic%ed cro1d, AltaJr
needed to 9inish this& 9ast, But he 1anted to hear 1hat Addin had to sa",
KNo, No, It had onl" Dust !e#un& said Addin,
KTell :e& 1hat is "our $art in all o9 thisI Do "ou intend to de9end "oursel9 as the
others ha7e and eC$lain a1a" "our e7il deedsI
KThe Brotherhood 1anted the cit", I 1anted $o1er, There 1as O an o$$ortunit",
KAn o$$ortunit" to :urder innocents& said AltaJr, 0e could hear the sound o9 runnin#
9eet, The $eo$le 9leein# the sFuare,
KNot so innocent, Dissident 7oices cut dee$ as steel, The" disru$t order, In this& I
a#ree 1ith the Brotherhood,
K2oud %ill $eo$le si:$l" 9or !elie7in# di99erentl" 9ro: "ouI
KO9 course not O I %illed the: !ecause I could, Because it 1as 9un, Do "ou %no1
1hat it 9eels li%e to deter:ine another :ans 9ateI And did "ou see the 1a" the $eo$le
cheeredI The 1a" the" 9eared :eI I 1as li%e a #od, 2oud ha7e done the sa:e i9 "ou
could, Such O $o1er,
KOnce& $erha$s, But then I learned 1hat !eco:es o9 those 1ho li9t the:sel7es
a!o7e others,
KAnd 1hat is thatI
K0ere, Let :e sho1 "ou,
0e 9inished Addin& then closed the t"rants e"es, Stained the 9eather,
KE7er" soul shall taste death& he said,
And then he had stood u$ to 9ace the #uards ; Dust as a !ell !e#an tollin#,
A Saracen ca:e 9l"in# at hi: and he $arried& #runtin#& dri7in# the :an !ac%, 8ore
1ere scra:!lin# on to the $lat9or:& and he 9ound hi:sel9 9acin# three at once, One 9ell
screa:in# !eneath his !lade& another lost his 9ootin# on the slic% o9 !lood& 9ell& and
AltaJr 9inished hi:, Seein# a #a$& the Assassin Du:$ed 9ro: the sca99old& acti7atin# his
!lade and s$earin# a #uard as he landed& the :ans s1ord s1i$in# at thin air,
On the sFuare no1 he sa1 his onl" esca$e and 9ended o99 t1o :ore attac%ers as he
ed#ed to1ards the entrance1a", 0e too% a nic% and 9elt 1ar: !lood sluice do1n his
ar:G then& #ras$in# hold o9 a s1ords:an& launched hi: into the $ath o9 the second,
Both tu:!led& "ellin#& to the dirt, AltaJr darted to1ards the door1a"& arri7in# as a trio o9
soldiers ca:e hurr"in# throu#h, 0e had the sur$rise thou#h& i:$alin# one 1ith his
s1ord& slashin# the nec% o9 a second 1ith his !lade and sho7in# the t1o 1rithin#& d"in#
:en into the third,
Entrance clear& he #lanced !ehind at the $lat9or: to see 8ali%s :en 9reein# the
Assassin and leadin# hi: a1a"& then dashed out into the lane 1here a 9ourth #uard
1aited& co:in# 9or1ard 1ith a $i%e& screa:in#, AltaJr Du:$ed clear& #ras$in# the ed#e
o9 a 1ooden 9ra:e and 9li$$in# hi:sel9 u$ on to the cano$"& 9eelin# his :uscles sin#,
@ro: !elo1 there 1as a shout o9 9rustration& and as he scra!!led u$ to the roo9to$ he
#lanced do1n to see a cluster o9 soldiers 9ollo1in# hi:, To #i7e the: $ause he %illed
one 1ith a thro1in# %ni9e& then dashed o99 across the roo9to$s& 1aited until the !ell had
sto$$ed rin#in#& and then disa$$eared into the cro1d& listenin# as 1ord s$read
throu#hout the cit"? an Assassin had %illed the re#ent,
)5
There 1as still so:ethin# AltaJr needed to %no1& thou#h,
And 1ith the last o9 the cit" re#ents dead& no1 1as the ti:e to as% it, 0e steeled
hi:sel9 as he 1as ushered once :ore into Al 8uali:s cha:!ers,
KCo:e in& AltaJr, I trust "ou are 1ell restedI Read" 9or "our re:ainin# trialsI said
the 8aster,
KI a:, But Id s$ea% 1ith "ou 9irst, I ha7e Fuestions O
Al 8uali: indicated his disa$$ro7al !" raisin# his chin and $ursin# his li$s sli#htl",
No dou!t he re:e:!ered the last occasion 1hen AltaJr had $ressed 9or ans1ers, So
did AltaJr& 1ho had decided to tread :ore care9ull" this ti:e& %een not to see a
rea$$earance o9 the 8asters !lade,
KAs%& then& said Al 8uali:, KIll do :" !est to ans1er,
AltaJr too% a dee$ !reath, KThe 8erchant in# o9 Da:ascus :urdered the no!les
1ho ruled his cit", 8aDd Addin in >erusale: used 9ear to 9orce his $eo$le into
su!:ission, I sus$ect Willia: :eant to :urder Richard& and hold Acre 1ith his troo$s,
These :en 1ere :eant to aid their leaders, Instead the" chose to !etra" the:, What I
do not understand is 1h",
KIs the ans1er not o!7iousI The Te:$lars desire control, Each :an ; as "ou7e
noted ; 1anted to clai: their cities in the Te:$lar na:e that the Te:$lars the:sel7es
:i#ht rule the 0ol" Land and e7entuall" !e"ond, But the" cannot succeed in their
:ission,
KWh" is thatI as%ed AltaJr,
KTheir $lans de$end u$on the Te:$lar Treasure O the Piece o9 Eden O But 1e
hold it no1, And the" cannot ho$e to achie7e their #oals 1ithout it,
O9 course& thou#ht AltaJr, This 1as the ite: so :an" o9 his tar#ets had re9erred to,
KWhat is this treasureI he said,
Al 8uali: s:iled& then 1ent to the rear o9 his cha:!er& !ent and o$ened a chest,
0e too% a !oC 9ro: it& returned to his des% and $laced it do1n, Altair %ne1 1hat it 1as
1ithout loo%in#& !ut still 9ound his #aHe dra1n to it ; no& dra##ed to it, It 1as the !oC
8ali% had retrie7ed 9ro: the Te:$le& and as !e9ore it see:ed to #lo1& to radiate a %ind
o9 $o1er, 0e had %no1n all alon#& he realiHed& that this 1as the treasure the" s$o%e o9,
0is e"es 1ent 9ro: the !oC to Al 8uali:& 1ho had !een 1atchin# his reaction, The
8asters 9ace !ore an indul#ent eC$ression& as thou#h he had seen :an" !eha7e in this
1a", And that this 1as onl" the !e#innin#,
@or no1 he reached into the !oC and too% 9ro: it a #lo!e& a!out the siHe o9 t1o 9ists?
a #olden #lo!e 1ith a :osaic desi#n that see:ed to $ulse 1ith ener#"& so that AltaJr
9ound hi:sel9 1onderin# i9 his e"es 1ere decei7in# hi:, I9 :a"!e it 1as O ali7e in
so:e 1a", But he 1as distracted, Instead he 9elt the #lo!e $ullin# at hi:,
KIt is O te:$tation& intoned Al 8uali:,
And suddenl"& li%e a candle snu99ed out& the #lo!e sto$$ed $ulsin#, Its aura 1as
#one, Its dra1 suddenl" nonEeCistent, It 1as O Dust a #lo!e a#ain? an ancient thin#&
!eauti9ul in its o1n 1a" !ut& still& a :ere trin%et,
KIts Dust a $iece o9 sil7er O said AltaJr,
KLoo% at it& insisted Al 8uali:,
KIt shi::ers 9or the !rie9est :o:ent& !ut theres reall" nothin# s$ectacular a!out it&
said AltaJr, KWhat a: I su$$osed to seeI
KThis M$iece o9 sil7erN cast out Ada: and E7e, This is the A$$le, It turned sta7es
into sna%es, Parted and closed the Red Sea, Eris used it to start the TroDan War, And
1ith it& a $oor car$enter turned 1ater into 1ine,
The A$$le& the Piece o9 EdenI AltaJr loo%ed at it dou!t9ull", KIt see:s rather $lain
9or all the $o1er "ou clai: it has& he said, K0o1 does it 1or%I
K0e 1ho holds it co::ands the hearts and :inds o9 1hoe7er loo%s u$on it ;
1hoe7er MtastesN o9 it& as the" sa",
KThen de Na$louses :en O said AltaJr& thin%in# o9 the $oor creatures in the
hos$ital,
KAn eC$eri:ent, 0er!s used to si:ulate its e99ects O To !e read" 9or 1hen the" held
it,
AltaJr sa1 it no1, KTalal su$$lied the:, Ta:ir eFui$$ed the:, The" 1ere $re$arin#
9or so:ethin# O But 1hatI
KWar& said Al 8uali:& star%l",
KAnd the others O the :en 1ho ruled the cities O The" :eant to #ather u$ their
$eo$le, 8a%e the: li%e de Na$louses :en,
KThe $er9ect citiHens, The $er9ect soldiers, A $er9ect 1orld,
KRo!ert de Sa!le :ust ne7er ha7e this !ac%& said AltaJr,
KSo lon# as he and his !rothers li7e& the" 1ill tr"& said Al 8uali:,
KThen the" :ust !e destro"ed,
KWhich is 1hat I7e had "ou doin#& s:iled Al 8uali:, KThere are t1o :ore Te:$lars
1ho reFuire "our attention& he said, KOne in Acre& %no1n as Si!rand, One in
Da:ascus& called >u!air, Visit the Bureau leaders, The"ll instruct "ou 9urther,
KAs "ou 1ish& said AltaJr& !o1in# his head,
KBe Fuic% a!out it& said Al 8uali:, KNo dou!t Ro!ert de Sa!le is :ade ner7ous !"
our continued success, 0is re:ainin# 9ollo1ers 1ill do their !est to eC$ose "ou, The"
%no1 "ou co:e? the :an in the 1hite hood, The"ll !e loo%in# 9or "ou,
KThe" 1ont 9ind :e, I: !ut a !lade in a cro1d& said AltaJr,
Al 8uali: s:iled& $roud once :ore o9 his $u$il,
)/
It 1as Al 8uali: 1ho had tau#ht the: the Creed& the "oun# AltaJr and A!!as, The
8aster had 9illed their "oun# heads 1ith the tenets o9 the Order,
E7er" da"& a9ter a !rea%9ast o9 9lat !read and dates& stern #o7ernesses had seen to
it that the" 1ere 1ashed and neatl" dressed, Then& 1ith !oo%s clas$ed to their !reasts&
the" had hurried alon# corridors& their sandals sla$$in# on the stone& chattin# eCcitedl"&
until the" reached the door to the 8asters stud",
0ere the" had had a ritual, Both $assed a hand o7er his o1n :outh to #o 9ro:
ha$$" 9ace to serious 9ace& the 9ace the 8aster eC$ected, Then one 1ould %noc%, @or
so:e reason the" !oth li%ed to %noc%& so the" too% it in turns each da", Then the"
1ould 1ait 9or the 8aster to in7ite the: in, There& the" 1ould sit crossEle##ed on
cushions that Al 8uali: had $ro7ided es$eciall" 9or the: ; one 9or AltaJr& and one 9or
his !rother& A!!as,
When the" 9irst !e#an their tutela#e the" had !een 9ri#htened and unsure& o9
the:sel7es& o9 each other and in $articular o9 Al 8uali:& 1ho 1ould tutor the: in the
:ornin# and at e7enin#& 1ith trainin# in the "ard in the a9ternoon and then a#ain at
ni#ht, Lon# hours s$ent learnin# the 1a"s o9 the Order& 1atchin# the 8aster $ace the
stud"& his hands !ehind his !ac%& occasionall" sto$$in# to ad:onish the: i9 he thou#ht
the" 1erent $a"in# attention, The" !oth 9ound Al 8uali:s one e"e disconcertin# and
9elt 9iCed in $lace !" it so:eti:es, Until one ni#ht A!!as had 1his$ered across their
roo:& K0e"& AltaJrI
Altair turned to hi:& sur$rised, Neither had done this !e9ore& !e#un tal%in# a9ter the
li#hts had !een snu99ed, The" had lain in silence& each lost in his o1n thou#hts, Until
that ni#ht, The :oon 1as 9ull and the sheet at their 1indo1 #lo1ed 1hite& li#htin# the
roo: a so9t& #re" hue, A!!as 1as l"in# on his side loo%in# across at AltaJr& and 1hen he
had the other !o"s attention he $laced a hand o7er one e"e& and said& in an al:ost
$er9ect a$$roCi:ation o9 Al 8uali:& KWe are nothin# i9 1e do not a!ide !" the
Assassins Creed,
AltaJr had dissol7ed into #i##les and 9ro: then the t1o 1ere 9riends, @ro: no1 on
1hen Al 8uali: ad:onished the:& it 1as 9or the sti9led lau#hter he heard 1hen his
!ac% 1as turned, Suddenl" the #o7ernesses 9ound that their char#es 1erent Fuite so
:ee% and acFuiescent,
And Al 8uali: tau#ht the: the tenets, The tenets that AltaJr 1ould ne#lect later in
li9e& at a cost dear to hi:, Al 8uali: told the: that the Assassins 1ere not
indiscri:inate %illers& not as the 1orld at lar#e li%ed to thin%& !ut 1ere tas%ed onl" 1ith
sla"in# the e7il and corru$tG their :ission 1as to !rin# $eace and sta!ilit" to the 0ol"
Land& to instil in it a code not o9 7iolence and con9lict !ut o9 thou#ht and conte:$lation,
0e tau#ht the: to :aster their 9eelin#s and e:otions& to cloa% their dis$osition and
!e a!sor!ed !" the 1orld a!out the:& so that the" :i#ht :o7e a:on# nor:al $eo$le
undetected& a !lan% s$ace& a #host in the cro1d, To the $eo$le& the Assassin :ust !e a
%ind o9 :a#ic the" did not understand& he said& !ut that& li%e all :a#ic& it 1as realit" !ent
to the 1ill o9 the Assassin,
0e tau#ht the: to $rotect the Order at all ti:esG that the Brotherhood 1as K:ore
i:$ortant than "ou& AltaJr, It is :ore i:$ortant than "ou& A!!as, It is :ore i:$ortant
than 8as"a9 and :"sel9, Thus& the action o9 one Assassin should ne7er call har: u$
u$on the Order, The Assassin should ne7er co:$ro:ise the Brotherhood,
And thou#h AltaJr 1ould one da" disre#ard this doctrine& too& it 1as not 9or 1ant o9
Al 8uali:s tutorin#, 0e tau#ht the: that :en had created !oundaries and declared all
1ithin those !oundaries to !e Ktrue and Kreal& !ut in 9act the" 1ere 9alse $eri:eters&
i:$osed !" those 1ho 1ould $resu:e to !e leaders, 0e sho1ed the: that the !ounds
o9 realit" 1ere in9initel" !roader than :an%inds li:ited i:a#ination 1as a!le to
concei7e& and that onl" the 9e1 could see !e"ond those !oundaries ; onl" a 9e1 dared
e7en Fuestion their eCistence,
And the" 1ere the Assassins,
And !ecause the Assassins 1ere a!le to see the 1orld as it trul" 1as& then to the
Assassin e7er"thin# 1as $ossi!le ; e7er"thin# 1as $er:itted,
E7er" da"& as AltaJr and A!!as learned :ore and :ore a!out the Order& the" also
#re1 closer, The" s$ent al:ost all da" 1ith one another, Whate7er Al 8uali: tau#ht
the:& their o1n da"EtoEda" realit" 1as in 9act insu!stantial, It consisted o9 each other&
the #o7ernesses& Al 8uali:s classes and a succession o9 co:!at trainers& each 1ith a
di99erent s$ecialit", And 9ar 9ro: e7er"thin# !ein# $er:itted& 7irtuall" nothin# 1as, An"
entertain:ent 1as $ro7ided !" the !o"s the:sel7es& and so the" s$ent lon# hours
tal%in# 1hen the" should ha7e !een stud"in#, A su!Dect the" rarel" discussed 1as their
9athers, At 9irst A!!as had tal%ed onl" o9 Ah:ad returnin# one da" to 8as"a9& !ut as
the :onths turned into "ears he s$o%e o9 it less, AltaJr 1ould see hi: standin# at the
1indo1& 1atchin# o7er the 7alle" 1ith #litterin# e"es, Then his 9riend !e#an to 1ithdra1
and !eco:e less co::unicati7e, 0e 1as not so Fuic% to s:ile an" :ore, Where
!e9ore he had s$ent hours tal%in#& no1 he stood at the 1indo1 instead,
AltaJr thou#ht? I9 onl" he %ne1, A!!ass #rie9 1ould 9lare and intensi9"& then settle
into an ache& Dust as AltaJr had eC$erienced, The 9act o9 his 9athers death hurt hi:
e7er" da"& !ut at least he %ne1, It 1as the di99erence !et1een a dull ache and a
constant sense o9 ho$elessness,
So one ni#ht& a9ter the candles had !een snu99ed out& he told A!!as, With !o1ed
head& 9i#htin# !ac% the tears& he told A!!as that Ah:ad had co:e to his Fuarters and
there he had ta%en his o1n li9e& !ut that Al 8uali: had decided it !est to hide this 9act
9ro: the Brotherhood& Kin order to $rotect "ou, But the 8aster hasnt 1itnessed "our
"earnin# at 9irst hand, I lost :" 9ather& too& so I %no1, I %no1 that the $ain o9 it recedes
o7er ti:e, B" tellin# "ou& I ho$e to hel$ "ou& :" 9riend,
A!!as had si:$l" !lin%ed in the dar%ness& then turned o7er in his !ed, AltaJr had
1ondered ho1 he had eC$ected A!!as to react, TearsI An#erI Dis!elie9I 0e had !een
$re$ared 9or the: all, E7en to !ar A!!as in and $re7ent hi: #oin# to the 8aster, What
he hadnt eC$ected 1as this O e:$tiness, This silence,
)=
AltaJr stood on a roo9to$ in Da:ascus& loo%in# do1n on his neCt tar#et,
The s:ell o9 !urnin# sic%ened hi:, The si#ht too, O9 !oo%s !ein# !urned, AltaJr
1atched the: crin%le& !lac%en and !urn& thin%in# o9 his 9ather& 1ho 1ould ha7e !een
dis#ustedG Al 8uali:& too& 1hen he told hi:, To !urn !oo%s 1as an a99ront to the
Assassin 1a", Learnin# is %no1led#e& and %no1led#e is 9reedo: and $o1er, 0e %ne1
that, 0e had 9or#otten it& so:eho1& !ut he %ne1 it once :ore,
0e stood out o9 si#ht on the led#e o9 the roo9 o7erloo%in# the court"ard o9 >u!airs
:adrasah in Da:ascus, S:o%e rose to1ards 1here he stood !ut all o9 the attention
!elo1 1as 9ocused on the 9ire& $iles o9 !oo%s& docu:ents and scrolls at its centre, The
9ire and >u!air alE0a%i:& 1ho stood near!"& !ar%in# orders, All 1ere doin# his !iddin#
a$art 9ro: one& AltaJr noticed, This scholar stood to the side& #aHin# into the 9ire& his
eC$ression echoin# AltaJrs thou#hts,
>u!air 1ore leather !oots& a !lac% headcloth and a $er:anent sco1l, AltaJr 1atched
hi: care9ull"? he had learned :uch a!out hi:, >u!air 1as the chie9 scholar o9
Da:ascus !ut in na:e onl"& 9or it 1as a :ost unusual scholar 1ho insisted not on
s$readin# learnin# !ut on destro"in# it, In this $ursuit he had enlisted the cit"s
acade:ics& 1hose $resence 1as encoura#ed !" Salah Aldin,
And 1h" 1ere the" doin# it& collectin# then destro"in# these docu:entsI In the
na:e o9 so:e Kne1 1a" or Kne1 order& 1hich AltaJr had heard a!out !e9ore, ECactl"
1hat it in7ol7ed 1asnt clear, 0e %ne1 1ho 1as !ehind it& thou#h, The Te:$lars& his
Fuarr" !ein# one o9 the:,
KE7er" sin#le teCt in this cit" :ust !e destro"ed, Belo1 hi: >u!air 1as eChortin# his
:en 1ith a 9anatics Heal, 0is scholar hel$ers scurried a!out& laden 1ith ar:9uls o9
$a$ers that the" had carried 9ro: so:e1here hidden 9ro: AltaJr, The" 1ere castin#
the: into the 9la:es& 1hich !loo:ed and #re1 1ith each 9resh deli7er", @ro: the
corner o9 his e"e he sa1 the distant scholar !eco:in# :ore and :ore a#itated& until
suddenl"& as thou#h he could no lon#er contain hi:sel9& he s$ran# 9or1ard to con9ront
>u!air,
K8" 9riend& "ou :ust not do this& he said& his Do7ial tone !el"in# his o!7ious distress,
K8uch %no1led#e rests 1ithin these $arch:ents& $ut there !" our ancestors 9or #ood
reason,
>u!air sto$$ed& to stare at hi: 1ith na%ed conte:$t, KAnd 1hat reason is thisI he
snarled,
KThe" are !eacons :eant to #uide us ; to sa7e us 9ro: the dar%ness that is
i#norance& i:$lored the scholar, The 9la:es danced tall at his !ac%, Scholars ca:e
1ith :ore ar:9uls o9 !oo%s that the" de$osited on the 9ire& so:e castin# ner7ous
#lances at 1here >u!air and the $rotester stood,
KNo, >u!air too% a ste$ 9or1ard& 9orcin# the na"sa"er to retreat a ste$, KThese !its o9
$a$er are co7ered 1ith lies, The" $oison "our :inds, And so lon# as the" eCist& "ou
cannot ho$e to see the 1orld as it trul" is,
Tr"in# des$eratel" to !e reasona!le& the scholar still couldnt hide his 9rustration,
K0o1 can "ou accuse these scrolls o9 !ein# 1ea$onsI The"re tools o9 learnin#,
K2ou turn to the: 9or ans1ers and sal7ation, >u!air too% another ste$ 9or1ard& the
$rotester another ste$ !ac%, K2ou rel" :ore u$on the: than u$on "oursel7es, This
:a%es "ou 1ea% and stu$id, 2ou trust in 1ords, Dro$s o9 in%, Do "ou e7er sto$ to thin%
o9 1ho $ut the: thereI Or 1h"I No, 2ou si:$l" acce$t their 1ords 1ithout Fuestion,
And 1hat i9 those 1ords s$ea% 9alsel"& as the" o9ten doI This is dan#erous,
The scholar loo%ed con9used, As thou#h so:eone 1as tellin# hi: !lac% 1as 1hite&
ni#ht 1as da", K2ou are 1ron#& he insisted, KThese teCts o99er the #i9t o9 %no1led#e, We
need the:,
>u!air dar%ened, K2ou lo7e "our $recious 1ritin#sI 2oud do an"thin# 9or the:I
K2es& "es, O9 course,
>u!air s:iled, A cruel s:ile, KThen Doin the:,
Plantin# !oth hands on the scholars chest& >u!air sho7ed hi: !ac%1ards& hard, @or
a second the scholar 1as :idEto$$le& his e"es 1ide o$en in sur$rise and his ar:s
9la$$in# :adl"& as thou#h he ho$ed to 9l" clear o9 the #reed" 9ire, Then he 1as clai:ed
!" the i:$etus o9 the sho7e& 9allin# into the 9la:es& 1rithin# on a !ed o9 searin# heat,
0e screa:ed and %ic%ed, 0is ro!e cau#ht, @or a :o:ent he see:ed to !e tr"in# to
!eat out the 9la:es& the slee7es o9 his tunic alread" ali#ht, Then his shrie%s sto$$ed,
And contained in the s:o%e risin# to AltaJr 1as the nauseatin# scent o9 roastin# hu:an
9lesh, 0e co7ered his nose, In the court"ard !elo1& the scholars did the sa:e,
>u!air addressed the:? KAn" :an 1ho s$ea%s as he did is Dust as :uch a threat,
Does an" other a:on# "ou 1ish to challen#e :eI
There 1as no re$l"& 9ear9ul e"es loo%ed o7er hands held to noses, KGood& said
>u!air, K2our orders are si:$le enou#h, Go out into the cit", Collect an" re:ainin#
1ritin#s and add the: to the $iles in the streets, When "oure done 1ell send a cart to
collect the: that the" :a" !e destro"ed,
The scholars le9t, And no1 the court"ard 1as e:$t", A !eauti9ul :ar!led area 9or
e7er tarnished !" the o!scenit" o9 the 9ire, >u!air $aced around it& #aHin# into the 9ire,
E7er" so o9ten he cast a ner7ous #lance around hi:& and a$$eared to !e listenin#
care9ull", But i9 he heard an"thin# it 1as the crac%le o9 the 9ire and the sound o9 his o1n
!reathin#, 0e relaCed a little& 1hich :ade AltaJr s:ile, >u!air %ne1 the Assassins 1ere
co:in# 9or hi:, Thin%in# hi:sel9 cle7erer than his eCecutioners hed sent deco"s into
the cit" streets ; deco"s 1ith his :ost trusted !od"#uards& so that the dece$tion should
!e co:$lete, AltaJr :o7ed silentl" around the roo9to$ until he stood directl" a!o7e the
!oo%E!urner, >u!air thou#ht he 1as sa9e here& loc%ed in his :adrasah,
But he 1asnt, And he had eCecuted his last underlin#& !urned his last !oo%,
Snic%,
>u!air loo%ed u$ and sa1 the Assassin descendin# to1ards hi:& !lade
outstretched, Too late& he tried to dart out o9 the 1a" as the !lade 1as sin%in# into his
nec%, With a si#h he cru:$led to the :ar!le,
0is e"elids 9luttered, KWh" O 1h" ha7e "ou done thisI
AltaJr loo%ed o7er to the !lac%ened cor$se o9 the scholar in the 9ire, With the 9lesh
!urned a1a" 9ro: his s%ull& it 1as as thou#h he 1as #rinnin#, K8en :ust !e 9ree to do
as the" !elie7e& he told >u!air, 0e 1ithdre1 the !lade 9ro: the others nec%, Blood
dri$$ed to the :ar!le, KIt is not our ri#ht to $unish one 9or thin%in# as he does& no :atter
ho1 :uch 1e disa#ree,
KThen 1hatI 1heeHed the d"in# :an,
K2ou o9 all $eo$le should %no1 the ans1er, Educate the:, Teach the: ri#ht 9ro:
1ron#, It :ust !e %no1led#e that 9rees the:& not 9orce,
>u!air chuc%led, KThe" do not learn& 9iCed in their 1a"s as the" are, 2ou are naJ7e to
thin% other1ise, Its an illness& Assassin& 9or 1hich there is !ut one cure,
K2oure 1ron#, And thats 1h" "ou :ust !e $ut to rest,
KA: I not unli%e those $recious !oo%s "ou see% to sa7eI A source o9 %no1led#e
1ith 1hich "ou disa#reeI 2et "oure rather Fuic% to steal :" li9e,
KA s:all sacri9ice to sa7e :an", It is necessar",
KIs it not ancient scrolls that ins$ire the CrusadersI That 9ill Salah Aldin and his :en
1ith a sense o9 ri#hteous 9ur"I Their teCts endan#er others, Brin# death in their 1a%e,
I& too& 1as :a%in# a s:all sacri9ice, 0e s:iled, KIt :atters little no1, 2our deed is done,
And so a: I,
0e died& e"es closin#, AltaJr stood u$, 0e loo%ed around the court"ard& seein# the
!eaut" and u#liness o9 it, Then& hearin# 9ootste$s a$$roachin#& he 1as #one, O7er the
roo9to$s and into the streets, Blendin# into the cit", Beco:in# !ut a !lade in the cro1d
O
KI ha7e a Fuestion 9or "ou& said Al 8uali:& 1hen the" neCt :et, 0e had restored
AltaJrs 9ull status and at last the Assassin 1as a 8aster Assassin once :ore, Still& it
1as as thou#h his :entor 1anted to !e sure o9 it, Wanted to !e certain that AltaJr had
learned,
KWhat is the truthI he as%ed,
KWe $lace 9aith in oursel7es& re$lied AltaJr& ea#er to $lease hi:& 1antin# to sho1
hi: that he had indeed chan#ed, That his decision to sho1 :erc" had !een the ri#ht
one, KWe see the 1orld as it reall" is& and ho$e that one da" all :an%ind :i#ht see the
sa:e,
KWhat is the 1orld& thenI
KAn illusion& re$lied AltaJr, KOne 1e can either su!:it to ; as :ost do ; or
transcend,
KAnd 1hat is it to transcendI
KTo reco#niHe that la1s arise not 9ro: di7init"& !ut reason, I understand no1 that our
Creed does not co::and us to !e 9ree, And suddenl" he reall" did understand, KIt
co::ands us to !e 1ise,
Until no1 he had !elie7ed in the Creed !ut 1ithout %no1in# its true :eanin#, It 1as
a call to interro#ate& to a$$l" thou#ht and learnin# and reason to all endea7ours,
Al 8uali: nodded, KDo "ou see no1 1h" the Te:$lars are a threatI
KWhereas 1e 1ould dis$el the illusion& the" 1ould use it to rule,
K2es, To resha$e the 1orld in an i:a#e :ore $leasin# to the:, That is 1h" I sent
"ou to steal their treasure, That is 1h" I %ee$ it loc%ed a1a", And that is 1h" "ou %ill
the:, So lon# as e7en one sur7i7es& so& too& does their desire to create a Ne1 World
Order, 2ou :ust no1 see% out Si!rand, With his death& Ro!ert de Sa!le 1ill at last !e
7ulnera!le,
KIt 1ill !e done,
KSa9et" and $eace u$on "ou& Altair,
).
AltaJr :ade 1hat he ho$ed 1as a 9inal tri$ to Acre ; !attleEscarred Acre& o7er 1hich
hun# the $er:anent $all o9 death, There& he carried out his in7esti#ations& then 7isited
>a!al in the Bureau to collect his :ar%er, At :ention o9 Si!rands na:e& >a!al nodded
sa#el", KI a: 9a:iliar 1ith the :an, Ne1l" a$$ointed leader o9 the ni#hts Teutonic& he
resides in the Venetian Ruarter& and runs Acres $ort,
KI7e learned as :uch ; and :ore,
>a!al raised i:$ressed e"e!ro1s, KContinue then,
AltaJr told hi: ho1 Si!rand had co::andeered the shi$s in the doc%s& intendin# to
use the: to esta!lish a !loc%ade, But not to $re7ent an attac% !" Salah Aldin, That
1as the re7ealin# as$ect, Accordin# to 1hat AltaJr had learned& Si!rand $lanned to
$re7ent Richards :en recei7in# su$$lies, It :ade $er9ect sense, The Te:$lars 1ere
!etra"in# their o1n, All 1as !eco:in# clear to hi:& it see:ed? the nature o9 the stolen
arte9act& the identit" o9 the Brotherhood !indin# his tar#ets to#ether& e7en their ulti:ate
ai:, 2et still O
Still there 1as a 9eelin# he couldnt sha%e o99, A sense that& e7en no1& uncertaint"
s1irled around hi: li%e earl"E:ornin# :ist,
KSi!rand is said to !e consu:ed !" 9ear ; dri7en :ad !" the %no1led#e that his
death a$$roaches, 0e has sealed the doc%s district& and no1 hides 1ithin& 1aitin# 9or
his shi$ to arri7e,
>a!al considered, KThis 1ill :a%e thin#s dan#erous, I 1onder ho1 he learned o9
"our :ission,
KThe :en I7e %illed ; the" are all connected, Al 8uali: 1arned :e that 1ord o9 :"
deeds has s$read a:on# the:,
KBe on "our #uard& AltaJr& said >a!al& handin# hi: the 9eather,
KO9 course& ra9iF, But I thin% it 1ill !e to :" ad7anta#e, @ear 1ill 1ea%en hi:,
0e turned to lea7e& and as he did so& >a!al called hi: !ac%, KAltaJr O
K2esI
KI o1e "ou an a$olo#",
K@or 1hatI
K@or dou!tin# "our dedication to our cause,
AltaJr thou#ht, KNo, It 1as I 1ho erred, I !elie7ed :"sel9 a!o7e the Creed, 2ou o1e
:e nothin#,
KAs "ou 1ish& :" 9riend, Go in sa9et",
AltaJr 1ent to the doc%s& sli$$in# throu#h Si!rands cordon as easil" as !reathin#,
Behind hi: rose the 1alls o9 Acre& in 7arious states o9 disre$airG ahead o9 hi:& the
har!our 1as 9illed 1ith shi$s and $lat9or:s& hul%s and 1ooden carcasses, So:e 1ere
1or%in# 7essels& others le9t !ehind 9ro: the sie#e, The" had trans9or:ed the #lea:in#
!lue sea into an ocean o9 !ro1n 9lotsa:,
The #re" stone sunE!leached doc% 1as its o1n cit", Those 1ho 1or%ed and li7ed
there 1ere doc% $eo$le ; the" had the loo% o9 doc% $eo$le, The" had an eas" :anner
and 1eathered 9aces accusto:ed to s:ilin#,
Thou#h not toda", Not under the co::and o9 Si!rand& the Grand 8aster o9 the
ni#hts Teutonic, Not onl" had he ordered the area to !e sealed !ut he had 9illed it 1ith
his #uards, 0is 9ear o9 assassination 1as li%e a 7irus that had s$read throu#h his ar:",
Grou$s o9 soldiers :o7ed throu#h the doc%s 1ith ro7in# e"es, The" 1ere t1itch"& their
hands constantl" 9littin# at the hilts o9 their !roads1ords, The" 1ere ner7ous& s1eatin#
under hea7" chain:ail,
Beco:in# a1are o9 a co::otion& AltaJr 1al%ed to1ards it& seein# citiHens and
soldiers doin# the sa:e, A %ni#ht 1as shoutin# at a hol" :an, Near!" his co:$anions
1atched anCiousl"& 1hile doc% 1or%ers and :erchants had #athered to 7ie1 the
s$ectacle,
K2E"ou are :ista%en& 8aster Si!rand, I 1ould ne7er $ro$ose 7iolence a#ainst an"
:an ; and :ost certainl" not a#ainst "ou,
So this 1as Si!rand, AltaJr too% note o9 the !lac% hair& dee$ !ro1 and harsh e"es
that see:ed to s$in 1ildl"& li%e those o9 a sunE:addened do#, 0e had ar:ed hi:sel9
1ith e7er" 1ea$on he could& and his !elts sa##ed 1ith s1ords& da##ers and %ni7es,
Across his !ac% 1as his lon#!o1& arro1 Fuills $ee%in# o7er his ri#ht shoulder, 0e
loo%ed eChausted, A :an unra7ellin#,
KSo "ou sa"& he said& sho1erin# the $riest in s$it& Kand "et no one here 1ill 7ouch 9or
"ou, What a: I to :a%e o9 thisI
KIEI li7e a si:$le li9e& :" lord& as do all :en o9 the cloth, It is not 9or us to call
attention to oursel7es,
KPerha$s, 0e closed his e"es, Then the" sna$$ed o$en, KOr $erha$s the" do not
%no1 "ou !ecause "ou are not a :an o9 God& !ut an Assassin,
And 1ith that he sho7ed the $riest !ac%1ards& the old :an landin# !adl"& then
scra!!lin# to his %nees, KNe7er& he insisted,
K2ou 1ear the sa:e ro!es,
The hol" :an 1as des$erate no1, KI9 the" co7er the:sel7es as 1e do& it is onl" to
instil uncertaint" and 9ear, 2ou :ust not #i7e in,
KAre "ou callin# :e a co1ardI shouted Si!rand& his 7oice !rea%in#, KChallen#in#
:" authorit"I Are "ou& $erha$s& ho$in# to turn :" o1n %ni#hts a#ainst :eI
KNo, No, IEI dont understand 1h" "oure dEdoin# this to :e O I7e done nothin#
1ron#,
KI dont recall accusin# "ou o9 an" 1ron#doin#& 1hich :a%es "our out!urst rather
odd, Is it the $resence o9 #uilt that co:$els a con9essionI
KBut I con9ess nothin#& said the $riest,
KAh, De9iant till the 7er" end,
The $riest loo%ed horri9ied, The :ore he said& the 1orse it #ot, KWhat do "ou :eanI
AltaJr 1atched as a succession o9 e:otions $assed across the old :ans 9ace? 9ear&
con9usion& des$eration& ho$elessness,
KWillia: and Garnier 1ere too con9ident, And the" $aid 9or this 1ith their li7es, I
1ont :a%e the sa:e :ista%e, I9 "ou trul" are a :an o9 God& then surel" the Creator
1ill $ro7ide 9or "ou, Let hi: sta" :" hand,
K2ou7e #one :ad& cried the $riest, 0e turned to i:$lore the s$ectators& KWill none
o9 "ou co:e 9or1ard to sto$ thisI 0e is clearl" $oisoned !" his o1n 9ear ; co:$elled to
see ene:ies 1here none eCist,
0is co:$anions shu99led a1%1ardl" !ut said nothin#, So& too& the citiHens& 1ho
#aHed at hi: dis$assionatel", The $riest 1as no Assassin& the" could see that& !ut it
didnt :atter 1hat the" thou#ht, The" 1ere Dust #lad not to !e the tar#et o9 Si!rands
9ur",
KIt see:s the $eo$le share :" concern& said Si!rand, 0e dre1 his s1ord, KWhat I
do& I do 9or Acre,
The $riest shrie%ed as Si!rand dro7e the !lade into his #ut& t1isted& then re:o7ed it
and 1i$ed it clean, The old :an 1rithed on the doc%& then died, Si!rands #uards
$ic%ed u$ his !od" and tossed it into the 1ater,
Si!rand 1atched it #o, KSta" 7i#ilant& :en, Re$ort an" sus$icious acti7it" to the
#uard, I dou!t 1e7e seen the last o9 these Assassins, Persistent !astards O No1 #et
!ac% to 1or%,
AltaJr 1atched as he and t1o !od"#uards :ade their 1a" to a ro1in#E!oat, The
$riests !od" !u:$ed a#ainst the hull as it cast o99& then !e#an to 9loat throu#h the
de!ris in the har!our, AltaJr #aHed out to sea& seein# a !i##er shi$ 9urther out, That
1ould !e Si!rands sanctuar"& he thou#ht, 0is e"es 1ent !ac% to Si!rands s%i99, 0e
could see the %ni#ht $ullin# hi:sel9 u$ to scan the 1ater around hi:, Loo%in# 9or
Assassins, Al1a"s loo%in# 9or the:, As thou#h the" :i#ht a$$ear 9ro: the 1ater
around hi:,
Which 1as eCactl" 1hat he 1as #oin# to do& decided AltaJr& :o7in# to the nearest
hul% and Du:$in# to it& easil" tra7ersin# !oats and $lat9or:s until he ca:e close to
Si!rands shi$, There he sa1 Si!rand :a%e his 1a" u$ to the :ain dec%& e"es ra%in#
the 1ater around hi:, AltaJr heard hi: orderin# the #uards to secure the lo1er dec%s&
then :o7ed across to a $lat9or: near the shi$,
A loo%out sa1 hi: co:in# and 1as a!out to raise his !o1 1hen AltaJr sent hi: a
thro1in# %ni9e& :entall" cursin# hi:sel9 9or not ha7in# ti:e to $re$are the %ill, Sure
enou#h& instead o9 9allin# silentl" to the 1ood o9 the $lat9or:& the sentr" 9ell into the
1ater 1ith a s$lash,
AltaJrs e"es 9lic%ed to the dec% o9 the :ain shi$ 1here Si!rand had heard the
s$lash too& and 1as alread" !e#innin# to $anic, KI %no1 "oure out there& Assassin& he
screeched, 0e unslun# his !o1, K0o1 lon# do "ou thin% "ou can hideI I7e a hundred
:en scourin# the doc%s, The"ll 9ind "ou, And 1hen the" do& "oull su99er 9or "our sins,
AltaJr hu##ed the 9ra:e o9 the $lat9or:& out o9 si#ht, Water la$$ed at its struts,
Other1ise& silence, An al:ost #hostl" Fuiet that :ust ha7e unner7ed Si!rand as :uch
as it $leased AltaJr,
KSho1 "oursel9& co1ard& insisted Si!rand, 0is 9ear 1as in his 7oice, K@ace :e and
let us !e done 1ith this,
All in #ood ti:e& thou#ht AltaJr, Si!rand 9ired an arro1 at nothin#& then 9itted and
9ired another,
KOn "our #uard& :en& shouted Si!rand& to the lo1er dec%s, K0es out there
so:e1here, @ind hi:, End his li9e, A $ro:otion to 1hoe7er !rin#s :e the head o9 the
Assassin,
AltaJr lea$ed 9ro: the $lat9or: to the shi$& landin# 1ith a sli#ht thu:$ that see:ed
to resonate around the area o9 still 1ater, 0e 1aited& clin#in# to the hull& hearin#
Si!rands $anic%ed shouts 9ro: a!o7e, Then he !e#an to cli:!, 0e 1aited until
Si!rands !ac% 1as turned then $ulled hi:sel9 on to the dec%& no1 Dust a 9e1 9eet a1a"
9ro: the Grand 8aster o9 the ni#hts Teutonic& 1ho 1as $ro1lin# the dec%& shoutin#
threats to the e:$t" sea& hurlin# insults and orders at his #uards& 1ho hurried a!out
!elo1,
Si!rand 1as a dead :an& thou#ht AltaJr& as he cre$t u$ !ehind hi:, 0e had died as
:uch 9ro: his o1n 9ear& thou#h he 1as too stu$id to %no1 it,
KPlease O dont do this& he said& as he 9olded to the dec% 1ith AltaJrs !lade in his
nec%,
K2ou are a9raidI as%ed the Assassin, 0e 1ithdre1 his !lade,
KO9 course I a:& said Si!rand& as thou#h addressin# a dolt,
AltaJr thou#ht !ac% to Si!rands callousness !e9ore the $riest, KBut "oull !e sa9e
no1& he said& Kheld in the ar:s o9 "our God O
Si!rand #a7e a s:all 1et lau#h, K0a7e :" !rothers tau#ht "ou nothin#I I %no1 1hat
1aits 9or :e, @or all o9 us,
KI9 not "our God& then 1hatI
KNothin#, Nothin# 1aits, And that is 1hat I 9ear,
K2ou dont !elie7e& said AltaJr, Was it trueI Si!rand had no 9aithI No GodI
K0o1 could I& #i7en 1hat I %no1I What I7e seen, Our treasure 1as the $roo9,
KProo9 o9 1hatI
KThat this li9e is all 1e ha7e,
KLin#er a 1hile lon#er& then& $ressed AltaJr& Kand tell :e o9 the $art "ou 1ere to
$la",
KA !loc%ade !" sea& Si!rand told hi:& Kto %ee$ the 9ool %in#s and Fueens 9ro:
sendin# rein9orce:ents, Once 1e O Once 1e O 0e 1as 9adin# 9ast no1,
KO conFuered the 0ol" LandI $ro:$ted AltaJr,
Si!rand cou#hed, When he neCt s$o%e& his !ared teeth 1ere coated 1ith !lood,
K@reed it& "ou 9ool, @ro: the t"rann" o9 9aith,
K@reedo:I 2ou 1or%ed to o7erthro1 cities, Control :ens :inds, 8urdered an" 1ho
s$o%e a#ainst "ou,
KI 9ollo1ed :" orders& !elie7in# in :" cause, Sa:e as "ou,
KDo not !e a9raid& said AltaJr& closin# his e"es,
KWe are close& AltaJr, Al 8uali: ca:e 9ro: !ehind his des%& :o7in# throu#h a thic%
sha9t o9 li#ht shinin# throu#h the 1indo1, 0is $i#eons cooed ha$$il" in the a9ternoon
heat and there 1as that sa:e s1eet scent in the air, 2et des$ite the da" ; and
althou#h AltaJr had once a#ain #ained his ran% and& :ore i:$ortantl"& the 8asters trust
; he could not "et 9ull" relaC,
KRo!ert de Sa!le is no1 all that stands !et1een us and 7ictor"& continued Al
8uali:, K0is :outh #i7es the orders, 0is hand $a"s the #old, With hi: dies the
%no1led#e o9 the Te:$lar Treasure and an" threat it :i#ht $ose,
KI still dont understand ho1 a si:$le !it o9 treasure could cause so :uch chaos&
said AltaJr, 0e had !een :ullin# o7er Si!rands 9inal :"sterious 1ords, 0e had !een
thin%in# o9 the #lo!e ; the Piece o9 Eden, 0e had eC$erienced its stran#e dra1 at 9irst
hand& o9 course& !ut surel" it had :erel" the $o1er to daHHle and di7ert, Could it reall"
eCert a hold a!o7e that o9 an" desira!le orna:entI 0e had to ad:it to 9indin# the idea
9anci9ul,
Al 8uali: nodded slo1l"& as thou#h readin# his thou#hts, KThe Piece o9 Eden is
te:$tation #i7en 9or:, Loo% at 1hat its done to Ro!ert, Once he had tasted its $o1er&
it consu:ed hi:, 0e sa1 not a dan#erous 1ea$on to !e destro"ed& !ut a tool ; one
that 1ould hel$ hi: realiHe his li9es a:!ition,
K0e drea:ed o9 $o1er& thenI
K2es and no, 0e drea:ed ; still drea:s ; li%e us& o9 $eace,
KBut this is a :an 1ho sou#ht to see the 0ol" Land consu:ed !" 1ar O
KNo& AltaJr& cried Al 8uali:, K0o1 can "ou not see 1hen "oure the one 1ho o$ened
:" e"es to thisI
KWhat do "ou :eanI AltaJr 1as $uHHled,
KWhat do he and his 9ollo1ers 1antI A 1orld in 1hich all :en are united, I do not
des$ise his #oal, I share it, But I ta%e issue 1ith the :eans, Peace is so:ethin# to !e
learned, To !e understood, To !e e:!raced& !utO
K0e 1ould 9orce it, AltaJr 1as noddin#, Understandin#,
KAnd ro! us o9 our 9ree 1ill in the $rocess& a#reed Al 8uali:,
KStran#e O to thin% o9 hi: in this 1a"& said AltaJr,
KNe7er har!our hate 9or "our 7icti:s& Altair, Such thou#hts are $oison and 1ill cloud
"our Dud#e:ent,
KCould he not !e con7inced& thenI To end his :ad FuestI
Al 8uali: shoo% his head slo1l" and sadl", KI s$o%e to hi: ; in :" 1a" ; throu#h
"ou, What 1as each %illin#& i9 not a :essa#eI But he has chosen to i#nore us,
KThen theres onl" one thin# le9t to do,
At last he 1as to hunt de Sa!le, The thou#ht thrilled AltaJr !ut he 1as care9ul to
!alance it 1ith notes o9 caution, 0e 1ould not :a%e the :ista%e o9 underesti:atin# hi:
a#ain, Not de Sa!le& or an"!od",
K>erusale: is 1here "ou 9aced hi: 9irst, Its 1here "oull 9ind hi: no1& said Al
8uali:& and released his !ird, KGo& Altair, Its ti:e to 9inish this,
AltaJr le9t& descendin# the stairs to the doors o9 the to1er and co:in# out into the
court"ard, A!!as 1as sittin# on the 9ence& and AltaJr 9elt his e"es on hi: as he crossed
the court"ard, Then he sto$$ed and turned to 9ace hi:, Their e"es :et and AltaJr 1as
a!out to sa" so:ethin# ; he 1asnt sure 1hat, But he thou#ht !etter o9 it, 0e had a tas%
ahead o9 hi:, Old 1ounds 1ere eCactl" that? old 1ounds, Unconsciousl"& ho1e7er& his
hand 1ent to his side,
)'
The :ornin# a9ter AltaJr had told A!!as the truth a!out his 9ather& A!!as had !een e7en
:ore 1ithdra1n& and nothin# AltaJr said could !rin# hi: out o9 that state, The" ate their
!rea%9ast in silence& sullenl" su!:ittin# to the attentions o9 their #o7ernesses& then
1ent to Al 8uali:s stud" and too% their $laces on the 9loor,
I9 Al 8uali: had noticed a di99erence in his t1o char#es& he said nothin#, Perha$s
he 1as $ri7atel" $leased that the !o"s see:ed less easil" distracted that da", Perha$s
he si:$l" assu:ed that the" had 9allen out& as "oun# 9riends 1ere inclined to do,
AltaJr& ho1e7er& sat 1ith t1isted insides and a tortured :ind, Wh" had A!!as said
nothin#I Wh" hadnt he reacted to 1hat AltaJr had told hi:I
0e 1as to #et his ans1er later that da"& 1hen the" 1ent to the trainin# "ard as
usual, The" 1ere to $ractise s1ord to#ether& s$arrin# as al1a"s, But toda" A!!as had
decided that he 1anted to use not the s:all 1ooden s1ords the" nor:all" s$arred 1ith
!ut the shin" !lades to 1hich the" $lanned to #raduate,
La!i!& their instructor& 1as deli#hted, KECcellent& eCcellent& he said& cla$$in# his
hands to#ether& K!ut& re:e:!er& there is nothin# to !e #ained 9ro: dra1in# !lood, Well
not trou!le the $h"sicians& i9 "ou $lease, This shall !e a test o9 restraint and o9 cunnin#
as :uch as it is o9 s%ill,
KCunnin#& said A!!as, KThat should suit "ou& AltaJr, 2ou are cunnin# and
treacherous,
The" 1ere the 9irst 1ords he had s$o%en to AltaJr all da", And as he said the: he
9iCed AltaJr 1ith a loo% o9 such conte:$t& such hatred& that AltaJr %ne1 thin#s 1ould
ne7er !e the sa:e !et1een the:, 0e loo%ed at La!i!& 1antin# to a$$eal& to i:$lore
hi: not to allo1 the contest& !ut he 1as ho$$in# ha$$il" o7er the s:all 9ence that
surrounded the trainin# Fuadran#le& relishin# the $ros$ect o9 so:e $ro$er co:!at at
last,
The" too% u$ $osition& AltaJr s1allo1in#& A!!as starin# hard at hi:,
KBrother& !e#an AltaJr& K1hat I said last ni#ht& I ;
KDo not call :e !rotherP A!!ass shout ran# around the court"ard, And he s$ran#
to1ards AltaJr 1ith a 9erocit" the !o" had ne7er seen in hi: !e9ore, But thou#h his
teeth 1ere !ared& AltaJr could see the tears that had 9or:ed at the corners o9 his e"es,
There 1as :ore to this than si:$le an#er& he %ne1,
KNo& A!!as& he called& des$eratel" de9endin#, 0e #lanced to his le9t and sa1 the
instructors $uHHled loo% ; he 1as clearl" not sure 1hat to :a%e o9 A!!ass out!urst or
the sudden hostilit" !et1een the t1o, AltaJr sa1 t1o :ore Assassins a$$roachin# the
trainin# area& e7identl" ha7in# heard A!!ass cr", @aces a$$eared in the 1indo1 o9 the
de9ensi7e to1er !" the citadel entrance, 0e 1ondered i9 Al 8uali: 1as 1atchin# O
A!!as Da!!ed 9or1ard 1ith his s1ord$oint& 9orcin# AltaJr to dod#e to the side,
KNo1& A!!as O chided La!i!,
K0e :eans to %ills :e& 8aster& shouted AltaJr,
KDont !e dra:atic& child& said the instructor& thou#h he didnt sound alto#ether
con7inced, K2ou could learn 9ro: "our !rothers co::it:ent,
KI a: not, A!!as attac%ed, K0is, The !o"s 1ords 1ere $unctuated 1ith sa7a#e
stri%es o9 the s1ord, KBrother,
KI told "ou to hel$ "ou& shouted AltaJr,
KNo& screa:ed A!!as, K2ou lied, A#ain he struc% and there 1as a #reat chi:e o9
steel, AltaJr 9ound hi:sel9 thro1n !ac% !" the 9orce& stu:!lin# at the 9ence and al:ost
9allin# !ac%1ards o7er it, 8ore Assassins had arri7ed, So:e loo%ed concerned& others
read" to !e entertained,
KDe9end& AltaJr& de9end& roared La!i!& cla$$in# his hands 1ith #lee, AltaJr thre1 u$
his s1ord& returnin# A!!ass stri%es and 9orcin# hi: into the centre o9 the Fuadran#le
once :ore,
KI told the truth& he hissed& as the" ca:e close& the !lades o9 their s1ords slidin#
a#ainst one another, KI told "ou the truth to end "our su99erin#& Dust as I 1ould ha7e
1anted :ine endin#,
K2ou lied to !rin# sha:e u$on :e& said A!!as& 9allin# !ac% and ta%in# u$ $osition&
crouched& one ar: thro1n !ac% as the"d !een tau#ht& the !lade o9 his s1ord Fui7erin#,
KNoP cried AltaJr, 0e danced !ac% as A!!as thrust 9or1ard, But 1ith a 9lic% o9 his
1rist A!!as cau#ht AltaJr 1ith his !lade& o$enin# a nic% that !led 1ar: do1n AltaJrs
side, 0e #lanced o7er at La!i! 1ith !eseechin# e"es& !ut his concerns 1ere 1a7ed
a1a", 0e $laced a hand to his side and ca:e a1a" 1ith !loodied 9in#erti$s that he held
out to A!!as,
KSto$ this& A!!as& he $leaded, KI s$o%e the truth in the ho$e o9 !rin#in# "ou
co:9ort,
KCo:9ort& said A!!as, The !o" 1as tal%in# to the asse:!led cro1d no1, KTo !rin#
:e co:9ort he tells :e :" 9ather %illed hi:sel9,
There 1as a :o:ent o9 shoc%ed silence, AltaJr loo%ed 9ro: A!!as to those 1ho
1ere no1 1atchin#& una!le to co:$rehend the turn o9 e7ents, The secret he had s1orn
to %ee$ had !een :ade $u!lic,
0e #lanced u$ to Al 8uali:s to1er, Sa1 the 8aster standin# there& 1atchin#& his
hands !ehind his !ac% and an unreada!le eC$ression on his 9ace,
KA!!as& shouted La!i!& at last seein# so:ethin# 1as a:iss, KAltaJr,
But the t1o 9i#htin# !o"s i#nored hi:& their s1ords :eetin# a#ain, AltaJr& in $ain&
1as 9orced to de9end,
KI thou#ht ; he !e#an,
K2ou thou#ht "ou 1ould !rin# sha:e u$on :e& shrie%ed A!!as, The tears 1ere
9allin# do1n his 9ace no1 and he circled AltaJr& then $ushed 9or1ard a#ain& s1in#in# his
s1ord 1ildl", AltaJr crouched and 9ound s$ace !et1een A!!ass ar: and !od", 0e
struc%& o$enin# a 1ound on A!!ass le9t ar: that he ho$ed 1ould at least sto$ hi: lon#
enou#h 9or AltaJr to tr" to eC$lain ;
But A!!as shrie%ed, And 1ith a 9inal 1ar cr" he lea$ed to1ards AltaJr 1ho duc%ed
!eneath his 9lailin# !lade& usin# his shoulder to u$set A!!ass 9or1ard :o:entu: so
that no1 the" 1ere rollin# in the #round in a :ess o9 dirt and !loodied ro!es, @or a
:o:ent the" #ra$$led& then AltaJr 9elt a searin# $ain in his side& A!!as di##in# his
thu:! into the 1ound and usin# the o$$ortunit" to t1ist& hea7in# hi:sel9 on to$ o9
AltaJr and $innin# hi: to the #round, @ro: his !elt he $roduced his da##er and held it
to AltaJrs throat, 0is 1ild e"es 1ere 9iCed on AltaJr, The" still $oured 1ith tears, 0e
!reathed hea7il" throu#h !ared teeth,
KA!!asP ca:e the shout& not 9ro: La!i! or an" o9 those 1ho had #athered to 1atch,
This ca:e 9ro: the 1indo1 o9 Al 8uali:, KPut a1a" the %ni9e at once& he roared& his
7oice a thundercla$ in the court"ard,
In res$onse A!!as sounded s:all and des$erate, KNot until he ad:its,
KAd:its 1hatI cried AltaJr& stru##lin# !ut held 9ir:,
La!i! had cli:!ed o7er the 9ence, KNo1& A!!as& he said& 1ith $lacatin# $al:s held
out, KDo as the 8aster sa"s,
KCo:e an" closer and Ill car7e hi:& #ro1led A!!as,
The instructor sto$$ed, K0ell $ut "ou in the cells 9or this& A!!as, This is no 1a" 9or
the Order to !eha7e, Loo%& there are citiHens here 9ro: the 7illa#e, Word 1ill s$read,
KI dont care& 1e$t A!!as, K0e needs to sa" it, 0e needs to sa" he lied a!out :"
9ather,
KWhat lieI
K0e told :e :" 9ather %illed hi:sel9, That he ca:e to AltaJrs Fuarters to sa" sorr"&
then slashed his o1n throat, But he lied, 8" 9ather did not %ill hi:sel9, 0e le9t the
Brotherhood, That 1as his a$olo#", No1 tell :e "ou lied, 0e Da!!ed the $oint o9 the
da##er into Altairs throat& dra1in# :ore !lood,
KA!!as& sto$ this& roared Al 8uali: 9ro: his to1er,
KAltaJr& did "ou lieI as%ed La!i!,
A silence shrouded the trainin# "ard? all 1aited 9or AltaJrs re$l", 0e loo%ed u$ at
A!!as,
K2es& he said, KI did lie,
A!!as sat !ac% on his haunches and sFueeHed his e"es shut, Whate7er $ain 1ent
throu#h hi: see:ed to rac% his entire !od"& and as he dro$$ed the da##er 1ith a clan#
to the #round o9 the Fuadran#le& he !e#an 1ee$in#, 0e 1as still 1ee$in# as La!i!
ca:e to hi: and #ra!!ed hi: rou#hl" !" the ar:& $ullin# hi: to his 9eet and deli7erin#
hi: to a $air o9 #uards& 1ho ca:e hurr"in# u$, 8o:ents later AltaJr 1as also #ra!!ed,
0e& too& 1as :anhandled to the cells,
Later& Al 8uali: decided that a9ter a :onth in the dun#eons& the" should resu:e
their trainin#, A!!ass cri:e 1as dee:ed the :ore serious o9 the t1oG it 1as he 1ho
had allo1ed his e:otions 9ree rein and !" doin# so !rou#ht disre$ute to the Order, 0is
$unish:ent 1as that his trainin# !e eCtended 9or an eCtra "ear, 0e 1ould still !e on the
trainin# "ard 1ith La!i! 1hen AltaJr 1as :ade an Assassin, The inDustice increased his
hatred o9 AltaJr& 1ho slo1l" ca:e to see A!!as as a $athetic& !itter 9i#ure, When the
citadel 1as attac%ed& it 1as AltaJr 1ho sa7ed the li9e o9 Al 8uali: and 1as ele7ated to
8aster Assassin, That da"& A!!as s$at in the dirt at AltaJrs 9eet !ut AltaJr Dust sneered
at hi:, A!!as& he decided& 1as as 1ea% and ine99ectual as his 9ather had !een,
Perha$s& loo%in# !ac%& that 1as ho1 he had 9irst !eco:e in9ected !" arro#ance,
)6
When AltaJr neCt arri7ed at the >erusale: Bureau& it 1as as a chan#ed :an, Not that he
1ould :a%e the :ista%e o9 thin%in# his Dourne" 1as o7er ; that 1ould ha7e !een an
error :ade !" the old AltaJr, No& he %ne1 that it 1as Dust !e#innin#, It 1as as thou#h
8ali% sensed it too, There 1as so:ethin# chan#ed a!out the Bureau leader 1hen AltaJr
entered, There 1as a ne1 res$ect and accord !et1een the:,
KSa9et" and $eace& AltaJr& he said,
KU$on "ou as 1ell& !rother& re$lied AltaJr& and there 1as an uns$o%en :o:ent
!et1een the:,
KSee:s @ate has a stran#e 1a" 1ith thin#s O
AltaJr nodded, KSo its true& thenI Ro!ert de Sa!le is in >erusale:I
KI7e seen the %ni#hts :"sel9, 8ali%s hand 1ent to his stu:$, Re:inded o9 it !"
