Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade

Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade is the third novel based on the Assassin's Creed series, written by Oliver Bowden and published by Penguin Books.

The novel tells the story of the Assassin Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad and his actions during the Third Crusade. It is narrated by Niccolò Polo, the father of the famed explorer, Marco Polo.

Book summary
"Niccolò Polo, the father of Marco, will finally reveal the story he has kept secret all his life - the story of Altaïr Ibn-La'Had, one of the Brotherhood's most extraordinary assassins.

he had always obeyed the rules of the assassins creed but on that day he had broken the three most important of them, and so was punished by getting his master assassin status taken away. After losing his status as a master assassin Altaïr Ibn-La'Had embarks on a formidable mission to regain it - one that takes him throughout the Holy Land and shows him the true meaning of the Assassin's Creed. To demonstrate his commitment, Altaïr must defeat nine of the orders most deadly and powerful enemies, including the Templar leader, Robert de Sable.

Altaïr's life story is told here for the first time: a journey that changes the course of history; his ongoing battle with the Templar conspiracy; a family life that is as tragic as it is shocking; and the ultimate betrayal of an old friend."

Prologue
The prologue consists of two pages, telling us who the reader is - keeping him or her unknown - and where the reader is.

Part One
1 - Niccolò and Maffeo Polo are staying in Masyaf, where the old Grand Master of the Assassins had his quarters, Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad. At the end of his being in Masyaf, Altaïr had chosen Niccolò to tell his stories to. For weeks and countless hours, Niccolò sat with Altaïr, hearing the stories of the Grand Master's life. Niccolò takes Maffeo to the top of the defensive tower where a lookout first saw the invading force of Salah Al'din's army, "80 years ago (from when Niccolò tells his story to Maffeo), on a day in August."

2 - The beginning of Salah Al'din's attack. The intention of the attack was to conquer Masyaf, and eventually claim the head of the Assassin leader, Al Mualim. The Masyaf people flee to safety as the army comes closer, the Assassins fortifying the castle. However, instead of attacking, the Sultan's army comes to a halt in the village, paying little regard to the castle. The next morning the battle begins, the army trying to fight their way in as they are under constant fire of the Assassins archers, villagers joining the battle. Later, with many dead on both sides, the army retreats back to prepare for their next attack. Salah Al'din leaves the army, and his uncle, Shihab Al'din comes up the mountain village to address the Master of the Assassins.

3 - Herein is told Shihab had come to Al Mualim "to enter into talks". The story then flashbacks into Al Mualim's mind, where he had been talking to a Master Assassin, Umar Ibn-La'Ahad, discussing his mission, which nearly failed and cost the life of one of Salah's most trusted generals. Shihab wants payment for the death of this general; the head of the culprit. Al Mualim disapproves of this, and Shihab shows him the Assassin spy he had found, beaten up, and about to be executed instead of Umar.

4 - The next morning Maffeo awakes Niccolò, asking him what had happened to the spy and what happened to Altaïr. However, keeping to Altaïr's narrative, he skips fifteen years, telling Maffeo about Altaïr's failure at Solomon's Temple.

5 - Altaïr arrives at Masyaf after his failure, contemplating. He meets Rauf first, who was still not notified of what had happened. Secondly, he meets Abbas, who did seem to know about his failure, and rubbed it into Altaïr mockingly. He then finally arrives at Al Mualim's quarters and is interrogated.

6 - Malik steps in, furiously telling of his loss, and proudly showing his victory. Seconds later, a messenger runs in, telling the three that Robert de Sable is laying siege on Masyaf. Altaïr goes out to help fight the army, before Rauf tells him to come with him to a tower, to "surprise" the enemy. Later, on top of the tower, three Assassins take a Leap of Faith to show the obedience to their Master, while De Sable watches. Altaïr later, and alone, arrives at the trap, about to unleash death upon his enemy.

