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.

The Deal
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.

The Hunt
After taking back 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. Accepting the offer, Altaïr left Masyaf on horseback to the Kingdom and began his quest for redemption.

Damascus Market Inspection
He 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 unknown client. After gathering enough information, the Rafiq of the bureau gave Altaïr a feather, that needed to be soaked with 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, inspecting and deriding what he viewed as shoddy work, Altaïr moved slowly behind him and stabbed him across the throat.

Before he died, Tamir 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 and improving the quality of life for them. 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 alarms 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 Hospitalier. 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, likely stolen away and transported by Talal. Men had heard terrible screams coming from the hospital as people 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 fortress 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 patient was not convinced, yelling of the evils done by Garnier and his men within the hospital. The doctor became 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 had taken 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. They were only taken for their own good, and 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, aside from 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. Abu'l 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 from above and dealt a fatal blow.

As the assassin ended Abu'l's life, Abu'l 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"; 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 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 city's regent, 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 the execution of nearly 3000 Saracen prisoners taken when the Crusaders captured Acre, who were meant to be traded back to Saladin. 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, heading back to the front line at Arsuf.

William is angered and gathers 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 scorns his men's sloppy work. Altaïr waits silently above as he dismissed his men and send them back to their posts. When William walked over to a nearby desk to make plans, the Assassin leaps down from above, putting 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 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 took 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 the heavy conscriptions of men into his army were 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 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, where he confronted 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 have already been sent in Altaïr's place. Altaïr explains that Al Mualim needs him, and demands explanation 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 not 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 city's ruler, Majd Addin. Altaïr travels to Jerusalem and meets with Malik in the assassin's bureau, who tells him the area has been in chaos since the tyrant Majd Addin usurped control over Jerusalem after Saladin left for war; he rules the city through a combination of fear and intimidation. Addin is a violent leader and is harsh in his punishments. Altaïr asked 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 discovers that Mald Addin loves 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 people in the crowd. Altaïr also overhears from a father whose 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 into 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 cut down by a guard. Altaïr noticed a group of scholars 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 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 states 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: 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 parted 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, he is rewarded with his own sword. Altaïr's final target in Damascus is a man named 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 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 gather all texts, and books from the people and burning them all, calling the writings "dangerous". Altaïr's target had a 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 says that he plans to strike during the daily meeting and the rafiq relinquishes another feather for Jubair's blood.

Altaïr arrives at the meeting and watches from above as a scholar pleads for Jubair to stop his burning of every written work in Damascus. 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 disagrees, saying that the writings were not weapons, but gifts of knowledge. To this, Jubair questions whether the man before him has considered who wrote these books and whether the writers were trustworthy. Jubair then picks up a book and moves to a nearby bonfire as he states that books limit people's view 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 chief scholar then asks 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 he 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 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 transcend. Al Mualim next asks what it is to transcend, 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.

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 a better short blade. With that, he travelled to the ports of Acre to kill the last man that stands between him and De Sable, Meister Sibrand, leader of the Knights Teutonic. Upon further investigation, it is shown that Sibrand has become paranoid with fear of the assassins due to the news of his brothers' deaths across the Holy Land, which was causing him to see enemies everywhere. Due to his fear, he had demanded that the patrols be doubled and has 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.

Arriving at the docks, Altaïr came across a commotion. Sibrand had accused a scholar of being an assassin due to their clothes being similar. The scholar cried to the onlookers for help. With no one stepping in, Sibrand killed the scholar claiming "what I do, I do for Acre!" He then tells the onlookers to be vigilant and report any suspicious behavior to the guards, saying that he doubts he's seen the last of the assassins. Sibrand moved to don his 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 particularly nothing screaming "Fine, none of you will lift a hand in defence of your master? I'll take care of this heathen myself!" Altaïr then climbs aboard the vessel. Sibrand saw Altaïr and attempted to run, but before he could move, Altaïr jumped on him and stuck his blade down Sibrand's throat.

In his dying breath, Sibrand said that he is afraid. Altaïr reassured him that he will be safe in the arms of his god, but the Teutonic leader reveals he knows 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's 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 questions his idea of freedom because of the means they would achieve it. Sibrand just says 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, Altair rode for Masyaf to speak to his master.

Al Mualim finally explained De Sable's plans for the holy land once he takes it; peace, and an end to war. Altaïr is confused, but his teacher tells 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 hes killed begin to be clear for Altaïr, and he knows that he must kill his final target, so that the Assassins can guide the people to freedom where Robert would force them.

Majd Addin's Funeral
After a successful assassination in Acre, Altair was promoted to the Tenth and final rank, and all of his equipment 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 must 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 Altair with a more respectful tone, much to Altair's surprise. Although the conversation was cut short, as Altair began to scour the Middle District of Jerusalem for information regarding de Sable's presence. It seems that Robert publicly announced that he would be in Jerusalem to attend the funeral of one of Altair'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, Altair reported to the bureau, where he was handed the feather, and quickly left to attend the funeral of the man he killed.

