Assassination (Robert de Sablé)

Assassination was a virtual representation of one of Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad's genetic memories, relived by Desmond Miles in 2012 through the Animus 1.28.

Description

Upon having learned his next target Robert de Sablé would attend a funeral held for the late Majd Addin, Altaïr moved to eliminate the ninth and final Knight Templar from his list.

Dialogue

Altaïr made his way inside the cemetery and blended with the crowd while the funeral began. Robert stood beside the presiding imam.

• Crowd: Amen!
• Imam: We gather here to mourn the loss of our beloved Majd Addin, taken too soon from this world. I know you feel sorrow and pain at his passing, but you should not. For just as we are all brought forth from the womb, so too must we all one day pass from this world. It is only natural, like the rising and the setting of the sun. Take this moment to reflect on his life and give thanks for all the good he did. Know that one day, we will stand with him again in paradise!

Robert seemed to notice Altaïr amidst the crowd.

• Crowd: Amen!

Robert walked over to the imam and whispered to him, then signaled his men to take positions.

• Imam: As you know, this man was murdered! We have tried to track his killer, but it has proved difficult! These creatures cling to the shadows and run from any who would face them fairly. But not today! For it seems one stands among us! He mocks us with his presence, and must be made to pay! Seize him!

The imam pointed at Altaïr and the crowd dispersed around him.

• Imam: Bring him forward, that God's justice might be done!

Exposed, Altaïr was forced to fight Robert and the guards. Eventually, he managed to defeat all of his opponents and moved in to assassinate Robert.

• Altaïr: I would see your eyes before you die.

Upon removing the helmet, Altaïr was surprised to see a woman, Maria Thorpe, instead of his intended target.

• Maria: I sense you expected someone else.
• Altaïr: What sorcery is this?!
• Maria: No sorcery. We knew you'd come. Robert needed to be sure he'd have time to get away.
• Altaïr: So he flees!
• Maria: We cannot deny your success. You have laid waste to our plans. First the treasure, then our men. Control of the Holy Land slipped away. But then he saw an opportunity, to reclaim what has been stolen, to turn your victories to our advantage.
• Altaïr: Al Mualim still holds your treasure, and we've routed your army before. Whatever Robert plans, he'll fail again.

Altaïr interrogating Maria

• Maria: Ah, but it's not just Templars you'll contend with now.
• Altaïr: Speak sense!
• Maria: Robert rides for Arsuf to plead his case that Saracen and Crusader unite against the Assassins.
• Altaïr: That will never happen! They have no reason to.
• Maria: Had perhaps. But now you've given them one. Nine in fact. The bodies you've left behind, victims on both sides. You've made the Assassins an enemy in common and ensured the annihilation of your entire Order. Well done.
• Altaïr: Not nine. Eight.
• Maria: What do you mean?
• Altaïr: You are not my target. I will not take your life. You're free to go, but do not follow me.
• Maria: I don't need to. You're already too late.
• Altaïr: We'll see.

Altaïr escaped the cemetery and returned to the Assassin bureau in Jerusalem.

• Altaïr: It was a trap!
• Malik: I had heard the funeral turned to chaos. What happened?
• Altaïr: Robert de Sablé was never here. He sent another in his stead. He was expecting me.
• Malik: You must go to Al Mualim!
• Altaïr: There's no time. She told me where he's gone, what he plans. If I return to Masyaf, he might succeed, and then, I fear we'll be destroyed.
• Malik: We have killed most of his men. He cannot hope to mount a proper attack. Wait... did you say "she"?
• Altaïr: Yes, it was a woman. Strange, I know, but that's for another time. For now we must focus on Robert. We may have thinned his ranks but the man is clever. He goes to plead his case to Richard and Salāḥ ad-Dīn, to unite them against the common enemy. Against us.
• Malik: Surely you are mistaken. This makes no sense. These two men would never—

Altaïr speaking with Malik

• Altaïr: Oh, but they would. And we have ourselves to blame. The men I've killed, men on both sides of the conflict, men important to both leaders. Robert's plan may be ambitious but it makes sense, and it could work.
• Malik: Look, Brother. Things have changed. You must return to Masyaf. We cannot act without our Master's permission. It could compromise the Brotherhood. I thought... I thought you had learned this.
• Altaïr: Stop hiding behind words, Malik! You wield the Creed and its tenets like some shield. He's keeping things from us, important things! You're the one who told me we could never know anything, only suspect. Well I suspect this business with the Templars goes deeper. When I'm done with Robert, I will ride for Masyaf that we may have answers. But perhaps you could go now!
• Malik: I cannot leave the city.
• Altaïr: Then walk amongst its people. Seek out those who served the ones I slew. Learn what you can. You call yourself perceptive, perhaps you'll see something I could not.
• Malik: I don't know. I must think on this.
• Altaïr: Do as you must, my friend. But it's time I ride for Arsuf. Every moment I delay, our enemy gets one step ahead of me.
• Malik: Be careful, Brother.
• Altaïr: I will be. I promise.

Altaïr left the bureau and traveled to Arsuf in pursuit of Robert.

Outcome

After learning from Maria of Robert's plan to distract him while the Templar headed to Arsuf, Altaïr made his way to the Jerusalem Assassin bureau and spoke with Malik, before he pursued after Robert.

Behind the scenes

It is impossible for players to return Altaïr to an anonymous social standing before neutralizing Maria, as attempting to do so will instead result in desyncronization.

Gallery

• 
  Altaïr among the crowd at the funeral
• 
  Robert's double looking towards the crowd
• 
  Robert's double alerting the Imam to Altaïr's presence
• 
  Robert's men taking up positions
• 
  Altaïr fighting Saracens and Crusaders at the cemetery
• 
  Altaïr sparing Maria
• 
  Altaïr riding for Arsuf