7 - The Assassins assembled at the courtyard, still savoring their triumph. As Altaïr came in, silence replaced the congratulations; everyone now knew about his failure at Solomon's Temple. Al Mualim starts speaking to Altaïr about his victory and failure. Eventually, Al Mualim punishes Altaïr for his failure, stabbing the Master Assassin in the abdomen.

8 - Altaïr still lives, and wakes up to see Al Mualim, who tells him why he's still alive and under what conditions; the Master Assassin now Novice, being stripped of his ranks, to learn the way of the Assassins once more.

9 - For the first time we see Altaïr in Damascus, about to begin his Hunt for the Nine. After he slips through the gate, he begins to see what changes he'll go through now, being ranked a Novice instead of a Master. He then visits the Damascus Rafiq, who has already been informed of Altaïr's "difficulties". The Rafiq sends the Novice to search the city for information. After going through the city for some time, Altaïr spots an orator, whom he then follows into a quiet alleyway, to begin his investigation.

10 - Altaïr returns to the Damascus Bureau and tells the Rafiq what he knows, before being given the Feather marker and permission to assassinate Tamir, his first target. The Assassin then leaves the bureau to go to his target at the market place, whom he sees interrogating an agonized client. After Tamir is done with the client, Altaïr assassinates him, at which the target tells his reasons to the Assassin in his final moments.

11 - It is mentioned how pleased Al Mualim was when he heard of Altaïr's success. Altaïr then narrates about Acre, his next target's location. The Assassin goes by the Acre Bureau, which is owned by Jabal, whom he shares knowledge with before going out to investigate some more. After pickpocketing a scroll, Altaïr returns to the bureau and obtains his Feather marker.

12 - Next, the Assassin slips into the Hospitalier's fortress with the help of some scholars. Inside the building, Altaïr witnesses the cruel treatment to a patient who had almost escaped. De Naplouse - Altaïr's target - tries to reason with his patient, but the madman only wants to escape, and thus de Naplouse lets the guards break both of the patient's legs. Some time after, Altaïr sees de Naplouse check up with his patients, at which the Assassin sees that even some of the patients are thankful of their doctor. As the guards are still busy, Altaïr assassinates his target, and again lets the target spend his final moments with him. The Assassin then escapes, confused still by his target's last words.

13 - Altaïr speaks with Al Mualim, telling him of his target's assassination and questioning him about the confusing words he had spoken. Al Mualim also told Altaïr his next target is in Jerusalem, at which the Grand Master smiled. As Altaïr comes into the Jerusalem Bureau, he notices why his Master had smiled, seeing that Malik is the bureau leader. After a small conversation, Altaïr receives the feather and goes out to assassinate his next target, Talal.

14 - The Assassin walks into where Talal keeps his slaves, having gone straight into a trap, but walking on deeper into it as he hears his target. Altaïr and Talal converse before Talal shows himself, having the Assassin exactly where he wants him; in the light, where the archers can easily hit him. The target tries to kill the Assassin with guards, then fleeing himself, but after a few moments being chased already and his guards killed, Talal ends up assassinated and speaking his last words to his killer.

15 - Altaïr sets up camp by a well and falls asleep, dreaming of when he was younger. A little boy Altaïr whose father had just been killed and who puts the blame on Ahmad, the one that should've been killed in his place. The boy spends his next days in the room of his father. He tells about Ahmad committing suicide, and how Al Mualim tells the frightened Altaïr never to speak of it, not even to Abbas. The next day, he is put with Abbas to begin his apprenticeship, being hunted by nightmares if he tries to sleep. The story ends as the Assassin Altaïr wakes up sweating from his nightmare, hoping to sleep again at least until light.

Part Two
16 - Al Mualim congratulates Altaïr with his success, telling him of his next targets, then letting the Assassin leave for Acre to his next target, William de Montferrat. Here he meets Jabal again and gathers information before going out on investigation again.

