Hunt for the Nine

"I hold here a list. Nine men adorn it, nine men who need to die. They are plague–bringers, war–makers... Their power and influence corrupt the lands, ensuring that the Crusades continue."

- Al Mualim to Altaïr

Ordered by Al Mualim, the hunt for the nine Templars was tasked to Altaïr following the recovery of the Apple at Solomon's Temple. Initially an effort to stop the Crusade from destroying the Holy Land, the hunt turned out to be part of a world control conspiracy that would lead to the destruction of the Templar's and Assassin's Order.

Before the Hunt
After being tricked by Al Mualim into thinking that he was killed, Altaïr was stripped of his weapons, due to his actions at Solomon's Temple. Demoted to a novice, he was given a chance of redemption by Al Mualim. His first task was to hunt down a traitor within their ranks, who opened the gates of Masyaf during the attack of Robert de Sable. Using nothing but his knowledge of gathering information, Altaïr was able to steal a letter from one of the traitor's accomplices, a basket weaver from the village.

He had found out that there were two traitors. One was a man named Masun, a preacher within their village. The other, Jamal, was a member of the Assassins. Altaïr headed off to find Masun within the village and found him, preaching to the villagers about a "new world order". After tailing and interrogating Masun, he was revealed to be in league with the Templars, whom he believes to be righteous and just, and believes Al Mualim to be a madman.

Altaïr brought Masun back alive to Al Mualim. Unrepentant of his sins to the Brotherhood, Al Mualim stabbed him with a longsword, killing him and handing the bloodstained blade to Altaïr. When asked about the other traitor, Al Mualim replied that would speak with him and decide if he was only misled and could be saved, or if he was corrupted by the Templars as well and must've be putted down.

Damascus Market Inspection
After taking back the Hidden Blade, Altaïr was encumbered by Al Mualim with hunting nine men-Crusaders and Saracens alike-who supported the Third Crusade, as an exchange for keeping his life. Altaïr accepted the offer and began his quest riding to Damascus, to hunt down the first in the list, a Muslim weapons dealer named Tamir.

Arriving at the Assassin's Bureau of Damascus, Altaïr began to gather information around the Poor District of Damascus. Through this, he was able to learn that Tamir had an unusually large shipment of weapons for a yet to be named client. After gathering enough information, the Rafiq of the bureau gave Altaïr a feather, that needed to be covered in the blood of the target, to be shown as proof of his success. Altaïr set off to the Marketplace, to kill Tamir.

Altaïr arrived at the marketplace. and saw Tamir harassing a man who was filling out the client's orders. The man claimed that he doesn't have enough time, or the manpower, to finish the orders. Enraged, Tamir killed the man in a frenzy, and left the corpse in the middle of the market, to serve as a reminder to the people, so they may think twice before telling him something can't be done.

As Tamir walked to the stand of a merchant, Altaïr moved slowly behind him and stabbed him across the throat.

Before he died, he revealed that he serves a far nobler cause, not just for profit. He also revealed that he has "brothers", and that he was only a piece, a man with a role to play, and warned Altaïr of his companions, for his death wouldn't be overlooked. Altaïr proceeded to smear the feather on the wound of Tamir, covering it in blood and then left for the bureau.

Slaver Demise
After returning to Masyaf from his successful mission in Damascus, Altair was promoted to the third rank and was rewarded with the short blade. After receiving this, he was then instructed to leave for Jerusalem, a city governed by the Saracens, to assassinate the second man on the list, a slave trader named Talal.

Arriving at the city's Assassin Bureau, Altair was greeted harshly by Malik, the man who was with him during his mission in Solomon's temple. Their conversation was brief, as Altair quickly left to search the Rich District of Jerusalem. Through the information he has gathered, it seems that Talal's slave trading was easily ignored by the guards of the city, presumably because of his ties with other major figures in Jerusalem. He also learned that Talal was transporting these slaves to Acre, a city ruled by Crusaders, to a yet to be named man.

After receiving the feather from a hesitant and spiteful Malik, Altair left for the Rich District, in search for the Slave Warehouse.

