Editing The Secret Crusade

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{{Era|Culture|Assassins}}
{{Youmay|Niccolò Polo's journal|[[Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade|the real-world novel of the same name]]}}
[[File:Journal 1.png|thumb|250px|[[Yusuf Tazim]] holding the journal]]
'''''The Secret Crusade''''' (Italian: ''La Crociata Segreta'') was a detailed study on the life of [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]], [[Mentor]] of the [[Levantine Brotherhood of Assassins|Levantine Assassins]], written by [[Niccolò Polo]].

==History==
===Middle Ages===
In 1257, Niccolò and his brother [[Maffeo Polo]] were invited to stay at the Assassin Order's fortress of [[Masyaf]] in [[Syria]]. Having been visited by Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad's son [[Darim Ibn-La'Ahad|Darim]] in their home in [[Constantinople]], they journeyed to Masyaf, where Niccolò had various discussions with Altaïr about the latter's life. As a result, Niccolò wrote these stories down in a journal, which ended up covering all of the Assassin's key moments. Niccolò also wrote about [[Library of Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad|Altaïr's library]] hidden in Masyaf.<ref name="ACTSC">''[[Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade]]''</ref> 

The journal also acted as a sort of diary, giving details of the Polo brothers' actions during their stay in the village and their travel to [[Constantinople]] where they hid the [[Masyaf Key|keys of Altaïr's library]]. Niccolò intended to pass the journal to his son, [[Marco Polo|Marco]].<ref name="ACTSC"/>

===Renaissance===
During the late 15th century, the journal had come in the possession of the exiled [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] prince [[Cem]], a [[Templars|Templar]] who was imprisoned in [[Europe]]. Shortly before being killed by the [[Italian Brotherhood of Assassins|Italian Assassins]] in February 1495, Cem notified of its existence to his nephew [[Ahmet]], heir of the Ottoman throne and [[Grand Master of the Templar Order|Grand Master]] of the [[Byzantine Rite of the Templar Order]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Recollection]]''</ref>

In 1495, the journal fell into the hands of the [[Spanish Inquisition]]. Not understanding its true value, they were prepared to trade it to agents of the Byzantine Templars. Through a Templar turncoat, [[Aleksei Zima]], the [[Ottoman Brotherhood of Assassins]] learned of these plans. He, along with the Ottoman [[Mentor]] [[Ishak Pasha]], the mentor’s bodyguard [[Murat Bin Husn]], and the Assassin [[Yusuf Tazim]], traveled to Spain and cooperated with [[Spanish Brotherhood of Assassins|their Spanish brethren]] to thwart the deal. However the trade, which had already taken place, was a trap and the Assassins were forced to escape from an ambush.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Rebellion]]'' – ''[[The Ottoman Connection]]''</ref>

With the journal, Ahmet learned more about Altaïr's library and wanted to open it to find the [[Grand Temple]] to unify humankind by destroying all division.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' - [[Discovery (memory)|Discovery]]</ref> By 1509, after discovering one of Masyaf's keys, Ahmet passed the journal to the [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] captain [[Leandros]] who headed an expedition to Masyaf's fortress.<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Revelations'' - [[A Journal of Some Kind]]</ref> He kept the journal until March 1511, when he was killed by the [[Italy|Italian]] Mentor [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] who was on a quest to enter the library as well.<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Revelations'' - [[The Wounded Eagle]]</ref>

[[File:Journal_2.png|thumb|250px|left|Ezio telling Yusuf about the journal]]

Learning that the keys of Altaïr's library were located in Constantinople after reading the journal, Auditore set out on a journey to the city, while continuing to read the journal along the way. Arriving two months later, the Mentor met Yusuf Tazim who was then the [[Assassin leader|leader]] of the Ottoman Assassins. During a discussion, Auditore showed the journal to Tazim.<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Revelations'' - [[Bomb Crafting]]</ref>

==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Rebellion]]'' {{Mo}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{ACR}}
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[[pt-br:A Cruzada Secreta]]
[[Category:Journals and diaries]]
[[Category:Assassin books]]