17 - The Assassin goes through the market place, eventually ending up pickpocketing a scroll. He then spots a man pleading against de Montferrat, causing commotion within the crowds of people. Altaïr, satisfied about his discoveries, goes back to Jabal and receives the Feather.

18 - Returning to the citadel, Altaïr witnesses a conversation between Richard the Lionheart and William de Montferrat. The two men went into the fortress with Altaïr following them from the rooftops, taking out every archer in his way. De Montferrat stops to speak to his guards, telling them off for their recent laziness, and as he was done and sends the guards away - thus being unprotected - Altaïr strikes and assassinates him. There, Lord Montferrat tells the Assassin his motives before dying.

19 - Again Altaïr speaks to Al Mualim, noticing his Master demands so much detail on his victories, but holds so much information back. Tasked with the assassination of Abu'l Nuqoud, he travels back to Damascus, where he meets the 'impertinent' Rafiq again. They argue some and tell each other what they know about the target. Altaïr visits the places Abu'l was hated, hearing some scholars talk about what the Assassin thinks is 'the new world', although he still knows nothing about it. He then goes to find more information about the target, leaving for a party after he hears Abu'l Nuqoud is giving one.

20 - Being at the party, seeing all the richness of wine fountains and people clothed in silk and gold, Altaïr searches for his target. A few moments later he sees him on a balcony, and so Abu'l Nuquod addresses his public, going from friendly to hostile in his speech, also mentioning The New World. Archers take their positions, and at the end of the speech - when all the people who drank from the poisoned wine fountain are now dying - they are signaled to kill everyone that hasn't died yet and try to escape. Abu'l, distracted and amused by the massacre, is soon enough assassinated by Altaïr, sharing his last thoughts with him.

21 - Altaïr visits Al Mualim again and questions him about his findings, trying to become less confused about his targets' words.

22 - As Altaïr comes into Jerusalem, he has some trouble with guards, but eventually arrives at the bureau where he meets Malik again, where he tells him that his next target is Majd Addin. After some arguing, Altaïr leaves to visit the Wailing Wall, where his target would be at the execution plaza.

23 - The Assassin approaches the execution plaza and sees the show is about to start, Majd Addin speaking to his public. He introduces the people he is about to slaughter; the harlot, the thief, the gambler and the heretic. The last one being an Assassin. In Addin's show, he kills the first three of his victims, a commotion starting to grow as the Assassin is about to be executed, proving fatal for the executioner, as Altaïr uses this commotion to get close enough to assassinate him. Altaïr listens to what the dying Templar tells him, then as he escapes; Malik's men free the Assassin.

24 - Altaïr speaks with Al Mualim, and again questions him about the words of his targets. The Master shows him the Apple of Eden, then tells him about his next targets; Sibrand and Jubair.

25 - Here the story tells us about young Altaïr and Abbas becoming friends and, together, learning the ways of the Assassins. Altaïr pities Abbas for not knowing about his father, so he tells him, expecting tears, anger, disbelief, but never silence.

26 - Altaïr stands on top of a building, looking down at a fire where books are being burned, by scholars and Jubair, his target. There Jubair speaks to the scholars about how books poison mankind's minds. As one of the scholars protests, Jubair's mood darkens, and he throws the scholar into the fire, to join the books he didn't want to burn. As the rest of the scholars leave to get more books, Jubair is alone, and Altaïr takes this moment to assassinate him, listening to his words, leaving before getting caught by guards. Altaïr speaks with Al Mualim, his Master giving him his full rank again. Al Mualim then questions him about the Assassins' ways, to see if Altaïr has changed, then tasking him to his final target before de Sable, Sibrand.

