The Master Thief of Anbar

He who increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow. This article contains spoilers, meaning it has information and facts concerning Assassin's Creed: Mirage. If you do not want to know about these events, it is recommended to read on with caution, or not at all. This template should be removed from the article 5 January 2024.

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The Master Thief of Anbar was a virtual representation of one of Basim Ibn Ishaq's genetic memories.

Description

Basim helped Dervis to perform several tasks on behalf of his clients.

Dialogue

A dropped of blood fell on Basim's face. He found himself in a dark, shadowy environment with his legs trapped in a black quicksand. He looked on as the apparition of a figure tackled him to the ground, causing his hand to be trapped as well. The figure displayed its ghastly form and approached him. Eventually, it was revealed to be a dream as Basim woke up gasping.

• Basim: Gah!

Panicked, he got up from his bed and his friend Nehal, who was sitting by the bed and observed his behavior, tried to calm him down.

• Basim: (labored breathing)
• Nehal: Easy, Basim. Breathe.

Noticing, Basim calmed himself down.

• Basim: (labored breathing)
• Nehal: Was it the jinni again?

Basim said nothing.

• Nehal: And what did our friend want this time?

Having composed himself, Basim sat up

• Basim: To strip the flesh from my bones? Dine on my innards? Never has much to say, yet it leaves its mark. I can still feel it crawling on my skin.
• Nehal: Hardly original. You should tell it as much.
• Basim: Forget the jinni for the moment. The day is new, there is work to be done. Dervis has left another contract.

Basim got out of bed and approached the wooden-covered window near the table, where he picked up a small circular stone.

• Neha: Who for?

Basim showed Nehal the stone, with a Hidden One insignia mark.

• Nehal: Them again? We would make more money selling water to a camel.

Nehal got up from the bedside and approached the room exit, shaking her head.

• Basim: Come, Nehal. Where is your sense of duty?
• Nehal: Duty does not fill our bellies.
• Basim: No, but it does enrich the soul.
• Nehal: I will be outside.

Nehal left the house, with Basim exploring his surroundings. He looked at the object on the table nearest to the door.

• Basim: I told Nehal this would be impossible to sell when she stole it. But she could not resist.
• Nehal: Kick up some sand, Basim.

He turned to a wall table near the bed, where he picked up a few medallions.

• Basim: Wonder what it is about these ancient baubles that fascinates her so.

After done exploring his room, Basim left the house and met with Nehal.

• Nehal: The sun casts a long shadow.
• Basim: Let us not keep Dervis waiting. I cannot bear another lecture.

Basim followed Nehal as they navigated out of the neighborhood.

• Nehal: These contracts... it is quite a few Dervis has pushed your way now.
• Basim: He knows I will come through.
• Nehal: You have his trust, that much is clear. Do you suppose you have theirs? These... shadowy types.
• Basim: I should hope so by now.
• Nehal: Then they should show it. You take all the risk and they offer little in return.
• Basim: They are liberators, Nehal. Not merchants.
• Nehal: I know the stories. Still, the price of liberty should be enough to feed us.

They reached the city's outskirts and began freerunning across the rooftops and scaffoldings, eventually reaching a roof near the city gate.

• Nehal: About this contract... I do not want you to mistake my words for pestering. I am only looking out for you, ya sadeeqi (friend).
• Basim: It is no inconvenience to stand up to our oppressors as the Hidden Ones do.
• Nehal: Do you think yourself some hero of tomorrow? The next Gilgamesh?
• Basim: No, I am merely the son of a public servant who dedicated his life to the betterment of his people... only to be slighted and forgotten.

Both Basim and Nehal reflected on their words for a moment.

• Basim: But I am honored you think I could reach such heights. I may just aim for them.
• Nehal: That is not at all what I said.
• Basim: It is what I heard!

Both of them turned to look towards the crowd gathering near the gate.

• Nehal: Such crowds. Something important must be happening.
• Basim: The Caliph (Steward) has been summoned to the Winter Palace. It is surely his wealthy retinue that drives this crowd.

Basim and Nehal jumped down to the street and approached the crowd.

• Nehal: Ah... Perhaps they're in the mood to offer donations...
• Basim: Ah. I see your meaning. A little sleight of hands to sharpen our wits?
• Nehal: If this contract will not feed us, the Caliphate might as well.

Basim and Nehal looked towards a table, where a coin purse had been left behind.