He was able to locate the warehouse, and moves in quietly. Discovered quickly, Altair was greeted mockingly by Talal, as his men surrounded Altair. Ordering his men to kill Altair, Talal watched as his men were quickly dispatched by the assassin. Scared for his life, he ran outside his warehouse through the roof and into the streets of Jerusalem. Altair follows him outside, and, after a long chase, was able to kill the Slave Trader.

Before dying, he exclaimed that God has abandoned him & the people he has captured. He claims that he was not taking away their lives, but saving them, liberating them from the troubled streets. He also said that the Brotherhood, the same brotherhood mentioned by Tamir, would not be easily stopped by his death. As he drew his last breath, Altair smears the feather with his blood and leaves for the bureau where he is harshly criticized by Malik for setting off the city's alams and not being subtle enough for Malik's standards.

Hospital Terminal
For his third mission, Altaïr was given throwing knives and told to travel to Acre, a city currently held by the Crusaders. There he had to kill a doctor by the name of Garnier de Naplouse, the Grand Master of the Knights Hospitaller. Altaïr travelled to the bureau in Acre and was told to search the poor district for signs of the target, and as Altaïr walked the streets, he learned that Garnier would soon be leaving his secluded study to see to his "patients". Altaïr was told that all the man that resided in his so called hospital were taken against their will from Jerusalem, possibly even slaves stolen away by Talal. Men had heard terrible screams coming from the hospital as men were experimented on by the cruel doctor. Altaïr scouted out the hospital and returned to the bureau leader, telling him of his discoveries. The leader told Altaïr he had done well and gave him another white feather.

With the help of some scholars, Altaïr was able to sneak into the area just in time to see a patient breaking free from his oppressors. He ran out of the hospital but was soon caught by Garnier de Naplouse's guards. Garnier spoke kindly to him, telling of how he will heal him, but the run away was not convinced, he yelled of the evils done by Garnier and his men within the hospital. The pseudo doctor was angered and commanded the guards to send him back to his cell, when the screaming man proclaimed he would simply escape again, Garnier denied this, as his next command was for the guards to break both the man's legs, which they did.

Altaïr followed Garnier deep into the hospital, climbing along above him to avoid the crazed patients flailing about below, and soon leapt down on his prey, silencing his experiments.

Garnier accepted death, but worried about his "children", Altaïr was surprised by this man's concern for the subjects he kidnapped against their will, however, Garnier claimed they had no will, as the majority of his patients were insane and had mental disorders that Garnier de Naplouse and the Knights Hospitaller were trying to remedy. That they were only taken for their own good, and that the Grand Master had been occasionally successful, stating that his guards were only insane mental patients as well.

Altaïr was very confused by this, and after asking the bureau leader for guidance he was sent to report to Al Mualim. Altaïr's master said that Garnier was lying about his good intentions and that Altaïr should trust what he had seen there (the pain and leg-breaking) rather than what he had been told by an enemy.

The Merchant King's Party
After Altaïr received a new pair of gloves from his master and his fifth rank, he was given three more names and three more pigeons were sent out. Altaïr returned to Damascus by horse and travelled to the Assassin's bureau, asking about the wealthy Abu'l Nuqoud. The bureau leader gave Altaïr a backhanded compliment about the importance of his target, saying he envies him, other that his demotion, failure, and the hate of his comrades. Altaïr claimed he didn't care of the others opinions and was told that his new target is very secluded and "strange". He was instructed to gather more information around the Rich District of the city.

Altaïr then scoured this district for information on the merchant king of Damascus, Abu'l Nuqoud, and found that the man is having a rare celebration during which he would be removed from the seclusion of his home and out in the public that Abu'l hated so much. After returning to the bureau and telling of his plan to strike during this party, Altaïr was given his feather as he leaves to kill the man.