27 - Again, and for the last time, Altaïr visits Acre. There he talks to Jabal, who apologizes for his mistrust in Altaïr's dedication to the Assassins' cause. Altaïr then heads for the docks, where he sees a frightened Sibrand bullying a priest for looking like an Assassin, whom he then kills. Sibrand then goes to his own boat, with which he would try to escape, but soon enough, as the guards have dispersed at Sibrand's own command, Altaïr assassinates him. Again, Altaïr listens to what his target says, and again Altaïr becomes more and more confused as to what they say. Then, meeting with Al Mualim again, Altaïr questions him about de Sable's cause. After having spoken to him and leaving Masyaf, he sees Abbas, remembering an old wound his former friend had caused.

28 - A flashback to young Abbas and Altaïr, after Altaïr had told his friend about his father. The days after that, Abbas became more and more quiet, and one day, as they sparred, his rage would unleash on young Altaïr.

29 - Master Assassin Altaïr arrives at the Jerusalem Bureau, slightly pleased to meet Malik, who greets him more friendly. Altaïr tells Malik that he should try find out more about what Altaïr didn't see, and he apologizes for his arm and brother. Altaïr has then gone to the cemetery, feeling that there is something wrong about it. However, before the Assassin could leave, the trap had already sprung, leaving him in a frenzy of arrows and swords. He had seen that de Sable, who was also at the cemetery, didn't look like he remembered, but now even de Sable sounded like a woman as he spoke. A few moments later, and all of the guards killed, he stabbed 'de Sable' in the shoulder and took her under cover, to hear her out, pulling off the helmet to see that it was indeed a woman. Then after having escaped to the Bureau, he tells Malik it was a trap. After his conversation with Malik, Altaïr heads for Arsuf, where he shall find the real Robert de Sable.

30 - Altaïr sees the armies that meet in Arsuf, that of Salah Al'din and Richard the Lionheart. Battle, as for as the eye could see. The Assassin tries to make his way to the rear of the Crusader army, where Richard would be. There he tries to convince the King that he comes with the intention to negotiate, not fight, telling him that de Sable is a traitor. However, as Richard couldn't decide, he lets the Templar and Assassin battle, and whoever wins is right.

31 - Altaïr having killed Robert de Sable in battle, interrogates the dying Templar of what he knows, finally opens the Assassin's eyes to his Master, that he is indeed betraying him. Then, when Robert dies, Altaïr travels back to Masyaf.

32 - Here the Assassin finds Masyaf totally deserted. As he walks through the village, he is attacked by a group of other Assassins, whom he kills. After that, he sees Malik with a group of his Assassins, and Altaïr tells them to be careful; what has happened could happen to the Rafiq too. Altaïr and Malik part ways, and when the Assassin arrives at the courtyard, he sees all the villagers of Masyaf crowded up there, brainwashed. Now Altaïr knew Al Mualim was certainly a Templar, an enemy.

33 - Now the Apprentice battles his Master, whom first uses the Apple to create duplicates of Altaïr's nine victims, then to make copies of himself and lastly he directly battles Altaïr, which proves the old traitor fatal. As Al Mualim dies, he lets go of the Apple, which is then picked up by the Assassin, who activates it, seeing things of the future in it and letting it display a map of the world. Malik then comes running in, saying the spell that had been cast over Masyaf is broken. Altaïr, still having the artefact, is fighting to destroy it, but is physically unable to. Altaïr was now the Master of the Order.

Part Three
34 - Niccolò continues his story about Altaïr, after he became Grand Master; many sided against him, but Altaïr knew how he could persuade them. The Assassin was also still thinking of his encounter with Maria, and of what the Apple was. Altaïr was curious of what the Templars were planning, and thus headed for Acre with a group of followers, putting Malik in temporary control of the Order.

35 - There is an absence of Templar soldiers everywhere in Acre. Later, he discovers a small fleet of ships that was Templar owned. As the Assassin gets closer to the fleet, he hears a group of people talk, also hearing the voice of Maria. He discovers the Templars are now ruled by Armand Bouchart. As the conversation between the group ends, Maria is left alone, and Altaïr comes up to talk to her. A few moments later, Altaïr goes back to his crew - Maria tied up walking with him - that they're heading for Limassol.

