Editing In the Vulture's Nest

{{Era|Memories|ACMir}}
{{Spoilerhd|18 February 2026|[[Valley of Memory]]}}
{{Imageneed|[[Valley of Memory]]}}
{{IncompleteMemory|Mirage}}
{{Memory Infobox
|name=In the Vulture's Nest
|image=
|description=
|appearance=''[[Assassin's Creed: Mirage]] – [[Valley of Memory]]''
|type=Main
|reward=
|fullsync=
|heroclass=
|previous=[[Tracks in the Desert]]
|next=
|concurrent=
|source=[[Basim ibn Ishaq]]
|location=Northern Wilds, [[Abbasid Caliphate]]
|date=860s
}}
'''In the Vulture's Nest''' was a virtual representation of one of [[Basim ibn Ishaq]]'s [[Genetic memory|genetic memories]] relived through the [[Animus]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Mirage]] – [[Valley of Memory]]''</ref>

==Description==
Basim arrives at the Roman Fort where he hopes to free his father from capitivity by Nimlot.
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==Dialogue==
*'''Basim:''' ''I must locate the proper spot to sound the signal.''
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*'''Basim:''' ''The note I found on that robber spoke of a certain mark upon the ground.''
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*'''Basim:''' ''Ah, good, here it is. The right mark.''
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*'''Basim:''' ''Now, to gain entry, I must give the signal.''
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*'''Basim:''' ''This is where it begins. My father is somewhere inside. I must find a way to gain entry into the fort's inner compound.''
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*'''Basim:''' ''I should listen to these robbers. They could have valuable information.''
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*'''Robber 1:''' ''Nimlot says the inner wall is weak in places, fit to crumble at any moment.''
*'''Robber 2:''' ''Too bad the Caliph's so-called architect cannot mend it. Not in his state.''
*'''Robber 1:''' ''This is no jest. Make sure no explosives remain too close or they may accidently blow a breach wide open.''
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*'''Black market merchant:''' ''You! Come over here! I have never seen you here before.''
*'''Basim:''' ''I seek an audience with the one they call Nimlot.''
*'''Black market merchant:''' ''You wish to trade with him?''
*'''Basim:''' ''In a manner of speaking. But first, I must get past the gate.''
*'''Black market merchant:''' ''Seems you are looking to strike a bargain...''
*'''Basim:''' ''And what price do you set?''
*'''Black market merchant:''' ''I trade in rare items - amulets, talismans, charms of protection. Offer me something of worth, and I will see you through that gate.''
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*'''Basim:''' ''I trust this meets your requirements?''
*'''Black market merchant:''' ''Very much so. We have a deal. Now, I will honor my end. You will follow me and carry one of my crates inside.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Am I to act as your servant?''
*'''Black market merchant:''' ''You learn fast. Pick up that crate and follow me.''
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*'''Black market merchant:''' ''Stay close, we must not draw attention.''
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*'''Black market merchant:''' ''Speak no word. There are ears everywhere.''
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*'''Black market merchant:''' ''Let us pass. I have a delivery for Nimlot.''
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*'''Black market merchant:''' ''For appearances' sake, we must take this crate to the supply room.''
*'''Basim:''' ''You are risking much to help me.''
*'''Black market merchant:''' ''I have my vices, but breaking a bargain is not one. You may set down the crate. And if anyone asks how you gained entry, keep me out of it.''
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{{IUNote|Title=Robber's Note|Text=Let's keep this to ourselves:<br><br>The explosives are stored in the safe room beneath the fortress, just inside the second wall's gate.<br><br>Seal the door and keep it locked - one careless spark will take us all down.}}
*'''Basim:''' ''Perhaps I can put these explosives to good use.''
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*'''Basim:''' ''What is happening over there?''
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*'''Basim:''' ''I need to find out what is stirring among these robbers.''
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*'''Robber 3:''' ''If you ask me, Nimlot puts too much faith in that crooked astrologer's horoscopes.''
*'''Robber 4:''' ''This time it's not about the predictions.''
*'''Robber 3:''' ''Then what brings the charlatan here?''
*'''Robber 4:''' ''He stole an astrolabe on Nimlot's orders. A merchant in Al-Madinah wants it, and Nimlot is always happy to oblige on such matters. Word is, the astrologer even killed a helpless old woman to get his hands on it. Cracked her skull wide open.''