:ention o9 the Te:$lar,
KOnl" :is9ortune 9ollo1s that :an, I9 hes here& its !ecause he intends ill, I 1ont
#i7e hi: the chance to act& said AltaJr,
KDo not let 7en#eance cloud "our thou#hts& !rother, We !oth %no1 no #ood can
co:e o9 that,
AltaJr s:iled, KI ha7e not 9or#otten, 2ou ha7e nothin# to 9ear, I do not see% re7en#e&
!ut %no1led#e,
Once he 1ould ha7e said such a thin# $arrot 9ashion& %no1in# the !elie9s eC$ected
o9 hi:, No1 he trul" !elie7ed it,
A#ain& 8ali% so:eho1 understood, KTrul" "ou are not the :an I once %ne1& he
said,
AltaJr nodded, K8" 1or% has tau#ht :e :an" thin#s, Re7ealed secrets to :e, But
there are still $ieces o9 this $uHHle I do not $ossess,
KWhat do "ou :eanI
KAll the :en I7e laid to rest ha7e 1or%ed to#ether& united !" this :an, Ro!ert has
desi#ns u$on the land, This :uch I %no1 9or certain, But ho1 and 1h"I When and
1hereI These thin#s re:ain out o9 reach,
KCrusaders and Saracens 1or%in# to#etherI 1ondered 8ali%& aloud,
KThe" are none o9 these thin#s& !ut so:ethin# else, Te:$lars,
KThe Te:$lars are a $art o9 the Crusader ar:"& said 8ali%& thou#h the Fuestion 1as
1ritten all o7er his 9ace? ho1 could the" !e in# Richards :en i9 the" 1ere sta"in# in
>erusale:I Wal%in# the cit" streetsI
KOr so the"d li%e in# Richard to !elie7e& said AltaJr, KNo, Their onl" alle#iance is to
Ro!ert de Sa!le and so:e :ad idea that the" 1ill sto$ the 1ar,
K2ou s$in a stran#e tale,
K2ou ha7e no idea& 8ali% O
KThen tell :e,
AltaJr !e#an to tell 8ali% 1hat he had learned so 9ar, KRo!ert and his Te:$lars 1al%
the cit", The"7e co:e to $a" their res$ects to 8aDd Addin, The"ll attend his 9uneral,
Which :eans so 1ill I,
KWhat is this that Te:$lars 1ould attend his 9uneralI
KI ha7e "et to di7ine their true intentions& thou#h Ill ha7e a con9ession in ti:e, The
citiHens the:sel7es are di7ided, 8an" call 9or their li7es, Still others insist that the" are
here to $arle", To :a%e $eace,
0e thou#ht o9 the orator hed Fuestioned& 1ho had !een ada:ant that his :asters
1anted an end to 1ar, De Sa!le& a Christian& 1as attendin# 8aDd Addins 9uneral& he a
8usli:, Wasnt that $roo9 that the Te:$lars sou#ht a united 0ol" LandI The citiHens
1ere hostile to the notion o9 Te:$lars !ein# $resent in >erusale:, The Crusader
occu$ation 1as still 9resh in their :inds, Unsur$risin#l" there had !een re$orts o9
9i#htin# !rea%in# out !et1een Crusaders and Saracens& 1ho too% eCce$tion to the si#ht
o9 %ni#hts in the streets, The cit" re:ained uncon7inced !" the orators 1ho insisted that
the" ca:e in the na:e o9 $eace,
KPeaceI said 8ali%& no1,
KI told "ou, The others I ha7e slain ha7e said as :uch to :e,
KThat 1ould :a%e the: our allies, And "et 1e %ill the:,
K8a%e no :ista%e& 1e are nothin# li%e these :en, Thou#h their #oal sounds no!le&
the :eans !" 1hich the"d achie7e it are not, At least O thats 1hat Al 8uali: told :e,
0e i#nored the tin" 1or: o9 dou!t that slithered in the $it o9 his sto:ach,
KSo 1hat is "our $lanI
KIll attend the 9uneral and con9ront Ro!ert,
KThe sooner the !etter& a#reed 8ali%& handin# AltaJr the 9eather, K@ortune 9a7our
"our !lade& !rother,
AltaJr too% the :ar%er, S1allo1in#& he said& K8ali% O Be9ore I #o& theres so:ethin#
I should sa",
KOut 1ith it,
KI7e !een a 9ool,
8ali% #a7e a dr" lau#h, KNor:all" Id :a%e no ar#u:ent& !ut 1hat is thisI What are
"ou tal%in# a!outI
KAll this ti:e O I ne7er told "ou I 1as sorr", Too da:ned $roud, 2ou lost "our ar:
!ecause o9 :e, Lost adar, 2ou had e7er" ri#ht to !e an#r",
KI do not acce$t "our a$olo#",
KI understand,
KNo, 2ou dont, I do not acce$t "our a$olo#"& !ecause "ou are not the sa:e :an
1ho 1ent 1ith :e into Solo:ons Te:$le& so "ou ha7e nothin# to a$olo#iHe 9or,
K8ali% O
KPerha$s i9 I had not !een so en7ious o9 "ou& I 1ould not ha7e !een so careless
:"sel9, I a: Dust as :uch to !la:e,
KDont sa" such thin#s,
KWe are one, As 1e share the #lor" o9 our 7ictories& so too should 1e share the $ain
o9 our de9eat, In this 1a" 1e #ro1 closer, We #ro1 stron#er,
KThan% "ou& !rother,
And so it 1as that AltaJr 9ound hi:sel9 at the ce:eter"& a s:all& unadorned !urial
#round& Doinin# a s$arse cro1d o9 Te:$lars and ci7ilians 1ho had #athered around the
!urial :ound o9 8aDd Addin& the erst1hile cit" re#ent,
The !od" 1ould ha7e !een !athed and shrouded and carried in a $rocession& then
!uried on its ri#ht side and the hole 9illed& :e:!ers o9 the $rocession addin# dirt to the
#ra7e, As AltaJr entered& an i:a: 1as ste$$in# u$ to deli7er the 9uneral $ra"er and a
hush had descended o7er the hol" #round, 8ost stood 1ith their hands clas$ed in 9ront
o9 the: and their heads !o1ed in res$ect 9or the dead& so it 1as an eas" tas% 9or AltaJr
to sli$ throu#h the cro1d in order to #ain a #ood 7anta#e $oint, To locate his 9inal
tar#et, 0e 1ho had set AltaJr on this $ath ; 1hose death 1ould !e Dust retri!ution 9or the
su99erin# he had caused and that 1hich had ha$$ened in his na:e? Ro!ert de Sa!le,
Passin# alon# the ro1s o9 :ourners& AltaJr realiHed it 1as the 9irst ti:e that he had
e7er 9ound hi:sel9 at the 9uneral o9 one o9 his tar#ets& and he cast a loo% around to see
i9 there 1ere an" #rie7in# :e:!ers o9 the dead :ans 9a:il" near!"& 1onderin# ho1
he& the %iller& 1ould 9eel to !e con9ronted !" their #rie9, But i9 8aDd Addin had had close
relati7es the" 1ere either a!sent or %e$t their sorro1 hidden a:on# the cro1dG there
1as no one at the #ra7eside !ut the i:a: and O
A cluster o9 Te:$lar %ni#hts,
The" stood in 9ront o9 an ornatel" decorated 9ountain set into a tall sandstone 1all&
three o9 the:& 1earin# ar:our and 9ullE9ace hel:ets& e7en the one 1ho stood in 9ront o9
the other t1o& 1ho also 1ore a ca$e, The distincti7e ca$e o9 the Te:$lar Grand
8aster,
And "et O AltaJr sFuinted& starin# at de Sa!le, The %ni#ht 1as so:eho1 not as
AltaJr re:e:!ered hi:, 0ad his :e:or" $la"ed tric%s on hi:I 0ad Ro!ert de Sa!le
ta%en on #reater di:ensions in his head !ecause he had !ested AltaJrI Certainl" he
see:ed to lac% the stature that AltaJr re:e:!ered, Where& also& 1ere the rest o9 his
:enI
No1 the i:a: had !e#un to s$ea%& addressin# the :ourners? KWe #ather here to
:ourn the loss o9 our !elo7ed 8aDd Addin& ta%en too soon 9ro: this 1orld, I %no1 "ou
9eel sorro1 and $ain at his $assin#, But "ou should not, @or Dust as 1e are all !rou#ht
9orth 9ro: the 1o:!& so too :ust 1e all one da" $ass 9ro: this 1orld, It is onl" natural ;
li%e the risin# and the settin# o9 the sun, Ta%e this :o:ent to re9lect on his li9e and #i7e
than%s 9or all the #ood he did, no1 that one da" "ou 1ill stand 1ith hi: a#ain in
Paradise,
AltaJr 9ou#ht to hid his dis#ust, KThe !elo7ed 8aDd Addin, The sa:e !elo7ed 8aDd
Addin 1ho had !een a traitor to the Saracens& 1ho had sou#ht to under:ine trust in
the: !" indiscri:inatel" eCecutin# the citiHens o9 >erusale:I That !elo7ed 8aDd
AddinI It 1as no 1onder that the cro1d 1as so s$arse& and #rie9 so little in e7idence,
0e 1as a!out as !elo7ed as le$ros",
The i:a: !e#an to lead the :ourners in $ra"er, KO God& !less 8uha::ad& his
9a:il"& his co:$anions& O :erci9ul and :aDestic, O God& :ore :aDestic than the"
descri!e& $eace on the Pro$hets& !lessin#s 9ro: the God o9 the Uni7erse,
AltaJrs #aHe 1ent 9ro: hi: to de Sa!le and his !od"#uard, A 1in% o9 sun cau#ht his
e"e and he #lanced u$ at the 1all !ehind the trio o9 %ni#hts to the ra:$arts that ran
alon# the outside o9 the court"ard, Was it a :o7e:ent hed seenI Perha$s, ECtra
Te:$lar soldiers could easil" ta%e co7er in the ra:$arts,
0e #lanced a#ain at the three %ni#hts ; Ro!ert de Sa!le& as i9 standin# 9or
ins$ection& o99erin# hi:sel9 as a tar#et, 0is !uild, Too sli#ht& surel", The ca$e, It loo%ed
too lon#,
No, AltaJr decided to a!andon the assassination !ecause there 1as no i#norin# his
instinct here, It 1asnt tellin# hi: so:ethin# 1as 1ron#, It 1as sa"in# nothin# 1as
ri#ht, 0e !e#an to ed#e !ac%& Dust as the i:a:s tone chan#ed,
KAs "ou %no1& this :an 1as :urdered !" Assassins, We ha7e tried to trac% his
%iller& !ut it has $ro7ed di99icult, These creatures clin# to the shado1s and run 9ro: an"
1ho 1ould 9ace the: 9airl",
AltaJr 9roHe& %no1in# no1 that the tra$ 1as to !e s$run#, 0e tried to $ush throu#h
the cro1d :ore Fuic%l",
KBut not toda"& he heard the i:a: call& K9or it see:s one stands a:on# us, 0e
:oc%s us 1ith his $resence and :ust !e :ade to $a",
Suddenl" the cro1d around AltaJr o$ened& 9or:in# a circle around hi:, 0e 1heeled&
seein# the #ra7eside 1here the i:a: stood $ointin# ; at hi:, De Sa!le and his t1o
:en 1ere :o7in# 9or1ard, Around hi: the cro1d loo%ed 9ierce& and 1as closin# in to
s1a:$ hi:& lea7in# hi: no esca$e route,
KSeiHe hi:, Brin# hi: 9or1ard that Gods Dustice :i#ht !e done& called the i:a:,
In one :o7e:ent AltaJr dre1 his s1ord and eDected his !lade, 0e re:e:!ered his
8asters 1ords? Choose one,
But there 1as no need, The :ourners :i#ht ha7e !een !ra7e and 8aDd Addin
!elo7ed& !ut no!od" 1as $re$ared to shed !lood to a7en#e hi:, Panic%ed& the cro1d
!ro%e u$& :ourners 9allin# o7er their ro!es to esca$e& AltaJr usin# the sudden con9usion
to dart to one side& !rea%in# the ad7ancin# Te:$lars line o9 si#ht, The 9irst o9 the:
Dust had ti:e to re#ister that one :e:!er o9 the cro1d 1as not esca$in#& !ut instead
:o7in# to1ards hi:& !e9ore AltaJrs s1ord 1as throu#h his :ail and in his #ut and he
9ell a1a",
AltaJr sa1 a door in the 1all o$en and :ore %ni#hts co:e $ourin# throu#h, @i7e at
least, At the sa:e ti:e there 1as a hail o9 arro1s 9ro: a!o7e& and one %ni#ht 1as
s$innin# and 9allin#& the sha9t $rotrudin# 9ro: his nec%, AltaJrs e"es shot to the
ra:$arts 1here he sa1 Te:$lar archers, On this occasion their ai: had 9a7oured hi:,
0e 1as unli%el" to !e Fuite so 9ortunate neCt ti:e,
The second o9 the t1o !od"#uards ca:e 9or1ard and he s1i$ed 1ith his !lade&
slicin# at the :ans nec% and sendin# hi: do1n in a s$ra" o9 !lood, 0e turned to de
Sa!le& 1ho ca:e 9or1ard s1in#in# his !roads1ord hard enou#h to send AltaJr
stu:!lin# !ac%& onl" Dust a!le to de9lect the !lo1, Suddenl" there 1ere rein9orce:ents&
and he 1as tradin# !lo1s 1ith three other %ni#hts& all in 9ullE9ace hel:ets& and 9indin#
that he 1as no1 standin# on 8aDd Addins 9inal restin# $lace, There 1as no ti:e to
enDo" the :o:ent& thou#h? 9ro: a!o7e ca:e another hail o9 arro1s and& to AltaJrs
deli#ht& a second %ni#ht 1as s$eared& screa:in# as he 9ell, The e99ect on the re:ainin#
Te:$lars 1as to send the: into disarra" and the" scattered a little& less 9ri#htened o9
AltaJr than the" 1ere o9 their o1n archers& Dust as de Sa!le !e#an screechin# at the
!o1:en to sto$ 9irin# on their o1n :en,
And AltaJr 1as so sur$rised that he al:ost dro$$ed his #uard, What he had heard
1as not the un:ista%a!l" :ale @rench tones o9 Ro!ert de Sa!le !ut a 7oice that surel"
!elon#ed to a 1o:an, An En#lish 1o:an,
@or a heart!eat he 1as ta%en a!ac% !" a :iCture o9 !e:use:ent and ad:iration,
This O 1o:an& the standEin sent !" de Sa!le& 9ou#ht as !ra7el" as an" :an& and
1ielded a !roads1ord Dust as ade$tl" as an" %ni#ht he had e7er encountered, Who 1as
sheI One o9 de Sa!les lieutenantsI 0is lo7erI ee$in# close to the co7er o9 the 1all&
AltaJr 9elled another o9 the %ni#hts, >ust one le9t, One :ore& and de Sa!les standEin,
The last Te:$lar had less a$$etite 9or the 9i#ht than she did& thou#h& and he died&
thrashin# on the $oint o9 AltaJrs s1ord,
>ust her no1 and the" traded !lo1s& until at last AltaJr 1as a!le to #et the !etter o9
her& slidin# the !lade into her shoulder at the sa:e ti:e as he s1e$t her le#s 9ro:
!eneath her and she crashed hea7il" to the #round, Scurr"in# into co7er& he $ulled her
1ith hi: so that the" 1ere !oth out o9 si#ht o9 the archers, Then he leaned o7er her, Still
1earin# the hel:et& her chest hea7ed, Blood s$read across her nec% and shoulder !ut
she 1ould li7e& thou#ht AltaJr ; i9 he allo1ed her to& that 1as,
KI 1ould see "our e"es !e9ore "ou die& he said,
0e $ulled o99 the hel:et& and 1as still ta%en a!ac% to !e con9ronted !" the truth,
KI sense "ou eC$ected so:eone else& she said& s:ilin# a little, 0er hair 1as hidden
!" the chain:ail coi9 she 1ore& !ut AltaJr 1as entranced !" her e"es, There 1as
deter:ination !ehind the:& he sa1& !ut so:ethin# else too, So9tness and li#ht, And he
9ound hi:sel9 1onderin# i9 her o!7ious s%ills as a 1arrior !elied her true nature,
But 1h" ; 1hate7er co::and o9 co:!at she $ossessed ; 1ould de Sa!le send this
1o:an in his steadI What s$ecial a!ilities :i#ht she ha7eI 0e $laced his !lade to her
nec%, KWhat sorcer" is thisI he as%ed cautiousl",
KWe %ne1 "oud co:e& she said& still s:ilin#, KRo!ert needed to !e sure hed ha7e
ti:e to #et a1a",
KSo he 9leesI
KWe cannot den" "our success, 2ou ha7e laid 1aste our $lans, @irst the treasure ;
then our :en, Control o9 the 0ol" Land sli$$ed a1a" O But he sa1 an o$$ortunit" to
reclai: 1hat has !een stolen, To turn "our 7ictories to our ad7anta#e,
KAl 8uali: still holds the treasure and 1e7e routed "our ar:" !e9ore& re$lied AltaJr,
KWhate7er Ro!ert $lans& hell 9ail a#ain,
KAh& she said& K!ut its not Dust Te:$lars "oull contend 1ith no1,
AltaJr !ridled, KS$ea% sense& he de:anded,
KRo!ert rides 9or Arsu9 to $lead his case& that Saracen and Crusader unite a#ainst
the Assassins,
KThat 1ill ne7er ha$$en, The" ha7e no reason to,
0er s:ile !roadened, K0ad& $erha$s, But no1 "ou7e #i7en the: one, Nine& in 9act,
The !odies "ou7e le9t !ehind ; 7icti:s on !oth sides, 2ou7e :ade the Assassins an
ene:" in co::on and ensured the annihilation o9 "our entire Order, Well done,
KNot nine, Ei#ht,
KWhat do "ou :eanI
0e re:o7ed his !lade 9ro: her nec%, K2ou 1ere not :" tar#et, I 1ill not ta%e "our
li9e, 0e stood, K2oure 9ree to #o, But do not 9ollo1 :e,
KI dont need to& she said& $ullin# hersel9 to her 9eet and clas$in# one hand to the
1ound at her shoulder, K2oure alread" too late O
KWell see,
With a 9inal #lance at the ra:$arts& 1here archers 1ere hurr"in# to ne1 $ositions&
AltaJr darted o99& lea7in# the ce:eter" e:$t"& a$art 9ro: its cor$ses old and ne1 ; and
the stran#e& !ra7e and entrancin# 1o:an,
KIt 1as a tra$& he eCclai:ed to 8ali%& :o:ents later& the ti:e it had ta%en hi: to :a%e
his 1a" 9ro: the ce:eter" to the Bureau& his :ind 1or%in# 9uriousl" as he did so,
KI had heard the 9uneral turned to chaos O What ha$$enedI
KRo!ert de Sa!le 1as ne7er there, 0e sent another in his stead, 0e 1as eC$ectin#
:e ;
K2ou :ust #o to Al 8uali:& said 8ali%& 9ir:l",
2es& thou#ht AltaJr& he should, But there 1as that insistent 9eelin# a#ain, The one
that told hi: there 1as "et :ore :"ster" to unco7er, And 1h" did he thin% it so:eho1
in7ol7ed the 8asterI KTheres no ti:e, She told :e 1here hes #one, What he $lans, I9
I return to 8as"a9& he :i#ht succeed O And then O I 9ear 1ell !e destro"ed,
KWe ha7e %illed :ost o9 his :en, 0e cannot ho$e to :ount a $ro$er attac%, Wait&
said 8ali%, KDid "ou sa" sheI
K2es, It 1as a 1o:an, Stran#e& I %no1, But thats 9or another ti:e, @or no1 1e :ust
9ocus on Ro!ert, We :a" ha7e thinned his ran%s& !ut the :an is cle7er, 0e #oes to
$lead his case to Richard and Salah Aldin, To unite the: a#ainst a co::on ene:" O
A#ainst us,
KSurel" "ou are :ista%en, This :a%es no sense, Those t1o :en 1ould ne7er ;
KOh& !ut the" 1ould, And 1e ha7e oursel7es to !la:e, The :en I7e %illed ; :en on
!oth sides o9 the con9lict O :en i:$ortant to !oth leaders O Ro!erts $lan :a" !e
a:!itious& !ut it :a%es sense, And it could 1or%,
KLoo%& !rother& thin#s ha7e chan#ed, 2ou :ust return to 8as"a9, We cannot act
1ithout the 8asters $er:ission, It could co:$ro:ise the Brotherhood, I thou#ht O I
thou#ht "ou had learned this,
KSto$ hidin# !ehind 1ords& 8ali%, 2ou 1ield the Creed and its tenets li%e a shield,
0es %ee$in# thin#s 9ro: us, I:$ortant thin#s, 2oure the one 1ho told :e 1e can
ne7er %no1 an"thin#& onl" sus$ect, Well& I sus$ect this !usiness 1ith the Te:$lars
#oes dee$er, When I: done 1ith Ro!ert I 1ill ride 9or 8as"a9 that 1e :a" ha7e
ans1ers, But $erha$s "ou could #o no1,
KI cannot lea7e the cit",
KThen 1al% a:on# its $eo$le, See% out those 1ho ser7ed the ones I sle1, Learn
1hat "ou can, 2ou call "oursel9 $erce$ti7e, Perha$s "oull see so:ethin# I could not,
KI dont %no1 O I :ust thin% on this,
KDo as "ou :ust& :" 9riend, But I 1ill ride 9or Arsu9, E7er" :o:ent I dela"& our
ene:" is one ste$ 9urther ahead o9 :e,
Once :ore he had !reached the Creed? un1ittin# or not& he had $ut the Order in
dan#er,
KBe care9ul& !rother,
KI 1ill, I $ro:ise,
-(
The ar:ies o9 Salah Aldin and Richard the Lionheart had :et at Arsu9& and as he :ade
his 1a" there AltaJr learned ; 9ro: the #ossi$ he o7erheard at !lac%s:iths and
1aterholes alon# the route ; that a9ter a series o9 :inor s%ir:ishes the !attle had
!e#un that :ornin#& 1hen Salah Aldins Tur%s had launched an attac% on the Crusader
ran%s,
Ridin# to1ards it& a#ainst the 9lo1 o9 anCious countr"9ol% 1antin# to esca$e the
slau#hter& AltaJr sa1 $lu:es o9 s:o%e on the horiHon, As he ca:e closer he could
:a%e out the soldiers at 1ar on the distant $lain, nots o9 the:& hu#e& dar% clusters in
the distance, 0e sa1 a lon# !and o9 thousands o9 :en& :o7in# in 9ast on horse!ac%&
char#in# the ene:"& !ut 1as too 9ar a1a" to see 1hether the char#e 1as Saracen or
Crusader, Closer& he could see the 1ooden 9ra:es o9 1ar :achines& at least one on
9ire, No1 he could discern the tall 1ooden cruci9iCes o9 the Christians& hu#e crosses on
1heeled $lat9or:s that the in9antr" $ushed 9or1ard& and the 9la#s o9 the Saracens and
the Crusaders, The s%" dar%ened 1ith hails o9 arro1s 9ro: archers on either side, 0e
sa1 %ni#hts on horse!ac% 1ith $i%es& and $ac%s o9 Saracen horse:en :a%in#
de7astatin# sorties into the ran%s o9 the Crusaders,
0e could hear the dru::in# o9 hoo9s on the $lain& and the constant crash o9
Saracen c":!als& dru:s& #on#s and tru:$ets, 0e could hear the noise o9 the !attle?
the unendin# allEenco:$assin# din o9 the shouts o9 the li7in#& the screa:s o9 the d"in#&
the shar$ rattle o9 steel on steel and the $iti9ul 1hinnies o9 1ounded horses, 0e !e#an
to co:e across riderless ani:als and !odies no1& Saracen and Crusader&
s$readea#led in the dirt or sittin# dead a#ainst trees,
0e reined !ac% his :ount ; Dust in ti:e& !ecause suddenl" Saracen archers !e#an
to a$$ear 9ro: the treeline so:e 1a" ahead o9 hi:, 0e dro$$ed 9ro: his horse and
rolled 9ro: the :ain trac%& ta%in# co7er !ehind an u$turned cart, There 1ere :a"!e a
hundred o9 the: all told, The" ran across the trac% and into trees on the other side,
The" :o7ed Fuic%l" and 1ere !ent lo1, The" :o7ed as soldiers :o7e 1hen the" are
stealthil" ad7ancin# into ene:"Eheld territor",
AltaJr stood and darted into the trees& too& 9ollo1in# the !o1:en at a sa9e distance,
@or so:e :iles he $ursued the:& the sounds o9 the !attle& the 7i!rations o9 it& #ro1in#
stron#er until the" ca:e u$on a rid#e, No1 the" 1ere a!o7e the :ain !attle& 1hich
ra#ed !elo1 the:& and 9or a :o:ent the sheer siHe o9 it too% his !reath a1a",
E7er"1here ; as 9ar as the e"e could see ; there 1ere :en& !odies& :achines and
horses,
As at the Sie#e o9 Acre he 9ound hi:sel9 in the :iddle o9 a 9ierce and sa7a#e con9lict
1ith no side to call his o1n, What he had 1as the Order, What he had 1as a :ission to
$rotect it& to sto$ the !east that he had un1ittin#l" unleashed 9ro: tearin# it a$art,
All round hi: on the rid#e 1ere !odies& too& as thou#h there had alread" !een a
!attle a short ti:e a#o, And o9 course there had? 1hoe7er held the rid#e had the
ad7anta#e o9 hei#ht& so it 1as li%el" to !e sa7a#el" contested, Sure enou#h& as the"
ca:e u$on it& the Saracens 1ere :et !" Crusader in9antr" and !o1:en and a #reat
shout 1ent u$ 9ro: !oth sides, Salah Aldins :en had the ele:ent o9 sur$rise and so
the u$$er hand& and the 9irst 1a7e o9 their attac% le9t the !odies o9 %ni#hts in their 1a%e&
so:e 9allin# 9ro: the rid#e into the seethin# 1ar !elo1, But as AltaJr crouched and
1atched& the Crusaders :ana#ed to re#rou$ and the co:!at !e#an in earnest,
Passin# alon# the rid#e 1as the sa9est 1a" o9 :o7in# to the rear o9 the Crusader
lines& 1here Richard the Lionheart 1ould !e stationed, And reachin# hi: 1as the onl"
ho$e he had o9 sto$$in# Ro!ert de Sa!le, 0e ca:e closer to the !attle and !e#an to
:o7e to his le9t& lea7in# a 1ide !erth !et1een hi:sel9 and the co:!atants, 0e ca:e
u$on a Crusader 1ho 1as crouched in the under#ro1th& 1atchin# the !attle and
1hi:$erin#& and le9t hi:& runnin# on1ards,
Suddenl" there 1as a shout and t1o Crusaders :o7ed into his $ath& their
!roads1ords raised, 0e sto$$ed& crossed his ar:s and reached to his shoulders&
dra1in# his s1ord 1ith one hand and 9lic%in# a %ni9e 1ith the other, One o9 the scouts
1ent do1n and he :o7ed to the other and had 9elled hi: 1hen he realiHed that the"
1erent scouts, The" 1ere sentries,
Still o7erloo%in# the !attle he 9ound that he 1as on the !ro1 o9 a hill, So:e distance
a1a" he could see the standard o9 Richard the Lionheart and thou#ht he cau#ht a
#li:$se o9 the in# hi:sel9& sittin# astride his distincti7e steed& 9la:in# oran#e !eard
and hair !ri#ht in the a9ternoon sun, But no1 :ore rear#uard in9antr" 1ere arri7in# and
he 9ound hi:sel9 s1a:$ed !" %ni#hts& chain:ail rattlin#& their s1ords raised and their
e"es 9ull o9 !attle !eneath their hel:ets,
Their tas% 1as to $rotect their lie#eG AltaJrs 1as to reach hi:, @or lon# :o:ents the
!attle ra#ed, AltaJr danced and ran& so:eti:es car7in# hi:sel9 a route& his !lood"
s1ord 9lashin#& so:eti:es a!le to :a%e a lon# dash& co:in# e7er closer to 1here he
could no1 see Richard, The in# 1as in a clearin#, 0e had dis:ounted& 1ar" o9 the
co::otion a$$roachin#& and his i::ediate !od"#uard 1ere 9or:in# a rin# around
hi:& :a%in# hi: a s:all tar#et,
Still 9i#htin#& his s1ord still s1in#in#& :en 9allin# at his 9eet& his ro!es stained 1ith
Crusader !lood& AltaJr !ro%e clear o9 an attac% and 1as a!le to dash 9or1ards, 0e sa1
the in#s lieutenants dra1 their s1ords& e"es 9ierce under their hel:ets, 0e sa1
archers scra!!lin# u$ to surroundin# !oulders& ho$in# to 9ind a lo9t" $osition in order to
$ic% o99 the intruder,
K0old a :o:ent& called AltaJr, >ust a 9e1 9eet a1a" no1& he loo%ed in# Richard in
the e"es& e7en as his :en ca:e 9or1ard, KIts 1ords I !rin#& not steel,
The in# 1ore his re#al red& at his chest a #oldEe:!roidered lion, 0e 1as the onl"
:an a:on# the: not cursed !" 9ear or $anic and he stood utterl" cal: at the !attles
centre, 0e raised an ar: and his :en sto$$ed their ad7ance& the !attle d"in# in an
instant, AltaJr 1as #rate9ul to see his attac%ers 9all !ac% a 9e1 $aces& #i7in# hi: roo: at
last, 0e dro$$ed his s1ord ar:, As he cau#ht his !reath& his shoulders rose and 9ell
hea7il" and he %ne1 that all e"es 1ere on hi:, E7er" s1ord$oint 1as ai:ed at his #utG
e7er" archer had hi: in his si#hts, One 1ord 9ro: Richard and he 1ould 9all,
Instead& Richard said& KO99erin# ter:s o9 a surrender& thenI Its a!out ti:e,
KNo, 2ou :isunderstand& said AltaJr, KIt is Al 8uali: 1ho sends :e& not Salah
Aldin,
The in# dar%ened, KAssassinI What is the :eanin# o9 thisI And !e Fuic% 1ith it,
The :en $ressed 9or1ard a little, The archers tensed,
K2ou7e a traitor in "our :idst& said AltaJr,
KAnd he has hired "ou to %ill :eI called the in#, KCo:e to #loat a!out it !e9ore "ou
stri%eI I 1ont !e ta%en so easil",
KIts not "ou I7e co:e to %ill, Its hi:,
KS$ea%& then& that I :a" Dud#e the truth, in# Richard !ec%oned AltaJr 9or1ard,
KWho is this traitorI
KRo!ert de Sa!le,
Richards e"e!ro1s raised in sur$rise, K8" lieutenantI
K0e ai:s to !etra"& said AltaJr& e7enl", 0e 1as tr"in# to choose his 1ords care9ull"&
des$erate not to !e :isunderstood, Needin# the in# to !elie7e hi:,
KThats not the 1a" he tells it& said Richard, K0e see%s re7en#e a#ainst "our $eo$le
9or the ha7oc "ou7e 1rou#ht in Acre, And I a: inclined to su$$ort hi:, So:e o9 :"
!est :en 1ere :urdered !" so:e o9 "ours,
So ; Ro!ert de Sa!le alread" had the in#s ear, AltaJr too% a dee$ !reath, What he
1as a!out to sa" could :ean his i::ediate death, KIt 1as I 1ho %illed the:, And 9or
#ood reason, Richard #lo1ered !ut AltaJr $ressed on? K0ear :e out, Willia: o9
8ont9errat, 0e sou#ht to use his soldiers to ta%e Acre !" 9orce, Garnier de Na$louse,
0e 1ould use his s%ills to indoctrinate and control an" 1ho resisted, Si!rand, 0e
intended to !loc% the $orts& $re7entin# "our %in#do: 9ro: $ro7idin# aid, The" !etra"ed
"ou, And the" too% their orders 9ro: Ro!ert,
K2ou eC$ect :e to !elie7e this outlandish taleI said the Lionheart,
K2ou %ne1 these :en !etter than I, Are "ou trul" sur$rised to learn o9 their ill
intentionsI
Richard see:ed to thin% 9or a :o:ent& then turned to one o9 the :en standin# at
his side& 1ho 1ore a 9ullE9ace hel:et, KIs this trueI he said,
The %ni#ht re:o7ed his hel:et& and this ti:e it reall" 1as Ro!ert de Sa!le, AltaJr
loo%ed at hi: 1ith o$en dis#ust& re:e:!erin# his cri:es, This :an had sent a 1o:an
as his standEin,
@or a heart!eat the t1o stared at one another& the 9irst ti:e the" had :et since the
9i#ht !elo1 the Te:$le 8ount, Still !reathin# hard& AltaJr clenched his 9ist, De Sa!le
s:ir%ed& his li$ curlin#& then turned to Richard, K8" lie#e O he said& in an eCas$erated
tone KO it is an Assassin 1ho stands !e9ore us, These creatures are :asters o9
:ani$ulation, O9 course it isnt true,
KI7e no reason to decei7e& sna$$ed AltaJr,
KOh& !ut "ou do& sneered de Sa!le, K2oure a9raid o9 1hat 1ill ha$$en to "our little
9ortress, Can it 1ithstand the co:!ined :i#ht o9 the Saracen and Crusader ar:iesI
0e #rinned& as thou#h alread" i:a#inin# the 9all o9 8as"a9,
K8" concern is 9or the $eo$le o9 the 0ol" Land& AltaJr countered, KI9 I :ust sacri9ice
:"sel9 9or there to !e $eace& so !e it,
Richard had !een 1atchin# the: 1ith a !e:used eC$ression, KThis is a stran#e
$lace 1e 9ind oursel7es in, Each o9 "ou accusin# the other O
KThere reall" is no ti:e 9or this& said de Sa!le, KI :ust !e o99 to :eet 1ith Saladin
and enlist his aid, The lon#er 1e dela"& the harder this 1ill !eco:e, 0e :ade to :o7e
o99& ho$in#& no dou!t& that the :atter 1as at an end,
KWait& Ro!ert& said Richard, 0is e"es 1ent 9ro: de Sa!le to AltaJr and !ac% a#ain,
With a snort o9 9rustration& de Sa!le sna$$ed& KWh"I What do "ou intendI Surel"
"ou do not !elie7e hi:I 0e indicated AltaJr& 1ho could see in de Sa!les e"es that
:a"!e the in# had his dou!ts, Perha$s he 1as e7en inclined to !elie7e the 1ord o9
the Assassin o7er that o9 the Te:$lar, AltaJr held his !reath,
KIt is a di99icult decision& re$lied the in#, Kone I cannot :a%e alone, I :ust lea7e it in
the hands o9 one 1iser than I,
KThan% "ou,
KNo& Ro!ert& not "ou,
KThen 1hoI
KThe Lord, 0e s:iled& as i9 $leased to ha7e co:e to the ri#ht decision, KLet this !e
decided !" co:!at, Surel" God 1ill side 1ith the one 1hose cause is ri#hteous,
AltaJr 1atched Ro!ert care9ull", 0e sa1 the loo% that $assed across the Te:$lars
9ace& de Sa!le no dou!t recallin# the last ti:e the" had :et 1hen he had easil" !ested
AltaJr,
AltaJr 1as recallin# the sa:e encounter, 0e 1as tellin# hi:sel9 that he 1as a
di99erent 1arrior no1? last ti:e he had !een handica$$ed !" arro#ance& 1hich 1as 1h"
he had !een so easil" de9eated, 0e 1as tr"in# not to recall the %ni#hts #reat stren#th,
0o1 he had $ic%ed u$ and tossed AltaJr as easil" as he9tin# a sac% o9 1heat,
De Sa!le 1as re:e:!erin# that& thou#h& and he turned to in# Richard& !o1in# his
head in assent, KI9 that is 1hat "ou 1ish& he said,
KIt is,
KSo !e it, To ar:s& Assassin,
The in# and his ri#htEhand :en stood to one side 1hile the re:ainin# :e:!ers o9
the !od"#uard 9or:ed a rin# around AltaJr and the s:ilin# de Sa!le, Unli%e AltaJr he
1as not alread" !attle1orn and 1ear", 0e 1ore ar:our 1here AltaJr had onl" a ro!e,
0e had not su99ered the cuts and !lo1s that AltaJr had recei7ed in his !attle to reach the
clearin#, 0e %ne1 that& too, As he $ulled on chain:ail #auntlets and one o9 the :en
ca:e 9or1ard to hel$ hi: 1ith his hel:et& he %ne1 that he had the ad7anta#e in e7er"
1a",
KSo& he said& tauntin#& K1e 9ace each other once :ore, Let us ho$e "ou $ro7e :ore
o9 a challen#e this ti:e,
KI a: not the :an "ou 9aced inside the Te:$le& said AltaJr& raisin# his s1ord, The
thunder o9 the #reat !attle o9 Arsu9 see:ed distant no1G his 1orld had shrun% to Dust
this circle, >ust hi: and de Sa!le,
K2ou loo% the sa:e to :e& said de Sa!le, 0e raised his s1ord to address AltaJr, In
re$l" the Assassin did the sa:e, The" stood& Ro!ert de Sa!le 1ith his 1ei#ht adDusted
to his !ac% 9oot& e7identl" eC$ectin# AltaJr to co:e 9or1ard 9irst,
But the Assassin clai:ed the 9irst sur$rise o9 the duel& re:ainin# un:o7ed& 1aitin#
instead 9or de Sa!les attac%, KA$$earances can decei7e& he said,
KTrue, True& said de Sa!le& 1ith a 1r" s:ile and& in the 7er" neCt second& struc%&
and cho$$ed hard 1ith his s1ord,
The Assassin !loc%ed, The 9orce o9 de Sa!les stri%e al:ost %noc%ed the s1ord
9ro: his hand& !ut he $arried and s%i$$ed to the side& tr"in# to 9ind a 1a" inside de
Sa!les #uards, The Te:$lars !roads1ord 1as three ti:es the 1ei#ht o9 his !lade&
and thou#h %ni#hts 1ere 9a:ed 9or their dedication to s1ord trainin# and usuall" had
the stren#th to :atch& the" 1ere ne7ertheless slo1er, De Sa!le could !e :ore
de7astatin# in his attac%& !ut he could ne7er !e as 9ast,
That 1as ho1 AltaJr could !eat hi:, 0is :ista%e !e9ore had !een to allo1 de Sa!le
to use his ad7anta#es, 0is stren#th no1 1as to den" hi: the:,
Still con9ident& de Sa!le $ressed 9or1ard, KSoon this 1ill !e o7er and 8as"a9 1ill 9all&
he :uttered& so close 1ith the :i#ht" !lade that AltaJr heard it 1histle $ast his ear,
K8" !rothers are stron#er than "ou thin%& he re$lied,
Their steel clashed once :ore,
KWell %no1 the truth o9 that soon enou#h& #rinned de Sa!le,
But AltaJr danced, 0e de9ended and $arried and de9lected& cuttin# nic%s in de Sa!le&
o$enin# #ashes in the :ail& landin# t1o or three stunnin# !lo1s on the %ni#hts hel:et,
Then de Sa!le 1as !ac%in# a1a" to #ather his stren#th& $erha$s realiHin# no1 that
AltaJr 1ouldnt !e the eas" %ill he had assu:ed,
KOh& he said, KSo the child has learned to use a !lade,
KI7e had a lot o9 $ractice, 2our :en sa1 to that,
KThe" 1ere sacri9iced in ser7ice to a hi#her cause,
KAs 1ill "ou !e,
De Sa!le lea$ed 9or1ard& 1ieldin# the #reat s1ord and al:ost %noc%in# AltaJrs
!lade 9ro: his hand, But the Assassin !ent and t1isted in one eas" :o7e:ent
ra::in# !ac% 1ith the hilt o9 his 1ea$on so that de Sa!le 1as sent stu:!lin# !ac%&
9allin# o7er his o1n 9eet, The 1ind ca:e out o9 hi: and he 1as onl" Dust $re7ented
9ro: 9allin# to the dust !" the %ni#hts 9or:in# the rin#& 1ho ri#hted hi: so that he stood
there& !ristlin# 1ith 9ur" and !reathin# hea7il",
KThe ti:e 9or #a:es is endedP he !ello1ed& as thou#h sa"in# it loudl" :i#ht
so:eho1 :a%e it co:e true& and he s$ran# 9or1ard& !ut 1ith no deadl" #race no1,
With nothin# :ore deadl" than !lind ho$e,
KIt ended lon# a#o& said AltaJr, 0e 9elt a #reat cal:ness& %no1in# no1 that he 1as
$ure ; $ure Assassin, That he 1as to de9eat Ro!ert de Sa!le 1ith thou#ht as :uch as
:i#ht, And as de Sa!le $ressed 9or1ard once :ore& his attac% :ore ra##ed this ti:e&
:ore des$erate& AltaJr easil" 9ended hi: o99,
KI do not %no1 1here "our stren#th co:es 9ro: O #as$ed de Sa!le, KSo:e tric%, Or
is it dru#sI
KIt is as "our %in# said, Ri#hteousness 1ill al1a"s triu:$h o7er #reed,
K8" cause is ri#hteousP cried de Sa!le& #runtin# no1 as he li9ted his s1ord& al:ost
$ain9ull" slo1l", AltaJr sa1 the 9aces o9 his :en, Could see the: 1aitin# 9or hi: to
deli7er the %illin# !lo1,
Which he did, Dri7in# his s1ord strai#ht throu#h the centre o9 the red cross de Sa!le
1ore& $artin# the %ni#hts :ail and $iercin# his chest,
-3
De Sa!le #as$ed, 0is e"es 1idened and his :outh dro$$ed o$en& hands #oin# to the
!lade that i:$aled hi:& e7en as AltaJr 1ithdre1 it, A red stain s$read across his tunic&
and he sta##ered& then san% to his %nees, 0is s1ord dro$$ed and his ar:s dan#led,
Strai#ht a1a" AltaJrs e"es 1ent to the :en 9or:in# a rin# around the:, 0e 1as hal9
eC$ectin# the: to attac% at the si#ht o9 the Te:$lar Grand 8aster d"in#, But the"
re:ained still, Past the: AltaJr sa1 in# Richard& his chin tilted as thou#h the turn o9
e7ents had done little :ore than $iFue his curiosit",
No1 AltaJr !ent to de Sa!le& cradlin# hi: 1ith one ar: and la"in# hi: on the
#round, KIts done& then& he told hi:, K2our sche:es ; li%e "ou ; are $ut to rest,
In res$onse& de Sa!le chortled dril", K2ou %no1 nothin# o9 sche:es& he said, K2oure
!ut a $u$$et, 0e !etra"ed "ou& !o", >ust as he !etra"ed :e,
KS$ea% sense& Te:$lar& hissed AltaJr& Kor not at all, 0e stole a loo% at the :en o9
the rin#, The" re:ained i:$assi7e,
KNine :en he sent "ou to %ill& "esI said de Sa!le, KThe nine 1ho #uarded the
Treasures secret,
It 1as al1a"s nine 1ho had that tas%& the res$onsi!ilit" handed do1n throu#h
#enerations o9 Te:$lars, Al:ost a hundred "ears a#o& the ni#hts Te:$lar had 9or:ed
and :ade the Te:$le 8ount their !ase, The" had co:e to#ether to $rotect those
:a%in# the $il#ri:a#e to the holiest o9 holies and li7ed their li7es as 1arrior :on%s ; or
so the" :aintained, But& as all !ut the :ost #ulli!le %ne1& the Te:$lars had :ore on
their :inds than hel$less $il#ri:s, In 9act& the" 1ere searchin# 9or treasure and hol"
relics 1ithin the Te:$le o9 Solo:on, Nine& al1a"s& 1ere tas%ed 1ith 9indin# it& and nine
had 9inall" done so? de Sa!le& Ta:ir& de Na$louse& Talal& de 8ont9errat& 8aDd Addin&
>u!air& Si!rand& A!ul NuFoud, The nine 1ho %ne1, The nine 7icti:s,
KWhat o9 itI said AltaJr care9ull", Thou#ht9ull",
KIt 1asnt nine 1ho 9ound the Treasure& Assassin& s:iled de Sa!le, The li9e 9orce
1as see$in# 9ast 9ro: hi: no1, KNot nine !ut ten,
KA tenthI None :a" li7e 1ho carr" the secret, Gi7e :e his na:e,
KOh& !ut "ou %no1 hi: 1ell, And I dou!t 7er" :uch "oud ta%e his li9e as 1illin#l" as
"ou7e ta%en :ine,
KWhoI as%ed AltaJr& !ut he alread" %ne1, 0e understood 1hat it 1as no1 that had
!een !otherin# hi:, The one :"ster" that had eluded hi:,
KIt is "our :aster& said de Sa!le, KAl 8uali:,
KBut he is not a Te:$lar& said AltaJr& still not 1antin# to !elie7e, Thou#h he %ne1 in
his heart it 1as true, Al 8uali:& 1ho had raised hi: al:ost as his o1n son, Who had
trained and tutored hi:, 0e had also !etra"ed hi:,
KDid "ou ne7er 1onder ho1 he %ne1 so :uchI $ressed de Sa!le& as AltaJr 9elt his
1orld 9allin# a1a" 9ro: hi:, KWhere to 9ind us& ho1 :an" 1e nu:!ered& 1hat 1e
as$ired to attainI
K0e is the 8aster o9 the Assassins O $rotested AltaJr& still not 1antin# to !elie7e,
2et O it 9elt as thou#h the :"ster" 1as 9inall" sol7ed, It 1as true, 0e al:ost lau#hed,
E7er"thin# he %ne1& it 1as an illusion,
KOui, 8aster o9 lies& :ana#ed de Sa!le, K2ou and I Dust t1o :ore $a1ns in his #rand
#a:e, And no1 O 1ith :" death& onl" "ou re:ain, Do "ou thin% hell let "ou li7e ;
%no1in# 1hat "ou doI
KI7e no interest in the Treasure& retorted AltaJr,
KAh O !ut he does, The onl" di99erence !et1een "our :aster and I is that he did not
1ant to share,
KNo O
KIronic& isnt itI That I ; "our #reatest ene:" ; %e$t "ou sa9e 9ro: har:, But no1
"ou7e ta%en :" li9e ; and& in the $rocess& ended "our o1n,
AltaJr too% a dee$ !reath& still tr"in# to co:$rehend 1hat had ha$$ened, 0e 9elt a
rush o9 e:otions? an#er& hurt& loneliness,
Then he reached and !rushed de Sa!les e"elids closed, KWe do not al1a"s 9ind
the thin#s 1e see%& he intoned& and stood& $re$ared to :eet death i9 the Crusaders
1ished, Perha$s e7en ho$in# the" 1ould,
KWell 9ou#ht& Assassin& ca:e the cr" 9ro: his ri#ht& and he turned to see Richard
stridin# o7er to the rin#& 1hich $arted to allo1 hi: throu#h, KIt see:s God 9a7ours "our
cause this da",
KGod had nothin# to do 1ith it, I 1as the !etter 9i#hter,
KAh, 2ou :a" not !elie7e in hi:& !ut it see:s he !elie7es in "ou, Be9ore "ou #o& I
ha7e a Fuestion,
KAs% it then& said AltaJr, 0e 1as 7er" 1ear" all o9 a sudden, 0e lon#ed to lie in the
shade o9 a $al:? to slee$& to disa$$ear, To die& e7en,
KWh"I Wh" tra7el all this 1a"& ris% "our li9e a thousand ti:es& all to %ill a sin#le
:anI
K0e threatened :" !rothers and 1hat 1e stand 9or,
KAh, Ven#eance& thenI
AltaJr loo%ed do1n at the !od" o9 Ro!ert de Sa!le and realiHed that& no& 7en#eance
had not !een on his :ind 1hen he had %illed hi:, 0e had done 1hat he had done 9or
the Order, 0e #a7e 7oice to his thou#hts, KNo, Not 7en#eance, >ustice, That there :i#ht
!e $eace,
KThis is 1hat "ou 9i#ht 9orI said Richard& e"e!ro1s raised, KPeaceI Do "ou see the
contradictionI
0e s1e$t an ar: around the area& a #esture that too% in the !attle still ra#in# !elo1
the:& the !odies scattered a!out the clearin# and& last& the stillE1ar: cor$se o9 Ro!ert
de Sa!le,
KSo:e :en cannot !e reasoned 1ith,
KLi%e that :ad:an Saladin& si#hed Richard,
AltaJr loo%ed at hi:, 0e sa1 a 9air and Dust %in#, KI thin% hed li%e to see an end to
this 1ar as :uch as "ou 1ould,
KSo I7e heard& !ut ne7er seen,
KE7en i9 he doesnt sa" it& its 1hat the $eo$le 1ant& AltaJr told hi:, KSaracen and
Crusader ali%e,
KThe $eo$le %no1 not 1hat the" 1ant, Its 1h" the" turn to :en li%e us,
KThen it 9alls to :en li%e "ou to do 1hat is ri#ht,
Richard snorted, KNonsense, We co:e into the 1orld %ic%in# and screa:in#, Violent
and unsta!le, It is 1hat 1e are, We cannot hel$ oursel7es,
KNo, We are 1hat 1e choose to !e,
Richard s:iled rue9ull", K2our %ind O Al1a"s $la"in# 1ith 1ords,
KI s$ea% the truth& said AltaJr, KTheres no tric% to !e 9ound here,
KWell %no1 soon enou#h, But I 9ear "ou cannot ha7e 1hat "ou desire this da", E7en
no1 that heathen Saladin cuts throu#h :" :en and I :ust attend to the:, But
$erha$s& ha7in# seen ho1 7ulnera!le he is& he 1ill reconsider his actions, 2es, In ti:e
1hat "ou see% :a" !e $ossi!le,
K2ou 1ere no :ore secure than hi:& said AltaJr, KDo not 9or#et that, The :en "ou
le9t !ehind to rule in "our stead did not intend to ser7e "ou 9or lon#er than the" had to,
K2es, 2es, I a: 1ell a1are,
KThen Ill ta%e :" lea7e& said AltaJr, K8" :aster and I ha7e :uch to discuss, It
see:s that e7en he is not 1ithout 9ault,
Richard nodded, K0e is onl" hu:an, As are 1e all, 2ou as 1ell,
KSa9et" and $eace !e u$on "ou& said AltaJr& and he le9t& his thou#hts #oin# to
8as"a9, Its !eaut" see:ed tainted !" 1hat he had learned a!out Al 8uali:, 0e
needed to ride 9or ho:e, 0e needed to $ut thin#s ri#ht,
-)
8as"a9 1as not as he had le9t it? that :uch !eco:e clear 9ro: the :o:ent he arri7ed at
the sta!les, The horses $a1ed and 1hinnied !ut there 1ere no sta!le lads to see to
the: or to ta%e AltaJrs :ount, 0e ran throu#h the o$en :ain #ates and into the
court"ard& 1here he 1as struc% !" the silence& the co:$lete a!sence not Dust o9 sound
!ut o9 at:os$here, 0ere the sun stru##led to shine& #i7in# the 7illa#e a #re"& o7ercast
tint, Birds no lon#er san#, The 9ountain no lon#er tin%led and there 1as none o9 the
hu!!u! o9 e7er"da" li9e, Stalls 1ere set out !ut there 1ere no 7illa#ers hurr"in# this
1a" and that& tal%in# eCcitedl" or !arterin# 9or #oods, There 1ere no ani:al sounds,
>ust an eerie O nothin#,
0e stared u$ the hill to1ards the citadel& seein# no one, As e7er& he 1ondered i9 Al
8uali: 1as in his to1er& loo%in# do1n u$on hi:, Could he see hi:I Then his e"e 1as
cau#ht !" a lone 9i#ure :a%in# his 1a" to1ards hi:, A 7illa#er,
KWhats ha$$ened hereI AltaJr de:anded o9 hi:, KWhere is e7er"oneI
KGone to see the 8aster& said the citiHen, It sounded li%e a chant, Li%e a :antra,
0is e"es 1ere #lass"& and a ro$e o9 drool hun# 9ro: his :outh, AltaJr had seen that
loo% !e9ore, 0e had seen it on the 9aces o9 those in thrall to Garnier de Na$louse, The
craH" :en ; or so he had thou#ht at the ti:e, The" had had that e:$t"& #laHed loo%,
KWas it the Te:$larsI said AltaJr, KDid the" attac% a#ainI
KThe" 1al% the $ath& re$lied the 7illa#er,
KWhat $athI What are "ou tal%in# a!outI
KTo1ards the li#ht& intoned the :an, 0is 7oice had ta%en on a sin#son# Fualit",
KS$ea% sense& de:anded AltaJr,
KThere is onl" 1hat the 8aster sho1s us, This is the truth,
K2ou7e lost "our :ind& s$at AltaJr,
K2ou& too& 1ill 1al% the $ath or "ou 1ill $erish, So the 8aster co::ands,
Al 8uali:& thou#ht AltaJr, So it 1as true, It 1as all true, 0e had !een !etra"ed,
Nothin# 1as true, KWhat has he done to "ouI he said to the 7illa#er,
KPraise !e to the 8aster& 9or he has led us to the li#ht O
AltaJr ran on& lea7in# the :an !ehind& a solitar" 9i#ure in the deserted :ar%et$lace,
0e ran u$ the slo$es& co:in# to the u$land& and there 9ound a #rou$ o9 Assassins
1aitin# 9or hi:& their s1ords dra1n,
0e dre1 his o1n& %no1in# he could not use it, Not to %ill an"1a", These Assassins&
thou#h the" :eant to %ill hi:& had !een !rain1ashed into doin# it, illin# the: 1ould
!reach one o9 the tenets, 0e 1as 1ear" o9 !rea%in# the Creed, 0e 1as ne7er #oin# to
do it a#ain, But O
With dead e"es the" closed in on hi:,
Were the" in a trance li%e the othersI Would their :o7e:ents !e Dust as slu##ishI
0e di$$ed his shoulder and char#ed the:& %noc%in# the 9irst one do1n, Another
#ra!!ed at hi:& !ut he cau#ht hold o9 the Assassins ro!e& too% a !unch o9 it in his 9ist
and s1un# hi:& %noc%in# do1n t1o :ore o9 his attac%ers to :a%e a #a$ that he 1as
a!le to run throu#h,
Then& 9ro: a!o7e& he heard his na:e !ein# called, 8ali% 1as standin# on the
$ro:ontor" !" the 9ortress a$$roach, With hi: 1ere >a!al o9 Acre and t1o :ore
Assassins he didnt reco#niHe, 0e 9ound hi:sel9 stud"in# the:, 0ad the"& too& !een
!rain1ashedI Dru##edI Whate7er it 1as that Al 8uali: 1as doin#I
But no, 8ali% 1as 1a7in# his #ood ar:& and thou#h AltaJr had ne7er concei7ed o9 a
da" 1hen he :i#ht !e $leased to see 8ali%& here it 1as,
KAltaJr, U$ here,
K2ou $ic%ed a 9ine ti:e to arri7e& #rinned AltaJr,
KSo it see:s,
KGuard "oursel9 1ell& 9riend& AltaJr told hi:, KAl 8uali: has !etra"ed us, 0e 1as
$re$ared 9or dis!elie9& e7en an#er 9ro: 8ali%& 1ho trusted and re7ered Al 8uali: and
de9erred to hi: in all :atters, But 8ali% :erel" nodded sadl",
KBetra"ed his Te:$lar allies as 1ell& he said,
K0o1 do "ou %no1I
KA9ter 1e s$o%e I returned to the ruins !eneath Solo:ons Te:$le, Ro!ert had %e$t
a Dournal, @illed its $a#es 1ith re7elations, What I read there !ro%e :" heart O But it
also o$ened :" e"es, 2ou 1ere ri#ht& AltaJr, All alon# our :aster has used us, We
