Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
-Missed you this morning, Doc. -Get in the Animus!
Quit wasting time, and enter your memory, Mr. Miles!!
Come in, Altair. I trust you're well rested, ready for your remaining trials?
I am. But I'd speak with you first. I have questions.
Ask them. I'll do my best to answer.
The Merchant King of Damas murdered the nobles who ruled his city.
Majd Addin in Jerusalem used fear to force his people into submission.
I suspect William meant to *** Richard, and hold Acre with his troops.
These men were meant to aid their leaders; instead they chose to betray them.
What I do not understand... is why.
Is the answer not obvious? The Templars desire control.
Each man, as you noted, wanted to claim their cities in the Templar name; that the Templars themselves might rule the Holy Land, and eventually beyond.
But they cannot succeed in their mission.
Why is that?
Their plans depend upon the Templar treasure: the Piece of Eden. But we hold it now. They cannot hope to achieve their goals without it.
What is this treasure?
It is temptation.
It's just a piece of silver...
Look at it!
What am I supposed to see?
This... piece of silver... cast out Adam and Eve. It turned staves into snakes. Parted and closed the Red Sea.
Eris used it to start the Trojan War. And with it, a poor carpenter turned water into wine.
It seems rather plain for all the power you claim it has. How does it work?
He who holds it commands the hearts and minds of whoever looks upon it. Whoever "tastes of it", as they say.
And Garnier's men?
An experiment. Herbs used to simulate its effects, to be ready for when they held it.
Talal supplied them, Tamir equipped them. They were preparing for something. But what?
War.
And the others, the men who ruled the cities. They meant to gather up their people, make them like Garnier's men.
The perfect citizens. The perfect soldiers. A perfect world.
Robert de Sable must never have this back.
So long as he and his brothers live, they will try.
Then they must be destroyed.
Which is what I've had you doing.
There are two more Templars who require your attention:
One in Acre known as Sibrand, one in Damas called Jubair. Visit with the Bureau leaders; they'll instruct you further.
As you wish.
Be quick about it. No doubt Robert de Sable is made nervous by our continued success.
His remaining followers will do their best to expose you. They know you come, the Man In The White Hood.
-They'll be looking for you. -They won't find me. I'm but a blade in the crowd.
Here, my gift to you. In gratitude for the good work you've done.
* Fast-forwarding memory to a more recent one... *
Greetings, Altair. What news?
Al Mualim has named another. Calls himself Sibrand.
I am familiar with the man.
Newly appointed leader of the Knights Teutonic, he resides in the Venetian quarter and runs Acre's port.
Yes, I've learned as much... and more.
Continue, then.
Sibrand is said to be consumed by fear, driven mad by the knowledge that his death approaches.
He has sealed the Docks district, and now hides within, waiting for his ship to arrive.
This will make things dangerous. I wonder how it is he learned of your mission?
The men I've killed, they are all connected.
Al Mualim warned me that word of my deeds has spread among them.
Be on your guard, Altair.
-Altair... -Yes, Rafiq?
I owe you an apology.
For what?
For doubting your dedication to our cause.
No, it was I who erred. I believed myself above the Creed. You owe me nothing.
As you wish, my friend. Go in safety.
* Fast-forwarding memory to a more recent one... *
You are mistaken, Master Sibrand. I would never propose violence against any man, and most certainly not against you.
So you say. And yet, no one here will vouch for you. What am I to make of this?
I-I... live a simple life, my lord, as do all men of the cloth. It is not for us to call attention to ourselves.
Perhaps... or perhaps they do not know you because you are not a man of God, but an Assassin!!
Never!
You wear the same robes.
If they cover themselves as we do, it is only to instill uncertainty and fear. You must not give in.
Are you calling me a coward?! Challenging my authority?!
Are you, perhaps, hoping to turn my own knights against me?!
No, no, no, no! I-I don't understand why you're doing this to me. I've done nothing wrong.
Haha... I don't recall accusing you of any wrongdoing. Which makes your outburst rather odd.
Is it the presence of guilt that compels a confession?!
But I confess nothing!
Ah... defiant to the very end.
What do you mean?
William and Garnier were too confident. And they paid for this with their lives. I won't make the same mistake!