36 - Altaïr sails to Cyprus with Maria, discovering that it's overtaken by Templars; some of the population that were unhappy with the tyrannic leadership, joined the Resistance. There Altaïr meets Alexander, a friend in the Resistance. They decide it's best to keep Maria captive in a safehouse, while the Assassin goes to find Osman, who will help him get inside Limassol Castle. Osman tells him that Frederick the Red has to be assassinated before he can help any further; so that he is appointed to his position and can control the guard activity in the Castle. Altaïr returns to the safehouse, questioning Maria about the Archive and conversing with Alexander. Then, after some time, Altaïr goes back to the Castle to assassinate Frederick.

37 - Osman had done his job, the Castle's security had dropped to just a few men. Deep inside the Castle, Altaïr finds his target, who was presiding a duel between two men. The Assassin drops down behind Frederick, and as he turned to speak, Altaïr slashes his blade through the male's throat, killing him before he could finish his sentence. Next, the Master kills the remaining men. As he leaves, Altaïr sees why the Castle was so poorly guarded; the safehouse was set on fire.

38 - Having found safety on the rooftops, Altaïr sees people flee from their houses, and he decides to go see why, following them, hearing that Armand Bouchart has arrived just recently. He also sees Maria in the crowd. At the cathedral steps stood Osman, and a few moments later Bouchart appears, enlightening the crowd about Frederik the Red's death and recent changes. Osman protests against these changes, at which he angered Bouchart, who thus rammed his sword into the stomach of Osman. Some moments later, Maria rushed to the steps of the cathedral, bowing down in front of Bouchart, who already saw her as a traitor. As Bouchart left, Maria was bound and dragged away. Altaïr followed Maria, saving her and taking her back to Alexander, who tells Altaïr that Bouchart is heading for Kyrenia. Altaïr decides to follow him.

39 - The Assassin and the Templar have boarded a pirate ship, telling eachother about their lives as they sail to Kyrenia. Once there, the pirates find out that they are the people Bouchart was looking for, and try to kill Altaïr and Maria. However, Altaïr easily disposes of the annoyances, discovering Maria had once again escaped.

40 - Easily he finds her back, and he also meets Markos, who promises to keep Maria captive as Altaïr was to visit Barnabas, the contact Alexander told him about. Arrived at the safe-house, Barnabas and Altaïr converse, the newly met man telling him of Jonas, a traitor who had been working for the Templars. A few moments later, Altaïr finds Jonas and assassinates him, talking with his dying victim, he thinks about the Bull he had mentioned, and who it could be. He goes back to Maria and Markos, questioning them about the Bull. They agree on going to a safe-house in the Commons District, where Barnabas is. Altaïr feels unsure about Barnabas now, but listened when he told him to go see the riots at the church.

41 - There, looking at the riots from on top of the rooftops, he made the decision that the Bull had to die. But when Altaïr returns to the safe-house, Barnabas is nowhere to be seen; he was in fact a traitor, as the Assassin's instincts had already pointed out. Markos and Maria had already arrived, and they tell Altaïr that the citizens were protesting the death of Jonas. After a brief conversation, Altaïr finds out that Moloch - the Bull - resides in Kantara Castle.

42 - Moving through the well-defended castle, disposing of any guards that crossed paths with him, he eventually finds the Bull, hidden in a secret room under a trap door. There, he tries to stealth kill him, but Moloch already heard him coming, having prepared himself, he picked up the Assassin as if he were a trophy, almost choking him to death. Out of boredom, Moloch lets Altaïr live, which would prove fatal for the Bull as Altaïr, exhausted by the long battle, finally drives his blade far enough into his massive opponent so that something inside him snapped, killing him. Altaïr contemplated who would replace this tyrant.