1ere not :eant to sa7e the 0ol" Land& !ut deli7er it to hi:, 0e :ust !e sto$$ed,
KBe care9ul& 8ali%& 1arned AltaJr, KWhat hes done to the others hell do to us& #i7en
the chance, 2ou :ust sta" 9ar 9ro: hi:,
KWhat 1ould "ou $ro$oseI 8" !lade ar: is still stron# and :" :en re:ain :" o1n,
It 1ould !e a :ista%e not to use us,
KDistract these thralls& then, Assault the 9ortress 9ro: !ehind, I9 "ou can dra1 their
attention a1a" 9ro: :e& I :i#ht reach Al 8uali:,
KI 1ill do as "ou as%,
KThe :en 1e 9ace ; their :inds are not their o1n, I9 "ou can a7oid %illin# the: O
K2es, Thou#h he has !etra"ed the tenets o9 the Creed& it does not :ean 1e :ust as
1ell, Ill do 1hat I can,
KIts all I as%& said AltaJr,
8ali% turned to lea7e hi:,
KSa9et" and $eace& :" 9riend& said Altair,
8ali% s:iled 1r"l", K2our $resence here 1ill deli7er us !oth,
AltaJr dashed alon# the !ar!ican to the :ain court"ard and no1 he disco7ered 1h"
there had !een no 7illa#ers in the :ar%et$lace, The" 1ere all here& cro1ded into the
court"ard& 9illin# it, The 1hole 7illa#e surel", The" :illed around ai:lessl"& as thou#h
!arel" a!le to li9t their heads, As AltaJr 1atched& he sa1 a :an and a 1o:an collide&
and the 1o:an 9all& landin# hea7il" on her !ac%side, Neither ac%no1led#ed it& thou#h,
No sur$rise& no $ain& no a$olo#ies or an#r" 1ords, The :an sta##ered a little& then
:o7ed o99, The 1o:an sta"ed seated& i#nored !" the other 7illa#ers,
Cautiousl"& AltaJr :o7ed throu#h the: to1ards the to1er& struc% !" the silence& Dust
the sound o9 dra##in# 9eet and the odd :ur:ur,
KThe 1ill o9 the 8aster :ust !e o!e"ed& he heard,
KO Al 8uali:, Guide us, Co::and us,
KThe 1orld 1ill !e cleansed, We 1ill !e#in ane1,
The ne1 order& he thou#ht& dictated !" the ni#hts Te:$lar& "es& !ut one Te:$lar
a!o7e all, Al 8uali:,
0e ca:e into the entrance hall o9 the to1er& no #uards there to #reet hi:, >ust the
sa:e sense o9 thic%& e:$t" air, As thou#h an in7isi!le :ist hun# o7er the entire
co:$leC, Loo%in# u$ he sa1 that a 1rou#htEiron #ate 1as o$en, The #ate that led to
the court"ard and #ardens at the rear o9 the to1er, Wis$s o9 li#ht see:ed to han# in the
air !" the $ortal& as thou#h !ec%onin# hi: on1ards& and he hesitated& %no1in# that to
#o throu#h 1as to $la" into Al 8uali:s hands, Thou#h& surel"& i9 the 8aster 1anted
hi: dead& hed alread" !e dead, 0e dre1 his s1ord and ascended the stairs& realiHin#
that hed instincti7el" thou#ht o9 Al 8uali: as Kthe 8aster 1hen he 1as no lon#er
AltaJrs :aster, 0e had ceased to !e his :aster the :o:ent AltaJr had disco7ered that
Al 8uali: 1as a Te:$lar, 0e 1as the ene:" no1,
0e sto$$ed at the door1a" to the #arden, Too% a dee$ !reath, What la" on the
other side he had no idea& !ut there 1as onl" one 1a" to 9ind out,
--
It 1as dar% in the #arden, AltaJr could hear the lo1 !a!!le o9 a strea: and the soothin#
cascade o9 a 1ater9all& !ut other1ise the air 1as still, 0e ca:e to a :ar!le terrace& the
sur9ace s:ooth !eneath his !oots& and he loo%ed around& sFuintin# at the dar%&
irre#ular sha$es o9 trees and $a7ilions dotted a!out hi:,
Suddenl" he heard a noise 9ro: !ehind hi:, The #ate sla::ed shut and there 1as
a clan% as thou#h a !olt had !een thro1n !" unseen hands,
Altair s$un, 0is e"es 1ent u$ and he sa1 Al 8uali: standin# on the !alcon" o9 his
li!rar"& loo%in# do1n at hi: on the terrace, 0e held so:ethin#? the Treasure ta%en 9ro:
the Te:$le 8ount& the Piece o9 Eden, It #lo1ed 1ith a $o1er that $ainted Al 8uali: a
dus%" oran#e& 1hich intensi9ied as AltaJr 1atched,
Suddenl" the Assassin 1as #ri$$ed !" an incredi!le $ain, 0e screa:ed ; and 9ound
that he 1as !ein# raised 9ro: the #round& i:$risoned !" a shi::erin# cone o9 !ri#ht
li#ht controlled !" the outstretched hand o9 Al 8uali:& the A$$le $ulsin# li%e a :uscle
9leCin# and tensin#,
KWhats ha$$enin#I cried AltaJr& de9enceless in the arte9acts #ras$& $aral"sed !" it,
KSo the student returns& said Al 8uali:& e7enl", 0e s$o%e 1ith a 7ictors assurance,
KI7e ne7er !een one to run& returned AltaJr& de9iant,
Al 8uali: chortled, None o9 this ; none o9 it ; see:ed to !other hi:, KNe7er !een
one to listen& either& he said,
KI still li7e !ecause o9 it, AltaJr stru##led a#ainst his in7isi!le !onds, The A$$le
$ulsed in res$onse and the li#ht see:ed to $ress in on hi:& restrictin# hi: e7en :ore,
KWhat 1ill I do 1ith "ouI Al 8uali: s:iled,
KLet :e #o& snarled AltaJr, 0e had no thro1in# %ni7es !ut& 9ree o9 these shac%les& he
could reach the old :an in Dust a 9e1 !ounds, Al 8uali: 1ould ha7e a 9e1 last
:o:ents to ad:ire his cli:!in# s%ills !e9ore AltaJr slid his !lade into his #ut,
KOh& Altair, I hear the hatred in "our 7oice& said Al 8uali:, KI 9eel its heat, Let "ou
#oI That 1ould !e un1ise,
KWh" are "ou doin# thisI as%ed AltaJr,
Al 8uali: see:ed to consider, KI !elie7ed once, Did "ou %no1 thatI I thou#ht there
1as a God, A God 1ho lo7ed and loo%ed a9ter us& 1ho sent $ro$hets to #uide and
co:9ort us, Who :ade :iracles to re:ind us o9 his $o1er,
KWhat chan#edI
KI 9ound $roo9,
KProo9 o9 1hatI
KThat it is all an illusion,
And 1ith a 1a7e o9 his hand he released AltaJr 9ro: the i:$risonin# li#ht, AltaJr
eC$ected to dro$& then realiHed he had ne7er !een sus$ended at all, Con9used& he
loo%ed around hi:sel9& sensin# a ne1 chan#e in the at:os$here& a !uildin# o9 $ressure
he 9elt in his eardru:s& li%e the :o:ents !e9ore a stor:, A!o7e hi: on the li!rar"
!alcon"& Al 8uali: 1as raisin# the A$$le a!o7e his head& intonin# so:ethin#,
KCo:e, Destro" the !etra"er, Send hi: 9ro: this 1orld,
Suddenl" 9i#ures 1ere a$$earin# around AltaJr& snarlin#& teeth !ared& read" 9or
co:!atG 9i#ures he reco#niHed !ut 9ound hard to $lace at 9irst ; !ut then did? the" 1ere
his nine tar#ets& his nine 7icti:s returned 9ro: the other li9e to this one,
0e sa1 Garnier de Na$louse& 1ho stood 1earin# his !loodEstained a$ron& a s1ord
in his hand& loo%in# at Altair 1ith $it"in# e"es, 0e sa1 Ta:ir& 1ho held his da##er& his
e"es #lintin# 1ith e7il intent& and Talal& his !o1 o7er his shoulder& s1ord in hand,
Willia: de 8ont9errat& 1ho #rinned 1ic%edl"& dre1 his 1ea$on and #rounded it& !idin#
his ti:e !e9ore the attac%, A!ul NuFoud and 8aDd Addin 1ere there& >u!air& Si!rand
and& last& Ro!ert de Sa!le,
All o9 his tar#ets& sent 9ro: the 1orld !" AltaJr and su::oned !ac% to it !" Al
8uali: so that the" :i#ht ha7e their re7en#e,
And the" attac%ed,
8aDd Addin he 1as $leased to dis$atch 9irst& 9or a second ti:e, A!ul NuFoud 1as
as 9at and co:ical in his resurrected 9or: as he had !een the 9irst ti:e around, 0e
san% to his %nees on the $oint o9 AltaJrs s1ord& !ut instead o9 re:ainin# on the #round&
he 7anished& lea7in# Dust a distur!ance in the air !ehind hi:& a ri$$le o9 disru$ted
s$ace, Talal& de 8ont9errat& Si!rand and de Sa!le 1ere the :ost s%illed 9i#hters and&
accordin#l"& the" hun# !ac%& allo1in# the 1ea%er a:on# the: to #o 9or1ard 9irst in the
ho$e o9 tirin# AltaJr, The Assassin dashed 9ro: the :ar!le terrace and lea$ed 9ro: the
rid#e& landin# on a second sFuare o9 decorated :ar!le& this one 1ith a 1ater9all
near!", The tar#ets 9ollo1ed hi:, Ta:ir died screa:in# at one& t1o slashes o9 AltaJrs
s1ord, The Assassin 9elt nothin#, No re:orse, Not e7en #rati9ication at seein# the :en
die a deser7ed second death, De Na$louse 7anished as the others had& his throat cut,
>u!air 9ell, Talal he #ra!!ed& and the t1o #ra$$led !e9ore AltaJr dro7e his s1ord dee$
into his sto:ach and he& too& 1as nothin# !ut an a!sence, 8ont9errat 1as neCt to #o,
Si!rand 9ollo1ed hi:& then de Sa!le& until once :ore AltaJr 1as alone in the #arden 1ith
Al 8uali:,
K@ace :e& de:anded AltaJr& catchin# his !reath, The s1eat $oured 9ro: hi: !ut he
%ne1 the !attle 1as 9ar 9ro: o7er, It had onl" Dust !e#un, KOr are "ou a9raidI
Al 8uali: sco99ed, KI ha7e stood !e9ore a thousand :en ; all o9 the: su$erior to
"ou, And all o9 the: dead ; !" :" hand,
With a litheness and athleticis: !el"in# his "ears& he Du:$ed 9ro: the !alcon"&
landin# in a crouch not 9ar a1a" 9ro: AltaJr, 0e still held the A$$le, 0e clas$ed it as
thou#h he 1as $ro99erin# it to AltaJr and his 9ace 1as !athed in its li#ht, KI a: not a9raid&
said Al 8uali:,
KPro7e it& challen#ed AltaJr& %no1in# that Al 8uali: 1ould see throu#h his $lo" ; his
$lo" to !rin# the traitor close, But i9 he did ; and he surel" did ; then he cared nothin#,
0e 1as ri#ht, 0e 1as una9raid ; una9raid !ecause he had the A$$le& 1hich 1as
!urnin# e7en :ore !ri#htl", DaHHlin#, The 1hole o9 the area 1as lit u$& then Dust as
Fuic%l" dar%ened a#ain, As AltaJrs e"es adDusted he sa1 co$ies o9 Al 8uali: a$$ear&
as thou#h #enerated 9ro: 1ithin the !od" o9 the 8aster hi:sel9,
0e tensed, 0e 1ondered i9 these co$ies& li%e those he had Dust 9ou#ht& 1ould !e
in9erior& 1ea%er 7ersions o9 the ori#inal,
KWhat could I $ossi!l" 9earI Al 8uali: 1as :oc%in# hi: no1, *Good, Let hi: :oc%,
Let hi: !e careless,+ KLoo% at the $o1er I co::and,
The co$ies ca:e to AltaJr& and once a#ain he 1as 9i#htin#, Once a#ain the #arden
ran# to the chi:es o9 crashin# steel ; and as the co$ies 9ell !eneath AltaJrs !lade the"
7anished, Until he 1as a#ain alone 1ith Al 8uali:,
0e stood& tr"in# to re#ain his !reath& 9eelin# eChausted no1& then once a#ain he
1as e:!raced !" the $o1er o9 the A$$le& 1hich s$ar%led and thro!!ed in Al 8uali:s
hand,
K0a7e "ou an" 9inal 1ordsI said Al 8uali:,
K2ou lied to :e& said AltaJr, K2ou called Ro!erts #oal 9oul ; 1hen all alon# it 1as
"ours as 1ell,
KI7e ne7er !een :uch #ood at sharin#& said Al 8uali:& al:ost rue9ul,
K2ou 1ont succeed, Others 1ill 9ind the stren#th to stand a#ainst "ou,
At this Al 8uali: si#hed hea7il", KAnd that is 1h"& as lon# as :en :aintain 9ree 1ill&
there can !e no $eace,
KI %illed the last :an 1ho said as :uch,
Al 8uali: lau#hed, KBold 1ords& !o", But Dust 1ords,
KThen let :e #o, Ill $ut 1ords into action,
AltaJrs :ind 1as racin# no1 as he searched 9or so:ethin# to sa" that 1ould incite
Al 8uali: to carelessness,
KTell :e& 8aster& 1h" did "ou not :a%e :e li%e the other AssassinsI Wh" allo1 :e
to retain :" :indI
KWho "ou are and 1hat "ou do are ent1ined too ti#htl" to#ether, To ro! "ou o9 one
1ould ha7e de$ri7ed :e o9 the other, And those Te:$lars had to die, 0e si#hed, KBut
the truth is& I did tr", In :" stud"& 1hen I sho1ed "ou the Treasure O But "ou are not
li%e the others, 2ou sa1 throu#h the illusion,
AltaJrs :ind returned to the a9ternoon 1hen Al 8uali: had sho1n hi: the
Treasure, 0e had 9elt its lure then& that 1as true& !ut he had resisted te:$tation, 0e
1ondered i9 he 1ould !e a!le to do so inde9initel", Its insidious $o1ers see:ed to 1or%
on all 1ho ca:e into contact 1ith it, E7en Al 8uali:& 1ho: once he had idoliHed& 1ho
had !een a 9ather to hi:& and had !een a #ood :an then& 9air and Dust and te:$erate&
concerned onl" 1ith the 1ellE!ein# o9 the Order and those 1ho ser7ed it ; !ut he had
!een corru$ted, The #lo1 o9 the A$$le cast his 9ace in a #hastl" hue, It had done the
sa:e to his soul,
KIllusionI said AltaJr& still thin%in# o9 that a9ternoon,
Al 8uali: lau#hed, KThats all an"thin#s e7er !een, This Te:$lar Treasure, This
Piece o9 Eden, This Word o9 God, Do "ou understand no1I The Red Sea 1as ne7er
$arted, Water ne7er turned to 1ine, It 1as not the :achinations o9 Eris that s$a1ned
the TroDan War& !ut this O 0e held u$ the A$$le, KIllusions ; all o9 the:,
KWhat "ou $lan is no less an illusion& insisted AltaJr, KTo 9orce :en to 9ollo1 "ou
a#ainst their 1ill,
KIs it an" less real than the $hanto:s the Saracens and Crusaders 9ollo1 no1I
Those cra7en #ods 1ho retreat 9ro: this 1orld that :en :i#ht slau#hter one another in
their na:esI The" li7e a:on# an illusion alread", I: si:$l" #i7in# the: another, One
that de:ands less !lood,
KAt least the" choose these $hanto:s& ar#ued AltaJr,
KDo the"I Aside 9ro: the occasional con7ert or hereticI
KIt isnt ri#ht& sna$$ed AltaJr,
KAh, No1 lo#ic has le9t "ou, In its $lace "ou e:!race e:otion, I a: disa$$ointed,
KWhats to !e done& thenI
K2ou 1ill not 9ollo1 :e and I cannot co:$el "ou,
KAnd "ou re9use to #i7e u$ this e7il sche:e,
KIt see:s& then& 1e are at an i:$asse,
KNo, We are at an end& said AltaJr& and $erha$s Al 8uali: 1as correct& 9or he 9ound
hi:sel9 9i#htin# a 1a7e o9 e:otion, O9 !etra"al and sadness and so:ethin# he could
not Fuite $lace at 9irst !ut then did, Loneliness,
Al 8uali: dre1 his s1ord, KI 1ill :iss "ou& AltaJr, 2ou 1ere :" 7er" !est student,
AltaJr 1atched the "ears 9all a1a" 9ro: Al 8uali: as he too% u$ $osition& read"in#
his s1ord and 9orcin# AltaJr to do the sa:e, 0e s%i$$ed to the side& testin# AltaJrs
#uard& and AltaJr realiHed he had ne7er seen hi: :o7e so Fuic%l", The Al 8uali: he
%ne1 $aced slo1l"& 1al%ed unhurriedl" across the court"ard& :ade slo1& s1ee$in#
#estures, This one :o7ed li%e a s1ords:an ; 1ho thrust 9or1ard& slashin# 1ith his
!lade, Then& as AltaJr de9ended& he adDusted the attac% to a Da!, AltaJr 1as 9orced to his
toes& his ar: !ent as he s1e$t his !lade !ac% to de9lect Al 8uali:s o99ensi7e, The
:o7e le9t hi: o99 !alance and& 1ith the #uard on his le9t side do1n& Al 8uali: sa1 his
chance and ca:e in 1ith a second Fuic% s1i$e that :et its :ar%,
AltaJr 1inced& 9eelin# the 1ound on his hi$ lea% !lood& !ut dared not loo%, 0e
couldnt ta%e his e"es 9ro: Al 8uali: 9or one second, O$$osite hi:& Al 8uali: s:iled,
A s:ile that said he had tau#ht the "oun# $u$ a lesson, 0e ste$$ed to his side& then
9ei#ned an attac%& #oin# 9irst one 1a" then the other& ho$in# to catch AltaJr o99 #uard,
@i#htin# $ain and 9ati#ue& AltaJr ca:e 9or1ard 1ith an o99ensi7e o9 his o1n ; ta%in#
Al 8uali: !" sur$rise& he 1as $leased to see, But thou#h he :ade contact ; he
thou#ht he :ade contact ; the 8aster see:ed to slide a1a" as thou#h trans$ortin#,
KBlind& AltaJr& chuc%led Al 8uali:, KBlind is all "ou7e e7er !een, All "oull e7er !e,
A#ain& he attac%ed,
AltaJr 1as too slo1 to react in ti:e& 9eelin# Al 8uali:s !lade slash his ar: and
cr"in# out 1ith the $ain, 0e couldnt ta%e :uch :ore o9 this, 0e 1as too tired, 0e 1as
losin# !lood, It 1as as thou#h the ener#" 1as !ein# slo1l" drained 9ro: hi:, The
A$$le& his 1ounds& his eChaustion? all 1ere co:!inin# slo1l" !ut surel" to cri$$le hi:,
I9 he couldnt turn the !attle soon he 9aced de9eat,
But the old :an 1as lettin# the A$$le :a%e hi: careless, E7en as he 1as #loatin#
AltaJr danced 9or1ard and struc% a#ain& his s1ord$oint stri%in# ho:e& dra1in# !lood, Al
8uali: shouted in $ain& trans$orted then rea$$eared& snarlin# and launchin# his neCt
o99ensi7e, @ei#nin# an attac% to the le9t he s$un& 1ieldin# his s1ord !ac%hand,
Des$eratel" AltaJr 9ended hi: o99& !ut 1as al:ost sent reelin#& and 9or so:e :o:ents
the t1o traded !lo1s& the sal7o endin# 1hen Al 8uali: duc%ed& sliced u$1ard and
nic%ed AltaJrs chee%& dancin# a1a" !e9ore the Assassin could res$ond,
AltaJr launched a counterEattac% and Al 8uali: trans$orted, But 1hen he
rea$$eared& AltaJr noticed he loo%ed :ore ha##ard& and 1hen he attac%ed it 1as a little
:ore carelessl", Less disci$lined,
AltaJr ca:e 9or1ard slicin# 1ith his !lade& 9orcin# the 8aster to trans$ort and
:aterialiHe se7eral 9eet a1a", AltaJr sa1 a ne1 stoo$ to his shoulders& and his head
1as hea7", The A$$le 1as sa$$in# AltaJrs stren#th !ut 1as it doin# the sa:e to its
userI Did Al 8uali: %no1 itI 0o1 1ell did the old :an understand the A$$leI Its $o1er
1as so #reat that AltaJr dou!ted it 1as $ossi!le e7er to trul" %no1 it,
So, 0e had to 9orce Al 8uali: to use it and so de$lete his o1n ener#", With a "ell
he lea$ed 9or1ard& slashin# at Al 8uali:& 1hose e"es 1ent 1ide 1ith sur$rise at the
sudden 7ehe:ence o9 AltaJrs a$$roach, 0e trans$orted a1a", AltaJr ca:e at hi: the
:o:ent he rea$$eared and Al 8uali:s 9ace no1 1ore an#er ; 9rustration that the
rules o9 en#a#e:ent had chan#ed& needin# to 9ind the s$ace to adDust,
0e :aterialiHed 9urther a1a" this ti:e, It 1as 1or%in#? he loo%ed e7en :ore tired,
But he 1as read" 9or AltaJrs undisci$lined attac%& re1ardin# the Assassin 1ith another
!lood" ar:, Not serious enou#h to sto$ hi:& thou#h? the "oun#er :an $ushed 9or1ard
a#ain& 9orcin# Al 8uali: to trans$ort, @or the last ti:e,
When he rea$$eared he sta##ered sli#htl"& and AltaJr could see that he 9ound his
s1ord hea7ier to hold, As he raised his head to loo% at AltaJr& the Assassin sa1 in his
e"es that he %ne1 the A$$le had !een sa$$in# his stren#th and that AltaJr had noticed,
And& as AltaJr en#a#ed his !lade and lea$ed& dri7in# it dee$ into Al 8uali: 1ith a
roar that 1as $art 7ictor" and $art #rie9& $erha$s Al 8uali:s 9inal thou#hts 1ere o9
$ride in his 9or:er $u$il,
KI:$ossi!le& he #as$ed& as AltaJr %nelt astride hi:, KThe student does not de9eat the
teacher,
AltaJr hun# his head& 9eelin# tears $ric% his chee%s,
K2ou ha7e 1on& then, Go and clai: "our $riHe,
The A$$le had rolled 9ro: Al 8uali:s outstretched hand, It sat #lo1in# on the
:ar!le, Waitin#,
K2ou held 9ire in "our hand& old :an& said AltaJr, KIt should ha7e !een destro"ed,
KDestro" the onl" thin# ca$a!le o9 endin# the Crusades and creatin# true $eaceI
lau#hed Al 8uali:, KNe7er,
KThen I 1ill& said AltaJr,
KWell see a!out that& chuc%led Al 8uali:,
AltaJr 1as starin# at it& 9indin# it di99icult to dra# his #aHe a1a", Gentl" he rested Al
8uali:s head on the stone& the old :an 9adin# 9ast no1& stood u$ and 1al%ed to1ards
it,
0e $ic%ed it u$,
It 1as as i9 it ca:e ali7e in his hand, As thou#h a hu#e !olt o9 ener#" 9lo1ed 9ro: it
that lit the A$$le and tra7elled u$ his ar:& ri#ht into his chest, 0e 9elt a #reat s1ellin#
that 1as unco:9orta!le at 9irst& then 9elt li9eE#i7in#& 1ashin# a1a" the $ain o9 !attle&
9illin# hi: 1ith $o1er, The A$$le thro!!ed and see:ed to $ulse and AltaJr !e#an to see
i:a#es, Incredi!le& inco:$rehensi!le i:a#es, 0e sa1 1hat loo%ed li%e cities& 7ast&
#litterin# cities& 1ith to1ers and 9ortresses& as thou#h 9ro: thousands o9 "ears a#o,
NeCt he sa1 :achines and tools& stran#e contra$tions, 0e understood that the"
!elon#ed in a 9uture not "et 1ritten& 1here so:e o9 the de7ices !rou#ht $eo$le #reat
Do" 1hile others :eant onl" death and destruction, The rate and intensit" o9 the i:a#es
le9t hi: #as$in# 9or !reath, Then the A$$le 1as en7elo$ed !" a corona o9 li#ht that
s$read out1ards until AltaJr sa1 that he 1as loo%in# at a #lo!e& a hu#e #lo!e& that
hun# in the still air o9 the #arden& slo1l" s$innin# and radiatin# 1ar:& #olden li#ht,
0e 1as entranced !" it, Enchanted, It 1as a :a$& he sa1& 1ith stran#e s":!ols ;
1ritin# he didnt understand,
Behind hi: he heard Al 8uali: s$ea%in#? KI a$$lied :" heart to %no1 1isdo:& and
to %no1 :adness and 9oll", I $ercei7ed that this also 1as a chasin# a9ter 1ind, @or in
:uch 1isdo: is :uch #rie9 and he that increaseth %no1led#e increaseth sorro1,
No1 8ali% and his :en rushed into the #arden, With !arel" a #lance at the !od" o9
Al 8uali:& the" stood h"$notiHed !" the A$$le, In the distance AltaJr could hear
shoutin#, Whate7er s$ell had !een cast o7er 8as"a9 1as !ro%en,
0e readied hi:sel9 to dash the A$$le a#ainst the stone& still una!le to ta%e his e"es
9ro: the s$innin# i:a#e& 9indin# it hard to :a%e his ar: heed the co::and o9 his
!rain,
KDestro" itP called Al 8uali:, KDestro" it as "ou said "ou 1ouldP
AltaJrs hand tre:!led, 0is :uscles re9used to o!e" the co::ands o9 his !rain, KI O
I cant O he said,
K2es& "ou can& AltaJr& #as$ed Al 8uali:, K2ou can, But "ou 1ont, With that& he died,
AltaJr loo%ed u$ 9ro: the !od" o9 his :entor to 9ind 8ali% and his :en #aHin#
eC$ectantl" at hi: ; 1aitin# 9or leadershi$ and #uidance,
AltaJr 1as the 8aster no1,
Part Three
-5
)- >une 3)/.
Sittin# in the shade& sa9el" out o9 the de!ilitatin# heat o9 the 8as"a9 :ar%et$lace&
8a99eo as%ed :e& KAl 8uali:s #arden, Is this the sa:e $iece o9 land 1here his li!rar"
is situatedI
KIndeed it is, AltaJr decided it a 9ittin# s$ot to use 9or the care and stora#e o9 his 1or%
; thousands o9 Dournals 9illed 1ith Assassin learnin#& %no1led#e #leaned 9ro: the
A$$le,
KSo he didnt destro" itI
KDidnt destro" 1hatI
8a99eo si#hed, KThe A$$le,
KNo,
KNot then or not e7erI
KBrother& $lease& dont hurr" our tale to its conclusion, No& AltaJr did not destro" the
A$$le strai#ht a1a", @or one thin# he had to Fuell the re!ellion that eru$ted
i::ediatel" a9ter Al 8uali:s death,
KThere 1as a re!ellionI
KIndeed, There 1as a #reat con9usion in the i::ediate a9ter:ath o9 Al 8uali:s
death, There 1ere :an" in the Order 1ho sta"ed true to Al 8uali:, Either the" 1ere
una1are o9 the 8asters treacher" or the" re9used to acce$t the truth& !ut to the: AltaJr
1as sta#in# a cou$ and had to !e sto$$ed, No dou!t the" 1ere encoura#ed in this !"
certain 7oices on the 9rin#es,
KA!!asI
I lau#hed, KNo dou!t, Thou#h one can onl" i:a#ine A!!ass internal con9lict
surroundin# the turn o9 e7ents, 0is resent:ent o9 Al 8uali: 1as as stron# i9 not
stron#er than his resent:ent o9 AltaJr,
KAnd AltaJr Fuashed the re!ellionI
KCertainl", And he did so !" sta"in# true to the Creed& issuin# orders to 8ali% and
those he co::anded that none o9 the re!els !e har:ed& that not a sin#le :an !e %illed
or $unished, A9ter he had su!dued the:& there 1ere no re$risals, Instead he used
rhetoric to sho1 the: the 1a"& $ersuadin# the: 9irst o9 Al 8uali:s #uilt and then o9 his
o1n suita!ilit" to lead the Brotherhood, Doin# this& he secured their lo7e& their 9aith and
lo"alt", 0is 9irst tas% as the Orders ne1 leader 1as a de:onstration o9 the 7er"
$rinci$les he ai:ed to instil, 0e !rou#ht the Brotherhood !ac% 9ro: the !rin% !"
sho1in# it the 1a",
KThat resol7ed& he turned his attention to his Dournal, In it he 1rote his thou#hts
a!out the Order& his res$onsi!ilit" to it& e7en the stran#e 1o:an he had encountered at
the ce:eter", Who had O 8ore than once AltaJr had #one to 1rite the 1ord
Mca$ti7atedN& then sto$$ed hi:sel9& chan#in# it instead to MinterestedN hi:, Certainl" she
re:ained in his thou#hts,
KChie9l" he had 1ritten o9 the A$$le, 0e had ta%en to carr"in# it 1ith hi:, At ni#hts
1hen he 1rote in his Dournal it re:ained on a stand !eside hi:& and 1hen he #aHed at
it he 9elt a con9used :iC o9 e:otions? an#er that it had corru$ted the one he had
thou#ht o9 as 9ather& 1ho had !een a #reat Assassin and an e7en #reater :anG 9ear o9
it& 9or he had eC$erienced its $o1er to #i7e and to ta%eG and a1e,
K MI9 there is #ood to !e 9ound in this arte9act& I 1ill disco7er it&N he 1rote& Fuill
scratchin#, K MBut i9 it is onl" ca$a!le o9 ins$irin# e7il and des$air& I ho$e I $ossess the
stren#th to destro" it,N
2es& he told his Dournal& he 1ould destro" the Piece o9 Eden i9 it held no #ood 9or
:an%ind, Those 1ere the 1ords he 1rote, Ne7ertheless& AltaJr 1ondered ho1 he 1ould
9ind the stren#th to destro" the A$$le i9 and 1hen the ti:e ca:e,
The 9act 1as that 1hoe7er o1ned it 1ielded enor:ous $o1er& and the Te:$lars
1ould 1ant that $o1er to !elon# to the:, What 1as :ore& he 1ondered& 1ere the
Te:$lars huntin# 9or other arte9actsI Did the" e7en $ossess the:I A9ter the death o9
Ro!ert de Sa!le the" had consolidated at Acre $ort& he %ne1, Should he attac% the:
thereI 0e 1as deter:ined that no one else should e7er $ossess the A$$le& or an"
others li%e it,
No!od" !ut hi:,
0e :ulled o7er this in his Fuarters& 9or too lon# $erha$s& until he !eca:e concerned
that he 1as allo1in# the ene:" ti:e to re#rou$, 0e called 8ali% and >a!al to hi:&
$lacin# 8ali% in te:$orar" co::and o9 the Order and in9or:in# >a!al that the" 1ere to
lead a sFuad ridin# 9or Acre $ort at once& to :ount an o99ensi7e on the Te:$lar
stron#hold& %ill the $lant at the root,
The" le9t shortl" a9ter1ards& and as the" did so& AltaJr noticed A!!as standin# in a
door1a" at the castle a$$roach& re#ardin# hi: !ale9ull", Recent e7ents had done
nothin# to dull the !lade o9 his hatredG it had shar$ened to a 7icious ed#e,
-/
Ni#ht 1as 9allin# o7er Acre $ort& the #re" stone har!our !athed in oran#e& and the last
o9 the sun $aintin# the sea !lood red as it :elted into the horiHon, Water la$$ed hard at
the !ul1ar%s and sea 1alls& and #ulls called 9ro: their $erches& !ut other1ise the
har!our 1as e:$t"& stran#el" so,
Or O this one 1as at least, As he 1atched o7er it and $uHHled at the a!sence o9
Te:$lar soldiers ; in :ar%ed contrast to the last ti:e he had !een there& 1hen
Si!rands :en 1ere all o7er it& li%e 9leas on a do# ; so:ethin# told AltaJr that an"
industr" 1as to !e 9ound at the other side o9 the doc%s& and his concern #re1, 0ed
ta%en too lon# :a%in# his decision, Was he a!out to $a" 9or thatI
But the har!our 1asnt Fuite e:$t", AltaJr heard the sound o9 a$$roachin# 9ootste$s
and hushed tal%, 0e held u$ a hand and& !ehind hi:& his tea: ca:e to a halt&
!eco:in# still shado1s in the dar%, 0e cre$t alon# the har!our 1all until he could see
the:& $leased to note that the" had :o7ed a$art, The 9irst 1as al:ost directl" !eneath
hi: no1& holdin# u$ his torch and $eerin# into the dar% noo%s and crannies o9 the
da:$ har!our 1all, AltaJr 1ondered i9 his thou#hts 1ere o9 ho:e& o9 En#land or @rance
and the 9a:il" he had there& and he re#retted that the :an had to die, As he silentl"
lea$ed 9ro: the 1all& landin# on hi: and dri7in# the !lade dee$& he 1ished there 1as
another 1a",
K8on Dieu& si#hed the #uard& as he died& and AltaJr stood,
Ahead& the second soldier :o7ed alon# the 1et stone o9 the doc%& shinin# his tarE
dri$$in# torch around hi:sel9& tr"in# to chase a1a" the shado1s and crin#in# at e7er"
sound, 0e 1as !e#innin# to tre:!le 1ith 9ear no1, The scuttlin# o9 a rat :ade hi:
Du:$ and he turned Fuic%l"& his torch held alo9t& seein# nothin#,
0e :o7ed on& $eerin# into the #loo:& loo%in# !ac% 9or his co:$anion O Oh& God&
1here 1as heI 0e had !een there a :o:ent a#o, The t1o o9 the: had co:e to the
doc% to#ether, No1 there 1as no si#ht o9 hi: ; no sound o9 hi:, The #uard !e#an to
sha%e 1ith 9ear, 0e heard a 1hi:$er and realiHed it had co:e 9ro: hi:sel9, Then 9ro:
!ehind ca:e a noise and he 1heeled around Fuic%l"& Dust in ti:e to see his death at his
heels O
@or a :o:ent or so AltaJr %nelt astride the dead #uard& listenin# 9or rein9orce:ents,
But none ca:e and no1& as he rose to his 9eet& he 1as Doined !" the other Assassins&
dro$$in# 9ro: the 1all and co:in# on to the har!our& li%e hi: dressed in 1hite ro!es&
$eerin# !lac%Ee"ed 9ro: !eneath their co1ls, With hardl" a sound& the" s$read out&
AltaJr issuin# hushed orders and indicatin# 9or the: to :o7e silentl" and s1i9tl" alon#
the har!our, Te:$lar #uards ca:e runnin# and 1ere dealt 1ith& AltaJr :o7in# a:on#
the:& lea7in# the 9i#ht to his tea: and co:in# to a 1all, Worr" #na1ed at his #ut? he
had ti:ed the attac% !adl" ; the Te:$lars 1ere alread" on the :o7e, A sentr" tried to
sto$ hi:& !ut 1ith a slash o9 AltaJrs !lade he 1as 9allin#& !lood s$urtin# 9ro: his o$en
nec%, The Assassin used his !od" as a s$rin#!oard& scra:!lin# to the to$ o9 the
har!our 1all and crouchin# there& loo%in# o7er at the adDacent doc%& then out to sea,
0is 9ears 1ere realiHed, 0ed 1aited too lon#, Ahead o9 hi:& on a 8editerranean
Sea #olden 1ith the d"in# li#ht o9 the sun& there 1as a s:all 9leet o9 Te:$lar shi$s,
AltaJr cursed and :o7ed Fuic%l" alon# the har!our into the heart o9 the doc%s, @ro:
!ehind hi: he could still hear the sounds o9 !attle as his :en 1ere :et !"
rein9orce:ents, The Te:$lar e7acuation continued !ut he had an idea that the %e" to
their de$arture :i#ht !e 9ound 1ithin the stron#hold itsel9, Care9ull"& Fuic%l" and silentl"
he :ade his 1a" to the 9ortress& 1hich loo:ed dar%l" o7er the doc%s& re:orselessl"
dis$osin# o9 the 9e1 #uards he ca:e across& 1antin# to disru$t the ene:"s esca$e as
:uch as he 1anted to learn o9 its intent,
Inside& the #re" stone a!sor!ed the sound o9 his 9ootste$s, Te:$lars 1ere nota!le
9or their a!sence here, The $lace alread" had an e:$t" and disused 9eel, 0e cli:!ed
stone stair1a"s until he ca:e to a !alcon" and there he heard 7oices? three $eo$le in
the :iddle o9 a heated con7ersation, One 7oice in $articular he reco#niHed as he too%
u$ $osition !ehind a $illar to ea7esdro$, 0e had 1ondered i9 he 1ould e7er hear it
a#ain, 0e had ho$ed he 1ould,
It 1as the 1o:an 9ro: the #ra7e"ard in >erusale:G the !ra7e lioness 1ho had acted
as de Sa!les standEin, She stood 1ith t1o other Te:$lars and& 9ro: her tone& 1as
dis$leased,
KWhere are :" shi$s& soldierI she sna$$ed, KI 1as told there 1ould !e another 9leet
o9 ei#ht,
AltaJr #lanced o7er, The Te:$lar shi$s 1ere silhouetted on the horiHon,
KI: sorr"& 8aria& !ut this is the !est 1e could do& re$lied one o9 the soldiers,
8aria, AltaJr sa7oured her na:e e7en as he ad:ired the set o9 her Da1& the e"es
that shone 1ith li9e and 9ire, A#ain he noticed that Fualit" a!out her ; as thou#h she
%e$t :ost o9 her true sel9 !ac%,
K0o1 do "ou $ro$ose to #et the rest o9 us to C"$rusI she 1as sa"in#,
No1& 1h" 1ould the Te:$lars !e relocatin# to C"$rusI
KBe##in# "our $ardon& !ut it :i#ht !e !etter i9 "ou sta"ed in Acre& said the soldier,
Suddenl" she 1as 1atch9ul, KWhat is thatI A threatI she as%ed,
KIts 9air 1arnin#& re$lied the %ni#ht, KAr:and Bouchart is Grand 8aster no1 and he
doesnt hold "ou in hi#h re#ard,
Ar:and Bouchart& noted Altair, So it 1as he 1ho had ste$$ed into de Sa!les
shoes,
At the centre o9 the !alcon"& 8aria 1as !ridlin#, KWh"& "ou insolent O She sto$$ed
hersel9, KVer" 1ell, Ill 9ind :" o1n 1a" to Li:assol,
K2es& :ilad"& said the soldier& !o1in#,
The" :o7ed a1a"& lea7in# 8aria alone on the !alcon" 1here& AltaJr 1as a:used to
hear& she !e#an tal%in# to hersel9, KDa:n O I 1as a sin#le heart!eat 9ro: %ni#hthood,
No1 I: little :ore than a :ercenar",
0e :o7ed to1ards her, Whate7er he 9elt a!out her ; and he 9elt so:ethin#& o9 that
:uch he 1as certain ; he needed to s$ea% to her, 0earin# hi: a$$roach& she s$un
round and reco#niHed hi: instantl", KWell& she said& Kits the :an 1ho s$ared :" nec%&
!ut stole :" li9e,
AltaJr had no ti:e to 1onder 1hat she :eant !ecause 1ith a 9lash o9 steel& as s1i9t
as a li#htnin# !olt& shed dra1n her s1ord and 1as co:in# at hi:& attac%in# hi: 1ith a
s$eed& s%ill and coura#e that i:$ressed hi: ane1, She s1a$$ed s1ord hands& s$un to
attac% hi: on his 1ea% side& and he had to :o7e 9ast to de9end, She 1as #ood& !etter
than so:e o9 the :en in his co::and& and 9or so:e :o:ents the" traded !lo1s& the
!alcon" resoundin# to the rin# and clash o9 steel& $unctuated !" her shouts o9 e99ort,
AltaJr #lanced !ehind to :a%e sure no rein9orce:ents 1ere arri7in#, But then a#ain&
o9 course the" 1ouldnt, 0er $eo$le had le9t her !ehind, Clearl" her closeness to de
Sa!le had done her no 9a7ours 1ith his re$lace:ent,
On the" 9ou#ht, @or a heart!eat she had hi: 1ith his !ac% to the !alustrade& the
dar% sea o7er his shoulder and 9or the sa:e heart!eat he 1ondered 1hether she could
!est hi: and 1hat a !itter iron" that :i#ht !e, But her des$eration to 1in :ade her
careless and AltaJr 1as a!le to co:e 9or1ard& e7entuall" s$innin# and %ic%in# her 9eet
9ro: !eneath her& then $ouncin# on her 1ith his !lade held to her throat,
KReturned to 9inish :e o99I she said de9iantl"& !ut he could see the 9ear in her e"es,
KNot Dust "et& he said& thou#h the !lade sta"ed 1here it 1as, KI 1ant in9or:ation,
Wh" are the Te:$lars sailin# to C"$rusI
She #rinned, KIts !een a lon#& dirt" 1ar& Assassin, E7er"one deser7es res$ite,
0e 9ou#ht a s:ile, KThe :ore "ou tell :e& the lon#er "ou li7e, So I as% a#ain& 1h"
the retreat to C"$rusI
KWhat retreatI in# Richard has !ro%ered a truce 1ith Salah Aldin& and "our Order
is leaderless& is it notI Once 1e reco7er the Piece o9 Eden& "oull !e the one runnin#,
AltaJr nodded& understandin#, no1in#& too& that there 1as :uch a!out the Order
the Te:$lars $resu:ed to %no1 !ut did not, The 9irst thin# !ein# that the Assassins
had a leader& the second that the" 1ere not in the ha!it o9 runnin# 9ro: Te:$lars, 0e
stood and $ulled her to her 9eet, Glarin# at hi:& she !rushed hersel9 do1n,
KThe A$$le is 1ell hidden& he told her& thin%in# that in 9act it 1as not, It re:ained in
his Fuarters,
KAltaJr& consider "our o$tions care9ull", The Te:$lars 1ould $a" a #reat $rice 9or that
relic,
KThe" alread" ha7e& ha7ent the"I said AltaJr& leadin# her a1a",
8o:ents later& he had #athered 1ith his Assassins& the !attle on the har!our o7er&
Acre $ort theirs, A:on# the: 1as >a!al& 1ho raised his e"e!ro1s at the a$$earance o9
8aria and 1a7ed 9or t1o Assassins to ta%e her a1a" !e9ore he Doined AltaJr,
KWhats ha$$enin# on C"$rus that 1ould concern the Te:$larsI :used AltaJr& as
the" strode alon#, 0e had alread" decided their neCt destination and there 1as no ti:e
to 1aste,
KCi7il stri9e& $erha$sI said >a!al& $al:s s$read, KTheir e:$eror Isaac Co:nenus
$ic%ed a 9i#ht 1ith in# Richard :an" :onths a#o& and no1 he rots in a Te:$lar
dun#eon,
AltaJr thou#ht, KA $it", Isaac 1as so easil" !ent& so 1illin# to ta%e a !ri!e,
The" sto$$ed at the har!our ste$s and 8aria 1as led $ast the:& her chin held hi#h,
KThose da"s are $ast& >a!al 1as sa"in#, KNo1 the Te:$lars o1n the island&
$urchased 9ro: the in# 9or a $altr" su:,
KThats not the %ind o9 #o7ernance 1e 1ant to encoura#e, 0a7e 1e an" contacts
thereI as%ed AltaJr,
KOne in Li:assol, A :an na:ed AleCander,
KSend hi: a :essa#e& said AltaJr, KTell hi: to eC$ect :e 1ithin the 1ee%,
-=
0e sailed to C"$rus alone ; althou#h not Fuite alone, 0e too% 8aria, 0e had told >a!al
that he could use her as Te:$lar !ait& !ut he 1rote in his Dournal that he li%ed to ha7e
her 1ith hi:G it 1as as si:$le and as co:$licated as that, There had !een too 9e1
1o:en in his li9e, Those 1ho shared his !ed had done little :ore than satis9" a need&
and he had "et to :eet a 1o:an a!le to stir those 9eelin#s 9ound a!o7e 1aist hei#ht,
0ad he :et her no1I 0e scratched the Fuestion in his Dournal,
Arri7in# in Li:assol the" disco7ered that the Te:$lars had occu$ied the island in
earnest, As e7er the $ort 1as soa%ed in the oran#e li#ht o9 the sun and the sandstone
shone 1ith itG the !lue 1aters #littered and the #ulls 1heelin# and s1oo$in# a!o7e their
heads %e$t u$ a constant noise, But e7er"1here there 1ere the red crosses o9 the
Te:$lars& and 1atch9ul soldiers e"ein# a !e#rud#in# $o$ulace, The" li7ed under the
iron #auntlet o9 the Te:$lars no1& their island sold 9ro: !eneath the: !" a %in# 1hose
clai: to it 1as tenuous at !est, 8ost carried on 1ith their li7esG the" had :ouths to 9eed,
A 9e1 $luc%" souls had 9or:ed a Resistance& thou#h, It 1as the" 1ho 1ould !e :ost
s":$athetic to AltaJrs :ission& the" he $lanned to :eet,
0e :ade his 1a" 9ro: his shi$ and alon# the doc%s, With hi: ca:e 8aria& her
hands !ound, 0ed :ade sure she had re:o7ed an" si#ns identi9"in# her as a Te:$lar
Crusader and& to all intent and $ur$oses& she 1as his sla7e, This situation& o9 course&
an#ered her and she 1asnt slo1 to :a%e it %no1n& #ru:!lin# as the" $assed throu#h
the doc%s& 1hich 1ere Fuieter than eC$ected, AltaJr 1as $ri7atel" a:used !" her
disco:9ort,
KWhat i9 I started screa:in#I she said& throu#h #ritted teeth,
AltaJr chuc%led, KPeo$le 1ould co7er their ears and carr" on, The"7e seen an
unha$$" sla7e !e9ore,
But 1hat $eo$leI The doc%s 1ere stran#el" e:$t"& and as the" ca:e u$ into the
!ac%Estreets& the" 9ound the hi#h1a"s deserted too, Suddenl" a :an ste$$ed out o9 an
alle" in 9ront o9 the:& 1earin# scru99" ro!es and a tur!an, Disused !arrels and the
s%eletons o9 e:$t" crates la" a!out& and 9ro: so:e1here the" could hear 1ater
dri$$in#, The" 1ere alone& AltaJr realiHed& Dust as t1o :ore :en ste$$ed out o9 other
alle"s around the:,
KThe $ort is o99Eli:its& said the 9irst :an, KSho1 "our 9ace,
KNothin# under this hood !ut an u#l" old Assassin& #ro1led AltaJr& and he raised his
head to re#ard the :an,
The thu# s:ir%ed& a threat no lon#er& #rinnin#, KAltaJr,
KAleCander& said AltaJr& K"ou #ot :" :essa#e,
KI assu:ed it 1as a Te:$lar tra$, Who is the 1o:anI 0e loo%ed 8aria u$ and
do1n& a t1in%le in his e"e,
KTe:$lar !ait& eC$lained AltaJr, KShe 1as de Sa!les, Un9ortunatel" shes a !urden,
8aria 9iCed hi: 1ith a #aHe? i9 loo%s could %ill& it 1ould ha7e tortured hi: 7iciousl"
9irst,
KWe can hold her 9or "ou& AltaJr& said AleCander, KWe ha7e a secure sa9eEhouse,
She cursed their rotten souls as the" :ade their 1a" to it& such coarse lan#ua#e 9or
an En#lish 1o:an,
AltaJr as%ed AleCander 1h" there 1ere so 9e1 citiHens on the streets,
KRuite a #host to1n& ehI Peo$le are a9raid to lea7e their ho:es 9or 9ear o9 !rea%in#
so:e o!scure ne1 la1,
AltaJr thou#ht, KThe Te:$lars ha7e ne7er !een interested in #o7ernin# !e9ore, I
1onder 1h" no1,
AleCander 1as noddin#, As the" 1al%ed& the" $assed t1o soldiers& 1ho loo%ed at
the: sus$iciousl", AltaJr steeled hi:sel9 a#ainst 8aria #i7in# the: a1a", She didnt&
and he 1ondered 1hether it had an"thin# to do 1ith her ha7in# !een a!andoned !" her
o1n side in Acre, Or $erha$s O No, 0e $ut that thou#ht out o9 his :ind,
The" reached the sa9eEhouse& a derelict 1arehouse that AleCander had :ade his
!ase, There 1as a storeroo: sealed 1ith a !arred 1ooden door !ut the" let 8aria
re:ain in the o$en 9or the :o:entG AltaJr chec%ed the ro$e at her 1rists& runnin# a
9in#er !et1een it and her ar: to :a%e sure she 1as co:9orta!le, No1 she #a7e hi: a
loo% o9 1hat he could onl" descri!e as a$$reciati7e disdain,
KI 1ont assu:e "oure here out o9 charit"& said AleCander& 1hen the" 1ere settled,
K8a" I as% "our $ur$oseI
AltaJr 1anted to act Fuic%l" ; he 1anted to :o7e in on the Te:$lar !ase at once ;
!ut he o1ed the C"$riot an eC$lanation, KIts a co:$licated stor"& !ut can !e su::ed
u$ easil"? the Te:$lars ha7e access to %no1led#e and 1ea$ons 9ar deadlier than
an"one could ha7e i:a#ined, I $lan to chan#e this, One such 1ea$on is in our hands, A
de7ice 1ith the a!ilit" to 1ar$ the :inds o9 :en, I9 the Te:$lars $ossess :ore li%e it& I
1ant to %no1,
8aria $i$ed u$ 9ro: !ehind the:? KAnd 1e can certainl" trust the Assassins to $ut
the A$$le& the Piece o9 Eden& to !etter use O
AltaJr su$$ressed a s:ile !ut i#nored her& sa"in# to AleCander& KWhere are the
Te:$lars holed u$ no1I
KIn Li:assol Castle& !ut the"re eC$andin# their reach,
That had to !e sto$$ed& thou#ht AltaJr,
KAnd ho1 do I #et insideI he as%ed,
AleCander told hi: a!out Os:an& a Te:$lar 1hose s":$athies la" 1ith the C"$riot
Resistance, Kill the ca$tain o9 the #uard& he said, KWith hi: dead its li%el" Os:an 1ill
!e $ro:oted to the $ost, And i9 that ha$$ens& 1ell& "ou could 1al% strai#ht in,
KIts a start& said AltaJr,
As he :o7ed throu#h the streets o9 the cit" he :ar7elled at ho1 Fuiet it 1as, As he
1al%ed& he thou#ht o9 8aria and the A$$le, 0e had !rou#ht it 1ith hi:& o9 course ; it
re:ained in the ca!in o9 his shi$, 0ad it !een 9oolish& $erha$s& to !rin# the Treasure
into such close $roCi:it" 1ith the ene:"I Onl" ti:e 1ould tell,
At the :ar%et$lace he located the Te:$lar ca$tain o9 the #uard& 1ho had %indl"
:ade hi:sel9 eas" to s$ot& 1earin# a red tunic o7er chain:ail and loo%in# as i:$erious
as a %in#, Altair loo%ed around& seein# other #uards in the 7icinit", 0e lo1ered his
head& dra1in# no attention to hi:sel9& a7oidin# the #aHe o9 a #uard 1ho 1atched hi:
1ith narro1ed& sus$icious e"es, When he $assed on& he did so loo%in# 9or all the 1orld
li%e a scholar, Then& 7er" care9ull"& he !e#an to 1or% his 1a" around& :anoeu7rin#
hi:sel9 to the rear o9 the ca$tain& 1ho stood at the other end o9 the lane& !ar%in# orders
at his :en, A$art 9ro: the ca$tain and no1 his %iller& the lane 1as e:$t",
AltaJr too% a thro1in# %ni9e 9ro: the sheath at his shoulder& then& 1ith a 9lic% o9 his
1rist& set it 9ree, The ca$tain san% to the stone 1ith a lon# #roan& and !" the ti:e the
#uards ca:e runnin#& AltaJr had ta%en an adDoinin# alle" and 1as :eltin# into the
e:$t" sideEstreets, 0is tas% 9ul9illed& he had no1 to #o in search o9 Os:an& Dust as
AleCander had instructed,
Stealth" and 9ast& he :ade his 1a" across the roo9to$s o9 the sunE!leached cit"&
scuttlin# catli%e across the 1ooden !ea:s& until he 9ound hi:sel9 o7erloo%in# a
court"ard, There !elo1 hi: 1as Os:an, A Te:$lar& he ne7ertheless had Assassin
s":$athies& and AltaJr 1aited until he 1as alone !e9ore lo1erin# hi:sel9 into the
court"ard,
As he did so& Os:an loo%ed 9ro: AltaJr to the 1all a!o7e the:& then !ac% a#ain&
re#ardin# his 7isitor 1ith a:used e"es, At the 7er" least he had a hi#h re#ard 9or the
Assassins stealth,
KGreetin#s& Os:an& said AltaJr, KAleCander sends his re#ards& and 1ishes "our
#rand:other a Do"ous !irthda",
Os:an lau#hed, KThe dear lad"& :a" she rest in $eace, No1& ho1 :a" I hel$ "ou&
9riendI
KCan "ou tell :e 1h" the Te:$lars $urchased C"$rusI Was it to set u$ another
eCcheFuerI
KI dont ran% hi#h enou#h to %no1 9or certain& !ut I ha7e heard tal% o9 an archi7e o9
so:e %ind& said Os:an& as he loo%ed le9t& then ri#ht, I9 he 1as seen tal%in# to AltaJr he
1ould al:ost certainl" !e $ut to death in the :ar%et sFuare,
KAn archi7eI Interestin#, And 1ho is the ran%in# Te:$lar in Li:assolI
KA %ni#ht na:ed @rederic% the Red, 0e trains soldiers in Li:assol Castle, A real
!rute,
AltaJr nodded, KWith the castle #uard dead& 1hat 1ould it ta%e to #et :e insideI
KAssu:in# I: a$$ointed to his $osition& I could 9ind an eCcuse to reduce the castle
1atch 9or a short ti:e, Would that 1or%IN
KIll :a%e it& said AltaJr,
Thin#s 1ere :o7in# Fuic%l",
KOs:an is :a%in# the arran#e:ents& he told AleCander later& !ac% at the sa9eEhouse,
While hed !een out& 8aria had s$ent :uch o9 the da" in the storeroo: 1here she had
%e$t AleCander entertained 1ith a strin# o9 insults and 1isecrac%s& her in9uriation onl"
increasin# 1hen he had as%ed her to re$eat the:& a 9an o9 her En#lish diction, No1&
ho1e7er& she had !een allo1ed out to eat and sat on an unstead" 1ooden chair&
#larin# at AltaJr and AleCander& 1ho sat tal%in#& and shootin# an#r" #lances at an"
other Resistance :en 1ho ha$$ened to $ass throu#h,
KECcellent, No1 1hatI said AleCander,
KWe #i7e hi: so:e ti:e& said AltaJr, 0e turned to 8aria, K0e also told :e a!out the
Te:$lar archi7e, 0a7e "ou heard o9 such a thin#I
KO9 course& said 8aria, KThats 1here 1e %ee$ our under#ar:ents,
AltaJr des$aired, Turnin# !ac% to AleCander& he said& KC"$rus 1ould !e a #ood
location to sa9e#uard !oth %no1led#e and 1ea$ons, With the ri#ht strate#"& its an eas"
island to de9end,
0e stood, Os:an 1ould ha7e had ti:e to clear the castle 1alls !" no1, It 1as ti:e
to in9iltrate the castle,
-.
