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, regarding Altaïr's new quest.

Ordered by Al Mualim, the hunt for the nine Templars was tasked to Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad 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 near destruction of both the Templars and Assassins.

The Deal
After being tricked by Al Mualim into believing that he had been killed, Altaïr was stripped of his weapons and rank, due to his actions at Solomon's Temple. Demoted to novice, he was given a chance at 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 found that there were two traitors. One, a man named Masun, was a preacher within their village. The other, Jamal, was a member of the Assassins. Altaïr found Masun within the village, 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 believed to be righteous and just, and believed Al Mualim a madman.

Altaïr brought Masun back to Al Mualim alive. Al Mualim gave Masun a chance to repent for his sins to the Brotherhood, but he remained defiant, Al Mualim then stabbed Masun with a longsword, killing him and handing the bloodstained blade to Altaïr. When asked about the other traitor, Al Mualim replied that he would speak with him and decide if he was merely misled and could be saved, or if he was corrupted by the Templars as well and must be silenced.

The Hunt
After being given a sword and reacquiring his 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. Al Mualim then told Altaïr he would have to report to the local Assassins bureau to get permission to do his task. Altaïr challenged Al Mualim saying he did not need their permission. Al Mualim then told him otherwise as he was now below them. Then accepting the offer, Altaïr left Masyaf on horseback to the Kingdom and began his quest for redemption.

Damascus Market Inspection
Beginning his quest, Altaïr rode for Damascus to hunt down the first man on the list, a Muslim weapons dealer and black marketeer named Tamir. Arriving at the Assassin's Bureau of Damascus, the Rafiq of the Bureau made suggestions as to where Altaïr should look for information about Tamir. 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 an unknown client. After gathering all possible information, the Rafiq granted Altaïr permission to start his mission and provided Altaïr with a feather that was to be soaked with the blood of the target as proof of the assassination. Altaïr set off to the Souk Al-Silaah, to kill Tamir.

Altaïr arrived at the Souk and noticed Tamir harassing a man who was filling out the client's requests. The man claimed that he didn't have enough time or the manpower to finish the orders. Tamir reminded him that if not for his aid he would still be charming serpents for money, and the man then stated that perhaps Tamir asked for too much. Enraged, Tamir killed the man in a frenzy and left the corpse in the middle of the Souk courtyard to serve as a warning to the people so they may think twice before telling him something couldn't be done.

As Tamir walked to the stand of a merchant, inspecting and deriding what he viewed as shoddy work, Altaïr made his way slowly through the busy crowd towards Tamir for the kill, stabbing him in the throat.

With Tamir dying in Altaïr's arms, he swore that he and the Assassin Order would pay for their crimes. Altaïr, however, took little worry to this threat, believing Tamir would now pay for his. Tamir then asked Altaïr if he saw him as some petty deathdealer, taking advantage of the Crusades. Remarking that he was a strange target, when many others did the same, Altaïr asked him why he believed himself above the scum. Tamir revealed that he served a far nobler cause, not just for profit.

He also revealed that he had "brothers", and that he was only a piece, a man with a role to play. When Tamir assured Altaïr that he would come to meet his brothers, Altaïr remarked that he looked forward to ending their lives as well. Tamir warned Altaïr of his companions, for his death wouldn't be overlooked, and Altaïr's pride would destroy himself. With this, Tamir died and Altaïr proceeded to smear the feather on the wound of Tamir, covering it in blood and then retreating to the Bureau.

Slaver Demise
After returning to Masyaf from his successful mission in Damascus, Altaïr was restored a rank and 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, Altaïr was harshly greeted by Malik, the man who accompanied him during his mission in Solomon's temple. Their conversation was brief, as Altaïr quickly left to search the Rich District of Jerusalem for information regarding his target and location. Through the information that he had gathered, Altaïr learned 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, Altaïr departed for the Slaver's warehouse. Altaïr moved in quietly, and as he did, the warehouse doors closed automatically behind him. He then noticed several of the slaves Talal had taken in: beggars and lepers who had been bound behind metal bars, pleading for their freedom. As their cries continued, Altaïr went further in, and there, he saw a small open space.