At the party, his target, Abu'l Nuqoud, came out to give a speech on a balcony above the people he rules. Abu'l told of his people's foolishness of paying for the war, that they only feared those that are different from themselves, such as the Europeans, and himself. Abu'l Nuqoud then accused the party goers of mocking him and his idiosyncrasies, as well he gleefully explained that they would no longer talk behind his back, for the wine was poisoned and all the people began coughing and choking. Altaïr then acted, climbing up and around the target as he watched his people die.

As the assassin ended Abu'l's life, Abul said that he didn't believe in God, who had called him an abomination (either because of his obesity or presumed homosexuality), and Abul killed the rich men who pretended to follow him for their bigotry. Abul Nuqoud tells that he does not work for Saladin, but a higher power, claiming that they "will have (their) New World". Altaïr then returned to Masyaf with news of his success, asking Al Mualim about these men he killed, saying that they all seemed connected but the master only replied that he would learn the answer when he "no longer needed to ask".

Fortress Infiltration
After his good work in Damascus, Altaïr is given an assassin's boot that allow for dextrious dodges and balance, and a stronger silver blade is gifted to him. Altaïr then rides for a second trip to Acre for the death of the man William of Montferrat.

The rafiq in Acre tells Altaïr that William was put in charge of Acre as a sort of political hostage, to calm the conflicts that his son, Conrad, was building up with King Richard. Altaïr remarks disgustedly at the underhanded acts of politicians, but the bueau leader reminds his guest that he too is a politician in his own right, as each death done by the Assassins is changing the politics of the holy land by removing powerful tyrants or political figures.

Altaïr then travels the rich district of the city and finds that William of Monferrat is a harsh leader, one who is oppressing his people with strict governing and although he is said to be training soldiers for the Crusade, no men have moved from Acre to join the battle at Arsuf, instead they surround William in his fortress. However, Altaïr is told that King Richard has come to Acre to berate the Regent Lord for killing some Saracen prisoners who were ment to be traded. After such a meeting with the King, it is known that William is always angry and distracted as he berates his own men to blame them for his failures. Altaïr returns to the assassin's bureau with this news, saying that while he is distracted with his men in his fortress Altaïr will attack, and the rafiq give him leave to strike.

Altaïr finds William of Montferrat escorting King Richard out of his fortress as they argue heatedly. William claims that their enemy's army will not be outraged by the death of the Saracen prisoners in Acre, but rather filled with fear. Richard asks suspiciously how a man who stays far from the fighting knows his enemy so well, and William replies that he should have his King's trust by now. Richard said that making him regent is trust enough and leaves William to sulk.

William is angered and gathers his men, preparing to blame and berate them, just as Altaïr suspected he would. As the target yelled a his men, Altaïr infiltrated the fortress running across rooftops and throwing knives at the many archers stationed all over the area. Soon Altaïr reaches the regent lord as he scorns his men's sloppy work. Altaïr waits silently above as he dismisses his men and send them back to their posts. When William walks over to a nearby desk to make plans, the Assassin leaps down from above, puting his blade through William of Montferrat's throat.

As William died, he claimed that he didn't care about his son Conrad or King Richard, that neither man would be fit for the "new world" he was creating. When questioned about his cruelty to the men of Acre, and stealing their food, he responded that he was simply preparing his people and rationing for the lean time that the transition to his new world would bring. William told Altaïr that he ruled strictly to give his city order and justice, as his district was free of crime other than those that Altaïr himself commited.

Altaïr returns to the bureau and asks about these strange speeches of his victims, but the rafiq tells him not to trust a snake, who has venom even in death, and to see Al Mualim for more answers.

Altaïr returns to Masyaf frustrated and furious, he yells at Al Mualim for the constant encryption of his words. Altaïr accuses his master, saying that his high rank was not lost, but taken, and that if any other man had the ability to kill these powerful men, he would of already been sent in Altaïr's place. Altaïr explains that Al Mualim needs him, and demands explination of his tasks. Al Mualim gives in, and tells Altaïr of the hidden connection between these men, that they are all Templars. Whatever side of the war they claim to be on, their masters are not King Richard or Saladin, but rather Robert de Sable. Before Altaïr leaves, his master asks him how he knew Al Mualim would nit just kill him, Altaïr replies, "Truth is, master, I didn't. I took a leap of faith."

