Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade
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Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade is the third novel based on the Assassin's Creed series, written by Oliver Bowden and published by Penguin Books.
The novel tells the story of Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad and is based on his actions during the Third Crusade, and is narrated by Niccolò Polo; the father of Marco Polo.[1]
Chapters
Prologue
The prologue consists of two pages, telling us who the reader is - keeping him or her unknown - and where the reader is.
Part One
1 - Niccolò and Maffeo Polo are staying in Masyaf, where the old Grand Master of the Assassins had his quarters, Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad. At the end of his being in Masyaf, Altaïr had chosen Niccolò to tell his stories to. For weeks and countless hours, Niccolò sat with Altaïr, hearing the stories of the Grand Master's life. Niccolò takes Maffeo to the top of the defensive tower where a lookout first saw the invading force of Salah Al'din's army, "80 years ago (from when Niccolò tells his story to Maffeo), on a day in August."
2 - The beginning of Salah Al'din's attack. The intention of the attack was to conquer Masyaf, and eventually claim the head of the Assassin leader, Al Mualim. The Masyaf people flee to safety as the army comes closer, the Assassins fortifying the castle. However, instead of attacking, the Sultan's army came to a halt in the village, paying little regard to the castle. The next morning the battle begins, the army trying to fight their way in as they are under constant fire of the Assassins archers, villagers joining the battle. Later, with many dead on both sides, the army retreats back to prepare for their next attack. Salah Al'din leaves the army, and his uncle, Shihab Al'din comes up the mountain village to adress the Master of the Assassins.
3 - Herein is told Shihab had come to Al Mualim "to enter into talks". The story then flashbacks into Al Mualim's mind, where he had been talking to a Master Assassin, Umar Ibn-La'Ahad, discussing his mission, which nearly failed and cost the life of one of Salah's most trusted generals. Shihab wanted payment for the death of this general; the head of the culprit. Al Mualim dissaproved of this, and Shihab showed him the Assassin spy he had found, beaten up, and about to be executed.
4 - The next morning Maffeo awakes Niccolò, asking him what had happened to the spy and what happened to Altaïr. However, keeping to Altaïr's narrative, he skips fifteen years, telling Maffeo about Altaïr's failure at Solomon's Temple.
5 - Altaïr arriver at Masyaf after his failure, contemplating his failure. He meets Rauf first, who was still not notified of the failure. Secondly, he meets Abbas, who did seem to know about his failure, and rubbed it into Altaïr mockingly. He then finally arrives at Al Mualim's quarters and is interrogated.
6 - Malik steps in, furiously telling of his loss, and proudly showing his victory. Seconds later, a messenger runs in, telling the three that Robert de Sable is laying siege on Masyaf. Altaïr goes out to help fight the army, before Rauf tells him to come with him to a tower, to "surprise" the enemy. Later, on top of the tower, three Assassins take a Leap of Faith to show the obidience to their Master, while De Sable watches. Altaïr later, and alone, arrives at the trap, about to unleash death upon his enemy.
7 - The Assassins assembled at the courtyard, still savouring their triumph. As Altaïr came in, silence replaced the congratulations; everyone now knew about his failure at Solomon's Temple. Al Mualim starts speaking to Altaïr about his victory and failure. Eventually, Al Mualim punishes Altaïr for his failure, stabbing the Master Assassin in the stomach.
8 - Altaïr still lives, and wakes up to see Al Mualim, who tells him why he still lives and under what conditions; the Master Assassin now Novice, being stripped of his ranks, to learn the way of the Assassins once more.