If you truly are a man of God, then surely the Creator will provide for you! Let Him stay my hand!!
You've gone mad! Will none of you come forward to stop this?
He is clearly poisoned by his own fear! Compelled to see enemies where none exist!
Seems the people share my concern. What I do, I do for Acre!!
Arrgghh!!
Stay vigilant, men. Report any suspicious activity to the guards.
I doubt we've seen the last of these Assassins. Persistent ***.
Now get back to work!
Please, don't do this.
You are afraid.
Of course I am afraid!
But you'll be safe now, held in the arms of your God.
Have my brothers taught you nothing? I know what waits for me... for all of us.
If not your God, then what?
Nothing. Nothing waits... and that is what I fear.
You don't believe.
How could I, given what I know... what I've seen? Our treasure was the proof...
Proof of what?
That this life is all we have!
Linger a while longer then, and tell me of the part you were to play.
A blockade by sea... to keep the fool kings and queens from sending reinforcements, once we...once we--
Conquered the Holy Land?
Freed it, you fool... from the tyranny of faith.
Freedom? You work to overthrow cities... control men's minds... murdered any who spoke against you!
I followed my orders... believing in my cause... same as you.
We're close.
Not a lot of time, Vidic.
Understand there's a narrow margin, you know...
Wherever it's hidden... time to retrieve it.
-Working on it. -And when it's done?
He'll be taken care of.
I want that progress report by tomorrow morning.
I've... got some work I need to do. So you've got the rest of the night to yourself.
I think there's a problem with the Animus.
Nope. It's working fine.
-I'm pretty sure it just ejected me... -I'm pretty sure you should shut up.
You ready to finally tell me what's going on?
We have to stop them, Desmond. When they access that last memory of yours... they're just getting started.
They want to change everything. The way we live, the way we think, the way we are.
You've gotten the lecture from Vidic, about what's wrong with the world? How we need "order and discipline"?
So, they're going to give it to us. Only, we don't have a say in the matter.
How?
-The Templar treasure. They think it–- -[phone rings]
-Ms. Stillman? -I'm here.
I need you to upload Desmond's files to the database.
Got it.
So... what? You're using me to find this Templar treasure?
-What do they call it? The "Piece of Eden"? -Yes.
Well, it's looking like it's at Masyaf. So I don't know why they're wasting all this time with me.
Why don't they just send their people to pick it up?
They can't... it's not that simple. The artifact from Masyaf... they had it. It was destroyed in the accident.
Then, what are they hoping from me? You know, for my ancestor to tell them?
They're hoping he'll show them where the other ones are.
You mean there's more than one of these things?!
Oh, Desmond. You have no idea.
[phone rings]
-Is there a problem, Ms. Stillman? -No, Warren. Everything's Denver on my end.
Then, where are the files?
I've gotta move these files before he gets suspicious. We'll talk more later.
Wait... what's that mean, "Everything's Denver"?
-It means everything's fine. -Why Denver?
It's a reference to Denver International Airport. There's an underground facility there.
It's where the accident happened.
Aren't you tired?
Time's wasting, Mr. Miles!
-Yeah, yeah. I'm coming–- -We're nearly done, you know.
And then what?
You'll see. Maybe they'll even let you watch when it begins. It's not as terrible as you think.
Look, I know you're not gonna let me leave. So why not tell me what's going on? Humor me.
I'm not an idiot, Mr. Miles. I think you've already learned quite a bit.
I don't know what you're talking about.
Of course not.
All right, let me ask you something else then.
Yes?
Some of the stuff I'm seeing in the Animus... sometimes it seems... wrong.
Untrue, like the history's off somehow. It doesn't–-
It doesn't what, Mr. Miles? Match up with what you read on an online encyclopedia?
What your high-school history teacher taught you?
Let me ask you something: do these supposed experts have access to secret knowledge, kept hidden from the rest of us?
There are books, letters, documents, all sorts of source material from back then.
Some of it seems to contradict what the Animus is showing me.
Anyone can write a book, and they can put whatever they want on its pages. Anything.
Used to be we thought the world was flat.
Some people still do.
Yes, and they publish books about it. Or that the moon landing was a hoax.
I believe there's also a book claims the world was created in seven days. A best-seller, too!