As he entered, Altaïr was greeted mockingly by Talal as his men surrounded the Assassin. As Talal, though hiding in the shadows, continued to mock Altaïr, he promised one last request. As Altaïr demanded Talal to reveal himself, he proceeded to the high balcony. After Altaïr told him to fight with honor, Talal ordered his men to kill Altaïr. However, Talal watched as his men were quickly dispatched by the Assassin. Scared for his life, he exited his warehouse through the roof and ran into the streets of Jerusalem, in a flawed escape attempt. Altaïr followed him outside, and after a long pursuit through the streets, Altaïr was able to catch and kill Talal.

Before dying, he exclaimed that God had abandoned him and the people he had captured. He claimed that he was not taking away their lives, but saving them, liberating them from the troubled streets and improving the quality of life for them. He continued, that the Brotherhood, the same Brotherhood mentioned by Tamir, would not easily be stopped by his death. Altaïr disagreed with Talal, stating he benefited from the Crusades, from despair. Talal sneered that Altaïr was ignorant and still did not see the irony in the situation. As he drew his last breath, Altaïr smeared the feather with his blood and returned to the Bureau where he was criticized by Malik for setting off the city's alarms and not being subtle enough for his standards.

Hospital Terminal
After his second mission, Altaïr was awarded 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 Hospitalier. Altaïr traveled to the Bureau in Acre and was told to search the Poor district for signs of his target. 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 men that resided in his so called hospital were taken against their will from Jerusalem, likely stolen away and transported by Talal. Terrible screams were heard coming from the hospital as people were experimented on by the cruel doctor. Altaïr scouted out the hospital and returned to the Rafiq, telling him of his discoveries, who then told Altaïr he had done well, and gave him a white feather necessary for his task.

With the help of some wandering scholars, Altaïr was able to sneak into the fortress just in time to witness a patient breaking free from his oppressors. He ran out of the hospital, screaming for help, but was soon caught by Garnier de Naplouse's guards. Garnier then revealed himself and spoke kindly to him, preaching how he would heal him, but the patient was not convinced, yelling of the evils done by Garnier and his men within the hospital.

The doctor became enraged, punishing the patient, and commanded the guards to send him back to his cell; when the screaming man proclaimed that he would simply escape again, and chains would not bound him. However, Garnier denied him this future escape, as his next command was for the guards to break both the man's legs, which they brutally did by kicking his knee caps. With the patient screaming with pain, and the crowd watching in horror, Ganier's victim was dragged off to the hospital.

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, ending him and his experiments.

Garnier accepted his death, but worried about his "children", Altaïr was surprised by his concern for the subjects he had taken against their will. However, Garnier claimed they had no will, as the majority of his patients were insane and had mental disorders, taken from streets and sewers, that Garnier de Naplouse and the Knights Hospitalier were merely trying to remedy. They were only taken for their own good, and the Grand Master had been occasionally successful, stating that his guards were once insane mental patients.

Altaïr asked if Ganier truly believed he was helping the patients, however, Garnier corrected this, claiming it was not what he believed, but what he knew. With these final words, Garnier died, and Altaïr was left confused, and immediately escaped the guard who witnessed the doctor's death. He returned to the Bureau and after asking the Rafiq 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, rather than what he had been told by an enemy.

The Merchant King's party
After Altaïr received a new pair of punching gloves from his master and his next rank, he was given three more names and three more pigeons were sent out. Altaïr returned to Damascus and headed to the Bureau, asking about the wealthy Abu'l Nuqoud, the "Merchant King". The Rafiq there gave Altaïr a backhanded compliment about the importance of his target, saying he envies him, aside from his demotion, failure, and the hatred of his comrades. Altaïr claimed he didn't care of the others opinions and then 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 the district for information on the Merchant King of Damascus, Abu'l Nuqoud, and found that the man was having a rare celebration during which he would be removed from the seclusion of his home and out in the public that he despised. After returning to the Bureau and telling the Rafiq of his plan to strike during this party, Altaïr was given the necessary feather and left to kill his target.

