The Secret Crusade
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The Secret Crusade was the personal journal of Niccolò Polo; a detailed study of the life of the Grand Master of the Assassin Order, Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad.
History
High Middle Ages
In 1257, Niccolò and his brother Maffeo Polo were invited to stay at the Assassin Order's fortress of Masyaf in Syria. Having been visited by Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad's son Darim in their home in Constantinople, they journeyed to Masyaf, were Niccolò had various discussions with Altaïr about the latter's life. As a result, Niccolò wrote these stories down in a journal, which ended up covering all key moments of Altaïr's life. The journal also acted as a sort of diary, giving details of the Polo brothers actions during their stay in the village.[1]
Renaissance
Niccolò intended to pass the journal to his son, Marco. By 1511, the journal had become in the possession of Leandros, a Byzantine Templar captain who was preoccupied with trying to open Altaïr's library hidden beneath Masyaf's fortress.[2]
The Mentor of the Italian Assassins, Ezio Auditore da Firenze, arrived in Masyaf in 1511, on a quest to enter the library as well. Learning from a common worker forced into serving the Templars that Leandros had the journal in his possession, Ezio sought Leandros out, and after a long chase through Masyaf and a nearby village, Ezio was able to kill Leandros and obtained the journal.[2]
Learning that the keys needed to open Altaïr's library were located in Constantinople after reading the journal, Ezio set out on a journey to Constantinople, while continuing to read the journal along the way.[2]
References
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