Isaac

Isaac
Biographical information
Died	867 Constantinople, Byzantine Empire
Species	Human
Political information
Affiliations	Order of the Ancients

Isaac (died 867) was the leader of the Order of the Ancients in Constantinople in the 9th century.

Biography

In the 860s, Isaac and his Order formed an alliance with Emperor Basil I and helped him rise to power as sole emperor after Michael III's death. However, the Order's influence continued to sway Basil and even convinced the emperor that his son Leo was not his own. Together, Basil enlisted Isaac and his people to secretly kill Leo. Fortunately, the boy survived numerous attempts failed. In 867, Isaac worked as a server at a local wine bar while he heard of the presence of the Hidden One Basim Ibn Ishaq. At the wine bar, he coincidentally served both Basim and his acolyte Hytham, who were discussing their plans of how to root out the Order.

Meanwhile, Isaac set up another plan to have vipers loose into Leo's room. However, the plan was thwarted by Hytham. In another attempt, he set up a means of communication through the fortune teller Ursina, who corresponded with their inside man Theodore, Leo's tutor, on an assault at night. However, through Ursina, Isaac learned of an attempt of a bribe for Leo's life from his nurse Anna. Learning his name was now known, he set targets on both Anna and Leo. One night, Isaac ordered his members to attack the Varangian guards in the children's wing. However, Basim and the Varangian guard Thyra killed most of the Order's assailants while Hytham protected Leo and saved Anna.

Realizing his numbers were down, Isaac set up a trap for Basim by having one of his dying men lead their tracker into an ambush. However, the trap led Hytham to be taken, not Basim. Isaac personally interrogated Hytham, who recognized him from the wine bar. Isaac offered a deal to have Leo fake his death and tried to kill Hytham upon being refused, only for his bound captive to fight back. Although he gained an upper hand, Isaac heard a commotion in their base and left Hytham alone to investigate. Isaac and his aide Arman quickly engaged Thyra in a fight while Basim went to save Hytham. However, Thyra proved too strong for her attackers. Cornered, Isaac fled while the remaining Order members were cut down by Thyra, Basim, and Hytham.

With too many failures, Isaac saw how his ties with Basil were weakened and waited for another opportunity. During a Hippodrome race featuring the emperor, Isaac ordered his remaining people to abduct Leo from the emperor's box. After Basil suffered an accident while racing, an Order member loosed an arrow into the emperor's box. The Order soldiers abducted Leo in the resulting chaos but were chased by the Hidden Ones, Thyra, and Justin. In an alley outside the Hippodrome, Isaac joined his Order warriors in a final stand.

Death

Isaac fought both Hytham and Basim while two Order members fought Thyra and a third member restrained Leo. However, Thyra took down her assailants and Leo's captor while Basim secured Leo away from Isaac. He continued to duel Hytham and almost gutted the Hidden One. However, in a split second, Hytham pushed Isaac back, forcing him onto Basim's Hidden Blade, which instantly killed him.

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: The Golden City