Once at Abu'l Nuqoud's grand palace, Altaïr moved through the crowd and Abu'l Nuqoud revealed himself to give a speech on a balcony above the people. Abu 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. Suddenly, the guests began coughing and choking, before slowly perishing to Abu's cruel plot. Abu then commanded his archers to "kill anyone who tries to escape".

Altaïr then acted, climbing up and around the target as he watched the people die, then descended to the balcony. However, Abu made a flawed escape attempt, forcing the Assassin to pursue. Eventually, Altaïr's stamina was enough to deal a fatal blow to the Merchant King.

As the Assassin ended Abu's life, Abu claimed that he didn't believe in the same God, who had called him an abomination, and because of him killing the rich men who pretended to follow him for their bigotry. Abu'l Nuqoud told Altaïr that he did not support Saladin, but a higher power, claiming that they "will have (their) New World"; he also challenged Altaïr's faith in his cause, remarking that they were the same, killing a few to improve the fortunes of the many. 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 work in Damascus, Altaïr was given an Assassin's boot that allowed for dexterous dodges and balance, and a stronger silver blade was gifted to him. Altaïr then rode to Acre for a second time to assassinate the city's regent, William of Montferrat.

The Rafiq in Acre told 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 remarked disgustedly at the underhanded acts of politicians, but the Rafiq reminded Altaïr 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 traveled to the Rich District of the city and found that William of Montferrat was a harsh leader, who oppressed his people with strict governing. Although he was said to be training soldiers for the Crusade, no men had moved from Acre to join the battle at Arsuf; instead they surrounded William in his fortress. However, Altaïr was told that King Richard had come to Acre to berate the Regent Lord for the execution of nearly 3000 Saracen prisoners taken when the Crusaders captured Acre, who were meant to be traded back to Saladin. After such meetings with the King, Altaïr learned that William was always angry and distracted as he antagonized his own men, blaming them for his failures. Altaïr returned to the Bureau with this news, saying that while he is distracted with his men in his fortress Altaïr would attack, the Rafiq then approved, and gave him leave to strike.

Altaïr found William of Montferrat escorting King Richard out of his fortress as they argued heatedly. William claimed that their enemy's army will not be outraged by the death of the Saracen prisoners in Acre, but rather filled with fear. Richard asked suspiciously how a man who stayed far from the fighting knew his enemy so well, and William replied that he should have his King's trust by now. Richard responded that making him regent was trust enough, and left William to sulk, as he headed back to the front line at Arsuf.

Frustrated with this, William gathered his men, preparing to blame and berate them, just as Altaïr suspected he would. As the target yelled at his men, Altaïr infiltrated the fortress running across the rooftops and throwing knives at the many archers stationed all over the area. Soon Altaïr reached the Regent Lord as he scorned his men's sloppy work. Altaïr waited silently above as William dismissed his men and sent them back to their posts. When William walked over to a nearby desk to make plans, the Assassin leaped down from above, putting his blade through William's throat.

As William died, he claimed that he didn't care about his son Conrad or King Richard, and that neither man would be fit for the "new world" he was creating. When questioned about his cruelty to the citizens of Acre, such as stealing their food, he responded that he was simply preparing his people. He claimed he was not stealing the citizenry's food but merely taking possession of it so that it could be rationed for the lean times 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 committed by the Assassins, and that the heavy conscription of men into his army was to install the virtues of order and discipline into the people. Altaïr remarked that while William's actions may have been well-intended, they were cruel and could not continue, but with his last breath, William sneered that Altaïr's actions would not free the people of the Holy Land, but damn them.

Altaïr returned to the Bureau and asked about these strange speeches of his victims, however the Rafiq told him not to trust a snake, who had venom even in death, and to see Al Mualim for more answers.