Tyrant's Execution
Altaïr is given additional throwing knives after the death of William of Montferrat and is sent to Jerusalem to kill the man, Majd Addin. Altaïr travels to Jerusalem and meets with Malik in the assassin's bureau, who tells him the area has been chaotic since the tyrant Majd Addin userpt controll over Jerusalem after Saladin left for war. Addin is a violent leader and is harsh in his punishments. Altaïr asks for a location to begin searching and Malik is amazed that Altaïr asked for aid rather than demanding it, and gave him the names of areas in the poor district to explore.

As Altaïr hunts through the area saving citizens and finding information he disvovers that Mald Addin loves performing executions and giving rightious speeches to the people and the criminals during them, and when he talks to the criminals his back is too the people in the crowd. Altaïr also overhears from a father whos son is to be executed that there would be an execution that day, performed by Addin himself.

Altair returns to Malik, who calls him a novice, saying rank is based on how one acts, not the markings on his robe. Altaïr says that he knows he will strike during that day's execution and Malik gives Altaïr one more task, one of the men being executed is an Assassin, and although another team of Assassins are prepared to rescue him, Altaïr must strike at Majd Addin before he kills the brother and provide a distraction for the escape.

Altaïr moves stealthily ito the crowd gathering before the criminals as Majd Addin enters, with all the people cheering for him. He gives a speech to the crowd about justice and tells of the four criminals "crimes", calling the fellow assassin a heretic. Guards are stationed all around the podium and archers are on the roofs, so when the angry father came running out saying his son was innocent, he was shot and his friend was stabbed to death. Altaïr noticed a group of preists coming to pray for the souls of the soon to be executed people, and Altaïr moved to join them, walking slowly with his head down to blend in with the holy men who walked to stand at the edge of the platform, past the line of guards. The first victim, a woman, was accused of infedelity, but she proclaimed that she was not there for laying with others, only for refusing to lay with him before Majd Addin silenced her cries. As Addin moved to the next victim Altaïr broke away from the scholars and assassinated Majd Addin with his hidden blade.

Altaïr expected Majd Addin to give some kind of justification for his actions as the others did, but Addin simply states that the Templars wanted controll of the city and he wanted power, showing that he was not the most loyal templar, as he did not believe in their new world. The tyrant admitted that his victims were no criminals, but dangerous just the same, they were people who spoke out againts his authority. When asked how he coud kill men simply for disagreeing, Majd replies that he didnt kill them for believeing differently, he killed them because he could, because he loved the power and fear that he gained from it. After hearing this, Altaïr showed his target what happens to men who raise themselves above others, they get a blade in their throat.

Altaïr informs Malik that he is successful and Malik says nothing. When Altaïr sarcastically asks why Malik has not pointed out some incredible flaw in his work, Malik says Altaïr performed no better or no worse than he should, but Altaïr should not have to ask for praise just because he completed the task assigned to him. Altaïr goes back to Masyaf and talks with Al Mualim about something he noticed; the Templar leaders seem to be intentionally hindering both the Crusaders and the Saracen army, but Altaïr was at a loss to know why. Al Mualim opens the Templar treasure that Malik recovered and removes a silver orb as he explains to his student that Robert de Sable wants the holy land for himself to begin a new Templar empire, what they call their "New World", but that they could not do so, because the treasure he held was crucial for the Templar's plans. Altaïr queries how a piece of silver could have such importance, and Al Mualim replies that it was this object that opened and closed the Red Sea, that began the Trojan War, and that allowed "a carpenter to turn water into wine". Altaïr then vehemently claims that this power must never touch Templar hands, and Al Mualim gladly agrees, giving Altaïr two more targets, one in Acre and one in Damascus.

