Defense of Masyaf

"My men do not fear death, Robert! They welcome it; and the rewards it brings!"

―Al Mualim to Robert de Sable.

The Siege of Masyaf was a direct result of the disastrous mission to recover the Apple at Solomon's Temple, from the hands of the Templars. Robert de Sable the Grand Master of the Knights Templar- seeking the artifact and tired of the Assassin's Order's interruptions in Templar affairs- besieged the Assassin fortress of Masyaf in an attempt to destroy the Brotherhood.

Call to Arms

"I brought what your favorite failed to find. Here! Take it. Though it seems I've returned with more than just their treasure."

―Malik A-Sayf, handing over the Piece of Eden before telling him of Robert de Sable's arrival.

Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad returned from Solomon's Temple, and confesses to his master Al Mualim what had transpired. Stating that the Templar Grand Master, Robert de Sable, was not alone, and that he failed to retrieve the treasure, Al Mualim was enraged to find out that his best disciple was not able to accomplish his task. Just then, Malik A-Sayf, one of the two Assassins that accompanied Altaïr to the temple, arrived with his arm severely bleeding. Malik shows outrage to Altaïr's actions at the Temple, stating that if it were not for him, his brother Kadar would still be alive.

Just then, Malik stated that Altaïr's actions nearly cost them victory, for the injured Assassin was able to retrieve the Piece of Eden, and then handed it over to Al Mualim. Though they were able to retrieve the Apple, Malik revealed that Robert de Sable followed him, and was on his way to Masyaf. Just then, an informant warns Al Mualim of invaders attacking the village. Seeing the Templar's invasion as an invitation into a battle, Al Mualim responds by dispersing the Assassins into the city in order to drive them out.

As Al Mualim dismissed the informant, Altaïr was confronted by the Master before being dismissed himself, stating that his punishment will have to wait. He is then dismissed by Al Mualim, with the same order as the other Assassins, which is to drive out all of the invaders. As he left the fortress, he met up with Rauf, who requested for his aid. Rauf asked Altaïr to distract the Templars while he helped his men move civilians inside the fortress.

Afterwards, Altaïr ran down through the village and protected it as best as he could. Villagers were beaten and executed by Templars, only adding to the panic as Assassins fought Templar knights. After making an effort to defend the village, the Masyaf guards were overrun by the reinforcements of the Templar army, and had to flee back to the fortress.

Men without fear

"Your village lays in ruins and your stores are hardly endless. How long before your fortress crumbles from within!? How disciplined will your men remain, when the wells run dry and the food is gone?!"

―Robert de Sable, addressing Al Mualim.

Robert de Sable and his army of Templars.

As the last of the Masyaf citizens and guards entered the fortress, Rauf met with Altaïr and ordered the Assassin to follow him to the top of the tower, where he and another Assassin waited on platforms extending from it. It was not long until Altaïr witnessed Robert de Sable and his army finally arrive at the fortress gates, trying to force Al Mualim to surrender. Robert threatened that he would let the village starve, and executed a hostage in an effort to intimidate Al Mualim. However, this had no effect on the master of the Assassins. Al Mualim shouted back that his men were not afraid of death; they welcomed it. Robert then provoked Al Mualim more, asking him to show evidence of this.

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The Assassins show no fear, as they took the Leap of Faith.

Altaïr and the other Assassins delivered it to him by all performing a simultaneous Leap of Faith from the tower, and appearing to throw themselves into the deep ravine surrounding two sides of Masyaf. Altaïr and Rauf were successful in their leaps and landed safely in haystacks, however the third Assassin badly broke his leg. Rauf requested Altaïr to proceed without him, so he could comfort the injured Assassin. Over long logs of wood, Altaïr crawled his way over the gorge; high above him were the cliffs that towered over the river.

Once he reached the second tower, he climbed upwards to get inside. There, he cut through a rope that held back a huge pile of large logs, releasing them. The heavy timber rolled down and crushed much of Robert de Sable's army, driving them away.

Into the Void

Al Mualim: "I'm sorry, truly I am. But I cannot abide a traitor."

Altaïr: "I'm not a traitor."

Al Mualim: "Your actions indicate otherwise, and so you leave me no choice. Peace be upon you, Altaïr."

—Al Mualim and Altaïr, after Robert de Sable's attack.

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Altaïr views his fallen brothers from afar.

After routing de Sable, the Order started to repair the damage done to the village, as well as collect the dead bodies of their brethren. Al Mualim gave recognition to Altaïr for stopping the attacking Templar, but also berated him for his previous selfish act, proclaiming that it was the very reason the Templars had come in the first place. Al Mualim had two of his Assassin disciples, and also Altaïr's brethren, bound the wayward Assassin by the arms. The Grand Master began to lecture Altaïr in front of his Assassin comrades, reminding him of the tenets that built the order, and how he has disrespected all of these.

Reminding him of every tenet, Altaïr still showed signs of disregard for the higher authority of his master, interrupting Al Mualim as he spoke the first tenet, to which an unamused Al Mualim slapped Altaïr across the face, telling him to speak only when told. After that, he spoke of the mistakes Malik had mentioned to him, telling him how he broke the first tenet by killing the old man during their quest. The second tenet was about how an Assassin hides in plain sight. He then spoke how Altaïr broke this by exposing himself to Robert before striking.

Altaïr, being lectured by Al Mualim at the fortress at Masyaf.

The third was his most extreme crime, claimed Al Mualim. The third tenet was that of never compromising the Brotherhood. Altaïr broke this due to his selfish acts in Jerusalem, and drawing Robert de Sable into Masyaf, nearly destroying the Brotherhood. Done with his lecture, Al Mualim states that he cannot abide by Altaïr, due to his treachery. Altaïr said that he was no traitor, yet Al Mualim stands by his decision, using Altaïr's actions as evidence to his treachery.

Bidding Altaïr peace, Al Mualim stabs his disciple with a short blade by the stomach, rendering Altaïr unconscious. As the Assassin lay down on the ground, he enters a mysterious coma, where the Assassin was said to have felt death's embrace.

Aftermath

After a short while, Altaïr awoke in front of Al Mualim's desk, alive and well. Confused, Altaïr asked how he is alive after being stabbed by his master. Al Mualim explained that it was done so that he may be born anew, so that he may be reinstated into the order, enlightened on the way of the Assassins although Al Mualim probably used the Apple of Eden to create the illusion.After waking up a novice, void of any weapon, Altaïr is then given a task by Al Mualim: To find and bring to him the traitor Masun.

Source

• Assassin's Creed