43 - Altaïr found out that Maria had been taken away by Templars as he came back to the safe-house. Markos, being among the ones that could escape in time, tells him the Templars harness the power of the Dark Oracle and used her to find the safe-house. Markos also tells him that Barnabas had been executed the day before Altaïr arrived; thus now he knew he was replaced by a Templar. Altaïr left for the place the Resistance prisoners were being held, letting them free and hearing that Maria has been taken by Shalim, the Bull's son. Soon enough Altaïr was scaling walls of the fortress at Buffavento. Once inside, he found Shalim and Bouchart talking, also mentioning Alexander. Now the Assassin was making his way to the Dark Oracle. As he moved into her cell - or lair - she began acting more unsettled, eventually attacking Altaïr, at which he had to put her down for his own safety. Later, back at the safe-house, he wrote Codex page five, and a part of eight.

44 - Altaïr decided to follow Shalim, in hope to find Maria, but instead, ending up at a brothel, so he returned to the market place where Markos was. He tells Altaïr that Shalim has to go to the cathedral a lot, since he needs to make frequent confessions about his lifestyle, and that he thus has to speak to the monks there, to find out more about his target. There he find Shalim himself, speaking about Bouchart's wishes to the crowd he had gathered. Shalim left, Altaïr followed, ending up at the St Hilarion Castle, in which Shalim disappeared. The Assassin, having lost his target, sits down on a low wall nearby as some courtesans crossed the docks, Maria being one of them. With them, he entered the castle, unnoticed.

45 - The writer tells the reader that Altaïr should've known Shalim had a twin brother, Shahar, and that he was the one delivering the speech. Maria and Shahar converse about the Templar ways, before being interrupted by Altaïr. The real Shalim comes in with guards, and the Assassin finally notices they are twins. Maria quickly disposes of the guards, then flees, leaving Altaïr to fight two skilled swordsmen alone - slaying them both. Later, he returned to the safe-house, telling Markos he'll be heading back to Limassol. He also writes another piece of the Codex, page one.

46 - Arrived at Limassol, he locates the safe-house and finds Alexander. In a brief confrontation with him, Altaïr finds out that he isn't a Templar, but the two had been set up against each other, as were they both tricked into believing Templar-sided Resistance members. Altaïr then heads off to a failed search for Bouchart, coming back to find the safe-house empty, a note left there for him. The Assassin goes to the courtyard where the note said they were due to meet, only to find the dead body of Alexander; it was a trap. The fake Barnabas came out, and as Altaïr unsheathed his sword, he opened the to the resentful crowd outside, to make them think the Assassin was the one who killed Alexander. Altaïr couldn't kill civilians, so he used the Apple he had with him to persuade them to his will, saving himself and setting them up against the Templars. 'Barnabas', prepared to fight, came down the ramparts, but was stopped by Maria, who put a blade through his chest.

47 - Maria then took Altaïr with her to the Archives, telling him to follow her, being obstructed by guards on his path, but eventually making it into the almost empty library, seeing both Bouchart and Maria. She was holding off the Templar leader, only just, before being struck by his sword, tumbling, yelling in pain. Bouchart made the first move, quickly tiring, and Altaïr made the last, the dying man giving him respect - and ignorance - for this, telling the Assassin of the power of the Pieces of Eden as he drew his last breath. Cannons were then fired at the Archive, to destroy every last piece of it. Altaïr quickly escaped, taking Maria with him. Later, after the Templars had left, taking all the pieces of archive with them, Altaïr and Maria were talking to each other again; Maria telling Altaïr she was heading east, at which he replied he was also heading east.

Part Four
48 - Niccolò tells Maffeo that the Darim who invited them to Masyaf was the son of Maria and Altaïr, that Maria and Altaïr were wed in Limassol, and that Maria gave birth to a second son two years after Darim was born; Sef. He also tells him that the Codex was a summary of all the discoveries Altaïr had made, and he tries thinking of why they were invited in the first place; maybe because it had to do with them living in Constantinople? He then continues the story at the point Altaïr returned from his travel East, to a Masyaf where everything had changed.