A short 1hile later he 9ound hi:sel9 in the court"ard o9 Li:assol Castle& read" 9or the
in9iltration, Sta"in# in the shado1s& he loo%ed u$ at the 9or!iddin# stone 1alls& notin#
the arches that 1ere #uarded and ti:in# the :o7e:ents o9 the :en on the ra:$arts,
0e 1as $leased to note that there 1ere Dust a 9e1 :en? Os:an had done his 1or%
1ell, The 9ortress 1asnt co:$letel" insecure !ut AltaJr could #et in, And that 1as all he
needed,
0e scaled a 1all to the ra:$arts& then cre$t into the castle, A #uard screa:ed and
9ell& one o9 AltaJrs thro1in# %ni7es in his nec%, Another heard the co::otion and ca:e
runnin# alon# the hall1a"& onl" to :eet the Assassins !lade, AltaJr lo1ered the #uard
to the stone& $laced his 9oot to his !ac% and retrie7ed his !lade& 1hich dri$$ed !lood to
the 9loor, Then he continued :a%in# his 1a" throu#h the s$arsel" inha!ited castle&
dis$osin# o9 #uards 1hen he sa1 the:, Os:an reall" had done his Do! e99icientl", Not
onl" had there !een 9e1er #uards on the 1alls !ut there see:ed to !e an a!sence o9
:en inside as 1ell, AltaJr i#nored the uncertaint" that 9or:ed in his #ut, The t1in#e o9
disFuiet,
U$ and u$ he 1ent& 9urther and 9urther into the castles inner sections until he ca:e
to a !alcon" o7erloo%in# a lar#e court"ard used as a trainin# sFuare,
There he sa1 @rederic% the Red& a hu#e& !earded #iant $residin# o7er a duel
!et1een t1o o9 his :en, The si#ht o9 hi: :ade AltaJr s:ile, The #enial s$" Os:an had
!een ri#ht, @rederic% the Red 1as indeed a !rute o9 a :an,
KNo :erc"& :en& he 1as roarin#, KThis is an island o9 su$erstitious heathens,
Re:e:!er& the" do not 1ant "ou here& the" do not li%e "ou& the" do not understand the
true 1isdo: o9 "our cause& and the" are sche:in# at e7er" turn to cast "ou out, Sta"
on "our #uard& and trust no one,
Both in 9ull ar:our& the t1o %ni#hts !attled it out& the sound o9 their s1ords rin#in#
around the "ard, Sta"in# out o9 si#ht on the !alcon" a!o7e& Altair listened to the
Te:$lar leader as he s$urred the: on,
K@ind the chin%s in "our o$$onents ar:our, Stri%e hard, Sa7e "our cele!rations 9or
the ta7ern,
No1 AltaJr stood and too% a ste$ u$ to the 1all& in $lain si#ht o9 the three :en in the
trainin# "ard !elo1, Still the" re:ained en#rossed in the !attle, 0e #au#ed the hei#ht
9ro: 1here he stood to the stone !elo1& then too% a dee$ !reath& stretched out his
ar:s and Du:$ed,
With a so9t thu:$ he landed directl" !ehind @rederic% the Red& his %nees !ent& ar:s
out 9or !alance, The !earded leader turned as AltaJr strai#htened, E"es !laHin#& he
roared& KAn Assassin on C"$rusI Well& 1ell, 0o1 Fuic%l" "ou 7er:in ada$t, Ill $ut an
end to ;
0e ne7er 9inished his sentence, AltaJr& 1ho had 1anted to loo% into the Te:$lars
e"es !e9ore he deli7ered the %illin# !lo1& en#a#ed his !lade and sliced his nec% in one
:o7e:ent& the entire action o7er in the !lin% o9 an e"e, With a short& stran#ulated
sound& @rederic% the Red cru:$led& his nec% a #a$in# red hole and his !lood 9loodin#
o7er the stone around hi:& trul" li7in# u$ to his na:e,
@or a second his :en stood silent& their hel:ets ro!!in# the: o9 an" e:otion so
that AltaJr could onl" $icture the loo%s o9 shoc% !ehind the steel, Then the" reco7ered ;
and attac%ed, AltaJr dro7e his !lade throu#h the e"e slit o9 the 9irst, @ro: !ehind the
hel:et there 1as an a#oniHed cho%in# noise and !lood lea%ed 9ro: the 7isor as the
s1ords:an 9ell, Then the second o9 the t1o duellists struc%& 1ieldin# his !roads1ord
:ore in ho$e than eC$ectation o9 9indin# his tar#et, The Assassin sideste$$ed easil"&
$al:in# a thro1in# %ni9e at the sa:e ti:e& then t1istin# and& in a sin#le :otion&
ra::in# u$1ards 1ith his %ni9e under the %ni#hts chest$late,
Battle o7er& the three cor$ses settled on the stone& and AltaJr loo%ed around the
"ard catchin# his !reath, The castle& !ein# so li#htl" $o$ulated& had its ad7anta#es& he
thou#ht, 0e returned to the !alcon"& lettin# hi:sel9 out as he had co:e in, On his
return Dourne" the na##in# 7oice o9 dou!t #re1 louder, 8ost o9 the !odies he $assed
1ere those he had le9t earlier& still undistur!ed& and there 1ere no sentries at all no1,
None, Where 1as e7er"!od"I
0e #ot his ans1er shortl" a9ter he had le9t the 9ortress and :ade his 1a" across the
roo9to$s to the sa9eEhouse& alread" loo%in# 9or1ard to restin# and $erha$s so:e 7er!al
Doustin# 1ith 8aria, 8a"!e e7en a little con7ersation 1ith her, All hed !een a!le to
#lean 9ro: her so 9ar 1as that she 1as En#lish& that she had !een de Sa!les ste1ard
*eCactl" 1hat that :eant& AltaJr hadnt as%ed+ and that she had !eco:e in7ol7ed in the
Crusades a9ter an incident at ho:e in En#land, That had intri#ued hi:, 0e ho$ed to
9ind out soon 1hat had ha$$ened to her,
Suddenl" he sa1 s:o%e& a thic% $illar dar%enin# the s%",
And it 1as co:in# 9ro: the sa9eEhouse,
0is heart 1as ha::erin# as he dre1 closer, 0e sa1 Crusader soldiers standin#
#uard and %ee$in# !ac% an"one tr"in# to #et near to the !uildin#& 1hich 1as !urnin#,
@in#ers o9 9la:e reached 9ro: the 1indo1s and the door& dense curls o9 !lac% s:o%e
cro1nin# the roo9, This 1as 1h" @rederic%s castle has !een so $oorl" #uarded,
AltaJrs 9irst thou#ht 1as not 9or the sa9et" o9 the Order& AleCander or an" o9 the
other Resistance :en 1ho :i#ht ha7e !een inside, 0is 9irst thou#ht 1as 9or 8aria,
@ur" ri$$ed throu#h hi:, 0e sna$$ed his 1rist to eDect his !lade, In one :o7e:ent
he had lea$ed do1n 9ro: the roo9to$ and :et t1o o9 the Te:$lar #uards !elo1, The
9irst died shoutin#& the second had ti:e to turn& 1ith 1ide& sur$rised e"es& as AltaJrs
!lade o$ened his throat, The shout 1ent u$ and :ore soldiers ca:e runnin#& !ut AltaJr
9ou#ht on& des$erate to reach the sa9eEhouse& not %no1in# 1hether 8aria 1as tra$$ed
inside& $erha$s cho%in# to death, 0ad she !een le9t in the storeroo:I Was she in there
no1& $oundin# on the door& #as$in# 9or air in the s:o%eE9illed roo:I I9 so& he could onl"
!e#in to i:a#ine the terror she :ust !e 9eelin#, 8ore Te:$lar #uards ca:e to hi:&
their s1ord$oints ea#er 9or !lood, And he 9ou#ht on, 0e !attled the: 1ith thro1in#
%ni7es and s1ord until he 1as eChausted& the street 1as littered 1ith Te:$lar cor$ses&
!leedin# into the dirt& and he 1as rushin# to1ards the no1 s:oulderin# sa9eEhouse&
callin# her na:e,
K8ariaP
There 1as no ans1er,
8ore Te:$lars 1ere a$$roachin# no1, With a hea7" heart AltaJr 9led to the
roo9to$s& there to ta%e stoc% and $lan his neCt :o7e,
-'
As it turned out& his neCt :o7e 1as decided 9or hi:, Sittin# hi#h in a to1er in the shade
o9 a !ell& AltaJr had !eco:e a1are o9 :o7e:ent in the streets& 1hich had !een so
e:$t", Peo$le 1ere lea7in# their ho:es, 0e had no idea 1here the" 1ere #oin#& !ut
decided he 1anted to %no1,
Sure enou#h& 1ith the s:o%e 1as still risin# 9ro: the charred re:ains o9 the sa9eE
house& the Te:$lars 1ere :o!iliHin#, AltaJr used the roo9s to 9ollo1 to1ns$eo$le as
the" :ade their 1a" to the sFuare and sa1 the eC$ressions the" 1ore& o7erheard their
con7ersations, Tal% 1as o9 re7en#e and re$risals, 8ore than once he heard Ar:and
Boucharts na:e, Bouchart had Dust arri7ed on the island& the" said, 0e had a
9earso:e re$utation, A cruel re$utation,
AltaJr 1as a!out to see that re$utation in action& !ut 9or the ti:e !ein# he 1as
o7erDo"ed to see 8aria in the cro1d& ali7e and unhar:ed, She 1as 9lan%ed !" t1o
Te:$lar %ni#hts in the #atherin# cro1d ; their $risoner !" the loo% o9 it& thou#h she
1asnt !ound, Li%e e7er"!od" else in the sFuare& her attention 1as 9iCed on the ste$s o9
the cathedral,
0e %e$t her in his e"eline& sta"in# out o9 si#ht on a roo9to$ o7erloo%in# the sFuare&
1atchin# as Os:an too% u$ $osition on the ste$s& standin# sli#htl" to one side& read"
9or the entrance o9 Ar:and Bouchart& the ne1 Te:$lar leader& 1ho strode out and
Doined hi:,
Li%e de Sa!le !e9ore hi:& Bouchart see:ed to ha7e !een chosen 9or his 9or:ida!le
a$$earance as :uch as his leadershi$ a!ilit", 0e 1ore 9ull ar:our !ut loo%ed stron#
and lithe !eneath it, 0e 1as hairless 1ith a thic% !ro1 that see:ed to shade his e"es,
Sun%en chee%s #a7e his 9ace a cada7erous loo%,
KA 9oul :urder has sha%en :" order& he !ello1ed& in a 7oice that co::anded the
1hole sFuares attention, KDear @rederic% the Red O slain, 0e& 1ho ser7ed God and
the $eo$le o9 C"$rus 1ith honour& is $aid tri!ute !" a :urderers !lade, Who a:on#
"ou 1ill deli7er those res$onsi!le to :eI
There 1as nothin# 9ro: the cro1d !ut the sound o9 a1%1ard shu99lin#, Altairs e"es
1ent !ac% to Bouchart& 1ho 1as dar%enin#, KCo1ardsP he roared, K2ou lea7e :e no
choice !ut to 9lush out this %iller :"sel9, I here!" #rant :" :en i::unit" until this
in7esti#ation is concluded,
AltaJr sa1 Os:an shi9t unco:9orta!l", Usuall" his 9ace 1ore a t1in%l" loo%& !ut not
no1, 0e see:ed 1orried as he ste$$ed 9or1ard to s$ea% to the leader, KBouchart& the
citiHens are alread" restless, Perha$s this is not the !est idea,
Boucharts 9ace 1as turned a1a" so Os:an :i#ht not ha7e seen it t1ist into an
eC$ression o9 terri!le 9ur", Bouchart 1as not accusto:ed to ha7in# his orders
Fuestioned? that 1as clear, As to 1hether he considered it insu!ordination or not O
In one :o7e:ent he dre1 his s1ord and ra::ed it into Os:ans sto:ach,
With a shout that echoed around the stunned sFuare& the ca$tain 9olded to the
stone& cradlin# his !ell", 0e 1rithed on the ste$s !rie9l" until he died& his death rattle
dea9enin# in the shoc%ed hush that !lan%eted the cro1d, AltaJr 1inced, 0e hadnt
%no1n Os:an& o9 course& !ut 1hat hed seen o9 hi:& hed li%ed, Another #ood :an had
died a needless death,
Bouchart reached do1n and 1i$ed his s1ord clean on the ar: o9 Os:ans tunic, KI9
an"one else o!Dects& I in7ite "ou to ste$ 9or1ard,
The !od" shi9ted sli#htl" and one ar: ca:e loose& han#in# o7er the ste$, Os:ans
si#htless e"es stared at the s%",
There 1ere no o!Dections,
Suddenl" there 1as a shout 9ro: 8aria& 1ho had $ulled 9ree o9 her t1o ca$tors, She
ran to the ste$s and thre1 hersel9 to her %nees in 9ront o9 the leader, KAr:and
Bouchart& she called,
Thou#h he s:iled in reco#nition& it 1as not the s:ile o9 9riends :eetin#, KAh& he
sneered& Kan old collea#ue& and he re$laced his s1ord in his !elt,
KBouchart& said 8aria& Kan Assassin has co:e to C"$rus, I :ana#ed to esca$e& !ut
he cannot !e 9ar !ehind,
U$ on his $erch& AltaJrs heart san%, 0ed ho$ed O No, She 1as a Te:$lar 9irst,
She al1a"s 1ould !e, 0er lo"alt" 1as to the:,
KWh"& 8aria& said Bouchart in hi#h s$irits& Kthat 1ould :a%e this "our second
:iraculous esca$e 9ro: the Assassins& noI Once 1hen de Sa!le 1as the tar#et& and
no1 here on :" island,
AltaJr 1atched inco:$rehension Doin $anic on 8arias 9ace, KI a: not in lea#ue 1ith
the Assassins& Bouchart& she !lurted, KPlease listen,
KDe Sa!le 1as a 1ea%E1illed 1retch, Verse se7ent" o9 the 9oundin# Te:$lar Rule
eC$ressl" 9or!ids consortin# 1ith 1o:en O 9or it is throu#h 1o:en that the de7il
1ea7es his stron#est 1e!, De Sa!le i#nored this tenet and $aid 1ith his li9e,
K0o1 dare "ouI she retorted and& des$ite hi:sel9& AltaJr s:iled, An" 9ear 8aria
eC$erienced 1as al1a"s shortEli7ed,
KTouched a ner7e& did II roared Bouchart& enDo"in# hi:sel9, Then& KLoc% her u$,
And 1ith that the :eetin# 1as o7er, Bouchart turned and le9t& lea7in# the #lass"E
e"ed !od" o9 Os:an on the ste$s !ehind hi:, 8aria 1as !ound and dra##ed a1a",
Altairs e"es 1ent 9ro: the recedin# 9i#ure o9 Bouchart to 8aria, 0e 1as torn& tr"in#
to decide on his neCt course o9 action, Bouchart 1as close, 0e :i#ht not ha7e this
chance a#ain, Stri%e at hi: 1hen he least eC$ected it,
But then a#ain ; 8aria,
0e let hi:sel9 do1n 9ro: the roo9to$ and 9ollo1ed the :en as the" led her out o9 the
Cathedral SFuare& $resu:a!l" to1ards the #aol, 0e %e$t at a sa9e distance, Then&
1hen the"d turned o99 into a Fuieter street& he struc%,
8o:ents later the t1o #uards 1ere dead and AltaJr 1as a$$roachin# 8aria 1here
she had !een tossed aside& her hands still !ound& stru##lin# to #et to her 9eet, 0e
reached 9or her and she Der%ed a1a" 9ro: hi:, KGet "our hands o99 :e& she sna$$ed,
KThe" consider :e a traitor& than%s to "ou,
AltaJr s:iled indul#entl" ; e7en thou#h she had alerted Bouchart to his $resence, KI
a: onl" a con7enient eCcuse 9or "our 1rath& 8aria, The Te:$lars are "our real ene:",
She #lo1ered, KI 1ill %ill "ou 1hen I #et the chance,
KI9 "ou #et the chance O !ut then "oull ne7er 9ind the A$$le& the Piece o9 Eden, And
1hich 1ould curr" :ore 9a7our 1ith the Te:$lars ri#ht no1I 8" head or that arte9actI
She loo%ed at hi: 1ith narro1ed e"es& seein# that 1hat he said :ade sense, She
see:ed to relaC,
@or the ti:e !ein#,
8uch later the" :et AleCander a#ain, 0is 9ace sho1ed his concern as he told AltaJr&
KDes$ite his !ra7ado& Bouchart o!7iousl" too% 8arias 1arnin# seriousl", At this he
shot 8aria a loo% so 9urious that& unusuall"& she 1as lost 9or 1ords, K8" sources tell :e
that a9ter destro"in# our sa9eEhouse he i::ediatel" sailed 9or "renia,
AltaJr 9ro1ned, KThats a sha:e, I 1as ho$in# to :eet hi:, 0e $lanned to :eet hi:
still, KWhats the 9astest route thereI he as%ed,
-6
The" tra7elled as a :on% and his co:$anion& a!le to 9ind s$ace in the hold,
Occasionall" cre1 :e:!ers 1ould descend 9ro: the :ain dec% and curl u$ to slee$
there& too& 9artin# and snu99lin#& $a"in# little attention to the t1o stran#ers, As 8aria
sle$t& AltaJr 9ound a crate and o$ened his Dournal& !rin#in# the A$$le out 9ro: a $ac% he
1ore in his ro!e,
@ree o9 its s1addlin# it #lo1ed and he 1atched it 9or a :o:ent& then !e#an to 1rite?
KI stru##le to :a%e sense o9 the A$$le& the Piece o9 Eden& its 9unction and $ur$ose& !ut
I can sa" 1ith certaint" that its ori#ins are not di7ine, No O it is a tool O a :achine o9
eCFuisite $recision, What sort o9 :en 1ere the" 1ho !rou#ht this :ar7el into the
1orldI
There 1as a noise !ehind hi:, In an instant he had s1e$t u$ the A$$le and co7ered
it once :ore& hidin# it 1ithin his ro!e, It 1as 8aria& stirrin# 9ro: slee$, 0e closed his
Dournal& ste$$in# o7er the slee$in# !odies o9 t1o cre1 :e:!ers and crossin# the hold
to 1here she sat 1ith her !ac% a#ainst a stac% o9 1ooden !oCes& shi7erin# and
"a1nin#, She clas$ed her %nees to her chest& 1atchin# as AltaJr sat on the dec% !eside
her, 0er e"es 1ere unreada!le, @or a :o:ent the" listened to the crea% o9 the shi$&
the suc% and sla$ o9 the sea on the hull, Neither 1as sure i9 it 1as da" or ni#ht& or ho1
lon# the" had !een sailin#,
K0o1 did "ou 9ind "oursel9 hereI he as%ed her,
KDont "ou re:e:!er& hol" :anI she said archl", K2ou !rou#ht :e, She 1his$ered&
KI: "our consort,
AltaJr cleared his throat, KI :ean here in the 0ol" Land, In the Crusades,
KI should !e at ho:e 1ith a la$ 9ull o9 crochet and one e"e on the #ardenerI
KIsnt that 1hat En#lish 1o:en doI
KNot this one, I: 1hat the" call the unusual one in :" 9a:il", Gro1in# u$& I al1a"s
$re9erred the !o"s #a:es, Dolls 1erent 9or :e& :uch to :" $arents continued
eCas$eration, I used to $ull their heads o99,
K2our $arentsI
She lau#hed, K8" dolls, So& o9 course& :" $arents did e7er"thin# the" could to :a%e
:e less !oisterous& and on :" ei#hteenth !irthda" the" #a7e :e a s$ecial $resent,
KAnd 1hat 1as itI
KA hus!and,
0e started, K2oure :arriedI
KI 1as, 0is na:e 1as Peter& and he 1as a :ost $leasant co:$anion& Dust O
KWhatI
KWell& that 1as it, >ust O :ost $leasant, Nothin# else,
KSo& not :uch use as a $la":ate,
KIn no sense, 8" ideal hus!and 1ould ha7e e:!raced those as$ects o9 :"
character that :" $arents 1anted to eCcise, We 1ould ha7e #one huntin# and ha1%in#
to#ether, 0e 1ould ha7e tutored :e in s$orts and co:!at and i:!ued :e 1ith learnin#,
But he did none o9 those thin#s, We re$aired to his 9a:il" seat& 0allaton 0all& in
Leicestershire& 1here as chatelaine I 1as eC$ected to :ana#e the sta99& o7ersee the
runnin# o9 the household and& o9 course& $roduce heirs, Three at least, T1o !o"s and a
#irl& $re9era!l"& in that order, But I 9ailed to li7e u$ to his eC$ectations as :isera!l" as
he had 9ailed to li7e u$ to :ine, The onl" thin# I cared 9or less than the hierarchies and
$olitics o9 the sta99 1as childErearin# and es$eciall" the !irth that co:es !e9orehand,
A9ter 9our "ears o9 $re7arication I le9t, @ortunatel" the Bisho$ o9 Leicester 1as a close
9riend o9 the elderl" Lord 0allaton and he 1as a!le to #rant an annul:ent rather than
ris%in# this sill" i:$etuous #irl cause the 9a:il" 9urther e:!arrass:ent, I 1as o9 course
$ersona non #rata at 0allaton 0all ; indeed& in the 1hole o9 Leicestershire ; and&
returnin# ho:e& the situation 1as no !etter, 0allaton had de:anded his !ride $rice
!ac% !ut @ather had alread" s$ent it, In the end I decided it 1as !est 9or e7er"one i9 I
le9t so I ran a1a" to the Crusade,
KAs a nurseI
KNo& as a soldier,
KBut "oure O
KAde$t at dis#uisin# :"sel9 as a :an& "es, Did I ha7e "ou 9ooled that da" in the
ce:eter"I
KI %ne1 "ou 1erent de Sa!le& !ut O
K2ou didnt antici$ate :e !ein# a 1o:an, 2ou seeI 2ears o9 !ein# !oisterous 9inall"
$aid o99,
KAnd de Sa!leI Was he 9ooledI
AltaJr sensed her rue9ul s:ile& rather than seein# it, KI li%ed Ro!ert at 9irst& she said
so9tl", K0e certainl" sa1 :ore o9 :" $otential than Peter did, But& o9 course& he also
sa1 ho1 I :i#ht !e eC$loited, And it 1asnt lon# !e9ore he 1as doin# so, She si#hed,
KIt 1as 9ittin# that "ou %illed hi:& she said, K0e 1as not a #ood :an and 1as un1orth"
o9 1hate7er 9eelin#s I had 9or hi:,
KDid he #i7e "ou thatI said AltaJr a9ter a ti:e& indicatin# her hand& the #e: that
shone there,
She loo%ed at and 9ro1ned& al:ost as thou#h she had 9or#otten she 1as 1earin# it,
K2es, It 1as a #i9t 9ro: hi: 1hen he too% :e under his 1in#, This is all I ha7e le9t o9 :"
ties to the Te:$lars,
There 1as an a1%1ard silence, E7entuall" it 1as !ro%en !" AltaJr& 1ho said& KDid
"ou stud" $hiloso$h"& 8ariaI
She loo%ed at hi: du!iousl", KI7e read scra$s O nothin# :ore,
KThe $hiloso$her E:$edocles $reached that all li9e on earth !e#an si:$l"& in
rudi:entar" 9or:s? hands 1ithout ar:s& heads 1ithout !odies& e"es 1ithout 9aces, 0e
!elie7ed that all these earl" 9or:s co:!ined& 7er" #raduall" o7er ti:e& to create all the
7ariet" o9 li9e 1e see !e9ore us, Interestin#I
She all !ut "a1ned, KDo "ou %no1 ho1 ludicrous that soundsI
KI do O !ut I ta%e co:9ort in the ad7ice o9 the $hiloso$her Al indi? one :ust not !e
a9raid o9 ideas& no :atter their source, And 1e :ust ne7er 9ear the truth& e7en 1hen it
$ains us,
KI dont see the $oint o9 "our ra:!lin#s, She lau#hed so9tl"& soundin# slee$" and
1ar:,
Perha$s he had :isDud#ed her, 8a"!e she 1asnt read" to learn, But Dust then a
!ell sounded& the si#n that the" had doc%ed at "renia, The" stood u$,
AltaJr tried a#ain, KOnl" a :ind 9ree o9 i:$edi:ent is ca$a!le o9 #ras$in# the chaotic
!eaut" o9 the 1orld, This is our #reatest asset,
KBut is chaos so:ethin# to !e cele!ratedI Is disorder a 7irtueI she as%ed& and
so:ethin# in hi: li9ted at the Fuestion, Perha$s she 1as rece$ti7e to hi#her
%no1led#e& a9ter all,
KIt $resents us 1ith challen#es& "es& he said& K!ut 9reedo: "ields #reater re1ards
than the alternati7e, The order and $eace the Te:$lars see% reFuire ser7ilit" and
i:$rison:ent,
K0:& she said, KI %no1 that 9eelin# O
0e 9elt a certain closeness to1ards her as the" reached the ste$s that led to the
u$$er dec% and realiHed it 1as the 7er" sensation he had !een chasin# al:ost since
the" had :et, No1 he had it& he li%ed it, 0e 1anted to %ee$ it, E7en so& he should !e
care9ul, 0adnt she alread" told hi: that she $lanned to %ill hi:I 0er lo"alties to the
Te:$lars had !een torn !ut that didnt :ean she had suddenl" co:e o7er to the 1a" o9
the Assassin, As 9ar as he could tell& her 1a" 1as the 1a" o9 8aria,
So it 1as to $ro7e,
At the ladder she s:iled and held out her hands and he re#arded the: distrust9ull",
But she couldnt $ossi!l" cli:! 1ith her hands tied and& an"1a"& the" 1ere tra7ellin#
1ith $irates? althou#h $irates 1ere notoriousl" lo1 on ethics& e7en the" :i#ht !e
sur$rised !" a :on% 1ho %e$t his co:$anion !ound, The t1o 1ho had !een slee$in#
1ere no1 $ullin# the:sel7es to their 9eet& "a1nin#& scratchin# their #roins and castin#
loo%s across the hold at the $air o9 the:, Surre$titiousl" AltaJr 9lic%ed out his !lade and
sliced the ro$e at her 1rists, She shot hi: a #rate9ul loo% !e9ore !e#innin# to cli:! the
ladder,
Then& he heard so:ethin#, A :ur:ur, 0e 1as alerted :ore !" the tone than 1hat
1as !ein# said, Without :a%in# it o!7ious& he listened, As hed thou#ht& the t1o $irates
1ere tal%in# a!out the:,
KI %ne1 it 1as hi:& ras$ed one, KI told "ou,
AltaJr could 9eel their e"es on his !ac%,
KIll !et the Te:$lars 1ould $a" a handso:e re1ard 9or those t1o,
Silentl" the Assassin cursed, I9 he 1as ri#ht& hed !e needin# his !lade a#ain at an"
:o:ent O
0e heard the sound o9 sci:itars !ein# dra1n,
O no1,
AltaJr 1heeled to 9ace the t1o :en as his co:$anion decided to $ursue the Wa" o9
8aria and launched a !id 9or 9reedo:& %ic%in# out 1ith her trailin# 9oot and sendin# hi:
stu:!lin# a#ainst the side o9 the hold& $ain 9larin# in his 9ace,
There 1as $ain inside hi:& too, A di99erent %ind o9 $ain,
Then she 1as #one& disa$$earin# into the sFuare o9 sunli#ht at the hold door, AltaJr
cursed a#ain !ut aloud this ti:e and ri#hted hi:sel9 to :eet the attac%, The 9irst $irate
#rinned as he ca:e 9or1ard& thin%in# no dou!t o9 the !ount" ; the 1ine and 1o:en he
1ould !u" 1hen he had collected it,
AltaJr thrust his s1ord throu#h the :ans sternu: and he sto$$ed #rinnin#& slidin#
1etl" o99 the !lade, It #a7e the second $ause 9or thou#ht and he sto$$ed, 0is e"es
narro1ed and he s1a$$ed his 1ea$on 9ro: hand to hand, AltaJr s:iled at hi: and
sta:$ed& $leased to see hi: 9linch in res$onse,
Good& he thou#ht, 0e li%ed his :ercenar" $irates to !e a little scared !e9ore the"
died,
And die he did, The $irates e"es rolled u$ as AltaJr !uried his !lade in his side then
sa1ed Fuic%l" to the 9ront& o$enin# a 7ast #ash in his 9lan% as he dro$$ed to the dec%&
Doinin# his co:$anion, No1 the Assassin scaled the ladder and then he 1as !lin%in# in
the sunli#ht as he 9ound hi:sel9 on the :ain dec%& castin# his e"es around in search o9
his esca$ee, Pirates& alerted !" the sudden $resence o9 8aria& ca:e runnin#, A shout
1ent u$ as the" sa1 AltaJr and realiHation da1ned on the:, 0e dashed across the
dec%& duc%in# !eneath ri##in#& then runnin# ni:!l" do1n the #an#$lan% and on to
"renia doc%s& des$eratel" loo%in# 9or a $lace to hide 1here he could let the threat #o
!",
And then& he thou#ht an#ril"& he 1as #oin# to 9ind 8aria, This ti:e he 1ouldnt allo1
her to esca$e,
0e loo%ed around, Another cit" held !" the Te:$lars, It t1in%led in the sun,
So:eho1 it 1as too !eauti9ul to !e in the hands o9 the ene:",
5(
At least 9indin# 8aria caused hi: no di99icult", Trou!le ca:e to her li%e rats to a shi$s
hold, Sure enou#h 1hen AltaJr neCt crossed $aths 1ith her& $irate cor$ses 1ere stre1n
at her 9eet and three local :en 1ere standin# near!"& 9lic%in# !lood 9ro: their s1ords
and reco7erin# their !reath a9ter !attle, The" tensed as AltaJr a$$eared and he held u$
his hands in a #esture o9 #ood 9aith& ta%in# in the scene? 8aria& the :en& the dead
!odies,
Once a#ain& it see:ed& shed had a luc%" esca$e,
KI thou#ht Id seen the last o9 "ou& he said to her& ar:s still u$raised,
She had a #i9t 9or re9usin# to !e sur$rised at an" turn o9 e7ents, KI9 onl" I 1ere so
luc%"O
0e 9ro1ned at her& then addressed one o9 the C"$riot :en& the li%el" leader, KWhat
is "our !usiness 1ith this 1o:anI Are "ou a Te:$lar lac%e"I
KNo& sir& sta::ered the :an, 0e stood 1ith his s1ord dra1n and AltaJrs hands
1ere e:$t"& !ut e7en so& the C"$riot %ne1 a s%illed 1arrior 1hen he sa1 one, KThe
$irates attac%ed her and I had to hel$, But I: no lac%e", I hate the Te:$lars,
KI understand, 2oure not alone& re$lied AltaJr,
The :an nodded #rate9ull"& their co::on $ur$ose esta!lished, K8" na:e is
8ar%os& sir, Ill hel$ in an" 1a" I can& i9 it :eans riddin# :" countr" o9 these
Crusaders,
ECcellent& thou#ht AltaJr, KThen I need "ou to %ee$ this 1o:an sa9e until I return, I
ha7e to 9ind so:eone !e9ore the Te:$lars do,
KWell !e at the har!our all da", Shell !e sa9e here 1ith us& said 8ar%os& and once
a#ain 8aria 1as #ru:!lin# as the :en hauled her a1a", Shed !e all ri#ht& thou#ht
AltaJr& 1atchin# the: #o, Shed s$end the da" !et1een a cou$le o9 !url" C"$riots&
1atchin# the 1orld #o !" in "renia har!our? there 1ere !etter 1a"s to 1aste a 9e1
hours& !ut also 9ar 1orse, At least he %ne1 shed !e sa9e 1hile he :et 1ith AleCanders
Resistance contact& the Barna!as hed !een told a!out,
0e 9ound hi: at the sa9eEhouse& 1hich dou!led as a #rain store, Wal%in# in& Altair
had called out cautiousl"& hearin# nothin# !ut the scuttlin# o9 :ice and the distant
sounds o9 the street, Then a :an had a$$eared 9ro: a:on# the sac%s, 0e had a dar%
!eard and 1atch9ul !lac% e"es& and introduced hi:sel9 as Barna!as, When AltaJr as%ed
hi: i9 the sa9eEhouse had an area that could !e used as a cell& he s:iled o!seFuiousl"
and assured hi: that o9 course it did& !ut then dithered& #oin# 9irst to one door& 1hich
he o$ened and closed& and then to a second& throu#h 1hich he $eered !e9ore
announcin# that the dr"in# roo: had a !arred area that could !e used as a cell,
KI7e !een 9ollo1in# Ar:and Bouchart& AltaJr told Barna!as& :o:ents later& the t1o
o9 the: no1 sittin# on #rain sac%s in the storeroo:,
KAh O Bouchart is in "reniaI said the Resistance :an, K0es $ro!a!l" 7isitin# his
$risoners in Bu99a7ento,
KIs that a %ee$ near!"I
KA castle& "es, It 1as once the residence o9 a 1ealth" C"$riot no!le1o:an& until the
Te:$lars seiHed her $ro$ert",
AltaJr 9ro1ned at their #reed, KCan "ou ta%e :e thereI
KWell O I can do :ore than that, I can #et "ou inside 1ithout the #uards !attin# an
e"elid, But "ou :ust do so:ethin# 9or :e 9irst, @or the Resistance,
KA 9a:iliar reFuest& said AltaJr, KWhat is itI
KWe ha7e a traitor in our :idst& said Barna!as& dar%l",
The traitor 1as a :erchant na:ed >onas& and a9ter Barna!as had #i7en hi: the
necessar" details AltaJr trac%ed hi: to an a:$hitheatre in the centre o9 the cit",
Accordin# to Barna!as& >onas 1as 9eedin# secrets to the Te:$lars, AltaJr 1atched hi:
9or a 1hile& :eetin# other trades:an& loo%in# 9or all the 1orld li%e an" other
!usiness:an, Then& 1hen he turned to #o& the Assassin 9ollo1ed hi: 9ro: the
a:$hitheatre and into the !ac%Estreets& notin# as the :erchant slo1l" !eca:e a1are
that he 1as !ein# 9ollo1ed, 0e cast :ore and :ore 9reFuent #lances !ehind hi: at
AltaJr& his e"es 1ilder and :ore 9ri#htened each ti:e, Suddenl" he !ro%e into a run and
AltaJr 1as in $ursuit& deli#hted to see >onas turn into an alle"1a",
0e s$eeded u$& and raced a9ter his Fuarr",
The alle"1a" 1as e:$t",
AltaJr sto$$ed& #lanced !ehind to chec% he 1as not seen& then ; snic% ; en#a#ed
his !lade, 0e too% t1o ste$s 9or1ard so that he 1as le7el 1ith a lar#e& unstead" $ile o9
crates& 1hich 1as teeterin# sli#htl", 0e !ent sli#htl"& then dro7e his !lade throu#h a
crate, The 1ood s$lintered and there 1as a screa:, The $ile to$$led do1n on to AltaJr&
1ho !raced hi:sel9& al:ost losin# his 9ootin#,
0e sta"ed still& thou#h, And 1hen the 1ood had settled around hi: he relaCed&
loo%in# alon# the line o9 his outstretched ar:& to 1here >onas 1as $inned !" his !lade&
!lood slo1l" s$readin# 9ro: the 1ound at his nec%, Still in the crouched $osition hed
ado$ted to hide& the :erchant cut a des$erate& $athetic 9i#ure, And thou#h AltaJr %ne1
he 1as a traitor& and that in9or:ation he #a7e to the Te:$lars had no dou!t !een used
to %ill& ca$ture and torture :e:!ers o9 the Resistance& he $itied hi:& so :uch so that
he re:o7ed the !lade #entl"& sho7in# aside the re:nants o9 the !oCes so that he could
la" >onas do1n and !end to hi:,
Blood ooHed 9ro: the nec% 1ound, KWhats thisI 1heeHed >onas, KAn AssassinI
Does Salah Aldin ha7e his e"es on $oor C"$rus tooI
KThe Assassins ha7e no ties to the Saracen, Our !usiness is our o1n,
>onas cou#hed& re7ealin# !loodied teeth, KWhate7er the case& 1ord o9 "our
$resence is 1ides$read, The Bull has $ut a !ount" on "our head O and on the head o9
"our 9e:ale co:$anion,
AltaJr sa1 the li9e !leedin# out o9 hi:, KI: 1orth :ore and :ore e7er" da"& he said&
and deli7ered the %illin# !lo1,
When he stood u$& it 1as not 1ith the satis9action o9 a Do! 1ell done& !ut 1ith a
terri!le sense that so:ethin# 1as a:iss, The Bull >onas had :entioned, Whoe7er he
1as& he 1as lo"al to Ar:and Bouchart and he %ne1 o9 AltaJr and 8arias $resence in
"renia, Was that the source o9 AltaJrs disFuietI
0e too% to the roo9to$s& :eanin# to 9ind 8ar%os and 8aria at once,
KWell& 8aria& it see:s theres a he9t" $rice on !oth our heads& said AltaJr& 1hen hed
9ound her, >ust as hed i:a#ined& she 1as sittin# on a stone !ench !et1een 8ar%os
and another Resistance :an& 1earin# the #lo1erin# loo% to 1hich he 1as !eco:in#
accusto:ed,
KA $riceI Da:n Bouchart, 0e $ro!a!l" thin%s I: "our a$$rentice,
KSo:eone called the Bull has dis$atched his :en to search 9or us,
8aria Du:$ed as thou#h stun#, KThe BullI So the" #a7e that Healot his o1n $arishI
KIs he a 9riend o9 "oursI said AltaJr& 1r"l",
K0ardl", 0is na:e is 8oloch, 0es a $ious !lo1hard 1ith ar:s li%e tree trun%s,
AltaJr turned to 8ar%os, KDo "ou %no1 the Resistance sa9eEhouse in the Co::ons
DistrictI
KI %no1 1here it is& !ut I7e ne7er !een inside, 8ar%os shru##ed, KI: Dust a 9oot
soldier 9or the Resistance,
AltaJr thou#ht& then said& KI cant !e seen 1ith 8aria& so "oull ha7e to ta%e her, ee$
her out o9 si#ht& and :eet :e there 1hen "oure sa9e,
KI %no1 so:e !ac% alle"s and tunnels,
KIt :a" ta%e lon#er& !ut 1ell #et her there in one $iece,
Se$aratel" the" :ade their 1a" to the sa9eEhouse& AltaJr arri7in# 9irst, Barna!as had
s$read out sac%s o9 #rain and had !een relaCin#& !ut he $ulled hi:sel9 to his 9eet as
AltaJr entered& sti9lin# a "a1n as thou#h roused 9ro: slu:!er,
KI Dust had 1ord that so:eone 9ound $oor >onass !od"& he said& 1ith a sneer in his
7oice, KWhat a 1aste& ehI 0e !rushed #rain 9ro: his ro!es,
K2ou %ne1 hi: !etter than I did& re$lied AltaJr, KI: sure he understood the ris% o9
1or%in# 9or !oth sides, 0e loo%ed at Barna!as care9ull"& ta%in# note o9 the croo%ed
s:ile he 1ore, AltaJr too% no $leasure 9ro: death ; an" death ; and he 1as a$t to loo%
$oorl" on those 1ho did& 1hether the" !e Te:$lar& Assassin or Resistance, On the one
hand Barna!as 1as an all", On the other O I9 AltaJr %ne1 one thin# it 1as to trust his
instincts and his instincts 1ere na##in# hi: no1G Dust a lo1& hushed na##in#& !ut
insistent nonetheless,
Barna!as 1as continuin#? K2es O un9ortunatel"& this has co:$licated thin#s, >onas
1as a res$ected C"$riot and his death has s$ar%ed riots near the Old Church, The
$u!lic is hun#r" 9or re7en#e and the Bull 1ill tell the: "ou 1ere res$onsi!le, 2ou :a"
lose the su$$ort o9 the Resistance,
WhatI AltaJr stared at hi:& hardl" a!le to !elie7e his ears, That instinct o9 his? it
:o7ed 9ro: na##in# to outri#ht harass:ent, KBut >onas 1as a traitor to the Resistance,
Did the" not %no1I
KNot enou#h o9 the:& I: a9raid& Barna!as ad:itted, KThe Resistance is Fuite
scattered,
KWell& "oull ha7e the chance to tell the: "oursel9& said AltaJr, KSo:e :en are on
their 1a" to us no1,
K2oure !rin#in# $eo$le hereI Barna!as loo%ed concerned, KPeo$le "ou can trustI
KI: not sure 1ho I can trust ri#ht no1& said AltaJr& K!ut its 1orth the ris%, Ri#ht no1 I
need to see these riots 9or :"sel9,
KAs 9or our !ar#ain& Ill see 1hat I can do a!out #ettin# "ou close to Bouchart, A
deals a deal& ehI said Barna!as, 0e s:iled a#ain,
AltaJr didnt care 9or that s:ile, 0e li%ed it less and less each ti:e he sa1 it,
53
AltaJr $aid a 7isit to the church and his heart san% at the si#ht o9 the unrest, Te:$lar
#uards had 9or:ed a cordon and 1ere holdin# !ac% :araudin# citiHens& 1ho had !een
$re7ented 9ro: :o7in# out o9 the i::ediate area o9 the church and 1ere s:ashin#
e7er"thin# in si#ht, Crates and !arrels had !een s$lintered and there 1ere scattered
9ires on the streets, Streetside stalls had !een attac%ed and dis:antled& and the s:ell
o9 tra:$led $roduce :in#led 1ith the s:o%e, 8en had #athered in #rou$s and 1ere
chantin# slo#ans to the !eat o9 dru:s and the constant rattle o9 c":!als& tr"in# to #oad
the lines o9 Te:$lar %ni#hts& 1ho 1atched the: care9ull" 9ro: !ehind :a%eshi9t
!arriers& o7erturned carts and stalls, E7er" no1 and then s:all sFuads o9 soldiers
1ould :a%e short& ruthless sorties into the :o!& dra##in# out :en 1ho %ic%ed and
"elled& and either clu!!in# the: 1ith the hilts o9 their s1ords or thro1in# the: !ehind
the !arrier to !e ta%en to the cells ; not that their raids did an"thin# to 9ri#hten the
rioters or da:$en their te:$er,
AltaJr 1atched it all 9ro: u$ hi#h& sFuattin# on the ed#e o9 a roo9& shrouded in
des$air, So:ethin# had #one 1ron#, So:ethin# had #one terri!l" 1ron#, And i9 the
Bull decided to :a%e an announce:ent na:in# hi: as the %iller& then thin#s 1ere
#oin# to #et e7en 1orse,
0e :ade his decision, The Bull had to die,
When he arri7ed !ac% at the sa9eEhouse& he loo%ed in 7ain 9or Barna!as& 1ho 1as
no1here to !e seen, No1 AltaJr 1as certain that he had !een 1ron# to trust hi: and
1as cursin# hi:sel9, 0ed listened to his instinct, >ust not hard enou#h,
8ar%os 1as there& thou#h& as 1as 8aria& 1ho had !een de$osited in the cell& a
:uch sturdier desi#n than the :a%eshi9t #aol the" had !een usin# in Li:assol, The
door !et1een the dr"in# roo: and the storeroo: 1as o$en so the" could see her? she
sat !ehind !ars 1ith her !ac% a#ainst the 1all& occasionall" %ic%in# her 9eet a:on# the
rushes s$read out on the 9loor and re#ardin# all #oin#sEon 1ith a !ale9ul& sardonic
eC$ression, AltaJr 1atched her& :usin# u$on all the trou!le she had caused,
0e learned that she& 8ar%os and se7eral other Resistance :en had arri7ed at the
sa9eEhouse to 9ind it deserted, Barna!as had !een #one 1hen the" had #ot there, 0o1
con7enient& thou#ht AltaJr,
KWhats #oin# on out thereI 8ar%os had eCclai:ed, KThe cit" is in tur:oil, I7e seen
riots,
KThe $eo$le are $rotestin# the death o9 a citiHen& a :an na:ed >onas, 0a7e "ou
heard o9 hi:I
K8" 9ather %ne1 hi: 1ell, 0e 1as a #ood :an, 0o1 did he dieI
AltaJrs heart san% e7en 9urther& and he 9ound hi:sel9 a7oidin# 8ar%oss e"es as he
re$lied& KBra7el", Listen& 8ar%os& thin#s ha7e !eco:e co:$licated, Be9ore I 9ind
Bouchart& I need to eli:inate the Bull and $ut an end to his 7iolence,
K2ou7e Fuite a taste 9or chaos& AltaJr& called 8aria 9ro: her cell,
0e li%ed the 1a" his na:e sounded in her :outh, KThe Bull is one :an res$onsi!le
9or the su!Du#ation o9 thousands, @e1 1ill :ourn his loss,
She shi9ted, KAnd "ou $ro$ose to 9l" into antara& stin# hi: and eCit unnoticedI 0e
surrounds hi:sel9 1ith de7oted 1orshi$$ers, 0er 7oice echoed in the stone $rison,
Kantara O thats to the eastI said AltaJr& $ic%in# u$ on her inad7ertent sli$,
K2es& its the !est de9ended O 2oull see 9or "oursel9,
5)
AltaJr did indeed see 9or hi:sel9, antara Castle 1as #uarded !" Crusader soldiers and
8olochs 9anatics, Scalin# the 1alls& then :a%in# his 1a" across the ra:$arts& he
sto$$ed occasionall" to hear the: tal%in#& #leanin# the odd !it o9 in9or:ation a!out the
:an the" called the Bull, 0e learned that he 1as a reli#ious Healot 1ho attracted li%eE
:inded 9ollo1ers& 9anatics 1ho either 1or%ed as his $ersonal !od"#uard& his ser7ants&
or 1ho trod the streets o9 "renia& s$readin# the 1ord, 0e 1as attached to the
Te:$lars, 0is de7otion to their leader& Bouchart& 1as al:ost as de7out as his reli#ious
9aith& and antara Castle 1as his $ersonal citadel& #i7en to hi:& $resu:a!l"& !" the
Te:$lars, 0e 1as %no1n to s$end :ost o9 his ti:e 1orshi$$in# at the castle cha$el,
Which 1as 1here AltaJr ho$ed to 9ind hi:,
8o7in# throu#h the 9ortress he sa1 9anatics as 1ell as #uards, The 9anatics loo%ed
O 1ell& eCactl" as he 1ould ha7e eC$ected 9anatics to loo%? Du:$"& 1ideEe"ed and
Healous, The" 1ere held in o$en conte:$t !" the Christian #uards 1ho $atrolled in t1os
and clearl" thou#ht it !eneath the: to !e stationed at the castle, As AltaJr $ressed
hi:sel9 into a recess t1o 1andered $ast& one co:$lainin# to the other, KWh" do the
Te:$lars tolerate this :ad:anI The Bull and his 9anatics are :ore dan#erous than the
citiHens o9 C"$rus,
KThe Te:$lars ha7e their reasons& re$lied the other, KIts :uch easier 9or the: to
rule !" $roC"& "ou see,
KI su$$ose so, But ho1 lon# can it lastI The Bull and the Te:$lars do not eCactl"
see e"e to e"e on :atters o9 9aith,
KAh& the less "ou sa" a!out that the !etter& reDoined the 9irst,
AltaJr let the: #o $ast& then :o7ed on& the corridor dar%enin#, 8aria had said the
castle 1as 1ell de9ended& and it certainl" 1as i9 "ou had raised an ar:" and $lanned to
stor: its 1alls, @or a lone Assassin& thou#h& $enetratin# the 9ortress !" stealth 1as an
easier tas%, Es$eciall" 1hen "ou 1ere the 8aster, When "ou 1ere AltaJr,
No1 he 9ound hi:sel9 in a 7ast !anFuetin# hall, At the o$$osite end stood t1o
#uards and he too% out t1o thro1in# %ni7es, 0e 9lic%ed the:? one& t1o, In :o:ents the
:en la" t1itchin# on the stone and AltaJr ste$$ed o7er the:& %no1in# that he 1as near
no1& that 8oloch couldnt !e 9ar a1a",
0e 1asnt, AltaJr ca:e to 1hat loo%ed li%e a dead end and turned& chec%in# !ehind
hi: ; 1h" had this !een #uardedI Then he sa1 a tra$door, Bendin# to it& he listened&
then s:iled, 0e had 9ound the Bull,
Ver" #entl" he li9ted the tra$door and lo1ered hi:sel9 into the roo9 !ea:s !elo1, 0e
1as in the ra9ters o9 the castles $lace o9 1orshi$& a lar#e e:$t" roo: lit !" the 9ire o9 a
lar#e !raHier near the altar,
neelin# !e9ore the 9ire& tendin# it& 1as 8oloch,
8arias descri$tion o9 hi: had !een accurate, 0e 1as a !ear o9 a :an? !areE
headed& droo$in# :oustache& !areEchested& a$art 9ro: a :edallion& and 1ith the treeE
trun% ar:s shed descri!ed, S1eat #listened on hi: as he sto%ed the 9ire& chantin# an
incantation that sounded as :uch li%e a #ro1l as it did $ious de7otion, A!sor!ed in his
1or% he didnt :o7e 9ro: the 9ire& didnt loo% a1a" 9ro: it& !athin# his 9ace in the heat
o9 the 9la:es& o!li7ious to an"thin# else in the roo:& e7en ; es$eciall" ; his %iller,
Good, 8oloch loo%ed stron#& easil" :ore $o1er9ul than AltaJr& 1ho had no desire to
en#a#e hi: in co:!at, Not onl" did he ha7e the :uscular ad7anta#e !ut it 1as said