Altaïr returned to Masyaf, frustrated and furious, where he confronted Al Mualim for the constant encryption of his words. Altaïr accused 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 have already been sent in place of Altaïr. Altaïr explained that Al Mualim needed him, and demanded explanation of his tasks. Al Mualim gave in, and told 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 left, Al Mualim asked him how he knew he would not kill him, to which Altaïr replied, "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 then sent to Jerusalem to kill the city's ruler, Majd Addin. Altaïr traveled to Jerusalem and met with Malik in the Bureau. Malik told him that the area had been in chaos since the tyrant Majd Addin usurped control over Jerusalem after Saladin left for war; he ruled the city through a combination of fear and intimidation. Addin was a violent leader and was harsh in his punishments. Altaïr asked for a location to begin his search, this amazed Malik as Altaïr had actually asked for aid rather than demanding it, and gave him the names of areas in the Poor District to explore.

As Altaïr hunted through the area, saving citizens and finding information, he discovered that Majd Addin loved personally performing executions and giving righteous speeches to the people and the criminals during them, and when he talks to the criminals, his back is to the crowd. Altaïr also overheard from a father whose son is to be executed that there would be an execution that day, performed by Addin himself.

Altaïr returned to Malik, who criticized him, called him a novice, and saying that rank is based on how one acts, not the markings on ones robes. Altaïr explained that he would strike during that day's execution. Before he left, Malik gave Altaïr one more task; one of the men being executed was an Assassin, and although another team of Assassins were prepared to rescue him, Altaïr must strike at Majd Addin before he kills the brother and provide a distraction for the escape.

Altaïr moved stealthily into the crowd gathering before the criminals as Majd Addin entered, with all the people cheering for him. He gave a speech to the crowd about justice, and told the people about the four criminal's "crimes", calling the Assassin a heretic. Guards were stationed all around the podium and archers were on the roofs, so when the angry father came running out saying that his son was innocent, he was instantly shot, and his friend was cut down by a guard. Altaïr noticed a group of scholars coming to pray for the souls of the soon to be executed people. He stealthily joined them, walking slowly with his head down to blend in with the holy men who reached the stand at the edge of the platform, and past the line of guards. The first victim, a woman, was accused of infidelity, 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 stated that the Templars wanted control 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 dissidents who spoke out against his authority. When asked how he could kill men simply for disagreeing, Majd replies that he didn't kill them for believing differently, he killed them because he could, because he loved the power and fear that he gained from it, claiming that it was a sense of almost god-like power, and that anyone else, even Altaïr would have done the same in such a position. After hearing this, Altaïr showed his target what happens to men who raise themselves above others, and then savagely thrusted his hidden blade into his throat once more and ended his reign of terror.

Altaïr informed Malik that he had been successful, however Malik replied with silence. When Altaïr sarcastically asked why Malik had not pointed out some incredible flaw in his work, Malik said that Altaïr performed no better or no worse than he should, and that he should not have to ask for praise just because he completed the task assigned to him. Altaïr went back to Masyaf and talked with Al Mualim about something that he had noticed; the Templar leaders seemed to be intentionally hindering both the Crusaders and the Saracen army, but Altaïr was at a loss to know why. Al Mualim opened the Templar treasure that Malik had recovered and removed a silver orb from inside. He explained to his student that Robert de Sable wanted the Holy Land for himself to begin a new Templar empire, what they called their "New World", but that they could not do so, because the treasure he held was crucial for the Templar's plans. Altaïr queried how a piece of silver could have such importance, and Al Mualim explained that it was this object that parted and closed the Red Sea, that began the, and that allowed "a carpenter to turn water into wine". Altaïr then vehemently claimed that this power must never touch Templar hands, and Al Mualim gladly agreed, giving Altaïr two more targets, one in Acre and one in Damascus.

Book Burning
As a reward for his previous success, he is rewarded with his own sword. Altaïr's final target in Damascus was a man named Jubair al Hakim. However, when he arrived at Damascus and told the Rafiq there of his task, the man found it odd, as Jubair was not a politician, but the Chief Scholar of Saladin. However, the bureau leader would not question Al Mualim's judgment 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 madness. Altaïr was then sent south, to the middle district of Damascus to uncover more information on the man.

