Robert de Sable

"But now you've taken my life...and in the process, ended your own!"

- Robert to Altaïr after revealing the Al Mualim's treachery

Robert de Sable, was the last of the nine assassination targets assigned by Al Mualim to Altaïr. He was a lieutenant for Richard the Lionheart and Grand Master of the Knights Templar during the Third Crusade.

History
Born into a powerful family, Robert de Sable was immersed from birth into nobility, though events during De Sable's life are difficult to pin down; at some point he became lord and ruler of Briollay, France. Subsequently, Robert de Sable entered into the order of Knights Templar and reigned as their "Grand Master" from 1191 to 1193. During the 3rd Crusade, de Sable and the Knights Templar laid siege to the city of Acre, which soon fell. Throughout August 1191, they also recaptured many fortresses and cities along the Palestinian coast, which had been lost previously.

Assassin's Creed
Grand Master of the Knights Templar, Robert follows a goal similar to the Assassins in that he is attempting to end the war in the Holy Land. Al Mualim has no objections against him ending the Crusade but more against the way Robert De Sable attempts to do so - the Assassins would have people find peace themselves, but the Templar would force their "peace" onto others and attempt to control them. Altaïr first encounters Robert de Sable at the beginning of the game in Solomon's Temple, where he has apparently discovered the Ark of the Covenant. However, this is later revealed to be another artifact known as the Piece of Eden, which the Templar wish to use to control the minds of the people, effectively controlling those who opposed the one who held the piece. Believing that God didn't exist, he planned to bring peace and make the Holy Land a utopia by using the Piece of Eden. However, since the Assassins had it, he used brutal tactics to control the people as he planned to overthrow King Richard and destroy the Assassins. When his lieutenants were assassinated by Altaïr, he convinced King Richard to ally with Saladin in order to destroy the Assassins. Later Altaïr tried to convince the King of Robert's evil plot, however he didn't know who to trust and let God decide. Altaïr and Robert had to fight to the death, but it was Altaïr who proved to Richard that God was on the side of the Assassins as he finally killed Robert.

Final Words


Altaïr: ''It's done, then. Your schemes, like you, are put to rest.''

Robert (laughing coldly): ''You know nothing of schemes. You're but a puppet: he betrayed you, boy, just as he betrayed me.''

Altaïr: Speak sense, Templar, or not at all.

Robert: ''Nine men he sent you to kill, yes? The nine who guarded the treasure's secret?''

Altaïr: What of it?

Robert: It wasn't nine who found the treasure, Assassin: not nine, but ten!

Altaïr: ''A tenth? None may live who carry the secret. Give me his name!''

Robert: Oh, but you know him well, and I doubt very much you'd take his life as willingly as you've taken mine.

Altaïr: Who!?

Robert: It is your master, Al Mualim.

Altaïr: But he is not a Templar!

Robert: ''Did you never wonder how it is he knew so much? Where to find us, how many we numbered, what we aspire to attain?''

Altaïr: He is the master of the Assassins!

Robert: ''Oui, master of lies, you and I are just two more pawns in his grand game. And now, with my death, only you remain. Do you think he'll let you live, knowing what you do?''

Altaïr: I have no interest in the treasure!

Robert: ''Ah, but he does. The only difference between your master and I is that he did not want to share. Ironic, isn't it, that I, your greatest enemy, kept you safe from harm. But now you've taken my life...and in the process, ended your own!''

Trivia

 * In the game, Robert was in his mid 30's when he was killed by Altaïr. In real life, he was relatively old when he died of natural causes. Robert died in the Holy Land on 23 September 1193. In the Assassin's Creed universe, this was most likely a cover up to erase Altaïr from history.