• Nehal: That merchant has left his purse on the table. An easy one to begin with.

Basim approached the table and quietly looted the purse.

• Basim: Better leave before they notice.

Both he and Nehal left the area to avoid raising suspicions.

• Civilian: Gah! Liss! Liss! (Thief!)

They made their way down a street.

• Nehal: Come here! Ready yourself. I will pick them out.
• Basim: A keen eye and an agile hand. A formidable duo.

They reached a haycart.

• Nehal: Hmm. There. The boisterous one. He must have something of value.

Nehal pointed at a civilian with a pouch hanging by his waist, leading Basim to steal it while he's occupied. Once successful, Basim returned to Nehal, and they both continued down the street.

• Nehal: Sneaky sneaky...

They reached a spot where Nehal spotted a lady patronizing a store with a pouch at her waist.

• Nehal: And ... over there, by that stall. She's got some coin.

Basim approached the lady and looted the purse.

• Nehal: Well done. You truly are the Master Thief of Anbar.
• Basim: Is that jealousy I hear?
• Nehal: Hardly. Oh Great Looter of Purses.
• Basim: In sufferable... Come, we are late to Dervis'.

Basim and Nehal ended their thieving and made their way to Dervis' place.

• Mutee'a: It's Basim!
• Nehal: They're all looking spry. I wonder what tales we will hear today.
• Basim: Tall ones, most certainly.

Basim approached one of the kids.

• Fehmi: Ahlan (Welcome), Basim! Come here, come here!
• Basim: Fehmi.
• Fehmi: Basim! The Caliph has arrived with his court! Have you seen them?
• Basim: I have not. Though I did meet some of his merchants at the markets.
• Fehmi: I saw them up close. Al-Mutawakkil is much, much larger than I had imagined. A towering man, indeed.
• Basim: Of course. He gorges on food served with the finest spices you and I can only hope to one day taste.
• Fehmi: I heard whispers of an important visit. But I cannot say from whom. I am sworn to secrecy!
• Basim: Let me guess. Halaa. The palace guard's daughter.
• Fehmi: What? How did you know?
• Basim: I know where you really go when you say you are fetching water. She is kind. A good friend to you. And... maybe more, someday.
• Fehmi: Ooh Basim!
• Basim: I am serious! She will keep you out of trouble. You could use that. See you, Fehmi.

Basim approached another kid.

• Ameen: Steal anything good today?
• Basim Ameen, how is your knee?
• Ameen Much better, Basim! Wrapped it and rested a few days, like you said.
• Basim Good. So long as each day is better than the last and you take care not to extend yourself, you will recover fine.
• Ameen Has this happened to you before? Is that why you know how to treat it?
• Basim I am no stranger to scrapes and bumps, but I have learned to prevent them. And so should you. If I may, your sandals are worn and cannot grip the ground. Your knees are taking the brunt of your movements. We need to find you something better. Something that fits. But that part is not so easy.
• Ameen The mosques have plenty. I am sure to find a better pair there! Erm, if you will not pass judgement...
• Basim Hah! Do not look to me. That will be between you and Allah, ya sadeeqi (friend).

Basim and Nehal entered the house.

• Dervis: Vay vay vay (Well well well), here is the lazy boy. I have been waiting on you.
• Basim: Someone has to plan our meals.

Basim threw a pouch to one of the children.

• Basim: Hold.

The child turned around to listen to Basim.

• Basim: Food. I would not flaunt that around the markets. Trust me.
• Dervis: Go to Zaida'! She uses lots of butter.

The child nodded and left the house.

• Nehal: That she does.
• Dervis: You look weary. Are you well?

Basim threw the stone that had been given to him.

• Basim: It is nothing a little adventure wouldn't fix. What do they need?
• Dervis: A shipping ledger at the harbor. It is worth nothing by itself, but the information it contains is valuable to them.
• Basim: This is child's play. Do they not have anything more difficult? I can do more.
• Dervis: Never mind your ego. The Caliph's guards are here in number and you would do well to remember that.
• Basim: You worry for me more now than when we lived in Baghdad.
• Dervis: My worry is the same, I've only grown too old and too tired to hide it. Bring the ledger here, and do it swiftly.

As Dervis prepared to leave, Basim looked towards Nehal, who signaled him to ask about payment.

• Basim: We have not talked about my fee.