49 - The Ibn-La'Ahad family rides slowly into Masyaf, where Swami - still an apprentice when Altaïr left - greets them first. Masyaf has become a darker place, and has changed much to what Altaïr had planned it to be, acting in on the Assassin's instincts. They are led to a small house to the west of the fortress, where they are told that Malik was in prison, Sef has traveled to Alamut, and a meeting of the council has been planned the next day; with Abbas as chairman. Altaïr tells Darim to ride to Alamut, in order to bring Sef back.

50 - The following day, Altaïr and Maria are led through the citadel by Swami, to the council, where Altaïr is forced to report about his trip to the East. After the story, Abbas informs Altaïr and Maria that Sef had been killed by Malik, which is why he's imprisoned. Then, as Altaïr loses control of his emotions, he states that the former Grand Master can't resume leadership of the Order, thus the leadership stays with the council.

51 - Back in the small cabin, Maria and Altaïr discuss their situation; Masyaf that had been neglected, Sef who had been murdered by Malik, Abbas who was now leader of the Order, what they were going to do, the Apple that Maria wanted to be destroyed by now. Altaïr heads for Masyaf's dungeons, where Malik laid, neglected and emaciated. There, Altaïr finds that he wasn't the one who murdered Sef.

52 - He takes Malik back to the cabin where both Maria and Altaïr care for the almost dying friend. Malik tells them Sef had been murdered by Abbas as he staged his coup, two years ago. In the next room, Altaïr and Maria plan their next move; to confront Abbas. Moments later, Altaïr stands at the courtyard with Abbas, who had his Assassin loyalists gathered with him. There, Swami comes up to Abbas, delivering a sack to him. What Abbas pulls out of that sack was the head of Altaïr's former friend, Malik, eyeballs rolled up and the neck dripping with fresh blood. Abbas accuses Altaïr of murdering Malik, then he takes Maria and holds a dagger to her throat - the same dagger his father had killed himself with. Altaïr then pulls the Apple from his robe, which Swami instantly reaches for, all of Altaïr's rage being transmitted into him, as he brutally - controlled by the Apple - kills himself with his own hands, then he takes out his dagger and slashes himself open. Maria, trying to reach for Altaïr, gets hit by Swami's dagger at her throat, both of them falling to the ground, dying. As Abbas orders his loyalists to kill Altaïr, the Assassin flees. Having finally reached the top of the tower of which he had jumped a lifetime ago, he hobbles to the platform, spreads his arms out, and drops.

53 - Niccolò finally understands why he has been invited; to spread the word of the Assassins. Maffeo now wants to stay, while Niccolò wants to leave, whereas it was vice versa at the beginning of their stay; the reason being that Mongols were heading to Masyaf. Niccolò tells the reader he has had some presents from Altaïr, having his suspicions as to what they might be. He skips the story to a man in the desert, twenty years from where Altaïr escaped from Masyaf. ... Mukhlis, a tradesman, is on a journey back to his family in Masyaf; now he is somewhere in the desert, a two days' ride away from home. He has heard of bandits plundering throughout the desert, taking all belongings and leaving the owners upside down in trees with their guts hanging from them. Bayhas, son of Fahad, being the most brutal of all. Mukhlis is forced to rest, and the next day he finds himself with a stranger hanging over him, holding a blade to his neck. He and his companion bandits hang him in a tree, but before they could kill him, Altaïr arrives.

54 - The old Assassin instantly takes out one of the three men. A battle starts and Altaïr, outnumbered and not in the best shape, is immediately tired out, bleeding severely from his wounds. There, Mukhlis - still tied hanging to the tree - grabs hold of Bayhas, the leader of the bandit group, at which Altaïr slices the enemy open in his last strand of power, scaring off the third bandit. Then, Altaïr goes unconscious almost bleeding to death. Mukhlis, having freed himself, puts Altaïr over his horse and heads home.

