In the Vulture's Nest

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In the Vulture's Nest was a virtual representation of one of Basim ibn Ishaq's genetic memories relived through the Animus.

Description

Basim arrives at the Roman Fort Ruins, where he hopes to free his father Ishaq ibn Khalid from the traitorous Nimlot.

Dialogue

Basim travelled to the robbers' hideout that was marked on the map.

• Basim: I must locate the proper spot to sound the signal.

As he approached, he recalled the last clues he gathered in the robbers' lairs.

• Basim: The note I found on that robber spoke of a certain mark upon the ground.

Basim spotted the x-shaped vulture mark.Basim found the symbol of an x formed by several hands.

He stood on the place marked by the symbol of the robbers.

• Basim: This symbol is wrong. I must find the correct one.

He found the place that remarked the same symbol he saw in one of the notes he took.

• Basim: Ah, good, here it is. The right mark. Now, to gain entry, I must give the signal.

Standing in the correct place, Basim gave the signal. A robber patrolling the walls allowed access by unlocking the stairs. Basim climbed them and began his rescue mission.

• 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.

Near the central part of the external compound, Basim spotted two robbers.

• Basim: I should listen to these robbers. They could have valuable information.

He approached them carefully and heard their conversation.

• 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.

Moving to the southeast side of the compound, Basim spotted a group of bandits, some patrolling some ruins, and others a room filled with explosive oil jars. A note could be read near one of their posts.

Robber's Note

Be on your guard! Word reaches me of a fault in the Roman fort's wall. Watch for any bold souls who might slip through our defenses.

At the central part of the compound, a merchant stood calmed as if it was his own. But he wasn't the regular type, he dealt in the black market.

• Blackmarket merchant: You! Come over here! I have never seen you here before.
• Basim: I seek an audience with the one they call Nimlot.
• Blackmarket merchant: You wish to trade with him?
• Basim: In a manner of speaking. But first, I must get past the gate.
• Blackmarket merchant: Seems you are looking to strike a bargain...
• Basim: And what price do you set?
• Blackmarket merchant: I trade in rare items—amulets, talismans, charms of protection. Offer me something of worth, and I will see you through that gate.

Basim gave it a second thought.

• Blackmarket merchant: It seems you have nothing of worth to me. Go, find something that might please me. The desert contains many rare treasures and charms.

At the northwest side of the external compound, a group of bandits gathered near a campfire. Basim realized that one of them hold a key to a secret passage. He considered his options for his approach.

Weak point in the rocks.Accepting the black merchant's bargain.Bandits' secret passage

Basim took care of the guards and carried one of the jars towards the weakpoint. He noticed that the last obstacle were a guard and some stone pillars.

• Basim: I must not make any noise.

After dealing with the last guard and moving the pillars, Basim threw the jar to the weak point. A small explosion opened a passage through the rocks. Basim took it and ventured to the inner compound.

• Basim: I trust this meets your requirements?
• Blackmarket 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?
• Blackmarket merchant: You learn fast. Pick up that crate and follow me.

Basim did as he was commanded.

• Blackmarket merchant: Stay close, we must not draw attention.

Following the black merchant's order, he approached the wall separating the compounds.

• Blackmarket merchant: Speak no word. There are ears everywhere.

The two of them approached the robber guards.

• Blackmarket merchant: Let us pass. I have a delivery for Nimlot.

The guards allowed them passage.

• Blackmarket merchant: For appearances' sake, we must take this crate to the supply room.
• Basim: You are risking much to help me.
• Blackmarket 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.

Basim left the crate in the supply room and ventured to the inner compound.

After dealing with the guards posted near the campfire, Basim took the key and approached the door the guards were patrolling.

• Basim: I hold the key to this door.

He opened the door and passed through the corridors.

Within the inner compound, Basim found more guards and more scattered notes.

Robber's Note

Let's keep this to ourselves:

The explosives are stored in the safe room beneath the fortress, just inside the second wall's gate.

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.

Astrologer's Invitation

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.

• Basim: I need to find out what is stirring among these robbers.