that he 1ielded a 1ea$on li%e a :eteor ha::er& 1ith a deadl" 1ei#ht attached to a
chain, It 1as said that he used it 1ith un9ailin# accurac"& and 1as ruthless 1ith it,
So& no, AltaJr had no desire to en#a#e hi: in co:!at, This 1as to !e a stealth %ill,
Ruic%& clean and silent,
Noiselessl"& AltaJr :ade his 1a" alon# the !ea:s& then dro$$ed silentl" into the
centre o9 the roo: !ehind 8oloch, 0e 1as sli#htl" 9urther a1a" than he 1ould ha7e
li%ed and he held his !reath& tensin#, I9 8oloch had heard hi: O
But no, The !rute 1as still en#rossed 1ith the !raHier, AltaJr too% a 9e1 ste$s
9or1ard, Silentl" he en#a#ed the !lade and raised it, Oran#e li#ht danced on the steel,
The Bull no1 Dust a heart!eat a1a" 9ro: death, AltaJr di$$ed sli#htl"& his le# :uscles
!unchin#& then launched hi:sel9& !lade a!out to stri%e,
0e 1as in :idEair 1hen 8oloch s$un& 9ar :ore Fuic%l" than his siHe should ha7e
allo1ed, At the sa:e ti:e he #rinned and AltaJr realiHed that he had %no1n he 1as
there all alon#G that he had :erel" let AltaJr co:e close, Then the Assassin 1as in the
e:!race o9 those hu#e ar:s& raisin# hi: o99 the #round& 9eelin# a hand #o to his throat
and sFueeHe,
@or a :o:ent or so he 1as held that 1a"& 8oloch li9tin# hi: oneEhanded into the air
as thou#h he 1ere a tro$h" to !e dis$la"ed on the castle ste$s& and he cho%ed as he
stru##led, 0is 9eet %ic%ed at thin air and his hands scra!!led at 8olochs #auntlet&
des$eratel" tr"in# to loosen the :onsters #ri$, 0is 7ision !e#an to cloud& !lac%ness
closin# in, 0e 9elt hi:sel9 losin# consciousness, Then 8oloch 1as tossin# hi:
!ac%1ards and he 1as s$ra1lin# on the cha$el 9loor& his head re!oundin# $ain9ull" o99 a
9la#stone& 1onderin# 1h" he had !een allo1ed to li7e,
Because the Bull 1anted :ore s$ort, 0e had $roduced his :eteor ha::er and&
1ith a sin#le loo$in# s1in# a!o7e his head& launched it at AltaJr& 1ho onl" Dust
:ana#ed to roll clear as it ca:e s:ashin# do1n& o$enin# a crater in the 9la#stone and
sho1erin# hi: 1ith stone shards,
AltaJr scra:!led to his 9eet& daHed& sha%in# his head to clear it, 0e dre1 his s1ord,
Blade in one hand& s1ord in the other, 0e 1as dartin# to the side as the Bull retrie7ed
his ha::er and launched it a#ain,
It crashed into a $illar !eside AltaJr and once a#ain he 1as hit !" a hail o9 stone
9ra#:ents, With 8olochs ha::er uns$ooled& AltaJr had a chance and darted in&
Da!!in# 1ith s1ord and !lade, But& 9aster than see:ed $ossi!le& 8oloch had retrie7ed
the chain and held it t1oEhanded& !loc%in# AltaJrs s1ord& then s1in#in# the ha::er
a#ain and sendin# the Assassin di7in# 9or sa9et" once :ore,
AltaJr thou#ht o9 Al 8uali: ; the Al 8uali: 1ho had trained hi:& not the traitor he
had !eco:e, 0e thou#ht o9 La!i! and o9 his other s1ords%ills tutors, 0e too% a dee$
!reath and !ac%ed o99& ste$$in# to the side& circlin# 8oloch,
The Bull 9ollo1ed hi:& %no1in# he had the Assassin 1orried, When he s:iled he
re7ealed a :outh9ul o9 Da##ed& !lac%ened teeth& :ost 1orn do1n to diseased stu:$s,
@ro: the !ac% o9 his throat he :ade a #ro1lin# sound as AltaJr ca:e closer& needin# to
coaC 8oloch into thro1in# the ha::er, The Assassin had an idea, It 1as a #ood idea
!ut it had a 9la1, It 1ould !e 9atal i9 he #ot it 1ron#, 0e needed the Bull to release the
ha::er ; !ut e7er" ti:e that ha$$ened it ca:e dan#erousl" close to ca7in# in AltaJrs
s%ull,
It ca:e, Loo$in# throu#h the air, S:ashin# into the stone, AltaJr onl" Dust lea$ed
clear !ut he landed on his 9eet and& instead o9 ta%in# co7er& dashed to1ards the
ha::er, 0e ste$$ed on the 1ei#ht and ran u$ the taut chain to1ards 8oloch,
8oloch sto$$ed #rinnin#, 0e had a second to co:$rehend the si#ht o9 the a#ile
Assassin runnin# u$ the ti#htro$e o9 his chain !e9ore AltaJrs s1ord sliced throu#h the
9ront o9 his throat and eCited at the nec%, 0e :ade a sound that 1as hal91a" !et1een a
shout and a cho%e& the s1ord $rotrudin# throu#h his nec% as AltaJr let #o o9 the hilt and
t1isted to straddle the Bulls shoulders& dri7in# his !lade dee$ into the :ans s$ine, Still
the Bull 9ou#ht and AltaJr 9ound hi:sel9 han#in# on 9or #ri: li9e, 0e #ra!!ed the chain
and dra##ed it u$ to loo$ around his 7icti:s nec% 1ith his 9ree hand& #runtin# 1ith the
e99ort o9 $ullin# it hard, 8oloch t1isted and $ushed !ac%1ards and AltaJr sa1 that he
1as !ein# :anoeu7red to1ards the 9ire,
0e 9elt the heat at his !ac% and redou!led his e99orts, The !east 1ould not die, 0e
s:elt so:ethin# !urnin# ; the he: o9 his ro!eP 2ellin# 1ith $ain and e99ort& he $ulled
hard on the chain 1ith one hand& di##in# the !lade dee$er 1ith the other until at last
so:ethin# #a7e& so:e last li9e 9orce sna$$ed 1ithin 8oloch and AltaJr 1as ridin# his
!uc%in# shoulders as the !rute 9olded to the 9loor 1here he la"& !reathin# hea7il"&
s"ru$" !lood s$readin# across the stone& slo1l" d"in#,
At last his !reathin# sto$$ed,
AltaJr hea7ed a hu#e si#h o9 relie9, 8oloch 1ould not !e a!le to turn the $eo$le
a#ainst the Resistance, 0is rei#n o9 t"rann" 1as o7er, 0o1e7er& he couldnt hel$ !ut
1onder 1hat :i#ht re$lace it,
0e 1as to #et his ans1er 7er" shortl",
5-
8aria 1as #one, Ta%en !" Crusaders, While AltaJr had !een !attlin# at antara Castle&
soldiers had attac%ed the sa9eEhouse and& des$ite a !attle& had :ade o99 1ith so:e
$risoners& 8aria a:on# the:,
8ar%os& one o9 the 9e1 1ho had esca$ed ca$ture& 1as there to #reet the Assassin&
1orr" etched into his 9ace& 9rettin# as he !a!!led& KAltaJr& 1e 1ere attac%ed, We tried to
9i#ht the: o99 !ut ; !ut it 1as no use, 0e dro$$ed his e"es& sha:eE9aced,
Or 1as he 9ei#nin# itI
AltaJr loo%ed at the door to the dr"in# roo:, It 1as o$en, Be"ond& the door to the
!arred cell hun# o$en too and he $ictured her there& 1atchin# hi: 1ith her al:ond
e"es& her !ac% a#ainst the 1all and !oots scu99in# in the rushes stre1n on the stone,
0e shoo% his head to rid hi:sel9 o9 the i:a#e, There 1as :ore at sta%e than his
9eelin#s 9or the En#lish 1o:an? he had no !usiness thin%in# o9 her !e9ore the concerns
o9 the Order, But O he had,
KI 1anted to sto$ the:& 8ar%os 1as sa"in#& K!ut I had to hide, There 1ere too
:an",
AltaJr loo%ed at hi: shar$l", No1 that he %ne1 o9 Barna!ass du$licit" he 1as
reluctant to trust an"!od", KThis 1as not "our 9ault& he said, KThe Te:$lars are cra9t",
KI7e heard the" harness the $o1er o9 a Dar% Oracle in Bu99a7ento, That :ust !e
ho1 the" 9ound us,
Was that soI AltaJr thou#ht a!out it, Certainl" the Te:$lars see:ed to %no1 their
e7er" :o7e, But :a"!e that 1as less to do 1ith an oracle and :ore to do 1ith the 9act
that the Resistance 1as in9ested 1ith Te:$lar s$ies,
KThat is a curious theor"& he said& 1ar" that 8ar%os :i#ht !e tr"in# deli!eratel" to
:islead hi:, KBut I sus$ect it 1as Barna!as 1ho ti$$ed the: o99,
8ar%os started, KBarna!asI 0o1 can that !eI The Resistance leader Barna!as 1as
eCecuted the da" !e9ore "ou arri7ed,
O9 course, AltaJr cursed hi:sel9, There had !een a Barna!as 1ho 1as lo"al to the
Resistance !ut the Te:$lars had re$laced hi: 1ith their o1n :an ; a 9alse Barna!as,
AltaJr thou#ht o9 >onas& eCecuted !" hi: on the orders o9 the s$"& and he ho$ed one
da" to !e a!le to :a%e reco:$ense 9or that, >onas hadnt deser7ed to die,
AltaJr le9t 9or the har!our district& 9ound 1here the Resistance $risoners 1ere !ein#
held and sli$$ed $ast the #uards to disco7er the: huddled in a cra:$ed& 9ilth" cell,
KThan% "ou& sir& :a" God !less "ou& said one& as AltaJr o$ened the door and
allo1ed hi: out, 0e 1ore the sa:e loo% o9 #ratitude as the others, AltaJr hated to thin%
1hat the Te:$lars had $lanned 9or the:,
0e searched the #aol in 7ain 9or 8aria O
KWas there a 1o:an 1ith "ou 1hen "ou 1ere ta%enI
KA 1o:anI 2es& until the Bulls son Shali: too% her a1a" in chains, She didnt #o
Fuietl",
No& thou#ht AltaJr, Goin# Fuietl" 1asnt 8arias st"le, But 1ho 1as this son& Shali:I
Would he ta%e o7er the Bulls rei#n o9 t"rann"I
So it 1as that AltaJr 9ound hi:sel9 scalin# the 1alls o9 the 9ortress at Bu99a7ento& :a%in#
his 1a" into the castle& then do1n1ards into its dar%& da:$ and dri$$in# de$ths 1here
the stone #listened !lac%l"& 1here the li#hts 9ro: 9lic%erin# torches !arel" $enetrated
the 9or!iddin# dar%ness& 1here e7er" 9ootste$ echoed and there 1as the constant dri$
o9 1ater, Was this 1here the Te:$lars %e$t their 9a:ous oracleI 0e ho$ed so, All he
%ne1 so 9ar 1as that the" 1ere %ee$in# one ste$ ahead o9 hi:, Whate7er the" had in
:ind& he %ne1 he 1ouldnt li%e it? he didnt li%e the idea o9 the archi7e he %e$t hearin#
a!out& or that the" %e$t co:in# so close to crushin# the Resistance, An"thin# he could
do to halt their $ro#ress needed to !e done, And i9 that :eant a s$ot o9 1itchEhuntin#&
then so !e it,
No1& ed#in# alon# the corridors in the !o1els o9 the castle& he 9ound hi:sel9 co:in#
closer to 1hat he assu:ed 1as the dun#eon, Behind hi: la" the !odies o9 t1o #uards
he had encountered on his 1a"& !oth 1ith their throats slit& the cor$ses hidden 9ro:
7ie1, >ust as 1ith 8olochs castle& he had !een a!le to 1or% his 1a" to its heart usin# a
:iCture o9 stealth and %illin#, No1 he heard 7oices& one o9 1hich he reco#niHed
i::ediatel", It 1as Boucharts,
0e 1as tal%in# to a :an on the other side o9 a steel #ate $oc%:ar%ed 1ith rust,
KSo the #irl esca$ed a#ain& did sheI sna$$ed the Te:$lar,
The other :an 1ore su:$tuous 9urElined ro!es, KOne :inute she 1as chained u$&
the neCt she 1as #one O
KDont insult :e& Shali:, 2our 1ea%ness 9or 1o:en is 1ell %no1n, 2ou let "our
#uard do1n and she 1al%ed a1a",
KI 1ill 9ind her& Grand 8aster, I s1ear it,
So this 1as Shali:, AltaJr $aid hi: s$ecial attention& 9aintl" a:used, Nothin# a!out
hi: ; not his loo%s& his !uild and certainl" not his attire ; 1as re:iniscent o9 his 9ather&
8oloch,
KDo it Fuic%l"& Bouchart 1as sna$$in#& K!e9ore she leads the Assassin directl" to the
archi7e,
Shali: turned to #o& !ut Bouchart sto$$ed hi:, KAnd& Shali:& see that this is
deli7ered to AleCander in Li:assol,
0e handed Shali: a sac% that the other :an too%& indicatin# his assent, AltaJr 9elt
his Da1 clench, So AleCander 1as 1or%in# 1ith the Te:$lars too, The ene:" see:ed to
ha7e a hand in e7er"thin#,
No1& thou#h& the t1o :en had :o7ed o99& and AltaJr resu:ed his $ro#ress to1ards
the Oracles cell, Una!le to $ass throu#h the #ates& he cla:!ered on to a !alcon" and
1or%ed his 1a" round the outside o9 the 9ortress& then do1n1ards a#ain until he ca:e
to the dun#eons, 8ore #uards 9ell !eneath his !lade, Soon the !odies 1ould !e
disco7ered and there 1ould !e a #eneral alert, 0e needed to :o7e Fuic%l",
Still& it see:ed as thou#h the #uards had enou#h to contend 1ith, 0e could hear
screa:in# and rantin# as he a$$roached 1hat he thou#ht 1ere the dun#eons, As he
ca:e to the end o9 a tunnel& 1hich o$ened into 1hat loo%ed li%e a #aol area& he realised
1here Bouchart had !een #oin#& !ecause here he 1as a#ain& tal%in# to a #uard, The"
stood on the other side o9 a !arred $artition outside a ro1 o9 cell doors,
Well& thou#ht AltaJr& at least hed 9ound his dun#eon, 0e crouched out o9 si#ht in an
alco7e in the tunnel, To a !ac%#round o9 shrie%s& he heard Bouchart as%& KWhats
ha$$enin#I
KIts that :ad 1o:an& sir& re$lied the #uard& raisin# his 7oice to !e heard o7er the
din, KShes on a ra:$a#e, T1o o9 the #uards are inDured,
KLet her $la"& s:iled Bouchart, KShe has ser7ed her $ur$ose,
2et a#ain AltaJr 9ound the 1a" !et1een hi:sel9 and Bouchart !loc%ed, 0e 1ould
dearl" ha7e li%ed to 9inish this no1& e7en 1ith the #uard $resent? he thou#ht he could
o7er1hel: the :an 9irst& then ta%e Bouchart, But it 1as not to !e, Instead he 1as 9orced
to 1atch& 9rustrated& as Bouchart and the #uard :o7ed o99& lea7in# the area deserted,
0e ca:e 9ro: out o9 his hidin# $lace and 1ent to the $artition& 9indin# a loc%ed #ate,
DeCtrous 9in#ers 1or%ed at the :echanis:, Then he $assed throu#h& and strode
to1ards the door o9 the Oracles cell, I9 an"thin#& her screa:in# 1as louder and :ore
unsettlin# no1& and AltaJr s1allo1ed, 0e 1as 9ri#htened o9 no :an, But this 1as no
:an, This 1as so:ethin# di99erent alto#ether, 0e 9ound hi:sel9 ha7in# to stead" his
ner7es as he 1or%ed on the second loc%, As the door s1un# o$en& 1ith the hi#hE$itched
co:$laint o9 rustin# hin#es& his heart 1as ha::erin#,
0er cell 1as 7ast& the siHe o9 a !anFuetin# hall ; a lar#e !anFuetin# hall o7er 1hich
hun# the $all o9 death and deca"& 1ith ri$$lin# :ist and 1hat loo%ed li%e $atches o9
9olia#e a:on# the $illars& as thou#h the outside 1as intrudin#& one da" to clai: it in 9ull,
As his e"es !eca:e accusto:ed to the #loo: he loo%ed 9or her !ut sa1 nothin#&
Dust heard her in9ernal screechin#, It :ade the hairs on his ar:s stand on end and he
su$$ressed a shi7er as he trod 9urther into her O cellI
This 1as :ore li%e her lair,
Suddenl" there 1as silence, 0is senses $ric%ed, 0e s1a$$ed his s1ord 9ro: hand
to hand& e"es scannin# the dar%& di:l" lit roo:,
KPa#an !lood& ca:e a 7oice ; a Da##ed sin#son# 7oice strai#ht 9ro: a ni#ht:are,
0e 1heeled in the direction o9 the sound& !ut then it ca:e a#ain and see:ed to ha7e
:o7ed, KI %no1 "our na:e& sinner& she cac%led& KI %no1 1h" "oure here, God #uide
:" cla1s, God #rant :e stren#th to sna$ "our !ones,
AltaJr Dust had ti:e to thin%& Cla1sI Did she reall" ha7e ; She a$$eared& 1hirlin#
li%e a der7ish 9ro: the dar%ness& !lac% hair 1hi$$in# a!out her& screa:in# as she
ca:e, What she had 1erent Fuite cla1s? the" 1ere lon#& shar$ nails ; and Dust as
deadl", 0e heard their 1histle as the" sliced in 9ront o9 his 9ace, 0e Du:$ed !ac%, Then
she 1as crouchin# li%e a cat& loo%in# at hi: and snarlin#, 0e 1as sur$rised? he had
eC$ected an a#ed crone& !ut this 1o:an O she had no!le loo%s, O9 course, It 1as the
1o:an Barna!as had told hi: a!out& 1ho had once li7ed in the castle, She 1as "oun#
and had !een attracti7e once, But 1hate7er the Te:$lars had done to her&
i:$rison:ent had see:in#l" sent her :ad, 0e %ne1 that 1hen she #rinned& suddenl"
not so no!le as she re7ealed ro1s o9 rottin# teeth and a ton#ue that threatened to loll
9ro: her :outh, Gi##lin# she struc% once :ore,
The" 9ou#ht& the Oracle attac%in# !lindl"& s1in#in# her nails& slashin# AltaJr se7eral
ti:es and dra1in# !lood, 0e %e$t his distance& co:in# 9or1ard to launch counterE
attac%s until e7entuall" he :ana#ed to o7er1hel: her and $inned her to a $illar,
Des$eratel" he tried to hold her ; he 1anted to reason 1ith her ; !ut she 1rithed li%e a
1ild ani:al& e7en 1hen he $ushed her to the #round and straddled her& holdin# his
!lade to her throat as she thrashed& :utterin#& KGlor" o9 God, I a: his instru:ent,
Gods eCecutioner, I 9ear neither $ain nor death,
K2ou 1ere a C"$riot once& AltaJr told her& stru##lin# to hold her, KA res$ected
no!le1o:an, What secrets did "ou tell those de7ilsI
Did she %no1 that !" hel$in# the Te:$lars shed !etra"ed her o1n $eo$leI Did she
still ha7e enou#h reason to understand thatI
KNot 1ithout $ur$ose do I deal in :iser"& she ras$ed& suddenl" !eco:in# still, KB"
Gods co::and I a: his instru:ent,
No& he thou#ht, She didnt, 0er :ind 1as #one,
KWhate7er the Te:$lars ha7e done to "ou& :" lad"& the" ha7e done "ou 1ron#& he
said, K@or#i7e :e this,
It 1as an act o9 :erc", 0e %illed her& then 9led that terri!le $lace,
Later& !ac% at the sa9eEhouse& he o$ened his Dournal and 1rote&

Wh" do our instincts insist on 7iolenceI I ha7e studied the interactions !et1een di99erent
s$ecies, The innate desire to sur7i7e see:s to de:and the death o9 the other, Wh" can the"
not stand hand in handI So :an" !elie7e the 1orld 1as created throu#h the 1or%s o9 a di7ine
$o1er ; !ut I see onl" the desi#ns o9 a :ad:an& !ent on cele!ratin# death& destruction& and
des$eration,

0e :used also u$on the A$$le?

Who 1ere the Ones That Ca:e Be9oreI What !rou#ht the: hereI What dro7e the: outI What
o9 these arte9actsI 8essa#es in a !ottleI Tools le9t !ehind to aid and #uide usI Or do 1e 9i#ht
9or control o7er their re9use& #i7in# di7ine $ur$ose and :eanin# to little :ore than discarded
to"sI
55
AltaJr decided to 9ollo1 Shali:, No1 the" 1ere !oth huntin# 8aria& and AltaJr 1anted to
:a%e sure he 1as around i9 Shali: 9ound her 9irst,
Not that Shali: 1as loo%in# es$eciall" hard at the :o:ent, 8ar%os had told AltaJr
that all Shali: had in co::on 1ith his 9ather 1as the 9act that he ser7ed the Te:$lars
and had a 9ierce te:$er, In $lace o9 reli#ious 9er7our he had a taste 9or 1ine and
enDo"ed the co:$an" o9 $rostitutes, @ollo1in# hi:& AltaJr sa1 hi: indul#e in !oth, 0e
%e$t a sa9e distance as Shali: and t1o o9 his !od"#uards stal%ed the streets o9 "renia
li%e a trio o9 little des$ots& an#ril" u$!raidin# citiHens and :erchants& a!usin# the:&
ta%in# #oods and :one" in $re$aration 9or a 7isit so:e1here,
To a !rothel& it see:ed, AltaJr 1atched as Shali: and his :en a$$roached a door
1here a drun% 1as $a1in# one o9 the local 1hores, Either the :an 1as too stu$id or
too ine!riated to reco#niHe that Shali:s :ood 1as dar%& !ecause he li9ted his leather
9las% in #reetin# to the t"rant& callin#& KRaise a :u#& Shali:,
Shali: did not !rea% stride, 0e ra::ed the 9lat o9 his hand into the drun%s 9ace so
that his head re!ounded o99 the 1all !ehind hi: 1ith a hollo1 clun%, The leather 9las%
dro$$ed and the :an slid do1n the 1all to a sittin# $osition& his head lollin#& hair
:attin# 1ith !lood, In the sa:e :o7e:ent Shali: #ra!!ed the $rostitute !" the ar:,
She resisted, KShali:& no, Please dont,
But he 1as alread" dra##in# her o99& loo%in# !ac% o7er his shoulder and callin# to
his t1o co:$anions& K0a7e "our 9un& :en, And round u$ so:e 1o:en 9or :e 1hen
"oure 9inished,
AltaJr had seen enou#h, Shali: 1asnt loo%in# 9or 8aria& that :uch 1as certain& and
he hi:sel9 1asnt li%el" to 9ind her !" 9ollo1in# Shali: to 1here7er he 1as #oin# 1ith
his 1hore? !ed or a ta7ern& no dou!t,
Instead he returned to the :ar%et district& 1here 8ar%os 1as ai:lessl" 1anderin#
!et1een the stalls& his hands clas$ed !ehind his !ac%& 1aitin# 9or ne1s 9ro: AltaJr,
KI need to #et close to Shali:& he told 8ar%os& 1hen the"d re$aired to the shade&
loo%in# 9or all the 1orld li%e t1o traders $assin# the ti:e o9 da" out o9 the hot sun, KI9 he
is as stu$id as he is !rash& I :a" !e a!le to #et so:e secrets out o9 hi:,
KS$ea% to one o9 the :on%s near the cathedral, 8ar%os chuc%led, KShali:s
1a"1ard li9est"le de:ands 9reFuent con9essions,
So it 1as that at the cathedral AltaJr 9ound a !ench !eneath a 9la$$in# cano$" and
sat 1atchin# the 1orld #o !"& 1aitin# until a lone 1hiteEro!ed :on% $assed hi:&
inclinin# his head in #reetin#, AltaJr returned the #esture& then said in a lo1 7oice& so
that onl" the :on% could hear& KDoes it not trou!le "ou& !rother& to su99er the sins o9
such a 7ile :an as Shali:I
The :on% sto$$ed, Loo%ed one 1a" then the other, Then at AltaJr, KIt does& he
1his$ered& K!ut to o$$ose hi: 1ould :ean death, The Te:$lars ha7e too :uch at
sta%e here,
K2ou :ean the archi7eI said AltaJr, KCan "ou tell :e 1here it isI
AltaJr had heard a!out this archi7e, Perha$s it held the %e" to the Te:$lars
acti7ities, But the :on% 1as sha%in# his head and :o7in# a1a" as& suddenl"& a s:all
co::otion eru$ted, It 1as Shali:& AltaJr sa1& 1ith a start, 0e 1as :ountin# an orators
$lat9or:, 0e no lon#er had the $rostitute 1ith hi: and he see:ed a #ood deal less
drun% than he had !een $re7iousl",
K8en and 1o:en o9 C"$rus& he announced& as his audience asse:!led& KAr:and
Bouchart sends his !lessin#& !ut 1ith a stern $ro7ision that all 1ho 9o:ent disorder 1ith
their su$$ort o9 the Resistance 1ill !e cau#ht and $unished, Those 1ho see% order and
har:on"& and $a" o!eisance to the Lord throu#h #ood 1or%& 1ill enDo" Boucharts
charit", No1& let us 1or% to#ether as !rothers to re!uild 1hat hate and an#er ha7e torn
do1n,
This 1as :ost odd& thou#ht AltaJr, Shali: loo%ed rested and 9reshE9aced& not ho1
AltaJr 1ould ha7e eC$ected hi: to a$$ear in 7ie1 o9 his recent acti7ities, That Shali:
had had all the :a%in#s o9 a :an 1ho $lanned to s$end the rest o9 his da" drin%in# and
1horin#, This oneI 0e 1as li%e a di99erent :an ; not Dust in loo%s !ut in his :anner& his
!earin# and& Dud#in# !" the content o9 his s$eech& his entire $hiloso$h", And this
Shali: had no !od"#uards 1ith hi: either, This Shali: AltaJr could easil" o7erco:e&
$erha$s in one o9 the alle"1a"s o99 a :ain a7enue o9 "renia,
When Shali: ste$$ed do1n 9ro: his $lat9or: and :o7ed o99& lea7in# the cathedral
!ehind hi: and ta%in# to the #olden streets& AltaJr 9ollo1ed in $ursuit,
0e 1asnt sure ho1 lon# the"d !een 1al%in# 1hen suddenl" the #iant St 0ilarion
Castle 1as loo:in# o7er the: and he sa1 that Shali: 1as headin# inside, Sure
enou#h& 1hen he reached the hu#e castle #ates he ste$$ed inside a 1ic%et door&
disa$$earin# 9ro: si#ht, AltaJr cursed, 0e had lost his tar#et, Still& the castle 1as a hi7e
o9 acti7it"& and e7en no1 the doors 1ere o$enin#& !oth #ates s1in#in# !ac% to allo1 a
$alanFuin carried !" 9our :en to co:e out, It 1as clearl" e:$t" ; the" 1ere a!le to Do#
alon# Fuic%l" ; and AltaJr 9ollo1ed the: to the sunEda$$led har!our 1here the" set
do1n their !urden and stood 1aitin#& their ar:s 9olded,
AltaJr 1aited too, 0e too% a seat on a lo1 har!our 1all and sat 1ith his el!o1s on
his %nees& 1atchin# the $alanFuin and the 1aitin# ser7ants& the :erchants and
9isher:en& the !eauti9ul shi$s roc%in# #entl" in the 1ash& hulls %noc%in# a#ainst the
har!our 1all, A #rou$ o9 9isher:en 1restlin# 1ith a hu#e net sto$$ed suddenl"& loo%ed
o7er to one o9 the shi$s and #rinned, AltaJr 9ollo1ed their #aHe to see a nu:!er o9
1o:en a$$ear in the sheer sil% and chi99on o9 courtesans and :a%e their 1a" on to the
har!our 1ith sel9Econscious& daint" ste$s, The 9isher:en leered and so:e
1asher1o:en tutted as the 1o:en crossed the doc% 1ith their heads held hi#h&
%no1in# eCactl" the attention the" co::anded, AltaJr 1atched the:,
A:on# the: 1as 8aria,
She 1as dressed as a courtesan, 0is heart li9ted to see her, But 1hat 1as she
doin#I She had esca$ed Shali:s clutches onl" to ste$ !ac% into dan#er& or so it
see:ed, She and the other 1o:en cli:!ed a!oard the $alanFuin, The ser7ants 1aited
until the" 1ere a!oard& then $ic%ed it u$ and turned 1ith it& carr"in# it :uch :ore
slo1l" than !e9ore& each :an !ent !eneath its 1ei#ht& headin# out o9 the har!our and&
i9 AltaJr 1as ri#ht& to1ards St 0ilarion Castle, Where& no dou!t& Shali: 1as alread"
ru!!in# his hands 1ith #lee,
AltaJr turned to 9ollo1& scalin# the 1all o9 a near!" !uildin#& then :a%in# his 1a"
across the roo9s& Du:$in# 9ro: one to another& trac%in# the $alanFuin& 1hich 1as !elo1
hi:, As it a$$roached the castle #ates he 1aited& crouchin#, Then& ti:in# his Du:$& he
dro$$ed on to its roo9,
Thu:$,
The $alanFuin lurched as the :en !elo1 adDusted to the ne1 1ei#ht, AltaJr had
#a:!led on the: !ein# too t"ranniHed e7en to loo% u$ ; and he had !een ri#ht, The"
:erel" shouldered the eCtra 1ei#ht and 1al%ed on, And i9 the courtesans inside had
noticed& the" said nothin# either& and the $rocession crossed sa9el" o7er the castle
threshold and ca:e into a court"ard, AltaJr loo%ed around hi:& seein# archers on the
ra:$arts, An" :o:ent no1 hed !e s$otted, 0e dro$$ed o99 and hid !ehind a lo1 1all&
1atchin# as 8aria 1as ta%en 9ro: the trans$ort and escorted a1a"& lea7in# the
court"ard !" a s:all door,
0e scra:!led u$ to the roo9 o9 an outhouse, 0e 1ould ha7e to :a%e his 1a" inside
the lon# 1a" round, But one thin# he %ne1, No1 hed 9ound her he 1asnt #oin# to lose
her a#ain,
5/
On a 1ide& !a%in#Ehot !alcon"& 8aria 1as ushered in to :eet the o1ner o9 St 0ilarion
Castle, One o9 the:& at least, Un%no1n to AltaJr& Shali: had a t1in !rother& Shahar, It
1as Shahar 1ho: AltaJr had seen deli7erin# the s$eech on charit"& 1hich 1ould ha7e
ans1ered the Assassins Fuestion as to ho1 a :an 1ho had s$ent the e7enin# drin%in#
and 1horin# could loo% so in7i#orated the neCt da",
8aria& on the other hand& 1as acFuainted 1ith !oth t1ins and& thou#h the" 1ere
identical& %ne1 ho1 to di99erentiate the:, O9 the t1o Shali: 1as dar%Ee"ed and !ore
the loo%s o9 a :an 1ith his li9est"leG Shahar see:ed the :ore "outh9ul o9 the t1o, It
1as hi: she a$$roached no1, 0e turned to 9ace her and lit u$& s:ilin#& as she crossed
the !alcon" to1ards hi:& res$lendent in her courtesans out9it& 9etchin# enou#h to catch
an" :ans e"e,
KI didnt eC$ect to see "ou a#ain, 0e leered, K0o1 can I hel$ "ou& little 9oCI
0e 1al%ed $ast her and !ac% into the hall,
KI: not here to !e 9lattered& sna$$ed 8aria& des$ite a$$earances to the contrar", KI
1ant ans1ers,
She sta"ed at his heels& and 1hen the" reached the hall& he e"ed her& !e:used "et
lecherous, She i#nored his loo%, She needed to hear 9or hersel9 1hat AltaJr had told
her,
KOhI said Shahar,
KIs it true 1hat I ha7e heard& she $ressed& Kthat the Te:$lars 1ish to use the A$$le&
the Piece o9 Eden& 9or illI Not to enli#hten the $eo$le& !ut to su!due the:I
0e s:iled indul#entl" as thou#h eC$lainin# thin#s to an adora!le !ut si:$leE:inded
child, KPeo$le are con9used& 8aria, The" are la:!s !e##in# to !e led, And thats 1hat
1e o99er? si:$le li7es& 9ree o9 1orr",
KBut our Order 1as created to $rotect the $eo$le& she $ersisted& Knot to ro! the: o9
their li!ert",
Shahar curled his li$, KThe Te:$lars care nothin# 9or li!ert"& 8aria, We see% order&
nothin# :ore,
0e 1as 1al%in# to1ards her, She too% a ste$ !ac%, KOrderI Or ensla7e:entI
0is 7oice had ta%en on a dar%er tone as he re$lied& K2ou can call it 1hate7er "ou
li%e& :" dear O
0e reached 9or her& his intentions ; his allEtoo o!7ious intentions ; interru$ted onl"
!" AltaJr !urstin# into the roo:, Shahar 1heeled& eCclai:in#& KAssassinP 0e #ra!!ed
8aria !" the shoulders and tossed her to the 9loor ; she landed $ain9ull", AltaJr decided
he 1ould :a%e the !ull" $a" 9or that,
K8" a$olo#ies& Shali:& I let :"sel9 in& he said,
Shahar #rinned, KSo "oure loo%in# 9or Shali:I I: sure :" !rother 1ould !e ha$$"
to Doin us,
@ro: a!o7e there 1as a noise and AltaJr loo%ed u$ to a #aller" 1here Shali: 1as
a$$roachin#& s:ilin#, Then t1o #uards ca:e throu#h the o$en door& read" to $ounce
on 8aria 1ho& standin# no1& 1hirled& snatched one #uards s1ord 9ro: its sheath and
used it a#ainst hi:,
0e screa:ed and cru:$led Dust as she s$un and& dro$$in# to one %nee& thrust
a#ain& dis$osin# o9 the other, In the sa:e :o:ent Shali: !ounded do1n 9ro: the
#aller"& landin# in the :iddle o9 the hall neCt to his !rother, AltaJr had a :o:ent to see
the t1o side !" side& and 1as a:aHed !" ho1 close in loo%s the" 1ere, NeCt to hi:
stood 8aria& her ne1l" acFuired s1ord dri$$in# 1ith !lood& shoulders hea7in#& the t1o
o9 the: a#ainst the t1ins, AltaJr 9elt his chest 9ill 1ith so:ethin# that 1as $artl" $ride
and $artl" so:ethin# he $re9erred not to na:e, KT1o o9 the:& he said& Kand t1o o9 us,
2et a#ain& ho1e7er& 8aria s$ran# a sur$rise, Instead o9 9i#htin# !" his side she
si:$l" :ade a conte:$tuous sound and darted throu#h the door le9t o$en !" the
#uards, AltaJr had a :o:ent to 1onder 1hether he should 9ollo1& and then the !rothers
1ere u$on hi: and he 1as 9i#htin# 9or his li9e a#ainst the t1o s%illed s1ords:en,
The 9i#ht 1as lon# and !rutal and the t1ins !e#an con9identl"& sure that the" 1ould
s1i9tl" o7er1hel: the Assassin, A9ter all& there 1ere t1o o9 the: and !oth 1ere ade$t
1ith a !ladeG ri#htl"& the" eC$ected to 1ear hi: do1n, But AltaJr 1as 9i#htin# 1ith a
!ell"9ul o9 an#er and 9rustration, 0e no lon#er %ne1 1ho 1as 9riend and 1ho 9oe, 0e
had !een !etra"ed ; :en 1ho 1ere su$$osed to !e 9riends had turned out to !e
ene:ies, Those he thou#ht :i#ht !eco:e 9riends ; or :ore than 9riends ; had s$urned
the hand o9 9riendshi$ he o99ered to the:, 0e %ne1 onl" that he 1as 9i#htin# a 1ar in
1hich :ore 1as at sta%e than he %ne1& in7ol7in# $o1ers and ideolo#ies he had "et to
understand, 0e had to %ee$ 9i#htin#& to %ee$ stru##lin#& until he reached the end,
And 1hen the slain !odies o9 the t1ins at last la" at his 9eet& their ar:s and le#s at
t1isted& 1ron# an#les& their dead e"es 1ide& he too% no $leasure or #rati9ication in his
7ictor", 0e :erel" shoo% the !lood 9ro: his s1ord& sheathed it and :ade his 1a" to the
!alcon", @ro: !ehind hi: he heard :ore #uards arri7in# as he stood on the !alustrade
1ith his ar:s outstretched, Belo1 hi: 1as a cart and he dro$$ed into it& then
disa$$eared into the cit",
Later& 1hen he returned to the sa9eEhouse& 8ar%os 1as there to :eet hi:& ea#er to
hear the tale o9 the !rothers de:ise, Around the:& :e:!ers o9 the Resistance 1ere
e:!racin#& o7erDo"ed at the ne1s, At last the Resistance could re#ain control o9
"renia, And i9 "renia& then surel" there 1as ho$e 9or the 1hole island,
8ar%os !ea:ed at hi:, KIts ha$$enin#& AltaJr, The $orts are e:$t"in# o9 Te:$lar
shi$s, "renia 1ill !e 9ree, 8a"!e all o9 C"$rus,
AltaJr s:iled& encoura#ed !" the Do" in 8ar%oss e"es, KSta" cautious& he ad7ised,
0e re:e:!ered that he 1as still no closer to disco7erin# the location o9 the archi7e,
The Te:$lars de$arture 1as tellin# hi: so:ethin#, KThe" 1ouldnt lea7e their archi7e
unde9ended& he said& Kso it cannot !e here,
8ar%os considered, K8ost o9 the shi$s that le9t here 1ere headed !ac% to Li:assol,
Could it !e thereI
AltaJr nodded, KThan% "ou& 8ar%os, 2ou ha7e ser7ed the countr" 1ell,
KGod s$eed& AltaJr,
Later& AltaJr 9ound his 1a" to a shi$ that 1ould return hi: to Li:assol, There& he
ho$ed to unra7el the :"ster" o9 the Te:$lars intentions& to root out the truth a!out
AleCander,
0e $ondered on it durin# the crossin#& 1ritin# in his Dournal&

I re:e:!er :" :o:ent o9 1ea%ness& :" con9idence sha%en !" Al 8uali:s 1ords, 0e& 1ho
had !een li%e a 9ather& 1as re7ealed to !e :" #reatest ene:", >ust the !rie9est 9lic%er o9 dou!t
1as all he needed to cree$ into :" :ind 1ith this de7ice, But I 7anFuished his $hanto:s&
restored :" sel9Econ9idence& and sent hi: 9ro: this 1orld,
5=
Li:assol 1as :uch as hed had le9t it& ri9e 1ith Te:$lar :en and soldiers& a resent9ul
$o$ulace carr"in# on as nor:al& discontent on their 9aces as the" continued 1ith their
!usiness,
Wastin# no ti:e& AltaJr located the ne1 Resistance sa9eEhouse& a disused
1arehouse& and entered it& deter:ined to con9ront AleCander 1ith 1hat he had learned
in the con7ersation hed o7erheard !et1een Bouchart and Shali:, But 1hen he entered
the !uildin# it 1as AleCander 1ho reacted to hi:,
KSta" !ac%& traitor, 2ou ha7e !etra"ed the Resistance and sold out our cause, 0a7e
"ou !een 1or%in# 1ith Bouchart all this ti:eI
AltaJr had !een $re$ared 9or a con9rontation 1ith AleCander& $erha$s e7en to :eet
hi: in co:!at& !ut the si#ht o9 the Resistance :an in such a state cal:ed hi:& :ade
hi: thin% that he had :isinter$reted 1hat he had seen, All the sa:e he sta"ed
cautious,
KI 1as a!out to as% the sa:e o9 "ou& AleCander, I o7erheard Bouchart :ention "our
na:e, 0e deli7ered a $ac%a#e to "ou& did he notI
With narro1ed e"es& AleCander nodded, The 9urniture in the sa9eEhouse 1as s$arse
!ut there 1as a lo1 ta!le near!" and on it the s:all sac% AltaJr had seen handed to
Shali: !" Bouchart in "renia,
K2es& said AleCander& Kthe head o9 $oor Barna!as in a !urla$ sac%,
AltaJr 1al%ed to it, 0e $ulled the dra1strin# on the sac% and the :aterial 9ell a1a" to
re7eal a deca$itated head& !ut O
KThis 1as not the :an 1ho :et :e in "renia& said AltaJr& starin# sadl" at the
se7ered head, It had !e#un to discolour and e:itted a $o1er9ul& un$leasant s:ell, The
e"es 1ere hal9 closed& the :outh han#in# sli#htl" o$en& the ton#ue 7isi!le inside,
KWhatI said AleCander,
KThe real Barna!as had !een :urdered !e9ore I arri7ed& re$laced !" a Te:$lar
a#ent 1ho did :uch da:a#e !e9ore he 7anished& said AltaJr,
KGod hel$ us, The Te:$lars ha7e !een eFuall" !rutal here& 1ith ca$tains roa:in#
the :ar%et& the $orts and Cathedral SFuare arrestin# an"one the" see 9it,
KDont des$air& said AltaJr, K"renia has alread" sha%en o99 the Te:$lars, We 1ill
eC$el the: 9ro: Li:assol& too,
K2ou :ust !e care9ul, Te:$lar $ro$a#anda has turned so:e o9 :" :en a#ainst "ou&
and :ost others are 1ar",
KThan% "ou 9or the 1arnin#,
AltaJr conducted a 9ruitless search o9 the cit" 9or Bouchart& !ut 1hen he returned to
share the !ad ne1s 1ith AleCander he 9ound the sa9eEhouse e:$t" eCce$t 9or a note, It
sat on the ta!le and AltaJr $ic%ed it u$, AleCander 1anted to :eet hi: in the court"ard
o9 the castle, So the note said& an"1a",
AltaJr thou#ht, 0ad he e7er seen AleCanders scri$tI 0e didnt thin% so, An"1a"& the
Bureau :an :i#ht ha7e !een coerced into 1ritin# a note,
As he :ade his 1a" to the rendeH7ous& all his instincts told hi: that this could !e a
tra$& and it 1as 1ith a sin%in# heart that he ca:e across a !od" in the court"ard 1here
the" 1ere due to :eet,
No& he thou#ht,
Strai#ht a1a" he loo%ed around hi:, The e:$t" ra:$arts surroundin# the court"ard
stared e:$til" !ac%, Indeed& the 1hole area 1as 9ar Fuieter than he 1ould ha7e
eC$ected, 0e %nelt to the !od"& his 9ears realiHed as he turned it o7er to see AleCanders
li9eless e"es starin# !ac% at hi:,
Then 9ro: a!o7e hi: ca:e a 7oice and he strai#htened& s$innin# to see a 9i#ure on
the ra:$arts o7erloo%in# the court"ard, DaHHled !" the sun he $ut u$ a hand to shield
his e"es& still una!le to :a%e out the 9ace o9 the :an standin# there, Was it BouchartI
Whoe7er it 1as& he 1ore the red cross o9 the Crusader and stood 1ith his le#s sli#htl"
a$art& his hands on his hi$s& e7er" inch o9 hi: the conFuerin# hero,
The %ni#ht $ointed at AleCanders cor$se, 0is 7oice 1as :oc%in#? KA 9riend o9
"oursI
AltaJr ho$ed soon to :a%e the %ni#ht $a" 9or that scorn, No1 the :an shi9ted sli#htl"
and AltaJr 1as at last a!le to see hi: clearl", It 1as the s$", The one 1ho had called
hi:sel9 Barna!as in "renia ; 1ho 1as $ro!a!l" res$onsi!le 9or %illin# the real
Barna!as, Another #ood :an dead, AltaJr ho$ed to :a%e hi: $a" 9or that too, 0is 9ists
clenched and the :uscles in his Da1 Du:$ed, @or the ti:e !ein#& thou#h& the s$" had
hi: at a disad7anta#e,
K2ou& he called u$ to hi:, KI didnt catch "our na:e,
KWhat did I tell "ou in "reniaI chuc%led the %ni#ht ; the s$", KBarna!as& 1asnt itI
Suddenl" a #reat shout 1ent u$ and AltaJr turned to see a #rou$ o9 citiHens enter
the court"ard, 0e had !een set u$, The s$" had $ut out the 1ord a#ainst hi:, No1 he
1as !ein# 9ra:ed 9or the :urder o9 AleCander& the an#r" :o! ha7in# !een ti:ed to
arri7e at eCactl" the ri#ht :o:ent, It 1as a tra$ and he had 1al%ed strai#ht into it& e7en
thou#h instinct had told hi: to eCercise caution,
Once a#ain he cursed hi:sel9, 0e loo%ed around, The sandstone 1alls loo:ed o7er
hi:, A set o9 ste$s led to the ra:$arts !ut there at the to$ stood the s$"& #rinnin# 9ro:
ear to ear& enDo"in# the sho1 that 1as a!out to start in earnest as the citiHens ca:e
runnin# to1ards AltaJr& their !lood u$& the need 9or re7en#e and Dustice !urnin# in their
e"es,
KTheres the traitorP
KStrin# hi: u$P
K2oull $a" 9or "our cri:esP
AltaJr stood his #round, 0is 9irst i:$ulse 1as to reach 9or his s1ord !ut no? he could
not %ill an" citiHen, To do so 1ould !e to destro" an" 9aith the" had in the Resistance or
the Assassins, All he could do 1as $rotest his innocence, But the" 1ere not to !e
reasoned 1ith, Des$eratel" he searched 9or the ans1er,
And 9ound it,
The A$$le,
It 1as as thou#h it 1as callin# to hi:, Suddenl" he 1as a1are o9 it in the $ac% at his
!ac% and he !rou#ht it out no1& holdin# it so that it 1as 9acin# to1ards the cro1d,
0e had no idea 1hat he 1as tr"in# to do 1ith it and 1as not sure 1hat 1ould
ha$$en, 0e sensed that the A$$le 1ould o!e" his co::andsG that it 1ould understand
his intent, But it 1as Dust a sense, A 9eelin#, An instinct,
And it did, It thro!!ed and #lo1ed in his hands, It #a7e out a stran#e dia$hanous
li#ht that see:ed to settle around the cro1d& 1hich 1as i::ediatel" $aci9ied& 9roHen to
the s$ot, AltaJr sa1 the Te:$lar s$" recoil 1ith shoc%, Brie9l" he 9elt allE$o1er9ul& and in
that :o:ent he reco#niHed not onl" the seducti7e allure o9 the A$$le and the #odli%e
stren#th it !esto1ed& !ut the terri!le dan#er it $osed ; in the hands o9 those 1ho 1ould
use it 9or ill& o9 course& !ut also 1ith hi:, E7en he 1as not i::une to its te:$tation, 0e
used it no1& !ut he $led#ed to hi:sel9 that he 1ould ne7er use it a#ain& not 9or these
$ur$oses an"1a",
Then he 1as addressin# the cro1d,
KAr:and Bouchart is the :an res$onsi!le 9or "our :iser"& he called, K0e hired this
:an to $oison the Resistance a#ainst itsel9, Go 9ro: this $lace and rall" "our :en,
C"$rus 1ill !e "ours once a#ain,
@or a :o:ent or so he 1ondered 1hether or not it had 1or%ed, When he lo1ered
the A$$le& 1ould the an#r" cro1d si:$l" resu:e their l"nchin#I But lo1er it he did& and
the cro1d did not :o7e u$on hi:, 0is 1ords had s1a"ed the:, 0is 1ords had
$ersuaded the:, Without 9urther cere:on"& the" turned and :o7ed out o9 the
court"ard& lea7in# as Fuic%l" as the" had arri7ed& !ut su!dued& $enitent e7en,
Once :ore the court"ard 1as e:$t" and& 9or a 9e1 heart!eats& AltaJr loo%ed at the
A$$le in his hand& 1atched it 9ade& 9eelin# in a1e o9 it& 9ri#htened !" it& attracted to it,
Then he tuc%ed it sa9el" a1a" as the s$" said& KRuite a to" "ou ha7e there, 8ind i9 I
!orro1 itI
AltaJr %ne1 one thin#? that the Te:$lar 1ould ha7e to ta%e the A$$le 9ro: his dead
!od", 0e dre1 his !lade read" 9or co:!at as the Te:$lar s:iled& antici$atin# the 9i#ht
ahead& a!out to cli:! do1n 9ro: the ra:$arts 1hen O
0e sto$$ed,
And the s:ile slid 9ro: his 9ace li%e dri$$in# oil,
Protrudin# 9ro: his chest 1as a !lade, Blood 9lo1ered at his 1hite tunic& :in#lin#
1ith the red o9 the cross he 1ore, 0e loo%ed do1n at hi:sel9& con9used& as i9 1onderin#
ho1 the 1ea$on had #ot there, Belo1 hi: in the court"ard AltaJr 1as 1onderin# the
sa:e thin#, Then the Te:$lar 1as s1a"in# and AltaJr sa1 a 9i#ure !ehind hi:, A 9i#ure
he reco#niHed? 8aria,
She s:iled& sho7ed the s$" 9or1ard 9ro: the court"ard 1all and let hi: tu:!le
hea7il" to the #round !elo1, Standin# there& her s1ord dri$$in# !lood& she #rinned at
AltaJr& shoo% it& then re$laced it in her sheath,
KSo& she said& K"ou had the A$$le all alon#,
0e nodded, KAnd no1 "ou see 1hat %ind o9 a 1ea$on it could !e in the 1ron#
hands,
KI dont %no1 i9 Id call "ours the ri#ht hands,
KNo, Ruite ri#ht, I 1ill destro" it O or hide it, Until I can 9ind the archi7e& I cant sa",
KWell& loo% no 9urther& she said, K2oure standin# on it,
5.