*'''Robber 3:''' ''Ruthless dog! I did not think he had it in him. He is no better than we are!''
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*'''Basim:''' ''The astrologer is as bad as the robbers... Still, his attire may serve me well as a disguise.''
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*'''Astrologer:''' ''Why does Nimlot keep me waiting? Does he truly want the astrolabe?''
*'''Robber 5:''' ''You will see him when he's ready. For now, he has more urgent affairs to attend to.''
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*'''Basim:''' ''Now is the time!''
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{{IUNote|Title=Astrologer's Invitation|Text=I invite you to my fort to discuss the gift. You know how you may find me. I would like very much for this matter to find a favorable conclusion.}}
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*'''Basim:''' ''The "astrologer" is ready to make his grand entrance... Hopefully it is enough to persuade any guards to grant me passage.''
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*'''Basim:''' ''Open this door at once!''
*'''Robber 6:''' ''Who is there?''
*'''Basim:''' ''It is the astrologer. I bring the astrolabe Nimlot requested.''
*'''Robber 6:''' ''Nimlot is busy. You must wait.''
*'''Basim:''' ''I have other matters to attend to. If Nimlot wants the astrolabe, he must see me now.''
*'''Robber 6:''' ''Fine, fine, keep your temper.''
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*'''Basim:''' ''None of them are the man I seek.''
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*'''Basim:''' ''Father?''
*'''Civilian:''' ''Who are you to call me father? I have no offspring, spare me your delusions!''
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*'''Basim:''' ''Is that my father suffering such torments?''
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*'''Basim:''' ''No... this is not my father.''
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*'''Tortured man:''' ''Thank you... I feared it was the end for me.''
*'''Basim:''' ''You can show your gratitude by telling me where I can find Nimlot.''
*'''Tortured man:''' ''He locked himself in the tower... but to pass through, you will need the key. It is in the captain's pocket.''
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*'''Basim:''' ''Nimlot is in the tower... and he alone knows where my father is located.''
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*'''Nimlot:''' ''Astrologer! You are early, and I am busy with other -''
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*'''Nimlot:''' ''Let me correct myself. You, Basim, are on time.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Where is my father?''
*'''Nimlot:''' ''"Where is my father...?" I could ask the same of you.''
*'''Basim:''' ''What are you blathering on about? You think you can use my father as a hostage to save your own life?''
*'''Nimlot:''' ''That was never the plan.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Then what!?''
*'''Nimlot:''' ''To watch you suffer as I slowly slit the old pig's throat.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Why involve him? Your fight is with me!''
*'''Nimlot:''' ''Indeed. You truly have no idea, do you? Let me demystify it for you... A father... for a father.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Your father?''
*'''Nimlot:''' ''What was it you called him? Al-Ghul?''
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*'''Basim:''' ''You... are his son?''
*'''Nimlot:''' ''Was, Basim. I was his son.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Killing Al-Ghul was an act of justice.''
*'''Nimlot:''' ''Ah yes, the Hidden Ones and their moral high ground. You believe so fiercely in your spotless justice. But what of Ishaq ibn Khalid? You only know him as a memory. And yet here you are, ready to kill anyone standing in your way.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Your father was a monster!''
*'''Nimlot:''' ''Your kind never pause to consider the consequence of your deeds, do you? You think of justice as an end in itself, yet justice is consequence.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Where is my father?''
*'''Nimlot:''' ''As I said, you will kill anyone standing in your way... I stand in your way.''
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*'''Basim:''' ''Father?''
*'''Nimlot:''' ''I know exactly what you are thinking... Can you reach me before I reach him? Of course, if my dagger parts his flesh, even as yours parts mine... for me, it will be worth it.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Speak your final words.''
*'''Nimlot:''' ''Some months ago, after many years away, I returned home to Baghdad to see my father one last time... But as we were merely starting to rekindle our ties... You stole that from me. My chance to show him I had made something of myself!''
*'''Basim:''' ''Your father deserved death... You... deserve death.''
*'''Nimlot:''' ''Who are you to decree a man's death, Basim ibn Ishaq?''
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*'''Nimlot:''' ''Your prize... Choke on it.''
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*'''Basim:''' ''Father... Father!''
*'''Ishaq:''' ''Are you looking for your father, young man? I do not think he is here... I do not like this place, I must go.''
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*'''Ishaq:''' ''You do not smile much, young man. That... that thing... Where did you get it?''