Book Burning
As a reward for his previous success, Altaïr's signature Assassin's sword is returned to him, the one that he weilded before his demotion, and his final skill, Defense Break. Altaïr's final target in Damascus is a man who calls himself Jubair al Hakim. However, when he arrives in Damascus and tell the rafiq there of his task, the man finds it odd, as Jubair is not a politician, but the Chief Scholar of Saladin. The bureau leader would not question Al Mualim's judgement however and explained that the scholar had been very active lately, sending his men out into the city to preach about "the light and the flame" as well as something about a "New World", more Templar maddness. Altaïr was then sent south, to the middle district of Damascus to uncover more information on the man.

Altaïr learned that Jubair had been gather all texts, and books from the people and burning them all, calling the writings "dangerous". Altaïr's target had a large following of scholars who wore red robes and black hoods, the only way to differentiate beteen them and Jubair was that the masters cloak was made with fine golden enbroidery and he often carried a pouch with him. Upon overhearing a man who wanted to join Jubair's ranks, Altaïr learned that his target was having a meeting with his men that day at the Madrasah Al-Kallasah in the middle district.

Altaïr returned and told the bureau leader of Jubair's actions and burnings, explaining why Al Mualim might want him killed. Altaïr says that he plans to stkike during the daily meeting and the rafiq reliquishes another feather for Jubair's blood.

Altaïr arrive at the meeting and watches from about as a scholar pleads for Jubair to stop his burning of every written work in Demascus. Many other scholars watch their interchange from afar as they throw books to the flame. Jubair tells the pleading man that the books are a weapon used to trap the people, but the scholar disaggrees, saying that the writings were not weapons, but gifts of knowledge. To this, Jubair questions weither the man before him has considered who wrote these books and weither the writers were trustworthy. Jubair then picks up a book and moves to a nearby bonfire as he states that books limit people's veiw of the world and hinder free thought. The pleading scholar steps between Jubair and the fire asking him to stop his madness, but Jubair al Hakim scoffs, saying that the man believes in the books more than he does in himself. Jubair asks the scholar if he would do anything for his precious books. The pleading scholar hesitantly says yes, and Jubair exclaims "Then join them!" as he pushes the man screaming into the flames. The cheif scholar then asks if any of the others would like to dissagree, but after seeing what just occured, none spoke, and instead the meeting ended, with all of the men splitting up to gather texts and preach across the district.

Altaïr moved through the area from scholar to scholar, killing off each man before he was able to take more liturature away from the people. Finally, Altaïr found Jubair in an open, roofless house proclaiming his ideals to the people in the street. The entrace to the house was well guarded, so Altaïr climbed around his target, defeating the archers who watched over Jubair from above. Next, the Assassin dropped silently into the house, suck up behind his target, and put an end to his preaching.

In Jubair's last moments, Altaïr told the Templar that free thought could not be forced on the people, it had to be taught to them. Jubair protested that they would not learn because they were fixed in their ways, Altaïr claimed he was wrong, but the dying man replied that he himself was not so different from the books he burned, a source of knowledge that was disagreed with. Yet, Jubair taunted, Altaïr did not hesitate to take the cheif scholar's knowledge from the world. Altaïr explains that Jubair was a danger to the people, "A small sacrifice to save many.", but Jubair al Hakim reminds his killer that is was books and written word that lead both Saladin and King Richard toward their bloody war. Jubair says that books have cause many more deaths than one man ever could, and finishing that he too was making a small sacrifice.

Altaïr escaped back to the bureau and told the rafiq of what he saw then moved on to Masyaf. When Al Mualim heard that they are one step closer to their goal, he asks Altaïr what their goal is to him. Altaïr answers that it is to provide freedom to the world, and Al Mualim asks what is the world. The student states that the world is an illusion, one that most men are blinded by, and while the Templars try to use that illusion to rule the people, the Assassins wish to help them trancend. Al Mualim next asks what it is to trancend, and Altaïr replies that it is to realize that nothing is true and everything is permitted, that we must use that understanding for wisdom, not rashness. The leader of the Assassins tells Altaïr that there is only one more obstacle before his final task.

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Majd Addin's Funeral

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Faceoff with De Sable
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