Two voices got Basim's attention.

• Basim: What is happening over there?

Basim eavesdropped on one of the robbers' conversation.

• 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!

Basim had found his opportunity.

• Basim: The astrologer is as bad as the robbers... Still, his attire may serve me well as a disguise.

Basim spotted the Astrologer, he was being escorted by a robber guard. They were headed to the tower where the Astrologer could see the skies without any interruption. Basim followed them.

• 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.

The robber guard left the astrologer to head to the top of the tower alone.

• Basim: Now is the time!

Basim took care of the guard and knocked out the Astrologer. He took his unconscious body and left it in a hiding spot. Basim entered it and took the Astrologer's tunic. Dressing as him would enable him to infiltrate Nimrod's inner chambers without issues.

• Basim: The "astrologer" is ready to make his grand entrance... Hopefully it is enough to persuade any guards to grant me passage.

Basim kept his calm and approached the gate.

• 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.

Inside this restricted area, there were not only guards, but also other merchants, visitors, and civilians.

• Basim: None of them are the man I seek.

Basim approached a man holding a book.

• Basim: Father?
• Civilian: Who are you to call me father? I have no offspring, spare me your delusions!

Basim left him alone and explored other rooms. In one of them, a guard was beating an old man.

• Basim: Is that my father suffering such torments?

He stealtly took the guard out and saved the old man, but quickly recognized it was not Ishaq.

• Basim: No... this is not my father.

Basim helped him to his feet.

• 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.

Basim spotted the captain, he was at what seemed to be the guards room.

• Robber: You, stay right where you are.

He couldn't enter directly, so he infiltrated by passing through a tunnel below the area. His disguise was of no use there. So, as a well trained Hidden One, he acquired the key and went to the tower.

• Basim: Nimlot is in the tower... and he alone knows where my father is located.

Nimrod was indeed inside, inspecting a whistle similar to the one Basim got before.

• Nimlot: Astrologer! You are early, and I am busy with other—

Nimrod quickly realized the astrologer went to sabatical.

• 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?

Basim recalled the moment he took Al-Ghul's life in the Caravanserai, his first main target as a Hidden One. Then, the idea struck his head.

• 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.

Nimlot unsheathed his sword as he moved to his right so Basim could see his father seated near one of the room's corners.

• 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?

Nimlot ran as fast as he could but he couldn't avoid one of Basim's throwing knives, which gave the Hidden One time to deliver the final blow.

• Nimlot: Your prize... Choke on it.

With his foe dead, Basim approached his father.

• 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.

Basim, confused by his father's delusions, he escorted him outside of the fort leaving Nimrod's body behind. Both, father and son, set a campfire near Ithlib Mountain, in eastern Hegra, and spent the night there.

• 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.

Basim encouraged his father to remain seated by gently holding him by his arm.

• 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.

The following morning, Basim met with his father within the mountain, further beyond the Rites of Passage.

• 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.

Ishaq moved slowly, gazing on the tomb gates that separated nature from culture. Basim followed his pace.

• 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.

Both took a look to the tombs afar.

• Basim: Look, we are nearly at the tomb.

In front of them, between a considerable distance, were the tombs in Al-Banat Mountain.

• 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.

They approached the tomb so they could get a better view.

• Ishaq: It is time. I must go... I will not be coming back.

Before beginning his journey, Ishaq asked one last favor to the man who accompanied him.

• 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...

Ishaq set out on his journey to what he believed to be his destinations. Basim, saddened, he looked at his father one last time as he walked away toward the horizon. The grief is so great that Basim spent the entire day in Hegra, watching the sky as it transformed from a light blue blanket to a starry field. Having cried his last tears, Basim set off on his way back to the Travellers' Camp where Dervis was waiting for him.

• 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 rescued his father, who could no longer recognized him. Nevertheless, he stood alongside him until he departured, not without telling Basim about his last wishes. After such a bittersweet farewell, he returned to the travelers' camp. Finally facing his past, he set himself onwards to continuing his hunt in Baghdad, where his last target awaited.