Dervis stopped in his tracks to reply to Basim.

• Dervis: And we won't. Not until the deed is done. You know how they are.

Dervis left the house.

• Nehal: Shocking.
• Basim: He is just a messenger.
• Nehal: And you are still an errand boy. You can do this one on your own.

Nehal left the place as well.

• Fehmi: I saw them with all the soldiers parading into the Winter Palace.
• Ameen: Did they have swords and spears?
• Fehmi: Of course they did, they are soldiers.
• Ameen: I'd like to steal a sword. Or a helmet.

Basim read a note on the table before leaving.

One Collector to Another

Friend Dervis,

O, how the greatest beauty can be concealed by a meek façade! Priceless gems hide behind the plainest rock, or the humblest shopfront. You see, I am a collector of the exquisite, and I hear you stock precious stones from Sarandib, emeralds from Khorasan, pearls form the Ocean of Sindh. I would cherish such jewels forever.

Name your price and I will meet it.

Outside, Basim stopped to talk more with the children.

• Basim: Mutee'a, where has your smile run off to? What has happened?
• Mutee'a: I do not want to talk about it.
• Basim: Ah, but I refuse to leave until you do. We need someone to offset the grouchy winds that billow from Dervis' quarters. Is he responsible for the clouds that hang above you?
• Mutee'a: He shouted at me. Called me a harebrained miscreant! All because I roused a few guards who were pestering me.
• Basim: Harsh! I would have done the same as you.
• Mutee'a: Do you think he will tell me to leave?
• Basim: Ah, Mutee'a, you do not know him as well as I, so I will only say this. Dervis may appear rough, but he has a soft underbelly. He's only trying to protect you. Still, some retibution is in order. What can we do, what can we do... Ah! Tomorrow, when all is quiet, we will sit on a nearby rooftop and stone his walls while he tries to sleep.
• Mutee'a: A brilliant idea! See you later, Basim.

Basim approached Dervis.

• Basim: Did they say anything else about the ledger? Or why they want it?
• Dervis: Ugh, I tell you what they tell me, Basim. As always, it's just enough. Why are you asking, hmm?
• Basim: I would like to know just what it is I am contributing to.
• Dervis: You have done much in the way of facilitating their endeavors, and so I will speak a word on your behalf. My one caution, and I have been doing this long enough to share it... Anyone, anyone who works from the shadows does so only because they must. In the face of looming danger, for example. By working alongside them we have invited the danger to our door. And we must be very careful not to let it in.

Basim approached Nehal.

• Nehal: You are on your own, Basim. This is no contract, it is a favor. I do not work for scraps.
• Basim: I do not wish for you to be upset. I took the contract, so I will see it through.
• Basim: I am not upset, Basim. I simply cannot understand why you overlook your own interests to serve theirs. You owe nothing to anyone but yourself. Remember that.

Basim made his way to the harbor near the house. He hid in a patch of tall grass near a crate to eavesdrop on the guards' conversation.

• Soldier 1: What was the final tally of what we received?
• Soldier 2: Sixteen crates. One chest. Half a dozen satchels. Only three crates remained last time I checked the ledger.
• Soldier 1: Give their handlers until tomorrow evening. If they don't show by then, we must assume they've forgotten about their wares. Open them up. Keep whatever catches our eyes. Dump the rest.

Basim started to move, only to stop after breaking a branch underfoot, startling one of the soldiers.

• Soldier 1: Wait here.

Basim hid himself amongst the tall grass as the soldier noticed and approached closer. Basim grabbed him into the tall grass and knocked him out.

• Basim: If I am seen I will have to flee. Good thing I can outrun these sagging guards.

Basim kept a low profile and searched around the harbor, while knocking out guards to reduce being noticed. He across a building with a locked door.

• Basim: Locked. A minor delay.

Basim used his Eagle Vision to locate the guard with the door keys. He entered another building and took out the guard, looting a set of keys. He then returned to the locked door and gain himself access inside. Within, he spot a ledger on the table.

• Basim: There. That may be what I'm looking for.

Basim looted the ledger.

• Basim: I wonder wat secrets this ledger holds. Maybe I can get the old grouser Dervis to squeeze a hint out of our contact.

Bayek left the harbor and returned to Dervis' place.

• Nehal: Still in one piece, I see.
• Basim: It was all too easy.
• Nehal: Ugh, how the stench of pride seeps from your pores...