>ust then there 1as #reat shout at the entrance1a" to the court"ard and a #rou$ o9
Te:$lar soldiers rushed in& e"es dan#erous slits !ehind their 7isors,
@ro: a!o7e 8aria called& KThis 1a" ; Fuic%l"P She turned and darted alon# the
ra:$arts to a door, AltaJr 1as a!out to 9ollo1 1hen the three :en 1ere u$on hi: and
he cursed& :eetin# the: 1ith a chi:in# o9 steel& losin# si#ht o9 8aria "et a#ain,
The" 1ere s%illed and had trained hard ; the" had the nec% :uscles to $ro7e it ;
!ut e7en three %ni#hts 1ere no :atch 9or the Assassin& 1ho danced around the:
ni:!l"& cuttin# into the: until all three la" dead at his 9eet,
0e cast a loo% u$1ards, The ra:$arts 1ere e:$t", >ust the dead !od" o9 the
Te:$lar s$" at the to$ o9 the ste$s and no si#n o9 8aria, 0e !ounded u$ the ste$s&
$ausin# Dust a :o:ent to loo% do1n at the dead :an, I9 the Do! o9 an a#ent 1as to
disru$t the ene:" then this one had done his Do! 1ellG he had al:ost turned the $eo$le
a#ainst the Resistance& deli7erin# the: into the hands o9 the Te:$lars ; 1ho $lanned
not to enli#hten !ut to su!Du#ate and control the:,
AltaJr raced on& reachin# the door at the end, This& then& 1as the entrance to the
!uildin# housin# the archi7e, 0e ste$$ed inside,
The door sla::ed !ehind hi:, 0e 9ound hi:sel9 on a 1al%1a" that ran alon# the
1all o9 a ca7ernous sha9t& leadin# do1n1ards, Torches on the 1alls #a7e out a :ea#re
li#ht& castin# dancin# shado1s on the Te:$lar crosses that decorated the 1alls, It 1as
Fuiet,
No& not Fuite,
@ro: so:e1here 9ar !elo1 he could hear shoutin#, Guards& $erha$s& alerted to the
$resence o9 O 8ariaI Such a 9ree s$irit could ne7er ali#n hersel9 1ith Te:$lar
ideolo#ies, She 1as a traitor no1, She had co:e o7er to the 1a" o9 the Assassin? she
had slain a Te:$lar and sho1n an Assassin the location o9 the archi7e, The" 1ould %ill
her on the s$ot, Althou#h& o9 course& 9ro: 1hat he had seen o9 her in co:!at that :i#ht
!e easier said than done,
0e !e#an to descend& runnin# do1n the dar% ste$s& occasionall" lea$in# #a$s in the
cru:!lin# stone1or%& until he reached a cha:!er 1ith a sand" 9loor, Arri7in# to :eet
hi: 1ere three #uards& and he dis$osed o9 one 1ith a thro1in# %ni9e strai#ht a1a"&
1ron#9ooted a second and ra::ed his s1ord into the :ans nec%, 0e thrust the !od"
into the third& 1ho 9ell& and as the" 1rithed on the #round& AltaJr 9inished the:, Pro!in#
dee$er& he heard rushin# 1ater& and 9ound hi:sel9 on a !rid#e $assin# !et1een t1o
1ater9alls, The sound 1as enou#h to s:other the noise o9 his arri7al 9ro: the t1o
#uards at the o$$osite end o9 the !rid#e, 0e 9elled the: !oth 1ith t1o slashes o9 his
!lade,
0e le9t the:& continuin# do1n and into the !o1els o9 O the li!rar", No1 he sa1
shel7es o9 !oo%s& roo:s 9ull o9 the:, This 1as it, 0e 1as here, What hed eC$ected to
see he 1asnt sure& !ut there 1ere 9e1er !oo% and arte9acts than he had i:a#ined, Did
this reall" constitute the 9a:ous archi7e hed heard a!outI
But he had no ti:e to sto$ and ins$ect his 9ind, 0e could hear 7oices& the an7il
sound o9 s1ord stri%es? t1o co:!atants& one o9 1ho: 1as un:ista%a!l" 9e:ale,
Ahead o9 hi: a lar#e arch 1as decorated 1ith the Te:$lar cross at its a$eC, 0e
1ent to it and entered a 7ast cha:!er& 1ith a cere:onial area at its centre rin#ed !"
intricate stone $illars, There& in the :iddle& 1ere Bouchart and 8aria& 9i#htin#, She 1as
holdin# the Te:$lar leader o99& !ut onl" Dust& and e7en as AltaJr entered the cha:!er he
struc% her and she tu:!led& "ellin# in $ain& to the stone,
Bouchart #a7e her an indi99erent loo%& alread" turnin# to 9ace AltaJr& 1ho had :ade
no sound 1hen he entered the cha:!er,
KWitless E:$eror Co:nenus& announced the Te:$lar& conte:$tuous o9 the
erst1hile C"$riot leader& Khe 1as a 9ool& !ut he 1as our 9ool, @or al:ost a decade 1e
o$erated 1ithout inter9erence on this island, Our archi7e 1as the !estE%e$t secret on
C"$rus, Un9ortunatel"& e7en the !estElaid $lans 1ere not i::une to Isaacs idioc",
@or al:ost a decade& thou#ht AltaJr, But then O 0e too% a ste$ 9or1ard& loo%in#
9ro: Bouchart to 8aria, K0e an#ered in# Richard and !rou#ht the En#lish a little too
close 9or co:9ort, Is that itI
When Bouchart :ade no :o7e to sto$ hi:& he crossed the 9loor and !ent to 8aria,
0e held her 9ace& loo%in# 9or si#ns o9 li9e,
Bouchart 1as tal%in#& enDo"in# the sound o9 his o1n 7oice, K@ortunatel" 1e 1ere
a!le to con7ince Richard to sell the island to us, It 1as the onl" 1a" to di7ert his
attention,
0er e"es 9luttered, She #roaned, Ali7e, Breathin# a si#h o9 relie9& AltaJr laid her
head #entl" on the stone and strai#htened to 9ace Bouchart& 1ho had !een 1atchin#
the: 1ith an indul#ent s:ile,
KPurchasin# 1hat "ou alread" controlled O $ro:$ted AltaJr, 0e understood no1,
The Te:$lars had $urchased C"$rus 9ro: in# Richard to sto$ their archi7e !ein#
disco7ered, Little 1onder that the" had !een a##ressi7e in their $ursuit o9 hi: 1hen he
arri7ed on the island,
Bouchart con9ir:ed that he 1as correct, KAnd loo% 1here that has #ot us, E7er since
"ou arri7ed and stuc% "our nose into too :an" dar% corners& the archi7e hasnt !een
sa9e,
KI 1ish I could sa" I: sorr", But I tend to #et 1hat I 1ant& re$lied AltaJr& soundin#
con9ident !ut %no1in# so:ethin# 1asnt Fuite ri#ht,
Sure enou#h& Bouchart 1as #rinnin#, KOh& not this ti:e& Assassin, Not no1, Our little
detour to "renia #a7e us Dust enou#h ti:e to dis:antle the archi7e and :o7e it,
O9 course, It 1asnt a :ea#re archi7e hed !een seein# on his 1a" do1n, It 1as the
un1anted re:nants o9 one, The"d distracted hi: 1ith the !usiness in "renia and
used the o$$ortunit" to :o7e it,
K2ou 1erent shi$$in# arte9acts to C"$rus& "ou 1ere shi$$in# the: out& said AltaJr&
as it all !eca:e clear,
KECactl"& said Bouchart& 1ith a co:$li:entar" nod, KBut not e7er"thin# has to #o O I
thin% 1ell lea7e "ou here,
Bouchart lea$ed 9or1ard& Da!!in# 1ith his s1ord& and Altair de9lected, Bouchart 1as
read" and $arried& sustainin# his attac%& and AltaJr 1as 9orced on to the !ac% 9oot&
de9endin# a series o9 thrusts and slashes, Bouchart 1as s%illed& that 1as certain, 0e
1as 9ast as 1ell& rel"in# :ore on #race and 9oot1or% than the !rute stren#th :ost
Crusaders !rou#ht to a s1ord9i#ht, But he ca:e 9or1ard eC$ectin# to 1in and to 1in
Fuic%l", 0is des$eration to 7anFuish the Assassin rendered hi: o!li7ious to the
$h"sical de:ands o9 the 9i#ht& so that AltaJr de9ended& let hi: co:e& soa%ed u$ his
attac%s& e7er" no1 and then o99erin# a short attac% o9 his o1n& o$enin# 1ounds, A #ash
here& a nic% there, Blood !e#an to lea% 9ro: !eneath Boucharts chain:ail& 1hich hun#
hea7" on hi:,
As AltaJr 9ou#ht& he thou#ht o9 8aria and o9 those 1ho had died on the orders o9 the
Te:$lar& !ut he sto$$ed those :e:ories turnin# into the desire 9or 7en#eance, Instead
he let the: #i7e hi: resol7e, The s:ile had 9allen 9ro: Boucharts 9ace and& as AltaJr
re:ained silent& the Te:$lar Grand 8aster 1as #runtin# 1ith the eCertion ; that and
9rustration, 0is s1ord s1in#s 1ere less coEordinated and 9ailed to :eet their tar#et,
S1eat and !lood $oured 9ro: hi:, 0is teeth 1ere !ared,
And AltaJr o$ened :ore 1ounds& cuttin# hi: on the 9orehead so that !lood 1as
#ushin# into his e"es and he 1as 1i$in# his #auntlet across his 9ace to clear it a1a",
No1 Bouchart could !arel" li9t the s1ord and 1as !ent o7er& his le#s ru!!er" and his
shoulders hea7in# as he 9ou#ht 9or !reath& sFuintin# throu#h a :as% o9 !lood to 9ind the
Assassin& seein# onl" shado1s and sha$es, 0e 1as a de9eated :an no1, Which
:eant he 1as a dead :an,
AltaJr didnt to" 1ith hi:, 0e 1aited until the dan#er 1as o7er, Until he 1as sure that
Boucharts 1ea%ness 1as not 9ei#ned,
Then he ran hi: throu#h,
Bouchart dro$$ed to the #round and AltaJr %nelt !eside hi:, The Te:$lar loo%ed at
hi: and AltaJr sa1 res$ect in his e"es,
KAh, 2ou are a O a credit to "our Creed& he #as$ed,
KAnd "ou ha7e stra"ed 9ro: "ours,
KNot stra"ed O eC$anded, The 1orld is :ore co:$licated than :ost dare ad:it,
And i9 "ou& Assassin O i9 "ou %ne1 :ore than ho1 to :urder& "ou :i#ht understand
this,
AltaJr 9ro1ned, KSa7e "our lecture on 7irtue 9or "oursel9, And die %no1in# that I 1ill
ne7er let the A$$le& the Piece o9 Eden& 9all into an" hands !ut :" o1n,
As he s$o%e o9 it& he 9elt it 1ar: a#ainst his !ac%& as thou#h it had a1o%en,
Bouchart s:iled ironicall", Kee$ it close& Altair, 2ou 1ill co:e to the sa:e
conclusions 1e did O in ti:e O
0e died, AltaJr reached to close his e"es& Dust as the !uildin# shoo% and he 1as
sho1ered 1ith 9allin# de!ris, Cannon 9ire, The Te:$lars 1ere shellin# the archi7e, It
:ade $er9ect sense, The" 1anted to lea7e nothin# !ehind,
0e scra:!led o7er to 8aria and $ulled her to her 9eet, @or a :o:ent or so the"
loo%ed into one anothers e"es& so:e uns$o%en 9eelin# $assin# !et1een the:, Then
she tu##ed at his ar: and 1as leadin# hi: out o9 the #rand cha:!er Dust as it 1as
sha%en !" :ore cannon 9ire, AltaJr turned in ti:e to see t1o o9 the !eauti9ul $illars
cru:$le and 9all& #reat sections o9 stone s:ashin# to the 9loor, Then he 1as 9ollo1in#
8aria as she ran& ta%in# the ste$s t1o at a ti:e as the" cli:!ed !ac% u$ the sha9t to the
sun%en archi7e, It 1as roc%ed !" another eC$losion& and :asonr" s:ashed into the
1al%1a"& !ut the" %e$t runnin#& %e$t dod#in# until the" reached the eCit,
The ste$s had 9allen a1a" so AltaJr cli:!ed& dra##in# 8aria u$ !ehind hi: to a
$lat9or:, The" $ushed their 1a" out into the da" as the shellin# intensi9ied and the
!uildin# see:ed to 9all in on itsel9& 9orcin# the: to Du:$ clear, And there the" sta"ed 9or
so:e ti:e& #ul$in# clean air& #lad to !e ali7e,
Later& 1hen the Te:$lar shi$s had de$arted& ta%in# the last o9 the $recious archi7e 1ith
the:& AltaJr and 8aria 1ere 1al%in# in the d"in# li#ht in Li:assol $ort& !oth lost in
thou#ht,
KE7er"thin# I 1or%ed 9or in the 0ol" Land& I no lon#er 1ant& said 8aria& a9ter a lon#
$ause, KAnd e7er"thin# I #a7e u$ to Doin the Te:$lars O I 1onder 1here all that 1ent&
and i9 I should tr" to 9ind it a#ain,
KWill "ou return to En#landI as%ed AltaJr,
KNo O I: so 9ar 9ro: ho:e alread"& Ill continue east, To India& $erha$s, Or until I
9all o99 the 9ar ed#e o9 the 1orld O And "ouI
AltaJr thou#ht& enDo"in# the closeness the" shared, K@or a lon# ti:e under Al
8uali:& I thou#ht :" li9e had reached its li:it& and that :" sole dut" 1as to sho1
others the sa:e $reci$ice I had disco7ered,
KI 9elt the sa:e once& she a#reed,
@ro: his $ac% he too% the A$$le and held it u$ 9or ins$ection, KAs terri!le as this
arte9act is& it contains 1onders O I 1ould li%e to understand it as !est I can,
K2ou tread a thin line& AltaJr,
0e nodded slo1l", KI %no1, But I ha7e !een ruined !" curiosit"& 8aria, I 1ant to
:eet the !est :inds& eC$lore the li!raries o9 the 1orld& and learn all the secrets o9
nature and the uni7erse,
KAll in one li9eti:eI Its a little a:!itious O
0e chuc%led, KWho can sa"I It could !e that one li9e is Dust enou#h,
K8a"!e, And 1here 1ill "ou #o 9irstI
0e loo%ed at her& s:ilin#& %no1in# onl" that he 1anted her 1ith hi: 9or the rest o9
his Dourne", KEast O he said,
Part @our
5'
3/ >ul" 3)/.
8a99eo has this ha!it o9 loo%in# at :e stran#el" so:eti:es, Its as thou#h he !elie7es
I: not Fuite 9urnishin# hi: 1ith all the necessar" in9or:ation, And he has done this
se7eral ti:es durin# our stor"tellin# sessions, Whether 1atchin# the 1orld #o !" in the
!us" :ar%et o9 8as"a9& enDo"in# the cool drau#hts in the cataco:!s !eneath the citadel
or strollin# alon# the ra:$arts& seein# !irds 1heel and di$ across the 7alle"s& he loo%s
at :e e7er" no1 and then& as i9 to sa"& KWhat is it "oure not tellin# :e& NiccolLI
Well& the ans1er& o9 course& is nothin#& a$art 9ro: :" lin#erin# sus$icion that the
stor" 1ill e7entuall" in7ol7e us in so:e 1a"& that I: !ein# told these thin#s 9or a
reason, Will it in7ol7e the A$$leI Or $erha$s his DournalsI Or the codeC& the !oo% into
1hich he has distilled his :ost si#ni9icant 9indin#sI
E7en so& 8a99eo 9iCes :e 1ith the Loo%,
KAndI
KAnd 1hat& !rotherI
KDid AltaJr and 8aria #o eastI
K8a99eo& 8aria is the :other o9 Dari:& the #entle:an 1ho in7ited us here,
I 1atched as 8a99eo turned his head to the sun and closed his e"es to let it 1ar:
his 9ace as he a!sor!ed this in9or:ation, I: sure that he 1as tr"in# to reconcile the
i:a#e o9 the Dari: 1e %ne1& a :an in his siCties 1ith the 1eathered 9ace to $ro7e it&
1ith so:eone 1ho had a :other ; a :other li%e 8aria,
I let hi: $onder& s:ilin# indul#entl", >ust as 8a99eo 1ould $ester :e 1ith Fuestions
durin# the tale& so o9 course I had $estered the 8aster& al!eit 1ith a #ood deal :ore
de9erence,
KWhere is the A$$le no1I I had as%ed hi: once, I9 I: honest& I had secretl" ho$ed
that at so:e $oint he 1ould $roduce it, A9ter all& hed s$o%en a!out it in ter:s o9 such
re7erence& e7en soundin# 9ear9ul o9 it at ti:es, Naturall" I had ho$ed to see it 9or
:"sel9, Perha$s to understand its allure,
Sadl"& this 1as not to !e, 0e :et :" Fuestion 1ith a series o9 test" noises, I should
not trou!le :"sel9 1ith thou#hts o9 the A$$le& he had 1arned& 1ith a 1a##in# 9in#er, I
should concern :"sel9 1ith the codeC instead, @or contained in those $a#es 1ere the
secrets o9 the A$$le& he said& !ut 9ree o9 the arte9acts :ali#n e99ects,
The codeC, 2es& I had decided& it 1as the codeC that 1as to $ro7e si#ni9icant in the
9uture, Si#ni9icant in :" 9uture& e7en,
But an"1a"? !ac% in the here and no1& I 1atched 8a99eo :ull o7er the 9act that
Dari: 1as the son o9 AltaJr and 8ariaG that 9ro: ad7ersarial !e#innin#s had 9lourished
9irst a res$ect !et1een the $air& then attraction& 9riendshi$& lo7e and ;
K8arria#eI said 8a99eo, KShe and AltaJr 1ere 1edI
KIndeed, So:e t1o "ears a9ter the e7ents I7e descri!ed& the" 1ere 1ed at Li:assol,
The cere:on" 1as held there as a :easure o9 res$ect to the C"$riots 1ho had o99ered
their island as a !ase 9or the Assassins& :a%in# it a %e" stron#hold 9or the Order, I
!elie7e 8ar%os 1as a #uest o9 honour& and a so:e1hat ironic toast 1as $ro$osed to
the $irates& 1ho had inad7ertentl" !een res$onsi!le 9or introducin# hi: to AltaJr and
8aria, Shortl" a9ter the 1eddin# the Assassin and his !ride returned to 8as"a9& 1here
their son Dari: 1as !orn,
KTheir onl" sonI
KNo, T1o "ears a9ter the !irth o9 Dari:& 8aria #a7e !irth to another& Se9& a !rother to
Dari:,
KAnd 1hat o9 hi:I
KAll in #ood ti:e& !rother, All in #ood ti:e, Su99ice to sa" 9or no1 that this
re$resented a :ainl" $eace9ul and 9ruit9ul $eriod 9or the 8aster, 0e tal%s o9 it little& as
thou#h it is too $recious to !rin# out into the li#ht& !ut :uch o9 it is recorded in his
codeC, All the ti:e he 1as :a%in# ne1 disco7eries and 1as in recei$t o9 9resh
re7elations,
KSuch asI
K0e recorded the: in his Dournals, In there "ou can see not onl" co:$ounds 9or ne1
Assassin $oisons& !ut 9or :edicine too, Descri$tions o9 achie7e:ents "et to co:e and
catastro$hes "et to ha$$enG desi#ns 9or ar:our and 9or ne1 hidden !lades& includin#
one that 9ires $roDectiles, 0e :used u$on the nature o9 9aith and o9 hu:anit"s
!e#innin#s& 9or#ed 9ro: chaos& order i:$osed not !" a su$re:e !ein# !ut !" :an,
8a99eo loo%ed shoc%ed, K M@or#ed 9ro: chaos& order i:$osed not !" a su$re:e
!ein# ON
KThe Assassin Fuestions all 9iCed 9aith& I said& not 1ithout a touch o9 $o:$osit",
KE7en his o1n,
K0o1 soI
KWell& the 8aster 1rote o9 the contradictions and ironies o9 the Assassin, 0o1 the"
see% to !rin# a!out $eace "et use 7iolence and :urder as the :eans to do it, 0o1 the"
see% to o$en :ens :inds "et reFuire o!edience to a :aster, The Assassin teaches
the dan#ers o9 !lindl" !elie7in# in esta!lished 9aith !ut reFuires the Orders 9ollo1ers to
9ollo1 the Creed unFuestionin#l",
K0e 1rote also o9 the Ones Who Ca:e Be9ore& the :e:!ers o9 the 9irst ci7iliHation&
1ho le9t !ehind the arte9acts hunted !" !oth Te:$lar and Assassin,
KThe A$$le !ein# one o9 the:I
KECactl", A thin# o9 i::ense $o1er, Co:$eted 9or !" the ni#hts Te:$lar, 0is
eC$eriences in C"$rus had sho1n hi: that the Te:$lars& rather than tr"in# to 1rest
control !" the usual :eans& had chosen su!ter9u#e 9or their strate#", AltaJr concluded
that this& too& should !e the 1a" o9 the Assassin,
KNo lon#er should the Order !uild #reat 9ortresses and conduct la7ish rituals, These&
he decided& 1ere not 1hat :a%es the Assassin, What :a%es the Assassin is his
adherence to the Creed, That ori#inall" es$oused !" Al 8uali:& ironicall" enou#h, An
ideolo#" that challen#ed esta!lished doctrines, One that encoura#ed acol"tes to reach
!e"ond the:sel7es and :a%e the i:$ossi!le $ossi!le, It 1as these $rinci$les that
AltaJr de7elo$ed and too% 1ith hi: in the "ears he s$ent tra7ellin# the 0ol" Land&
sta!iliHin# the Order and instillin# in it the 7alues he had learned as an Assassin, Onl" in
Constantino$le did his atte:$ts to $ro:ote the 1a" o9 the Assassin stu:!le, There& in
3)(5& #reat riots 1ere ta%in# $lace as the $eo$le rose u$ a#ainst the B"Hantine
e:$eror AleCius& and not lon# a9ter that the Crusaders !ro%e throu#h and !e#an a sac%
o9 the cit", In the :idst o9 such on#oin# tu:ult& AltaJr 1as una!le to carr" out his $lans
and retreated, It !eca:e one o9 his 9e1 9ailures durin# that era,
K@unn"& 1hen he told :e that& he #a7e :e an odd loo%,
KBecause our ho:e is in Constantino$leI
KPossi!l", I shall ha7e to #i7e the :atter thou#ht at a later date, It :a" 1ell !e that
our hailin# 9ro: Constantino$le and his atte:$t to esta!lish a #uild there are not
unrelated O
K0is onl" 9ailure& "ou sa"I
KIndeed, In all other 1a"s& AltaJr did :ore to $ro:ote the Order than al:ost an"
leader !e9ore hi:, It 1as onl" the ascendanc" o9 Gen#his han that $re7ented hi:
continuin# his 1or%,
K0o1 soI
KSo:e 9ort" "ears a#o& AltaJr 1rote o9 it in his codeC, 0o1 a dar% tide 1as risin# to
the east, An ar:" o9 such siHe and $o1er that all the land 1as :ade Fuic% 1ith 1orr",
K0e 1as tal%in# a!out the 8on#ol E:$ireI as%ed 8a99eo, KThe rise o9 Gen#his
hanI
KECactl"& I said, KDari: 1as in his earl" t1enties and an acco:$lished !o1:an& and
so it 1as that AltaJr too% hi: and 8aria and le9t 8as"a9,
KTo con9ront hanI
KAltaJr sus$ected that Gen#his hans $ro#ress :i#ht ha7e !een hel$ed !" another
arte9act& si:ilar to the A$$le, Perha$s the S1ord, 0e needed to esta!lish 1hether this
1as the case& as 1ell as to sto$ hans ineCora!le :arch,
K0o1 1as 8as"a9 le9tI
KAltaJr $ut 8ali% in char#e in his $lace, 0e le9t Se9 !ehind also& to hel$ ta%e care o9
a99airs, Se9 had a 1i9e and t1o "oun# dau#hters !" then& Dari: did not& and the" 1ere
#one 9or a lon# ti:e,
K0o1 lon#I
K0e 1as a!sent 9or ten "ears& !rother& and 1hen he returned to 8as"a9 e7er"thin#
there had chan#ed, Nothin# 1ould e7er !e the sa:e a#ain, Do "ou 1ant to hear a!out
itI
KPlease continue,
56
@ro: a distance all loo%ed 1ell 1ith 8as"a9, None o9 the: ; not AltaJr& 8aria or Dari: ;
had an" idea o9 1hat 1as to co:e,
AltaJr and 8aria rode a little ahead& side !" side& as 1as their $re9erence& ha$$" to
!e 1ith one another and $leased to !e 1ithin si#ht o9 ho:e& each undulatin# 1ith the
slo1& stead" rh"th: o9 their horses, Both rode hi#h and $roud in the saddle des$ite the
lon#& arduous Dourne", The" :i#ht ha7e !een ad7ancin# in "ears ; !oth 1ere in their
:idEsiCties ; !ut it 1ould not do to !e seen slouchin#, Ne7ertheless the" ca:e slo1l"?
their :ounts 1ere chosen 9or their stren#th and sta:ina& not s$eed& and tethered to
each 1as an ass& laden 1ith su$$lies,
Behind the: ca:e Dari:& 1ho had inherited the !ri#ht& dancin# e"es o9 his :other&
his 9athers colourin# and !one structure& and the i:$ulsi7eness o9 !oth, 0e 1ould
ha7e li%ed to #allo$ ahead and cli:! the slo$es o9 the 7illa#e to the citadel to announce
his $arents return& !ut instead trotted :ee%l" !ehind& res$ectin# his 9athers 1ishes 9or
a :odest ho:eco:in#, E7er" no1 and then he s1atted the 9lies 9ro: his 9ace 1ith his
cro$ and thou#ht that a #allo$ 1ould ha7e !een the :ost e99ecti7e 1a" to rid hi:sel9 o9
the:, 0e 1ondered i9 the" 1ere !ein# 1atched 9ro: the s$ires o9 the 9ortress& 9ro: its
de9ensi7e to1er,
Passin# the sta!les& the" 1ent throu#h the 1ooden #ates and into the :ar%et&
9indin# it unchan#ed, The" ca:e into the 7illa#e& 1here children rushed eCcitedl"
around the: callin# 9or treats ; children too "oun# to %no1 the 8aster, Older 7illa#ers
reco#niHed hi:& thou#h& and AltaJr noticed the: 1atchin# the $art" care9ull"& not 1ith
1elco:e !ut 1ariness, @aces 1ere turned a1a" 1hen he tried to catch their e"e,
AnCiet" !it into his #ut,
No1 a 9i#ure he %ne1 1as a$$roachin# the:& :eetin# the: at the !otto: o9 the
slo$es to the citadel, S1a:i, An a$$rentice 1hen hed le9t& one o9 those 1ho 1as too
9ond o9 co:!at& not enou#h o9 learnin#, 0e had collected a scar in the inter7enin# ten
"ears and it 1rin%led 1hen he s:iled& a !road #rin that 1ent no1here near his e"es,
Perha$s he 1as alread" thin%in# o9 the teachin#s he 1ould ha7e to endure 1ith AltaJr&
no1 that he had returned,
But endure the: he 1ould& thou#ht AltaJr& his #aHe #oin# $ast S1a:i to the castle&
1here a 7ast 9la# !earin# the :ar% o9 the Assassins 9luttered in the !reeHe, 0e had
decreed that the 9la# !e re:o7ed? the Assassins 1ere dis$osin# o9 such e:$t"
e:!le:s, But 8ali% had e7identl" decided it should 9l", 0e 1as another 1ho 1ould
endure so:e teachin# in the ti:e ahead,
KAltaJr& said S1a:i& 1ith a !o1 o9 the head& and AltaJr decided to i#nore the :ans
9ailure to address hi: !" his correct title, @or the ti:e !ein# at least, K0o1 $leasant it is
to see "ou, I trust "our tra7els $ro7ed 9ruit9ul,
KI sent :essa#es& said AltaJr& leanin# 9or1ard in his saddle, Dari: dre1 u$ on the
other side o9 hi: so that the three 9or:ed a line& loo%in# do1n at S1a:i, KWas the
Order not told o9 :" $ro#ressI
S1a:i s:iled o!seFuiousl", KO9 course& o9 course, I as%ed :erel" out o9 courtes",
KI eC$ected to !e :et !" Rau9& said AltaJr, K0e is :ost accusto:ed to :eetin# :"
needs,
KAh& $oor Rau9, S1a:i $eered at the #round re9lecti7el",
KIs so:ethin# 1ron#I
KRau9& I: a9raid is dead o9 the 9e7er these $ast 9e1 "ears,
KWh" 1as I not in9or:edI
At this S1a:i :erel" shru##ed, An insolent shru#& as thou#h he neither %ne1 nor
cared,
AltaJr $ursed his li$s& decidin# that so:e!od" had so:e eC$lainin# to do& e7en i9 it
1asnt to !e this cur, KThen let us :o7e on, I trust our Fuarters are $re$aredI
S1a:i !o1ed his head a#ain, KI: a9raid not& AltaJr, Until such ti:e as "ou can !e
acco::odated I ha7e !een as%ed to direct "ou to a residence on the 1estern side o9
the 9ortress,
AltaJr loo%ed 9irst at Dari:& 1ho 1as 9ro1nin#& then at 8aria& 1ho #aHed at hi: 1ith
e"es that said& Be1are, So:ethin# 1as not ri#ht,
KVer" 1ell& said AltaJr& cautiousl"& and the" dis:ounted, S1a:i #estured to so:e
ser7ant !o"s& 1ho ca:e 9or1ard to ta%e the horses& and the" !e#an their ascent to the
citadel #ates, There the #uards inclined their heads Fuic%l"& as thou#h& li%e the
7illa#ers& the" 1ere %een to a7oid AltaJrs e"e& !ut instead o9 $roceedin# u$ the
!ar!ican& S1a:i led the: around the outside o9 the inner curtain, AltaJr re#arded the
1alls o9 the citadel stretchin# hi#h a!o7e the:& 1antin# to see the heart o9 the Order&
9eelin# irritation !uild ; !ut so:e instinct told hi: to !ide his ti:e, When the" reached
the residence it 1as a lo1 !uildin# sun% into the stone 1ith a short arch at its door1a"
and stairs leadin# do1n to a 7esti!ule, The 9urniture 1as s$arse and there 1ere no
sta99 to #reet the:, AltaJr 1as used to :odest acco::odation ; he de:anded it& in 9act
; !ut here in 8as"a9& as the Assassin 8aster& he eC$ected his acco::odation to !e in
the 8asters to1er or eFui7alent,
Bristlin#& he turned& a!out to re:onstrate 1ith S1a:i& 1ho stood in the 7esti!ule
1ith the sa:e o!seFuious #rin on his 9ace& 1hen 8aria #ra!!ed his ar: and sFueeHed
it& sto$$in# hi:,
KWhere is Se9I she as%ed S1a:i, She 1as s:ilin# $leasantl"& thou#h AltaJr %ne1
that she loathed S1a:i, Loathed hi: 1ith e7er" 9i!re in her !od", KI 1ould li%e Se9 sent
here at once& $lease,
S1a:i loo%ed $ained, KI re#ret that Se9 is not here, 0e has had to tra7el to Ala:ut,
K0is 9a:il"I
KAre acco:$an"in# hi:,
8aria shot a loo% o9 concern to AltaJr,
KWhat !usiness did :" !rother ha7e in Ala:utI sna$$ed Dari:& e7en :ore $ut out
then his $arents !" the scant Fuarters,
KAlas& I do not %no1& ooHed S1a:i,
AltaJr too% a dee$ !reath and a$$roached S1a:i, The :essen#ers scar no lon#er
crin%led as the s"co$hantic s:ile slid 9ro: his 9ace, Perha$s he 1as suddenl"
re:inded that this 1as AltaJr& the 8aster& 1hose s%ill in !attle 1as :atched onl" !" his
9ierceness in the classroo:,
KIn9or: 8ali% at once that I 1ish to see hi:& #ro1led AltaJr, KTell hi: he has so:e
eC$lainin# to do,
S1a:i s1allo1ed& 1rin#in# his hands a little theatricall", K8ali% is in $rison& 8aster,
AltaJr started, KIn $risonI Wh"I
KI: not at li!ert" to sa"& 8aster, A :eetin# o9 the council has !een called 9or
to:orro1 :ornin#,
KThe 1hatI
KWith 8ali% i:$risoned& a council 1as 9or:ed to o7ersee the Order& in accordance
1ith the statutes o9 the Brotherhood,
This 1as true& !ut e7en so& AltaJr dar%ened, KWith 1ho as its chair:anI
KA!!as& re$lied S1a:i,
AltaJr loo%ed at 8aria& 1hose e"es sho1ed real concern no1, She reached to ta%e
his ar:,
KAnd 1hen do I :eet this councilI as%ed AltaJr, 0is 7oice 1as cal:& !el"in# the
stor: in his !ell",
KTo:orro1the council 1ould li%e to hear the tale o9 "our Dourne" and a$$rise "ou o9
e7ents at the Order,
KAnd a9ter that the council shall !e dissol7ed& said AltaJr& 9ir:l", KTell "our council 1e
shall see the: at sunrise, Tell the: to consult the statutes, The 8aster has returned
and 1ishes to resu:e leadershi$,
S1a:i !o1ed and le9t,
The 9a:il" 1aited until he had #one !e9ore lettin# their true 9eelin#s sho1& 1hen
AltaJr turned to Dari: and 1ith ur#enc" in his 7oice told hi:& KRide to Ala:ut& he told
hi:, KBrin# Se9 !ac% here, 0es needed at once,
/(
The 9ollo1in# da"& AltaJr and 8aria 1ere a!out to :a%e their 1a" 9ro: their residence to
the :ain to1er 1hen the" 1ere interce$ted !" S1a:i& 1ho insisted on leadin# the:
throu#h the !ar!ican hi:sel9, As the" s%irted the 1all AltaJr 1ondered 1h" he couldnt
hear the usual noise o9 s1ord$la" and trainin# 9ro: the other side, As the" ca:e into
the court"ard he #ot his ans1er,
It 1as !ecause there 1as no s1ord$la" or trainin#, Where once the inner areas o9
the citadel had hu::ed 1ith acti7it" and li9e& echoin# to the :etallic chi:e o9 s1ord
stri%es& the shouts and curses o9 the instructors& no1 it la" al:ost deserted, 0e loo%ed
around hi:& at the to1ers o7erloo%in# the:& seein# !lac% 1indo1s, Guards on the
ra:$arts stared dis$assionatel" do1n at the:, The $lace o9 enli#hten:ent and trainin#
; the cruci!le o9 Assassin %no1led#e he had le9t ; had all !ut disa$$eared, Altairs
:ood dar%ened 9urther as he 1as a!out to :a%e his 1a" to the :ain to1er !ut S1a:i
directed hi: instead to the ste$s that led u$ to the de9ence roo:& then into the :ain
hall,
There& the council 1as #athered, Ten :en 1ere seated on o$$osite sides o9 a ta!le
1ith A!!as at their head& a $air o9 e:$t" chairs 9or AltaJr and 8aria? 1ooden& hi#hE
!ac%ed chairs, The" too% their seats and& 9or the 9irst ti:e since enterin# the roo:&
AltaJr loo%ed at A!!as& his old anta#onist, 0e sa1 so:ethin# in hi: other than
1ea%ness and resent:ent, 0e sa1 a ri7al, And 9or the 9irst ti:e since the ni#ht that
Ah:ad had co:e to his Fuarters and ta%en his o1n li9e& AltaJr no lon#er $itied A!!as,
AltaJr loo%ed around the rest o9 the ta!le, >ust as hed thou#ht& the ne1 council 1as
:ade u$ o9 the :ost 1ea%E:inded and conni7in# :e:!ers o9 the Order, Those AltaJr
1ould ha7e $re9erred to !e cast out, All had Doined this council& it see:ed& or !een
recruited to it !" A!!as, Characteristic o9 the: 1as @ari:& S1a:is 9ather& 1ho 1atched
hi: 9ro: !eneath hooded lids& his chin tuc%ed into this chest, 0is a:$le chest, The"
had #ot 9at& thou#ht AltaJr& scorn9ull",
KWelco:e& AltaJr& said A!!as, KI: sure I s$ea% 9or us all 1hen I sa" that I a:
loo%in# 9or1ard to hearin# o9 "our eC$loits in the east,
8aria leaned 9or1ard to address hi:, KBe9ore 1e sa" an"thin# o9 our tra7els& 1e
1ould li%e so:e ans1ers& $lease& A!!as, We le9t 8as"a9 in #ood order, It see:s that
standards ha7e !een allo1ed to sli$,
KWe le9t 8as"a9 in #ood orderI s:iled A!!as& thou#h he had not loo%ed at 8aria,
0e hadnt ta%en his #aHe 9ro: AltaJr, The t1o 1ere starin# across the ta!le at each
other 1ith o$en hostilit", KWhen "ou le9t the Brotherhood I see: to recall there !ein#
onl" one 8aster, No1 it a$$ears 1e had t1o,
KBe care9ul "our insolence does not cost "ou dear& A!!as& 1arned 8aria,
K8" insolenceI lau#hed A!!as, KAltaJr& $lease tell the in9idel that 9ro: no1 on she
:a" not s$ea% unless directl" addressed !" a :e:!er o9 the council,
With a shout o9 an#er& AltaJr rose 9ro: his chair& 1hich s%ittered !ac% and tu:!led
on the stone, 0is hand 1as on the hilt o9 his s1ord !ut t1o #uards ca:e 9or1ard& their
s1ords dra1n,
KGuards& ta%e his 1ea$on& co::anded A!!as, K2ou 1ill !e :ore co:9orta!le
1ithout it& AltaJr, Are "ou 1earin# "our !ladeI
AltaJr stretched out his ar:s as a #uard ste$$ed 9or1ard to ta%e his s1ord, 0is
slee7es 9ell a1a" to re7eal no hidden !lade,
KNo1 1e can !e#in& said A!!as, KPlease do not 1aste our ti:e 9urther, U$date us
on "our Fuest to neutraliHe han,
KOnl" once "ou ha7e told :e 1hat has ha$$ened to 8ali%& #ro1led Altair,
A!!as shru##ed and raised his e"e!ro1s as i9 to sa" the" 1ere at an i:$asse& and
o9 course the" 1ere& neither :an 1illin# to concede& it see:ed, With a #runt o9
eCas$eration& AltaJr !e#an his stor"& rather than $rolon# the standEo99, 0e related his
Dourne"s to Persia& India and 8on#olia& 1here he& 8aria and Dari: had liaised 1ith the
Assassin Rulan Gal& and told o9 ho1 the" had tra7elled to the Sia $ro7ince near!" to
Sin##in#& 1hich 1as !esie#ed !" the 8on#olian Ar:"& the s$read o9 hans e:$ire
ineCora!le, There& he said& AltaJr and Rulan Gal had $lanned to in9iltrate the 8on#olian
ca:$, It 1as said that han 1as there& too,
KDari: 9ound a 7anta#e $oint not 9ar 9ro: the ca:$ and& ar:ed 1ith his !o1& 1ould
1atch o7er Rulan Gal and :e as 1e :ade our 1a" throu#h the tents, It 1as hea7il"
#uarded and 1e relied on hi: to dis$ose o9 an" #uards 1e alerted or 1ho loo%ed as
thou#h the" :i#ht raise the alar:, AltaJr #aHed around the ta!le 1ith a challen#in#
stare, KAnd he $er9or:ed this dut" ad:ira!l",
KLi%e 9ather& li%e son& said A!!as& 1ith :ore than a hint o9 a sneer in his 7oice,
KPerha$s not& said AltaJr& e7enl", K@or in the e7ent it 1as I 1ho 1as res$onsi!le 9or
al:ost alertin# the 8on#olians to our $resence,
KAh& said A!!as, K0e is not in9alli!le,
KNo!od" is& A!!as& re$lied AltaJr& Kleast o9 all :e& and I allo1ed an ene:" soldier to
co:e u$ on :e, 0e 1ounded :e !e9ore Rulan Gal 1as a!le to %ill hi:,
KGettin# old& AltaJrI Deered A!!as,
KE7er"!od" is& A!!as& re$lied AltaJr, KAnd I 1ould ha7e !een dead i9 Rulan Gal had
not :ana#ed to ta%e :e 9ro: the ca:$ and !rin# :e to sa9et", 0is actions sa7ed :"
li9e, 0e loo%ed care9ull" at A!!as, KRulan Gal returned to the ca:$, @irst he 9or:ulated
a $lan 1ith Dari: to 9lush han 9ro: his tent, RealiHin# the dan#er& han tried to
esca$e on horse!ac%& !ut he 1as !rou#ht do1n !" Rulan Gal, han 1as 9inished 1ith
a shot 9ro: Dari:,
K0is s%ills as a !o1:an are !e"ond dou!t& s:iled A!!as, KI #ather "ou ha7e sent
hi: a1a"& $erha$s to Ala:utI
AltaJr !lin%ed, A!!as %ne1 e7er"thin#& it see:ed, K0e has indeed le9t the citadel on
:" orders, Whether to Ala:ut or not& I 1ill not sa",
KTo see Se9 at Ala:ut& $erha$sI $ressed A!!as, 0e addressed S1a:i, K2ou told
the: Se9 1as there& I trustI
KAs instructed& 8aster& re$lied S1a:i,
AltaJr 9elt so:ethin# 1orse than 1orr" in his #ut no1, So:ethin# that :i#ht ha7e
!een 9ear, 0e 9elt it 9ro: 8aria& too? her 9ace 1as dra1n and anCious, KSa" 1hat "ou
ha7e to sa"& A!!as& he said,
KOr 1hat& AltaJrI
KOr :" 9irst tas% 1hen I resu:e leadershi$ 1ill !e to ha7e "ou thro1n in the
dun#eon,
KThere to Doin 8ali%& :a"!eI
KI dou!t that 8ali% !elon#s in $rison& sna$$ed AltaJr, KO9 1hat cri:e is he accusedI
KA :urder, A!!as s:ir%ed,
It 1as as thou#h the 1ord thu:$ed on to the ta!le,
K8urder o9 1ho:I as%ed 8aria,
And the re$l" 1hen it ca:e sounded as thou#h it 1as #i7en 9ro: 9ar& 9ar a1a",
KSe9, 8ali% :urdered "our son,
8arias head dro$$ed into her hands,
KNoP AltaJr heard so:eone sa"& then realiHed his o1n 7oice had s$o%en,
KI a: sorr"& AltaJr& said A!!as& s$ea%in# as thou#h he 1as recitin# so:ethin# 9ro:
:e:or", KI a: sorr" that "ou ha7e returned to hear this :ost tra#ic ne1s& and :a" I
sa" that I s$ea% 9or all o9 those asse:!led 1hen I eCtend :" s":$ath" to "ou and "our
9a:il", But until certain :atters are resol7ed it 1ill not !e $ossi!le 9or "ou to resu:e
leadershi$ o9 the Order,
AltaJr 1as still tr"in# to unra7el the Du:!le o9 e:otion in his head& a1are o9 8aria
!eside hi:& so!!in#,
KWhatI he said, Then louder? KWhatI
K2ou re:ain co:$ro:ised at this $oint& said A!!as& Kso I ha7e ta%en the decision
that control o9 the Order re:ains 1ith the council,
AltaJr shoo% 1ith 9ur", KI a: the 8aster o9 this Order& A!!as, I de:and that
leadershi$ is returned to :e& in line 1ith the statutes o9 the Brotherhood, The" decree
it !e returned to :e, 0e 1as shoutin# no1,
KThe" do not, A!!as s:iled, KNot an" :ore,
/3
Later& AltaJr and 8aria sat in their residence& huddled to#ether on a stone !ench& silent
in the near dar%, The" had s$ent "ears slee$in# in deserts !ut had ne7er 9elt so
isolated and alone as the" did at that :o:ent, The" #rie7ed at their lo1l"
circu:stancesG the" #rie7ed that 8as"a9 had !eco:e ne#lected in their a!senceG the"
9retted 9or Se9s 9a:il" and Dari:,
But :ost o9 all the" #rie7ed 9or Se9,
0e had !een sta!!ed to death in his !ed& the" said& Dust t1o 1ee%s a#oG there had
!een no ti:e to send a :essa#e to AltaJr, The %ni9e 1as disco7ered in 8ali%s Fuarters,
0e had !een heard ar#uin# 1ith Se9 earlier that da" !" an Assassin, The na:e o9 the
Assassin 1ho had heard the ar#u:ent& AltaJr had "et to learn& !ut 1hoe7er it 1as had
re$orted hearin# Se9 and 8ali% ar#uin# o7er the leadershi$ o9 the Order& 1ith 8ali%
clai:in# that he intended to %ee$ it once AltaJr returned,
KIt 1as ne1s o9 "our return that s$ar%ed the disa#ree:ent& it 1ould see:& A!!as
had #loated& re7ellin# in AltaJrs ashen loo%& the Fuiet 1ee$in# o9 8aria,
Se9 had !een heard threatenin# to re7eal 8ali%s $lans to AltaJr so 8ali% had %illed
hi:, That 1as the theor",
Beside hi:& her head tuc%ed into his chest and her le#s $ulled u$& 8aria so!!ed
still, AltaJr s:oothed her hair and roc%ed her until she Fuietened, Then he 1atched the
shado1s cast !" the 9ireli#ht 9lic%erin# and dancin# on the "ello1 stone 1all& listenin# to
the cric%ets 9ro: outside& the occasional crunch o9 #uards 9ootste$s,
A short 1hile later 8aria a1o%e 1ith a Du:$, 0e started too ; he had !een 9allin#
aslee$ hi:sel9& lulled !" the lea$in# 9la:es, She sat u$& shi7erin#& and $ulled her
!lan%et ti#ht round hersel9, KWhat are 1e #oin# to do& :" lo7eI she as%ed,
K8ali%& he said si:$l", 0e 1as starin# at the 1all 1ith si#htless e"es and s$o%e as
thou#h he hadnt heard the Fuestion,
KWhat o9 hi:I
KWhen 1e 1ere "oun#er, The assi#n:ent in the Te:$le 8ount, 8" actions caused
hi: #reat $ain,
KBut "ou learned& she said, KAnd 8ali% %ne1 that, @ro: that da" a ne1 AltaJr 1as
!orn& 1ho led the Order into #reatness,
AltaJr :ade a dis!elie7in# sound, KGreatnessI Reall"I
KNot no1& :" lo7e& she said, K8a"!e not no1 !ut "ou can restore it to ho1 it 1as
!e9ore all o9 this, 2ou are the onl" one 1ho can do it, Not A!!as, She said his na:e as
thou#h she had tasted so:ethin# es$eciall" un$leasant, KNot so:e council, 2ou,
AltaJr, The AltaJr I7e 1atched ser7e the Order 9or :ore than thirt" "ears, The AltaJr 1ho
1as !orn on that da",
KIt cost 8ali% his !rother& said AltaJr, K0is ar: too,
K0e 9or#a7e "ou& and has ser7ed as "our trusted lieutenant e7er since the de9eat o9
Al 8uali:,
KWhat i9 it 1as a 9aTadeI said AltaJr& 7oice lo1, 0e could see his o1n shado1 on the
1all& dar% and 9ore!odin#,
She Der%ed a1a" 9ro: hi:, KWhat are "ou sa"in#I
KPerha$s 8ali% has nurtured a hatred o9 :e all these "ears& he said, KPerha$s 8ali%
has secretl" co7eted the leadershi$ and Se9 disco7ered that,
K2es& and $erha$s Ill #ro1 1in#s in the ni#ht and 9l"& said 8aria, KWho do "ou thin%
reall" nurses a hatred 9or "ou& AltaJrI Its not 8ali%, Its A!!as,
KThe %ni9e 1as 9ound in 8ali%s !ed& said AltaJr,
KPut there& o9 course& to i:$licate hi:& either !" A!!as or !" so:eone in his thrall, I
1ouldnt !e at all sur$rised i9 S1a:i 1as the :an res$onsi!le 9or it, And 1hat o9 this
Assassin 1ho heard 8ali% and Se9 ar#uin#I When is he to !e $roducedI When 1e see
hi:& do "ou thin% 1ell disco7er that hes an all" o9 A!!asI Perha$s the son o9 another
council :e:!erI And 1hat o9 $oor Rau9I I 1onder i9 he reall" died o9 the 9e7er, Sha:e
on "ou 9or dou!tin# 8ali% 1hen all o9 this is so o!7iousl" the 1or% o9 A!!as,
KSha:e on :eI he rounded on her& and she $ulled a1a", Outside& the cric%ets
sto$$ed their noise as thou#h to hear the: ar#ue, KSha:e on :e 9or dou!tin# 8ali%I
Do I not ha7e $ast eC$erience o9 those I lo7e turnin# a#ainst :e& and 9or reasons 9ar
:ore 9ra#ile than 8ali% hasI A!!as I lo7ed as a !rother and I tried to do ri#ht !" hi:, Al
8uali: !etra"ed the 1hole order !ut it 1as :e he had ta%en as a son, Sha:e on :e
9or !ein# sus$iciousI To !e trustin# is :" #reatest do1n9all, Trustin# in the 1ron#
$eo$le,
0e loo%ed hard at her and she narro1ed her e"es, K2ou :ust destro" the A$$le&
AltaJr& she said, KIts t1istin# "our :ind, It is one thin# to ha7e a :ind that is o$en, It is
Fuite another to ha7e one so o$en that the !irds can shit into it,
0e loo%ed at her, KI: not sure that thats ho1 I 1ould ha7e $ut it& he said& a sad
s:ile 9or:in#,
KPerha$s not& !ut e7en so,
KI need to 9ind out& 8aria& he said, KI need to %no1 9or sure,
0e 1as a1are that the" 1ere !ein# 1atched& !ut he 1as an Assassin and he %ne1
8as"a9 !etter than an"one& so it 1as not di99icult 9or hi: to lea7e the residence& :a%e
his 1a" u$ the 1all o9 the inner curtain and sFuat in the shado1s o9 the ra:$arts until
the #uards had :o7ed $ast, 0e controlled his !reathin#, 0e 1as still Fuic% and a#ile, 0e
could still scale 1alls, But O
Perha$s not 1ith the sa:e ease he once had, 0e 1ould do 1ell to re:e:!er that,
The 1ound hed recei7ed in Gen#his hans ca:$ had slo1ed hi: do1n too, It 1ould
!e 9oolish to o7eresti:ate his o1n a!ilities and 9ind hi:sel9 in trou!le !ecause o9 it& 9lat
on his !ac% li%e a d"in# coc%roach& hearin# #uards a$$roach !ecause hed :isti:ed a
Du:$, 0e rested a little !e9ore continuin# alon# the ra:$arts& :a%in# his 1a" 9ro: the
1estern side o9 the citadel to the south to1er co:$leC, Sta"in# clear o9 #uards alon# the
1a"& he ca:e to the to1er then cli:!ed do1n to the #round, 0e :o7ed to the #rain
stores& 1here he located a 9li#ht o9 stone ste$s that led to a series o9 7aulted tunnels
!elo1,
There he sto$$ed and listened& his !ac% 9lat a#ainst the 1all, 0e could hear 1ater
9lo1in# alon# the s:all strea:s that ran throu#h the tunnels, The Orders dun#eons
1ere not 9ar a1a"& so rarel" used that the" 1ould ha7e !een %e$t as storeroo:s 1ere it
not 9or the da:$, AltaJr 9ull" eC$ected 8ali% to !e their onl" occu$ant,
0e cre$t 9or1ard until he could see the #uard, 0e 1as sittin# in the tunnel 1ith his
!ac% a#ainst a side 1all o9 the cell !loc%& head lolled in slee$, 0e 1as so:e 1a" 9ro:
the cells& and didnt e7en ha7e the: in his e"eline& so eCactl" 1hat he thou#ht he 1as
#uardin# 1as hard to sa", AltaJr 9ound hi:sel9 si:ultaneousl" outra#ed and relie7ed at
the :ans slo$$iness, 0e :o7ed stealthil" $ast hi: ; and it s1i9tl" !eca:e clear 1h"
he 1as sittin# so 9ar a1a",
It 1as the stin%, O9 the three cells& onl" the :iddle one 1as 9astened and AltaJr 1ent
to it, 0e 1as not sure 1hat he 1as eC$ectin# to see on the other side o9 the !ars& !ut
he 1as certain o9 1hat he could s:ell& and held a hand o7er his nose,
8ali% 1as curled u$ in the rushes that had !een s$read on the stone ; and did
nothin# to soa% u$ the urine, 0e 1as clothed in ra#s& loo%in# li%e a !e##ar, 0e 1as
e:aciated and& throu#h his tattered shirt& AltaJr could see the lines o9 his ri!s, 0is
chee%!ones 1ere shar$ outcro$s on his 9aceG his hair 1as lon#& his !eard o7er#ro1n,
0e had !een in the cell 9or 9ar lon#er than a :onth, That :uch 1as certain,
As he #aHed at 8ali%& AltaJrs 9ists clenched, 0e had $lanned to s$ea% to hi: to
deter:ine the truth& !ut the truth 1as there on his Duttin# ri!s and tattered clothes, 0o1
lon# had he !een i:$risonedI Lon# enou#h to send a :essa#e to AltaJr and 8aria,
0o1 lon# had Se9 !een deadI AltaJr $re9erred not to thin% a!out it, All he %ne1 1as that
8ali% 1asnt s$endin# another :o:ent there,
When the #uard o$ened his e"es it 1as to see AltaJr standin# o7er hi:, Then& 9or
hi:& the li#hts 1ent out, When he neCt a1o%e he 1ould 9ind hi:sel9 loc%ed inside the
$issEstin%in# cell& 9ruitlessl" shoutin# 9or hel$& 1ith 8ali% and AltaJr lon# #one,
KCan "ou 1al%& :" 9riendI AltaJr had said,
8ali% had loo%ed at hi: 1ith !lurr" e"es, All the $ain in those e"es, When he had
e7entuall" 9ocused on AltaJr& a loo% o9 #ratitude and relie9 had co:e to his 9ace& so
sincere that i9 there had !een the sli#htest dou!t in AltaJrs :ind it 1as !anished at
once,
K@or "ou& I can 1al%& said 8ali%& and atte:$ted a s:ile,
But as the" :ade their 1a" !ac% alon# the tunnel it had soon !eco:e clear that
8ali% did not ha7e the stren#th to 1al%, Instead& AltaJr had ta%en his #ood ar:& !rou#ht
it around his shoulders and carried his old 9riend to the ladders o9 the to1er& then
across the ra:$arts& e7entuall" descendin# the 1all on the 1estern side o9 the citadel&
a7oidin# #uards alon# the 1a", At last the" arri7ed !ac% at the residence, AltaJr loo%ed
9irst one 1a"& then the other !e9ore he let hi:sel9 in,
/)
The" laid 8ali% on a $allet and 8aria sat as his side& #i7in# hi: si$s 9ro: a !ea%er,
KThan% "ou& he #as$ed, 0is e"es had cleared a little, 0e $ulled hi:sel9 u$ in the
!ed& see:in# unco:9orta!le 1ith 8arias $roCi:it"& as thou#h he thou#ht it
dishonoura!le to !e tended !" her,
KWhat ha$$ened to Se9I as%ed AltaJr, With three o9 the: inside it& the roo: 1as
s:all, No1 it !eca:e s:aller& see:in# to close in on the:,
K8urdered& said 8ali%, KT1o "ears a#o A!!as sta#ed his cou$, 0e had Se9 %illed&
then $laced the :urder 1ea$on in :" roo:, Another Assassin s1ore that hed heard
Se9 and :e ar#uin#& and A!!as !rou#ht the Order to the conclusion that it 1as I 1ho
1as res$onsi!le 9or Se9s :urder,
AltaJr and 8aria loo%ed at one another, @or t1o "ears their son had !een dead,
AltaJr 9elt ra#e !u!!lin# 1ithin hi: and stro7e to control it ; to control the i:$ulse to
turn& lea7e the roo:& #o to the 9ortress and cut A!!as& 1atch hi: !e# 9or :erc" and
!leed to death,
8aria $ut a hand to his ar:& 9eelin# and sharin# his $ain,
KI: sorr"& said 8ali%, KI couldnt send a :essa#e 1hile I 1as in $rison, Besides&
A!!as controlled all co::unications in and out o9 the 9ortress, No dou!t he has !een
!us" chan#in# other ordinances durin# :" i:$rison:ent& 9or his o1n !ene9it,
K0e has& said AltaJr, KIt see:s he has su$$orters on the council,
KI: sorr"& AltaJr& said 8ali%, KI should ha7e antici$ated A!!ass $lans, @or "ears
a9ter "our de$arture he 1or%ed to under:ine :e, I had no idea he had :ana#ed to
co::and such su$$ort, It 1ould not ha7e ha$$ened to a stron#er leader, It 1ould not
ha7e ha$$ened to "ou,
KDont trou!le "oursel9, Rest& :" 9riend& said AltaJr& and he :otioned to 8aria,
In the neCt roo: the t1o o9 the: sat? 8aria on the stone !ench& AltaJr on a hi#hE
!ac%ed chair,
KDo "ou %no1 1hat "ou ha7e to doI said 8aria,
KI ha7e to destro" A!!as& said AltaJr,
KBut not 9or the $ur$oses o9 7en#eance& :" lo7e& she insisted& loo%in# dee$ into his
e"es, K@or the Order, @or the #ood o9 the Brotherhood, To ta%e it !ac% and :a%e it #reat
once :ore, I9 "ou can do that& and i9 "ou can let it ta%e $recedence o7er "our o1n
thou#hts o9 re7en#e& the Order 1ill lo7e "ou as a 9ather 1ho sho1s it the true $ath, I9
"ou let "oursel9 !e !linded !" an#er and e:otion& ho1 can "ou eC$ect the: to listen
1hen 1hat "ou teach is the other 1a"I
K2oure ri#ht& he said& a9ter a $ause, KThen ho1 shall 1e $roceedI
KWe :ust con9ront A!!as, We :ust dis$ute the accusation :ade a#ainst our sons
:urderer, The Order 1ill ha7e to acce$t that& and A!!as 1ill !e 9orced to ans1er 9or
hi:sel9,
