Assassination II (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.

Description

After having discovered Robert de Sablé's decoy in Jerusalem, Altaïr set off towards Arsuf, in order to assassinate the ninth Templar that Al Mualim had assigned him to remove.

Dialogue

Altaïr arrived at Arsuf, and made his way to King Richard's camp, fighting both Crusaders and Saracen soldiers as he went along. When he had finally arrived at the camp, he was stopped by the guards.

Altaïr revealing Robert's treachery to King Richard

• Crusader: Come no further!
• Altaïr: Hold a moment! It's words I bring, not steel.
• Richard: Offering terms of surrender then? It's about time.
• Altaïr: You misunderstand. It's Al Mualim who sends me, not Salāḥ ad-Dīn.
• Richard: Assassin! What is the meaning of this? And be quick with it!
• Altaïr: You've a traitor in your midst.
• Richard: And he has hired you to kill me? Come to gloat about it before you strike? I won't be taken so easily!
• Altaïr: It's not you I've come to kill! It's him.
• Richard: Speak then! That I may judge the truth. Who is this traitor?

Altaïr was allowed to pass and approached King Richard and Robert, before being surrounded by Templars.

• Altaïr: Robert de Sablé.
• Richard: My lieutenant?

Richard laughed.

• Altaïr: He aims to betray.
• Richard: That's not the way he tells it. He seeks revenge against your people for the havoc you wrought in Acre. And I am inclined to support him. Some of my best men were murdered by some of yours.
• Altaïr: It was I who killed them and for good reason! Hear me out! William of Montferrat – he sought to use his soldiers to take Acre by force. Garnier de Naplouse – he would use his skills to indoctrinate and control any who resisted. Sibrand – he intended to block the ports, preventing your kingdom from providing aid. They betrayed you, and they took their orders from Robert.
• Richard: You expect me to believe this outlandish tale?
• Altaïr: You knew these men, better than I. Are you truly surprised to learn of their ill intentions?
• Richard: Is this true?

The knight beside Richard removed his barrel helm, revealing himself as Robert de Sablé.

• Robert: My liege. It is an Assassin that stands before us. These creatures are masters of manipulation. Of course it isn't true.
• Altaïr: I've no reason to deceive.
• Robert: Oh, but you do. You're afraid of what will happen to your little fortress. Can it withstand the combined might of the Saracen and the Crusader army?
• Altaïr: My concern is for the people of the Holy Land. If I must sacrifice myself for there to be peace, so be it.
• Richard: This is a strange place we find ourselves in, each of you accusing the other.
• Robert: There really is no time for this! I must be off to meet with Saladin and enlist his aid. The longer we delay, the harder this will become.
• Richard: Hold a moment, Robert.
• Robert: Why? What do you intend? Surely you do not believe him?
• Richard: It is a difficult decision, one I cannot make alone. I must leave it in the hands of one wiser than I.
• Robert: Thank you.
• Richard: No, Robert. Not you.
• Robert: Then who?
• Richard: The Lord. Let this be decided by combat. Surely God will side with the one whose cause is righteous.
• Robert: If this is what you wish.
• Richard: It is.
• Robert: So be it. To arms, Assassin!

Altaïr fighting the Templars

Altaïr fought Robert's men, thinning their ranks until none remained.

• Robert: The time for games is ended!

Robert dueled Altaïr, and eventually the Assassin struck him down.

• Altaïr: It's done then. Your schemes, like you, are put to rest.

Robert laughed.

• Robert: You know nothing of schemes. You're but a puppet. He betrayed you, boy, just as he betrayed me.
• Altaïr: Speak sense Templar, or not at all!
• Robert: Nine men he sent you to kill, yes? The nine who guarded the treasure's secret.
• Altaïr: What of it?
• Robert: It wasn't nine who found the treasure, Assassin. Not nine, but ten.
• Altaïr: A tenth?! None may live who carry the secret. Give me his name!
• Robert: Oh, but you know him well. And I doubt very much you'd take his life as willingly as you've taken mine.
• Altaïr: Who?!
• Robert: It is your Master, Al Mualim.
• Altaïr: But he is not a Templar!
• Robert: Did you never wonder how it is that he knew so much? Where to find us, how many we numbered, what we aspire to attain?
• Altaïr: He is the Master of the Assassins!
• Robert: Oui. (Yes.) Master of lies. You and I just two more pawns in his grand game. And now, with my death, only you remain. Do you think he'll let you live, knowing what you do?
• Altaïr: I've no interest in the treasure.
• Robert: Ah, but he does! The only difference between your master and I, is that he did not want to share.
• Altaïr: No...
• Robert: Ironic, isn't it? That I, your greatest enemy, kept you safe from harm. But now you've taken my life, and in the process, ended your own.

After the battle, Richard's men drew their weapons, but the King stopped them, and approached Altaïr.

• Richard: Well fought, Assassin! It seems God favors your cause this day.
• Altaïr: God had nothing to do with it. I was the better fighter.
• Richard: Ah, you may not believe in him, but it seems he believes in you. Before you go, I have a question.
• Altaïr: Ask it then.
• Richard: Why? Why travel all this way, risk your life a thousand times, all to kill a single man?
• Altaïr: He threatened my Brothers and what we stand for.
• Richard: Ah. Vengeance then.
• Altaïr: No, not vengeance. Justice, that there might be peace.
• Richard: This is what you fight for? Peace? Do you see the contradiction?
• Altaïr: Some men cannot be reasoned with.
• Richard: Like that madman, Saladin.
• Altaïr: I think he'd like to see an end to this war as much as you.
• Richard: So I've heard, but never seen.
• Altaïr: Even if he doesn't say it, it's what the people want, Saracen and Crusader alike.

Richard speaking with Altaïr after the battle

• Richard: The people know not what they want. It's why they turn to men like us.
• Altaïr: Then it falls to men like you to do what is right.
• Richard: Nonsense. We come into the world kicking and screaming, violent and unstable. It is what we are. We cannot help ourselves.
• Altaïr: No. We are what we choose to be.
• Richard: Hah! Your kind, always playing with words.
• Altaïr: I speak the truth. There's no trick to be found here.
• Richard: We'll know soon enough. But I fear you cannot have what you desire this day. Even now, that heathen Saladin cuts through my men and I must attend to them. But perhaps having seen how vulnerable he is, he will reconsider his actions. Yes. In time, what you seek may be possible.
• Altaïr: You were no more secure than him. Do not forget that. The men you left behind to rule in your stead did not intend to serve you for longer than they had to.
• Richard: Yes, yes. I am well aware.
• Altaïr: Then I'll take my leave. My Master and I have much to discuss. It seems even he is not without fault.
• Richard: He is only human, as are we all. You as well.
• Altaïr: Safety and peace be upon you.

Altaïr then left the camp and travelled back to Masyaf.

Outcome

Altaïr assassinated Robert de Sablé, and learned about Al Mualim's allegiance to the Templars. Following this, the Assassin left for Masyaf to confront his Master.

Gallery

• 
  Altaïr fighting the Saracens on the way to King Richard's camp
• 
  Altaïr fighting the Crusaders
• 
  Altaïr arriving at the camp
• 
  Altaïr surrounded by the Templars
• 
  Robert explaining himself to King Richard
• 
  Altaïr assassinating Robert
• 
  Robert's final moments

References

• Assassin's Creed