Defense of Masyaf
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- "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.
Defending the Village
- "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.[src]
Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad returned from Solomon's Temple, and confesses to his master Al Mualim what had transpired. Stating that the Templar 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.
Fearless
- "Your village lay in hoods 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.[src]
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.
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.
Aftermath
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 lectured Altaïr in front of his Assassin comrades and stabbed him with a blade, saying that he "cannot abide a traitor."