55 - One of Fahad's men had claimed the life of Bayhas' killer, and word has spread about the return of Altaïr throughout the village in the week the Assassin had been unconscious. Then he awakes to talk to Mukhlis about his current situation and where he had been after throwing himself of the tower, also mentioning how Altaïr was planning to free the village.

56 - The next day, Altaïr intervenes in fights, showing the people of the village the Assassins' Ways. He also goes to the basketweaver and a blacksmith to get his weapons made; all ideas taken from the Apple. The next few days Altaïr notices a man watching him, stalking him, eventually showing himself, not being an enemy but a friend. It's Malik, son of Malik, known as Tazim to most of the Order. He lets Altaïr know that he and some other Assassins will join him in taking back Masyaf.

57 - The day after, Mukhlis informs people of the village that the Master was to march up the hill, which excited them into gathering at the marketplace, where Altaïr then joined them. He tells the reader of his thoughts, what has gone through him, what Maria would've said if she was still with him. There, at the marketplace, Altaïr and the villagers waited for young Malik to come back with his support. After some time, men dressed in white robes with cowls came from the shadows, to immediately win the trust of their leader who had doubted Malik's stealth. Immediately they left for the hills, to Abbas, with the instructions not to kill anyone. There, marching toward the fortress, Abbas' loyalists attack, to soon be neutralized, unharmed. Above, where Abbas' archers were, this sparked a rebellion, unwilling to shoot their own people, following the example Altaïr had given. Inside the castle, Altaïr and Abbas face eachother, Abbas still accusing the other of lying about his father. Then, when Abbas orders his men to kill him, Altaïr shoots him with his newly acquired Hidden Gun, scaring off any of the enemy's followers. Abbas shares his last words with Altaïr, where the old Assassin still sees that orphan boy the moment he passes away. Two days later, Fahad comes back to Masyaf, explaining that it was mostly his wife's interference that he had to avenge their son's name. Fahad left, in good mood, thanks to Altaïr's negotiation skills.

58 - Niccolò tells the reader that the Mongols have arrived, and that Altaïr had gathered with them to give them their last objects to keep safe; artefacts - five of them, each of them being a stone with a hole in its center, keys imbued with a message. Then Niccolò and Maffeo leave Masyaf, which was already being overrun by the Mongols, Altaïr barking orders at his Assassins to try and fend off their enemy.

x - The Polo's have lost the Codex, but are still holding onto the artefacts, which they were to place in Constantinople, for an Assassin of the future to find, also spreading word of the Creed and setting up an Assassins guild there.

Epilogue
The mysterious Assassin - the reader - hears noises from his cabin, indicating they were approaching land. He closes Niccolò's journal, secures his blade mechanism and pulls up his cowl. He opens the hatch of his quarters to see people welcoming him. Ezio is in the great city, Constantinople.

Assassinations

 * Altaïr kills William before Abu'l Nuqoud; whereas in the game the sequence order suggests the opposite.


 * All three accused by Majd Addin die by his hand and he finishes the speech for assassin, whereas in the game the player is able to save all accused people.


 * Altaïr kills Jubair before Sibrand, whereas in the game the sequence order suggests the opposite.


 * All 'memory corridor' dialogues take place in the book, but they are explained either by the stealth of approach (the majority of targets), or by guards' shock (Majd Addin).


 * Altaïr understands that there is a female decoy on the funeral and fights to find out who it is, whereas in the game he seems surprised by what he finds after taking off Maria's helmet.

Equipment

 * The hidden blade has a special mechanism to activate the blade, as art concepts show; whereas in the game no such mechanism existed.

Other Events

 * Being stripped off his ranks, Altaïr begins his quest for redemption with going to Damascus in order to kill Tamir, thus skipping the hunt for traitor in Masyaf.


 * Altaïr does not interact with other assassins during his investigations of the nine targets.


 * Altaïr actually sees Malik's men release their accused brother from the execution.