Altaïr learned that Jubair had been gathering all texts and books from the people and burning them all, calling the writings "dangerous". Altaïr's target had a group of followers who wore the same robes as Jubair did, the only way to differentiate between them and Jubair was that the master's cloak was made with fine golden embroidery 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 said that he planned to strike during the daily meeting and the Rafiq relinquished another feather for Jubair's blood.

Altaïr arrived at the meeting and watched from above as a scholar pleaded with Jubair to stop his burning of every written work in Damascus. Many other scholars watched their interchange from afar as they threw books to the flame. Jubair told the pleading man that the books were a weapon used to trap the people, but the scholar disagreed, saying that the writings were not weapons, but gifts of knowledge. To this, Jubair questioned whether the man before him had considered who wrote these books and whether the writers were trustworthy. Jubair then picked up a book and moved to a nearby bonfire as he stated that books limit people's view of the world and hinder free thought. The pleading scholar stepped between Jubair and the fire asking him to stop his madness, but Jubair scoffed, saying that the man believed in the books more than he did in himself. Jubair asked the scholar if he would do anything for his precious books. The pleading scholar hesitantly replied yes, and Jubair exclaimed "Then join them!" as he pushed the man into the flames.

The chief scholar then asked if any of the others would like to disagree, but after seeing what had just occurred, 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 literature away from the people. Finally, Altaïr found Jubair in an open, roofless house proclaiming his ideals to the people in the street. The entrance 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, sneaked 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 that he had burned, a source of knowledge that was disagreed with. Yet, Jubair taunted, Altaïr did not hesitate to take the chief scholar's knowledge from the world. Altaïr explained that Jubair was a danger to the people, "A small sacrifice to save many.", but Jubair al Hakim reminded the assassin that it was books and written word that led both Saladin and King Richard toward their bloody war. Jubair said that books had caused 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 and then moved on to Masyaf. When Al Mualim heard that they were one step closer to their goal, he asked Altaïr what their goal was. Altaïr answered that it was to provide freedom to the world, and Al Mualim asked what the world was. The student stated that the world was 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 transcend. Al Mualim then asked what it was to transcend, and Altaïr replied that it is to realize that nothing is true and that everything is permitted, that we must use that understanding for wisdom, not rashness. The leader of the Assassins told Altaïr that there was only one more obstacle before his final task.

Port Navigation
"I followed my orders, believing in my cause, same as you."

- Sibrand's last words.

With the success of Jubair's assassination, Altaïr was rewarded with an upgraded short blade. With that, he traveled to the ports of Acre to kill the last man that stood between him and De Sable, Meister Sibrand, leader of the Knights Teutonic. Upon further investigation, Altaïr learned that Sibrand had become paranoid with fear of the assassins, due to the news of his brothers' deaths across the Holy Land, causing him to see enemies everywhere. Due to his fear, he demanded that the patrols be doubled and even threatened to withdraw knights from the battlefield in order to protect him. Altaïr returned to the bureau to report what he knew and was granted permission by the Rafiq to carry out the assassination.

Infiltrating the docks, Altaïr came across a commotion. Sibrand had accused a scholar of being an assassin due to the similarities in their clothing. The scholar cried to the onlookers for help, to no avail with no one stepping in. Though he claimed that the assassins wear similar robes to install fear, Sibrand refused to listen, and brutally killed the scholar claiming'' "what I do, I do for Acre!" ''He then told the onlookers to be vigilant and to report any suspicious behavior to the guards, saying that he doubts he has seen the last of the assassins. Sibrand moved to don his personal helmet and returned to the safety of his ship to await departure.

Navigating his way across the water, Altaïr managed to reach Sibrand's vessel, where he shot arrows at nothing in particular screaming ''"Fine, none of you will lift a hand in defense of your master? I'll take care of this heathen myself!" ''Altaïr, understanding this insanity made Sibrand vulnerable, climbed aboard the vessel. Sibrand saw Altaïr and attempted to make a flawed escape, however, with a brief pursuit Altaïr lunged at his target and drove his blade in Sibrand's throat. In his dying breath, Sibrand said that he was afraid. Altaïr reassured him that he would be safe in the arms of his God, but the Teutonic leader revealed that he knew that nothing waits; that the treasure was proof that life was all he had, and that was why he was afraid.