Where's this going, Doc?
The point, I suppose, is that you shouldn't trust everything you hear. Everything you read.
What's that your ancestor said? "Nothing is true..."?
"Everything is permitted."
Yes, exactly. It's part of what makes the Animus so spectacular.
-There's no room for misinterpretation. -There's always room.
Touché, Mr. Miles. Now that I've answered your question, can we begin?
Come in, my student. We have much to discuss.
We are close, Altair... Robert de Sable is now all that stands between us and victory.
It is his mouth gives the orders, his hand pays the gold.
With him dies the knowledge of the Templar treasure, and any threat it might pose.
I still don't understand how a simple bit of treasure could cause so much chaos.
The Piece of Eden is temptation given form. Merely look at what it's done to Robert.
Once he tasted of its power, the thing consumed him.
He saw not a dangerous weapon to be destroyed, but a tool... One that would help him realize his life's ambition.
He dreamed of power then.
Yes and no. He dreamed --and still dreams, like us-- of peace.
But this is a man who sought to see the Holy Land consumed by war!
No, Altair. How can you not see when you're the one that opened my eyes to this?
What do you mean?
What do he and his followers want? A world in which all men are united.
I do not despise his goal... I share it. But I take issue with the means.
Peace is something to be learned, to be understood, to be embraced.
He would force it!
And rob us of our free will in the process.
Strange, to think of him in this way.
Never harbor hate for your victims, Altair. Such thoughts are poison, and will cloud your judgment.
Could he not be convinced then? To end his mad quest?
I spoke to him, in my way, through you.
What was each killing if not a message? But he has chosen to ignore us.
Then there's only one thing left to do...
Jerusalem is where you faced him first. It's where you'll find him now.
Let this final offering lend you strength. Go, Altair. It's time to finish this.
Safety and peace, Altair.
Upon you as well, Brother.
Seems fate has a funny way with things.
Robert de Sable is in Jerusalem.
I've seen the knights myself.
Only misfortune follows that man. I won't give him the chance to continue his campaign.
Do not let vengeance cloud your thoughts, Brother. We both know no good can come of that.
I have not forgotten. You have nothing to fear. I do not seek revenge, but knowledge.
Truly you are not the man I once knew.
My work has taught me many things, revealed secrets to me.
But there are still pieces of this puzzle I do not possess.
What do you mean?
All the men I've laid to rest have worked together, united by this man.
Robert has designs upon the land, this much I know for certain.
But how and why, when and where... these things remain out of reach.
Crusaders and Saracens working together?
They are none of these things, but something else. Templars.
The Templars are a part of the Crusader Army.
Or so they'd like King Richard to believe.
No, their only allegiance is to Robert de Sable, in some mad idea that they will stop the war.
You spin a strange tale.
You have no idea, Malik.
Then tell me.
Robert and his Templars walk the city. They've come to pay their respects to Majd Addin.
They'll attend his funeral, which means so will I.
What is this, that Templars would attend his funeral?
I have yet to divine their true intentions, though I'll have a confession in time.
The citizens themselves are divided. Many call for their lives.
Still others insist that they are here to parlay, to make peace.
Peace?
I told you. The others I've slain have said as much to me.
That would make them our allies. And yet we kill them.
Make no mistake, we are nothing like these men.
Though their goal sounds noble, the means by which they'd achieve it are not. At least... that's what Al Mualim told me.
So what is your plan?
I'll attend the funeral and confront Robert.
The sooner the better.
Fortune favor your blade, Brother.
Malik. Before I go, there's something I should say.
Be out with it.
I've been a fool.
Normally I'd make no argument, but what is this? What are you talking about?
All this time, I never told you I was sorry. Too damn proud.
You've lost your arm because of me, lost Kadar. You had every right to be angry.
I do not accept your apology.
I understand.
No, you don't. I do not accept your apology because you are not the same man who went with me into Solomon's Temple.
And so you have nothing to apologize for.
Malik...
Perhaps if I had not been so envious of you, I... would not have been so careless myself. I'm just as much to blame.
Don't say such things.
We are one. As we share the glory of our victories, so too should we share the pain of our defeat.
In this way we grow closer, we grow stronger.