As he arrives, he sees both the citizens and soldiers have began 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, Altair quietly watched from within the crowd, praying along with the citizens. As Altair watched from the sidelines, De Sable whispered in the speaker's ear. Then the speaker 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. Altair's presence was revealed by the speaker, as the citizens flee from the cemetery, and the soldiers began to seize Altair.

Altair drew his sword as the soldiers drew theirs, as the civilians continue to panic because of the presence of the Assassin. 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, Altair confronted De Sable and overpowered him.

Altair wanted to see De Sable's eyes before dying, but to his surprise, the man he faced was not De Sable, but a woman. She explained that she was merely a decoy so that the real De Sable had enough time to flee. She admitted that, because of Altair'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 girl continued to explain that De Sable has marched to Arsuf, where he will plead both the Saracen and the Crusaders to unite against the Assassins. Although Altair believed that they had no reason to, the woman proudly explained that they do have a reason, in fact nine. Altair'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, Altair remarks that they only have eight reasons; since the girl was not his target, he spares her life and threatens her not to follow him, in which she proudly says no, as he is already too late.

Returning to the Bureau, Altair explained to Malik what has happened. Malik asked Altair to return to Masyaf and seek the permission of Al Mualim. However he disagrees and says that he will ride for Arsuf and stop De Sable's plan. Malik explains that they cannot act without the master's permission, for this could compromise the brotherhood, a part of the three tenets he thought Altair have learned. Altair however, reprimanded him to stop hiding behind the creed, and that he believes that Al Mualim is hiding important things from them. He suspects that the business they have with the Templars are deeper than what Al Mualim has told Altair.

Altair has instructed Malik to leave the city and head for Masyaf as he heads for Arsuf. However, Malik cannot leave the city. Altair then gives 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, Altair and Malik bid their farewells to each other, as Altair prepares to ride for Arsuf.

Fight with De Sable
After discovering the funeral Robert De Sable was supposed to be attending was a fake, Altair rode for Arsuf, where he was assaulted by Crusader and Saracen patrols guarding the path to King Richard's camp. Altair fought his way past Archers and Guards until he was face to face with King Richard. The monarch initially assumed Altaïr was one of Saladin's heralds come to negotiate, but the assassin revealed his purpose in coming. After explaining that he did not come to take the life of King Richard, Altair was allowed to converse with him. Altaïr stated that Richard had a traitor in his ranks and tried to explain how Robert de Sable was plotting to overthrow King Richard and his army and take control of the Holy Land using the Piece of Eden, but Richard replied that Robert had told him a different story; that he merely wished to avenge the murder of some of Richard's best lieutenants in Acre by the Assassins. Altaïr replied that he had killed those men for good reason: William, who had intended to take Acre by force, Garnier who would use his skills to control or indoctrinate any who resisted, and Sibrand, who would have prevented the Crusaders receiving any further reinforecments, all doing so on Robert's orders. When asked by Richard if he expected the king to believe such an outlandish tale, Altaïr replied that Richard knew these men better than he, therefore he couldn't be surprised they had intended treason.

At this point, Richard turned to Robert and asked 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 who to believe, Richard decided that the decision of who to trust, Robert or Altair, was to be decided by one far wiser than himself-God-, and the truth of the matter would be decided through trial by combat, for surely God would side with the one telling the truth. Robert reluctantly agreed and then set half a dozen of his best men against the Assassin. After Altaïr cut all of his men down, Robert himself finally entered the fray. Robert proved a masterful swordsman and a difficult foe to beat, but eventually, he left an opening, and Altaïr struck 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 of schemes. Robert explained that nine men had not been involved in the conspiracy to take control of the Holy Land, but ten. Altaïr, amazed by this revelation, demanded the identity of the last conspirator, and Robert revealed that Al Mualim was the last Templar. Altaïr refused to accept this, but Robert pointed out that Al Mualim could only have given Altaïr such much information about the conspiracy if he was part of it. Robert explained that Al Mualim had been using Altair to hunt down and kill the nine Templars not to end the crusade, but so he alone could both possess the Piece of Eden and rule the Holy Land. Robert also warned ominously that with his death, there was only one more who knew the truth for Al Mualim to dispose of: Altaïr himself.

After coming to face with the truth, Altair spoke with King Richard, who stated that God was watching over Altair, even if he didn't believe in such a thing. After a brief discussion as to the validity to the Assassin Order's mission-to bring peace through death- Altaïr took his leave of the monarch, heading back to Masyaf and to Al Mualim.

Return to Masyaf
Altair returns to Masyaf, where he finds it to be in a ghost town-like state, and fights his way through his Brothers to get to the Assassin's Fortress. Al Mualim waits for him and they fight, and on his deathbed, Al Mualim reveals why he wanted to seize the Holy Land. After this, peace is returned to the Holy Land.