*'''Basim:''' ''In Samarra.''
*'''Ishaq:''' ''Why has Samarra changed so much? It is very dark... I do not like it.''
*'''Basim:''' ''What do you remember of Samarra? Of home?''
*'''Ishaq:''' ''I have lived here all my life. But now... The Khalifa says that I must go. To another place. No coming back.''
*'''Basim:''' ''And what of your son?''
*'''Ishaq:''' ''Yes, yes... Basim, that is his name. He is my son. My boy must not suffer for my failure. The journey I must take, the dangers. The shame... He will not taste them. They are mine. Alone. My son, he has a future... I have none.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Why not tell him this?''
*'''Ishaq:''' ''He is too young. He cannot understand. I must do something.''
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*'''Basim:''' ''Sit. What must you do?''
*'''Ishaq:''' ''I will see the sunrise one more time... before I leave Samarra. There is a tomb out there... Like the ones in AlUla... I never had the chance to witness the monuments of that land.... Only... what I have read... in stories...''
*'''Basim:''' ''My father once read those same stories to me. Do you want to see the sunrise from near the tomb? It will be just like AlUla. I can take you there. We will go together.''
*'''Ishaq:''' ''Good, good.''
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*'''Basim:''' ''Do you... do you remember your wife?''
*'''Ishaq:''' ''Wife? I have no wife. Not since Basim's mother.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Tell me about her. Who was she?''
*'''Ishaq:''' ''I once saw a young woman in the bazaar, brought here from across the sea. From a land far to the north, they said... Such a delicate beauty... eyes like the bluest sky in winter... And her smile... Basim inherited my looks, but the way he smiles... that belongs to his mother. She left this world too soon... taken by a sickness before she could see more of it.''
*'''Basim:''' ''What was her name?''
*'''Ishaq:''' ''I... I cannot recall. It is gone.''
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*'''Basim:''' ''After you left Samarra, where did you journey?''
*'''Ishaq:''' ''I have not left Samarra. I am here even now. Though that time draws to an end.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Then... where do you wish to go?''
*'''Ishaq:''' ''I would dearly love to behold the Great Mosque of Qurtuba (Córdoba) in Al-Andalus... And one day, the ancient marvels of AlUla. They say those wonders are unsurpassed.''
*'''Basim:''' ''My father spoke of Qubbat al-Sakhrah, that sacred dome in Al-Quds (Jerusalem).''
*'''Ishaq:''' ''Ah yes, it would be a sight! Yet for grandeur, surely nothing compares to al-Ahram, the great pyramids of Misr!''
*'''Basim:''' ''Imagine scaling their heights and gazing out over endless sands!''
*'''Ishaq:''' ''Truly, none have dared such a feat!''
*'''Basim:''' ''Of all the cities, Qustantinīyah (Constantinople) is the one I feel drawn to most... though I cannot understand why.''
*'''Ishaq:''' ''Yes... home to Aya Sofiya. They say she is the grandest and loveliest of all kanīsa (cathedrals). How I wish I could behold her beauty. But my time is much too brief...''
*'''Basim:''' ''One day, I shall journey to Qustantinīyah... and you will be with me. In my heart.''
*'''Ishaq:''' ''What is that you say? Your heart?''
*'''Basim:''' ''It is nothing.''
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*'''Basim:''' ''Look, we are nearly at the tomb.''
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*'''Ishaq:''' ''I wish my son could see this... Basim, the one who smiles... He is a good boy... He will grow into a fine man one day.''
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*'''Ishaq:''' ''It is time. I must go... I will not be coming back.''
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*'''Ishaq:''' ''Tell my little Basim... Tell him one day, when his time comes, we will be together again. Until then, he has a life to live... Tell him that, if you see him.''
*'''Basim:''' ''I will tell him.''
*'''Ishaq:''' ''So... you have a smile after all...''
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*'''Dervis:''' ''Well? Did you find him?''
*'''Basim:''' ''A mere echo of the man I once knew. Time has wrought its changes. Yet... my heart remains thankful.''
*'''Dervis:''' ''I do not understand?''
*'''Basim:''' ''I have faced my past, Dervis. Few get that chance. Now, I must look toward the future. Toward the man I am destined to become.''-->

==Outcome==
Basim killed Nimlot and had a bittersweet farewell moment with his father, finally facing his past.

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{ACMirMemories}}
[[Category:Memories of Basim ibn Ishaq]]