KIt 1ill !e the 1ord o9 8ali% a#ainst A!!as and his a#ent& 1hoe7er that is,
KA 1easel li%e A!!asI 0is a#ent is e7en less trust1orth"& I should i:a#ine, The
Brotherhood 1ill !elie7e "ou& :" lo7e, The" 1ill 1ant to !elie7e "ou, 2ou are the #reat
AltaJr, I9 "ou can resist "our desire 9or re7en#e& i9 "ou can ta%e !ac% the Order !" 9air
:eans& not 9oul& then the 9oundations "ou la" 1ill !e e7en stron#er,
KI shall see hi: no1& said AltaJr& standin#,
The" chec%ed to :a%e sure that 8ali% 1as aslee$& then le9t& ta%in# a torch, With
earl"E:ornin# :ist s1irlin# at their 9eet& the" 1al%ed 9ast around the outside o9 the inner
curtain and then to the :ain #ate, Behind the: 1ere the slo$es o9 8as"a9& the 7illa#e
e:$t" and silent& "et to a1a%e 9ro: its slu:!er, A slee$" Assassin #uard loo%ed the:
o7er& insolent in his indi99erence& and AltaJr 9ound hi:sel9 9i#htin# his ra#e& !ut the"
$assed the :an& cli:!ed the !ar!ican and 1ent into the :ain court"ard,
A !ell sounded,
It 1as not a si#nal AltaJr %ne1, 0e raised his torch and loo%ed around& the !ell still
rin#in#, Then he sensed :o7e:ent 9ro: 1ithin the to1ers o7erloo%in# the court"ard,
8aria ur#ed hi: on and the" ca:e to the ste$s leadin# to the dais outside the 8asters
to1er, No1 AltaJr turned and sa1 that 1hiteEro!ed Assassins carr"in# 9la:in# torches
1ere enterin# the court"ard !ehind the:& su::oned !" the !ell& 1hich sto$$ed
suddenl",
KI 1ish to see A!!as& AltaJr told the #uard at the door to the to1er& his 7oice loud
and cal: in the eerie silence, 8aria #lanced !ehind& and at her shar$ inta%e o9 !reath
AltaJr turned, 0e #as$ed, The Assassins 1ere asse:!lin#, All 1ere loo%in# at hi:sel9
and 8aria, @or a :o:ent he 1ondered i9 the" 1ere in so:e %ind o9 thrall& !ut no, The
A$$le 1as 1ith hi:& sa9el" tuc%ed into his ro!e& and dor:ant, These :en 1ere 1aitin#,
@or 1hatI AltaJr had a 9eelin# he 1as soon to 9ind that out,
No1 the door to the to1er 1as o$enin# and A!!as 1as standin# !e9ore the:,
AltaJr 9elt the A$$le ; it 1as al:ost as thou#h a $erson 1ere $roddin# hi: in the
!ac%, Perha$s it 1as re:indin# hi: o9 its $resence,
A!!as strode on to the $lat9or:, KPlease eC$lain 1h" "ou !ro%e into the Orders
cells,
0e 1as addressin# the cro1d as :uch as AltaJr and 8aria, AltaJr #lanced !ehind
hi: and sa1 that the court"ard 1as 9ull, The Assassins torches 1ere li%e !alls o9 9la:e
in the dar%,
So A!!as :eant to discredit hi: in 9ront o9 the Order, But 8aria had !een correct ;
he 1asnt u$ to the tas%, All A!!as had achie7ed 1as to accelerate his o1n do1n9all,
KI :eant to esta!lish the truth a!out :" son& said AltaJr,
KOh& reall"I s:iled A!!as, KAre "ou sure it 1asnt to eCact re7en#eI
S1a:i had arri7ed, 0e cli:!ed the ste$s to the $lat9or:, 0e 1as holdin# so:ethin#
in a !urla$ sac% that he handed to A!!as& 1ho nodded, AltaJr loo%ed at the sac% 1aril"&
his heart ha::erin#, 8aria too,
A!!as $eered into the sac% and #a7e a loo% o9 :oc% concern at 1hat he sa1 inside,
Then& 1ith a theatrical air& he reached in and $aused 9or a :o:ent to enDo" the 9risson
o9 antici$ation that ran throu#h the asse:!l" li%e a shi7er,
KPoor 8ali%& he said& and $ulled out a dise:!odied head? the s%in at the nec% 1as
ra##ed and dri$$in# 9resh !lood& the e"e!alls had rolled u$& and the ton#ue $rotruded
sli#htl",
KNoP AltaJr started 9or1ard& and A!!as :otioned to the #uards& 1ho rushed 9or1ard&
#ra!!in# AltaJr and 8aria& disar:in# AltaJr and $innin# his hands !ehind his !ac%,
A!!as dro$$ed the head !ac% into the sac% and tossed it aside, KS1a:i heard "ou
and the in9idel $lottin# 8ali%s death, What a sha:e 1e could not reach 8ali% in ti:e to
$re7ent it,
KNoP shouted AltaJr, KLiesP I 1ould ne7er ha7e %illed 8ali%, Pullin# at the #uards 1ho
held hi:& he indicated S1a:i, K0es l"in#,
KIs the dun#eon #uard l"in#& tooI said A!!as, KThe one 1ho sa1 "ou dra# 8ali%
9ro: his cell, Wh" did "ou not %ill hi: there and then& AltaJrI Did "ou 1ant to :a%e hi:
su99erI Did "our En#lish 1i9e 1ant to :a%e 7en#e9ul cuts o9 her o1nI
AltaJr stru##led, KBecause I did not %ill hi:& he shouted& KI learned 9ro: hi: that it
1as "ou 1ho ordered the :urder o9 Se9,
And suddenl" he %ne1, 0e loo%ed at S1a:i and sa1 his scorn& and %ne1 that he
had %illed Se9, 0e 9elt the A$$le at his !ac%, With it he could la" 1aste to the court"ard,
ill e7er" treacherous do# a:on# the:, The" 1ould all 9eel his 9ur",
But no, 0e had $ro:ised ne7er to use it in an#er, 0e had $ro:ised 8aria he
1ouldnt allo1 his thou#hts to !e clouded !" 7en#eance,
KIt is "ou 1ho has !ro%en the Creed& AltaJr& said A!!as, KNot I, 2ou are un9it to lead
the Order, I here!" assu:e leadershi$ :"sel9,
K2ou cant do that& sco99ed AltaJr,
KI can, A!!as ca:e do1n 9ro: the $lat9or:& reached 9or 8aria and $ulled her to
hi:, In the sa:e :o7e:ent he $roduced a da##er that he held to her throat, She
sco1led and stru##led& cursin# hi:& until he Da!!ed the da##er at her nec%& dra1in#
!lood and cal:in# her, She held AltaJrs #aHe o7er his ar:& sendin# :essa#es 1ith her
e"es& %no1in# that the A$$le 1ould !e callin# to hi:, She& too& had realiHed that S1a:i
had %illed Se9, >ust li%e AltaJr she 1ould cra7e retri!ution, 0er e"es $leaded 1ith hi: to
%ee$ cal:,
KWhere is the A$$le& AltaJrI said A!!as, KSho1 :e& or I shall o$en the in9idel a ne1
:outh,
KDo "ou hear thisI called AltaJr& o7er his shoulder& to the Assassins, KDo "ou hear
ho1 he $lans to ta%e the leadershi$I 0e 1ants the A$$le not to o$en :inds !ut to
control the:,
It 1as searin# his !ac% no1,
KTell :e no1& AltaJr& re$eated A!!as, 0e $rodded harder 1ith the da##er and AltaJr
reco#niHed the %ni9e, It had !elon#ed to A!!ass 9ather, It 1as the da##er Ah:ad had
used to cut his o1n throat in AltaJrs roo: a 1hole li9eti:e a#o, And no1 it 1as !ein#
held to 8arias,
0e 9ou#ht to control hi:sel9, A!!as $ulled 8aria alon# the dais& a$$ealin# to the
cro1d? KDo 1e trust AltaJr 1ith the Piece o9 EdenI he as%ed the:, In return there 1as a
nonco::ittal :ur:ur, KAltaJr 1ho eCercises his te:$er in $lace o9 reasonI Should he
not !e co:$elled to hand it o7er 1ithout recourse to thisI
AltaJr craned to see o7er his shoulder, The Assassins 1ere shi9tin# unco:9orta!l"&
tal%in# a:on# the:sel7es& still in shoc% at the turn o9 e7ents, 0is e"es 1ent to the
!urla$ !a# and then to S1a:i, There 1as !lood on S1a:is ro!es& he noticed& as
thou#h hed !een hit !" a 9ine s$ra" o9 it? 8ali%s !lood, And S1a:i 1as #rinnin#& his
scar crin%led, AltaJr 1ondered i9 he had #rinned 1hen he sta!!ed Se9,
K2ou can ha7e it& called AltaJr, K2ou can ha7e the A$$le,
KNo& AltaJr& cried 8aria,
KWhere is itI as%ed A!!as, 0e re:ained at the end o9 the dais,
KI ha7e it& said AltaJr,
A!!as loo%ed concerned, 0e $ulled 8aria closer to hi:& usin# her as a shield,
Blood $oured 9ro: 1here hed nic%ed her 1ith the %ni9e, At a nod 9ro: A!!as the
#uards loosened their #ri$ on AltaJr& 1ho reached 9or the A$$le& !rin#in# it 9ro: 1ithin
his ro!e,
S1a:i reached 9or it, Touched it,
And then& 7er" Fuietl"& so that onl" AltaJr could hear& he said& KI told Se9 it 1as "ou
1ho ordered his death, 0e died !elie7in# his o1n 9ather had !etra"ed hi:,
The A$$le 1as #lo1in# and Altair had 9ailed to control hi:sel9, S1a:i& his hand on
the A$$le& suddenl" tautened& his e"es $o$$in# 1ide,
Then his head 1as tiltin# to one side& his !od" shi9tin# and 1rithin# as thou#h it
1ere o$erated !" so:e 9orce inside, 0is Da1s o$ened !ut no 1ords ca:e out, The
inside o9 his :outh #lo1ed #old, 0is ton#ue 1or%ed 1ithin it, Then& co:$elled !" the
A$$le& he ste$$ed a1a"& and all 1atched as his hands 1ent to his 9ace and he !e#an to
tear at the 9lesh there& #ou#in# dee$ trenches in it 1ith his 9in#ernails, Blood ran 9ro:
the churned s%in and still he :auled hi:sel9& as thou#h he 1ere attac%in# dou#h&
ri$$in# at the s%in o9 his chee% and tearin# a lon# 9la$ 9ro: it& 1renchin# at one ear& until
it dan#led 9ro: the side o9 his 9ace,
AltaJr 9elt the $o1er coursin# throu#h hi:& as thou#h it lea$ed 9ro: the A$$le and
s$read li%e a disease throu#h his 7eins, As thou#h it 9ed o99 his hatred and his need 9or
re7en#e& then 9lo1ed 9ro: the A$$le into S1a:i, AltaJr 9elt all o9 this as an eCFuisite
:iC o9 $leasure and $ain that threatened to li9t hi: o99 his 9eet ; that :ade his head 9eel
as i9 it :i#ht eC$and and eC$lode& the sensation at once 1onder9ul and terri!le,
So 1onder9ul and terri!le that he did not hear 8aria screa:in# to hi:,
Neither 1as he a1are o9 her $ullin# a1a" 9ro: A!!as and dashin# do1n the dais
to1ards hi:,
At the sa:e ti:e S1a:i had $ulled his da##er 9ro: its sheath and 1as usin# it on
hi:sel9& cuttin# hi:sel9 1ith 1ild& !road slashes& o$enin# 1ounds on his 9ace and !od"&
slicin# into hi:sel9 as 8aria reached the:& tr"in# des$eratel" to sto$ AltaJr usin# the
A$$le, AltaJr had a second to see 1hat 1as #oin# to ha$$en !ut 1as too late to sto$ it,
0e sa1 S1a:is da##er 9lash& and 8aria& her throat eC$osed& suddenl" s$innin# a1a"
1ith !lood shootin# 9ro: her nec%, She 9olded to the 1ood& her ar:s out9lun#, She
!reathed once, As !lood s$read Fuic%l" around her& her shoulders hea7ed 1ith a lon#&
ra##ed #as$ and one hand t1itched& %noc%in# at a 1ooden su$$ort on the dais,
At the sa:e ti:e& S1a:i 9ell a1a"& his s1ord clatterin# to the 9loor, The A$$le
#lo1ed !ri#htl" once& then di::ed, AltaJr dro$$ed to his %nees !eside 8aria& ta%in#
her !" the shoulder and turnin# her o7er,
She loo%ed at hi:, 0er e"elids 9luttered, KBe stron#& she said, And died,
The court"ard 1as silent, All that could !e heard 1as AltaJrs so!!in# as he
#athered 8aria to hi: and held her& a :an crushed,
0e heard A!!as callin#& K8en, Ta%e hi:,
Then he stood, Throu#h e"es thic% 1ith tears he sa1 Assassins runnin# to1ards the
dais, On their 9aces 1as 9ear, 0e still held the A$$le, The cro1d 1as in disarra", 8ost
had dra1n their s1ords& e7en thou#h the" %ne1 steel 1ould !e useless a#ainst the
A$$le& !ut !etter that than 9lee, Suddenl" the ur#e 1as stron#& o7er$o1erin# al:ost& to
use the A$$le to destro" e7er"thin# he could see& includin# hi:sel9& !ecause 8aria
1as dead at his hands and she had !een his li#ht, In one :o:ent ; in one !lindin#
9lash o9 ra#e ; he had destro"ed 1hat he held :ost dear,
The Assassins $aused, Would AltaJr use the A$$leI 0e could see the Fuestion in
their e"es,
KGet hi:P screeched A!!as& and the" ca:e 9or1ard cautiousl",
Around AltaJr& the Assassins see:ed unsure 1hether to attac% hi: or not& so he
ran,
KArchersP screa:ed A!!as& and the !o1:en snatched their shots as AltaJr raced
out o9 the court"ard, Arro1s hailed do1n around hi:& one slicin# his le#, @ro: le9t and
ri#ht :ore Assassins ca:e runnin#& their ro!es 9lo1in#& s1ords held, Perha$s no1 the"
understood that AltaJr 1ould not use the A$$le a second ti:e and the" lea$ed 9ro:
1alls and railin#s to Doin the $ursuit, @leein#& AltaJr ca:e to the arch and 9ound it
!loc%ed, 0e turned& dou!led !ac% and !arrelled throu#h t1o Assassins in $ursuit& one
s1in#in# his !lade and o$enin# a 1ound on his ar:, 0e screa:ed in $ain !ut %e$t
#oin#& %no1in# the" could ha7e had hi:G hed sur$rised the: !ut the" 1ere scared to
attac% hi: ; or reluctant to do so,
0e turned a#ain& this ti:e headin# 9or the de9ensi7e to1er, In it he could see
archers ta%in# ai: and the" 1ere the !est& he %ne1, Trained !" the !est, The" ne7er
:issed, Not 1ith the a:ount o9 ti:e the" had to ai: and 9ire,
ECce$t he %ne1 1hen the" 1ould 9ire, 0e %ne1 that it too% the: a heart!eat to 9ind
their tar#et and a second heart!eat to stead" and !reathe& then O
@ire,
0e s1er7ed and rolled, A 7olle" o9 arro1s sla::ed into the #round hed Dust le9t& all
!ut one :issin# hi:, One o9 the archers had chec%ed his ai: and the arro1 #raHed
AltaJrs chee%, Blood sluiced do1n his 9ace as he hit the ladder& sca:$erin# u$ it and
reachin# the 9irst le7el& 1here a sur$rised !o1:an 1as ditherin# o7er 1hether to dra1
his s1ord, AltaJr dra##ed hi: 9ro: his $erch& and he so:ersaulted to the #round
!elo1, 0ed li7e,
No1 AltaJr scra!!led u$ the second ladder, 0e 1as in $ain, 0e 1as !leedin#
hea7il", 0e reached the to$ o9 the to1er 9ro: 1hich he had Du:$ed a li9eti:e a#o&
dis#raced then as he 1as no1, 0e ho!!led to the $lat9or: and& as :en scra:!led to
the to$ o9 the to1er !ehind hi:& he s$read out his ar:s,
And dro$$ed,
/-
3( Au#ust 3)/.
AltaJr :eans us to s$read the 1ord o9 the Assassin& that is his $lan, And not Dust
s$read the 1ord !ut set u$ an Order in the 1est,
Sha:e on :e 9or ta%in# so lon# to 1or% it out& !ut no1 that I ha7e& all see:s clear?
to us *s$eci9icall" to :e& it see:s+& he is entrustin# the s$irit o9 the Brotherhood, 0e is
$assin# the torch to us,
We ha7e had 1ord that 1arli%e 8on#ols are a$$roachin# the 7illa#e and he thin%s
1e should lea7e !e9ore hostilities co::ence, 8a99eo& o9 course& see:s rather titillated
!" the idea o9 1itnessin# the action and I rather 9eel that he 1ould $re9er it i9 1e sta"ed,
0is 9or:er 1anderlustI All !ut #one, Our roles are re7ersed& it see:s& 9or no1 it is I 1ho
1ant to lea7e, Either I a: :ore co1ardl" than he is or I ha7e a :ore realistic idea o9
1ars #ri: realit"& 9or I 9ind :"sel9 in accord 1ith AltaJr, 8as"a9 under sie#e is no $lace
9or us,
In truth I a: read" to #o& 1hether the :araudin# $art" o9 8on#ols arri7es or not, I
lon# 9or ho:e& these hot ni#hts, I :iss :" 9a:il"? :" 1i9e and :" son& 8arco, 0e 1ill
!e three "ears old in a 9e1 short :onths and I a: $ain9ull" a1are that I ha7e seen so
little o9 his 7er" earliest "ears, I ha7e :issed his 9irst ste$s& his 9irst 1ords,
In short& I 9eel that our ti:e in 8as"a9 has reached its natural end, 8oreo7er& the
8aster has said that he 1ishes to see us, There is so:ethin# he :ust #i7e to us& he
sa"s& in a cere:on" he 1ould li%e to conduct 1ith other Assassins $resent, It is
so:ethin# that :ust !e %e$t sa9e& he sa"s& and out o9 the hands o9 the ene:"? the
8on#ols or the Te:$lars, This is 1hat his tales ha7e !een leadin# to& I realiHe& and I
ha7e :" sus$icions as to 1hat this $recious thin# :i#ht !e, We shall see,
In the :eanti:e& 8a99eo is i:$atient to hear the rest o9 :" tale& no1 so close to its
conclusion, 0e $ulled a 9ace 1hen I in9or:ed hi: that I $lanned to shi9t the narrati7e
9or1ard in ti:e& 9ro: the :o:ent that AltaJr lea$ed 9ro: the ra:$arts o9 the citadel& a
sha:ed and !ro%en :an& to a $eriod so:e t1ent" "ears hence and not to 8as"a9& !ut
to a s$ot in the desert t1o da"s ride a1a" O
O to an endless $lain at dus%& see:in#l" e:$t" a$art 9ro: a :an on a horse leadin#
another horse& the second na# laden 1ith Du#s and !lan%ets,
@ro: a distance the rider loo%ed li%e a trades:an 1ith his 1ares& and u$ close that
1as eCactl" 1hat he 1as& s1eatin# under his tur!an? a 7er" tired and $ortl" trades:an
na:ed 8u%hlis,
So& 1hen 8u%hlis sa1 the 1aterhole in the distance he %ne1 he had to lie do1n and
rest, 0ed ho$ed to reach ho:e 1ithout sto$$in# !ut he had no choice? he 1as
eChausted, So :an" ti:es durin# the Dourne" the rh"th: o9 the horse had lulled hi:
and he had 9elt his chin tuc%in# into his chest& his e"es 9lutterin# and closin#, It had
!een #ettin# :ore and :ore di99icult to resist slee$, Each ti:e the :otion o9 tra7el
roc%ed hi: to1ards slee$& a 9resh !attle 1as 9ou#ht !et1een heart and head, 0is throat
1as $arched, 0is ro!e hun# hea7" a!out hi:, E7er" !one and :uscle in his !od"
hu::ed 1ith 9ati#ue, The thou#ht o9 1ettin# his li$s and l"in# do1n 1ith his tha1!
$ulled around hi:& 9or Dust a 9e1 hours& $erha$s& enou#h to restore so:e ener#" !e9ore
resu:in# the Dourne" ho:e to 8as"a9 ; 1ell& the thou#ht 1as al:ost too :uch 9or hi:,
What #a7e hi: $ause& ho1e7er& 1hat :ade hi: 9ear9ul o9 sto$$in# 1as the tal% he
had heard ; tal% o9 !andits a!road& thie7es $re"in# on trades:en& ta%in# their #oods
and slittin# their throats& a !and o9 !ri#ands led !" a cutthroat na:ed @ahad& 1hose
le#endar" !rutalit" 1as :atched onl" !" that o9 his son& Ba"has,
Ba"has& the" said& 1ould han# his 7icti:s !" their 9eet !e9ore slicin# the: 9ro:
throat to !ell" and lettin# the: die slo1l"& the 1ild do#s 9eastin# on their dan#lin#
innards, Ba"has 1ould do this& and hed !e lau#hin#,
8u%hlis li%ed his #uts inside his !od", Neither did he ha7e an" desire to surrender
all his 1orldl" #oods to !ri#ands, A9ter all& thin#s in 8as"a9 1ere hard and #ettin#
harder, The 7illa#ers 1ere 9orced to $a" hi#her and hi#her le7ies to the castle on the
$ro:ontor" ; the cost o9 $rotectin# the co::unit" 1as risin#& the" 1ere toldG the
8aster 1as ruthless in de:andin# taCes 9ro: the $eo$le and 1ould o9ten send $arties
o9 Assassins do1n the slo$es to 9orce the: to $a", Those 1ho re9used 1ere li%el" to
!e !eaten& then cast out o9 the #ates& there to 1ander in the ho$e o9 !ein# acce$ted at
another settle:ent& or at the :erc" o9 the !andits 1ho :ade a ho:e o9 the roc%" $lains
surroundin# 8as"a9 and see:ed to !eco:e :ore and :ore audacious in their raids on
tra7ellers, Once& the Assassins ; or the threat o9 the: at least ; had %e$t the trade
routes sa9e, No lon#er& it see:ed,
So& to return ho:e $enniless& una!le to $a" the tithes that A!!as de:anded o9 the
7illa#e :erchants and the le7ies he 1anted 9ro: the $eo$le& 8u%hlis :i#ht 9ind hi:sel9
and his 9a:il" tossed out o9 the 7illa#e? hi:& his 1i9e Aalia and his dau#hter Nada,
0e 1as thin%in# a!out all o9 this as he a$$roached the 1aterhole& still undecided
1hether or not to sto$,
A horse 1as standin# !eneath a lar#e 9i# tree that s$read o7er the 1aterhole& a
hu#e in7itin# cano$" o9 cool shade and shelter, It 1as untethered !ut the !lan%et on its
!ac% sho1ed that it !elon#ed to so:eone& $ro!a!l" a 9ello1 tra7eller sto$$in# to drin%
the 1ater& re9ill his 9las%s or& $erha$s& li%e 8u%hlis& la" do1n his head and rest, E7en
so& 8u%hlis 1as ner7ous as he a$$roached the 1aterhole, 0is horse sensed the
$roCi:it" o9 1ater and snorted a$$reciati7el"& so that he had to rein her !ac% 9ro:
trottin# u$ to the 1ell& 1here he no1 sa1 a 9i#ure& curled u$ aslee$, 0e sle$t 1ith his
head on his $ac%& his ro!e 1ra$$ed around hi:& his hood $ulled u$ and his ar:s
crossed o7er his chest, Little o9 his 9ace 1as 7isi!le& !ut 8u%hlis sa1 !ro1n& 1eathered
s%in& 1rin%led and scarred, 0e 1as an old :an& in his late se7enties or earl" ei#hties,
@ascinated& 8u%hlis studied the slee$ers 9ace ; the e"es sna$$ed o$en,
8u%hlis recoiled a little& sur$rised and 9ri#htened, The old :ans e"es 1ere shar$
and 1atch9ul, 0e re:ained a!solutel" still and 8u%hlis realiHed that& althou#h he
hi:sel9 1as :uch "oun#er& the stran#er 1as not at all inti:idated !" hi:,
KI: sorr" i9 I distur!ed "ou& said 8u%hlis& inclinin# his head& his 7oice 1a7erin#
sli#htl", The stran#er said nothin#& Dust 1atched as 8u%hlis dis:ounted& then led his
horse to the 1ell and retrie7ed the leather !uc%et so that the" could drin%, @or a
:o:ent or so the onl" sound 1as the so9t !u:$ o9 the !uc%et on the 1all o9 the 1ell as
the 1ater 1as 9etched& then the slur$in# as the horse dran%, 8u%hlis dran% too, 0e
si$$ed then #ul$ed& 1ettin# his !eard and 1i$in# his 9ace, 0e 9illed his 9las%s and too%
1ater to the second horse& tetherin# the: !oth, When he loo%ed a#ain at the stran#er
he had 9allen aslee$ once :ore, All that had chan#ed a!out hi: 1as that he no lon#er
la" 1ith his ar:s crossed, Instead the" 1ere !" his head& restin# on the $ac% he 1as
usin# as a $illo1, 8u%hlis too% a !lan%et 9ro: his o1n $ac%& 9ound a s$ot on the other
side o9 the 1ell& and la" do1n to slee$,
0o1 :uch later 1as it that he heard :o7e:ent and o$ened his e"es !learil" to see
a 9i#ure standin# o7er hi:I A 9i#ure lit !" the 9irst ra"s o9 the :ornin# sun& his !lac%
hair and !eard 1ild and un%e:$t& a #old earrin# in one ear& and #rinnin# a 1ide& e7il
#rin, 8u%hlis tried to scra:!le to his 9eet !ut the :an dro$$ed to his haunches& a
#litterin# da##er #oin# to 8u%hliss nec%& so that 8u%hlis 1ent still 1ith 9ri#ht& a
1hi:$er esca$in# 9ro: his li$s,
KI a: Ba"has& said the :an& still s:ilin#, KI a: the last 9ace "ou 1ill e7er see,
KNo& !leated 8u%hlis& !ut Ba"has 1as alread" haulin# hi: to his 9eet and no1 the
trader sa1 that Ba"has had t1o co:$anions& 1ho 1ere stri$$in# his horses o9 his
#oods and trans9errin# the: to their o1n !easts,
0e loo%ed 9or the slee$in# old :an !ut he 1as no lon#er there& althou#h 8u%hlis
could see his horse, 0ad the" %illed hi: alread"I Was he l"in# 1ith his throat slitI
KRo$e& called Ba"has, 0e still had the da##er held to 8u%hliss throat as one o9 his
co:$anions tossed hi: a coil o9 ro$e, Li%e Ba"has& he 1ore !lac% and had an un%e:$t
!eard& his hair co7ered 1ith a %e99i"eh, On his !ac% 1as a lon#!o1, The third :an had
lon# hair and no !eard& a 1ide sci:itar at his !elt& and 1as !usil" rootin# throu#h
8u%hliss $ac%s& discardin# un1anted ite:s in the sand,
KNo& cried 8u%hlis& seein# a $ainted stone 9all to the dirt, It had !een #i7en to hi: !"
his dau#hter as a #oodEluc% #i9t on the da" he had le9t& and the si#ht o9 it tossed to the
#round !" the ro!!er 1as too :uch 9or hi:, 0e $ulled a1a" 9ro: Ba"hass #ri$ and
rushed to Lon# 0air& 1ho :o7ed to :eet hi: 1ith a s:ile& then 9elled hi: 1ith a 7icious
$unch to the 1ind$i$e, The three ro!!ers roared 1ith lau#hter as 8u%hlis 1rithed and
cho%ed in the dirt,
KWhat is itI Deered Lon# 0air& !endin# to hi:, 0e sa1 1here 8u%hlis 1as loo%in#
and $ic%ed u$ the stone& readin# the 1ords Nada had $ainted on, K MGood luc%& Pa$a,N
Is this itI Is this 1hats :a%in# "ou so !ra7e all o9 a sudden& Pa$aI
8u%hlis reached 9or the stone& des$erate to ha7e it& !ut Lon# 0air !atted his hand
a1a" 1ith disdain& then ru!!ed the stone on his !ac%side ; lau#hin# :ore as 8u%hlis
ho1led in outra#e ; and tossed it into the 1ell,
KPlo$& he :oc%ed,
K2ou O started 8u%hlis, K2ou O
KTie his le#s& he heard 9ro: !ehind hi:, Ba"has thre1 Lon# 0air the ro$e and ca:e
round& dro$$in# to his haunches and $lacin# the ti$ o9 his %ni9e close to 8u%hliss
e"e!all,
KWhere 1ere "ou headin#& Pa$aI he as%ed,
KTo Da:ascus& lied 8u%hlis,
Ba"has sliced his chee% 1ith the %ni9e and he screa:ed in $ain, KWhere 1ere "ou
#oin#I he de:anded a#ain,
K0is cloth is 9ro: 8as"a9& said Lon# 0air& 1ho 1as 1indin# the ro$e around
8u%hliss le#s,
K8as"a9& ehI said Ba"has, KOnce "ou :i#ht ha7e counted on the Assassins 9or
su$$ort& !ut no lon#er, Perha$s 1e should $a" it a 7isit, We :a" 9ind oursel7es a
#rie7in# 1ido1 in need o9 co:9ort, What do "ou sa"& Pa$aI When 1e7e 9inished 1ith
"ou,
No1 Lon# 0air stood and tossed the end o9 the ro$e o7er a !ranch o9 the 9i# tree&
haulin# !ac% on it so that 8u%hlis 1as $ulled u$, 0is 1orld 1ent u$side do1n, 0e
1hi:$ered as Lon# 0air tied the end o9 the ro$e to the 1ell arch& securin# hi: there,
No1 Ba"has reached and s$un hi:, 0e re7ol7ed& seein# the !o1:an standin# so:e
9eet a1a"& roc%in# !ac% on his heels 1ith lau#hter, Ba"has and Lon# 0air closer and
lau#hin# too, Ba"has !endin# to hi:,
Still re7ol7in#& he sa1 the 1all o9 the 1ell #o !"& then ca:e round a#ain to see the
three ro!!ers& Lon# 0air and Ba"has& !ehind the: the third :an& and ;
A $air o9 le#s a$$eared 9ro: the tree !ehind the third :an,
But 8u%hlis 1as still s$innin# and the 1all o9 the 1ell 1ent !" a#ain, 0e re7ol7ed&
slo1in# no1& to the 9ront& 1here all three ro!!ers 1ere o!li7ious that another :an 1as
a:on# the:& standin# !ehind the:, A :an 1hose 9ace 1as :ostl" hidden !eneath the
co1l o9 the ro!e he 1ore& his head sli#htl" !o1ed& his ar:s s$read& al:ost as thou#h in
su$$lication, The old :an,
KSto$& said the old :an, Li%e his 9ace& his 7oice 1as 1eathered 1ith a#e,
All three ro!!ers turned to 9ace hi:& tensin#& read" to cut do1n the intruder,
And all three !e#an to sni##er,
KWhat is thisI sco99ed Ba"has, KAn a#ed :an co:es to sto$ our 9unI What do "ou
$lan to do& old :anI Bore us to death 1ith "our tales o9 the old da"sI @art at usI
0is t1o co:$anions lau#hed,
KCut hi: do1n& said the old :an& indicatin# 1here 8u%hlis still hun# u$side do1n&
s1a"in# on the ro$e, KAt once,
KAnd 1h" 1ould I 1ant to do thatI as%ed Ba"has,
KBecause I sa" so& ras$ed the old :an,
KAnd 1ho :i#ht "ou !e to de:and this o9 :eI
The old :an 9lic%ed his hand,
Snic%,
/5
The !o1:an reached 9or his !o1 !ut in t1o strides AltaJr reached hi:& s1i$in# his
!lade in a 1ide arc that o$ened the :ans nec%& slicin# the !o1 in hal9 and shortenin#
his headdress 1ith one cut, There 1as a so9t clatter as the !ri#ands !o1 dro$$ed to
the #round& 9ollo1ed !" a thu:$ as his !od" Doined it,
AltaJr ; 1ho had not %no1n co:!at 9or t1o decades ; stood 1ith his shoulders
hea7in#& 1atchin# Ba"has and Lon# 0air as their eC$ressions chan#ed 9ro: :oc%in#
to 1ar", At his 9eet the !o1:an 1as t1itchin# and #ur#lin#& his !lood !lotted !" the
sand, Without ta%in# his e"es 9ro: Ba"has and Lon# 0air& AltaJr dro$$ed to one %nee
and dro7e his !lade into hi:& silencin# hi:, @ear 1as his #reatest 1ea$on no1& he
%ne1, These :en had "outh and s$eed on their side, The" 1ere sa7a#e and ruthless&
accusto:ed to death, AltaJr had eC$erience, 0e ho$ed it 1ould !e enou#h,
Lon# 0air and Ba"has shared a loo%, The" 1ere no lon#er s:ilin#, @or a :o:ent
the onl" sound around the 1aterhole 1as the so9t crea%in# o9 the ro$e on the !ranch o9
the 9i# tree& 8u%hlis 1atchin# e7er"thin# u$side do1n, 0is ar:s 1ere untied and he
1ondered 1hether to tr" and to #et 9ree !ut Dud#ed it !etter not to dra1 attention to
hi:sel9,
The t1o thu#s :o7ed a$art& 1antin# to out9lan% AltaJr& 1ho 1atched the #round
o$en u$ !et1een the:& re7ealin# the :erchant han#in# u$side do1n, Lon# 0air
$assed his sci:itar 9ro: hand to hand 1ith a so9t sla$$in# sound, Ba"has che1ed the
inside o9 his chee%,
Lon# 0air too% a ste$ 9or1ard& Da!!in# 1ith the sci:itar, The air see:ed to 7i!rate
1ith the sound o9 rin#in# steel as AltaJr sto$$ed hi: 1ith his !lade& s1ee$in# his ar: to
$ush the sci:itar aside& 9eelin# his :uscles co:$lain, I9 the thie7es :ade short attac%s
he 1asnt sure ho1 lon# he could last, 0e 1as an old :an, Old :en tended #ardens or
s$ent a9ternoons $onderin# in their studies& readin# and thin%in# a!out those the" had
lo7ed and lost? the" didnt #et in7ol7ed in s1ord9i#hts, Es$eciall" not 1hen the" 1ere
outnu:!ered !" "oun#er o$$onents, 0e sta!!ed to1ards Ba"has& 1antin# to sto$ the
leader out9lan%in# hi: and it 1or%ed ; !ut Ba"has darted close enou#h 1ith the da##er
to slice AltaJr at the chest& o$enin# a 1ound& dra1in# the 9irst !lood, AltaJr attac%ed in
his turn& and the" clashed& tradin# !lo1s !ut #i7in# Lon# 0air a chance to ste$ in !e9ore
AltaJr could 1ard hi: o99, Lon# 0air s1i$ed 1ildl" 1ith his !lade& :a%in# a lar#e cut in
AltaJrs le#,
Bi#, Dee$, It #ushed !lood and AltaJr al:ost stu:!led, 0e li:$ed to his side& tr"in#
to !rin# the 1ell to his 9lan% in order to de9end 9ro: the 9ront onl", 0e #ot there& the 1all
o9 the 1aterhole at his side& the han#in# :erchant at his !ac%,
K0a7e stren#th& he heard the :erchant sa" Fuietl"& Kand %no1 that 1hate7er
ha$$ens "ou ha7e :" #ratitude and lo7e& 1hether in this li9e or the neCt,
AltaJr nodded !ut did not turn& 1atchin# instead the t1o thu#s in 9ront o9 hi:, Seein#
AltaJr !leed had cheered the: and& encoura#ed& the" ca:e 9or1ard 1ith :ore
sta!!in#& stin#in# sorties, AltaJr 9ou#ht o99 three o99ensi7es& $ic%in# u$ ne1 1ounds&
!leedin# $ro9usel" no1& li:$in#& out o9 !reath, @ear 1as no lon#er his 1ea$on, That
ad7anta#e 1as lost to hi:, All he had no1 1ere lon#Edor:ant s%ills and instincts& and
he cast his :ind !ac% to so:e o9 his #reatest !attles? o7erco:in# Talals :en& !eatin#
8oloch& de9eatin# the Te:$lar %ni#hts in the >erusale: ce:eter", The 1arrior 1ho had
9ou#ht those !attles 1ould ha7e sliced these t1o dead in seconds,
But that 1arrior li7ed in the $ast, 0e had a#ed, Grie9 and seclusion had 1ea%ened
hi:, 0e had s$ent t1ent" "ears :ournin# 8aria& o!sessed 1ith the A$$le, 0is co:!at
s%ills& #reat as the" 1ere& had !een allo1ed to 1ither and& so it see:ed& die,
0e 9elt !lood in his !oots, 0is hands 1ere slic% 1ith it, 0e 1as s1in#in# 1ildl" 1ith
his !lade& not so :uch de9endin# as tr"in# to s1at his attac%ers a1a", 0e thou#ht o9
his $ac%& secured in the 9i# tree& the A$$le inside, To #ras$ the A$$le 1ould !e to
e:er#e the 7ictor& !ut it 1as too 9ar a1a" and& an"1a"& hed 7o1ed ne7er to use it
a#ainG hed le9t it in the tree 9or that 7er" reason& to %ee$ its te:$tation out o9 reach, But
the truth 1as that i9 hed !een a!le to reach it he 1ould ha7e used it no1& rather than
die li%e this and surrender the :erchant to the:& surel" conde:nin# hi: to an e7en
:ore $ain9ul and tortured death !ecause o9 AltaJrs actions,
2es& he 1ould ha7e used the A$$le& !ecause he 1as lost, And hed allo1ed the: to
turn hi: a#ain& he realiHed, Lon# 0air ca:e at hi: 9ro: the $eri$her" o9 his 7ision and
he shouted 1ith the e99ort o9 9endin# hi: o99& Lon# 0air :eetin# his $arries 1ith
attac%in# stri%es ; one& t1o& three ; 9indin# a 1a" !eneath AltaJrs #uard and cuttin# "et
another 1ound on his 9lan%& a dee$ slash that !led co$iousl" at once, AltaJr sta##ered&
#as$in# 1ith the $ain, Better to die this 1a"& he su$$osed& than to surrender :ee%l",
Better to die 9i#htin#,
Lon# 0air ca:e 9or1ard no1 and there 1as another clash o9 the s1ord, AltaJr 1as
1ounded a#ain& this ti:e on his #ood le#, 0e dro$$ed to his %nees& his ar:s han#in#&
his useless !lade #ou#in# nothin# !ut the sand,
Lon# 0air ste$$ed 9or1ard !ut Ba"has sto$$ed hi:, KLea7e hi: to :e& he ordered,
Di:l"& AltaJr 9ound hi:sel9 thin%in# o9 another ti:e& a thousand li7es a#o& that his
o$$onent had said the sa:e& and ho1 on that occasion he had :ade the %ni#ht $a" 9or
his arro#ance, That satis9action 1ould !e denied hi: this ti:e& !ecause Ba"has 1as
co:in# 9or1ard to AltaJr& 1ho %nelt& s1a"in# and de9eated& in the dirt& his head han#in#,
0e tried to order his le#s to stand& !ut the" 1ould not o!e", 0e tried to li9t his !lade
hand !ut he could not, 0e sa1 the da##er co:in# to1ards hi: and 1as a!le to li9t his
head hi#h enou#h to see Ba"hass teeth !ared& his #old earrin# shinin# in the earl"E
:ornin# sun O
Then the :erchant 1as !uc%in#& s1in#in# and had e:!raced Ba"has u$side do1n
and 9ro: !ehind& :o:entaril" arrestin# his $ro#ress, With a #reat shout& a 9inal !urst o9
e99ort& ener#" su::oned 9ro: he %ne1 not 1here& AltaJr thrust u$1ard& his !lade slicin#
u$ and into Ba"hass sto:ach& o$enin# a 7ertical #ash that ended al:ost at his throat,
At the sa:e ti:e 8u%hlis had #ra!!ed the da##er Dust !e9ore it dro$$ed 9ro: Ba"hass
loosenin# 9in#ers& Der%in# u$1ards and slicin# at the ro$e that held hi:, 0e dro$$ed&
s:ashin# his side $ain9ull" a#ainst the 1ell 1all& !ut scra:!led to his 9eet and stood
side !" side 1ith his sa7iour,
AltaJr 1as !ent al:ost dou!le& d"in# on his 9eet, But he raised his !lade and stared
narro1Ee"ed at Lon# 0air& 1ho suddenl" 9ound hi:sel9 outnu:!ered and unner7ed,
Instead o9 attac%in#& he !ac%ed a1a" until he reached a horse, Without ta%in# his e"es
o99 AltaJr and 8u%hlis& he :ounted it, 0e stared at the: and the" stared !ac%, Then he
7er" deli!eratel" dre1 a 9in#er across his throat& and rode a1a",
KThan% "ou& said 8u%hlis to AltaJr& !reathlessl"& !ut the Assassin didnt ans1er, 0e
had 9olded& unconscious& to the sand,
//
It 1as a 1ee% later 1hen the en7o" 9ro: the !ri#and leader arri7ed, The $eo$le 9ro:
the 7illa#e 1atched hi: ride throu#h the to1nshi$ and to the hills leadin# u$ to the
citadel, 0e 1as one o9 @ahads :en& the" said& and the 1iser a:on# the: thou#ht the"
%ne1 the nature o9 his !usiness at the 9ortress, T1o da"s !e9ore& @ahads :en had
co:e to the 7illa#e 1ith ne1s o9 a re1ard o99ered 9or an"one 1ho identi9ied the :an
1ho had %illed @ahads son& Ba"has, 0e had !een hel$ed !" a :erchant 9ro: 8as"a9&
the" said& and the :erchant 1ould !e unhar:ed i9 he $roduced the co1ardl" do# 1ho
had cut do1n the !ri#and leaders !elo7ed son, The 7illa#ers had sha%en their heads
and #one a!out their !usiness& and the :en had le9t e:$t"Ehanded& :utterin# dar%
1arnin#s a!out their $lanned return,
And this 1as it& said the #ossi$s ; at least& this 1as a $recursor to it, E7en @ahad
1ouldnt dare send :en into the 7illa#e 1hen it enDo"ed the $rotection o9 the Assassins?
he 1ould ha7e to as% the $er:ission o9 the 8aster, E7en @ahad 1ould not ha7e dared
:a%e the reFuest o9 AltaJr or Al 8uali:& !ut A!!as 1as a di99erent :atter, A!!as 1as
1ea% and could !e !ou#ht,
So it 1as that the en7o" returned, On the out1ard Dourne" he had loo%ed serious& i9
disdain9ul o9 the 7illa#ers 1ho 1atched hi: $ass& !ut no1 he s:ir%ed at the: and dre1
his 9in#er across his throat,
KIt see:s the 8aster has #i7en @ahad his !lessin# to co:e into the 7illa#e& said
8u%hlis& later that ni#ht& as the candles !urned do1n, 0e sat at the !edside o9 the
stran#er& tal%in# :ore to hi:sel9 than to the :an in the !ed& 1ho had not re#ained
consciousness since the !attle at the 1aterhole, A9ter1ards 8u%hlis had :anhandled
hi: o7er the saddle o9 his second horse and !rou#ht hi: ho:e to 8as"a9 in order that
he :i#ht !e healed, Aalia and Nada had attended to hi:& and 9or three da"s the" had
1ondered i9 he 1ould li7e or die, Blood loss had le9t hi: as $ale as :ist and he had lain
in !ed ; Aalia and 8u%hlis ha7in# #i7en u$ theirs 9or hi: ; loo%in# al:ost serene& li%e
a cor$se& as thou#h at an" :o:ent he :i#ht ha7e de$arted the 1orld, On the third da"
his colour !e#an to i:$ro7e, Aalia had told 8u%hlis so 1hen he returned 9ro: :ar%et&
and 8u%hlis had ta%en his usual $lace on a chair !" the side o9 the !ed to s$ea% to his
sa7iour in the ho$e o9 re7i7in# hi:, 0ed #ot into the ha!it o9 recountin# his da"&
occasionall" tal%in# o9 si#ni9icant thin#s in the ho$e o9 eCcitin# the $atients unconscious
:ind and !rin#in# hi: round,
KA!!as has his $rice& it see:s& he said no1, 0e loo%ed side1a"s at the stran#er&
1ho la" on his !ac%& his 1ounds healin# nicel"& #ro1in# stron#er !" the da", K8aster
AltaJr 1ould ha7e died rather than allo1 such a thin#& he said,
0e leaned 9or1ard& 1atchin# the 9i#ure in the !ed 7er" care9ull", KThe 8aster& AltaJr
I!nELaAhad,
@or the 9irst ti:e since he had !een !rou#ht to 8u%hliss ho:e the stran#ers e"es
9lic%ed o$en,
It 1as the reaction hed ho$ed 9or& !ut e7en so 8u%hlis 1as ta%en a!ac%& 1atchin#
as the $atients cloud" e"es slo1l" re#ained their li#ht,
KIts "ou& isnt itI 1his$ered 8u%hlis& as the stran#er !lin%ed& then turned his #aHe
on hi:, K2ou are hi:& arent "ouI 2oure AltaJr,
AltaJr nodded, Tears $ric%ed 8u%hliss e"es and he dro$$ed 9ro: his seat to the
stone 9loor& #ras$in# one o9 AltaJrs hands in !oth o9 his o1n,
K2ou7e co:e !ac% to us& he said& !et1een so!s, K2ou7e co:e to sa7e us, There
1as a $ause, K0a7e "ou co:e to sa7e usI
KDo "ou need sa7in#I said AltaJr,
KWe do, Was it "our intention to co:e to 8as"a9 1hen 1e :etI
AltaJr thou#ht, KWhen I le9t Ala:ut it 1as ine7ita!le I 1ould 9ind :"sel9 here, The
onl" Fuestion 1as 1hen,
K2ou 1ere in Ala:utI
KThese $ast t1ent" "ears or so,
KThe" said "ou 1ere dead, That the :ornin# 8aria died "ou thre1 "oursel9 9ro: the
citadel to1er,
KI did thro1 :"sel9 o99 the citadel to1er& AltaJr s:iled #ri:l"& K!ut I li7ed, I :ade it to
the ri7er outside the 7illa#e, B" chance Dari: 1as there, 0e 1as returnin# 9ro:
Ala:ut& 1here he had 9ound Se9s 1i9e and children, 0e retrie7ed :e and too% :e to
the:,
KThe" said "ou 1ere dead& said 8u%hlis a#ain,
KThe"I
8u%hlis 1a7ed a hand that 1as :eant to indicate the citadel, KThe Assassins,
KIt suited the: to sa" so& !ut the" %ne1 I 1as not,
0e disentan#led his hand 9ro: 8u%hliss #ras$& $ulled hi:sel9 to a sittin# $osition
and s1un# his le#s out o9 the !ed, 0e loo%ed at his 9eet& at their 1rin%led old s%in,
E7er" inch o9 his !od" san# 1ith $ain !ut he 9elt O !etter, 0is ro!e had !een 1ashed
and re$laced on hi:, 0e $ulled his hood o7er his head& li%in# the 9eel o9 it and !reathin#
in the scent o9 the clean cloth,
0e $ut his hands to his 9ace and 9elt that his !eard had !een tended, Not 9ar a1a"
1ere his !oots& and on a ta!le !" the side o9 the !ed he sa1 his !lade :echanis:& its
ne1 desi#n #leaned 9ro: the A$$le, It loo%ed i:$ossi!l" ad7anced& and he thou#ht o9
the other desi#ns he had disco7ered, 0e needed the assistance o9 a !lac%s:ith to
:a%e the o!Dects, But 9irst O
K8" $ac%I he as%ed o9 8u%hlis& 1ho had scra:!led to his 9eet, KWhere is :" $ac%I
Wordlessl"& 8u%hlis indicated 1here it sat on the stone at the head o9 the !ed and
AltaJr #lanced at its 9a:iliar sha$e, KDid "ou loo% insideI he as%ed,
8u%hlis shoo% his head 9ir:l" and AltaJr loo%ed at hi: searchin#l", Then& !elie7in#
hi:& he relaCed and reached 9or his !oots& $ullin# the: on& 1incin# as he did so,
KI ha7e "ou to than% 9or tendin# :e& he said, KI 1ould !e dead !" the 1aterhole 1ere
it not 9or "ou,
Sco99in#& 8u%hlis retoo% his seat, K8" 1i9e and dau#hter cared 9or "ou& and I :ust
than% "ou, 2ou sa7ed :e 9ro: a #risl" death at the hands o9 those !andits, 0e leaned
9or1ard, K2our actions 1ere those o9 the AltaJr I!nELaAhad o9 le#end, I7e told
e7er"one,
KPeo$le %no1 I: hereI
8u%hlis s$read his hands, KO9 course, The 1hole 7illa#e %no1s the tale o9 the hero
1ho deli7ered :e 9ro: the hands o9 death, E7er"!od" !elie7es it 1as "ou,
KAnd 1hat :a%es the: thin% thatI as%ed AltaJr,
8u%hlis said nothin#, Instead he indicated 1ith his chin the lo1 ta!le 1here AltaJrs
!lade :echanis: shone dull"& 1ic%ed and oiled,
AltaJr considered, K2ou told the: a!out the !ladeI
8u%hlis thou#ht, KWell& "es& he said& Ko9 course, Wh"I
KWord 1ill reach the citadel, The" 1ill co:e loo%in# 9or :e,
KThe" 1ill not !e the onl" ones& said 8u%hlis& rue9ull",
KWhat do "ou :eanI
KA :essen#er 9ro: the 9ather o9 the :an "ou %illed 7isited the 9ortress earlier,
KAnd 1ho 1as the :an I %illedI
KA 7icious cutthroat called Ba"has,
KAnd his 9atherI
K@ahad& leader o9 a !and o9 !ri#ands 1ho roa: the desert, Its said the" are ca:$ed
t1o or three da"s ride a1a", Its 9ro: there the en7o" ca:e, The" sa" he 1as as%in#
the 8asters !lessin# to co:e to the 7illa#e and hunt the %iller,
KThe 8asterI said AltaJr& shar$l", KA!!asI
8u%hlis nodded, KA re1ard 1as o99ered 9or the %iller& !ut the 7illa#ers s$urned it,
A!!as has $erha$s not !een so stead9ast,
KThen the $eo$le are o9 #ood heart& said AltaJr& Kand their leader is not,
KTruer 1ords rarel" s$o%en& a#reed 8u%hlis, K0e ta%es our :one" and #i7es us
nothin# in return& 1here once the citadel 1as the heart o9 the co::unit" 9ro: 1hich
ca:e stren#th& #uidance O
KAnd $rotection& said AltaJr& 1ith a hal9Es:ile,
KThat too& ac%no1led#ed 8u%hlis, KAll those thin#s le9t 1ith "ou& AltaJr& to !e
re$laced !" O corru$tion and $aranoia, The" sa" that A!!as 1as 9orced to Fuell an
u$risin# a9ter "ou le9t& a re!ellion o9 Assassins lo"al to "ou and 8ali%G that he had the
rin#leaders $ut to deathG that he 9ears a re$eat o9 the insurrection, 0is $aranoia :a%es
hi: sta" in his to1er da" and ni#ht& i:a#inin# $lots and $uttin# to death those he
thin%s res$onsi!le, The tenets o9 the Order are cru:!lin# around hi: Dust as surel" as
the 9ortress itsel9 9alls into disre$air, The" sa" he has a recurrin# drea:, That one da"
AltaJr I!nELaAhad returns 9ro: eCile in Ala:ut 1ith O he $aused& loo%in# at AltaJr
as%ance and castin# a #lance at the $ac% KO an arte9act ca$a!le o9 de9eatin# hi: O Is
there such a thin#I Do "ou $lan an attac%I
KE7en i9 there 1as& it is not an arte9act that 1ill de9eat A!!as, It is !elie9 ; !elie9 in
oursel7es and in the Creed ; that 1ill acco:$lish that,
KWhose 9aith& AltaJrI
AltaJr 1a7ed an ar:, K2ours, That o9 the $eo$le and o9 the Assassins,
KAnd ho1 1ill "ou restore itI as%ed 8u%hlis,
KB" eCa:$le& re$lied AltaJr& Ka little at a ti:e,
The neCt da" AltaJr 1ent out into the 7illa#e 1here he !e#an not si:$l" to $reach
the 1a" o9 the Assassins !ut to de:onstrate it,
/=
There had !een 9i#hts in 1hich AltaJr had had to inter7ene& dis$utes !et1een traders
that had reFuired his :oderation& land ar#u:ents !et1een nei#h!ours& !ut none had
!een as thorn" as that o9 the t1o 1o:en 1ho a$$eared to !e 9i#htin# o7er a :an, The
:an in Fuestion& Aaron& sat on a !ench in the shade& co1erin# as the t1o 1o:en
ar#ued, 8u%hlis& 1ho had 1al%ed the 7illa#e 1ith AltaJr as he 1ent a!out his !usiness&
1as tr"in# to intercede& 1hile AltaJr stood at one re:o7e& his ar:s 9olded& $atientl"
1aitin# 9or a !rea% in hostilities so that he :i#ht s$ea% to the:, 0ed alread" decided
1hat to sa"? Aaron 1ould ha7e to eCercise 9ree 1ill in this instance& 1hether he li%ed it
or not, AltaJrs real concerns la" 1ith the !o"& 1hose 9e7er had "et to !rea% and to
1ho: he had ad:inistered a $otion& its reci$e& o9 course& #leaned 9ro: the A$$le,
Or 1ith the !as%et 1ea7er 1ho 1as creatin# ne1 tools 9or hi:sel9 to s$eci9ications
#i7en to hi: !" AltaJr& 1ho had transcri!ed the: 9ro: the A$$le,
Or to the !lac%s:ith& 1ho had cast his e"e o7er the dra1in#s AltaJr had #i7en hi:&
turned the: u$side do1n and sFuinted at the:& then laid the: out on a ta!le so that
AltaJr could $oint out eCactl" 1hat needed 9or#in#, Soon the Assassin 1ould ha7e ne1
eFui$:entG ne1 1ea$ons& the li%e o9 1hich had ne7er !een seen,
Or to the :an 1ho had !een 1atchin# hi: these $ast 9e1 da"s& 1ho had :o7ed
1ith hi: li%e a shado1& sta"in# out o9 si#ht& or so he thou#ht, AltaJr had seen hi: at
once& o9 course, 0e had noted his !earin#& had %no1n he 1as an Assassin,
It had had to ha$$en& o9 course, A!!as 1ould ha7e sent his a#ents into the 7illa#e in
order to learn a!out the stran#er 1ho 9ou#ht 1ith the hidden !lade o9 the Assassin,
A!!as 1ould surel" co:e to the conclusion that AltaJr had returned to reclai: the
Order, 8a"!e he ho$ed that the !ri#ands 1ould %ill AltaJr 9or hi:G :a"!e he 1ould send
a :an do1n the slo$es to %ill hi:, Perha$s this shado1 1as also AltaJrs Assassin,
Still the 1o:en ar#ued, 8u%hlis said& 9ro: the side o9 his :outh& K8aster& it see:s I
1as :ista%en, These 1o:en are not ar#uin# a!out 1ho should ha7e the un9ortunate
Aaron& !ut 1ho should ta%e hi:,
AltaJr chuc%led, K8" Dud#:ent 1ould re:ain the sa:e& he said& castin# an a:used
loo% to 1here Aaron sat che1in# his 9in#ernails, KIt is 9or the "oun# :an to decide his
o1n destin", 0e stole a #lance at his shado1& 1ho sat in the shade o9 the trees& :udE
coloured ro!es $ulled around hi:& loo%in# 9or all the 1orld li%e a snooHin# 7illa#er,
To 8u%hlis he said& KI shall return $resentl", Their tal% is #i7in# :e a thirst,
0e turned and le9t the s:all #rou$& so:e o9 1ho: 1ere a!out to 9ollo1 until 8u%hlis
surre$titiousl" 1a7ed the: !ac%,
AltaJr sensed rather than sa1 his shado1 stand also& 9ollo1in# hi: as he 1al%ed
into a sFuare and to the 9ountain at its centre, There he !ent& dran%& and stood&
$retendin# to ta%e in the 7ie1 o7er the 7illa#e !elo1, Then O
KIts all ri#ht& he said& to the :an he %ne1 stood !ehind hi:, KI9 "ou 1ere #oin# to %ill
:e "ou 1ould ha7e done it !" no1,
K2ou 1ere Dust #oin# to let :e do itI
AltaJr chuc%led, KI ha7e not s$ent :" li9e 1al%in# the $ath o9 a 1arrior in order to let
:"sel9 !e ta%en !" a "oun# $u$ at a 9ountainhead,
K2ou heard :eI
KO9 course I heard "ou, I heard "ou a$$roach 1ith all the stealth o9 an ele$hant and I
heard that "ou 9a7our "our le9t side, Were "ou to attac% I should :o7e to :" ri#ht in
order to :eet "our 1ea%er side,
KWouldnt I antici$ate thatI
KWell& that 1ould de$end on the tar#et, 2ou 1ould& o9 course& %no1 "our tar#et 1ell
and !e a1are o9 their co:!at s%ills,
KI %no1 that this one has co:!at s%ills un:atched& AltaJr I!nELaAhad,
KDo "ou indeedI 2ou 1ould ha7e !een !ut a child 1hen I last called 8as"a9 :"
o1n,
No1 AltaJr turned to 9ace the stran#er& 1ho $ulled do1n his hood to re7eal the 9ace
o9 a "oun# :an& $erha$s t1ent" "ears old& 1ith a dar% !eard, 0e had a set to his Da1
and e"es that AltaJr reco#niHed,
KI 1as& said the !o", KI 1as a ne1E!orn,
KThen 1ere "ou not indoctrinated a#ainst :eI said AltaJr& Duttin# his chin to1ards
the citadel on the $ro:ontor" a!o7e the:, It crouched there as i9 1atchin# the:,
KSo:e are :ore easil" indoctrinated than others& said the !o", KThere are :an"
1ho ha7e re:ained lo"al to the old codes& and #reater nu:!ers& as the $ernicious
e99ects o9 the ne1 1a"s ha7e !eco:e :ore $ronounced, But I ha7e e7en :ore reason
to re:ain lo"al than :ost,
The t1o Assassins stood 9acin# each other !" the 9ountainhead& and AltaJr sensed
his 1orld lurch a little, Suddenl" he 9elt al:ost 9aint, KWhat is "our na:eI he as%ed&
and his 7oice sounded dise:!odied to his o1n ears,
KI ha7e t1o na:es& said the !o", KI ha7e the na:e !" 1hich I: %no1n to :ost o9
the Order& 1hich is TaHi:, But I ha7e another na:e& :" #i7en na:e& #i7en to :e !"