Basim and Nehal entered Dervis' shop, where they found him conversing with a hooded woman.

• Roshan: We could use some eyes around the city.
• Dervis: I'll see what I can do.
• Nehal: She looks important. You should haggle for a better fee.
• Basim: Shh.

Dervis spotted Basim and approached him.

• Dervis: Ah, Basim. What timing. Did you get it?

Basim handed over the ledger to Dervis.

• Basim: Without a fuss.
• Roshan: Give it here.
• Basim: You are one of them.

In turn, Dervis gave the ledger to the woman.

• Roshan: There. It looks as though it was delivered this morning.
• Dervis: You're certain it is the chest you seek?
• Roshan: I am certain. Pay the boy.

As the woman turned to leave, Basim spoke to her.

• Basim: You need something stolen, I am your man. Dervis can attest. He has given me all your contracts.
• Roshan: Then you have done your part.
• Basim: I can do more.
• Roshan: Two of my best men died on this pursuit. I doubt a street thief would fare much better.
• Basim: Then let me join you. You have two openings!

The woman ignored Basim's words and took her leave.

• Dervis: I should take half this fee for that insult.

Dervis' hand hovered over two different-sized coin pouches, but he took the larger one and handed it over to Basim.

• Basim: Thank you, Dervis.
• Dervis: Listen here, Basim. You want to keep working for me, you keep your head down and your mouth shut!

Basim accepted the payment and left with Nehal.

• Nehal: Why must you embarrass yourself like that?
• Basim: Like what?
• Nehal: Like a beggar. Desperate for them to notice you.
• Basim: Desperate? Nehal, I am good at what I do. That woman would be lucky to have me.

As Basim talked with Nehal, one of the children slowly sneaked behind him.

• Nehal: But she does not want you. You are a street thief with dirty feet. So why bother? Why keep pushing yourself down this path?
• Basim: Because being a street thief is not the peak of my ambition. I have more to offer this world than my nimble fingers. They just cannot see it yet.

As the child tried to steal the pouch from Basim's waist, Basim took notice and backed away.

• Basim: Almost, Jasib.

He noticed a slingshot at Jasib's waist.

• Basim: What is this?
• Jasib: Aha! It is my latest creation. It helps me fend off angry merchants when they, uh, catch me digging around their wares.
• Basim: I will consider myself spared. You smell foul. What is that?
• Jasib: Ha! We have been fishing at the harbor since morning. Terrible luck, though.
• Basim: The harbor? Did you happen to see or hear any fuss over a chest?
• Jasib: Hm. Ah yes! A black one. Very beautiful. Some burly guards took it with them to the palace.

Basim took out a coin and gave it to Jasib.

• Basim: Shukran lak ya (thank you), Jasib.

Jasib accepted the coin and left with the remaining children.

• Nehal: What are you doing?
• Basim: They want that chest, and I am going to get it for them. Then they will see.
• Nehal: There is just no getting through to you, is there?

Basim shook his head.

• Nehal: Then we will do this together. If you get caught at the Winter Palace, they will kill you on sight. We will need a safe way in. And I know where we might scout one. That is, if you can follow my lead for a change. Shall we go scout the Winter Palace now?

Nehal waited near the gate, as Basim approached her.

• Basim: You do not have to get involved, Nehal. I know your feelings on this.
• Nehal: It is utterly foolish. But it seems I cannot stop you. So I will come with, and nag you until you decide to abandon the idea of stealing a chest from the Caliph's. Winter. Palace.
• Basim: When you say it like that, it only excites me further.
• Nehal: Are we going or not?

("Let's go to the Winter Palace.")

• Basim: Lead the way.
• Nehal: This is a mad plan, Basim. Even if you were to succeed and they welcome you into their ranks, what then? Will you forget about us?
• Basim: Of course not. Nehal, their intentions are our interests You, me and every street dweller who has been cast aside, living off scraps and dirty water. I can be an instrument that sees us out of that life. That sees that Jasib can use his talents to be a real craftsman. That sees that good men are not cast aside as my father was. And no children left wondering what tomorrow will bring.

Outcome

Defying Roshan and Dervis' heedings, Basim sneaked into the palace to recover the artifact. He killed the caliph in self-defense and fled while being chased by the Caliphate guards. With his group brutally executed, Basim escaped from Baghdad with the help of Roshan.

References

• Assassin's Creed: Mirage