Thank you, Brother.
Rest if you need to, Altair, that you might be ready for what lies ahead.
* Fast-forwarding memory to a more recent one... *
[in unison] Amen!
We gather here to mourn the loss of our beloved Majd Addin, taken too soon from this world.
I know you feel sorrow and pain at his passing, but you should not.
For just as we are all brought forth from the womb, so too must we all, one day, pass from this world.
It is only natural, like the rising and the setting of the sun.
Take this moment to reflect on his life and give thanks for all the good he did.
Know that one day, we will stand with him again in Paradise.
[in unison] Amen!
As you know, this man was murdered.
We have tried to track his killer, but it has proved difficult.
These creatures cling to the shadows, and run from any who would face them fairly.
But not today, for it seems one stands among us!
He mocks us with his presence, and must be made to pay! Seize him!
Bring him forward, that God's justice might be done!
I would see your eyes before you die.
I sense you expected someone else.
What sorcery is this?!
No sorcery. We knew you'd come. Robert needed to be sure he'd have time to get away.
So he flees.
We cannot deny your success. You have laid waste to our plans.
First the treasure, then our men. Control of the Holy Land slipped away.
But then he saw an opportunity to reclaim what has been stolen. To turn your victories to our advantage.
Al Mualim still holds your treasure, and we've routed your army before. Whatever Robert plans, he'll fail again.
Ah! But it's not just Templars you'll contend with now.
Speak sense!
Robert rides for Arsuf to plead his case, that Saracen and Crusader unite against the Assassins.
That will never happen. They have no reason to.
"Had", perhaps. But now you've given them one.
Nine, in fact. The bodies you've left behind, victims on both sides.
You've made the Assassins an enemy in common and ensured the annihilation of your entire order. Well done.
Not nine... eight.
What do you mean?
You were not my target. I will not take your life.
You're free to go, but do not follow me.
I don't need to. You're already too late.
We'll see.
* Fast-forwarding memory to a more recent one... *
It was a trap!
I had heard the funeral turned to chaos. What happened?
Robert de Sable was never here. He sent another in his stead. He was expecting me.
You must go to Al Mualim!
There's no time. She told me where he's gone, what he plans.
If I return to Masyaf, he might succeed. And then... I fear we'll be destroyed.
We have killed most of his men. He cannot hope to mount a proper attack.
Wait... did you say "she"?
Yes! It was a woman. Strange, I know, but that's for another time.
For now we must focus on Robert. We may have thinned his ranks, but the man is clever.
He goes to plead his case to Richard and Saladin, to unite them against the common enemy... against us.
Surely you are mistaken. This makes no sense. These two men would never--
Oh, but they would. And we have ourselves to blame.
The men I've killed, men on both sides of the conflict, men important to both leaders.
Robert's plan may be ambitious but it makes sense, and it could work.
Look, Brother. Things have changed. You must return to Masyaf.
We cannot act without our Master's permission. It could compromise the Brotherhood.
I thought... I thought you had learned this.
Stop hiding behind words, Malik! You wield the Creed and its tenets like some shield.
He's keeping things from us, important things.
You were the one who told me we could never know anything, only suspect.
Well I suspect this business with the Templars goes deeper.
When I'm done with Robert, I will ride for Masyaf that we may have answers. But perhaps you could go now.
I cannot leave the city.
Then walk amongst its people. Seek out those who served the ones I slew. Learn what you can.
You call yourself perceptive. Perhaps you'll see something I could not.
I don't know. I must think on this.
Do as you must, my friend. But it's time I ride for Arsuf.
Every moment I delay, our enemy gets one step ahead of me.
Be careful, Brother.
I will be. I promise.
-Come no further! -Hold a moment. It's words I bring, not steel.
Offering terms of surrender then? It's about time.
You misunderstand. It's Al Mualim who sends me, not Saladin.
Assassin! What is the meaning of this?! And be quick with it!
You've a traitor in your midst.
And he has hired you to kill me? Come to gloat about it before you strike? I won't be taken so easily!
It's not you I've come to kill, it's him.
Speak then, that I may judge the truth. Who is this traitor?
Robert de Sable.
My Lieutenant?! HAHA!
He aims to betray.