:" :other to honour :" 9ather, 0e died 1hen I 1as !ut a !a!"& $ut to death on the
orders o9 A!!as, 0is na:e 1as O
K8ali%, AltaJr cau#ht his !reath and ca:e 9or1ard& tears $ric%in# his e"es as he too%
the !o" !" the shoulders, K8" child& he eCclai:ed, KI should ha7e %no1n, 2ou ha7e
"our 9athers e"es, 0e lau#hed, K0is stealth I: not so sure a!out& !ut O "ou ha7e his
s$irit, I didnt %no1 ; I ne7er %ne1 he had a son,
K8" :other 1as sent a1a" 9ro: here a9ter he 1as i:$risoned, As a "oun# :an I
returned to Doin the Order,
KTo see% re7en#eI
KE7entuall"& :a"!e, Whate7er !est suited his :e:or", No1 that "ou ha7e co:e& I
see the 1a",
AltaJr $ut an ar: around his shoulders& steered hi: 9ro: the 9ountain& and the"
crossed the sFuare& tal%in# intentl",
K0o1 are "our co:!at s%illsI he as%ed the "oun# 8ali%,
KUnder A!!as such thin#s ha7e !een ne#lected& !ut I ha7e trained, Assassin
%no1led#e has !arel" ad7anced in the last t1ent" "ears& thou#h,
AltaJr chuc%led, KNot here& $erha$s, But here, 0e ta$$ed the side o9 his head, K0ere
Assassin learnin# has $ro#ressed ten9old, I ha7e such thin#s to sho1 the Order, Plans,
Strata#e:, Desi#ns 9or ne1 1ea$ons, E7en no1 the 7illa#e !lac%s:ith 9or#es the: 9or
:e,
Res$ect9ul 7illa#ers :o7ed out o9 their 1a", All %ne1 o9 AltaJr no1& and here& in the
9oothills o9 the 9ortress at least& he 1as the 8aster once a#ain,
KAnd "ou sa" there are others in the castle lo"al to :eI said AltaJr,
KThere are as :an" 1ho hate A!!as as ser7e hi:, 8ore so& no1 that I ha7e !een
re$ortin# on 1hat I ha7e seen in the 7illa#e, Ne1s that the #reat AltaJr has returned is
s$readin# slo1l" !ut surel",
KGood& said AltaJr, KAnd could these su$$orters !e $ersuaded to rall"& so that 1e
:i#ht :arch u$on the castleI
The "oun# 8ali% sto$$ed and loo%ed at AltaJr& sFuintin# as thou#h to chec% the
older :an 1asnt Do%in#, Then he #rinned, K2ou :ean to do it, 2ou reall" :ean to do it,
WhenI
KThe !ri#and @ahad 1ill !e !rin#in# his :en into the 7illa#e soon& he said, KWe need
to !e in control !e9ore that ha$$ens,
/.
The neCt :ornin#& as da" !ro%e& 8u%hlis& Aalia and Nada 1ent 9ro: house to house&
in9or:in# the $eo$le that the 8aster 1as to :arch u$ the hill, Ali7e 1ith antici$ation&
the $eo$le #athered in the :ar%et$lace& standin# in #rou$s or sittin# on lo1 1alls, A9ter
so:e ti:e& AltaJr Doined the:, 0e 1ore his 1hite ro!es and a sash, Those 1ho loo%ed
closel" could see the rin# o9 his 1rist :echanis: on his 9in#er, 0e :o7ed into the
centre o9 the sFuare& 8u%hlis standin# to one side& a trusted lieutenant& and 1aited,
What 1ould 8aria ha7e said to hi: no1I 1ondered AltaJr& as he 1aited, The !o"
8ali%? AltaJr had trusted hi: i::ediatel", 0ed $laced such 9aith in hi: that i9 he 1ere
to $ro7e treacherous AltaJr 1ould !e as #ood as dead& and his $lans to re#ain the
Order sho1n as nothin# :ore than the deluded 9antasies o9 an old :an, 0e thou#ht o9
those he had trusted !e9ore& 1ho had !etra"ed hi:, Would 8aria ha7e ad7ised caution
no1I Would she ha7e told hi: he 1as 9oolish to !e so unFuestionin# on such scant
e7idenceI Or 1ould she ha7e said& as she had once& KTrust "our instincts& AltaJr, Al
8uali:s teachin#s #a7e "ou 1isdo:G his !etra"al set "ou on the $ath to :aturit",
Oh& and I a: so :uch 1iser no1& :" lo7e& he thou#ht to her ; to the 1is$ o9 her he
%e$t sa9e in his :e:or",
She 1ould ha7e a$$ro7ed& he %ne1& o9 1hat he had done 1ith the A$$le& o9 the
"ears s$ent sFueeHin# it o9 Duice& learnin# 9ro: it, She 1ould not ha7e a$$ro7ed o9 the
!la:e he had shouldered 9or her deathG the sha:e he 9elt at lettin# his actions !e
#uided !" an#er, No& she 1ould not ha7e a$$ro7ed o9 that, What 1ould she ha7e saidI
That En#lish eC$ression she had? KTa%e hold o9 "oursel9,
0e al:ost lau#hed to thin% o9 it, Ta%e hold o9 "oursel9, 0e had in the end& o9 course&
!ut it had ta%en hi: "ears to do it ; "ears o9 hatin# the A$$le& hatin# the si#ht o9 it& e7en
the thou#ht o9 it& the :ali#nant $o1er that la" dor:ant 1ithin the a#eless& slee% :osaic
o9 its shell, 0e 1ould stare at it& !roodin#& 9or hours& reli7in# the $ain it had !rou#ht hi:,
Ne#lected& una!le to !ear the 1ei#ht o9 AltaJrs su99erin#& Se9s 1i9e and t1o
dau#hters had le9t, 0ed had 1ord that the" had settled in AleCandria, A "ear later
Dari: had le9t& too& dri7en a1a" !" his 9athers re:orse and his o!session 1ith the
A$$le, 0e had tra7elled to @rance and En#land to 1arn leaders there that the 8on#ols
1ere on the :arch, Le9t alone& AltaJrs tor:ent had 1orsened, Lon# ni#hts he 1ould
s$end starin# at the A$$le& as thou#h he and it 1ere t1o ad7ersaries a!out to do !attle
; as thou#h i9 he sle$t or e7en too% his e"es 9ro: it& it :i#ht $ounce on hi:,
In the end he had thou#ht o9 that ni#ht in the #arden at 8as"a9& his :entor Al
8uali: slain on the :ar!le terrace& the 1ater9all !u!!lin# in the !ac%#round, 0e
re:e:!ered holdin# the A$$le 9or the 9irst ti:e and 9eelin# 9ro: it so:ethin# not e7il
!ut !eni#n, The i:a#es it had $roduced, Stran#e 9uturistic $ictures o9 cultures 9ar
re:o7ed 9ro: his o1n in ti:e and s$ace& !e"ond the s$here o9 his %no1led#e, That
ni#ht in the #arden he had instincti7el" understood its ca$acit" 9or #ood, E7er since
then& it had sho1n onl" its :ali#n as$ects& !ut that #reat 1isdo: 1as in there
so:e1here, It had needed to !e located and coaCed out, It had needed an a#ent 9or its
release ; and AltaJr had :ana#ed to harness its $o1er once !e9ore,
Then he had !een consu:ed 1ith #rie9 9or Al 8uali:, No1 he 1as consu:ed 1ith
#rie9 9or his 9a:il", Perha$s the A$$le 9irst had to ta%e in order to #i7e,
Whate7er the ans1er& his studies had !e#un and Dournal a9ter Dournal 1as 9illed 1ith
his 1ritin#s? $a#e a9ter $a#e o9 $hiloso$hies& ideolo#ies& desi#ns& dra1in#s&
sche:atics& :e:ories, Untold candles !urned do1n as he scratched a1a" 9e7erishl"&
sto$$in# onl" to $iss, @or da"s on end he 1ould 1rite& then 9or da"s on end he 1ould
lea7e his des%& ridin# out 9ro: Ala:ut alone& on A$$le errands& collectin# in#redients&
#atherin# su$$lies, Once& e7en& the A$$le had directed hi: to a series o9 arte9acts that
he retrie7ed and hid& tellin# no one o9 their nature or their 1herea!outs,
0e had not sto$$ed :ournin#& o9 course, 0e still !la:ed hi:sel9 9or 8arias death&
!ut he had learned 9ro: it, 0e 9elt no1 a $urer %ind o9 #rie9? a "earnin# 9or 8aria and
Se9& an ache that ne7er see:ed to lea7e hi:& that one da" 1as as shar$ and %een as a
!lade slicin# a thousand cuts on his heart& and the neCt 1as a nauseous hollo1
sensation& as i9 a sic% !ird 1ere tr"in# to un9url its 1in#s in his sto:ach,
So:eti:es he s:iled& thou#h& !ecause he thou#ht 8aria 1ould ha7e a$$ro7ed o9
hi: :ournin# her, It 1ould ha7e a$$ealed to the $art o9 her that had sta"ed a s$oilt
En#lish no!le1o:an& 1ho had !een as ade$t at 9iCin# a :an 1ith a hau#ht" stare as
she 1as o9 de9eatin# hi: in co:!at& her 1itherin# $utEdo1ns as cuttin# as her !lade,
And& o9 course& she 1ould ha7e a$$ro7ed that he had 9inall" :ana#ed to ta%e hold o9
hi:sel9& !ut :ost o9 all she 1ould ha7e a$$ro7ed o9 1hat he 1as doin# no1? ta%in# his
%no1led#e and learnin# and !rin#in# the: !ac% to the Order, 0ad he %no1n 1hen he
ended his eCile that he had !een headin# !ac% to 8as"a9 9or that reasonI 0e still
1asnt sure, All he %ne1 1as that& once here& there had !een no other o$tion, 0e had
7isited the s$ot 1here the" had !uried herG 8ali%s #ra7estone 1as not 9ar a1a"&
tended !" "oun# 8ali%, AltaJr had realiHed that 8aria& Se9 and 8ali%& his :other and
9ather& e7en Al 8uali:& 1ere all lost to hi: 9or e7er, The Brotherhood& thou#h& he could
ta%e !ac%,
But onl" i9 the "oun# 8ali% 1as as #ood as his 1ord, And standin# there& 9eelin# the
eCcite:ent and eC$ectation o9 the cro1d li%e a 1ei#ht he :ust !ear u$on his !ac%&
8u%hlis ho7erin# near!"& he !e#an to 1onder, 0is e"es 9iCed on the citadel& he 1aited
9or the #ates to o$en and the :en to a$$ear, 8ali% had said there 1ould !e at least
t1ent"& all o9 1ho: su$$orted AltaJr 1ith the sa:e 9er7enc" he did, T1ent" 1arriors
and& 1ith the su$$ort o9 the $eo$le& AltaJr thou#ht it 1as enou#h to o7erco:e the thirt"
or 9ort" Assassins still lo"al to A!!as,
0e 1ondered i9 A!!as 1as u$ there no1& in the 8asters to1er& sFuintin# to :a%e
out 1hat 1as ha$$enin# !elo1, 0e ho$ed so,
Throu#hout his li9e& AltaJr had re9used to 9ind #rati9ication in the death o9 another& !ut
A!!asI Des$ite the $it" he 9elt 9or hi:& there 1ere the deaths o9 Se9& 8ali% and 8aria
to ta%e into accountG there 1as also A!!ass destruction o9 the Order, AltaJr had
$ro:ised hi:sel9 that he 1ould ta%e no $leasure ; not e7en satis9action ; 9ro: A!!ass
death,
But he 1ould ta%e $leasure and satis9action 9ro: the a!sence o9 A!!as 1hen he
had %illed hi:, 0e could allo1 hi:sel9 that,
But onl" i9 the #ates o$ened and his allies a$$eared, Around hi: the cro1ds 1ere
!eco:in# restless, 0e 9elt the con9idence and assurance 1ith 1hich hed a1o%en
slo1l" e!!in# a1a",
Then he !eca:e a1are o9 a !uHH o9 eCcite:ent a:on# the 7illa#ers and his e"es
1ent 9ro: the #ates o9 the castle ; still resolutel" closed ; to the sFuare, A :an in
1hite see:ed to :aterialiHe 9ro: the cro1d, A :an 1ho 1al%ed u$ to AltaJr 1ith his
head !ent& then re:o7ed his hood& #rinnin# at hi:, It 1as "oun# 8ali%, And !ehind
ca:e others, All& li%e hi:& a$$earin# 9ro: 1ithin the cro1d as thou#h suddenl"
!eco:in# 7isi!le, At his side& 8u%hlis #as$ed, The sFuare 1as suddenl" 9ull o9 :en in
1hite ro!es, And AltaJr !e#an to lau#h, Sur$rise& relie9 and Do" in that lau#h as each
:an ca:e to hi:& inclinin# his head in res$ect& sho1in# hi: !lade or !o1 or thro1in#
%ni9e, Sho1in# hi: lo"alt",
AltaJr #ras$ed "oun# 8ali% !" the shoulders and his e"es shone, KI ta%e it !ac%& he
said, K2ou and all "our :en ; "our stealth is un:atched,
Grinnin#& 8ali% !o1ed his head, K8aster& 1e should lea7e at once, A!!as 1ill soon
!eco:e a1are o9 our a!sence,
KSo !e it& said AltaJr& and he cli:!ed to the lo1 1all o9 the 9ountain& 1a7in# a1a"
8u%hlis& 1ho had co:e to his aid, No1 he addressed the cro1d? K@or too lon# the
castle on the hill has !een a dar% and 9or!iddin# $lace& and toda" I ho$e to :a%e it a
!eacon o9 li#ht once a#ain ; 1ith "our hel$, There 1as a lo1 :ur:ur o9 a$$reciation
and AltaJr Fuietened the:, KWhat 1e 1ill not do& thou#h& is 1elco:e our ne1 da1n
throu#h a 7eil o9 Assassin !lood, Those 1ho re:ain lo"al to A!!as are our ene:ies
toda" !ut to:orro1 the" 1ill !e our co:$anions, Their 9riendshi$ can onl" !e 1on i9 our
7ictor" is :erci9ul, ill onl" i9 it is a!solutel" necessar", We co:e to !rin# $eace to
8as"a9& not death,
With that he ste$$ed do1n 9ro: the 1all and 1al%ed 9ro: the sFuare& the Assassins
and 7illa#ers 9or:in# u$ !ehind hi:, The Assassins $ulled their co1ls o7er their heads,
The" loo%ed #ri: and $ur$ose9ul, The $eo$le hun# 9urther !ac%? eCcited& ner7ous&
9ear9ul, So :uch de$ended on the outco:e,
AltaJr cli:!ed the slo$es that& as a child& he had raced u$ and do1n& he and A!!as
to#ether, As an Assassin& he had run u$ and do1n& trainin#& or on errands 9or the
8aster& lea7in# 9or a :ission or returnin# 9ro: one, No1 he 9elt the a#e in his !ones
and in his :uscles& stru##lin# a little u$ the slo$es& !ut %e$t #oin#,
A s:all $art" o9 A!!ass lo"alists :et the: on the hills& a scoutin# $art" sent to test
their :ettle, At 9irst those :en 1ith AltaJr see:ed reluctant to en#a#e the:? these 1ere
co:rades the" had li7ed and trained 1ith& a9ter all, @riends 1ere $itched a#ainst each
otherG no dou!t& i9 the 9i#htin# continued& 9a:il" :e:!ers :i#ht 9ind the:sel7es 9ace to
9ace, @or lon# :o:ents the outnu:!ered scoutin# $art" and AltaJrs su$$orters 9aced
o99, The scoutin# $art" had the ad7anta#e o9 !ein# on hi#her #round !ut other1ise the"
1ere la:!s sent to the slau#hter,
AltaJrs e"es 1ent u$ to 1here he could Dust see the $ea% o9 the 8asters to1er,
A!!as 1ould !e a!le to see hi: no1& surel", 0e 1ould ha7e seen the $eo$le co:in#
u$ the hill to1ards hi:, AltaJrs e"es 1ent 9ro: the citadel to the scouts& sent to 9i#ht in
the na:e o9 their corru$t :aster,
KThere is to !e no %illin#& re$eated AltaJr& to his :en& and 8ali% nodded,
One o9 the scouts #rinned nastil", KThen "ou 1ont #et 9ar& old :an, 0e darted
9or1ard 1ith his s1ord s1in#in#& co:in# 9or AltaJr& $erha$s ho$in# to stri%e at the roots
o9 the re!ellion? %ill AltaJr& sto$ the u$risin#,
In the 9la$ o9 a hu::in#!irds 1in#s& the Assassin had s$un a1a" 9ro: the attac%&
dra1n his s1ord and rolled around the 9or1ard i:$etus o9 his assailants !od" to #ra!
hi: 9ro: !ehind,
The scouts s1ord dro$$ed as he 9elt AltaJrs !lade held to his throat& and he
1hi:$ered,
KThere 1ill !e no %illin# in the na:e o9 this old :an& :ur:ured AltaJr& into the
scouts ear& and $ro$elled hi: 9or1ard to 8ali%& 1ho cau#ht hi: and 1restled hi: to the
#round, The other scouts ca:e 9or1ard !ut 1ith less enthusias:& no heart 9or the 9i#ht,
The" all !ut allo1ed the:sel7es to !e ca$turedG in :o:ents the" 1ere either ca$ti7e or
unconscious,
AltaJr 1atched the short s%ir:ish, 0e loo%ed at his hand 1here the scouts s1ord
had nic%ed it& and surre$titiousl" 1i$ed o99 the !lood, 2ou 1ere slo1& he thou#ht, NeCt
ti:e lea7e the 9i#htin# to the "oun#er :en,
E7en so& he ho$ed A!!as had !een 1atchin#, No1 :en 1ere #atherin# on the
ra:$arts, 0e ho$ed also that the" had seen the e7ents on the hill& the scoutin# $art"
treated :erci9ull",
The" continued 9urther u$ the slo$e& co:in# to the u$land Dust as the #ates to the
9ortress 9inall" o$ened, 8ore Assassins $oured throu#h the:& "ellin# and read" 9or the
9i#ht,
Behind hi: he heard the 7illa#ers screa: and scatter& althou#h 8u%hlis 1as ur#in#
the: to sta", AltaJr turned to see hi: thro1 u$ his hands& !ut he couldnt !la:e the
$eo$le 9or their loss o9 resol7e, The" all %ne1 o9 the 9earso:e sa7a#er" o9 the Assassin,
No dou!t the" had ne7er seen t1o o$$osin# Assassin ar:ies 9i#ht and neither did the"
1ant to, What the" sa1 1ere :araudin# Assassins co:e ho1lin# 9ro: the #ates 1ith
!ared teeth and 9lashin# s1ords& their !oots dru::in# on the tur9, The" sa1 AltaJrs
su$$orters crouch and tense& read"in# the:sel7es 9or action, And the" too% shelter&
so:e runnin# 9or co7er !ehind the 1atchto1er& others retreatin# do1n the hill, There
1as a #reat shout and a crash o9 steel as the t1o sides :et, AltaJr had 8ali% as his
!od"#uard& and he %e$t an e"e on the ra:$arts as the !attle ra#ed ; the ra:$arts
1here the archers stood& $erha$s ten o9 the:, I9 the" o$ened 9ire the !attle 1as surel"
lost,
No1 he sa1 A!!as,
And A!!as sa1 hi:,
@or a :o:ent the t1o co::anders re#arded one another& A!!as on the ra:$arts&
AltaJr do1n !elo1 ; stron# and still as roc% as the !attle 1hirled around hi: ; the !est
o9 childhood 9riends turned the !itterest o9 ene:ies, Then the :o:ent 1as !ro%en as
A!!as "elled at the archers to 9ire, AltaJr sa1 uncertaint" on their 9aces as the" raised
their !o1s,
KNo one :ust die& called AltaJr& entreatin# his o1n :en& %no1in# that the 1a" to 1in
o7er the archers 1as !" eCa:$le, A!!as 1as $re$ared to sacri9ice AssassinsG AltaJr
1as not& and he could onl" ho$e that the hearts o9 the archers 1ere true, 0e $ra"ed
that his su$$orters 1ould sho1 restraint& that the" 1ould #i7e the archers no reason to
o$en 9ire, 0e sa1 one o9 his :en 9all& ho1lin#& his throat o$en& and strai#ht a1a" the
lo"alist Assassin res$onsi!le 1as attac%in# another,
K0i:& he instructed 8ali%& $ointin# in the direction o9 the !attle, KTa%e hi:& 8ali%& !ut
!e :erci9ul I ur#e "ou,
8ali% Doined the !attle and the lo"alist 1as $ushed !ac%& 8ali% s1i$in# at his le#s,
When his o$$onent 9ell& he straddled hi: and deli7ered not a %illin# !lo1 !ut a stri%e
9ro: the hilt o9 his s1ord that %noc%ed hi: senseless,
AltaJr loo%ed u$ to the ra:$arts a#ain, 0e sa1 t1o o9 the archers lo1er their !o1s&
sha%in# their heads, 0e sa1 A!!as $roduce a da##er ; his 9athers da##er ; and
threaten the :en 1ith it& !ut a#ain the" shoo% their heads& lo1erin# their !o1s and
$lacin# their hands to the hilts o9 their s1ords, A!!as 1heeled& screa:in# at the
archers alon# the ra:$art !ehind hi:& orderin# the: to cut do1n the de9ectors, But
the"& too& 1ere lo1erin# their !o1s and AltaJrs heart lea$ed, No1 he 1as ur#in# his
:en 9or1ard& to the #ates, Still the !attle continued !ut the lo"alists 1ere slo1l"
!eco:in# a1are o9 e7ents on the ra:$arts, E7en as the" 9ou#ht the" eCchan#ed
uncertain #lances& and one !" one the" ste$$ed !ac% 9ro: co:!at& dro$$in# their
s1ords& ar:s held out& surrenderin#, The 1a" 1as clear 9or AltaJrs $art" to ad7ance on
the castle,
0e led his :en to the #ates and ra$$ed on the door 1ith his 9ist, Behind hi:
asse:!led the Assassins ; and the 7illa#ers 1ere returnin#& too& so the u$land 1as
thron#ed 1ith $eo$le, @ro: the other side o9 the castle #ate there 1as a stran#e
stillness, A hush descended o7er AltaJrs $eo$le& the air crac%lin# 1ith eC$ectation& until
suddenl" !olts 1ere thro1n and the #reat castle #ates s1un# 1ide& o$ened !" #uards
1ho dro$$ed their s1ords and !ent their heads in de9erence to AltaJr,
0e nodded in return& ste$$ed o7er the threshold& under the arch& and 1al%ed across
the court"ard to the 8asters to1er, Behind hi: ca:e his $eo$leG the" s$read out and
9lo1ed around the ed#es o9 the court"ardG archers descended the ladders 9ro: the
ra:$arts to Doin the:& and the 9aces o9 9a:ilies and ser7ants 1ere $ressed to the
1indo1s o9 the to1ers o7erloo%in# the #rounds, All 1anted to 1itness AltaJrs return& to
see his con9rontation 1ith A!!as,
0e cli:!ed the ste$s to the $lat9or:& then :o7ed into the entrance hall, Ahead o9
hi:& A!!as stood on the ste$s& his 9ace dar% and dra1n& des$eration and de9eat all
o7er hi:& li%e a 9e7er,
KIt is o7er& A!!as& called AltaJr, KOrder those 1ho are still lo"al to "ou to surrender,
A!!as sco99ed& KNe7er, At that :o:ent the to1er o$ened and the last o9 the
lo"alists ca:e 9ro: the side roo:s into the hall? a doHen or so Assassins and
:anser7ants, So:e had s%itterin#& 9ri#htened e"es, Others 1ere 9ierce and deter:ined,
The !attle 1as not o7er "et,
KTell "our :en to stand do1n& co::anded AltaJr, 0e hal9 turned to indicate the
court"ard& 1here the cro1ds 1ere #athered, K2ou cannot $ossi!l" $re7ail,
KI a: de9endin# the citadel& AltaJr& said A!!as& Kto the last :an, Would "ou not do
the sa:eI
KI 1ould ha7e de9ended the Order& A!!as& snarled AltaJr, KInstead "ou ha7e
sacri9iced e7er"thin# 1e stand 9or, 2ou sacri9iced :" 1i9e and son on the altar o9 "our
o1n s$ite ; "our !lan% re9usal to acce$t the truth,
K2ou :ean :" 9atherI The lies "ou told a!out hi:,
KIsnt that 1h" 1ere standin# hereI Isnt that the 1ells$rin# o9 "our hatred that has
9lo1ed throu#h the "ears& $oisonin# us allI
A!!as 1as tre:!lin#, 0is %nuc%les 1ere 1hite on the !alustrade o9 the !alcon", K8"
9ather le9t the Order& he said, K0e 1ould ne7er ha7e %illed hi:sel9,
K0e %illed hi:sel9& A!!as, 0e %illed hi:sel9 1ith the da##er that "ou ha7e concealed
1ithin "our ro!e, 0e %illed hi:sel9 !ecause he had :ore honour than "ou 1ill e7er
%no1& and !ecause he 1ouldnt !e $itied, 0e 1ouldnt !e $itied as "ou 1ill !e& !" all& as
"ou rot in the citadel dun#eon,
KNe7erP roared A!!as, 0e $ointed a tre:!lin# 9in#er at AltaJr, K2ou clai: "ou can
reta%e the Order 1ithout loss o9 Assassin li9e, Lets see "ou tr", ill hi:,
And suddenl" the :en in the hall 1ere sur#in# 9or1ard& 1hen O
The sound o9 the eC$losion echoed around the hall and silenced e7er"one ; the
cro1ds in the court"ard& the Assassins& the lo"alists, All stared in shoc% at AltaJr& 1ho
stood 1ith his ar: held u$ as i9 $ointin# at A!!as ; as thou#h he had !een en#a#in#
his !lade in the direction o9 the ste$s, But instead o9 a !lade at his 1rist there 1as a curl
o9 s:o%e,
@ro: the ste$s ca:e a short& stran#led cr"& and all 1atched as A!!as stared do1n
at his chest& 1here a s:all $atch o9 !lood on his ro!e 1as #raduall" s$readin#, 0is
e"es 1ere 1ide 1ith shoc%, 0is Da1 1or%ed as he tried to 9or: 1ords that 1ouldnt
co:e,
The lo"alist Assassins had sto$$ed, The" stared o$enE:outhed at AltaJr 1ho :o7ed
his ar:& $ointin# at the: so that no1 the" could see the 1rist :echanis: he 1ore,
It 1as a sin#le shot& and he had used it& !ut the" didnt %no1 that, None had e7er
seen such a 1ea$on !e9ore, Onl" a 9e1 e7en %ne1 o9 its eCistence, And seein# it
turned in their direction the lo"alists co1ered, The" laid do1n their s1ords, The" :o7ed
$ast AltaJr and to the door o9 the to1er to Doin the cro1d& their ar:s held out in
surrender& Dust as A!!as 1as $itchin# 9or1ard& tu:!lin# do1n the ste$s and landin#
1ith a :ess" thud in the hall !elo1,
AltaJr crouched o7er hi:, A!!as la" !reathin# hea7il"& one o9 his ar:s at an odd
an#le as thou#h it had sna$$ed in the 9allG the 9ront o9 his ro!e 1as 1et 1ith !lood, 0e
had :o:ents le9t,
K2ou 1ant :e to as% 9or#i7eness o9 "ouI he as%ed AltaJr, 0e #rinned& loo%in#
s%eletal all o9 a sudden, K@or ta%in# "our 1i9e and sonI
KA!!as& $lease& dont let "our d"in# 1ords !e :alicious,
A!!as :ade a short sco99in# sound, KStill he tries to !e 7irtuous, 0e li9ted his head a
little, KThe 9irst !lo1 1as struc% !" "ou& AltaJr, I too% "our 1i9e and son& !ut onl" a9ter
"our lies had ta%en :uch :ore 9ro: :e,
KThe" 1ere not lies& said AltaJr& si:$l", KIn all these "ears& did "ou ne7er dou!tI
A!!as 9linched and sFueeHed his e"es shut 1ith $ain, A9ter a $ause he said& KDid
"ou e7er 1onder i9 there is a neCt 1orld& AltaJrI In :o:ents I shall %no1 9or sure, And i9
there is& I shall see :" 9ather& and 1e 1ill !oth !e there to :eet "ou 1hen it is "our
ti:e, And then ; then there 1ill !e no dou!t,
0e cou#hed and #ur#led and a !u!!le o9 !lood 9or:ed at his :outh, AltaJr loo%ed
into his e"es and sa1 nothin# o9 the or$han !o" he had once %no1nG sa1 nothin# o9
the !est 9riend he had once had, All he sa1 1as a t1isted creature 1ho had cost hi:
so :uch,
And as A!!as died AltaJr realiHed that he no lon#er hated or $itied hi:, 0e 9elt
nothin# ; nothin# !ut relie9 that A!!as 1as no lon#er in the 1orld,
T1o da"s later the !ri#and @ahad a$$eared 1ith se7en o9 his :en on horse!ac% and
1as :et at the 7illa#e #ates !" a $art" o9 Assassins& led !" AltaJr,
The" $ulled u$ at the ed#e o9 the :ar%et$lace& con9ronted !" a line o9 :en 1earin#
1hite ro!es, So:e stood 1ith their ar:s 9olded& others 1ith their hands on their !o1s
or the hilt o9 their s1ords,
KSo it is true, The #reat AltaJr I!nELaAhad has resu:ed control o9 8as"a9& said
@ahad, 0e loo%ed 1ear",
AltaJr !o1ed his head& "es,
@ahad nodded slo1l"& as i9 :ullin# this 9act o7er, KI had an understandin# 1ith "our
$redecessor& he said at last, KI $aid hi: a #reat deal in order that I :i#ht enter 8as"a9,
KWhich "ou ha7e done& said AltaJr& $leasantl",
KAh& "es& !ut 9or a s$eci9ic reason& I: a9raid& re$lied @ahad& 1ith a cloud" s:ile, 0e
shi9ted on his saddle a little, KI a: here to 9ind :" sons %iller,
KWhich "ou ha7e done& said AltaJr& Dust as $leasantl",
The cloud" s:ile slid slo1l" 9ro: @ahads 9ace, KI see& he said, 0e leaned 9or1ard,
KThen 1hich o9 "ou is itI 0is e"es :o7ed alon# the line o9 Assassins,
K0a7e "ou no 1itness to identi9" "our sons %illerI said AltaJr, KCan he not $oint out
the cul$rit a:on# usI
KI did& si#hed @ahad rue9ull"& K!ut :" sons :other had his e"es $ut out,
KAh& said AltaJr, KWell& he 1as a 1easel, 2ou :a" console "oursel9 that he did little
to $rotect "our son or& indeed& to a7en#e hi: once he 1as dead, As soon as he had
t1o old :en to 9ace& instead o9 one& he turned tail and ran,
@ahad dar%ened,
K2ouI
AltaJr nodded, K2our son died as he li7ed& @ahad, 0e enDo"ed ad:inisterin# $ain,
KA trait he inherited 9ro: his :other,
KAh,
KAnd she insists& incidentall"& that his na:e !e a7en#ed,
KThen there is nothin# le9t to sa"& said AltaJr, KUnless "ou intend to :a%e "our
atte:$t at this 7er" :o:ent& I shall eC$ect "ou $resentl" 1ith "our ar:",
@ahad loo%ed 1ar", K2ou intend to let :e lea7eI No archers to sto$ :eI no1in#
that I 1ill return 1ith a 9orce to crush "ouI
KI9 I %illed "ou I 1ould ha7e the 1rath o9 "our 1i9e to contend 1ith& s:iled AltaJr&
Kand& !esides& I ha7e a 9eelin# that "ou 1ill chan#e "our :ind a!out attac%in# 8as"a9
!" the ti:e "ou ha7e returned to "our ca:$,
KAnd 1h" :i#ht that !eI
AltaJr s:iled, K@ahad& i9 1e 1ere to do !attle then neither o9 us 1ould #i7e #round,
Both o9 us 1ould $ut :ore at sta%e than the #rie7ance deser7ed, 8" co::unit" 1ould
!e de7astated& $erha$s irre$ara!l" so ; !ut so 1ould "ours,
@ahad see:ed to consider, KIt is 9or :e to decide& surel"& the $rice o9 the #rie7ance,
KNot lon# a#o I lost :" o1n son& said AltaJr& Kand !ecause o9 that I ca:e close to
losin# :" $eo$le, I realiHed it 1as too hi#h a $rice to $a"& e7en 9or :" son, I9 "ou ta%e
u$ ar:s a#ainst us "ou ris% :a%in# such a 9or9eit, I: sure that the 7alues o9 "our
co::unit" di99er #reatl" 9ro: :ine& !ut that the" are Dust as $riHed as the" are
reluctantl" surrendered,
@ahad nodded, K2ou ha7e a 1iser head than "our $redecessor& AltaJr, 8uch o9 1hat
"ou sa" :a%es sense& and I shall indeed consider it on the ride !ac%, Also I shall
endea7our to eC$lain it to :" 1i9e, 0e #athered u$ his reins and turned his horse to #o,
KGood luc%& Assassin& he said,
KIts "ou 1ho 1ill need luc% !" the sound o9 it,
The !ri#and #a7e another o9 his croo%ed& cloud" s:iles& then le9t, AltaJr chuc%led
and loo%ed u$ at the citadel on the $ro:ontor",
There 1as :uch 1or% to do,
/'
3) Au#ust 3)/.
So, We 1ere too late to esca$e 8as"a9 !e9ore the 8on#ols arri7ed, Indeed& the" ha7e
arri7ed, As a result 1e lea7e 9or Constantino$le in a :atter o9 hours and I: scri!!lin#
these 1ords as our $ossessions are re:o7ed !" hel$ers to !e loaded on to the carts,
And i9 8a99eo thin%s that the shar$ loo%s he insists on thro1in# :" 1a" 1ill !e enou#h
to :a%e :e la" do1n :" Fuill and lend a hand then he is :ista%en, I %no1 no1 that
these 1ords 1ill !e o9 7ital i:$ortance to 9uture Assassins, The" :ust !e 1ritten do1n
at once,
Its a s:all s%ir:ishin# $art"& or so 1ere told, But the :ain 9orce is not 9ar a1a", In
the :eanti:e the s%ir:ishin# $art" see:s to 1ant to :a%e a na:e 9or itsel9 and has
!een launchin# s:all !ut 9ierce attac%s& scalin# the 1alls o9 the 7illa#e and 9i#htin# on
the ra:$arts !e9ore retreatin#, I %no1 little o9 1ar9are& than% #oodness& !ut it occurs to
:e that these short assaults :a" !e a 1a" o9 #au#in# our stren#th& or lac% o9 it, And I
1onder i9 the 8aster e7er re#rets his decision to 1ea%en the citadel !" dis!andin# the
Assassins, >ust t1o short "ears a#o no :ere s%ir:ishin# $art" 1ould ha7e co:e 1ithin
ten $aces o9 the castle !e9ore 9allin# to the Assassin archers& or !eneath the !lades o9
the de9enders,
When he had 1rested control o9 the Order 9ro: A!!as& AltaJrs 9irst tas% 1as to send
9or his Dournals? the 8asters 1or% 1as to !e a tote:ic 9orce in the re!uildin# o9 the
Order& essential 9or $ro7idin# the 9oundations to sto$ the rot at 8as"a9, Under A!!ass
corru$t rei#n the" had had none o9 the s%ills or trainin# o9 old? the Brotherhood had
!een Assassin in na:e onl", AltaJrs 9irst tas% 1as to restore the disci$line that had
!een lost? once a#ain the trainin# "ard echoed 1ith the rin# o9 steel and the shouts and
curses o9 the instructors, No 8on#ol 1ould ha7e dared a s%ir:ish then,
But Dust as the Brotherhood had !een restored in na:e and re$utation& AltaJr
decided that the !ase at 8as"a9 should no lon#er eCist and re:o7ed the Assassin crest
9ro: the 9la#$ole, 0is 7ision 9or the Order 1as that the Assassins should #o out into the
1orld& he said, The" should o$erate a:on# the $eo$le& not a!o7e the:, AltaJrs son
Dari: arri7ed ho:e in 8as"a9 to 9ind Dust a 9e1 Assassins le9t& :ost o9 1ho: 1ere
occu$ied in the construction o9 the 8asters li!rar", When it 1as co:$lete& Dari: 1as
dis$atched to Constantino$le to locate :" !rother and :e,
Which !rin#s us to our entrance into the stor"& so:e ei#ht" "ears a9ter it !e#an,
KBut it is not o7er "et& I 9eel& 8a99eo said, 0e stood 1aitin# 9or :e, We 1ere due to
see the 8aster in the :ain court"ard, @or 1hat 1as surel" the last ti:e& 1e 1ound our
1a" throu#h the 9ortress to the court"ard& led !" AltaJrs 9aith9ul ste1ard& 8u%hlis,
As 1e arri7ed I thou#ht& What si#hts it has seen& this court"ard, 0ere 1as 1here
AltaJr 9irst sa1 A!!as& standin# in the dead o9 ni#ht& $inin# 9or his stric%en 9ather, 0ere
1as 1here the t1o had 9ou#ht and !eco:e ene:iesG 1here AltaJr had !een sha:ed in
9ront o9 the Order !" Al 8uali:G 1here 8aria had died& A!!as& too,
None o9 this 1ould ha7e !een lost on AltaJr& 1ho had #athered :ost o9 the
Assassins to hear 1hat he had to sa", Dari: 1as a:on# the:& 1ith his !o1& the "oun#
8ali%& too& and 8u%hlis& 1ho too% his $lace !eside the 8aster on the dais outside his
to1er, Ner7es 9luttered li%e :oths in :" sto:ach and I 9ound :"sel9 ta%in# short&
Da##ed !reaths to tr" to control the:& 9indin# the !ac%#round noise o9 !attle
disconcertin#, The 8on#ols& it see:ed& had chosen this :o:ent to launch another o9
their attac%s on the castle& $erha$s a1are that its de9ences 1ere te:$oraril" de$leted,
KBrothers& said AltaJr& standin# !e9ore us& Kour ti:e to#ether 1as !rie9& I %no1, But I
ha7e 9aith that this codeC 1ill ans1er an" Fuestions "ou ha7e "et to as%,
I too% it and turned it o7er in :" hands& in a1e o9 it, It contained the 8asters :ost
i:$ortant thou#hts& distilled 9ro: decades o9 stud"in# the A$$le,
KAltaJr& I said& !arel" a!le to 9or: 1ords& Kthis #i9t is O in7alua!le, GraHie,
At a si#n 9ro: Altair& 8u%hlis ste$$ed 9or1ard 1ith a s:all !a# that he handed to the
8aster,
KWhere 1ill "ou #o neCtI as%ed AltaJr,
KTo Constantino$le 9or a ti:e, We can esta!lish a #uild there !e9ore returnin# to
Venice,
0e chuc%led, K2our son 8arco 1ill !e ea#er to hear his 9athers 1ild stories,
K0e is a little "oun# 9or such tales, But one da" soon& sU, I #rinned,
0e $assed the !a# to :e and I 9elt se7eral hea7" o!Dects inside it shi9t,
KA last 9a7our& NiccolL, Ta%e these 1ith "ou& and #uard the: 1ell, 0ide the: i9 "ou
:ust,
I raised :" e"e!ro1s& i:$licitl" as%in# his $er:ission to o$en the !a# and he
nodded, I $eered inside& then reached in and re:o7ed a stone& one o9 9i7e? li%e the
others it had a hole in its centre, KArte9actsI I as%ed, I 1ondered i9 these 1ere the
arte9acts he had 9ound durin# his eCile at Ala:ut,
KO9 a %ind& said the 8aster, KThe" are %e"s& each one i:!ued 1ith a :essa#e,
KA :essa#e 9or 1ho:I
KI 1ish I %ne1& said AltaJr,
An Assassin ca:e hurr"in# into the court"ard and s$o%e to Dari:& 1ho :o7ed
9or1ard, K@ather, A 7an#uard o9 8on#ols has !ro%en throu#h, The 7illa#e is o7errun,
AltaJr nodded, KNiccolL& 8a99eo, 8" son 1ill escort "ou throu#h the 1orst o9 the
9i#htin#, Once "ou reach the 7alle"& 9ollo1 its course until "ou 9ind a s:all 7illa#e, 2our
horses and $ro7isions are 1aitin# 9or "ou there, Be sa9e& and sta" alert,
KLi%e1ise& 8aster, Ta%e care o9 "oursel9,
0e s:iled, KIll consider it,
And 1ith that the 8aster 1as #one& alread" !ar%in# orders to the Assassins, I
1ondered i9 I 1ould e7er see hi: a#ain as I shouldered the !a# o9 stran#e stones and
held the $riceless codeC ti#ht, What I re:e:!er then is an i:$ression o9 !odies& o9
shoutin#& o9 the rin#in# o9 steel& as 1e 1ere hurried to a residence& and there I huddled
in a corner to scri!!le these 1ords& e7en as the !attle ra#ed outside ; !ut no1 I shall
ha7e to #o, I can onl" $ra" that 1e 1ill esca$e 1ith our li7es,
So:eho1 I thin% 1e 1ill, I ha7e 9aith in the Assassins, I onl" ho$e that I a: 1orth"
o9 Altairs 9aith, In that res$ect& onl" ti:e 1ill tell,
3 >anuar" 3)/'
The 9irst da" o9 a ne1 "ear& and it is 1ith :iCed e:otions that I 1i$e the dust 9ro: the
co7er o9 :" Dournal and !e#in a clean $a#e& unsure 1hether this entr" :ar%s a 9resh
!e#innin# or acts as a $ostscri$t to the tale that $recedes it, Perha$s that is 9or "ou& the
reader& to decide,
The 9irst ne1s I ha7e to i:$art I deli7er 1ith a hea7" heart, We ha7e lost the codeC,
That 1hich 1as #i7en to us !" AltaJr on the da" o9 our de$arture& entrusted to our care&
is in the hands o9 the ene:", I shall al1a"s !e tortured !" the :o:ent that I la"
!leedin# and 1ee$in# in the sand& 1atchin# the dust %ic%ed u$ !" the hoo9s o9 the
8on#ol attac%in# $art"& one o9 1ho: !randished the leather satchel in 1hich I %e$t the
codeC& its stra$ cut, T1o da"s out o9 8as"a9& 1ith our sa9et" assured ; or so it had
see:ed ; the" had struc%,
8a99eo and I esca$ed 1ith our li7es& thou#h onl" Dust& and 1e too% a little solace
9ro: the 9act that our ti:e 1ith the 8aster had #i7en us& i9 not the learnin# 1e :i#ht
ha7e ta%en 9ro: the codeC& the 9aculties to see% out and inter$ret %no1led#e 9or
oursel7es, We resol7ed that soon 1e should #o east and retrie7e it *and thus& alas&
dela" :" earliest o$$ortunit" to return to Venice and see :" son 8arco+& !ut that 9irst
1e should attend to !usiness in Constantino$le& 9or there 1as :uch to do, Ahead o9 us
la" at least t1o "ears 1or%& 1hich 1ould !e e7en :ore de:andin# 1ithout the 1isdo:
o9 the codeC to #uide us, E7en so& 1e decided that& "es& 1e had lost the !oo%& !ut in our
heads and hearts 1e 1ere Assassins& and 1e 1ere to $ut our 9reshl" acFuired
eC$erience and %no1led#e to #ood use, Thus 1e ha7e alread" chosen the site 9or our
tradin# $ost& a short Daunt northE1est o9 0a#ia So$hia& 1here 1e ai: to su$$l" the
hi#hest Fualit" #oods *!ut o9 courseP+, 8ean1hile& 1e shall !e#in to s$read and
disse:inate the creed o9 the Assassin& Dust as 1e $led#ed to do,
And at the sa:e ti:e as 1e !e#in the $rocess o9 startin# the ne1 #uild 1e ha7e
also set a!out hidin# the 9i7e stones #i7en to us !" AltaJr, The %e"s, Guard the: 1ell&
he had said& or hide the:, A9ter our eC$eriences 1ith the 8on#ols 1e had decided that
the %e"s should !e hidden so 1e set a!out secretin# the: around and a!out
Constantino$le, We are due to hide the last one toda"& so !" the ti:e "ou read this& all
9i7e %e"s 1ill !e sa9el" hidden 9ro: the Te:$lars& 9or an Assassin o9 the 9uture to 9ind,
Whoe7er that :a" !e,
E$ilo#ue
@ro: a!o7e hi: on dec% the Assassin heard the sounds o9 a co::otion& the 9a:iliar
dru::in# o9 9eet that acco:$anies the a$$roach to land& cre1 :e:!ers rushin# 9ro:
their $osts to the $ro1& shi::"in# u$ the ri##in# or han#in# o99 ro$es& shieldin# their
e"es to stare lon# and hard at the shi::erin# har!ours to1ards 1hich the" 1ere
sailin#& antici$atin# ad7entures ahead,
The Assassin& too& had ad7entures ahead o9 hi:, O9 course& his 1ould li%el" !e
:ar%edl" di99erent 9ro: the esca$ades 9ondl" i:a#ined !" the cre1& 1hich no dou!t
consisted $ri:aril" o9 7isitin# ta7erns and consortin# 1ith 1hores, The Assassin al:ost
en7ied the: the si:$licit" o9 their endea7ours, 0is tas%s 1ould !e :ore co:$licated,
0e closed NiccolLs Dournals and $ushed the !oo% a1a" 9ro: hi: on the des%& his
9in#ers runnin# across the a#ein# co7er& :ullin# o7er 1hat he had Dust learned& the 9ull
si#ni9icance o9 1hich& he %ne1& 1ould ta%e ti:e to :a%e itsel9 %no1n, And then& 1ith a
dee$ !reath& he stood& $ulled on his ro!e& secured the :echanis: o9 the !lade to his
1rist and $ulled u$ his co1l, NeCt& he o$ened the hatch o9 his Fuarters to a$$ear on
dec% 1here he& too& shielded his e"es to cast his #aHe u$on the har!our as the shi$
sliced throu#h the s$ar%lin# 1ater to1ards it& $eo$le #athered there alread" to 1elco:e
the:,
EHio had arri7ed in the #reat cit", 0e 1as in Constantino$le,
Dra:atis Personae
NiccolL Polo& the narrator
8a99eo Polo
The Assassins
AltaJr I!nELaAhad
8aria& his 1i9e *nVe Thor$e+
Dari: and Se9& their sons
Al 8uali:& the 8aster
@ahee: alESa"9
U:ar I!nELaAhad& AltaJrs 9ather
A!!as So9ian
Ah:ad So9ian& A!!ass 9ather
8ali% AlESa"9
TaHi:& 8ali%s son& also %no1n as 8ali%
adar& 8ali%s !rother
Rau9
>a!al
La!i!
S1a:i
@ari:
8as"a9 7illa#ers
8u%hlis& his 1i9e& Aalia& and dau#hter& Nada
The Crusades
Richard I o9 En#land& Kthe Lionheart
Salah Aldin& Sultan o9 the Saracens
Shiha! Aldin& his son
AltaJrs Nine Tar#ets
Ta:ir& !lac%E:ar%et :erchant
A!ul NuFoud& the 8erchant in# o9 Da:ascus
Garnier de Na$louse& the Grand 8aster& the ni#hts 0os$italier
Talal& a sla7e trader
8aDd Addin& re#ent o9 >erusale:
Willia: de 8ont9errat& lord o9 Acre
Si!rand& Grand 8aster& the ni#hts Teutonic
>u!air alE0a%i:& chie9 scholar o9 Da:ascus
Ro!ert de Sa!le& Grand 8aster& the ni#hts Te:$lar
In C"$rus
Os:an& Li:assol citadel ca$tain
@rederic% the Red& ran%in# Te:$lar %ni#ht o9 Li:assol
Ar:and Bouchart& Ro!ert de Sa!les successor
8ar%os& Resistance
Barna!as& Resistance
Barna!as& i:$oster
>onas& a :erchant
8oloch& KThe Bull
Shali: and Shahar& sons o9 8oloch
The Bandits
@ahad
Ba"has
Lon# 0air
Ac%no1led#e:ents
S$ecial than%s to
27es Guille:ot
>ean Guesdon
Core" 8a"
Dar!" 8cDe7itt
>e99re" 2ohale:
8att Turner
And also
Alain Corre
Laurent Detoc
SV!astien Puel
Geo99ro" Sardin
Sa7ier Guil!ert
To::" @ranTois
Cecile Russeil
Christele >alad"
The U!iso9t Le#al De$art:ent
Charlie Patterson
Chris 8arcus
Etienne Allonier
8aria Loreto
AleC Clar%e
Alice She$herd
Andre1 0ol:es
ClV:ence DeleuHe
Guillau:e Car:ona