He also revealed that he intended to block the ports to prevent "the fool kings and queens" from sending reinforcements. Altaïr asked if it was for once they had conquered the Holy Land, but Sibrand retorted that he sought not to conquer the Holy Land, but free it from the tyranny of faith. Altaïr questioned his idea of freedom because of the means by which they would achieve it. Sibrand just said that he followed his orders, believing in his cause, same as Altaïr.

Back at the bureau, Altaïr questioned the Rafiq about the justness of his task. Whether they needed to die. Saying that they were "misguided, perhaps, but pure in motive." The Rafiq assured Altaïr that regret for the killing of others is only human, but said that such knowledge of the Templar's unworthiness to live is above him and that he should speak with Al Mualim about it. With that, Altaïr rode for Masyaf to speak to his master.

Al Mualim finally explained De Sable's plans for the holy land once he took it; peace, and an end to war. Altaïr was confused, but his teacher told him that it is not the Templars goal that is evil, only their way of achieving it, that they wish to force freedom, using the Apple. The speeches of the men he had killed begin to make sense for Altaïr, and he knew that he must kill his final target, so that the Assassins can guide the people to freedom where Robert would force them.

Funeral for the Fallen
After a successful assassination in Acre, Altaïr was promoted to the Tenth and final rank, and all of the equipment that he had during the mission in Solomon's Temple was returned to him. With this, he was instructed by his master to head for Jerusalem, where he was to confront the ninth, and final man on the list, Robert de Sable, the Grand Master of the Knights Templar, the man who he faced in the Temple, leader of the siege in Masyaf and the Assassin Order's greatest nemesis and obstacle to their goals.

Arriving at the Bureau, Malik greeted Altaïr with a more respectful tone, much to Altaïr's surprise, although the conversation was cut short, as Altaïr began to scour the Middle District of Jerusalem for information regarding de Sable's presence. It seemed that Robert publicly announced that he would be in Jerusalem to attend the funeral of one of Altaïr's past targets, Majd Addin, along with a number of his men, as a symbol of mutual co-operation and respect between the Saracens and the Crusaders. With this knowledge, Altaïr reported to the bureau, where he was handed the feather. He then quickly left to attend the funeral of the man he killed.

As he arrived, he saw that both the citizens and soldiers had begun to listen to the sermon of the funeral's speaker. Standing beside him was Robert de Sable, alongside his men, and the Saracen guards assigned to protect them. As the speaker began to preach Addin's past life, Altaïr quietly watched from within the crowd, praying along with the citizens. As Altaïr watched from the sidelines, De Sable whispered in the speaker's ear. The speaker then began to preach their attempts to locate the man responsible for Addin's death. As he did, Crusaders and Saracen soldiers appeared and stood before the crowd. Altaïr's presence was revealed by the speaker. As the citizens fled from the cemetery, the soldiers went to seize Altaïr.

Altaïr drew his sword as the soldiers drew theirs. De Sable and his men fought bravely, but proved no match for the skills of the Assassin. As the last soldier fell to the ground, Altaïr confronted De Sable and overpowered him.

Altaïr wanted to see De Sable's eyes before he died, but to his surprise, the face underneath the helmet was not De Sable's, but that of a woman's. She explained that she was merely a decoy so that the real De Sable had enough time to flee. She admitted that, because of Altaïr's meddling, both in denying the Templars the Piece of Eden and slaying their agents across the realm, control over the Holy Land seemed farther away, but De Sable saw an opportunity, where he could turn the Assassin's victories into theirs.