That's not the way he tells it.
He seeks revenge against your people for the havoc you've wrought in Acre, and I am inclined to support him.
Some of my best men were murdered by some of yours.
It was I who killed them, and for good reason. Hear me out.
William of Montferrat: he sought to use his soldiers to take Acre by force.
Garnier de Naplouse: he would use his skills to indoctrinate and control any who resisted.
Sibrand: he intended to block the ports, preventing your kingdom from providing aid.
They betrayed you, and they took their orders from Robert.
You expect me to believe this outlandish tale?
You knew these men, better than I. Are you truly surprised to learn of their ill-intentions?
Is this true?
My Liege, it is an Assassin that stands before us.
These creatures are masters of manipulation. Of course it isn't true.
I've no reason to deceive.
Oh, but you do. You're afraid of what will happen to your little fortress.
Can it withstand the combined might of the Saracen and the Crusader Army?
My concern is for the people of the Holy Land. If I must sacrifice myself for there to be peace... so be it.
This is a strange place we find ourselves in, each of you accusing the other.
There really is no time for this. I must be off to meet with Saladin and enlist his aid.
The longer we delay, the harder this will become.
Hold a moment, Robert!
Why? What do you intend? Surely you do not believe him?
It is a difficult decision, one I cannot make alone. I must leave it in the hands of one wiser then I.
Thank you.
No, Robert. Not you.
Then who?
The Lord. Let this be decided by combat. Surely God will side with the one whose cause is righteous.
-If this is what you wish... -It is.
So be it. To arms, Assassin!
It's done then. Your schemes, like you, are put to rest.
Haha... You know nothing of schemes. You're but a puppet.
He betrayed you, boy... just as he betrayed me.
Speak sense, Templar, or not at all!
Nine men he sent you to kill, yes...? The nine who guarded the treasure's secret?
What of it?
It wasn't nine who found the treasure, Assassin. Not nine... but ten.
A tenth? None may live who carry the secret. Give me his name.
Oh, but you know him well. And I doubt very much you'd take his life... as willingly as you've taken mine.
Who?
It is your Master: Al Mualim.
But he is not a Templar!
Did you never wonder how it is he knew so much? Where to find us, how many we number, what we aspire to attain?
He is the Master of the Assassins!
Oui... master of lies. You and I are just two more pawns in his grand game.
And now, with my death, only you remain. Do you think he'll let you live, knowing what you do?
I have no interest in the treasure.
Ah... but he does. The only difference between your master and I... is that he did not want to share!
No...
Ironic, isn't it... that I, your greatest enemy, kept you safe from harm?
But now you've taken my life... and in the process... ended your own.
Well fought, Assassin! It seems God favors your cause this day.
God had nothing to do with it. I was the better fighter.
Ah, you may not believe in Him, but it seems He believes in you.
Before you go, I have a question.
Ask it then.
Why? Why travel all this way? Risk your life a thousand times, all to kill a single man?
He threatened my Brothers and what we stand for.
Ah. Vengeance then...
No. Not vengeance... justice. That there might be peace.
This is what you fight for? Peace? Do you see the contradiction?
Some men cannot be reasoned with.
Like that mad man, Saladin.
I think he'd like to see an end to this war as much as you.
So I've heard, but never seen.
Even if he doesn't say it, it's what the people want. Saracen and Crusader alike.
The people know not what they want. It's why they turn to men like us.
Then it falls to men like you to do what is right.
Nonsense. We come into the world, kicking and screaming, violent and unstable.
It is what we are. We cannot help ourselves.
No. We are what we choose to be.
Ha! Your kind, always playing with words.
I speak the truth. There's no trick to be found here.
We'll know soon enough. But I fear you cannot have what you desire this day.
Even now that heathen, Saladin, cuts through my men, and I must attend to them.
But perhaps, having seen how vulnerable he is, he will reconsider his actions.
Yes. In time, what you seek may be possible.
You are no more secure than him. Do not forget that.
The men you left behind to rule in your stead did not intend to serve you for longer than they had.
Yes, yes. I am well aware.
Then I'll take my leave. My Master and I have much to discuss. It seems that even he is not without fault.
He is only human, as are we all. You as well.
Safety and peace be upon you.