Altaïr sneered that the Piece of Eden was still in Al Mualim's possession and that the Assassins could easily repulse Robert's army as they had before, but the woman continued to explain that De Sable had marched to Arsuf, where he would plead to both the Saracen and the Crusaders to unite against the Assassins. Although Altaïr believed that they had no reason to, the woman proudly explained that they do have a reason, in fact nine. Altaïr's targets, the men he killed, both Saracen and Crusaders, they are the reason why both forces have a common enemy. With this in tow, Altaïr remarked that they only have eight reasons; since the woman was not his target, he spared her life and threatened her not to follow him, to which she proudly says that she would not, as he was already too late, to which he replied that remained to be seen.

Returning to the Bureau, Altaïr explained to Malik what had happened. Malik asked Altaïr to return to Masyaf and seek the permission of Al Mualim. However he disagreed and said that he would ride for Arsuf and stop De Sable's plan. Malik explains that they could not act without the master's permission, for this could compromise the brotherhood, a part of the three tenets he thought Altaïr had learned. Altaïr however, reprimanded him to stop hiding behind the creed, and that he believed that Al Mualim was hiding important things from them. He suspected that the business they have with the Templars was deeper than what Al Mualim had told Altaïr.

Altaïr had instructed Malik to leave the city and head for Masyaf as he headed for Arsuf. However, Malik could not leave the city. Altaïr then gave him a new order, to walk amongst the crowd and scour the city for information he might have missed regarding his past targets. After this, Altaïr and Malik bid their farewells to each other, as Altaïr prepared to ride for Arsuf.

In pursuit of De Sable
Riding on horseback to Arsuf, Altaïr fought his way past Archers and Guards until he reached King Richard. The monarch initially assumed Altaïr was one of Salah Al'din's heralds, come to negotiate, but the Assassin refuted this, and corrected him on his assumption. Upon hearing Altaïr's explanation, King Richard allowed Altaïr to converse with him. Altaïr stated that one of Richard's men, Robert de Sable, was plotting to overthrow him and his army in order to take control of the Holy Land using the Apple of Eden. Richard responded that Robert had told him a different story; that he merely wished to avenge the murder of several Lieutenants in Acre by the Assassins. Altaïr replied that he had killed those men for good reason, as they had become corrupted, and were working from Robert's orders.

At this point, Richard turned to Robert and asked him for the truth; the Templar Grand Master insisted that Altaïr's words were lies meant to prevent the Crusaders and Saracens from allying and marching on Masyaf. Uncertain as to whom he should trust, Richard decided that the decision would be made by God, and instructed the two to fight, believing God would side with the person telling the truth, thus giving them the victory. Robert reluctantly agreed, and then set half a dozen of his best men against the Assassin. Altaïr swiftly eliminated them, forcing Robert to enter the fray. Robert proved a masterful swordsman and a difficult foe to defeat, but eventually left an opening, allowing Altaïr to strike a fatal blow.

As Robert lay dying, Altaïr remarked that the Templars' schemes were finally at an end, but Robert gave a cold laugh, and told the Assassin he knew nothing. Robert explained that the initial nine that he killed, were originally ten, the final man being his master, Al Mualim. Altaïr refused to accept this, but Robert informed him that Al Mualim could only have known about the conspiracy if he was part of it. Robert continued that Al Mualim had been using Altaïr to hunt down and kill the nine Templars not to end the Crusade, but so he could gain possession of the artifact, and the right to the Holy Land. With this, Robert warned the Assassin that he was the only one left to be disposed of by Al Mualim, before succumbing to his injury.

After learning the truth, Altaïr spoke with King Richard, who stated that God was watching over Altaïr, even if he was not a believer. After a brief discussion as to the validity to the Assassin Order's mission, Altaïr took his leave, and headed back to Masyaf to face Al Mualim.

Aftermath
Altaïr returned to Masyaf, where he found it to be in a ghost town-like state, and fought (with the help from Malik) his way through his Brothers to get to the Assassin's Fortress. Al Mualim waited for him and they fought. On his deathbed, Al Mualim revealed why he wanted to seize the Holy Land. After this, peace was returned to the Holy Land.

Source

 * Assassin's Creed